The cuisine of the United States has a history dating back before the colonial period when the Native Americans had a rich and diverse cooking style. With numerous ingredients and styles brought in from Europe, the North American culinary landscape changed significantly.
One characteristic of American cooking is the fusion of multiple ethnic or regional approaches into completely new cooking styles. The cuisine of the South, for example, has been heavily influenced by immigrants from Africa, France, and Mexico, among others. Asian cooking has played a particularly large role in American cuisine.
Similarly, while some dishes considered typically American many have their origins in other countries, American cooks and chefs have substantially altered them over the years, to the degree that many of these dishes are now considered American. Hot dogs and hamburgers are both based on traditional German dishes, brought over to America by German immigrants to the United States, but in their modern popular form they can be reasonably considered American dishes.
New York City is known as one of the gastronomical capitals of the United States. With its large immigrant population virtually every type of cuisine can be found here. New York City is famous for its New York-style pizza, Bagels, Knish, Calzone, Pastrami, and Manhattan Clam Chowder.
A great place to visit while in New York is Spice Market Restaurant. It features fabulous interior design. Elements of Asian temple art are everywhere, but the music and the conversational noise remind you that you are in the Meatpacking District, and so it’s really all about the glam. The best dishes are those inspired by Vietnamese cuisine. The Vietnamese spring rolls are excellent. The chicken samosas are wildly popular and are quite light and savory - start with these and a glass of white wine.
Il Buco is without a doubt one of the most charming restaurants in New York City. Its beginnings as a rustic antique store echo throughout the decor, with "Primitive American" country tables, candles and kerosene lighting, artisanal chandeliers and antique furniture. The cuisine is inspired by Italy as well as the Iberian Peninsula, with special attention placed on selected imports of Italian products, including the finest Umbrian olive oil produced exclusively for il Buco.
Totonno Pizzeria Napolitano is another favorite along with Lombardi's of Spring Street, Totonno's vies for being the best and among the oldest pizzerias in New York. Many purists swear that these offer the best slices of pizza you'll ever find.
Every city has a few famous restaurants where the tables are always booked and the chefs are superstars. These restaurants are hot for one reason, they ensure your dining experience will be unforgettable. If you're looking for great service and creative, delicious food, you're sure to find it in one of these Los Angeles jewels.
Spark Woodfire Grill serves all the great food you’d want in a fine steak restaurant, in a chic, laid back atmosphere. With partner locations in Studio City and Huntington Beach, Spark is known for its open-hearth wood fire oven, mesquite grill, and steak broiler. The menu features fine steaks, but also offers home-cooking favorites you might not expect. Hamburgers, baby back ribs, lasagna, and a selection of wood fired pizzas offer a range of dinner options. Located in West Los Angeles near Beverly Hills, Spark has a full bar with a great happy hour and extensive facilities for private parties and events.
One step inside from the bustle of Melrose takes you into Dolce, a trendy Italian restaurant with a cozy dark decor and some fantastic people watching. Known for its ambiance, tasty Italian classics, and hip crowd, Dolce is perfect for a romantic date, or a pre-club meal.
Tantra restaurant is located in the Silverlake neighborhood of Los Angeles. Its menu is a sophisticated mélange of traditional Indian cuisine and contemporary ingredients, with a broad range of tandoori dishes from the north and masala based dishes from the south of India.
With world-class wineries, artisinal cheese makers and small farms just a short drive away, San Francisco is awash in culinary riches. The quality and quantity of the restaurants here make San Francisco an unparalleled food city. The city is best known for its farm fresh, ingredient-driven food showcased at restaurants like the Foreign Cinema, Greens and Boulevard. Trendy neighborhoods like the Mission District and Noe Valley have come on strong with inventive but down-to-earth restaurants such as Range, Delfina and Incanto while top-of-the-line newcomers Coi and Ame wow locals and visitors alike with their eclectic, technically precise cuisine rooted in western and Asian traditions. With so many choices, the only downside in this city of plenty is deciding where to eat.
Housed in the historic 1889 Audiffried Building (a rare survivor of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake),
Boulevard is a waterfront San Francisco restaurant with views of the Bay Bridge. Portions are generous and the presentation artful, while the pastries and desserts are made in house.
For three star Italian, try Delfina in San Francisco. Try this popular spot for cheap eats in the Mission District neighborhood. It's been awarded the Fodors Choice and 10 Best SF Italian awards. This place features outdoor dining. When you step inside the restaurant, you'll notice a hip atmosphere. This place features a full bar, valet parking, and fine wines. Diners found the food absolutely ingenious.
Many other cities in the US also offer fantastic cuisines but we stick to San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles for now and will bring you more down the road. One thing is clear, North America is probably the most underrated region when it comes to food. The variety and quality of the food is incredible and by doing a little research, you will find a plethora of great places. Bon Appetite!
