When we asked readers to recommend restaurants so delectable they're worth a plane trip for our Mohegan Sun SunWine Fest giveaway last month, we received dozens of mouth-watering responses. The winner, Kevin OMaley, suggested two restaurants: Blue Ginger in Massachusetts and Morimoto Napa in California. Below are some additional restaurants, from the shores of New England down to the Gulf Shores. Check out our readers' comments on the restaurants and let us know if you'd travel to any of these!
Summer Shack, Jasper White
Cambridge, Mass. (with additional locations in Connecticut, Boston, and Dedham and Hingham, Mass.)
Jasper White's Summer Shack is a seafood lover's paradise, with fresh clams, mussels, crabs, and, of course, lobster. Boston Magazine named the Shack as having the "Best Fried Clams" and "Best Whole Lobster." Pan-roasted lobster with chervil and chives? Sweet corn fritters? Lobster potstickers? Clam bakes? Summer never tasted so good. www.summershackrestaurant.com
Dee T. says: "Growing up in Louisiana, seafood was plentiful and fresh. The fish and shrimp [at the Summer Shack] always take me back."
Emeril's New Orleans, Emeril Lagasse
New Orleans
Dubbed "New New Orleans cuisine," Emeril Lagasse's first restaurant draws culinary inspiration from across the map but has its roots in Louisiana seafood, Creole cooking, and local farm products. A typical southern dish? A bowl of the gumbo du jour. Or, try the saffron-chili dusted jumbo shrimp with sweet potato-smoked corn grits. Excuse me while I wipe the drool off my keyboard. www.emerils.com
JohnL says: "I would recommend eating at the 'Food Bar' at Emeril's restaurant in New Orleans. You get to see all the chefs, sous chefs, and staff making all the meals… While sipping a Sazerac, we watched them prepare all the meals and even got a special tasting of a meal Emeril was going to prepare the next day on Regis and Kelly… Great food, awesome service, and friendly staff made it very special experience.”
Becco, Lidia Bastianich
New York City
This midtown Italian gem, operated by Lidia Bastianich of PBS's series Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, features unlimited – I repeat: unlimited – tableside service of the daily pastas, as well as traditional stand-alone antipasti, secondi (entrees), and desserts. In 2010, she partnered with Mario Batali to open Eataly, the incredible food emporium in Manhattan. becco-nyc.com
Dee T. says: "I became hooked on something so simple as white bean hummus."
Tuscany, Todd English
Mohegan Sun, Conn.
Celebrity chef Todd English brings a little slice of Italy to Connecticut's Mohegan Sun Resort. Blending fresh seafood options and Italian staples (lobster ravioli, shrimp and lobster risotto, crab crusted halibut), it’s hard to go wrong. cheftoddenglish.com
Emily says: "The atmosphere is quiet and comfortable. The service is impeccable, and the dishes to choose from are something from Ernest Hemingway's A Moveable Feast."
Hamersley's Bistro, Gordon Hamersley
Boston
While this French-inspired bistro, operated by Gordon and Fiona Hamersley, uses fresh and local ingredients for their dishes, the renowned roast chicken garners most of the acclaim: juicy meat, garlic, potatoes, onion, lemon… Do you need a minute? www.hamersleysbistro.com
Laura H. says: "On a lovely corner in the heart of Boston's South End, Hamersley's serves hearty, rustic dishes that draw on the diverse ingredients of New England. Inspired by the robust, enduring spirit of the bistros of France, Gordon's food is simple, hearty, seasonal, and local."
Prime Steakhouse at the Bellagio, Jean-Georges Vongerichten
Las Vegas
Award-winning celebrity chef and restaurateur Jean-Georges Vongerichten brings a 1930s speakeasy to Las Vegas, complete with prime steak, seafood, and top notch California wines. www.jean-georges.com
Eileen A. says, "[Prime Steakhouse] is everything that Vegas is not. This restaurant is one of the few reasons to get on a plane and head to this desert town where the lights are bright but his food is brighter! A hands down winner!"
Thinking about making the trip to any (or all!) of these restaurants? Use our Travel Search price comparison tool to find the lowest rates on flights, hotels, cruises, and more travel deals.