AS 2007 drew to a close and I ricocheted around the city to sample the latest crop of restaurants, I was struck by how seldom I found myself in stylish showpieces beseeching rapt attention, how often I visited humbler, more peculiar haunts. That's where the buzz was.

2

1

Some of America's top chefs are dialing down the haute factor and dishing out fresh-off-the-farm ingredients with a casual edginess. Our top five spring picks are below.

5

2