Banh Mi Saigon Bakery

This oddball mixed-use space—a bánh mì shop and gemstone jewelry store—has a strong following in the Chinese-dominated neighborhood of Little Italy and beyond. Formerly in cramped quarters on Mott Street, the venue decamped in the summer of 2010 to a brighter, airier setting next door to Enoteca Di Palo. The proprietors brought with them a dramatic goldfish aquarium and a fridge full of exotic beverages, and added a few tall plants and counter seating where you can immediately dig into one of their astonishingly flavorful, overstuffed Vietnamese sandwiches. Most devotees swear by the pork or chicken bánh mì crammed into a baguette with cucumber, daikon, cilantro and chilies. When they ask if you want it "hot," they don't mean the temperature.