Presidential candidate Mike Huckabee chose T.G.I. Friday’s when a Times reporter offered to take him to lunch anywhere in the city, but Huck ultimately settled for the Olive Garden. [NYT via Serious Eats]

The Food Network’s ratings are hurting, which might help to explain why Emeril Live got canned. [NYT]

How do Thomas Keller and Mario Batali fare against McDonald's when it comes to calories? Keller's veal breast and polenta and Batali's pork loin are worse for you than a Big Mac, but who cares? [WSJ

Domino’s Pizza is putting a twist on their classic (and retracted) 30-minutes-or-less promise with a new “You Got 30” slogan, which has nothing to do with actual delivery time. [WSJ]

In an effort to make nightlife politically correct, a man is suing several Manhattan nightclubs for their ladies’-night specials, which he claims violate his constitutional rights. [NYP]

Brooklyn-born rapper Fabolous breaks his silence on the stabbing of a friend at Duvet, saying he was nowhere near the club when it happened. [NYDN]

Felony assaults are up 40 percent from last year in that crazy new clubland we call the Flatiron district. [NYP]

There’s plenty of free food to be enjoyed in this town, if you’re at least willing to buy a drink. [Zagat]

Looking back on the year, it’s time to mourn the loss of the Moondance Diner but celebrate the return of the 2nd Avenue Deli. [Lost City]
Related: A Sneak Preview of the 2nd Avenue Deli

Here’s your drink “trend” alert for the week: jam-infused cocktails, thanks to one such offering at Stanton Social. [NYT]