Brendan Stern

Former basketball coach, current professor of American politics, future curmudgeon

Tastes

Because life is too short to be mugged by reality, here is a collection of favorite dishes, drinks, and restaurants. In fives, of course, and in no particular order.

Because You Shouldn’t Trust Anyone Who Doesn’t Drink Espresso

  1. Another Clandestino, Holbox
  2. Iconik Roasters, Santa Fe
  3. Black Velvet Espresso Bar, Mammoth Lakes
  4. Love Coffee, Lund
  5. Gravel & Grind, Frederick

Because You Shouldn’t Trust Anyone Who Doesn’t Drink Nitro Cold Brew

  1. Good Seed Coffee Boutique, Solvang
  2. Zeke’s Coffee, Washington, D.C.
  3. Slake, Lyon
  4. Backyard Beans Coffee Company, Landsale
  5. Alchmeist Coffee, Washington, D.C.

Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Cal Pep, Barcelona
  2. Daniel and Denise, Lyon
  3. Jacques Faussat, Paris
  4. Sazon, Santa Fe
  5. Agriturismo Montiferru, Macomer

Desserts I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Gelateria David’s Ricotta and Pear, Sorrento
  2. Caliche’s Green Chile Sundae, Las Cruces
  3. Fabrica dos Pastesis’s Pastel de Nata, Evora
  4. Rapanui’s Glaciar de Coco, Buenos Aires
  5. Aux Merveilleux de Fred’s Meringues, Paris

Fast Casual Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Brassica, Columbus
  2. MizLala, Hollywood
  3. MAX Burgers, Malmo
  4. Ekiben, Baltimore
  5. Bumble Bee’s, Santa Fe

Middle Eastern Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Safta, Denver
  2. Maydan, Washington, D.C.
  3. Olio, St. Louis
  4. Aziza, San Francisco
  5. Lulu, Berkeley

Herbivore Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Gokoku Vegetarian Ramen, Studio City
  2. Gratitude Cafe, Venice
  3. The Plot, Seaside
  4. Kentucky Native Cafe, Lexington
  5. Bloom, Paris

Carnivore Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Sucre Burger, Reims
  2. Leroy and Lewis, Austin
  3. The Limani, Tarpon Springs
  4. La Carniceria, Buenos Aires
  5. Cane, Washington, D.C.

Bagel Places I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Big L’s Bagels, Winchester
  2. Korshak Bagels, Philadelphia
  3. Enrico’s Bakery, Hartsdale
  4. Call Your Mother, Washington, D.C.
  5. Twin Bears, Frederick

Creperies, Bakeries, and Pattiseries I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Breizh Cafe, Paris
  2. Deb’s Bakehouse, Middletown
  3. Fournil de la Roquette, Arles
  4. Olsen’s Danish Village Bakery, Solvang
  5. Demasie, Barcelona

Brunch Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Milktooth, Indianapolis
  2. Rustic Roots, Burlington
  3. Clark Street Diner, Hollywood
  4. Unconventional Diner, Washington, D.C.
  5. Dolina Bakery & Cafe, Santa Fe

Indian Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Chai Pani, Asheville
  2. Spice Room, Denver
  3. Rasika, Washington, D.C.
  4. Tayyabs, London
  5. Paper Dosa, Santa Fe

Asian Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Handroll Project, San Francisco
  2. Mr Bao, London
  3. Ekiben, Baltimore
  4. China Live, San Francisco
  5. BKK in the Alley, Burlington

Pizzerias I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Tony’s Pizza Napoletana, San Francisco
  2. Bettina, Santa Barbara
  3. Orion la Veranda, Orosei
  4. Pizzeria de Michele, Naples
  5. Frank Pepe Pizzeria Napoletana, New Haven

Mexican Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Tres Colores, Santa Fe
  2. Nixto Taqueria, Austin
  3. Cafe Pasqual’s, Santa Fe
  4. Salsa & Beer, North Hollywood
  5. Kike’s Red Tacos, Denver

Mexican Restaurants in Mexico I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. El Fogon, Playa del Carmen
  2. Apoala, Merida
  3. La Cochi Pibil, Playa del Carmen
  4. TacoQueto, Holbox
  5. Axiote, Playa del Carmen

French Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Jacques Faussat, Paris
  2. Le Grand Pan, Paris
  3. Daniel & Denise, Lyon
  4. Le Diplomate, Washington, D.C.
  5. Breizh Cafe, Paris

Italian Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Agriturismo Montiferru, Macomer
  2. Zenith, Iglesias
  3. Ristorante Alla Rampa, Rome
  4. Maestro Ciccio, Bari
  5. Azz!, Sorrento

(New) American Restaurants I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. High Street, Philadelphia
  2. The Red Fox Inn & Tavern, Middleburg
  3. Gryphon, Savannah
  4. Little Bear, Atlanta
  5. Phoenicia Diner, Phoenicia

Pasta Places I Will Give Up A Year Of Life For

  1. Dio Mio, Denver
  2. The Red Hen, Washington, DC
  3. Via Vai, Queens
  4. Ristorante Alla Rampa, Rome
  5. Doppino, Alberbello

Dishes That Add A Year Of Life

  1. Unconventional Diner’s Middle Eastern Salad, Washington, DC
  2. Farmbird’s Spicy Roasted Fresno Tofu Over Cauliflower and Supergreens, Washington, DC
  3. Vinaigrette’s The Beet Goes On Salad, Santa Fe
  4. Bloom’s Beet Sushi, Paris
  5. Sweet Tomatoes’s Salad Buffet, Fremont

Dishes That Take A Year Off My Life

  1. Market Cross Pub & Brewery’s Pulled Pork Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Carlisle
  2. The Pantry’s Green and Red Chile Breakfast Burrito, Santa Fe
  3. Maestro Ciccio’s Octopus Sandwich, Bari
  4. Obed & Isaac’s Horseshoe, Springfield
  5. Anything at Gourdough’s, Austin