I was sure that I would be able to find a restaurant in the South Astoria neighborhood of Queens, New York, where I could sample a cuisine I had never had before. After all, it’s not that uncommon here to see an Egyptian hookah lounge, an Italian deli, a Greek bakery, a Thai restaurant, and an Irish bar all on the same block. So, when I spotted the Ecuadorian flag in the windows of Barzola, I knew I had located what I was searching for. Read about it >
When I saw the Miss Saigon sign on a building in downtown Tucson, Arizona, I thought, for a second or two, that I might catch a show that night that I had never seen on Broadway. But I was deceived. The building wasn’t a theater, and the Miss Saigon sign wasn’t for the musical. Rather, it was for a superb Vietnamese restaurant, and it made for an unexpectedly delicious dinner. Read about it >
Tom Sawyer and Huck Finn. Two of the most well-known characters in American letters. Still, despite my Bachelor of Arts degree in English and love of classic literature, I have never read either of their adventures. In fact, I’ve read very little of Mark Twain’s works—just A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court and The Innocents Abroad. So, when I found out that Twain’s historic house was located just a mile from where I was staying in Hartford, Connecticut, at the Goodwin Hotel, I decided it was time to better familiarize myself with his canon and with his fascinating life, all of which unfolds beautifully at the Mark Twain House and Museum. Read about it >
Thanks to a recommendation from the staff at my hotel, I found my way to Stagecoach, just outside the heavily-touristed core of Sedona. It turned out to be the first good dinner in Arizona after four days of mediocrity around the Grand Canyon. With some pretty impressive plating, Stagecoach brings a sophisticated air to a county roadhouse—even if you’re sitting next to a mechanical bull. Read about it >
I was spending a few days in Kansas’ largest city, enjoying some great barbecue, a wonderful botanic garden, a good zoo, and some worthy museums. Sometimes on foot, sometimes by car, I continually happened upon some excellent architecture that is easily among the best in the state and that add greater interest to the city. Read about the top five buildings in Wichita, Kansas >
Despite a conversion from an apartment building and several complete renovations, the Goodwin Hotel in Hartford, Connecticut, hasn’t turned its back on its history. A fixture in downtown since 1881, the hotel has retained much of its backstory while infusing contemporary flair and services, making it not only the sole boutique hotel in the city but also one of its best accommodations. Read about it >
The northernmost neighborhood in my home borough of Brooklyn, New York, Greenpoint boasts fantastic views of the Manhattan skyline, a number of architectural landmarks, and a history of producing a long line of entertainers, such as Pat Benatar, Mickey Rooney, Mae West, and Awkwafina. It’s also home to the second-largest concentration of Polish-Americans in the United States—and that means lots of excellent Polish food, including at Relax Restaurant. Read about it >
Downtown Hartford, Connecticut, doesn’t have a huge restaurant scene, so I shouldn’t have been surprised when I walked into Salute and found it packed to capacity. But the absence of a large concentration of eateries isn’t the only reason Salute’s patrons keep coming back to this hotspot—a tireless and attentive staff, an involved owner, and a delicious menu are the real reasons. Read about it >
I had chosen Dover for a weeklong vacation to Delaware for its central location in the state, allowing short rides north, south, and east to see much of the rest of the state. While I wasn’t on the road, I was strolling around this historic city, taking in a great art museum, lovely parks, some noteworthy restaurants, and an abundance of beautiful buildings, especially in the genteel Victorian Dover Historic District. Read about the top five buildings in Dover >
Driving into and out of Sedona, Arizona, every day while I was here, I would always pass by The Golden Goose Grill, just a half-mile from my hotel. I liked its name, so eventually I found myself here for dinner, surprised, and pleased, that I was eating in one of the highest-rated restaurants in town. Read about it >
Stephen Travels 