5 South Main, Cohasset, Massachusetts

See: http://5southmain.com

I am finally home for more than a few days at a time, and was grateful to enjoy a lovely breakfast with my husband on a sunny and warm Saturday morning at 5 South Main in Cohasset. (I am just back from Miami and am working on a post!)

5 South Main is located in the lovely Cohasset Village and serves breakfast and light lunch. (For those of you who don't live on the South Shore, if you ever have reason to go to a function at the Red Lion Inn, 5 South Main is just around the corner.) The dining room is cozy, particularly if you can get one of the coveted window seats, and there are a couple of tables outside for al fresco dining when the weather permits.

There are tons of homemade treats available daily, including muffins, cupcakes, and daily soup specials -- you can follow 5 South Main on Facebook for menu updates. Since our task was breakfast, however, we went right for the French toast. I opted for the original, while my husband went for the sampler -- one slice of the original and one slice of cinnamon roll version. The "original" consists of thickly sliced, locally baked cinnamon swirl bread that is grilled to golden perfection and topped with melted butter, cinnamon, and sugar. (I know that's a lot of superlatives, but this French toast is deserving of all of them, and then some.) It is simply some of the best French toast I've had in my life. The cinnamon roll version has all of these elements plus a few smears of icing for good measure. Tell me how that could be wrong. My only complaint is that 5 South Main does not offer real maple syrup, but the corn syrup based, fake kind. Our waitress (who was lovely and very attentive) assured us it would be ok to bring our own, so you better believe I'll be throwing that in my purse for next time (this may call for a maple syrup flask like device).

To feel better about our carb fest, we also shared a bowl of fruit -- a generous serving of seasonal melons, grapes and berries. I've said before that I usually skip coffee when out to breakfast as I find many restaurants don't pay it much attention, but the coffee at 5 South Main is pretty good, and no one complains if you ask for milk instead of cream.

If you're more of a pancake or a savory breakfast person (read: pancakes with chocolate chips, pecans, and caramel drizzle or crab cake eggs Benedict ), I'm sure you won't be disappointed. If you live in the area, a stop at nearby Holly Hill Farm for some weekly provisions or a hike is a nice way to wrap up the morning.

Myers + Chang, Boston, Massachusetts

See: http://www.myersandchang.com

I love Joanne Chang's story (Harvard educated business-women extraordinaire turned restauranteur), and have long been a fan of Flour (especially the carrot cake, sticky buns, curried tuna sandwiches, brioche au chocolat... you get the idea), so was eager to finally try Myers + Chang.

Myers + Chang looks like a modern and trendy diner, complete with counter seating where you can watch the chefs at work. The bar has its own menu, and there is surely something for everyone, as it contains selections of wine, sake, beer, specialty cocktails, and several house-made sodas. I tried the Mint Lime Rickey and it was a grown-up, gently effervescent version of the treat I used to get at Brigham's as a kid.

Myers + Chang has a great option for Monday and Tuesday diners known as the "Cheap Date Night," a collection of prix fixe menus designed to generously feed two people for $40. We tried "The Healthy Date", supplemented with the fish tacos (because we simply could not resist). The pan-roasted, soy glazed salmon stole the show -- it was cooked to perfection (flaking perfectly with the slightest touch of my fork) and served on a bed of brown rice (at our request) with crispy shallots, slices of ginger, and a sauce that was to die for. The fish tacos were also outstanding, and were filled with delicately fried bits of hake, kimchee salsa, and cilantro. With a side of baby bok choy and mustard green and edamame dumplings, this really was a healthy meal. Note that I didn't say low calorie -- it definitely wasn't that -- but this menu sure crammed in a ton of superfoods. Bok choy! Ginger! Mustard greens! Salmon!

Sadly we didn't save room for dessert (I know. Joanne Chang is involved and we didn't save room for dessert. Rookie move.). Let me just say there is ginger-lemon mouse. And Flour's carrot cake.

Lastly, the service was simply impeccable. Both the hostess and our server were warm, enthusiastic, and knowledgeable. I've been trying to increase traffic to this blog so have been making an effort to Tweet a bit. (After all, what fun is it to write like this without interacting with others?) The Myers + Chang folks were kind enough to respond to my Tweet, which was an extra nice way to end the evening (really struggling not to use a smiley-face emoticon here).

Avo, Birmingham, Alabama

See: http://avorestaurant.com

Birmingham surprised me. I mean, really surprised me. I didn't do my homework before the trip, and didn't know what to expect with respect to food. Admittedly, I've spent only a little bit of time in the South. This time includes my first year of college (completed in rural South Carolina), during which time I could basically afford the dining hall, Waffle House, and maybe the buffet at Shoney's.

Avo is located in the lovely borough of Mountain Brook, and sits above Dram Whiskey Bar, her sister restaurant. While I just passed through Dram, it looks like a great spot: full of trendy, whiskey sipping 30-somethings. I did peek at the menu, and the offerings include southern comfort foods like bacon mac and cheese (complete with bacon from Kentucky) and lots of yummy sounding burgers. The menu even boasts a separate section, just for sauces.

Avo features California inspired cuisine made with local products, and the decor is cool and tranquil. I enjoyed the Pan-Roasted Gulf Day-Boat fish feature, which happened to be Red Snapper. The fish was served over a chickpea puree, cherry tomatoes, and garnished with fried capers (delicious). The menu offers a few different sized plates, including traditional appetizers, "mids" and mains, with a few side options so you can create the perfect meal. Both Dram and Avo offer gorgeous outdoor seating options.

In case you didn't know (and again, I sure didn't), Birmingham had five chefs named as semifinalists for various James Beard Awards in 2012, including Frank Stitt's of Highlands Bar and Grill, who was a semifinalist again in 2013 (for outstanding restaurant). Sounds like I need to plan a second visit.

Puerto Rico

My husband's mother is from Puerto Rico, and we were very luck to have the opportunity to travel there with her last month. We landed in San Juan, and drove to Boqueron for the first part of our stay, which is in the southwest corner of the island. My husband still has family on the island, and his cousin swept us into the car and drove us to a road-side cafeteria about 15 minutes away from the San Juan airport called Mojitoes. Mojitoes is the kind of place where you are unlikely to see any Americans, and you better be pretty fluent with your Spanish. The pork roasts on a spit visible from the counter, and you can select a variety of local mains and sides. While I couldn't quite bring myself to eat an entire one, I did sample a bite of the blood sausage. It was black and spicy, and stuffed with rice -- delicious. I also ordered some crispy rice (known as pegao), and chickpeas, sautéed in a tomato based sauce with Caribbean spices. The roast pork was unlike pork I have ever had before, complete with a thick layer of skin (if you look closely, you can even see some pig hair -- does it get more authentic that that?). Don't forget to grab an ice cold Medalla to drink (note: please do not pronounce this "Ma-dalla". Try "Mei-dai-a" instead. You'll get a lot more respect, trust me).

Boqueron is a quiet seaside town, and a popular vacation spot for Puerto Ricans in the summer. Things can be quite slow during the week (read: many shops and restaurants are closed, particularly on Tuesdays), so plan accordingly. We stayed at the Cofresi Beach Hotel, which is certainly no frills, but very neat and clean. The rooms are actually small apartments, so you can buy some groceries and take care of yourself on Tuesday. There is also a lovely roof-deck which is a perfect place to enjoy your dinner, even during a rain storm, as there is a small covered area. 

When you need a break from the surf and sun, go to Pescaderia Villa Palmeras, right on the beach, for homemade empandaillas and more cold Medalla. The shrimp (camaron), fish (pescado), and beef (carne) were especially scrumptious and fresh.

For breakfast, you must visit Simple, a food truck run by Samara Fernandez (this is conveniently located right across the street from the Cofresi). Samara is lovely person, and she makes a mean breakfast. The scrambled eggs are not to be missed, and are served aside buttered toast on local bread. Ask Samara about the crepes, which are not on the menu. She offers a fruit crepe and tripleta (as in three kinds of meat), both of which you can top with tropical jam, dulce de leche, or even Nutella. She will also squeeze you some fresh orange juice, and make you a wonderful cup of coffee to your liking (light, medium, or dark). There is a patio with tables with umbrellas, and its a great place to meet all kinds of people.

We took a road-trip to Jobos Beach for a little variety during our stay in Boqueron. Jobos Beach is home to a world-wide surfing championship, and the waves live up to the hype. On the way back, we stopped at the Pool Bar in nearby Rincon. To find the Pool Bar, you have to drive through lovely, hilly streets lined by quaint homes and lush flora. You can catch glances of the ocean at some of the turns. The owners of the Pool Bar are surfer American types, and they have a resident cat named Sprinkles. The sushi is fresh, and there are some Puerto Rican inspired rolls with mango and coconut. The tempura friend bananas and ice cream hit the spot for dessert.

We eventually moseyed over to San Juan and experienced the joy of Rosa de Triana, a tapas restaurant in Old San Juan. If you can swing it, try to get there on a Friday or Saturday to see live Flamenco and traditional Spanish singing by the servers. The restaurant is located within the old Spanish fort, and we sat in the old ammunition storage area. The seafood dishes were amazing, and this is the place to try mofungo, a traditional Puerto Rican dish. It is served as little bites (and as such, takes away the bloated feeling that is guaranteed if you try to eat it as a main dish), spiked with garlic. The honeyed eggplant is also a treat not to be missed, as are the manchego cheese and ham plates. 

While in San Juan, you might also try the Mallorca Cafe for breakfast or a pastry. The Kasalta Bakery is also quite famous, particularly after President Obama paid them a visit in 2011 (if you can avoid driving there, do! It takes some kind of genius to negotiate the parking lot and traffic.). I had a mallorca sandwich made with manchego from Kasalta and it was in fact, a breakfast of champions -- ham and cheese served between two slices of sweet bread, topped with mounds of powdered sugar. A perfect marriage. 

In general, I found the food in Puerto Rico to be really amazing. However, I struggled to find a green vegetable anywhere, and eventually felt a bit bloated by the end of the week from all the fried food and carbs. If you can, break away from the empanadillas get yourself a piece of grilled or baked fish -- red snapper and dorado are usually local. If someone offers you Puerto Rican sauce, it is a sweet and sour tomato sauce, with lots of onions and green olives, and quite nice over grilled fish. 

Indian Connection, Durban, South Africa

See: http://www.indian-connection.co.za

I travel to Durban quasi regularly for work, and I have never had better Indian food in my entire life. I asked a friend why the Indian food is SO good and Durban, and her hypothesis is that its because there are so many people from India in Durban that the restaurants can prepare the food in a more traditional way. Whatever the reason, eating Indian food in Durban has ruined me for life.

Indian Connection is situated atop a hill in pretty safe part of town (and there is plenty of nearby parking, with attendants). The service is friendly, and you may very well get to meet each member of the family that owns the restaurant. It's worth ordering appetizers, as there is no rush here, and it may take some time before you see your entrees. An added bonus of Indian Connection is the extensive vegetarian selection, many of which contain mushrooms. Also, be sure and order at least one dish that features prawns.

The menu boasts a robust wine selection, featuring South African wines. A nice, versatile choice is the Nederberg sauvignon blanc. Notably absent from the menu however, is Indian beer.

We sampled a bunch of dishes (since there were five of us), but some of my favorite appetizers included the fish tikka and the paneer tikka. The latter is served as generous squares of paneer skewered with vegetables. The chefs at Indian Connection are not afraid to use heat (you can request to have your food mild, medium, hot or extra hot), so don't be afraid to speak up. The paneer tikka was quite spicy.

We had a mix of dishes for our entrees, including prawn korma, dhingri dolma (an amazing mushroom delight), dal makhani, and bhuna gosht. All were divine. We also ordered the bread basket, which had enough bread to feed a small army (which were clearly were, becuase we crushed it), and allowed you to sample everything.

I don't usually order dessert at Indian restaurants, but in Durban at least, there is a dessert known as the Bombay Crush. If you ever see this, you MUST get it. My first sip is always followed by the thought, "This is so weird. Why didn't I just get rice pudding?" But then... wait for it... I realize how delicious it is. It is so delicious that I end up craving it the next day, and the next. It's kind of like a milk shake, made with fennel, rosewater (which turns the whole thing maraschino cherry pink), and these very fine vermicelli noodles. I know, I know, but trust me, you've got to try it.

Bouche, San Francisco, California

See: http://www.bouchesf.com

In my quest to find a moderately priced restaurant that could accommodate a party of five on a Friday evening at the very last minute, I discovered Bouche. Bouche is a traditional French restaurant housed in a teeny, tiny space just off Union Square. Reservations are highly recommended as the space fills up fast, and there aren't many spots at the bar to wait for a table. You are serenaded with the sounds of francophiles as soon as you walk in the door, which is absolutely lovely. The space has a romantic feel and is softly lit, though this is not the place to come to enjoy deep conversation with your companions as it can get quite loud.

You'll pass by the kitchen on your way upstairs -- take a moment to be impressed by how the chefs are able to turn out beautiful food from about a 4X4 cook space (that is only a tiny exaggeration). I started with the spring garlic soup, which was by far the star of the meal. It was an Eastery green, velvety in texture, and made me experience garlic in a whole new way. Creamy, subtle, divine. I had the Seared Steelhead with cauliflower cream and nettle and nut pesto for my entree. The fish was cooked perfectly and the dish was what I might call solidly good, but paled a bit in comparison to the soup. This does not necessarily mean the fish was mediocre, but rather highlights how amazing the soup was. Now, dessert. The tart of the day was a walnut tart, lined with a layer of bittersweet chocolate. Between the walnuts and the chocolate, it was like some sort of delicious new health food (or so we told ourselves). All of the dishes were plated artfully, engaging yet another sense as we enjoyed our meal.

Despite the fact that two member of our party were almost 30 minutes late (ack!), our server was gracious, kind, and attentive. Bouche is a perfect fit if you are seeking traditional French fare in a casual  (yet chic) setting. 

Ferry Building, San Francisco, California

See: http://www.ferrybuildingmarketplace.com

A little bit of this, a little bit of that (ok, maybe a LOT of this and that). We started our tour of the Ferry Building at Blue Bottle Coffee, where we waited in line for 25 minutes. Do not let that deter you -- it is well worth the wait. Blue Bottle was brewing their Three Africans blend, and each cup is prepared individually using the drip method. We also sampled a waffle; these are prepared in the Belgian style and served hot off the waffle iron. The outside was gently sprinkled in sugar and the result was a not too sweet treat. My mom and I each got a waffle and in hindsight it may have been a better idea to split one, in order to save room for more treats. Because we couldn't leave San Francisco without trying a Blue Bottle latte, we waited in line for 25 minutes again later in the afternoon (post trip to Sausalito), and once again, it was well worth the wait. The latte was expertly prepared (complete with latte art) with milk that had been steamed to sweetened perfection (by hand nonetheless -- none of this automatic Starbucks milk steaming going on over here).

We also stopped into Cowgirl Creamery where the breakfast choices left my mouth watering. We settled on toast layered with dijon mustard, caramelized onions, and gruyere, otherwise known as a "toastie". If you don't believe me when I say it was delicious, take a look at this picture:

We also sampled nibbles and treats from the Hog Island Oyster Company ($2 oysters? Don't mind if I do!), Miette, and Stonehouse California Olive Oil (I'll be buying a bottle of their "Reserve" oil as soon as we work through the existing stash at home). If you make it to the Ferry Building on Saturday, don't miss the outdoor farmer's market either -- it's the perfect place to assemble some provisions for a picnic on Sausalito. Think bread, locally grown fruit, hummus, and cheese galore... and you can try everything before you buy.