LEFT: CAPELLINI CAPRESE, WITH MOZZARELLA. | STRADA 57, 315 W. 57TH ST., 757.1620

BELOW, LEFT: COCKTAIL CUISINE INCLUDES FALAFEL CROUTONS, TAHINI, FETA, CUCUMBER, TOMATO, OLIVE, ONION, CAPER, RED PEPPER AND YOGURT DRESSING IN LETTUCE CUPS. | FIRESIDE, OMNI BIRKSHIRE PLACE, 19 E. 52ND ST., 754.5011

ABOVE, RIGHT: GRACIOUS ITALIAN APPOINTMENTS INCLUDE ROMANTICALLY DRAPED FLOOR-TO-CEILING WINDOWS. | SALUTE!, 270 MADISON AVE., 213.3440

BELOW: AN ARTIST'S RENDERING OF THIS LUXE SHRINE TO WINING AND DINING, DESIGNED BY DAVID ROCKWELL, REVEALS A ROOM AWASH IN SHADES OF BURGUNDY AND CHAMPAGNE. | ADOUR ALAIN DUCASSE, THE ST. REGIS NEW YORK,, 2 E. 55TH ST., 753.4500

Reservations are hard to get at the hottest restaurants, but last-minute cancellations do occur. For discounts and special offers, visit diningfever.com. Credit Cards: American Express (AE), Discover (D), Diners Club (DC), Mastercard (MC), Visa (V), $=inexpensive ($40+).

NYC & Company's Paint the Town discount tracel promotion (thru Feb. 28), nycvisit.com. The letters/numbers are NYC Map coordinates (p.88).