by D. Kearney Sparano

Created on: February 03, 2009

What would I order for my last meal?

Good Question.

That's a game that Anthony Bourdain says he plays whenever he meets a chef. He said they all reflect on something from childhood. Something their mother made. I love food and wonder if I would do the same. I suppose on the parameters of the fantasy.

If money were no object there is a restaurant in Florence I would love to eat again,

Buca Mario. Their steak is amazing and they have a divine chocolate cake. So good I swear I saw some of the girls I was with practically orgasm when eating it. That's certainly a contender.

There were other great restaurants too. A lot of foods I fell in love with there. Il Posto, a little caf near the post office make the best bowl of pasta ever. Also, and I have yet to find it here, a freshly wood oven baked pizza with a couple of eggs on it is, in my opinion, fantastic. Basically if I had 2 weeks to live I would spend at least one of them in Florence, but that is not the topic of the article.

I do love a good hamburger and fries though. There's a place near me called American Burger Co. They make a tasty burger. My favorite burger they have is 4x4, four patties, the works and special sauce. The fries are delicious, and the chocolate shake is damn good. It's a good American meal.

Bar Jamon in Manhattan is definitely up there. I like taps, and this was excellent. It's a very intimate place and the sardines are delicious. It's probably the best tapas outside of Spain. A great place to have a last meal with the woman I love.

Sushi has always been a perennial favorite of mine. Fresh rolls and sashimi is divine. I particularly love California Rolls and Philadelphia Rolls. Tempura is always good too, shrimp tempura especially.

When I was a kid there was a place in Brooklyn we would eat at when visiting my aunt. I don't know if it is still there it was called The Cantina. The best thing I ever had there, and haven't found since, is a chocolate souffl. It was this wonderful warm light dark chocolate piece of heave, served with a side of vanilla ice cream. Scoop at little ice cream then a little souffl, fantastic.

However, when it comes down to it the 1st response is often the most honest and your true heart's desire.

The other night I sat down to my mom's meatloaf, and I thought this would be it for me. If I was going to die tomorrow, mom's meatloaf would be what I want. I'd like fries on the side and the Cesar salad she made the other night as well. More important I would want to eat it with my parents.

Learn more about this author, D. Kearney Sparano.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.