Food

A Scottish gastropub featuring a large selection of scotch and whiskeys, plus a pretty ambitious menu (including a number of chactuterie plates). 115 Allen Street, near Delancey 212-460-0915 Hours: 6 p.m.-11 p.m, Sun-Thurs; 6 p.m.-midnight, Fri-Sat Menu

A gussied up taqueria and tequila bar (150 varieties) from the Spitzer's Corner team. The exapnsive lower level has a clubby feel. Private rooms are available. 109 Ludlow, near Delancey 212-228-8383 Hours 5pm-4am Web site

Known best for its rollicking weekend brunch, Essex serves an American menu with Jewish and Latin touches. The restaurant also has weekday happy hour specials. 120 Essex, at Rivington 212-533-9616 Hours Mon-Thu, 6pm-midnight; Fri, 6pm-1am; Sat, 11am-2am; Sun, 11am-11pm Web site

Cusine: MexicanAddress: 108 Stanton St. (Ludlow)/mapPhone: 212-254-4188 Hours:  Sun-Thu, 10am-2am; Fri-Sat, 10am-4amMenu Reservations:  YesDelivery: No El Sombrero, referred to a lot of locals as "The Hat," is one of he last "old school" spots within the Lower East Side's gentrified nightlife...

A friendly family-owned restaurant serving specialties from Puebla, Mexico. 321 Houston, near Attorney 212-473-3919 Open Tue-Sun, 11am-midnight; Mon, closed Web site

A Dominican diner serving up huge portions at bargain prices. Cubano sandwiches, rice & beans, roast chicken are among the standbys. A good choice for breakfast, too. Two locations: 113 Rivington, near Essex/212-982-6412 521 Grand/212-995-0244 Open daily 8am-midnight Menu

The sleek Ludlow Street spot offers all of the Thai standards - curries, wok sauteed entrees, spicy chicken wings. Lunch is a bargain. 123 Ludlow, near Rivington 212-677-7624 Hours Mon-Thu, noon-10:30pm; Fri-Sat, noon-11:30pm; Sun, 2pm-10:30pm Web site

Perhaps the neighborhood's best old school diner. The food is dependable, the service is lightning fast and the chocolate milkshakes will make you want to take a long nap. 89 Canal, at Eldridge 212-925-3298 Open Mon-Fri, 6am-7pm; Sat-Sun, 6am-4pm Menu Delivery

Cusine: MexicanAddress: 253 Broome St. (near Orchard)/mapPhone: 212-228-6710 Hours:  Mon-Fri 11:30 a.m.-1 a.m.; weekends 10 a.m.-1 a.m.Menu/web siteReservations: yesDelivery: noMore than a decade after arriving on the "below Delancey" restaurant scene, Barrio Chino is still one of the most popular...

A rowdy German beer hall, off the Bowery, that usually has pretty good food.  Hearty specialties include: chicken paprikasch, spaetzle, bratwurst. There's also a garden in the back. One one recent trip here the burgers came out cold, the...