American restaurants in USA
-
A
Afterwords Café & Kramerbooks
Generations of DC intelligentsia swear by this combination awesome bookstore and awesome squared brunch spot. Food is simple but very pleasing stuff, stick to your bones but pleasingly innovative – pecan-crusted catfish with hollandaise, anyone? Browsing the stacks before stuffing our guts is a favorite way to spend Washington weekends.
reviewed
-
B
Billy Goat Tavern
Literally beneath the pie-eyed mobs on the Magnificent Mile, the subterranean Billy Goat, which enjoyed the fame of John Belushi’s SNL skit (‘Cheezborger! Cheezborger! No fries! Cheeps!’), remains a deserving tourist magnet. Skip the franchise locations for the original: a windowless haunt with an entire wall dedicated to former Tribune columnist Mike Royko, famously cantankerous Greeks at the grill and scads of old-Chicago charm. Greasy-spoon fare is the only option, and you’ll have to order a double cheeseburger if you’re interested in tasting meat within the substantial bun. Schlitz on tap helps wash it down.
reviewed
-
C
Skyline Chili
Don't worry - you can keep your clothes on for this experience, though you may want to loosen your belt. A 'five-way' in Cincinnati has to do with chili, which is a local specialty. It comprises meat sauce (spiced with chocolate and cinnamon) ladled over spaghetti and beans, then garnished with cheese and onions. Although you can get it three-way (minus onions and beans) or four-way (minus onions or beans), you should go the whole way - after all, life's an adventure. Skyline Chili has a cultlike following devoted to its version. There are outlets throughout town; this one is downtown.
reviewed
-
D
Old Ebbitt Grill
The Grill is something of an institution, having occupied its prime, adjacent-to-just-about-everything (the White House, the Mall, Penn Quarter) real estate since 1846. This is as down to earth as fine DC dining gets. Political players (and lots of tourists) pack into the brass and wood interior, the sound of their conversation rumbling across a dining room where good burgers, oysters and fish-and-chip type fare are rotated out almost as quickly as the clientele.
reviewed
-
E
Dottie’s True Blue Café
Consider yourself lucky if you stand in line less than an hour and get hit up for change only once – but fresh baked goods come to those who wait at Dottie’s. Cinnamon pancakes, grilled cornbread, scrambles with whiskey fennel sausage and anything else off the griddle are tried and true blue.
reviewed
-
F
Ann Sather
The cinnamon rolls are the marquee item at the flagship of this small, friendly local chain that offers Swedish standards in a pleasant café environment. Filling, familiar Nordic offerings like meatballs and potato sausage join selections of American comfort food on the dinner menu.
reviewed
-
Ikedas
If you're cruising this part of the state without time to explore, the best pit stop is off I-80 at exit 121. There, Ikedas feeds Tahoe-bound travelers amazing burgers, homemade pies and snacks, including a deliriously good, seasonal fresh peach shake.
reviewed
-
G
S’Mac
If you're only going to do one thing, you've got to do it well – and S'Mac hits the spot with mac 'n' cheese lovers. The all-American has cheddar and Vermont jack cheese, with bacon if you like. Or, try the Gruyère mac 'n' cheese and the Manchego cheese and Cajun macs.
reviewed
-
H
Angry Dog
Workers crowd in at lunchtime for the unbeatable burgers at this saloon, whose pedigree includes best wings, hot dogs, bar food and hangover therapy for several years running.
reviewed
-
I
Ben’s Chili Bowl
Ben’s is to DC dining what the White House and Capitol are to sightseeing: a must-visit. To take that analogy a little further, while the White House and Capitol are the most recognizably important symbols of DC as capital, Ben’s holds the same status as regards DC, the place where people live. Opened and operated by Ben and Virginia Ali and family (it’s now adjacent to Ben Ali Lane; Ben Ali died during the research for this book, which left a large hole in the U St business community), the Bowl has been around since 1958. It’s one of the only businesses on U St to have survived the 1968 riots and the disruption that accompanied construction of the U Street Metro stop. Th…
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
Clark's Fish Camp
It doesn't any get more Floridian than this. Absolutely worth driving 27 miles for, this restaurant, on a gator-filled lake, was originally a bait-and-tackle shop and now combines the art of taxidermy (hundreds of stuffed lions, tigers, leopards, you name it, proliferate indoors and out), with mind-boggling meals of fried or charred turtle, kangaroo, antelope and rattlesnake.
Work up your courage with a Swamp Fest platter of gator tail, soft-shell crab, frog's legs, conch, catfish and squid, plus two sides and hushpuppies. There's a rustic elongated timber bar with barrel tables, but the best tables are on the lakeside outdoor deck. From Jacksonville, take the I-95 south …
reviewed
-
K
Nora
Nora Pouillon remains the queen of the Washington food scene. She made her reputation serving food from farmers and ranchers – this was by many accounts the first organic restaurant in the country – and a list of the farms that provided your food is included on the menu. The way these fresh ingredients are combined is in the New American style, and while this school of cooking has been done to death, Nora was one of the originals and still executes it so well that each bite is like rediscovering what the nation can do with its ingredients: Alaskan halibut arrives on a bed of corn succotash, while Amish chicken livers soak deliciously in their own jus. All this happens in …
reviewed
-
L
Poste
Named for its previous incarnation as the mail sorting room for the city post office, Poste has been busting out its A game these days. The menu is playfully attractive, divided between ‘pasta, ’ ‘pasture’ and ‘garden’ sections; the outdoor courtyard is one of the best alfresco dining spaces in the city; and the food lives up to this high bar. Chicken and corn? Sounds boring; executed flawlessly. Wreckfish with a wine-poached egg? Silly, sexy, beautifully presented and prepared. And give them credit for lightening up the fearsome tête de veau (head of cow) by rolling quail eggs, black truffles and frisee into a lovely terrine of veal cheeks. Come evenings, th…
reviewed
-
M
1789
If one restaurant were to exemplify not only Georgetown, but all that George-town represents – the brownstone political aristocracy of Washington, DC – it would be 1789. Located in a smart Federal row house, the setting is colonial, cozy and distinguished all at once. As a bonus, the food is excellent. This kitchen was one of the first high-end geniuses of the ‘rustic New American’ genre, so if you’re going to try local ingredients sexed up with provincial flare, such as roasted Virginia rabbit with country ham and English peas, this is the spot to indulge your taste buds. Formal wear (jacket) is not only expected, but required for dinner.
reviewed
-
N
Hot Chocolate
‘Come for dessert, stay for dinner’ might be the motto at this cocoa-walled Bucktown restaurant. Run by renowned pastry chef Mindy Segal, the cute place feels exactly like the irresistible, upscale chocolate desserts it peddles. With six rich kinds of hot chocolate available (they’re like dipping your mug into Willy Wonka’s chocolate river), along with mini brioche doughnuts, you may forget to order the other food on offer, such as Kobe beef flank steak and beer-soaked mussels.
reviewed
-
O
America
Claiming to be DC's 'only 50-star restaurant,' this place takes the theme as far as it goes, with menus shaped like maps and mains from every state in the Union (from New York steak to grilled Mahi-Mahi, and don't forget Boston cream pie for dessert). The varied menu draws Hill-rats during the week and tourists on weekends. It's a good place to bring the family; couples might find the mall atmosphere un-romantic.
reviewed
-
P
Fraunces Tavern
Can you really pass up a chance to eat where George Washington (it's been documented) supped in 1762? Expect heaping portions of tavern stew, clam chowder, beef Wellington and your choice of cobbler, butterscotch bread pudding, spiked fig and apple tart or strawberry shortcake for dessert. The bar, filled with friendly locals, is great for a snack and a drink.
reviewed
-
Q
Eatery
Come and hang at the bar even if you don't feel like eating - you'll have a hard time not ordering something once the plates of edamame, ginger calamari, black mussels in curry broth and big juicy burgers start going by. Maybe if you fix your attention on the DJ spinning cool tunes in the corner, you can resist - but why try?
reviewed
-
R
Café at the End of the Universe
Wolfgang Puck’s latest satellite venture – a cafeteria-style café – orbits just past the observatory’s Cosmic Connection hallway. Designed with retro space-age flair, the café offers tasty gourmet sandwiches, soups and salads. Grab a turkey and cranberry sandwich then hit the patio for inspiring views of the Hollywood sign.
reviewed
-
S
Geoff’s Superlative Sandwiches
A longtime favorite with students and junior faculty, Geoff’s offers a massive menu of creative sandwiches, including meatless reuben (melted swiss, spinach, carrots, sauerkraut), pastrami, kosher meat and lots of things with celery salt. Find scant seating, checked linoleum floor, and a big barrel of pickles.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
T
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater
Sleuths Mystery Dinner Theater has three theaters, a full-service bar and spacious outdoor patio. Dinner party guests suss each other out at the table before finishing off the meal (and a guest), then put their best 'clue' efforts to work. There are 12 different shows, each about 2½ hours long.
reviewed
-
U
Alias
The sole survivor of a trio of restaurants that opened up when Clinton St was considered culinary Siberia, Alias continues to deliver delicious, fresh food, heavy on seasonal ingredients with dishes like Wild Alaskan black cod, maple syrup drenched pears with ricotta and tomato braised brisket.
reviewed
-
V
Hangar on the Wharf
A waterfront restaurant in Merchant's Wharf with tables perched right over a seaplane dock. The view of the channel and all the activity buzzing and floating around greatly improves whatever you ordered. Better than the food is the restaurant's large selection of imported beers and microbrews.
reviewed
-
W
Lafayette Coney Island
The 'coney' - a hot dog smothered with chili and onions - is a Detroit specialty. When the craving strikes (and it will), take care of business at Lafayette. The minimalist menu consists of burgers, fries, pies, donuts and beer, in addition to the signature item. Cash only.
reviewed
-
X
À Côté
Small plates are the specialty at this foodie-scenester restaurant, and they’re deliciously creative – our favorite is the knock-out lobster-corn fritters. Great cocktails. Women can sport high heels without standing out; men can wear jeans and blend in.
reviewed
