Category: Eat It. Write It.

What happens in Vegas may stay in Vegas, but what happens at the Vegas steakhouse is usually a work of culinary art, particularly at these top seven restaurants.Hitting a steakhouse in Las Vegas is as much of the Sin City experience as casinos and neon lights. It is easy to feel akin to the Rat Pack when seated at a linen-dressed table, served by exemplary staff, and delivered one of the best cuts of beef available in the United States. There are hundreds of restaurants serving steaks in this show town, but only a few are must-visit destinations. Based on atmosphere, quality, and service, here are seven of the best steakhouses in Las Vegas.

Most people come to Hershey for one thing: chocolate. Tourists get their heart’s desire of sweets at Hersheypark amusement park and Hershey’s Chocolate World interactive tour. After all the confections are consumed, rides are ridden, and prizes are won, a satisfying meal is the perfect way to top off a day of fun. Here are seven of the best restaurants in Hershey and the surrounding area.

Named after astronomer and inventor David Rittenhouse, the open park (at the time referred to as Southwest Square), located at the convergence of Locust and 19th streets, was one of five such squares created by city founder William Penn in the 17th century. The space took the name Rittenhouse Square in 1825. Surrounded by urban mansions and Brownstone-style buildings converted to modern condominiums, the area has always erred on the side of prestigious.

Located only a dozen miles west of Baltimore, Ellicott City is the seat of Howard County, Maryland, and is a popular destination for small town shopping enthusiasts, history buffs, and traveling foodies. Old Ellicott City is easily walkable and is home to an array of dining options. Meanwhile, the surrounding Greater Ellicott City is the center of the growing “Koreatown, Maryland” and offers a plethora of options for Asian cuisine, along with a host of other great restaurants. The only challenge is to not fill up on sweets and treats found in the candy stores and cafes dotting the town first.

Lancaster’s claims to fame are many. The Red Rose City was home to a US President (James Buchanan), it was the revolutionary capitol of the colonies for one day, and the largest contingency of Old Order Amish call it home. The latter fact brings millions of visitors to PA Dutch Country every year. Part of the attraction fixates on the culinary influence of the Amish and Mennonite communities dotting the fertile countryside. Old world techniques and farm fresh flavors infuse the plates of small eateries and lavish dining rooms. Many locals have embraced an ongoing restaurant renaissance reshaping the fine dining scene, from traditional to fusion.

The accolades should have rained from the heavens in recognition of chef Cedric Barberet’s latest achievement. The masses should have flooded his Lancaster City restaurant, Bistro Barberet & Bakery, just to have the opportunity to taste a dish recognized by Food Network judges as one of the best in the country. Yet, this crowning achievement in his over 25-year, star-studded culinary career fizzled into the vacuum-like atmosphere created by COVID-19.

The production of olive oil dates back to at least 2400 BC in the annals of Eastern Mediterranean history. More than 3 million metric tons of olive oil are produced annually worldwide. Olive oil is used for cooking and eating, in religious ceremonies, and in soaps and other skincare items. It has even been used as lamp oil. Claims of it being a health benefit continue to grow.

When my editor suggested a Father’s Day story written by a dad about his son, I was sold immediately. I’ll be glad to brag, but my son Tyler’s accomplishments as a chef speak for themselves. Of course, I’m a bit biased and overly impressed with my son’s young resumé of work, but so are some of the top culinary names in the industry.

For the last several months, I’ve been hitting Lancaster County eateries, snapping photos of appetizers, posting them to social media and tagging them with #LanCoTizer. The search was not all-encompassing: I wanted to find a few places offering something other than wings, mozz sticks and jalapeÑo poppers. Not that there is anything wrong with those, but there is just so much more restaurants have to offer.