Eat Here

As you've guessed by now, I'm a total foodie...for years I've been keeping an Excel spreadsheet of all my favorite restaurants from across the globe. I'd like to share my favorites (and personal dish recommendations) with you!

 In and Around Boston

Amsterdam Falafelshop - falafel made hot and ready - get the bowl and pile on the toppings
Aquitaine - the Reuben Burger is where it's at
Avana Sushi - best kept secret in Chinatown - can't go wrong with anything you try
Bagelsaurus - you *must* get the pretzel bagel with honey rosemary cream cheese
Bee's Knees - you have to get the Figgy Pork on baguette
Cafe Mami - the Tatsuta Set
Central Kitchen - Filet Mignon Tartare FTW (and a Fire Lily Cocktail if you're feeling adventurous)
Commonwealth - BRUNCH. The Chicken & Biscuits are the bomb.com and $1 oysters ROCK
Cookie Monstah - a food truck that brings custom ice cream sandwiches to you!
Crema Cafe - Spinach, Artichoke, and Chicken Sandwich
Cuchi Cuchi - Cuban Cigar, Mexican Fried Tomato, Sizzlin Garlic Shrimp, Potato Croquette
Diesel Cafe - best coffee and mocha around
Drink - mixology bar that can make anything you want - Ramos Gin Fizz and an order of the fries please!
Dorado Taco - the pork cemita is a must, along with the roasted corn and the Dorado (fish taco)
East by Northeast - the dim sum brunch yo
Flour Bakery - I mean, you can't go wrong with anything you get here, but one of my favorites is the Cinnamon and Cream Brioche
The Friendly Toast - Mexican Mash Meal and the best Bloody Mary you've ever had
Gourmet Dumpling House - a well-known touristy place, but the best scallion pancakes are my fave
Hana Sushi - Las Vegas Roll
Helen's Roast Beef - Blue Zone (get it calzone style)
Istanbu'lu - any of the small plates - the cheese plate is the best
Johnny D's - blintzes & eggs om nom nom
Koreana - kimchee pancake (I make the whole thing my meal)
LA Burdick - their signature hot chocolate is amazing - be prepared though, it's super rich
L'espalier - Oh. My. Goodness. It's a splurge, but so worth it! Get the tasting menu
Life Alive - Goddess Bowl (with avocado and egg added) and a Green Tea Latte
Lolita's - white sangria...oh and the food's pretty good too ;-)
Marliave - Rarebits (melty cheese and BACON), Beef Wellington
Neptune Oyster - the lobster roll (cold or hot)
Oak Long Bar + Kitchen - great place for cocktails
Olympos Bakery - off the beaten path, but it's the best eclair I've ever eaten
Painted Burro - the roasted corn....oh my goodness....last time I was there I ordered it twice
Pinocchio's Pizza - Spinach Slice
Que Padre - Saltenas are AMAZING, get the Pique a lo Macho to share
Renee's - try the Corned Beef Hash Eggs Benedict...and bring cash (no cards accepted)
Rod Dee - my favorite Chicken Pad Thai in Boston
Salvatore's - a bomb chicken parm sandwich with homemade chips for $8?? Yes please!
Sam La Grassa's - pastrami and corned beef combo sandwich
Saus - the spicy frikandel...and the fries with any of the sauces (I like the bacon parm dipping sauce)
Sip - good wine bar - get the edamole and buffalo chicken dip to snack on
Tenoch - try the torta campechana
The Beehive - Truffled Potato & Cheese Pierogies
The Proper Slice - Bacon & Potato Pizza. 'nough said
The Sinclair - awesome rooftop bar in Cambridge - you have to get the tater tots
Trattoria Toscana - the gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce...only available in fall/winter months though
Tres Gatos - my favorite tapas place! Rotating menu, but they always have amazing patatas bravas
Union Square Donuts - the maple bacon donut (oh my goodness) and the strawberry donut
Verna's - chocolate honey-dipped donuts
Wine & Nod - a fun 'speak-easy-esque' establishment - great for an aperitif before dinner at Beehive
ZuZu - brunch! I always get the Kathy Bates

Montreal Delights
Au Kouign-Amann Patiserrie - the croissants....ooooooh the croissants
Au Pied de Cochon - decadence to the MAX...get the poutine, the duck in a can, and Au Pied de Cochon
Jean Talon Market - stop by the oyster bar!
La Banquise - La Reggae and La Savoyarde are delicious...so are the hotdogs
La Creperie du Marche - I enjoyed the potato, tomato, raclette, and egg crepe
La Fournee des Sucreries de l'Erable - the maple syrup pies are one of my all-time favorite desserts
Lawrence Restaurant - great for brunch - the Full English, Scone, and Chocolate Beignets are a must
Mamie Clafoutis - get the Mon Dieu pastry - you won't be disappointed
St. Viateur Bagel - any of them. ALL of them. and get some cream cheese and smoked salmon

North Carolina - my home state
Beasley's Chicken & Honey - Oh. Em. Gee. Chicken & Waffles are a must (duh) but the pimento mac & cheese and creamed spinach are a-mazing too
B'ski's - the AK-ski yessssssssss
D.T.'s Cafe - Tricia's Bounty (Thanksgiving in a sandwich)
Foster's Market - go for brunch!
Jujube's - Vietnamese crepes, fried apple and goat cheese dumplings
Only Burger - get a burger with a fried green tomato and pimento cheese
Parker and Otis - grilled pimento cheese sandwich with bacon added and the corn salad (salivating now)
Q Shack - THE BBQ spot - beef brisket with whatever sides I'm craving...hush puppies and honey butter
Tupelo Honey - Charleston Chicken Sandwich, Encore Cheesy Grit Cakes

England's Best
Aux Merveilleux de Fred - beautiful patisserie, delicious cakes
Bar Americain - art deco lounge, the Parisian Summer cocktail was delicious
Bart's - great 'secret' bar...get the Pickled Ploughman (one is enough)
Be at One - just an all-around fun pub/bar
Brasserie Blanc - Raymond Blanc's chain, classic French - the Chateaubriand for two was delish
Casanis - another classic French restaurant, owned by Laurent Couvreur and his wife Jill - tasting menu
Cote - more French food...melt-in-your-mouth mussels
Enoteca Turi - delicious Italian fare with an extensive wine list
Menu Gordon Jones - an ABSOLUTE MUST - whatever Gordon has that day, you will love
Polpo - yummy tapas
Pulp - you have to try the Passionfruit Caipirinha
Skylon - a beautiful lounge with a gorgeous view (and tasty cocktails)
Sub 13 - hidden gem in Bath for cocktails
The Commercial Tavern - fun pub in downtown!
The Delaunay - afternoon tea
The Dower House - beautiful hotel, a great place to stop for drinks
Trinity - the Sunday Roast was soooooooo delicious
West Cornwall Pasty Company - street food at its finest - get the steak & ale pasty
White Horse Pub - a great place to stop in for a drink

The Big Apple

Artichoke Basille's Pizza - easy - artichoke slice
Cafe Sabarsky - Get. The. Spatzel.
Doughnut Plant - heavenly donuts...get the Blueberry Doughseed
Empanada Mama - I could eat a dozen of the Viagra Empanadas
Ess-a-Bagel - 'my' bagel spot - you HAVE to get the chocolate chip cream cheese on whole wheat...and the pastrami with regular cream cheese on everything
Merilu Pizza - it's all amazing
Rhong Tiam Express - my absolute favorite Pad Thai in the whole world
Serendipity 3 - yes it's touristy, but the frozen hot chocolate is bomb
The Campbell Apartment - the make a mean margarita

Here and There
Boat House - *amazing* view and delicious seafood in Rhode Island
Hon Sushi - all-you-can-eat sushi lunch in Cali
Ingrid's Kitchen - German in the middle of Oklahoma? I'll take it! The spatzel is amazing
La Dalat Restaurant - if you're ever in Hull, MA, get the spicy tuna pizza
Taco Surf - awesome tacos on PB in San Diego
Vern's - so small, they don't even have a website! In LaPorte, CO, get the cinnamon roll and country fried steak