Restaurant: Barney Greengrass

*Barney Greengrass
UPPER WEST SIDE
541 Amsterdam Avenue between 86th and 87th Streets
Tue-Sun 8:30am-5pm
Subway: 1 to 86th Street

This is an essential NYC spot, an ancient Jewish deli known as "the Sturgeon King." It's one of the major institutions of the Upper West Side, and the people-watching is (almost) as good as the scrambled eggs with onion and lox; the fresh OJ; the babka and the chopped liver. Don't get fancy: stick to bagels, bialys and appetizing (Jewish cold-cuts.) In fact, get the eggs with onions and novie! And don't let the waiters push you around. During peak brunch hours, you'll wait, but there's a quick turnover and if you're there before 11 or on a weekday, you'll be in, no problem.