Top Restaurants and Gourmet Spots in Chicago

It's high time the Windy City got a little respect from foodies for its gourmet offerings beyond deep-dish pizza. Easily on par with New York City, New Orleans, and San Fracisco, Chicago offers epicurean adventures for every palate. Book a Chicago hotel deal today and sample a few of these delicious sights.

Green City Market - The Green City Market is a delightful place to while away a morning. Open every Saturday from 7am, the open-air market features the bounty of the Midwest, plus cooking demonstrations, prepared food stands, and more.

Frontera Grill - Rick Bayless was one of the most important forces in bringing authentic Mexican cuisine to America. His Frontera Grill is a pilgrimage for all gourmets and a must-taste stop.

Avec - Koren Grieveson's enoteca Avec is making waves in the Windy City with its sleek space and fresh, pared down Mediterranean fare. Plus, Food & Wine named her one of the Best New Chefs in 2008.

Tru - Gale Gand, the pastry chef from Chicago's Tru, is often mentioned as one of the best pastry chefs in America and no trip to Chicago would be complete without trying her sinful creations.

3 Great Restaurants in Charleston

So you're heading to Charleston, South Carolina, are you? I'm jealous. The streets of Charleston are paved not with gold but with tons of rave-worthy restaurants that any fierce foodie would be proud to say they'd dined at.

Here are my top three:

* Slightly North of Broad: Affectionately called "SNOB" by the locals---south of Broad Street is the fancy-schmancy part of the city---this grande dame of dining is perfect for ladies who lunch and romantic date nights alike. Chef Frank Lee is a local hero.

* FIG: It stands for "Food is Good"---and the food really is good at this Meeting Street spot where the bold and the beautiful gather all nights of the week. Cozy up to the bar for a specialty cocktail before settling down in the dining room for the best locally-grown meal of your life.

* Hominy Grill: If you're jonesing for a good cup of joe and a brunch that'll stick to your bones, Hominy Grill is your spot. Housed in an old barbershop, it still boasts the original red-and-white barber pole, along with a gorgeous tin ceiling. Don't miss the housemade pumpkin ginger bread.

Top 5 Coffee Shops in San Francisco

With a cool foggy climate year round and a passion for foodie thrills--San Francisco takes its coffee more seriously than any other U.S. city.

Now, now. I know what you're going to say. You want to talk about that other West Coast city that begins with an S. It's true Seattle kicked off the coffee craze and gave the world its first Starbucks, but I would argue San Francisco has elevated the brewing arts to the level of masterpiece, with gourmets gallivanting all over the city, tracking down haute beans and hand-crafted lattes.

But not all cafes were created equal. Here are my top five picks for best cafes in San Francisco, ranked in order.

Bluebottle Coffee Company: Like all of the most epicurean of delicacies, a cup of Bluebottle coffee is not easy to come by. The company only has a tiny kiosk in the chic Hayes Valley neighborhood, a Saturday-only kiosk at the Ferry Plaza Farmer's Market, and a pocket-size cafe in the SoMa neighborhood. If you have time, go to the SoMa cafe, where you'll find the most expensive piece of coffee-making equipment in the U.S. Wait in the long line (it's rain or shine, just resign yourself to it) and splurge on a cup of coffee from the Japanese siphon bar. Many say this is the finest cup of coffee you can have in the nation.

Ritual Coffee Roasters: Enjoy your sip with a side of hip. This cafe is situated in the heart of the gritty-and-glamorous Mission neighborhood. Like Bluebottle, they roast their own beans and the emphasis here is on the origin of the beans--which means no blends. Order an expertly made latte, grab a table, and camp out for an hour to observe the local hipsters.

Four Barrel Coffee: This brand-new up-and-comer is giving the competition a run for the money. Four Barrel is also located in the Mission and was founded by one of the original owners of Ritual, just down the street. The draw here is expert brews paired with artisan sweets from Dynamo Donuts. They say you haven't lived until you enjoy a cup of Four Barrel coffee with a spiced-chocolate donut.

Peet's Coffee and Tea: Founded in "the People's Republic of Berkeley" by Alfred Peet, Peet's is a hometown favorite and keeps this tech city buzzing late into the night. Though the coffee is not as refined as any of the offerings above, this mini-chain has a loyal following of "Peetniks" and is the perfect alternative to Starbucks. In fact, the founders of Starbucks were great admirers of Peet's and sought to replicate it. You'll find locations throughout the city, so pop in on a whim and try the dark-roasted, potent brew.

Caffe Trieste: Any list of San Francisco cafes would be remiss if it didn't mention this fixture of the North Beach neighborhood. Once a popular Beat hangout, this Old World-style cafe served Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, and other famous thinkers, writers, and artists. Later, another local celebrity, Francis Ford Coppola, would write much of The Godfather in this same spot. Stop in, order up an Italian classic like a cappuccino, and watch the world go by. Remember, it's not about the coffee--it's about tasting history.

Shop now for a San Francisco vacation package and take a buzzed tour of Fog City.

2 Mai Tai Sipping Spots

While Hawaii doesn’t actually lay claim to the invention of the mai tai, the drink has become synonymous with the vacation experience of Diamond Head sunsets and cowabunga surfers. And anyone who’s ever had a mai tai in Hawaii can tell you, there’s something about consuming fresh, local Hawaiian ingredients in Hawaii that makes for perfect mai tai memories. A mai tai in Montana, for example, just isn’t quite as good.

While purists can argue back and forth about the precise mai tai recipe (quibbles usually come over the amount and type of rum), there are, in my opinion, two locales in Hawaii that are quintessential for sipping one of these fruity cocktails. One, in Waikiki, is the famous House Without a Key, where each evening’s sunset is ushered in by hip-shimmying hula dancers and the slack-key guitar. Yes, it’s a bit touristy, but the mai tai moments you’ll have here make for magnificent photographs and a most mellow mood of contentment that’s sure to set your vacation off on the right track.

Another of my favorite places for a mai tai is Mama’s Fish House on Maui. Located in a coconut grove right by a small but breathtaking beach, the restaurant is pure Hawaii, with menu items like sweet Maui onion soup and Big Island hearts of palm salad, plus a variety of very fresh local fish. A mai tai here puts the final—and perfect—Polynesian touch on your meal experience. Plus, it’ll make your head spin pleasantly when you go out onto the beach after your meal to watch the waves.

Cheers, and aloha!

10 Easy Things to Learn in Rastafarian

Tell anyone you’re off to Jamaica and they’re likely to exclaim one of two things: “you lucky duck!” tops the list, followed quickly by “hey, mon! Every ting irie!”

Blame TV, blame the movies, blame any number of stereotypes, but one of the most recognizable things about Jamaica is what comes out of the mouths of its residents. The Rastafarian dialect--called Iyaric--is credited to the followers of Rastafari teachings, who created their own (modified) vocabulary in response to their belief that their original African languages were stolen from them in the slave trade.

While you’ll obviously be able to get around Jamaica just fine with plain old English, here are ten phrases you might want to learn to help you fit in.

1. “All fruits ripe”: “everything is just great, all is good”

2. Bash, bashy: cool, awesome, nice

3. "Everyting cook and curry”: “everything is just fine”

4. Gates: home (Since many houses in Jamaica have a gate, your “gates” is your home.)

5. Irie: an expression meaning everything is alright, everything is just cool

6. Salt: bad luck, to be unlucky. (“Mi get salt” means “I was unlucky”)

7. "Ten toe turbo”: A funny expression meaning to walk or to use your feet

8. Upful: to have positive feelings or be extremely cheerful

9. “Wa’ppun?”: “What’s happening? What’s up?” (a very popular greeting)

10. Pickney: child, children, kids

Top 4 Hawaiian Islands You Haven't Heard Of

Quick quiz: how many islands make up the state of Hawaii? Four? 10, even? Try 132. And if you're anything like me, you've only heard of four: the Big Island, Kauai, Maui, and Oahu. But the smaller islands are often your best shot at seeing the Hawaii of yesteryear and getting away from the loud-shirted crowds.

When in Maui, Try Lanai and Molokai
Often called the "Pineapple Island" thanks to its huge pineapple plantation, Lanai was home to only 3,193 people during the last census. Book a stay at one of the isle's four hotels and discover adventurous fun, including mountain biking, horseback riding, and rocky off-road driving at Keahiakawelo, the "Garden of the Gods."

Though slightly bigger than its neighbor, Molokai has fewer than 10,000 residents and less than 20 hotels. Attractions include the world's tallest sea cliffs and a 3,000-acre natural preserve, boasting 200 kinds of flora that can only be found on Molokai. The island even has its own bread called Molokai Bread, which is baked in a cast-iron, kiawe-fired oven.

When in Oahu, Try the Mokulua Islands:
Locals call them "the Moks" or the "Twin Islands," but the Mokulua Islands are actually tiny islets off the coast of tourist-thronged Oahu. Though they are bird sanctuaries and have restricted access, Oahu tour operators do offer kayaking and snorkeling adventures to the islands. Once there, visitors can frolic on a rare black-sand beach and explore a gorgeous canyon.

When in Kauai, Try Niihua:
With only 160 residents, Niihua is often called the "Forbidden Island." Purchased by the Robinson family in 1864, the island has been closed to most visitors since 1915 and is still privately owned today. But in 1997 the Robinsons began operating tours to their exclusive island paradise and today's visitors can helicopter over to snorkel and swim or hunt wild boar and sheep.

Ready to take off for the Aloha State? Book a Hawaii vacation package and save $315 per person on average.

5 U.S. Alternatives to Spring Break in Mexico

Tequila shots. Wet t-shirt contests. Parties that last all night long. Normally, at this time of year, Mexico’s beach resorts are gearing up to welcome young crowds on that annual rite of drunken passage: spring break. But this year, the U.S. State Department has issued a travel alert warning travelers away from Mexico due to an escalation in drug violence and kidnappings. Uh-oh! Where’s a party-hearty spring breaker to go instead? No worries. The U.S. has got you covered. When that spring break fever strikes, here are five closer-to-home alternatives:

1. South Padre Island, Texas
Everything’s bigger in Texas, and on South Padre Island wide stretches of sand host the spring break crowds. From party yachts to live concerts and from game zones to pub crawls, there’s plenty to keep the Lone Star State action going way into the wee hours. Here, you never know who you might run into--even reps from MTV might show up next to you at the pool.

2. Dewey Beach, Delaware
The Mid-Atlantic crowds flock here to rent cottages by the ocean, dig into all-you-can-eat crabs, and drink Dogfish Head ales at the Bottle and Cork and the Starboard. Live bands, house parties, and beach volleyball round out this region’s offerings, plus the Rehoboth boardwalk, with its salt water taffy and amusement park rides is within easy reach.

3. Panama City Beach, Florida
Calling itself the “spring break capital of the world,” Panama City Beach, or PBC, brings in national bands and celebrities--even former American Idol stars--to kick the party up a notch. When the sun goes down, the curtain goes up on multiple parties at area clubs and restaurants. During the day, pirate cruises, volleyball tournaments, and dolphin-watching reign supreme.

4. Las Vegas, Nevada
In Vegas, the party never stops, no matter how old you are. You don’t have to be a 21-year-old rat packer to enjoy this desert city’s spoils. Spring breakers are greeted with all sorts of neon-lighted entertainment, from bungee jumping off the Stratosphere to riding the rollercoaster at New York-New York, from all-you-can-eat buffets to sparkling swimming pools.

5. Palm Springs, California
Further west, the California desert crawls with partiers in Palm Springs, an oasis of spring-break fun along Palm Canyon Drive. Shopping, bar hopping, and just lazing around by the pool are some of the most popular activities, plus the casinos aren’t too far a drive away. Plus, nearby state and national parks call to the nature-lover within.

Best Markets in Cancun: Spend Pesos, Save Dollars

I'm a dyed-in-the-wool shopaholic, but I haven't hit the boutiques in months because I'm trying to save money. But there is a place that can bring back the shopping magic: Mexico. In fact, one of the best shopping paradises is Cancun and here are the best spots to save a buck south of the border.

Mercado 23
Mercados 23 and 28 are within walking distance of each other in the downtown area. Mercado 23 primarily serves the residents of Cancun and is the most local experience you can find. This market offers fresh wares from local farms and is a great place to stock up on gorgeous flowers and tropical fruit for your room.

Mercado 28
Hope you packed light! Mercado 28 is a bargain-hunter's paradise. The vendors here love to haggle so roll up your sleeves and check your shy American ways at the entrance. The stalls sell inexpensive jewelry, souvenirs, traditional pottery, faux-Mayan artifacts, and much, much more.

Coral Negro Market
This is the only traditional open-air market in the Hotel Zone. With more than 50 stalls, Coral Negro has an impressive selection of goods--but be warned. This market is for tourists, so make sure you're getting a good deal. Vendors sell charro suits and hats, embroidered garments, toys, handicrafts, and of course lots and lots of T-shirts, mugs, and other souvenirs.

Plaza La Isla
Tired of flea markets? Stop by Plaza La Isla, the most impressive "American-style" mall. This outdoor shopping center straddles a lagoon and offers high-end boutiques, like Bulgari, alongside cheap memento stores, a theater, and even an aquarium. Though prices are just as high as they would be stateside, the window shopping and other activities can keep you busy all day.

Want to save cash before you head south of the border? Bundle your flight and hotel together and save up to $315 on a Mexico vacation package.

Top 5 Places to Escape the Cold

Brrrr, is it getting chilly in here or is it just me? Summer's still a ways off, so if you're looking for a vacation spot that'll help you escape the cold, I've got some great travel ideas right here:

1. The Caribbean. Sure, it's a no-brainer, but is there any better place to warm up? Picture white-sand beaches, turquoise waters, and plenty of rum!

2. Want to say aloha to some sun while still staying within the states? I've found some great Hawaii deals recently.

3. Go now and you'll avoid the spring break crowd: yup, I'm talking about Cancun.

4. Alright, it's not exactly tropical, but with temperatures this week in the high 60s, it might be warmer in New Zealand than it is where you are right now. And since it hit the small screen as the locale for Bachelor Jason Mesnick to woo bachelorettes Melissa and Molly, New Zealand is suddenly on everyone's must-see list.

5. Last but not least, why not take a cruise? With the sea outside your window 24-7, it'll be hard not to get into that vacation mood!

Best New York Pizza Restaurants

Visitors to the Big Apple often struggle to separate the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the city's wealth of pizza parlors. Next time you take a Gotham getaway, avoid sub-par pie with this list of the best places to get an authentic piece of piping-hot thin-crust.

Best Old-Fashioned Pie - Di Fara
If you're the type who will do anything for a foodie thrill, make the pilgrimage to Di Fara in Midwood, Brooklyn. Di Fara has routinely been nominated the best pizza joint in America and most native New Yorkers swear by it. What's the secret? His name is Domenico DeMarco, a stooped grandfatherly figure who makes each pizza by hand at his leisure.

Best Authentic Pie for Tourists - Lombardi's
There is authentic thin-crust to be had on the beaten path at Lombardi's in NoLIta. Lombardi's was America's first real pizzeria and has been making their incredible pies since 1905. The atmosphere is lively, they handle groups well, and it's easy to find.

Best New Pie Joint - Lucali's
There are plenty of great pizzerias from the early 20th century, but the art of pizza-making continues to evolve. Behold, the recent opening of up-and-comer Lucali's in Carroll Gardens, Brooklyn. This BYOB neighborhood charmer housed in an old candy store is already inviting comparisons to Di Fara--and the wait can be long as a result.

Best Street for a Slice - Bleecker Street
Stroll down to Bleecker Streer in the West Village for an "only in New York" experience, where you'll find more pizza parlors per square mile than probably anywhere else in the world. Though not top-shelf pizza, these restaurants offer a decent slice to go. The selection includes: John's of Bleecker Street, Joe's Pizza, and Bleecker Street Pizza.

Ready to dig in? Here's a list of piping-hot New York travel deals for every budget.