Michael Psilakis has tasted and served ice cream since his days at Carvel. But on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Michael dreams about the nutty Butter Pecan Ice Cream at Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory. With only eight flavors (served via cone, shake, split or sundae), each bite is simply delicious.

Rachael Ray explores Sharon Springs, NY, at The American Hotel, built in 1847 and serving up traditional dishes with fresh, local and regional ingredients, on Food Network's $40 a Day.

From a humble farm stand to a full-service restaurant, bakery, gourmet marketplace and boutique, Sutton's has indeed been through some changes over the years. Rachael grew up eating here, so spend a morning in her kiddie shoes with a duo of fresh cinnamon cider doughnuts (they make 25 dozen daily!).

Get ready for what Rachael called the "best barbecue chicken you'll ever have," slow-cooked on the largest charcoal grill in the Northeast at this "famous" I-88 pit stop. Complete the feast with ribs, pulled pork and strip steak with a variety of sauces and steakhouse sides.

Don't let the Upstate New York address fool you: the Texas-style barbecue here is as authentic as it gets. At Painted Pony, they fire up the smoke pits at dawn, so meat has time to cook nice and slow for a tender and delicious meal. Rachael Ray loves the buffet.

You'll find Mary's Marvelous, a take-out bakery and coffee shop geared toward people on-the-go, right in the Hamptons. Drop in for a piping hot cup of joe, homemade granola, fresh baked goods, breakfast offerings and sandwiches.

With the local nickname of "Lunch," The Lobster Roll has been a mecca for coastal cuisine. It's even credited with inventing the cold version of the lobster roll! Rachael worked up an appetite for her $40 a Day trip and also had to order the grilled crab cake topped with extra lemon juice.

On Manhattan's Upper West Side, find "authentic" Mediterranean dishes and live entertainment every night of the week at this no-cover blues bar. Rachael called the baked vegetarian moussaka "fabulous" and promised "you won’t miss the meat at all."

This Belgian brewery offers tours, tastings and a family-friendly cultural center. Rachael loves the ginger-and-coriander-spiced Hennepin pale ale, which, in addition to five other popular year-round brews, can be paired with dishes such as chocolate fondue and savory crepes at the brewery's cafe.

Rachael Ray hits a home run at Danny's Main Street Market, a down-to-earth supermarket in Cooperstown, NY, serving picnic perfect sandwiches and snacks on Food Network's $40 a Day.

On Food Network's $40 a Day, Rachael Ray explores the flavors in the home of the Baseball Hall of Fame at Blue Mingo Grill, serving a delicious selection of sandwiches, in Cooperstown, NY.

It sounds cliche, but a stroll through Mrs. London's Bakery and Cafe feels like a glance at the grandest pastry cases of Paris. This place truly has it all - fresh breads, tarts and mousses galore. It's not always sweet, though. Battle the lunchbox blues with a giant, crispy Croque Monsieur.

Leon's is the project of a retired jockey now serving up his native dishes - it's truly a Saratoga Springs fusion! The colorful decor is a great match for the kitchen's fiery plates. Grab the Burro Ranchero - a chicken burrito with ranchero sauce - for a meal big enough to take home leftovers.

Just under the streets of Saratoga, a converted basement-turned-club is pulsing with nightlife. One Caroline Street's rotating acts include steaks, bruschetta, pastas and live entertainers. Soak up some smooth jazz over an icy Trifecta martini shaken with lemon, orange and raspberry vodkas.

As Rachael says, Putnam Market is a "food-lover's paradise of inventive sandwiches, tasty salads and fruity smoothies." This shop does all of its cooking and baking in-house, with daily specials like the Putnam sandwich - smoked turkey, brie and honey mustard - ready to grab and go or sit and eat.