On Sunday, the most important sporting event in the world will be held, assuming by "world" you mean "United States." This year's Super Bowl is particularly significant, as it pits the Giants of East Rutherford, New Jersey New York against the Patriots of Foxborough, Massachusetts New England, two of the biggest television advertising markets most historically rich cities in the country. A list of Boston sports bars can be found here. As for my fair city, New York is filled with sports bars, but there are a handful of particularly upscale joints that break the lager-and-wings mold with fancy cocktails and haute cuisine - particularly important if you're trying to make a date of it. Here are a few of our favorites. 

Perhaps eclipsed by the buzz of Don Hill's, many under-the-radar projects are in the works for New York nightlife's back-to-school season. While some neighborhoods are focusing on new openings - and non-neighborhoods are starting to call themselves "Kenmare" - many continue to draw inspiration from the past (not Steve Lewis's past, but further back), hoping to add a dose of Mad Men elegance to nightlife. Here's a shortlist of the most exciting developments destined to pack a big punch this fall.

On Sunday, Americans will trick themselves into caring about hockey one last time, when their Olympic men's hockey team will go up against either Slovakia or Canada in the gold medal game. Since we all know it will be Canada, this means a rematch of the game that suddenly ignited U.S. interest in hockey for the first time since the word 'mom' wasn't attached to the end of it. Now that Sunday is suddenly Game Day, the question is, where is the ideal spot in New York to cheer on a bunch of guys you've never heard of before?

Sixth borough, my ass. Call Philadelphia whatever you want any other time, but this week, in New York, we call them one thing: "Fucked." Because the Yankees have the best team they've had in years, and they're about to win their first World Series since 2000. Granted, it's eight years late, but sometimes we need to play catch-up. For those who will have to tolerate watching the seven games with you -- or watching the Phillies lose in four -- we've come up with some decent alternatives to your average digs you'd watch baseball, for those who might find this a less-than-pleasurable experience. Batter up.

● Warren 77 (Tribeca) - Sean Avery and Beatrice bloodlines make this spot about as trendy as sports bars get. ● Aldea (Union Square) - The Portuguese fine dining of the future, available today.