Eat, Drink, and Be Merry (Archives)

Trattoria Lea

This unassuming little beauty of a restaurant in Citta di Castello, Italy straight up ruined my life. I don’t know that I’ll ever have better food than I had here. There’s something about a plate full of pasta with so much truffle that you can’t see the pasta, that makes me want to leave the US forever…could be the fact that I live in the US food mecca and pay 4x as much for lesser pasta, but hey, no love lost NYC 😘.

Faz Frio

Our waiter told us this was the best restaurant in Lisbon when we sat down. While I can’t necessarily vouch for that based on my limited sample size, I think the guy is onto something. Any restaurant where I can get full off of ham, butter, and bread is a place where I want to park myself for a good long while. You can bet your bottom dollar the rest of the food was good too—honey mustard goat ribs and cheesy, leeky potatoes 🤤. HIGHLY recommend visiting this cozy joint if you find yourself in Lisbon.

Monk—Kyoto, Japan

I know what you’re thinking. Pizza…in JAPAN? WTF are you talking about? Well, if you’d just shut up and listen, I’ll tell you 😊. Featured on Chef’s Table, this Japanese take on pizza may have most New Yorkers screaming “Blasphemy,” but for the rest of us who enjoy a little spice in our lives, this refreshing take on an international favorite has me wanting to book a flight to Kyoto immediately.

Spicy Hometown Special—Kiki’s

Kiki, do you love me? Are you riding?… sorry…

I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while 😏. I’m piloting a new segment here called (you guessed it) “Spicy Hometown Specials” where I occasionally feature my local favorites from the city I call home—New York, New York. Let me know what you think!

This place is such a mfin vibe, but you need to trust me here… Kiki’s is for wine, apps, and vibes—no more, no less! Venture off that path and I cannot help you.

The meatballs make me do a happy dance and the saganaki is an absolute slapper—that’s the crispy phylo-crusted cheese pictured above. It’s the best house wine deal in NYC that I’ve found—$26 for a liter (for my non-NYC or metric-speaking folks, I promise that’s a good deal). Guaranteed good time. No reservations though so go during the week or pop down the street for a drink or two while you wait for a table.

Pintxos Crawl in San Sebastián, Spain

Mostly overshadowed by its more popular neighbors France and Italy, Spain’s food scene is one of the best in the world. And San Sebastian, located in northern Spain’s Basque country, might just be the star of the show.

DID YOU KNOW that San Sebastian has the highest concentration of Michelin stars per square kilometer in all of Europe? If that doesn’t tickle a foodie’s fancy I don’t know what will. AND they’re not just known for their fine dining options. Pintxos (pronounced peen-cho) are small bar snacks, similar to tapas, that are typically skewered to a piece of bread with a toothpick. These tasty treats are a Basque staple. I wouldn’t blame you for finding yourself with a stuffed stomach and a pile of 25 toothpicks after enjoying your very own mini Basque buffet.

Off the Hook Poke Market

I fall into the camp of lunatics who typically don’t enjoy Poke. But lemme tell ya, good poke absolutely SLAPS. This is the best I’ve had, and it’s not close. Some of the best, melt-in-your-mouth flavor that I’ve tasted in this lifetime. The spicy tuna was ridiculous! Our snorkeling guide turned us on to this place, and boy do we owe him one. While Oahu is…*checks map*🤓 🗺… a HEFTY trip for most of our readers, this spot alone may be worth the flight for you poke lovers out there.

Delirium Village—Brussels, Belgium

For all the beer lovers out there, Delirium is a must-visit! I’d also like to say that they have my vote for the best logo of any product ever. The Delirium Cafe features a world record of 2004 beers from around the world, but it’s just one of the options in this cozy little beer hive. But with great fame, comes great crowds. So show up earlier in the day or evening to grab yourself a table. And wear some stretchy pants…you might be here awhile.

Guinness Brewery in Baltimore, Maryland

Ever wanted to go to the Guinness factory but don’t have the time, interest, or money to go all the way to Dublin? Well, do I have some good news for YOU. We’ve got one stateside! While it may not be the authentic Drunken Irish experience you’re looking for, it can still be the drunken experience you didn’t know you needed! Come on an empty stomach for an afternoon full of dark beautiful brews with friends or strangers.

Tacos Don Juan - Mexico City

You’ll have to excuse the picture. While I’d love to be presenting you with three gorgeously displayed tacos, in this family, phones do NOT eat first. I do 🤗.

I write this knowing that it is REMARKABLY hard to miss when it comes to tacos in Mexico City. The city is known for street tacos. And there’s always a chance you find the best tacos you’ve ever eaten just around the corner. However, Tacos Don Juan, in La Condesa, really does a bang-up job. The menu can change depending on the day, but honestly, anything you get will be a certified slapper. Plus, it is a gorgeous neighborhood to explore!

Manteigaria - Lisbon, Portugal

This place serves one thing and that one thing changed my life. Ok, technically two, but the second is coffee. These little custard pop pies are delightful. But I have to warn you, they are severely addicting. For any of my fellow sweet tooths out there, it will be incredibly difficult to cope with life apart from these beauties once you leave the city 😭. You’ll NEED to stop in at least once whenever you get to Lisbon…or every day…multiple times per day…whatever works for you.

L'arte Di Dory - Florence, Italy

This Florentine restaurant recommendation comes in from a Travel Onista, Michael B! And because his word is as good as gold, it gets the TO stamp of approval. Michael, thank you for your service 🫡 .

When you see locals come in, hug and double-cheek kiss the owners, you know you’re in the right spot. This restaurant is run by a husband and wife team plus one assistant to help Dory in the kitchen. The husband is the host and waits the tables while Dory whips up magic in the back. The kitchen is in the front with a glass window, so you can see the deliciousness in action. A spot like this ensures you won’t get caught by one of Florence’s many tourist traps.

Wine tasting at 8000 Vintages - Tbilisi, Georgia

First, a quick message from T.O.’s history channel

Most people, especially from the States, think of Napa, France, or Italy when they think of wine. But, did you know that Georgia (the country) is actually known as the birthplace of wine? Evidence of winemaking found by archaeologists on Georgian territory suggests wine was being made here from as early as 6,000 BC 🤯.

Now back to our regularly scheduled programming

When in Georgia, do as the Georgians do! While Tbilisi is home to many wonderful wine bars and tasting options, 8000 Vintages is widely considered to be the best. With over 1000 Georgian wine bottles to choose from, each selection is hand-picked by sommelier staff through a blind tasting process. And if you like meat and cheese, word on the street is the tasting boards are to die for!

Mezcal Tasting at El Grifo - Mexico City, Mexico

One of my favorite things about travel is stumbling into cool experiences as I’m wandering around. Where else can you casually stop in for a world-class mezcal tasting? You’ll notice the orange peel and sal de gusano (a finely ground powder of chili, sea salt, and dried agave worm) as opposed to the typical lime and salt that most associate with tequila.

For those of you unfamiliar with mezcal, let’s use the more well-known Tequila as a reference point. Tequila is a type of mezcal. However, tequila must be made from blue agave and is specific to certain regions of Mexico. Mezcal on the other hand, covers all agave-based spirits and usually has a smoky flavor. This smokiness comes from the production process where the agave hearts are cooked in pits in the ground. In contrast, to make tequila, the blue agaves are typically slow-roasted in an oven.

To summarize, all tequilas are mezcals, but all mezcals are not tequilas. Hope you learned something new! 🤓 

Angelo’s Pizzeria South Philly - Philadelphia, PA

Having grown up right outside of Philly, cheesesteaks hold a very special place in my heart. While there are many excellent options to choose from—outside of Pat’s and Geno’s (the usual tourist traps)—only one stands above the rest as the best of the best. And that is Angelo’s.

This spot is known more for its pizza than anything, which is also the bomb.com. And let me tell you, they have that dough down to a science—between the pizza and the freshly baked rolls, Angelo’s does NOT miss.

If you’re new to the cheesesteak game, practice your order ahead of time… Philadelphians are not forgiving. “Whiz wit” is the authentic order (cheese whiz “wit” onions). But I prefer “American wit”. Whatever your preference, very few things beat simple done well.

Restaurant Luciana Barboj - Umag, Croatia

This local spot a few miles from the Adriatic serves up the best meat I've ever had in my life. It was the kind of meal that, as full as I felt, I could always manage to find room for more. AND savored every. single. bite. We ate sausages, cheese-stuffed meatballs, fresh tomatoes, and cucumbers topped with cheese; all as fresh as can be. Complete with house wine for the table *chef’s kiss* 🤌. There’s just nothing I love more than sitting down in a new place and eating like the locals. Hasn’t steered me wrong yet!

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Costa Rica

Coco Loco - Guanacaste, Costa Rica

I really don’t know what part of this meal was the best: the food, the view, or the fact that we were pretty much the only ones there, but to this day it is one of the most memorable meals of my life. We had the coconut shrimp, the coffee-rubbed beef tenderloin skewers, a few other items and washed it all down with a few Coco Locos. For those who enjoy dinner and a view, don’t miss this restaurant right on one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen! 😍 

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in New York

Frankel’s Delicatessen — Brooklyn, New York

Home to the best breakfast sandwich on the planet, this family-owned Jewish deli is one of my favorite go-to’s in the city. The space itself is small, so if you can’t find a seat, just venture down the street to McCarren Park to enjoy your food, assuming the weather is nice of course. Now onto the important stuff…the food 😋.

Given the email subject line, you’re probably asking, T.O. “What on earth could be the best breakfast sandwich on the planet? Lemme guess… it’s gotta involve one of those bagels you New Yorkers are always raving about.” Wrong 😊. Although you can order the delectable pastrami, egg, and cheese on a bagel, I would STRONGLY encourage you to opt for their signature challah roll. I’m telling you this combination is unmatched!

If you’ve got an eating buddy or two to share with, I’d recommend your next choice be the heirloom tomato on a pumpernickel everything bagel. This option is best in the summer months when tomatoes are in season, but in my humble opinion, it slaps year-round. Rest assured, although I shared my favorites, this place does it all VERY well. You won’t go wrong deviating from my pre-prescribed menu… even though I’d encourage you not to.

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Athens, Greece

Kappa

Although it’s been years since I enjoyed this meal, the memories have stuck around. We actually stumbled upon this place by accident. Not only did we stumble upon it by accident, but we went through the entire meal thinking it was a place that was recommended to us…even though it was not that place. However, given the experience, it turned out to be the kinda happy accident I can appreciate.

The food here was phenomenal. The sausage was probably the highlight. And even better, it was CHEAP. An app, two entrees, a glass of rose, and two complimentary shots of ouzo for 25 euros.

Complimentary shots…did I mention the hospitality?

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Victoria, Canada

Red Fish, Blue Fish

Allow me to turn you on to the best fish & chips I have ever had. Although, take that with a grain of salt as I by no means consider myself a seasoned veteran in the fish and chips game. HOWEVER, I do humbly consider myself a seasoned veteran in the food game broadly, and this food was excellent.

We ordered the cod and fish jerk tacones (pictured above), a cup of the chowder, and of course, the fish & chips. The beer-battered cod was the star of the show, featured in both the fish & chips and one of the tacones. The chowder was good but heavy on the corn, if that’s your thing and you’re into tomato-based chowdas, I’m sure you’d enjoy!

Shoutout to one of my readers, Chris, for recommending this place! You rock Chris. 🤗

Eat, Drink, and Be Merry in Beirut, Lebanon

Beit Kanz

This one comes in from my lovely sister, Ali. Everyone, please thank Ali for the incredible Beirut recommendations that will be coming in over the next few weeks. 🤗

Here’s her glowing review — “The best Lebanese food I've ever had in my life. Small plates, definitely get a bunch to share for the table. Can’t go wrong with anything you order. There's even a cute little shop inside this location with home goods, kitchen wares, and some jams, spices, and teas!”

Miss Ada

Ladies & Gentlemen, it’s time.

I give you my favorite local restaurant — Miss Ada (pronounced AHHHH-da).

Miss Ada is a small, cozy Mediterranean restaurant in the Fort Greene neighborhood of Brooklyn, NY. They serve up some delicious small plates, entrees, and wine with great service.

There’s something dangerously addictive about their whipped ricotta topped with honey and sage and served with fresh, warm, fluffy pita quarters.

Tomodachi ga Yatteru Café

I’m willing to bet this will be a new concept for most of you.

Tomodachi ga Yatteru Café employs models and actors that serve patrons as if they’ve been friends for years — fitting as the name translates to “Cafe run by friends.” No really, even if you’ve never been there you can expect to be greeted with sayings like “It’s been a while!”

The bit goes deep…Instead of a standard drink menu, the options include things like “the same thing as last time”. 😂 

These are the kinds of unique experiences that have me dying to visit Japan.