As promised, it's time to meet the sixth panel member of master sommelier Laura DePasquale's tastemaker panel. Alongside five impressively accomplished wine directors, chef Frank Prisinzano sat at the very end of the table with his signature East Village Radio cap on. It was an exciting foodie moment for me as Prisinzano has been a bit of a godsend in my adult life. His trio of East Village-based Italian restaurants — Frank (88 Second Ave., 212-420-0106), Supper (156 E. 2nd St., 212-477-7600), and Lil' Frankie's (19 First Ave., 212-420-4900) — have provided delicious sustenance for me since day one of my New York City existence. Chances are, you know Frank, too.

The downtown restaurateur knows how to make good food and where to get it. So, of course, I was all ears and bated breath when Prisinzano revealed some of his own around-town favorites. From where he likes to unwind after a day inside the Frank-Supper-Lil' Frankie's kitchen chaos to the cheese shop he's been going to for years, here are six local spots to try out, Frank-style.

  • Casual bites: "I sit at the bar at Peasant (194 Elizabeth St., 212-965-9511) and it's just wonderful. The menu itself is based in fire — roasted, sauteed, wood-baked, and more — and he makes beautiful pizza. Even though Nolita has recently popped up with a bunch of hip places to eat, this still feels like a friendly neighborhood restaurant. Also, there's this Japanese restaurant called Bohemian on Great Jones Street. They don't give out much information and I think reservations are hard to come by, but it feels like you're eating in someone's living room. It's just the chef making whatever he wants to make you and it's delicious."

  • This is what cheese shop dreams are made of: "I've been going to Di Palo's Selects (200 Grand St., 212-226-1033) for years and years. They are so friendly there. The more questions you ask, the more cheese you'll get to try. Ask Lou [Di Palo] about the seasons of parmigiano reggiano and he'll most likely cut open a wheel so you can taste it."

  • Butcher shop of choice: "Ottomanelli & Sons Meat Market (285 Bleecker St., 212-675-4217) has one of the most beautiful storefronts in Manhattan. I've been going there forever and the prices are pretty reasonable."

  • Next fancy schmancy dinner happens here: "So Il Buco on Bond Street just opened a little grocery store Il Buco Alimentare and Vineria (53 Great Jones St., 212-837-2622) around the corner. I walk by it all the time and I noticed there's a private room above it where you can dine. I think it would be cool to try that out since I already love what Il Buco does."

  • Fall opening he's psyched about: "My newest restaurant, Sauce (78 Rivington St.), will be opening up soon on the Lower East Side."

    • Source: Flickr User jmillerdp, Flickr User blueorca, and Frank Restaurant