Meg Goes to Market: If you like this, try that

A Tale of Two Cities

When you move from a city like New York, with all the endless possibilities, especially after having lived there into a good portion of your early adulthood (with the exception of a short stint of living in Paris). It's hard to not feel nostalgic and compare everything to it.

So, even though past and present cities are great, for many different and unique reasons, it's hard to not want to find new replacements. Especially, for your tried and true favorites. They can vary from things such as places to visit, to restaurants, events and even stores that compare to your favorites as far as your wants go.

This made me start thinking in general how often I visit a new city or country and wish I had a guide to narrow down places and activities that I like and suggestions for the equivalent of them. Primarily, based on atmospheres I prefer, to genres of products/clothing, events, as well as music festivals, and happenings that I like to participate in.

While the attributes would remain relevant and unique to the city you are in...

Of course there are sites like Yelp for example (which I use regularly), but you know those times you're not exactly sure what you are looking for and you want a "guide" that's tailored to your preferences?

So, I plan to start a series of blog posts on here, that focuses on finding just that! It won't be a comparison necessarily on which place is better. Instead it will focus more on the qualities about two places that share similar qualities....and in turn make you know that if you liked one than you would like the other as well...

Whether it be restaurants or stores that have similarities to events that are going on around your city that would influence your decisions on where to go or what to do.

'If you liked this, try that' will give a more personalized level of recommendations of things to do in your city. Whether it's your hometown, somewhere you're visiting or the place you've relocated to!

As a person that absolutely loves discovering new finds, from food, destinations, shopping, markets, to musical festivals, etc. I'm really excited to begin this new series and I hope you enjoy finding out new things to do as much as I will enjoy sharing them with you!!

So first up, after a mind blowing meal last weekend, I thought we could start off the series with a suggestion of restaurants that if you liked it in SF or NY (and vice versa) you would also enjoy it regardless of which city you were living in or visiting!

NEW YORK

Locanda Verde:

Sigh. Locanda Verde, a true gem of a restaurant located right in the TriBeCa neighborhood of Manhattan.

I even can recall a time when I was sitting on the phone, at my first real job out of college for over an hour, until about 12am, negotiating a spot on the reservation list. I went back and forth with the hostess in order to secure a reservation for my boss. There were even press offers being made to get a spot on that list.

So, needless to say it's always been a popular hot spot (even from the first week of opening) and for good reason. The food is incredible! Mr. Robert DeNiro is an owner
(which obviously brings a huge following of celebrities...a friend of mine even got to sit right next to Jay-Z and Beyonce, obviously I was beyond envious). Mainly though, even for us regular people, the main draw is the fact that the food is amazing.

It's Italian, but with a modern twist on traditional favorites. Honestly, put a plate of Burrata cheese, accompanied with eggplant cabrese, dandelion greens and fried rosemary in front of me any day and I will melt into my seat with pure happiness.

With that being said here are some views from this place and some amazing dishes they offer:

Fire Roasted Chicken (It's been named one of the 10 must meals to eat in NY)

Grilled Branzino with Cannellini Beans, Swiss Chard and Salsa Rosa

Maple Bundino (another "best" it was named one of the best desserts: here)

SAN FRANCISCO

So, on to the 'try that' portion of this post. It's not so simple as the fact that they share a similar name but more about the quality and pure yumminess of their dishes....

Which brings me to.... Locanda! They specialize in Italian food in the Roman style.

I went here the other week for a date night with my boyfriend. The ambiance alone makes it a great spot to grab a romantic dinner for two. The verdict upon walking out of this restaurant was that our minds were officially blown and figuring out when to come back.

Our waitress was so knowledgable about the menu and full of great suggestions. Upon hearing incredible descriptions that made our mouths literally water, we decided to start off with a Jewish style artichoke (we'll get to what that entails) and grilled romaine accompanied by fresh porcini and parmigiano cheese.

I am a huge artichoke lover while my boyfriend will order anything that a mushroom touches. So, needless to say we were both very happy with the combination of our antipasti.

That was followed by a guinea hen leg and a lamb shank that was out of this world, and as an encore (even though I'm more of a savory than sweet kinda girl) we splurged on a sheep's milk yogurt budino with slow roasted strawberries, campari and bergamot mint. Let's just say we were not disappointed.... So, here's a look at this highly recommended spot!

Open Kitchen with the Chefs Hard at Work

( Their cooking skills are so good they deserve an appreciative hug)

Apparently This is a Classic Dish from the Jewish Area of Rome. It's an Artichoke Marinated in Spices and Flavors For Hours and Then Fried...it's absolutely incredible