Dine Like a Local in Barcelona: 6 Restaurants to Try on Your Next Trip

Beatrice Clark August 14, 2018 Leave a Comment

As well as iconic architecture, fantastic shopping, and guaranteed sunshine, the Catalan capital also seduces visitors with its flourishing food scene. If you’re planning a trip to Barna (as it’s sometimes called by locals), here are our top recommendations for where to dine like a local in Barcelona. We’ve hand-picked some of the best options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Brunch at El Rebost De Sant Antoni
Start off your day by visiting one of Barcelona’s traditional food markets such as the Mercat de Sant Antoni in the heart of the city. Right next to the market you’ll find El Rebost De Sant Antoni, the perfect brunch stop offering traditional and market cuisine and a passion for authentic flavors. Enjoy a selection of cured meats, grilled Iberico pork, a wide range of cheeses, and delicatessen products sourced directly from their places of origin (Torreznos de Soria, Morcilla de Burgos and Jaén, Sobrasada de Menorca, and many more). Make a reservation at El Rebost De Sant Antoni.

Traditional lunch at Taller de Tapas – Rambla Catalunya
You cannot visit Barcelona without walking along the famous Rambla Catalunya and taking in Spanish daily life. Why not stop at Taller de Tapas and enjoy an al fresco lunch at one of the shady tables on the tree-lined boulevard (just like Scarlett Johansson in Woody Allen’s movie Vicky Cristina Barcelona)? Give the roast Pyrenean lamb with rosemary and thyme a try or enjoy traditional Spanish tapas dishes such as crisp, fried artichoke shavings or sizzling chorizo cooked in Asturian cider. Make a reservation at Taller de Tapas.

Venetian lunch at Xemei
Another great spot for lunch in the Catalan capital is Xemei, especially if you have had enough of tapas and paella for a while. We recommend Xemei and its outstanding Venetian cuisine and atmosphere. Tip: Owners Stefano and Max have collected a fantastic selection of wines and will match your food and drink choices absolutely perfectly. Make a reservation at Xemei.

Date night at La Dama
Looking to impress your other half? Then pay La Dama a visit – it’s the perfect spot for a romantic date night. Located in an elegant building hailing from the Catalan Art Nouveau era, La Dama provides traditional French cuisine and has a creative cocktail bar, so you can spend your entire evening under one roof. Tip: Try the lobster spaghetti or their signature dish steak tartar la Dama – you won’t be disappointed. Make a reservation at La Dama.

Authentic dinner at El Cangrejo Loco
Lovers of seafood should definitely pay El Cangrejo Loco a visit. A firm favorite of royals all across Europe, you might be in luck and even see Spain’s King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia or Britain’s Princess Anne at this very special location overlooking the Spanish coast. We recommend their fisherman-style paella – an absolute delight. Make a reservation at El Cangrejo Loco.

Chargrilled, Wood Fired + Broiled: 11 Top Restaurants for Oysters

Nevin Martell August 13, 2018 Leave a Comment

Raw oysters are one of life’s greatest pleasures. However, the shell stars are just as rewarding when they’re tossed on the grill or set underneath the broiler. Here are 11 top restaurants for oysters to help you get your slurp on this summer.

Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette, Marina, California
Shucking awesome! These wood-fired oysters come with a wealth of toppings. Some feature tarragon pesto, kimchi butter graces others, and others still are a spicy sausage fest. Make a reservation at Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette.

Drago’s, New Orleans, Louisiana
They serve more than 1.2 million oysters a year at this New Orleans favorite. Their classic charbroiled oysters come drenched in butter, garlic, and cheese. Or, as we like to call them, the essentials. Make a reservation at Drago’s.

Harlowe MXM, Dallas, Texas
Rock on! This loving rendition of Oysters Rockefeller features the charbroiled bivalves capped off with smoked anchovy garlic butter, caramelized shallots, sautéed spinach, and a bounty of parmesan. #ShellYeah Make a reservation at Harlowe MXM.

Cherry Point, Brooklyn, New York
Grilled East Coast oysters are served on a thatch of torched rosemary sprigs to add a hazy, herbaceous aroma. They’re lavished with a rich smoked rosemary hollandaise. Black lime is shaved on to finish them off. Make a reservation at Cherry Point.

Hugo’s Oyster Bar, Roswell, Georgia
These chargrilled oysters keep it on the real. They’re finished off with just parmesan, garlic butter, and blackened spices. Warning: you will probably order a second round of them. Make a reservation at Hugo’s Oyster Bar.

Sac-a-Lait, New Orleans, Louisiana
Louisiana P&J oysters are the stars here. They’re brushed with jalapeño-garlic butter and topped with Pecorino Romano cheese while on the grill. Grilled French bread complements the blue star bivalves. Make a reservation at Sac-a-Lait.

Meril, New Orleans, Louisiana
These local oysters are wood-oven roasted. They’re lavished with marrow and hog’s head to enhance their rich tones. Conversely, salsa verde adds levity. Make a reservation at Meril.

Bourbon Steak, Dana Point, California
This picture-perfect platter includes Pacific Coast oysters brushed with red miso butter. When the bounty of broiled bivalves arrives at the table, chilled lemongrass tea is poured over the sizzling hot rock salt lining the cast-iron pan. This releases a briny, herby aroma that’s impossible to resist. Make a reservation at Bourbon Steak.

Chill Out: 6 Restaurants for Soft Serve Ice Cream

Nevin Martell August 10, 2018 Leave a Comment

Having a hard time coping with the hot weather? Soft serve is the answer. Rather than offering up simple vanilla and chocolate, these restaurants are giving cone heads more creative options. These six restaurants for soft serve ice cream will help you lick the summer blues away.

Planta, Miami Beach, Florida
This soft serve has a rich purple hue. The regal color is thanks to the charcoal in it. A substantial swirl of the ice cream is finished off with freshly shaved coconut and other toppings. Make a reservation at Planta.

Dutch & Doc’s, Chicago, Illinois
Start with a bowl or cone of salted caramel or vanilla. Then add on your choice of chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, raspberry caramel, brownie bites, chocolate coffee beans, rainbow sprinkles, and chocolate chunks. No matter what you choose to do, there are no wrong decisions. Make a reservation at Dutch & Doc’s.

Seaside on the Pier, Santa Monica, California
The bases are vanilla, chocolate, or swirl. However, it’s all about getting an additional flavor blast of strawberry, orange, butterscotch, bubble gum, butter pecan, or another addition. Finish off your tasty turret with toppings like Butterfingers, M&Ms, sprinkles, gummy bears, and Oreo crumbles. Make a reservation at Seaside on the Pier.

Sampan, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
You’ll never get bored here because the soft serve flavors change every two days. Options might include mint chocolate, tiramisu, malted vanilla, peaches, and cream, or one inspired by an Almond Joy candy bar. No matter what, you’re in for a treat. Make a reservation at Sampan.

Where to Eat in 2018’s Top Destinations

OpenTable August 9, 2018 Leave a Comment

What’s the most memorable thing about your last trip? For many people, one of the first things that come to mind is a meal. Whether you tried crawfish for the first time or sampled the perfect pasta dish, finding a great restaurant to have that one big night out can be what pushes your trip over the edge. But with so many great options, how do you pick? To get you started, KAYAK and OpenTable teamed up to crunch the numbers on some of the top restaurants for a big night out in America’s most popular cities.

From more than 1.5 billion annual KAYAK searches, we found the most-searched-for destinations of 2018. These are the cities that are on travelers’ minds, hearts… and appetites. On the flip side, OpenTable analyzed more than 12 million reviews from verified diners to create a list of the 100 Best Restaurants for a Big Night Out across the U.S. that offer fabulous food, drink, and atmosphere, making these hot spots the perfect places to go all-out on your next visit. Here’s where to eat in 2018’s top destinations.

Las Vegas

In Vegas, it’s go big or go home. And a big night out there isn’t just an event, it’s a rite of passage. As KAYAK’s most popular destination for 2018, Vegas is also one of the top foodie destinations in the U.S. It’s where celebrity chefs stake their claims, opening large, bustling restaurants along the Strip. Go in September when median airfare dips to $204/roundtrip. For a big night out, if you’re looking to catch up with your favorite food show star, head to Giada – The Cromwell or Gordon Ramsay Steak. Both have earned 4.5-star ratings from OpenTable reviewers, and you can expect to pay around $50 and up for a meal. Or hit up Ugly Delicious host David Chang’s Momofuku group (pictured below), which has opened their first West Coast restaurant on the Strip. With a 4.7-star rating from 1,055 reviews and an average meal ranging from $31 to $50, it’s a terrifc place to get your fill of steamed buns, salt and pepper lobster and shrimp, and late night ramen before hitting the slots (again). Find flights to Las Vegas. Find accommodations in Las Vegas.

New York

For three consecutive years, New York has claimed its place as the #2 most popular destination. Go in September for a post-summer stay when airfare drops to $236. But no matter when you decide to fly, we recommend that you book at least three months ahead. The city is known throughout the world for its top-notch chefs and culinary experiences. It’s where many kitchen stars have started out to see if they can take the heat. But with so many restaurants, choosing where to eat in the city that never sleeps can get overwhelming. Thankfully, OpenTable has identified hot spots for every appetite. Looking for plates big and small? Go for tapas, steak, and more at Vandal (pictured below) on the Lower East Side. This Spanish-inspired spot by the Bowery Hotel has a 4.6-star rating and reviewers think it’s great for a date. Or you can venture up to Harlem for a table at Marcus Samuelsson’s Red Rooster, a comfort food haven with menu options that reflect the diverse community surrounding the restaurant. Here, you can expect to spend at least $31 to $50 for a meal. Or, you can head out even further with a ferry ride across the East River to Long Island City for a meal at Blend on the Water. With a price point of $30 and under, this is an affordable option to get a fabulous meal in a vibrant setting. Find flights to New York. Find accommodations in New York.

Los Angeles

Dig that West Coast vibe? Whether you’re more Hollywood or Downtown, LA is home to some of the nation’s most exciting restaurants. September is the perfect time to visit with median airfare at its lowest ($236) and average temps a sunny 72 degrees. Eat clean at Gracias Madre (pictured below) in West Hollywood, which serves 100% organic, plant-based cuisine inspired by the kitchens of Mexico sourced from locally grown ingredients (bonus: there’s outdoor seating, too). Or reality TV fans can go casual-romantic under the 100-year-old olive trees at Pump, from reality queen Lisa Vanderpump. Its chic decor and relaxed-yet-fun vibe give this 4.5-star rated restaurant a distinctly European appeal. Expect to spend between $31 to $50 on a meal here. But if you really want to crank up the dial on romance, a meal at Republique is in order. Located in the heart of LA, the restaurant sits in a classic building originally constructed by Hollywood legend Charlie Chaplin that once housed Nancy Silverton’s legendary La Brea Bakery. OpenTable insiders have called Republique “game-changing.” Its French-inspired menu and charming digs make it a must-dine destination in the city. Just expect to pull out all the stops — meals are usually over $50 here. Find flights to Los Angeles. Find accommodations in Los Angeles.

Chicago

The Windy City may be known for its deep dish pizza and hot dogs, but there’s much more to Chicago’s restaurant scene than these two homey staples. That makes it a dining destination for any self-respecting foodie. Just be sure to book your escape to the #5 most popular destination at least three months ahead; according to KAYAK data, that seems to be the sweet spot of finding great deals on airfare (median $215). For dining out options, celeb chef Stephanie Izard’s Duck Duck Goat (pictured below) is a new Chinese-style spot that has already earned 4.8 stars from more than 1,900 reviewers. You can usually find meals here for under $30, making it a budget-friendly pick. Another 4.8-starred darling of the Chicago food scene is Maple & Ash, which is helmed by Danny Grant, a two-Michelin-star chef. OpenTable insiders consider this spot a slam dunk for a romantic date night — meals tend to cost between $31 and $50. If you’re looking for a table that’ll provide the perfect backdrop for a special occasion, Carnivale has been called out as one of the top spots. With Latin-infused cuisine and colorful decor, this highly-rated restaurant is a solid option for your group. Find flights to Chicago. Find accommodations in Chicago.

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