Best comfort-food restaurants

As we stare down yet another winter, our thoughts turn to the kind of food that nurtures tummy and soul.  What's more soothing on a gray winter day than tucking into a deep dish of mac and cheese or a gooey, carb-laden dessert, while nestled on a body-heated banquette? Go ahead and indulge: Your veggie-virtuous ideals can wait until next month.

Rack & Soul
Culinary therapy kicks in as soon as the heaping basket of moist, honey-glazed corn biscuits lands on the table. For maximum tactile pleasure, order the stickiest options on the jam-packed Southern menu: short ribs covered in your choice of mild or spicy BBQ sauce, simple, creamy macaroni and cheese, and huge slices of homemade cake. Trust us: You won't be able to choose between the decadent red velvet and fluffy coconut-pineapple, so order one of each.
258 W 109th St between Amsterdam Ave and Broadway (212-222-4800, rackandsoul.com).

Veselka
A throwback to the artsy, affordable East Village of decades past, this 24-hour Ukrainian diner is famous for such authentic savory grub as borscht, kielbasa and pierogi. Homemade treats like blintzes, waffles, poppy-seed bread and rice pudding will send your sweet tooth (or toothless sweetie) to heaven. Factor in fast, friendly service and lots of vegetarian options, and this landmark more than earns its cheery, inclusive appellation: Veselka means "rainbow" in Ukrainian.
144 Second Ave at 9th St (212-228-9682, veselka.com).

Duke's
At this Southern-accented diner, kids can snuggle up in one of the comfy booths and peruse the pop-culture memorabilia on the walls while waiting for their food. Start everyone off with sloppy joe sliders or the addictive, warm spinach-and-artichoke dip, then move on to the generously stacked, uncommonly mouthwatering turkey-and-bacon sandwich. A side of creamy mashed potatoes rounds out the perfect cold-weather meal.
550 Third Ave at 37th St (212-949-5400, dukesnyc.com); 99 E 19th St at Park Ave South (212-260-2922).

The Grey Dog's Coffee
If your idea of comfort is diving into a chicken potpie while listening to Supertramp amid a forgiving background din, then this cafe is for you. Add in a glass of crisp white bordeaux and cookies the size of your head, and you may never want to leave. The joint plies picky eaters with Brie-pesto melts, PB& J, juicy burgers and transcendent fries. And they deliver—what's cozier than that?
90 University Pl at 12th St (212-414-4739, the grey dog.com); 33 Carmine St between Bedford and Bleecker Sts (212-462-0041).

DuMont
Elegant and snug, this Williamsburg bistro doesn't flaunt its G rating. But that's why parents love coming here: Kids' needs are seen to quickly and patiently, yet grown-ups are the center of attention. Chase one of the rich pasta or fish specials with a soothing sidecar cocktail, while your younger dining companions split a helping of the DuMac and Cheese or a moist and messy burger.
432 Union Ave between Devoe St and Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg, Brooklyn (718-486-7717, dumont restaurant.com).

Cafe Katja
Tucked into a narrow space on an increasingly swank stretch of Orchard Street, this chic and cheerful café offers a light, modern twist on classic Austrian cuisine—and an affordable haven for families. After all, a bratwurst is, essentially, a hot dog, at least in the mind of a three-year-old. The lineup includes simple but precisely prepared beer-hall staples: spaetzle with mushrooms in a light, buttery sauce, fluffy quark (cheese) dumplings, tangy pickles and house-baked soft pretzels, their glossy crusts flecked with just the right amount of coarse salt. (Order one for each kid, or the meal may end in fisticuffs.)
79 Orchard St between Broome and Grand Sts (212-219-9545, cafe-katja.com).

Cafe Glechik
The homey Russo-Ukrainian restaurant specializes in pelmeni and vareniki, which are basically Slavic takes on ravioli—and what kid doesn’t like stuffed pasta? The small, wontonlike vareniki can be ordered as a savory entrée (a potato-filled version, for instance, comes with mushrooms and onions on top) or as a dessert (we preferred the one stuffed with cherries). Even better, perhaps, is pelmeni Moscow, a very white dish in which ample potato dumplings are doused in a cheese-and-butter sauce, then baked in a crock, creating a thin, yummy crust. Many dishes here come in a crock, like the Odessa stew (beef and potatoes in a rich gravy). Make sure to wash it all down with “compote,” a refreshing drink made of cherries, apples and pears—fishing out the chunks of fruit is part of the fun. In a nice touch for grown-ups, the cappuccinos come in a tall glass that reveals elegant, painstakingly poured layers of coffee, milk and froth.
3159 Coney Island Ave at Brighton Beach Ave, Brighton Beach, Brooklyn (718-616-0494, glechik.com).