There is barbeque, and there is BARBEQUE. BARBEQUE is a life event…it only happens once every few years, if you’re lucky. It is the perfect marriage of tender meat, and sweet or savory sauce. BARBEQUE is heaven. I had a little bit of heaven recently, in one of America’s best cities for barbeque…Dallas.

Off the Bone Barbeque is almost a religious experience. The meat is so tender that it literally falls off the bone. It was so good that I went twice on a recent weekend visit to Dallas. The first time, I had the two meats plate: brisket and smoked pecan baby back ribs, with spicy three meat charro beans and potato salad. Oh, and of course, sweet tea. The sweet tea was true Southern, good sweet tea. The meats were tender and juicy. The sides were appropriately yummy. On my second try, I had the ribs again (I think I’m addicted), with honey spiced baked beans and spicy fries. Basically, you cannot go wrong at this place. Any meat, any sides…all delicious. Mr. Harvey, the owner, is there to make sure all of his guests feel comfortable. It really feels, and tastes, like you’re at a relative’s home. By the way, the desserts are also killer.

The only problem is, I feel like I’m going through pork withdrawal. If only Off the Bone would open a West Coast location…

I love quick getaways. Not as much as I love an extended overseas trip, but it’s definitely the next best thing. My husband and I just got back from one such trip to the Santa Barbara area. If you have not had the opportunity to take a drive up the California coast, do it! The views are absolutely breathtaking.

We stayed at the Bacara Resort & Spa, where we swam and sunbathed to our heart’s content. The poolside drink service was fantastic. Then there was the food…it was only my second time in the area, and I was just as impressed with the restaurants we chose this time as I was the first.

We had breakfast at Jeannine’s in Montecito, where I had THE BEST French toast I’ve ever had—and I have eaten a lot of French toast in my lifetime. This is not just any French toast. It is their “famous banana Kahlua French toast.” Translation: yummy Challah bread topped with bananas sautéed in Kahlua with butter and brown sugar. There are no words for how delicious this was. I also sampled the breakfast burrito, which was almost as good. Their coffees and pastries were also amazing.

Lunch was at Los Agaves in Santa Barbara. It was my second time, and I was not disappointed by my return trip. The chips and salsa are great. The guacamole is the perfect consistency and flavor. The classic combination dishes are good—great crispy tacos, sopes, and enchiladas. The really special dishes are the ones with seafood (enchiladas and tacos).

Our dinner choice was Santa Barbara Shellfish Company at Stearns Wharf. The wait was a little crazy, but it was completely worth it. We started with shrimp cocktail, which was pretty standard. I had the lobster bisque, which was ok but lacking in the lobster department. My husband had the clam chowder (with bacon!), which was delicious. We then dug into a whole Maine lobster, lightly grilled, and a huge local crab. It was the best seafood meal I’ve had on the West Coast, by far. 

Welcome to EatDrinkTravelGirl!


So I've decided to kick things off with one of my favorite subjects--something we'll be discussing a lot here: FOOD. I forced myself to sit down and begin the arduous process of creating the list of the best things I've ever eaten.

Coming up with the list was as difficult as it was fun. The process of narrowing my faves down made me feel like a mother bear forced to save just one of her cubs. Food to me is culture, adventure, comfort, and love. I hope you enjoy reading my list just as much as I enjoy eating.

Best Pastry: Pain au Chocolat (chocolate croissant)

Oh pain au chocolat, je t'aime! I have never had a bad croissant experience anywhere in France, especially in the City of Light. If you don't live next door to a Parisian bakery, try Bouchon Bakery or Balthazar Bakery in New York. These are the best I've had stateside.


Best fear-inducing dish that turned out to be amazing: Bastila, otherwise known as pigeon pie

Yes, I know pigeon pie sounds about as appetizing as a tube sock burrito. Just stay with me. Bastila is a traditional Moroccan dish. While I had it in Merrakech, it is thought to have originated from Fez. I was with my husband and some of his family members at a restaurant, and we were told that we had to try it. I am not a FOP (friend of pigeons) by any means. I find them absolutely disgusting. However, the pie was amazing. The pigeon was cooked to perfection, and there was sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top of the pie crust. Don't knock it 'til you try it, I'm just saying...

Best dip/spread: Lebanese hummus

While I love hummus of all varieties, the best hummus I've ever eaten is in Beirut, Lebanon. The bad news is, it's a long way to travel. The good news is, there are so many places to chose from. If you happen to be in the neighborhood, my favorite places for hummus are: Kahwet Leila, Barbar, and Le Chef.

Best pizza: Nonna Maria at Bleeker Street Pizza

No big surprise...I've got to give this category to NYC. The Nonna Maria will make you reconsider your purpose in life--it is that good! Perfect crust, perfect sauce, perfect toppings. Enough said.

Best use of multiple seafood mediums: Catfish Annie at Christina's

This little lunch spot in Baton Rouge is known for their distinctive catfish dish. It is probably as far from healthy eating as you can get, but totally worth the calorie and fat splurge. The catfish is fried with an impeccable attention to detail. Then, there is the sauce...a creamy and cheesy crawfish sauce generously poured over the catfish. You get the idea.

Best pasta: Ricotta and egg raviolo with browned butter at Osteria Mozza

I cannot even begin to describe how decadently delicious this is. If you live in Los Angeles, you must go to have this dish. If you don't live in Los Angeles, well...you should still go have this dish. The egg yolk, ricotta, and browned butter come together to create the trifecta of amazing pasta...seriously.

Best quintessentially Southern dish: Shrimp and grits at Hominy Grill

Warm, buttery heaven...Charleston's Hominy Grill presents shrimp with tasty bacon and scallions, over the best cheese grits I've ever had in my life.

Best Burger: Hole in the Wall Burger Joint

This West Hollywood neighborhood spot does a simple, solid burger. The burgers are cooked perfectly, and the pretzel buns are almost too good to stand. Go ahead and add bacon on that burger--you'll thank me later. Oh, and the fries are equally tasty.

Best use of fried dough: Beignets at Cafe du Monde

Fried dough + powdered sugar + New Orleans = NIRVANA

Ice Cream: Graeter's


My hometown favorite is still the best, in my humble opinion. Graeter's ice cream far exceeds any other ice cream I've had, and I've eaten A LOT of ice cream. You can't go wrong with mint chocolate chip or butter pecan.