New York

On one of the most ghetto-y streets in Inwood sits a hidden treasure of taste. Specializing in Dominican churrasco steaks, 809 Sangria Bar is a haven for carnivores who want their beef with a bit more kick than they might find at, say, Peter Luger's, and combines traditional meat-and-potatoes fare with exotic Caribbean flavor. Small yet spartanly elegant, this restaurant specializes in grilled meats and features a good variety of the eponymous beverage. The menu is simple enough for any average red-blooded American to enjoy, but the cuisine is haute enough to appeal to any sophisticated New Yorker. The centerpiece of the menu is the large-yet-thin churrasco steak, grilled to order and then coiled up with basil leaves for a wonderful mix of flavors. Crispy fries made from yucca instead of potatoes serve as the starch, and various chimichurri sauces are provided for dipping everything on your plate. Sangria is, of course, the only appropriate beverage at such a restaurant (Just try ordering a seltzer. Go on. I dare you.), and there are several varieties to try. The classic is probably the best choice for purists, and conjures images of bullfights and flamenco. Ole!

Photo:  Jena Tesse Fox