10 Highly Recommended Restaurants

My favorite restaurants that are not national franchises:

1. The Bubble Room, Captiva Island, FL
You may have to wait awhile to get in, but you can walk down the road and see a gorgeous sunst if you time it right. ! You will be served by a Bubble Scout covered in buttons and wearing funny hats. The ambience is straight kitsch -- bubble lights, memorabilia from the 30s through the 60s in shadow box table tops. If you're lucky, you'll get to eat in the cut off prow of a boat. Be sure to visit Bubba the Gorilla! The food here is scrumptious! I recommend the filets but the "bagged" fish is a favorite with those who like fish. But the best part ???? Bubble Bread!!! Thick slices of chewy bread with a secret topping of 7 cheeses! And dessert??? Oh my gosh -- take it with you but get some! Prices will run close to or over $20 per person but you get a lot for your money. Full bar: try the margaritas.

2. La Cocina, Aspen, CO
Guaranteed Mexican! Good service, great food. Love the blue tortilla chips. For Aspen, not bad prices. Full bar.   This restaurant is now closed!!!

3. Mom and Dad’s, Tallahassee, FL
A sentimental favorite -- where I found my engagement ring buried in plate of tortellini! Mom and Dad (Diana and Gene) run the place like their own dining room. In fact, the establishment looks like a converted home -- but it's always been a restaurant. The food is wonderful and has spoiled me for all other Italian restaurants. On football weekends, there will be a wait. Order a glass of wine and visit with the other diners. Moderate prices. Full bar.  Recently under new ownership but promised it will follow the same recipes!



4. The Dillard House, Dillard, GA
If you need to gain weight, here's the place to go. All meals are served family style. They bring EVERYTHING to your table. There's usually 3-5 types of meat, 3-5 vegetables, breads and dessert. My favorite meal is breakfast -- eggs, biscuits, sweet rolls, muffins, ham, bacon, chicken or pork tenderloins, fruit, pancakes, gravies, grits, potatoes ... uh, I'm sure I left something off. You can get seconds, thirds, whatever of any dish you want! It's one price per meal -- not cheap, but well worth the cost! All country cooking and most veggies, etc. come from the local area. (NO alcohol).






5. Michie’s Tavern, Charlottesville, VA
Take a step back in town with this Colonial watering hole. It's a buffet full of "authentic" food. Chicken, stewed tomatoes, green beans, biscuits, etc. Then sit inside and pretend George Washington has just left the building -- or enjoy your meal on the porch outside. You can order dessert for extra and wine and beer are available.


6. Paul’s Shrimp House, Tarpon Springs, FL
In the heart of a Greek community! You can order the usual gyro and dolmades, but I highly recommend getting the shrimp (by the 1/2 pound) and the "village" salad (called Horiatiki) -- authentic Greek salad that does not include lettuce or potato salad. Very casual. Full bar available but with Greek -- go retsina for a tangy wine.

7. Romero’s, Silverton, CO
Silverton is one terminus of the Durango-Silverton Railroad. It's about 9,000 feet in elevation. When the train pulls in, there are several good restaurants, but Romero's really made an impression on me. The food was good, but it was the margaritas I liked. A couple years after my first visit, I overheard someone talking about a place with great maragaritas and lo' and behold -- it was the same restaurant! Also, you just may sit alongside a cowboy (from the Wild West Show that they perform in the street!)

8. Rose's, Portland, OR
A popular place for the Nob Hill gang with great salads and sandwiches. It's very casual and the pricing is fair. The great part of Rose's, I'm told, are the desserts. I didn't try any because the sandwich filled me up.

9. The Southern Kitchen, New Market, VA
Just one stop but the peanut soup was delicious! The chicken and pot roast (Southern style) were also good. They've been around awhile and were featured in USA Today.



10. Mamma Dip’s, Chapel Hill, NC
Another Southern cooking spot -- Mama Dip started this on her front porch and it has grown into a legend today. Clean and airy -- attentive service and great chicken. It has a well-varied menu of Southern specialties like catfish and okra, too. It's just a couple blocks from University of North Carolina so everyone from students to professors like to dine there.

I'd love to hear about your favorites! Post a comment below.