Blue Smoke

In the great barbecue debate, the sprawling Blue Smoke is always at the forefront with nearly as many skeptics as die-hard devotees. A pioneer in the city's barbecue scene, restaurateur Danny Meyer has done the unthinkable: taking a messy, greasy, non-urbane genre and turning it into something hip, something New Yorkers want to eat. Comfort food in all its slightly upscale glory, the menu is a smokey blend of traditional and innovative barbecue, while the industrial ambience adds to the experience. Expect a jumping bar scene and a swinging jazz club downstairs, Jazz Standard.