Frank Bruni visits Perbacco in the East Village and gives it two stars, describing it as "worthy of its name, which means 'wow.'" [NYT]
Adam Platt wasn't thrilled with Matsugen in this week's New York. Jean-Georges Vongerichten's response: Platt didn't like the restaurant because he missed the concept, which is "pure, authentic, Japanese cooking." [NYM, JGV]
The New York Sun's Paul Adams pays a visit to Kafana, and describes the meaty dishes as "invigorating." [NY Sun]
Jay Cheshes at TONY checks out two Brooklyn restaurants this week: James, which lands four stars and surpasses his expectations with a burger that's close to "perfection," and The General Green, which "fails to live up to the hype," says Cheshes. [TONY]
Danyelle Freeman of the Daily News doesn't seem to miss L'Impero now that it's called Convivio, and gives the Michael White-piloted Italian three stars. [NYDN]
Alan Richman visits Socarrat Paella Bar, where the paella is terrific, but the less-than fresh ingredients disappoint. [GQ/Forked]
Over at the New Yorker, Ligaya Mishan stops off at Scarpetta, where she's as taken with Scott Conant ("cooks like an older man") as she is with the pastas ("nearly all wows"). [NYer]
