chazpbg

Where to begin? If budget is not an issue, go to Per Se (Thomas Keller's place) -- the best meal I've ever had in my life, but it ran $750 per couple (and that was more than five years ago). But the true pleasures of eating in New York are cheap, ethnic eats. Two favorites: Zenon Taverna in Astoria, Queens (great Greek/Cypriot) and Congee in New York's Chinatown (98 Bowery -- amazing but simple Chinese fare, including -- of course -- congee!).

Yeah, I once visited Masa -- just to say I did. I think I spent $40 for two pieces of sushi and a beer. So, I'm going to let you in on my gluttonous secret. There are a few places in the city that do all-you-can-eat sushi, but they tend to be pretty mediocre. And then there's this place: Kiku Sushi. A great, great neighborhood sushi joint in Chelsea -- does all the standard fare and a few interesting rolls. And it's all on the all-you-can-eat menu, which runs about $28. Add all-you-can-drink for another 6 bucks, I believe. (And all-you-can-eat green tea ice cream for another two bucks.) This place won't win awards, but it's solid and the deal is incredible. Come hungry, of course.

Honestly, I tend not to get into ethics games with food. So, yes, I eat foie gras. The one interesting thing I did find, though, was when debates emerged around kosher certification (I happen to be Jewish, but don't keep kosher). I thought it was fascinating that meat could be considered kosher because it was slaughtered properly, but that the ethics of the ownership of the slaughterhouse didn't seem to matter (ie an owner that refused to pay his or her workers). This became quite a matter of debate in some circles in the Jewish community. Again, perhaps not really an answer to your question, but it was one of the few times the ethics thing hit home for me.

Favorite whiskey: I'm a sucker for anything peated, meaning Islay Scotches. Laphroaig, Bowmore, they're all good to me. But if I had to pick a favorite, I'd go with the Laphroaig Cairdeas -- a special edition they've done where the liquid is aged in port casks. It adds a layer of sweetness to the smoke. Unfortunately, the bottle may have sold out by now. Ran about $100 if I recall. As for wine, again, so many to choose from, but I never say no to a good California Zin.

I just answered a question about wine and price. The short answer is price matters somewhat, but like anything else, you pay for brand names. With whiskey, the best value these days is Ireland, I'd say. They make great whiskey -- much more purely "drinkable" than a lot of bourbon and Scotch. And because it hasn't gotten quite the buzz that bourbon or single malts have, you can get great bottles for $50 or under. Here's a recent favorite, albeit right at the $50 mark: http://www.marketwatch.com/story/get-your-irish-whiskey-up-2014-03-14