With hundreds of contributing chefs from the best dining cities in the country, Chefs Feed is a restaurant guide full of good taste. Our contributing chefs are the cream of the crop, chosen discriminately by the Chefs Feed editorial team for their contributions to the culinary world.
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One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a dish I constantly crave. In addition to the oxtail, the dish has bone marrow served inside an egg crepe and you mix it all up with chili paste. Complex flavors in a rustic, soulful dish."
A Voce Columbus, A Voce Madison
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fried chicken and queso make this taco a guilty pleasure. Order the Trailer Park taco 'trashy'—they take off the lettuce and add queso instead. The spicy diablo sauce on the queso is awesome!"
Franklin Barbecue
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This classic spot is like late-night happy hour for chefs with a variety of great oysters."
Bourbon Steak
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Evan Funke sources all of his produce locally and his simple preparations showcase the freshness. This is just one example. I love everything he does."
Akasha
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This little stand in the middle of Burbank never has more than a couple people working, but it's well worth the wait. The burrito filled with egg, cheese, sausage, bacon, hash browns and green-chili salsa will blow your mind. It's great way to start your day."
Corkbar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These steamed barbecued-pork buns are simple, hot and most importantly, fresh. The crowd is your indicator that it's a local favorite. Bonus tip: The delicious baked coconut buns are definitely not good for the waistline, so get half a dozen."
Betelnut
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This elegant dish of seared langoustine with shaved foie gras can be found on the tasting menu, but you can ask for it a la carte."
Gotham Bar and Grill
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I'm a spice junkie and when Grand Sichuan is firing on all cylinders, there's no better chili oil and Sichuan peppercorn delivery system than spicy dried tofu skin."
Dirt Candy
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Paired with sake, it's like dessert—but it isn't."
Oleana, Sofra Bakery
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Joe Ng's soup dumplings off his dim sum menu are so good I'll kick your ass if you try to steal one from me."
Locanda Verde, The Dutch
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is one of the best sandwiches in town. The bread is baked to order and the toppings are perfect combinations of Italian flavors. Whether it's morning, noon, or night, this is the perfect sandwich. Because Lucky's Puccias is a food stand, make sure to check their hours to see if they are open. There is no rhyme or reason to these hours of operation!"
24 Diner, Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a crazy, unique dish with flavors that go well together. They are served with gorgonzola dip and the pickles are in a Buffalo wing sauce. The dish is super acidic and goes great with a cold beer, but I always order it with one of their cocktails."
Contigo
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Made in the Northern Thai style (red curry without coconut milk), this addictive cold weather stew comes brimming with tender chunks of braised pork shoulder, julienned ginger, and a fistful of chopped cilantro. Perfect for dipping little balls of sticky rice."
Sepia
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This comes with a crazy garlic sauce that I cannot reproduce. It's almost too garlicky but you have to keep eating it."
Sister Sorel, Tremont 647
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The tagilatelle has such amazing structure and the white bolognese is a comforting, slow-cooked wonder."
Annisa
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a really good cheesesteak with good meat, good bread, and these great caramelized onions. You can’t go wrong with their sautéed shaved beef, which has a real sweetness to it."
Prezza
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fresh eggs and the best salsa verde ever make the deviled eggs a favorite at this neighborhood pizza joint. "
Vermilion
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Pecan waffles and all dark meat. I usually eat a double order, then go home and watch football/nap."
1789
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"There are a few dishes that I tell friends of mine visiting from out of town that they have to try while in the city, but I always find myself recommending late lunch in the West Village at Mary’s Fish Camp. Mainly because that’s where I want to spend a day off, and I always end up at Mary’s for a bomb lobster roll. It’s coated, not covered, in a lobster mayo, with a little bit of celery, scallions, and stuffed into a top cut bun that’s been toasted in butter. Sweet chunks of meat, crunchy veggies, soft roll. Legendary, still."
Casa Mono
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
" Doesn't sound special but the way they fry is special. The baguette on the toast never gets soggy or greasy. Then you pair that with a well seasoned shrimp paste and fresh herbs and crisp lettuce. Hot and cold, crisp and herbal, it's the perfect bite. "
Masa 14
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Ina's is breakfast heaven, and Ina herself is the arch angel. Her veggie hash is both healthy and delicious—eggs for protein, yams for potassium, and Brussels sprouts for vitamin C. If you can resist the carrot cake on the way out, you have more control than I do."
Table Fifty-Two, Art and Soul
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Usually not served spicy, the chef will alter the regular dish if you want by adding chopped chili peppers. "
Bin 26 Enoteca, BiNA osteria, Lala Rokh
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's really all about the meat (it's locally sourced). They don't skimp on it."
Hungry Mother
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I live within walking distance of Chego, so it has sort of become my canteen. The pork belly bowl offers a well-balanced dish of spicy and sweet flavors; the jalapenos, sour cream sauce, cilantro, and watermelon radishes make it my favorite dish on their menu."
Cliff’s Edge
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I'm obsessed with the noodles at this Chinatown hole-in-the-wall. Sit toward the back to watch the chef stretch your noodles to order. I like soup with a side of the really fresh and surprisingly good yu choy in oyster sauce."
Matyson
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
" For an excellent tasting menu, one of the best overall experiences I've had was at CityZen."
2941
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These pasteles (a.k.a. Puerto Rican tamales) are the closest I can get to my mother-in-law's version. They're delicious pockets of masa stuffed with seasoned meat. I also love their jibarito, a Chicago-born sandwich served between crispy plantains."
Belly Shack, Urbanbelly
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fresh from the fryer and served with various sauces, these doughnuts are tasty, fresh, warm, sexy and fun. It's nothing short of awesome."
The Rainier Club
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The beef brisket at this giant barbecue joint is excellent—just make sure you get the "
Telepan
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"When I have time away from the kitchen, I want to try as many new things as possible. But at this little izakaya spot, I always start with these pan-fried mochi."
Bar Agricole
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"My favorite dish here is the murgh makhani or butter chicken. Like most restaurants, you need to get buddy buddy with the owners if you want to get the authentic stuff. Sonny is the man to get buddy buddy with."
Waterloo & City
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Every detail of this burger is well thought-out and perfectly executed, from the Prather Ranch beef to the pickled onions. The best part is that the burger is infused with the smoke of the almond wood fire."
Contigo
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The boudin blanc here is the real deal and I can always taste a little foie gras. Plus Marcel's has the best service in town."
Brasserie Beck
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The perfect balance of New England and Italian summer flare. Have it while dining al fresco on the Charles River."
The Rattlesnake Bar & Grill
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I can't put down this bowl. I won't put this bowl down. The thick noodles tossed with minced pork and chili oil at Han Dynasty assaults every bit of your palate and leaves you wanting more."
Kennett
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These humble little things have become a total classic at the city's most country's most famous Vietnamese restaurant. They're nicely seared on the outside, creamy on the inside and covered with a bright sauce."
Gitane
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Pie ‘n Burger is the classic burger joint that’s been around almost 50 years. The cheeseburger is a bare-bones burger with American cheese, thousand island dressing, pickles, and lettuce. I like to add raw red onions to mine as well. The meat is perfectly seasoned and cooked. Plus, you know they’re awesome and old-school when they still hand pump the root beer syrup for their root beers."
The Spice Table
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Classic comfort food with great ingredients, the rabbit and dumplings are hearty with tender rabbit and a deliciously rich stew. It's very filling on a cold night."
Barley Swine
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At Joaquin Baca's Southern comfort food spot in Williamsburg, the fried pig tails are like the chicken wings of pork: spicy, sweet, crunchy, and perfectly salty."
Roberta’s
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Bill and Yvonne Kim's communal restaurant serves exceptional Korean-influenced food. The ramen is a must: rich pieces of pork belly bathed in shiitake and pho broth. It's inexpensive and BYOB—everyone in Chicago loves it."
Naha
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's in a food court, so it feels odd to say, but it may be the best ramen in the city or that I've had. I've been to the places I had to go in NYC to eat ramen, but this is simply delicious."
Tasting Kitchen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A favorite for the excellent modern Italian cooking. "
Restaurant Eve
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These langoustines in a fillo pastry dough are served with a mango salsa and local vegetables. I could eat a million of them. They're so, so good."
Erbaluce
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This soup is made with thick wheat noodles mixed with vegetables—like Chinese preserved vegetables. I get it with my kids. It's a very cool dish. I actually like it better than the dumplings."
Slanted Door, Out the Door, Academy Cafe, Heaven’s Dog
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The chef gets the best scallops in North America. They are hand-harvested, sweet, and amazing, and taste nothing like other scallops. The chef changes up the preparations, but these are always perfect."
Redd’s in Rozzie
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"From the grilled bread to the sloppy mess that you are left with, this is hands down one of the best sandwiches on the planet. Braised pork shoulder, ham, Swiss and pickles are grill-pressed. It's damn good!"
Matt’s in the Market
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I crave these after a late night at work. They are just awesome, and I love the sauce. It’s a really satisfying combination—the crispy, hot spring rolls and the cool, tangy sauce."
Blackfish, Ela, Mica
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Get the extra large with all the meats, including beef balls, tripe and tendon. The broth is incredible. And if you're really hungry get the crab—it's amazing."
Incanto, Boccalone
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love the pierogi at Podhalanka in Wicker Park. The place looks and feels like a VFW hall and the service can be spotty, but the pierogi are the closest thing to my grandma's in the city. Served with butter, onions, and a huge mound of sour cream, you just can't go wrong."
The Bristol
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Perfect pastas with the best polenta in New York, all served with immaculate service and a well-rounded wine list. The creamy polenta with fricassée of truffled mushrooms is a must-order. Its rich mushroom sauce is great to dip bread into once the polenta is gone. Also, the short rib and bone marrow agnolotti, with crisp garlic chips and fresh horseradish, is not to be missed."
Beauty & Essex, The Stanton Social
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"What do chefs eat at home after a long day at the restaurant? Take-out pizza from Pagliacci, that's what! "
Flying Fish
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These two separate dishes belong to a very specific genre of food made by Chinese Koreans. You'll see these all over Seoul but rarely in the US. The menu is big at this restaurant, so you have to order correctly to get the best out of it."
Benu
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I get it with vinegar and oil, and the Louie dressing on the side. The counter guys put on a personal show, whisking together a made-to-order mustard vinaigrette right under your nose."
Delfina, Pizzeria Delfina, Locanda
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This tamale is steamed in banana leaf with mole and chicken mixed throughout. The mole has a great balance of bitterness with a touch of sweetness."
Wolvesmouth
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These fries, served with curry mayo, are well balanced, fresh, and seasoned to perfection with the perfect amount of heat."
Grace (coming Summer 2012)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is the best reinvention of this traditional country snack I have ever had. Plus, the black truffle fondue they serve them with would even make cardboard taste good."
Café Campagne, Campagne Restaurant, Marché
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A great burger with all the fixings: home-made potato roll, house ground beef, and served with super crunchy well-seasoned fries. So good."
Talde
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Skillet Diner has a great cornmeal waffle that's especially crispy. It goes perfectly with the sweet, tender, maple-braised pork belly."
Fresh Bistro, Herban Feast Catering
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Called yamitsuki goma kyuri on the menu, this Japanese cucumber dish served at this famous ramen joint has a great crisp texture with a little spice and a hint of sesame."
ABC Kitchen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I've been to this Brooklyn pizza joint more than any other restaurant in New York. It's casual, comfortable, and delicious. I'm fond of a lot of things on the menu as well as as, yes, the pizza with parsley and clams."
Eleven Madison Park
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"If it's midnight, there's about a 99--percent chance you'll end up at Nopa since it's open until 1 a.m. The food is wonderful, the cocktails are terrific and they have one of the smartest wine lists in the city. I gravitate to the pork chop, always perfectly cooked and big enough for two."
Coi, Plum
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Brandon Jew worked at Adesso in Oakland, a restaurant known for its extensive charcuterie program. So anything Brandon does is top notch. Plus, Bar Agricole owner-bartender Thad Vogler's a super cool guy."
Mission Street Chinese
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I have a hard time eating pasta in other restaurants, but this is always cooked to perfection, with just the right amount of that Spanish tapas flair."
Il Casale, Restaurant Dante
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This no frills eatery serves up high-quality dumplings. We love how the gently steamed juicy buns explode in your mouth. This is wonton soup's more noble cousin, where the delicate wrapper holds not only the pork but also the hot broth, for an (almost) more-than-a-mouthful delight."
Koo Zee Doo
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The swordfish meatballs at Amis are the essence of the sea, providing a surprising explosion of flavor in such a small package. The moistness, the saltiness (I believe it's anchovy) and the occasional crunch of the pine nuts constantly surprise me with layers of flavor. "
Ladder 15
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Thomas Odermatt has a rolling truck with a built-in spit where he cooks his delicious pork and serves it on a soft Acme Roll with caramelized onions, pepper cress and crispy pork skin. Mmmm."
Fifth Floor
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The pigs in a blanket at Contigo are my favorite because they are made in-house from local pigs, and the texture, ratio, and temperature have always been perfectly satisfying. Plus, it's one of my childhood favorites, but these bites far exceed the dry morsels I had as a kid."
Bar Congress, Congress, Second Bar + Kitchen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The warm oysters with verjus and pickled shallots are great; the sauce doesn't mask the flavor. The roasted chicken is incredible as well. These dishes alone make the restaurant a perfect business lunch location."
David Burke at Bloomingdale’s, David Burke Kitchen, Fishtail
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love eggs and this signature dish—a deconstructed version of the classic—from Wylie Dufresne made with deep-fried hollandaise sauce is delicious and amazing."
Momofuku Restaurants
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Peter Smith's housemade half smoke hot dogs are really delicious, but when they top it with white veal chili, cheddar cheese and all the fixings including chives, mustard and hot sauce, it's amazing. Preferably eaten at a seat right at the bar with mixologist Gina Chersevani. "
Bayou Bakery
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Yakitori Boy is Philly's only yakitori place, unfortunately. It's pretty modern inside—young vibe, typical beer selection—but the crispy chicken skin on a skewer is amazing. Be sure to ask the server for it well-done, or else it tends to not be crispy enough."
Mémé
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The great thing about Benu is that someone has finally opened a really ambitious restaurant in San Francisco. I'm not just talking about the food, I mean all aspects of fine dining. Everything about it is understated and elegant."
Manresa
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This classic sandwich is made up of killer, thin-sliced pastrami that's just fatty enough, not too lean and topped with coleslaw that isn't too sweet."
Manhattan Beach Post
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Toshi San's tsukune, or chicken meatball, is amazing. It incorporates a very delicate grind on the meat and a bit of hemp seed. Then he grills it with the Japanese bincho tan and finishes it with spicy Japanese mustard. Unbelievable!"
Comme Ça, Pizzeria Ortica, see more – SOLA by David Myers (Tokyo), David Myers Café (Tokyo), Comme Ça at The Cosmopolitan (Las Vegas)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This place is utterly authentic and really fantastic. This tongue-numbing classic showcases their ability. You may be a little teary after finishing the bowl, but they will be tears of happiness... and pain. But mostly happiness."
Journeyman
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's been 15 years and it’s always the same: juicy duck with tender, wide, fresh noodles. Pair it with Chinese broccoli, oyster sauce, and barbeque pork, and you’ll eat like a king for $15."
The Gage, Henri
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This burrito-sized sushi roll combines two of my favorite flavors—sesame and mushroom. The earthy umami flavors really shine through."
Atelier Crenn
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I'm not really a dessert guy, but the gelato here is stupid. I used to be an Il Laboratorio head, but this place got 'em. It has a different style: less clinical and precise than Il Laboratorio, but richer, more robust, and flavorful. Go for the salted caramel, amaretto, or amorino chocolate."
BaoHaus
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Coconut-kale is just one of many interesting flavor combos Scream does. If it sounds strange, just taste it and it'll make sense. Plus, the sorbet here, which is made in a Pacojet, is smoother than any ice cream out there. There's no dairy—just pure, clean, flavor. Look for these guys at the Thursday and Saturday Ferry Plaza Farmers Market."
Tartine Bakery, Bar Tartine
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The goat tacos from the always-mobbed Cantina are the most flavorful tacos that I've eaten anywhere. The goat is cooked so well that the juices drip down your arm while you are eating."
Di Bruno Bros. (Italian Market, Center City, Ardmore)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Bigoli is a buckwheat pasta with anchovies, garlic, chili, and breadcrumbs. It has great texture and spice! It's a mainstay on the A&O menu and Ethan Stowell's crew does a great job of executing it every time."
Ba Bar, Monsoon (Seattle & Bellevue)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Sit at the bar and play nice. Omakase, a chef's menu, essentially means "
The Foundry on Melrose
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"They do a classic sticky bun covered in dark caramel sauce with pecans. In the morning with a cup of coffee, it's delicious. Get there early because they sell out."
Grafton Street
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I crave this pizza weekly. It’s just a simple pizza but somehow it’s always cooked perfectly and so satisfying."
Le Bernardin
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Some of the best street food in Austin, the lamb kebab is a perfectly orchestrated symphony of flavors. The shawarma, tzatziki, and 'spicy red sauce' all work together to create such goodness that it's almost too difficult to describe."
The Peached Tortilla
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This may sound like an odd dish to pick as an all-time Seattle favorite, but it deserves special attention. People talk about the fish when ordering sushi or sashimi, but to me, it's the balance of sweet and acid that stands out, and the texture of the rice at Nishino is always prefect, each and every grain."
Dahlia Lounge
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"On top of being great fried chicken, they're real potatoes, and braised greens by someone that has spent enough time in the South to do them right. The black pepper sauce just puts it over the top."
CityZen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a half-pound beef burger topped with bacon, cheese and a special sauce. It's juicy and messy. Don't miss the fries fried in beef fat. They're to die for."
Volunteer Park Cafe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These oysters are so tasty. They are served chowder style in the half-shell. They are great!"
Jake’s On Market
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The pizzas here are the best in Seattle. When they're in season, the padron-pepper pizza is my favorite. You can't beat it. It's my favorite topping on the best pie in town."
Anchovies & Olives, How to Cook a Wolf, Staple & Fancy Mercantile, Tavolata
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef John Sedlar's playful intelligence is on display as you open a huge clam shell to discover a perfect fresh corn tamale filled with briny clam and the vegetal pop of poblano chiles."
Angeli Caffe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The Scapinash pasta at Posto is done to perfection, although it is not for everyone. It's ravioli filled with a sweet combination of ricotta, ricotta salata, golden raisins, amaretto cookies, and pan brioche, but served with a butter sage sauce. I think it's wonderful. "
Fiola
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This sandwich from this South Philly corner deli is my one concession to Philadelphia's herds of mooing vegetarians. Broccoli rabe sautéed with garlic, eggplant roasted with red sauce, roasted red peppers and coarsely ground provolone cheese stacked in a seeded Sarcone's roll is last-meal worthy."
Federal Donuts
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's addictive, salty, sweet, creamy, and you can't get enough of it. Just try going to Toro and not ordering it. You can't do it."
L’Espalier, Sel de la Terre
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef April Bloomfield's now famous deviled eggs are salty, acidic, and delicious—a great twist on a well-known classic, served at the still-packed Village gastropub."
Dell’Anima, L’Artusi
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A perfectly executed classic. Cool mayo starts to melt when slathered atop hot, white toast. Freshly griddled bacon warms the tomato slices, prepping them to release their juice. And crisp iceberg lettuce is the perfect foil. They taste great in-house, but are even better to-go. Something about wrapping them in white butcher paper makes magic."
Tru
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Michael Tusk has done it again, and with David Lynch overseeing the wine list, it's one of San Francisco's best values. There's nothing quite as delectable as an egg coddled in ricotta cheese and wrapped in the finest pasta bathed in brown butter and crisp sage. Their $10 by-the-glass and $40 wine program is one of the best values in the city."
Emporio Rulli, Ristobar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this small, Mexican taqueria, the gorditas con puerco are stuffed with pork belly which is cooked to perfection. The chipotle-honey glaze on it is spicy with a touch of sweet."
Cafe Boulud
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Full of protein, this goes right to my brain. A hot tortilla, grilled chicken, two salsas, onions, cilantro, pickled jalapeños, fresh radishes, and a lime wedge. It's a taco truck banquet."
Foreign Cinema, Show Dogs
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Tender and crisp at the same time with the perfect amount of char, you can't go wrong with any of the pies at Stephen Starr's rowdy pizzeria. My favorite is the Piccante, with hot capicola and sharp provolone layered on crushed tomatoes and lit with red pepper."
Cochon
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This dish made with yuba (tofu skin) has the freshness of sea urchin along with the heat of wasabi, a cooling gelée, and chef Chikara Sono's masterful Japanese technique. All of it together is what makes this dish badass. Call ahead because sea urchin isn't always available."
Aldea
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This salumi platter is amazing, and it starts with great pigs from one of my favorite farms, Green Meadow. All of it (coppa, duck, prosciutto, etc.) is made in-house with a ton of skill and knowledge. Any salumi Le Virtù is offering is great, so get it all."
Stateside
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Accented with potato, cured lemon and chive, I love this octopus at Osteria because it has just the right texture: not too chewy or rubbery, but just right and done to perfection on the grill. "
Georges, Le Bec-Fin, Mia, Table 31, The Art of Bread
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The roasted chicken with wild mushroom ragout and onion frites at this bistro is the best I've had (other than my own). It's topped with onion frites that make the dish just brilliant."
Chalkboard
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This crab comes with garlic or curry sauce. Try putting Thai rice in the body of the crab and scoop it out with all of the good stuff that's in there."
Petrossian Boutique and Restaurant
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This neighborhood restaurant in Little Italy churns out some of the city's finest focaccia. It's Ligurian-style, so the bread is thinner and extra crisp. The sweetness of the honey neatly balances the salty cheese. It's a perfect prelude to a delicious meal of housemade pastas and shareable bites."
Boka, GT Fish & Oyster
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Nothing says Chicago like getting cursed out while waiting in line for hot dogs in a drunken stupor. The experience is rated-X, not just because the dogs are extremely tasty—if you catch my drift. Keep the kids at home past 9 p.m."
Graham Elliot, Grahamwich
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At the Mussel Bar, I like the wonderful flavors of the sandwich and the perfection of the doneness of the lamb. Look for it under the specials menu."
Cuba Libre
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"There are tons of places to get soft pretzels in the city, but none are as fresh and delicious as the ones in Reading Terminal. They come out nice and hot, and then you get to sink your teeth in right away. Add a little brown mustard on top and it's perfect."
Cuba Libre
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The food at this place makes me proud to be a cook. From the technical (like any preparation of the consommé) to the most simple roast chicken, Palena sets the bar. "
Estadio, Proof
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This sandwich from Northern Liberties barbecue El Camino Real is so sick it might kill you: house-smoked pulled pork in sweet barbecue sauce, topped with mac 'n' cheese, and bacon bread crumbs on a Cacia roll."
Han Dynasty
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love the bar at this neighborhood restaurant. The green beans—fried crisp with sweet, spicy mustard—go great with a gin and tonic."
Perilla, Kin Shop
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef B.K. Park's food is amazingly fresh. Served over a bed of seaweed kelp with just the right amount of Meyer lemon dressing, the tuna is a flavor monster. Now that the chef knows us, he cooks off-menu whenever we dine. It's a surprise every time."
Sable Kitchen & Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The crispy potatoes are one of the side dishes on their menu, but they kill! They are boiled, smashed, then fried. The skin is so crispy like a great potato skin, and the insides are so creamy, sweet, and nutty."
Ame, Terra
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I once had to eat here two nights in a row just to have the fried oysters again. These are cravable and worth the short and beautiful ferry ride to Whidbey Island."
Cafe Juanita
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This iconic Morton Grove restaurant is a staple in my family's diet. Burt Katz makes his deep-dish pizza dough daily and it shows. The entire crust caramelizes in the cooking process, and the tomato sauce and toppings have a freshness that even some of the best Italian restaurants can't match. This is my kids' version of heaven."
iNG, Moto
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love Pub & Kitchen's burger. It's made with La Frieda beef, whose dry-aged flavor you can taste through the patty, and topped with caramelized onions and bone marrow butter. The Hudson Bakery brioche bun completes it."
Pumpkin BYOB
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Just when you thought you had tasted everything possible in a fish taco, Guiseppi Tentori puts chicharrón crumbs on top and takes you to a new place (where you happily follow)."
Ina’s
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Calamari that's not fried! (Not that I don't love fried food. I am from Ohio after all.) In fact, this calamari is delicate and light and just about perfect. I've probably had it every time I've been to Delfina. If I don't order it, they usually send it to me anyway."
Humphry Slocombe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I like taking my daughters to Man Bites Dog. They love the regular dogs and tater tots, and I love the 16-ounce Lone Stars and the Danger Dog. The Danger Dog is so good. It is REALLY spicy, so spicy that you don't have to add hot sauce. They aren't afraid of spice there. Good flavor, great music—it's perfect."
Lucy’s Fried Chicken, Olivia
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The chilaquiles are a great hangover cure. The vast tequila selection at this place is usually the cause."
Coppa, Toro
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's unique to Washington, and unexpectedly good because it's spam sushi, served from a truck."
Hank’s Oyster Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fresh and local ingredients. This is some of the very best modern French cooking in the city."
Bondir
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"FedNuts comes from one of the best chefs in the city, Michael Solomonov, and it’s awesome. In the morning, go for the donuts and coffee, but after 11, they serve the crispiest chicken in the universe. The Middle Eastern za’atar-spiced version has lead me astray from my former path to Popeyes."
Ela
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Brunch at James Holmes' South Lamar spot is so good, and this chicken is my favorite thing on the menu. It's served 'picnic style,' and nothing tastes better after a long Saturday night."
ASTI, FINO
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I usually just let the kitchen cook for me because it showcases what's in season, but if not, I head straight for the pasta section of the menu. Their gnocchi, served with bolognese, is great."
Canlis
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The liver terrine has an absolutely perfect, smooth texture with a rich, sweet flavor. It’s usually the thing I want to eat at the end of both great days and bad days."
Sazerac Restaurant & Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Knowing the challenges of handmade pasta, I marvel at how consistent these are and how the ravioli are both delicate and still toothsome."
Local, Chimú
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The flavor is beyond amazing and the creaminess is incredible. If only I could make it half that good."
Blue Inc.
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Order this spicy and it will burn your face off. Finally, a place that doesn't take the word 'hot' for granted. Spike it and they add a hot link to it—that's pork-on-pork action!"
Bastille Cafe & Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I've been going to this restaurant for over 12 years and I've never had a mediocre meal. I nearly always get the same thing: tuna carpaccio, the city's best Caesar salad and eggplant Parmesan. Nothing revolutionary, but deeply satisfying."
Artusi, Spinasse
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this fine-dining restaurant, this dish, made of 14-day, dry-aged duck, is one of the first I had from chef Jason Franey and it's downright inspiring—borderline perfect. I love everything about it. It serves two."
Crush
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Until this place came to town, you would have to fly to China to find dumplings this amazingly delicious."
Summer Shack
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"When my wife and kids proclaimed these the best home fries ever, it was a bit of a slap in the face, since I consider myself a home-fry master. But these—crispy, soft, salty, peppery, onion-y—are worthy contenders."
Grill 23 & Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Grant Achatz takes something that most everyone can relate to—in this case, mushroom soup—and serves it in the most surprising way. A paraffin wax bowl is filled with hot soup, then pierced through with a skewer containing a potato, truffle, butter, chive, and Parmesan cube. Pull the skewer out to release the ingredients into the soup and there you have it. Delicious and extremely thoughtful."
Everest, Paris Club, Eiffel Tower Restaurant
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Being from New England, it's hard to find a perfect lobster roll in Philly. But Oyster house does the traditional sandwich right, with just the right amount of mayo and a top-split white bun."
Alla Spina, Amis, Osteria
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
" Mark's Duck House is one of our family favorites but also one of my work favorites as well. It is the absolute best to find these leftovers in the fridge after a late night. There's nothing better. The chive dumpling is the stand-out and always my go-to. "
DC Coast
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I can never decide between the steamed and fried pork dumplings at this Chinatown mainstay, so I always just get an order of both. They come with amazing ginger oil that I add just a little hot sauce to."
Formerly of 10 Arts
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Ask for them to make it a 'magic pie' which includes sausage. It's perfectly decadent."
Marlowe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I'm a dumpling lover and Revel's are my favorite in town. Try them all, but my top vote goes to the cauliflower ricotta, black truffle sesame, pickled leek. Rachel Yang and Seif Chirchi never cease to amaze!"
Trophy Cupcakes
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"If you haven't had pig tail before this is the place to try it. It's different and done really well. There are only a few restaurants that can pull this off. "
Eastern Standard, Island Creek Oyster Bar, Lineage
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is true Tokyo-style ramen. The chewy noodles are made in-house, the broth is cloudy, rich, and satisfying, and the pork is tender and full of flavor."
Poppy
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is ice cream (sugar) with espresso (caffeine) and a cinnamon sugar doughnut (fried sugar). It goes best with vin santo (alcohol) at four o'clock in the afternoon when vice calls, but you can't decide which one. Kind of like a Hyde Park speedball."
Dai Due
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"What other chef in SF who serves spaghetti with bottarga is actually Sardinian? Massimiliano of La Ciccia is the real deal."
Bar Jules
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The many crispy and chewy layers of dough, salty pepperoni and soft mozzarella from this noisy neighborhood bar and cafe always satisfy our after-work, late-night cravings. With a nice cold beer, you can't beat this stromboli."
Belle Cakery, Fond
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The nicest way to start a night out is with this tiny wine bar's selection of cheeses, charcuterie, and of course, wine. Make sure to try the pig's ear terrine, rabbit rillette, and tangy Sofia goat cheese."
Mana Food Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I'm not saying this just because Scott Harris is my business partner: This is the best roast chicken in the country. It’s tender, lemony, and comes with roasted potatoes alongside that rival the chicken in their greatness."
The Purple Pig, Heaven on Seven
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this tiny, family-owned spot, I like all the dumplings, especially the fried dumplings and the ones with pork and celery. Everything is made fresh and it's wonderful."
Patina
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The housemade squid ink pasta with octopus, squid and Castelvetrano olives has a great combination of flavors. Plus, I enjoy the laid back atmosphere."
Rialto, Trade
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The roasted bone marrow here is cooked perfectly, and it tastes amazing on their toasted bread."
Bar Pintxo, Joe’s Restaurant
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I've had every dish at Soto, and this dish—thinly sliced, Long Island fluke with sea salt, lime juice and a touch of yuzu zest—exemplifies the chef's outstandingly simple touch."
The Little Owl, Market Table
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef T. is the Obi Wan of Chicago. This main dish is a killer combo: Amish chicken, mushrooms, eggplant, haricots verts, and yuzu juice, served piping hot."
Telegraph Wine Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"On nice afternoons when I am looking to get creative, I will head to Shoal Creek Saloon for a pint and a po' boy on the patio overlooking the creek just after the lunch rush. I think bread makes a sandwich, and this is paramount with a po' boy. The bread at Shoal Creek Saloon has a perfect crust. Depending on my mood, I switch between the oyster and shrimp, which are hand-breaded and fried spot-on. It's a beautiful setting to read, think, and enjoy Austin, but it wouldn't be the same without a great sandwich and a cold one."
Alamo Drafthouse
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The crisp Romaine, rich Caesar dressing, hot crispy oysters, and Parmigiano-Reggiano provide a nice contrast of both flavors and textures. There's just enough dressing to compliment the fresh taste of the oysters without overpowering them. I can't get enough of this dish!"
John Howie Steak, Seastar, Sport
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Destination: dessert. No doubt about it. Go now!"
Rivera, Playa Rivera
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Dirty, tiny, sweaty, this place is a hole-in-the-wall, but it smells amazing! There's usually a line around the side of the building, because everyone knows that the only place to get a roast pork sandwich in South Philly is John's. There's a reason why this lunch spot has a James Beard Award."
The Corner
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Brunch at Revel is amazing! Make sure you get the Revel ramen with kimchi, egg, and pork belly! Put yourself in the chef's hands."
Lark
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"All the food is well-made at this fast, casual Korean cafe. Save the bibimbop, a rice dish served in a sizzling stone bowl, for a cold, snowy day. It's best topped with beef."
Pub & Kitchen, The Diving Horse
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Joey Campanaro is a great chef who makes simple items like the meatballs at his neighborhood favorite that are worthy of the gods."
Barbuto
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This embodies the complexity of Thai cuisine. It hits everything I look for in a dish. It's got chili, acid, sugar, crispy pork fat, runny egg yolk, browned egg whites, pungent herbs, and fish sauce."
Red Medicine
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This Indian restaurant in West Philly serves the most succulent pieces of lamb shoulder in its vindaloo. The curry is nicely spiced according to your own specifications, but I always order it hot."
Garces Restaurant Group (Amada, Tinto, Distrito, Chifa, Village Whiskey, Garces Trading Company, JG Domestic)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love this salad for its freshness and simplicity. It has crunchy hearts of escarole and paper-thin slices of shaved, raw sunchoke with a bright preserved-lemon vinaigrette and house-smoked almonds."
Lazy Ox Canteen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At Alioto's sidewalk stand, choose a live Dungeness crab and wait the 20 minutes for it to be boiled and cleaned for you. The crazy cast of characters cooking it make for great street fair stuff. Required drinking: a can of ice-cold beer. This is a classic tourist stuff that I wish locals recalled more often."
Globe, Zuppa, Trés, Hecho
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Pedro’s hot sauce is the best I’ve had in town. It’s spicy, but still has flavor and doesn’t sear your palate. Their brunch has live music, outdoor seating, great white sangria and massive plates. You can pretty much find me there every Sunday sitting at the bar with my girlfriend. "
KO Prime
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is just perfect—jumbo shrimp wrapped in crispy prosciutto with a sweet and sour sauce. Follow it up with an affogato."
Lure Fish Bar, Burger & Barrel
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This platter from Vietnam Restaurant, a Chinatown icon, feeds two to three. The highlights are the stuffed grape leaves, fresh, crisp pickles and charred meatballs rolled into rice paper wraps with tons of fresh mint."
The Farm and the Fisherman
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The hot, creamy yolk is what really makes this a fresh take on a classic dish."
The Carillon
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This finely-cut egg pasta comes with your choice of butter and sage or raguù. I could tear into a massive bowl of it right now. It's so freakin' delicious."
Skillet
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this famous Chinese restaurant, they take the prawns right out of the tank, shuck them and serve them to you with soy sauce and lemon—all while they're still twitching, an essential texture in any seafood dish."
Saison
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"When I don't feel like cooking, Sultan’s offers a cheap, delicious dinner alternative with lots of variety in both the protein and veggie categories. My wife loves the braised chicken thighs."
Big Star
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I’m a sucker for a taco truck. The carnitas tacos at El Asadero with lime, onions, and cilantro hit the spot every time."
Marination Mobile
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"We've been enjoying this classic Austrian dessert made with shredded, egg-soaked pancakes since Spago Beverly Hills opened. It's unusual for LA and it never loses its appeal."
Hatfield’s
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Ordered 'on tray,' this Vietnamese dish comes with a huge platter of greens and Asian herbs for rolling up with rice noodles, char-grilled chicken and pork, skewered shrimp and crispy spring rolls. I always ask for extra pickled veggies! The prices are so reasonable, too."
Dish D’Lish, Kathy Casey Food Studios
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I know everyone raves about the lobster pizza here, but the lamb pizza with goat cheese covered with mint is my favorite. It's the perfect amount of spice, grease, crunch and succulence."
Bergamot
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A Trinidadian sandwich with cabbage, chickpeas, hot sauce, and curry-braised chicken. It's the perfect sandwich combo."
Clio, Coppa, KO Prime, La Verdad, Toro, Uni
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Served with juicy grape chutney, salty cornichons and buttery toasted brioche, the parfait of chicken and duck liver mousses at Stephen Starr's British-inspired pub The Dandelion is the ultimate luxury. In my opinion, no other restaurant has anything like it."
SBRAGA
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The tacos from this truck—which parks Monday through Saturday evening at the corner of Olympic and La Brea—are spicy, caramelized and lightly saucy. There is always a line, but it's the perfect food after a hard day in the kitchen."
Ray’s & Stark Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It doesn't matter what flavor the brownie is, you're gonna love it. I eat at least three of them a day. It's the reason we [pastry chef Tiffany MacIsaac] got married."
Birch and Barley
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"They pan-fry this cauliflower, making it crispy. Then, they make it salty with really good capers and, of course, spicy, with loads of sliced dried peppers. Yum!"
Nopa, Nopalito.
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The sweetness of the shrimp wonton with its chili–Thai basil infusion is simply the best. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
LQ @ SK (pop-up), Vertical Wine Bistro
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's hard to find a good croissant in Seattle, but this is the place to do it. These take me back to Paris. They're full of flaky, buttery goodness. "
Allium
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is my favorite soup, period. Rich and clean broth. It has super flavorful chicken, thin noodles, Thai basil, bean sprouts, fresh jalepeño and fried shallots. It's sooooooo satisfying and healthy. "
COCO500, The Moss Room, Academy Cafe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Everything at Gram & Papa's is fresh and prepared on site. They buy whole chickens, roast them and chop them for the salad. It doesn't get much fresher."
LudoBites
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's just like what I ate in Singapore. I love seafood and pork the combination is really delicious. "
Marco, Pigalle, Remick’s
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a no-nonsense burger: hand-chopped and twice-ground grass-fed, grain finished Maine beef, Bibb lettuce, tomato, Thousand Island dressing and a soft house-based sesame seed bun."
Alla Spina (coming soon), Amis, Osteria, Vetri
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"If you're in the mood for carnivorous gluttony, this is the dish for you. Oxtail gravy, combined with creamy cheese curds and crispy french fries make for a deliciously rich dish."
Modern Global Tasting
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This roaring pho parlor in Wing What Plaza is the chefs' favorite spot for Vietnamese noodle soup. The broth is flavorful, and the eye round sliced super thin. I add Thai basil, chiles, lemon and bean sprouts. What could be better? Maybe ending with the Vietnamese coffee!"
Barbuzzo, Grocery, Jamonera, Lolita
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
" Walk in, sit at the counter instead of the dining room at this elegant Japanese restaurant near Union Square. Let Masa, the chef, do his thing. Go by yourself, so you can really focus on the food."
Hearth, Terroir East Village, Terroir Tribeca
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this fine-dining 'gastropub,' these sliders pair perfectly with their cocktails."
Tilth, Golden Beetle
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"These are supposed to be a side, but I eat them for breakfast: perfectly crisped potatoes, bacon, cheddar, and lots of jalapeños. Simple and seriously satisfying after a long weekend."
Mess Hall & Co., formerly of Fine Spirits
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Small, perfectly crisp, and lounging on a dollop of the greatest tartar sauce ever, these oysters at West Village staple Pearl have me jonsing for them a couple times a month."
Babbo, Esca, Del Posto, Otto, Lupa, Eataly, Casa Mono
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a perfectly executed burger served unexpectedly at a bar. The bun is nicely toasted, the burger is the exact temperature you order it, and the condiments are fresh. Most importantly, it's served til 4 am!"
Torrisi Italian Specialties
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Miles James is cooking straightforward food. His charcuterie is about flavor, simplicity and good technique. The polish sausage is smoky, juicy and delicious."
Spring Hill
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Is there anything else that needs to be said??!! Perfect sauce and whole milk mozzarella. Best pizza in LA!!"
Eva
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The salt-baked triple at this Chinatown hole-in-the-wall features shrimp, scallops and squid, fried until delightfully crispy and garnished with chillies and scallions. Salty, crispy-fried goodness."
Cafe Estelle
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love the dark and intimate atmosphere of Central Kitchen. Every time I go there I get the steak tartare with a quail egg on top. It is not to be missed."
Harvest
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"French and Japanese-trained Keizo and his wife Yuki run a fantastic sushi and small-bite place in the heart of Culver City. The octopus carpaccio is great, but just order anything on the specials page and you'll never be disappointed."
Border Grill
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Eric Banh makes good, thoughtful food with a light hand. His famous banana cake is no exception. The sweet cake is steamed and drizzled with a savory coconut sauce. Delicious!"
Inn at Langley
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chink's cheesesteaks on Torresdale Avenue in Wissanoming are the best. That Whiz wit' and an extra thick black-and-white shake is my go-to, if you don't mind stinking like cheesesteak grease when you leave."
Formerly of Adsum
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Corey Lee completely rocked my world with this one. This dumpling has perfect foie flavor, amazing texture, and the dipping sauce has the perfect amount of acidity—not to mention Yoon-Ha kills it with the red beer pairing. It's wonderful all around."
Sons & Daughters, Sweet Woodruff
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The food here is Southern Mexican–influenced, lots of it made from scratch. The sauces are really good, too. The panucho is like a big puffed-up stuffed tortilla chip topped with avocado. What's not to like?"
SPQR
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This dish is best when you're sad and it's raining out. It arrives in a big warm bowl with some pickled vegetables on the side. Mix it together a bit by stabbing it with your chopsticks. The rice is perfectly seasoned and moist, sweet and savory. I've never left a single grain of rice in the bowl."
Miette
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Sebo is a sushi restaurant during the week, but on Sundays, it serves an izakaya menu. That's when you go for Michael Black's Okinawan-style braised chicken wings. They're not always on the menu, but when they are, they're killer."
Frances
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love the contrast between the tangy mustard vinaigrette and the crunch of the seasonal vegetables at chef David Bouley's Japanese restaurant. This dish is on the bar menu."
Gramercy Tavern
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Hiro Urasawa is a master of Japanese cuisine on par with anyone you will come across, here or in Japan. Have everything, minus the environmentally-incorrect bluefin tuna."
Providence
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Made with 100-year-old egg and braised pork, this is an awesome example of a traditional Asian porridge, best enjoyed on a dreary Chicago day. The egg contributes creamy richness to the dense soup. Pork supplies fat and flavor."
MK, DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is caramel ice cream on steroids. More flavor than traditional caramel, which tends to be wimpy."
Area Four, Lumiere
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"La Taqueria does tacos better than anywhere I have ever eaten. I love the balance of the juicy meat, both crisp and soft shell and spicy salsa. It's perfectly washed down with the cantaloupe agua fresca. Truly a great food and beverage pairing!"
Michael Mina, RN74, Bourbon Steak, Arcadia, Clock Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Belly up to the bar and try the O.O.C. poutine—you'll be hooked."
Russell House Tavern
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Sit at the intimate upstairs bar, where service is always impeccable and you can catch a game on TV. "
Radius, Tico, Via Matta, Alta Strada (Wellesley & MGM Grand Foxwoods)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"El Zarape is strategically located three blocks away from my house and is one of the best places to get tacos al pastor in the city. Pineapple seasoned pork on Sunday morning = breakfast of champions."
Federal Donuts, Percy Street Barbecue, Zahav
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I always order the smoked duck in conjuction with all the other outstanding dim sum. There's a great balance between the richness of the duck fat, crispy skin and moist meat. The turnip cake is always another standout."
Quince, Cotogna
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's tortillas, mole, fried egg and queso fresco. How could you go wrong? Sweet, salty, spicy, runny yolk. A great snack anytime of day."
ink.
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This sandwich from this classic Vietnamese banh mi shop in Chinatown is spicy and comes with extra pickled veggies."
Marea, Osteria Morini, Ai Fiori
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a delicious beef stew, made with herbs and beer. Et Voila reminds me of being at a cafe in Belguim. I spent years in Belgium - and the Belgium fries are better than French fries. "
Central, Citronelle, Michel
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
" Typically I sit in the lounge and order a platter of dumplings. I cannot choose a favorite so why not get all! They each have different fillings, shapes and sauces. Some are steamed, pan fried or deep fried making it a perfect combination of textures. "
Graffiato
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"My sous chef and I usually visit this Chinatown spot for drinks after Saturday night service, and we love the scallops. Jade Harbor serves the mollusks in the shell with brûlée'd mayonnaise on top. Who knew hot mayo could be so good?"
Fish
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a great plate to share. You get a whole chicken with wood-roasted flavor, cooked and seasoned just right. If you're going it alone, order half a chicken with summer sausage and frites."
Hot Chocolate Restaurant and Dessert Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The fame is well-deserved on this dish. It is the perfect combination of creamy, salty, and smooth. Plus, they don't skimp on the lobsta'."
Blue Ginger
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this iconic deli, everything tastes like it should, and all the food comes in the traditional comic, oversized portions. The chopped liver is folded with schmaltz (chicken fat), gribenes (fried onions) and chopped hard-cooked egg. Lather it on the house-baked rye and roll your eyes into the back of your skull."
Supper
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Every time I go to El Jarocho, I swear I'm going to try something different, but I'm way too enamored by the tacos, particularly the carnitas and spicy chorizo. With meat so succulent that the juices dribble down your chin, and corn tortillas loaded with cilantro, onions, and lime, this is authentic Mexican that satisfies this gringo's craving."
Fish
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This cake—made with grapefruit cream and almond meringue—from the popular Ferry Building bakery is so good that it's become a mandatory ritual on Saturday when I'm shopping at the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market. It's only available seasonally, which makes it all the more special."
Aziza
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's Sunday. You are hungry and you don't want to eat for the rest of the day. Eat these chilaquiles at the Farmers Market location of Lotteria and you're done, satisfied and ready to go."
BLD
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"There's no actual pizza here, but I go for the salteñas. It is a Bolivian dish, like a hand-held pot pie filled with chicken or beef, taken to the next level."
Bibiana
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It’s such a good balance between sweet, crunchy, and fresh, and the goat cheese cream brings the whole dish together."
Wilshire
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Absolutely the best lunch value for $20."
OM Restaurant & Lounge
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This tiny, talked-about spot is worth the wait. If you go at 4:30, you'll be rewarded with made-to-order pizza and local ingredients. Nick Lessins manages to create the most amazing pockets of air in the crust. He makes his own mozzarella, too."
Avec, Big Star, Blackbird, The Publican
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This dish is a perfect balance of lightly crisp rice and silky sea urchin. It's served at Bar Masa, the comparatively less expensive sibling to the famed Masa which is right next door. It's not always on the menu so call ahead."
Corton
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"For an excellent selection of housemade heritage meats, look no further than OTS: chorizo with paprika and smoked chili peppers, lardo with whipped Italian butter, slow-roasted beef and pork coppo salame. Served with grilled bread, mustard, and house relishes, it's a carnivore's dream."
Vie, Perennial Virant
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's rare to find something so exquisite at such a casual spot. The richness that comes off the crispy duck leg makes it almost taste like bacon, and the acidity from the salad's orange and goat cheese balances it out."
Modo Mio, Monsu, Paesano’s (Notherm Liberties, South Philly)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The seabass with miso, edamame, and braised short ribs is a great interpretation of surf and turf."
PS 7′s
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Like a real poor man's lobster roll, this "hot dog" is served on a soft Martin's potato bun. The link is stuffed with scallops, shrimp and sometimes skate, making each bite sweet and flaky. It's shocking how addictively good it is."
Bistrot La Minette
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Roasted serrano chilies, jalapeño Jack cheese, and a cilantro mayonnaise. It's a late-night, punk rockabilly, tattooed, drunken burger."
Uchi, Uchiko
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Committed to providing delicious elevated street cuisine, Del Seoul struck a chord with me before it even opened. The tacos are filled with juicy, well-seasoned meat and topped with a tangy house Asian slaw and sesame seeds for a smokiness that doesn't overpower."
The Meatyballs Mobile
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Susan Feniger and Mary Sue Milliken are raising the bar because they know how to make simple street food so delicious, like their mini green corn tamales that are the best."
Valentino
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Made from the scraps of Fond's seared foie gras appetizer puréed with brandy and cream, this soup is just amazing. The flavor and texture are so superb I could eat it for breakfast, lunch and dinner."
Bibou
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A deceptively simple and delicious tart. It's assembled to order, and every bite has crunchy bits of crust mixed with the banana pudding."
The Carillon
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Joncarl Lachman cooks delicious, seasonal food inspired by his Dutch heritage. Of the five types of moules frites (mussels and fries) available, I always order the Amsterdam-style mussels. The buttery broth gets a kick from beer, roasted garlic, anise, and fennel. Save room for the fries. They're totally addictive."
Province (Chicago), Province (Phoenix)
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The salinity of the cured tuna heart paired with the perfectly cooked pasta, all topped with an egg yolk to stir in, makes this an amazing and satisfying combination."
Prospect
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is a marriage of simple, yet high-quality, ingredients. The arugula and roasted garlic spread are a great balance of peppery and sweet, while the soft egg bun ties the whole thing together."
FIG
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's comparable to the amazing Fried Chicken Night at Thomas Keller's Ad Hoc in Napa Valley. You can get a bucket o' fried chicken for four or a basket for yourself."
La Condesa
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Plan on having a margarita at the back bar while you wait to eat at this perfectly casual and chic Mexican restaurant. The food is always delicious and well-made."
Boat Street Cafe, The Walrus and the Carpenter
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This place is known for its sashimi, and the quality of the fish is exceptional here. I like it because it is very traditional. There's a reason it's one of the most popular sushi restaurants in LA."
Mo-Chica, Picca
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Maybe I have a soft spot for Nomad because they took the space of our old restaurant, Horizons, but really, their margherita is the pie that everyone is talking about now, and for good reason. It's simply perfect."
Vedge
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I first started dining here over 15 years ago, and I haven’t found a better homestyle Japanese restaurant since. It's crispy pork with caramelized onions and dashi broth with eggs served over rice. I could eat here everyday; there are so many great menu items. Japanese food is more than just sushi!"
David Burke’s Primehouse
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Rich and spicy. I always get these mussels and order a side of plain parpadelle that I throw in the leftover sauce. "
Rogue 24
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I often go here after work and get the pasta. I love Italian, so this is pretty satisfying at the end of the day."
Bistro du Midi
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"David Guas' spin on the muffuletta, the New Orleans sandwich, is served warm and the bread is really, really good."
Brasserie Beck, Marcel’s, Mussel Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"If you only think 'raw fish,' you will miss out on one of the sexiest and simplest bites of food: seared salmon belly. Fatty and delicious, it melts on your tongue leaving you with a post-coital feeling inside. This is a death-row bite not to be missed!"
Chef at Large
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This decadent dish is my new go-to. Pork belly, braised beef, house pickles, poached egg, and fish cake swim in a broth that gets its richness from pork bone. Everything at Arami tastes as delicious as it looks."
Bite Cafe
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I could eat 40 of these in one sitting. Juicy morsels of pork and cartilage melting away in a little bag of goodness."
A-Frame, Alibi Room, Beechwood, Chego, Kogi
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Come early or you'll be standing in line at this great market-driven Mexican stand. I get the chili relleno en nogada (fresh roasted chili stuffed with pork and cheese). It's always a perfect match to their wonderful refried beens. My wife and partner Cesalee gets the fish tacos."
4505 Meats
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Comforting on a cold winter day or a great way to kick a cold, Tank has phở down to a science."
Tavernita
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"As a chef, you appreciate food that takes a lot of effort and skill to make. These soup-filled dumplings are not only delicious, but they're little works of art."
Father’s Office, Lukshon
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The buckwheat noodles at mini Chinese chain Xi'an Famous Foods are spicy and refreshing and laced with cilantro and Szechuan peppercorn. At the St. Mark's location there are a few tables should you be lucky enough to grab a seat. There's also a location in Chinatown."
Porchetta, Porsena
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Although this isn't always served at lunch, the Jean Georges lunch menu itself is one of the best deals in NYC. A true four-star experience at a very reasonable price."
Scarpetta
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Ming's is open until 3 a.m. or later. The deep fried pork chop is spicy, salty, crispy. Doesn't get better than that."
The Source by Wolfgang Puck
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"One of the best breakfasts or lunches you can get in Philly for under $10. Squid, shrimp, and crab all float around in the rice porridge, topped with fried shallots and scallions. I add a little chili oil into the mix. It's a dish I've eaten over 30 times and it never disappoints."
American Sardine Bar, South Philadelphia Tap Room
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Get there at 7 a.m. and have one right out of the fryer. It takes donut-eating to a whole new level."
Hog & Rocks, Maverick
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Executive chef Pierre Gornes gets his high-quality pork belly from Niman Ranch, cooks it with some maple syrup and roasts it until it's very crisp. It's served with flavorful corn grits that are very creamy and sweet."
L’Epicerie Market
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Hands down, this is the best sandwich in Seattle. It's a real old-school haunt with live jazz and a friendly owner. Few people in Seattle make it up to this sandwich shop, but it is worth the trip to 198th. "
Emmer & Rye
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Not your usual bacon and eggs, this dish at one of Seattle's top restaurants is actually comprised of an amazing warm custard with smoked salmon roe and a bourbon maple syrup. This is delicious and really well balanced."
Book Bindery
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is one of my favorite restaurants in Brooklyn. The food is extremely flavorful, sometimes aggressively so, and the excellent cocktails can actually stand up to the cuisine. Every time I’m there I order the brisket & bao w/ chili jam, aioli, pickled red onion, and cilantro. It’s the perfect combination of smoke, spice, sweetness, and funk."
Riverpark
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This tiny restaurant packs in a ton of flavor! The soup is hearty and bold. I love that Erik Bruner-Yang tastes every single bowl that leaves his kitchen, explaining why this ramen doesn't disappoint. "
Good Stuff Eatery, We The Pizza
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Order any of these grilled skewers of different choices and you'll get simple, pure flavors. No extra BS. This is the way it should be."
Perbaccco, Barbacco
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"My favorite noodle dish around: velvety, earthy noodles made from sweet potatoes, seasoned just right and peppered with little bits of beef."
Girl & the Goat
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Delicate, smooth, perfectly balanced. The brown butter sage sauce is a perfect foil for the strength of the spinach. The thin, scattered shaving of cheese lends saltiness and a bit of texture. Perfection."
Capogiro Gelato
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's one of the simplest sandwiches possible, but really hits the spot."
Rendezvous
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"You can't find loroco, a Central American flower, in many places. But at Sarita's, they manage to stuff the pupusa with a lot of cheese and loroco, which means it's not too doughy. With the cortida—a vinegary slaw of cabbage and carrots—it just makes a fantastic lunch."
Border Grill, Susan Feniger’s Street
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This Chinatown gem serves some of the best stir-fried Dungeness crab I've had in the city. The top shell is stuffed with crab fat (proving its freshness) and the black bean sauce is a salty, tangy accompaniment to the sweet, fatty meat. The BYOB policy and late hours don't hurt, either."
West Town Tavern
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Corina Weibel's Canele is the ultimate neighborhood restaurant, perfectly LA casual and cool. The French toast is the ultimate weekend food. It's thick-cut, crispy on the outside and custardy on the inside with two of my favorite ingredients on top: melting creamy mascarpone and glazed prunes. Order a side of bacon (I like mine rare) to really push it over the edge."
AOC, Lucques, Tavern
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I always order The Godmother, spicy with the works. It is so darn good. Don't plan on sharing this sandwich. If you let anyone have a bite you will never get it back."
Jar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The Vetri roll at Zama features crunchy eel, scallion, cucumbers, shiso, truffled eel glaze and bruleed uni sauces. Decadent and perfect to impress someone."
Tashan
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"I love Kin Shop’s roasted duck breast. It is pure juicy perfection. The tender slices of duck, red curry sauce, and flaky roti all compliment one another extremely well. I think it’s the best duck on this side of Flushing."
Takashi
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chris Keff does a great job with fish in general. Her platter of a whole fried fish served with Asian pancakes and spicy sauces really hits the spot."
Elliott Bay Cafe, Terra Plata
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fresh, thick spaghetti and creamy, briney goodness. This place is simple, one of the most comfortable and best family restaurants in San Francisco."
Sons & Daughters, Sweet Woodruff
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Delicious pork and a crispy baguette. Ask for it toasted and watch out for the jalapeños!"
Rover’s, LUC
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Opened in 1987 by the famous Nobu Matsuhisa, this is a true Los Angeles classic. I recommend the omakase menu. It's the best way to taste a range of things and get a real sense of the chef's talents."
The French Laundry, Per Se, Bouchon Bakery, Bouchon, Ad Hoc
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is the best hangover cure you can find. Order a Vietnamese coffee to finish and you'll have a kick back in your step in no time."
Flour + Water
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This casual Chinese restaurant down in Chinatown serves amazing wontons that have a deep flavor yet are still light and fresh."
Má Pêche
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"The breakfast sandwich is the best breakfast anything in Boston. House-made brioche, farm fresh eggs, cherrywood-smoked bacon, white cheddar, and maple rosemary sauce—I think that speaks for itself. It's like a warm hug from New England in the morning. Mmmmmmm."
Sweet Cheeks Q
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"They only do one thing, falafel, and they do it right! The falafel are perfectly fried and there is a huge toppings bar with all kinds of pickled veggies and sauces from mild to nuclear. And they are open late-night so it's the perfect dinner after a long day in the kitchen!"
Buzz Bakery
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"A good friend and neighboring restaurant, BLT is our go-to spot for a night out. The tuna tartare has a nice dice of avocado, which refreshes the dish. It has the perfect blast of soy and crispy garlic. The popovers are great too."
Equinox, Muse at the Corcoran, Watershed
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Super thinly sliced flounder flash-fried and placed in a crazy hot Szechwan broth with four types of chilies. It's so hot my face goes numb, but I can't stop eating it."
The Metropolitan Club, The Met Bar, Met Back Bay, The Met Bar and Grill, The Met Burger Bar
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Only a Frenchman with a dedicated cook for a mother could leave this dish as simple as it should be. Voila! Chef Thierry has done just that. Perfectly tender beef, regular mushrooms and luscious carrots finished with flat-leaf parsley are all it takes! "
Brave Horse Tavern, Cuoco, Dahlia Lounge, Etta’s, Lola, Palace Kitchen, Seatown, Serious Pie, Ting Momo
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Chef Tony Hu used to work in 5-star hotels in China, and it shows. His crispy pork belly with leeks and black beans has a generous Sichuan kick. Everything on the menu is spiced to perfection."
Spiaggia, Cafe Spiaggia, Mangia Trattoria (located in WI), Terzo Piano
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's just awesome. Delicious and crazy, this huge hot dog just drips when you eat it."
Craigie on Main
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this boisterous tavern, the flavor profile of the caramelized lobster—served over lemon quinoa with basil and chili—keeps you salvating more."
Piccolo Sogno
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"Fu Lin is just a hole-in-the-wall in the International District, but they do a really great job with their broth. And when it comes to ramen, it's all about the broth."
Spur, Tavern Law, The Coterie Room
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"For years this place was named Los Jarritos. The pozole here is only available on Fridays. They serve it with homemade tortillas. All these older ladies are cooking in the kitchen and have been forever. They're the true cooks of Mexico."
Jardiniére, Mijita, Public House, Manzanita
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"My new favorite place: a hybrid restaurant and sports bar. The owners spent many years at Z'Tejas, and you can tell in the food. The grilled trout fillet with wilted baby spinach and Southwestern fried rice with chunks of pork and scallions is one of the best fish dishes in town."
Uchi, Uchiko
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"At this Chinese-Vietnamese restaurant in San Gabriel Valley, the live king crab is prepared right before you order it. There's nothing like it."
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"When I lived in the North End, this lunch spot was a weekly staple and I always ordered their Cubano. Moist, slow-roasted pork shoulder on a brioche roll with prosciutto and aged provolone, it's pressed and served with sriracha hot sauce on the side."
BiNA Osteria
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"This is topped with pomodoro, mozzarella di bufala, grana and basil. Via Trib is the only place to get this type of quality mozzarella in Seattle. "
Mistral Kitchen
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"You can't have one without the other. The sticky buns are so good you have to get there early before they run out."
Catalyst Restaurant
One of my Top-5 Favorite Dishes
"It's rare to see a whole brisket come to your table that is braised perfectly. It feeds the whole family and it's delicious to look at too."
Spago, CUT