BEST OF

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Los Angeles neighborhoods are sometimes hot and sometimes not. Downtown Los Angeles should be given proper recognition, as it is often overlooked as a financial district and not a foodie paradise. But for all those who doubt this area can dish out the creme de la creme, think again. We've decided to focus on the sandwich, and you'll be happy to know that DTLA has a lot to offer as far as sandwiches are concerned. So sit back and try not to drool too much on your keyboard as you read about some of downtown's best eats.

J & J's Sandwiches: To say the least, J&J's is a find hidden amongst downtown LA's oh so chic restaurants. This simple AND cheap restaurant offers you classic grilled sandwiches. The menu gives customer's a wide range of foods which can be taken on the go or eaten in the tiny restaurant. But what truly draws fans to the sandwich shop is the wonderful couple who run the establishment. J & J's owners put the customer back in customer service. Their friendliness contrasts the snooty hipsters who are generally serving you food in DTLA. Not only are they the nicest people, they will work tirelessly to ensure you have a maximum sandwich experience. The restaurant does not deliver but they offer takeout and do not take long to deliver the goods. Recommended order: #5: Chicken pesto, avocado and sun dried tomato sandwich.

FIRST COURSE

Who doesn’t love thinly-sliced beef smothered in Cheez Whiz on a nice, crusty roll? The iconic sandwich is sold at steak shops, delis, food trucks and street carts, even pizzerias and a few high-end restaurants have the drippy, cheesy, meaty sandwich on their menus. Tourist love 'em, Philadelphians are obsessed, and rival steak shops go head to head on a daily basis in the never ending battle to prove who has the best cheese steak sandwich in all of Philly. Below are our favorite steak shops and we promise that there is no order to our steak-loving list.

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You might be surprised who the most recent person to think the Mission could be the next hot spot for Asian cuisine, but trust me, things are heating up in the neighborhood! The hottest spot (not only in the Mission, but perhaps in the whole of San Francisco) is Mission Chinese Food. Chef Danny Bowien set up shop in Lung Shan Restaurant. What once was merely a pop-up has quickly gained notoriety as one of the top ten best new restaurants in America according to GQ’s Alan Richman. The Chinese-American fusion won’t break the bank like most other San Francisco establishments and if you are lucky you might just leave with your mind blown.

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Poor New Jersey is always getting a bad wrap like a wicked redheaded stepchild that no one loves. Never fear NJ, you can stand on your own two feet when it comes to restaurants! New Jersey, even if New Yorkers will deny it up and down, boasts a collection of restaurants that rival its neighbors in New York and Pennsylvania. Forget the PATH, NJ Transit, or taking a bus over from Jersey for a nice dinner out; you’ve got plenty of great restaurants nestled right in your own backyard!

CulinAriane (33 Walnut Street, Montclair)

FIRST COURSE

She gave birth to you, she raised you, she loved you, and if you're lucky, she probably cooked for you, too. Mothers are, without a doubt, extremely important. While we should be good children and celebrate our mothers every day of the year, it is on Mother's Day that we go all out and really show our appreciation to that woman who did so much for us. While Mother's Day celebrations are only limited by one's imagination, it seems as if the consensus is that a lavish brunch in in order....at least that's the idea that Miami's many restaurants offering Mother's Day brunches are seemingly pushing. Here are few suggestions that stand out:

FIRST COURSE

From stemmed glasses to fine wine selections, in New York City everyone likes to swirl and sip on the most elegant and affordable wines out there. With light snacks and cheese plates that bring out the expressions of many varietals, some places do it right while others.. do it better. Check out our picks for some of the top wine bars in the city.

Blue Ribbon Wine Bar

35 Downing Street New York, NY 212-691-0404

FIRST COURSE

Nowadays you can’t go to a bar without seeing an array of Pinnacle Vodka bottles. Pinnacle comes in 30 different flavors (including vodka flavored vodka). Pinnacle isn’t alone. All the major vodka companies, Three Olives, Absolut, and others have flavored vodkas that have branched away from simple fruit-infused flavors. Our cocktail menu has become inundated with cake vodka, cookie dough vodka, and everyone’s favorite whipped cream vodka. Even something as timeless as a highball glass full of whiskey can be bacon-infused. The infused liquor trend is bound to continue as companies try to out do their competition with more creative, and most likely strange, flavors. Imagine Willy Wonkas’ 3-course chewing gum was in liquor form. Why eat when you can knock back some shots instead? Your other choice is to eat actual foods that are prepared by adding liquor to their recipes. No matter your DOC (drink of choice), unless you regularly drink Three Olives Bubble Gum, you’ll be able to find a delicious meal or snack using whatever liquor wets your whistle best.

FIRST COURSE

Bad news for winos! Due to the declining supply of grapes, vintners are expected to start raising prices. If you’ve ever entertained the thought of starting a wine cellar, now is the time to stock up.

According to Silicon Valley Bank, a commercial banker to the wine industry, grape inventories are evolving into a state of shortage that will last for some time. As for sales, SVB predicts to growth at 7% to 11%, a bit of a drop from 2011.

They also report a decline in “wine quality for the price paid.” Wine drinkers will be forced to decide whether to put up with lesser quality domestic wines, or pay higher prices and expand their foreign tastes.