As much as I love traveling, I love finding gems in my own backyard. Recently, I stumbled upon two amazing LA restaurants, and I just had to share.

EMC Seafood and Raw Bar

I love this place. Great decor and a casual-chic atmosphere welcome you inside. The service is fantastic, and the food is even better. I highly suggest starting with raw oysters and the shrimp cocktail. I'm also a big fan of the albacore sashimi, yellowtail ceviche, and tuna tartar (with avocado, always a selling point for me). EMC also has a solid lobster roll, which you can get in a mini version. For the drinkers, there is an extensive beer and wine list, discounted during happy hour.

La Numero Uno Restaurant

This is my favorite new lunch spot. It is a cute, unassuming Mexican-Latin establishment. The salsa is amazing, and the guacamole is perfection. The taco plate is five dollars, with beans and rice. The black beans are some of the best I've ever had. The fish taco was very flavorful, and the chicken enchilada tasted like it had come out of a grandmother's kitchen. La Numero Uno is comfort food at it's best, at a very comforting price. 

You know how the saying goes...when in Rome...my husband and I decided that the last night of our European adventure should be spent in Rome. We hadn't been since college. Brandon's Catholic school past, and our mutual geekiness when it comes to all things historical, led us to the Vatican. We'd missed it the first time, so it seemed like the right thing to do. Let me be completely honest...it was something I could have skipped. It was a hot summer day, and even having purchased tickets in advance, we were shoulder to shoulder the entire time, with thousands of other tourists. There is no air conditioning--just a few strategically placed fans. If it hadn't been peak season, I think it would have been different. There are amazing works of art by masters such as Matisse, the decor is unbelievable, and of course, it is the home of the Sistine Chapel. On the other hand, no matter how beautiful a piece of art is, it's difficult to appreciate it when you are being pushed by thousands of bodies behind yours. I had to recover, quickly, with a cocktail on the rooftop of our hotel.

So...what else to do when in Rome? Paraphrasing the famous quote, act like a Roman. Romans tend to eat a lot of delicious food, and drink copious amounts of wine. My people! I'd made reservations at a pricey, fancy restaurant, but my husband and I had a last minute change of heart. Instead, still dressed for dinner at a five-star restaurant, we stopped at a pizzeria and had the most amazing creation with salmon and capers. We then stopped for gelato, which was dependably good. We next went to a local spot recommended by our taxi driver. We were the only Americans there, which is always a good sign of authenticity. The wait was almost an hour, so we had a glass of wine at the bar next door. When our time came, the food was fantastic and worth the wait. The Roman artichoke appetizer was delicious, with the perfect amounts of olive oil and garlic. The pastas were superb. The wine was sublime. It could not have been a better meal. Before we ducked into our hotel for the night, we made one more stop--at another gelato place. It was just enough to make me fall in love with Rome, all over again. 

There are thousands of islands surrounding the Greek mainland. I only had time to visit three: Mykonos, Santorini, and Crete.

Mykonos

Before arriving, I knew two things about Mykonos--great architecture, and great partying. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it offers so much more...great beaches, gorgeous sunsets, and enchanting winding streets. The best way to see the island is to rent a four-wheeler, which almost everyone does. Champagne flows like water. It is also a celebrity hangout, full of hilarious cliches. Lindsay Lohan sightings, Dolce and Gabanna docking their boat, and the piece de resistance...running into Valentino at a lounge. Mykonos surpassed my expectations. Come for the nightlife, and stay for the steamy days...if you're able to wake up before sunset.

Santorini

Santorini is marketed as one of the most romantic places on the planet. This might be true, but the throngs of summer tourists are a huge detractor. The best way to get away from the most touristy areas is to do a boat trip, which goes to several beaches accessible only by boat. I did, however, thoroughly enjoy the food. One highlight was Ambrosia, located in Oia. The ambiance was great, with stellar views. The wine was excellent. The standout was a salmon tartare with avocado appetizer. It was expertly prepared, with just the right amount of citrus and seasoning. It was perfection. I literally could not stop eating it. I've been craving salmon tartare since, and I haven't had anything stateside that comes close. The shrimp and local fish of the day were both fresh and delicious. The meal was capped by a to die for panna cotta. Santorini was not my favorite island, but I would go back in a heartbeat for a dinner at Ambrosia.

Crete

Crete is a unique island. It's difficult not to fall in love as soon as you land. The Greek people are known for their warmth and friendliness, but the Cretans take it to another level. Everyone warned me that three days there wouldn't be enough...now, I understand why. The food and wine in Crete is superb. My favorite meal was at Erganos, an unassuming family-owned restaurant. The lamb was outstanding. It was at Erganos that I was introduced to Raki, the extremely strong official spirit of Crete. It's common to have a complimentary bottle brought to the table after a meal in Crete. I couldn't handle more than one shot at a time. I fared much better with the wine. While it can be hit or miss in the rest of Greece (the whites tend to be better, in my experience), Crete's climate produces excellent wines. I enjoyed the wineries so much that I forgot to note my favorites, but trust me...in Crete, it's hard to go wrong.