My Favorite Restaurants Throughout the World

These are not in any particular order, except the first two are my most favorite of all.

Also see my list of favorite restaurants and dishes in Oakland contributed by several Pitt faculty.

Restaurants still in business (I hope)

• Wild Ginger, Seattle Washington
• Asolare, St. John, US Virgin Islands
• a Brazilian Churrascarria in Sao Paulo (and also in Atlanta, Dallas, Houston) called Fogo de Chao
• In Denver, a fabulous "modern Mexican" restaurant called Tamayo
• in Denver, a dipping place called Vesta Dipping Grill
• in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Rudy Hirschheim introduced me to Bistro Byronz, where I tasted the best pot roast ever. They are famous for that dish, but curiously do not point that out in their menu.
• in Tampa I was amazed by "Dish," the best Mongolian Barbecue I've ever experienced.
• in Hong Kong, I really loved Spring Deer restaurant, but it might be hard for me to choose my own entrees to duplicate the meal that a colleague ordered.
• in Chennai India, I was thrown for a loop by the unbelievable cooking at Taj Coromandel
• in the Big Island of Hawaii, I went crazy over the quality of the Hawaiian-style at Roy's (there is a location in Philadelphia, of all places). We found a recipe that brings Roy's home (and maybe even surpasses it) from the Today show where you wrap individual servings of Chilean Sea Bass, fresh ground ginger, white wine, coriander, and soy sauce in foil and bake.
• in Pittsburgh, I've found my ultimate pizza, that replicates my recollection of how pizza tasted in Italy, in a place in the South Hills called Pizziolo.
• in Pittsburgh, we have a German restaurant called Kleiner Deutschmann, with a fabulous veal shank dinner.
• in Oakland, near Pitt's campus, I can't find any better (vegetarian) Pad Thai than at Lulu's Noodles.
• in Oakland, near our campus, my favorite Indian restaurant is India Garden.
• in Oakland, near my office, Uncle Sam's subs are too good to be true. Philly cheese steak subs in Pittsburgh?
• in Shadyside, Tessaro's makes the best burgers in the world. Close to that is Annie's Parlor in Dinkytown, Minneapolis.
• My favorite deep dish pizza is from Lou Malnati's
• OK, I have another favorite deep dish pizza: Green Mill Too in Minneapolis
• in the North Hills of Pittsburgh, the fettucini with lobster chunks is too good to be true at Rico's.

Restaurants that are gone

• Thai Garden in Oakland (owned by Bikki)
• Pastamore in Oakland (owned by Bikki) (fusion of Italian and Chinese, believe it or not. The szechuan shrimp fettucini and ginger chicken on angel hair pasta were amazing)
• Peking Gourmet Kitchen in Squirrel Hill - I miss the fried Wontons and the Ocean Flavor Chicken
• Oakside Inn near Oakland on Craig Street - the Chicken Teryaki was unique and the sushi was fine!