2010年7月21日消息，美国新泽西州的一只小燕鸥给我们演绎了什么叫做“狼吞虎咽”。2010年7月21日消息，美国新泽西州的一只小燕鸥给我们演绎了什么叫做“狼吞虎咽”。饥饿的小燕鸥迫不及待地想将它的晚餐一口吞下去，可惜这条鱼比它的嘴巴大得多，而且太重了，小燕鸥还因此跌倒。
2010年7月21日消息，美国新泽西州的一只小燕鸥给我们演绎了什么叫做“狼吞虎咽”。
饥饿的小燕鸥迫不及待地想将它的晚餐一口吞下去，可惜这条鱼比它的嘴巴大得多，而且太重了，小燕鸥还因此跌倒。最后“能力有限”的它还是一点一点地把这条大鱼全部吃完。
2010年7月21日消息，美国新泽西州的一只小燕鸥给我们演绎了什么叫做“狼吞虎咽”。
饥饿的小燕鸥迫不及待地想将它的晚餐一口吞下去，可惜这条鱼比它的嘴巴大得多，而且太重了，小燕鸥还因此跌倒。最后“能力有限”的它还是一点一点地把这条大鱼全部吃完。
The big and the wonderful always inspire awe. This sense of amazement led the ancient world to name seven wonders that travelers should see. Most of those sites are gone now, but we’re still so hungry for awe that a worldwide vote was held in 2007 to name seven new ones. Here’s a gallery of fantastic sights, from the New 7 Wonders to places that are just simply amazing.
As far as funeral monuments go, you could do worse than having one of the New 7 Wonders erected in your memory. The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, is an ornate mausoleum built by a Mughal emperor in the 17th century to honor his wife. Her tomb is in the main structure, an immense building made of white marble and topped with an onion dome soaring 115 feet high, flanked by four tall minarets. The surrounding complex includes gardens, reflecting pools, and a mosque and other buildings.
Built between 1922 and 1931, Brazil’s Christ the Redeemer statue is by far the most modern of the New 7 Wonders. The Art Deco statue overlooks Rio de Janeiro, towering 130 feet above the peak of the 2,300-foot Corcovado hill, with outstretched arms spanning almost 100 feet. A tram takes guests most of the way up the hill. From there you can either climb a few hundred steps or take an escalator to the base of the statue.
Jordan’s stunning, rock-hewn city of Petra gained fame with modern generations via its featured appearance in 1989’s "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade." Perhaps its most amazing features, though, didn’t make it into that movie — features such as a theater seating 4,000 and a water system that effectively created an oasis for Petra's desert-dwelling population. A member of the New 7 Wonders, Petra was founded approximately 2,500 years ago by the ancient Nabatean culture but has been known to the West for only the past couple of centuries.
Far from being a single structure, the Great Wall of China is a series of defensive barriers built across two millennia, but that makes its sheer scale — rambling for approximately 5,500 miles through northern China — no less impressive. Most of what we think of as the Great Wall, named one of the New 7 Wonders, was constructed during the Ming Dynasty to keep out the nomadic tribes to the north. Some of the most popular sections are at Badaling, Shanhaiguan and Jinshanling, near the eastern end of the wall.
The Inca city of Machu Picchu was inhabited for only about 100 years before it was abandoned, but it's captivated imaginations around the world since American historian Hiram Bingham brought "The Lost City of the Incas" to international attention in 1911. The dry-stone architecture is a testament to the builders' craftsmanship, still in good shape six centuries after construction began. Located high in the Peruvian mountains 50 miles from capital city Cuzco, this new addition to the New 7 Wonders escaped plunder by the conquistadors, providing a largely unfiltered view into Incan culture.
Rome's Colosseum was built in the first century A.D., centuries after the first Seven Wonders of the Ancient World came into vogue among Hellenistic travelers. Two thousand years later, though, the colossal amphitheater got its due when it joined the New 7 Wonders. Up to 50,000 people once flocked through its gates for gladiator contests and other events. Now in ruins, the Colosseum is the site of official Roman Catholic ceremonies and one of Rome’s biggest tourist attractions.
Back in Mayan times, the temple city of Chichén Itzá was a sacred focal point of this pre-Columbian empire. These days the site, on the northern end of Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula, is still awe-inspiring enough to be named to the New 7 Wonders list. Much of Chichén Itzá’s stone architecture remains, including temples such as the pyramid of Kukulkan, often called El Castillo; the El Caracol observatory; and the 545-feet-long Great Ball Court. The structures are connected by a network of once-paved roads, called sacbeob.
The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World might have indeed been wonderful, but we know most of them only through historical records. The only one still standing is also the oldest: the Great Pyramid of Giza, constructed from more than 2 million blocks of limestone around 2600 B.C. near present-day Cairo. At about 450 feet tall, the Great Pyramid is the biggest of the three giant pyramids at Giza, where you’ll also find the Giant Sphinx and several smaller pyramids and tombs.
Looming commandingly over Athens, the Acropolis is a powerful symbol of Greek history and, by extension, the history of Western culture. The ancient Greeks built the citadel in about the fifth century B.C. in tribute to the goddess Athena, patron of Athens; today much of the original complex remains, including the Parthenon and the Old Temple of Athena. Many ancient artifacts from the site are housed in the on-site Acropolis Museum.
There may be no more iconic building of the 20th century than the Sydney Opera House, a landmark of modern architecture. The roof of the expressionist-style structure consists of huge concrete panels, often called "shells," that sail above a hall covering 4.5 acres. Several theaters occupy the Opera House, accommodating performances of opera, drama, music and more.
Lady Liberty is younger than most of the wonders on this list, but the space she occupies in the collective consciousness of the U.S. and the world is profound. A gift from France dedicated in 1886, the copper statue became a famous symbol of hope for immigrants arriving in New York Harbor, and is an enduring point of pride for their descendants as well as Americans of every stripe.
We don’t know just how Stonehenge was built several thousand years ago or for what exact purpose, but given that each of the stones weighed many tons — some of them up to 50 — Stonehenge is an amazing accomplishment for its prehistoric construction team. Archaeologists have theorized that the horseshoe-shaped monument, rising from the fields of southwest England’s Salisbury Plain, served as a religious center and burial site.
One of the most iconic images of Japan is the sight of the great orange torii gate seeming to float above the waters surrounding the island of Miyajima, not far from Hiroshima. At low tide, you can walk to the structure across the mud. In Japanese culture, the presence of a torii marks the transition from the secular to the sacred, and just beyond the torii is the magnificent Itsukushima Shrine, founded 1,500 years ago.
In the 221 years since its dedication, the latticework tower standing sentinel over Paris has become perhaps the most instantly recognized structure on the planet, and no city on Earth may be more associated with a single building. The Eiffel Tower pierces the sky at more than 1,000 feet tall, and is the world’s most popular paid tourist attraction. Different shades of paint are used, with the darkest at the bottom, in order to maintain a uniform appearance to observers at ground level.
In the 12th century, Timbuktu sat in the middle of several thriving trade routes crossing West Africa, and the wealth that passed through turned the city into a major player in Islamic culture and scholarship. Now part of the modern nation of Mali, Timbuktu still boasts several examples of its classic architecture, including three beautiful mud mosques.
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia dates from the sixth century and the golden age of the Byzantine Empire, and is thought of as the height of the era’s architectural techniques. The Hagia Sophia — Greek for "Holy Wisdom" — was constructed as part of the church and was the world’s largest cathedral for almost 1,000 years, as well as the center of the Eastern Orthodox Church. After the city was conquered by the Ottoman Turks in 1453, it served as a mosque until 1935, when it became a state museum.
The temple of Angkor Wat has been a focal point for Hindus since its construction nine centuries ago, and it remains so important to the Cambodian people that they put its picture on their flag. The intricate temple is considered perhaps the most significant extant example of Khmer architecture, featuring intricate bas-reliefs and other detailed imagery throughout.
The Kremlin in Moscow has been the power center of Russia, and the former Soviet Union, since the 14th century. The citadel was the home of czars for centuries; today, it’s still the official residence of President Dmitry Medvedev. Just to the east is historic Red Square, home of the stunning St. Basil’s Cathedral.
Tibet’s Potala Palace dates from 1645, when Lozang Gyatso began construction on a magnificent residence that would be the primary home of the Dalai Lama until the current one, the 14th Dalai Lama, fled to India in 1959. These days, the Potala Palace has been turned into a museum and is well worth visiting: Its buildings stand 13 stories tall, with more than 1,000 rooms and 10,000 shrines. And at a Himalayan elevation of 12,100 feet, the palace occupies some very rare air.
The monolithic, stylized statues of Easter Island are considered a major feat of engineering, and the details of how they were carved, transported and raised between approximately 1250 and 1500 are still not fully known. Hundreds of moai were erected, ranging up to 33 feet high and weighing up to 86 tons, but nearly as many were left by their masons at the main moai quarry.
By the time Bavaria’s King Ludwig II built Neuschwanstein Castle in the late 19th century, castles weren’t necessary anymore for strategic defense — so it makes sense that he went all out in the aesthetics department. The result was a fanciful, many-turreted confection, romantic enough that it became the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Ludwig didn’t live to see it completed, but more than 60 million people have visited his finished creation.
Camels, caravans, silks and spices: Samarkand is a city of history, beauty and artwork, and is one of the oldest inhabited cities in the world. Founded by the Persians in approximately 700 B.C., it was conquered by Alexander the Great in 329 B.C., and later was controlled by the Mongols, Timurids and Turks. As one of the major cities on the Silk Road, Samarkand became a center for Islamic learning, and some of the most stunning examples of Muslim building and art can be found here. Today, Samarkand is the second-largest city in Uzbekistan.
Kyoto’s lovely wooden Kiyomizu temple, founded in the eighth century and rebuilt in 1633, features a main hall perched over a cliff, and a huge veranda held up by 139 49-foot-tall pillars — which is especially impressive given that no nails were used in the temple’s construction. The temple is also home to a number of gorgeous orange-and-white pagodas, considered among the loveliest in Japan. While you’re there, drink from the Otowa waterfall, said to have healing properties — Kiyomizu means “pure water.”
Harking back to the days when present-day Spain was a Muslim land, the Alhambra is a 700-year-old palace complex built by the Moors near Granada, in what is now the Andalusia region. Its name translates to "red fortress," reflecting the color of the clay used for much of its construction. The Alhambra's Islamic architecture and artwork are breathtaking, as are its outdoor features, including gardens and fountains.
>Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.
Coastal expert Dr. Stephen P. Leatherman, director of Florida International University's Laboratory for Coastal Research and known as "Dr. Beach," announced his 20th annual Top 10 Beaches list on May 28. He has compiled the list annually since 1991 using 50 criteria, including water quality and temperature, cleanliness, weather, sand, safety and facilities. Here are Dr. Beach’s top 10 picks for 2010, along with the No. 1 beaches from the five prior years.
1. Coopers Beach, Southampton, N.Y.: This white-quartz sand beach in the village of Southampton on the south shore of Long Island, N.Y., is a dramatic site to behold. It is hundreds of yards wide, backed by large sand dunes covered by American beach grass and interspersed with extravagant mansions. You’ll find some of the best beach access in the Hamptons here, along with a snack bar serving lunch and drinks.
Slide show text by Robin Dalmas, Bing Travel.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.
2. Siesta Beach, Sarasota, Fla.: With some of the finest, whitest sand in the world, this beach attracts sand collectors from all over. Siesta Beach has clear, warm waters that are a swimmer’s dream. A unique underwater formation of coral rock and caves helps create a crescent-shaped beach that is perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving. This beach is hundreds of yards wide and is great for volleyball and other recreation.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Hatteras, North Carolina
3. Coronado Beach, San Diego, Calif.: This veritable oasis by the sea is the toast of Southern California. It boasts lush subtropical vegetation, a unique Mediterranean climate and fine sparkling sand. Beachgoers flock here for mild surf and great ship watching. The local landmark, Hotel del Coronado, was built more than 100 years ago and offers spectacular architecture and Old World elegance. Kings, sheiks, actors and actresses have stayed at this property, where food and drinks are served on the beach.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.
4. Cape Hatteras, Outer Banks of North Carolina: The country’s first national seashore is a barrier island that bulges far offshore. It provides some of the best board surfing along the East Coast and features the most famous lighthouse in the U.S. Cape Hatteras attracts beachgoers to its historic villages as well as nature lovers who enjoy beachcombing and fishing.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii
5. Main Beach, East Hampton, N.Y.: Main Beach provides the perfect blend of nature and a manmade environment. Wealthy summertime residents flock here to beaches protected by a conservation easement that dates back more than 300 years. Main Beach is a great place for celebrity spotting; many actors and actresses visit for the idyllic setting in a small village. The big, wide sandy beach made of quartz has towering sand dunes and beautiful clean, clear blue water. Pedal a bicycle to avoid parking and take in the beautiful vista.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.
6. Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, Oahu, Hawaii: This beach was named in honor of Duke Paoa Kahanamoku, a gold-medal Olympic swimmer who is credited with introducing surfing to the outside world. Kahanamoku Beach is bordered by the Ala Wai small boat harbor and the Hilton Hawaiian Village catamaran pier. A shallow offshore reef protects this beach from big waves, making it a great swimming area for families with children.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.
7. Coast Guard Beach, Cape Cod, Mass.: This beach, accessible by bicycle or via shuttle bus from the Salt Pond Visitor’s Center, was formed when a sand spit attached to the eroding glacial cliffs. The sand is fairly coarse, so the beach slopes steeply into the water. The picturesque old Coast Guard station still sits atop the glacial bluffs, allowing for a spectacular view of the Nauset Spit barrier system and bay. In summer, beachgoers tend to take quick, refreshing dips in the ocean, as water temperatures only reach 60 to 70 degrees.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii
8. Beachwalker Park, Kiawah Island, S.C.: This public beach on the southern end of Kiawah Island is approximately 25 miles south of Charleston. Tennis and golf are featured here, as well as interpretative tours of the island’s flora and fauna. This is a nature-lover’s coast, so visitors should pack their canoes and kayaks to paddle through the tidal inlets or walk down to St. Sam’s Inlet to see thousands of birds. The water is not clear here, but it is clean and provides for fantastic seafood. Visitors can also pack their bicycles, since the sand is compact enough to ride along the 10-mile long barrier island.
Dr. Beach's Top 10 Beaches, 2010: Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.
9. Hamoa Beach, Maui, Hawaii: Ernest Hemingway once said that Hamoa Beach was the world’s best beach. It’s certainly the most famous of Maui’s Hana beaches. This crescent-shaped beach, a mixture of coral and lava sand, is rimmed by cliffs and covered by coconut palms and flowering vegetation. The beach is actually inside a breached volcanic crater. To get to Hamoa Beach, one has to take the “Road to Hana,” the treacherous drive with sporadic guardrails and drop-offs of more than 1,000 feet. Take it slow on this road, which has more than 50 one-way bridges.
Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2009: Hanalei Bay Beach, Kauai, Hawaii
10. Cape Florida State Park, Key Biscayne, Fla.: This beach at the southern tip of Key Biscayne provides clear, emerald-colored waters and gentle surf. The fine white-coral sand beach is great for swimming, as waves are knocked down by a large sand shoal offshore. In addition, the Cape Florida Lighthouse allows for a breathtaking view of this beautiful beach.
Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2008: Caladesi Island State Park, Dunedin/Clearwater, Fla.
Dr. Beach named Hanalei Bay Beach as his No. 1 beach in 2009. Hanalei Bay is a spectacular white crescent-shaped sand beach that is considered by residents and visitors to be the most beautiful beach setting in Hawaii. The two-mile long strand is lined by palm trees and has a backdrop of waterfalls and mountain peaks that range up to 4,000 feet high. One of the best views of the beach is from the Princeville Hotel on the high bluff to the east. The other end of this wide coral sand beach is anchored by a high lava point that extends into the ocean. This panorama has been the inspiration for many paintings and photo shoots.
>Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2007: Ocracoke Lifeguarded Beach, Outer Banks, N.C.
Caladesi Island State Park took the No. 1 spot in 2008. It is north of Clearwater Beach, three miles off shore from Dunedin, and is one of the few undeveloped barrier islands left in Florida. Your imagination can get a vigorous workout here. While walking the three miles of beaches, it's easy to imagine yourself as a 16th-century Spanish explorer looking at the New World for the first time. Or, enjoy the Robinson Crusoe fantasy of having a tropical island to yourself. The Gulf Coast barrier island's unspoiled beauty offers a glimpse of Florida the way it looked centuries ago. Caladesi offers excellent opportunities for swimming, fishing, shelling, boating and nature study.
Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2006: Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
Ocracoke Island was Dr. Beach’s No. 1 pick in 2007. Big surf and coarse-grained beaches, some of the finest wild beaches in the country, are the rule here. The water quality is at the top of the charts, as there is literally nothing out here to pollute it. This island can be reached by a state ferry from Cape Hatteras. Don't come here expecting to play golf or stay at a resort hotel, however. The main pursuits are swimming (best at the Airport Beach area), shelling (especially on the north end) and general beachcombing along the 16-mile long shore. It's also fun to ride bicycles through the historic village of Ocracoke on the southern end of the island.
Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2005: Fort De Soto Park, North Beach, St. Petersburg, Fla.
Fleming Beach Park was the No. 1 spot in 2006. This popular beach is great for swimming when the ocean is calm, but riptides may develop when the surf rises. The beach is long, wide and sandy and is surrounded by ironwood trees that provide wonderful shade. Take caution when swimming, however, due to the steep slope of the beach that causes a backwash even during calm seas.
Dr. Beach's Top Beach for 2006: Fleming Beach Park, Maui, Hawaii
Fort De Soto Park was the No. 1 spot in 2005. It consists of seven miles of beaches and two fishing piers along with picnic and camping areas within its 900 unspoiled acres. The island is easily accessible by a causeway from St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach. A historic fort built during the Spanish-American War can be found on Mullet Key, the largest of the five islands that make up this unique area. The park also features a 235-site family camping area directly on the Gulf of Mexico, with luxury facilities that include picnic tables, grills, water, electricity, washers, dryers, sanitary disposal stations, modern restrooms, showers, play areas and a camp store.
Allow us to make some introductions. You'll be pleased to meet (and eat at) these newly opened restaurants.
By Gayot.com for MSN Local Edition
The season yields a bounty of new eateries like Colicchio & Sons.
Restaurants are sprouting up all over the place like pretty spring posies ready to be plucked. We canvassed the country for the best culinary newcomers and weeded out the ones unworthy of your time, pocketbook and tastebuds. Our picks range from renowned chef Thomas Keller's Beverly Hills brasserie to a glam restaurant and lounge offering jaw-dropping views of Philadelphia to an eponymous establishment from Tom Colicchio (where he'll actually be in the kitchen).
Below is a bouquet of dining experiences (just shy of a dozen) harvested from across the country.
French gets fresh at Keller's new Beverly Hill's Bouchon.
Bouchon (Beverly Hills, Calif.)
Beverly Hills' Bouchon perfectly mimics a turn of the twentieth century Montparnasse brasserie. Designed by Adam Tihany, Thomas Keller's new location boasts copious details re-creating la Belle Époque: brass bars around the service station, elegant chairs, a cathedral-high ceiling adorned with a massive brass chandelier that reflects soft light on soaring windows. A battalion of cheerful waiters wearing white aprons animate the vibrant scene. Indeed, this place exudes la joie de vivre. Chef Rory Herrmann of Per Se fame adapted to the standards of this heartwarming eatery. Fare runs the gamut including a seafood platter, leg of lamb, steak frites, roasted chicken with wilted spinach, blood sausage, bouchot mussels, charcuterie, Bibb lettuce with garden herbs, quiches, and croque madame. Read the full review.
Divine dining courtesy of Ceres' Table.
Ceres' Table (Chicago)
Giuseppe Scurato (formerly of Topaz Café in Burr Ridge) opened this serene, blue-walled venture with his wife. From the moment you're seated at rustic, hammered wood tables, their dedication shows. Arancini, oozing with a mixture of Taleggio, artichoke and saffron risotto, are honest and luxurious. Shaved artichoke and mushroom salad with Parmigiano-Reggiano and arugula in truffle vinaigrette captures spring's essence. (Seasonality and local bounty are priorities here.) Pasta dishes range from goat cheese ravioli with rock shrimp, grape tomato, fava beans, leeks and basil to spaghetti alla chitarra. Even the flat-iron steak woos. Add craft cocktails plus a well-matched, approachable wine list, and the result is nothing short of bliss. Read the full review.
Colicchio & Sons (New York)
Colicchio's new eatery has one sure thing going for it: the Top Chef host claims he'll be in the kitchen cooking your meal -- that is, when he's not taping TV shows. The spacious restaurant and Tap Room are understated, putting the emphasis on the plate. Dishes skew Italian with some French influences thrown in: rigatoni with duck, porcini and spring onion, and ricotta ravioli with morels, fava beans and fava leaves. Colicchio creates bold, meaty pairings such as in the tender lamb loin accompanied by merguez sausages and lentils, and loup de mer with pork trotter and sweet-and-sour shallots. Read the full review.
Authentic barbeque done with ease at Community BBQ.
Community BBQ (Decatur, Ga.)
Two guys with strong chef credentials (David Roberts of The Ritz-Carlton and Seeger's; Stuart Baesel of Seeger's) devoted to barbeque can make a difference. Community BBQ's ribs come properly slow-smoked. Mac 'n' cheese is made with large tube pasta that's quite cheesy with a lovely top crust. Their slaw is fresh and delightfully crunchy; we also suggest the collard greens. Dessert might include strawberry shortcake with lemon buttermilk pound cake and whipped cream. Much of Community's ingredients come from local purveyors. Even their lemonade is freshly squeezed. Read the full review.
Il Barone's bleak exterior encases chic décor.
Il Barone Ristorante
(Newport Beach, Calif.)
Located near the John Wayne airport in a generic-looking complex, Il Barone Ristorante is worth the trip to this pocket of Newport Beach. Don't be bothered by the stark exterior. Among the dark woods and modern artwork, business types, lunching ladies, and groups nosh on Franco Barone's Italian favorites. A grilled octopus salad is a good palate-opening course, with its crunchy celery, red onions, bitter arugula and lemon vinaigrette. Opt for homemade pastas like the lasagna parma e tartugo with truffle-infused béchamel sauce. Secondi courses of Italian comfort food include tripe stew, Milanese-style chicken and veal with sautéed mushrooms in a Marsala wine reduction. Both the lunch and dinner menus accommodate discerning vegetarians and no-carb dieters. Read the full review.
Carve out some time to feast at Marlowe.
Marlowe (San Francisco)
Marlowe's rich, moody interior combines elements of an old-world butcher shop and a classic bistro. A roll of butcher paper announces the daily specials. Close tables and low lighting evoke a countryside bistro. Chef Jennifer Puccio's menu hones in on every craving. "Snacks" include alarmingly addictive pistachios coated in a glaze of bourbon, maple and smoked sea salt or wispy Brussels sprout chips. Whole grilled prawns dredged in Bay seasoning could be eaten as is, but come with a jar of "boozy" cocktail sauce. Roasted chicken tastes as if brushed with lavender. And creamy polenta studded with trumpets and chanterelles receives an injection of truffle. Finish with homey yet elegant desserts (apple crisp drenched in bourbon ice cream and a brown butter caramel sauce). Read the full review.
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Related reading from MSN and Gayot.com:
Top 40 U.S. Restaurants
Top Mother's Day Brunch Spots
Top 10 Romantic Restaurants
Top 10 Heart-healthy Restaurants
Top Easter Brunch Spots
Restaurants Near You
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Enjoy food and views that are tops at R2L.
R2L (Philadelphia)
Chef-owner Daniel Stern has reinvented wow dining in Philly with this glam restaurant and lounge on the 37th floor of Two Liberty Place. Diners enter through a street entrance complete with stanchions and a dedicated elevator delivers them directly to the eatery's jaw-dropping view. Stern's culinary sleight of hand keeps you guessing in dishes like venison and caramelized cippolini "cheesesteaks" and lobster cocktail "franks." The menu includes an inventive raw bar -- try the chilled oysters or the striped bass "fish and chip" bites. Desserts by Peter Scarola are favorites with sophisticated twists like the beignets with cinnamon honey, chocolate fondue and caramel, and the sour cream and walnut apple pie with thyme ice cream. Read the full review.
Old fashioned applies to more than a delicious cocktail at Rockwood.
Rockwood Room (Houston)
Michael De Maggi's Rockwood Room strives to reinvent classic cuisine and cocktails from the post-WWII days when dinner began with a Manhattan and a plate of oysters Rockefeller. This sleek, little restaurant in the Tanglewood area doesn't rely on just being retro. Dei Maggi -- who made his mark at Max's Wine Dive -- uses local ingredients and throws in creative flourishes, such as infusing the Texas Kobe burger with butter, glazing his fried chicken with habañero honey, and serving a chipotle dipping sauce with his thick-cut onion rings. Plenty of big steaks and Gulf Coast seafood are on the menu as well as Granny's rigatoni and meatballs. And, yes, they serve oysters "Rockwoodfeller" tinged with applewood bacon and Parmigiano. Read the full review.
Toulouse Petit (Seattle)
A dramatic New Orleans-inspired brasserie, Toulouse Petit celebrates Creole, Cajun and French cuisines. At night, the seductive room glimmers with hundreds of candles; during the day it feels like a quirky art project. The ambitious menu spotlights New Orleans classics such as spicy, rich jambalaya; authentic gumbo; blackened red fish; and crawfish etouffée. Big Easy accompaniments include homemade charcuterie (terrines, rillettes, sausage), bistro salads, soups, poultry prepared four ways -- such as a black pepper-molasses half chicken with wilted garlic mustard greens -- and fresh seafood like Gulf shrimp and bayou crawfish, which are delivered daily. Libations range from classic Southern cocktails to a thoughtful wine selection. Read the full review.
French fusion pioneer Pierre Gagnaire's Twist.
Twist by Pierre Gagnaire
(Las Vegas)
The Mandarin Oriental's twenty-third floor sets the stage for a dining experience that avoids the bells and whistles of many Las Vegas restaurants. An intimate design mixes elegant white cracked-eggshell walls and scattered, suspended pearls of illuminated bulbs while 20-feet-high windows overlook the city skyline. Twist is chef Pierre Gagnaire's (a French fusion pioneer) first venture in the U.S. Spot-on presentation includes artfully plated canapés and a synchronized waitstaff. Opt for the tasting menu -- though items are also available à la carte. Dishes reveal themselves in waves of textures and tastes. Such may be the case with "sea and earth": Santa Barbara prawns, spicy grapefruit syrup and ginger potato salad, and poached duck foie gras, scallop mousseline and baby greens. Read the full review.
