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The best restaurants from around the U.S. you need to go to right now.

This year, I had the opportunity to travel all around the United States, and to Mexico and the Caribbean. As always, one of my main goals while traveling, is to sample the local food, and review the best places to eat. So, here I am sharing with you some of my best meals that I ate in 2021.

Now, there were a LOT of wonderful meals to choose from, so this was a tough pick. I want to recognize all the amazing chefs, restauranteurs and kitchen staff that are trying to make it in the business during this tough pandemic year. Across the country, I heard the same story again and again. Labor shortage, supply chain issues, low inventory, higher prices, and struggling establishments. Still, these five restaurants managed to create the most memorable dining experiences that I would cherish forever. And I hope you get to check them out for yourself too.

The Grey, Savannah

You may have seen it on Netflix (Chef’s Table), you may have read the new book (Black, White, and The Grey: The Story of an Unexpected Friendship and a Beloved Restaurant), but until you have dined at The Grey, you haven’t really experienced chef Mashama Bailey’s culinary passion. Located at what was once a segregated Greyhound bus terminal in historic downtown Savannah, this modern American restaurant is a testament of the new south. Of course, there is great upscale southern cuisine to go along.

Their winter village outdoor yurt made a nice alternate to indoor dining, allowing for safe distant dining (each yurt seated one party). These were decorated with colorful quotes by famous Black artists. The Sunday brunch included a high tea with tea sandwiches, fresh baked pastries (my favorite was the cardamom French cruller), champagne and tea, each served in beautiful floral ceramics. All that followed by 3-course lunch options. I had chilled shrimp cocktail and whole fried flounder with collard greens and southern grits. Menu changes daily.

Tip: Make sure to reserve your table at The Grey months in advance, as they tend to sell out.

New Experiences in Savannah, Georgia

Ardovino’s Desert Crossing, New Mexico

This may be one of the most unusual locations for a fine dining restaurant. Once I crossed over the border from El Paso, Texas into the sleepy small town of Sunland Park in New Mexico, there was Ardovino’s Desert Crossing. Overlooking the Mexico border, the historic estate has been in the same Italian family since 1949. It has been an inn, restaurant, gambling parlor, event venue, farm, and more. On Saturdays, there’s a Farmers Market selling organic and pesticide-free produce, beef, pork, lamb and goat, fresh-baked breads and salsas fair trade coffee, and fresh-squeezed juices. During the day, they have food literacy, cooking demos, kid’s activities and gardening tips. You can eat outside under the shade of pecan trees and feel the warm desert breeze.

And for dinner, there is made-from-scratch Italian meatballs, risotto, pizza, pasta, and juicy steaks, made with locally sourced and organically grown ingredients. The menu changes weekly, but every dish is delectable. The 40-day dry aged ribeye got applauds from even a non meat eater like me.

Insider Tip: Stay the night at a refurbished vintage trailer at Ardovino’s Roadside Inn’s 35-acre resort for the ultimate glamping experience.

Octagon, Bluffton

Located at the luxurious Montage Palmetto Bluff, South Carolina, Octagon is known for its contemporary Carolina cuisine. Chef de Cuisine Daniel Vesey created a 11-course “Taste of the South” menu, and director of beverage Robert L. Smith carefully paired wines and beers to match. Some highlights from the menu included: May River oysters with green apple sorbet, hot honey glazed quail pops, shrimp and grits, deconstructed Lowcountry boil, and melt-in-your mouth chicken and dumplings.

Black truffles in dessert changed my entire perspective!

The dessert was a white chocolate mousse covered with black truffle (and made to look like one), with layers of caramel and blackberry. Earthy, sweet and savory – it was like nothing I have ever tasted before. Live music by Alan Price in the background also made it a memorable evening.

Travel Tip: Book a weekend getaway at the vibrant 20,000-acre Montage Palmetto Bluff community.

Redfish Grill, New Orleans

I don’t typically consider Bourbon Street area of New Orleans to be the city’s epicurean center. Sure, its great for a daiquiri, a slice of pizza, and a bustling nightlife. But for a good meal, I would advise walking a few blocks away to a nice chef-driven restaurant. On Thanksgiving day, though, I had a feast at the Red Fish Grill in the French Quarter.

Serving Thanksgiving lunch buffet, the very casual and friendly restaurant offered one of the most delectable seafood spreads I have ever had – almost 35 dishes to choose from! There was a chill bar with fresh oysters on the half shell, peeled shrimp with housemate cocktail sauce, and tuna ceviche served in mini ice cream cones. For entrees, there were stations serving whole turkey, carved ham, redfish and grits, a variety of salads, and all the fixings. And the desserts were aptly placed in a separate room (they needed their own special display). New Orleans bread pudding, pumpkin cheesecake, chocolate cake, and lemon tarts, were all worth being thankful for!

Other notable mentions in New Orleans: Asian-fusion tapas at Mister Mao and Chef Nina Compton Compere Lapin.

Garden Room, Atlanta

II found this bar/ restaurant to be the most fun atmosphere to celebrate with friends or family. The Garden Room is located at the St. Regis Hotel in Buckhead neighborhood of Atlanta. The ambiance is colorful and cherrie, with a greenhouse-like enclosure adorned with twinkling lights and floral-themed art. And the fun food and drink selections also go with the enchanted garden theme. My husband and I had a delectable spread of The Fruits of the Sea (chilled seafood tower), with New England oysters, king crab and Maine lobster, paired with a bottle of Veuve Clicquot champagne. We also ordered sharable small plates, and went back at another time for their black truffle pillows with wild mushrooms.

For dessert, the forbidden green apple mousse is a must! There’s also has a great selection of caviar and cocktails, so its definitely worth visiting for a special occasion.

Tip: Reserve a table at The Garden Room at least 3 months in advance, but if you show up early, you can also get a seat at the bar.

Savannah is a charming historic town on the coast of Georgia. Though it’s located only 4 hours drive from Atlanta, many big city dwellers have never been there. In the recent years, Savannah has attracted lots of students, retirees, investors and entrepreneurs. As a result, there are more restored buildings, trendy hotels, and chef driven restaurants popping up around the city. If you have not visited Savannah recently, here are a few noteworthy experiences that you don’t want to miss.

hotel experience — The J.W. Marriott Savannah stands in place of an old power plant by the Savannah river

Tour The J.W. Marriott Savannah Plant Riverside District

Until a couple of years ago, the famous pedestrian River Street was also home to an ugly abandoned structure jutting out from its skyline. Once an iconic power plant in Georgia, the Plant Riverside District is now the hippest place to be. The J.W. Marriott hotel is not just a centrally located hotel overlooking the river, it is an architectural marvel, museum and art gallery – all rolled into one! The expansive lobby boasts a life-size, chrome-dipped dinosaur, original fossils, and a dizzying display of crystals. Colorful painted glass ceilings against exposed brick walls, local art and modern decor – all make the J.W. in Savannah one of the most unique hotels worth visiting.

Many tour guides will take you through the hotel lobby and explain the history of the restored building. You can also walk around on your own, or better, stay overnight and have a “night at the museum” type of experience!

shopping experience — Shop for unique art and gifts at The Paris Market

Shop on Boroughton Street

Savannah is a quintessential shopping town especially for those who like to find unique gifts, foods and household items. The bustling Boroughton Street is dotted with shops, cafes and restaurants, especially on the weekends. The Paris Market & Brocante is a beautiful European style market and cafe where you can purchase everything from French perfumes and delicate linens, to chic dining tables and sofa chairs. It is also a good place to grab a latte and experience a favorite European pastime – people watching. You will find out why Architectural Digest named The Paris Market “The Most Beautiful Coffee Shop in Georgia.”

To experience Georgia grown food and drinks, head to The Salt Table. This locally owned shop sources products from Georgia-based farmers and boutique producers, allowing them to reach consumers beyond farmers markets. Shop for flavored salts, sugars and seasonings, grits, pecans, blueberry syrup, peach preserves, Georgia olive oil and wine, and much more!

Savannah honey tasting experience — Taste different kinds of honeys at Capital Bee Co.

Savannah is also home to the award-winning Savannah Bee Company. There are few locations around the city where you can taste their honey, honey wine and other products. Another local husband-wife duo run an enterprising fun gift store called Capital Bee Co. The owner – Thomas, is passionate about his bee hives. He actually travels with them around the country! He will offer you samples of his newest honey infusions and fingerpicking sauces.

Take a Tasty Food Tour

Most visitors who come to Savannah already know they are going to experience great southern comfort food. Perhaps they have seen Paula Deen’s cooking show on The Food Network, or heard about Zuzi’s (voted the Best Sandwich Shop in Savannah by People’s Magazine), or the 100+ year old Leopold’s Ice Cream (named one of the best ice cream parlors in the world). Savannah is a great city food foodies, but unless you plan to spend a month here, you can’t possibly taste all the goodies around.

With a Savannah Taste Experience food tour, you can skip the lines and taste some of the must-try dishes in the historic downtown. The guided 3-hour long walking tour takes you to some of the most iconic eateries and tells you the stories behind them. You get to meet the owners, learn insider secrets and taste menu features.

architecture walking tour Savannah — Jonathan Stalcup orients guests to Savannah’s historic homes and buildings.

Learn About The Architecture

Sure you can walk around Historic Downtown Savannah and meander through its 22 squares and old homes. But knowing that you are looking at a building that predate The Unites States, or standing at a location where the movie Forest Gump was filmed, makes the walk a bit more interesting. Savannah College of Art and Design graduate in architecture and author of two books, Jonathan Stalcup offers 90-minute tours that take you on a walking journey through Georgian, Federal, Regency, Greek Revival, Italianate, Gothic and Art Deco periods through the city – yes you can see a little bit of everything in Savannah. It is a real treat to experience all kinds of architectures on this brief walking tour.

The Grey yurt Savannah — Reserve a private yurt for a different dining experience.

Eat At a Yurt Village

After walking and shopping through the city, grab a seat in a private yurt at one of the most acclaimed restaurants in the country – The Grey. This hip restaurant sits at what use to be a Greyhound Bus Terminal. Food is upscale southern using only the finest local ingredients.

Sucheta at The Grey — Perfect way to end the week is by having Sunday lunch at The Grey.

To ensure the health and safety of their guests, The Grey partnered with American Express to create a Mongolian style yurt village. Each yurt has a backdrop of a colorful quote (mine was from Prince) and spacious seating for four guests. Reservations are available all-day, though menu changes daily. Lunch is decadent, as they bring out an assortment of tea sandwiches, fresh baked pastries (my favorite was the cardamom French cruller), and your choice of tea. My lunch was chilled shrimp cocktail, and a whole fried flounder with collard greens and southern grits. This may be your first time experiencing high tea in a yurt and its definitely worth it!

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The 5 Best Meals of 2021