BYOB source: Pinot Boutique. In the Old City and sells locally sourced wines so don’t go looking for that French Bordeaux. Interesting wines from the area with tasings available. Somewhat...

Passing through: Chili’s Too. Needed a quick bite and it had been a while since I last visited. Located in the B Concourse at O’Hare and near my outbound gate...

Vegan ice cream: Frankie & Jo’s. One of three locations, this one is on lower Capitol Hill. The shop is small and lines form at times so you may have...

Neapolitan style pizza: Veraci. One of several locations in Seattle…..including a mobile unit usually seen at the Ballard Market….with branches in Spokane and Bend OR. Their claim to fame is...

Beer with a twist: No Anchor. Focus is on beer…and variations on that theme. It’s a relatively small bar in the Belltown area that has developed a big reputation, not...

Looking for a bite after the tulip fields: The Oyster and Thistle. Located a bit off the beaten path on the Sound, there are a number of options in the...

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...

Looking for espresso with local knowledge: Noir Cafe. A small place in the downtown area that serves good espresso and lattes. They also have a selection of baked goods and...

Local knowledge always helps: Le Gourmet Break. A nice breakfast spot in downtown Orlando…..I think it may be the first time I’ve been downtown in this city of Parks and...

In search of real food: Bulla Gastrobar. This place looked interesting and even though it was in Winter Park, I thought I’d give it a try since finding something unique...

Another hotel restaurant: The Bistro at the Hilton. Needed a light lunch and this was convenient. Typical offerings and since I wanted something light the Manhattan Clam Chowder fit the...

Hard to find local places but this is a good one: Thai Thani. Before I even start…this place has the most incredible Thai decor I’ve seen outside of Bangkok. From...

On the way home: Grille District. Needed a quick bite to eat before the long flight back to Seattle. I wouldn’t call Reagan National a food lovers paradise but this...

Passed by this place many times: Zaytinya. It’s located near the Convention Center and across the street from the 9th Street NW exit of the Gallery Place Metro Station…so it’s...

Worth the Kona Crawl: Jackie Rey’s Ohana Grill. Can be a real bear to get there….the Kona traffic can be bad….looks like they are doing a lot of road work...

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...

Highly recommended by the people working next door: Waimea Coffee Co. About to be back on the road and needed a quick cup. The recommendation didn’t disappoint. Probably the best...

Nice for a quick low cal breakfast: Juice 101. Located in the Mauna Lani resort area this place was recommended by a friend. They have an extensive menu focused on...

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...

Need poke, need fish? Da Fish House. The place to get fresh fish to grill for dinner…and poke for lunch or whenever. Great selection and very knowledgeable staff when it...

Ever what you need: Puako General Store If you are staying in the Kohala area of the Big Island, check this place out for provisions and treats. It’s about a...

Repeat visit: Seafood Bar & Grill. Funky little place on the Kohala Coast that we visited a few years ago. It’s upstairs…..and if there isn’t parking on the street level...

May be in a hotel but worth a visit: Kamuela Provision Company. Beautiful views from this oceanside hotel restaurant with food to match the views.  The space is open and surrounded...

Looking for late lunch: Stan’s BBQ. Hard to find good BBQ in Seattle but thought we’d give this place a try. Located in the old town area, the owner hails...

Had an eye on: San Fermo. I noticed this small restaurant when visiting the Ballard Sunday Market and was intrigued by the facade….apparently one of the oldest homes in Seattle…from...

A different dinner for 30: Lark. Unique experience at this well known establishment on Capitol Hill. What was unique?…..our choices, although pre determined, were drawn from the current menu…..so, this...

A bit of après ski: Roslyn Mexican Grill. Just down I-90 from the snow park and it seemed like a good option after cross country skiing. For those who remember...

An homage to all things meat: The Shambles. Maple Leaf butchery and restaurant specializing in house made sausage, meats and charcuterie. The food is about small plates…..think small to medium/large plates….with...

Nice spot near Seattle Center on lower Queen Anne for a drink: Solo Bar & Eatery. Eclectic space that feels a bit like having a drink in someone’s living room....

Dinner for 20: Fork. Another choice among the many in the Old City. The menu was limited due to the size of the party which makes a true dining experience...

Dinner for 20 something: Morimoto. Usually it’s difficult to tell about a restaurant when you’re in a large party but only a few shared plates this visit more like couples...

Drinks with friends: Royal Boucherie. Hot spot near the Delaware River in the old city….brought to you by a top chef. The space is open and if the bar downstairs...

Just passing thru: Tortas Frontera O’Hare. Located in Concourse B, this is a go to place if I have time between flights. It’s usually very busy so be prepared to...

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...

Would be even better for dinner and a beer in the summer: White Swan Public House. Located in South Lake Union the views, even in winter, are exceptional…..Lake Union, the...

Whiskey anyone? Copperworks. Holiday season party at this downtown distillery of single malt whiskey. Nice tasting room with a bar that is over a hundred years old. Tours of the...

More coffee: Caffè Fiore. One of four locations, this one is located in Old Ballard. It’s nice for a quick cup before or after visiting the Ballard Sunday Market……or anytime...

If you need a stop for sustenance: Bob’s Burgers and Brews. Part of a chain found throughout Washington this one is about 5 miles south of the border. Basic burgers,...

Quick bite after a movie: Great State Burger. One of 6 locations in Seattle for this burger outlet. The spin here is local farm to table burgers with cows who...

Another coffee shop in Seattle: Ballard Coffee Works. Part of Seattle Coffee Works this is the Ballard location which is one of 4 in Seattle. The space is lively and...

In Ballard for the Farmers Market and needed breakfast: Porkchop & Co. Just stumbled on this place after a bit of research and it sounded interesting so it was time...

Bikes and beer in Ballard: Peddler Brewing Co. Going away party for one of our staff…returning home to Texas. Small craft beer spot on Leary. The owners are devoted cyclist...

Asian fusion: Wild Ginger. We were downtown for an event and stopped in to once again experience this well known and respected spot for Asian food. Not only known for...

Unique breakfast spot: Feast & Forest. Part of the growing list of food spots downtown, this place offers breakfast and brunch/lunch depending on the day. Probably best described as New...

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...

Vietnamese on the Southside: Saigon. Note, this location is CLOSED but they remain open at the original location on highway 280. Off the beaten path of downtown but worth a...

Like a little slice of Paris in the Pike Place Market area: Le Pichet. The menu is very typical of a small French bistro and the food is all very...

Vietnamese fast food: Sizzle & Crunch. Right off the Ave in the UW District this recently opened restaurant serves Vietnamese food much like Chipotle serves Mexican food……order the dish then add...

Doughnuts anyone? Top Pot. This is a Seattle institution for doughnuts. They started as a single storefront downtown and now there are multiple opportunities throughout the metro area. The doughnuts are...

Well known spot for baked goods: Sultan Bakery. A small place that is best known for its breakfasts and bakery. This visit was in the late afternoon so we went...

Get your fruit here: Smallwood’s Harvest. Very near Silvara Winery tasting room and it’s worth a stop just to look at all the specialty foods offered. It’s also a great...

Another wine tasting opportunity: Silvara. The wines are good…..and in some cases, quite good….but the venue is what is hard to beat. The fruit is mostly from the Columbia Valley...

Trip over the pass on a beautiful day: Andrea’s Keller. Recent brief visit for a “Bavarian” experience before……wine tasting. This is one of our go to places for Southern German...

An unplanned stop in the Windy City: Andiamo. Missed my connecting flight to Seattle and got to spend the night at the Hilton O’Hare….oh joy…I’ve had far too many experiences...

Had to have some pork while in the South: Henry’s Smokehouse. Basically a suburb of Greenville and I was there to visit a relative so lunch had to be pulled...

Post bike ride Thai….in Greenville: Kannika’s Thai Kitchen. Another place close to the Greenville Hilton Hotel. In a small strip mall…aren’t the best Thai places in strip malls? Typical offerings…but with...

In town for a bike ride and this was the pre ride pasta feed: Da Vinci’s Ristorante. Looking for a place close to my hotel for the pasta load and...

Wine is food: Guardian Cellars. In Woodinville Wine Country on an errand and thought I should pick up a bit more wine. This is one of our go to places....

More wine as food: Gorman Winery. Another great option in Woodinville Wine Country in the Hollywood School area. Chris is all about music and the tasting room walls are festooned...

One of my favorite espresso shops: Vivace Alley 24. Doing some shopping at REI and decided to have a quick mocha caramel latte. Their claim to fame is that they...

If you’re in South Seattle and you need a food fix: Super Six. Part of the Marination group of restaurants this one is in Columbia City and serves brunch, lunch...

Third location of this Vietnamese restaurant: Ba Bar. Have been wanting to try this location since it was announced in January that it would be opening this summer and finally...

New spot for ramen in the U District: Hokkaido Ramen Santouka. Great choice on a night with a bit of fall chill in the air. The space is small so...

Haven’t been here in a few years: Steelhead Diner. Had a relative in town for business who wanted seafood and this seemed like a good choice……close to her hotel and...

A short drive from the ferry terminal: Adrift. Forgotten we had been here a number of years ago…it hasn’t changed much although they have changed the main dining room to...

A new place in an old space: Island Pie. Just down the street from where we were staying and it came highly recommended so we decided to give it a...

Ok it’s not a restaurant but if you hike, cycle or drive up this is a place to look for: Sugar on Top. Espresso and Lopez Island Creamery ice cream...

A lunch stop while exploring the island: Madrona Bar & Grill. Not our first choice but on a busy day it fit the bill. Typical bar and food but with...

On to Orcas Island: Brown Bear Bakery. Can’t miss…right on Main Street….because of that, it’s very popular and can be busy in the summer. They offer very large examples of...

Quick stop for lunch on our way north to Bellingham for a family event: Pho Mai. In a strip mall and a classic Vietnamese restaurant……all about the food and not...

Have noticed this place while in South Lake Union: Cinque Terre. Modern space serving foods from the region and on the streetcar line on Westlake which makes it convenient if...

Go to place near the Nisqually entrance to Mt Rainier: Copper Creek. Late lunch after hiking up to Panorama Point. We’ve tried the food at Paradise and found it to...

Deserves another look: Eataly Chicago. They have these in a number of cities but this was a first visit for me and highly recommended by a colleague. Basically it’s a...

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...

Comes highly rated….by an Argentinian: Tanta. Large group dinner so the choices were broad with only a taste of many examples from the menu.  It’s Peruvian which is an interesting...

Dinner before business: Publican. Thought this looked like an interesting place…described as a beer hall and while I’m not much of an expert on beer, the menu sounded interesting and...

Road trip: Wild Sage Bistro Highly regarded and best described as new American, the choices were typical…fish, pork and chicken. We had the well received Yukon taquitos and the Thai...

On the road: Michaels on the Lake Located lakeside with outdoor dining and a view…..spoiled a bit by the railroad that runs lakeside as well. The menu runs the gamut...

One more coffee shop in Seattle: Diva Espresso. One of about a half dozen locations in the city. This visit was to the Harborview location. This purveyor of the roasted...

A quick coffee before the trip back to Seattle: Riptide Cafe. Very nice cafe right on the harbor. I had to have the blended salted caramel mocha….another 4 shot experience...

Early afternoon snack after whale watching: Downriggers. Gorgeous space and views so worth a visit just for that reason. That said, the food was good with a varied menu of...

Now for some caffeine: Fuel Coffee. One of 3 locations in Seattle but their coffee is more broadly available. It was a hot day and I had a bit of...

Hot wings without the wings: Ma’ono Fried Chicken. Located inside Rachel’s Ginger Beer at University Village this is a great space to visit on a sunny day with its open...

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...

Still wandering around Georgetown and needed a drink: Martin’s Tavern. It’s been here since 1933 and has quite an extensive history…said to be the place where John Kennedy proposed to...

Wandering around Georgetown and needed a quick lunch: Kafe Leopold’s. Beautiful space near the C&O canal which serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with alfresco dining available. Very nice European style...

I’d been here once before a few years ago and it was time for a second visit: Le Diplomate. Once again back to a French bistro and this one is...

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...

How about oysters in Alexandria? Hank’s Oyster Bar. One of a number of locations in the DC metro area this one is in the Old Town section of Alexandria and...

A breakfast spot: Founding Farmers. One of several of similar name in the DC area; this one located on Pennsylvania Ave near Georgetown. Basic breakfast menu with excellent service. Portion...

Upscale bar: Blue Duck Tavern. Part of the Michelin rated restaurant by the same name located in the Park Hyatt. “Ducked” in for a quick bite and a drink on...

A unique experience at 1 World Trade Center and Brookfield Place: Beaubourg Part of Le District, an incredible French market in the Brookfield Place shopping center, this made for a...

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...

On a hot day why not: Brooklyn Ice Cream Factory Made in house and located right on the East River in Brooklyn near the bridge. Had 2 scoops: coffee and...

The pizza place in Brooklyn: Juliana’s. Story has it that this one of the 3 best pizza places in NYC and we were staying very close by so thought it...

I don’t often post on hotels but this place is special: 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. A new upscale hotel in Brooklyn that just opened a few months ago so the...

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...

Looking for Thai and a new experience: Isarn Thai Soul Kitchen Have heard great things about this place so we decided to visit on a cold rainy Junuary Seattle day....

Not really a commercial concern: Dean Wines Those of you who have read my home page and my posts know of my enjoyment of good wine and my hobby of...

Vietnamese on lower Capitol Hill: Ba Bar One of three restaurants this is the original location. It’s part of the Monsoon restaurant group. I have been wanting to try it...