
But it’s not likely that I”ll fly to New York for a cronut or to Los Angeles for a French Dip sandwich from Phillipe’s. But the next time I”m in either town I’ll find time to try them. To me that’s one of the best things about travel.
I remember a Chinese restaurant in the Chelsea neighborhood in New York that took Chinese food to a whole new level. I was ready to order what I always do when a friend saved me and ordered for me. Let me just say, there are dumplings and then there are dumplings.
Years ago, a little Mexican restaurant in Pueblo Colorado was my first introduction to HOT food. Maybe I couldn’t feel my lips for a while but no other place makes enchiladas like they do.
I had never had the lemony tart but smooth liqueur, Limoncello until one night in Sorrento on the Amalfi Coast. I’ve had it since but it’ll never be the same.
Food can be the ribbon that wraps around your travel making it a gift. I hound the front desk or concierge at my hotel for what’s different and what’s good to eat in the area. I ask shop keepers and business associates for recommendations. And if I’m in Philly I”m having a Philly Steak Sandwich or in Memphis, it’s barbecue.
I live in St. Louis and it’s almost an embarrassment of riches when it comes to restaurants here. I’ve had so many great meals in town but I can always go back and have it again. When I had that incredible dinner at a little corner table across from Lee at Le Souffle in Paris, it is locked in my memory and it just can’t be duplicated.
I learned something a few years ago when I was in Berlin. It was cold outside, I was tired, jet lagged and would have ben perfectly happy to go to bed early and skip dinner. But I was in Berlin, in Germany, in Europe! That doesn’t happen everyday. The front desk gave me directions to a restaurant 2 blocks away that was a favorite among locals. I tried the wienerschnitzel and spaetzle recommended by my new friend at the front desk and it was amazing. Think tender breaded pork cutlet with applesauce on the side and the most mouthwatering egg noodles I’ve ever had. The thought of missing out on that meal makes me shudder.
Those Best Restaurant lists are a good place to start and can tempt you to get out of that hotel room at night. Just don’t miss the chance to try something wonderful.