Bartolotta di Mare (Las Vegas)

When I read online that Chef Paul Bartolotta flies in two tons of fish directly from the Mediterranean to The Wynn at least every 36 hours, I booked a reservation without even blinking. Our server, Maurizio, whose thick accent I could hardly understand yet whose laugh was contagious, tended to our table for a two-hour dining experience with my mother and grandmother that I will never forget.

I drooled over the separate truffle menu (which, might I add, adds $90 per dish for the Italian-imported white truffles) and regretted my black jack habit earlier in the day. Next time, I’ll splurge on the truffles instead of the chips!

The restaurant’s menu is indelible, to say the least. The homemade pasta and seafood selection is extraordinary, and whole fish offerings are chipped away from a salt casing right at your table.

The three of us absolutely over-ordered. Surprise, surprise. Appetizer portions are listed with the option to double the serving for an entrée…but do not be mistaken. The appetizer portion is plenty along with another appetizer or two for the table.

Luckily, my grandmother, mother and I all have the same taste buds. So all was shared. We began with two wilted arugula, artichoke, porcini and Sardinian pecorino salads with the perfect vinaigrette to share between the three of us. My favorite appetizer was the poached shrimp with cannellini beans, basil and pomini tomatoes. I am dying to try this in my own kitchen. The recipe is light and healthy, but the beans add a subtle richness.

Oh, but there’s more. At the same time, sautéed tiny clams in a tomato broth were served. We used ciabatta slices to soak up the sauce. The last appetizer was a seared scallop atop imported porcini mushrooms. The thinnest slice of parmigiano-reggiano lay across the top of each of the two scallops. That scallop tasted like butter.

We had a while to breathe and sip on Chardonnay before our main course. We were surrounded by an overwhelming number of foreign guests and parties; I felt like I was back in Italy again! (Side note: The Eiffel Tower did result in a slight second of enchantment and subsequent disappointment when realizing I was not in Paris, after all. Nice try, Vegas.)

For the main courses, I ordered a hand made ribbon pasta with imported porcinis. My mother ordered pasta “rags” with lobster, crab, shrimp, white wine and tomato. We happily switched after trying each others! My grandmother’s seafood risotto was beautiful.

In the middle of the table sat a ricotta-filled ravioli with pecorino and Marsala wine glaze. Holy moly, it was divine…but it was so rich that I could not eat more than a bite. If you’re into cheese, you’ll be in heaven.

Note: We ordered appetizer portions and could not even finish them.

A small scoop of coconut sorbet topped us off before the check. Seafood lovers, pasta lovers, Vegas lovers, any lovers…go to Bartolotta on your next trip to Las Vegas. You will be very, very pleased.

Winflo (Austin)

Right across from my favorite seafood spot, Clark’s, sits an intimate Italian escape with romantic lights entwined in trees...The beaming reflection twinkles amidst West Sixth and lures foodies of all sorts to dreamily wine and dine.

We planned a girls dinner for the arrival of my little sister Julia, who was visiting Austin alone for the first time. Winflo’s menu is perfect for sharing with its brick-oven pizza selection and house-made pastas.

Brenna and I split the beet salad to start with sugared walnuts and goat cheese. The size was great for splitting and satisfying my palette before carb overload.

Megan and Rachel’s four-cheese pizza, or quattro formaggi with a fried egg, was my favorite dish of the spread! The egg wasn’t too overwhelming, but it complimented the cheeses so nicely. I’m getting that myself next time.

Our fettuccine al pesto with added shrimp had some of my favorite ingredients: portabellinis, basil and walnuts. BUT...the temperature was cold.  I should have sent it back, but Julia and I had already split the portion and did not want to cause a mess back in the kitchen.  Brenna’s black drum dish was unfortunately cold as well.  While the flavors were delicious, and the squid ink risotto had a great texture with olive and caper marinara on the side, we wish the plates had been hot off the stove instead of sitting on the counter waiting to be served!

I look forward to trying Winflo again soon for a date night or happy hour.  The atmosphere is too precious to pass up!

South Congress Café (Austin)

There's a reason why an hour-long wait arises within the first five minutes of unlocking the doors for weekend brunch at South Congress Café. The food, atmosphere and location are simply top-notch, flawlessly fusing together the trendiness of the restaurant's South Congress block and its classic menu and interior design.

First things first: the carrot cake french toast. If Giada de Laurentiis orders this exact dish during every visit to Austin, it must be nothing short of outstanding. So we ordered the entreé portion (our waiter failed to tell us that a side order option is available...oops) and split it among the three of us. We about died after the first bite. Dipped in a pecan cream cheese syrup, the carrot cake seems to be cooked in a bread pan and grilled french-toast style. It's bread-like but sweet and crumbly at the same time. I would go back just for this; and no, not just because of Giada.

Ashley's smoky pancetta and brie omelette was a menu special. The creamy cheese choice added a richer taste to a beautifully cooked omelette. The potato pancake side was a terrific spin on typical hash browns or breakfast potatoes.

My lemon & goat cheese pancakes with blueberry compote were appetizing yet odd. I thought the goat was a bit too overpowering and sour for a sweet cake; ricotta would've been much more enjoyable. The over-easy eggs and extra crispy bacon were delicious on the side.

Brenna's vegetarian egg-white omelette was the healthiest of our orders, but it was just as satisfying! The spinach, portabellos and artichokes soaked up immense flavor, and the added avocado is always a good move, in my opinion.

Let's be real: you cannot begin your day in SoCo on a better note than at South Congress Cafe. Carrot cake french toast, then antique shopping and some oysters for an afternoon snack on the Perla's patio? Count me in.

Oxbow Market (Napa Valley)

Since Austin has provided me consistent 90-100 degree sunshine through September and most likely into October, I'm in denial that the seasons will ever change. Or the seasonal produce that balances every meal of mine. My mind still wanders through the Oxbow Farmer's Market in Napa Valley that my boyfriend and I visited earlier in the month...the harvest of grapes, heirloom tomatoes and fresh flowers won me over in an instant. If I were a resident of Napa (...in my dreams), I'd be a regular at this weekly communal gathering of culinary talent and good 'ole food lovin'.

Here's a glimpse of our adventure...

fresh peaches to sample

these sunflowers could brighten any room

alex isn't the biggest mushroom fan. opposites attract, i guess.

Foodheads (Austin)

Ever experience that summer-esque, porch-swing, lemonade and iced tea-filled fantasy that pops in your head on a warm afternoon? You know, that nostalgic escape from the brutal Austin heat?

Well, let me tell you: FoodHeads is just that escape.

FoodHeads serves the freshest and finest salads and sandwiches in town, especially if you're on-the-go or in need of an easy, breezy business lunch. I've never been displeased by the service or fare.

What to order? Well, I recommend basically anything on the menu. I've taken advantage of the half-and-half salad and sandwich combo with the grilled portabellas and bleu sandwich and Greek salad. 

My favorite salad is the steak & arugula salad with avocado and crumbled gorgonzola. The tuna nicoise comes in a close second. Happie subbed the gorgonzola for fresh goat cheese, which we agreed was a mighty fine move.

Last but not least: to drink, grab a red solo cup next to the counter and fill her up with an Arnold Palmer. There are multiple teas and lemonades available to mix and match!

Join the FoodHeads fan club and swing by this weekend. You'll be happy you did.

Épicerie (Austin)

I stepped inside, looked around, and was instantly enamored with the quaint, casual style of Épicerie Café & Grocery. The walls are lined with rosy bottles of wine, decadent chocolate bars and hand soaps for sale. The community tables are surrounded by high-end cheeses and meats, mason jars of hibiscus tea, and homemade sweets. I immediately decided I would not only come to épicerie to dine, but also to shop.

The counter-style ordering adds a touch of nonchalantness to the meal. A small and sophisticated menu, Laura (my favorite Austinite PR guru and owner of Striped Shirt) and I decided to split a few salads and small plates.

I had never seen fried gouda on a menu before--such a mark of creativity struck me! I loved the new take on fried mozzarella. The nuttier cheese enhanced the crushed cashews and sweet cherries on top.

The caesar (hold the anchovy) was wonderful. I never order this type of salad in fear of a creamy, heavy dressing on romaine. This version's light concept highlighted generous shavings of fresh parmesan.

The watermelon salad with quinoa & arugula had such gorgeous coloring and fine contrasts of texture. I moved my fork around the yogurt dressing at the bottom, which was sour and too creamy. But the fresh watermelon with toasted almonds was a delight.

I wish y'all could've witnessed my reactions to the salted chocolate chip and shortbread cookies. SO FREAKING GOOD. The chocolate chip cookie was dense and perfectly chewy. The shortbread was light and buttery, melting in my mouth with every bite. I could eat these all day long. If anything, check out épicerie for just a cup of coffee and one of these sweets!