The holidays are a time for gathering with friends and loved ones. With everyone in town, my favorite way to catch up is over brunch or dinner at a nice restaurant. I am very aware that people, especially teenagers, are not in the market to splurge on a meal so I've taken that into consideration. Below you'll find some of my favorite restaurants in three of the five boroughs. These are places that I have been to and cannot stop raving about. They're highly rated and serve up items that are sure to please any guest.

1. Queens Comfort

Located in Astoria, Queens this restaurant serves funky dishes such as chicken crusted in Cap'n Crunch cereal and fried french toast balls. However, their menu changes pretty frequently to keep things fresh and fun. The interior is decorated to look like someone's tacky yet welcoming home with family photos adorning the walls and figurines throughout. Not to mention it's BYOB.

2. Murray's Cheese Bar

This Greenwich Village gem serves up assorted cheeses and meats so you can customize a charcuterie board or you can order one of their entrees- all of which include CHEESE. I recommend the mac & cheese. The waiters are extremely knowledgeable when it comes to pairing dishes and will be more than happy to assist you.

3. The Meatball Shop

Boasting several locations in Manhattan and Williamsburg, The Meatball Shop specializes in its namesake. When you first sit down you receive a menu that allows you to check off items to design your meal. You choose whether you want a meatball sandwich, meatballs over pasta, or meatballs alone. Then you can get even more specific and choose your sides, the type of meat you want, and even the sauce.

4. The Boil

The Boil has two locations. The original is in the Lower East Side while the newer, and bigger location is in the West Village. This place is best enjoyed with large groups since the crawfish, crab legs, and shrimp are served in large buckets. You get plastic bibs and gloves to help you keep neat, but there really are no restrictions when it comes down to diving into the buttery, saucy seafood goodness. Land-lovers fear not for there are a few fish-free options available.

5. Jacob's Pickles

If you're a fan of pickles or southern comfort food in general then you should check out this spot. Some of their great dishes include their burgers, fried pickles, and multiple chicken dishes served with gravy-smothered biscuits. Jacob's Pickles is conveniently located on the Upper West Side.

All of these restaurants are moderately-priced and good for sharing. Numbers one and five are great choices for brunch.