There are a few areas I think we can all agree are important and where we are usually a bit more discerning and that is with our palate. I am a self-professed food snob. I admit it. (And, if you’re honest with yourself, you probably are too!)
Now don’t get me wrong, being a food snob doesn’t equate to an overpriced, white linen, pinky up, fine dining experience…or at least not by my definition. For me, being a food snob is just appreciating really great food and having an equally great dining experience, wherever that is found. Wherever I travel, my preference is to eat and experience what the “locals” eat, so I have found myself in shacks and huts on the side of a road eating jerk chicken or some other native cuisine. And then there are those times when I date myself (I treat myself well when I can afford it!) and eat at places that I may only get to once!
That being said, below is a list of some of my favorite and/or memorable places to eat.
Boston:
Darryl's Corner Bar and Kitchen
Delicious food, ambiance and live entertainment
The Upper Crust Pizzeria (Beacon Hill)
Delicious thin crust pizza!
California:
El Farolito Mexican Restaurant
Placentia location. Excellent Carnitas
Roscoe's House of Chicken and Waffles
Hollywood location. Lived up to its reputation!
Santa Monica Pier. Spectacular views!!
Chicago:
Chicago location. Great ambiance
Very charming restaurant and neighborhood
Loved, loved, loved everything I ate there!
Connecticut:
**Barcelona Restaurant & Wine Bar
Multiple locations, but New Haven is my fav!
**Incas Restaurant
Milford location. The best Peruvian Food & Ceviche
Stamford location. Spanish cuisine
Bridgeport. Fried scallops and the views are best!
Black Rock. Delicious fried chicken and BBQ!
Zafra Cuban Restaurant & Rum Bar
New Haven. Small, but lively atmosphere
New Haven. Great food, spectalur city views.
Bridgeport. Melt in your mouth steak...
Milford. Great food, service and ambiance
**Artisan
Southport. (Delamar Hotel) Worth every penny!
Fairfield. The grilled romaine salad is everything!
Fairfield. The Hot Oil pie with spicy oil and sausage!!
Milford. Delicious small plates. Ambiance is perfect.
Negril:
Sweet Spice
This is where the locals eat. Authentic JA food!
Hungry Lion
Great food; romantic setting on the cliffs
Great restaurant on the 7 mile beach
Delicious food overlooking the cliffs.
Good food, fun atmosphere
New York:
Brooklyn location. THE BEST fried chicken...ever!!
Midtown Manhattan. Fav spot for BBQ!!
Harlem. Upscale soul food. Delish!
Time Warner Center, Manhattan.
Manhattan. Cuban food.
Ohana Hibachi Seafood & Steakhouse
City Island, Bronx
Panama:
**Manrey Hotel Restaurant
The best Sangria I ever had!
Panama City.
Amador Causeway
Casco Viejo.
Casco Viejo. Excellent breakfast
Casco Viejo
Casco Viejo. Enjoy the ice cream and the AC!
American Trade Hotel Dining Room
Casco Viejo
Paris:
Saint-Germain location. They only serve Steak Frites.
Pizza and people watching...quintessential Paris!
Delicious rotisserie near Notre Dame
Philly:
**Relish
Modern Southern cuisine. Go for the brunch.
**Varnick
The Maryland crab on toast... delish!
Great food and atmosphere
Providence:
Delicious food. Great ambiance.
San Juan:
Empanadas and fresh lemonade!
The red snapper mofongo with garlic sauce is the move!
Santiago de Cuba:
Brassa Restaurante
**Denotes a favorite spot!