I went there last week and it was gone. I wish I'euro;'d patronized that stump more often. Top of the Town is more than a contest. Our goal is to whip up appreciation for the finer things in our world, the same way a carnival man whips up cotton candy, and this year we piled up a lot of it.

Eastern tastes MARU SUSHI & GRILL — In addition to its many signature sushi rolls, this elegant, intimate restaurant also serves hot dishes, like Japanese style beef tenderloin and teriyaki chicken, as well as vegetarian options, all made from scratch. 5100 Marsh Road, Oke...

EMOS — This deli offers Korean cuisine, including spicy chicken bulgogi made with thinly sliced chicken marinated in garlic, ginger, and soy sauce, then sautéed with onion and peppers. 20 different $5 lunch specials on Monday-Friday from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.. 901 Trowbridge Road, East Lansing. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Noon-9 p.m. Sunday. (517) 803-4921. D, TO, RES, OM, $$

What’s better than a day dedicated to drinking? Not having to take a day off work to enjoy a day dedicated to drinking. This year, St. Patrick’s Day falls on a Saturday; the next time it happens—2018—we’ll probably be able to teleport to a bar on the moon for last call. Which will be great for all those future college seniors who are only just starting high school this year, but as for 2012 we´ll have to keep our feet on the ground and stick to local establishments. So this year, take solace in the knowledge that if you want to spend an entire day drinking (and spilling) green beer, you don’t have to lie to your boss this year to get away with it.

Ave., East Lansing. 11:30 a.m.'euro;“10 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 11:30 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday; 12 p.m.-11 p.m. Saturday; 12 p.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. (517) 853-3700. www.aifusion.com.

THAI PRINCESS — Artistic presentations of Thai cuisine are served in a stylishly decorated environment in Okemos for upscale dining without the premium prices. 1754 Central Park Drive, Okemos. 11: 30 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-9 p.m. Saturday; noon- 8 p.m. Sunday. (517) 381-1558. TO, OM, R, WiFi, $$.

Two years ago, playwright Joseph Zettelmeier’s comedy “It Came From Mars” opened at Ann Arbor’s Performance Network and moved to Williamston Theatre. Zettelmeier’s “Dead Man’s Shoes” is going the other direction.

ANQI SUSHI EXPRESS — This tiny shop on Allegan Street has brought downtown diners what they’ve been craving: sushi. beef don, Udon soup and all sorts of sushi.

If See's Candies doesn't sound familiar, think back to the days of "I Love Lucy." Remember the episode in which Lucy and Ethel are working at a candy factory and stuff their mouths with chocolates while working on the assembly line?

SUGAR SHACK — A cupcake connoisseur's paradise, Sugar Shack has nothing but sweets to make your mouth sing: enormous and slightly less than enormous cupcakes, brownies, cookies, pies and more.