USA Restaurants

Our favorite restaurants in the US

Ventuno, Nantucket, Massachusetts

After a day of riding bikes and enjoying the surf at Nantucket’s Cisco Beach, we dined at Ventuno, a romantic and deliciously executed Italian restaurant that sets the bar high for culinary island dining. We sat in a cozy corner inside the grand colonial with moss green paneling, antique fireplaces and real burning candles on the table, a missed atmosphere gem that I rarely see anymore. Try the rombo di lenza, a large sweet-flavored halibut served with lavender edible flowers, capers, marinated white cauliflower, juicy currants and pine nuts that add a great crunchy texture, all under a base of green spinach and yellow cauliflower purees ($37). The halibut was [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:05-04:00August 6th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Dan’s Taste of Summer, Hamptons, NY

Dan's Taste of Summer annual food & wine festival takes in the Hamptons beginning on Friday July 17th with GrillHampton, a competition pitting 8 NYC chefs vs 8 Hamptons chefs in the ultimate grill off. Located at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Tickets available for $125 (inclusive of all food & beverage). Saturday July 18th is the fifth annual Taste of Two Forks, the biggest celebration of East End restaurants bringing together more than 40 spots under one roof, hosted by The Chew's Michael Symon and Hamptonite Katie Lee (also co-host of Food Network's The Kitchen). Also located at Sayre Park, with tickets from $170 for general admission, [...]

By |2017-09-03T08:11:01-04:00July 10th, 2015|Rambling, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Lyttelton Truffle Menu, Stafford Hotel, London

Tucked into London’s upscale St. James neighbourhood, The Stafford London hotel (16-18 Saint James's Place) is featuring a truffle tasting menu at its Lyttelton restaurant through Thursday, February 19th for £85 (~$125) per person. Executive Chef Carlos Martinez delivers a menu that compliments the luxurious comfort of this five-star, history rich hotel as he continues his quest for a Michelin Star. Named after former residents Lady and Lord Lyttelton, the restaurant is decorated with the understated elegance embodied by the aristocratic family’s best known descendent, Princess Diana. We started with cocktails from the equally historic American Bar and proceeded to tuck in to the amuse bouche of mushroom jelly and [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:08-04:00January 28th, 2015|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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BestWorldYet, Pizza in Naples

We visited Naples twice on our Amalfi Coast Journey; once for a night on the way there, as well as an impromptu pizza-stop on the way back. There are plenty of pizza places to choose from in Naples, but there's one that was recommended by all of the locals as the best pizza in Naples. L'Antica Pizzeria da Michele Via Cesare Sersale, 1 / 3 80139 Napoli Like many of the pizzerias in Naples, Da Michele's is a family run spot with traditional methods, resulting in that perfectly chewy pizza crust Naples is known for, that have been passed down for generations. The history of this sacred, Neapolitan Pizza temple [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:08-04:00January 15th, 2015|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|1 Comment
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BestWorldYet, South African Winelands

BestWorldYet.com is an inspiring new travel blog that will bring back memories — and make you envious for sure — as you follow Andrea Butler and BiteoftheBest.com’s Bryan Leblang as they backpack around the world. Here’s part of Andrea and Bryan's post on South African Winelands to whet your appetite. Click to see the complete post on BestWorldYet.com; click here to follow BestWorldYet on Twitter. - bonnie Follow @BonnieBOTB   Just a short drive east from Cape Town and you are suddenly surrounded by the beautiful gardens and rolling vineyards of one of the country’s premier wine regions. On our way to Franschhoek (our final destination), we stopped in the [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:08-04:00January 7th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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BestWorldYet.com, Paris Chocolate Walk

Remember when you were young – or adventurous enough — to backpack though Europe? BestWorldYet.com is an inspiring new travel blog that will bring back memories — and make you envious for sure — as you follow Andrea Butler and BiteoftheBest.com's Bryan Leblang as they backpack around the world. From fine dining and entertainment in bustling cities, to hiking and thrill seeking in remote jungles...the blog may just inspire — or provide you with some tips for — your next adventure… Here's a sample of their Paris Chocolate Walk post to whet your appetite. - bonnie Follow @BonnieBOTB   Paris Chocolate Walk For those who love eating chocolate… especially as [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:09-04:00December 23rd, 2014|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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The Central Restaurant & Bar in York, Maine

What to do when visiting relatives who have a friend who just opened his restaurant? Visit it of course, which is why I stopped in recently at The Central Restaurant & Bar in York, Maine. Because they wanted me to write about it, we sampled much more than if I were just dining. And for full disclosure, we paid for everything. Be sure to try some of their small plates. The flavorful Vietnamese garlic wings ($7) are only the flat wing, without the meaty drums (my favorite part). Their fried Scotch eggs (three for $8) use quail ones, wrapped with Italian sweet sausage and rolled in Panko crumbs, served with [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:09-04:00December 2nd, 2014|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Whispers Restaurant, Spring Lake, NJ

The Chateau Inn in Spring Lake (NJ) where we were staying offered a mid-week special that included a $60 gift certificate to one of a few restaurants in the area. That's how we ended up at Whispers, a restaurant in the Hewitt-Welington Hotel with NYC prices. But  — with that coupon and being allowed to BYO  wine — it became reasonable. The "crostini" served as our amuse-bouche was topped with an unusual homemade hummus with the taste of the sweet corn added. Just wish the bread hadn't been soft. Our fresh arugula salad included shaved sweet onion, candied pecans, crumbled goat cheese all in a lemon-thyme vinaigrette ($12). My favorite [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:10-04:00October 6th, 2014|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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