Book Tour Travel Information: NYC, Chicago, SF, Boston, Dallas

Hi! We’ve obtained A LOT to compensate for! I’m nonetheless completely and fully on cloud 9 after spending a couple of weeks on the street celebrating the discharge of my first cookbook, DIG IN! I had the time of my life assembly you all and to make issues even sweeter, you all made me a New York Times bestseller for 2 weeks in a row!!! I’ve mentioned it one million occasions already however I’ve to thanks one million occasions extra for being so extremely supportive and making this occur. You critically have made my desires come true. Grateful doesn’t even start to chop it.

This guide tour was so particular to me and I had the perfect time reliving all of it once more as we’ve been placing collectively this article. Andrew and I traveled to 9 cities throughout the nation and had the perfect time consuming and ingesting our approach via every place in between the perfect a part of all of it – assembly all of you! We packed a lot in such a brief time frame, however we managed to have some actually standout stays and eating experiences. Whether you’ve plans to journey to one among these cities or are in search of some new suggestions, I needed to take the time to recap the highlights of the place we stayed and what we ate.

And as a result of I obtained so many candy DMs about my outfits, I’m additionally together with hyperlinks to every thing I wore in case you’re within the temper to do some procuring!

This guide tour really marked the first time I’d ever labored with an expert stylist, and searching again, it was wildly optimistic of me to assume I may pull collectively outfits for 9 cities whereas additionally being within the trenches of cookbook launch mode. Between guide promotion, media appearances, journey logistics, and every thing else popping up by the minute, I lastly admitted a pair weeks earlier than leaving that I couldn’t do all of it myself, and I’m so glad I did.

After a little analysis, I discovered the extremely proficient Erin Noel, and she was a lifesaver. She helped me store my very own closet, determine the place it made sense to put money into timeless wardrobe staples, and fill within the gaps with items I’ll put on for years, not simply on guide tour. She even organized each outfit in an app, which made preparing every day one much less factor to consider.

I’ve linked my complete book tour outfit collection here, and also you’ll additionally discover the precise outfit particulars all through every metropolis recap (and I’ve discovered many objects at the moment are on sale!!). For items which might be offered out or low in inventory, I tracked down comparable choices (and a few nice dupes!) at a wide range of worth factors. If you’re in search of assist packing for a visit, preparing for a giant occasion, or simply need a closet refresh, I really can’t suggest Erin sufficient. She made your entire course of a lot simpler, and I already know I’ll be calling her once more. I’d additionally suggest checking Erin Noel on Substack for some nice type inspo.

Before we dig into all of it, I’m linking my Top Travel Essentials I can’t reside with out – together with my favorite carry-on suitcase (with a cushioned deal with), the most spacious duffel, travel steamer, the BEST silicone nipple covers for nearly each outfit (really useful by Erin), and the most buttery soft PJ’s to call a couple of.

I hope this turns into slightly journey information you may come again to everytime you’re visiting one among these cities!

I couldn’t think about a greater place to kick off the tour than New York! I obtained to speak with the unbelievable Sarah Fennel of Broma Bakery at POWERHOUSE Arena in Brooklyn the night time earlier than DIG IN! was formally launched and it was such a enjoyable and particular strategy to have fun the launch. I’ve admired Sarah’s work for years, and she or he was so gracious to say sure after I reached out asking if she’d be part of me. I used to be a bit nervous for the primary occasion, however she made these pre-launch jitters really feel an entire lot lighter and I’m past grateful for her (and the perfect espresso cake she introduced me that I fortunately scarfed down at midnight). Looking again, it was the sweetest strategy to kick off such a whirlwind week (pun supposed!).

It additionally meant a lot to have my good friend Justine Doiron of Justine Snacks present up and cheer me on. We met in Italy on a model journey final 12 months and I’ve a lot respect for her and all she does, so having her come out to assist me meant the world.

Before taking off to Boston, I had the perfect time filming on the Food52 headquarters in Brooklyn. The kitchen was beautiful and I’m nonetheless not over their workplace that has essentially the most superb skyline views. Thank you to everybody who got here out to have fun in NYC!

I used to be additionally lucky sufficient to be invited to look reside on Good Morning America with only a week’s discover. My pleasure (and nerves!!) have been at an all-time excessive, and I really couldn’t consider it was actual life. As quickly as I stepped foot contained in the studio, everybody was so variety and welcoming, and I had the perfect time. It’s an expertise I’ll always remember! You can watch my first segment here and my second segment here!

Everything from NY is linked above, however I’ve to spotlight that I discovered the costume I wore on GMA on main sale (40% off) at Neiman (many sizes stocked) and at Shopbop (a couple of left). She is costly… however we love a sale and I felt so snug in it. The match is so flattering!

• The Knickerbocker Hotel: Located within the coronary heart of Midtown Manhattan close to Times Square, that is such a gem if you wish to keep someplace centrally positioned within the metropolis. It’s additionally price visiting in case you’re in search of a fantastic place to seize a drink with a view. Not solely does the St. Cloud Rooftop Bar have the most unbelievable views of town, however this resort is definitely the place the dry martini was invented (they even provide free courses on the right way to make one!).

  

• The Dominick: After I used to be unexpectedly invited to be on Good Morning America, my superb publishing group at Simon & Schuster booked a keep at this contemporary, stylish resort. It’s conveniently positioned in SoHo, making it straightforward to get to each Tribeca and the West Village.

  

• Cafe Zaffri: Seriously spectacular European vibes with essentially the most unbelievable inside design. They give attention to Mediterranean and Levantine flavors.

  

• Capital One Landing (LaGuardia Airport): This may sound like a foolish advice however discovering someplace good to eat on the airport is just about an unimaginable mission (although, I do love the P.F. Chang’s at Tom Bradley International Airport in LAX!). We simply occurred to come across this spot, however it made ready round within the airport a lot extra bearable. Since we’ve got a Capital One Venture card, we paid a reduced worth for an all you may eat AND all you may drink meal earlier than our flight. The menu is curated by the superb José Andrés and it was all successful. In reality, it was so effectively performed that you just nearly forgot you have been consuming on the airport! The workers was additionally great (thanks Jeddy!).

  

• Cecconi’s Dumbo: We got here to this Brooklyn spot with our mates Ellie and Dani and might’t say sufficient good issues in regards to the environment and dreamy views of Manhattan.

  

• Dear Irving: Located within the Gramercy neighborhood, this may be a fantastic cocktail bar for date night time or dinner out with mates. It’s each upscale and intimate with fabulous drinks and a very distinctive inside.

• Don Angie: This is a type of impossible-to-get reservations, which is why I used to be so excited after we managed to stroll up and snag two seats on the bar about half-hour earlier than closing time. We ordered their well-known Chrysanthemum Salad, which is an absolute must-try, in addition to their unconventional, pinwheel lasagna.

  

• Jake’s Coffee Roasters: Located inside The Knickerbocker Hotel, this espresso store positively saved our jet-lagged our bodies each single morning!

• Rosemary’s: My superb good friend Kylie Sakaida (follow her in case you don’t already!) launched us to Rosemary’s and we completely fell in love with this West Village restaurant. The meals was scrumptious and it was such an enthralling spot. I’m nonetheless dreaming in regards to the steamed salmon with fennel and oranges! More importantly, Kylie has proven up for me in additional methods than I can rely all through this wild guide journey and is the true definition of an actual good friend. I’m speaking SOS requires a pre-launch pep discuss and to speak via some nerve-wracking moments that she understood higher than anybody. I’m without end grateful for her assist and encouragement, and it was so enjoyable to catch up within the metropolis!

  

• St. Cloud Rooftop Bar: An superb bar on the rooftop of the Knickerbocker Hotel (the place the dry martini was invented)! The views are spectacular and the cocktails are scrumptious.

  

• Upland: From date nights to enterprise meals to eating out along with your dad and mom, I really feel like Upland actually provides one thing for everybody. We got here right here for lunch with my superb literary agent, Andy, and my great editor, Justin, on pub day. Justin really useful this restaurant and it was 100/10. We liked the nice and cozy and stylish inside, in addition to the scrumptious meals!

  

We had the very best time in Boston! During our time within the space, we stopped at a Target and I obtained to see DIG IN! on a shelf in particular person for the first time ever. It was so surreal and tremendous emotional (in one of the simplest ways). But my favourite half was, in fact, assembly much more of you throughout my chat with Jenn Lueke at Trillium Brewing. She was a great host and we had a lot enjoyable filming a recipe together! I’m certain you all know and love Jenn additionally, however she is really such a gem. When I confirmed as much as movie, scattered and working on a pair hours of sleep, she had essentially the most scrumptious Italian subs, chocolate, and electrolytes laid out to convey me again to life. I like her a lot, and really feel very fortunate to name her a good friend.

Fairmont Copley Plaza: We stayed at this historic resort, which is positioned within the Back Bay neighborhood. It’s a ravishing property that’s inside strolling distance of so many outlets and eating places. Fun reality: the resort has hosted each president since William Howard Taft!

• 1928 Beacon Hill: Our mates Jen and Tim stunned us on the guide occasion and took us to this restaurant that’s equal elements cozy and energetic. They have a nice cocktail menu and the meals was scrumptious. Not to say that the inside of the lads’s toilet is outwardly actually fairly!

  

• Bova’s Bakery: I really feel like everybody has robust opinions about which North End bakery is the perfect. This one could be rather less well-liked than Mike’s or Modern, however we liked all the pastries we tried and it’s even open 24/7. We got here right here with Jen and Tim and tried a couple of bites of every thing proper in entrance of Paul Revere’s home.

  

• Davio’s Northern Italian Steakhouse: We ate right here whereas ready for our flight out of Logan Airport and so far as airport eating places go, this one is in the direction of the highest of the listing!

  

• OAK Long Bar + Kitchen: After taking a protracted, late prepare from New York City, we grabbed a couple of gentle bites and drinks at this restaurant positioned within the Fairmont Copley Plaza resort. It was tremendous energetic with excessive vaulted ceilings, an enormous copper bar, chandeliers, and a fire.

  

• Tatte: We had a couple of hours to spare and many work to get to, so we spent fairly a little bit of time right here tasting a number of objects on their menu whereas ingesting loads of espresso. There are a number of places of Tatte all through town and I’ll be the primary in line in the event that they ever broaden places to Southern California!

  

• Trillium Brewing: This was the place my guide tour occasion with Jenn Lueke happened. It was such a enjoyable spot and I liked the placement. As a bonus, they made and served some recipes from my book, which was such a deal with, together with my Mini Pineapple Teriyaki Meatballs, Spiced-Rubbed Fish Tacos with Cilantro Cabbage Slaw, and bite-sized variations of my Jalapeño Cornbread with Maple Butter. For one thing candy to complete, in addition they had dozens of my Loaded Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies! Hot Tip: take a look at their Congress Street IPA!

  

This was the largest cease of the tour, and I actually couldn’t have imagined a greater hometown occasion. Hosting it at Vroman’s Bookstore, a spot I grew up visiting with my mother and pa, made it additional particular from the beginning. Seeing so many acquainted faces within the viewers, together with my dad and mom, was one thing I’ll always remember. We even had a neighborhood member drive all the best way from Fresno to be there, which fully blew me away.

I couldn’t have requested for a greater particular person to share the stage with than Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking. I’ve been following Gaby for years, and I’ll always remember sitting at my desk at my actual property job again in 2019 and getting an e-mail that I’d gained one among her vacation giveaways. Many months later, Andrew even reached out to her husband, Thomas, for recommendation on digital camera gear after we have been simply beginning to movie recipe movies, and he couldn’t have been kinder. Looking again now, it’s type of wild that they might change into such an vital a part of our personal journey.

Beyond being an unbelievable cookbook writer and entrepreneur, Gaby has change into such a beautiful good friend all through this complete cookbook course of. Whether I had a enterprise query, wanted recommendation, or simply needed to speak to somebody who actually understood what I used to be going via, she was all the time there. And we are able to’t overlook that she launched me to her besties, Matt and Adam, who made the pictures course of a lot enjoyable and captured essentially the most stunning pictures for the guide.

My butter yellow set was really one I’ve had in my closet for a while and I LOVE it. The vest is linked here for $69 and the pants are here for $89. So cute and I like the colour.

Newport Beach was such a ravishing cease on the tour. We partnered with Lido Village Books for an occasion at HanaHaus overlooking the harbor, and it was extremely particular getting to fulfill so lots of you there.

I used to be additionally so fortunate to share the night with my good friend Carissa Stanton of broccyourbody. We first met a couple of years in the past across the time she was selling her first cookbook, and ever since then she’s been such a beautiful supply of assist, encouragement, and recommendation. Since we share the identical editor and literary agent, she’s all the time understood precisely what this cookbook course of has been like, and having somebody who actually will get it has meant a lot to me. From endorsing Dig In! to welcoming me into her house to film together, she’s proven up for me in so some ways. We had such a enjoyable, sincere dialog, and I couldn’t be extra grateful that she was by my aspect for this cease.

Although La Jolla was only a fast day journey, it ended up being some of the particular stops of your entire tour. We held the occasion at Pop Up Bagels, which is within the precise location the place Nana’s restaurant, Lupita’s La Jolla, was again within the Seventies. Somehow, it additionally occurred to be the precise day the New York Times Bestseller List was introduced. It nonetheless feels surreal that we discovered Dig In! was a New York Times bestseller whereas on our strategy to the very place the place Nana labored so laborious to construct a greater life for our household after immigrating from Mexico as a single mother.

Having Nana there with us, together with my dad and mom and Andrew’s dad and mom, made the day much more memorable. Seeing folks ask her for her autograph in what was once her restaurant was one thing I’ll always remember, and having her there to expertise all of it with us meant the world to me. It nonetheless doesn’t fairly really feel actual, and I’m so grateful we obtained to share that second collectively.

I used to be additionally so honored to host this occasion with Sivan Ayla, who has impressed and supported me from the very starting. I really attended the very first pop-up for her model, Lux Unfiltered, again in 2019, so attending to share this second together with her felt extremely full circle. If you haven’t tried her gradual self-tanner, Summer Nights Skin Tint Instant Tan, hand cream, or eye patches yet, take into account this your signal. They actually are that good!

My polka dot set is 50% off at Cara Cara – All linked above!

We took slightly detour and spent 48 wet hours in The Hamptons—however we nonetheless had the perfect time exploring so lots of the villages! Of course, we needed to pay homage to the queen of the Hamptons—aka Ina Garten—and go to the placement of the unique East Hampton Barefoot Contessa store, which is now a Rag & Bone. We additionally drove down Lily Pond Lane (one among my fave reminiscences there!) in the direction of Georgica Beach, and regardless of the dreary climate, it was so fairly and peaceable!

1770 House Restaurant & Inn: We stayed at this upscale B&B in East Hampton, which was so cute, quaint, and within the excellent location for strolling to the primary a part of city. It additionally has a comfy, charming restaurant and a very cool tavern downstairs that seems like a speakeasy (we didn’t even notice that they had this till the night time earlier than we checked out – want we knew about it earlier!).

• 75 Main: We had lunch at this iconic spot positioned in Southampton and liked how energetic it was!

  

• 1770 House Main Dining Room: Since we have been staying right here on the resort, we really ordered their breakfast to the room. We actually want we had extra time to dine in at their restaurant as a result of it was so cute!

  

• Citarella: Of course we had to take a look at this well-known grocery retailer and seize some snacks!

  

• Fresno: We got here to this East Hampton restaurant with my agent, Andy, and her husband, Ian. We actually loved each the meals and vibe right here.

• Nick & Toni’s: The meals and the workers have been so great right here! This Italian restaurant opened in East Hampton again within the ‘80s and has been a staple in the community ever since. They were so kind and we couldn’t get sufficient of their Zucchini Fritti!

  

• Round Swamp Farm: Did you actually go to the Hamptons in case you didn’t go to Round Swamp Farm in Bridgehampton? We completely needed to examine this place out whereas we have been on the town. As lots of you already know, they’ve so many nice bites and snacks —and sure, we did strive their well-known hen salad!

  

• Sag Pizza: We stopped right here to seize a fast chunk whereas strolling across the city of Sag Harbor.

  

• Sagaponack General Store: We have been so excited to strive the Breakfast Biscuit Sandwich however the two occasions we went, that they had already run out of it for the day! Since I by no means obtained the prospect to strive it, I made a decision to recreate my very own model at house in this video. I nonetheless liked the shop, particularly their apple cider and apple cider donuts.

  

• Wölffer Estate Vineyard: We briefly stopped by this well-known Sagaponack winery on our strategy to Sag Harbor. Although it was overcast and a bit wet, I may see how this may be a fantastic vineyard to hang around at throughout heat, lengthy summer time days.

  

Dallas, you have been unbelievable! I had the pleasure of getting to speak with Alex Snodgrass of The Defined Dish at Interabang Books—and we filmed my Italian Smash Burgers collectively beforehand. Alex is somebody who I’ve regarded as much as from the very starting, so lastly attending to spend time collectively in particular person doing what we each love was such a deal with. She is a large inspiration of mine, not solely as a result of she’s constructed such an unbelievable enterprise, however as a result of she is without doubt one of the kindest, and most real folks. It meant a lot that she endorsed Dig In! and welcomed me into her house. We had the perfect time catching up over burgers and pink wine earlier than the occasion, and I already can’t wait to prepare dinner from her new cookbook, Everyday Eats, when it comes out subsequent month!

Quick word! I obtained a number of questions in regards to the pants within the high proper photograph of the above collage and I see them for 48% OFF at Veronica Beard – fully stocked! I loveee how gentle and flattering they’re. An ideal elevated denim look.

The Adolphus Hotel, Autograph Collection: This is town’s first luxurious resort and the historic property is past beautiful. We settled in properly to one among their giant rooms and whereas we didn’t have the prospect to eat at their restaurant, The French Room, everybody raves about it!

• City Hall Bistro: Located in Dallas’s authentic City Hall (therefore the title) inside The Adolphus Hotel, we grabbed burgers and fries right here after we have been in want of a fast chunk!

• Muchacho: So lots of you guys (and Alex!) really useful this restaurant as the perfect Tex-Mex on the town. Did it reside as much as the hype? Absolutely! Queso and fajita heaven.

  

I had a tremendous time chatting with Tim Laielli of Bare Food Tim at BookPeople. You all welcomed me with open arms and it’s an evening I positively gained’t overlook! Andrew and I’ve been enormous followers of Tim’s content for a very long time. His recipes are unbelievable, however it’s his voiceovers that actually get us – they’re so intelligent, witty, and VERY entertaining. He was each bit as variety and humorous in particular person as he’s on-line, and we had such a fantastic dialog collectively. If you don’t already comply with him, I can’t suggest his content material sufficient! (You might also acknowledge him from Next Level Chef.)

Fairmont Austin: We liked our keep right here, partially due to the fashionable floor-to-ceiling home windows that provided essentially the most unbelievable views of the Austin skyline, the Texas State Capitol constructing, and Lady Bird Lake. It additionally has an unbelievable rooftop pool, which occurs to be the most important within the metropolis, plus a fantastic bar (Rules & Regs). We didn’t have an opportunity to take a look at their spa, however I heard nice issues about it!

• Fulton Restaurant: Located contained in the Fairmont Austin Hotel, this energetic foyer bar and restaurant options enormous floor-to-ceiling home windows. We ordered the Chicken Nuggets with Chipotle Aioli and Grilled Chicken Pita—yum!

  

• LeRoy & Lewis: We sadly didn’t make it to our favourite spot, LeRoy and Lewis, on this journey, however it HAD to be on the listing. We’ve dined right here prior to now and in our opinion, it’s the perfect on the town! One of the sweetest surprises of the night time was looking into the viewers and seeing the proprietor and chef, Evan LeRoy, and his daughter, Frankie. I first met Evan whereas working with Travel Texas a couple of years in the past, and LeRoy and Lewis continues to be my favourite barbecue I’ve ever had. Seeing them there to assist me was so sudden and meant the world. If you’re ever in Austin, it’s an absolute should, and I can’t suggest Evan’s new cookbook, New School Barbecue: Recipes for Next-Level Smoking and Grilling, sufficient.

  

• Only The Wild Ones: Our mates at LALO Tequila hosted an occasion right here and it has the cutest out of doors setting! They even included the Spicy Watermelon Pine-Aperol Margarita from DIG IN! as one of many menu objects.

  

• Siam’s ATX Thai Cuisine: After being on the street for every week, we have been craving some comforting, home-style meals, and this actually hit the spot. It was beforehand referred to as Super Thai Cuisine and really useful by a couple of of you.

  

We wrapped up a whirlwind three week-long guide tour within the Windy City at a sold-out occasion with the superb Teri Turner of No Crumbs Left at The Book Cellar. Andrew and I fully fell in love with Chicago. The meals, the neighborhoods, the structure, and the power of town. (You’ll discover all of our favourite spots under!) It was such a particular place to wrap up this leg of the tour.

I’ve admired Teri for years, not just for her unbelievable recipes however for the heat and authenticity she brings to every thing she does. She was absolutely the excellent particular person to shut out the primary leg of the tour with. We had such an sincere dialog about social media, the behind-the-scenes actuality of bringing a cookbook to life, what the method teaches you about your self, and the significance of setting boundaries once you actually love what you do. It was considerate, candid, and one among my favourite conversations of your entire tour.

Loews Chicago Hotel: This is a contemporary, spacious resort with superb views of the Chicago River, town, and Lake Michigan. It’s within the Streeterville neighborhood and inside strolling distance of the Chicago Riverwalk, Magnificent Mile, Navy Pier, and the lake. The workers was so welcoming and it was such a beautiful place to wrap up the guide tour!

• Au Cheval: We’ve heard so many nice issues in regards to the meals right here, so we simply needed to test it out. I’ll affirm that it actually is scrumptious, however I simply want the bacon had been a bit crispier!

  

• ETA Pit Stop Cafe: The Loews Chicago Hotel simply opened this Route 66-inspired pop-up diner that has critical old-school, all-American vibes to have fun 100 years of the freeway. Head chef Trevor Hoyte included my Crispy Garlic Butter Smashed Potatoes with Feta from DIG IN! on the menu. He put a Route 66-style spin on the recipe by deep frying the potatoes. So enjoyable! It’s open now via November 11.

  

• Federales: Our good friend, Kris, took us right here to strive their well-known Ice Shot custom. It was such a enjoyable bar and though I’d’ve missed by “just a hair”, I’ll make sure to redeem myself the subsequent time we’re again!

• For Five Coffee Roasters: We grabbed our day by day espresso right here because it was conveniently positioned in our resort.

• Girl & The Goat: Our good friend, Julie, snagged a reservation for us right here and it was SO good! The Goat Empanadas and Vacation, Please! dessert (a rum-soaked pineapple cake with toasted coconut and lemon passionfruit sorbet) have been unreal.

  

• Monteverde: Many folks at my guide tour occasion, together with my in-conversation associate Teri Turner, talked about this restaurant. We completely liked their Gnocchetti con Pesto, Lobster Ravioli, and Butterscotch Budino.

  

• O’Briens Riverwalk Café: As an O’Brien, I couldn’t cross up the prospect to seize a spritz right here earlier than takeoff! We solely ordered drinks, however the environment was energetic and ideal to get pleasure from on a heat, sunny day alongside the river with reside music – so enjoyable!

  

• Pequod’s Pizza: I couldn’t depart Chicago with out having fun with some pizza. Here, we ordered the Pan Pizza with their well-known caramelized crust and it was simply as comforting as I may’ve hoped for!

  

• Streeterville Social: Located contained in the Loews Chicago Hotel, this rooftop restaurant & bar provides incredible skyline views and a terrace that’s prime for internet hosting weddings and occasions.

  

• Taqueria Chingon: As an LA-native, it nearly feels sacrilegious to say this however… these have been a number of the finest tacos we’ve ever had!

  

• The Book Cellar: Not solely was the workers so variety to me throughout my guide tour occasion, however I couldn’t recover from the truth that they’ve an unbelievable wine bar contained in the bookstore! Definitely price trying out in case you’re within the space.

  

San Francisco was some of the distinctive stops of your entire tour. After having to reschedule the occasion due to my shock Good Morning America look, we turned it into slightly getaway and spent a couple of additional days exploring town. Some of our greatest mates had simply moved there, so it was the proper excuse to go to their new place, eat our approach via so lots of your unbelievable restaurant suggestions (maintain scrolling for all of them!), and luxuriate in slightly additional time collectively.

The occasion itself was held at A16 in partnership with Book Passage, and it was not like another cease on the tour. Instead of a standard bookstore occasion, we gathered round tables for lunch and obtained to get pleasure from a couple of recipes straight from DIG IN! collectively. Seeing the recipes come to life was so cool, and I liked having extra time to speak with everybody all through the lunch. Andrew even joined me for the short intro dialog, which made it additional particular. If there’s extra occasions and one other guide tour sooner or later (fingers crossed!), I’d like to do extra stops like this.

Before heading house, we lastly obtained to spend the afternoon with my good friend Nicole Keshishian Modic of kalejunkie. We first linked via Instagram again in 2021, and we’ve been cheering one another on ever since. We have been initially presupposed to movie collectively in the course of the first leg of guide tour, however when San Francisco needed to be rescheduled, she was variety sufficient to film one of my recipes from the guide on her personal and share it together with her neighborhood. This time we lastly obtained to prepare dinner collectively and movie a Chicken Mini Wonton Crunch Salad recipe together. It felt like no time had handed, and it was so good to lastly make it occur! Can’t await subsequent time!

One of my favourite moments from the journey occurred simply earlier than we flew house. We had lunch at a restaurant my dad and mom visited almost 41 years in the past whereas touring across the nation for one among my dad’s ultramarathon races. One of the recipes in DIG IN! was impressed by a dish my mother remembered from that journey, so attending to ship them photographs from the exact same restaurant all these years later felt extremely particular.

The Palace Hotel: One of San Francisco’s most iconic lodges with its unbelievable Garden Court. It’s such a shocking resort and positively price trying out. The Green Goddess dressing was even invented right here in 1923 and continues to be served within the their signature salad in the present day!

• A16: This was the restaurant that hosted my San Francisco guide tour occasion, they usually even served a couple of dishes from Dig In! on the menu, which was such a particular expertise. The restaurant is gorgeous they usually have an unbelievable wine choice.

  

• Chestnut Street Coffee Roastery: We made a fast noon pit cease right here for some espresso. Their mocha was robust and scrumptious.

  

• Flour + Water: They’re identified for his or her handmade pasta with a menu that modifications day by day. We tried slightly little bit of every thing and particularly liked the rainbow pasta!

  

• Foreign Cinema: This place has been round since 1999 and has a ravishing heated out of doors patio the place basic films are projected onto a wall beneath twinkling string lights.

  

• La Formagerie: They have a fantastic collection of high-quality meats and cheeses, together with freshly baked ciabatta. Their craft sandwiches and salads are excellent for a grab-and-go lunch, and you may even order a cheese board to go (like we did).

  

• Laszlo: A cute bar linked to Foreign Cinema that’s excellent for a pre-dinner drink. We stopped in for spritzes earlier than heading to Foreign Cinema, and it was one of the simplest ways to start out the night.

• Little Original Joe’s: So lots of you really useful this spot, and it completely lived as much as the hype. We stopped in for lunch and liked each dish we ordered, particularly the MOUNTAIN of Zucchini Fries! We additionally had the Spicy Rigatoni Vodka and the Chicken Cutlet Panino with truffle oil. Next time we’re again, we’re ordering the Classic Chicken Pot Pie (which regarded insane)!

  

• Lost Resort: A enjoyable nautical-inspired spot within the Mission district. We stopped in for cocktails, however in addition they have a fantastic meals menu in case you’re in search of an off-the-cuff chunk.

  

• Tommaso’s: 41 years in the past, my dad and mom had the Chilled String Beans right here, and my mother nonetheless talks about them to at the present time. She swears they’re the perfect inexperienced beans she’s ever had! I even recreated my very own model at house (you may watch that video here). We additionally ordered the Red, White & Green Pizza, which was completely scrumptious. If you’re keen on basic, old-school Italian eating places with a number of historical past, this can be a must-visit!

  

• True Laurel: Ranked #14 on North America’s 50 Best Bars 2026. Very distinctive and ingenious cocktails, so in case you do go, anticipate the drinks to be fairly a bit completely different from basic variations.

Thanks once more for being a part of our WTF To Make For Dinner neighborhood right here on Substack. I’m so grateful in your assist and enthusiastic about all the deliciousness to return. Now it’s time to dig into the guide tour of my desires!

xo,
Erin

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