USA

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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Breakfast at Blue Sky on the Bay, Morro Bay, CA

It was one of my last days on the beautiful Central Coast of California. My sister and I had decided to drive up to Morro Bay for brunch. She frequented Blue Sky, located waterside along the Embarcadero, that offers an all-day breakfast with friendly service and beautiful views of Morro Rock and Estero Bay. She had a veggie scramble ($18.99) with tomato, spinach, red onion, mushrooms, black olives and cheese topped with avocado slices and served with a toasted English muffin and fresh fruit. I'm a sucker for huevos rancheros. This version topped corn tortillas with poached eggs, refried beans and ranchero sauce, then served up a side of guac [...]

By |2022-10-02T09:08:26-04:00October 1st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|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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Lunch at Eureka!, San Luis Obispo, CA

Wanting one-on-one time with my grandnephew, I asked where he'd like to dine together. He picked Eureka! downtown, where he met me between his work shifts. It's an all-American place with a burger focus, using locally sourced produce and a rotating craft beer and beverage program. Service is friendly. All their burgers are Santa Carota Angus beef raised almost exclusively on a diet of carrots and served atop a buttery brioche bun. We nibbled on their amazing Brussels sprouts ($10) while catching up. These crispy morsels are glazed with an orange chile sauce and topped with chimichurri and almonds. I followed my niece's recommendation for their Fresno fig burger ($17). [...]

By |2022-09-23T06:47:47-04:00September 25th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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TASTE! craft eatery, San Luis Obispo, CA

Can't make up your mind what to order? Taste! craft eatery is for you. The menu offers a Duo ($16), Trio ($20), or Quartet ($29). You select two, three or four items from their extensive menu of choices and get small portions of each. None are full size but certainly satisfy. Interesting concept. For brunch, I sampled the So Gouda from the bowls, the Bahn Mi from the sliders and their fries! The bowl came filled with spinach, smoked gouda andouille and a poached egg, with my hollandaise on the side. The small bun, spread with garlic aioli, was filled with pulled pork, pickles, jalapeño peppers, daikon sprouts and cilantro. [...]

By |2022-09-18T16:12:04-04:00September 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|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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Breakfast at Celia’s Garden Cafe, Los Osos, California

Celia's Garden Cafe is a 20-minute drive west from San Luis Obispo in Los Osos, where we headed to brunch one Sunday. It's a quaint cafe serving breakfast & lunch. Dining outside is an all-season happening when on California's Central Coast. When you go, request the back terrace as the front area is noisy from the passing cars. My family often visited, knowing what they wanted to order and where to sit. Celia herself greeted us. She was handling tables that busy weekend. I sampled their Bloody Mary ($9) made with wine vodka (as they have no liquor license). A nice spicy drink. Unfortunately, the wine vodka didn't sit too [...]

By |2022-09-18T15:47:39-04:00September 15th, 2022|USA, USA Restaurants|0 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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Gracie’s Luncheonette, Leeds, Hudson Valley, NY

Gracie's Luncheonette in Leeds, New York, is worth going out of your way for. They make nearly everything on the menu from scratch and source locally. Owners Allyson Merritt and Andrew Spielberg went to the Culinary Institute of America, where they met. My friends who frequent the place knew to ask for the table with the view of Catskill Creek, where you sometimes spot bald eagles. At first, I couldn't decide between the fried green tomato BLT made with house-cured and smoked bacon and the tuna salad sandwich, each with a side salad or fries. I chose the latter after learning that they even make the American-style cheese for the [...]

By |2022-09-11T03:32:58-04:00September 3rd, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA|0 Comments
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Outdoor Lobster Bake, Windam, NY

Call Pat Higgins by 9 pm Wednesday with your order of fresh lobster flown in from Maine. His outdoor Lobster Bake is open only Saturday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's from 5 to 7 pm outside behind the theatre complex, with seating at picnic tables near the Batavia Kill Creek. Although they provide plastic utensils, I suggest you bring your own plus — if you own them — lobster crackers and wine. Be sure to wear something washable as no bibs are provided. My friends and I had the hot dog bun filled with a quarter pound of fresh lobster, offered either with hot butter (Connecticut style) [...]

By |2022-08-20T15:48:53-04:00August 22nd, 2022|USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Brunch at Casa Ortega, Wappinger Falls, NY

Fermin Ortega and his wife Mayra moved from Queens to Wappinger Falls about a year before the pandemic to open Casa Ortega with Mayra's brother Irvin Gonzaga. Albert, our friend who we were visiting, dines here twice a week. Hence, we ended up there when visiting him.  I started with a spicy, nicely balanced bloody Mary for only $7. Sticker shock for me, who's used to Manhattan prices. We started with their housemade guacamole ($12) with warm chips, salsa and salsa verde. For brunch, Albert always has their golden brown pancakes with maple syrup and crisp bacon ($10). I ordered huevos rancheros ($13), my favorite Mexican breakfast, requesting poached, not [...]

By |2022-07-28T16:40:11-04:00July 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Breakfast at Willa Jean, New Orleans, LA

We were in New Orleans for a fund-raiser for their Les Dames d'Escoffier chapter's "Diggin NoLa: A culinary affair with the Big Easy." One morning, we headed for breakfast at Willa Jean, a retro-chic café offering Southern breakfasts and baked goods opened by Chef Kelly Fields in the Central Business District in downtown New Orleans. I began with a mimosa ($10) followed by a breakfast plate containing their amazing biscuits, cheese grits, bacon, sausage and eggs ($16). I had my eggs poached, one of my dining partners had hers scrambled. Truly the best breakfast I had in New Orleans! My other dining partner ate their pastrami smoked salmon with fries [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:20:13-04:00April 26th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|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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Con Pane Rustic Breads and Cafe, San Diego, CA

Landing in San Diego on my way to see my grandkids and attend the Super Bowl, I met my cousins for a quick bite at Con Pane Rustic Breads in Liberty Station not far from the airport. This shop offers handmade artisanal breads, decadent pastries and signature sandwiches. The breads get their complex flavor from levain (the French for leaven), a natural culture of wild yeast.  Had it been the end of my trip, I might have brought some home with me. Yes, that good. I had to try their unusual  turkey cobb sandwich. Roast turkey breast, Applewood smoked bacon, fresh avocado slices, crumbled Italian blue cheese, house-roasted Roma tomatoes [...]

By |2022-03-25T08:21:26-04:00March 28th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Brunch at Watertable Restaurant, Hyatt Huntington Beach, CA

My son chose the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach because of the waterslides for kids. Great choice as once my two grandchildren — Cole 6 and Eloise 3 — braved it, they were nonstop running up to and going down the slide into the kiddie pool! Many of our meals were eaten right near the slide, ordering from Shubee's, their poolside restaurant. One morning after collecting shells on the beach, we sat outside at Watertable Restaurant for breakfast. I started with their bloody Mary, my son their fresh-squeezed grapefruit juice. The kids ate chocolate chip pancakes plus fresh fruit and yogurt. My son had pancakes, too, but the zesty lemon-blueberry ones [...]

By |2022-02-22T13:41:48-05:00March 6th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|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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