My favorite dining experiences of 2014

Bella Milano - Edwardsville, IL

Great ambiance for a family dinner or a date.  I love the Milano salad and the meatballs. Check out the family special – available Sunday or as take out any day.

Milano Salad

1818 Chophouse – Edwardsville, IL

Hands down the best bloody Mary I’ve ever had.  It is thick and zesty and served with olives and a slice of bacon.

Bloody Mary on the left

Cleveland Heath – Edwardsville, IL

Expect a wait as it is packed most nights.  The bar has a wide variety of eclectic drinks. I recommend the chop chop salad.  Beef tongue and pork porterhouse are two memorable entrees

Chop Chop Salad

Dandelion Market – Charlotte, NC

I make a point to dine at the Dandelion Market every visit to Charlotte. Exposed brick and chalkboards along with an ever-changing tapas style menu make it the bomb.

Sauteed' Mushrooms

At Home in Our Kitchen

Fresh from the Goshen Market are oyster mushrooms and tomatoes. This quickly becomes an open-face tomato melt with sautéed mushrooms.

Tomato Melt with Sauteed' Oyster Mushrooms

Jacksons’ Mighty Fine Foods – Reston, VA

Took me a while to get over the name. Try the fried oysters with blue cheese served on a bed of lettuce and the thick mushroom bisque!

Fried Oysters

Mushroom Bisque

The Beach @ La Jolla, CA

Eaten at lots of great restaurants in La Jolla, but nothing beats dining on the beach.  Throw some steaks on the grill, uncork a bottle of Cabernet and watch the sunset over the Pacific.... Bon Appetit!

Beachside Dining!

Mission Taco – St. Louis, MO

Several locations in the St. Louis area, including Soulard.  So many tacos to choose from.  Also try to the carna asada fries – a meal in itself!

Variety of Tacos

Jack’s BBQ – Nashville, TN

This is old school BBQ.  Went on a Monday at lunch and the line was out the door. That tells you something.  Great ribs and atmosphere!

Inside and Outside Jack's BBQ

Peel Pizza – Edwardsville, IL

Very eclectic pizzas coupled with a great craft beer selection.  But three of my favorites are not pizzas: the tomato bisque, gnocchi and the involtini.

Tomato Bisque

Mike Shannon’s – Edwardsville, IL

I like the patio in the fall more than anything – have a few drinks in front of the fire.  Add an appetizer or two. 

The Patio at Mike Shannon's Edwardsville

Social Gastropub – Edwardsville, IL

This newcomer hit the scene late in 2014. Great interpretations of street tacos and a fried bologna sandwich. Need to soften the lights though....

Friend Bologne Sandwich

Street Tacos

Wasabi – Edwardsville, IL

The best sushi bar in the St. Louis area.  Be sure to order bluefin, which is available sporadically.

Sushi Boat

Biker Jim’s – Denver, CO

This cool downtown hot dog bar is not too far from Coors Field and perfect for lunch.  You will find rattlesnake, duck and several other eclectic dogs.

Biker Jim's