I wrote about last year after my first visit, and you can read a lot of background about Flo’s here. The upshot was that the tenderloin biscuit there overcame my skepticism and justified all I’d heard and read about it. It was good enough that for this trip I determined to spend the night in Wilson so that I could breakfast at Flo’s. We got … Continue reading Flo’s Kitchen, Wilson, North Carolina

We had a hectic Sunday. Georgetown Presbyterian had a gorgeous and inspiring Messiah service that ran a little over (most un-Presbyterian), and Ella had a piano recital scheduled for 1:30 at Hearst Hall on the Cathedral grounds. The logical spot was Cactus Cantina, just a few blocks from the recital at 3300 Wisconsin Avenue. Cactus Cantina haș been around forever, and is very popular. Years … Continue reading Cactus Cantina, Cathedral Heights, Washington, DC

Wow! Is Wilber’s better than ever? Let’s see what the experts say. First, some background about Wilber’s. The barbecue at Wilber’s has long been the stuff of legend. For years it was a regular stop on our way to the beach near Morehead City, both for a second lunch after Parker’s (for me) and for a stop at the farm stand outside for produce (including … Continue reading Wilber’s BBQ, Goldsboro, North Carolina

For those who live in in Central Florida as well as those headed South this winter, Kathy Card, our Senior Central Florida Correspondent, offers another good option for folks in or near DeLand, Angelina’s Pizzeria. Angelina’s is at 2687 S. Woodland Blvd maybe 10 minutes from I-4 where it branches off I-95. Now, if you’re going to Orlando or on to Tampa and the southwest … Continue reading Angelina’s Pizzeria, DeLand, Florida

I’ve already posted my Best Barbecue Meals, Best Barbecue Sides, Best Breakfasts, and Best Pretty Fine Dining meals of 2023. so let’s wrap things up with the Best of the Rest. Here, without further ado, are the specific dishes most brightened my 2023. Each is excellent, and each made the meal. Best New Mexican — The Shed in Santa Fe has superb New Mexican green chiles, and … Continue reading More Bests of 2023: 14 Standout Dishes

I had a strong and authoritative recommendation for La Crêperie from Michelle, a parent at Ella’s school who’s a regular in Key West. And it was endorsed by Sue and David Boyd, who’d just been there. It sounded great, so off we went late one morning after our annual visit to the delightful butterfly museum with Ella and Lily — and where serendipitously we picked up cards … Continue reading La Crêperie, Key West, Florida

A while back, I wrote about the muffuletta at Manifest Bread, the best I had tasted in the area — not that I’d tasted many here. I sent a BOLO for other muffulettas in the Washington area, and heard that The Italian Store had one. Meanwhile, Les Wexler, our Senior Deli and Great Lakes consultant, was in the mood for an Italian sub. The mission defined, we headed out. … Continue reading The Italian Store, Arlington, Virginia

What a fun (and tasty) lunch! I’ve found another Keys winner on Stock Island. Stock Island is the last of the Keys before you enter Key West, and Hurricane Hole is the very last left turn before you cross the bridge into Key West. The restaurant sits next to a busy marina, and includes houseboats, or Aqualodges, which are available for nightly, weekly, or monthly rentals. Just … Continue reading Hurricane Hole Restaurant, Bar, and Marina, Stock Island, Florida

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and since I’ve already highlighted the best Barbecue and Pretty Fine Dining meals of the year, as well as the Best Side Dishes at barbecue places, I would be remiss not to highlight the best breakfasts of 2023. Usually, my own breakfast consists of either cereal with some fruit and/or black coffee, such is my self restrain. … Continue reading Best Breakfasts of 2023