Throughout my travels, I’ve eaten in a vast variety of settings. Some of them would hardly classify as formal, although the quality of what they served was shockingly good: the stand in Bergen, Norway, that peddled a delicious Jagtwurst, the street cart in Uppsala, Sweden, with the sweetest raspberries imaginable, the barbecue joint in Brooklyn with brown-paper placemats that served astoundingly tender pulled pork. But sometimes I crave something unique—a restaurant with atmosphere and an unmistakable sense of place and history that supplements the dining experience to such a degree that I’m still able to recall it fondly decades after I went here. Read about the top five atmospheric restaurants >
Tag Archives: dining
Get Your Mojo Back at Mojo BBQ
After an exceptional Mexican dinner at the bustling Casa Reina, I found myself at the more subdued Mojo BBQ the following evening. Also located in the historic district of St. Augustine, Mojo BBQ can definitely satisfy any discerning carnivore, as evidenced by its expansion to eight locations across Florida. And, unless you’re here on a night with live music, it comes with some fairly quiet neighbors. Read about it >
Share my story:
First-Rate Riverside Dining in Savannah
The oppressive early-summer sultriness of Savannah, Georgia, had been draining me—literally—all day. Fortunately, just as I began to hunt for a dinner spot, and just upon the verge of melting into a mound of putty-like flesh and liquified bones, I found myself along cobblestoned River Street, a strip of shops and restaurants facing the Savannah River. The excellent River House Seafood was my salvation. Read about it >
Share my story:
Florida’s Latin Flavors at Casa Reina
In the blistering summer heat of St. Augustine, Florida, when your skin feels as if it’s about to spontaneously burst into flame, I was lured toward the restorative breeze coming off the Matanzas River at the edge of the city’s historic district. It’s a wonderful place to cool off and the perfect location to have dinner. Casa Reina takes advantage of the views of the water and the handsome Bridge of Lions and combines it with an outstanding Latin menu. Read about it >
Share my story:
Here’s the Beef
Despite the abundance of large hotels and office buildings in downtown Atlanta, outdoor dining proved a little tricky to find. But, with determined perseverance, I managed to locate a few. Best of them all was Cuts Steakhouse, a higher-end Southern-style steakhouse that serves popular dishes with an upscale twist. Read about it >
Share my story:
A Lakeside Dinner in Dover, Delaware
From State Street Inn, my exceptional bed and breakfast in Dover, Delaware, I strolled through the Victorian Dover Historic District. Past Lakeside Cemetery, with an unsettling Hitchcockian number of black birds of prey perched on bare tree branches, I crossed over the adjacent placid Silver Lake. My destination was McGlynns Pub, my choice for this night’s dinner. A cool, slightly breezy evening drove everyone else inside, but I chose an outdoor table for its views of the lake and handsome waterfront houses, and the company of a forlorn injured Canada goose. Read about it >
Share my story:
Mediterranean Meals in New York’s NoHo
Originally opened in 1994 as an antique store in Manhattan’s NoHo neighborhood, Il Buco has since morphed into a wonderfully satisfying restaurant. Creatively blending Italian and Spanish cuisine into a flavorful Mediterranean fusion, Il Buco will effortlessly transport you and your taste buds to Southern Europe. Read about it >
Share my story:
The Best New Restaurant in Dover, Delaware
While staying at the wonderful State Street Inn in Dover, Delaware, I was able to walk to a handful of restaurants with outdoor seating. One of the best, Tavern on Kings, grants that outdoor seating on the generous front porch of an old and wonderfully maintained mansion across the street from the governor’s house. And the view comes with a very satisfying meal. Read about it >
Share my story:
Gorgin’ on Georgian
Exactly one week after watching a television show about traveling to Georgia (the ancient land tucked into the Caucasus region, not the Peach State), I stumbled upon a Georgian restaurant in New York. With fresh mental images of this intriguing foreign land, I knew I had to take advantage of this fortuitous coincidence and stop here for lunch to sample the flavors of this faraway nation. Read about Old Tbilisi Garden >
Share my story:
A Memorable Moroccan Meal in Toronto
As one of the most multicultural cities in the world, Toronto, Ontario, is home to people from nearly every country around the globe. From excellent cafés to ethnic eateries, Toronto and its residents, representing more than 230 nationalities, offer up just about every cuisine you can think of. One restaurant that rises to the top is The Sultan’s Tent & Café Maroc, where the compelling décor goes hand in hand with the exceptional menu. Read about it >
Stephen Travels 