Autumn in New York.

"It's amazing," says one professional restaurant follower. "I can't possibily keep up with them all." The "All" she refers to is the undiminished restaurant boom, as New York City continues to see new bars and restaurants open at a record pace. Even neighborhoods previously unknown as hot dining scenes (like Smith St. in Brooklyn's Cobble Hill) have suddenyl gone from food backwater to must-visit eating and drinking destination.

Meanwhile, well-established chefs like Matthew Kenney, Doug Rodriguez and others have opened or are set to open new places. Kenney's Commune i