New York

No. 2, Sparks Steak House

In the early '90s, I was invited to a business dinner at Sparks along with about a dozen others. We had a nice big table. The drinks were generous, the food delicious and copious and the service was excellent. I knew I had heard of the restaurant but at the time just thought it was another midtown steakhouse. When I got home, my wife reminded me that was where Castellano had been gunned down. Regardless, we had a good dinner but I've never had the occasion to return.

No. 8 Umberto's Clam House

NYC's Little Italy has been shrinking year-by-year over the past 25 years or so and many excellent restaurants are gone. My favorite was a high-end place called SPQR where I once got stuck with a dinner bill for 12 people = $3,500! Thankfully, my expense account covered it. Still, it was an amazing dinner.

Umberto's has claimed one of the top spots in Little Italy and although it's also pricey, (entrees are high-$20s to low-$30s), the quality is exceptional. They obviously specialize in seafood which is fresh, delicious and beautifully presented. The wait staff is superior and it's fun to glance around at the other patrons, (don't stare unless you're really brave and definitely no photos!).

New York City doesn't have the kind of macabre history of some European cities but these infamous joints have their own stories to tell. Maybe it would be fun to visit each of these eateries although the social clubs might be difficult to get into.