One of the best delis in the world. Great pastrami and corned beef, wonderful steam table. Frequented by fireman, policemen and a diverse cross-section of real Chicagoans.
1141 S Jefferson, south of Loop (take a taxi)
This is a Mexican themed bar and restaurant in the heart of Borovets. The food is great and quite reasonably priced, but the main reason to visit is the atmosphere. The live band, who are known as Sound Forge, are superb. They cover old rock (think Hendrix, Led Zep, Black Sabbath) as well as some more up to date stuff like Oasis and Green Day. The bar staff are also fantastic - the last time I went I ended up behind the bar learning to mix cocktails. Any trip to Borovets must include a drink (or several) here.
Halfway up the hill between the gondola and the Rila square
The best vegetarian restaurant in Lisbon (and one of the very best I've ever been to).
Amazing buffet with vegetarian versions of traditional Portuguese food. It is like being at home with a very talented Portuguese friend!
They have a wall full of awards and press clippings. Moby has been there and praised the place, as have several other very well-known artists.
It can get crowded, especially on weekends.
Rua da Palmeira, 15 1200-311 Lisboa
near garden of Principe Real and Barrio Alto
www.terra.vg
Melbourne is undoubtedly the foodie capital of Australia and the choice of restaurants is overwhelming. Should you find yourself out of the CBD's foodie haven and in the suburb of Camberwell, seek out the Afghan kitchen. I started with a platter of starters to share, which consisted of north-west frontier lamb dumplings, roasted aubergine and flat bread. For mains I had the bamia - okra cooked the Middle Eastern way in a tangy, tomato sauce and to finish off, a trio of mini desserts consisting of barfi (pistachio cake), firni (rosewater and cardamom custard) and Baklava. Pleasant ambience, a culinary experience that's a bit different and friendly service make this place a winner. And the icing on the cake - averagely priced!
923 Burke Road, Camberwell 3124, Melbourne
Phone (03) 9882 2775
The easiest way from the CBD is to take the train from Flinders Street and get off at Camberwell station, which is on Burke Road and minutes away from the Afghan kitchen. There also is a tram route that services Camberwell.
Google map: tinyurl.com/qv8mbd
If you only have a few days and are starting in New York City, I might suggest following US 1, a highway which goes from Maine to Florida Where available, you can choose to take US 1A (also known as Alternate US 1 - it's not a contiguous highway) for a more scenic coastal route. From New York, you can head north into New England (cool days, chilly nights in April). Or, for warm weather, head south from New York along the Mid-Atlantic coast into the South and all the way to Key West, if time permits.
Some of the best American regional cuisine is located along the East Coast. Most of the seasonal diners, crab shacks and lobster pounds will be open by April, but not yet crowded. My personal favorites include: the Maine Diner in Wells, Maine; Essex Seafood in Essex, Massachusetts; Durgin Park in Boston, Massachusetts; Mrs. Wilke's Dining Room in Savannah, Georgia; the Dixie Crossroads in Titusville, Florida; and Wolfie Cohen's Rascal House in Miami Beach, Florida. There are simply too many to list; you need to get the Roadfood book or see their website. Happy travels and happy eating.
As a long weekend break I would highly recommend Istanbul. If the stunning mosques and Ottoman architecture don't fascinate you, there is always the grand bazaar or spice markets. Ferries run up and down the Bospherous, constantly connecting the Dead Sea with the Sea of Marmara. The food is exceptional. Whether you'd like to try a real kebab at the top of Istekal where the stall sells over 10,000 per day, or sit in an outdoor restaurant overlooking the sea drinking very quaffable Turkish wine and eating freshly caught fish, the food will never disappoint. Turks love to dance, and the clubs rival anything in London. In the summer the parties move onto the roof terraces. Locals tend to be warm, friendly and helpful to the point of bending over backwards. I came out here for a weekend earlier last year and now I live here. You can't get a better recommendation than that!
When in Cape Town, enjoy the V&A waterfront, which is wheelchair-friendly and take a harbour cruise for magnificent views of Table Mountain and the wharf. Also, the cafes and restaurants on Long St are usually quite friendly!
N. America's Disabled Adventurer
www.bluechairbook.com
It’s impossible not to fall in love with this restaurant. The decor is amazing, original and really romantic.
My boyfriend and I had a great time there. A good tip is to stay on the upper floor and have dinner at those lovely low tables with pillows. The food is quite exotic and very tasty.
Osteria Vivaldi was the site of our first dinner in Venice. It was just around the corner from our hotel in San Polo, and there were several families dining there. The tantalising menu is online. The Risotto di pesce was a highlight! It was a great restaurant and not very expensive. I'd definitely go there again.
www.osteria-vivaldi.com
Osteria Vivaldi
san polo 1457
Venice
Veneto
30125
Osteria Vivaldi is located on the Calle della Madonnetta in San Polo. You can reach it from the Rialto vaporetto platforms or, more conveniently, from the No. 1 vaporetto's San Silvestro stop
The area of bars and dives around the evangelical church opposite the main Post Office is undistinguished except for this surprisingly civilised restaurant. It serves Portuguese and Mozambican meals in a large open area. Excellent cooking and range of beers and wines.
Rua 25 de Setembro - Parque do Desportivo
Pemba
tel: +258 272 20415
We found this friendly little bar/cafe whilst in Menorca this year. It's in the shadow of a hotel called Mar De Menorca but holds its own where food is concerned. The food was a real taste of home, we could tell it was home made and it was really tasty. The reason we felt the need to post this tip is the family who run Chepas are so friendly and went out of there way to make us welcome. Good food, good drink.
Es Canutells, 7 miles south-west of Mahon. Close to the lovely cove of Cala Canutells.
One of the best pizzas I have EVER had... gourmet pizza at its best. Plus the roof opens once it turns into a club :)
Great restaurant in central Sydney that’s reasonably priced and has soaked up more than a little of the city’s party atmosphere… Loud, funky music makes a great night out but probably not the best romantic meal! They also have a BYOB (bring your own bottle) policy on wine ($2 corkage) that helps save some more cash.
1 Broughton Street (Kirribilli)
Google map: tinyurl.com/re7e9g
A restaurant which is a cut above the pizza/pasta joints. We ate there five nights running. Could not fault the food or service.
Pioneer Road, just off Bugibba's (round) square. Phone 2157 1604, mobile 9984 6767. Book because it's always busy!
Amazing restaurant, with great food, delicious drinks and unique decoration. It looks like an antique shop and they can also sell the furniture if you like. My girlfriend and I loved it - highly recommended.
www.miammiam.com.br/
Rua Gòes Monteiro 34
Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro
+55 21 2244-0125
An amazing B&B within walking distance of the old, medieval city, canal du midi and main town. Marlene and Michel are perfect hosts. Breakfast (with lots of coffee, croissants, bread, home-made conserves and yummy chocolate cake) was served in their delightful garden. Exquisite.
Maison Sans Frontiere
33 Rue Teisseyre
11000 Carcassone
Tel 06 21 53 69 30
(20 min walk or €6 taxi from Carcassone)
This is a lovely XVIII century Italian villa - just four large ensuite bedrooms, the bathrooms are ultra modern with a walk in wet room. As an extra bonus, all hot water is produced fron the solar panels! In the grounds there is a beautiful saltwater swimming pool and spa. We found the place through a special offer in the Guardian.
One evening there was a pizza party, and we made our own pizza in the wood-fired oven (great fun) plus we had plenty of the Primitivo house wine!
The villa is privately run and the owners take great care of the guests, we even had a complimentary bottle of Prosecco on arrival.
If you're lucky enough to dine at the villa, you'll have a real home-cooked Italian meal (only organic vegetables) of three courses with house wine included, and homemade limoncello, all for just 20 euros!
We'd never been to the 'heel of Italy' before - it is quite different from northen Italy, plenty to see like the picturesque town of Ostuni (worth a visit), Alberobello, Lecce etc.
www.villamagnoliaitaly.com
Southern Italy
Brindisi (direct flights Ryanair) 10 min drive.
Bari (Direct flights) Ryanair and BA
50 min drive
Naples.. Easyjet and Thompson
3/4 hr drive
This stunning, unassuming restaurant in San Telmo has possibly the best tasting menu in the world! About 20 small dishes (with matching Argentinian wines) for 500 pesos for two people, and delightful staff. A bargain since this is not far off Fat Duck standards of food. Three hours of pleasure.
Bolivar 865
4361-865
Google map: tinyurl.com/m8fbyu
All the possible processes in fish trading can be seen in one place. The catch is landed from boats onto the shore, from where it goes straight to the auction section to be sold to wholesalers. From there it is a quick trip across the road, past the stalls selling shells and other fishy artefacts and to the retail section.
At the back the fish is fried in a haze of fire and smoke and ready for selling to the public.
On the shore and at the end of Ocean Drive where it turns into Kivukoni Front
Bistro restaurants - excellent value for money, for example two-course lunch for £6.90; dinner for £7.90; three-course lunch for £9.90 and dinner for £10.90. Delicious Mediterranean food and good, quick, informal service.
www.bistro1.co.uk/
3 branches: 1 on Southampton Street, 1 on Beak Street and 1 on Frith Street.