Norma's in Le Parker Meridian

Norma's in Le Parker Meridian
New York City, New York

When I was visiting family in Manhattan, we went to Norma’s and I didn’t know what to expect—I mean, it’s a hotel breakfast place.  I was thinking more along the lines of big buffet and waffle machine, and I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When you first get to Norma’s, they pour you water and a sample of the day’s freshly made smoothie.  I had one with citrus fruits and banana.  It’s a perfect way to start breakfast!  Side note:  get there early.  It gets packed quick!

The last time I was at Norma’s I had the Waz-Za—a waffle loaded with fruit.  It was incredible.  The waffle was fluffy on the inside, crispy on the outside.  The fruit was fresh and sweet.  I was starving and I couldn’t even finish the thing!

See, the thing is, with Norma’s the prices are normally higher than most breakfast places (especially the $2 breakfast sandwich in every corner store in the city), but the sizes are humungous and and easily shareable.  If 3 people go in and split 2 things there will easily be enough food to go around.

Unless you get the Zillion Dollar Lobster Frittata.

I’m not kidding, this thing will put you $1,000 in the hole.  Yes, a thousand.  It’s made with eggs, chives, cream, butter, an entire lobster, and 10 ounces of sevruga caviar.  

I haven’t had one.  In fact, I don’t even know if anyone in the restaurant ordered one while I was there.  But people have.  And I presume it was a slightly balding short guy trying (possibly succeeding) to impress a beautiful woman.  One day though, I’ll order one.  One day when I’m so rich I have nothing better to do.  And I don’t even like caviar.  Until then, I’ll split my awesome waffle with a friend, drink my smoothie, and look forward to my next trip to Norma’s.

Frenchy's Restaurants

Frenchy's Restaurants
Clearwater Beach, Florida

Frenchy is a former Canadian turned Florida beach bum who decided to open a seafood restaurant.  He also decided he didn’t want to pay some other dude to go get his seafood for him so he started a fishing fleet to supply said restaurant.  And the rest is history.

There are 4 Frenchy’s restaurants within about a 2 mile stretch of Clearwater Beach:  Frenchy’s Original Cafe, Saltwater Cafe, Rockaway Grill, and South Beach Cafe.  They all have similar menus, with each one having a couple unique items not found at the others.  I’ve been eating there since I was a kid, and have always enjoyed it!
The seafood is FRESH.  So fresh, in fact, during the Stone Crab Fest in October our waitress asked if we wanted to put an order in early, because the boats were on their way back from the traps to the cafe and she knew they’d go fast!  On average, they go through about 5,000-10,000 lbs of stone crabs during Crab Fest.  It’s insane.
The fish spread is phenomenal and pretty much turned this landlubber into a seafood fan.  Their conch fritters are crispy on the outside, doughy and wonderful on the inside, with huge chunks of conch—and a spicy finish.  And then there’s grouper.  Grouper is pretty much the official fish of the Tampa Bay area and you can have it any way you imagine:  grilled, fried, blackened, on a sandwich, nugget-ified, rueben-ed, stuffed, you name it.  But Frenchy’s doesn’t forget those who don’t eat seafood—their burgers are juicy and, if you’re feeling adventurous, you can try the Cajun fried gator tail.  Awesome.

After a day at the beach or cruising around on your boat, Frenchy’s is perfect.  Hell, you can even take your boat to the Saltwater Cafe and dock it right across the street!  Frenchy, I salute you and your amazing food, and look forward to my next visit!

Hash House a Go Go

Hash House a Go Go
Las Vegas, Nevada

I was lucky enough to stumble across this gem while visiting my best friend in Las Vegas.  She swears by it, and after hearing her description I was super excited to go.

Hash House A Go Go is known for their fresh ingredients—they consider themselves “twisted farm food.”  And yes, you might recognize them from Man Vs. Food.

The first time we ate there (yes, we went twice in one trip) was for breakfast.  I had the Griddled French Toast, complete with grilled bananas, maple syrup, fresh strawberries, and pecans.  She had the morning’s special.  Some kind of omelette with ever vegetable known to man and smothered in cheese.  Their portions are gigantic, so bring your appetite, a friend, or a to go box with you.  Plus, every day they make their own jam.  Ours was strawberry champagne!  Delicious.

We went back for dinner the following day and ate like champions, taking home not one, but FOUR to go boxes!  Our appetizer was fried green tomatoes with goat cheese and homemade chicken salad, drizzled with balsamic vinaigrette.  Then we split two entrees:  Sage fried chicken eggs benedict over mashed potatoes, served with freshly baked biscuits, bacon, tomatoes, spinach leaves, and a chipotle drizzle and a Meatloaf (with bell peppers, parmesan cheese, and spinach in the loaf) Sandwich which consisted of meatloaf, mozzarella cheese, and roasted red peppers on their Amish Milk Bread.  For dessert, Snickers Bread Pudding. 

Hash House A Go Go is off the beaten path, closer to the residential area of Las Vegas and not the strip.  They’re good to their regulars, sending out coupons in the mail every week to two weeks (our feasts cost us about 15 dollars apiece).  The wait staff are knowledgeable and attentive, and the food can speak for itself.

Out of all the restaurants in Sin City, this is one you don’t want to miss!

Why?

I’ve written in to Diners, Drive Ins, & Dives a couple of times.  I’m sure Guy Fieri doesn’t read or respond back to most of the emails (because, really, we all know that’s what interns are for), and I wanted an outlet to share the amazing restaurants I’ve had the pleasure of eating in.

Contrary to Triple D, my inspiration, I’m not going to limit myself to dives.  Some of the best food I’ve ever eaten has come from five star restaurants!  So why leave them off the list?

I hope you, reader, get to experience and enjoy a restaurant from my list.  I’m going to link the restaurant’s website to the post so you can go eat there too, if you’d like!  And if you have a suggestion—a killer burger joint in your hometown or a fantastic lunch place by your office, etc.—I’d love to know about it!  

Cheers, and good eats!