The Butcher Shop (Boston, MA)

I found this place while walking around the South End looking for a place to grab a late lunch -- think it's worth revisiting!

Ribollita (with Pancetta, Cannellini Beans and Cabbage)


Strozzapretti (with Smoked Mushrooms, Broccoli Rabe and Parmesan)


Chocolate Mousse

Xi'an Famous Foods (New York, NY)

Went to the Chinatown (Bayard) branch of Xi'am Famous Foods (西安名吃) with an old colleague.  Definitely coming back here next time!

Pork Zha Jiang Hand-Pulled Noodles (炸酱面)


Liang Pi Cold Skin Noodles (凉皮)


Spicy Cumin Lamb Burger (羊肉夹馍)

Tsushima (New York, NY)

Another good value-for-money sushi place in New York.

Sushi Sashimi Moriawase

Attic (San Mateo, CA)

Surprisingly impressed with this Filipino fusion restaurant in San Mateo!

Lumpiang Shanghai Cigarillos (Fried Spring Rolls with Pork, Tiger Shrimp, Water Chestnuts, Shiitake Mushrooms and Tamarind Sweet & Sour Sauce)


Sizzling Sisig (Pork "Medley", Shallots, Chili, Garlic, Calamansi, Egg)


Garlic Noodles (Fresh Egg Noodles, Garlic, House Special Sauce)

Raan Jay Fai (Bangkok, Thailand)

Went all the way across town to visit a hole-in-the-wall restaurant (more like a hawker place, actually) to try their famous drunken noodles.  The place is relatively expensive for hawker standards, but the food was definitely worth making the trip!

Pad Khee Mao (Drunken Noodles) with Shrimp

Rossano's (Bangkok, Thailand)

Visited this semi-casual Italian restaurant after a long day exploring the city -- what a way to end on a high note!  Thanks to B&G for the recommendation!

Squid Ink Tagliatelle with Seafood


Chocolate Soufflé with Ice Cream

Sirocco (Bangkok, Thailand)

We went to Sirocco for a sit-down dinner.  I was told by locals that this is a place where you're paying mostly for the view rather than the food.  The view was indeed spectacular (excellent place to see Bangkok from up high), and the food was actually quite decent, although some of the markups were pretty crazy (especially with drinks).

Niman Ranch Pork Belly Confit (Armagnac Prunes, Forest Mushrooms, Beer-Dijon Mustard Reduction)

Oven Roasted Chilean Sea Bass (Vine Ripe Tomato "Pain Perdu", Saffron Potatoes, Manila Clam Velouté)

Tasmanian Salmon (Herb Spaetzle, Parmesan Croquettes, "Beurre Rouge")