New York
Porchetta, New York, NY
I mean - what is there to say? I love the Porchetta Sandwich, and this place knows exactly how to do it.
110 East 7th St. NY, NY / Phone: 212.777.2151
ABC Kitchen, New York, NY
I am obsessed with Dan Kluger's cooking, and we go to ABC Kitchen whenever we can. One more than one occasion, we have ordered this roasted squash toast for an appetizer and then ordered it again at some point in the meal because we just needed more.
35 East 18th St. NY, NY / Phone: 212.475.5829
Cercle Rouge, New York, NY
I head to Cercle Rouge on pretty much a weekly basis, and we always start with their house special wings. It's hard to believe that a French Bistro can do wings successfully, but theirs are spectacular. They are crispy, just spicy enough, and more elegant than your usual wing. I love them.
241 West Broadway NY, NY / Phone: 212.226.6252
Max, New York, NY
I love Max -- there's one in my neighborhood, and it's the perfect little Italian place. The chicken liver crostini has the perfect balance of liver and bread, and the lasagna is so delicious and hearty that it's ridiculous.
181 Duane Street NY, NY / Phone: 212.966.5939
Viet Cafe, New York, NY
Sweet Sausage Fried Rice at Viet Cafe: if I could eat this rice every day, I would. The sweet sausage is perfectly cooked, and the rice itself is fluffy and super flavorful - nothing like your typical fried rice.
345 Greenwich St. NY, NY / Phone: 212.431.5888
Daniel, New York, NY
Anything Daniel makes is delicious and amazing.
60 East 65th St. NY, NY / Phone: 212.288.0033
Birreria at Eataly, New York, NY
Amazing beers and salumi--and you can't beat the Manhattan skyline from their roof.
200 5th Ave. NY, NY / Phone: 212.937.8910
Xi'an Famous Foods, New York, NY
Love the spicy lamb face salad at Xi'an Famous Foods. Sounds weird, but it's delicious!
81 St. Mark's Place NY, NY
Deans Pizza, New York, NY
The white pizza with sausage from Dean's is a must. It's crispy, cheesy and has just the right amount of sausage. And they deliver!
349 Greenwich Street NY, NY / Phone: 212.966.3200
Crispo, New York, NY
Whenever anyone asks me what my favorite restaurant in New York is, I say Crispo. I am a huge fan of the pastas, and my wife Pam can't live without the pork shank. We love the place so much that we got married here. Chef Frank Crispo does a great job of making us feel at home.
240 West 14th St. NY, NY / Phone: 212.229.1818
Extra Virgin, New York, NY
I love this West Village spot. The food that chef Joey Fortunato prepares and the atmosphere which he creates are unbeatable. I also worked with Joey at Prix Fixe a few years ago.
259 West 4th St., NY, NY / Phone: 212.691.9359
Esca, New York, NY
Back when I worked at Terrance Brennan's Prix Fixe, David Pasternack was my Sous Chef. Now David works at Esca, and I can't get enough of it. Whenever I am looking for a great seafood meal, I go here.
402 West 43rd Street / Phone: 212.564.7272
Locanda Verde, New York, NY
I always enjoyed chef Andrew Carmellini's cooking at Cafe Boulud and A Voce, so I was thrilled to have him join our TriBeCa neighborhood. I think he does a great job of making guests feel welcome, and the prices are just right.
377 Greenwich Street / Phone: 212.925.3797
France
Chez Denise, Paris, France
This is my favorite bistro in Paris. It has good food, a lively atmosphere and great wine. I also like it because it doesn't break the wallet.
5 Rue des Prouvaires Paris, France / Phone 01.42.36.21.82
Chez Robert et Louise, Paris, France
The Marais' Chez Robert et Louise is not to be missed on a trip to Paris -- meats are prepared to order on an open fire and served up on wooden platters (along with irresistible potatoes: my daughter's favorite).
64 Rue Veille du Temple 75003 Paris, France / Phone 01.42.78.55.89
Les Gourmets des Ternes, Paris, France
Les Gourmets des Ternes is an excellent bistro with classic French fare.
87 Boulevard de Courcelles 75008 Paris, France / Phone 01.442.27.43.04
La Rotisserie d'en Face, Paris, France
La Rôtisserie d'en Face, a grill room in the St Germain area, is another must-try while in town.
2 Rue Christine 75006 Paris, France / Phone 01.43.26.40.98
Restaurant Allard, Paris, France
Allard in Paris has roast chicken for two to die for... seriously! Chicken is roasted to order. One of my favorites.
41 Rue Saint Andre des Arts, Paris, France / Phone 01.43.26.48.23
Restaurant de Philippe & Jean-Pierre, Paris, France
Back when I went to live and cook in Paris, I worked under chef Jean Pierre Brault. He taught me much of what I know and apply to my cooking now. Whenever I go back to Paris, I love to eat at his restaurant. I love to get my friends and family together, dress up, and really experience true French culture.
7 Rue du Boccador 75008, Paris / Phone: 01.47.23.57.80
Italy
Ambasciata d'Abruzzo, Rome, Italy
This is a great way to experience the roman and abruzzese cuisine. I love to get the sausages here -- they come with a cutting board and knife. One thing to note is that the restaurant is closed most of the month of August.
Via Pietro Tacchini, 26 (Parioli) 00197 Roma / Phone: 06.8078256
Grotte del Teatro di Pompeo, Rome, Italy
The Grotte del Teatro di Pompeo in Rome is outstanding -- beautiful, simple pastas and fresh fish from the mediterranean sea.
Via del Biscione 73-74 00186 Roma / Phone: 06.68803686
Al Palazzaccio da Piero, Spoleto, Italy
Al Palazzaccio is a family-run trattoria with traditional Spoleto fare. In the warmer months, long lunches in the garden make for great culinary memories. Their Spaghetti Benedettina with bay leaves is so simple and unforgettable. They have an entire menu of black truffle dishes: a specialty of the region.
localita San Giacomo km. 134 06048 Spoleto / Phone: 06.68803686
Ristorante dei Pini, Spoleto, Italy
This place is is filled with construction workers and business men on their lunch breaks and is presided over by Giancarlo, who has worked there since he was a teenager and comes over to your table to recite the menu of the day from memory. Their "tagliatelle ai pini" are a favorite, as are the strangozzi and the many side dishes -- from wild asparagus, to sautéed chicory, to fresh mixed salad.
Via 3 Settembre 1 06049 Spoleto / Phone: 39 (0)743.48156
Ristorante Pecchiarda, Spoleto, Italy
My brother has a house in this small village in Italy and we love to go to Pecchiarda for their Veal stuffed "agnollotti" (similar to ravioli) with sweet onion sauce and their Pollo Pecchiarda. It's casual Italian cooking at it's best.
Vicolo San Giovanni 1 06049 Spoleto / Phone: 39 (0)743.221009
Brazil
Pizzaria Basilico, Florianopolis, Brazil
I know Brazil doesn't usually make you think of good pizza, but a local of Florpia recommened this place to me last time I was there surfing, and I really can't stop thinking about it. I wouldn't describe the pizza as any particular style. It's just plain good.
Rua Laurindo Janurio da Silveira 647, Florianopolis, SC / Phone: 048.232.1129
Costa Rica
Lola's Bar and Restaurant, Avellanas Beach, Costa Rica
I recently went to Costa Rica with my family and stumbled upon Lola's. Honestly one of the best beach lounges I've been to! We ended up eating there every night of our trip. The food is extremely fresh and delicious, and the atmosphere can't be beat. We loved the pizza! And my kids loved the pet pig.
At main entrance to Playa Avellanas, Playa Avellanas / + (506) 2658-8097
Belgium
Les Brassins, Brussels, Belgium
At the end of a quiet, windy street, this lively places serves up Belgian classics that are to die for, from mussels to stewed rabbit.
36 Rue Keyenveld 1050 Brussels / 02.512.69.99
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