Dining Out

Some of My Favorite Restaurants


Albanian

• Lezhe, Albania-  The Slow Food movement comes to Albania at Mrizi i Zanave
• Shkoder, Albania- Tradite; whatever the kitchen is cooking is good; the house made blackberry liquor is potent but good
• Tirana, Albania- Era; very good traditional Albanian food and good thin crust pizza with interesting by Albania's standards toppings
• Tirana, Albania- Sofra e Ariut; consistently good traditional food served by costumed waiters who understand good customer service

American

• Amherst, MA, USA- Atkins Farms Country Market; cider donuts!!!!!
• Amherst, MA, USA- Judie's; the best (and biggest) popovers ever
• Norfolk, VA, USA- Byrd & Baldwin Bros Steakhouse; traditional, classy, and delicious
• Northampton, MA, USA- Northampton Brewery; good pub food and even better beer
• Northampton, MA, USA- Sylvesters; the best overstuffed omelets around
• Portland, ME, USA- Hot Suppa; amazing omelets any time of the day
• South Hadley, MA, USA- Tailgate Picnic; their Orchard Sandwich is my favorite
• Washington D.C. USA- Chef Geoff's; fun food in a prime location
• Washington, D.C. USA- Old Ebbitt Grill; old Washington but too often mobbed with tourists

Asian

• Arlington, VA, USA- Thaiphoon; great pad Thai
• Northampton, MA, USA- Teapot; fresh sushi and the best miso soup.  They deliver too!
• Vienna, Austria, Restaurant Siam, belly burning curry dishes just steps from the State Opera House.

Bakeries

• Garmisch, Germany- Pano Cafe; chocolate croissants that are out of this world.
• Tirana, Albania- Patisserie Francaise; a complete surprise for Albania serving croissants, macaroons, and other tasty French treats.

Eastern European

• Budapest, Hungary, 21 Hungarian Kitchen; traditional Hungarian fare in a tasteful location
• Dubrovnik, Croatia, Taj Mahal Dubrovnik; Bosnian food in a tiny restaurant in the heart of the old city.  Well worth the wait for a table.
• Ljubjlana, Slovenia, Sokol; traditional cuisine in a traditional setting
• Prague, Czech Republic, U Tri Zlatych Hvezd; traditional cuisine with interesting architecture
• Zagreb, Croatia, Vinodol Restaurant; Croatian cuisine in a nice setting

German, Austrian & Bavarian

• Garmisch, Germany, Morhrenplatz; Traditional Bavarian food served in a casual atmosphere.
• Innsbruck, Austria, Stiftskeller; Bratwurst, gluhwein, and beer---what could be better?
• Munich, Germany, Munchen's Kleinste Gaststatte; casual dining in the heart of Viktualienmarkt
• Munich, Germany, Zum Durnbrau, traditional German brew house dating back to the 1400s.  Its smaller and less touristy than its larger more popular neighbors.
• Springfield, MA, USA, The Student Prince; A local institution and family favorite serving hearty German food.
• Vienna, Austria. Altstadt Brau; Casual atmosphere tucked away on a back street serving tasty Austrian food.  The schnitzel is great.

Greek

• Alexandria, VA, USA-Taverna Cretekou; reasonably priced Greek food; weather permitting dining in the back garden is the best option

Ice Cream

• Copenhagen, Denmark-  Svaneke; rhubarb ice cream- need I say more?
• Northampton, MA, USA- Herrell's; the original homemade mix-in shop

Indian

• Ljubjlana, Slovenia- Namaste; simply the best Indian food I have eaten in a long time
• Portland, ME, USA- Tandoor; tasty condiments
• Prague, Czech Republic-  Indian Jewel Restaurant; spicy food in the heart of Old Prague

International

• Norfolk, VA, USA- Crackers; the original Norfolk tapas restaurant in our old neighborhood serving creative food washed down with even more creative martinis
• Rockland, Maine, USA- Cafe Miranda; vast menu where everything is good
• Stockholm, Sweden- JT Restaurang; a little of something for everyone 
• Waldoboro, Maine, USA- Morse's European Market; an unlikely gem in an even unlikelier location
• Zugsptize, Germany- Glaciergarden; interesting food pairings (potato pancakes with pears and rosemary is just an example) served with an amazing view.

Italian

• Castellina, Italy, Ristorante Pestello; bread salad washed down with house Chianti--so simple and so good
• Copenhagen, Denmark- Il Peccato; fresh pasta and of course good pizza
• Georgetown, Washington, DC, USA- Filomena Restaurante; favorite date location
• Greve, Italy- Gallo Nero; risotto to die for with an endless supply of lemoncello
• Munich, Germany- Berni's Nudelbrett; good pizza and salads and very child friendly
• Northampton, MA, USA- Spoleto Restaurant; the best mojitos---and the food is good too
• Portland, ME, USA- The Flatbread Company; creative and tasty pizza with local micro brews
• Prague, Czech Republic- Pizzeria Canzone; diners have a front row view of the pizza ovens
• Tirana, Albania- Vila Logoreci; good pasta, very good seafood served in nice outdoor courtyard

Mexican

• Amherst, MA, USA- Bueno y Sano; huge burritos stuffed with everything good
• Norfolk, VA, USA- Luna Maya; great martinis and flavorful burritos
• Northampton, MA USA- La Veracruzana; Great fajitas
• Tivoli, NY, USA- Santa Fe; loud environment with great food

Scandinavian

• Bergen, Norway- Bryggeloftete & Stuene, the freshest hearty fish stew ever served in a bread bowl
• Copenhagen, Denmark- Europa 1989; a tasty salad and a cool glass of white wine on their patio

Seafood

• Camden, ME, USA- The Waterfront Restaurant; outdoor dining on their patio overlooking the harbor makes already good food taste even better
• Mundal, Norway- Hotel Mundal; unbelievably fresh and flavorful fish
• Newport News, VA, USA- The Crab Shack on the James; not fancy but fun with great steamed crabs when they are in season
• Tirana, Albania- Fiore; very good fresh seafood; seafood risotto or seafood linguine are always good

Turkish/Ottoman/Moroccan

• Alexandria, VA, USA- Casablanca; great food where eating with your fingers is encouraged
• Istanbul, Turkey- Sarnic; good food served in an old cistern
• Istanbul, Turkey- Matbah; Ottoman dining with views of the mosques
• Norfolk, VA, USA- Azar's Market & Cafe; hummus and pitas to die for