For his favorite sauce Michael Psilakis ranks Don Pepe's linguine and clams as No. 1. A Queens favorite, Don Pepe serves gigantic portions with big flavors, as evidenced by the linguine pasta made with whole garlic cloves, Long Island clams and a slice of bread to mop the sauce all up.

Don't be fooled into thinking Rye's meatloaf sandwich is a TV-dinner flashback. On The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Michael Psilakis compares Rye's messy sandwich to heaven. It's just one dish among Rye's long line of comforting behemoths like slow-cooked pork belly sandwiches and made-to-order doughnuts.

Rachael Ray is hooked on Motorino’s Colatura di Alici pizza. The thin, slightly charred crust is topped with cherry tomatoes, flat-leaf parsley, red onion, olives and marinated white anchovies. A little anchovy oil is drizzled over the pizza to give it an extra zing.  Another standout is the Soppressata Piccante, which features spicy, coarse-ground salami layered over bright tomato sauce and fior di latte cheese. “Motorino, to me, makes as good a Naples-style pizza as you could really get anywhere in the world,” says Michael Symon, who often keeps it simple with the Marinara option. His other favorite is the Brussels Sprout, which features the namesake vegetable’s fresh leaves, along with smoked Canadian bacon and Pecorino Romano cheese.

According to Ted, the grilled duck breast at this Tuscan restaurant is so good that it should be on your bucket list. The duck is served with a sweet and tangy fig and shallot marmalade, which pairs well with the rich duck flavors. The wine selection focuses on rare and indigenous grapes from Italy.

The authentic Italian pizza at Graziella's includes Ted Allen's favorite, the Arugula & Parmesan pie. The owner, Vito Randazzo, named Graziella's after his mother. The menu also has plenty more Italian specialties, including tiramisu, chickpea panelle and eggplant rollatini.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten's mastery of French cuisine knows no bounds, as you can find his restaurants from Chicago to Los Cabos, Mexico. But Aarón Sánchez stays in NYC to revel in the four-course chocolate tasting menu that includes Jean-Georges' the melt-in-your-mouth chocolate cake.

As the name suggests, Craft has become synonymous with well-crafted, simple ingredients that speak volumes. So says Aaron on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, who considers the quail -- drizzled with aged balsamic and topped with a sprig of rosemary -- beautiful. Most diners opt for "utterly delicious."

Located in the former home of Craftsteak, Colicchio & Sons offers top-of-the-line American cuisine served in a lovely contemporary space. If you want to go all in, the tasting menu is top-notch. For a more relaxed meal, try dining in the Tap Room at the front of house.

On Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Claire Robinson picks up her chopsticks for the carefully crafted Akamaru Modern Ramen at Ippudo, a Japanese ramen experience, in New York, NY.

Judy Joo grew up with her mother's comforting soondubu jjigae soup. As an adult, she turns to Cho Dang Gol's version that's just as good as mom's. The soft tofu is made in-house, melting perfectly in the fiery broth. Tip: Arrive early. Korean-food lovers often pack this Michelin-rated restaurant.

On Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, Claire Robinson orders the crunchy egg rolls at Chinatown Brasserie in New York, NY.

Johnny Iuzzini doesn't often admit pastry envy. But on The Best Thing I Ever Ate, ChikaLicious's Fromage Blanc "cheesecake" won him over. Be advised, the small dessert bar usually packs a full house as the Prix Fixe menu features decadent desserts like lemongrass panna cotta and hazelnut trifles.

During the holidays, Aaron Sanchez often can be found in the kitchen. But when it's his turn to eat, he feasts on Casa Adela's pernil. Adela begins by marinating a pork shoulder overnight in spices and vinegar. When it finishes roasting, the inside is moist and the skin has the perfect crunch.

On The Best Thing I Ever Ate: On a Stick, Tyler Florence names a NYC favorite: Grilled Corn. Although Cafe Habana's known for a mean Cuban sandwich, it's just as famous for the Mexican-Style Grilled Corn smothered in mayonnaise, cotija cheese, lime and the perfect dusting of chili powder.

Aaron Sanchez, of Food Network's The Best Thing I Ever Ate, recommends the Creamy Rice Casserole and other regional Mexican dishes at Zarela in New York, NY.