Considered by foodies to be one of the top American restaurants in the city, mk doesn't flaunt its pedigree. The loftlike dining room is as understated as the lowercase initials that give the restaurant its name. Chef Michael Kornick specializes in creative combinations, such as sautéed whitefish and Maine lobster with sweet corn, mushrooms, and a light cream sauce; a nouvelle surf and turf of grilled filet mignon and lobster with truffle aioli, red-wine sauce, and potato purée; and a New York sirloin steak with veal porterhouse. The presentations are tasteful rather than dazzling; Kornick wants you to concentrate on the food, and that's just what the chic, mixed-age crowd does. Service is disciplined yet agreeable, and fine table appointments signal this restaurant's commitment to quality. Pastry chef Mindy Segal is mk's not-so-secret weapon: her sweet seasonal masterpieces, from intriguing homemade ice creams to playful adaptations of classic fruit desserts, shouldn't be missed. The One Banana, Two Banana plate (banana brioche bread pudding, banana sherbet, and banana coffee cake topped with butterscotch and hot fudge) is worth the calories.