Culinary Trips: Eat, Drink and Be Merry

Where to go this holiday season in the U.S.: Let your taste buds guide you!
Culinary Trips: Eat, Drink and Be Merry
The Spur Restaurant & Bar in Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole, is a favourite of locals and visitors alike.

HOLIDAY GIFTS DON’T ALWAYS have to come wrapped in pretty paper or tucked under a tree; that trip out of town to meet with clients in a boardroom could be a blessing in disguise. Hotel dining means you can check in, settle in and eat in without feeling that you missed out on some of the best the destination has to offer.

> Where: Americano Restaurant (Hotel Vitale, San Francisco) – No one skips The Embarcadero on a trip to San Francisco, and staying at this luxury waterfront boutique hotel means that you won’t, either. Executive chef Joshua Perez’s menu — served up with handcrafted cocktails in the dining room, circular cocktail lounge or outdoor patio — features shared plates and seasonal cuisine, with many of the ingredients coming from the famous San Francisco Ferry Building Marketplace across the street. www.hotelvitale.com

> Where: Spur Restaurant & Bar (Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa, Jackson Hole) – Those who love the slopes know Jackson Hole. But even if it’s not skiing season, a stay at Teton Mountain Lodge & Spa can cure your winter blues. Spur Restaurant & Bar, headed by Executive Chef Kevin Humphries, is a local favourite, so much so that Humphries has been named Best Executive Chef in Jackson Hole for eight years running in a local poll. Savoury appetizers and shared plates make it a great spot for après-ski, even if your visit is actually après-meeting. Don't miss: Snake River Farms Kurobuta Pork Tenderloin or the Buffalo Short Ribs braised in Zonker stout. www.tetonlodge.com

> Where: Six Seven (The Edgewater, Seattle) – Sometimes all you have time for is a quick peek around. That time is well spent taking in 180-degree views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains from Six Seven Restaurant inside The Edgewater hotel. The fact that The Beatles stayed here during their 1964 Abbey Road tour (as have Led Zeppelin, Kiss and The Village People) adds to the lore of the place. Executive Chef Jesse Souza crafts his prized dishes, including Cedar Planked King Salmon and Maine Lobster Mac & Cheese, using secret family recipes. www.edgewaterhotel.com

Heather Greenwood Davis is a lawyer and freelance writer. Reach her at [email protected].