Yet this year on opening day, rather than being one of the first through the doors, I sat home on my couch, feeling anything but inspired. Then my phone chimed the sound of a text coming through, a friend who always flies in for StarChefs.

Here are NiC's picks for the dozen most "wow" restaurant dining experiences in the U.S. with food so good, one meal is worth the price of the entire vacation. Here they are, in alphabetical order.