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.