Harrison's Wine Grill - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: December 14, 2018

Place: Harrison's Wine Grill & Catering

Location: inside the Hilton Garden Inn at 1221 E. College Ave. in State College, PA

Appetizers:

1. Parmesan Fried Baby Artichokes ($7.75) - Baby artichokes crusted in Parmesan and panko, then crispy fried. Served with lemon aioli. 
2. House Specialty Marinated Mushrooms ($7.75) - Their secret recipe, full of rich, umami flavors. They claim it is a must-try for mushroom lovers. These long-time Harrison's favorites are served chilled.
3. Beef Tenderloin Crostini ($8.50) - Served with horseradish cream and cranberry relish. 

Entree: Sancerre Poached Scallops ($29.75) - Scallops poached in white wine with garlic and shallots, served over creamy Parmesan grits and accompanied by roasted Brussels sprouts sauteed with local J&J Farm bacon.

Wine: Four half glasses in their wines around the world option. Nothing special as it was all standard stuff.

Cocktails: The first specialty cocktail I ordered was entirely too sweet, but the second one was good. It was an alcoholic coffee beverage served on ice.

If you noticed, I did not elaborate on any of the above like I normally do in my posts. This is because I am at a loss for words. The food was good, but not great. The wine was okay, but not great. The cocktails were decent, but not great. I expected the scallops to be amazing, but they were rather bland. The Parmesan flavor of the grits was barely there and the Brussels sprouts were okay. Overall, nothing really had any flavor. 

I would say that this restaurant is pretty good as far as hotel restaurants are concerned, but there are many better options in State College. I do not think I will go back here for dinner, but I might try out their lunch menu at some point. Give this place a try and let me know what you think... Enjoy?

Elk Creek Cafe - Millheim, PA

Date of dining experience: November 3, 2018

Place: Elk Creek Cafe and Aleworks

Location: 100 W. Main St. in Millheim, PA

I was really only here for a concert, but I will definitely be going back for more beer and food!

Appetizer: Duck Nachos ($9) - House made tortilla chips with chili con queso, diced onion, chipotle salsa, and shredded duck meat. Delicious!

Beers:
1. Winkleblink Ale - Light-colored ale with a slight bread flavor from malted barley and wheat. A delicate floral aroma with a restrained addition of hops.
2. Great Blue Heron Pale Ale - An American Pale Ale with a bold character and a healthy dose of hops in the kettle and again in the finishing tank.
3. Elk Creek Copper Ale - A beautiful copper ale with a perfectly balanced ratio of malt to hops and notes of caramel and toffee.

While I did not have a full meal at Elk Creek, the appetizer, beer, band, and atmosphere were so good that I will be coming back in the future. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

The Field - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: August 7, 2018

Place: The Field Burger & Tap

Location: 1 Country Club Ln. in State College, PA

Burger: The Lancaster ($15) - Lancaster bacon, smoky cheddar, fried egg, field greens, tomato, horseradish mayo, and a beautifully-cooked red-center burger patty, all perfectly placed on a delicious brioche roll.

Beers: I love it when a restaurant offers a flight of beer samples.
1. Voodoo White Magick of the Sun - A very nice witbier.
2. The Field Amber Ale - A nice, light red ale.
3. North Country Station 33 Firehouse Red - A very nice Irish red ale.
4. Neshaminy Creek Churchville Lager - A pretty good Vienna lager.
Neshaminy Creek has been pretty impressive lately in the beers they produce that I have tried. This was definitely the best of this group, with the Station 33 coming in second.

This restaurant is pretty good, but it is a little overpriced for what it is, probably because it is located in the Country Club. Nevertheless, the burgers are good and there is a decent selection of draft beer. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Sfilatino - New York City, NY

Date of dining experience: August 2, 2018

Place: Sfilatino

Location: 342 W. 57th St. in New York City, NY

Meal: Assisi Egg Sandwich ($8.95) - Sausage, egg, and fontina cheese, perfectly proportioned on a delicious piece of fresh bread. I don't usually go for sausage in the morning, but having something with some spices sounded really good.

Coffee: The standard black.

This is a wonderful place for a quick bite or nice lunch. They have great coffee and even better food. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Il Violino - New York City, NY

Date of dining experience: August 1, 2018

Place: Il Violino

Location: 180 Columbus Ave. in New York City, NY

Appetizer: Carpaccio di Manzo ($16) - Raw fillet of beef, arugula, carpaccio sauce, and Parmigiano flakes. This dish is always a delicious way to start an Italian meal!

Entree: Risotto al Frutti di Mare - Perfectly-prepared risotto tossed with an amazing combination of seafood delights.

Wine: A delicious bottle of Pinot Grigio to accompany the light flavors of the seafood and carpaccio.

I highly recommend trying out Il Violino for yourself. Give it a try and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Brothers Lounge - Cleveland, OH

Date of dining experience: July 31, 2018

Place: The Brothers Lounge

Location: 11609 Detroit Rd. in Cleveland, OH

Meal: Brothers Nachos ($10) - House-fried tri-colored tortilla chips topped with the house cheese sauce, roasted corn and black bean salsa, roasted jalapenos, goat cheese, guacamole, and scallions. The perfect bar dish!

Beers:
1. Downeast Cider House Winter Blend - A deliciously-spiced cider to warm the body.
2. Latitude 42 Rainbow Weasel - Another delicious beer, but this time a golden ale.

I went to this place to play a jazz gig. With live music, great draft beer, a nice wine selection, and good food, you can't beat The Brothers Lounge if you are looking to go out. I highly recommend trying this place out for yourself. Let me know what you think. Enjoy!

The Angry Italian - Bristol, TN

Date of dining experience: July 23, 2018

Place: The Angry Italian Restaurant

Location: 16 6th Street in Bristol, TN

Appetizer: Garlic Cheese Bread ($5.95) - Sliced Italian bread baked with mozzarella cheese. There was a lot of cheese... it looked just as good as it tasted!

Entree: Sacchatino ($13.25) - Delicate pasta purses filled with zesty Italian sausage and Parmesan, served with Keith's special sauce. Not knowing what the sauce was, I ordered this dish anyway. I don't know exactly what the sauce was, but it was delicious!

This is a very good restaurant that I would recommend to anyone. The owner is from Chicago and boasts that the food is authentic Chicago-style Italian. It is perfect for a nice lunch lunch with the family or business partners, and could be a nice place for a quiet, romantic date dinner as well. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Drake's - Bristol, TN

Date of dining experience: July 22, 2018

Place: Drake's Restaurant

Location: 508 Pinnacle Parkway in Bristol, TN

Entree: Beer Cheese & Bacon Burger ($12) - Beer cheese, bacon, pickles, house mustard, and an added fried egg... what more could you want? This was an amazing burger. I think more restaurants should start putting beer cheese on burgers. With my burger came a delicious side of Drake's Fries.

Beers:

1. SweetWater TripleTail - a perfect IPA with just the right amount of hops.
2. Sierra Nevada Otra Vez - still probably the best sour beer out there. It would be hard to find a better gose.
3. Highland St. Terese's Pale Ale - one of my favorites of the night! A delicious pale ale goes well with any meal.

Much like Aubrey's, this is another very good restaurant that I would recommend to anyone, though this place has a little more of a pub-style "party" vibe. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Aubrey's - Bristol, TN

Date of dining experience: July 21, 2018

Place: Aubrey's Restaurant

Location: 430 Pinnacle Parkway in Bristol, TN

Entree: Asian Chicken Salad - Grilled chicken, fresh greens, mandarin oranges, crispy wontons, and sesame seeds, served in a Thai vinaigrette.

Sides: Macaroni & Cheese and Parmesan Spinach - The mac and cheese was very good, but the creamed spinach may have been the best I have ever eaten. Yes, even better than at Ruth's Chris!

Beers:

1. Yee-Haw Dunkel - a very good beer anywhere, always a favorite.
2. Highland Gaelic Ale - another delicious beer, just this perfect amount of hops in this red ale.
3. Cigar City Jai Alai - a very good IPA, but I only sampled it so I could get a full glass of the next one...
4. Alltech Lexington's Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Blackberry Porter - hands down the very best porter I have ever had! And a perfect "starter" porter to recommend to your friend who doesn't care very much for porters.

This is a very good restaurant that I would recommend to anyone. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Gigi's - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: July 19, 2018

Place: Gigi's Southern Table

Location: 2080 Cato Ave. in State College, PA

Entree: Southern Shrimp Carbonara ($20) - Blackened Shrimp, Andouille, Linguini, Basil, Tomato, Sweet Peas, and Parmesan. This was a delicious dish, with the perfect amount of flavor from each of the ingredients.

Beers:

1. Weyerbacher Berry Monks - A deliciously fruity version of a Belgian Tripel. 
2. Troegs Crimson Pistil - Still the best IPA I believe I have ever had the pleasure to enjoy.
3. Dogfish Head SeaQuench Ale - A wonderful Gose that tastes more like a tart limeade than a sour beer. Highly recommended!

Dessert: Red Velvet Bread Pudding - Served warm, this dessert was the perfect ending to a perfect meal.

This is an amazing restaurant with the perfect cozy atmosphere no matter where you sit. You can never go wrong with a little southern-style comfort food. This place is perfect for a romantic rendezvous, a dinner out with friends, or simply a nice sit-down meal with the family. As I plan to return here frequently, I highly recommend this restaurant. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

French 75 - Denver, CO

Date of dining experience: July 12, 2018

Place: French 75

Location: 717 17th Street, Suite B, in Denver, CO

Green Hour (Happy Hour) Appetizers: Again, Audry and I split a number of dishes.

1. F75 Pomme Frites ($4) - Very good skinny French fries.
2. Fritto Mixte ($7) - Shrimp, Calamari, and Aioli.
3. Moules ($6) - Buerre, Garlic, and Parsley.
4. Nicoise Salade ($9) - Seared Tuna, Potato, Egg, and Sherry Vinaigrette. 
5. Tarte Flambee ($6) - Carmelized Onions, Bacon, and Gruyere. 

Green Hour Drinks: There were so many options, we had to try a few of them.

1. House White Wine ($5) - A beautiful, crisp blend with the taste of a Sauvignon Blanc and the smoothness of a Chardonnay.
2. House Red Wine ($5) - A very delicious blend, similar to my favorite red, Cabernet Franc.
3. Stella Artois Draft ($5) - A standard for any establishment that carries it on draft.
4. Absinthe - A delicious pour of floral absinthe, served to taste with ice water dripped over a cube of sugar.

Sides ($6 each): Ratatouille and Goat Cheese Creamed Spinach. We were getting full from our appetizer eats and drinks, so we decided just to order a few sides to accompany our meal made of sampling all the appetizers.

Audry and I very much enjoy the French culture and cuisine, so eating at this restaurant was a given for us as soon as we saw it come up in a Google search. If you are in the area and would love a delicious meal, this is the place for you. I highly recommend the Nicoise Salade with the House Red Wine. You will not be disappointed. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

La Loma - Denver, CO

Date of dining experience: July 11, 2018

Place: La Loma Mexican Restaurant

Location: 1801 Broadway in Denver, CO

Happy Hour Appetizers: Audry and I split a number of delicious dishes.

1. Chile Con Queso ($4) - Melted cheese, Anaheim chile achiote, served with jalapeno peppers and roma tomatoes.
2. Mini Flautas ($5) - Shredded chicken rolled in fresh corn tortillas, topped with sour cream and guacamole.
3. Sarapes ($5) - Shredded chicken wrapped in crispy shells, served with a side of their famous green chili.
4. Mini Rellenos ($5) - Roasted green chiles with cheese fried in a crispy shell, served with their famous green chili. This was absolutely the best chile rellenos I have ever eaten. And the green chili they say is so famous is even better than the rellenos! This dish was so good I decided to get the bigger version as my meal.

Happy Hour Drinks: House Margaritas ($7) - 100% blue agave tequila, triple sec, their own all natural citrus mix, and, of course, on the rocks.

Entree: Chile Rellenos ($16) - Roasted Anaheim green chiles with cheese in a crispy shell, served with their famous green chili, rice, and refried beans.

This is hands-down the best Mexican restaurant I have ever been to. To add to the wonderful experience, it was a beautiful day in downtown Denver, so we got a table outside on the patio. If you try this place, and I highly recommend that you do as soon as possible, you have to try the green chili. You will not regret it. Once you pay a visit, let me know what you think. Enjoy!

China - Suzhou, Nanjing, and Changchun

Dates of dining experiences: June 13-28, 2018

Places: All of the local eateries in three Chinese cities

Locations: Suzhou, China; Nanjing, China; and Changchun, China

I just spent an amazing 16 days traveling around China, eating all of the local foods at all of the local restaurants, and presenting at a couple music teacher conferences. It is amazing how fresh and delicious all of the food is in China. Of course, the customers cook the food themselves at their table at most of the restaurants. Whether eating hot pot or Korean-style barbecue, you boil or grill the food yourself at your table. The food is always fresh, you can cook it to your liking, and the seasonings and spices of the hot pot or dry rub are simply delicious.

Some of my favorites foods in China were the grilled octopus on a stick, just about anything that you can put in a hot pot, and, of course, any kind of steamed dumpling (especially if it contains shrimp or pork). One thing that was a little hard to get used to was everything being cooked with the bones, but you get used to the way little fish bones feel in your mouth.

I did eat some rather "weird" things by American standards, such as intestine from a couple different animals, throat, pig ear, duck tongue, stinky tofu, and even a silkworm chrysalis. However, I liked it all! (The silkworm did require some spicy seasoning to get past the texture.) All of the local people I interacted with were very surprised that I tried all the foods without hesitation, and even more surprised that I like it all!

This was an amazing experience and I simply cannot wait to go back. There are still so many different Chinese foods that I have not yet tried, and so many places I have not yet seen. If you were every considering it, I highly recommend a vacation in China. (You can stay in pretty nice 4 and 5 star hotels for the same price as 2 and 2.5 star hotels in the United States.) If you visit, please let me know your thoughts on the local food cultures you experience. Enjoy!

Vivian's - Des Moines, IA

Date of dining experience: June 8, 2018

Place: Vivian's Diner & Drinks

Location: 400 Walnut St. #101 in Des Moines, IA

Meal: East Coast Eggs Benedict ($12.75) - Poached eggs, New England crab cakes, and red pepper hollandaise. Delicious!

Extra Side: Creamy Polenta ($3) - A very tasty mix of corn meal, seasonings, and cheese, similar to a cheesy mashed potatoes.

Coffee: Very good coffee (best served black).

This is a very nice restaurant in downtown Des Moines, just one block away from the main strip. I highly recommend Vivian's and the rest of the area if you are ever in Des Moines. Be sure to check out The Stuffed Olive Martini Bar as well. Try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Funny Bone - Des Moines, IA

Date of dining experience: June 7, 2018

Place: Funny Bone Comedy Club and Restaurant

Location: 560 S. Prairie View Dr. #100 in West Des Moines, IA

Appetizer: Dip Trio ($13.99) - All house-made spinach artichoke dip, black bean dip, and cheese dip, served with tortilla chips.

Meal: Blackened Salmon ($18.99) - Fresh salmon pan-seared with house seasoning and topped with mango salsa, served with starch and vegetable of the day (fries and green beans).

Drinks: Stella Artois and a frozen peach margarita. The Stella was great, as usual, but the peach margarita was entirely too sweet and may not have contained tequila.

Overall, this was not a bad experience. It is a little disappointed that the comedian we originally signed up to see did not show, but the replacement acts were decent. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Hi-Way Pizza - State College, PA

Date of dining experience:

Place: Hi-Way Pizza Pub

Location: 1688 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA

Appetizer: Fried Zucchini - batter-dipped and served with horseradish sauce ($7).

Meal: 14" Medium Neapolitan Pie with ham and green peppers ($12 + $2.75 + $2.25, respectively).

Drinks: Dogfish Head Dragons & YumYums and Victory Summer Love. Both were extremely delicious!

Hi-Way Pizza might just be the best pizza I've eaten since moving to Pennsylvania. The crust was even still good the next day. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Gaucho - Pittsburgh, PA

Date of dining experience: May 29, 2018

Place: Gaucho Parrilla Argentina

Location: 1601 Penn Ave. in Pittsburgh, PA

Appetizer: Provoletta - grilled Provolone cheese with fresh oregano on toast, served with an arugula and olive salad ($11); one Beefy Empanada and one Veggie Empanada ($3).

Meal: Parrillada Mixta - NY Strip steak, grilled chicken, and chorizo, with two pieces of toast ($27).

Drinks: BYOB or BYOW - We brought our own wine: Nobilo Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand.

Gaucho is a wonderful restaurant that I will be returning to many times in the future. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Täkō - Pittsburgh, PA

Date of dining experience: May 28, 2018

Place: täkō

Location: 214 6th St. in Pittsburgh, PA

Appetizers: Chips with three different types of salsa ($7), Street Corn with sriracha mayo, cotija cheese, chili powder, and lime ($6), and Ceviche with scallops, aguachile, heirloom tomatoes, red onion, and avocado ($14).

Meal: Chicken Tacos with salsa verde, crema, avocado, queso, and cilantro ($13) and Korean Tacos with short rib, cucumber, cabbage, cilantro, and red dragon sauce ($16).

Drinks: Classic Margarita with espolon blanco, bauchant, lime, and agave ($10), Oaxaca with espolon reposado, mezcal, angostura, orange, and demerara ($10), and Negra Modelo ($5).

So, täkō has the best tacos I have ever eaten in my life. The atmosphere was perfect and the service was wonderful. I will be returning to this restaurant many more times in the future. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Slice - Atlanta, GA

Date of dining experience: March 23, 2018

Place: Slice (pizza restaurant)

Location: 85 Poplar St. NW in Atlanta, GA

Meal: Margherita Pizza (add ham to half) - This was a really good pizza with close to perfect crust.

Wine: Douglas Green Sauvignon Blanc - A nice, crisp beverage to accompany a great pizza!

I will be eating here again if I'm ever in downtown Atlanta. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Gus's - Atlanta, GA

Date of dining experience: March, 23, 2018

Place: Gus's World Famous Fried Chicken

Location: 231 Peachtree Street Northwest A-05 in downtown Atlanta, GA

Appetizer: Fried Okra! Enough said.

Meal: Three piece dark meat (one leg and two thighs) - included two sides (but I ordered and extra, third one). My three sides were potato salad, baken beans, and some really good mac and cheese.

Beer: Sweetwater Brewing Company 420 Extra Pale Ale - Very delicious!

This is absolutely the very best fried chicken I have ever eaten. I will definitely be coming back here in the future. Try it for yourself and let me know what you think.

Hsu's - Atlanta, GA

Date of dining experience: March 22, 2018

Place: Hsu's Gourmet Asian Cuisine

Location: 192 Peachtree Center Ave. NE in Atlanta, GA

Meal: General Tsu's Favorite Chicken and Sweet and Sour Chicken

A very nice meal, but entirely overpriced for the quality and quantity of the food received. I will not be going back here. If you have eaten here before, let me know what you think.

Braves All Star Grill - Atlanta, GA

Date of dining experience: March 22, 2018

Place: Braves All Star Grill

Location: 200 Peachtree Street Northeast in downtown Atlanta, GA

Meal: BBQ Smoked Chicken ($15) - Smoked Gouda mac and cheese, skillet green beans, and house BBQ. This was a very delicious meal with a perfect combination of flavors.

Beer: Tomahawk Amber Bock - One of the best beer options from a company that also makes Bud Light.

I highly recommend this pub if you are ever in downtown Atlanta. Try it out and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

beaudevin - Charlotte, NC

Date of dining experience: March 21, 2018

Place: beaudevin (all the beauty of wine)

Location: 5501 Josh Birmingham Pkwy in Charlotte, NC (inside the airport)

Meal: Seared Atlantic Salmon ($22) - Roasted asparagus, shaved beet salad, creme fraiche, and roasted pumpkin seed vinaigrette. An absolutely perfect combination of foods, and perfect with wine.

Wines:

1. Childress, Sauvignon Blanc ($10.50 for 6 oz.) - from Lexington, NC - Citrus and pear on the nose with accompanying hints of tropical mango and a refreshing, light body with a crisp, clean finish.
2. Shelton Estate, "Madison Lee" White Blend ($10.50 for 6 oz.) - from Dobson, NC - Citrus and tropical notes from the Chardonnay with honeysuckle and melon aromas from the Viognier and Sauvignon Blanc. Presents a creamy mouth-feel balanced against food-friendly acidity supporting citrus and tropical fruit flavors.

This was a wonderful little restaurant located inside an airport. If ever on a layover in Charlotte again, I will definitely be eating here! Try it for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Penang - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: March 12, 2018

Place: Penang Asian Fusion Cuisine

Location: 1221 N. Atherton St. in State College, PA

Appetizers:
1. Roti Canai (Indian Pancake) - Crispy-style pancake with curry chicken and potato dipping sauce.
2. Deep-fried Veggie Spring Rolls - Exactly as the name suggests, and very tasty!

Meal:
Audry and I split the Sushi Platter, which is eight rolls of the chef's choosing. We do not know the exact names of any of the rolls, but they were all delicious!

Drink:
Hot Tea with Milk - Almost like drinking a latte!

Dessert:
Coconut Pudding - A very nice pudding served in a real coconut!

This place is so close to my apartment that I do not know why it took me almost two years to eat here. It's probably because there are so many other options in town, but I will definitely be back before another two years is up! Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Ramunto's - Brattleboro, VT

Date of dining experience: March 8, 2018

Place: Ramunto's Brick Oven Pizza

Location: 111 Putney Rd. in Brattleboro, VT

Salad: Caesar (side salad) - I added anchovies to mine in order to get the appropriate Caesar salad flavor.

Pizza: Margherita - Pizza sauce, fresh mozzarella, and sliced tomato, topped with fresh basil (and extra basil). This was one of the better margherita pizzas I have had recently. The tomatoes were not sliced very thick and there was an adequate amount of sauce, cheese, and basil.

Dessert: Tiramisu - The tiramisu here is perfect! It definitely ranks in my top three favorites of all time!

If I am every back in the area, I will definitely be eating here again! Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Asian Gourmet - Brattleboro, VT

Date(s) of dining experience(s): March 7, 2018 - and - March 8, 2018

Place: VT Asian Gourmet

Location: 911 Western Ave. in Brattleboro, VT

Meal 1:

• Steamed Pork Dumplings ($6.25) - Delicious with a perfect dipping sauce!
• Shumai ($4.95) - Steamed shrimp dumplings that are always excellent! 
• Mala Chicken ($11:95) - Sliced breast of chicken with snow peas, red peppers, baby corn, and mushrooms, sauteed in a robust, spicy mala sauce. It had a very good flavor, but was not spicy.

Meal 2: 

• Salmon Avocado Roll ($5.25) - Just the perfect sushi roll that I was looking for!
• General Tso's Chicken Dinner Combination ($9.75) - Chunks of dark meat lightly battered and fried, then swiftly sauteed with broccoli garnish in their chef's special tangy sauce, served with an egg roll and pork fried rice. This was some of the most excellently-prepared Chinese food I have had in a while, but it still wasn't very spicy!

Overall, this place was good enough for me to go back a second time. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Red Rabbit - Duncannon, PA

Date of dining experience: March 2, 2018

Place: Red Rabbit Drive-In

Location: 60 Benvenue Rd. in Duncannon, PA

Meal:

1. Bunny Burger - ground beef patty, smoked bacon, melted cheese, pickles, and their own sauce, served on a special seeded roll. 
2. Pork Bar-B-Que - standard sandwich, hold the relish, add BBQ sauce. 
3. French Fries - Perfectly seasoned with their own blend of salt called Bunny Dust, which was probably my favorite part of the meal!

Red Rabbit is the true drive-in experience, established in 1964 and in the same family for three generations! You pull up to the building, turn on your flashers when you are ready to order, and the wait staff comes out to your car to greet you and take your order. There are also some picnic tables under awnings if you wish to get out and stay for a while. The only downside of this restaurant is that they are only open 11am-9pm Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

This is such a fun experience, I will definitely be going back. I'll be sure to try their ice cream once it warms up a little outside. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Piazza Sorrento - Hershey, PA

Date of dining experience: March 1, 2018

Place: Piazza Sorrento

Location: 16 Briarcrest Square in Hershey, PA

Meal: Arugula, Prosciutto, Pecorino Pizza - white pizza with mozzarella and prosciutto, topped with fresh arugula and shaved pecorino cheese. An absolutely wonderful pizza! Pecorino is one of my favorite types of cheese, so when I saw it on the menu I had to order it!

I know I said I would not include take-out, but this pizza was very delicious! I will be going back to Piazza Sorrento. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Sakura Do - Hershey, PA

Date of dining experience: February 7, 2018

Place: Sakura Do

Location: 1144 E. Chocolate Ave. in Hershey, PA

Appetizers: Miso Soup and House Salad - These two items came with the meal. The soup was phenomenal, but the dressing on the salad was a little different than what I was expecting at a Japanese restaurant. It was still very good, just different.

Sushi Rolls:

1. Special Roll - A delicious cucumber roll stuffed with fresh avocado and topped half with salmon and half with tuna.
2. Naked Tuna - A perfect roll that was a little different than anything I have ever had before, but equally tasty. It was crunchy bits wrapped in tuna, which was then wrapped in rice paper. 

Entree: Hibachi Chicken - You can never go wrong with a classic such as this! 

I will definitely be returning here in the future. The place is a little more upscale, but it is truly amazing. You can talk to the chef directly and watch him as he makes your roll. They also have all of their fresh fish options in a glass case where it is easy to see, which I really like. It let's you know that they are not afraid to let you see the fish you are about to eat. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Faccia Luna - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: January 26, 2018

Place: Faccia Luna Pizzeria

Location: 1229 S. Atherton St. in State College, PA

Appetizer: Fresh Baked Garlic Breadsticks - Fresh dough is baked in a zesty butter blend and baked golden brown, served with their own marinara sauce. These were the best breadsticks I have ever eaten! The best part was that none of them were exactly the same size or shape, letting you know that they were made by hand. The marinara was not the best, but the breadsticks were so good I will be having them again!

Salad: Caesar Salad - Fresh romaine lettuce and radicchio tossed in a homemade Caesar dressing, topped with Roma tomatoes, croutons, and freshly grated Parmesan cheese. I chose to upgrade the Caesar salad as the starter for my entree because this place uses anchovies in their dressing. It is hard to find an authentic Caesar dressing with anchovies in it. To make things better, when I told the waitress I wanted it because of the anchovies, she asked if I wanted extra whole anchovies on top! I could not believe my ears! This place is amazing and truly knows how to prepare a real Caesar salad! I will definitely be coming back, even if only for another Caesar salad!

Entree: Vodka Sauce - A blend of vodka, fresh garlic, heavy cream, cayenne pepper, Parmesan cheese, and their marinara. The sauce was delicious, but the best part was the pasta. I chose the garlic-basil linguine and I was not disappointed! All of the pastas are homemade and prepared perfectly. They are thick noodles with just the right amount of chewiness. I will be back to try more of their other types of pasta.

Wine: A very nice half carafe of the house Chianti, a wine that goes very well with any Italian dish you can order. This was a decent wine, but nothing to write home about.

Desserts: Tiramisu and Cannoli - Audry and I decided to split two desserts. Both were very good, but neither was amazing. The tiramisu had a great flavor, but was contained to a small bowl instead of coming out in the usual cake-like fashion. It also had an adequate amount of alcohol and they did not ruin it by putting chocolate sauce on it. The cannoli was very good with a very flavorful filling. My only complaint is that the filling contained  chocolate chips. Some people like it that way, but I prefer it without them.

I love Faccia Luna! Everything about the food is wonderful and I will definitely try one of their wood oven pizzas on my next trip! Seriously, if you have not tried a real Caesar salad with anchovies on it, you should. My only complaint at all is that they do not accept reservations, but probably because they are so popular that they do not need to. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Buck Hill Brewery - Blairstown, NJ

Date of dining experience: January 14, 2018

Place: Buck Hill Brewery & Restaurant

Location: 45 NJ-94 in Blairstown, NJ

Entree: Buck Hill Chicken Schnitzel ($22) - Pan-fried, breaded chicken breast, mashed potatoes, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and citrus caper chicken sauce. I love a good schnitzel and this one was fantastic. The Brussels sprouts were perfect and the caper sauce was amazing as well.

Beer Flight Samples:

1. Sweet Rack (Belgian Wit) - 4.6 ABV and 17 IBU - Light and effervescent with hints of coriander and sweet orange; light, fluffy body. 
2. Bud's Suds - 4.2 ABV and 20 IBU - Pre-Prohibition lager brewed with malted barley, flaked corn, and the oldest U.S.-cultivated hop variety, "cluster."
3. Rockin Red Rye - 5.5 ABV and 31 IBU - Malty red ale infused with Bulleit Rye Whiskey.
4. Hitchin' Post - 7.1 ABV and 62 IBU - West coast-style with an abundance of citrusy hop character, wet-hopped with hand-picked Jersey chinook.
5. Big Hefe - 4.7 ABV and 5.4 IBU - Traditional German wheat beer with notes of clove and bubblegum; cloudy and effervescent with a big billowing head.
6. Oktoberfest - 6.0 ABV and 20 IBU - An elegant, malty German amber lager with a clean, rich, toasty, and bready malt flavor, restrained bitterness, and a dry finish that encourages another drink.
7. Cliff's Red Ale - 5.3 ABV and 31 IBU - Malt showcase of caramel and toffee with a mild, soft English hop aroma.

Overall, this was a very good experience. The beer was decent and the food was great. I could see myself eating here again if I ever find myself getting hungry while passing through New Jersey again. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

The Greek Kitchen - New York City, NY

Date of dining experience: January 13, 2018

Place: The Greek Kitchen

Location: 889 10th Ave. in New York City, NY

Appetizer: A very nice Greek salad.

Entree: Mousaka ($15.95) - Baked layers of eggplant, potato, ground beef, tomato sauce, and spices, topped with a thick bechamel sauce. I absolutely love mousaka and this may be my favorite one I have ever eaten. It was delicious!

Wine: Kouros 2014 Agiorgitiko from Nemea, Greece - A perfect dry red to accompany and Greek dish! It was simply lovely.

Dessert: Galaktoboureko ($6) - Sweet custard pie with a hint of citrus. I wanted to try something a little different from the usual baklava. This was the perfect alternative and may be my new favorite Greek dessert!

Overall, the food at this place was extremely good. If I ever find myself in this area of NYC again, I will definitely be eating here! Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think! Enjoy!

Ocean Dragon - New York City, NY

Date of dining experience: January 13, 2018

Place: Ocean Dragon Chinese Restaurant

Location: 877 10th Ave. #2 in New York City, NY

Appetizer: Shu Mai ($5.50) - I can never pass up any sign of dim sum on a Chinese menu. These dumplings were not bad, but a little undercooked.

Entree: General Tso's Chicken ($12.95) - Crispy golden tender chicken morsels served in a mildly seasoned spicy sauce. I was looking forward to this dish because it was listed as a chef's specialty and has the word spicy in the description, but it was not very good. The chicken was overdone to the point where you could taste fryer oil through the sauce.

Drink: Hot tea - This was the one good thing about my meal. You can never go wrong with some nice hot tea.

Overall, I chose this place because it was the closest to the hotel. I read the reviews beforehand, but wanted to check it out for myself. I often do not believe the reviews as they are generally wrong. Most negative reviews are written by angry, dumb people. However, the reviews of this place were all absolutely correct. The older lady hostess/waitress was a little mean and the food was not very good. I will not be returning to this restaurant. If you want to try it out for yourself, let me know what you think. Enjoy?

Pazza Notte - New York City, NY

Date of dining experience: January 12, 2018

Place: Pazza Notte

Location: 1375 6th Ave. in New York City, NY

Entree: Risotto di Aragosta ($25) - Lobster risotto with diced lobster, white wine, shallots, green peas, and fresh herbs. Definitely the best risotto I have ever eaten. It was an absolutely perfect dish.

Wine: Ala Nera 2014 Nero d'Avola - A perfect light, dry red to accompany any pasta dish.

Dessert: Tiramisu - Not the best I have ever eaten, but definitely not bad. I am a little bit of a tiramisu snob; I really think adding any kind of chocolate sauce to it makes it worse.

Overall, this was a delicious restaurant that I will be returning to in the future. Try it out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!

Little Szechuan - State College, PA

Date of dining experience: January 5, 2018

Place: Little Szechuan

Location: 228 W. College Ave. in State College, PA

Meal: Kung Pao Chicken - This was a nice dish with good quality meat. There was not very many peanuts, which was a little upsetting. There was also an overabundance of celery, which is such a strong flavor that it detracted from the other flavors present.

Though my experience was not perfect, I have heard from multiple people that this is the best Chinese restaurant in State College. As such, I will eat here again and try something else before I make any kind of judgement. Like I always say, I will try anything twice. Try this place out for yourself and let me know what you think. Enjoy!