Good eats around NYU's Skirball Auditorium.

Restaurants: Minetta Tavern, Mamoun's, Peanut Butter & Co. and 7 more... , Papaya Dog, OTTO Enoteca Pizzeria, Mermaid Oyster Bar, Lupa Osteria Romana, Lotus of Siam NY, Kati Roll Company, Tomoe Sushi

These 10 fantastic spots prove that the American restaurant scene is alive and well, and more delicious than ever. By Andrew Knowlton

Restaurants: Anchovies & Olives, Hatfields, The Purple Pig and 7 more... , Frances, Bar La Grassa, Ellerbe Fine Foods, Miller Union, Menton, Laurelhurst Market, Marea

These were provided by a co-worker of my wife, who lived in Japan for years. All descriptions were his. Not trying to take credit, just don't want to violate his privacy w/o his permission (he's a lawyer)!

Restaurants: ChikaLicious, Soba-Ya, Soba Totto and 15 more... , Azusa, Katsu-Hama, Ise Japanese Restaurant, Zuzu Ramen, Naruto Ramen, Hibino, Minca Ramen Factory, Sake Bar Hagi, Restaurant Riki, Yakitori Totto, Sakagura, Chiyono, Geido, Taro Sushi, Kappa Sake House

I'm not saying its a done deal if you try one of these places, but then again, I'm not not saying that either.

Restaurants: Alta, Recette, Kajitsu and 12 more... , Degustation Wine & Tasting Bar, Sushi Azabu, Peasant, Aldea, Il Buco, The Red Cat, I Sodi, Minetta Tavern, Vinegar Hill House, Seersucker, Hearth, Prune

How many of these new hot spots have you been to? This list will be narrowed down to five final nominees on March 21, and the winner will be announced May 9. Follow us on Twitter for live updates: http://twitter.com/beardfoundation

Restaurants: Amis, ABC Kitchen, Baru 66 and 30 more... , Bootsie's Heritage Cafe, Cook & Brown Public House, Estadio, Girl & the Goat, Mondo , Recette, The Refinery, Salt of the Earth, SUGARCANE raw bar grill, A-Frame, Bar Agricole, Barbuzzo Restaurant, Benu, China Poblano, ChoLon, Commonwealth, Community Table, Elise Coastal Dining, Husk, Kushi Izakaya & Sushi, Menton, Nobuo at Teeter House, Piccolo , Prospect, Shepherd's Pie, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Star Noodle, Torrisi Italian Specialties, Uchiko, Waterloo & City