Hamburger Paradise
Louis Lunch - New Haven, CT since 1895
White Castle
All American drive through
Bob's Big Boy in Burbank
Ice Cream Paradise
Bassetts Ice Cream - Philadelphia, PA
Berkey Creamery - University Park, PA
Doumar's Drive In - Norfolk, VA
Max and Mina's - Queens, NY
Fair Oaks Pharmacy - Pasadena, CA
Serendipity 3 - Manhattan, NY
Hotdog Paradise
Nathan's - Brooklyn, NY
Pink's - Hollywood, CA - YUMMY!
The Varsity - Atlanta, GA
Superdawg - Chicago, IL
Hot Doug's - Chicago, IL
Jimmy Buff's - Newark, NJ
Franktitude - Miami Florida
Pizza Paradise
Diner Paradise
Barbecue Paradise
Paradise Series
Chicago Recommendations - Chowhound
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Top Chef list
Puerto Rico
Pikayo, Paya - Chef Wilo Benet
Ali-Oli - Alfredo Ayala
Chicago
Tramonto's Steak and Seafood, Osteria di Tramonto and RT Lounge - chef Rick Tramonto
Johnny Iuzzini
Koren Grieveson
Chef Daniel Boulud
Frontera Grill and Topolobampo - Rick Bayless
Avec - Koren Grieveson
BlackBird - Paul Kahan
Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
Gale's Coffee Bar - Gale Gand
Chicago Recommendations - Chowhound
Washington DC
Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, Minibar, Cafe Atlantic - Jose Andres
Dan Barber (Blue Hill)
The Surf Lodge - Sam Talbot
Pikayo, Paya - Chef Wilo Benet
Ali-Oli - Alfredo Ayala
Chicago
Tramonto's Steak and Seafood, Osteria di Tramonto and RT Lounge - chef Rick Tramonto
Johnny Iuzzini
Koren Grieveson
Chef Daniel Boulud
Frontera Grill and Topolobampo - Rick Bayless
Avec - Koren Grieveson
BlackBird - Paul Kahan
Lou Mitchell's Restaurant
Gale's Coffee Bar - Gale Gand
Chicago Recommendations - Chowhound
Washington DC
Jaleo, Zaytinya, Oyamel, Minibar, Cafe Atlantic - Jose Andres
Dan Barber (Blue Hill)
The Surf Lodge - Sam Talbot
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 12, 2008
Santa Barbara Tips
John Dickson's Santa Barbara Restaurant Guide
Best Pizza - Giovanni's, Olio Pizzeria, Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Giada Santa Barbara
Elements Restaurant - what to try?
Park at Stearns Wharf to stroll State street.
Chowhound links
Hungry Cat -Brunch or Dinner - Try Pug Burger?
Altamirano's
Opal - Bistro type
Brunch or Breakfast joints
Cajun Kitchen
Stella Mare's
Anderson's Danish Cafe
D'Angelo's Bakery - delish but pricey?
Breakfast at Jeannine's in SB or Montecito
Breakwater Restaurant
Cafe Bianco - CLOSED
Max's Restaurant
Bella Vista at Biltmore for Brunch?
Pacific Crepes - 705 Anacapa Street,Santa Barbara (805) 882-1123
Best of Santa Barbara - Ca Dario?
Favorite SB places
Concierge.com
Excerpts pulled from About.com
Best Brunch Our favorite Sunday lunch spot is Cold Spring Tavern, a former stagecoach stop that's been around since 1865. You'll find it about 15 to 20 minutes north of town off Highway 154. Look for the sign on the right side of the road. A weekend getaway is a great time to enjoy a leisurely brunch. The Brown Pelican (CLOSED) has great views of Hendry's Beach.
Don't miss Every weekend, an arts and crafts show springs up along Cabrillo Blvd. The quality of goods here is high, the vendors friendly and the people-watching excellent.
Santa Barbara Savvy
Santa Barbara Savvy on a Tijuana budget
Hotel Mar Monte
Hotel Oceana
Sambo's on the Beach - Cat Cora - Great local breakfast joint!
Mc Connell's Ice Cream - Chocolate Peanut Butter and Strawberry!
Trattoria Grappolo - Italian- Definitely try Rollino Veneto & Zuppa di Pesce, Pork Chop was good, authentic dishes
Best Pizza - Giovanni's, Olio Pizzeria, Rusty's Pizza Parlor
Giada Santa Barbara
Elements Restaurant - what to try?
Park at Stearns Wharf to stroll State street.
Chowhound links
Hungry Cat -Brunch or Dinner - Try Pug Burger?
Altamirano's
Opal - Bistro type
Brunch or Breakfast joints
Cajun Kitchen
Stella Mare's
Anderson's Danish Cafe
D'Angelo's Bakery - delish but pricey?
Breakfast at Jeannine's in SB or Montecito
Breakwater Restaurant
Cafe Bianco - CLOSED
Max's Restaurant
Bella Vista at Biltmore for Brunch?
Pacific Crepes - 705 Anacapa Street,Santa Barbara (805) 882-1123
Best of Santa Barbara - Ca Dario?
Favorite SB places
Concierge.com
Excerpts pulled from About.com
Best Brunch Our favorite Sunday lunch spot is Cold Spring Tavern, a former stagecoach stop that's been around since 1865. You'll find it about 15 to 20 minutes north of town off Highway 154. Look for the sign on the right side of the road. A weekend getaway is a great time to enjoy a leisurely brunch. The Brown Pelican (CLOSED) has great views of Hendry's Beach.
Don't miss Every weekend, an arts and crafts show springs up along Cabrillo Blvd. The quality of goods here is high, the vendors friendly and the people-watching excellent.
For the most authentic Mexican food north of the border, head to La Super Rica Taqueria at 622 N. Milpas Street, one of chef Julia Childs' favorite Santa Barbara spots. - Also by Cat Cora
Shoreline Beach Café (801 Shoreline Dr.; 805/568-0064) - Great Fish Tacos? - Cat Cora
- Wander the Waterfront: The palm-lined beach here is a great place for a walk or run. On Stearns Wharf, you'll find the Sea Center, restaurants and shops.
- State Street Shopping: Follow State Street away from the waterfront and you'll find a lively street scene with good shopping, dining and people-watching.
- Rent Some Wheels: It's easy to find places renting skates, bicycles and surreys and everyone loves taking them along the waterfront.
- Wine Tasting: The Santa Barbara area produces some fine chardonnays and pinot noirs.
- Mission Santa Barbara: One of California's oldest and most authentic missions, this is a good place to get a look at the state's history.
- Santa Barbara Land Shark tour
Santa Barbara Savvy
Santa Barbara Savvy on a Tijuana budget
Hotel Mar Monte
Hotel Oceana
Sambo's on the Beach - Cat Cora - Great local breakfast joint!
Mc Connell's Ice Cream - Chocolate Peanut Butter and Strawberry!
Trattoria Grappolo - Italian- Definitely try Rollino Veneto & Zuppa di Pesce, Pork Chop was good, authentic dishes
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Seattle/Portland Trip Ideas
To Do Ideas
$40 a day
Mario's Seattle
Menu of the Day
Food Finds
Foodnation with Bobby
Giada, Seattle
Tasty Travel Seattle
Coastal Cuisine
Road Tasted Seattle
Roker - Peppers and Spice
Roker- Layer it on
Best Of - Seattle
Gelatiamo in Seattle - blood orange and rice
Alotto Gelato in Portland
Roker - What's for Dinner
$40 a day
Mario's Seattle
Menu of the Day
Food Finds
Foodnation with Bobby
Giada, Seattle
Tasty Travel Seattle
Coastal Cuisine
Road Tasted Seattle
Roker - Peppers and Spice
Roker- Layer it on
Best Of - Seattle
Gelatiamo in Seattle - blood orange and rice
Alotto Gelato in Portland
Roker - What's for Dinner
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Torrance/Gardena/Manhattan Beach Eats
Torrance/Gardena
Kantaro Sushi - Lily recommended Hole in the wall sushi place with excellent quality
North End Caffe-3421 N Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 - Kahlua Pork Eggroll, Pancetta Carbonara - 310-546-4782 - www.northendcaffe.net
Link: http://dimelife.blogspot.com
AZUMA is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese izakaya that has amazingly huge, almost-reminiscent-of-Hawai'ian-plate-lunch sized specials which are usually in the vein of "chicken katsu and omelette rice" dinners. They're in Gardena, but close enough to Torrance.
Breakfast at Joe's on PCH and Carnelian in Redondo Beach. Try the chicken fried steak, the "John Wayne", or any of the "Mad Dog" omelettes of the day.
CHO DANG is the one soon-tofu place (hot-and-spicy bubbling cauldron of Korean tofuliciousness) to rule them all (in the South Bay, anyway). If you like cheap Korean, this is the place to go. They also have the standard Korean BBQ fare, minus the "cook yourself" environment.
Miura - Sushi
Sanuki No Sato - Udon
DEPOT is a slightly upscale "Chez Melange"-style restaurant (think: Cal-French-Med-Asian or Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink style cuisine) that has a good selection of seafood and pastas. Their steaks aren't half bad, either. Not unique, but considering you're coming from Chicago, it might be all right ... ;)
Ramen California in Torrance?
Pau Gasol -
I also go to a place in Manhattan Beach called Petros. It's close to our practice facility and it's on my way home, so I'll stop by and have lunch or dinner. I'll start with a fig salad if they have it in season. Or a peach salad, which is also good. And a third option is the cantaloupe salad, but I'm not a big fan of cantaloupe. After that, I'll have the lamb if it's lunchtime and the snapper if it's dinner. The fish is really tasty.
And on Sunday morning, a good breakfast place is Martha's Corner in Hermosa Beach. There's a nice patio and it's right by the beach. Usually I get scrambled eggs, turkey sausage and orange juice or apple juice, and if I'm really hungry I'll get pancakes too. Night walk at the Strand in Hermosa Beach.
Bruddah's Hawaiian Foods (Hawaiian food, Loco Moco is very good here)
1033 W. Gardena Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247- 4957
(310) 323-9112
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop (Very good Bacon Fried Rice with eggs, breakfast and lunch fish plates, U.S.A., Japanese, Polynesian, Continental Food)
15707 S. Vermont Avenue.
Gardena, California 90247-4328,
(310) 532-0820
____________________________
Komatsu Restaurant - Excellent tempura, light and not oily!
Kappo Seafood - Excellent set meals and special discount on certain nights!
Oumi Sasaya - Excellent Natto Udon and Beef+Soft Boiled Egg Bowl - Need to go back!
Patisserie Chantilly - Excellent Pastries!
Gaja Okonomiyaki (Japanese) -If you've never tried okonomiyaki check this out. you grill it yourself at the table and it's fully satisfying and absolutely unique.
2383 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717 (310) 534-0153 YUMMY!
Il Chianti - pretty good Japanese Italian restaurant
Eboshi Noodle Bar - Ramen was ok, Karaage not crispy enough
MAMA RAMEN - Not that good. Kimchee is decent - in the Torrance Crossroads mall is a shoebox-sized ramen joint that I think has one of the better interpretations of the "good stuff" ... I really enjoy their miso and shoyu ramens, as well as their kimchi fried rice (definitely not traditional but it's frickin' delicious).
Spoon House: Seafood Salad!
Japanese Italian food. Uni spaghetti and cod roe spaghetti are good and unique but they also have standards like carbonara that will stick to your ribs
1601 W. Redondo Beach Blvd,, Gardena, 310 538 0376.
Santoka Ramen - Not that good. Very Oily.
21515 S. Western Ave.(in the Mitsuwa Supermarket foodcourt, Torrance, CA 90501
_______________________________
Kantaro Sushi - Lily recommended Hole in the wall sushi place with excellent quality
North End Caffe-3421 N Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266 - Kahlua Pork Eggroll, Pancetta Carbonara - 310-546-4782 - www.northendcaffe.net
Link: http://dimelife.blogspot.com
AZUMA is a hole-in-the-wall Japanese izakaya that has amazingly huge, almost-reminiscent-of-Hawai'ian-plate-lunch sized specials which are usually in the vein of "chicken katsu and omelette rice" dinners. They're in Gardena, but close enough to Torrance.
Breakfast at Joe's on PCH and Carnelian in Redondo Beach. Try the chicken fried steak, the "John Wayne", or any of the "Mad Dog" omelettes of the day.
CHO DANG is the one soon-tofu place (hot-and-spicy bubbling cauldron of Korean tofuliciousness) to rule them all (in the South Bay, anyway). If you like cheap Korean, this is the place to go. They also have the standard Korean BBQ fare, minus the "cook yourself" environment.
Miura - Sushi
Sanuki No Sato - Udon
DEPOT is a slightly upscale "Chez Melange"-style restaurant (think: Cal-French-Med-Asian or Everything-But-The-Kitchen-Sink style cuisine) that has a good selection of seafood and pastas. Their steaks aren't half bad, either. Not unique, but considering you're coming from Chicago, it might be all right ... ;)
Ramen California in Torrance?
Pau Gasol -
I also go to a place in Manhattan Beach called Petros. It's close to our practice facility and it's on my way home, so I'll stop by and have lunch or dinner. I'll start with a fig salad if they have it in season. Or a peach salad, which is also good. And a third option is the cantaloupe salad, but I'm not a big fan of cantaloupe. After that, I'll have the lamb if it's lunchtime and the snapper if it's dinner. The fish is really tasty.
And on Sunday morning, a good breakfast place is Martha's Corner in Hermosa Beach. There's a nice patio and it's right by the beach. Usually I get scrambled eggs, turkey sausage and orange juice or apple juice, and if I'm really hungry I'll get pancakes too. Night walk at the Strand in Hermosa Beach.
Bruddah's Hawaiian Foods (Hawaiian food, Loco Moco is very good here)
1033 W. Gardena Blvd
Gardena, CA 90247- 4957
(310) 323-9112
Gardena Bowl Coffee Shop (Very good Bacon Fried Rice with eggs, breakfast and lunch fish plates, U.S.A., Japanese, Polynesian, Continental Food)
15707 S. Vermont Avenue.
Gardena, California 90247-4328,
(310) 532-0820
____________________________
Komatsu Restaurant - Excellent tempura, light and not oily!
Kappo Seafood - Excellent set meals and special discount on certain nights!
Oumi Sasaya - Excellent Natto Udon and Beef+Soft Boiled Egg Bowl - Need to go back!
Patisserie Chantilly - Excellent Pastries!
Gaja Okonomiyaki (Japanese) -If you've never tried okonomiyaki check this out. you grill it yourself at the table and it's fully satisfying and absolutely unique.
2383 Lomita Blvd, Lomita, CA 90717 (310) 534-0153 YUMMY!
Il Chianti - pretty good Japanese Italian restaurant
Eboshi Noodle Bar - Ramen was ok, Karaage not crispy enough
MAMA RAMEN - Not that good. Kimchee is decent - in the Torrance Crossroads mall is a shoebox-sized ramen joint that I think has one of the better interpretations of the "good stuff" ... I really enjoy their miso and shoyu ramens, as well as their kimchi fried rice (definitely not traditional but it's frickin' delicious).
Spoon House: Seafood Salad!
Japanese Italian food. Uni spaghetti and cod roe spaghetti are good and unique but they also have standards like carbonara that will stick to your ribs
1601 W. Redondo Beach Blvd,, Gardena, 310 538 0376.
Santoka Ramen - Not that good. Very Oily.
21515 S. Western Ave.(in the Mitsuwa Supermarket foodcourt, Torrance, CA 90501
_______________________________
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
To Eat List
Meadowood Restaurant
Range
Ubuntu - Deserts/Savory 2008 Best
French Laundry?
SPQR
REDD
Delfina
Pizzeria Mozza
SketchIceCream?
Dopo?
Crixa?
Poulet?
MSF?
Gayot Top List
Food and Wine Top Chefs
2009 Best Chef Awards
2009 Michelin Star Restaurants
2008 Best Chef Awards
2008 Michelin Star Restaurants
James Beard 2008 Awards
Places we've tried
Manresa - One of the best in California that we've been to
Chez Panisse - always reliably delicious, worth the splurge
Fleur De Lys - Vegas one had great food, peanut butter dessert was Great! Sept09
Jardiniere - Delicious and great service both times we've been there
Coi - Innovative and delicious, but we like Manresa more
Cyrus - Innovative and yummy, toss up with Coi
Aqua - Tuna Nicoise is a must try
Tartine Bakery - Delicious! Chocolate Souffle Cake is wonderful
Chez TJ - Hidden Gem and well worth the splurge
Boulevard - Fresh seafood, Angus burger good, but fries better! Desserts are ok
Pizzaiolo - Very good thin crust pizzas, salads are good too
ChouChou - Good food & service, but haven't tried Cassolette
Absinthe - not as good as reviews state, although we didn't have cocktails or drinks...
Range
Ubuntu - Deserts/Savory 2008 Best
French Laundry?
SPQR
REDD
Delfina
Pizzeria Mozza
SketchIceCream?
Dopo?
Crixa?
Poulet?
MSF?
Gayot Top List
Food and Wine Top Chefs
2009 Best Chef Awards
2009 Michelin Star Restaurants
2008 Best Chef Awards
2008 Michelin Star Restaurants
James Beard 2008 Awards
Places we've tried
Manresa - One of the best in California that we've been to
Chez Panisse - always reliably delicious, worth the splurge
Fleur De Lys - Vegas one had great food, peanut butter dessert was Great! Sept09
Jardiniere - Delicious and great service both times we've been there
Coi - Innovative and delicious, but we like Manresa more
Cyrus - Innovative and yummy, toss up with Coi
Aqua - Tuna Nicoise is a must try
Tartine Bakery - Delicious! Chocolate Souffle Cake is wonderful
Chez TJ - Hidden Gem and well worth the splurge
Boulevard - Fresh seafood, Angus burger good, but fries better! Desserts are ok
Pizzaiolo - Very good thin crust pizzas, salads are good too
ChouChou - Good food & service, but haven't tried Cassolette
Absinthe - not as good as reviews state, although we didn't have cocktails or drinks...
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
