USA Travel

Happenings around the US

Building Hope, Changing Lives: Cafè Reconcile, New Orleans, LA

The best food on this New Orleans trip? Cafè Reconcile. It's a lunch-only service restaurant with Southern foods cooked and served by at-risk youth in job training. Cafè Reconcile builds hope while changing lives. Everything we ate was delicious. We ended up there because of its proximity — across the street — to the SoFAB Museum, where we had headed after the opening of the John & Bonnie Boyd Hospitality & Culinary Library, where my book collection is now housed. Portions are enormous; the prices the opposite with delicious food. The chicken and andouille gumbo ($4) danced in my mouth! That cup s0 satisfied, so I couldn't finish the hearty [...]

By |2022-11-20T14:24:31-05:00November 15th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Dinner at Novo on the Creek in San Luis Obispo, California

It was my last meal in California in late summer before waking at dawn to head back east from San Luis Obispo. We opted for creekside dining in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo at Novo, serving locally sourced, wholesome, and globally inspired food. We started with a bottle of their Zuccardi Malbec (reasonably priced at $38). We had decided to mainly have sharing plates as that's what's most interesting at Novo. Friends told us not to miss their salmon bisque ($10) with the recipe from Robin's, their sister restaurant in Cambria, CA. We ordered one small "poco" bowl and three spoons to share the rich broth with huge chunks of salmon. [...]

By |2022-10-09T09:51:20-04:00October 5th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Not to be Missed: Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Pismo Beach, CA

"Do not miss the warm cinnamon rolls at Old West," we were told. Our family, who live in San Luis Obispo, came to visit us at the home I rented on Pismo Beach for what I termed Camp Grammie (Also referred to as Camp Grimby, Camp Pismo Beach and Camp Everyone!) It was the first time I had vacationed with all three grandkids. Like camp, I had activities planned to keep them busy. Our visitors raved about the cinnamon rolls at Old West, suggesting going early, as some flavors sell out. I listened. Soon after it opened at 6:30 am the next day, I headed to Old West Cinnamon Rolls [...]

By |2022-10-09T12:43:09-04:00September 29th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Bistro Basque, Milford, CT

Could it have been a decade (gulp!) since I dined at Bistro Basque in Milford? At that time, I had described it as "a hidden gem in the center of Milford." The menu, of course, changed; the space had too. We sat outside on a terrace and sipped the Pazos de Lusco Albariño ($52), enjoying the food and company.  Two of us ordered only small plates, including their cauliflower gratin ($15), codfish croquetas ($11), piquillo peppers stuffed with short ribs ($15) and foie gras poêlé ($15.50). Loved the flavor of the seared foie gras, only wished there was more of that and fewer sautéed apples.   One friend had their traditional paella Estilo [...]

By |2022-10-02T15:19:00-04:00September 17th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|7 Comments
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Eating at the Shore, Long Branch, NJ

Long Branch has been our summer go-to place when heading to the shore for a day or longer stay.  It's about an hour and a half drive on weekdays to the white sand beach. Since we like eating outside in Pier Village, we frequent the same places along the boardwalk. We are there more for the view of the Atlantic than the food.  That said, Avenue makes a decent bloody Mary, garnished with pickled green beans. Try their Croque Madame ($23). It's a hearty ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg. If you're a fry lover like me, order their crispy shoestring fries ($10). The honey ginger glazed [...]

By |2022-09-11T02:29:13-04:00September 9th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Nina Compton’s Compare Lapin, New Orleans

First stop on my New Orleans eating adventure was Compare Lapin, the sophisticated eatery serving Caribbean- and European-accented New Orleans flavors located in Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery. Chef Nina Compton, who hails from St. Lucia, was unable to join us. She sent us bubbly before she had to depart ($18 each). Don't miss her flaky buttermilk biscuits with both honey and bacon butter ($6/2). We used them to sop up the sauce from both the tuna ceviche ($17) in tiger's milk (Leche de Tigre) topped with crisp yucca strips and the Calabrian butter in the five large broiled shrimp ($17). I'd recommend the tender curried goat with delicate [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:14:19-04:00April 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Jaleo by José Andrés, Disney Springs, Orlando

As with José Andrés other Jaleo, this one highlights the spirit and flavors of Spain, showcasing the rich regional diversity of Spanish cuisine. I had been lucky enough to have been at Jaleo for its opening in Washington, DC many years ago so I was looking forward to experiencing his food and service again. It didn't disappoint. We started with perfect cocktails. I ordered their Jerez Old Fashion with Contradiction Bourbon, Spanish Solera brandy, a touch of cinnamon and fernet bitters ($15), one of the best Old Fashions I've experienced. My friends enjoyed their Agua de Sevilla with Bourbon, cava and pineapple flavored with sage and orange bitters ($15). Our [...]

By |2022-04-09T17:45:40-04:00April 11th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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A Return to South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar, San Clemente, CA

It had been a couple years since I had been to San Clemente. It's where I rendezvous with a friend who I met in Europe over 50 years ago and it's where my son buys his Rainbow sandals. I walked down Aveninda Del Mar to see the sunset, then back up for a bite at South of Nick’s Mexican Kitchen + Bar hoping they still made their housemade jalapeño infused tequila for my margie.  Sadly they did not. They did though offer several other options. I tried their smokey pineapple ($14) one made with Los Vecinos mezcal, grilled pineapple, cilantro fresh Fresno chilies, lime and agave. I nibbled Nick's warm chips [...]

By |2022-04-09T17:54:13-04:00April 1st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Super Bowl at SoFi Stadium Los Angeles + Tailgate

Who knew? I certainly didn't. The Super Bowl's main event is the game yet the NFL offers lots of pre- and post-parties and communications. Our tailgate began when the gates opened at 11:30. That party included non-stop entertainment headlined by The Chainsmokers and more food than possible to consume — although we tried — before heading into the stadium for the pre-show and 3:30 kickoff. These food photos are a smattering of what was offered including the cumin-spiced vegan taco, spicy tuna dip, chopped salad with tomatoes chickpeas and peperoncini, "cali" toast with cauliflower hummus and heirloom tomatoes; harvest grain kale salad with roasted butternut squash and farro; and my [...]

By |2022-02-24T06:39:35-05:00February 24th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|2 Comments
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Tastings at Signor Vineyards, Fredericksburg, Texas

We stopped in at Signor Vineyards when visiting friends in Fredericksburg, Texas to sample their wines.  My friend is a wine club member so two of our tastings ($20 each) were complimentary. The wines in our tasting included the 2019 Wildflower ($40.00), 2019 Pinot Noir- Rogue Valley ($58.00), 2016 Rochambeau ($42) and the 2019 Estate Tempranillo ($54). We sipped those while nibbling their charcuterie board ($30) that paired well with their wines. It featured cheese (Van Sorman, manchego, cheddar and smoked gouda) with soppressata, Spanish chorizo, nuts, dried & fresh fruit, cornichons, olives and crackers. I was so impressed with two of their wines that I decided to share (I [...]

By |2021-12-18T09:25:06-05:00December 6th, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Shrimp Paesanos at Paesanos Riverwalk, San Antonio

"You must have shrimp Paesanos!" exclaimed my friend when she heard I was heading there for the Les Dames d'Escoffier conference.  She suggested sitting at the bar ordering, an appetizer portion of this legendary dish plus their special salad that wasn't on the menu. I was so glad I listened! After the conference, two friends and I walked the Riverwalk to Paesaons for this eponymous dish and that salad. Those three crunchy shrimp ($15) in a lemon-butter-garlic sauce hit the spot! Their special salad was no longer one that only insiders knew; it now appears on the menu. The romaine comes with hearts of palm, artichoke hearts, avocado chunks and [...]

By |2021-12-05T16:45:01-05:00November 23rd, 2021|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (1) – Kreuzberg

On our sisters' trip to California recently, we stopped at a few interesting places for breakfast that I wanted to share. In San Louis Obispo (SLO), we let my grand-nephew Kailer, who is attending Cal Poly, select Kreuzberg California on Higuera for breakfast day. It's a local art-adorned hangout serving house-roasted delicious coffee and small bites. One grand-nephew indulged in their Belgian waffle with fruit, maple syrup and dusted with confectioners' sugar ($9). [Continued on A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2) and (3)] I'd recommend each of these breakfast places mentioned in the three posts if you're in Southern California.   Kreuzberg California 685 Higuera St, [...]

By |2020-02-18T15:38:15-05:00January 12th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Lunch at Stonehouse, San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, CA

After my Connecticut friend who now lives in Montecito picked me up at the Santa Barbara airport we drove up to San Ysidro Ranch for lunch. This idyllic spectacular 500-acre California property is the place where Jackie and Jack (Kennedy, for you millennials) honeymooned as they — guard their guest's privacy. If you recall, Montecito is where the heavy rainfall after the Thomas Fire deforestation caused mudslides forcing the property to close. It reopened this April. Although there's a terrace on the lower level,  we chose the upper one with the spectacular view of the Pacific. We opted for the three-course prixe fixe market menu ($47) that emphasizes local ingredients. [...]

By |2019-11-30T07:43:05-05:00December 25th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Italian Meal at Olio E Limone Ristorante, Santa Barbara, CA

One of my responsibilities before heading to California for a sister's trip was to research dining options. Everyone I asked about Santa Barbara restaurants included Olio E Limone Ristorante on their list. We stopped in for lunch at this Italian trattoria, one — according to the photos on the wall — that Julia Child also enjoyed. We each picked one dish and shared them all. Our favorite (not to be missed) is their Soncino con Anatra, that's thick slices of duck breast roasted until only rare (perfect!) over mâche with clumps of goat cheese all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette ($19). That dish and what followed worked well with our bottle [...]

By |2019-11-26T10:24:08-05:00December 13th, 2019|USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club + Nashville Palace

The first stop on our Nashville eating and drinking crawl was at the Nashville Palace to listen to "50 Shades of Hay" country music with singer/songwriter Wendy Newcomer on lead vocal and her husband David Spicher on upright bass. We sipped a drink and nibbled some sweet potato fries while enjoying the music. Next, we headed to the unique Fox Bar & Cocktail Club not far from Opryland Hotel, hidden behind Nicoletto’s Italian Kitchen. The Fox serves imaginative, seasonal cocktails changing its offerings monthly. Its unusual multi-page menu is replete with a drink-key explaining the images that accompany their cocktails. That includes the specific glass, the type ice (one cube, [...]

By |2019-11-09T12:47:35-05:00November 25th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Folk, Rolf and Daughters’ Sister, East Nashville, Tennessee

Many attendees to Les Dames d'Escoffier International 2019 conference in Nashville last month mentioned dining at Rolf and Daughters, the Mediterranean eats place from James Beard Award-nominated chef Philip Krajeck. Some friends and I instead headed to the chef's newest neighborhood restaurant and bar called Folk in McFerrin Park, East Nashville. It's a hip place with custom artwork from local artist Alex Lockwood and Paul Collins lining the walls. This was our last stop on our eating and drinking crawl that had started with breakfast at the Old School Farm (more Nashville posts to come!) earlier in the day. With pizzas made with flour from non-GMO mills in the region, [...]

By |2019-11-11T14:14:02-05:00November 11th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Dinner at Larimar, Spring Lake, NJ

There's an upscale place restaurant on Third Avenue in the beach town Spring Lake that I'd recommend you try. Both the food from Chef Anthony Palangi and service are quite good. Plus you get to bring your own wine with no corkage fee since they do not have a liquor license. I recommend the refreshing fresh summer strawberry salad with shaved fennel, fresh arugula, toasted almonds and chevrè came in a delicate champagne vinaigrette. Worth ordering. Their veal ragu over short twists (casarecce) of al dente pasta was a bit light on the meat although super-flavorful from olives and capers all dusted with shredded pecorino ($27). I also suggest the [...]

By |2019-08-30T11:21:32-04:00August 21st, 2019|USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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The Fisherman’s Restaurant & Bar, San Clemente, California

We decided to meet at the Fisherman's at the wharf in San Clemente as it was about half-way between where I was staying and my friend's home. We met on a train from Antwerp to the then ferry in  — gulp — 1965; we've been connected ever since. The sun hadn't yet risen high enough to shine on the deck, so we sat near a heater to keep us warm until it rose enough to do the job. We each had a bowl of their creamy clam chowder, chock full of the bivalve mollusks and potato chunks. A soup rich enough to be a meal in itself — especially along [...]

By |2019-04-20T20:53:36-04:00April 6th, 2019|USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Fairfax Coffee Shop, Berkeley Springs, WV

While in Berkeley Springs (WV) to judge an international water competition, I stopped into the local Fairfax Coffee Shop for breakfast. I was glad I did. I sampled the Joey Special for breakfast, a housemade biscuit topped with a farm-fresh egg, melted sharp Cheddar cheese and tomato 🍅 (my special request) in lieu of their pickle chips. My breakfast buddy indulged in one of the good morning muffins ($3). Both were fabulous to the last crumb. We happened to meet and chat with proprietress Trey Johanson, who re-opened this coffee shop as a town hospitable gathering place, while she and her husband hold down other jobs. Fairfax Coffee Shop is worth the side trip. [...]

By |2018-04-01T09:09:46-04:00April 24th, 2018|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Lot 12 Public House, Berkeley Springs, West Virginia

When I decide to accept the invitation to judge the Berkeley Springs (WV) International Water Tasting, the friend who invited me mentioned that we'd be dining together that weekend at Lot 12 Public House. It's chef Damian Heath had been selected as a semifinalist in the James Beard Foundation Awards for the southeast region many times. I looked forward to experiencing his cooking. Lot 12 Public House is in a beautifully restored 1913 house, where dining on the Victorian porch is an option, weather permitting. We dined inside in the homey atmosphere one rainy evening and noticed the artwork of Damian's folks lining the walls. Our group of eleven was too [...]

By |2018-03-08T08:41:52-05:00April 13th, 2018|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|1 Comment
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