USA Restaurants

Our favorite restaurants in the US

Caseus Fromagerie Bistro

Bon Appétit occaisionally rounds up a variety of not-to-be-missed specials from restaurants across the country. And what kind of New Haven born son would I be if I didn't point out a hometown star, Caseus Fromagerie Bistro. The restaurant was highlighted for their Arctic Char with Cucumber-Feta Relish and Jalapeño-Goat-Cheese Hush Puppies. Bon Appétit said, “Want to grab a bottle of olive oil and lunch? Then stop by Caseus, a cheese shop/bistro combo. The place is named for drained, pressed milk curds—and the folks here do know their cheese. The shop carries more than 100 artisanal varieties, which show up on the bistro menu. In this recipe, goat cheese adds [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:55-04:00February 22nd, 2011|Entrees, Recipes, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Almost Perfect, Already Famous.. Cyrus Restaurant

It's 2011 now, but let's not already forget about the best of 2010. Accolades are all too often quickly fleeting, so I'm taking a moment to recognize Zagat's 2010 San Francisco Bay Area pretty boy, Cyrus. The award-winning restaurant in Healdsburg, California celebrated a near perfect score with top rankings among Zagat’s most acclaimed restaurants. Just below first place Gary Danko, Cyrus places #2 above French Laundry! The restaurant garnered both Top Food Ratings Overall and Top Service Overall. Cyrus Chef Douglas Keane stated, “We couldn’t be more thrilled to be ranked so highly on the Zagat 2010 San Francisco Bay Area Restaurants guide, San Francisco Bay Area residents are [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:22:01-04:00February 19th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Highland Bakery, Atlanta

We opted for the bottomless cup of coffee while waiting our turn at the Atlanta bakery turned restaurant. The home-ground grits topped with shrimp and some creamy jalapeño gravy was fine (Shrimp & Grits; $12.95), just nothing special. The best part: the accompanying grilled jalapeño focaccia. Fried chicken Benedict ($10.95) included a fried boneless chicken cutlet and poached eggs a top a biscuit covered in cheddar cheese jalapeño Hollandaise and served with crispy breakfast potatoes. A best bite for sure. I forgot that the grilled cheese ($5.95) on rosemary garlic bread with avocado and bacon (each $1.50 additional) was a "grilled cheese" at all, as the bacon and avocado were [...]

By |2017-08-31T14:08:48-04:00February 14th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Bertucci’s New Brick Oven Offerings

When Bertucci's introduced their new line of brick oven specialties, the company sent some coupons so that I'd venture out to sample their offerings. To do so,  I invited a couple friends so that we could try many of their new menu items. We began with a Roasted Artichoke Fonduta - a gooey artichoke spread with mozzarella, Asiago and Romano cheeses served with their oil and cheese coated flatbread ($5.99). Luckily we also ordered the less fattening Roasted Tuscan Veggies ($3.99) that also included artichokes, plus zucchini, eggplant, broccoli, tomatoes and peppers. For entrees, I'd recommend the Salmon Florentine ($16.50), a roasted Norwegian salmon fillet with a light white wine, [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:33-04:00February 8th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Austria’s Grüner Veltliner: A Food Friendly Wine

My love affair with Grüner Veltliner wines from Austria began many years ago with my very first sip. At that time, I was attending a Brown-Forman Global Wine Education seminar in Mendocino (CA) County where Julia Sevenixh — a spokesperson for these Austrian wines —  introduced them to our group. I sampled a dozen or so, liking each one. Grüner Veltliner is generally an Austrian wine made from that eponymous white grape that's grown primarily in Austria and also in the Czech Republic. This grape accounts for about a third of Austria grape production. My love affair continued on my recent trip to Austria, where I enjoyed some minerally and [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:56-04:00February 7th, 2011|Food & Drinks, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Kitchen Zinc

Met some friends recently during happy hour at Kitchen Zinc, where all wines — some that sell for $10 a glass —  are a mere $5! Our hunger had us ordering a pizza to snack on while we enjoyed our vino. We selected their Smoked Chicken Pizza ($13.95) and were quite please at the  red pizza (meaning it has a thin layer of tomato sauce) with North Country's smoked chicken, artichokes, green olives, fontina and mozzarella cheese. I'd for sure go back to sample some other versions. After all Kitchen Zinc is in New Haven, pizza capital of the U.S. - bonnie Kitchen ZINC 966 Chapel St [behind ZINC] New [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:34:59-04:00January 28th, 2011|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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The Suburban, in Branford, CT

Arturo Franco-Camacho and his wife Suzette have another hit restaurant, this time a gastro pub in the suburban town of Branford, aptly called The Suburban. If you dine in Connecticut, you know this team from their first hit, the neuvo-Latino restaurant Roomba that changed the New Haven dining scene. Roomba was located downstairs in the alley off Chapel Street in New Haven. People found it and continued to come in droves for the unusual and delicious food. From there they moved to College Street and with their eclectic Bespoke, continuing with some food their customers came to know and love from Roomba but adding some Mediterranean flavor to their Latino [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:33-04:00January 20th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|3 Comments
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Ristorante Luce

I don't know why, people rave about Ristorante Luce in Hamden, CT, as I find it acceptable but nothing to special. I did have a decent dish last time I met some friends there. I requested the Salmone Risote ($14) just pan-fried not blackened as offered on the menu. They were accommodating and the salmon was delicious — not overcooked — and served over a tasty asparagus risotto and drizzled with basil infused olive oil. Decent restaurant, but definitely not worth going out of your way for. - bonnie Ristorante Luce 2977 Whitney Ave Hamden, CT 06518 203.230.0228

By |2017-08-31T15:40:33-04:00January 14th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Impudent Oyster

The Impudent Oyster is one of those places to go and be seen when on the cape. The pricey food is fine, although nothing exceptional, the staff friendly and the wait - even with a reservation — quite long in this noisy local hangout Two memorable dishes included the Baked Stuffed Lobster ( $32) and the Seafood Puttanesca ($31).  Go for the experience, to people watch and to have an okay meal. For sure don't go just for the food. - bonnie Impudent Oyster 15 Chaltham Bars Avenue Chatham, MA 02633 508.945.3545

By |2017-08-31T16:19:57-04:00January 11th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Restaurateurs of the Year in CT: The Barcelona Group

The Barcelona Restaurant Group's Andy Pforzheimer and Sasa Mahr-Batuz received the Restaurateurs of the Year Award from the Connecticut Restaurant Association These restaurateurs currently have six locations of Barcelona Wine and Tapas Bars throughout Connecticut (Greenwich, Stamford, South Norwalk, Fairfield, New Haven, and West Hartford), another location set to open in Atlanta, GA in January, and two BarTaco Taqueria and Tequila Bars opening in Port Chester and Stamford in 2011. Barcelona’s concept it to present the Spanish lifestyle through food, drink, and a sense of entertainment at accessible price points. Last year the Barcelona Restaurant Group released the "Barcelona Cookbook, A Celebration of Food, Wine, and Life" (available at the [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:58-04:00December 28th, 2010|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|Comments Off on Restaurateurs of the Year in CT: The Barcelona Group
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Avenues Receives Two Michelin Stars

Avenues — in The Peninsula Chicago — received a two star rating by the Michelin Guide. Chef de Cuisine Curtis Duffy has an impressive background including Chef at Charlie Trotter’s, Pastry Chef at Trio and also named one of the “legacy chefs” at the James Beard Awards in May 2010.  In addition to the Michelin two stars, Avenues received a four-star ratings from Chicago magazine and Chicago Tribune, a five-diamond rating from AAA, a five-star rating from CS magazine, and Forbes (formerly Mobil) Four Star rating. Avenues features an innovative menu of contemporary and progressive cuisine prepared in an exhibition kitchen,  honoring flavors and purity of products with 80 percent [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:37:33-04:00December 14th, 2010|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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The Lobster Pot in Provincetown

The Lobster Pot restaurant is a Provincetown tradition, one that I've visited each time I've been to that tip of Cape Cod. If you go and there's a wait, insiders told me to just say you're meeting someone upstairs at the bar, as it's much easier to get a table there! This time we started with Shawn's Famous Special Bloody Mary ($9) a peppercorn, lemon peel and pepperocini-infused vodka combined with a homemade bloody Mary mix served in a tall glass dipped in a peppery blend of spices. A must have. Between the four of us, we sampled a cup of Portuguese Soup ($5), their version of a hearty kale, [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:59-04:00December 4th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Bubba & Gianni’s Opens in Palm Coast

Bubba & Gianni, chef Jean-Stephane Poinard's newest restaurant, opened in "the hammock'" of Palm Coast, FL midway between St. Augustine and Daytona Beach. The restaurant is a culinary marriage of The South with a dash of Italian. The menu features southern favorites like fried green tomatoes, slow-smoked brisket, fresh vegetables, plenty of seafood, hoe pie and mean low-country boil, in addition to seasonal freshly made pastas, antipasti and home-style Italian specialties. Last month, the restaurant won first place in the appetizer category for their smoked pulled pork egg rolls with Datil dipping sauce at the 4th Annual St. Augustine Datil Pepper Festival at the County Fair. Bubba & Gianni's 5949 N. [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:59-04:00November 27th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|2 Comments
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Wynwood Kitchen & Bar Opens November 26, 2010

Wynwood Kitchen & Bar (WKB), a new brasserie-style restaurant, is slated to open Friday, November 26, 2010. Goldman Properties’ Jessica Goldman Srebnick and her partner and father, developer Tony Goldman, are putting finishing touches restaurant, with aclassic, farm-to-table and international menu  created by master chef Marco Ferraro, of their award-winning South Beach restaurant, Wish. Starters include sautéed garlicky mussels in a tomato broth, and local tomato gazpacho with cucumber, watermelon and house made croutons ($8 and $10). A selection of house made sausages, ($7 and $9), range from savory beef with spicy mustard to lamb with cumin spiked yogurt dip. Clay pots (served in half and full portions, $9 to [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:42:32-04:00November 25th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Better Breakfasts, and Not

A new breakfast test in the November 2010 issue ShopSmart, from the publisher of Consumer Reports, rates the best and worst choices at seven 'popular' restaurants based on calories, fat, and sodium. Be ready to be surprised, it's actually not all that bad on some products, but it's kinda bad on others. So beware. ShopSmart’s “Better Breakfasts” feature highlights which breakfasts to pick and which to skip at national chain restaurants, breaking down what ingredients a healthy breakfast should contain and offering a calorie count of popular breakfast snacks. DUNKIN’ DONUTS PICK IT: Ham, Egg & Cheese Wake-Up Wrap (200 calories) Saturated Fat 4.5g, Sodium 640mg, Sugars 1g, Protein 10g, [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:00-04:00November 22nd, 2010|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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Fiorini (NYC) Thanksgiving, Italian Style

Fiorini, the Italian restaurant will offer a four-course celebratory feast for just $42. Appetizer choices include butternut squash stuffed ravioli in light brown butter sauce with shaved Parmigiano-Reggiano or roasted corn squash soup with crab meat. Two salads compete for second course palates - baby spinach with radicchio, pears crispy walnuts and ricotta or arugula with roasted peppers, grilled onions and portobello mushrooms. The main event is roasted free range turkey with mushroom and sage stuffing, fresh cranberry compote, whipped sweet potatoes, harvest wild rice and honey glazed carrots. For dessert, pecan, apple or pumpkin pie. $42 per person. For information call 212-308-0830 or visit www.fiorinirestaurant.com. - Guest contributor

By |2017-08-31T14:11:06-04:00November 20th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Pera’s (NYC) Thanksgiving

Pera Mediterranean Brasserie will present its first Thanksgiving celebration this year offering a three-course celebratory meal ($49 a person) that infuses Turkish inspired touches into customary culinary traditions. Witness the pumpkin flatbread with house-cured lamb proscuitto appetizer option, as well as the honey-lavender glazed leg of lamb stuffed with seasonal dried fruits, pine nuts and rosemary served with feta potato gratin, in addition to the more traditional offering of roasted organic turkey with chestnut and sausage stuffing, caramelized Brussels sprouts, cranberry sauce and gravy. For those who would rather walk an a gastronomic wild side for Thanksgiving, Pera's regular a la carte menu, loaded with mezes,  salads and grilled meats [...]

By |2017-08-31T14:11:06-04:00November 20th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Riviera Maya Culinary Event

Taste of Playa, the Riviera Maya’s international culinary event will take place on November 21, 2010 in Playa del Carmen’s Parque Fundadores. The day-long festival is set to feature 40 restaurants and beverage providers coming from as far north as Puerto Morelos and as far south as Tulum. Returning again are Babe’s Noodles and Bar, Zenzi Beach Club, Zabor, Diablito Cha Cha Cha, Los Aguachiles, Fusion and El Bistro at La Tortuga. Newcomers to the event include Akumal's Lol Ha Restaurant and Turtle Bay Bakery; Playa del Carmen’s Casona de los Vinos, La Casa del Agua, Canibal Royal, Ula Gula, Carboncitos and Sapori di Casa. Travel and Food Expert, Mark [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:01-04:00October 29th, 2010|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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The Worst Burger in America

Consumer Reports has named the McDonald's hamburger the worst-tasting burger in America. Congratulations. The largest supplier of burgers is the worst, is anybody surprised? The magazine surveyed 28,000 people nationwide to come up with rankings on a ten point scale. Five Guys and In-N-Out Burger topped the list. Burger King came in tied for next to last place (another big surprise). The survey was conducted by polling online subscribers, asking them to rate the burgers they had eaten on their last visit on a scale of 1 to 10. The study evaluated 18 fast-food restaurants in total from across the country. The full report and Ratings are available in the [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:02-04:00October 28th, 2010|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Joseph Decuis Gourmet Restaurant Tenth Anniversary

The Joseph Decuis Gourmet Restaurant located in Roanoke, IN is celebrating its tenth anniversary. Proprietors Pete and Alice Eshelman have taken the 'Farm to Fork' experience to a new level during the past decade. What started out as a small town gourmet restaurant has turned into a fine dining destination that now includes the Farm, Emporium, Culinarium and Inn. Most recently the restaurant was honored to cook at the James Beard House in New York. Joseph Decuis raises their own Wagyu beef.  "Because we grow the foods for Joseph Decuis, we have absolute control over ensuring superior quality," Alice Eshelman explains. "We believe in and adhere to all-natural, drug-free, humane, [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:20:02-04:00October 27th, 2010|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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