I enjoy going out to eat. In the last couple of years, I've tried to move away from eating in chain restaurants as often and, instead, seek to visit local places. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to our upcoming trip to New York City is the chance to eat at unique restaurants.
I've been blessed to try some excellent restaurants in the past. Of all the meals I've eaten out, here are the three that are the most memorable (in a good way! ;)
1. Pizza and Strawberry Shortcake in Half Moon Bay, California. On my only visit to the West Coast, which was a work-sponsored trip with my husband, we ate at a little pizza restaurant in a small strip-mall. I wish I could remember the name of it! We were nearing the end of our stay and had eaten so much in the preceding days that we were hardly even hungry. However, the pizza we ordered was amazing. The ingredients were very fresh. Then came dessert. The strawberry shortcake was a bit different than I'm used to - not too sweet, but more like a "biscuit-y" shortbread - and the strawberries were juicy and ripe. That dessert was a perfect ending to our meal.
2. Ruth's Chris Steak House on Connecticut Avenue, Washington, D.C. On our trip to Washington, D.C., last year, we decided to give our daughters the experience of eating at a really nice restaurant. (These are not places we frequent - especially with all four of us!) While this is a chain restaurant, the food we had was outstanding. The steak was tender and flavorful and all the components of the meal were delicious.
3. Local Chop House and Grill in Harrisonburg, VA. This is the restaurant where my husband and I celebrated our 20th anniversary last year. Again, lots of local, fresh sources for the food with great ambiance and superior service.
While the last two places are fairly pricey and definitely a splurge for us, the restaurant in Half Moon Bay was very reasonable. The more local restaurants we visit, the more we're learning that some of the most flavorful foods can be found at "hole-in-the-wall" restaurants.
What's the best meal you've ever eaten at a restaurant?
The best meal I've eaten at a restaurant? I was having a hard time remembering, but John reminded me of a couple of local restaurants in our old town that were really good. One of them is very expensive and THE place to eat, and the other one went out of business. We've got to find some good places here. But we don't eat out much, either, since there are five of us to feed. (Mary doesn't count yet.) Usually, when we do go out, we go to IHOP where kids eat free.
ReplyDeleteWe are HUUUUUGE on local restaurants!!! I avoid chains as much as possible. But I can't answer best meal ever = impossible! :-P (I can't even narrow down top 20! I could maybe start with Best Meal At Each...but even so :-D)
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