Author: kjohnston22

This one we’ll try more than twice. In fact, it’s an over 26-years-running-and-til-the-day-I-die tradition, that’s how much we like it. Passed down from my great grandfather to my grandfather and then to my parents and now us kids, the yearly whitefish fry is the simplest joy my food memory can recall. You see, up in… Continue reading NIPIGON Whitefish Fry

The city of Memphis has SO much to offer. There is an incomparable heritage and passion present in Memphis eateries, offering everything from Vietnamese and Italian cuisine to expertly crafted local brews like Wiseacre. But I have to be honest, when it comes down to it, there are a few things that just can’t be… Continue reading Meat Sweats in Memphis

 “You learn a lot about someone when you share a meal together.” “Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body.… Continue reading Brilliance

There’s no question that farm to table has become a fairly mainstream concept, or at least one that many restaurants claim to embody in their fare. But farm to table is something I have always struggled with in a city like New York, where a dining adventure to, say, the East Village, doesn’t channel any… Continue reading Blue Hill at Stone Barns

Following (rigorous) life in San Diego, I took a short hiatus from tequila when I moved to NYC. But to this day, a spicy margarita is one thing I have trouble turning down…particularly on snowy days like today. These sweet and spicy concoctions, always featuring some unique intricacy or accoutrement, balance heat and tang in… Continue reading Picoso. Picante. Perfecto.

American breakfast is an anomaly. A hot stack of fluffy pancakes drenched in maple syrup, scrambled eggs, bacon, perhaps French toast or waffles – all fit the bill. But where our breakfast differs from other cultures is that nobody actually eats that stereotypical menu daily, rather on the weekends or perhaps for a special occasion.… Continue reading American Breakfast

For far too long Peter Luger’s Steakhouse has been on “the list.” Needless to say it did not disappoint. Peter Luger’s is a Brooklyn classic – the top steakhouse in New York for 28 years and running, with a Michelin Star and limitless accolades to its name. For some, the ambiance is definitely a draw,… Continue reading Steak Heaven

I realized last weekend at Brooklyn’s Smorgasburg that festivals stateside are very different than the ones we frequented in Italy. For one, our Italian fiere typically included a steady pour of vino into a glass held sturdily around your neck by a genius cup holder contraption. Secondly, why do Americans insist on waiting in line?!… Continue reading Not your typical burger and fries

I’d always heard such great things. The perfect college town, a nice place to start a family, and now a culinary hot spot boasting an outpouring of James Beard nominees and acclaimed eateries. To be honest, I was pretty excited for a little Lowcountry immersion, and while I definitely got my fix of grits, fried… Continue reading Charleston, S.C.

“Make a drink or pour a glass of wine before you start cooking. Create a joyful working environment. Cooking is work, no question about it, but it doesn’t have to be drudgery. Make it fun. Find recipes that strike you, put on some music, relax, and surrender yourself to the process.” –          From John Currence’s… Continue reading I concur.