1. Moroccan Tomato Soup & Cheese Scones from Freakbeat Vegetarian

Words fail me when it comes to this meal—it’s that good. I suspect they add magic into this tomato soup (even though ingredients are listed right there on the counter and it doesn’t explicitly say magic) because the flavor is fantastic. It’s a hair too spicy for me, but that doesn’t come close to curbing my desire for it. And the cheese scones? Perfection.

2. Pad Thai and Panang Curry from Blue Orchid

I have loved Blue Orchid from the get-go. Even now that the owners have a great restaurant on my end of town (Issara), I still prefer Blue Orchid. Pad Thai with chicken has long been my standby—it is always very good. But something extra special is the Panang Curry. The flavor of that dish is incredible. The only problem is that I’m a spice weenie apparently and it sets my mouth on fire (even without jalepenos). Still, sometimes it’s worth wading through fire to get to that curry though!

3. Safed Maas, Goa Fish and Paneer Makhani from The Oven

Jeremy took me to the Oven on our first date and it’s had a permanent spot in my heart since then. Once I tasted those Indian spices I couldn’t understand why the rest of the world didn’t cook with this much flavor, too. Oh Oven, you had me at hello. My tastes have morphed some over the years… Safed Maas (when Jose is cooking in the Haymarket) can’t be beat. Goa Fish has become a favorite, too, and finally, Paneer Makhani is my latest pick after a friend in San Francisco made us a paneer dish. I love the textures and flavors of the paneer mixed with the spicy tomato sauce.

4. Brussel Sprouts and Sangria from Sebastian’s Table

Sebastian’s Table is one of my favorite dining experiences anywhere. I love the way people come together over tapas and drinks. I’m completely happy trying out everything on the menu and sharing it with the table while we enjoy good conversations. The absolute must-have’s at Sebastian’s Table are the hazelnut brussel sprouts and the red sangria. I’ve eaten their leftover brussel sprouts days later, cold even, and they are still out of this world. The red sangria might just be the key to my heart. It’s happiness in a glass.

5. Roasted Red Pepper soup at The Green Gateau

There is a lot to like at The Green Gateau, but there is one dish I think about regularly; and honestly, this is the only dish that has tempted me—an extrovert—to eat alone at a fine dining establishment: the roasted red pepper soup. Maybe they put magic in here, too, because it’s unlike any other roasted red pepper soup I’ve tried elsewhere. I like to pair it with their amazing Gateau Spring Salad. And heck, if I’m here for any length of time I am more than likely to order dessert. Delicious.

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I don’t think I’ve ever written about food before, but man, I feel passionately about it! I like eating local because I like unique dining experiences and I really like supporting the creative talents of hardworking chefs and restaurant owners in my community. I’m a girl who is sometimes driven by my tastebuds, which are fairly easily appeased. I don’t mind a fast food burger and I’m pretty happy with a fried chicken salad from a chain restaurant. But if I had a choice, I’d choose an awesome local restaurant with lovely ambiance and good friends by my side every night of the week if I could.

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Final note: where do YOU like to eat? I’m always up for recommendations.