Another Philly find: Laurel. Another late arriving flight…this time one and a half hours! Barely made my reservation going straight from the airport. Thanks Uber! This is another Philly restaurant...

Stupendous seafood: Automatic Seafood & Oysters. It’s much bigger inside than it looks from the outside but a reservation is recommended on weekend nights. While the space has high ceilings…it...

Handmade soba noodles from scratch: Kamonegi. This chef has gotten a lot of press, including being named a James Beard semifinalist for best chef in the Northwest 2018 to 2020...

The original: Dreamland BBQ This is one of the more famous BBQ pork sources in Alabama and it was started in a cinderblock building by “Big Daddy” Bishop in 1958....

Vegan in Philly Cheesesteak land: Vedge. This restaurant continues to receive rave reviews and even though I’m nowhere near a vegetarian this place will  not disappoint the carnivores out there....

Anyone like ice cream: Salt & Straw. Very popular place with several locations. They have an eclectic offering of flavors and pride themselves on local selections…for Seattle. Flavors like Beecher’s...

Outstanding xiaolongbao: Din Tai Fung. Quick fact…even though it’s at University Village, this is the first Din Tai Fung in the US! I suspect it had something to do with...

A very special experience: Archipelago. I’ve been trying to score a reservation here since soon after they opened about 4 years ago. Before COVID-19 hit, I finally snagged a very...

Should be on your A list: Ubuntu Canteen. How to describe the food…locally sourced doesn’t do it justice. While it is that, the unique pairings of flavors makes for an...

Gotta experience: Dooky Chase’s. Recent trip to New Orleans had us looking for a new experience. While it has been in existence for more than 80 years and is still...

Small plates in Alki: Driftwood. Delightfull new find and a must visit now that the West Seattle Bridge is back open. The other must visit, when you get the chance,...

A must visit in Munich: Dallmayr Delicatessen. A Deli…like no other, with restaurants and bar which date from 1700. It has been in this location since 1870. Where to start?...

Japanese American fusion: TOMO. I’ve had my eye on this place for quite some time but it’s not that easy to get a reservation. That’s a must unless you want...

Italian/Japanese fusion and a place to share food: Kissa Tanto. Since our first visit shortly after it opened in 2016 its become a real star…see the recent article NYT…the second...

On the way to Whistler: Salted Vine. This is a must visit…in the growing city of Squamish which is about halfway between Vancouver and Whistler. Who would have believed this...

Hard to come up for air: Deep Dive. For sure the most unique bar in Seattle. It’s located below the Amazon Spheres and has the feel of a dark undersea...

Unbelievable food: ChoLon. This is a place you must try next time you are in Denver. I’m occasionally asked what my favorite cuisine is and I usually struggle to answer...

Chocolate nirvana: Theo Chocolate Store. This place needs to be on the short list of all chocoholics and while their chocolates are widely available, the store/factory has choices you will...

Recommended by a friend: Pêche. Quick trip to New Orleans for a meeting and needed a spot for dinner the night before. I got a reservation at the last minute….so...

Spanish tapas: Cúrate. Located in a building that was built in 1927 and served as the bus station, the new space has two levels with a bar on the first...

Animals anyone: The Lion’s Share. One of those places that would be off most people’s radar unless you are a local. I’ve walked by in the past without realizing exactly...

The Eating Places: James Beard Award Winners 2018. Best new restaurant: JuneBaby, Seattle. Outstanding restaurant: Highlands Bar and Grill, Birmingham. Rising star chef of the year: Camille Cogswell, Zahav, Philly. Outstanding pastry...

It’s on everyone’s list: Zahav. I’ve tried several times to get a reservation here but they are hard to come by. Visited as part of a larger group but this...

Extraordinary dining experience: Harvest Beat. As you know, I’m basically a carnivore but when given the opportunity to experience truly great food, I’ll give it a try. Such is the...

A view that can’t be beat: CanoeHouse. It should all be about al fresco dining at this restaurant….right on the water and facing west so the sunsets are spectacular. A...

Must stop on my list: Tex Drive In. Home of the best malasadas (Portuguese donuts) in Hawaii, in my opinion. The location is just off the main highway to Hilo...

On the list: Vernick. This place has a reputation….all the way to Seattle and has been on my list for some time. I’m glad I finally got a chance to...

Ok here is my BBQ joint: Full Moon BBQ. I told you I’d review my favorite BBQ place when I was next in Birmingham and this is the place. While...

One of those special places: Le Colonial. I’ve been here once before several years ago and vowed to return. This is a special place with a beautiful space….like returning to...

The highlight of this trip to DC: Lapis. Located in the Adams Morgan area not too far from the Woodley Park Metro Station this was my first experience with Afghan...

A must stop while visiting the African American Museum: Sweet Home Café. I have to admit this is my first, must experience restaurant in a museum but this place has...

A new place to try on this trip: Cosme. Multiple accolades for this chef from Mexico City where he has one of the best restaurants in the World with this...

One of my go to places in Manhattan: Balthazar. One of several visits to this classic French bistro in the Soho area. Met up with friends from Atlanta and South...

This is the real deal: Herbsaint Last dining experience this trip and this is by far the best of those tasted. The chef is a multi year winner of the...

Sitting on an airplane and catching up from the weekend: Ayoub’s. Ok it’s not a restaurant but you have to try this place! I have never seen such a display...

Have wanted to try this place for a few years: Ask for Luigi. It was really a hot ticket a few years ago with long waits for a table….they take...

On my list for some time: Mkt. One of a long lineup of Ethan Stowell restaurants in Seattle this one is in the Tangletown area and hence its name….Meridian…the older...

The new Vidalia: Honeysuckle. Vidalia was my go to place in DC and one of my favorite restaurants but it is no more. Honeysuckle opened about 2 months ago in the...

This restaurant is in a spectacular space in the Sydney Opera House: Bennelong. The best way to describe the cuisine is nouveau Australian. It is beautifully presented…really works of art....

Gotta try: Bouchon Bakery. There isn’t anything in the bakery that isn’t excellent as evidenced by the line that forms daily, and all day long! It’s a small place but there...

One of those very special nights: Mr Wong Very upscale Chinese restaurant and some of the best of that cuisine I have ever had. Made 2 visits to this place....

Simply put….incredible: Bouchon. Visit website...

Best bakery in Seattle: Bakery Nouveau. Twice baked almond croissants are to die for! Too bad you can’t just try everything all at once. The original location in West Seattle...

The place for breakfast in Whistler: Crêpe Montagne. There are other places but if you are looking for a sit down breakfast this is the place. Excellent crêpes as well as...

A Napa classic: Auberge du Soleil This is another one of those places that needs to be on your bucket list. The space is outstanding and as expected the service...

Never disappoints: Highlands Bar and Grill. The service is impeccable and the food cannot be beat. Best described as Southern French fusion with typical Southern fare married with, sometimes unusual...

You have to eat here at least once in your life! Mama’s Fish House. The food is very local, the space delightful and the service impeccable. @mamasfishhouse Visit website @theeatingplaces...