Top Chef Masters Final Six

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Top Chef Masters, the spinoff of the wildly successful Top Chef series on Bravo, entered its final elimination round this week. The next few weeks will consist of trials for the remaining six master chefs who vary from classically trained french, to home educed american temporary cooks. Here is a breakdown of each of the masters, and where to try a bit of their cooking.

Anita Lo — Lo is the only chef out of New York City to make the final cut, but Lo has a lot of secret weapons that should work to her favor in the coming weeks. Lo realized that she wanted to become a chef during her time at Columbia University in New York City where she was studying French. Quickly after graduation, took a job at a then new restaurant in Tribeca called Bouley. After slogging for a year at Bouley, Lo realized she wanted a more formal education in food and returned to Paris where she would graduate first in her class at the famed Ritz-Escoffier School. She would later take internships under famed 2 star chefs Guy Savoy and Michael Rostang before returning to the states to take many head chef positions before starting her current restaurant, Anissa. Located in the West Village, Annisa is an expression of Lo’s contemporary American roots combined with her flair for french cooking and Asian heritage. Annisa definitely stands out as one of the best places to eat in New York City. It is small, cozy, and the food is fantastic and reasonably priced.

Art Smith — Chef Smith is one of two chef’s based out of Chicago, but is the only member of this elite six who specializes in southern soul food. Smith is also the personal chef to Oprah Winfrey, and has cooked for many other celebrities and heads of state including Barack Obama and the King of Sweden. Smith’s restaurant in Chicago, Table Fifty-Two, is the self proclaimed home to southern hospitality in Chicago. The restaurant is comprised of an elegant upstairs dining room with high ceilings and elegant decor and a more cozy downstairs. Chef Smith’s cuisine is simple and elegant, taking popular southern favorites and giving them a subtle hint of class and delicacy.

Hubert Keller — Hubert Keller was born in the Franco-German town of Alsace, France, and is the only competitor in the final six who wasn’t born in the United States. Keller’s cooking is a combination of contemporary French with the spice and flair of Mediterranean cuisine. Keller’s flagship restaurant, Fleur de Lys, in San Francisco is a representation of his French heritage. Fleur de Lys is known by many San Franciscans as the most romantic dining room in the entire city. Keller’s cooking is seductive; laced with herbs and hints of spice, his dishes are delicate yet forward. Keller is also the owner of the Burger Bar in Las Vegas, home of the Rossini Burger, a $60 creation made with Kobe Beef, sautéed foie-gras, and the essence of rare truffles. Keller was the first guest chef to cook for President Clinton during his stint in the White House and is an expert on cooking deliciously healthy meals.

Michael Chiarello — Michael Chiarello is a wine maker, a restaurant owner, a hotellier, and a fantastic chef. After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, Chiarello would begin his career as a chef at Toby's in Miami. After picking up accolades from the press and the food community at large, Chiarello came back to his native California to found Tra Vigne, his first Napa Valley restaurant. Over the years Chiarello has become much more than just a great chef, but has always returned to food no matter where his endeavors took him. Chiarello's current flagship restaurant, Bottega, is located in Yountville, close to Thomas Keller's French Laundry. Bottega is a representation of Chiarello’s heritage as an Italian-American. The cuisine is Italian inspired but distinctly Californian, taking produce from the local area and combining it into succulent dishes with the hearty flavors of Italy. Bottega offers some of the best wines in the Napa Valley including those by its owner, and is a great place to explore Napa’s wine culture. Chiarello’s philosophy is ll about coming together around a good meal and enjoying the experience of being together over food.

Suzanne Tracht — Suzanne Tracht is the contestant who represents good, old-fashioned, American food. Her restaurant, Jar, in Los Angeles is known for scintillating dishes that ooze of American goodness. Tracht focuses mostly on the classics like Kansas City Steak, French Fries, and Pot Roast. Jar is set as a modern chophouse, elegantly appointed with a cozy atmosphere. The focus at Jar is always the meat and making it into something truly special, combining spice, marinade and sauce to make something bold and flavorful. Tracht’s dishes also have a bit of Asian and California influence, spinning dishes with lighter and more complex flavors. Be sure to check out Jar where you can get some of the best meat in all of Los Angeles.

America's Most Expensive Restaurants

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

It's official, we're in the worst recession since the Great Depression. People have less money, the largest and wealthiest corporations are still struggling to get by, and for many Americans things are tougher than they've ever been. However, even in this time when many are tightening their belt, some of America's best restaurants are still striving. So if you find yourself with a bit of extra cash, and you really want to enjoy every single dollar, why not have a meal at one of America's most expensive restaurants.

Masa — Chef Masa Takayama was trained at the great sushi temple in Tokyo, Ginza Sushi-ko. His first venture in America came in 1980 when he opened the similarly lavish Ginza Sushi-ko in Beverly Hills where he became an instant hit with celebrities and the opulently rich. After 20 years of running the restaurant in California, he moved the New York City and took up residence at the Time Warner center with the belief that, “a great meal should be had at any price”. He definitely accomplished that goal, a single meal at Masa typically runs about $400 without tax, tip, or sake. Masa also offers a Prix-Fixe menu for about $300. Whether it be dainty slabs of foie gras cooked in a shabu-shabu pot, or complex nigiri sushi rolled with fine risotto and white truffles, Masa borders on impossible opulence. More than just a meal, Masa is an experience in the art of japanese cuisine, and is definitely a spectacle to watch. Sit at the bar and watch Master Masa make art out of simple ingredients and enjoy.

Joel Robuchon at The Mansion — Vegas is known for being over the top. Whether it be Venetian canals, the Eiffel Tower, or the Empire State, Vegas knows how to bring the best of the world to its doorstep. So when master chef Joel Robuchon set up his small and super exclusive restaurant at the MGM Grand, few were surprised, but then again few people ever get inside. There are only 12 tables at Robuchon’s restaurant, and a seat at one of them will cost either $250 for six courses or $385 for 16 courses. This restaurant is one of the few in the world that has a 3 star rating from the Michelin Guide which indicates that is worth a trip in itself. The food is traditional french, and competes on the same level as many of Paris’s great temples of gastronomy.

The French Laundry — Founded with the ideals of matching countryside French cuisine with contemporary American cooking, The French Laundry has become one of the best restaurants in the United States. Located in a small Northern California town in the Napa Valley, French Laundry is set very much like the countryside restaurants it is based upon. Thomas Keller, French Laundry’s owner and executive chef, is considered to be the most lauded American chef of all time. He is the only American chef to have two restaurants with 3 stars in the Michelin guide since the founding of the rating agency in 1900. His other 3-star restaurant, Per Se in Manhattan, takes on much of the style of French Laundry while adding in New York's own local flavor. Eating at French Laundry is typically an entire evening affair. The nine course tasting menu, priced at $240, often takes many guests hours to finish. It’s not the portions that keep people in their seats, its the beautiful ambiance, the fantastic service, and the desire to savor every last morsel of fantastic cooking. Not a single one of the 9 dishes shares an ingredient, and each is delicately prepared by a kitchen that takes time in making things perfect.

Tom Tuesday Dinner — Tom Colicchio, of Top Chef fame, dreamed of having a small restaurant that served the best fare of the day ever since he was a line chef. Now that he finally got his big break and his fame has exploded, he founded Tuesday Dinner. Tuesday Dinner is only open 2 Tuesday nights each month and serves a different menu at each service. Colicchio hand picks the ingredients from the market and figures out what dishes he can make with the best produce, meats, and fish, New York City has to offer. Colicchio’s restaurant is innovative, cozy, and at around $150 to $175 a person, extremely exclusive.

Alinea — Alinea in Chicago definitely tops the list in terms of number of courses typically served in a single meal. Celebrity chef Grant Achatz offers two Prix-Fixe menus to choose from. The typical tasting menu weighs in at 13 courses at a price of $145. But, if you really want to experience Achatz’s skills in the kitchen, he offers “the Tour,” a 20+ course menu ranging from rhubarb to bubble gum that will take you on a real culinary journey. Priced at $225, the average guest will take somewhere around four hours to complete it. The Tour is much more of a marathon than a short jog in terms of gastronomy, and if you love to eat then Alinea is definitely the place to be. The menu changes often but combines contemporary American flavors with those of French and Asian cuisine. Alinea is always a delight.

Urasawa — When Masa Takayama left Ginzu Sushi-ko to found Masa in New York City, he sold the restaurant to his long time sous-chef Hiroyuki Urasawa. Urasawa has since taken the restaurant in Beverly Hills to new heights, serving the same high end clients new and different delicacies. Urasawa, located on Rodeo Drive, specializes in food that both delights the senses visually and gastronomically. The care and the precision of preparation sets Urasawa in a whole different league than any other sushi house in Los Angeles, including master chef Nobu Matsuhisa's restaurant close by in Beverly Hills. At nearly $300 per person, Urasawa also learned pricing and opulence from his long time teacher, Masa Takayama.

Photo credit: flickr cc Biskuit

The Best Bay Area Hole-in-the-Wall Restaurants

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Sometimes restaurants try so hard getting the ambiance right that the food falls on its face. More often then not, the trendy, hip and happening restaurants are not the ones that you want to eat at day after day. Finding restaurants with great food that won’t eat up your wallet is something of a miracle for Bay Area residents. Even worse, traveling even a few miles out of your home town will leave you completely lost in a storm of culinary options. So what’s a foodie to do? From San Jose to San Francisco, there are a plethora of amazing, hole-in-the-wall restaurants that even the connoisseur will appreciate. Here are our picks for great hole-in-the-wall restaurants in the Bay Area.

Back A Yard Grill — Caribbean Cuisine is rich in spices while being delicate in taste. The flavors of each of the dishes fuse together into one amazing taste-bud rush. Compared to other Caribbean Restaurants, Back-A-Yard, on a slightly-sketchy street off Woodside Road in Menlo Park, is king. The Jerk Chicken is cooked perfectly in the traditional Jamaican style and is best eaten with your hands. Be sure to lick your fingers afterwards, you wouldn’t want to let any of that amazing flavor go by the wayside. Back-A-Yard is not only amazingly tasty, but extremely cheap. This joint serves large portions, and very filling meals that can be purchased for around $10. Though the restaurant has no more than four or five tables to sit at, Back-A-Yard is a great option for take-out and a fantastic lunch spot.

Taqueria La Bamba — If you live in Mountain View and you love Mexican food, you no doubt have heard of the ongoing battle between La Costena and Taqueria La Bamba. Located right next to each other on Middlefield, you’ll often find at least a few newbies standing right on the dividing line between the two restaurants dumbfounded as to which one to go into. La Bamba has carried the title for the “Best Burrito in Mountain View” by the Mountain View Voice every year that La Costena has not held the title. For nearly 10 years they’ve been switching off holding the title belt with no clear winner in sight. However, everyone has picked sides, and I will be putting my vote in for La Bamba. Honduran by origin, La Bamba’s dishes have a certain pizzaz that you don’t find at Costena. The burritos are big, meaty and absolutely delicious. An enormous burrito can be purchased for around $6, and for many people it could serve as dinner as well. But if you’re a true La Bamba addict you’ll finish that burrito and be begging for more.

Falafel Drive In — This establishment has sat on the same tiny plot of land in a residential area of San Jose over the 880 freeway for nearly 50 years. It hasn’t changed in appearance even after serving hundreds of thousands of customers. The falafels have always been the same, and that is one thing that should never change. This small, retro looking food stand is home to best falafel I’ve ever tasted. Whether it be in a pita sandwich with a bit of Falafel Drive In’s signature hot sauce, or just by themselves, these fried treats are absolutely delectable. There is lots of seating on wooden benches right outside, but don’t expect to get any of these easily. Every day of the week during lunch and dinner Falafel Drive In is packed. The best thing to do is grab some great falafel, sit on the sidewalk, and just enjoy.

Masa’s Sushi — Sushi is probably the most expensive food you can eat by weight. Typically, a small roll may cost you as much as $5. At this small sushi house on San Antonio Road you’ll get the biggest bang for your buck. The sushi is fantastic and the menu is very full featured. There isn’t a roll that you can think of that these master sushi chefs haven’t prepared before. The restaurant is quaint and the portions are larger than most other sushi places on the Peninsula. Expect to pay about 20% less than most other sushi restaurants at Masa’s and come away 100% happier.

Here you can find more cheap restaurants near Palo Alto.

Photo credit: flickr cc Marshall Astor

Who Owns the Title of Best Philly Cheesesteak?

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Clearly Philadelphians are an ingenious bunch, inventing everything from glasses, submarines, double-sided printing and steam power. But Philadelphia's contribution to the world of gastronomy outshines all other inventions. The Philly cheesesteak is not just a sandwich, it is art. But where do you find the best of the best, the real deal, the truly authentic, original, philly cheesesteak?

There are two places in Philadelphia that lay greatest claim to the title, “Best Cheesesteak in Philadelphia.” They are located across the street from eachother and both are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This war for the best cheesesteak has been going on between Geno’s and Pat’s for 43 years, and the battle continues to be deadlocked.

Pat’s King of Steaks is the undisputed home of the original cheese steak. Invented by Pat and Harry Olivieri near 1930, the “frizzled” steak sandwich was invented, leading to the founding of Pat’s at the corner of 9th street and Passyunk ave. Pat’s eventually started adding cheese to their steak sandwiches, putting their mark on history with the great philly cheese steak. They were originally topped with pizza sauce, and for those interested in following tradition, the real original cheesesteak is the pizza steak.

Geno’s is a more recent development, founded by Joe Vento in 1966. Vento must have been audacious, opening up his shop right across the street from the “King,” but ever since there has been a question as to who makes the best cheesesteak. The only tangible difference in preparation between Geno’s and Pat’s greasy creations? Pat’s chops up the meat as it is cooked on the grill with heavy grease, while Geno’s doesn’t cut the meat at all once it hits the grill, instead serving cheesesteaks with long strips of beef. But the difference is always much more than that. Households have been broken, and families divided over Geno’s and Pat’s. In Philadelphia, cheesesteak loyalty runs deep through the generations.

Among other competitors seeking the title of best cheesesteak, Leo’s has an edge as being named the best Philly cheesesteak by John Russ, the man behind thebestphillycheesesteaks.com. Leo’s creations are enormous. A large is 18 inches long, piled high with glistening steak and cheese, and only costs $9. Located outside of Philadelphia, Leo’s may not be able to directly compete with Geno’s or Pat’s, but it does make a great sandwich.

Another surban contender, Dallessandro’s, has gained recent acclaim for its big meaty sandwiches on perfectly soft rolls. For those loyal to this small eatery in Roxborough, PA, there is no other philly cheesesteak but a Dallessandro cheese steak.

For more cheap restaurants in Philadelphia, check out our city guide.


Photo credit: flickr cc SauceSupreme

We Choose the Moon

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

It’s been 40 years since man first stepped on the moon. It’s been 47 years since a young, charismatic President stood in Rice Stadium and said, “we choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard.” Though President Kennedy would never see his dream come true, on July 20, 1969, man made it to the moon.

On return from the moon, Apollo 11’s command vehicle, Columbia, was sent to the National Air and Space Museum where you can still see it today. Columbia is a testament to the ability for a country to come together behind a cause, for a single leader to inspire us all, and for the ingenuity of a generation. So here on the 40th anniversary of one of America’s greatest achievements, be sure to look back and what we have accomplished, and look forward toward what we have yet to do.

The mission began during Kennedy’s speech to a group of young college students at Rice University. Rice Stadium was packed to the brim to listen to one of the best speakers of their time, not too different from our current president. He promised that the 1960’s would be an era of great change and great accomplishment. There he declared, “we choose the moon.”

In the following years America would work on one of the largest engineering projects in the history of our planet. Kennedy’s goal was slowly made possible by the enormous Apollo program that employed 400,000 people and had the support of 20,000 universities.

After 4 manned test missions, NASA decided it was time to go to the moon with Apollo 11. On July 16, 1969, Apollo 11 launched on the back of a Saturn V rocket from Kennedy Space Center near Cape Canaveral on its way to the moon. It would take four long days to reach the lunar surface. For every one of those hours the astronauts were monitored from Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center Mission Control.

“Houston, the Eagle has landed,” were the first words spoken from the surface of the moon. From 238,857 miles away, America erupted into applause. Millions of people all over the world watched the crowning achievement of a decade of work as Neil Armstrong took “one step for a man, and one giant leap for mankind.”

For those with a good enough telescope, you can see the Eagle looking back at Earth from the Sea of Tranquility.


Photo credit: flickr cc Kevin Collins

Bay Area Summer Festivals for Everyone

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

The summer months are the time to be outside in the Bay Area; every day is warm and the sun doesn't set till late into the evening. Every summer the Bay Area plays host to festivals of all kinds. If you're trying to watch your spending, but still want to enjoy the summer months, local festivals are a great way to take a staycation. Here are some of the great upcoming festivals all around the Bay Area.

Stern Grove Festival (Every Sunday till August 23) — For the last 72 years visitors and residents of the Bay Area have been able to watch a diverse array of performing arts at Sigmund Stern Grove absolutely free as part of the Stern Grove Festival. This great Bay Area tradition is a great way to expose the entire family to the arts and enjoy a beautiful summer day in San Francisco. The festival is held every Sunday during the summer months at 2 p.m., but be sure to arrive early if you want to get good seating.

Connoisseurs’ Marketplace (July 18-20) — Menlo Park’s annual Connoisseurs’ Marketplace is a great place to take the kids, have some good food and drink, check out fine art and listen to some local musicians. This art and wine festival is a great place to walk around and browse eclectic art, tasty food, and healthy living displays. Who knows, you might meet some of the Center’d team while you’re there. Be sure to check out Connoisseurs’ Corner, where you’ll find artisan specialty foods. Connoisseurs' Marketplace is held on Santa Cruz Ave in downtown Menlo Park.

Berkeley Kite Festival (July 25-26) — Held at the Cesar E. Chavez State Park on the Berkeley Marina, the kite festival is a great place to spend a weekend just staring at the sky. You’ll be able to see kites as big as houses in the shapes of dragons and other mythical creatures. The kite festival is also a great place to bring the kids and learn how to fly a kite, make one of your own and just enjoy an afternoon.

Nihonmachi Street Fair (August 8-9) — The Nihonmachi Street Fair is the perfect way to visit Tokyo without boarding a flight. Held in Japantown in San Francisco, the Nihonmachi Street Fair has lots of great cultural booths and shows to educate visitors about Japanese traditions and customs. Be sure to try some tasty Japanese delicacies like home made mochi.

Outside Lands Music Festival (August 28-30) — The Bay Area plays host to one of the largest music festivals on the West Coast every year at the end of August. Set in Golden Gate Park, the Outside Lands Music Festival draws some of the best rock bands in the world. This year Pearl Jam, Dave Matthews Band and Beastie Boys headline the festival. But the best part about a music festival is the chance to listen to some great up and coming bands like Band of Horses, Thievery Corporation, or Tom Jones. The entire lineup is comprised of 65 bands over three days, so buy a ticket for the day or the whole weekend and head up to the park.

Photo credit: flickr cc Ronnie44052

America's All-Star Ballparks

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

From the small towns where baseball was born to the cutting edge of the game, baseball stadiums come in all shapes and sizes. Just because it's the newest and most high tech facility doesn’t make it a great place to watch a game; it’s the environment that a stadium creates that makes it great. Whether it is the historic nature of Yankee Stadium or Fenway Park, or the natural surroundings of AT&T Park, there’s always an extra intangible factor that turns a beautiful structure into a baseball stadium. In advance of today's All-Star game, here’s our list of the best baseball stadiums to relax and enjoy the game.

1. AT&T Park, San Francisco Giants
Sure AT&T park is set in an iconic landscape, right next Bay Bridge and the San Francisco Bay. But what puts this relatively young ballpark ahead of the rest? Games at AT&T are always packed to the brim, and no matter what the score the fans stay for every inning. In the salty air you can taste the sheer passion these fans have for their team. Watching the game at AT&T is almost surreal. There are few other ballparks that compare when it's the middle of an inning and there's nothing to watch. Most seats have great views of the open water, so if the home team is getting pummeled you can distract yourself with beautiful views of passing ships, birds, and sailboats. AT&T also has a great assortment of food that is great for full meals or just snacks during the game. But what makes AT&T really special is that there is almost no seat in the house that has a bad view. Even in the “nose bleed” section you can get an unobstructed view of the entire field. Be sure to get out of your seat and take a walk around the ballpark a couple times, find places with great views and enjoy the game with you fellow fans.

2. Fenway Park, Boston Red Sox
There are no ballparks in America with more tradition and history than Fenway park. Whether it is the curse of the bambino, the Green Monster and Pesky’s Pole, Bostonians love to tell stories about their ballpark, and for good reason. Fenway is the oldest baseball stadium in America, and is one of the most beautiful parks every built. Though quirky and unpredictable, Fenway has a character that cannot be matched by any other ballpark. Everything is different at Fenway, whether it be playing on the field or watching the game, or the exuberant fans.

3. Busch Stadium, St. Louis Cardinals
The new Busch stadium was given the honor of hosting today’s All-Star game, mostly due to the fact that it's brand new. But what sets Busch apart from the rest is its beautiful view of St. Louis and especially the Gateway Arch. Any seat that faces away from home plate gets a great skyline view in addition to some of the most direct views of the field in all of baseball. With the capacity to fit 46,861 people, and fans that are ready to pick up every seat in the stadium, the home of the Cardinals is one of the best places in the country to catch a game. There’s nothing quite like watching the sun set over the gateway arch during the seventh inning stretch.

4. Yankee Stadium, New York Yankees
The new Yankee Stadium is a testament to how much money the Steinbrenner family has. Covered in marble and limestone, the new Yankee Stadium was made to look more like the home of the gods than simply a sports field, and at a final cost of $1.5 billion dollars, it is definitely fit for the gods. The all time leader for World Series Championships will always have an edge when playing at home. Even though the house that babe built is now being demolished, this new house built by George is a monumental step forward for the Yankees, whose old stadium, though legendary, was practically prehistoric. The new Yankee stadium combines all of the tradition of its predecessor with a lot of great technological improvements to provide a great place to play for America’s winningest team. Now if only it was affordable to watch the game there.

5. Wrigley Field, Chicago Cubs

So the Cubbies haven't won a World Series in 100 years. Yes, pretty much every post season in Chicago is heartbreaking. But something about these fans makes them keep coming back to Wrigley to cheer their favorite team on. Set in a residential neighborhood on the north side of Chicago, Wrigley is more of a community stadium than a big league ballpark. Fans from all over Chicago descend on this temple of myth and legend most nights during the summer to yell, scream and have a good time. Wrigley is much more than just a ballpark, its home to a whole nation of Cubs fans and an enormous amount of spirit.

6. Miller Park, Milwaukee Brewers
Baseball has become one of the most expensive sports to watch. Watching a game at Fenway Park or Yankee Stadium can cost anywhere between $300 and $400 in many cases. Miller Park has some of the cheapest ticket and concession prices in all of baseball and is one of the best indoor stadiums ever built. Miller Park has the only fan shaped convertible roof that can close in 10 minutes. Fans at Miller Park are some of the most ardent in all of baseball, and though their team hasn’t won a World Series in 27 years, the Brewers made their first appearance in the post season in 26 years in 2008 and intend to return to the top of their division again this season.

7. PNC Park, Pittsburgh Pirates
Located on the North Shore of the Allegheny River in Pittsburgh, PNC park is the second smallest ballpark in baseball. It has pioneered some of the enhancements that many new ballparks have recently installed, like a limestone facade (Yankee Stadium), perfect view (Busch Stadium), and old-style design elements (Citi Field). Though PNC park is smaller and doesn't have the same fan base as many other stadiums, it was designed from day one as a stadium for sports fans. Every seat in the house has a great view of the natural grass field. If you don't feel like sitting down the whole game PNC offers a great river walk along the outfield wall where you can watch the game and enjoy the Pittsburgh skyline.

Photo credit: flickr cc EvilThomThai

The Berkeley Pizza Cooperative

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

The measure of a great pizza is made up of many different criteria. A great pizza will have silky smooth cheese that doesn’t run off the crust, nor does it stick to it like cement. The perfect slice shouldn’t be dripping in grease, leaving a reflective pool in its cardboard box. Finally, the best of all pizzas will be made with fresh and original ingredients that tickle your taste buds, the toppings don't run off the cheese, and are not smothered by it. In my quest to find the best pizza I have traveled far and wide, and have found my favorite pizza 6,239 miles away from Italy in Berkeley, California.

Finding Cheeseboard Pizza is not difficult, just keep walking north on Shattuck until you see a huge mass of people standing in line or people eating pizza in the center divider; you have arrived at Pizza heaven. The concept is simple, “we only make one pizza.” At Cheeseboard, there are no choices, they make only one type of pizza per day, all day long. You can order as much as you want, but there are no substitutions. All pizzas are vegetarian, making Cheeseboard a great destination for every type of eater.

At noon on a Saturday, the line stretched to the end of the block onto Vine St. Luckily, by only making one type of pizza, the line moves quickly. However, this pizza is worth nearly any wait. The best part about it is the crust. It’s soft and fluffy, but still supports the weight of the toppings. Its not so big that you feel like you’re eating bread, neither is it too thin and crunchy. Topped with fresh mozzarella cheese from the Cheeseboard next door, the ingredients that go into a Cheeseboard Pizza are by far the freshest and tastiest I’ve ever had.

To live more like a local, be sure to take your pizza box and make a run for Shattuck’s center divider where you can find a nice grassy spot to enjoy your slice of heaven. Sit next to the flowers and watch all the envious people drive by while enjoying a sunny day in Berkeley.

Pizzas at Cheeseboard typically run $20 for the entire pie, while individual slices can be purchased for $2.50.

View more cheap restaurants in Berkeley, CA.

Photo credit: flickr cc Keenduck

In Search of America's Best Brewery

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Beer is America’s drink of choice. The French have wine, the Russians have vodka, but Americans will always have beer. When it comes to where the best beer comes from, the response is always mixed. The best American beer isn’t found at your local super market or liquor store, great American beer is found through lots of trial and error. Here are some of the best places in the country to pour a pint of your favorite beer. These microbreweries give you a chance to look in on the process and try some limited edition, eclectic and fantastic beer.

Capital Brewery — Rated the best brewery in the country by the Beverage Tasting Institute, Capital Brewery in Middleton, Wisconsin, is home to arguably the best beer in the country. Located just outside of Madison, Capital Brewery is known for their Blonde Doppelbock, a beer rated as the best in America for three of the last eight years. While visiting the brewery during the summer months, be sure to enjoy the Bier Garten, where you can grab a great beer and just relax.

New Glarus Brewing Co. — The search for America’s best beer is likely to take you off the beaten path. New Glarus Brewing Co. is 100 miles from Milwaukee, but well worth the drive. Their Raspberry Tart beer is a rush of flavor, made from organically grown Raspberries from Oregon and locally grown wheat and hops. Be sure to try their locally grown Wisconsin Belgian Red as well. New Glarus focuses on making beers from local, organic ingredients, making their beer especially flavorful and fresh.

Goose Island Brewing Co. — Located in Chicago, Goose Island Brewing has one of the best assortments of beers in the nation. Unlike Capital, Goose Island has multiple Platinum award winning beers that will dazzle your mind and your taste buds. Their best beer is the Bourbon County Stout, the darkest of dark beers. Black enough to pass for Saudi Arabian Crude, this beer has a deep dark flavor that coats your mouth. For those who prefer something a bit lighter, Goose Island offers many lighter seasonal beers like “Summer Time,” a sunshine colored beer with clean traditional flavor.

Deschutes Brewery — In the forests of Oregon, Deschutes began as a brewpub in downtown Bend. Now it is a brewery that distributes its artisan beers all over the west coast. This year, Deschutes turns 21, and since its finally old enough to drink the tasty drinks it makes, it has pulled out all the stops in order to celebrate. Deschutes introduced Black Butte XXI, a dark flavorful reserve beer to celebrate 21 years of success. A visit to the brewery will let you get an inside look at how it all happens, what makes good beer, and of course, lots of free samples.

The Lost Abbey — According to Lost Abbey, the crusade for great beer is a battle of Good vs. Evil. Out there, there are good beers and there are evil beers, and the Lost Abbey, in San Marcos, California, is working on bringing illumination to those stuck in the dredges of bad beer. In addition to brewing some really great traditional Belgian beer, the Lost Abbey also offers great community events for beer lovers and their families. Be sure to try some of their seasonal beers and some of their old time favorites like the “Avant Garde” or “Devotion.”

John Harvard’s Brew House — Is our nation’s oldest university a front for a brewery? Maybe. Do they make really great beer? Definitely. John Harvard’s in Harvard Square is home to students and tourists alike, where everyone can get some great beer in America’s self proclaimed beer capital. John Harvard’s has won countless awards for its brews; so don’t be afraid to try something totally different from your typical drink. Having a few good drinks should be the least of your worries at John Harvard’s.

Russian River Brewing Co. — In the heart of Sonoma County's wine country, there is a lone brewery for all those who would prefer a bit of barley and hops rather than grapes. Russian River's beers are made in the California and Belgian styles, blending old European traditions and some west coast ingenuity. A long time favorite on the west coast, Russian River produces many year round ales and beers, including "Pliny the Elder", "Damnation" and "Blind Pig" Indian Pale Ale. Russian River's brewpub also plays host to great musical talent from all over the country and is a great place to just sit back, drink some great beer and enjoy the music.


Photo credit: flickr cc Sashafatcat

The Rejuvenation of New Orleans

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

When Huricane Katrina hit, the city of New Orleans went dark. There were no young revelers on the streets of the French quarter wearing beads or having good times, there were no musicians playing jazz and singing the blues. But through the trials of a storm that fundamentally reshaped the landscape of this city, things have slowly returned. The old bastions of New Orleans made a come back, albeit at a steep cost. Katrina is a story of great disaster but of greater rebirth for the crescent city.

As Katrina started to roll into the delta, most restaurant owners skipped town hoping that their businesses would be safe from the prevailing winds and the coming floods. But one bar, non-descript and tiny, decided to stay open. Johnny White’s, whose tag line has always been “Never Closed”, has been serving the French quarter beers at 6 AM on Sundays for nearly 20 years. So when Katrina came, closing was not an option. The bar became an iconic symbol of the ability for the residents of New Orleans to come together as a community to weather Katrina. Johnny White’s became a rallying point for the entire city, where people would come to grab a drink, get critical information from the National Guard, have a warm meal, and work together to keep the community safe. In the darkness, Johnny White’s was the light at the end of the tunnel.

The first restaurant to reopen after Katrina was Ralph Brennan’s Red Fish Grill. One of three restaurants the restaurateur has in New Orleans. Brennan has become an icon of the passion and drive that the people of New Orleans have for rebuilding after Katrina. Brennan didn’t single a single employee due to Katrina, and returned to his restaurants with hope to make them even better than they once were.

Three months after Katrina had passed, New Orelans’s prodigal son, Emeril Legasse, returned to his destroyed restaurant. But instead of cutting his losses and leaving the city that gave him his start, Legasse rebuilt and brought back his employees and customers to Emeril's. In a time when something as simple as opening your doors in the morning seemed like something heroic, Legasse was there to show that the city could rebuild. His flagship restaurant reopened, and slowly but surely things began to return to normal.

After the storm had made its way through, destroying homes, cars, and livelihoods, some of New Orleans’s most iconic restaurants and buildings had been decimated. For 17 years straight, Commander’s Place held the title as Zagat’s Most Popular Restaurant in New Orleans. The beautiful building that houses Commander’s had taken a beating. It took over a year to bring it back to form, and over $8.5 million. After all the blood, sweat and tears, Commander’s opened again with a bang and returned to its traditional place at the top of the rankings in its old home.

For all the progress, there are still setbacks. New Orleans is now home to 200,000 less residents than before the storm. Many refused to move back, in fear of another crushing huricane coming from the gulf. But as more and more businesses open their doors to a new day, more and more people make plans to return. New Orleans is experiencing a great renaissance, bringing back the old traditions while also making new ones. Though Katrina may always be a part of the history of this city, it is the people, not the storm who define what New Orleans is and what it stands for.

Find things to do in New Orleans.

Photo credit: flickr cc ~MVI~

Feeding your Soul in New Orleans

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

Sometimes eating is about more than filling your stomach or making your taste buds dance, it's about fulfilling a deeper need. Though not the healthiest food around, soul food will always have a place at the table. Eating a truly good meal which fills you up and makes you feel all good inside is something everyone must try, and there is no better place than the home of soul food, New Orleans. Here are some great places to eat well and be merry.

Jacques-imo’s Café — This restaurant is known for its small yet chaotic dining room, where locals and travelers gather for some great food. It’s a lively joint with folk art and murals all along the walls, and a great place to just sit back and enjoy some delicious seafood, fresh from the gulf. Be sure to try the deep fried roast beef po’ boy and the Cajun bouillabaisse. But before you leave, you have to try the fried chicken, which will prove that it’s Louisiana, not Kentucky, that is home to fried chicken.

Oliver’s Creole Restaurant — Creole cooking is all about mixing spices to make something tasty and satisfying. Oliver’s is a casually elegant restaurant in the French Quarter with a great assortment of traditional Creole dishes. Be sure to try the beef bourguignon, the gumbo trio, and the crawfish etouffe. For those who are adventurous, Oliver’s also offers Creole Rabbit on their menu in addition to many other southern delicacies.

Gumbo Shop Restaurant — This little restaurant in an alleyway in the French quarter often has a line running out the door. It has a beautiful courtyard covered with bougainvillea and leafy green bushes. But most importantly, Gumbo Shop is home to some of the best gumbo in New Orleans. The thick soup filled with a million different ingredients cannot be matched. Gumbo Shop also offers jambalaya, crawfish etouffe, and shrimp Creole.

Dunbar’s Creole Cooking — When hunger strikes and you’re low on dough then the best place to go is Dunbar’s. This casual restaurant has an amazing $5 all you can eat menu with red beans and fantastic fried chicken. The food is spicy and the chicken is perfectly crunchy. Dunbar’s also offers smoked sausage, po’ boys, seafood steak, and many other specials. But before you stuff yourself, make sure to leave room for some southern style dessert.

For more about New Orleans, view the New Orleans city guide.


Photo credit: flickr cc thebittenword.com

Great Places to Watch Fireworks in the Bay Area

By: Rahul Kishore - Rahul's Musings

July 4th is coming. There are less than two weeks left before we celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday. Like many other mentropolitain areas, the Bay Area will play host to a great number of July 4th activities, including summer barbeques, music festivals, and best of all, fireworks. Here are some places in the bay area which you can watch fireworks from all the major cities and counties without being packed like sardines.

Tillman Park — Located in a residential area on Bay Farm Island in Alameda, Tillman park is a great place to lay back and watch fireworks. On a clear night you’ll be able to see shows from San Francisco, Oakland, and even Santa Clara. Be sure to pick a spot looking east towards the hills and enjoy the spectacle. Parking is generally available along the residential streets, but come early to get a good spot.

Berkeley Marina — With lots of parking and a generally uninhibited view, Berkeley marina is a great place to watch the fireworks in the east bay. Though there will be lots of people, there is lots of space and you’ll be sure to find a great spot to watch the San Francisco and Oakland displays. Berkeley is also a great place to grab a bite to eat, so be sure to get there early and enjoy a good dinner before watching the fireworks. Here are some popular restaurants in Berkeley.

Indian Rock Park — This huge rhyolite volcanic rock in Berkeley is a great place to sit back and enjoy the fireworks for the whole Bay Area. It will require a bit of a hike to get to the top of the rock, but the view is well worth it. Parking can be difficult so arrive early and be prepared to hike up and down.

Buena Vista Park — If you can hike up to the top, Buena Vista Park in San Francisco offers great views of the entire Bay Area on a clear night. It is often cold and windy so be sure to bring warm clothing. Parking is generally available in the streets surrounding the park, and there are parking structures within walking distance. Be sure to arrive early and prepare for traffic.

Point Tiburon — Likely the least crowded place to see fireworks in the entire Bay Area, Point Tiburon offers amazing views of San Francisco and Oakland. Though a long drive for most people, it’s well worth it. Parking is generally available and driving home afterwards will be more traffic free than many other locations.

Great America — For those in the South Bay or Peninsula who don’t want to make the commute north towards San Francisco, Great America puts on a great show every year. The amusement park, located in Santa Clara, will probably fill up very fast, but there are many other spots around the park from where you can watch. Arrive early and explore the area before you pick a spot.



Photo credit: flickr cc foxypar4