The second restaurant from David and Karen Waltuck, the husband-and-wife team behind the glorious Chanterelle is this affordable and joyously authentic French bistro. Despite its hip TriBeCa address, Le Zinc is unfussy and unpretentious. Head to Balthazar or Pastis for a beautiful-people scene; come to Le Zinc for genuine warmth and beautifully prepared creative bistro cuisine. The space is open and comfortable, with big, well-spaced tables, comfortable banquette seating, unframed art posters glazed into the walls, and soft, sexy lighting.

The menu features American bistro favorites with gentle accents, some of which reach beyond France to Eastern Europe, Asia, and even New Orleans. Winning choices include a skate wing beautifully browned in butter and capers; delectable mussels in snail butter; an excellent duck, foie gras, and pistachio terrine; a tender calf's liver with caramelized onions; classic rib steak and frites; even a thick, juicy bacon cheeseburger. Reservations aren't taken, but any wait you might have is well worth it -- just put yourself in the competent hands of the bartenders at the generous mahogany bar. The crowd is grown-up and easygoing. A real winner -- and reason enough to visit TriBeCa.