Grubarazzi

I've raved about Woodberry Kitchen on Grubarazzi before. With its eclectic eco-urban charm and great locavore food, it's one of the best restaurants in Baltimore. But I always make reservations weeks in advance to ensure a seat at an okay table with an above average view. That is, until I grabbed a seat at the bar on a whim with friends early one Saturday evening. Call it luck. Call it perfect timing. We found three empty seats in a totally packed restaurant with a perfect view of the lively kitchen. WK is an entirely different experience sitting bar side, with handsome bartenders dressed up as hip urban farmers slinging perfectly measured and chilled cocktails in front of your eyes. It was magical watching them create one $12 cocktail after another with precision, grace, and the occasional taste test to ensure accuracy. We went for one cocktail but stayed for three while we nibbled on One Straw Farm popcorn, deviled eggs,fancy roasted sprouts on toast, ...

I started plotting our food adventure the moment I heard we were flying to San Francisco and traveling up the coast to Portland. The first day’s agenda was clear: get off the plane in San Francisco, pick up the rental car, stop by the Ghirardelli factory for fresh chocolate, and swiftly make our way to Sutro’s at the Cliff House. Surrounded by the Pacific Ocean and a national park, the Cliff House is absolutely gorgeous. The building itself leaves much to be desired but there is natural beauty abound. One cannot help but stare out of the soaring windows during the entire meal. The restaurant has mixed reviews; however, trusted family members knew we would love it. They were right. The waiter immediately saw the ravenous look in our eyes and supplied us with a never ending bread basket while we looked over the menu. Stick with what this place is known for.  Pacific seafood is their game so don’t you dare get the lamb sandwich (I was tempted after seeing a waiter pass with an...

Eating is something I take great pleasure in. Whether I’m cooking, testing a new restaurant or enjoying an old standard it’s the exploration of flavors, smells and the environment that fill me with deep happiness. Last night, the rents and I found our way to Trattoria Lisina in Driftwood, Texas. Driftwood is situated in the Texas Hill Country just outside of Austin and close to my parents’ home in Buda. Famous chef Damian Mandola built Trattoria Lisina and the neighboring Mandola Winery from the ground up. This is his baby and it shows. Trattoria Lisina’s setting alone would have even the most anxious nut relax in to the landscape. Upon entering the front gate we were greeted by a family of deer to the left and beautiful rows of young grape vines to the right. The restaurant is surrounded by gardens filled with native Texas plants and flowers. You can buy a bottle of wine (or two) and relax in the gardens while you wait to be seated. It’s packed every night with fo...