November 9, 2009

Bouchon in Beverly Hills Los Angeles

Let Napa have French Laundry and New York City keep Per Se. Thomas Keller’s first Southern California outpost of the famed restaurant suits us Angelenos just fine.

  Beverly Hills, Food & Drink, Before You Die, Foodies

October 26, 2009

Bonny Doon Vineyard Tasting Room & Cellar Door Cafe San Francisco

Now you can taste beloved local winery Bonny Doon’s vintages smack-dab in the middle of Santa Cruz. Acclaimed toque Charlie Parker of Manresa is serving local tasting menus at the adjoining restaurant.

  Natural Bridges, Food & Drink, Calorie Counts, Take Your Out-of-Towners

October 21, 2009

M Bar Los Angeles

Owner Joe Reynolds transformed a strip-mall Romanian restaurant into a cross between an old-school Hollywood haunt and a gussied-up basement rec room with a basic Italian menu and some sort of entertainment (comedy, dramedy, live music) six nights a week.

  Hollywood, Culture, Dinner Theater, Experimental

October 1, 2009

Pizzeria Stella Philadelphia

Get on board with the pizza trend at this restaurant where brutalist design meets old-world Italian charm. Expect to find pies that are traditional (margherita) and inventive (sweet fennel sausage).

  Center City, Food & Drink, First Date, Laid Back

September 28, 2009

The Little Door Los Angeles

Big Mediterranean flavors rule in this sprawling restaurant with several cozy dining areas, including a lush secret-garden-like patio.

  Beverly Center, Food & Drink, Alfresco, Cozy

September 24, 2009

NoVi Philadelphia

  Fairmount, Food & Drink, Bar Menu, First Date

September 24, 2009

Aura London

Sleek West End restaurant, cocktail bar and club. Book a table for dinner — and stay for dancing.

  West End, Food & Drink, Classic Cocktails, Dancing Queen

September 14, 2009

Volterra Seattle

  Adams, Food & Drink, Private Parties, Romantic

September 8, 2009

Rhodes W1 Brasserie London

It may well be the younger, louder and more fun younger sibling to celebrity chef Gary Rhodes’s adjacent restaurant, but the dependable modern British grub certainly isn’t much cheaper.

  Marble Arch, Food & Drink

September 8, 2009

Trummer's on Main Washington, D.C.

Set in tiny Clifton, the family-owned restaurant sources Virginia ingredients for ultra-seasonal, creative dishes. Request to sit in the airy Winter Garden.

  Clifton, Food & Drink, Brunch, Private Parties