Some places I just can't imagine what my life would be like without and others are just the staples of my food pantry of life. Here are some of those and my regular favorites.
Ferry Market Plaza San Francisco, CA: This is my happy place. Ya I am going to say it (sorry Ethan), I would rather go here than Disneyland. Just leave me. Here everyone and everything is at their finest. If it is mushrooms, cheese, or salumi they sell, they know where they got it from, how it was made and of course how to turn it into the best you ever tasted. Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays the farmers market is open and you get high end restaurant quality food set up under white tents, all full of equally passionate people. Last time I was there I had a made that morning donut with fresh and rich custard cream inside that I swooned over and spoonfuls of salty cashew ice cream, I still think about. I have been to markets all over the world and this is the one I am always coming back to.
Little Saigon. Ca: Okay, okay I know this is a suburb, not a specific restaurant, but if you are on a quest to find the best, the most authentic and freshest Vietnamese cuisine, look no further than Little Saigon in Westminster Orange County in CA. Although many have no idea of its existence, it is the home of the oldest and largest Vietnamese community outside of Vietnam. And it is here you will find your Pho paradise. Take your pick of all of the more popular dishes from Pho, Banh Mi, Com Tam and here you will find a multitude of places that claim their expertise in the dish. If you are a coffee lover, you must not leave without trying a freshly brewed iced espresso with condensed milk (Cafe Sua Da). It is the perfect compliment of bitterness and sweetness and will have you running all day long. My aunt who lives there knows 5 places alone for the best loaf of french bread and the times that it is served hot by heart. If you want a food adventure go here, go now.
Volare Downtown Chicago, IL: Yes that's right, you had me at hand cut pappardelle pasta. If you want authentic Italian then Chicago is a great place for that and of course so much more. Many will have other suggestions, but I have yet to have a negative experience here. Usually busy until the wee hours, get there and just relax with a glass of wine and a great friend to people watch. My last dish of choice was the hand made fresh pasta with lots of tangy sweet sauce and fresh clams. Ahhh pasta coma.
ACME Oyster House & Cafe Du Monde New Orleans, LA: Sometimes I can be a bit nervous when it comes to raw seafood, but here you can start out slow with their melt in your mouth chargrilled oysters with melted garlic butter. Ohhhh, try not to have like 2 plates of those and then move on to the succulent raw oysters. Briny, fresh and well really just perfect little bites. Have a beer and enjoy being in the liveliness and soul of New Orleans. In the morning head over to yes very touristy, but a must do Cafe Du Monde because who can say no to fragant chicory roast coffee and sizzling powdered sugar covered beignets? If you are reading this, you can not resist!
Local AZ favorites:
AZ Pizza: Pizzeria Bianco, Cibo (have a dessert crepe please), Crust (crust sauce is drinkable- I have actually tried to just eat it like soup)
Cafe Boa, Tempe: Romantic, great ambiance and a sentimental pick. Plus its really close to the light rail if you just want to pop on over and make a night of it....
Dim Sum: Great Wall on Camelback Rd, Phoenix: weekends are the time to go, the steamed egg rolls are fantastic and I have had them just about everywhere and this is my favorite.
Vietnamese: Da Vang, Little Saigon in Tucson, my moms house. Try mi kho at the 1st two places, don't come to my moms house.
Korean, Takamatsu on Dunlap: Best bulgogi and recently fell in love with their spicy beef and vegetable soup. Filling and sinus clearing at its best. Add a green onion salad and enjoy! A good pick every time.
Cornish Pasty Co in Tempe, When I have my chicken pot pie craving I get the pasty, even comes with gravy on the side, Their curry chicken pasty is also a winner.
Lunch: Berthas (chicken thai wrap and those lovely chocolate cookies that come with your meal), Thats a Wrap, Wildflower!!! Be still my forest mushroom soup heart.
BBQ: Big fan of Joes BBQ in Gilbert, the restaurant has such great ambiance and the bbq is fantastic. Also have had Big Daddy's BBQ in Scottsdale and I have to tell you sides are a big part of the bbq game with me and their Mac & Cheese is the best I have had in a long time. Super rich and cheesy with a great crust. They use big fat shells that hold up under the baking so they aren't mushy. Dense and they hold lots of the cheesy goodness inside each. Its an eye closer!
Definitely more I need to add to the list that I will remember as my food cravings hit... check back!
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