This downtown Louisville hotel combines 1920’s glamour (F. Scott Fitzgerald used the location as a backdrop for Tom and Daisy’s wedding in the Great Gatsby) with modern luxury. Enjoy the fine dining at its five diamond restaurant, The Oakroom. Seelbach Hilton 500 S 4th Street, Louisville, KY 40202; (502) 585-3200
Housed in a former service station in Louisville’s vibrant East Market, Garage Bar serves up ice cold beer, seasonal cocktails, brick oven pizzas and southern specialties with an emphasis on fresh, local ingredients. Garage Bar 700 E Market St., Louisville, KY 40202; (502) 749-7100
This landmark family-owned bakery has been serving their world famous handmade, boiled-then-baked in a wood-fired oven bagels for more than 50 years, and has expanded to seven locations across Québec. St-Viateur Bagel 263 Rue Saint Viateur Quest, Montreal, QC H2V 1Y1; (+1) 514-276-8044
With Texas-style brisket on my mind this week, after my second trip to Austin last weekend, I felt it would only be prudent to let you know about my favorite Texas-style brisket in Chicago. This is not the Montreal influenced, coriander-and-pepper-rubbed, cured and smoked beauty that is Fumare, but rather, a humble expression of brisket … Continued
There are two locations in London. One in trendy Shoreditch, on the city’s East Side, the other in busy Covent Garden. If you can, visit the Shoreditch location, which has that feeling of an old Irani Cafe from Bombay at the turn-of-the-century. A great place to hang out anytime of day, begin your morning with … Continued
Hinoki & The Bird’s imaginative dining concept pushes modern California cooking to new heights. Drawing inspiration from his travels through the Silk Road, chef David Myers’ restaurant combines vivid flavors with that California approach to healthful sensibility. The space itself is very cool; a little modern, a little casual and yet still sophisticated. Hinoki & … Continued
At The Strand House, diners can enjoy a fresh, exciting take on traditional dishes in an elegant setting with unparalleled views of the Pacific Ocean. Their colorful menu features the freshest produce, hand-selected from local growers. The Strand House 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Manhattan Beach, CA 90266; (310) 545-7470
Little Next Door presents quality seasonal fare, a wide range of international dishes including pastries, house-made jams and preserves, and a global wine selection with European elegance. Little Next Door 8142 W. 3rd St., Los Angeles, CA 90048; (323) 951-1010
Award-winning chef Ricardo Zarate serves up an innovative, modern take on traditional Peruvian comfort food in a vibrant, urban-artsy setting, located in downtown L.A. (trust me, even though the area has been on hard times, downtown is making a major comeback). Mo-Chica 514 W. 7th St., Los Angeles, CA 90014; (213) 622-3744
For the past several Decembers, we’ve made a tradition out of attending the annual julbord, or Christmas buffet, at Tre Kronor, on Chicago’s Northwest Side. The Swedish restaurant turns itself into a Christmas jewel box, offering two seatings every night at 5:30 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (except Sundays) and lays out the largest spread of … Continued
I’ve often sung the praises of the mango with sticky rice or the som tom (papaya salad) at Aroy, which, coincidentally and appropriately, is translated as “delicious.” The tiny mom-and-pop only has only about 12 tables, but their old-school approach could rival any Thai restaurant in the country, including the revered Pok Pok, now wowing … Continued