JetBlue has launched a great contest for all the foodies out there. Basically they’re going to pay for your dinner, but it’s a whole lot sexier than that since they’re teaming up with Restaurant Week in New York and sending you out for a night on the town.

It brings a fuzzy feeling to our hearts to see former interns who use the skills acquired at BlackBook to actually do something meaningful with their lives like, you know, marry Mandy Moore. So last night, we were brought to near tears when our own Jena Steinbach hosted the SoHo launch party of her newish gastronomically inclined website The Young and Hungry.

Up in Canada, we’ve got a few traditions you Yanks lack. These include: marginalizing natives to the point of irreversible alcoholism, beating baby seals over the head with wooden bats, and free health care. We’ve also got a fast food chain much like Dunkin Donuts, but instead of pink branding and greasy cheese sandwiches, ours has homestyle warmth, and a menu peppered with comforting soups and hearty sandwiches. It’s called Tim Hortons—it’s a symbol of national pride, a cultural fixture, and it’s coming to New York.

Formerly executive chef at the decadent GILT restaurant, chef Christopher Lee recently re-opened Charlie Palmer’s legendary at its new location in the Bank of America Tower at One Bryant Park (that’s him in the photo above at right, Palmer smiling paternally at left). The Top Chef Masters competitor talks about manning the kitchen as executive chef at Aureole, his modest perspectives, and having a green thumb. Aureole will beoffering a 15% discount on all menus until the grand opening benefit gala for Citymeals-on-Wheels on September 15.

Everything in Los Angeles seems to be on wheels—including some of the best places to eat. Sadly, east-side favorite Taco Zone is out of commission following a fire—no one was harmed, just the tacos—and we look forward to returning to the Silver Lake staple soon. Meanwhile, today’s top contenders.

● Kogi Korean BBQ - A blend of Mexican fare and Korean cooking, this truck has 31,000 stalkers via Twitter. With inventive cuisine like the Korean short ribs taco and taro chips made fresh daily, prepare to wait in line for an hour or more with the other disciples.
● The Green Truck - This eco-friendly taco truck serves locally grown, organic, sustainably raised meals and can even run on vegetable oil. But green doesn’t come cheap: The ahi poke tacos with citrus and cilantro marinade and pineapple salsa will set you back $11.
● Don Chow Tacos - Clearly inspired by Kogi, new-to-the-scene Don Chow Tacos pairs Mexican and Chinese cuisines. Try the soy-ginger tofu taco—tasty as it is trendy.

● Ward III (Tribeca) - Custom cocktails? They know what you like.
● Piccola Cucina (Soho) - Studio apartment-sized space, but there’s nothing small about the flavors.
● DBGB Kitchen & Bar (East Village) - This ain’t no Mudd Club or CBGB. Boulud classes up the Bowery with a tavern/brasserie.

● Au Pied de Cochon (South Miami) - Good old French fare straight from the City of Lights.

● Gordon Biersch (Buckhead) - Brew-pub restaurant chain takes over competitor’s old digs including 18-vat, in-house brewery.

● Spina (East Village) - Trattoria breaks away from the pack with fresh-made pasta, Neapolitan specialties. 
● Grandma Rose’s (Williamsburg) - Grandma’s recipes live on at this low-pretense neighborhood newbie.

● Müvbox (Old Montreal) - Good things come in small red boxes.