Re: Cull & Pistol. Pan recently took his gf there for dinner on her birthday and wrote this detailed report.
A couple of suggestions that have not already been mentioned.
I highly recommend Le Coucou. I did a blog post about it here. It’s been a difficult dinner reservation since the day it opened. If you can’t snag a dinner res, lunch is usually easier.
Union Square Café has reopened in its new location. We’ve been there for lunch and dinner though not yet for brunch. The space is gorgeous. The food is better than ever. They’re now making their own bread and it’s spectacular. Service is, as it has always been, excellent.