Bierhaus en d'r Salzgass
One of Cologne’s better beer halls, Bierhaus en d’r Salzgass is in a historic building that once housed the Zur Täsch brewery. It’s full of cosy corners, with barrels on the bar, tankards on the walls, religious décor throughout and a vast medieval iron light fixture on the ceiling. The house speciality is the mettbrötchen, a classic dish of minced pork with bread and onions that goes well with beer. With its terrace overlooking the Rhine, you can’t go wrong.

Taillevent
Just a short walk from the Arc de Triomphe, Le Taillevent is one of the most important landmarks in the history of haute cuisine. With its beautiful dining room and smooth service, it’s simply perfect if you’re in the mood for classic French food at its best. They have a massive wine list with a wide price range suitable for any level; some bottles are even under €30 and this is in a Michelin 2-star place! There are various menu options, from a la carte to a short or long tasting menu. Whatever you choose, you won’t go wrong!

Le Cinq
Le Cinq is part of the Four Seasons Hotel Georges V, also known as the Grande Dame of Paris; a place oozing luxury through its expanses of white marble and magnificent chandeliers. Would you believe that it takes an amazing 10,000 fresh flowers each week and an annual budget of over £1 million to keep the hotel’s common areas and guest rooms freshly flowered! The food at Le Cinq doesn’t let the hotel’s standards down - Chef Christian has brought the cuisine to a whole new level by brilliantly combining traditional French style with innovation. It’s worth noting that the lunch menu manages to deliver great value without compromising on quality. In short, Le Cinq has surely set a new standard for Michelin 3-star.

Waldorf Astoria
A New York City landmark since 1993, the Waldorf Astoria occupies an entire city block of prime mid-town Manhattan real estate. This 47-story, 625-feet structure, one of the world’s largest art deco buildings, also is the birthplace of several culinary classics. Oscar Tschirky, known as "Oscar of the Waldorf," was maître d'hôtel from the hotel's inauguration in 1893 until his retirement in 1943. During his storied career, Tschirky developed a great knowledge of cuisine. In 1896 he authored “The Cookbook by Oscar of The Waldorf,” a 900-page book featuring all of the popular recipes of the day, including his own recipes for Waldorf salad, Eggs Benedict and Oscar Veal. Waldorf-Astoria Hotel started serving Eggs Benedict after a patron, Lemuel Benedict, ordered buttered toast topped with bacon, poached eggs and hollandaise to cure his alcohol-induced headache. Tschirky refined the dish by using an English muffin and ham instead of toast and bacon. Tschirky also invented the Waldorf salad, made from apples, celery, walnuts and mayonnaise over lettuce; and Veal Oscar, veal cutlets topped with crab or crayfish meat, drizzled with béarnaise, and garnished with asparagus spears.

St Regis Hotel
Although the history of the Bloody Mary invention is somewhat disputed, most people agree the St. Regis Hotel in New York City is the American birthplace of this signature cocktail, which the hotel calls the “Red Snapper.” Fernand Petiot, a bartender at the St. Regis, is credited with inventing the vodka-and-tomato juice cocktail while working at Harry’s New York Bar in Paris, France, in the early 1920’s. He moved to the U.S. in 1925 and became head bartender at the St. Regis in 1934, where he perfected the brunch favorite with the addition of salt, pepper, lemon and Worcestershire sauce.

The Boot
The Boot, a neighborhood place in the Duke Forest area of Durham, boasts professional service and delicious food amid a simple, industrial atmosphere. We shared orecchiette pasta with broccoli rabe and sausage and a swordfish entree with pickled radish, faro and asparagus. Both dishes were prepared well. The pasta was cooked al dente and the sauce was a delicate balance between the sharp rabe and the rich sausage. The fish was presented beautifully on a ceramic plate with a bed of faro and asparagus tips. Also cooked nicely with a crisp crust. Dessert was the highlight of the meal for me; olive oil cake with orange cream and fennel. What a wonderful combination of flavors and the cake was moist and heavenly.

Le Carpe Diem Cafe Creperie
Ever had that urge to hop on a plane and go somewhere far, far away… like, say, Paris? Yeah, me too. But if it isn't happening anytime soon, the next best place to find authentic crepes is in the east end of the city at Le Carpe Diem Creperie. The cafe is decked with vintage clocks, lots of Parisian paintings, prints and artwork, French motifs like the Eiffel Tower in forms of little statues and paintings, a variety of decorative lighting fixtures and a cushioned window bench seat for patrons. The folks at Le Carpe Diem specialize in crepes, both savory and sweet. The savory crepes, aka galettes, are made egg-free with buckwheat flour (gluten free), sugar or milk – great news for those with celiac disease or are on a gluten free diet. Staff is friendly, helpful and French. which adds to the authenticity of the place and transports you away to a little corner cafe somewhere in Paris. Visit them during your morning commute, lunch break or enjoy a late-night dessert catch up with friends to ring in the weekend.

Crêpes Parfait
Complete with uniforms and French music, this authentic food truck serves sweet and savory crepes. Served on organic buckwheat, fillings for the savory crepes include ham, chicken, veggie and at least one special, which has ranged from sausage to lamb. Diners also have the option of getting their crepe with extra toppings. Crepes Parfait also offers a daily soup option as well as an extensive menu of drinks that range from house-made lemonades to coffee drinks. Sweet crepes always include one daily special as well as Nutella and banana, orange and cinnamon and lemon and butter.

BBQ Bus
BBQ Bus offers myriad options for BBQ lovers, including pulled pork, brisket, chicken, and ribs, along an expansive selection of sides that include BBQ bus beans, bacon mashed potatoes, fire-roasted corn and vinaigrette slaw. They also offer a three-bean chili and serve by the pound for really hungry folks! They also offer at least five different sauces, so there’s plenty of ways diners can customize their meal.

South Meets East
Named one of the area’s top food trucks by Washingtonian Magazine, South Meets East serves rice bowls, burritos and tacos – each of which can be customized with your choice of protein and toppings. Choices range from grilled with black bean corn salsa, lime crema and cilantro to Vietnamese-style roast pork with carrot and daikon slaw, aioli and cilantro. For those who aren’t carnivores, there is also a vegetarian option with avocado as a substitute for protein. They also offer chips and guacamole/salsa as sides.