Rivera - Downtown LA

Located a block east of Staples Center, I loosely describe Rivera as a fancy/upscale Mexican food restaurant with amazing cocktails. Not even sure if a margarita is on the drink list, but what they do have are some of the most creative and tasty drinks I ever experienced. They don’t have bartenders, they have mixologists… yes, it’s one of those places. Try the barbacoa cocktail with mezcal (there’s no worm in the bottle, you're not in TJ, so don’t ask) or the blood, sugar, sex, magic. And one of these days I’ll actually get around to trying the food.

CorkBar - Downtown LA

This relatively new wine bar in downtown Los Angeles has been on my list of regular visits for a few months now. I try to go on Tuesday nights when they have a “chef’s special” menu item for just $2… it’s different every week, and no one knows what it will be until the morning of when the chef arrives. Pork tenderloin and skirt steak salad are a few of these items I’ve had and they all have been consistently excellent, as are the rest of the predominately small plate food items they serve. Sit at the bar and you will quickly befriend one of the knowledgeable bartenders to guide you through your wine selection for the evening. The bar features mostly California wines, which keeps the confusion level to a minimum.

Campo de Fiori - Aspen, CO

Located right in the middle of town, this Italian restaurant is always jammed packed and serves up amazing classic Italian food. I like to sit in the bar, but the scene in the dining room is just as lively. The quality of the food is off the charts yet the atmosphere is casual and fun. Order a bottle of wine and try my favorites… frutti di mare (pan sautéed calamari, simply amazing), the carpaccio (the best anywhere around) and any of the pastas.

The Little Nell - Aspen, CO

Après ski anyone? After a day of looking good on the slopes of Aspen, you must stop by to show off your stuff in the lounge at this slope-side five star resort. You may be thirsty, but pace yourself because the $15 cocktails that dominate the drink list can kill your ski budget in a hurry. It’s hard to describe a visit here as anything other than a “scene”, but none-the-less, if you’re in Aspen it’s a mandatory item on your to-do list.

Belly Up - Aspen, CO

Is that Mick Jagger?? Nah, but this Stones cover band I saw here rocked the house and I was close enough to “Mick” to realize he’s just as ugly as the real thing. The Belly Up is a must do on any visit to Apsen. This sister establishment to the Belly Up in Solana Beach, CA is arguably one of the best live music venues I’ve ever been to. Think of it as a smaller version of House of Blues… standing room only in front of the stage, a few levels of seats and tables in the middle and the bar in the very back. Even with a sellout crowd it’s relatively easy to get a drink and make your way to the front of the stage. Buy tickets in advance though, because you won’t get no satisfaction waiting in line outside in the winter cold.

Johnny McGuire's - Aspen, CO

Hung over?? Went shot for shot with Charlie Sheen at the bar last night?? Then head to Johnny McGuire’s on your way to the slopes for one of the greatest breakfast burritos west of the Mississippi. This place is a dive, and to the best of my knowledge doesn’t even have any tables. Just place your order up front and grab a seat at the counter and watch the cooks coat the flattop grill with grease to prepare your cure for last night. If breakfast isn’t your thing then order up a one of their killer sandwiches to go and break it out later at the Sundeck. I knew this had to be a great place when I saw their motto: “Health Food Sucks”.

Jimmy's - Aspen, CO

I’ve never eaten in the actual restaurant here, but the bar is awesome and has a hearty selection of American comfort food. This is probably my favorite dinner spot in Aspen, with a good mix of locals and “in the know” out of towners. The bar menu is a toned down, and less expensive, version of the one in the regular restaurant with my favorites being the meatloaf, the surf & turf (seared ahi tuna and filet tips) and the crab leg special on Thursday nights. It’s usually crowded, so put your name in with one of the guys floating around the bar to get in line for a bar seat or for one of the high top tables. I always have one (or a few) of their house margaritas, their specialty.

Cache Cache - Aspen, CO

It’s Beverly Hills meets Newport Beach in this high-end see and be seen ski town restaurant. Ladies, just because you’re going skiing doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bring your high heels. This place is loud, crowded and hard to get into, but once your there you’re part of the Aspen elite and the food and atmosphere do not disappoint. The food at this French bistro is probably the best in town… lamb chops, ossobucco and fresh fish are among the popular choices. If you’re looking for more of a nightclub feel to your dining experience try grabbing a seat in the bar. Otherwise, make a reservation before you board your private jet… oh, and don’t let your date forget her heels.

Bocadillos - San Francisco, CA

Ok, back to San Francisco… I stumbled upon this tiny Spanish tapas outpost about two years ago and have been going back on every visit to the city. The food here is all small plates and everything I’ve had has been fantastic. I always try the seasonal vegetable… I recently had the caramelized roasted sweet potatoes and on another occasion had the best brussel sprouts I’ve ever eaten in my life (yeah, everything is better with bacon!). Most of the seating is at a community table in the middle of the restaurant and it gets busy, so be prepared to get cozy with your table mates. It’s located across from the Transamerica pyramid building in the financial district so it’s a convenient place for lunch. However, they have a great wine by the glass selection (for a hard day in the office or if you’re there for dinner) and I also must recommend stopping by for breakfast.

Rickhouse - San Francisco, CA

What do bikers, bankers, hipsters and college students have in common? They all hang out at Rickhouse… yes, at the same time. From happy hour until I get thrown out at closing at 2am this is one of the coolest new bars in San Francisco. Located in the Financial District, this little gem is a throwback to the speakeasy days of prohibition and is staffed with suspendered mixologists that make some pretty amazing alcoholic creations. Don’t come here to order your cosmo, instead take advantage of the highly skilled professionals behind the bar to create something unique for you out of your favorite spirit. Small, dark and with a throwback old west décor, Rickhouse is the perfect place for an amazing drink experience where you’ll be guaranteed to fit it with the crowd.

Wexler's - San Francisco, CA

I suppose you could call this relatively new casual restaurant in San Francisco’s Financial District a barbeque spot, but with a gourmet twist. This place is cool, hip and the food is great! Chili with smoked short ribs, pulled lamb sandwich and the smoked chicken meatloaf sandwich are some of the solid options on the menu. The place is small, so get there early if you’re going for lunch since they only take reservations for dinner.

Foreign Cinema - San Francisco, CA

Located in the Mission District of San Francisco this restaurant not only boasts a lively crowd and great ambiance, but serves up fantastic food as well. The cuisine is probably best described as cal-med-french and the constantly changing menu always brings new additions that never disappoint. The scene is hip and it has been packed on every occasion that I have been. If the weather is cold out sit indoors by the fireplace, or on a warm evening definitely sit in the outdoor patio and feel transported to a tiny European village with the help of a classic foreign film projected on the wall. If not for dinner I would highly recommend Sunday brunch. After all, a few Bellinis are a lot cheaper than a trip to Europe.

Memphis Cafe - Orange County, CA

By far one of my favorite restaurants in Orange County, Memphis Café serves southern comfort food for lunch and dinner. This dive-looking establishment from the outside is located in Costa Mesa on Bristol Street, and when you walk inside it’s dark, small and very casual. The food, however, is some of the best around... fantastic gumbo, blackened catfish po-boys, meatloaf, seared ahi tuna salad and one of the best pork chops ever (dinner and Sunday brunch only). Come late night when the dining room clears out and the DJ comes alive. One piece of advice, when you’re there for lunch, take your sunglasses in with you and put them on before you walk outside… not only will you look cool, but it will keep you from going blind.

Inka Grill - Orange County, CA

Ethnic food in Orange County?? Can it be?? I’ve never been to Peru, but I’m assuming Inka Grill does a good job of serving a wide mix of authentic Peruvian cuisine. This is one of my favorite and frequent spots for a casual lunch or dinner where I have tried many things on the menu and have yet to go wrong. If you get a dish that is served with rice try it Tacu Tacu style (mixed with black beans). I highly recommend the lamb stew, the chowder and the saltados (your choice of meat sautéed with onions, French fries/broccoli and served with rice). It’s conveniently located on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa, but don’t be fooled by the fact that it’s wedged between Del Taco and Wienerschnitzel!

Valhalla Table - Orange County, CA

This beer and sausage bar is a newcomer to Orange County and is in the CAMP center on Bristol Street in Costa Mesa. I like it because it is the opposite of the Orange County standard venue that spills more money into making their establishment look “nice” than they do into just making it good and unique. They have a great beer list and some very creative sausage selections, as well as some other unique and tasty food. The space is small, simple and the overall process to grab a beer and a bite to eat is very casual (counter service). I wasn’t a big fan of the still seemingly “strip-center” nature of it, featuring huge plate glass windows with the bright headlights of cars in the parking lot lighting up your evening. I was there on a Tuesday night, and it was a pretty dead… hopefully there is a little more life later in the week or on weekends. Overall I have to say it’s a great addition to sleepy Orange County. BTW – if you have ever been to Wurstkuche in Los Angeles, this place is a clear copycat, with Wurstkuche being far superior… other than the local crime rate of course.

St. Regis - Park City, UT

The new St. Regis hotel just opened this winter on the slopes of Deer Valley. Not the most affordable place to stay at but I highly recommend that you ski in for a mid-day drink. Hot toddies are one of their specialties, and made with the locally distilled High West whiskey as well as their homemade spiced cider… good stuff. Two of those and back to the bumps makes it seem so much easier! Some other recommendations for my next visit will be a mid-ski-day massage at their signature spa followed by lunch in the main restaurant. If their food is anywhere on par with other on-mountain Deer Valley restaurants I’m sure it will be delicious. Disclaimer: I did not receive any Starwood Points for this review (unfortunately).

Bandit's Grill & Bar - Park City, UT

Bandit’s is a solid Park City standby… a bountiful selection of bar-b-que (ribs, chicken, tri-tip, etc.) and a good price point. It’s great for kids and your obnoxious friends who still behave as kids. They don’t take reservations, so arrive early to put your name in and head downstairs to the bar for a Desperado Margarita… or two.

High West Distillery & Saloon - Park City, UT

I wasn’t a fan of whiskey… until last week. High West Distillery & Saloon is a newcomer to the Park City area and is simply awesome. Located a block off of Main Street, this old garage and house converted into a restaurant and distillery creates one of the coolest and unique spaces to dine and sip their homemade whiskey drinks in. Yes, they distill their own whiskey and vodka. Try to snag a seat in the living room before dinner to catch up with friends to discuss who had the nastiest spill on the slopes. I would recommend the Fancy Whiskey Cocktail to ease the bumps and bruises. For dinner head over to the main dining room in the garage (I suggest you make a reservation) and stick to the small plates so you can sample a variety of the amazing food, including the short ribs, tri-tip, duck breast, mac and cheese, the salads and the soups. On your way out the door grab a bottle of whiskey to go and make your reservation for next season.

El Chubasco - Park City, UT

Amid the flurry of snow dumping this past week in Park City I managed to seek out a few new restaurants that are worthy of recommending. The first, and probably the favorite of my kids, is El Chubasco. Located in a strip center in the middle of town (the Prospector Square area) this counter serve Mexican food “dive” that we stumbled upon seems to be a favorite of the locals also. Try the crispy tacos or a burrito enchilada style and load up on the more than a dozen varieties of fresh salsa at the salsa bar. Great for a quick lunch or dinner and the prices are reasonable ($10 or less per person). My kids want to know when we’re going back to Park City so we can go to El Chubasco again.

Habana - Orange County, CA

Orange County has arguably the greatest weather in the world. Yet for some inexplicable reason there are very few restaurants that offer outdoor dining. Located in a funky part of Costa Mesa in an anti-strip center called The Lab is Habana… and it has one of the greatest outdoor dining areas around. Moderately priced, yet deliciously comforting Cuban food is the fare here. On a winter day where the weather is 65 degrees and sunny (typical for the OC, right?) this is the spot for an outdoor lunch. Just about everything on the menu is great and I highly recommend the red sangria and the plantains (in addition to your meal of course). I haven’t been for dinner yet, but I imagine the hundreds of candles and dangling light bulbs on a strand above make for a great setting, and a truly unique Orange County restaurant experience.

Bottega Louie - Downtown LA

One of the many new and great places to adorn the dining scene in downtown Los Angeles is Bottega Louie. Simple Italian... pizzas, pasta, salads but with a sophisticated flare. The good news is that this restaurant is close to my office, so I eat here probably once a week. Everything I have had on the menu has been great and my favorite part is that walking in you feel like you've been immediately transported to NYC. Busy, loud (maybe the only negative) and full of energy. Great for lunch, great for dinner and a fun bar with casual seating in the front of the restaurant. Best to go with a group of people so you can order family style and try several things off the menu (must try the portobello fries and the meatball pizza!). And here's the best kept secret... in the front of the restaurant is a Dean & Deluca-esque deli and bakery... get a loaf of the chocolate chip bread and a loaf of the white chocolate chip bread. Slice and toast the bread the next morning for breakfast with a little cream cheese... you can thank me later.

Cole's and The Varnish - Downtown LA

Ok, so here goes the first one... I visited Cole's Restaurant and The Varnish in downtown Los Angeles. Not much of a travel, but I figured a good one to start with. Located in the Old Bank District (6th & Main), Cole's is known for their beef dip sandwiches. I actually had a lamb sandwich which was great, although I think Philippe's is a little better (although very similar). The restaurant is a casual sit down and order type of a place with a decor that is a throwback to the 1920's. The real attraction, however, is The Varnish... a "speakeasy" style bar that is accessed via a very non-descript door at the back of Cole's. If it's at capacity when you arrive (only about 30 people), wait at a table in the restaurant because it's worth it. The bar is dark, quiet and has a very old fashioned feel with a jazz pianist situated in the middle of the cozy room. Don't go here and order a vodka soda... ask for the "bartenders choice". Tell your server or the bartender your liquor of choice and a general description of your likings (i.e. fruity, sour, etc.) and you will be served with a concoction that I promise will not disappoint. I ordered an aromatic drink with tequila and was served a cocktail that was nothing short of spectacular! Here is this bar in a nutshell: you feel cool and important just being there, the drinks are excellent, it's a great place for a conversation with 2-4 people in your group (don't go with a big party) but it's a bad place if you're looking for the happening and lively party scene. It's the place to go and not be seen... but sometimes that's just what you're looking for.