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A view of the New York City skyline from the Staten Island Ferry
photo credit: acnatta

New York City is a cultural mecca. Where such diversity thrives, restaurants pop up to cater to the unique tastes of each cultural palette. And where this diversity merges over time, restaurants will begin to add their own unique twists to traditional foods in order to represent an array of tastes that will appeal to the multi-cultural clientele. That is why it is easy to find great traditional foods in New York City from a wide selection of different cultures. And it is also why New York City offers modern restaurants that provide foods which fuse the traditions of various cultures to create great meals. (more…)

You won’t be lacking for things to do when you plan to spend a day (or more) at Universal City Walk in Orlando, Florida. This entertainment complex is filled with everything from souvenir shopping to well-known performances by theater stars like Blue Man Group. In the midst of all of this busy activity, you are going to find yourself getting hungry. Of course, since the place covers over 30 acres of space, there are plenty of restaurants to satisfy your cravings.

Here are the 10 restaurants to consider.

1. Bob Marley Tribute to Freedom - You’ll find dining, drinking and dancing at this restaurant, which is set up to resemble the famous reggae musician’s home. The restaurant offers historical information about Marley’s life and the role his music played in our history. It also offers Jamaican cuisine and drink specials, but the experience is at least as important as the food.
2. Bubba Gump Shrimp Company - Remember the scene in Forrest Gump where they list all of the different shrimp dishes that you could make? You’ll find them all–plus some other foods for the people in your group that aren’t interested in shrimp–here.
3. City Jazz - As the name would suggest, you’ll find live jazz music playing at this restaurant. You’ll also find a full menu of your favorite foods.
4. Emeril’s - You might not think of fine dining when you’re headed to Orlando, but that doesn’t mean it’s not available. If you’re hoping to locate a romantic restaurant with wine on the menu and a celebrity chef in the kitchen, look no further than Emeril’s.
5. Hard Rock Cafe Orlando - You don’t need an introduction to the Hard Rock Cafe. You’ve probably visited one or two of them around the world before. But what you need to know about the one at City Walk is that it’s the biggest of all of them!
6. Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville - You will go here for the drinks. With three different bars designed after bars mentioned in the singer’s drinking songs, you can help but want to imbibe some alcohol. But you’ll be happier if you also eat the Caribbean-inspired food that fills up the menu at this live music restaurants.
7. Latin Quarter - Pretend that you’ve traveled to South America by exploring the tastes of over 20 Latin American nations at this restaurant. The style is a combination of Latin and Native American influences from decor to dessert.
8. NBA City - If you think you know every basketball stat there is, challenge yourself with a trip to this educational spot. Or just got and watch the game on one of the big screen tv’s that you’ll find here. Burgers and buffalo wings will satisfy the appetite that you work up cheering for your favorite team.
9. Pastamore - If you’ve got a big group, you need family-style dining. Order big plates of Italian food and set them in the middle of the table for everyone to share. Top it off with gelato that tastes like it came straight from Italy.
10. Pat O’Brien’s - Do you wish that you’d gone to New Orleans instead of Orlando during your vacation? Go no further than this restaurant, which recreates the southern party city.

On my last trip to Los Angeles, I kept passing by an Ethiopian restaurant and mentioned to my friend that I wanted to stop in for lunch before I left. She made a face that made me laugh and said, “I’m not eating any antelope or whatever they eat there with you”. I raised my eyebrow and she added, “okay, okay, I know that’s probably ignorant, but that’s what I think of when I hear about Ethiopian food”. Upon which I informed her that not only would there be no antelope or any other exotic animal on the menu but that she could very likely find a whole array of vegetarian dishes to suit her current dining preference.

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If you’re looking for one of the all-time best breakfasts then John G’s in Lake Worth, Florida is a must. Just minutes from some of Florida’s rich and famous, this small family-owned restaurant offers a breakfast that is fit for a king on a pauper’s budget.

The exterior is less than impressive and the line reaching around the corner and down the street can be a bit off-putting but the meal waiting for you inside is definitely worth the time you’ll spend outside. And, as a bonus, the outside view isn’t bad. John G’s sits across the street from the Atlantic Ocean, making your wait more tolerable and even possibly enjoyable.

The tables at John G’s are pretty “cozy” but with lines like that you can’t blame the owners for wanting to get as many diners in as possible. The décor is traditional Florida beachfront, a little bit of beach and a little bit of fish, nothing special. But the food at John G’s is what will keep you coming back for more.

The signature Cinnamon-Nut French Toast practically melts in your mouth while sides like fresh fruit, fresh squeezed orange juice and thick strips of bacon round out the meal. If you’re looking for a lighter meal, ask about half orders, the price doesn’t drop by half, but the temptation to overeat is removed. If you’re really turned off by the long line try this insider tip, the counter often has “diner-style” seating available which is perfect for a single and many times can even fit a couple without any wait at all.

When you go to North Beach in San Francisco, you’re probably planning to get Italian food. (This is the neighborhood known as Little Italy, after all.) But there’s another Mediterranean cousin in town and you shouldn’t be afraid of stepping over the border a little bit to check it out. Estia , a Greek Restaurant located just off of the main strip of North Beach food fare is a place that I strongly recommend.

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Tony Packo’s, located in Toledo Ohio’s Hungarian district, just across the Maumee River from downtown, is a Northwest Ohio tradition. Opened in 1932, the quirky cafe/bar is famous for its Hungarian hot dogs (a sort of kielbasa-type sausage). You can get them with sauerkraut, with chili, with grainy mustard, or with all of the above.

Side dishes include traditional eastern European spaetzle (tiny, pressed dumplings), tangy cole slaw, and hot German potato salad. While you’re waiting on your food, have a beer and sample the house pickles and peppers. Every table gets a dish of them. Save room for the strudel, the Hungarian, multi-layered pastry, oozing with apple, cherry, or mixed fruit filling.

The decor at Tony Packo’s is a combination corner bar and Victorian mansion. The walls are lined with autographed hot dog buns, encased in plastic. Burt Reynolds signed the first one in 1972. Since then, scores of entertainers, musicians, politicans, and other notables have contributed to the collection.

Tony Packo’s has five locations in the Toledo area, but you can’t beat the original Front Street Cafe for character and fun.

Tony Packo’s Cafe, 1902 Front Street, Toledo OH 43605; 419 691-1953

(photo credit: dotoledo.org)

Vacations in Australia seem to be linked with sun, sand and sea, and that makes the tastiest meal around a big serve of fish and chips. Trips to the west coast of Australia are no exception, since its capital Perth has the most hours of sunlight of any Aussie city. And if you’re talking fish’n'chips in Perth, it has to be the most famous fish’n'chips restaurant, Cicerello’s on Fisherman’s Wharf in the harbor region of Perth, Fremantle.

Cicerello’s has been operating since 1903 and a highlight is eating your fish’n'chips in the outdoors, dangling over the water next to some of the very boats that might have caught your fish. You can also get a table inside in the unlikely event of inclement weather. You can choose from tasty deep-fried, beer-battered pieces of fish, or go for the healthier grilled option, and there are many other varieties of seafood to add to your plate. Salads and drinks will finish off your meal.

The bonus at Cicerello’s is you can also spend hours staring into their 22 meters of aquariums. They feature over 50 species of fish and other marine animals, all native to the Fremantle water. And I especially love showing visitors the surf ski they exhibit which has a huge chunk out of its side: it was attacked by a shark. Cicerello’s advertising says they are Western Australia’s Number 1 Fish’n'Chips, but I think they might be the world’s best. Big thumbs up for food, service, and above all, the perfect location.

When traveling to London, partaking in a high tea is the quintessential British experience. When it comes to choosing a venue for a quintessential experience in life, why not choose the best? The finest afternoon tea experience in London is at the London Ritz, located in Green Park. My Afternoon Tea at the Ritz was an unforgettable experience and the best dining experience of my life so far. Priced at £36 or roughly $70 per person, it’s not cheap. However the bottomless pot(s) of tea and the sandwiches and scones and other savory treats add up to a very filling meal. Like any dining splurge, you can balance out what you spend for a pricy afternoon meal with a curry or other inexpensive cuisine for dinner. The tea sandwiches vary a bit, but smoked salmon and cucumber with cream cheese are standards in addition to freshly baked scones served with organic jam and clotted cream. The service is impeccable; simply nod or glance at any of the handsome men in white jackets and they are at your beck and call. The dress code is strictly enforced, after all this is the Ritz! Men are required to wear a jacket and tie, and jeans and tennis shoes or trainers are prohibited. If you show up not abiding to the dress code, you will be turned away so they mean business! The Ritz London holds the Royal Warrant from the Prince of Wales for banqueting and catering services, so if it’s good enough for Charles and Camilla, it’s good enough for you! Reservations are mandatory and should be made as far in advance as possible. Visit www.theritzlondon.com/tea to make reservations.

Tourism isn’t limited to beaches, mountains, and pretty scenery: in today’s world, travelers traverse the planet to pursue all hobbies and interests under the sun. A growing industry is coffee tourism, dedicated to educating you on different types and various roasts of coffee.

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