Restaurant Reviews

Maro's Shrimp House in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico: Steak and seafood

Lobster, steak, and shrimp

Everyone told me, if you come to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, you have to go to Maro’s Shrimp House for the lobster, steak, and famous Bulldog drink. At first glance, the restaurant seemed like an overpriced tourist trap. But with great reviews on both TripAdvisor and Yelp, I decided to ignore my preconceptions and see what the fuss was all about. Maro’s Shrimp House is a hole-in-the-wall seafood restaurant. From the outside, the restaurant looked like a shack. There is …

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Basic Bar & Pizza in San Diego, CA: Brick Oven Pizza

The Mashed Pizza with white sauce, mashed potatoes, and bacon, Basic Urban Kitchen and Bar, San Diego, California

Basic Bar & Pizza, located in the East Village of downtown San Diego, is a restaurant known for its thin-crust brick oven pizzas. It is also popular with locals and visitors because of its one-page drink menu and happy hour specials. I first heard about Basic Bar & Pizza through a friend, who found out through a friend, who found out through another friend. He told me about a unique pizza with mashed potatoes and bacon. He got my attention …

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Firestone Grill in San Luis Obispo: Jalapeño Burger and Fries

Halopeño Burger, named after the General Manager of Firestone Grill, San Luis Obispo, California

Stopping by Firestone Grill in San Luis Obispo for a meal has become a tradition whenever I drive along Highway 101. This past week was no different. After a long day driving down the beautiful California coast through Big Sur from San Francisco to Los Angeles, I had one thing in mind: stopping at Firestone Grill for a burger and a beer. Since 1995, Firestone Grill has been a staple of downtown San Luis Obispo. Over the years, the restaurant …

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Den Noc in Prague: Savory Salmon Pancakes

Savory Pancakes with Salmon, Sour Cream, and Dill, Den Noc, Prague, Czech Republic

Den Noc, meaning day and night, is a small and cozy bistro and wine bar located near the crowds of the Old Town in Prague, Czech Republic. I was ready for a change after eating my fair share of potato dumplings and pork knuckles. Den Noc was started by a newly married couple who dreamed of opening their own business. That dream came true. Today, one handles the cooking and baking while the other focuses on wine. Everything served at …

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Fuunji in the Shinjuku Ward of Tokyo, Japan: Tsukemen Ramen

Large Deluxe Tsukemen, Fuunji, Tokyo, Japan

The first time I tasted a bowl of tsukemen was at Fuunji, a small ramen shop hidden on a quiet street near Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, Japan. Fuunji is considered by many, including me, to serve the best bowl of tsukemen in Tokyo. Every time I return to Tokyo, I stop by Fuunji first. Even with its hidden location, Fuunji is no secret. You should always expect a line out the door, and even once inside, the line continues. Don’t …

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Mak’s Noodle in Hong Kong: Beef Brisket Wonton Noodle Soup

Beef Brisket Wonton Noodles, Mak’s Noodle, Hong Kong

Mak’s Noodle is an institution in Hong Kong. This no-frills restaurant is one of the most popular spots in the city for wonton noodles. Did I mention the restaurant even has its own Wikipedia page? In Hong Kong, wonton noodles are simple. At their most basic, they consist of a bowl of piping hot and savory broth filled with chewy yet firm egg noodles and delicate shrimp dumplings. You can add meat or vegetables. While Mak’s Noodle is famous, it’s …

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Blue’s Egg in Milwaukee: Brunch and Eggs Benedict

House made English muffins along with house cured pulled ham

Blue’s Egg, in Milwaukee, is a popular restaurant for scratch-made breakfast and lunch dishes using high-quality, locally sourced ingredients. Since opening in 2010, the restaurant has strived to buy ingredients from small family farms, including eggs, coffee, tea, and beer. Since opening in 2010, co-owner and Chef Joe Muench has used American immigrant cooking ideas and old-world ingredients to design his unique, modern American menu. Even hidden in a small strip mall off Interstate 94 near Wauwatosa, you can always …

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Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant in Singapore

Food comes out as it is ready. If you are wondering, this wasn't even all of it.

Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant is a well-known late-night restaurant in Singapore popular with locals and tourists for its affordable dim sum. The restaurant, located not far from my hotel, was recommended to me over and over by Uber drivers, fellow hotel guests, and random people walking down the street. For over 50 years, Swee Choon Tim Sum Restaurant has served fresh and delicious dim sum, whether steamed, fried, or baked. Since opening its first location in 1962, the restaurant …

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Sushi Kyotatsu inside Tokyo’s Narita International Airport

Nigiri Miyako

Sushi Kyotatsu is my go-to spot for sushi every time I find myself on a layover at Terminal 1 of Tokyo’s Narita International Airport. Delicious and fresh sushi in the most unlikely of places: the airport. When I think of airport food, the last thing that comes to mind is sushi. But Sushi Kyotatsu is different. It’s good. I take that back, it’s great. It’s better than most of the sushi I have ever had. Though pricey (you’re in an …

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Harajuku Gyoza Lou: Some of the best dumplings in Tokyo

Pan Fried Dumplings with Garlic and Chives, Harajuku Gyoza Lou, Tokyo, Japan

Harajuku Gyoza Lou is a casual dumpling restaurant in Tokyo, famous for its pan-fried and steamed gyoza, served at an affordable price. The small eatery in the busy Shibuya Ward off Omotesandō Street has perfected the art of Chinese-style dumplings, or gyoza. It’s no secret why Harajuku Gyoza Lou has recently become so popular with locals, tourists, and foodies for their pan-fried and steamed dumplings. While the menu is small, where else can you get six freshly made, perfectly cooked …

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