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viastro · 4 years

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lavender | yoon jeonghan

ミ★ synopsis: it was a cold winter the year you met jeonghan. now he’s all you think about when it snows.

ミ★ genre: angst, fluff, happy ending

ミ★ warnings: none!

ミ★ word count: 2,459

ミ★ pairings: jeonghan x female reader

ミ★ notes: i just spent thirty minutes trying to find a gif of jeonghan with his lavender hair and i didn’t find a SINGLE ONE. i am going to wreak havoc.

You’re walking on the crowded streets of Seoul, feeling a snowflake fall onto your nose. You wipe it away, letting out a small sigh that shows itself in the cold air. This season only reminds you of him. From the way your breath appears before you due to the frigid temperatures, to the soft purple skies in the morning that resemble the hair color he had in college. This season only brings back the memories like a wave crashing onto the sandy shore.

It was a cold winter the year you had met Jeonghan.

The snow was falling softly from the sky and onto the pavement as you walked at a brisk pace towards the library. Having been late to your shift due to the fact that your friend, Joshua, thought it’d be funny to take in a baby cat off the street. Now that would’ve been cute if the cat was actually a cat.

Joshua had taken a baby raccoon into his apartment. Yes. A trash panda.

So now you were late for work as you had to help Joshua figure out what to do with the cute garbage eater of an animal, and you’re basically running across campus as the snow sticks to your specs. You finally reach the library, practically bursting in and melting at the warm air. You let out a sigh, walking over to the back room and checking yourself in. Unwrapping the red scarf from around your neck, you put it into your cubby and place your bag in there too. You wipe the snow off your glasses, and head out to the front to start restocking the returned books.

That’s when you notice a head of lavender colored hair, nose deep into a philosophy book. You raise an eyebrow, watching him lift his face up with a pout on his lips as he turns his attention to his journal to write some notes. You feel your mouth drop open at the sight of his face.

He just has to be the most beautiful man I’ve ever seen.

His lavender hair compliments his skin tone wonderfully. A lot better than what you’ve seen on campus with everyone having a mental breakdown during finals week and thinking dying their hair will be a good coping mechanism.

It’s not.

You turn away before he can catch sight of you literally gaping at him, scooting the cart closer so that you can place the two books in their designated area. However, you decide to turn around and take one more peek, only to lock eyes with the man.

His chin is resting on his palm, and he’s giving you a small smile, as if he was waiting for you to turn back around. You feel your face burn up, giving him a small bow before turning away and pushing the cart as fast as you can to the other section of the library.

Jeonghan giggles as you hurriedly walk away, having been caught staring at him. He thinks you’re rather cute, the complete opposite of who he would’ve expected to be working at the library. I’ll talk to her later, Jeonghan thinks to himself before beginning to work on his notes again.

While you’re currently shitting yourself at the fact that the pretty boy caught you turning around to LOOK at him. You curse yourself for being so stupid, making sure to shove yourself into putting away all the books to get your mind off the boy.

hint: it does not.

✿✿✿✿✿✿

It’s currently 11:00 pm, and you’re finally off your shift. You wrap your red scarf back around your neck, giggling at the warmth it brings you. You find yourself rather giddy, knowing that you can go home and finally eat the leftover banh mi sandwich you ordered yesterday.

You practically skip out of the backroom, feeling your stomach gurgle at the thought of the sandwich, only to literally pause once you see the lavender haired boy. Instead of him being nose deep into his book reading, he’s nose deep into his book fast asleep. You notice he’s the only one left in the library, and you feel bad.

I guess I should wake him up, you think to yourself as you push your specs up your nose. Walking over to the ethereal man, you poke his shoulder softly, to which he continues sleeping. You giggle, deciding to pat his back instead.

“Wake up.” You mutter softly, and he lets out a small groan opening his eyes slowly. He locks eyes with you, and he lets out a small smile, making your heart violently beat against your chest.

“You’re the pretty girl who was staring at me earlier.” He mumbles, making you regret even waking him up. You were hoping he possibly forgot about it, but that was obviously a lot to hope for.

wait.

he thinks I’m pretty?!

“I’m going to ignore that comment and let you know that you should go back to your place and rest rather than drool on your philosophy book.” You respond, trying to hold back the warmth rushing towards your face. He nods his head sitting up and stretching with a yawn.

You nod your head, getting ready to turn around and head out of the library.

“Wanna go eat pork belly with me?” The purple haired man asks you, and you all but pause once again. You turn to look at him with wide eyes, pointing to yourself as you ask, “Me?”

“Yes, you.” He answers with a smile, and you feel yourself practically melt at how cute he looks when he smiles. He puts on his thick jacket and zips up his backpack, awaiting your response.

“But we just met. You don’t even know my name, bro I don’t even know your name.” He shrugs, throwing his backpack over his shoulder.

“I’m Yoon Jeonghan, it’s my last year here at this uni.” Jeonghan introduces himself, walking up so that he’s now standing in front of you. You look up at him, realizing how small you are as you’re borderline to his shoulder.

“I’m YLN YN, it’s my third year here.” You say softly, and he gives you a grin.

“Now that we know each other’s names, would you like to go eat pork belly with me? I’ll make sure to cook the meat.” He offers, and you find yourself smiling at the offer.

“Sure Jeonghan, I’ll go eat with you.”

It’s been four years since then, two since Jeonghan left South Korea. You don’t know where he is now or what he’s been up to. All you know is that he left for Japan to get a break from Korea, and that he didn’t know when he’d come back.

You both had an unspoken agreement to act as if you two were strangers when he left, like you hadn’t been pining after each other for the past two years. Or maybe that was just a one-sided agreement, as you decided that it’d hurt more to speak to him knowing he wasn’t within a driving distance from you anymore. He complied though.

You haven’t spoken in two years.

To say you were devastated when he left is an understatement. You were absolutely heartbroken. He told you that if you came to see him off at the airport, he’d stay. Joshua and Mingyu tried to convince you to go, but you stayed at your apartment. Clutching the gift he left on your kitchen table before he left, knowing you weren’t going to come.

He was wrong though.

Your leg bounces nervously on the car floor as you try to be patient with the taxi driver. You’ve already asked him to go faster twice, and you know you’re on thin ice already. You’re three minutes away from the airport, and you’re about to shit yourself.

You had to tell Jeonghan you’re gonna miss the way he would sneeze whenever he’d open up an old book at the library, the way he’d pull small pranks on you no matter how much it annoyed you. You’re gonna miss simply having his presence beside you as you’d both try to read a story you were not at all interested in but had to read for the sake of your mental health.

You have to tell Jeonghan you’re in love with him.

The taxi comes to a stop in front of the airport, and you all but leap out of the car, paying quickly before sprinting into the airport. You run towards Jeonghan’s terminal, squeezing your way past tired travelers simply trying to either go home or catch a flight. You finally see his terminal number after what felt like an hour of running, and you sprint over, seeing Joshua and Mingyu standing by the window.

“Is he still here!?” You yell, only to stop in your tracks, seeing his airplane take off into the sky. Joshua’s mouth drops open the moment he turns around and sees you, and Mingyu immediately pulls you into a hug once he sees your hopeful expression crumble.

You let out a sob into his shoulder, feeling your heart completely shatter while you squeeze Mingyu’s shirt between your hands. Joshua reaches out to pat your back, muttering that Jeonghan tried to have the plane wait as long as it could, and you sob even louder.

You were too late.

You let out another sigh, feeling self-pity for yourself at the fact that you still think about him. You wait for the crosswalk light to show the little man signaling for the crowd around you to walk. The snow falls softly from the air, and you plan out your dinner in your head in an attempt to try and halt your thoughts of him.

You turn your head to see a kbbq restaurant that’s specialized in pork belly, and you scrunch up your nose, turning away to look at the ground. It’s always harder during winter, you think to yourself. Staring at the ground, the snowflakes melt as soon as they touch the pavement, so you know it won’t be sticking for a while.

You look up once the people around you start crossing the road, and you see the little man on the crosswalk light showing. You walk slowly, staring down at the white lines on the road as you walk. You glance up again, seeing the numbers begin ticking down the time the pedestrians have to pass the crosswalk.

“Yn?” You freeze at the voice behind you, immediately recognizing it. The snow falls around you, and the red numbers continue to tick down as you turn around slowly to see if you were just imagining.

You weren’t.

“Jeonghan?”

He’s staring back at you with wide eyes, and you feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia as you realize he’s actually here. His once brown hair is dyed black, now a shorter cut than you’ve seen on him. His shoulders are a bit broader, and his facial features have matured a bit, but he’s still the lavender haired college boy you remember.

“Oh my God, it’s really you.” He says, and the tears finally fill your eyes as more snowflakes fall onto Jeonghan’s head. A car horn honks, causing you both to jump up in surprise, immediately breaking the intense staring between you two. You glance over to see the red hand on the crosswalk light, signaling that it’s time to get off the road.

Jeonghan reaches out and grasps your hand, pulling you over back to the side of the street you just left. He doesn’t let go once you both reach the sidewalk. In fact, he squeezes your hand tighter when he looks down into your eyes.

“You’re back, you’re actually back.” You mutter, a tear slipping down your cheek. He lets out a small smile, reaching up and wiping away the tear with his cold hand.

“I missed you.” He whispers, causing you to let out a small sob. You don’t even care that you’re on a busy street in the middle of Seoul and that people are staring at you.

You haven’t felt the feeling of home in two years.

“Why didn’t you come see me at the airport?” Jeonghan asks softly, tears threatening to spill out of his eyes as well. You’re crying, and your crying face isn’t that pretty. The snow falls around the both of you, some individual snowflakes land on your hair, framing your face. He thinks you’re the most beautiful thing he’s ever laid eyes on at this exact moment.

“I came, I came too late.” You answer, and the tear finally slips from his eye as he rests his head onto your forehead. “Your airplane took off right as I came to your terminal.”

“I guess time was against us during that time, huh?”

You nod your head, letting out a small giggle as more tears fall from your face. Jeonghan smiles at the sound, having missed it in the years he was gone.

“I wanted to tell you I love you that day.” You whisper, pulling back to look up into his eyes. Jeonghan’s eyes widen slightly, and he looks away with a big smile forming onto his lips. You smile back once he looks back at you.

“Does it still apply?” He asks softly, and you nod your head.

“Always.”

Jeonghan bites the inside of his cheek, noticing the pedestrians now crossing the sidewalk once again. He lets out a small grin, feeling like fate was finally on your guys’ side.

“Can I kiss you?” He asks, and you smile.

“Yes.”

That was all Jeonghan needed to hear before he finally leaned in, pressing his cold lips to your warm ones. It’s nothing more than a small peck, something similar to that of a highschooler’s first kiss. However, it has the both of you giggling like a bunch of children.

“I love you.” Jeonghan whispers against your lips after you both finish giggling, leaving another kiss on your lips. “I love you too.” You respond, squeezing his hand.

“I saw a kbbq across the street, they specialize in pork belly.” Jeonghan begins, and you let out a laugh.

“Will you cook the meat?” You ask, and he scoffs, turning the both of you so that you start walking in the direction of the kbbq restaurant. Jeonghan places your intertwined hands into his warm jacket pocket, and you smile softly.

“Of course I’ll cook the meat. Last time I left you in charge of the pork belly you burned it, we aren’t doing that again.”

“Hey! I started cooking more when you left! I’m a new woman.”

“Does that mean you wanna cook the meat?”

“No, that’s your job Hannie.”

“My job is to love you.”

“Pfftt… simp.”

“Says the one who literally raced to the airport to confess their love for someone.”

“... valid.”

#yoon jeonghan x reader #jeonghan x reader #seventeen #seventeen scenarios #seventeen jeonghan #seventeen x reader #jeonghan scenarios #jeonghan fluff #jeonghan angst #jeonghan oneshot #yoon jeonghan #yoon jeonghan fluff #yoon jeonghan angst #yoon jeonghan scenarios #seventeen fluff #seventeen angst #seventeen oneshot #jeonghan au

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eatingtheave · 3 years

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Welcome back to the U District

On Sept. 13, UW staff and faculty returned to campus, and today, Sept. 29, students are joining them with the beginning of fall quarter. I am a UW staff member, and I am slowly making my return back to the office. This means that I will regularly be in my favorite neighborhood and will be able to more easily explore U District restaurants again!

For my job, I wrote about the state of the U District community as it recovers from the worst of — and continues to cope with — the pandemic. The U District is experiencing a lot of change, with light rail opening on Oct. 2 and the development of towers and many other new buildings, following an upzone of the neighborhood in 2017. I have mixed feelings about the changes. I value the small, family-run businesses in the U District. I worry that they will be priced out and that the character of the neighborhood will change — a conversation happening in many parts of our rapidly developing city. But I talked to six U District community members, and I left every interview feeling optimistic for the neighborhood’s future, which is reflected in the story.

One of the people I talked to was Don Blakeney, executive director of the U District Partnership (UDP), an organization that represents the neighborhood’s business and community interests. The UDP is hosting a festival when light rail opens, and it is showing off the food scene as part of the celebration with a $3 food walk at 40 U District restaurants. I hope you’ll be there on Oct. 2. I will be!

I went back to the office on Sept. 13. It was my first day at the office of my new job, which I started in March 2020. My co-workers and I ventured to the Ave for lunch. We headed to a crowd-pleaser and perennial favorite, Sizzle & Crunch. Sadly, we found it boarded up and closed!

It was a letdown to find Sizzle & Crunch this way after looking forward to coming back to the neighborhood. I checked Facebook and saw that they opened a new location in Federal Way, so I couldn’t imagine that it went out of business. Still, there was no sign indicating an opening date; it was a mystery. We ended up at Saigon Deli around the corner, a reliable spot for banh-mis and other Vietnamese food.

The following Friday, my boss offered to take me out to lunch as a welcome to the office. He had told me that he liked Arepa Venezuelan Kitchen, which serves its namesake sandwiches made with maize dough. So we headed up to the 50th and the Ave, which required a car ride from my current office on campus, as opposed to the brisk walk from my old office at UW Tower.

I got the Best Bart arepa, which includes pork and shredded beef with cilantro sauce. I’ve always found the pork a bit dry, and this time was no different. But I really enjoyed the shredded beef, so I think I’ll go with shredded beef only next time. I really tried not to stuff my face. I wanted to eat it daintily with a fork, like a civilized person. Instead, my attempts at mannerliness lost out to gluttony. I opened my mouth as wide as it could to get the clumps of meat into my belly.

The plantains we shared were fried, seared with a nice carmelized taste that contrasted nicely with the gooey, sweet inside I topped it off with an Inca Cola, a soda I haven’t seen since I went to Peru 10 years ago! I remembered it tasting like bubble gum 10 years ago, and yep, it tasted like bubble gum again. My boss asked, “How is it?” “Not great,” I said. It wasn’t disgusting, but I don’t need to have it for another 10 years. Still, it was a delight to find a Peruvian soda in Seattle. These small encounters with other cultures are what make the U District special.

After I finished work that Friday, I walked around the neighborhood, swinging by Sizzle & Crunch four days after the last time I visited it. This time, instead of boarded up and closed, I found a door open.

The opened door beckoned, so I poked my head in. I found the owner there — the same guy I talked to when he caught me taking a picture in 2017 and I explained I was a blogger. He was so happy and eager then — he thought I was a much more important blogger than I actually am. I’ve seen him many other times, sometimes rushed at the register with a furrowed brow. This time he was calm, a contrast to the chaos indicated by the door with the broken window. “We’re redecorating,” he said.

I let out a sigh of relief. There was definitely some damage to the restaurant, but maybe he was using the time to make the business better. It was another symbol of the neighborhood — broken but on the brink of good things to come.

#Sizzle & Crunch #arepa venezuelan kitchen #vietnamese #venezuelan #saigon deli

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ljones41 · 3 years

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DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE: A Touch of Disney Food Festival 2021

Recently, my family and I had enjoyed a day at the Disneyland Resort, where we attended the A Touch of Disney Food Festival at the Disney's California Adventure theme park. The festival ended on April 18. Below is a selection of the food and drinks I had enjoyed at the festival:

DISNEY'S CALIFORNIA ADVENTURE: A TOUCH OF DISNEY FOOD FESTIVAL 2021

Chicken Gumbo - Served with a bit of steamed rice, this is a Louisiana-style stew with chicken, Tasso ham, Andouille sausage, and vegetables. Although delicious, I found it a bit too salty for my tastes.

Grilled Beef Tenderloin Slider - A sandwich sample with grilled beef tenderloin, picked onions and chimichurri. The beef proved to be very tender, but lacked any flavor. Unfortunately for me, the pickled onions and chimichurri was not enough.

Impossible Cheeseburger Mac ‘n Cheese - This dish proved to be a very pleasant surprise for me, considering I usually dislike the mixture of macaroni and cheese with any form of meat, aside from seafood. The macaroni and cheese proved to be solid, but the addition of the Impossible ground meat and special burger sauce really made it enjoyable for me.

Strawberry-Rose Lemonade - Although I found this drink delicious, I also thought it was a bit too sweet. The addition of rose petals sprinkled on top was . . . interesting.

One-Half Monte Cristo Sandwich - This popular dish is a sandwich that consists of sliced turkey, ham and swiss, deep fried in a light batter, dusted with powdered sugar and served with berry purée. It is one of my favorite Disney Park food selections of all time. Although it is usually served in New Orleans Square at Disneyland, it originated in California.

Pork Belly Banh Mi - This variation of the Vietnamese sandwich consists of marinated and grilled pork belly, pickled daikon, carrots, sliced cucumber, jalapeño, cilantro and seasoned mayonnaise and served in a French baguette. Considering my last encounter with pork belly at a Disney park (Walt Disney World's EPCOT), I had doubts I would enjoy this. The sandwich, thanks to the well-seasoned pork belly, proved to be one of my favorite selections at the festival.

Sweet-and-Spicy Chicken Wings - I really enjoyed this selection of deep fried chicken wings (no batter) with a honey glaze and black sesame seeds spread over them. The dish is served with Togarashi aïoli on the side, but I found the latter bland and unnecessary. The honey glaze provided enough flavor for the chicken.

Walt's Chili - I have always been a fan of the Disneyland Chili, but I did not expect to enjoy this variation with cheese, sour cream, green onions and beef chunks, instead of ground beef. A tad salty, but very enjoyable.

Watermelon Agua Fresca - This drink was surprisingly not that sweet. And yet . . . I really enjoyed. Despite the fact that my family and I had attended the festival on a cool day with overcast skies, this drink with watermelon juice and touches of lime proved to be very refreshing and enjoyable. Did anyone else attend?

#disney #disney parks #disneyland resort #dca #disney's california adventure #food festival #disney food festival

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marshallmanson · 6 years

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Ranking the Restaurants

Now that I’ve been back a few days, I’ve had time and distance to reflect on my trip, and the amazing food odyssey that I experienced. As a part of that, I thought it would be interesting and fun to score the restaurants.

I decided to borrow my ranking system from the Washington Post’s Tom Sietsema. Here’s how it works:

First, any restaurant with a star is excellent. Just to make the list and be scored means that the place is worth a visit. The good news is that thanks to my research, I had very few restaurants come through with zero stars, but they’ve got their own space below. With that in mind, here’s what the various stars mean:

**** — Outstanding. Really something special. Usually marked by an interesting point of view, innovative or elevated approach to the food, technical excellence and great service. Among the best restaurant experiences I’ve had anywhere, beyond this trip. *** — Excellent. Great food. Great service. But not quite as distinctive or elevated as a four star place. ** — Darn good. A place that I’d be happy to visit again. * — Perfectly fine. Often these were places that I liked, and was glad to have tried, but wouldn’t go back. 0 — Crap. No good. I’m sorry I visited, and I discourage anyone else from going.

So, with the scoring system sorted, let’s look at the scores:

**** Stars Outstanding, innovative and elevated.

Peg Leg Pete’s Pensacola Beach, Florida

Michelin’s criteria for two stars is “excellent cooking, worth a detour.” I would happily plan a long weekend in Pensacola just to return to Peg Leg Pete’s. Yes, it’s a dive bar. Yes, the menu is almost entirely fried. Yes, the food was served on styrofoam. And I don’t care a whit. The seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked. The beer was local and excellent. The staff was kind and welcoming. And the Key Lime Pie was made by someone’s grandmother in her home kitchen. The bill was less than $30. For all of the high-end places I tried, this was the best meal of the trip.

Key Lime Pie at Peg Leg Pete’s.

Shagbark Richmond, Virginia

Chef Walter Bundy spent years creating high-end, French-inspired classics at Lemaire. Now he’s using those techniques to elevate southern cuisine, making the most of local and seasonal products, and delivering something that’s next-level good. If a Michelin inspector ever made it to Richmond (fat chance), Shagbark would be worthy of serious consideration for a star. Bundy’s food isn’t as playful and evocative as Sean Brock’s: The experience is more serious and considered. But Shagbark would be a great restaurant in any city. Richmond is lucky to have it.

Pimento Cheese and Ham Salad at Shagbark.

Fisher’s Orange Beach, Alabama

Fisher’s has pulled down big accolades. Like Brock and Bundy, Chef Bill Briand is elevating southern food, and using the best ingredients, plucked out of the sea and delivered to his kitchen from the fishermen who use his marina. I’m sorry I didn’t get to try his fine dining offering, but his ability to elevate a simple fish taco, reimagine sweet potatoes, and deliver it with a sense of humour across a bar tells me all I need to know. Like Peg Leg Pete’s, I would happily go out of my way to return to Fisher’s.

Fish tacos at Fisher’s.

Ajax Diner Oxford, Mississippi

Located on a busy town square in the middle of a college town, you could forgive the Ajax for turning out burgers and beers. Instead, they produce home cooked classics that you’d be happy to eat at your grandmother’s kitchen table. The Ajax was probably the most traditional place I went, but they embrace tradition all the way, revel in it, and turn out great food flavoured with love. If I lived in Oxford, I’d be a regular.

Meatloaf and sides at the Ajax Diner.

*** Stars Excellent. Great food and service.

Commander’s Palace New Orleans, Louisiana

High-class throw-back cooking in New Orleans most beautiful neighbourhood. What’s not to love? Great ingredients brought together into some of the south’s most iconic recipes. Service with a smile and laugh.

Gallatoire’s New Orleans, Louisiana

Cornerstone of the French Quarter. Stand in line with local residents and well to-do out-of-towners, then revel in some of the best cooking around. Trust your waiter. They know what’s fresh and tasty.

Husk Nashville, Tennessee

Sean Brock’s Nashville spot. His menu was playful and brilliant. The food was excellent. And I totally buy into his philosophy. I wish I’d been able to go for dinner, as I suspect that would have been a more elevated experience.

Indian Pass Raw Bar Port St. Joe, Florida

They harvest the oysters, then shuck them, then bake them, in just a few hours. Serve yourself. Pay for what you eat and drink. Settle in for the afternoon, or the evening. Worth a detour. You won’t regret it.

Le Bakery Biloxi, Mississippi

Vietnamese is now local cuisine across the gulf coast, and this is one of the best spots to find it. Fresh bread that a Parisienne would love. And you couldn’t find a better Banh Mi from Hanoi to Ho Chi Min City.

Monell’s 6th Avenue, Nashville, Tennessee

Home cooking around a communal table, making new friends over great food. What’s not to love? Ultra-traditional with fabulous flavours in big bowls. Another place that I’d love to be a regular.

Ravenous Pig Winter Park, Florida

Husband and wife team, James and Julie Petrakis doing their bit to elevate and renew southern cooking with a real emphasis on pork. From the homemade bread to the pork porterhouse, I left happy and full.

The Regional Kitchen & Pub West Palm Beach, Florida

Chef Lindsay Autry getting into the elevated southern game with her brilliant cooking. More homestyle than Husk or the Ravenous Pig, but building from underused classics like Devilled Crab. Homemade parker house rolls were a winner, too.

The Roosevelt Richmond, Virginia

Chef Lee Gregory’s place helped renew Church Hill and contributed to Richmond’s food renaissance. The Roosevelt manages to balance fine dining and neighbourhood stalwart, with great food I’d be happy eating every day.

Sally Belly’s Kitchen Richmond, Virginia

Nearly a hundred years old, and still delivering great food every day. If there’s better potato salad on the planet, I don’t know where to find it. Also, cupcakes. And egg salad. And, and, and. Visiting Richmond and missing Sally Bell’s should actually be a crime.

Spoonbread Bistro Richmond, Virginia

Stylish spot in the Fan by Chef Michael Hall. Another perspective on elevating southern flavours. Local and fresh. Great food driven by clever ideas. Another place I’d be a happy regular.

** Stars Darn good. Worthy of a return visit.

Allman’s Barbecue Fredericksburg, Virginia

Great Virginia-style barbecue. A classic. Huge portions. Yes please.

Blue & White Diner Tunica, Mississippi

Old-fashioned road-side diner with stellar Sunday buffet. The only place to eat in Tunica.

Cafe Bouchee Franklinton, Louisiana

Superb local fare with a cajun accent. Worth passing by.

City Grocery Oxford, Mississippi

Big reputation, but merely darn good. Chef Currence is evidently innovating elsewhere.

Dandguerre’s Nashville, Tennessee

Local meat and three that the tourists haven’t found yet. Definitely worth trying.

The Kitchen West Palm Beach, Florida

Weird atmosphere. Good food. Great coconut cake. That’s enough to bring me back.

NOLA New Orleans, Louisiana

Emeril Lagasse’s French Quarter spot. Cajun reimagined sort of works.

Obrycki’s BWI Airport, Maryland

Crab cakes in an airport. Are you kidding? No. If you’re in BWI, eat at Obrycki’s.

Pierce’s Pit Cooked Barbecue Williamsburg, Virginia

Great Virginia-style barbecue. An institution.

Puckett’s Nashville, Tennessee

Tasty breakfast. Favourite of local police. Good food and nice service.

St. Roche Market New Orleans, Louisiana

Food truck food behind permanent counters. Glad I went. Wish I lived nearby.

Taylor Grocery Oxford, Mississippi

Great catfish and other local delicacies.

* Stars Perfectly fine, but I wouldn’t return.

Apalachicola Seafood Grill Apalachicola, Florida

Local ingredients, but lacking the care and attention. Go elsewhere.

Away from the World Burger & Beer Bar Cedar Key, Florida

Decent burgers with a view.

Ballpark of the Palm Beaches West Palm Beach, Florida

Hot dog before the game, with a fixings bar that included sauerkraut. #winning

Brickhouse Barbecue Columbia, Tennessee

Perfect adequate barbecue if you’re just passing through.

Cafe Beignet New Orleans, Louisiana

Good beignets without the queues at Cafe du Mont. Next door to my hotel. Winner.

Champion Stadium Lake Buena Vista, Florida

Hot dog before the game. Yes, please. And darn tasty.

Cilantro Mexican Vicksburg, Mississippi

A much needed Mexican diversion.

Felix’s Oyster Bar New Orleans, Louisiana

No substitute for Acme just across the street. Go there.

Pancho & Lefty’s Tacos Nashville, Tennessee

Great tacos just off broadway.

Ruby Slippers New Orleans, Louisiana

Breakfast to battle the French Quarter hang over, just outside the Quarter.

Starlite Lounge Richmond, Virginia

Hangover cure: burger with chilli and a fried egg. Tastes better than it sounds.

0 Stars Dreadful and Disastrous. Avoid.

The Island Restaurant Cedar Key Florida

The infamous culinary crime. How could you serve clams and pasta with no sauce? I still can’t believe it. Catastrophic.

Mary Mahoney’s Old French House Biloxi, Mississippi

Frozen in time, but in all of the wrong ways.

The Grill at Libbie and Patterson Richmond, Virginia

Good sandwiches. Wretched service. Will never return.

Woolworth on 5th Nashville, Tennessee

Great idea. Amazing history. Bad food. Rooting for it to get better.

#usaroadtrip #Southern food #southern foodways

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ferrybaker0-blog · 5 years

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The Bammy - Subway's Take On A Vietnamese Classic

For as long as I can remember, the Vietnamese sandwich known as banh mi, has been a part of my life. Even as a Chinese American, this stuff would always be around my family and friends. It was cheap, easy to sell/make and tasted better than most American sandwiches. For $5, you can get at least four – one for each person in the typical 4-person Asian family. It was the go-to fill-up snack because it was cheaper than anything at McDonald's. Even if we didn't have a store-bought sandwich, we'd have some variation of the banh mi. As a kid in elementary school, I'd have my mom's mutated version which consisted of thick slices of the Vietnamese meatloaf known as cha, liverwurst (American pâté) and mayonnaise – smacked between two pieces of Wonder bread. On fishing trips with family friends, there'd be an endless supply of Capri Sun and banh mi in the cooler. Hungry? Have a banh mi! We'd pick that sandwich up with our fish and worm-flavored hands and go to town. My Lao aunt in Fresno also ran a small sandwich business right out of her kitchen and guess what we got to eat every time we were there - banh mi. Banh mi was seriously around so often it was like a brother to me – always there to wrestle and play video games with.

So you can understand why one would take a hiatus from the beloved sandwich. I was tired of it. After I graduated from high school, I don't think I touched banh mi unless I had to. As a college student, I made quick trips to Little Saigon to satisfy my broke ass. To me the food was nearly forgotten as I found love in other things such as noodles. Then around 2006, Vietnamese sandwich shops started popping up like the current food trucks as more Vietnamese residents and immigrants moved out of Rosemead and El Monte. On Valley Blvd. alone, you'll find at least a dozen places selling banh mi, including chains like Banh Mi Che Cali and Lee Sandwiches. This was the mainstream for the people of San Gabriel Valley and certainly not earth-shaking news.

Then earlier this week, my friend sent me a link to a New York Times article titled "The Vietnamese Sandwich. Banh Mi in America" by a Jordan Michelman. This was published after last year's banh mi craze in New York City which left me and I'm sure many others, scratching our head. Interesting considering most people look to New York as the pioneer of trends, especially fashion and food. This isn't the first time an article on banh mi has been published. But it was the first time I realized how long it has taken Vietnamese culture to be recognized in the history of America – especially since the Vietnamese have been here as early as the late 1960s. A few decades for New York Times to "discover" this sandwich? You don't see Jonathan Gold writing an article every 6 months on banh mi to remind us that it exists. Does something have to go through the New York "fad machine" before it gets any attention? Even in Los Angeles, the banh mi mutant can be found at places like Six (banh mi burger), Mendocino Farms (pork belly banh mi) and Nom Nom Truck (banh mi tacos). But I thought to myself, this is indeed a great time to really advertise the shit out of this delicious, Vietnamese sandwich... and really aggregate the credit it deserves.

Banh mi may be big in New York and Los Angeles right now, but it isn't big until it goes national. And when it comes to sandwiches, there's no one more sandwichy than Jared Fogle's Subway nation. Not sure why I even linked to Subway... you've got to be from space if you haven't heard of it. I like to have fun when I eat – especially with corporate places like Hometown Buffet, Souplantation and Yoshinoya. So I decided to have some fun with Subway and find out if I can actually make the Vietnamese sandwich an American favorite. But what do you call this new potential menu item?

Well, if a sandwich is a "Sammy", then a banh mi must be a "Bammy"!

On a random weeknight, I find myself standing in the most depressing line ever at Subway. There are five of us, heads tilted up 45 degrees staring at the menu of bland food. Is this what we as Americans resort to? A life of 9-6? 2 hour commutes? Buying goods by bulk at Costco? Lunches at Subway? Do I want to pay $5, $6 or $7 for a foot long blandwich? Should I have the blandwich with teriyaki sauce or the ham & bland sandwich ? The menu is simply comprised of words put up to disguise the word "bland" and there is no difference in what you order because it won't have any taste period. When a "sandwich artist" asks me what else I'd like to add to my sandwich, I usually respond with, "flavor."

But actually, as I'm standing in line with the other customers waiting for toasted boredom to be served, I smile a little. I have an advantage over the other customers and employees - and they don't even know it. I'm equipped with an actual banh mi sandwich from Chinatown's Buu Dien, some Maggi sauce, fresh jalapeno slices, scrambled eggs from home and some real Vietnamese pate. Yes! And tonight's challenge is to see whether or not I can make an actual Subway sandwich edible and dare I say, as tasty as a Vietnamese banh mi.

It's now my turn to order and I order a toasted black forest ham and turkey Foot Long for $6, which by the way is equivalent to five banh mi sandwiches at your average Vietnamese joint. I wanted to keep this as authentic to Subway's ingredients and build. I picked the black forest ham because it is the closest in color and taste to the pink, headcheese (gio thu) and BBQ pork (xa xiu) used in banh mi. I picked the turkey because it is the closest in color and taste to the grey meatloaf known as cha. For the toppings, I added cucumber, cilantro, pickled jalapeno slices, salt & pepper and a thin line of mayonnaise. No oil, vinegar or whatever liquids they offer. I asked the "sandwich artist" not to fold the sandwich over and F up the innards. They even kept it served open face for me and placed it on a tray. I'm pretty sure they considered me crazy. Love it. Haha.

I then drew an imaginary DMZ line to distinguish the Northern and the Southern region of the sandwich. On top is Subway's Sammy using original store ingredients plus pate and Maggi Sauce vs. SaigonWay's Bammy with the traditional fixings.

Subway's Bammy - plain bread - ham - turkey - cucumber - canned, pickled jalapeños - cilantro - mayonnaise - pate - Maggi sauce

SaigonWay's Banh Mi - plain bread - ham - turkey - cucumber - fresh jalapeño slices - cilantro with stem - pickled radish & carrots - mayonnaise - pate - Maggi sauce - fried egg (optional, it's what I love adding to my banh mi)

Subway's "Sammy" For the first time in a long while, I felt fear. The last time from a serving of deep fried insects at a food stall in Cambodia. I had prepped myself with a few neck cracks and got my gag reflexes ready. I grabbed the sandwich... crumbs from the shitty bread landed on the tray. What am I doing? I took a bite and not to my surprise... there was absolutely no flavor. There was so much bland matter due to the sawdust bread and processed meat - I couldn't taste anything! Maggi Sauce is used to PROVIDE flavor. But yet it could not provide this time – it let me down. I put this sandwich down after the 2nd bite. Even a foot long of Cambodian fried insects had more flavor.

SaigonWay's "Bammy" Now, on to the real test. I opened the sandwich and made sure everything was evenly distributed. It was the moment I've been waiting for. Actually the moment every American slave of the corporate lunch cafeteria known as Subway was waiting for. If I succeeded, I knew that I have done something for my country. I had at least provided ONE item on Subway's menu that actually had something called flavor. I took a bite, and I have to say, it was a familiar taste. Even though the meat wasn't the right kind, the balance of Maggi Sauce, fried egg, pate, fresh jalapeno, fresh cilantro and fresh daikon and carrots made so much sense in that sawdust bread. I actually ate half of this and partially enjoyed it. All Subway has to do is offer a few more ingredients that really don't cost anything! But you say the words pate or liverwurst and you'll lose customers. And what in the world is Maggi sauce?

My work wasn't finished tonight though. This is my palate, and I know what I'm looking for in a sandwich. The true test though was finding out whether or not the actual Subway sandwich artists would eat my fixed-up version of their blandwich. I wouldn't go in peace until I had them try it. I waited for the right moment when the customers parted with their foot longs and approached this young man. We'll call him Justin. Within a few minutes and persuasive words, I had him sitting down at the table with the "Sammy" and "Bammy" in front of him.

Justin: "What am I eating?" Me: "You're going to eat a Subway take on a Vietnamese sandwich." Justin: "What's in it?" Me: "Oh nothing really. Just your meats and veggies and a few extras." Justin: "You sure?" Me: "Dude, I'm not trying to kill you man. Even if I was, you've got cameras rolling."

Justin actually went in and took a big bite, making sure his gums made sweet love with that sandwich. He took a few bites and then looked at me.

Me: "And?" Justin: "Nothing. It's bland man!" Me: "Of course it's bland. It's Subway." Justin: "..........." Me: "Last one, try my version."

Like a good employee, Justin looked to see that there were no hungry patrons queuing up. With a reluctant look, he picked up the "Bammy" and sank his teeth in once more. But this time, to my surprise, he raised his eyebrows slightly and his eyes widened. And there was a slight bob of satisfaction.

Me: "And....?" Justin: "This is actually pretty good. I like the taste. What's in it?" Me: "Subway's ham and turkey, fresh jalapeno, fresh cilantro, pickled radish and carrots, fried egg and the special Maggi Sauce." Justin: "It tastes fresh. Oh man, that egg is real nice." Me: "Yeah that's key man." Justin: "Alright man, are we done? I gotta get back to work." Me: "Thank you."

One down, and a whole nation to go. Is there hope for the American palate? Whether or not Subway actually decides to put this on their menu, I may not live long enough to see the revolt against bland food. I threw away the food and started packing up. As I headed out, Justin said:

Justin: "Hey man, what's that sauce you put in that sandwich?" Me: "It's called Maggi sauce." Justin: "What is it?" Me: "Flavor."

Subway, dreams of flavored food can come true. Look I've done the POP (point-of-purchase) displays for you! Yes, I'm an ad guy! We can also start rolling your new Jared spots right away.

"Hello, I'm Jared. Remember me? I used to weigh 450 lbs. I'm over in the Far East to advertise Subway's new sandwich, "The Bammy". I've cut out the 14 hour flight for you and endured some of the roughest conditions to bring you Vietnam's delicious sandwich. We use only the freshest, greenest cilantro. Guys.... can we cut. I feel some leeches in my pants."

"Hi again, it's me Jared. I've also cut out the vicious Saigon traffic for you by riding helmet-less with my buddies Tuan and Huan. I almost wet my khakis like a little girl trying to cross the streets of Saigon! Where we going guys? My mom's expecting me home for dinner."

So, if you saw "The Bammy" on the Subway menu, would you eat it? The truth is, you'll never see this on the Subway menu just as you'll never see a delicious shawarma, torta, cemita. Even if it was on the menu, you know it wouldn't be good haha. I would take any of those ANY DAY of the week over anything from Subway. But surprisingly, as diverse as America is, the Subway people of Milford, Connecticut still feel that their current menu is a good representation of what the American palate craves. So Subway, would you like your "Bammy" toasted or not toasted?

Thanks for reading.

Source: http://eatdrinknbmerry.blogspot.com/2011/02/bammy-subways-take-on-vietnamese.html

#read more #see more #check it out #interesting #learn more

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vietnamtour-blog · 4 years

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Story of Banh Mi: How Does Banh Mi Become Famous Around The World?

In recent days, there is a unique version of Vietnam Banh mi trending on social media named Banh mi Thanh long (Dragon fruit baguette). Curiously reading those posts, I suddenly realize that Vietnam Banh mi has been continuing its journey of bringing Vietnam around the world. That is a long story about the changing from the inside out of Banh mi in nearly 60 years.

Inside– The changing taste with the times

Not like Pho, officially introduced as a traditional Vietnamese dish to the world, Banh Mi itself has been changing step by step from the humble beginning to the iconic dish.

Back to the time, in the 1860s French baguettes were first introduced in Vietnam when French colonialism occupied all Southeast Asian countries. In the beginning, the French had to import wheat, which upped the cost and made their bread only accessible to the upper classes.

Baguette in Vietnam during the French occupation. Photo: foodandwine.com

Baguette became more popular after it was offered in Vietnam students’ meals. French people often enjoy a baguette with ham, butter, fruit jam or coffee. In contrast, a Vietnamese couple tweaked it with Vietnamese ingredients to suit our taste. The fillers ranged from Vietnamese sausages, pork floss to grilled pork belly, liver pate, balanced with soya sauce, pickled vegetables, herbs, etc. It is 1958 that marked the birth of Banh Mi and the first Banh Mi shop in the world. The shop is located on Cao Thang street in Saigon and named after their village name – Hoa Ma Village. It is said that the original taste of Banh mi begun from here.

The first Banh mi Shop in the world, Hoa Ma. Photo: Kenh14.vn

From 1970, Banh Mi is a purely Vietnamese dish when bakers modified the French baguette recipe to be suitable for Vietnamese taste. Because of adding the rice flour, a distinctive new version of baguette has a lighter weight, less dense crumb and crispy crust. Vietnamese baguette became shorter and it is easy to put fillers into it. From then on, Banh mi is not a fancy dish and has become more popular with everyone.

The image of Vietnamese bread after 1970. Photo. kenh14.vn

Until 1975 and many years later, when many Vietnamese immigrated to the United States, Canada, some European countries as well as Australia, they established the Vietnamese community then many traditional dishes are widely known. Banh Mi’s journey to explore the world was started.

A Banh mi shop in Korea. Photo: saigoneer.com

It has traveled to many countries before become internationally famous for Chef Anthony Bourdain in 2009. This legendary chef visited Hoi An, try Banh Mi of Phuong shop, and he called it the world’s best sandwich.

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Even many tourists told that they travel to Vietnam just to sample this street food. The keywords as “ Vietnamese sandwich”, “banh mi”, “Vietnamese baguette” were searched a lot so Oxford decided to add Banh Mi into its English dictionary in 2011.

Banh Mi in the Oxford English Dictionary. Photo: Linh

2020 you can find a lot of shops selling Banh Mi not only in Vietnam but also in many other countries. Beside traditional-style Banh Mi with featured flavor as Hoa Ma Banh Mi, the chefs are good at making many kinds of Banh Mi pursuing customer’s tastes such as vegan Banh Mi, vegetarian Banh Mi and more. The ingredients stuffed into Banh Mi also are various that you can choose whatever you like.

The fresh ingredients of Banh mi. Photo: dantri.vn

Suggested Banh Mi Shops

Ha Noi:

Banh Mi 25: 25 Hang Ca Street, Hoan Kiem

Banh Mi Pho: 57C Dinh Tien Hoang Street, Hoan Kiem

Banh Mi Pho Co: 38 Dinh Liet, Hoan Kiem

Hoi An:

Banh Mi Phuong: 2b Phan Chu Trinh Street, Cam Chau

Sai Gon:

Banh Mi Hoa Ma: 53 Cao Thang Street, Ward 3, District 3

Banh Mi Huynh Hoa: 26 Le Thi Rieng Street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1

Banh Mi at 37 Nguyen Trai Street, Pham Ngu Lao, District 1

Outside- The eye-catching appearance from red dragon fruit

Red Dragon Fruit Bread of ABC Bakery. Photo: kenh14.vn

This is the little brother, Banh Mi Thanh Long (Dragon fruit Bread). Once again, it caught the world’s attention in this ongoing Coronavirus outbreak. All as you may know, the outbreak has caused serious damages to many fields including the economy. Agricultural products such as red dragon fruit are not allowed to export to mainland China, stuck in Vietnam. Therefore Vietnamese people have used up all those fruits as the major ingredient to produce bread. And there came the invention of Red Dragon Fruit Bread.

How is Red Dragon Fruit Bread made?

ABC Bakery Chain is the first company creating this one of a kind bread and publishes their recipe with wishing many other companies joining this rescue. With the unique crust dyed the red of dragon fruit juice, dotted with its black seeds and the fruity taste, it seems to be the most Instagrammable bread. Red Dragon Fruit Bread is similar to the making of baguette but instead of water, you will mix red dragon fruit juice into wheat and knead it.

The recipe of Red Dragon Fruit Bread of ABC Bakery. Photo: Linh

Suggested Shops

Some branches of Big C, VinMart, Lotte Mart in Vietnam

Hanoi:

Papa Gâteaux at 15 Tran Phu Street, Ba Dinh

Danang:

ABC Bakery at No.109 on 30-4 Street, 132 Le Duan Street and 284 Trung Nu Vuong Street

Ho Chi Minh City:

ABC Bakery at 227 Nguyen Trai Street, Ward 2, District 5 and 175 De Tham Street, Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1

P/s: The journey of Banh mi will not have the ending point. It certainly becomes more famous with new versions in the future. One day, you may hear about durian bread, watermelon bread and so on.

Note: If you mention Banh Mi in Vietnam, everyone understands that you talk about bread, baguette. Unless you said Banh mi kep (Sandwich), everyone understands that is Banh Mi in the Oxford dictionary.

Author: Dieu Linh – Eviva Intern

Source: https://blog.evivatour.com/story-of-banh-mi-how-does-banh-mi-become-famous-around-the-world/

#Banh Mi #Banh mi Thanh long

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porkrollfridays · 6 years

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BIA - North Vietnamese Restaurant and Bar

23-10 Jackson Ave, Long Island City NY • $9.50USD

The rightful don of New York raps about how Queens got the money, so I assumed the trip out to Long Island City would be all bang for much quality buck. After sucking down an iced salted caramel mocha with soy milk on the train, my body was ready for Queens to repreZENT. Just underneath the Court Square stop is a little Vietnamese bar and restaurant called BIA, the name apparently being the Vietnamese word for ‘beer’… Top marks to the imaginative kooks who thunked that one up. The wait time of fifteen minutes was just silly, and the price even sillier. In this case, Queens really does get the money; all $9.50USD of it for a classic cuts roll.

When the roll did eventually arrive, it was all meat and not much else. The roast pork was quite tasty with a strong bbq tang, however the ham was quite fatty and the mince didn’t really hit any spot except for the one on Disappointment Island, zip code Darsh’s belly. A long, painfully crispy and very skinny bread roll made me feel like I was eating a deep fried dog leg, with little relief in the guise of paté and mayo. The final shot for this poor representation of what Queens’ had to offer (pork roll-wise) was the chilli effort. BIA provided DIY little boy sauce containers filled half-assed with Sriracha, because the first thing I wanna do before I dig into a sandwich is splice it open and dab sauce all over it. The only two things I’ll ever dab in my life is 1. tomato sauce sachets on a dirty 7/11 sauso roll, and 2. a freshly-sliced dank meme notification straight from my best mate Campbell.

Between Brooklyn and Queens so far, it ain’t hard to tell who is flying the PR flag. Of course this is only one Viet institution, but currently Queens should stick to what they do best: MoMA PS1, and having an impeccable 90s hip hop lineup.

Life’s a bitch and then you get hungry, that’s why we get banh mi, cos you never know when you’re gonna go. (???) Sorry.

VERDICT: If BIA keep doing this, any day could be their last in the jungle. (1.5 outta 5)

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alltheshitiate · 7 years

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My New Orleans Dining Guide

Updated as of: 4/5/17

Caveat: This is far from a complete list of the best restaurants in New Orleans. This is nowhere close to the complete list of New Orleans restaurants I’ve visited. However, this is my list of the New Orleans restaurants I’ve enjoyed the most, with the exception of a couple of places locals don’t want to be discussed publicly. (You’ll have to get those names out of me at knifepoint.) There are several notable places I’ve visited that for one reason or another, I didn’t completely love at the time (Bayona, K-Paul’s, G.W. Finn’s, Muriel’s, Antoine’s, Elizabeth’s, etc.), and it’s important to recognize the broad array of opinions when it comes to dining in New Orleans. Your opinion can easily be swayed by ordering the wrong dish, the amount of rest you’ve had before dining, a server/host rubbing you the wrong way, an annoying dining companion, a broken air conditioner (it’s happened to me), etc. Additionally, it’s important to realize your food is being cooked and served by human beings, and human beings occasionally make mistakes, especially when they’re tired. While New Orleans restaurants tend to be very professional establishments with high standards for cooking and service, even the most elite places can occasionally buckle under the intense pressure of serving a seemingly endless stream of customers during a major event like Jazz Fest. I make no guarantees or bold claims here, aside from the fact that I’ve had at least one very enjoyable meal at each of these restaurants. Your mileage may vary.

Note: Listed neighborhoods may not be perfect, depending on who you talk to, but they are in the general vicinity.

*UPSCALE*

If you can, make a lunch reservation at Commander's Palace. It's an unbelievable experience at an absurdly low price at lunch. (You will pay through the nose at dinner.) The menu is constantly changing, but there are lots of prix-fixe lunchtime options, and martinis are only 25 cents! (It’s a three martini max per person.) I love Commander’s because the food is amazing, the service is excellent, but despite its surroundings, the vibe is really fun. Ask to be seated in the garden room with décor that is dated but glorious. It’s loud and boisterous. Men need to wear a jacket, although I believe this policy is slightly relaxed at lunch. Regardless, just suck it up and wear a jacket, bro. This is my favorite restaurant in the world. http://www.commanderspalace.com/ (GARDEN DISTRICT)

Commander's Palace and August are often considered the top two restaurants in New Orleans. August is great in a very different way. It's quite refined, a true "white tablecloth" establishment. While Commander's is also a white tablecloth place, they have a truly festive vibe that is a real 180 from the quiet and reserved August. August does a nice, seasonal $26.00 three-course lunch on Fridays, but reservations can be tough to come by. http://www.restaurantaugust.com/ (WAREHOUSE DISTRICT)

Peche - If you like seafood, go here. On paper, the menu doesn't look all that impressive, but if you love fresh seafood, it'll blow you away. After a couple of years, this is still one of the more popular restaurants in the city and a James Beard Award winner. You can have either lunch or dinner here, and some of the dishes (especially the whole grilled fish with salsa verde) are served family style. Regardless, the smaller plates are quite good for a smaller party. Definitely listen to the waiter's suggestions. When I was there, he recommended some raw Alabama oysters that were shockingly phenomenal. Note that this restaurant has ridden a wave of hype, which has naturally provoked many haters, particularly bitter locals. Such is life. I still love it. http://www.pecherestaurant.com/ (WAREHOUSE DISTRICT)

Toups’ Meatery - Very creative cooking here with lots of interesting dishes for the true carnivore. If you want things like house-made sausage, cracklins, or charcuterie, this is your place, but there are plenty of other good options on the menu, as well as solid cocktails. Ask for the off-menu beet martini. The chef/owner was on Top Chef, which is apparently very important to tourists. http://toupsmeatery.com/ (MID CITY)

Emeril's - It's somewhat cliché to recommend a place with a celebrity chef who is rarely in the house. However, when I went here a couple of years ago, Emeril's was outstanding. While I used to really love Emeril's Delmonico, and I had a great meal at his Nola last May, I think his original restaurant is still the best of his lot. I love the stellar andouille-crusted drum. They're also known for their unique preparation of Barbecue Shrimp. http://emerilsrestaurants.com/emerils-new-orleans (WAREHOUSE DISTRICT)

Upperline - This is one of my favorites. It's a little bit of a 1980s relic, but it still packs a serious punch. Upperline invented things like fried green tomatoes with shrimp remoulade, and they excel in Creole classics. They also offer a lot of sampler platters, and they're very flexible on substitutions. The vegetarian greens will have you swearing they used bacon, and the duck (with both sauces) is the best duck I've ever had. When I write this email for people, I usually tell them to order the duck five or six times, but I will spare you the lecture. Order the duck. This owner/hostess is a quirky woman whose whims often dictate the course of the menu with interesting specials. Every square inch of the place is adorned in art, which is both tacky and spectacular, or spectackyular. It's a unique place for a great meal. P.S. Order the duck. http://www.upperline.com/ (UPTOWN)

Brigtsen's - After having people recommend it for years, I finally took the plunge and visited. Amazing. Vibe is the key here. I've never experienced a meal quite like this. It looks and feels like you're eating a gourmet meal in someone's house. The hostess is the chef's wife, and she and the waitstaff just make you feel so damn comfortable. Eating in New Orleans is all about the experience and vibe, and you will find none better than Brigtsen's. This is not the place to go for a quick bite. This is a restaurant for kicking back to relax and enjoy a meal with friends. Don't get me wrong-- the food is also phenomenal. The duck is amazing, and the seafood platter is awesome and huge. You'll need to take a 45 minute streetcar ride or a 15-20 minute cab ride to get there from the Quarter. If you're going to see music on Oak Street at either the wine bar or The Maple Leaf, you won't be too far away. https://www.brigtsens.com/ (RIVERBEND)

Carrolton Market - Looking for an under-the-radar gem in the Riverbend? Look no further. Located around the corner from Brigtsen's, when I visited this bistro a couple of weeks ago, every dish was a winner, yet it was oddly empty inside. Recommended items: Oysters Goodenough, Crispy Pork Belly "Banh Mi," and Roasted Duck Breast. If you want to drool, look at the photos on the site. http://carrolltonmarket.com/ (RIVERBEND)

Palace Café - This seafood-centric restaurant on Canal Street is enormous and offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It’s not quite as pricey as its brethren, but the atmosphere is noisy. The crabmeat cheesecake is amazing. http://www.palacecafe.com/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

*MID-PRICE*

MoPho - Kick-ass Asian-meets-New Orleans cuisine! I love this place, and I’m dying to return. I can’t even tell you what to order. Everything I’ve tried has been so damn good. http://mophonola.com/ (MID CITY)

Lüke - John Besh's ode to Alsatian cuisine. They offer these "express meals" that are a tremendous bargain for lunch. You can find some great German/French dishes here like cassoulet and flammenkuchen, as well as Louisiana classics like Cochon de Lait or Shrimp Etouffee. They also serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner. http://www.lukeneworleans.com/ (CBD)

Cochon Butcher - Everyone raves about its big brother restaurant, the adjacent Cochon. However, I think Cochon is hit-or-miss, while Cochon Butcher is hit after hit after hit. This is just a great, unorthodox sandwich shop, butcher shop, and bar. I highly recommend the bacon pralines. (Buy them as souvenirs for anyone whom you want to love you forever.) Pretty much anything with pork is a solid bet here. Le Pig Mac is a play on the Big Mac, but it's made with pork, and it's friggin’ delicious. I also love the Buckboard Bacon Melt, Muffaletta, Marinated Brussels Sprouts, Duck Pastrami Sliders, Hot Boudin...Hell, I’d eat anything on the menu. I’d also probably eat the actual menu. http://www.cochonbutcher.com/new-orleans (WAREHOUSE DISTRICT)

Jacques-Imo's - It’s a perfect place to eat if you're hitting a show at the Maple Leaf next door. The food is boisterous and over-the-top (Alligator cheesecake, anyone?), but it's really tasty. The vibe is like a raucous, chaotic party. This is not a fine dining experience, although it's more like what would happen if a really good chef got drunk and decided to throw a big bash. You'll need to take a 45 minute streetcar ride or a 15-20 minute cab ride to get there from the The Quarter. (Addendum: This restaurant is woefully inconsistent. Sometimes, the food is excellent, and other times, it's under-seasoned and not noteworthy. The service is generally terrible, which seems to be a perverse point of pride. Even though I have friends who've really enjoyed their recent meals here, my last one was not good, so I'm going to wait a while before returning.) http://jacques-imos.com/ (RIVERBEND)

Three Muses - a small tapas and cocktail bar on Frenchmen with free live music. You can catch some great solos, duets, and trios here from really talented musicians. The small plates are very tasty, and the cocktails are quite good. This place is usually packed with little flexibility, so try to get your reservation in advance, especially if you hope to visit during Jazz Fest. http://www.3musesnola.com/ (MARIGNY)

Boucherie - Prices have gone up since it first opened, but it’s still very affordable, and the food is excellent. This is the story of a guy who served killer food from a truck outside Tipitina’s and did so well that he was able to open his own restaurant. Take my advice and be sure to order Grit Fries, Thai Chili Chocolate Chess Pie, and Krispy Kreme Bread Pudding. http://boucherie-nola.com (RIVERBEND)

Atchafalaya - I’ve only been here for brunch, but it was an outstanding brunch. This may be the only restaurant I know of that serves brunch Thursday through Monday. They’re open for dinner 7 days a week, as well, serving “slightly elevated Southern cuisine.” The make your own Bloody Mary Bar is a thing of beauty. http://www.atchafalayarestaurant.com (IRISH CHANNEL)

This is a nice afternoon small plate doubleheader on Poydras and Canal:

Drago's - They have a big seafood menu, but everyone gets one thing: charbroiled oysters. Broiled with garlic, parmesan, lemon, and butter, this super rich dish is often considered the best bite in New Orleans. Just split a dozen with someone (or order a half-dozen by yourself) and avoid everything else because you'll follow this up with a ten-minute walk into the Quarter to... http://www.dragosrestaurant.com/

Red Fish Grill - There are two things you must order here: Buffalo-BBQ fried oysters with blue cheese and double chocolate bread pudding. There are other good items on the menu, but those two are a must. You won't need a reservation at either place and can usually walk in any time. http://www.redfishgrill.com/

*CHEAPER/DIVES*

Coop's - It’s a classic dive with notable fried chicken, but you need to know that they serve the best Jambalaya you'll ever try. I ate here on my first trip, and I try to return every time I'm in town. Must order dishes: Jambalaya Supreme, Lamb Ribs, Green Beans with Bacon sauce. (Yes, you read that correctly.) Smoked Duck Quesadillas and Shrimp Creole are also good, but you must order the previous three dishes at a minimum. I will share dishes here, but I will not share my jambalaya. It's that good. This is a true dive. It is not what you or I would call “clean.” This place can be a haven for unsavory characters of both the two-legged and four-legged variety. (True story: I once ate here and saw the amazing Boobzilla lift a chair by only using her breasts, as the entire bar was treated to tequila shots for her birthday. It’s that kind of place. Leave your kids and nuns at home.) However, everyone I’ve brought here has been blown away by the food. Also, if you like the way your face looks, adhere to the “Please Wait To Be Seated” sign, or they will tear your face off. If you don’t like the way your face looks, have fun. http://www.coopsplace.net/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

Café DuMonde - If this is your first visit to New Orleans, you’ll want to go to this famous 24 hour place that pretty much only serves beignets, orange juice, and coffee. The beignets are pillows of fried dough that are buried under a mountain of powdered sugar. Everyone has eaten here while drunk at least once. Cafe Beignet in City Park does a better job of everything Cafe DuMonde does, but Cafe DuMonde has the ideal location. http://www.cafedumonde.com/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

Buffa’s - a very old restaurant on Esplanade, very close to Frenchmen Street. The front bar is open 24 hours, and the restaurant in the back is usually open late. If they have the potato chip-crusted gulf fish on special, get it. It’s damn good. They also have no-cover live music in the back, and I highly suggest you go here to see Tom McDermott and Aurora Nealand on Thursdays from 8-11. http://www.buffasrestaurant.com (MARIGNY)

Bacchanal - On a nice night, this popular outdoor Bywater winebar cannot be beat. However, expect it to be crowded and loud, as the secret is out. The wines are funky, interesting, and fairly cheap. The food is pretty good and the last time I was there, the prices were a steal. I had a steak with fries and whipped feta for something like $14. Helen Gillet plays here on Monday nights, and I love her solo cello work that can be jazzy, beautiful, or trippy. Unfortunately, it’s usually tough to hear he unless you’re up close. Plan on sharing a table with strangers. http://www.bacchanalwine.com (BYWATER)

Mahoney's - a new school po' boy joint on Magazine, not far from the Garden District. The menu is big and delicious, but po' boys are the focus. They've got the full roster of traditional po' boys, served in full (massive) and half (still friggin' big) sizes, as well as lots of modern creations and good cocktails. The award-winning Abita-braised short rib po' boy with onion straws, garlic mayo, arugala, and tomato is insanely rich. With every bite, I felt myself contracting gout. I can't wait to eat it again. http://mahonyspoboys.com/ (IRISH CHANNEL)

Domilese's - an OLD school po' boy joint Uptown. You'll need to get here by car. The sandwiches are huge and tasty. The beer selection is terrible, but it's cold. They close by 6:30PM M-F, 7:00PM on Saturday. Make sure they’re open before you make the trek. Don’t blame me if they’re closed. http://www.domilisespoboys.com/ (UPTOWN)

Killer Po' Boys - a new school po' boy joint in the Quarter. The sandwiches are small and delicious with high-end ingredients. They have two locations, but the original is in the back of the tiny Erin Rose Pub. http://www.killerpoboys.com/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

Tracey’s - It’s a pretty good sports bar, but the one thing to get here is the roast beef po’ boy, which is the best I’ve had in New Orleans. Don’t expect the red carpet treatment or great service. You’re in a New Orleans sports bar. It’s not Commander’s Palace. Remember that before you write your angry Yelp review. http://www.traceysnola.com/ (IRISH CHANNEL)

Crabby Jack’s - This is Jacques-Imo’s sister po’ boy-centric downscale restaurant. I’m of the opinion that po’ boys are the way to go here, and they’ve got some gems, served in massive sizes. I’m usually torn between the Slow Roasted Duck Po’ Boy, the Cochon de Lait Po’ Boy (the meat is tastier than what’s served on the Fairgrounds, although it doesn’t have the same delicious mustard sauce), or the Fried Green Tomato and Shrimp Remoulade Po’ Boy. The Gumbo is solid. Note that they’re only open for lunch and closed on Sundays. Also, they’re just at the edge of the city limits. For me, this is usually a stop on the way in from the airport. http://crabbyjacksnola.com/

Liuzza’s - You’ll recognize the one that’s across the street from Jazz Fest because of the mob scene around it. However, if you can get through the line, they make good Bloody Marys, and their BBQ shrimp po’ boy is very unique. If you really like black pepper, you’ll like it. The Mid City location has a better menu and more ambiance, along with ice-cold shitty beer. http://liuzzasnola.com/ (GENTILLY and MID CITY)

Dat Dog - Hit it on Frenchmen, Magazine, or Freret Uptown if you need a quick something before or between shows. Their sausages are solid, and choosing the chef's preparation is a wise move. I’m a fan of the fries smothered in crawfish etouffee. http://www.datdog.com/ (VARIOUS LOCATIONS)

The Store - I go here for one thing, the Fried Shrimp & Greens Po’ Boy, which is a fantastic sandwich. They’re only open for breakfast and lunch, closing at 2:30pm. Don’t go on the late side or you’ll risk them being sold out of collard greens. You do not want the sandwich without the greens. BTW, the greens are made with pork, as the Lord intended. http://thestoreneworleans.com (CBD)

Verti Marte - Are you drunk? Is it late at night and you want something to eat near the Esplanade side of the Quarter? This bizarre 24-hour deli is your place. Don’t expect the finest clientele at this time of night. Don’t expect gourmet food. Don’t expect anything involving logic. Certainly do not expect fast service. However, you can get a giant pile of booze-soaking food or a po’ boy to go. I’m partial to the Shrimp Philly (grilled shrimp, bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, Swiss cheese, American cheese, and “Wow” sauce). Do you have heartburn already? https://www.zomato.com/new-orleans/verti-marte-new-orleans/menu (FRENCH QUARTER)

Bai Chi Canteen - cheap but delicious small plates of Vietnamese food in the Riverbend. Go for the "bacos," which are Vietnamese tacos. https://www.zomato.com/new-orleans/ba-chi-canteen-new-orleans/menu (RIVERBEND)

Kebab - no frills doner/falafel joint on St. Claude that also has good Belgian frites. I like to eat here, so I can pretend I'm having a healthy meal. The cocktails are cheap. http://www.kebabnola.com/ (ST. ROCH)

Hi-Ho Lounge - a St. Claude music club that usually has a cool, popup kitchen Fry And Pie in the back. They serve exactly what you think they serve, and everything is tremendous. http://www.fryandpie.com/ (ST. ROCH)

Cassamento's - head Uptown, not too far from the streetcar, for this mecca of fried seafood. The specialty is the "Oyster Loaf," which is a massive fried oyster sandwich, and instead of using traditionally sliced bread, they cut two enormous pieces from a butter-soaked loaf. They also do chargrilled oysters and serve fries with the chargrilled topping. (TOURO/UPTOWN)

Juan’s Flying Burrito - There are two locations for this Creole taqueria. Is it incredible Mexican food? No, but it’s pretty good, and the slight Nolafication of menu items adds another layer to the fun. Notably, you can actually have a healthy meal here, and there aren’t too many places where I can say that. http://www.juansflyingburrito.com/ (MID CITY and GARDEN DISTRICT)

*SNOWBALLS*

Hansen’s Sno-bliz - They’re the granddaddy of snowball places, as they invented the ice-shaving machine in 1939 and created their own syrups for it. Despite its advanced age, this old shack still innovates with funky flavors, such as Thai Basil or Fresh Cucumber, and they’ll get crazy with toppings, such as Bananas Foster or Pineapple Habanero Relish. I’m not an expert in Snowball technology, so I can’t explain why it’s better than Hawaiian shaved ice, but it is better than Hawaiian shaved ice. More importantly, it’s cold and perfect for a hot day. http://www.snobliz.com/ (UPTOWN)

Sno-LA - Here’s what you need to know. They stuff their snowballs with cheesecake. I really shouldn’t need to explain anything else. http://www.sno-la.com/sno-la-uptown-menu.html (RIVERBEND)

*COCKTAILS/WINE/BEER*

Bar Tonique - They’ve got a combination of vintage cocktails, as well as their own creations. In my experience, everything is mixed well by knowledgeable bartenders. More importantly, they have a few classic drinks that are only $5 at a daily happy hour that lasts until 5PM, as well as $5 daily specials. http://bartonique.com (FRENCH QUARTER)

Cane and Table - A recent discovery for me, this joint specializes in cocktails of the tropical persuasion, although you won’t find sugary margaritas and frozen daiquiris. It’s a bit more sophisticated. Some of these creations go down smooth and way, way too fast. Apparently, they also have solid food. I didn’t partake in any of that, which is probably why I spent my afternoon following around a half-naked woman painted like a minotaur. There are photos... http://caneandtablenola.com/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

Carousel Bar - Located inside the Hotel Monteleone, the old school, classy bar is actually a slowly rotating carousel. They often have great live music for no cover, and the drinks tend to be well made. This is an ideal spot for a classic cocktail, such as a Ramos Gin Fizz. http://hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar (FRENCH QUARTER)

Orleans Grapevine - You’ll want to go here during their Bacon Happy Hour. (I will pause to let you read that again.) It’s from 4-6PM and 10PM-12AM, and they give you bacon with your drinks (I will pause to let you read that again), which may be the greatest concept since human rights. There are different wine and drink specials during happy hour, and if you order certain cocktails, you get to roll dice to determine the price. Land on 1, 2, or 3, and that’s what you pay. Make Drinking Fun Again! http://orleansgrapevine.com/ (FRENCH QUARTER)

The Avenue Pub - If you want to find the best beer selection in New Orleans, this is your place. Apparently, Boucherie’s chef has kicked up their food menu. The good news is that this pub is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week for 365 days a year. Finally, somewhere you can drink at 7am on Christmas morning! http://theavenuepub.com/ (GARDEN DISTRICT)

Nola Brewing Tap Room - You can find a lot more interesting examples and novel styles of their beer here than you will anywhere else. They’ve also got McClure’s BBQ in the house, although the Louisiana legislature may soon put an end to that. http://www.nolabrewing.com/ (IRISH CHANNEL)

Bacchanal - (see entry above)

Oak Street Wine Bar - The drinks are surprisingly inexpensive here, although the beer selection leaves much to be desired. The wine list is extensive. However, I really just like it because they often have live music, particularly at Jazz Fest. I like catching Andrew Duhon here. http://www.oaknola.com/ (RIVERBEND)

Bouree - The Boucherie people opened a wing, hot boudin, and daiquiri joint next door. I’ve not had the food, but I’ve become a huge fan of the Gin & Tonic Daiquiri. They have seasonal flavors, as well. http://www.bourreenola.com (RIVERBEND)

Happy Hour at John Besh restaurants - Most of the Besh restaurants offer some sort of ridiculous happy hour deal on both certain food items and certain drinks. I’ve been to some of these where I’ve been able to get drunk and stuffed for under $15. They don’t list the happy hour specials on their website, but if you call them, they’ll give you the 4-1-1. I do know that the happy hour at Domenica has become so popular that reservations are typically required. http://www.chefjohnbesh.com/restaurants/

*MOST OVER-HYPED RESTAURANTS*

1) Mother’s - It’s exciting when you’re a tourist because you feel like you’re doing something authentic. After a couple of years, you realize everyone in there is a tourist, and you’re all paying way too much for slightly-better-than-mediocre food. On my last visit, breakfast cost me nearly $40. Never again....at least not until I’m surrounded by hungry drunk people at 7am.

2) Parkway - But Obama ate here! So what? I’m gonna guess Obama didn’t exactly have his finger on the pulse of po’ boy culture. Look how thin he is. Never trust a thin man when it comes to po’ boys. Following lunch, if you don’t have to undo your belt, better yet, the button of your pants, I don’t want to hear your opinion on po’ boys. Your opinion should be limited to kale. Regardless, this place is not terrible, but it’s certainly not worth standing in a long line when there are so many better options in town. Go here if you need to do something in the neighborhood.

3) Cochon - Yes, there are some big hits on the menu, but there are also so many swings and misses. Years after opening, the hype train still chugs at an unbelievable pace for this place. Everyone has to go there because everyone has to go there because everyone has to go there. (Hint: You do not have to go there, but you do have to go to the vastly superior Cochon Butcher next door.)

*MY PERSONAL PO’ BOY RANKINGS*

1) Killer Po’ Boys - I can already hear grizzled New Orleanians ranting about how Brooklyn has ruined the po’ boy because New Orleanians blame everything that’s wrong with their city on Brooklyn. Good thing I’m from Queens.

2) Mahoney’s

3) Domilese’s

4) Crabby Jack’s

5) Tracey’s

13) Parkway

*MY TOP 5 PLACES I WANT TO TRY IN 2017*

1) Meril - http://emerilsrestaurants.com/meril

2) Rue 127 - https://www.rue127.com/

3) Turkey and the Wolf - http://www.turkeyandthewolf.com/

4) Katie’s - http://www.katiesinmidcity.com/

5) Bevi Seafood Company - http://beviseafoodco.com/

*SAGE ADVICE*

Tom Fitzmorris is an old-school food critic with deep knowledge of the New Orleans culinary tradition. His site, http://www.nomenu.com is a bible for me, and I consult it not only when I choose a restaurant among the 1,550 he’s covered in the greater New Orleans area, but I also am sure to consult his site before I order at said restaurant. Fitzmorris tells you exactly which dishes you need to order, greatly increasing your chances of enjoying the meal. Unfortunately, his site is a bit of a relic with a bevy of broken or hidden links, and it’s been undergoing a bit of a laborious rebuild that’s taken a couple of years with no end in sight. He used to post really helpful lists (there were over 100 of them in various categories), but they have now been removed. However, I’ve found some of the links, so here they are:

500 Best Dishes in New Orleans - https://nomenu.com/?page_id=42494

Bucket List - A Dozen Best Restaurants: https://nomenu.com/?p=6606

Dozen Most Underrated Restaurants: https://nomenu.com/?p=39647

Bakers Dozen Best Restaurants for New Orleans Cuisine - https://nomenu.com/?p=51534

Dozen Best Breakfast Restaurants - https://nomenu.com/?p=4678

If you consult Fitzmorris’ recommendations, your odds of enjoying a great meal will increase exponentially.

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thecitysidewalks · 7 years

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A Weekend Guide to Charleston

Every magazine. Every travel article. Every Instagram post. I couldn't get away from it. Charleston was right in my face everywhere I turned for the last couple years. The Holy City has been on the rise in popularity with travelers from all over the world and it was about time for me to get down there to see what all the hype was about. That and the fact that I also wanted to feel like a little princess amongst those candy colored houses and cobblestone streets...

I'm not even going to waste my time with a long intro to this post because the content below speaks for itself (I mean, just LOOK at that enormous food list!). This might even be one of the most comprehensive mini city guides I've ever put together for you... Use this handy weekend guide to Charleston so you can easily figure out where to eat, sleep, and play on any budget!

In case you haven't been tuning into popular culinary shows like Top Chef or Parts Unknown, Charleston has officially emerged as one of the great food meccas of our country (and I will gladly have words with anyone who says otherwise). You can come to Charleston and spend a month eating at a different place for every meal and you'd only begin to scratch the surface of what this city has to offer (you'll see what I mean based on my list). This city is on another level when it comes to food--and I am all about that level.

The best thing about the restaurant scene here is that you can really find just about any cuisine you're looking for at every price range. Plus, everything you eat is guaranteed to be fullllll with flavor (give me all the buttery shrimp and grits, I don't even care about my cholesterol). To help you narrow down your [endless] choices, here's a list of some of my favorite spots you should check out when visiting Charleston!

Budget:

Callie's Hot Little Biscuit, $, 476 1/2 King St -- Do yourself a favor and grab a nice, homemade biscuit from here to start of your day. They are soooo yummy and come in a variety of styles. Such an adorable little shop!

Persimmon Cafe, $, 226 Calhoun St -- Quaint little cafe/sandwich shop that is located in a laundromat (yes, a laundromat). But don't let that put you off because the sandwiches are to die for.

Brown Dog Deli, $, 40 Broad St -- Pet friendly spot with really great sandwiches and salads

Dashi Food Truck, $, Location Varies -- This little Asian/Latin fusion food truck is all the rage with locals. And honestly, how can you not love a place that has a slogan like this: "Put Some Sriracha in Your Sombrero." All you have to do is check their website schedule to see where they will be on what dates. They're often at the weekend Farmer's Market too, which is definitely something to check out if you're in town when it's open!

Sugar Bakeshop, $, 59 1/2 Cannon St -- Cute little bakeshop with delicious cupcakes and sweets in a fun area of town. Gluten free options available as well!

Bon Banh Mi, $, 162 Spring St -- Incredibly flavorful food (tacos and sandwiches galore) at this Vietnamese-style spot

Verde, $, 347 King St -- Good spot for a quick salad

Pink Bellies Food Truck, $, 73 Saint Philip St -- Another incredibly tasty food truck to stop by in Charleston. This one serves up Vietnamese style treats to their hungry customers. Location may vary, so just check on their website or social media

Breizh Pan Crepes, $, 39 George St -- Delicious crepe spot that offers both sweet and savory options (with gluten-free crepes available, too!)

Butcher & Bee, $($), 1085 Morrison Dr -- So this place is a little higher priced than the others on this budget section, but it is very worth a trip. The food and all the ingredients they use are extremely fresh and filling. The decor and vibe are also very fun, so it's worth a trip outside of the downtown area. Make sure to try the roast beef sandwich!

Moderate:

167 Raw, $$, 289 E Bay St -- Do not skip this place. UNREAL seafood menu? Check. Trendy decor? Check. Affordable prices for incredible seafood? Check. Cute bartenders and staff...? Check. If you're into a little Ahi Poke like I am, order the "GAINZ BOWL" when you go (yes, GAINZ with a "Z"). It's an off-the-menu item that the staff will surely know about. It's basically the Ahi Poke mixed with a little avocado. Delish delish delishhhhh...UGH! *mouth drips with drool*

Xiao Bao Biscuit, $$, 224 Rutledge Ave -- I had no idea the South could pack so much Asian flavor into a dish until I tried this place. Incredible option if you're looking for some Asian Soul Food Fusion around Charleston. Their most famous dish is the Okonomiyaki, which is a Japanese cabbage pancake that you can add candied pork, bacon, or an egg to. The flavors in all the dishes are unbeatable.

Edmund's Oast, $$, 1081 Morrison Dr -- Great brew pub just outside of the downtown area that's wonderful for people craving a quality beer accompanied by a hearty meal

R Kitchen, $$, 212 Rutledge Ave -- Come here to enjoy the chefs cooking a 5-course meal for you right in front of your face

Hominy Grill, $$, 207 Rutledge Ave -- Ideal place to grab some authentic Southern style breakfast

Avila, $$, 141 Calhoun St -- A Venezuelan food truck turned brick and mortar joint. The arepas and tostones are a popular combo here.

Fuel, $$, 211 Rutledge St -- Located in an old gas station in a trendy part of town, this little spot has a variety of Caribbean style food that keeps people coming back for more

39 Rue de Jean, $$, 39 John St -- A delightful French brasserie in the heart of Charleston

5Church, $$, 32 N Market St -- The interior (particularly the art and the ceiling) is really something to stop in and marvel at. The restaurant is located in an old church and the entire manuscript of "Art of War," is written in white on the ceiling. It is absolutely incredible to see! The food menu looks just as appetizing as the drinks, too!

Pawpaw, $$, 209 E Bay St -- There are quite a few reasons why the locals in Charleston are flocking to this new hotspot: The wine on tap, the hushpuppies and fries, and basically the rest of the menu. You can't go wrong with anything here.

Also try: Poogan's Porch, Jestine's Kitchen, Pearlz Oyster Bar, Cannon Green (beautiful interior!), and O-Ku

Luxury:

Husk, $$$, 76 Queen St -- If you can only pick 1 place to eat in Charleston, let it be Husk. DO NOT SKIP THIS PLACE! The hype is very real for all the right reasons. The food here, which is all sourced locally, is un-freaking-believable. I didn't care much for shrimp and grits until I came here and actually tasted real shrimp and grits. The food is outstanding and you probably will need to arrange to be wheelchaired home because it's nearly impossible to stop eating once you've tasted the deliciousness that comes out of that kitchen.

Chez Nous, $$$, 6 Payne Ct -- This adorable French spot, which is tucked away in a hidden alley, is a well kept secret amongst the locals. The trendy restaurant has a different menu every single day and posts the daily options on their Instagram page every morning.

The Ordinary, $$$, 544 King St -- There is nothing ordinary about this restaurant and its menu. If you're looking for a good seafood dinner in Charleston, this is your spot! The oyster sliders are definitely something to write home about.

Halls Chophouse, $$$$, 434 King St -- There's a lot of debate as to where you can truly find the best steak in Charleston, but Halls Chophouse just might come out on top... They have a Gospel Brunch on Sunday, and the service here is said to be incredible

Coast Bar & Grill, $$($), 39 John St, Ste D -- This little seafood spot is tucked away in a hidden alley (which is picture worthy in and of itself) and boasts some great happy hour specials. THe portions do not disappoint either.

The Macintosh, $$$, 479 King St -- This trendy spot off of King Street has a great assortment of seafood and meat dishes on the menu, as well as a thirst quenching drink menu.

Zero Restaurant + Bar, $$$, 0 George St -- A lovely, cozy restaurant located in the heart of the uber hip Zero George Hotel

Circa 1886, $$$$, 149 Wentworth St -- The epitome of fine dining in the heart of Charleston. This world renowned place is located in the carriage house of the Wentworth Mansion. Definitely a place to go if you're celebrating a special occasion.

S.N.O.B., $$$, 192 E Bay St -- The acronym stands for "Slightly North of Broad," which is exactly where this restaurant is located. The food here is very unpretentious and outstanding. You can get a nice combination of shared plates, or your own larger entree(s) if you prefer.

Cypress, $$$, 167 E Bay St -- Although this definitely classifies as a fine dining spot in the city, they do have a couple of nights that there are incredible specials. Maybe the locals have just done a really good job a keeping it a secret, but you can come here for $5 burgers on Mondays! Also try the Wasabi Tuna and Lavender Martini when you're here.

Also try: FIG, Amen Street Fish & Raw Bar, Magnolias, McCrady's Tavern, Trattoria Lucca, High Cotton

BONUS: PLACES TO GRAB A DRINK

*I don't normally include a list of places to drink in my city guides, but Charleston's options had quite a few that stood out to me. Here are my favorites:

Prohibition, $$, 547 King St -- Great spot for music and also has a tasty food menu

The Belmont, $$, 511 King St

5Church, $$, 32 N Market St -- See above in the food section

The Cocktail Club, $$, 479 King St -- Pseudo-speakeasy right along King Street

Closed for Business, $$, 453 King St -- Beer and bar food are the specialties here

Bin 152, $$, 152 King St -- For those looking for a good wine bar

Minero, $$, 153B E Bay St -- Great for spicy margaritas and tacos with the girls

The Gin Joint, $$, 182 E Bay St

Bar at Husk, $$, 74 Queen St -- Husk is a must-eat place just as Bar at Husk is a must-drink place

The Luxury Hotel

Belmond Charleston Place, 205 Meeting Street

The Belmond Charleston Place is the ultimate place where sophisticated luxury meets Southern charm. It was my preferred hotel in Charleston because of the gorgeous hotel amenities and its prime, central location. You can read more about my stay here (and even see a behind the scenes video) by going to this post right here!

Also try: The Dewberry

The Boutique Hotel

Zero George Street, 0 George St

If you're looking for a great hotel for a girl's weekend, Zero George Street might be your place. This charming and refined boutique hotel, which is set in 5 historic, restored homes, is sure to make you never want to leave. Guests can enjoy the on site restaurant, breakfast every day, and even wine/cheese receptions. They also have loaner bikes available for their guests to use to bike around the downtown area. Too cute!

Also try: The Spectator Hotel or The Restoration

The B&B Luxury Mansion

John Rutledge House Inn, 116 Broad Street

I stumbled upon the John Rutledge House Inn on one of my walks around Charleston and decided to pop in for a quick look. The concierge was so kind and friendly and he even let me get a look inside one of their suites! The rooms were incredibly elegant and glamorous and made me feel like I had literally stepped back in time. Definitely a beautiful place to put on the bucket list if historic mansions are your cup of tea.

Also try: Wentworth Mansion or French Quarter Inn

The Affordable Inn

King Charles Inn, 237 Meeting St

This wonderful inn is perfectly located right in the heart of downtown, making it perfect walking distance to get anywhere you need. They also have a lovely rooftop pool and terrace, making it a great place to cool off in the hot summer months.

Also try: The Vendue or 1837 Bed and Breakfast

Things To Do in Charleston:

Sign up for a Candle Making Class at Candlefish. This was by far one of the funnest things we did on our trip! You'll instantly fall in love with the store when you walk in, so it's cool to be able to take a class where you can actually make your own product to take home (even though I went home with about 20 other products as well...). It's also BYOB, which makes for a great excuse to drink mimosas before noon. Make sure to sign up ahead of time because space is very limited!

Take a day trip to Folly Beach or Sullivan's Island

Rent a bike for the day from a place like The Bicycle Shoppe or Affordabike Bicycle Shop.

Go Shopping! There are so many adorable and local boutiques placed all around the city of Charleston and finding them is half the fun. I personally love Candlefish, mac & murphy, Candy Shop Vintage, The Commons, Sweet 185, Luna, Worthwhile, V2V, Vestique, and The Impeccable Pig

Visit Charleston's Historic Houses. Since Charleston is so old, you can surely bet that you'll get your fair dose of history lessons in your trip if you visit the historic houses/museums around the city. I love these attractions because it feels like stepping into a piece of history! You'll see how incredibly well maintained some of these properties are as well. My personal favorites were the Aiken-Rhett House, the Nathaniel Russell House, and the Heyward-Washington House.

Walk along Rainbow Row and the Waterfront Park, which are probably the two most photographed locations in all of Charleston. I recommend going super early to avoid the crowds!

Shop for your dream home around Battery Park and White Point Gardens

Take a historic walking tour or carriage tour of downtown Charleston

Wander around the French Quarter and downtown areas. It is the best way you will find the city's adorable hidden alleys, colorful houses, and courtyards.

Explore Upper King Street, which is becoming the new hip and trendy area with lots of new restaurants and shops opening up.

HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TO Charleston? WHAT ARE YOUR FAVORITE THINGS TO EAT, PLACES TO STAY, OR THINGS TO DO? COMMENT BELOW WITH MORE RECOMMENDATIONS!

Thank you to Explore Charleston and Belmond Charleston Place for hosting my visit in Charleston. All opinions are my own.