Ilan Hall dishes about some of the Manhattan restaurants that excite him besides his favorite spot, Yakitori Taisho (5 St. Marks Pl.; 212-228-5086).

Per Se

For the service
"You’d expect more stuffiness from a place like this, especially because everyone is wearing a really nice suit," says Ilan about Thomas Keller’s extraordinary restaurant. In addition to the exceptionally attentive service, Ilan likes the gracious welcome at Per Se’s hostess station. "It’s not snobby. I don’t feel awkward about the way I act there," he adds (10 Columbus Circle; 212-823-9335).

Florent

For the ambience
Ilan adores the quintessential New York feel of Florent, a 24-hour bistro in the Meatpacking District. "I like that it’s a French diner with counter seating—I love counter seating—and I like the dark lighting, too. It always has a fun late-night feel even in the middle of the day," (69 Gansevoort St.; 212-989-5779).

Chanterelle

For the dining room
"I don’t think my own restaurant will look anything like this, but I love this place," Ilan says about the pretty Tribeca restaurant with grand details like huge windows, giant chandeliers, pillars and magnificent flower displays (2 Harrison St.; 212-966-6960).

Great N.Y. Noodletown

For the food
"Their food is the best," Ilan says of this Chinatown institution. "The skin on the roasted baby pig is so thin and crispy, it’s like a candy shell. It’s served at room temperature, so I have no idea how the skin stays so crispy. Everything is simple, cheap and delicious" (28 Bowery; 212-349-0923).