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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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
188 East Bay, Charleston, South Carolina Wine, Tapas, International $$ — Entrees for $13-17
Social, located on Charleston’s busy and exceptionally touristy East Bay Street, is a chic wine bar. The dark decor and low lighting give you an intimate, big-city experience all in close proximity to all Charleston has to offer–both sites and tastes.
Social is predominately a wine bar, with the centerpiece behind the bar being an entire row of those super cool wine dispensers like this one:
But don’t worry beer-lovers, they also have at least 4 craft beers on tap and also a full liquor bar.
Being a [...]
Terminal E, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson Airport Sushi, Asian $$$
One Flew South has made a name for itself and it’s not often airport food is held in such high regard. Yet it routinely tops lists as one of the best airport restaurants in the world, and its fitting that it calls Atlanta Hartsfield home–the world’s busiest airport. Here you’ll find a slightly calmer pace, and generally plenty of room to spread out. The impeccable service and sleek modern decor exude a touch of class in such busy place. Located in ATL’s E-Terminal, you’ll likely have to go out of your way to dine here, but we’d argue it’s worth it. Many [...]Not knowing where to eat for a one-night trip to Columbus, I defaulted to the trusty Urbanspoon to find that the city’s German Village neighbor there is a–you guessed it–German restaurant. But this isn’t just any old German restaurant. It’s practically an institution in Columbus–only confirmed by its popularity and great rating on Urbanspoon.
If it helps to understand how long this place has been around and how rooted in tradition they are, take this sign touting their “first new item in 25 years!” If you have been in business and continue to be in business for 25 years without changing anything, then you must be [...]
1909-P Hwy 17 North, Mt Pleasant, SC Breakfast/Brunch, Bagels, Coffee $ – Cheap
I’m a fan of Bagel Nation–I’ll admit it–so, when I checked them out on Urbanspoon to see what others were thinking, I was shocked to see only a 71%! Ok, sure, it’s in a strip mall. And, yes, it’s true that it takes 20+ minutes to get your order, that the bagels often run out very early and that the place is generally just dirty feeling–from the tables to the walls. But, that’s part of the charm. It’s a hometown kind of place with some character and good prices. And that’s all before we get to the [...]
