Raise your hand if you’re ready for summer. We thought so! After a never-ending winter, we’re willing to bet that you’re ready for some sunshine and good eats. Whether you’re looking for your new favorite neighborhood spot or the best place for farmer’s market-inspired brunch, we’ve got you covered with one of these 5 restaurants that perfectly suit the season.
1. For the daily catch and river views: King Tide Fish & Shell (Portland, OR)
Unwind with a visit to Portland’s newest seafood hotspot, King Tide Fish & Shell. Located on the banks of the scenic Willamette River, Executive Chef Lauro Romero’s menu celebrates Oregon’s freshest fish, with a laid-back style inspired by the fishing lodges of old. And all summer, Chef Romero’s firing up the grill at King Tide’s outdoor pop-up, grilling freshly-caught fish over an open flame for 10 lucky guests at a time.
Our pick: The overflowing lobster roll tucked in a squid ink brioche bun.
2. For a locavore-lover’s brunch: Henley (Nashville, TN)
Edible flowers? Check. Home-grown lettuces? Check! Pasture-raised hen eggs and locally-cured bacon? Check and check! From the farm to your plate, everyone’s living la vida local at Henley in Midtown Nashville. Executive Chef Daniel Gorman dishes up modern American fare showcasing regional cooking traditions and seasonal ingredients from nearby farmers. Don’t miss brunch at this bustling brasserie—the perfect spot to refresh after a weekend morning visit to the Nashville Farmers’ Market.
Our pick: Any one of the farm fresh options, from the local Tennessee lettuce salad to the Bear Creek Farm corned beef hash + sunny hen egg
3. For cooling off with a cocktail: Minnow Bar (Miami, FL)
In Miami, summer’s sizzle is legendary both during the day, and at night. Take a cue from the local crowd and beat the heat on the breezy open terrace at Minnow Bar, a reimagined gin house in the heart of South Beach. Here, Lead Bartender Chris Resnick mixes up cocktails featuring clear spirits and piscos, cachaças, gins and overproof white rums in this definitively pinkies-down watering hole.
Our pick: The sour and spicy Rey Mambo (an exotic blend of el Jimador Tequila, black pepper, mango shrub, fresh lime and basil)
4. For mussels and a pint: Fisk & Co. (Chicago, IL)
Just steps away from Chicago’s Riverwalk, there’s a lively Belgium-inspired bistro that’s all about the moules frites. Fisk & Co. Executive Chef Austin Fausett’s menu is centered around five versions of the dish, which range from the classic (with white wine, parsley, garlic and butter) to the re-imagined (with beer, chile peppers, caramelized onion and celery.) In typical midwest style, wash it all down with a brewski from Fisk & Co.’s extensive beer list featuring local and Belgium brews. Bon appétit!
Our pick: Moules frites (naturally!)
5. Our favorite place for neighborhood Italian: Il Solito (Portland, OR)
No matter the season, nothing’s quite as comforting than a heaping plate of pasta. And if we’re being honest, nowhere does it better than downtown Portland’s just-opened Il Solito (Italian for “The Usual”). Executive Chef Matt Sigler perfectly executes a menu filled with no-fuss Italian-American soul food that’s as comforting and familiar as a hug from an Italian grandma.
Our pick: The red sauce classics—marinara, scampi and picatta
—Christina Ricchiuti-Dubin
We stay in Amsterdam in your hotel. Can you recommand:
– gourmet restaurant
– 2 traditional dutch restaurant (good standard)
Thank you.