Empire State South, Hugh Acheson’s midtown Atlanta restaurant

Pimento Cheese with a side of pullman toast, Empire State South, Atlanta, Georgia

Note: Since posting this review, the restaurant has closed. As a longtime fan of Top Chef and Top Chef Masters, I knew I had to check out Hugh Acheson’s Empire State South in Atlanta, Georgia’s midtown district. If you aren’t familiar with Top Chef, Hugh Acheson is often a guest judge on the show. Even …

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Go Fish Ocean Emporium: Fish & chips with Vancouver views

Cod fish and chips, Go Fish, Vancouver

I learned about Go Fish Ocean Emporium when Andrew Zimmern visited Vancouver, Canada, on his show Bizarre Foods America. It was a rainy day in Vancouver, but that would not keep me from making the journey to the restaurant not far from Granville Island Public Market. When I say a restaurant, I mean more of …

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La Parrilla de Maria Bonita in La Fortuna, Costa Rica

Complementary bean dip with chips, La Parrilla de Maria Bonita

When I read that La Parrilla de Maria Bonita was the number one rated TripAdvisor restaurant in all of La Fortuna, Costa Rica, I seriously had my doubts. Don’t get me wrong, TripAdvisor has great travel information and tips, but I have never been impressed with top-ranked restaurants for international destinations. For example, nothing against …

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Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lolita restaurant in Cleveland, Ohio

Roasted Pork Belly Sandwich, Lolita, Cleveland

Note: Since posting this review, the restaurant has closed. Being a Food Network nerd, I was excited to learn about Iron Chef Michael Symon’s Lolita restaurant in the Tremont neighborhood near downtown Cleveland. Tremont is the “go to” place for food in Cleveland. The historic area is trendy and hipster with a small town feeling …

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Brunch at Gastown’s Tuc Craft Kitchen in downtown Vancouver

Irish Stew Skillet with lamb and grass fed beef at Tuc Craft Kitchen, Vancouver

Note: Since posting this review, the restaurant has closed. If you are looking for a casual place in downtown Vancouver’s Gastown to have weekend brunch and great drinks, then you should stop by Tuc Craft Kitchen. The restaurant is located on West Cordova Street, just south of Water Street. If you aren’t familiar with Gastown, …

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Brunch at Jack Flaps in Cleveland's Ohio City neighborhood

This colorful and beautifully presented dish is the Cuyahoga Benedict

While on my flight to Cleveland, a local recommended that I eat breakfast at Jack Flaps, located in the historic Ohio City neighborhood. On the way to my hotel, my Uber driver once again recommended me to Jack Flaps. Being new to the Cleveland breakfast scene, I decided to trust the wisdom of the locals. …

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My first poutine at Fritz European Fry House in Vancouver

Medium poutine topped with MTL smoked meat

Vancouver may not be as well known for poutine as Montreal, but places like Fritz European Fry House off Granville Street still know how to make poutine. If you don’t know what poutine is, take some fries, gravy, and cheese and mix it. Where I live in California, poutine is the new and cool thing …

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Ocean views at Cafe Agua Azul in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica

Tuna tostadas piled high with ahi tuna, avocado, and cream sauce

After hiking in Manuel Antonio National Park, I visited Cafe Agua Azul for drinks and food without knowing much about the place. From the road, the building looked like it hung off a cliff with just air, jungle, and ocean below. After I parked out front, I walked up the stairs into a beautiful open-air …

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