5 great restaurants in Lower Manhattan

Bull Run

You can find the Bull Run Restaurant and Conference Center down on William Street between Pine and Wine Streets. This is supposedly a favorite place to eat for all the Wall Street big shots, and it's easy to see why with the fancy, huge bar that greets you at the entrance and the even fancier restaurant area. Despite the high-class quality of this place, I didn't think the prices were all that outrageous, but I just had a shrimp salad and coconut cake to eat (both of which were fantastic), and a glass of red wine to drink (also fantastic, and I'm not much of a wine drinker).

Centrico

If you are into real Mexican cuisine, you've got to stop by Centrico for a meal. I kept it simple and just had tacos, but boy were they some good tacos! Washed them down with a cocktail made of beer, lime and chile on ice. Really, some fine, fine Mexican food. I think we spent not quite $20 per person, which I think is more than reasonable for a pretty fine restaurant. Centrico is on West Broadway. If you're not overly adventurous, you can still order the tacos and have a great feast.

Craftsteak

If you're into steak, this is the place for you. I had a prime rib steak that would melt in your mouth; yeah, it cost $50, but it tasted like it! I also had some oysters that were great, and an English root beer that might be the best root beer I've ever tasted. The inside of Craftsteak struck me as a little weird, sort of a mix of modern and Medieval, but it worked. You can find Craftsteak on Tenth Avenue near West 15th Street.

Nobu New York City

Probably the finest Japanese restaurant I've ever eaten at, especially for the food. The atmosphere is nice, too, making Nobu a place where you don't have to dress up, but you don't want to go in looking like a slob either. I had rock shrimp with some kind of sauce that was to die for. For a drink, I ordered a pineapple martini, which apparently has real pineapple and pear juices and vodka. Nobu can be found on Hudson Street at the corner with Franklin Street just south of the Holland Tunnel.

Borgo Antico

This restaurant on the inside has a rustic, European feel to it. And maybe that's appropriate since this is an Italian restaurant. I ate fettuccine with veal and a salad covered with an Italian cheese and a lemon vinaigrette. And the prices really weren't that bad, especially considering the quality of the food. Visit Borgo Antico on East 13th Street, about a block south of Union Square. 2010 Update: Unfortunately, this fine restaurant has closed.

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5 great bakeries of Lexington, Kentucky

Magee's Bakery

This family business has been around for more than 50 years. In fact, I was surprised to learn recently my parents had their wedding cake made here more than 40 years ago. I used to live in downtown Lexington not far from Magee's Bakery on East Main Street, so I got visit fairly often. More recently I live nowhere Magee's, but whenever I'm in town I try to drop by for one of their chocolate covered long johns or one of their mallow bars.

While Magee's Bakery has sandwiches for breakfast and lunch, several ranges of coffee and can rustle up just  about any kind of cake or pie, it's really their breakfast pastries where this establishment really shines. I swear, their chocolate and whipped cream are so good I'd almost think they'd injected something illegal in them; really, they're that good! In fact, my wife and I joke about eating a mallow bar from Magee's because afterwards we're so jittery from all the sugar. The chocolate on the mallow bars, and the other pastries, is without a doubt the best chocolate of any kind I've had in my life. And the buttercream used inside the cream  horns and long johns is easily the best whipped cream I've ever tasted.

If you're ever in Lexington, Kentucky, and you have a sweet tooth, you have to pay a visit to Magee's Bakery. You will not go away disappointed.

Sunrise Bakery

When I lived downtown, I used to hit Sunrise Bakery on Main Street at least three or four mornings of each week. Heck, I still try to make it down there every once in a while. They open at 8 a.m. and the pastries were fresh right out of the oven. And the coffee is pretty good, too!

Sunrise is more of a niche bakery, however. You won't find everything here, though I suppose you could ask and they might fill a special order for you. What you will find, however, are some of the best fresh bagels in the world and croissants that melt in your mouth they are so flaky. You'll also find some quality breads and good Italian sandwiches for lunch. And the cheese danishes! You have to try one of Sunrise's cheese danishes, especially early in the morning when the danishes are still warm. The cream cheese tastes like a piece of heaven in your mouth. I'm not exaggerating, I swear.

Another nice thing about Sunrise Bakery is they're right down town, which means you're within walking distance of the public library, plenty of other great restaurants, lots of shopping places, office spaces, the University of Kentucky and just all kinds of fun and interesting stuff in Lexington, Kentucky.

Spalding's Bakery

I tend to think of Spalding's Bakery as sort of a blue collar bakery. The goods here aren't a bunch of fancy wedding cakes or special French pastries, but what you get are some of the best donuts I've ever tasted. Even a simple glaze donut from this bakery seems to melt in your mouth. The donuts are often crunch on the outside though soft on the inside, and the sweetness can't be believed. If you're a fan of sugar, you'll want to try a donut from Spalding's Bakery.

So, you know what to do. The next time you're in Lexington, stop by Spalding's Bakery on Winchester Road almost to downtown and pick up a dozen or more donuts. They might just be the best donuts you'll ever have.  Another nice thing about Spalding's Bakery is it's a family bakery that's been in business for more than 80 years.

Caramanda's Bake Shoppe

Caramanda's is the newest bakery listed here, having only been around a few years, but that doesn't mean they can't come up with some fine eatings. And there are actually three Caramanda's bakeries, all owned by the same folks, but my favorite is the original over on Southland Drive in Lexington.

While not overly fancy, Caramanda's tends to specialize in cakes, including wedding cakes. Besides tasting fantastic, it's fun to just look at many of the cakes from this bakery because they come in all kinds of interesting shapes and colors. They can do your traditional cakes, too, but Caramanda's has turned cake baking into an art form. They can do cakes shaped like rabbits, frogs, guitars, dragons and just about anything you can dream up. A cake from Caramanda's would be perfect for any birthday party or family gathering.

Mondelli's Bake Shop

The Mondelli's Bake Shop does a little bit of everything, from donuts to wedding cakes to pies to cookies and cupcakes and more. But Mondelli's tends to be a little on the fancier side, so if you need an extra nice wedding cake, this is the place for you. I personally think this bakery shines best in their cupcakes, which are some of the fluffiest cupcakes I've ever tried. Also, they do a Chocolate Sunday Cake that's just to die for with chocolate fudge icing dripping down the sides. Yum!

If interested, you can find Mondelli's Bake Shop off Pimlico Parkway in the Park Hills Shopping Center. They do some speciality cakes, too, so don't forget to ask about those.

5 great burger joints you have (probably) never heard of

Crazy Burger

Narragansett, Rhode Island

Not just a burger joint, but also a cafe and juice bar. But the burgers are more than enough to keep you coming back. This place on Boon Street has plenty of unique burges. On the menu are lamb burgers, chicken burgers, salmon burgers, ostrich burgers and buffalo burgers. Even a vegan burger. They've also got a wide selection of breakfast items, omelets being a specialty, and plenty to offer in side dishes. I think I like the lamb burger the best, but it's so hard to decide.

Burger Joint

San Francisco, California

"Fresh" is a word that can't be used enough to describe burgers from these restaurants, of which there are several in California, including one at the San Francisco International airport. The burgers are made with Angus beef for a local ranch, and they're free of any kinds of chemicals. The best thing, you can taste the quality in the beef. And the prices aren't too bad. They've got your classic burger, along with a mini burger and garden burger and even free-range chicken burgers.

Sumburger

Chillicothe, Ohio

Just a little, local greasy-spoon joint, right? Nope. It might look like it, but Sumburger is so much more. For one thing it's a curb-service restaurant where a carhop comes out to you, though you can go and sit instead to if you want. The meat on these burgers is top quality, but there's also a secret sauce that gives it so much more. Try the Double Sumburger. In business since 1953, this restaurant wasn't initially called Sumburger, but changed its name in 1974 because patrons love the burgers so much they'd say "that was some burger!" Discover this small-town joint on North Bridge Street in Chillicothe.

Molly’s Shebeen

New York, New York

This Irish pub and restaurant can be found at Third Avenue between East 22nd Street and East 21st Street, just a block or so from Gramercy Park and a few blocks from Madison Square Park. The atmosphere of this place is fantastic. You'll think you're back in the old country. Like any solid Irish pub, they've got a goodly selection of beer to choose from. But you're here for the burgers, and what burgers they are. All of the burgers run between $9 and $11, but it's worth every single penny. These are gigantic burgers. I'm talking 10 ounces on huge buns topped with whatever your heart desires. My favorite is probably the Mushroom Burger. They've got plenty of other fine foods, too, from Lamb Stew to Shepherds Pie and plenty more. But this is a busy, popular place, so don't be surprised if you have to wait in line a while to get in.

Flip Burger Boutique

Atlanta, Georgia

This is sort of your high-end restaurant, but I didn't find the prices for burgers any higher than at a lot of greasy spoon places, and you can still go in wearing jeans. Because to be honest, it's basically just a burger bar, but a really nice burger bar. You can find a good old-fashioned burger here, but there's also plenty of unusual toppings to be found. They have their own unique Flip sauce, and plenty of other exotic toppings. Find this fine place on Howell Mill Road in Atlanta.

5 unique restaurants in Lexington, Kentucky

With the World Equestrian Games coming up in 2010, plenty of people will be visiting Lexington, Kentucky, and the Bluegrass region in the center of the state. Whether it is your first time to the area, or you've lived there for years, there are plenty of restaurants unique to the region.

In no particular order, here are five:

Hall's on the River

Whether you're looking for fine dining or just same place to take the kids, Hall's on the River has a little something for everyone. Prime Rib, New York strip steak and pasta are just a few of the menu items available, but this restaurant is best-known in the region for its seafood and a little something unique to the area, beer cheese.

The seafood is as fresh as you can find it anywhere away from the seaboard. A fresh catch of the day is flown in routinely just for your eating pleasure, and the shrimp and oyster and frog leg dinners taste just as fresh.

Hall's Original Beer Cheese isn't the only beer cheese made and sold in Kentucky, but it is one of the most famous and it has an original recipe including radishes, crackers, celery and, of course, beer.

This restaurant can be found a short drive south of Lexington. Get off Interstate 75 at Exit 95 and turn left. Enjoy your meal just off the Kentucky River.

Giacomo's New York Delicatessen

Just because you're away from the big city doesn't mean you can't enjoy the tastes of your favorite deli. Giacomo's brings corned beef and pastrami straight from Carnegie Deli in New York City to the region, along with bagels from H&H in New York. Fine sandwiches and paninis are a daily specialty, but there are also plenty of desserts to tempt your taste buds.

Try out "The Giacomo" sandwich, a deli favorite. It comes with mortadella, sopresatta, mozzarella, mayo, prosciutto, onion, lettuce and tomato and a bread of your choice. And feel free to add or subtract what you want on your sandwich. Soups and salads are also available, as are breakfast foods, hot dogs and more.

If your sweet tooth is working on you, try out the Carnegie Deli cheesecake, whole or by the slice. Other desserts available at Giacomo's New York Delicatessen are tiramisu, cookies, cakes, biscotti, eclairs and more.

The sandwiches are staples for the restaurant, but the soups and desserts available tend to change every day, giving a variety of offerings over the week.

Giacomo's New York Delicatessen is located downtown Lexington, Kentucky, just across the street from the courthouse on North Limestone Street.

Tolly-Ho

If you're in the mood for some simple, greasy diner food, then Tolly-Ho Restaurant is just what you need. Being open 24 hours a day helps to bring in the college crowd, and this restaurant has been a favorite of University of Kentucky students since 1971.

As can be expected, burgers are a specialty, but there's much more to be fund at Tolly-Ho. Breakfast is served 24 hours a day, and the shakes come in many varieties. For something a little different, check out the cheesy tater tots, the chili cheese fries or any of the other many menu items.

And a word of warning: If it's your first trip to Tolly-Ho, you are officially a Ho Virgin. What this means is that the person waiting on you behind the front counter will ring a really loud bell and announce to everyone in the restaurant that this is your first trip there. It can add to the environment.

Also, while you're waiting for your food to be prepared, there are video games and pinball machines throughout Tolly-Ho, and there is a small convenience store area where you can buy gum, candy bars and a few brands of cigarettes.

Find Tolly-Ho near downtown and across the street from the University of Kentucky campus at the corner of Euclid Avenue and South Limestone Street.

Alfalfa Restaurant

Despite the name, Alfalfa Restaurant does serve more than just vegetarians. Yep, there is meat on the menu.

But this isn't a steak-and-potato place. Specialties include the fish taco, the alfalfa avocado grill, chicken talese and more. If you'd like to try something vegetarian that's a little different but still fun and tasty, order the Hoppin' John, which includes brown rice, tomato sauce, onions, green peppers, black-eyed peas and cheddar cheese.

Make sure to spend time enjoying more than just the food. Live music is often provided for the dinner crowd, and art shows are quite common.

Located downtown Lexington, Kentucky, on East Main Street.

Goodfellas Pizzeria

Say you're in the mood for pizza? Maybe some New York style pizza? If so, Goodfellas Pizzeria is for you.

Specialty and classic pizzas are readily available, but you can create your own pie by picking and choosing which of the many toppings you want. Buy your pizza by the whole pie or by the slice. Oven-baked subs are available, too, along with bread sticks and salad. Goodfellas Pizzeria prides itself on serving the largest pizzas and bread sticks in the area.

For dessert, try the cannoli. Just like mama used to make! And don't forget that Goodfellas Pizzeria also caters.

Find this restaurant in downtown Lexington on North Mill Street.

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