Dublin, Ireland
The Chop House - http://thechophouse.ie
A true gastropub in the Ballsbridge/Sandymount area of Dublin. Here, it is all about the food. The setting, in the words of owner, Kevin, is an old Irish fighting pub that was given a little face lift, but all the big money went into the kitchen. And you can taste every last penny. All of the ingredients are locally sourced and the recipes are creative yet uncomplicated. The vibe is so comfortable & the food so tasty that if I lived in the neighborhood, I could imagine eating there every night of the week.
Kinsale, Ireland
Crack Pots - This was my favorite meal in Kinsale. If it's on the menu, order the hake.
Man Friday - This is where I discovered the power of meringue bombs. Perhaps the simplest dessert, but one of the best & most memorable treats I've eaten in a restaurant. So easy to make, I will be adding this to my own repertoire.
Koko Chocolates - at this little shop on the main road into Kinsale they make their own chocolates on site. My favorites are the dark chocolates with mint creme and the chocolate shots. Yup. Chocolate in a shot glass - hot and delicious, served straight up.
Helsinki, Finland
Olo - http://www.olo-restaurant.com/ an amazing food theater experience, a la Per Se in NYC. We had the six course "journey" tasting menu, but they kept bringing us additional treats throughout the meal. I will be posting a longer entry on this restaurant - it was remarkable and if you go to Helsinki, definitely make a point of dining at Olo. Molecular gastronomy, with one Michelin Star.
Lappi - http://www.lappires.com/info/english.html an authentic Finnish meal in a restaurant designed to look like a traditional Lapland dwelling. We had a little of everything on the menu. Finnish food is heavy on fish, vegetables and reindeer.
Philadelphia, PA
The Chop House - http://thechophouse.ie
A true gastropub in the Ballsbridge/Sandymount area of Dublin. Here, it is all about the food. The setting, in the words of owner, Kevin, is an old Irish fighting pub that was given a little face lift, but all the big money went into the kitchen. And you can taste every last penny. All of the ingredients are locally sourced and the recipes are creative yet uncomplicated. The vibe is so comfortable & the food so tasty that if I lived in the neighborhood, I could imagine eating there every night of the week.
A true gastropub in the Ballsbridge/Sandymount area of Dublin. Here, it is all about the food. The setting, in the words of owner, Kevin, is an old Irish fighting pub that was given a little face lift, but all the big money went into the kitchen. And you can taste every last penny. All of the ingredients are locally sourced and the recipes are creative yet uncomplicated. The vibe is so comfortable & the food so tasty that if I lived in the neighborhood, I could imagine eating there every night of the week.
Kinsale, Ireland
Crack Pots - This was my favorite meal in Kinsale. If it's on the menu, order the hake.
Man Friday - This is where I discovered the power of meringue bombs. Perhaps the simplest dessert, but one of the best & most memorable treats I've eaten in a restaurant. So easy to make, I will be adding this to my own repertoire.
Koko Chocolates - at this little shop on the main road into Kinsale they make their own chocolates on site. My favorites are the dark chocolates with mint creme and the chocolate shots. Yup. Chocolate in a shot glass - hot and delicious, served straight up.
Helsinki, Finland
Crack Pots - This was my favorite meal in Kinsale. If it's on the menu, order the hake.
Man Friday - This is where I discovered the power of meringue bombs. Perhaps the simplest dessert, but one of the best & most memorable treats I've eaten in a restaurant. So easy to make, I will be adding this to my own repertoire.
Koko Chocolates - at this little shop on the main road into Kinsale they make their own chocolates on site. My favorites are the dark chocolates with mint creme and the chocolate shots. Yup. Chocolate in a shot glass - hot and delicious, served straight up.
Helsinki, Finland
Olo - http://www.olo-restaurant.com/ an amazing food theater experience, a la Per Se in NYC. We had the six course "journey" tasting menu, but they kept bringing us additional treats throughout the meal. I will be posting a longer entry on this restaurant - it was remarkable and if you go to Helsinki, definitely make a point of dining at Olo. Molecular gastronomy, with one Michelin Star.
Lappi - http://www.lappires.com/info/english.html an authentic Finnish meal in a restaurant designed to look like a traditional Lapland dwelling. We had a little of everything on the menu. Finnish food is heavy on fish, vegetables and reindeer.
Lappi - http://www.lappires.com/info/english.html an authentic Finnish meal in a restaurant designed to look like a traditional Lapland dwelling. We had a little of everything on the menu. Finnish food is heavy on fish, vegetables and reindeer.
Supper - http://www.supperphilly.com/Dinner.html I tried Supper on a recent trip to Philly after reading a review in the NY Times. It did not disappoint. I can still taste the white cheddar & sage cheese puffs. One of a handful of new foodie destinations in Philly, Supper's menu is packed with creativity. New American with a twist.
New York, NY
They say home is where the heart is...so here are my hometown faves:
Cafe Luxembourg - a classic -- and it didn't get that way by accident. You can never go wrong here. Always packed, always friendly, and most importantly, always incredibly delicious and fresh. The bar makes for cozy seating if you can't get a proper table.
La Bergamote - this little French bakery's original location is in Chelsea, but the second coming is on W 52nd Street just a stone's throw from my studio. Everything here is drool-worthy. Bon appetite!
Taboon - also on W 52nd Street - a little Mediterranean, a little middle eastern. Wood burning oven, exotic liqueurs at the bar.
Kittichai - Thompson Street, Soho. I have three words for you: Chocolate Babyback Spareribs. The main dining room is dark and dramatic -- request a pool-side table to have the complete experience.
al di la - http://www.aldilatrattoria.com/index.html If you're a Manhattanite and you're feeling really adventurous, you might find yourself making the trip into Brooklyn. Most New Yorkers forget that there is more to NY than Manhattan Island, and there are some great restaurants across the bridge that are well worth the price of a subway token. I was first introduced to al di la by my cousins who lived in Park Slope at the time. They serve authentic Venetian cuisine and the tables are family style so you can get cozy with your fellow diners.
The Dutch NYC - http://thedutchnyc.com/ The perfect pairing of downtown hipster cool with classic, timeless casual, excellent food. Creative without being pretentious. Order the sea scallops, the bread pudding, get some vegetable side dishes and don't pass up dessert. I had the bread pudding -- Dee-lish.
Locanda Verde - http://www.locandaverdenyc.com/index.php Tribeca Italian. So many great Italian restaurants in NYC, but this one takes the prize for best all around and the desserts are to die for. And, they serve breakfast! Check it out.
Blue Ribbon Bakery - IMO, the best of the Blue Ribbons. There are many reasons to keep going back to BLB, but in the end, the jewel in their crown is the banana walnut bread pudding.
Paradou - http://www.paradounyc.com/ This one may be my all time NYC favorite. It's a tiny hole in the wall in the meatpacking district across the street from the uber hyped and totally overrated Pastis. Paradou is a breath of fresh air and the food is French perfection. They have a few tables in the front and a lovely little garden out back. It could easily be in a little village in the south of France with all the doors open to the sidewalk. And, unlike its aforementioned neighbor, there is no faux scene at this place -- just a really cool spot for folks who are there for the food and company.
Po - Most of my favorite restaurants are small spaces that offer an intimate experience that's all about the food and that can be said of Po. It's a sliver of a space in the West Village serving fine Italian food in a quaint neighborhood setting.
Nougatine at Jean Georges - on a clear day.....or even a cloudy one, the view of Central Park from the front room at Jean Georges will cure whatever ails you -- and the food will just make it all even better. Small but satisfying portions, big experience.
Jojo - 160 E 64th St - most of my friends know, I never ever go to the east side of Manhattan. My world is west and I like it that way. However, if I had to venture to the east side it would not be for a dee-luxe apartment in the sky - it would be for a meal at Jojo.
Fat Radish - one Yelp reviewer said of Fat Radish, "beautiful restaurant, beautiful food, beautiful wine, beautiful people." I found this to be true on all points, in particular the beautiful people part. Maybe a little hipster, but the food made it worth the trip!
Minneapolis, MN
Lucia's - http://www.lucias.com/ If you eat there in the spring time, probability is high the menu will feature many a recipe with English peas. I don't know what it is about these little green pearls, but I can't get enough of them and Lucia's uses them with perfect precision. I also had a heavenly scallop dish here with....a sweet pea risotto.
Midtown Global Market - I love food markets & this one is tops. I first heard about the market on NPR's Splendid Table and made it a destination on my first visit to Minnie. Now I wouldn't think of visiting the city without making a stop here.http://www.midtownglobalmarket.org/home
Midtown Global Market - I love food markets & this one is tops. I first heard about the market on NPR's Splendid Table and made it a destination on my first visit to Minnie. Now I wouldn't think of visiting the city without making a stop here.http://www.midtownglobalmarket.org/home
Boston, MA
Mariposa Bakery - Owned by my dear friend (and former sis in law), Suzanne, Mariposa Bakery is where you will find the best pretzel you've ever eaten. In addition to her delicious original bakery recipes, she makes killer fritattas and the tastiest granola that I always purchase in quantities large enough to give to friends as holiday gifts. Suzanne is very tapped in to the Boston restaurant scene and through her I've experienced some very tasty delights. Prior to opening her bakery, Suzanne was the head bread chef at the famed Rialto in Cambridge.
