A picture perfect visit to California has to include watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean while enjoying a wonderful meal. That is exactly the experience I received when I visited Rock’N Fish in Manhattan Beach. This place was clearly a hot spot because as soon as I walked in I saw lines of people at the bar and every table was full. I was so glad to have a reservation. My table was upstairs, away from the big crowds; there was a cool balcony that let me look down at the restaurant below. It was recommended that I…
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While visiting Manhattan Beach, California, I made the mistake of not making dinner reservations ahead of time. Naturally I panicked a little because I was hungry. Not far from the hotel was Tin Roof Bistro. I decided to take my chances and see if they had a table. To my astonishment they did! Tin Roof Bistro is a rustic looking restaurant that had a very intimate feel. Their menu was eclectic; there was seafood to wood fire pizzas. I decided to start with a spicy tuna spring roll. I expected to get a crunchy, traditional spring roll but this was…
Leave a CommentLocated a few doors down from Bellini’s Ristorante is Edgar’s Bakery, a perfect stop to get dessert. I decided to get something to go, but they have several tables set up so you could enjoy a fresh dessert there. There are so many choices – cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, petit fours, danishes, bear claws – whatever your heart desires. They even have full cakes that you can take with you for a special occasion. I went for an assortment of petit fours. These are my favorite dessert. They are small bites that allow you to try several unique flavors. In…
Leave a CommentI am always looking for new Italian restaurants. I was told that I had to try Bellini’s Ristorante for their take on Italian food. When I went in I felt like I was transformed to a family home with a large wine collection. Built into the walls were wonderful wine racks that I wish I had at home. The wait staff was extremely friendly and very attentive. I had to start off with a traditional Bellini since it is the namesake of the restaurant. They used fresh peach puree that was noticeable as soon as I took a sip.…
Leave a CommentLocated on Main Street in downtown Franklin you will see a neon sign that says Gray’s. Thanks to a wonderful bar staff I got a history lesson on the building. It has over 120 years of history. Backs in the 1920s Gray’s was a pharmacy that served the local community. Prior to that in the late 1890s the building was actually a furniture store. And now in the 21st century it is a two-story restaurant. I sat upstairs at the bar and was able to look out the windows to the main street below. The bartenders were true mixologists, creating…
3 CommentsTucked away in a neighborhood outside of Nashville is a little Italian restaurant called Caffe Nonna. Parking could be problematic since they only have a few spots in front. Be prepared to look for some street parking. I went for lunch and luckily I got there early enough that I did not have to wait for a table. They are small inside so there could be a wait on the weekends. To start, I shared an appetizer of Mediterranean cheese sticks. These intrigued me because they were not typical fried cheese sticks that you would find at a bar. These…
1 CommentIf you are walking the Freedom Trail in Boston at some point you will pass Union Oyster House. It is a national Historic Landmark and is America’s oldest restaurant. The building it’s located in dates back to before the Revolutionary War. As soon as I walked in I could feel the history. Just knowing that this countries Four Fathers walked these rooms gave me chills. I wanted to sit at the famous oyster bar but every seat was full and the wait was long. Since I was hungry from my walk, I just sat at one of the booths. I…
2 CommentsThere are many areas of Seattle that are being revived with bars, restaurants, and local shops. The Walrus and the Carpenter, located in the Ballard area of town, is one of those rejuvenations. When I walked up to the old brick building – which still has Marine Hardware painted on it – I questioned if I was in the right place. Then I saw the bright sign for the restaurant. When I entered the building it was a long walk down a long hallway to get to the back of the building. This is where the restaurant is located. The…
Leave a CommentWhile having dinner at another restaurant I met a nice couple who was originally from New Orleans. They told me about a place in Nashville that serves authentic Cajun food that reminds them of home. It’s called Bro’s Cajun Cuisine. I knew that the next time I was hungry for something with a little extra spice I would have to check them out. The restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall place that you might actually pass without realizing it. They are very small on the inside but have lots of outdoor seating which tells me that they get busy. I hit them…
3 CommentsLocated in the Central West End of St. Louis sits Drussel’s Pub, since 1980. You really can’t miss it with the bright red door. When I walked in I gravitated to their beautiful wooden bar. My seat at the bar allowed me to see into the kitchen and all the chefs hard at work. I was there in between lunch and dinner so the menu was limited, which was fine since I was just looking for a quick snack and something to drink. Since I like Belgium Lambics I was excited to try a new brand; this one was ironically…
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