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.