USA Restaurants

Our favorite restaurants in the US

1500° at Eden Roc

1500° at Eden Roc opened this past October as a farm-to-table restaurant, with a steakhouse sensibility. "The only thing we freeze here is the ice cream" said our attentive waiter, when describing the food's freshness. Chef Paula DaSilva (Fort Lauderdale’s acclaimed 3030 Ocean and a finalist on Fox TV’s Hell’s Kitchen,) uses ingredients as local as possible, even including some from her hotel garden, with simple preparations. I started with a a glass of Argyle '07 pinot noir from Oregon ($16) to accompany the many small plates we sampled. These included roasted baby red and golden beets served with Hani's labneh goat cheese, marcona almonds ($8); Homestead tomatoes with local burrata, [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:42:31-04:00April 26th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink

Michael's Genuine — located in the design district — is not to be missed, especially for brunch. We had to sample both their bloody Marys ($12) — one a "genuine bloody Mary" made using Grey Goose vodka, fresh heirloom yellow tomato puree, fresh horseradish and honey, and the other a more traditional spicy red one. With those libations, we nibbled a house smoked local Kingfish dip with toasted sour dough ($7), while we perused the menu deciding what of the many tasty-sounding items to order. The always changing Sunday brunch menu is full of small plates to share. I liked that. And I liked all the offerings we sampled. Those [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:42:31-04:00April 25th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Top 100 Bay Area Restaurants

What's better than writing about food? Writing about food that's been expertly prepared for you, that's what. Michael Bauer says that "2010 should go down as the most exciting year of Bay Area dining in more than a quarter century", and he should know. Michael is the San Francisco Chronicle's restaurant critic and has been plying his trade in the culinarytastic Bay Area for more than a few seasonal menus. The quote concerns the annual Top 100 list released by the Chronicle. This years lot includes a great number of newcomers... 26 out of 100 actually. Not hard to see why 2010 is stepping up to be a banner year [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:22:01-04:00April 20th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Josselin’s Tapas Bar & Grill

My last supper. Well, not exactly - but my last meal on Kauai before I headed back to the mainland. We decided to have a leisurely early meal at Josselin's Tapas Bar & Grill and then head directly to the airport in Lihue to check in to my evening flight to LAX. We opted for the communal table, and were so glad we did as we ended up sharing food and meeting new friends. Although it may sound as if we overate - we really didn't! We just sampled everyone else's small plates (AKA tapas) as they did ours. Loved most everything — the only disappointment of the entire array [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:51-04:00April 17th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Bespoke: New Owners – No Longer Worth The Visit

Normally, I wouldn't share my thoughts about a restaurant not worth the visit. But I've written on, and raved about,  Bespoke when the restaurant was owned and run by that highly creative and incredibly talented team of Arturo and Suzette Franco-Camacho who moved to Branford to open The Suburban. And that recommendation is listed on Urbanspoon. I stopped by Bespoke recently to sample the new menu. I nibbled their delicious garbanzo bean dip (with sherry wine vinegar, cilantro and chives) spread on the crusty bread. A nice start. The menu offerings sounded quite interesting. We started with the Truffled Risotto ($11 for a half portion) - sadly the rice was crunchy [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:33-04:00April 13th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|3 Comments
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A Wine Cruise Down Under

Food & Wine Trails — a Sonoma County California wine tour company — has announced a 2012 wine cruise designed to settle the differences between Zinfandel and Cabernet Sauvignon wine-drinkers. A showdown between these two varietals is planned on a 16-day cruise hosted by Joel Peterson, founder of Ravenswood Winery and Gustavo Gonzales, the winemaker for Robert Mondavi Winery – two of California’s producers of Zinfandel and Cabernet. The two varietals are two of California's most sought after red wines, yet they are widely believed to attract opposite kinds of customers. Zinfandel drinkers are said to be informal and fun loving, enjoying their wine with casual foods like barbeque and [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:52-04:00April 8th, 2011|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Hearts of Palm at Jerry’s Restaurant

It’s rare for a side dish to be so exceptional that it becomes the standout of the meal, let alone a restaurant; but Chef Bridget Burns at Jerry’s in Winnetka serves a Hearts of Palm Salad so innovative that it takes center stage. With only eight ingredients, Chef Burns is able to create an wonderfully easy, gourmet addition to her menu. The salad is warm, including browned hearts of palm blended with chopped anchovies, fresh garlic, leeks, chili flakes, all topped with shaved parmesan cheese. Jerry’s is known though for their seasonal menus, so you might want to act fast if this new dish is definitely one you don’t want [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:37:33-04:00April 2nd, 2011|Breads, Sides & Salads, Recipes, Starters, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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Max’s Grille, Boca Raton

I'm not a snowbird, but after this winter could certainly become one. So when I met my friend Robin for lunch in January in Boca Raton (FL), I insisted that our nibble be outside. She accommodated. We stopped at Max's Grille in Minzer Park and made sure our table was in the sun. We nibbled their fresh crispbreads and homemade bean spread while perusing the menu and sipping on a Fini Pino Grigio ($35). We then shared a tasty Margherita Pizzette with San Marzano Tomatoes, housemade mozzarella, fresh arugula and garlic oil ($10).  Delicious, crisp, a perfect snack. Glad we had only eaten a smidgen of the bread. The only [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:52-04:00March 29th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|3 Comments
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Baotique at Covet Lounge Opens

Covet, a midtown lounge, announced the launch of its restaurant, Baotique. Chef Michael Bao Huynh serves a Modern Vietnamese menu that is traditional and approachable. He pairs classic Vietnamese techniques with fresh ingredients, resulting in unique dishes like Foie Gras Duck Fried Rice and Cod Dumpling Soup. The menu offers small appetizers and dishes for sharing including Crispy Crab Spring Rolls, as well as larger options, such as Spicy Hanger Steak Salad with Pomelo, Pineapple and Cucumber. Baotique at Covet features a 66-seat dining room, designed by Andrzej Urda, features alligator walls, distressed wood, stainless steel and chrome accents complimented by a palette of earth tones, and carved wooden murals. [...]

By |2017-08-31T14:11:06-04:00March 25th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Duke’s Kauai Restaurant & Barefoot Bar

Duke's is not a foodie restaurant, not one that you'd go out of your way for. Instead it's a touristy one you go to for convenience — if you're staying on the beach at the Kauai Marriott or going there for nighttime entertainment. You know those places: a fabulous view, two levels of seating in and out, a hand-held buzzer that goes off when your table is ready, watered down mai tai's ($9) that are more show than alcohol and — of course — a big salad bar that's free with your entree ($18.95 for Huli Huli Chicken to $32.95 for filet peppersteak) or $14.95 sans one. Duke's does have [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:52-04:00March 22nd, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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De Rodriguez Cuba Restaurant

Upon arriving in Miami for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBE) from the frigid northeast, we headed down ocean avenue almost to the end... around the corner from Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant to get a nibble at De Rodriguez on Ocean in the Hilton Bentley hotel. We wanted to eat something before heading off to the SOBE Shine & Swine event presented by Original Moonshine. I had met Douglas Rodriguez many many years ago when he taught a cooking class at the now defunct Disney Institute in Orlando. (Does anyone other than me remember that?) We jumped at the offering from this Cuban restaurant for outside seating. For [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:42:31-04:00March 20th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Tequila and Tamales by the Bay

A Taste of Tequila & Tamales by the Bay will host it's fifth annual event celebrating the flavors of tequila and tamales on Sunday, April 17th, 2011 at the Galleria at the San Francisco Design Center (101 Henry Adams Street) from 12:00 - 4:30 pm. Attendees will sample a variety of tamales and organic tequila from restaurants including The Whole Tortilla, Evelia, Tres Agaves and Cocina Poblana while learning about Mexico’s agave heritage and the art of producing tequila. The event will include a Tequila Rocks competition in which chosen competitors will compete to see who can make the best tequila cocktail. For more information or to purchase tickets ($45.00 [...]

By |2017-09-01T15:10:38-04:00March 20th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Hukilau Lanai

If you've ever been to any Hawaiian island, when you hear the words "Everybody loves the Hukilau..." you can almost also hear the strummings of live Hawaiian music in your head about this way of casting a net into the see to catch fish. The Hukilau Lanai at the  Kauai Coast Resort is named after that way of fishing, and as you'd guess - they offer fresh Pacific fish such as the opah (sweet flavorful Hawaiian Moonfish) opakapaka (pink snapper) uku (grey snapper), and mahi mahi (dorado). Different fish are offered in nightly in various preparations ($27-28). Loved their list of twenty wines for $20 a bottle (we tried the refreshing [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:53-04:00March 17th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Essensia at The Palms Hotel & Spa

Last time I was in Miami for the South Beach Wine and Food Festival (SOBE), I had been a guest at The Palms. That was before its renovation. So glad I came back to experience the modernization and new spa. Spectacular. This refined hotel is in the heart of Miami Beach on the northern side of South Beach — making all the SOBE events easily walkable on the boardwalk along the Atlantic Ocean. Just had to sample the Palms signature massage in the new spa. It's a 90-minute treatment starting with a aqua salt scrub, being enclosed in their pod-like HydroCapsule replete with a vichy shower and steam to wash [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:53-04:00March 17th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|2 Comments
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Kauai Pasta

This local hang-out is set back from the street in a strip mall, a bit hard to find. But head there for happy hour in the lounge for discounted drinks and pupus, Italian style. We had a decent Kunana Farms warm goat cheese and arugula salad with not-ripe enough tomatoes and a too vinegary vinaigrette ($9.95) . Next time, I'll try what the locals suggested — the house salad of organic greens feta, kalamata olives, tomatoes and a balsamic vinaigrette ($8.95) What was outstanding was the Parmesan-herb baked fresh mozzarella covered in marinara sauce and served with garlic bread ($9.95) From what I understand all their pastas are good with [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:53-04:00March 14th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Allergy-Friendly Restaurants

In just a year the website www.allergyeats.com continues to help  individuals with food intolerances. The site lists over 600,000 US restaurants with their menus, helping to take the guess work out of restaurant dining for those dealing with food allergies. With over 12 million Americans with a food allergy, this site is helping to make eating out a more enjoyable experience. The site contains information and acts as a community as people can share their restaurant experiences, which also aides in helping others out. Allergy eats contains information for a variety of allergens ranging from a peanut to a shellfish allergy with lots more in between. For more information on [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:54-04:00March 12th, 2011|Other happenings, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Oasis on The Beach, Kapaa, Kauai

Surfing — not the ocean but the web — I tripped over information about Oasis on The Beach in Kapaa, Kauai, where I was staying. Could the restaurant be as fabulous as all the rave reviews? Dining began with our friendly waitress Leigh, offering us a tri-layer mini martini to tickle our palates as thanks for using the web to make the reservation (which by the way I got 1000 open table points for doing!) Bartender Ryan — who makes their house-infused booze — designed the martini — consisting of dry white port, a house infused hibiscus vodka and blackberry liqueur. Loved the hospitality but the not the flavor of [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:54-04:00March 10th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Bon Appetit Cafe, Wilton

While waiting for my dinner partner (who was lost!) to arrive, I had time to chat with the friendly Frenchmen who run Bon Appetit Cafe in Wilton and to peruse and discuss the blackboard menu items. (I must admit - the cafe isn't the easiest place to find. No neon sign. Probably a painted one, but I couldn't tell at night.  This tiny restaurant's in the Stop & Shop supermarket shopping complex in Wilton and at night the only clue it's there is the light sneaking past the curtains from a room filled with customers dining.) In addition to the blackboard, Bon Appetit has a printed menu sans seafood, as [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:55-04:00March 1st, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Antico Pizza Napoletana

So it's about time that I put virtual pen to paper concerning Antico Pizza. I'm a pizza snob, no denying it. You can't grow up in a pizza mecca like New Haven (yes, I said it again) and not develop a taste for really good pizza, as well as an ugly distaste for its crappy imitators. This I learned first-hand when I first moved to Atlanta about five years ago. I bemoaned the loss of many of my favorite (apparently regional) foods, but almost none more than pizza. There was simply no good pizza in the entire city. Yes, yes.. I do sometimes paint with a broad brush, and I [...]

By |2017-09-01T16:48:20-04:00February 27th, 2011|USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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Amuse!, Atlanta

Created our own menu, per se, while dining at Amuse!, a French bistro in Atlanta. Sharing all the food, we requested that we start with the main course of Steamed PEI Mussels Poulette ($17), followed by a Salade Niçoise ($12), then the Duo of  Duck ($24) and if we still had room, ending with the Les Fromages ($14) cheese plate. Our waiter accommodated our menu request with perfect timing. The mussels weren't very plentiful, but were succulently plump in a delicate white wine, shallot, garlic cream sauce. The kitchen forgot the finishing parsley, but that didn't keep us from sopping up the sauce with the crusty bread, long after the [...]

By |2017-08-31T14:08:48-04:00February 24th, 2011|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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