Travel Faves

Favorite Spots from Recent Travels

Asheville, NC
The Admiral Dive bar atmosphere with incredibly gourmet food…a must try if in the area.
Thirsty Monk One of the best beer bars I’ve visited…went there more than once on our trip.
Craggie Brewery Loved the quaintness of this tasting room…and the beer!
La Zoom Tours Ok, so not a bar or restaurant, but you can bring your own beer or wine on the bus.  Highly recommended if you have a sense of humor.

Indianapolis, IN
Flat 12 Bierwerks Good beer.  Cool place.  Free sampling.
Goose the Market If this little market was in my area, I would shop (and eat) there all the time!

Madison, WI
Karben4 Brewery New brewery in town making some great beer.
The Great Dane  My favorite place in Madison for a beer…and the food is good too.
Nostrano Inventive, delicious, and reasonably priced gourmet food.  Sign me up.

New York, NY
Eataly    Awesome Italian complex of groceries, bars, and eateries.
Eleven Madison Park  Best. Lunch. Ever.  Worth the splurge!
Gramercy Tavern  Loved eating at the bar; gourmet food with good beer and wine choices.
Jimmy’s No. 43   Great beer bar with good food.

St. Louis, MO
Niche One of the best meals I had in 2010.  Had a most delicious pork pasta starter and perfectly cooked trout as my main.  Yum.  Grab a cocktail next door at Taste before or after dinner.
Soulard Farmer’s Market This was so much fun.  Have a beer or a bloody mary and browse the market.
The Bridge Very cool beer and wine bar…

San Diego, CA
Cafe Chloe French-inspired cafe type restaurant.  Great little bar for dining solo…enjoyed a fabulous lunch while my travel companions watched football.

Santa Barbara Wine Country, CA
Figuerora Mountain Brewery   (Buellton) Cool brewery with fun tasting room.
Paula’s Pancake House  (Solvang) Breakfast done right.  Perfect place to start your day before heading to the tasting rooms.
Sides Hardware and Shoes   (Los Olivos) Perfect place for lunch in the middle of wine tasting in Los Olivos.  The burgers are outstanding!
Succulent Cafe (Solvang)  This tiny restaurant serves up amazing meals at a reasonable price.

Savannah, GA
Mrs. Wilke’s Boarding House Family-style southern goodness…yes it is worth the wait!
Olde Pink House We dined in the downstairs bar for a more casual setting.

Seattle, WA
The Book Bindery  We had a lovely meal here and loved that we could visit the attached winery for tastings before dinner.