Chez Billy Sud is a neighborhood French bistro and wine bar located in Georgetown.  Closest Metro is Foggy Bottom-GWU. After watching a play at the Kennedy Center, we took a quick cab ride over to Chez Billy Sud for dinner.  Inside was small and charming with light blue and gold paint on the wall and a lovey outdoor patio as well.  We ordered a bottle of 2015 Domaine Les 4 Vents, Crozes-Hermitage, Syrah.  It was bold and tannic with lots of sediment, but paired well with our French meal. There were many starters that caught our eye, so we decided to share three (ha!).&nbs ..read more

Love, Makoto is a culinary love letter from Celebrity Chef Makoto Okuwa. Featuring full-service and quick-service options, this culinary collection offers Washington, DC residents and visitors a taste of Japan in the heart of the nation’s capital. We checked out the sushi omakase experience, called "Dear Sushi" that celebrates both traditional and envelope-pushing takes on sushi. Closest Metro is Judiciary Square. For $75 per person, the menu honors tradition (old school) and showcases what Chef Makoto learned along the way (new school) — no need for guests to choose, everyone gets both ..read more

Virginian wine is having a moment right now and so we decided to spend the long weekend exploring more wineries of the Blue Ride and Southern Virginia Mountains.  Basing out of Charlottesville, we visited more wineries along the Gold Medal Wine Trail.  The wines from this region embody this unique position in the world. They are lush but structured; aromatic, expressive and beautifully balanced—blending the subtlety of the Old World with the boldness of the new. Read my recap below: Barboursville Vineyards is an 18th century estate that is breathtaking and was our favorite wi ..read more

Causa is a Peruvian tasting experience by Chef Carlos Delgado that tours through Peruvian Coastal, Andes, and Amazonian cuisine. The tasting experience begins with a six-course menu that brings you on a trip through all of the magnificent natural regions of Peru. This menu is designed for guests to add daily selections of whole fish or seafood, from their Fish Market. We enhanced our experience with a wine pairing.  Located in Blagden Alley, the closest Metro is Mt. Vernon Square- Convention Center. We were seated at the chef's counter and were greeted with a glass of chicha m ..read more

Rare Steakhouse brings together the best qualities of world-class dining venues with USDA prime, dry-aged steaks, exquisite wines and first-class service bolstered with Midwestern charm. Created by Wisconsin natives, Rare offers a classic and elegant atmosphere, striving to bring the nostalgia and romance of the classic steakhouse to life. Closest Metro is McPherson Square.  Keith chose this place to celebrate his recent promotion. We ordered a bottle of 2021 Clos du Val Cabernet Sauvignon from Napa Valley, CA and it was the perfect wine to accompany our classic meal.  With a ..read more

The Inn at Pound Ridge by Jeans-George is a casually elegant restaurant ensconced in the picturesque town of Pound Ridge, New York. Here, Jean‑Georges cultivates a truly seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, with ingredients sourced from the Hudson Valley and New England, whenever possible. Constructed in 1833 as a residence and serving later as an inn, the building has been painstakingly renovated to preserve as many of the original materials as possible, including four working fireplaces. We went to this restaurant to celebrate Keith's parents' 70th birthdays.  Upon arrival, the rustic ..read more

Set in the Waldorf Astoria Washington DC, the Bazaar by José Andrés is the culmination of a 30-year dream for Chef José Andrés. Drawing inspiration from this iconic location, which first opened in 1899 and served as DC’s General Post Office until 1914, the Bazaar is a multi-level destination reinvented with avant-garde and Americana-inspired decor. The Bazaar’s signature playful dishes are infused here with new menu items, boasting an Americana flair with a nod to U.S. history. Closest Metro is Federal Triangle. Since it's recent opening, there has been much popular buzz about Chef Jo ..read more

Mariposa is a Latin-Fusion grill in Sedona, AZ from Chef Lisa Dahl that is perched atop a scenic bluff surrounded by red rock canyons. 13-foot tall gates are flanked by four fire-wok butterfly globes that guide guests to the entrance of the terrace that surrounds the 23-foot tall floor-to-ceiling windows of the main dining room. We chose to eat here for our last night in Sedona.  We ordered prickly pear margaritas - one made with mezcal for Keith, and then various tapas to share. The Portobello Empanadas were savory with buttery dough, but could have used more filling. The Cevich ..read more

Oaxaca Restaurant in Sedona, AZ is an old world style Mexican restaurant that offers casual family dining with an extensive menu of traditional and modern Mexican flavors. With breath-taking scenery and beautiful views from the rooftop cantina, Oaxaca has earned it’s title of Local Secret/Big Find by Travelocity.com.  After some morning hiking, we were hungry and sun has started to shine so we walked over to Oaxaca Restaurant for lunch.   We sat upstairs and had an amazing view of the snow-dusted mountains. Fittingly, I ordered the Red Rock Enchilada - an overstuffed cheese ..read more

Cowboy Club Grill & Steakhouse in Sedona, AZ originally opened in 1946 serving as the meeting place, pool hall, saloon, and grocery store to locals and tourists alike.  During the 1950's and 1960's,  over 50 Western movies were filmed in the area and many of Hollywood's biggest stars (legends like John Wayne, Burt Lancaster, Rock Hudson, Elvis Presley, and Joan Crawford) were known to enjoy the warm fire and welcoming atmosphere of this steakhouse. Only a short walk from our hotel, we chose to eat here for dinner. The interior has totally been redone, so lost some of that old s ..read more