New York's Top Lady Chefs

An originator of the gastropub craze, April Bloomfield oversees the perennially packed West Village restaurant Spotted Pig. She has won critical acclaim for her … gnudi and elevated pub fare, plus a star each from the New York Times and the Michelin guide. [link]

Known for her famous lobster roll, Rebecca Charles inspired offshoots and variants like Mary's Fish Camp and Ed's Lobster Bar. Charles first worked in Manhattan … at Arcadia, then was executive chef at Cascabel before opening up her own New England-style fish shack. [link]

Named one of the best Italian chefs in America, Odette Fada is an 11-year veteran of San Domenico and supervises the whole kitchen. It's one of the best places in the city to have a truly elegant and authentic Italian meal, and Fada deserves much of the credit for that. [link]

Lima's Taste isn't a place we expect the New York Times to highlight anytime soon, but it's a great neighborhood spot for authentic Peruvian food. Chef Nelly … Godfrey makes recipes learned from her grandmother's kitchen, like anticucho (skewered grilled cow's heart), ceviche, and lomo saltado (filet mignon, tomatoes, onions, and french fries sautéed together). [link]

Gabrielle Hamilton is almost categorically the first name people give when asked about successful female chefs in New York. Her excellent home-style restaurant Prune is consistently packed, and it's a serious scene at brunch. Her pasta kerchief with poached egg is just sublime, and she's managed all the success while keeping a young … family intact. Hamilton also received a star from the New York Times' Frank Bruni in 2005. [link]

One of Park Slope's favorite restaurants, Ai Di La is run by Anna Klinger and her husband Emiliano Coppa. The institution gained two stars from the New York Times … just last year, but has been considered one of the Slope's best restaurants for much longer. Highlights here include a tripe appetizer and ravioli with beets and ricotta. [link]

Anita Lo first made her mark on the New York culinary scene at Mirezi, but she's worked at a number of high-ranking restaurants in both Manhattan and Paris. She … now runs Annisa with her partner Jennifer Scism. Lo has been named one of the top ten best chefs in America by Food & Wine. [link]

Our favorite little spot for brunch (though it's also a tasty and popular dinner place too) is owned and operated by two lovely and talented ladies. The … restaurant earned a star from Frank Bruni in the New York Times, and we would give it the same. It's homey, hip, and delicious. [link]

Sue Torres makes some of the most exciting Mexican food in the city at Sueños. She's worked all over, but she truly shows her talents at her own place. … Specialties include chile-rubbed goat wrapped in banana leaf, and organic chicken breast roulade [link]

The focus of owner Keith McNally's indignation with New York Times critic Frank Bruni, Jody Williams ran the kitchen at our personal fave Il Buco as well as Gorgione and Gusto. Though Morandi has been experiencing some rough patches, and Williams may not be at the top of her game, she is a killer chef and has an excellent reputation. [link]

One of the most acclaimed female chefs in New York, Patricia Yeo first made her mark on the city with AZ, for which she earned three stars. She has worked at venerable restaurants all over the country, most recently at Sapa. In March she made the move to the legendary Monkey Bar, which reopened last week after two months of renovations. [link]