WhenI tire of the same old burger and fries, I head to the Food Studio, asensuous dining room at the historic King Plow Arts Center. Withdeliciously creative cuisine (like citrus-glazed black cod with bokchoy and vanilla-miso butter) from mastermind Mark Alba, it's obviouswhy this eatery has become one of only 19 Atlanta eateries named aDistinguished Restaurant of North America. Added bonus? The service isas spectacular as the suppers. - Jill Becker

San Francisco
Canteen
817 Sutter Street, (415) 928-8870
Atfirst glance, it looks like a humble diner. But San Franciscans know itas something finer. From behind the bright green counter of his tinyrestaurant, chef Dennis Leary serves some of the city's mostmouthwatering meals, with inventive dishes ranging fromasparagus-and-fennel salad with pea puree and grape sorbet to pork withcurry, raisins, and rhubarb slaw. The house-baked brioche, which comeswith dinner, is almost a meal in itself. - Josh Sens

Austin, Texas
Las Manitas Avenue Café
211 Congress Avenue,
(512) 472-9357
Whenit's up to me, I almost always go for the Mexican comfort food - and sodoes the rest of eclectic Austin (think suited power brokers andbleary-eyed musicians). Loaded with Latino art and vintage booths, LasManitas is great for that morning wake-up call. My meal of choice?Cinnamon coffee, chilaquiles verdes, migas with mushrooms, and the bestwatermelon agua fresca in town. - Becca Hensley

Chicago
The Weiner's Circle
2622 North Clark Street,
(773) 477-7444
Everytime I'm in Chicago, I am seduced by the greasy allure of the Weiner'sCircle, a brick shack on North Clark that serves the best hot dogs onthe planet. Go for the "charred red hot," a heap of 100 percent beefwith raw onions, relish, tomatoes, mustard, celery salt, sport peppers,and pickles. Asking for ketchup is an insult; the staff will just swearat you. Open until four a.m. weekdays and until five a.m. on weekends.- Jack Boulware