Holy Moley - Milwaukee, WI

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HOLY MOLEY, are the perfect two words in the slang vernacular to describe this incredible little doughnut and coffee shop! I was in Milwaukee at my beloved alma mater, Marquette University, for the annual Alumni Awards banquet. Alumni from across the country and around the world gather to celebrate our finest! What better time to pull together family and friends on this early morning, to taste test the finest new doughnut shop in Milwaukee! We called it the "Doughnut Run". Not your typical 5k; it was a 5 minute drive to this little haven. Once you reach the finish line, you have to strategicly choose a doughnut and carefully enjoy it without losing a crumb! 

The choices were difficult! Holy Moley's special of the day consisted of: maple bacon, bourbon Indonesian vanilla, red velvet cake, salted whisky chocolate, Boston cream, pistachio, and  pbc (peanut butter chocolate). Bet you're craving a Holy Moley doughnut now!!

Located in the heart of downtown Milwaukee's 3rd Ward, Holy Moley features different doughnuts every day. They post them on their Facebook page. Holy Moley features cake and yeast doughnuts, old fashioned and fritters. Vegan and/or gluten free? No problem! They've got you covered!

I must say, I cut very small samples of each to try them all. Honestly, I can't tell you my favorite. You'll just going to have to do your own "Doughtnut Run" and find out for yourself!

4 Valcooks Aprons

Holy Moley

316 N. Milwaukee Street

Milwaukee, WI 53202

(414)308-1616

Dunk@holymoleydoughnuts.com

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Villa Blanca - Beverly Hills, CA

In LA and searching for a delightful dining experience in Beverly Hills? Villa Blanca is the place!  This quaint restaurant with impeccable service boasts a reasonably priced (for the location) Italian and Mediterranean fare. 

Created by reality TV star, Lisa Vanderpump, Villa Blanca's ambiance is stylish and romantic and walking distance from Rodeo Drive. The patio and open-aired indoor dining, with all-white decor, will give you the feeling of dining on the shores of St. Tropez.

While being mesmerized by the ambiance, I enjoyed the the shrimp & calamari appetizer and selected the pan fried sole with lemon caper sauce and roasted potatoes for my main course. As I always do, I perused the room to see dishes other customers ordered. All looked delicious and enjoyed.

The dress is fine dining attire. Valet, parking lot and street parking available. Pleasant and attentive service.  I look forward to dining at Villa Blanca again! 

4 Valcooks Aprons

Villa Blanca

9601 Brighton Way

Beverly Hills, CA 90210

(310)859-7600

villablancarestaurant.com

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The Griddle Cafe - Hollywood, CA

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I never go to LA without a stop to The Griddle Cafe. The Griddle Cafe is not only my favorite breakfast cafe in LA, it is MY FAVORITE BREAKFAST SPOT - EVER!! Known for their over-sized breakfasts and fabulously delicious Red Velvet Pancakes, I am absolutely CRAZY about The Griddle's French toast!! How dare they make French toast as good (okay better) than mine! Don't let the generous-sized potions of the French toast frighten you. They are soooo light and fluffy you'll think you are munching on a flavored cloud!! It will leave you satisfied, but not full. You must also try the bacon; thick and grilled to perfection.

Be prepared to stand in lines out the door and down the block. But, trust me, you will be rewarded in the end with the best breakfast you will ever have! Heck, I think I need to head to LA right now!

Attentive service. (Say hello to the waiter/comedian from Waukesha, WI.) Casual dress. Metered street parking available. Great "down home" food!

5 Valcooks Aprons/Golden Apron Award

The Griddle Cafe

7916 Sunset Blvd.

(On the corner of Sunset and Fairfax)

Hollywood, CA 90046

(312)874-0377

thegriddlecafe.com

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Cafe Buna - Marina Del Ray, CA

Are you a bacon lover? How about jalapeño bacon?! Then you must try Cafe Buna in Marina Del Rey, CA! Back in January, my daughter & I took a little jaunt to LA with an early morning arrival. Of course, the first stop is breakfast. With the help of Yelp, we found this little jewel of a breakfast spot. They had so many virgin culinary items, my taste buds had a hard time choosing from the menu. I decided to try the jalapeño bacon, sweet potato tater tots and organic eggs. The jalapeño bacon was just the "kick" I needed to get the day started. At first I didn't taste the jalapeño, but moments later...wham! Hot heaven! Their menu speaks the truth. Cafe Buna IS "the best kept secret in Marina Del Rey"!

The menu is extensive, the seating limited (about 12+ tables) and the potions generous. Service was fast and friendly. Metered parking. Casual dress. They say that on weekends, the lines are out the door. I can believe that!

4 Valcooks Aprons

Cafe Buna

3105 Washington Blvd.

Marina Del Rey, CA

(310)823-2430 

cafebuna.com

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Eddie V's Prime Seafood - Chicago

Eddie V's Prime Seafood in one word is OUTSTANDING! From the atmosphere - to the service - to the cuisine, Eddie V's in downtown Chicago, will not disappoint. I was there to celebrate a friend's birthday and ended up finding a new favorite restaurant. Seafood was the meal of choice for this evening. For starters, pan fried shrimp dumpling and spicy (hot) calamari. Tantalizing and plentiful.  Today's "special" was the pan fried snapper adorned with crab meat. Flaky and extremely fresh, the seasonings complimented the snapper perfectly. The crab fried rice is one of their specialties and a MUST for your side dish. The vegetable plate was scrumptious and satisfying.Though no one at my table had steak, it was very obvious the guests at an adjoining table thoroughly enjoyed theirs! Last but certainly not least, the banana's foster bread pudding flambé and butter pecan ice cream topped off the entire meal. We would not leave until every morsel was enjoyed.

Service was impeccable. The mood and ambiance, inviting and contemporary. Valet parking is available. The attire: business. Eddie V's is one of the best dining experiences in downtown Chicago. I've already requested another upcoming reservation!

5 Valcooks Aprons

Eddie V's Prime Seafood

521 N. Rush Street

Chicago, IL 

(312)585-1114

Eddiev.com/Chicago

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Ella's Folk Art Cafe - Tampa, FL

From the moment I walked into Ella's Folk Art Cafe in the Seminole Heights section of Tampa, I knew I was in for a special treat. The place was jumpin'! Since I was by myself and didn't want to be on a waiting list, I took the last seat at the end of the bar. Come to find out, it was the best seat in the house! I was able to view all the dishes coming out of the kitchen and enjoy the folk art throughout the restaurant. I particularly liked the"Elvis booth", a shrine to the "King" and amused by the photo of "Tiny Tim" (...or was it Weird Al Yankovic. I get them confused.)

From the moment I sat down, the regulars, knowing I was a newbie, began singing Ella's praises and providing a litany of recommendations. I went with the specials; Thai tomato basil soup topped with crab meat and the shrimp & lump crab in a creamy coconut milk broth. Their menu consists of southern comfort foods and American fare, but with a healthy nouveau twist. The regulars raved about the Sunday Soul Food Brunch so much, I'm going to have to return to Tampa just to try it. Last, but not least, Ella's has chocolate covered bacon, three layer red velvet cake for dessert among other tempting treats!

As I have found with most Tampa Restaurants, the staff was pleasant and attentive. Spacious party rooms are available. Enjoy various types of live music performances. Parking is available in back and at certain hours at the business across the street. (Read the signs posted.) Dress is casual to smart casual. You'll enjoy the experience. I did!

4 Valcooks Aprons

Ella's Folk Art Cafe

5119 N Nebraska Ave

Tampa, FL  33603

ellasfolkartcafe.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Edison: Food + Drink Lab - Tampa, FL

Fresh + Local Grown + Delicious = Edison: Food + Drink Lab in Tampa, FL, located close to University of Tampa. Edison's has discovered the correct formula for a very satisfying culinary experience.   From the "simple chic" decor with industrial back entrance, to the daily changing menu presented on a clip board, you will be impressed with the subtle interior and blown away by the chef's culinary "experiments"!

I found it difficult to decide on what to order. I wanted EVERY item on the menu.  I ended up ordering the oysters Rockefeller, shrimp & crab ceviche, and collard greens. Of course, I had to sample a taste of everyone else's meal at the table, escargot, cesar salad with fried anchovies, pan fried snapper and grilled salmon. All the dishes were expertly seasoned, and the infusions of flavors were tantalizing to the taste buds!! Edison's drink menu lists includes local beers, extensive whisky & bourbons and wines to compliment any dish. 

Again, the menu changes daily and is based upon local/fresh ingredients. The staff & management are friendly and attentive. The attire is smart casual and valet parking is available. Be prepared to walk away extremely satisfied!

4½ Valcooks Aprons

Edison: Food + Drink Lab

912 W. Kennedy Blvd.

Tampa, FL 33606

(813)254-7111

Edison-Tampa.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Brocato's Sandwich Shop - Tampa, FL

Devil Crabs are one of my favorite dishes. Originated in my hometown of Tampa, the "Devil Crab" is crab meat sautéed with spicy seasonings rolled inside of a  Cuban bread or bread crumb like a croquette, shaped like a football and deep fried.  I have been on a quest to find "the best devil crab in the city." Mission accomplished!!! The winner is...Brocato's Sandwich Shop. Be prepared to wait in long lines outside the door and around the building for this "taste of heaven"!  Obviously, it's well worth the wait. Brocato's Deviled Crabs are so large and filled with crab meat you have to hold it with TWO hands! No bread fillers like the ones you'll find at many shops. Here is a link to the Tampa history of Deviled Crabs: 

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deviled_crab

Brocato's Sandwich Shop also boasts the best Cuban Sandwiches and Stuffed Baked Potato. They have limited seating inside and an outside patio. Very casual; mostly takeout and a large "crowded" parking lot. Be patient...

5 Valcooks Aprons

Brocato's Sandwich Shop

5021 East Columbus Drive

Tampa, FL 33619

(813)248-9977

brocatossandwich.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"

Columbia Restaurant - Tampa, FL

Tampa is experiencing a restaurant BOOM! New ones are poping up every day. But, I still find the old tried & true restaurants to hold their own against many of the nouveau, eclectic palate types. My all time favorite is the Columbia Restaurant. (I've hosted New Years Eve dinner there for four of the last five years!) Steeped in history and woven into the fabric of Tampa Bay, the original Columbia Restaurant, the World's Largest Spainish Restaurant  located in Ybor City never disappoints. Founded in 1905, 5 generations of the Gonzmart family continue to serve their century old recipes such as paella, snapper pompano, fillet mignon "Columbia", and red or white sangria made table side. You must try the "1905" salad! It could be a meal all on its own. But, share the salad, because you will not want to miss your Spainish bean soup, main course, espresso and flan for dessert.

  

Topping off this award winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine is the entertainment. Monday through Saturday the Ybor City location features flamenco dance performances. Let the costumes and the sound of the clastinettes transport you to the courtyards of Spain! Reservations for the dinner with show are made separately. The Columbia also has live jazz performances.

There are numerous Columbia restaurants throughout Central Florida. All are great, but there's nothing like the original in "Ybor City" with it original Spanish tile on the exterior/interior walls, and hand painted ceramic pieces imported from Spain. (Plus, it's the only one with the flemenco performance.) Valet parking available. Dress depends on your occasion; smart casual to business.

Taste the "Flavor of Tampa"! 

4 ½ Valcooks Aprons

Columbia Restaurant

2117 E. 7th Avenue

Tampa FL 33605

(813)248-4961

columbiarestaurant.com

"Live life with an exclamation point!"