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I actually don't think Yasuda is THAT expensive. Also with sushi, if you order it the sushi-bar way, it's fun and cheaper than "omakase" (which literally means to let someone else choose), and in affect the same thing. Technically there shouldn't eve be waitresses at the bar except to bring drinks. You take a seat and start a talking to your sushi chef. A typical conversation starter is "What's good today?", at which point you can tell them, that you'd like for them to choose and how hungry you are (they'll probably ask you what you like or don't like). Point to a fish you don't recognize and ask them what it is. Or if tuna is your favorite, ask them when the best time of year to have it is. And you can put a stop at any time as they should be preparing it as you eat it (and not all at once on a plate). Unless you eat like crazy, I can't see it setting you back more than $60-$80 per person..

Menton. Even though I've never been, my father whose taste in food I totally rely on, had only superlatives of the highest kind to say for that restaurant.

Isn't there one on St. Marks in the East Village as well?

I want to know too! Before, I felt Palacinka was the one and only, but now that it's gone..
There's some new crepe place in the Financial District.

Omakase technically means to "leave up to the chef" (or whomever else) - and there really isn't any reason you couldn't go sit at a sushi bar and ask "so, what do you recommend today?" It really doesn't or shouldn't matter how many pieces you order - so you could stop when you hit about 5 pieces - though if it's good, it would be no fun.
You could go for an omakase snack.

The brown sugar pecan sticky buns from Oro Bakery
http://lunchstudio.blogspot.com/2009/10/400pm-brown-sugar-pecan-bun.html

This is not probably the type of pork sandwich you are speaking of, but please try the roasted loin or pork sandwich w/ rosemary aioli and frisee from Once Upon a Tart. It's really really really good.

Peter Luger for sure, as someone else mentioned it's only available at lunch (no reservation needed) and it's under $10 still. Don't forgo the side of bacon. Shake Shack, JG Mellon.

I don't necessarily think it's a gimmick. There was once a good article on it. Some restaurants use it as a tool to showcase what they can do, some participate for an easier buck. The trick is to find the ones who want to win over some new patrons. So I wouldn't pick on the name only especially if you are trying to have the best meal in NYC before you jet off. Trying a restaurant for RW may perhaps be too risky unless you hear good things for a particular restaurant.

For Hiyayakko, you want to definitely use silken tofu. You can get the "Mori-nu Silken", http://www.morinu.com/
which don't go bad quickly (in a paper carton - readily available - not in the refrigerated section) or these also found at most places
http://tinyurl.com/29kfbr8
I would not buy the tofu you find in the water at non-asian (or asian) supermarkets for hiyayakko.

The egg salad sandwich and the roast beef with arugula and parmesan are our faves...

The first one that came to mind was as others, Ninja. How about the steak place at that strip club - naked girls and meat! I thought Jeffrey Steingarten thought it decent. I just looked it up, Robert's Steak House at the Penthouse Executive. It would be fun!

I agree that Del Posto lunch prix fixe is amazing. Eleven Madison ain't too shabby either - I like the space better - it will be light filled during the day though. Del Posto is darker, though not any more romantic.