Bald Head Island, NC tip: have Cape Fear Boil Company cater a low country boil at your house!
The thread from last week about all of our favorite regional foods makes me smile SO BIG. It is incredible how diverse our cuisine is across the country thanks in large part to immigration patterns. If you haven’t checked it out and added your own, please do! It is such a fun read.
My husband George and I are headed to British Columbia for our ten year anniversary in a week, and I’ve been asking my Instagram followers for tips on where to eat and what to do. I’m so lucky to have thousands of people to ask for advice any time I travel… so I thought I’d open that up here and see if we can all help each other out! Crowd-sourced tips are the best!
Here’s what to do:
If you’re traveling some place new and need advice on where to eat / what to do, ask below!
Scroll through and see if you have any tips for any of the places people list!
If you have tips for a popular summer vacation spot, go ahead and list them below!
CARMEL, CA // eat at: The Bench at Pebble Beach for the views and good food, Stationaery for breakfast or lunch, La Balena (get a table on the back porch) for a romantic Italian meal, 7th and Dolores for something kinda fancy and great cocktails.
we had the BEST octopus appetizer with some kind of thai sauce at 7th and delores and i still think about it 3 years later!wish I had paid better attention to the ingredients
1. Second Chez Nous (amazing, and in fall or spring sit in the beautiful garden!) They have a different menu every day and you can see the day's menu on Instagram.
2. Xio Bao Biscuit - it is an old gas station that was redone and it's asian fusion - its so different and really fun and delicious - amazing. I highly recommend going at lunch as you cant make res and it gets super crowded.
3. The Gin Joint is a fun for a pre or post dinner cocktail
Poe's on Sullivan's island is fun for a casual lunch/dinner or football game. Really good burgers and a classic beach bar.
4. Also second the Obstinate Daughter for a nice dinner
5. Indaco - In downtown Charleston - Super delish Italian - pizza & pasta - perfect for a date night. We sit at the bar and get the Chef's menu usually :)
BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC // I highly recommend getting a pass to one of the clubs for the week! BHI Club has an AMAZING pool and splash pad for the kid's -- like water park style! Shoals Club has a plain ole pool BUT it's right on the beach and they'll set up your beach chairs for you! BHI Club also has better food.
From another Greenville native, these are GREAT recommendations! Don’t forget about Pomegranate on Main for delicious Persian food and Kannikas for the best Thai curry I’ve ever had :). Liberty Bridge is another must. Yes, we have a waterfall downtown!
While in BC, if you’re going to Vancouver Island, check out Red Fish Blue Fish on the harbour in Victoria. A couple of converted shipping containers, no seating other than a few picnic benches and against the rails, great view and EXCELLENT food. Highly recommended to us and now highly recommended by us!
LAKE TAHOE (in August): work trip Tuesday - Thursday at the Ritz in Truckee. My husband may come out for the weekend, so looking for activities and restaurants!
Austin’s in incline village. We always make a hat at the Big Truck Hat bar. Sand harbor beach. Best pizza is White Caps in Kings Beach. It’s a drive but Swiss Lakewood on the west shore is divine. Burgers either the Char Pit or Inclined. Garwoods for a wet woody I’d a must if you drink. Wander down town Truckee. Sit on the beach, go paddle boarding/kayaking, etc. Fire Sign cafe is great for breakfast as is the old post office (old fashioned), and we love a quick hot breakfast and pastries from Sugar Pine Cakery and Cafe. Coffee: Pacific Crest or Drink Coffee Do Stuff. We haven’t been yet but drying to try Stella for dinner in Truckee.
In Truckee - Great Gold for Pizza, Moodys is also great. For activities - bike the Truckee Legacy Trail (you can rent bikes in town) or do the Martis Valley Loop (you may be able to start close to your hotel at the Ritz, if not is a 5 min drive). Depending on timing, you could also rent a boat or take the Tahoe Gal Cruise if you want to get on the water but not commit to a whole boat day!
You should absolutely get down to the shore and go to Garwoods or Sunnyside to sit on the deck!
La Boca Steakhouse - Argentinian steakhouse. You get to choose your own knife so makes you feel fancy. Get the tasting menu. Best value for your dollar and you don’t leave hungry. Gnocchi are heavenly pillows!
Come on down! But not until October. The heat and humidity are stifling during the summer and you’ll wilt like a flower. Daily “feels like” temp has been upwards of 100 plus you know hurricanes. Best time to come is when the weather turns cool in October/November or March/April/May when there is literally a festival celebrating anything and everything every weekend
Miss River in the new Four Seasons (Alon Shaya’s newest) - good for lunch or dinner, but lunch probably easier to get into. It’s worth it to have a drink at the bar and bites and check out the somm’s beautiful tucked away room.
Steaks at Doris Metropolitan in the quarter - at a table or the bar is great place to eat too.
Sylvain across the street from Doris is wonderful for a fabulous drink - dark and romantic and so new orleans.
The Chloe Hotel opened recently in uptown - very special, historical and stylish…we loved brunch there.
Always barbecued (buttered and yummy not like traditional barbecue) at Mr. b’s - classic new orleans and will leave you craving the dish for a very long time.
All of Alon Shaya’s restaurants are awesome - Saba is Middle Eastern and a great variation for the palate.
Lillette in uptown is small, upscale and cozy - and delicious.
Parkway tavern for poboys.
The St Vincent’s Hotel recently opened and the restaurant in there San Lorenzo is worth checking out.
Finally another great spot for drinks is the bar/lounge at Maison de la Luz - very sexy!
Or, in the other direction, the working side of the bay, Point Loma Seafood for excellent dockside al fresco sandwiches and salads from an amazing fishmonger's case.
Little Italy: Vino Carta wine bar (can bring in outside food, amazing patio and reasonable bottle shop pricing); Crack Shack (outdoor fried chicken, drinks, and surprisingly good salads!); Juniper & Ivy or Herb and Wood (fancy)
Point Loma: Mitch's Seafood or Point Loma Seafood (also mentioned below); Eppig brewery (right on the water, can bring in your own food); La Perla #3 (local taco shop, SO good); Moniker General (coffee shop in Liberty Station); Liberty Station Public Market (food halls, tons of space in Liberty Station to walk around - and walkable if you are staying right by the airport, it is directly across the water channel and there is a bridge)
Crack Shack and Carnitas Crack Shack (totally different things with crack haha) for lunches. Juniper and Ivy for dinner! George's in La Jolla for amazing views and food -- you want a table in the roof!
PHILADELPHIA // Headed there for the first time this weekend. Staying in Center City. Looking for kid friendly recommendations while we do all the touristy stuff. We’re going with h vaxxed kiddos so we prefer outdoor dining but not sure if that’s too much to ask
Morgan's Pier when you are in Old City for outdoor dining, also a great place to just hang out (iirc there are hammocks and stuff), also go into Shane's Confectionary and Franklin Fountain for ice cream/sweets. Grab chicken sandwiches and doughnuts to go from Federal Doughnuts OR falafel and tahini milkshakes from Goldie in Rittenhouse Square and eat it in the square if it's not too hot. John's Water Ice (philly Italian ice) is a must in the Italian Market neighborhood since I bet it will be hot. I also think Sabrina's near the art museum area (Franklin Institute etc) might have outdoor seating!
Sally for the best pizza you’ve ever had (has outdoor seating but make a reservation bc they’re booked usually) Victory Taproom has an outdoor roof deck…El Vez for great Mexican and s photo booth (fun with kids)…Independence beer garden is also outdoors by Independence Mall…or get takeout and go to Sister cities park by the Franklin Institute (kids love it!)
100 Montaditos (Cien Montaditos) is the most fun place for a quick snack / lunch!!! Tiny sandwiches!!! They're all over Madrid and maybe Barcelona too.
Bo de B (in Barcelona)! It’s a very unassuming sandwich shop but you’ll see a line out the door and that’s your first sign it’s good :) They sell out like every day, so do an early lunch to go - so good!
Stateside, Mamnoon, Sawyer and Matts in the Market for dinner. Ooink for ramen. Walrus & the Carpenter or Taylor Selfish for oysters. Un Bien for sandwiches. Foreign National, Navy Strength, Canon and Zig Zag Cafe for cocktails. Chuck’s Hop Shop and Pine Box for beer.
Second for Taylor Shellfish! If you feel like a drive/adventure head up to their beachside operation right on the water near Bellingham - beautiful drive and there’s a great beer scene in Bellingham! The days are long and perfect for being by the water for an epic sunset here!
Aside from that - Walking around Green Lake, Flourbox or General Porpoise doughnuts, and Canlis is a Seattle staple
Blackwall Hitch- crab cakes! And the sandwich version too. Other things are good too but I always get the crab cake sandwich. Cool location and decor
Pops for ice cream! They’re the best
Goodies for Wisconsin style custard- bring cash.
Haute Dog for easy lunch- hot dogs, various sausages, sliders
Barca- if you want to eat right along the river. Always busy so try for a reservation but you can also sit up by the wine bar and have a great view still! Small plates and delish
Sonoma Cellar- wine bar. Good food too! Cute back patio
Cafe 44- brunch! Sit outside for a cool view. Reservations recommended.
Elizabeth, I’m a month late so you may have already gone. We just moved away from Phoenix. Here are some of our favorites mostly in Scottsdale. To a Madera, Francine, Buck and Rider, Maple and Ash, Vecina. I could keep going but that’s a start.
We absolutely loved Portugal! The TimeOut food hall in Lisbon is fun. We also enjoyed breakfast at The Mill and coffee at Fabrica. We only did a day trip to Cascais and I'm not sure I would have needed more than that. Santini Gelato has locations in Lisbon and Cascais and was great. In the Duoro, stay here: https://www.chanceleiros.com and they can get you into all of the great port houses. Happy to provide more info.
In Lisbon, you can't go wrong with prawns at Ramiro. We also had a surprising wonderful dinner at a spot called Chapito a Mesa. We requested a table with a view and it definitely delivered.
WASHINGTON DC (by the conference center): Heading to DC later this month for a conference. I’ll be sticking close to the conference center and I’ve already got plans for Succotash, Nino’s Bakery, Le Diplomate, and Jaleo. Any other great spots or bakeries to check out?
Great list already! If you can get a reservation (they miiiight take walk ins too), The Dabney is one of my favorite restaurants and pretty close to the conference center. Unconventional Diner is another fun one in that area. Morris is a great cocktail bar nearby!
CARMEL, CA // eat at: The Bench at Pebble Beach for the views and good food, Stationaery for breakfast or lunch, La Balena (get a table on the back porch) for a romantic Italian meal, 7th and Dolores for something kinda fancy and great cocktails.
we had the BEST octopus appetizer with some kind of thai sauce at 7th and delores and i still think about it 3 years later!wish I had paid better attention to the ingredients
Omg amazing tip -- I will look for it next time I'm there!!
YOU GUYS LOOK WHAT NICOLE (a what to cooker!) MADE!!!!!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1XLldqNwRvexueZDztqOULjLQyxuNs_J8EDKQLRf7h_Q/edit
A document consolidating all recs!!!!!
I have to add to The Charleston, SC recs:
1. Second Chez Nous (amazing, and in fall or spring sit in the beautiful garden!) They have a different menu every day and you can see the day's menu on Instagram.
2. Xio Bao Biscuit - it is an old gas station that was redone and it's asian fusion - its so different and really fun and delicious - amazing. I highly recommend going at lunch as you cant make res and it gets super crowded.
3. The Gin Joint is a fun for a pre or post dinner cocktail
Poe's on Sullivan's island is fun for a casual lunch/dinner or football game. Really good burgers and a classic beach bar.
4. Also second the Obstinate Daughter for a nice dinner
5. Indaco - In downtown Charleston - Super delish Italian - pizza & pasta - perfect for a date night. We sit at the bar and get the Chef's menu usually :)
BALD HEAD ISLAND, NC // I highly recommend getting a pass to one of the clubs for the week! BHI Club has an AMAZING pool and splash pad for the kid's -- like water park style! Shoals Club has a plain ole pool BUT it's right on the beach and they'll set up your beach chairs for you! BHI Club also has better food.
Bay Area native who moved to Durham 3.5 years ago. We NEED to get out to BHI!
It's honestly a magical place. Go in October! Best time.
Going in August! Would love to see you and your family, if y’all are on this side of the country!
Oh my gosh hi Leigh!!!!!!!! We are there first week!
Noooooo, we’re there the last😩
GREENVILLE, SC // a dreamy mountain town tucked in the foothills of the blue ridge mtns //
methodical coffee - best coffee in town
swamp rabbit grocery - local food cafe with coffee and pastries
asada - mission-style mexican
mekong - great vietnamese
community tap - wine and beer to go or to stay
auto taco - great chips and guac. get the VEGAN BRUSSLES (brussels with kimchi on top!)
bar margaret - great drink/snack spot
coastal crust - buzzy pizza joint in arts district
pita house - great middle eastern food, take to nearby grateful brew to enjoy with beer
tandem - great creperie with the best waffle of my life
sidewall pizza - thin-crust pizza and great salads
walk the swamp rabbit trail
visit the shop 'we took to the woods'
go to the free art museum downtown
visit the children's music
go to unity park (there's a splashpad!)
This made me want to book a trip!!!
do iiiiiit
From another Greenville native, these are GREAT recommendations! Don’t forget about Pomegranate on Main for delicious Persian food and Kannikas for the best Thai curry I’ve ever had :). Liberty Bridge is another must. Yes, we have a waterfall downtown!
While in BC, if you’re going to Vancouver Island, check out Red Fish Blue Fish on the harbour in Victoria. A couple of converted shipping containers, no seating other than a few picnic benches and against the rails, great view and EXCELLENT food. Highly recommended to us and now highly recommended by us!
We aren't going to Victoria AHHHH
I guess that means you’ll have to go back! 😎
LAKE TAHOE (in August): work trip Tuesday - Thursday at the Ritz in Truckee. My husband may come out for the weekend, so looking for activities and restaurants!
Following- we are going to Tahoe Vista!
Austin’s in incline village. We always make a hat at the Big Truck Hat bar. Sand harbor beach. Best pizza is White Caps in Kings Beach. It’s a drive but Swiss Lakewood on the west shore is divine. Burgers either the Char Pit or Inclined. Garwoods for a wet woody I’d a must if you drink. Wander down town Truckee. Sit on the beach, go paddle boarding/kayaking, etc. Fire Sign cafe is great for breakfast as is the old post office (old fashioned), and we love a quick hot breakfast and pastries from Sugar Pine Cakery and Cafe. Coffee: Pacific Crest or Drink Coffee Do Stuff. We haven’t been yet but drying to try Stella for dinner in Truckee.
Lone Eagle Grille in Incline Village is wonderful!!
The Hangar Taproom and bar shop in South Tahoe is really cool for a drink!
Chambers landing in west Tahoe for drinks!
In Truckee - Great Gold for Pizza, Moodys is also great. For activities - bike the Truckee Legacy Trail (you can rent bikes in town) or do the Martis Valley Loop (you may be able to start close to your hotel at the Ritz, if not is a 5 min drive). Depending on timing, you could also rent a boat or take the Tahoe Gal Cruise if you want to get on the water but not commit to a whole boat day!
You should absolutely get down to the shore and go to Garwoods or Sunnyside to sit on the deck!
Sunnyside, Gar Woods, West Shore Cafe, The Red Hut Cafe (pancakes!)
NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Turkey and the Wolf - quirky sandwiches don’t sleep on the collard green melt
Molly’s Rise & Shine - breakfast get the grand slam mcmuffin
Nor-Joe’s - muffelatas
Dian Xin - to die for Asian food in the French Quarter. No reservations first come first serve
Tito’s Ceviche & Pisco
Paladar 511 delicious Italian type food
Elysian Bar at Hotel Peter & Paul great drinks and food
Meril - Emeril restaurant. STAPLE for Saints games
Bar Marilou - eclectic lounge with great small plates and drinks
Josephine Estelle - homemade pastas
Cochon (sit down) & Cochon Butcher (sandwich counter)
Saffron - best Indian food
Nomiya - ramen
Tsunami or Rock n Sake - sushi
La Boca Steakhouse - Argentinian steakhouse. You get to choose your own knife so makes you feel fancy. Get the tasting menu. Best value for your dollar and you don’t leave hungry. Gnocchi are heavenly pillows!
Ok I need to book a trip to Nola like right now
Come on down! But not until October. The heat and humidity are stifling during the summer and you’ll wilt like a flower. Daily “feels like” temp has been upwards of 100 plus you know hurricanes. Best time to come is when the weather turns cool in October/November or March/April/May when there is literally a festival celebrating anything and everything every weekend
A few new/old spots worth trying out:
Miss River in the new Four Seasons (Alon Shaya’s newest) - good for lunch or dinner, but lunch probably easier to get into. It’s worth it to have a drink at the bar and bites and check out the somm’s beautiful tucked away room.
Steaks at Doris Metropolitan in the quarter - at a table or the bar is great place to eat too.
Sylvain across the street from Doris is wonderful for a fabulous drink - dark and romantic and so new orleans.
The Chloe Hotel opened recently in uptown - very special, historical and stylish…we loved brunch there.
Always barbecued (buttered and yummy not like traditional barbecue) at Mr. b’s - classic new orleans and will leave you craving the dish for a very long time.
All of Alon Shaya’s restaurants are awesome - Saba is Middle Eastern and a great variation for the palate.
Lillette in uptown is small, upscale and cozy - and delicious.
Parkway tavern for poboys.
The St Vincent’s Hotel recently opened and the restaurant in there San Lorenzo is worth checking out.
Finally another great spot for drinks is the bar/lounge at Maison de la Luz - very sexy!
Toast- a unique neighborhood breakfast/lunch spot. Crepes, specialty toasts, etc.
The Will and The Way on Toulouse St.
Small plates and terrific cocktails in the back garden!
Would love recommendations for Asheville NC. Going there this weekend for a quick getaway.
I think there's another Asheville thread - scroll through!! Or ctrl+f it!
Tips for San Diego (by the airport)
Little Italy, half-way to downtown, has several nice eateries. Was my neighborhood for 30 years.
Or, in the other direction, the working side of the bay, Point Loma Seafood for excellent dockside al fresco sandwiches and salads from an amazing fishmonger's case.
yes. one of my favorites.
Best burger EVER Rocky’s Crown Pub! 😋
no freaking kidding.
yummm yes
OB Noodle House
Ragland Public House for burgers
OMG OB NOODLE HOUSE. miss it there!!!!!
Little Italy: Vino Carta wine bar (can bring in outside food, amazing patio and reasonable bottle shop pricing); Crack Shack (outdoor fried chicken, drinks, and surprisingly good salads!); Juniper & Ivy or Herb and Wood (fancy)
Point Loma: Mitch's Seafood or Point Loma Seafood (also mentioned below); Eppig brewery (right on the water, can bring in your own food); La Perla #3 (local taco shop, SO good); Moniker General (coffee shop in Liberty Station); Liberty Station Public Market (food halls, tons of space in Liberty Station to walk around - and walkable if you are staying right by the airport, it is directly across the water channel and there is a bridge)
Little Italy:
Juniper & Ivy
Born & Raised
Herb & Wood
Wolfie’s Carousel Bar
Barbusa
Breakfast: morning glory
Crack Shack and Carnitas Crack Shack (totally different things with crack haha) for lunches. Juniper and Ivy for dinner! George's in La Jolla for amazing views and food -- you want a table in the roof!
Loved The Crack Shack - my people want to do a return trip to eat there.
Me toooo
The Taco Stand has the best fish tacos I've ever had
We are spending 10 days in Ireland in September - road-tripping and in a different city/town each night… what should we eat and see?
OH -- cooking class at Ballymaloe if at ALL possible. Truly a magical place!!!!
SO JEALOUS. I have done this and I cannot think of a single rec. omg. My brain. What happened to it.
Ard Bia in Galway is delicious! Also we are at a place called Fish Kitchen in Bantry and it may have been the best oysters I’ve ever had.
Kinsale - small fishing village, but great to stroll around. Go eat at the Bulman and get a nightcap at the Spaniard.
Gap of Dunloe, Blarney Castle (Cork), Guinness museum (Dublin), Jameson factory (Cork). I agree on Ballymaloe!
Amazing hotels with nice landscapes - Europe hotel, Adare Manor, Doonbeg.
Eat - make sure you have brown bread (it’s like a soda bread), Tayto crisps, fish & chips, 99 ice cream. I’ll try to think of others
Two lights lobster shack in Cape Elizabeth, Maine
Steve and Cookies by the bay in Margate, NJ
PHILADELPHIA // Headed there for the first time this weekend. Staying in Center City. Looking for kid friendly recommendations while we do all the touristy stuff. We’re going with h vaxxed kiddos so we prefer outdoor dining but not sure if that’s too much to ask
Morgan's Pier when you are in Old City for outdoor dining, also a great place to just hang out (iirc there are hammocks and stuff), also go into Shane's Confectionary and Franklin Fountain for ice cream/sweets. Grab chicken sandwiches and doughnuts to go from Federal Doughnuts OR falafel and tahini milkshakes from Goldie in Rittenhouse Square and eat it in the square if it's not too hot. John's Water Ice (philly Italian ice) is a must in the Italian Market neighborhood since I bet it will be hot. I also think Sabrina's near the art museum area (Franklin Institute etc) might have outdoor seating!
Used to live a block from John's! Their butter pecan 😍
Parc Restaurant near Rittenhouse square-- French Bistro menu. Has indoor and outdoor dining. Great food!
PARC! How i miss it (sobs in bechamel)
Hahah
Sally for the best pizza you’ve ever had (has outdoor seating but make a reservation bc they’re booked usually) Victory Taproom has an outdoor roof deck…El Vez for great Mexican and s photo booth (fun with kids)…Independence beer garden is also outdoors by Independence Mall…or get takeout and go to Sister cities park by the Franklin Institute (kids love it!)
Pietro’s for amazing pizza and huge shareable salads! It’s in the 1700 block of Walnut Street, and does have a small outdoor seating area.
Looking for recommendations in Barcelona and Madrid!
100 Montaditos (Cien Montaditos) is the most fun place for a quick snack / lunch!!! Tiny sandwiches!!! They're all over Madrid and maybe Barcelona too.
Barca: Cerveceria Catalana, Cal Pep & Bar Canete for tapas. Tickets - fun, nice dinner. Make a res ahead of time.
Madrid: Calle Cava Baja to "ir de tapas" (Taverna Txacoli and El Tempranillo)...
Almendro 13 (Traditional tapas)
El Pimiento Verde (near the San Miguel Market)
Clarita Cafe
El Federal (breakfast)
Retweet on Cal Pep and El Federal! Also, Pepa Pla
Paisano in Madrid is the BEST hidden gem. I used to live there and it is my FAVORITE. Really good sepia, tomato salad, cochinillo.
BCN is dreamy as hell.
My favorite time when I was there was at Bar Brutal.
Other greats: Bar Salvatge & La Graciosa
100% go to Sagrada Familia and make a rez to go at sunset!
Paco Algo in Barcelona is a nice easy place for lunch in Barcelona
Bo de B (in Barcelona)! It’s a very unassuming sandwich shop but you’ll see a line out the door and that’s your first sign it’s good :) They sell out like every day, so do an early lunch to go - so good!
Here's a google map I made from my trip to Barcelona a few years ago! Has pins from a bunch of the restaurants we tried.
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1WG-W0gEGeL8sbxD-C-4gWktjUhg&usp=sharing
Some faves were...
Tapeo - get pork ribs, patatas bravas
Black Lab & NaparBCN - breweries
Nombad Coffee - great coffee
La Pepita - gin & tonic, amazing calamari and delicious nectarine gazpacho
El Xampanyet - gets crowded but cool to experience. get the grilled octopus and potato dish
Shopping in El Born
Barcelona: Bar Canete and Tapeo
Madrid: Casa Gonzalez, Chocolateria San Gines, La Barraca
You have to get Iberian Jamon! It's the best on sandwiches with tomato jam.
Tips for Seattle, WA in the summer
SO JEALOUS! dying to go to seattle, have never been!!!
Stateside, Mamnoon, Sawyer and Matts in the Market for dinner. Ooink for ramen. Walrus & the Carpenter or Taylor Selfish for oysters. Un Bien for sandwiches. Foreign National, Navy Strength, Canon and Zig Zag Cafe for cocktails. Chuck’s Hop Shop and Pine Box for beer.
Second for Taylor Shellfish! If you feel like a drive/adventure head up to their beachside operation right on the water near Bellingham - beautiful drive and there’s a great beer scene in Bellingham! The days are long and perfect for being by the water for an epic sunset here!
Aside from that - Walking around Green Lake, Flourbox or General Porpoise doughnuts, and Canlis is a Seattle staple
TnT tacos, Endoline Joe's, Cooks Tavern (in Tacoma)
Old Town Alexandria just outside of DC.
Blackwall Hitch- crab cakes! And the sandwich version too. Other things are good too but I always get the crab cake sandwich. Cool location and decor
Pops for ice cream! They’re the best
Goodies for Wisconsin style custard- bring cash.
Haute Dog for easy lunch- hot dogs, various sausages, sliders
Barca- if you want to eat right along the river. Always busy so try for a reservation but you can also sit up by the wine bar and have a great view still! Small plates and delish
Sonoma Cellar- wine bar. Good food too! Cute back patio
Cafe 44- brunch! Sit outside for a cool view. Reservations recommended.
Ada's on the River is great for brunch and drinks!
We absolute love Landinis in old town!!
PHOENIX, AZ // heading to see my grandparents who are in their 80s and 90s - would love some current recs and kid friendly!
Elizabeth, I’m a month late so you may have already gone. We just moved away from Phoenix. Here are some of our favorites mostly in Scottsdale. To a Madera, Francine, Buck and Rider, Maple and Ash, Vecina. I could keep going but that’s a start.
PORTUGAL (please) - Porto, Douro Valley, Nazare, Cascais and Lisbon!
If at all possible, go to Comporta. I'd skip Nazare in favor of Comporta. sublime is a fancy hotel there if you wanna go for it 🤑🤑🥰
We absolutely loved Portugal! The TimeOut food hall in Lisbon is fun. We also enjoyed breakfast at The Mill and coffee at Fabrica. We only did a day trip to Cascais and I'm not sure I would have needed more than that. Santini Gelato has locations in Lisbon and Cascais and was great. In the Duoro, stay here: https://www.chanceleiros.com and they can get you into all of the great port houses. Happy to provide more info.
In Lisbon, you can't go wrong with prawns at Ramiro. We also had a surprising wonderful dinner at a spot called Chapito a Mesa. We requested a table with a view and it definitely delivered.
Yes!!! Prawns are Ramiro!!!
Here is my map for Lisbon!
https://www.google.com/maps/@/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!11m1!2ssH6GClUpRAKhLLfuNRADeQ
And Porto:
https://www.google.com/maps/@39.9260607,-9.9948098,8z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m3!11m2!2sOQbPC04qnphuS6PyhU2HFru7fJuWcA!3e3?authuser=2
Chama in Porto!!! Best meal of our trip.
WASHINGTON DC (by the conference center): Heading to DC later this month for a conference. I’ll be sticking close to the conference center and I’ve already got plans for Succotash, Nino’s Bakery, Le Diplomate, and Jaleo. Any other great spots or bakeries to check out?
Rasika has great Indian. 6th and D St NW.
Love Rasika!
Zaytinya - amazing Mediterranean just a couple blocks from convention center. Jose Andres restaurant group!
Had an amazing meal at Tail Up Goat a few weeks ago. Also All-Purpose pizzas were delish!
All purpose yes if you’re looking for pizza in the neighborhood!!
All-Purpose looks great!
Buttercreamdc.com
Great list already! If you can get a reservation (they miiiight take walk ins too), The Dabney is one of my favorite restaurants and pretty close to the conference center. Unconventional Diner is another fun one in that area. Morris is a great cocktail bar nearby!
Perf! I made a lunch reservation at Unconventional Diner, which looks super good!
Oh man, so many good recs. Y'all are the best!