ironchefsam "Honeys play me close, like butter plays toast."

Loosen your wallets and order the Blue Ribbon Special. It’s a flight of the finest cuts of sashimi and delectable maki that leaves you wondering why you would ever order sushi anywhere else. Occasionally you’ll have a meal worth any price. This is one of those meals.

Hot and cold appetizers are better at Nobu and Morimoto. But this hidden gem is the mecca of sushi.

The servers are polite, friendly, and Japanese—a rarity in most Japanese restaurants in the U.S.

It doesn’t get much better than a Shack Burger and cheese fries. When it comes to good burgers, there’s a fine line between greasy and greatness, but they get it right here everytime. Madison Square Park is a great dining room in the summer. 1 star deduction for the long line.

Every dish is perfectly plated and ready to be photographed. But this place isn’t just about looks. Start with the kobe beef carpaccio or the rock shrimp tempura. If you’re running on a tight budget, head downstairs to the lounge and order sushi. The maki is hearty, yet reasonably priced. And if you like cocktails, try a Morimotini or a White Lily. If you’re not convinced, check out the website and tell me that doesn’t whet your appetite.

You don’t need words like “Famous” and “Original” in your restaurant’s name if you were the original and your name didn’t become famous until after you opened your restaurant. This is the the famous and original Ray’s pizza. There are no frills or crazy colors at this unassuming pizza shop. For the archetypal slice of pizza, head to Ray’s.

$11 brunch includes coffee (or tea), bloody mary (or juice), and your choice of artery clogging breakfast platters that’ll replensih your frail body, which is still recovering from that long night of drinking.

I like the Bull Dog: biscuits, sausage patties, and scrambled eggs smothered in country gravy. It comes with cheese grits and home fries. BYO-Lipitor.

Go with at least 6 people and order family style. You choose 2 apps, 2 salads, 2 pastas, 2 entrees (proteins), and 2 desserts and its all you can eat. The stuffed mushrooms and momma’s lasagna are best in breed. The Maggiano’s Salad will be making an appearence as the first course of my last meal. Who knew a salad could be that good?

The food keeps coming out, and whatever you don’t finish…you get to take home.