<strong>Buffalo, New York:</strong> Dine at the bar at New American eatery, The Dapper Goose -- if you're lucky enough to snag a seat. While the cocktails are top-notch the wine-by-the-glass options are thoughtful and pair well with the changing menu.
Buffalo, New York: Dine at the bar at New American eatery, The Dapper Goose -- if you're lucky enough to snag a seat. While the cocktails are top-notch the wine-by-the-glass options are thoughtful and pair well with the changing menu.
Courtesy Jason Varney
<strong>Buffalo, New York:</strong> At Dobutsu in thriving Larkin Square, Japanese favorites are served in a spacious, gastropub setting. The ramen, pictured here, rivals any big city's rendition.<br />
Buffalo, New York: At Dobutsu in thriving Larkin Square, Japanese favorites are served in a spacious, gastropub setting. The ramen, pictured here, rivals any big city's rendition.
Courtesy KC KRATT Photography
<strong>Buffalo, New York: </strong>Looking for a little taste of the South? At Toutant in downtown Buffalo, Nashville hot chicken has an eye-watering kick -- equally good as a brunch dish to get your day going or for dinner before a night out on the town.
Buffalo, New York: Looking for a little taste of the South? At Toutant in downtown Buffalo, Nashville hot chicken has an eye-watering kick -- equally good as a brunch dish to get your day going or for dinner before a night out on the town.
Courtesy KC KRATT Photography
<strong>Minneapolis, Minnesota: </strong>Restaurant-savvy folks who've never even been to the Midwestern state have likely heard of Spoon and Stable, created by James Beard award-winning chef/owner Gavin Kaysen.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Restaurant-savvy folks who've never even been to the Midwestern state have likely heard of Spoon and Stable, created by James Beard award-winning chef/owner Gavin Kaysen.
Courtesy Bonjwing Lee
<strong>Spoon and Stable: </strong>Housed in an old horse stable, the menu reflects Midwestern seasonality mixed with French influence. The results are sublime.
Spoon and Stable: Housed in an old horse stable, the menu reflects Midwestern seasonality mixed with French influence. The results are sublime.
Courtesy Bonjwing Lee
<strong>Minneapolis, Minnesota: </strong>Young Joni is award-winning Ann Kim's wood-fired restaurant. Pizza, vegetables -- and sometimes a whole fish -- are great for sharing.
Minneapolis, Minnesota: Young Joni is award-winning Ann Kim's wood-fired restaurant. Pizza, vegetables -- and sometimes a whole fish -- are great for sharing.
Courtesy The Restaurant Project
<strong>Denver, Colorado: </strong>Chef/owner Caroline Glover has burst onto the Denver and national food landscapes with Annette, a culinary tribute to her great-aunt Netsie. <br />
Denver, Colorado: Chef/owner Caroline Glover has burst onto the Denver and national food landscapes with Annette, a culinary tribute to her great-aunt Netsie.
Courtesy The Hip Photo
<strong>Annette: </strong>Since Annette's opening in 2016, Glover and her team have wowed local diners with seasonal wood-fired plates like the bone-in pork chop, grilled ramp toast and sunchoke gratin.
Annette: Since Annette's opening in 2016, Glover and her team have wowed local diners with seasonal wood-fired plates like the bone-in pork chop, grilled ramp toast and sunchoke gratin.
Courtesy The Hip Photo
<strong>Denver, Colorado:</strong> The 17-seat chef's counter at Beckon invites diners to watch staff prepare Scandanavian-influenced plates that are kept secret until the night you pull up a chair.
Denver, Colorado: The 17-seat chef's counter at Beckon invites diners to watch staff prepare Scandanavian-influenced plates that are kept secret until the night you pull up a chair.
Courtesy Paper Laundry
<strong>Beckon: </strong>The menu is constantly changing, but fromage blanc with compressed rhubarb is a particularly beautiful dish.
Beckon: The menu is constantly changing, but fromage blanc with compressed rhubarb is a particularly beautiful dish.
Courtesy Paper Laundry
<strong>Beckon:</strong> If you're planning a trip to Denver and want one of Beckon's coveted counter seats, plan ahead. The pre-paid reservations fill up weeks in advance.
Beckon: If you're planning a trip to Denver and want one of Beckon's coveted counter seats, plan ahead. The pre-paid reservations fill up weeks in advance.
Courtesy Paper Laundry
<strong>Denver, Colorado: </strong>Just blocks from the Denver Zoo, The Plimoth serves wildly delicious plates inspired by traditional Italian and French cuisine.
Denver, Colorado: Just blocks from the Denver Zoo, The Plimoth serves wildly delicious plates inspired by traditional Italian and French cuisine.
Courtesy Stephanie Friday
<strong>The Plimoth:</strong> While omnivores stalk the menu for pan-fried crab cakes or rustic pork terrine, the cauliflower turnip gratinee, pictured here, and roasted sweet dumpling squash will delight herbivores.
The Plimoth: While omnivores stalk the menu for pan-fried crab cakes or rustic pork terrine, the cauliflower turnip gratinee, pictured here, and roasted sweet dumpling squash will delight herbivores.
Courtesy Stephanie Friday
<strong>Louisville, Kentucky: </strong>Steak is what's on the menu at Le Moo -- except when it's a huge bowl of cereal during the Le Moo Le Femme drag brunch.
Louisville, Kentucky: Steak is what's on the menu at Le Moo -- except when it's a huge bowl of cereal during the Le Moo Le Femme drag brunch.
John H Nation/Le Moo
<strong>Louisville, Kentucky: </strong>RedHog is, essentially, a butcher shop -- but not your average butcher shop.
Louisville, Kentucky: RedHog is, essentially, a butcher shop -- but not your average butcher shop.
Courtesy RedHog
<strong>RedHog: </strong>Industrial digs, a daily changing menu and craft beer make the shop a repeat on many locals' dinner lists.
RedHog: Industrial digs, a daily changing menu and craft beer make the shop a repeat on many locals' dinner lists.
Courtesy RedHog
<strong>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: </strong>Israeli restaurant Zahav has a menu meant for sharing.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Israeli restaurant Zahav has a menu meant for sharing.
Courtesy Alexandra Hawkins/Zahav
<strong>Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: </strong>Vientiane Bistro, run by the affable Sunny Phanthavong, brings Lao food to the masses in Philly.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Vientiane Bistro, run by the affable Sunny Phanthavong, brings Lao food to the masses in Philly.
Vientiane Bistro
<strong>Birmingham, Alabama: </strong>Highlands Bar & Grill is one of the southern city's best restaurants. A drink at the bar is a must for visitors.
Birmingham, Alabama: Highlands Bar & Grill is one of the southern city's best restaurants. A drink at the bar is a must for visitors.
Cary Norton
<strong>Birmingham, Alabama: </strong>Fonfon is beloved by locals and sought after by visitors. It's a piece of France in the South.
Birmingham, Alabama: Fonfon is beloved by locals and sought after by visitors. It's a piece of France in the South.
Cary Norton
<strong>Fonfon: </strong>Sweet-toothed folks will want to save room for dessert, which may include a fruit crumble a la mode.
Fonfon: Sweet-toothed folks will want to save room for dessert, which may include a fruit crumble a la mode.
Cary Norton