North America | Travel By Jury

Great Eat: Kona Grill, Houston, TX

Posted on March 26, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

You’re in the big city of Houston – the fourth largest in the United States – and you’ve battled the outrageous traffic, you’ve gone to a show at the Alley Theater, you’ve browsed the collection at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, you’ve trolled the endless art galleries in the Art District, you’ve ambled through Discovery Green park, and you’ve likely eaten some barbecue (that wasn’t on par with that you’d find in the Carolinas, of course) and had your photo taken with an Astro or a Rocket. Now you’re hungry. Or you’ve decided to head to the Galleria area of town, home to the gigantic piece of consumerism (the 9th largest mall in the US!), the Galleria Shopping Center. You’re in luck, because the Galleria hosts the Kona Grill, a U.S. chain restaurant, yes, but there are only 23 locations, so it’s somewhat exclusive – I’d never been to one before and it was a great experience. There’s an authentic Asian ambiance, with bamboo plants and an open sushi bar. The Kona Grill serves pasta and pizza, but you’re really in for a treat if you try their club sandwich, for instance, which havarti cheese and is served on ciabatta bread. You can get Japanese beers here, which go perfect with a tofu miso soup starter or a sashimi flight. The ceviche wasn’t the best I’d ever had, but the use of fun plates makes up for it a little. The desert menu is most tempting, and there are so many rolls – vegetarian, crab, shrimp, chicken – to chose from that you might get overwhelmed. If you’re looking for something different and good, but still easy to find in the Houston area, then the Kona Grill is your best betG

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: Alley Theater, art galleries, Asian food, Astros, bamboo plants, ceviche, chicken, club sandwich, Discovery Green Park, Galleria Houston, great eat, Houston, Japanese beer, Kona Grill, miso soup, Museum of Natural Science Houston, Rockets, rolls, sashimi flight, shrimp rolls, sushi, Texas, tofu, TX, US, vegetarian rolls | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Simply Thai, Louisville, KY

Posted on March 5, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

As a native Louisvillian, I have paid tribute to great eats of the area such as Kashmir, Seviche, and Harvest. But somewhere in the middle of all that great eat melee a very VERY great eat got lost: Simply Thai of Louisville. Located in the trendy St. Matthews area (we do have Mellow Mushroom if you’re not feeling too adventurous), Simply Thai is – and take it from someone who spent a month eating home-cooked Chinese food in China – the only place in Louisville to get tofu just right. Their pineapple fried rice with raisins and tofu? To die for. Their pad thai? Out of this world. The “appetizer” spring rolls – tofu, shrimp, chicken; however you want ‘em – are full portion size, and they will serve you the aforementioned pineapple fried rice dishes in a pineapple in their “to go” presentation, by the way – you do not want to miss this place. All of their curries are awesome and they are simply a local pleasure – go and eat there now! You must!

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: asian food Louisville, Asian fusion, fresh vegetables, good eats louisville, great eat, Kentucky, Louisville, Mellow Mushroom, pad thai, Pineapple Fried Rice, raisins and tofu, shrimp spring rolls, Simply Thai, St. Matthews, tofu, US, USA, vegetarian spring rolls | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Dillon’s, Boston, MA

Posted on February 19, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

Walking down Boylston Street near the Hynes Convention Center in Boston, I noticed a little cozy restaurant poking out between the T line and a fire house. Dillon’s Restaurant and Bar of Boston revealed itself to be quite a find. We got a tall table in the back of the restaurant near a roaring fire, a welcome retreat at the beginning of January in Boston. We fell for the honey popcorn appetizer and coveted our neighbors’ mac-n-cheese app, made of penne, gruyere, goat cheese, and crème fraiche – not your average mac. Dillon’s is quite the gastropub – our vegetarian companion was able to find comfort in the tomato bisque soup of the day and a hearty cheese pizza, fire-cooked with hand-tossed crust. I tackled half of a Ko-Jack burger, which was 8oz of hefty beef with Cajun spices and gorgonzola cheese. Though tempted by the Butternut Fried Dough (roasted butternut squash, vanilla ice cream, crushed pecans, and powered sugar), we settled on a Brownie Sundae and soaked in the chatty atmosphere, where photos of old Beantown (Dillon’s was a firehouse at one point) mingle with locally crafted beers. Invite yourself into Dillon’s next time your in downtown Boston – you’ll sure to find something you like.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: Boston, Boylston Street Dillon's Boston, brownie sundae, Butternut Fried Dough, Cajun spices, craft beers, crème fraiche, crushed pecans, Dillon's of Boston, Dillon's Restaurant and Bar, fire roasted pizza, goat cheese, gorgonzola cheese, great eat, Gruyère, hand-tossed pizza, historic, honey popcorn, Ko-Jack burger, local beer, local brews, locally crafted beers, mac-n-cheese, Massachusetts, old fire house, penne, powered sugar, roasted butternut squash, tomato bisque, vanilla ice cream | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: The Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar, Boston, MA

Posted on February 5, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

Oh little slice of heaven on Boylston Street, I’m so glad I found you! Closer to the residential area near Fenway Park in Boston is a small gastropub called The Citizen Public House & Oyster Bar (or “the Citizen” if you will) that you should definitely visit next time you’re in Beantown. Charming, small, with a bar that circles not only very friendly bartenders but also a clear view of the fresh seafood you’re about to eat (or you can tuck in to the sumptuous booths), this pub is a great new eatery for the Fenway/Kenmore area. The chalkboard specials – butternut squash soup, anyone? – reflect local and seasonal ingredients, and the mains – while pretty heavy on the meat (duck, ribs, steak, tuna) – are exquisite. And the apparently roast whole pigs, so thus the pub’s mascot and logo is a pig. The Citizen pumps a mean soundtrack while good times are had over board servings of artisinal cheese and pork, the cocktails are fun and heady. Of course I have to talk about the oysters – DIVINE. Large, shucked right in front of you, and served with some house-made horseradish concoction that had me drooling. Non-carnivores will revel in the creative salads and inventive sides, like polenta fries. You’ve got to check this place out; it’s one of Boston’s many MANY great eats.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America, Uncategorized | Tagged: bar, Boston, butternut squash soup, cheese boards, cocktails, daily specials, duck, Fenway, fresh seafood, friendly folk, great eat, Kenmore, local meat, MA, Massachusetts, meat boards, oysters, polenta fries, ribs, salads, seasonal vegetables, steak, tuna, United States | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Early Girl Eatery, Asheville, NC

Posted on January 29, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

Decorated with local art – including some impressive customer scribbles on the brown paper tablecloths – the Early Girl Eatery is one of the best brunch spots in Asheville, NC, a city no stranger to good eats (Tupelo Honey? Laughing Seed? Havana? Barley’s? Oh, decisions). But the Early Girl is worth a visit if for no other reason than their food is organic, local, delicious, and there’s something on the menu for everyone. The care these folks put into simple recipies like granola/yogurt/fruit is delightful, and they remain loyal to the farms and Southern charm around their clients to provide all sorts of deep south staples (grits, fluffy homemade biscuits, bacon, eggs) next to inventive quiches (duck?), sandwiches (fancy some grilled catfish?) and vegan-friendly items (the tofu scramble looked pretty awesome). The brightly lit, open and sunny little restaurant is conveniently located near downtown – in the Cat’s Alley – and the staff are friendly as can be. The decor changes as the Early Girl features new local artists, there are vegan, gluten-free, and low fat/low carb options – ANYONE can eat here, so if you’re driving through Asheville with a crowd, this is your spot. And you’re always sure to find locally-made jelly on your table and a smiling person to walk you through the joint’s delicious menu. Eat here. You will love it.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: Asheville, bacon, biscuts, brunch, duck, Early Girl Eatery, family friendly, friendly folk, gluten-free, great eat, grits, local farms, local food, local greens, local jelly, local meat, meat and 3, NC, organic chocolate milk, organic food, pan fried catfish, quiche, vegan, vegan tofu scramble | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Hammerhead’s, Louisville KY

Posted on January 22, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

One of Louisville locals’ favorite restaurants is Hammerheads, if the lines out the door tell you anything. Tucked away in Germantown, this local dive has been an eatery of some sort for the better part of the city’s 20th century, and its local incarnation as a gastropub has made the spot hot again. I, a local, go for the pretzel buns on my elk burger – the meat is local and the pretzel buns are made on site, and it is a delicious pleasure. The house hummus isn’t bad, and the baked beans are outta sight. The shrimp and grits leave this Carolina native a bit unenthused, but the sweet potato fries in duck fat make up for that particular slight. I have not been brave enough to try the bacon brownie, but I see it ordered every time I’ve been to Hammerheads, so it can’t be too awful. The Garcia Burger – a veggie burger made with sun-dried tomato and shittake mushrooms (and, somehow, falafel) – remains one of my fellow Louisvillians’ sole reason for repeatedly returning to Hammerheads. The beer list boasts a lot of local and craft beers, but you can also get a can of PBR. Make sure to get to Hammerheads early, or you’ll be waiting in line with a lot of local, hungry people.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: bacon brownie, baked beans, burgers, craft beers, elk burger, falafel, Garcia burger, gastropub, Germantown, good eat, great eat, great eats, Hammerheads, hummus, Kentucky, KY, local, local beers, locavore, Louisville, pretzel buns, shrimp and grits, sweet potato fries in duck fat, veggie burger | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Alligator Soul, Savannah GA

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Admin of TBJ

Yeah yeah, you can get deep-butter-fried anything from the Paula Deen ilk that runs through the beautiful southern thrill of a town that is Savannah, Georgia, but you want something really really good, right? Something that’ll make you put down your phone and the rest of the baggage you’re carrying and go “UMMM… That is SO good.” You with me? Then take down this address – 114 Barnard St. You’ll see the alligator, you go down the steps – and now you’re in a basement. A delicious, historic basement, and you’re at Alligator Soul, one of Savannah’s best restaurants. If you’re visiting during a month that has an “R” in it, you must – you simply must – order the oysters (Oysters Bienville, to be precise). You might get them with a mix of andouille sausage on top of them, but they will be briny, large, and delicious. The friendly bartender will recommend a house cocktail for you, or mix up whatever you desire (Death’s Door Organic liquor is served here with a liberal hand) and the wine list is exquisite. The folks sitting next to me at the bar recommended both the elk and the lamb, and their “Financier” dessert included the words “buttermilk gelato.” I personally got my sugar rush from the Banana Beignets, which, topped with a drizzling of home-made, organic chocolate syrup, sent me to heaven. The restaurant is only open for dinner and it’s best to book ahead (the use OpenTable.com), and the chefs use only local produce, meat and, of course, in-season seafood, so the flavors are big and beautiful. If you go to Alligator Soul, you will not be disappointed (well, my waiter was a little flighty but he had a few tables to deal with, and I wasn’t in any hurry). It’s not on the cheap side of good eats in Savannah, but isn’t it time you took yourself out for a real treat? Com’on, grab a chair and tuck in!

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: Alligator Soul, Alligator Soul Savannah, andouille sausage, bananas beignet, buttermilk gelato, cocktails, Death's Door Organic Liquor, dessert, elk, financier, Georgia, good eats, great eats, lamb, local, North America, OpenTable reservations, Oysters Bienville, USA, wild game | Leave a Comment »

Gobble ‘Til You Wobble

Posted on November 20, 2012 by Admin of TBJ

Happy Thanksgiving to our United States readers from TravelByJury.com! Check out all of our great eats as you gear up to gobble ’til you wobble! We’re thankful for you – so keep the reviews coming!

the Cart, Hanoi, Vietnam
Gracie’s, Salt Lake City, Utah
Linger Lodge, Bradenton, Florida
The Wine Shop, Charlotte, North Carolina
Harvest, Louisville, Kentucky
Bison Witches Bar & Deli, Tempe, Arizona
Pachapapa, Cusco, Peru
Ladles, Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina
Loose Meat Sandwiches in Sioux City, Iowa
Granja Heidi, Cusco, Peru
Jack’s Cafe, Cusco, Peru
Caffe Pomodoro, Panama City, Panama
Desserts of Louisville, Kentucky
Gilpin’s Sandwiches, Cincinnati, Ohio
Cafe Campanilla, Madrid, Spain
Dickadee’s Deli, Charlotte, North Carolina
La Bombeta, Barcelona, Spain
Medjool, San Francisco, California
De’Coltelli, Pisa, Italy
Kashmir, Louisville, Kentucky
Barley’s Taproom, Asheville, North Carolina
Maggie Jones; London, England
The General Greene & Cake Man Raven; Brooklyn, New York, USA
La Paella De La Reina; Madrid, Spain
Brasserie Esemeralla; Paris, France
Black Bear Bakery; St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Murphy’s Ice Cream; Dingle, Ireland
Ristorante Zeppelin; Orvieto, Italy
Uto Klum; Üetliberg, Switzerland
Seviche, Louisville, Kentucky, USA
Unnammed; Le Peninsula de Azuero, Panama
Three Carrots Pub; Belgrade, Serbia
White Horse Tavern; New York City, New York, USA
The Duke of York; London, England

Filed under: Asia, Eastern Europe, Europe, Great Eats, Latin America, North America, Site News, South America | Tagged: Arizona, California, Charlotte, England, Europe, France, good eats, great eat, great eats, Iowa, Ireland, Italy, Kentucky, Panama, Peru, Serbia, South Carolina, Spain, Switzerland, United States, Vietnam | Leave a Comment »

Montréal, Canada

Posted on October 9, 2012 by Admin of TBJ

Canada has tons of instantly likable cities, but the Franco-capital of Montréal is positively bewitching; the city has a huge student population due to the city’s McGill and UQAM universities, so the city maintains a youthful vibe while still being one of the most interesting historical spots in North America. You will undoubtedly end up at some point in Old Montreal, home to caricature-drawers, cobblestone streets, and the Cirque de Solei practice area; it’s very touristy but there are some good restaurants. Taking a peek at the “underground city” that connects the Old area of town to its business district is worth a poke, but it’s basically a big train station/shopping center underground, as Montréal’s winters are pretty rough and people prefer shopping indoors when it’s cold. Be sure, by the way, if you’re using the city’s metro services in the winter, to note that all of them – except for the one with the Paris-gifted/like archway, have indoor entrances to prevent folks from slipping on icy stairs. Quartier Latin is a really hip spot and has some of the best restaurants and cheap-but-fun hotels, and it’s close to the city’s super-fun gay district and neighborhoods, Le Village. Parc du Mont-Royal and Parc Jean-Drapeau are both worth visits if you’re looking for some nature or… gambling. Montréal is extremely walkable, and getting out to Atwater Market in the southwest area of town or Mile End isn’t difficult with the city’s easy metro and bus services. And don’t worry – everyone speaks both French and English, but trying your hand at some basic French phrases never hurts. There’s something for everyone in Montréal, a true big city that feels more like a charming French town than the arts (there is art everywhere – walls, sidewalks, installations in neighborhoods), culture, and culinary capital that it is; bon voyage!

Filed under: North America | Tagged: art, Atwater Market, Canada, Cirque de Solei, downtown, environmentally friendly, french-speaking Canada, friendly folk, good restaurants in Montreal, Le Village, McGill University, metro Montreal, Mile End, Montreal, Montreal Underground, North America, Old Montreal, Parc du Mont-Royal, Parc Jean-Drapeau, Quartier Latin, UQAM | Leave a Comment »

Great Eat: Gracie’s, Salt Lake City UT

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Admin of TBJ

Famed as one of the only “gastropubs” in Salt Lake City, Gracie’s has the inner decor of a sport’s bar but the menu of a boutique restaurant. Your cheeseburger might be made of Kobe beef and contain Gruyère cheese instead of cheddar, and your fries might be cooked in duck fat, but, otherwise, the menu is basically full of old favorites done up in some slightly different ingredients. The bar area on the bottom floor is a jolly area, but the upstairs area, complete with pool tables, has the high-backed bench seats you see in good pubs and any Irish bar. The service is prompt and the folks are friendly, and for an in-land restaurant, the Ahi Tuna roll was one of the best I’ve ever had. Ribs, pho, and spumoni all share the same menu at Gracie’s, which is a short walk from Temple Square; next time you’re in SLC, you won’t be disappointed if you tuck in a bite at there.

Filed under: Great Eats, North America | Tagged: ahi tuna, bar, beef, big menu, downtown Salt Lake City restaurants, gastropub, good eat, great eat, great eats, Gruyère, hamburgers, Kobe beef, pho, pool tables, restaurants near Temple Square, ribs, Salt Lake City, seafood, SLC, spumoni, UT, Utah, vegetarian, wide variety of food | Leave a Comment »

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