Why do I have the things I have in my pantry still? Upon discovering some delicious coarse grind cornmeal, I realized that cornbread needed to be had. I like how the coarse grind allows for some crunchy pieces however you use it but if you are a fan of otherwise, feel free to use the grind of your choice. These are great for the springtime as well because I'm willing to bet picnics and barbecue outings are in your near future! These muffins are quick and easy to make as well as delicious, especially with some honey drizzled on top.

248 E 52nd St, New York, NY 10022 (Neighborhood: Midtown)
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Japanese
http://www.hidechanramen.nyc/

Due to what seemed a stroke of luck, I came across a very inexpensive way of flight to visit New York for about a week's time recently so jumped on the chance to hop on a jet across the country. I have visited The Big Apple plenty of times before, and it really helped that my brother lives in Brooklyn so I rarely have to worry about lodging. As with other times, the goal was to eat up the city, and thus I started a ramen list. Hide-Chan Ramen was on that list that I was compiling based on other people's accolades and top rated ramen spots. What made it even more perfect for my friend and I to stop into the cozy ramen shop was how brisk the weather was outside. Who wouldn't want a hot, steaming bowl of delicious noodles and rich broth on a cold day?

194 Bleecker St, New York, NY 10012 (Neighborhood: Greenwich Village)
Pricing - $/$$ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Indian
www.masalatimesnyc.com

On a recent trip to New York with a friend who has never been, I participated in a nearly full day's walking tour of everything to immerse myself into the history of the area as well as sate the need of my friend to see what the Big Apple was all about. On this tour, our lunch break ended up being in Greenwich Village so we went off to explore what was around. Masala Times was nearby and because of the chilly day, we were completely ready for some Indian food. Upon first walking in and seeing both the bright colors and the cheeky signage, we knew we were in the right spot for lunch.

Starting tomorrow is Dine Out Long Beach Restaurant Week which runs from February 29th to March 5th, and we know there are plenty of excited people out there ready to indulge in what Long Beach has to offer. Based on the list of participating restaurants, this week will surely do well. We were invited to visit some of the restaurants on that list, and one of those was the lovely Panxa Cocina which is focused on Latin flavors and ingredients. Their participation in Dine Out Long Beach is a fantastic opportunity to give their dishes a try not only because of the value but the quality of the food. Our experience was great when we came in for an early dinner, and it wasn't only the service that was splendid. There is definitely some Latin lovin' in their plates!

Spanish tapas? Count us in! Cafe Sevilla had us intrigued upon looking at their menu. Now, we do not often find ourselves out in the streets of Long Beach but as the area keeps developing and restaurants keep getting more accolades, we have had more reason to venture in that direction. This year's restaurant week looks promising. Taking place February 28th-March 5th, it will certainly attract many to restaurants in the likes of Cafe Sevilla. We were invited out to give the tapas-oriented eatery a try, and we came away from the experience realizing just how much of a deal diners will have when they drop by this tasty place during Dine Out Long Beach. Plenty of food and plenty of flavor are on the line!

A mighty congratulations to Green Tomato Grill on the opening of their second location! We have really enjoyed all of the times we've popped into the original restaurant in Orange because it is guaranteed that a healthful, wholesome meal will be had that is also price-conscious and tasty. I'd have to say that it's a reason to look forward to having service done on my car because GTG is so nearby; I just have to stop in! When we had last talked to Chef Kyle Markt about the restaurant's plans, he hinted at there being a second location in the plans (and maybe even more!) but only now can Orange County get that blessing. The opening of a Brea Green Tomato Grill is definitely a great addition to the area, and when we went over to visit upon invitation, we were happy to see that while some things have changed, the deliciousness of the food hadn't!

How many places in Orange County can boast being more than 100 years old? How about 108 years old? The iconic Stag Bar in Newport Beach can hold that tune and with its reopening at the end of 2015, it is continuing to barrel through the years and serve up the community with enthusiasm. Opened in 1908 on Balboa peninsula, the Stag Bar has hosted countless numbers of tourists and locals, constantly evolving with the times and remaining relevant. From being a gambling hotspot and bar to a martini bar to a cafe to a saloon type and so on, the establishment has gone through many changes but stayed true to being a place for people to gather, have a good drink, and enjoy some great times. In all this time, Stag has remained in the same family's ownership and has now been re-envisioned as Stag Bar + Kitchen with luxury suites above for those looking for boarding. We were invited to check out the latter part of their new name and spent some time enjoying the menu that Chef Jeffrey Moore had in stock.

When John-Michael Sanchez and Natalie Burke decided to open a restaurant in January of last year, they were ready for the challenges that owning such a business would bring but they were not expecting another challenge to hit their lives. The same month that Slice was meant to open, Burke was diagnosed with cervical cancer. The setback wasn't enough to crush their dream however so after battling and winning out against the cancer, the couple continued to pursue the opening of the deli/cakery combo. Burke had been running a well-received custom cake business prior to the brick-and-mortar concept so it just made sense to put the two together and realize their dream of a from-scratch restaurant. Situated in Fountain Valley, Slice opened its doors recently to a welcoming crowd, and we were invited in to take a peek at what made up the pair's vision.

321 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual | Cuisine - Southern, BBQ
https://thepit-durham.com

Hello North Carolina. Hello BBQ! I have been liking the restaurants that have cropped up in Durham since I left the area after graduation, especially due to the more pronounced attention they have given to NC agriculture. There have also been expansions from surrounding cities' restaurants that seem to be much welcomed. One result of that was The Pit which has a location in Raleigh as well. We had heard about The Pit from several other people and when you throw the phrases whole-hog and pit-cooked around, we are there. Add in the bonus of hogs raised free-range and locally with attention to animal welfare, and you've got yourself a fine place to find yourself sitting, chowing down on some southern BBQ (they do it Eastern North Carolina style here).

8200 Renaissance Parkway, Ste 1003, Durham, NC 27713
Pricing - $ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Southern, Breakfast
http://risebiscuitsdonuts.com/


Settled. Our Durham-residing friends urged us to get ourselves over to Rise for mouthwatering biscuits and to satisfy any sweet tooth cravings for unique donuts. Good biscuits are so crucial to an excellent North Carolina stay so a visit was in order. Giving them a quick look-over online, I was pleased to see that they make as much as possible from scratch and that their popularity determines supply. Score - time to make an early plan to be one of the lucky early birds who gets a bite! Now...to decide whether to do donuts or biscuits first...

5122 NC Hwy 55, Durham, NC 27713
Pricing - $ | Dining - Casual, To-Go | Cuisine - Southern
www.sweetribs.com

You can't go to North Carolina without getting some good ol' southern BBQ, specifically Carolina pulled pork. It would be a tragedy really. When we visited Durham back in October, I knew that Duc had to be exposed to Carolina pulled pork so one day while we were driving around neighborhoods, we looked up nearby places that did it well. Backyard BBQ Pit came up, and we were really drawn to its old school cafeteria-like arrangement. Sometimes those holes-in-the-wall are the best places to find the best foods! The verdict? Fantastic.

As the year draws to a close, many look back at what they've experienced or accomplished in 2015 and here the two of us think about what amazing things we've eaten and cooked. Sometimes it's difficult to recall what happened when and where all we drove our faces into food but without a doubt, we had the best meal of our lives this past year. As we consume more and more on food adventures and plate after plate of creative dishes, we start to see the pattern and trends emerge among chefs. Occasionally, there are lulls of eating where the food no longer tastes inspired but rather follow a train of thought that was already seen at another restaurant. Innovation, where are you? we ask every once in a while.

That was not the case a the end of July though. No, we had a reservation at n/naka in Los Angeles. I had just come off of a flight from New Orleans where fantastic food is bounteous. Duc picked me up from the airport where I had changed into an appropriate evening dinner dress, and we headed to the notorious restaurant with a friend...and it was mindblowing.

37 E Union St, Pasadena, CA 91103
Pricing - $$ | Dining - Casual, Dressy Casual | Cuisine - Italian (Northern)
http://unionpasadena.com/

I had expressed to Duc one day that it had been years since I had ventured to downtown Pasadena so in an effort to re-expose me to the wonder that is the street of Colorado Blvd and its offerings, he set aside a walking plan for us both which included an early dinner stop at a restaurant whose name he didn't want to reveal to me. That restaurant turned out to be Union which is a sweet 50-seat modern take on northern Italian cuisine combined with the power of sourcing ingredients locally and responsibly. The seasonality of the menu reflected the nuances of Californian cuisine and produce as transposed on what would be classically northern Italian food. I for one am a big fan of both styles so was pleasantly surprised not only with the intimate but chic decor inside but also the food and service.

We love farmers' markets. It's a guaranteed destination for any traveling that we do and originally started off as just research for an ongoing "Finding Farmers' Markets" series for Orange County. These markets have seen a revival due to the increased interest people have in where their food comes from and finding the freshest they can get. Where better than from the source? When we traveled to Durham recently, we just had to schedule time for one and despite the on-and-off rain, the Durham Farmers' Market on Saturday morning was still open. Though small, the essentials were present and the people mightily friendly!