CARPENTERIA (SANTA BARBARA) SLY'S

RATING: 5 out of 5!

SLY'S CARPENTERIA is by far the best hidden treasure you will ever find!

Located on a corner in the sleepy beach town of Carpenteria (Kevin Costner lives here!) is this unassuming New England style gem.

Their menu is a mix of prime steaks, pastas, seafood and specialties. Every dish is so good that you will want to eat here every night of the week just to sample everything! Adding to your choice dilemma is they have Blue Plate Specials that remain the same every week. Examples - Filet Mignon meatloaf (Mondays), seafood & shrimp gumbo ( Tuesdays),Cioppino (Fridays)

Chef ( and owner) James Sly doesn't stop there. The appetizers, the desserts and even the wines are world class. If you stop by the bar you can get the finest wines by glass as recommended by the solemner-quality bartenders.

The atmosphere is beach casual and relaxed. The nearly all-white decor makes the intimate space seem open and comfortable. And the service is always small community friendly.

Open 7 days a week

Dinner nightly from 5:30

Lunch 11:30- 2:30

Brunch Saturday & Sunday 9am- 2:30

LOCATION: corner of Linden Avenue and Seventh Street

Reservation are suggested but not necessary

805-684-6666

http://slysonline.com/

LOS ANGELES (BEVERLY HILLS), CA.- LAWRY'S- THE PRIME RIB

RATING 4.5-OUT OF 5

Lawry's is known for it's signature dish-Prime Rib. And, it is delicious. Served from their patented stainless steel carving carts and prepared however you like, it is well worth a visit. Sides include creamed spinach or corn and a delightful Yorkshire Pudding. Salad is served with one dressing- their own- from the famous spinning salad bowl, done family style.

While known for the beef, they do offer the options of chicken or fish for those that do not wish to have the prime rib.

The decor is that of a fine dining restaurant. The servers are mostly women, many that have been with this family-run business for decades.

My one criticism is the size of the place. It is very large. It needs to be to accommodate the always over-flow crowd. However this makes it feel a bit cold and institutional. They do have smaller rooms and private facilities for parties and business functions.

This institution has been a main stay on La Cienega's Restaurant Row for over 70 years. It has withstood bad economies, a move from beef consumption and still remains a favorite for families to celebrate special occasions. It is also the home of the famed - Pre-Rose Bowl "Beef Bowl". The annual ritual involving the two teams participating in the New Years Day granddaddy of all bowl games.

Dinner served nightly. Reservations highly recommended.

http://www.lawrysonline.com/

100 N. La Cienega Blvd

Beverly Hills, CA 90211

310-652-2827

Other locations around the country are listed on the website

FIRENZE(FLORENCE), ITALY- RESTORANTE LA BUSSOLA

RATING- 4.5- 5

LA BUSSOLA is the type of intimate eatery you look for when you travel. Relaxing, quaint and delicious!

The cuisine is traditional without being pretentious. Pasta, pizza, seafood, risotto, homemade soups, Italian beer and frequented by locals- a best recommendation when traveling!

The service staff is multi-lingual, so communication is easy.

Whether for lunch or dinner, you can not go wrong with a stop here. Outdoor seating available for that European flavor. Family friendly.

http://www.labussolafirenze.com

Via Porta Rossa 58/R
50124 firenze, Italia
+39-055-293376
info@labussolafirenze.com

CRAIG & SALLY'S - ST. THOMAS- VIRGIN ISLANDS

RATING- 5 OUT OF 5!

There are not enough superlatives to describe this restaurant!

The atmosphere is casual and inviting. The bar comfortable and fun. And all that's great, but you MUST make this a stop on any visit to St. Thomas! The food is beyond description.

The chef is Sally: she plans a new menu everyday of the most remarkable delicious dishes you will ever eat! Our trip was 6 days to St. Thomas and we ate there 5 nights of our stay.

The food runs the course of steaks, seafood, Italian, Asian, you name and this woman makes it and does it better than anyone else.

The menu always has a huge selection of appetizers, a large selection of entree's and an assortment of desserts. Now let's talk about the bar.

Your host is Craig: runs the bar and acts as host. Great choice! First the man has a delightful personality and he makes everybody feel like a guest in their home. And if you like wine, This is the place to order it. Craig picks the wine list and it has a varied selection with prices to fit every budget. It's exotic and rivals any restaurant, at any price.

Prices are moderate to a little high, but once you taste the food, you would happily pay more.

TIP: If its busy, ask to eat at the bar. It will add to your experience.

Hours vary by time of year.

Lunch -is served on select days

Dinner-is server Wednesday through Sunday

Reservation can be made by email (12 hours in advance) craigandsallys@yahoo.com

3525 Honduras

French Town, St Thomas

340-779-9949

craigandsallys.com

TOLUCA LAKE, CA - CHEZ NOUS ( near Universal Studios)

CHEZ NOUS - Rating 4 out of 5

Sometimes you find a small neighborhood place that is just the ticket for a wonderful meal. Such is the case of Chez Nous in Toluca Lake, a small neighborhood known for its many celebrities that live there (Bob Hope, Fankie Avalon, Bin Crosby, Swoozie Kurtz all have called it home).

Amidst its restaurants that line Riverside Dr., this small french bistro and bakery sits unassumingly on a corner.

The food- incredible. The atmosphere - inviting and charming. This family run business has been a mainstay of the neighborhood for 25 years. Whether it's a salad, a croissant sandwich, a quiche or a french- styled chicken or fish, you cannot go wrong. The soups are rich yet light, the breads fresh, and the desserts-out of this world!

Want a glass of wine or cocktail to go with your meal? No problem! They have a full bar and an excellent wine list. There are two dining areas, one less formal for a quick drop-in & the other perfect even for a night on the town. And, they feature live entertainment after 6:30 and on holidays.

Prices are reasonable- average meal 11.00- 14.00 per person

To- Go Bake goods are very reasonable so be sure to stop by the counter to pick up a loaf of bread or a delicious cake or some pastries!

Hours: 7:am- 10:30pm Mon- Fri.--- 8:am- 11:30pm Sat ---8am- 3:30pm Sunday

10550 Riverside Dr. (Near Cahuenga Bl.) Toluca Lake, CA 91602

818-760-0288

http://cheznousrestaurant.com/

MIAMI, FL. - SOYKA CAFE

SOYKA CAFE- Rating 4 out of 5

Recently I was in Miami doing a ship tour of the Royal Caribbean's - Oasis of the Seas and was treated to lunch as SOYKA. What a delight!

From the outside it looks like any other building in Miami. But once inside, are in an almost industrial setting with exposed beams and vents and sheet metal. However, don't be misled, this place has an elegance that defies its shell. There is a relaxed sophistication about the decor' and the staff is top notch.

For lunch I chose the Walnut chicken Salad. The mixture of greens and veggies were delicious, the chicken tender. But the dressing was one of the best I've ever had. It is served with pita bread and was a pleasant surprise and very filling.

My fellow diner's had Chicken Marsala served on a bed of pasta and a hamburger. Both said they were excellent.

Prices are reasonable for a casually upscale restaurant- about 12.00- 15.00 per entree. And again, the service could not have been better. The perfect place for lunch while in Miami on vacation or waiting for a cruise.

Hours: 11- 11 Sun- Thurs & 11- midnight Fri- Sat.

5556 NE 4th Court, Miami, FL - 305-759-3117 reservation suggested

http://www.soykacafe.com/

WELCOME TO TRAVELER'S RESTAURANT GUIDE

WELCOME!
This is a new blog to help traveler's find the best places for fine dining, causal eating or a great local experience. The site is maintained by independent travel agents from AMERICAN TRAVEL BUREAU ( http://atbworldwide.com ). We will post reccomendations from our clients, from our own travel experiences and hopefully from...you!
Our intention is to offer resources for the best food, the best prices, the best ambience or just plain fun. This not meant to be a spot for free advertising. If you own a restaurant you truly believe should be mentioned here, let us know! We will advise our clients and have them stop by and tell us what they think. We want honesty, but this is a place to post places to go, not bad mouth. If you don't like somewhere-please don't write about it. Disagree with someone's post, but don't use the space to air personal grievances and keep this positive.
When posting, please include the city, the country and address if you can and basic pricing. And remember, good food can be found anywhere! It might be a cruise ship, a diner, a 5-star restaurant or a tiny local hang out in a one street town.
We hope you enjoy the blog and bon apetite!