Bites from the Road

Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca, Boston

Mario Batali’s long awaited Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca recently opened in the Seaport District. We stopped in for lunch after riding the scenic Hingham ferry across Boston Harbor to Rowes Wharf, followed by a quick 10-minute walk on Seaport Boulevard. At Babbo, you’re greeted by wafting Italian classical music, warm orange tones and yellow terracotta tiles under an exposed industrial ceiling. We sat at the white marble pizza bar divided by a glass partition, watching three chefs roll out dough and add scrumptious ingredients such as mozzarella, red tomato sauce and mushrooms to pizzas that are cooked in a 1,000-degree wood fired oven for 90-seconds. We nibbled on bread sticks [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:50:37-04:00June 30th, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
Read More

San Francisco Street Food Festival

San Francisco Street Food Festival (SFSFF) — the Bay Area’s annual celebration of local food and drink, community, and entrepreneurship —  announced the dates for the seventh annual festival on August 15 and 16, 2015. The 2015 SFSFF is moving to the Dogpatch and historic Pier 70, a Forest City Project, to accommodate the festival’s growing popularity and fan base. In 2014, the festival welcomed 50,000 guests, while featuring over 80 local vendors. This year’s event is projected to be even bigger, especially that this year’s event will be two days instead of one. For more information on the festival, click here. - Guest contributor

By |2017-08-31T16:21:58-04:00June 27th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Restaurant Volt, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany

"Berlin?" asked the helpful American Air Lines person I was speaking to, offering another city I might fly to after I had dismissed Paris, Rome and Lisbon because I'd been before. I wanted to fly comfortably in style to my son's wedding in Europe last month, but didn't want to use all my miles. If I wanted to choose the days, it could have cost me up to 65K miles each way for Business Class seats; yet only 20K for off-peak low fares if I could find one. I paid the extra 25 bucks to speak to that amazingly helpful human. Once she learned that I was completely flexible about [...]

By |2017-09-05T09:47:33-04:00June 22nd, 2015|World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
Read More

La Bodega, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

While the touristy beach town of Tamarindo offers a plethora of international options from Mexican to Israeli, it's La Bodega, the small and unassuming cafe off the main road that packs some of the most impressive flavors in town. The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere are an added bonus to the daily specials (all local and organic) like Greek chicken salad, fresh fruit smoothies and tasty breakfast dishes. The omelet filled with fluffy eggs, queso fresco, bacon, onions, tomato, green peppers and basil (2500 col/$4.70) is flavorful perfection. The iced coffee from Terrazu, known as the Napa valley of Costa Rican coffee is top notch and refreshing. There's even an [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:37:42-04:00June 20th, 2015|World, World Restaurants, World Travel|1 Comment
Read More

2015 Oxnard Salsa Festival Celebrates Everything Salsa!

Get ready to spice things up during the 22nd Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, one of Oxnard’s signature events. The festival celebrates salsa food, music and dance on July 25-26, 2015 at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” Streets, in historic downtown Oxnard. Presented by the Oxnard Downtowners, the annual event features spicy food and fiery, top entertainment, attracting an estimated 45,000 salsa lovers to the City of Oxnard for the two-day action packed celebration. Event highlights include Main Stage entertainment with Salsa and Latin Jazz bands; the Salsa Tasting Tent, featuring over 75 different salsas; an eclectic vendor marketplace; international foods; Kids Korner attractions; chef demonstrations; a salsa recipe contest and [...]

By |2017-09-01T14:47:37-04:00June 18th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Aragosta Bar and Bistro, North End, Boston

Just off Commercial Street is Aragosta Bar + Bistro, serving Italian-inspired dishes from within the Battery Wharf Hotel. The cozy restaurant is unassuming with muted yellow decor and friendly service, but its dinner offerings are worth a visit and will appeal to most anyone. I was invited to sample some of the new just launched menu launching created by Executive Chef Joseph Adamo who was previously with the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Sitting in a corner booth I enjoyed the views of the open kitchen and their hospitality. I recommend the tasty Latin-influenced finely diced red onion, lime juice, cilantro and shrimp ceviche appetizer served with fried plantains and seasoned [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:47:39-04:00June 2nd, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
Read More

Archie’s Seabreeze, Fort Pierce, Florida

Archie's welcome sign "no shoes no shirt no problem" announces the casualness of the sprawling outdoor space across the street from the ocean on Hutchinson Island. You go for the fun, not really the food - although it's freshly prepared and not bad. And, you can even bring your canine — as Archie's has special areas to sit where they even provide doggie water bowls. We both had the fresh fish sandwich ($11.99), blackened.  It's a thin piece of grilled mahi-mahi lightly coated with spices, topped with lettuce and tomato on a soft Kaiser roll, served with tartar sauce, creamy cole slaw and fries. Sweet potato fries are extra ($1.50) [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:06-04:00May 29th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Ranchos Morgan, Ometepe, Nicaragua

Situated on the Lake Nicaragua shoreline of Isla Ometepe, Ranchos Morgan is a hidden gem with fresh local dishes at a serious bargain. Sunset dining means sipping mojitos (45 Córdobas/$1.69) with basil from the property's herb garden while watching the locals ride by on horseback with a backdrop of Maderas Volcano. For dinner we shared the chicken filet with a creamy mushroom sauce flavored with onion and garlic (150 Córdobas /$5.65). It was accompanied by our-soon-to-be favorite side dish in Latin America-- patacones-- lightly breaded and fried plantain patties, a salty sweet delight. The clear winner though, was the tender filleted fish in a parsley, garlic and olive oil sauce [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:33:39-04:00May 23rd, 2015|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

The Beacon Hill Bistro, Boston

Beacon Hill Bistro, a casual business lunch gem, is a quick walk from Back Bay and the Financial District. The nearby Boston Common Garage makes it convenient for out-of-town drivers. The European-styled restaurant is comfortably elegant with banquettes, black and white retro tiled floors and closely set black iron tables, adorned with trendy dish towel napkins that seemed out of place. Conversation was easy, as the restaurant wasn’t filled. Chalkboards promote upcoming wine dinners. Upstairs is the boutique Beacon Hill Hotel; explaining the snippets of French and Italian heard around us. Forget your conversation and focus on the food. It is worth it. We sampled four dishes and every bite [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:52:52-04:00May 1st, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
Read More

Galley Kitchen & Bar Restaurant, Scituate, Boston

After months of parking in Boston’s historic snowdrifts, we made an escape to the beautiful harbor hamlet of Scituate, about 20 miles south to enjoy dinner at Galley Restaurant. This packed neighborly-vibe restaurant has slanted wood boards, tin ceilings and big open windows that invite the seaside air inside on warmer days. Galley offers small tapas dishes, friendly service and is cornered by an open raw bar where diners can watch chefs shuck the bivalves. For an oyster aficionado, the fresh arrangement of mollusks from Copps Island, Duxbury and Kusshi topped with homemade vinegar of pink peppercorn white balsamic did not disappoint ( market price 6 for $14.25). The finely [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:54:29-04:00April 21st, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
Read More

Piñon Grill, Boca Raton, Florida

My friend raved about both the peanut & ginger cole slaw and the large portion of pecan-crusted trout that she often ordered for dinner at Piñon Grill before at Town Center Boca Raton.  Since they didn't have a special lunch menu with smaller portions, we decided to split the sauteed rainbow trout ($23) coated with minced pecans in a delicate currant citrus chardonnay sauce, and ask for a portion of the cole slaw also split. Both were worth the visit. As you can see in the photo, a half-portion is huge! We did also share an also huge bowlful of crispy non-greasy shoestring fries ($6), washing it all down with [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:07-04:00April 21st, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|2 Comments
Read More

Annual Iron Chef Elm City, New Haven

The eighth Iron Chef Elm City will be held  Sunday, April 26 11:45 am a the Omni New Haven Hotel, 155 Temple Street.  The competition is a battle between three chefs, requiring them to demonstrate their culinary prowess, while testing their skills against each other, Each chef must create a scrumptious appetizer, entrée and a dessert using the “secret ingredient." which is revealed at the start of the competition. This year's competition feature chef Carlos Cassar of Copper Beech Inn, Ian Frew of Yale-New Haven Hospital and Todd Ruiz of Omni New Haven Hotel Enjoy food samplings from competing chef's restaurants and CT food manufacturers before and during the competition. [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:18-04:00April 20th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Community Plates Food for All

Community Plates, the technology-fueled, direct-transfer food rescue organization dedicated to ending food insecurity in America, presents their signature fundraiser, “Food for All” on Thursday, May 7, 2015 from 6 to 9 p, at  The Loading Dock, 375 Fairfield Avenue, Stamford. This is an event features Fairfield County’s newest restaurants and artisans, in addition craft cocktail bars spearheaded by creative mixologists. The Dessert Café will feature sweet treats and libations. Tickets are $75. To purchase tickets ($75) and find more information click here.  

By |2017-09-01T14:48:07-04:00April 19th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Il Timoniere, Rome, Italy

Tucked back in a corner of a residential area of Rome, we entered the cozy family run Il Timoniere, a restaurant known for classic Roman cooking. We were immediately greeted and "warmed" not only by the heat, but also by the sweet older couple who run the restaurant. We started with an assortment of appetizers, beginning with an in-season bruschetta of asparagus and garlic, then crostini topped with zucchini flowers and a honey drizzle. Our final starter was a rich and creamy, yet light, artichoke heart, potato, cheese dish. We knew we hadn't overindulged. Our pasta dishes included the amatriciana ($10), a tomato sauce cooked with guanciale (smoked/cured pork cheek), [...]

By |2017-09-01T16:58:02-04:00March 3rd, 2015|Bites from the Road, World, World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
Read More

Solun Tapas Bar, Woodbridge, CT

I recommend a visit to the happy hour at Solun Tapas Bar in Woodbridge. They offer flavorful tapas ($5 each), decent wines ($4 per glass) with extra friendly service in the bar area from 3:30 to 6:30 pm. I had taken a break from packing to meet some friends before I moved from Connecticut to New York City. We sipped the wild berry peppery Spanish Dacu Tempranillo, while nibbling a number of tapas. I'd recommend the fresh guacamole with tri-colored chips, the tortilla española (layered sliced potato, onion and egg omelette topped with a chipotle aioli) and the cazuelita de invierno (an assortment of veggies and beans in tomato sauce). [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:18-04:00March 1st, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Bruno DiFabio Opens Amore Cucina & Bar, Stamford, CT

Numerous awards, 11 restaurants and several Food Network gigs later, Bruno DiFabio opened Amore Cucina & Bar, the second oldest restaurant in Stamford (921 Hope Street). The six-time World Pizza Champion, restaurateur, and Food Network judge came home to the neighborhood where he made his first pizza dough. Amore Cucina & Bar offers classic Italian fare to pay homage to its predecessors. The restaurant features Bruno’s popular Pizza Romana, a square pie that uses the “Poolish” dough method of a 72-hour fermentation process that's cooked in a gas-fired brick floor oven. Varieties include the award-winning West Side (spicy salami, green olives, tomato, mozzarella and passata). The wood-fired oven offers the [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:08-04:00February 20th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

David Burke’s Primehouse (Chicago) Introduces New Lunch Program

Under the guidance of newly appointed Executive Chef Dino Tsaknis, David Burke’s Primehouse at The James Chicago Hotel (616 North Rush at Ontario St.) is offering an updated lunch program called Prime Spot at Primehouse. Over 15 new items have been added to the menu including many shareable dishes such as charcuterie board ($21), plus a thin Burker($13) and porchetta sandwich ($14). Primehouse favorites —  40-day dry aged prime steak burger and 55-day dry aged rib-eye — will still be offered. For information call 312-660-6000 or click here. - Guest submission  

By |2017-08-31T15:37:30-04:00February 18th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

BestWorldYet, Tapas at el Atril

Living in Barcelona, we eat tapas almost daily. They’re offered at least on every corner; some are good, some okay and just a few are truly exceptional like those at el Atril (Carrer dels Carders, 23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain). Their pan con tomate is the best in this city. It’s a tapas always served whether or not it's on the menu. The tomato is not chopped or sliced; instead it’s cut in half and rubbed onto the bread (along with garlic and other spices) creating a light, saucy piece of toast. When done right, pan con tomate is a divine addition to every meal. NOTE: this is coming from a [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:45:28-04:00February 11th, 2015|World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
Read More

Darien Taste of the Town in February

Darien Taste of the Town offers a week-long celebration of Darien’s thriving restaurant scene with prix fixe menus and special offers from the area’s favorite restaurants from Thursday February 19 through Thursday, February 26, 2015. Center Street Public House, Estia's American, Meatball & Co. and Rory's offer lunch for $12.14; dinner for $18.14. The others participating restaurants are offering a prix fixe lunch for $20.14; dinner $30.14; those include: Bodega Taco Bar Cesco’s Trattoria Coromandel Darien Social Green & Tonic Lobster Craft Palmwich Scena Wine Bar & Restaurant The Goose The Waters Edge at Giovanni's Prices exclude tax and gratuity. For additional details and updates, click here. - Guest contributor

By |2017-08-31T16:19:08-04:00February 10th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More

Claire’s Corner Copia, New Haven

My dear friend Claire Criscuolo called one weekend morning when I was packing to move asking me to meet downtown New Haven at her eponymous vegetarian restaurant — now in its 39th year — for breakfast. How could I resist? Lucky me and two other of Claire's girlfriends as we sampled lots of her organic, vegetarian, homemade breakfast offerings. I selected my favorite huevos rancheros ($11.50) that included organic eggs, corn chips, housemade refried pinto beans, caramelized onions and guacamole — that Claire said is made fresh twice a day. And of course salsa, made from her recipe that hasn't changed since she opened! Claire wanted their whole-grain vegan pancakes (three [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:18-04:00January 29th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
Read More
Copyright 2012 - 2021 BiteOfTheBest | All Rights Reserved
Toggle Sliding Bar Area
Go to Top