If awards were handed out for the most pretentious phrases ever uttered, I would surely win for this little gem, which--to my horror--I found myself saying the other day: "We tried a lot of food when we were traveling, but Khmer food was our favorite."

There's so much to work with there--the "when we were traveling" refrain beloved of boring backpackers who corner you at a party and start telling you about their adventures, the reference to a fairly obscure cuisine from a country fraught with political turmoil, the ghastly use of "we" rather than "I"--but the bottom line is that it's entirely true. Cambodian food, quite frankly, rocks.

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When I say that I’m from Dallas, Texas, I get one of two responses. Some begin to serenade me with the theme song from that ubiquitous 1970s TV show. Others produce a scowl on the face, implying pity and dismay. Then they proceed to tell me about “this one time they went to Dallas in July…” The stories almost always make me laugh, and I find myself defending my hometown, touting its hidden secrets and promising that “it’s not always that hot.”

Of all the places I’ve been, I admit that Dallas is among the most spread out and difficult to navigate. Visitors are often overwhelmed with the sprawl, and they simply don’t know where to start. My advice: get recommendations from the locals. No doubt, your travels will be richer and more rewarding, and you’ll certainly see a side of Big D that would have otherwise been missed.

Photo courtesy of Bishop Arts District, Dallas, Texas.

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Posted in Dallas/Fort Worth, LSBF '07, Restaurants & Cafes, Texas
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I’ve been to Las Vegas several times and for several different reasons: to celebrate my 21st birthday; to (unintentionally) gamble my life savings away; to sit in a conference room listening to various speakers talk tourism; and, of course, to experience the rockin’ Las Vegas shows and nightlife. It never occurred to me, however, to visit Sin City for its food.

Chef Wolfgang Puck started the trend (so they say), when he brought his famous food to the city, and big names have been following his lead ever since. During my most recent visit, I checked out a few places on the must-try Vegas foodie list. L'Atelier and Café Martorano were among my personal favorites, but as more and more celebrity chefs open kitchens, I may just have to make another trip to get more of this delicious destination!

Photo: La Ventreche (Lightly seared tuna belly with crispy onion rings) at L'Atelier.

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I wouldn’t exactly call myself a planner. Chance, curiosity and spontaneity drive my travels more often than not, and the word itinerary unleashes some sort of overt chemical reaction that makes my head hurt and my palms sweat. One thing I consistently rely on, however, is the Zagat Survey. After all, a good meal isn’t something one leaves to chance.

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Posted in Guides & Planning, New Orleans, Restaurants & Cafes
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Born and raised in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, I’m quite familiar with the unspoken rivalry between the two cities, which are separated only by a 35 miles stretch of highway. Dallasites turn their noses up at the prospect of venturing to the city known as Cowtown, and Fort Worth natives have probably been guilty at one time or another of calling their neighbors to the east snobs.

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Posted in Bars & Nightlife, Dallas/Fort Worth, Educational & Historic, Restaurants & Cafes, Shopping, Texas, Watering Holes
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The other night I was up in Healdsburg and ate at Cyrus--one of four restaurants to receive two Michelin stars in the Bay Area (see article). From start to finish, the experience was sublime, more like a tightly directed performance than mere dining.

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If I had a nickel for every time a fellow transplanted Californian and I had this conversation...

What good is a Steve Hanson-ish up-market Mexican restaurant in Manhattan--with its artisanal tequila tastings-this and wood-fired mole-that--when all I want is a $3 burrito? Sure, I’ll order one of their burritos for lunch, just to sate the craving for something carby and rectangular that’s topped with guac and sour cream. But nothing satisfies like a burrito from La Taqueria in San Francisco’s Mission.

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Posted in Restaurants & Cafes, San Francisco
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