Category: Eat It. Write It.

I was looking for a healthy, vegan restaurant in Center City, Philadelphia. Trying to avoid the dinner rush, we arrive early at Charlie was a sinner. and my party of four is the first seated on this particular Sunday evening. I walk into the empty space, rich with wood and deep colors dimly lit by overhead chandeliers, and I think I’ve found a vegan speakeasy. Our host leads us through the dimly lit restaurant to the last table in the long dining area where we spend our evening watching couples come into the restaurant.  

On Virginia’s Eastern Shore, water is the necessity, and food trucks are the invention.

It has been a decade since Chincoteague Island issued a permit for brick-and-mortar restaurant construction, something that’s given the food truck scene an opportunity to flourish.

The barrier island, famous for its wild ponies and windswept shores, is wedged between the sea and the mainland, separated by five miles of brackish bays and tidal wetlands. Managing fresh water and its corollary is crucial. “Food trucks are a draw for potential business owners because we have a limited sewage capacity,” says town manager Mike Tolbert, who explains that food trucks are the kind of eateries that have minimal wastewater impact and a few zoning stipulations. “Costs to start these businesses are not prohibitive,” he says.

While eateries throughout the U.S. may lay claim to the invention of America’s mealtime classic, the burger meets perfection in the Old Dominion.

Flagler Beach is located 70 miles south of Jacksonville and serves as the jewel city of the Palm Coast region. Residents enjoy the small-town feel. Tourists come for the uncrowded shoreline, eclectic shops, and ocean-view dining. And diners have plenty of options.

Chef Chutatip “Nok” Suntaranon has been a familiar face on Philly’s food scene for years. She has now become globally recognized since the James Beard Foundation named her Best Chef in the Mid-Atlantic. Her restaurant, Kalaya, moved from the Bella Vista neighborhood to the edge of Fishtown, and I have wanted to check out the new digs since 2022. With the news of her James Beard honor, I knew I had to get in the door, so I made a lunch reservation for a Sunday afternoon.

A James Beard Award is nothing new to Ellen Yin. The 2023 recipient of Outstanding Restaurateur operates a handful of unique restaurants in Philly, including the city staple a.kitchen, which opened in 2011. I have walked past the restaurant and its bustling next door boite a.bar in Rittenhouse for years, so on the tails of Yin’s latest Beard achievement I made a reservation for a Sunday evening. 

The Pennsylvania Railroad and the Allegheny River served as primary transportation for the 19th century mills and factories of this area northeast of Pittsburgh’s central business district. As the area flourished, groceries, bars, and eateries rooted themselves in the Strip. An eventual decline in prosperity coincided with improvements in transportation and factories shuttered. Today, some legendary establishments mingle with the new as the area attracts dedicated locals, culinary tourists, and tech entrepreneurs. History and creativity mix in a myriad of great restaurants in the Strip District.

The Society for Beautifying Buffalo, Prevalent in the early to mid- 1900’s, would like to call Buffalo the City of Trees.

Some hotels, inns, and B&Bs survive on a niche market. Instagram worthy settings at uncommon accommodations appeal to artists, curiosity seekers, and travelers looking for something new. Ghost hunters seek out buildings with storied pasts. For those who do not believe in ghosts, the stay may be more about the ambiance, historical appeal, or the novelty of the experience. Pennsylvania, one of the oldest states, has an abundance of unique places to stay, ranging from hotels visited by paranormal investigators to creative rental homes for family getaways. Here are 7 spooky places to stay in the Keystone State.

Branson may be the live entertainment capital of the Midwest. And other visitors may come here for shopping, outdoor recreation, or to visit a theme park. However, what many travel guides may be overlooking is the first meal of the day, long before the stomach gets ready for afternoon barbeque or a down-home, dinner theatre meal. Here are seven of the best breakfast places in Branson, from stellar coffee to unique, local favorites.