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Matcha Creme Brulee.
Or: black sesame icecream

What about Kenny's Trattoria in Williamsburg? Formerly known as Brick Oven Gallery? This is a no frills place on a desolate block. But their pizza and ravioli are delicioso!

I don't see how this is a shortcut at all. Nothing is easier than making polenta. I make it like couscous. I boil water (for 1 cup of polenta I use about 1.5 -2 cups of water). When the water is boiling, turn it off and stir in the polenta. I add salt and spices, perhaps some sauteed mushrooms. Put the lid back on and within minutes it is done. Then--if you don't want the mushy look--you can pour it into an oiled baking dish, flatten it out with a spatula. Let it cool for at least 30 minutes. Then you can cut it into squares or triangles and sautee it in a pan. I guess you could skip the cooling process and just stick it into the oven...

Tampopo.
La grande bouffe.
The discrete charm of the bourgeoisie.
The cook, the thief, his wife and her lover.
L'aile ou la cuisse.

Thanks everyone for all your suggestions! I cannot wait to try them out.