Floyd Cardoz

By now, you should be well aware that we’re Top Chef junkies here at Immaculate Infatuation. The dynamics of Masters are certainly a bit different than usual, but it’s interesting to see how successful, proven chefs react to the pressure of quickfire challenges and moody guest judges.

Hometown pride and love for his old restaurant had us rooting for Floyd Cardoz all season, and we’re not shocked at all that he won this week. The dude can cook. Cardoz made a name for himself as executive chef at the boundary pushing “New Indian” restaurant Tabla, which unfortunately shuttered this year. But there’s good news for Floyd’s fans/anyone who has actually been to Battery Park City. His new restaurant, North End Grill, opens soon in the neighborhood.

Follow Floyd for news on the impending opening, and you should also check out the charity that received $100,000 as a result of his Top Chef gangster skills, the Young Cancer Research Fund at Mount Sinai Medical School.

Floyd’s “Perfect For” Picks

Authentic Ethnic Eats

Tsukushi (300 E 41 St.) – “You never know what you will be served but it never fails to please.”

Classic NYC Establishment

Union Square Cafe (21 E 16 St.) – “Every time I go there I can’t believe how excellent it still is. The pastas are always great and a surprise.”

Fine Dining

Daniel (60 E 65 St.) – “From Hor d’oeuvres to petit fours and every course in between, a super meal.”

Friday/Saturday Drinks & Dinner

ABC Kitchen (35 E 18 St.) – “The wood oven roasted Maine lobster is very good and a winner. Dan kicks ass.”

Full On Pork Indulgence

Maialino (2 Lexington Ave.) – “I think Nick invented pork cooking. We have to order “the Maialino” whenever we go there for dinner with 4 or more people.”

Bonus: Quality Fish

Oceana (1221 Avenue of the Americas) – “Ben knows fish and knows how to treat it well.”

Bonus

Hill Country (30 W 26 St.) – “Fatty brisket, I have to get my fix every time I go there.”

Bonus: Authentic Eats Worth the Trip

Chengdu 1 (89 Pompton Ave. – Cedar Grove, NJ) – “Always order the specials off the wall and tell them to cook it ‘like Chinese people.’”

Floyd’s Twitter People

@andrewzimmern – Andrew Zimmern

@jasonwsj – Jason Gay

@onkappysplate – Andrew Kaplan

@leeannewong – Lee Anne Wong

@dhmeyer – Danny Meyer