Atlanta, Georgia — on a cool evening in February, a rag-tag group of adventurers, in need of a brief and safe COVID respite, desired tapas. The destination? The outside patio at the Inman Park location of Barcelona near downtown.

Situated directly across from Madison Square Park and somewhat hidden under unsightly scaffolding is the (thankfully) modern rustic design of restaurant, Black Barn.

I’ve been wanting to write about ROKC (Ramen, Oysters, Kitchen, Cocktails) for more than a year…

There’s no real substance to this post except to showcase some of the food that was served at Christmas. Made lovingly by my girlfriend, Tiffany.

Michelin star rated Ai Fiori provided an exquisite dining experience for my recent birthday meal.

On the eve of the early March Nor’Easter (that actually came), my dining companion and I found ourselves in the West Village dining at Nisi Estiatorio; a Greek restaurant with typical Mediterranean fare.

That Buffalo Chicken Mac and Cheese in the header looks delectable, doesn’t it? That’s not a stock photo from their website either, the mac & cheese at Jacob’s Pickles really looks that good and tastes even better.

It’s kind of amazing that I’m only now writing about the restaurant as I’ve dined there numerous times over the past few years.

Piquant is a place I first visited several years ago when the person I was dating at the time had a friend come to town for her birthday. It has since been a semi-regular brunch spot for me when I brave the journey to Brooklyn on the weekends (a.k.a the 2 or 3 trains are functioning properly).

If you’re not paying close attention when you walk down West Broadway looking for Bâtard, there’s every chance you will miss the modest, compact storefront. Much like Beauty and Essex on the Lower East Side, the unassuming exterior gives way to a gorgeous open space amenable to people watching and conversation.

For my birthday, I was taken to Maison Harlem; a rustic French restaurant on the corner of west 127th street and St. Nicholas avenue.