Empire Diner, Chelsea

Empire Diner and its iconic Art Deco building have been a Chelsea landmark since 1976. The wide-ranging menu (still "diner," but spiffed up), glamorous decor, and art district setting make it a solid choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch, dinner, late-night snacks, or even just cocktails.

My perfect Empire meal might be the Lobster BLT (served with Old Bay aioli on a toasted brioche bun) with a side of Herb Fries. For dessert, the Empire Sundae (vanilla, chocolate, and peanut butter ice cream with a salted peanut caramel brownie bar).

While I've tasted all of the components of said perfect meal, I've never actually ordered them all together. I mean, it's a lot! But that's the great thing about diner menus. There's so much to choose from. It's what keeps you coming back, year after year.

Empire Diner, 210 Tenth Ave., Chelsea. Click here for their website.