45 W 81 St, New York, NY 10024 (Inside the Excelsior Hotel)
Offering an exceptional menu of Latin fusion cuisine, Calle Ocho is particularly known for its phenomenal brunches (but also offers dinner and ridiculously good drinks and desserts). With influences from all over the Spanish speaking world, highlights include the Vaca Frita Cuban skirt steak, latin fried rice, tomato escabeche, avocado and fried eggs and the Vegetariano wild mushroom paella with Guatemalan green bean salad with sweet pea vinaigrette. But the complimentary accompaniments may be more impressive than the meals; eight types of unlimited sangria (white and red), delicious bread and the whole experience complemented by an atmosphere that encourages a slowly savored meal in good company.