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Tonda
235 E. 4th St., 212-254-2900, East Village, Manhattan
Pizza maestro Michele Sceral was flown in from Naples, Italy, to keep an eye on the pies being fired into the 1,000-degree rotating wood oven at Tonda (Italian for “round”), a chic new pizzeria in the East Village. Partners Bob Giraldi (Jean Georges, Mercer Kitchen), Luigi Comandatore and Dario Milanin (Bread, Lulu) transformed the perpetually troubled E.U. space into an easier sell to the public—affordable pizza and small plates of Neapolitan street food (fried mozzarella, cheesy eggplant) carry mass appeal these days. The lighting is muted at Tonda, but it's not too dark to make out the good-looking waitstaff and Italian-focused wine list.

Cornelius
565 Vanderbilt Ave., 718-398-6662, Prospect Heights, Brooklyn
The 19th-century shipping and railroad tycoon Cornelius Vanderbilt was notoriously ruthless, making more enemies than friends. The new Prospect Heights gastropub named for him is exactly the opposite. What could cement more friendships than a daily happy hour (including weekends and all night on Mondays!) that features $1 oysters? Chef Michelle Hanna used to work at Freeman's, and her brief menu of creative pub food stands up well to the venue’s expertly made cocktails and exemplary spirits list. Be sure to get her fried pickled vegetables, perfect with any drink. At Cornelius, there's no sense they're out to gouge you or create an empire, although it would be nice if such a smart, comfortable, well-appointed tavern was in every neighborhood.

Comida Mercado Fresco
461 Columbus Ave., 212-496-3000, Upper West Side, Manhattan
Market-fresh, Yucatán-style cooking distinguishes Comida from your average Mexican joint. The peninsula's cuisine is a fusion of Mayan, European and Caribbean influences—so look for chicken, beef, pork and seafood punched up with achiote, habanero and tomatillo. Spicy roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds) are served at the long wood bar, where patrons will find an impressive selection of tequilas. The simple space is relatively unadorned except for a discreet Day of the Dead altar and a mural of a smiling señorita behind a colorful produce stand. If you're heading to the American Museum of Natural History, it's a family-friendly place to keep in mind.