Durango, Colorado has many good restaurants on Main St. and El Moro Spirits & Tavern might be the best. Super cool atmosphere and the actual bar is beautiful. There is a casual vibe going on yet the food and drinks are top notch. Serious craft cocktails and high quality food. I just stopped in for a drink and appetizer but I will be back!
If you are in the Durango, Colorado area, head over to the little town of Mancos and stop in Zuma’s Natural Foods and General Store. In the back they make some killer sandwiches. All natural and fresh ingredients made by people with big smiles on their faces. I had the turkey and was very very happy. If you are heading out for a hike, mountain bike ride, rafting, skiing or whatever; get a sandwich from Zuma’s before you go.
Mmmm. Avocado Toast and Moroccan Cous Cous at Cafe Gitane in Nolita. I love this place. Nolita is one of my favorite neighborhoods in Manhattan and this little French cafe is chill, tasty coffee and great food. And the waitresses wear these green uniforms. Awesome!
In NoHo in New York City, Il Buco has been rocking the Mediterranean-Italian food in a big way. It’s upscale and delicious. A block away is her sister joint, Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria. It’s Mediterranean-Italian fare as well, including house-cured meats & homemade bread, served at communal tables. I love this place. You can get meats and breads to go or have a seat and eat some delicious food. I bellied up to the bar and had some bread and meat around mid-day and couldn’t have been happier.
I love ramen and there is a lot of it in New York City. The East Village has Momofuku Noodle Bar and it’s real deal. This is a David Chang creation. He own’s a host of other fantastic joints in the city as well. I love this place. The food is fantastic and cheap! Works for me. I went for lunch and had the Spicy Miso Ramen with smoked chicken, poached egg and sesame. Excellent!
The Meatpacking District of New York City is a fun spot. Lots going on including the southern tip of the Highline which is a converted above ground train track into a walking path/park. It heads north for about a mile. The new Whitney Museum is here and so is Santina. A new joint by The Carbone Group which also boasts Carbone, Parm, ZZ’s Clam Bar and Dirty French. All great! Santina is a Coastal Italian joint serving up a menu that highlights vegetables and fish. Go for lunch or dinner. It’s fantastic. Pictured is the Octopus Spiedini. Light and so tasty!
If you are in New York City make sure you make a trip to the Lower East Side and visit Russ & Daughters. It is a family-owned shop of high-end smoked fish, caviar & New York-style specialty foods since 1914. So much fun stuff in there but the show stealer is the lox. They have around 6 different kinds and it is the freshest and tastiest you will ever have. I promise. I got Gravlax on a bagel with chive cream cheese, tomato, onion and capers. Just doesn’t get any better. They have just recently opened Russ & Daughters Cafe a block away which is a sit down joint serving all your Jewish favorites. Go and enjoy.
TriBeCa is a super cool neighborhood in Manhattan and Marc Forgione is a fantastic way to spend an evening. This is a killer farm to table joint in a very cool atmosphere. This is upscale eating in a low key yet cool environment. It was a warm summer night and the entire front door/wall of this place retracts so sit by the front and enjoy the summer breeze. I had the Alex’s Swordfish with Lior’s Shabazi, Baby Leeks Coco Beans, Celery Salsa Verde. So fresh and good. Outstanding! And for desert The 10 Minutes Cookies and Milk. Ridiculous (warm chocolate chip cookies)! This place made my whole day. And a great craft cocktail scene as well. I will go back many many times.
I was in Connecticut passing through Westport and stopped in Bar Taco. Tasty Mexican joint along the Saugatuck River. Now this is not a hole in the wall joint, although I love those. This more upscale but still fun and casual. And the food is excellent. Fun place and they have outdoor seating along the river.
Up near the Connecticut/Rhode Island border is the cute seaside town of Stonington, Ct. Ridiculously beautiful and quaint. And right in the heart of it is the Milagro Cafe. Outstanding Mexican food and fantastic margaritas. As is typically my tradition, I ate at the bar. Cozy little spot with great food and drinks. A winner in my book every time. And the Fish Tacos were delicious. A must go!
