The James Beard Foundation has announced it’s 2016 semi-finalists for Restaurant and Chefs. The foundation will announce the winners of on May 2, 2016, during an awards gala in Chicago. This award is the Oscars for the food and beverage industry. Categories include, best new restaurant, Outstanding Chef, ... [read more]
Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant
It took a trip to China for me to discover the glory that is soup dumplings. You can get your fix right here in Manhattan at Joe’s Shanghai Restaurant, a large, two-story Chinese restaurant located in Midtown West. The menu contains a variety of Szechuan favorites, but the crowning jewels, of course, are the ... [read more]
Sticky Rice
Sticky Rice in the Lower East Side is an affordable Thai restaurant with lavish decor, open air dining (in the summer), and delicious food. Aside from being able to bring my own bottle of wine, my favorite aspect of this tiny restaurant is the music selection - mostly French nouveau. Photo Credit: ... [read more]
The Drift
Part of the Drake And Morgan portfolio, The Drift is a slightly crazy restaurant bar built into the side of The Heron Tower in Bishopsgate. This sanctuary in the heart of the city is reasonably priced and offers a great selection of cocktails, wine and Modern European cuisine. Sit back, stay a while and enjoy ... [read more]
Hakkasan Mayfair
Hakkasan was the first Chinese restaurant to receive a Michelin Star. Two floors of modern Cantonese cuisine. Think interesting Western variations on Asian classics, and a mighty wine list to go with it. The lower level is a traditional Hakkasan setting surrounded by intricate wooden screens, and the ground ... [read more]
Le Gavroche
Michel Roux Jr's Le Gavroche boasts 2 Michelin Stars and a tasting menu at £120 a head (at the time of this publication) - not including service and drinks, of course. It's the type of venue spoken in hush tones amongst my foodie friends and a serious bucket list item for every serious eater. And for a real ... [read more]
The Purple Pig
The Purple Pig - Cheese, Swine, & Wine - Located on The Magnificent Mile this tapas style place (foodies do love to share) you can simply order cheese, charcuterie and wine and be impressed, but you have to try the salt-roasted beets, the bone marrow and herbs smear, and the popular "JLT" among many, ... [read more]
The Bristol
The Bristol - Located in a fun neighborhood and operating under the helm of a new head chef, this American restaurant has been doing the "complete" dining experience for every season. It's tough to recommend anything specific due to the changing menu, but the Millers Farm roasted half chicken with dill ... [read more]
Dat Dog
Now having expanded to multiple locations throughout the city, Dat Dog is New Orleans’ most popular hot dog joint, and it’s known for both impressive toppings and fantastic dogs themselves, such as alligator sausage and Guinness dogs. Photo Credit: ©Dat Dog ... [read more]
