Beyond the purpose of sustenance, certain foods have the special ability to nourish us by bringing back memories. Grilled cheese may be the simplest of sandwiches, but few foods can bring you back to childhood quite like hot cheese between layers of buttery toast on a blustery day. With this concept in mind, twenty-something Spencer Rubin opened Melt Shop last summer, a restaurant that specializes in the gooey goodness of grilled cheese. Now that it’s the middle of winter, Melt Shop is the perfect place to go for a comforting lunch and warm memories in midtown Manhattan.... Read More

Steering clear of the one-size-fits-all chain restaurant box, Paley’s Place has made its mark on the West Coast restaurant scene with a distinctive convergence of French, Eastern European and Pacific Northwest influences and dynamic emphasis on local, sustainable and seasonal. The intimate charm is found amidst a historic Victorian house in the Northwest District of Portland, seating a mere 50 patrons. With a cozy front porch, open air patio and two dining rooms, one gets the sensation of stepping into the home of close friends. ... Read More

New York City is all about great neighborhoods. In the heart of the West Villiage, you’ll discover The Little Owl. This tiny spot has a neighborhood vibe, with wonderfully original Mediterranean fare by Joey Campanaro. With only 30 seats, high ceilings and the enormous windows, you’ll get the feeling that you’ve dropped in on a well-kept secret.... Read More

If you haven’t visited Napa recently, prepare to be delighted. The city’s downtown district is experiencing a renaissance, boasting many exquisite new restaurants and specialty food and wine retailers and an under-the-radar winery district ripe for discovery.... Read More

Ryan Angulo’s Buttermilk Channel is all about comfort food. His American bistro menu includes both grass-fed beefsteak, house-made pickles, maple-and-bacon-roasted almonds and buttermilk batter–fried chicken. The spot is homey, too, with a butcher-block bar and a communal table made out of ceiling beams from an old Red Hook warehouse.... Read More

This year's big game is slated for February 5, but the playoffs are less than a week away, so now's the time to look into what you'll be serving your fellow fanatics. Fortunately for you, with a little foresight and extra planning, you'll be able to knock their socks off with some southern-style cooking. ... Read More

You’ve had a hard day. Bluebird skies, untracked powder in the Back Bowls and perfectly executed turns on groomers. You feel good. You look good. It’s time to hit the après scene and celebrate, but a basket of wings and a beer just won’t do. You need black cod with sweet miso; rock shrimp tempura with a creamy, spicy sauce; some spicy tuna hand rolls and a cold Kirin Ichiban draft with a side of sake to wash it down.... Read More

The bivalve is in the midst of a comeback, with new producers and restaurants featuring them both raw and cooked.... Read More

Whether you wake up on a weekend morning hungover or just plain hungry, there’s little more satisfying than Eggs Benedict. While the classic versions that Canadian bacon or smoked salmon between an English muffin and a blanket of hollandaise are delicious, here in New York, it’s possible to get way more luxurious. Here are six of the most decadent bennies in the city.... Read More

There are beer and wine festivals. There are Renaissance festivals. But truffle festivals? They can be as tough to track down as the famous fungus itself. ... Read More

 Cold, dark winter weather that persists for months on end leads many to seek warmth in food; the kind of satisfaction that comes from ingesting lots of calories under the pretense that there are still months left before your weekends will be spent on beaches, pretending you know how to surf. ... Read More

In a nation collectively obsessed with the enjoyment of food, Spaniards make no exception for Christmas, especially those harboring a sweet tooth. With the holiday season in full swing, children and adults alike seek traditional Christmas sweets in Madrid’s bakeries.... Read More