2013 was a good year for food in New York City; some of our local stars branched out, the Brooklyn-ization of the food world kept going full speed ahead and ultra-high-end Italian (think entrees over $50) continued to draw huge crowds.

Photo by: Cherie Cincilla

Read below for Zagat's picks of the restaurants that mattered most in 2013, and make those reservations before your New Year's resolutions kick in.

The Italian Stallions: Carbone and ZZ's Clam Bar

Photo by: Gabi Porter 
 
The guys behind Torrisi and Parm (chefs Mario Carbone and Rich Torrisi) landed a one-two punch on the city's dining scene, but this time in the West Village with these sister restaurants on Thompson Street.

The first (pictured) runs with a kitschy, old-school vibe that both pokes fun at and celebrates red-sauce joints of yore, while the second is a super-small bar and crudo counter that serves high-end seafood and cocktails.

Both spots come with sky-high price tags, but they've managed to attract the magic combo of sceney buzz and critical acclaim. You almost forget you're paying $52 for veal parmesan.

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