As for the Topic of the Day...
I remember planning a "Do all the typical NYC tourist things" trip a couple of years ago. The first restaurant on my list was The Carnegie Deli. Yes, I went into sticker shock when I browsed the menu, but since the sandwich was so big, I ended up with breakfast and a snack for the next day. I think I lucked out with my waitress too. Great service and she even told me not to order the pastrami that day, so I opted for the corned beef.
I also went there last year for lunch with a "regular" - who happened to be picking up the tab - and, again, we had great service. Otherwise...
Katz's in NYC's Lower East Side is my favorite NY Deli. The Pastrami-Corned Beef Combo can't be beat. I've also tried "Montreal Smoked Meat" at Mile End in Brooklyn. It's pretty good, although, not that consistent.
I also loved the original incarnation of the New York Deli in Richmond, VA. They flew their bagels and bialys in from H&H, and their house-cured corned beef in an omelet was a great way to start a Saturday.