New York City: Rue 57 (July 2010)

My spouse and I dined at Rue 57 in July 2010. The burgundy-and-brass-bistro-by-the-numbers rooms don't lead you to expect much, but what used to be the dreariest corner on 57th Street is now a boisterously attractive destination with quirky dishes like meatloaf made with Kobe beef topped with chipotle-brown sugar sauce. Unlike Pastis, it won't remind you of Paris. But when was the last time you ate this well around the corner from Bergdorf Goodman?