At the New York Film Festival premiere of Broken Embraces:

● PENELOPE CRUZ - Favorite restaurant in New York? "Oh, I have many because I love food so much!" And in Madrid? "I go to many that are out in the countryside, but whoever goes there for the first time should go to Botin. It's the oldest restaurant in the world." What did you like about it? "Everything!"

● PEDRO ALMODOVAR - Favorite restaurant in New York? "Mr. Chow's -- we had dinner there the other day, and it was really very impressive." And in Madrid? "In Madrid, there are many. Casa Lucio is one of my favorites."

Dominick D'Alleva, owner of Home and the still-hot Sway, on trading in the Law for the industry, not getting a table at his own joint, and plotting power moves in this economy.

Favorite Hangs: One of my old friends from Yale Law School and I still meet weekly at Da Silvano. We also like other, more quaint restaurants. When we go out, we go to Cipriani, Giorgione, but, since Little Italy has been eaten by Chinatown, you have to look for places [further away].

Point of Origin: I was born in Italy -- in Abruzzi on the Adriatic; that had a tremendous influence as I grew up. At four, I stole eggs from my grandmother and traded them for pastries. I started early. I grew up in my uncle's restaurant in Orsogna; now my cousin has it.

Wait, shouldn’t you be passed out with your shoes on somewhere?

1. The Boutique Kitchen (Edgewater) - Tiny space, bright yellow walls, better home cookin' than your progenitor. Friendly mother-son duo run the city’s best new lunch spot.
2. Scotty’s Landing (Coconut Grove) - Drink a brew and nibble fried shrimp alongside Biscayne Bay. Seriously chilled-out sailor's oasis.
3. La Sandwicherie (South Beach) - One word: baguette. Don't count on scoring a seat at this little open-air, open-late spot -- you're not the only one in the know.