By Belinda Sieben
I recently spent three weeks eating and drinking my way across the States. Expecting a lot of fried food and massive portions, I was pleasantly surprised by the food scene and had some memorable meals throughout the trip. Here’s where to eat in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Las Vegas, and New York, in no particular order.
Catch is a seafood restaurant in the heart of the meatpacking district in Manhattan. It’s one of those oh-so-cool places with a hidden entrance. Once you find the door that leads to a nearly pitch-black hallway and unmarked elevators, head on up to the rooftop for a cocktail to start. When your table is ready you can move downstairs to a cosy booth and get ordering. The menu is designed for sharing, so we did just that – we even went back for seconds of the crunchy rice cakes….
Must try: Catch Roll (they flame broil the sushi in front of you), crispy shrimp, crunchy rice cakes
Sweetchick is in Williamsburg and is uber cool. It’s exactly how I imagined an American eatery – dim lighting, hip hop music and perfect for a hangover. A Thursday morning and it was packed! The fried chicken and waffle sandwich comes with a bourbon molasses glaze, black eyed pea spread and crispy jalapeños. It’s a heart attack on a plate but AMAZING. Wash it all down with a cold drip coffee.
Must try: fried chicken and waffle sandwich (with fries not salad, duh!)
There’s two locations of this brunch fave – Williamsburg and East Village. Visit on a Sunday for breakfast and you’re likely to love it so much you’ll stay lunch and have dessert (guilty!). It’s the type of place you spend all day at sitting in the glass garden with friends. Watch the sunlight flood through the window while you sip on bloody Marys. It’s Moroccan-inspired so includes traditional dishes with a middle eastern twist. The halloumi eggs includes two poached eggs served on top of roasted halloumi cheese and tomatoes with a little mesclun and a za’atar pita. Go the hot sauce to take it up a notch. Dinner is meant to be fantastic, particularly the tagines which come with fresh bread from a tandoori oven.
Must try: Halloumi eggs, hummus
Nick’s Lighthouse, San Francisco
This restaurant in Fisherman’s Wharf doesn’t look like much from the outside but is a delicious surprise. The tank of live lobsters at the door catch your eye. The walls are all nautical themed and if you look out the window from your booth seating you can see boats in the wharf. The staff are lovely and the service exceptional. You must try the famous clam chowder with crusty fresh-baked sourdough to dip – – it won’t disappoint. A highlight though is the whole crab. All it needs is some lemon and garlic dipping sauce – yum!
Must try: clam chowder, whole crab (boiled)
Yes, this is the place that turns into a crazy five level club with famous DJs every week. The restaurant down stairs is the perfect place to line your stomach. It’s dark inside with very sleek and futuristic furniture all divided into latticework-framed “cages” that make it feel very intimate. The steamed dim sum platter is a winner. If you’re heading up stairs to the dance floor, an espresso martini is the perfect dessert substitute.
Must try: dim sum platter
I was lucky enough to be staying at a friend’s apartment literally on top of The Meatball Shop. It does what it says – serves meatballs and not much else. It’s a build your own meal menu so take the laminated menu and tick what you would like in terms of balls, sides and sauces. The spicy pork with spicy meat sauce and freshly milled polenta. Amazing. Also, make sure you save room for the ice-cream sandwich.
Must try: spicy pork meatballs with spicy meat sauce and freshly milled polenta
When I hear bottomless mimosas for only $12, I am there. Barbrix is in Silverlake has a great atmosphere. One of those places you could again sit at all day especially if you’re lucky enough to get a seat on the patio so you can bathe in the California sun. The frittata and quiche are good options for a light meal but if you are feeling like something heartier, the bavette steak and eggs or barbrix burger is probably a better choice.
Must try: frittata broccolini, tomato and burrata and bottomless mimosas
