Super sizing in the USA
Thanks to all those readers who provided me excellent suggestions on where to try and eat in the USA. With the limited time I had it ended up being quite a challenge to get to all of them but I've discovered many places that I'd love to return to one day and try. The day I left I weighed myself in at 78.5 kg. Arriving back I weighed in at 79.5 kg, so it seems I only gained about 1 kg — thankfully the super sizing was counteracted by all the sightseeing I guess.
Highlights
Some of my trip highlights were riding and holding onto a cable car in San Francisco even though it's so touristy — I chose the one that went past the top of Lombard Street. Watching the sea lions at Pier 39, checking out Alcatraz and visiting Yosemite to see up close how amazingly big the sequoia trees really are. Discovering Hog Island Oysters stand at the delicious weekend Ferry Building Farmers Market and checking out the brilliant view from the Top of the Mark and deciding which martini cocktail to choose from the 100 listed. In Las Vegas it was being overwhelmed with how bloody big these hotels and casinos were and having the chance to check out the Grand Canyon via helicopter to appreciate its beauty and vastness. The Cirque du Soleil Zumanity show was really good as well. In New York it was checking out the view from the Top of the Rock — go for the sunset view— and having one of the most delicious Pastrami on Rye sandwiches from Katz's Delicatessen that one could possibly ever find in the world. Relaxing in Hawaii was pretty good but even better was experiencing the craziness of Halloween night in Waikiki which was awesome — I've never seen so many amazing costumes in all my life in one place. Snorkelling at Hanauma Bay was also a treat seeing lots of fish up close. The Waikiki Starlight Luau at Hilton Hawaiian Village was lots of fun watching the Polynesian dance performances and where I miraculously won a conch shell blowing competition out of three contestants.
I hope to provide more comprehensive reviews on some of the places I've visited, if not all of them, in future blog posts but for now here's a summary list of all the places I visited including sightseeing and also a list of places I sadly missed out on but wanted to try — perhaps you'll get a chance to visit.
SAN FRANCISCO
Boudin - Clam chowder in sourdough bowl
160 Jefferson Street, San Francisco
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. - Prawns made famous by Forrest Gump
Pier 39, San Francisco
Colibri - Mexican bistro
438 Geary Street, San Francisco
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Lori's Diner - 24 hours
336 Mason Street, San Francisco
Sears Fine Foods
439 Powell Street, San Francisco
The Stinking Rose - Everything has garlic
325 Columbus Avenue, San Francisco
Domaine - Chandon
1 California Drive, Yountville, Napa Valley
Bistro
420 First Street East, Sonoma
Tadich Grill - Seafood
240 California Street, San Francisco
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Top of the Mark - 100 Martinis menu, great view
InterContinental - Mark Hopkins, 1 Nob Hill, San Francisco
Pinecrest Diner - 24 hours
401 Geary Street, San Francisco
The Slanted Door - Asian Fusion
One Ferry Building, San Francisco
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Bisou - French
2367 Market Street, San Francisco
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
House of Nanking - Chinese / They deep fry their potstickers - FAIL!
919 Kearny Street, San Francisco
Lefty O'Douls - Drinks and pub food
333 Geary Street, San Francisco
Fish and Chips - Basic fried food
817 Bridgeway, Sausalito
Hamburger - Freshly cooked to order
737 Bridgeway, Sausalito
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Ghiradelli Chocolate
Ghiradelli Square, San Francisco
HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME:
Hog Island Oyster Co. - Freshly shucked oysters
Ferry Building Marketplace, San Francisco
The Spinnaker - Nice view
100 Spinnaker Drive, Sausalito
In-N-Out Burger
333 Jefferson Street, San Francisco
Swan Oyster Depot - Seafood
1517 Polk Street, San Francisco
Le Colonial - Vietnamese
20 Cosmo Place, San Francisco
Gary Danko
800 North Point Street, San Francisco
SIGHTSEEING:
• Sea lions at Pier 39
• Sea lions at Pier 39
• Alcatraz
• Ferry to Sausalito
• Yosemite with Extranomical Tours
• Chinatown
• Castro - Night clubs
HOTEL:
Hotel Monaco
501 Geary Street, San Francisco
LAS VEGAS
Tropical Breeze Cafe
Flamingo, Las Vegas
Village Seafood Buffet
Rio, Las Vegas
Fatburger - 24 hours
3763 Las Vegas Blvd, Las Vegas
Cafe Bellagio
Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas
Buffet - lots of variety including Alaskan King Crab
Bellagio, 3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME:
• Fremont Street Experience
• The Eiffel Tower Experience, Paris
• Shark Reef, Mandalay Bay
• Show in the Sky, Rio
• The Mirage Volcano, The Mirage
SIGHTSEEING:
• Cirque du Soleil 'Zumanity'
• Cirque du Soleil 'O'
• X Burlesque, Flamingo
• Crazy Horse Paris, MGM Grand
• Visiting all the casinos
• M&M World (Free)
• Lion Habitat, MGM Grand (Free)
• Wildlife Habitat, Flamingo (Free)
• Fall of Atlantis Fountain, Caesars Palace (Free)
• Fountains, Bellagio (Free)
• Sirens of TI, Treasure Island (Free)
• Discounts at Tix 4 Tonight
• Hoover Dam, Helicopter Ride, Boat Ride, South Rim of Grand Canyon with Sweetours
• Las Vegas Premium Outlets - 875 S Grand Central Parkway
• The Bank - Nightclub, Bellagio
Hotel:
Bellagio
3600 Las Vegas Boulevard South, Las Vegas
NEW YORK
Moonstruck on Second - 24 hour diner
88 2nd Avenue, New York
Mud Truck - Decent coffee
Astor Place, 4th Ave & 8th Street, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Five Guys - Burgers and Fries
36 W 48th Street, New York
Forum - Bar
127 Fourth Ave (12th and 13th), New York
McDonalds - Side of grand piano
160 Broadway, New York
Two Boots To Go West - Gourmet pizza slices
201 West 11th Street, New York
Magnolia Bakery - Cupcakes
401 Bleecker Street, New York
Onieal's - Bar (SATC cosmopolitan stop)
174 Grand Street, New York
Fig & Olive - Nice food and decor
808 Lexington Avenue, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
159 2nd Avenue, New York
Russ & Daughters - Bagels
179 East Houston Street, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Katz's Delicatessen - Best Pastrami on Rye
205 East Houston Street, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Inexpensive Delicacies Company - Cheap Fried Dumplings, 4 for only $1
99 Allen Street, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Joe's Shanghai Restaurant - Dumplings
9 Pell Street, New York
Gray's Papaya - $1.50 Hot dog
402 Sixth Ave, New York
Two Boots To Go West - Gourmet pizza slices
201 West 11th Street, New York
taim - Freshly cooked falafel
222 Waverly Place, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
winebar - Nice place for a drink and cheese platter
65 Second Ave, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Mayahuel - Hidden sexy bar with tequila cocktails and mexican tapas
304 East 6th Street, New York
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
New York's Farmers Market
Union Square - Mon, Wed, Fri, Sat
Shake Shack - Burger, Fries, Shakes
Madison Square Park, New York
Empanada Mama - Empanadas and sangria
763 9th Avenue, New York
momofuku ssam bar
207 2nd Avenue, New York
HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME:
Eataly Gelato
200 5th Avenue, New York
Buddakan - Modern Asian, Great decor
75 9th Avenue, New York
John's Pizzeria of Bleecker Street
278 Bleecker Street, New York
Pearl Oyster Bar - Lobster roll
18 Cornelia Street, New York
2nd Ave Deli - Kosher Restaurant
162 East 33rd Street, New York
Rosa Mexicano - Guacamole
9 East 18th Street, New York
Stand4 - Toasted marshmallow milkshake
24 E 12th Street, New York
Mary's Fish Camp - Lobster roll
64 Charles Street, New York
Veniero's - Pastries and cakes
342 East 11th Street, New York
Rickshaw Dumpling Bar - Dumplings
61 West 23rd Street, New York
Stumptown Coffee Roasters - Coffee
20 West 29th Street, New York
Murray's Bagels
500 Avenue of the Americas, New York
Billy's Bakery - Cupcakes
75 Franklin Street, New York
Lombardi's Pizza - Pizza
32 Spring Street, New York
this little piggy had roast beef - Roast beef
149 1st Avenue, New York
Crif Dogs - Hot dogs
113 Saint Marks Place, New York
Mama's Food Shop
200 East 3rd Street
Dumpling Man - Dumplings
100 Saint Marks Place, New York
SIGHTSEEING:
• Flatiron building
• Museum of Sex - Interesting gift shop — not for the shy
• Times Square – Spot the Naked Cowboy(s)
• Top of the Rock Observation Deck at Rockefeller Centre
• Walking the Brooklyn Bridge
• Charging Bull, Wall Street
• Staten Island Ferry - Free ferry to take photo of Statue of Liberty and New York City skyline
• The Metropolitan Museum of Art - 'Suggested' admission price is $20 but you can say you want to donate $1 and they'll let you in
• Ricky's NYC - One stop fancy dress shop
STUDIO APARTMENT:
321 East 6th Street, BELL #3, New York (between First and Second Ave)
HAWAII
Yard House - World's largest selection of draft beer
Waikiki Beach Walk, Waikiki
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Duke's Restaurant
2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Hula Grill
2335 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Roy's Waikiki Beach
226 Lewers Street, Honolulu
Ocean House
Ocean Front, Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road, Honolulu
Kani Ka Pila Grille - Nightly free music
Courtyard, Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road, Honolulu
Shorebird - $3.50 Mai Tai specials
Beach Front, Outrigger Reef Hotel
2169 Kalia Road, Honolulu
Leonard's Bakery - Freshly made Portuguese donuts
933 Kapahulu Avenue, Honolulu
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
The Cheesecake Factory
2301 Kalakaua Avenue, Honolulu
Rainbow Drive-In - Cheap local hawaiian food
3308 Kanaina Avenue, Honolulu
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
Waiola Shave Ice
3113 Mokihana Street, Honolulu
SIMON FAVOURITE :-)
HOPEFULLY NEXT TIME:
Mac 24/7 - Pancakes
2500 Kuhio Avenue, Honolulu
Haili's Hawaiian Foods
760 Palani Avenue, Honolulu
Ono Hawaiian Foods
726 Kapahula Avenue, Honolulu
SIGHTSEEING:
• Hanauma Bay Snorkelling
• Aloha Tower Marketplace
• International Market Place
• Waikiki Starlight Luau at Hilton Hawaiian Village
• Swimming in Waikiki Beach
• King's Village Shopping Center
• Fusion - Female-impersonator shows
• Halloween night - Lots of great costumes
HOTEL:
Outrigger Reef on the Beach
13 comments:
I looove clam chowder from Boudin's, I think I could have eaten it every day I was in SF (I think I almost did!). And how cute were the sea lions? I reckon they like hanging out by the pier cos maybe lots of the restaurants there have spare fish :P
Looks like you had a good time!
wow, what a great comprehensive list!
WOWZA that is such a comprehensive list - just the thing - can't wait to get over there and try some of your suggestions ... THX Becca
Talk about attention to detail, and you ate at many places. Well done for the very modest weight gain. And I noticed that McDonalds Broadway is not a 'Simon Favourite', lol?!?
Oh my gosh- you are at a LOT of places!!! Sounds like a cool trip and I'm impressed with the 1kg weight gain. That's nothing!!
We recommend a gratuity of 15-20% and we don't think it's accurate to estimate a waiter's average hourly wage based on how much time a waiter appears to spend during one particular meal. Even if a waiter spends only 15 minutes on a particular patron during dinner time, that may be the busiest time of the entire week, and the waiter may be counting on those tips to compensate for slower periods. Also, tips are sometimes shared among other employees, such as the kitchen and bus staff.
hi bgdino, i loved the sea lions. they were so funny.
hi thang, hope to post some of the reviews before the end of the year. so many so little time :-)
hi rebecca, be sure to focus on the SIMON FAVOURITES if you want to narrow down the list :-)
hi bel, i wanted to eat at so many more but my stomach couldn't keep up with me. hehe about macca at broadway although it's worth checking it out for the piano playing.
hi gastronomy gal, and that was just scraping the surface of what's on offer. yeah i'm pretty happy with only 1 kg weight gain although it feels like more at times.
hi seafood naples, it certainly seemed like the minimum tip expected was 15%. very foreign to most aussies i think.
Simon - Thanks for your NYC insights, I'm going in Feb and will definitely use your favourites as part of my planning guide. The pommes frites are calling...
and it would be a bloody miracle if I only gained 1kg on a trip like that...
Loving your writing!
Cheers,
Lisa
hi lisa, i hope you enjoy NYC as much as i did but just make sure you find time to research beforehand where you want to go as once you arrive it's so overwhelming with all the choices. :-)
Glad that my suggestion of clam chowder was one of your favourites! :)
hi belinda, thanks heaps :-)
This post is great. My friends and I are trawling through the NY section. We are going for holidays there in a month. I've already started marking the GF places.
Any tips for a quick stop in LA. We have 8hrs there, so not too sure where we should head for food that is close enough to the airport, but still not too far from good food.
hi Lil Miss Stack It, glad it's been helpful. I haven't been to LA so not sure what to recommend but if i was going i'd start by checking out http://www.urbanspoon.com/c/5/Los-Angeles-restaurants.html :-)
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