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750 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA Seafood $$ to $$$
The Fish Market, situated in an amazing spot on San Diego’s Bay, has all the markings of a tourist trap. It is in an iconic location, right next to the USS Midway, and benefits from plenty of foot traffic.
That’s on the surface; deep down, they seem to take their food seriously. The prices aren’t horrific and, unlike most touristy seafood places, they don’t just dump it all in a fryer. They’re actually using fresh seafood and taste-forward preparations.
They’ve got a huge menu with selections from their sushi bar (and how could a fresh fish place not have sushi), oyster bar, and main [...]
90 Patton Avenue, Asheville, NC Himalayan (Read: Indian) $$ — Typical entrees $11.95 – $14.95
For a whole town that feels like its full of failed climbers just stuck a little too long at base camp, where better to try than the restaurant that epitomizes the whole city of Asheville? Now, when they say Himalayan, just think Indian. Lots of rice, curry, lentils and great smelling, rich and pungent spices. The colorful restaurant had some very low-key, chill theme music on in an effort to transport you to Nepal and, with the bright colored interior with a tall vaulted ceiling, I would say they get high marks on the atmosphere. They brought out [...]115 Joe Nuxhall Way, Cincinnati, Ohio $$$ – Entree + 2 beers + tip = $40+
At Moerlein Lager House, you’ll find a huge restaurant situated in a brand new building right alongside an expansive (enclosed) beer garden and a giant list of delicious beers. The location is prime: just a 10 minute walk to Fountain Square, right across the street from the Cincinnati Reds’ field and rocking a great view of the old suspension bridge.
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge from Moerlein Lager House
Examining the menu and after my visit to Schmidt’s Sausage Haus in Columbus, Ohio, I [...]
If you think Charleston is the #1 City in America now, you should have seen it during Colonial times. It was the largest and richest city in the colonies. So, needless to say, there were plenty of very, very large plantations… Most of which were burned during the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, but some that are still standing.
And, Drayton Hall, built from 1738-1742, is one that is still standing. If you’re looking for a glimpse into a long-forgotten way of life, take an hour-long tour of Drayton Hall ($18/person). Although there are no residents, furniture or knick-knacks left in the house, you’ll learn of a time gone by that makes you almost wish you lived [...]
101 W. 4th Street, Winston-Salem, North Carolina Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Vegetarian $ — Lunch is cheap, appx $8.50 for sandwich + fries
The fresh smell of Mediterranean spices smacks you in the face when you walk in and you’re already certain you’ve picked a good spot. At lunch, you’ll order at the counter and then take your number to the table. You’ll get a very local vibe in all respects here, especially from the giant boards naming all the ingredients and listing their local origins. I ordered the ACE OF FELAFEL PITA ($6.50) and it arrived at the table in a pretty quick 10 mins or so after ordering it. Served with 3 felafel [...]
51 Meeting Street Charleston, SC 843-724-8481 $10 for a 35-40 minute tour.
BOTTOM LINE: The 6,500 sq. ft. house is in excellent condition, fully furnished (not with original furniture, but museum quality from the same time period) and refurbished to its original condition. For $10, the 40-minute tour will give you a good balance of history of the time and the Russell family, as well as a detailed account of the features and furnishings of the house.
Located in one of the prettiest – and oldest – parts of the peninsula, the Nathaniel Russell House has drawn visitors since it was built in 1808. If you’re looking for a more typical urban [...]
5615 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC Vietnamese $ – Entrees $8.55 – $11.55
This Vietnamese Restaurant had all (read: the only) of the features I require in a good ethnic restaurant: lots of glowing Urbanspoon reviews. It’s so easy to go very wrong when eating Asian food, and a little bit of encouragement from fellow Anglo-Saxons is all I need to feel safe enough to give it a try.
Like any authentic Asian restaurant, it was in some pretty cheap-looking real estate–in a run-down building occupying the corner of a strip mall parking lot. This is a good sign. The last thing you want is to find one in an expensive part of [...]
