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Geoffrey Zakarian (bio)

   (93 restaurants)    
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4
Restaurant What to Get Show / Episode /
Recommended By		 Yelp!
Rating Yelp! rating descending order		 Restaurant Notes
Original Ninfa's on NavigationSee Original Ninfa's on Navigation Video ($$)
(1937 ratings)

2704 Navigation Blvd Map It!
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 228-1175
www.ninfas.com
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Old School"
Man v. Food, Episode: "Houston, TX"
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Mexican Food"
  • Queso Flameado
    melted cheeses topped w/ homemade chorizo; server comes out w/ small cheese-chorizo mix in casserole dish and a side of tortillas and makes the queso flameado at your table
  • Beef Fajitas Al Carbon
    served in a flour tortilla w/ Pico de Gallo, guacamole, & chile con queso; supposedly they are the first to serve fajitas; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
1937 ratings		 #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Mexican Food); opened in 1973; supposedly served the first beef fajitas (according to its website); caution: there are 2 Ninfa's in Houston...this is the one highlighted on the show (and rated better)
People's Pig [CLOSED]See People's Pig Video ($$)
(558 ratings)

3217 N Williams Ave Map It!
Portland, OR 97227
(503) 282-2800
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Fried Chicken"
  • Smoked Fried Chicken Sandwich
    smoked fried chicken, spicy mayo, jalapeno jelly, greens on house made sour dough roll
 4.0 out of 5
558 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #4 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Fried Chicken)
Pinewood SocialSee Pinewood Social Video ($$)
(2194 ratings)

33 Peabody St Map It!
Nashville, TN 37210
(615) 751-8111
pinewoodsocial.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Brunch"
  • Post Roast Hash
    sous-vide tri-tip beef, potato, peppers, egg topped w/ veal reduction sauce
 4.0 out of 5
2194 ratings		 #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Brunch); "a place to meet" w/ Americana-style restaurant, bowling, swimming pool, boccie ball
River CafeSee River Cafe Video ($$$$)
(1301 ratings)

1 Water St Map It!
Brooklyn, NY 11201
(718) 522-5200
www.rivercafe.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Romantic Foods"
  • Chocolate Brooklyn Bridge
    milk chocolate Marquise shaped like the Brooklyn Bridge, raspberry sorbet, vanilla ice cream, crisp meringue, dark chocolate glaze
 4.0 out of 5
1301 ratings		 #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Romantic Foods); since 1977; elegant restaurant nestled under the Brooklyn Bridge w/ sweeping views of the New York skyline & the Statue of Liberty
Robicelli's Bakery [CLOSED] ($$)
(148 ratings)

9009 5th Ave Map It!
Brooklyn, NY 11209
(917) 509-6048
As Seen On:
All-Star Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Magical Combos"
Guilty Pleasures, Episode: "Super-Stuffed Gluttony!"
  • Nutella Lasagna
    cooked lasagna noodles layered w/ cannoli custard cream, nutella ganache & roasted hazelnuts; topped w/ torched marshmallow & hazelnuts; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
148 ratings		 [CLOSED]; moving to Baltimore
Rotisserie Georgette [CLOSED]See Rotisserie Georgette Video ($$$)
(207 ratings)

14 E 60th St Map It!
New York, NY 10022
(212) 390-8060
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Thanksgiving"
  • Stuffed & Crisped Potatoes
    baked Idaho, halved & hollowed, then deep-fried & filled w/ Gruyere mashed potatoes; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
207 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #4 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Thanksgiving); contemporary comfort food w/ a French accent
Royers Round Top CafeSee Royers Round Top Cafe Video ($$)
(293 ratings)

105 Main St Map It!
Round Top, TX 78954
(979) 249-3611
royersroundtopcafe.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Chocolate"
  • Sweet n' Salty Pie
    dense fudge brownie filling w/ caramel & sea salt all baked into a pie shell; served a la mode; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
293 ratings		 #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Chocolate); tiny 40-seat joint in a tiny town of only 77 people (people make the hour's drive from both Austin & Houston); "a Texas country bistro serving gourmet comfort food" (from its website)
Salty Tart [CLOSED]See Salty Tart Video ($$)
(170 ratings)

289 5th St E Map It!
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 528-6215
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "As Good As Mom's"
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Desserts"
  • Coconut Macaroons
    toasty crunchy exterior and chewy coconut interior; looks good; "better than my mom's"-Andrew Zimmern
  • Surly Cake
    rich chocolate cake (secret ingredient: Surly beer) layered w/ creamy filling; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
170 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #2 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Desserts); est. 2008; multiple James Beard nominee; "For everyone who believes that when life gives you lemons, you make a lemon-filled tart. Or better yet, you have a master pastry chef make it for you." (from its website)
Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse [CLOSED]See Sammy's Roumanian Steakhouse Video ($$$)
(435 ratings)

157 Chrystie St Map It!
New York, NY 10002
(212) 673-0330
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best for the Holidays"
  • Skirt Steak, Greeven & Schmaltz
    skirt steak broiled to medium-rare & "smeared" w/ garlic paste; recommended w/ side of mashed potatoes w/ greeven (fried chicken skin bits) & schmaltz (chicken fat); looks good
 4.0 out of 5
435 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best for the Holidays); serving Jewish-Romanian cuisine w/ non-stop basement Bar Mitzvah & over-the-top Hanukkah celebration w/ night-time entertainer Dani Luv; fun fact: owner's father won restaurant in poker game against "Sammy" in 1975
Sant Ambroeus ($$$)
(526 ratings)

1000 Madison Ave Map It!
New York, NY 10021
(212) 570-2211
www.santambroeus.com
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Rise and Dine"
  • Tonno Classico
    tuna, tomato, light mayonnaise; served on a fresh brioche bun; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
526 ratings		 serving authentic, fine specialties from Milan since 1982
Secret Pizza ($)
(6014 ratings)

3 Boulevard Tower Map It!
Las Vegas, NV 89109
(702) 698-7000
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Late Night Eats"
  • The Big Sexy (Pizza)
    thin crust w/ pepperoni, onion & pepperoncini; looks good
  • White Pizza
    looks good
 4.0 out of 5
6014 ratings		 #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Late Night Eats); in hidden location at The Cosmopolitan (you need to ask around)
Sierra MarSee Sierra Mar Video ($$$$)
(485 ratings)

47900 Hwy 1 Map It!
Big Sur, CA 93920
(831) 667-2800
www.postranchinn.com/dini...
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Romantic Foods"
  • Rack of Lamb
    served w/ creamed barley, sauteed mushrooms; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
485 ratings		 #1 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Romantic Foods); located in The Post Ranch Inn, a serene retreat high atop the cliffs of Big Sur offering breathtaking views
St Francis FountainSee St Francis Fountain Video ($$)
(1253 ratings)

2801 24th St Map It!
San Francisco, CA 94110
(415) 826-4210
www.stfrancisfountainsf.c...
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Diners"
  • Nebulous Potato Thing
    pile of spuds w/ melted cheese, fresh salsa, sour cream & green onions; topped w/ optional sunny-side-up egg; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
1253 ratings		 #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Diners); since 1918; San Francisco's oldest ice cream parlor/soda fountain
Strip HouseSee Strip House Video ($$$$)
(1103 ratings)

13 E 12th St Map It!
New York, NY 10003
(212) 328-0000
www.striphouse.com/new_yo...
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Guilty Pleasures"
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Chocolate"
  • Strip House Chocolate Cake
    24-layer chocolate cake; looks good; 5 other locations
 4.0 out of 5
1103 ratings		 #1 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Chocolate)
Sunrise Biscuit Kitchen ($)
(761 ratings)

1305 E Franklin St Map It!
Chapel Hill, NC 27514
(919) 933-1324
www.sunrisebiscuits.com
As Seen On:
Drive Thru ParadiseTop 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Breakfast"
  • Chicken & Cheddar Biscuit
    fried chicken breast w/ homemade biscuits using grandmother's recipe; looks good
  • "Bad Grandpa"
    biscuit sandwich w/ chicken, egg, cheese & bacon biscuit, hash browns & sweet tea; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
761 ratings		 est. 1978; biscuits recognized by Maxim Magazine; long lines in drive-thru; original restaurant in Louisburg, NC
Tacko ($$)
(1042 ratings)

3115 Fillmore St Map It!
San Francisco, CA 94123
(415) 796-3534
www.tackosf.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Cheap Eats"
  • Tuesday Taco Trio
    $2 tacos on Tuesdays; tacos: chicken mole, carnitas, carne asada
 4.0 out of 5
1042 ratings		 #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Cheap Eats)
Tam O'ShanterSee Tam O'Shanter Video ($$$)
(2036 ratings)

2980 Los Feliz Blvd Map It!
Los Angeles, CA 90039
(323) 664-0228
www.lawrysonline.com/tam-...
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best for the Holidays"
  • Prime Rib
    served w/ mashed potatoes & gravy, Yorkshire pudding, freshly prepared horseradish, creamed spinach or creamed corn; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
2036 ratings		 #1 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best for the Holidays); since 1922; "good cheer, warm hospitality and exceptional food in a cozy old world atmosphere" (from its website); John Wayne, Clark Gable, Mary Pickford & Walt Disney were regulars; at Christmas time, everything is covered w/ glitter lights & garland & servers dressed in old world costumes
Totonno'sSee Totonno's Video ($$)
(842 ratings)

1524 Neptune Ave Map It!
Brooklyn, NY 11224
(718) 372-8606
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Pizza"
  • Mushroom & Pepperoni Pizza
    thin crust (NY-style) pizza w/ mozzarella, pepperoni, mushroom & tomato sauce, Parmesan & extra virgin olive oil; looks good
 4.0 out of 5
842 ratings		 #1 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Pizza); since 1924; family operated
21 Club [CLOSED] ($$$)
(634 ratings)

21 W 52nd St Map It!
New York, NY 10019
(212) 582-7200
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "Genuine Legends"
  • '21' Caesar Salad
    mixed greens, aged parmesan, garlic croutons; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
634 ratings		 [CLOSED]; former speakeasy "where wining and dining meets pure theater...it's an adventure into the imagination. And, most of all, it's about sheer entertainment and sophisticated fun"
24 DinerSee 24 Diner Video ($$)
(2117 ratings)

600 N Lamar Blvd Map It!
Austin, TX 78703
(512) 472-5400
24diner.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Diners"
  • Meat Loaf
    30-ingredient meat loaf served w/ whipped potatoes, bacon-braised collard greens, sweet onion gravy; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
2117 ratings		 #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Diners); classic '50s-inspired diner serving chef-inspired comfort food
Al's BeefSee Al's Beef Video ($)
(603 ratings)

1079 W Taylor St Map It!
Chicago, IL 60607
(312) 226-4017
www.alsbeef.com
As Seen On:
101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown, Episode: "Countdown 20-1"
Best Sandwich in America, Episode: "Midwest"
Food Wars, Episode: "Chicago: Italian Beef"
Man v. Food, Episode: "Chicago"
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Sandwiches"
  • Italian Beef Sandwich
    have it dipped Italian beef gravy w/ Italian relish; looks good; winner of Best Sandwich (Midwest); topped w/ spicy gardinaire (Italian relish) and dipped in beef gravy; have it dipped Italian beef gravy; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
603 ratings		 #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Sandwiches); #11 (101 Tastiest Places to Chowdown);
Food War: Al's #1 vs. Mr. Beef... Mr. Beef won (4-votes-to-1); opened in 1938; in Little Italy
Bernie's Burger Bus [CLOSED] ($$)
(343 ratings)

2643 Commercial Center Blvd Map It!
Katy, TX 77494
(281) 394-9006
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Lunch"
  • Detention Burger
    two crispy bacon grilled cheeses used as a bun for two cheddar cheeseburger patties, "tipsy" onions & all "the principal's" fixings; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
343 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #5 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Lunch); since 2010; started as a food "truck" (actually a school bus); brick-and-mortar has school cafeteria atmosphere
Brown Sugar Kitchen [CLOSED] ($$)
(3009 ratings)

2534 Mandela Pkwy Map It!
Oakland, CA 94607
(510) 839-7685
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Soul Food"
  • Smoked Chicken & Shrimp Gumbo
    served w/ steamed basmati rice; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
3009 ratings		 [CLOSED]; #3 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Soul Food); new style, down home soul food, community & a welcoming vibe in West Oakland
Buckley's On Queen AnneSee Buckley's On Queen Anne Video ($$)
(396 ratings)

232 1st Ave W Map It!
Seattle, WA 98119
(206) 691-0232
www.buckleysseattle.com
As Seen On:
Top 5 Restaurants, Episode: "Best Bar Food"
  • Baby Back Ribs
    dry rubbed, oven-cooked in plastic wrap & foil, deep-fried & coated in sweet Thai sesame sauce; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
396 ratings		 #2 (Top 5 Restaurants-Best Bar Food); friendly neighborhood sports pub
Cafe MartoranoSee Cafe Martorano Video ($$$)
(701 ratings)

3343 E Oakland Park Blvd Map It!
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
(954) 561-2554
www.cafemartorano.com
As Seen On:
Best Thing I Ever Ate, Episode: "I'll Have What They're Having"
  • Famous Meatball & Salad
    simmered in Sunday gravy; served w/ Martorano salad & ricotta cheese; "best meatball I have ever eaten" -Geoffrey Zakarian; looks good
 3.5 out of 5
701 ratings		 est. 1990; Italian restaurant combining food, music & movies; 2 more locations in Atlantic City, NJ & Las Vegas, NV
Geoffrey Zakarian (bio)   (93 restaurants)    
1 2 3 4
1 2 3 4