It seems that Daniel Humm, master chef behind the acclaimed Eleven Madison Park , has a heart. After years of catering exclusively to the Platinum Amex set, hes now given us hoi polloi the chance to try his grub at a reasonable price. To cut costs, hes doing so at a counter service joint. But whats loaded on that tray is fablettuce as crisp as an English accent, topped with perfectly roasted chicken; creamy cauliflower curry; roasted garlic and basil tomato soup; and more. The perky dining room (with its Crayola-colored mural and shiny wooden tables) gets packed but Madison Square Park is just a block away, perfect for a picnic.

- Pauline Frommer