There are so many incredible restaurants in San Diego and so little time. So, I got this one delivered to me at the hotel.

Meet Dumpling is a tiny, family-run Northern Chinese dumpling shop in Point Loma, at 2907 Shelter Island Drive. It opened in 2023 and was specifically highlighted by Eater San Diego for its handmade dumplings, which the owner's mother-in-law makes.

The menu is focused on boiled Northern Chinese dumpling, and I went with the "Green Chive w. Shrimp & Pork Dumplings."

That filling is savory pork, sweet/briny shrimp, and the fresh, slightly garlicky chive flavor. And the noodle is so silky and delicate. It's exactly why pasta is one of my favorite foods.

Grade: A

Larobi's, the St. Albans pizza place, has expanded to the West Side of Charleston. But then shortly thereafter left the franchise and renamed to "Elk City Pizza."

"We’re excited to share that we are now serving you as ELK CITY PIZZA! You’ll find us at the same location, reach us at the same phone number and see the same familiar faces ready to serve you with great food. We’re incredibly proud to be part of the Elk City community and look forward to continuing to serve the Charleston area as Elk City Pizza."

The one thing I ordered bedore the transition was "The Big O," which has pepperoni, salami, ham, sausage, mushrooms, green olives, green pepper, onion and hot banana peppers. It's what Larobi's is known for, so it's the one item Elk City Pizza can no longer offer.

Which is a shame because it is excellent. I don't usually order a "supreme" type of pizza, because all of those individual ingredients are not my absolute favorites. But, when they are put together, they are more than the sum of their parts. You don't necessarily taste each individual ingredient, but you do taste an overall salty, spicy, crunchy flavor that is delish. Grade: A

Cookey is a Pittsburgh-area dessert food truck/trailer specializing in huge, indulgent gourmet cookies. It was founded in 2021 and focuses on homemade-from-scratch recipes and creative flavors rather than basic bakery cookies.

I ordered the strawberry pretzel: Strawberry Dough, Freeze Dried Strawberries, White Chocolate Chips, Homemade White Chocolate Ganache Center, Pretzel Coating, white chocolate drizzel, Crushed strawberry topping. YES. Grade: A

Range Finder Coffee is a small craft coffee shop in downtown Fayetteville that is named after the Argus C3, a rangefinder film camera produced from 1939 to 1966. Owner Craig Reger conceived the shop around the similarities between specialty coffee and analog photography — both involve precise techniques, timing and a trained hand. That photography influence carries into the shop’s atmosphere, with camera/photo-related décor and a generally cozy, vintage-feeling aesthetic. The concept originally operated inside Water Stone Outdoors before moving into its current brick-and-mortar location in October 2022. It serves ethically sourced beans roasted by La Terza Coffee in Cincinnati, ReAnimator Coffee in Philadelphia, MOMI in Akron, and Passenger and Necessary Coffee in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. It also serves loose-leaf specialty tea from MEM Tea in Boston. The menu includes espresso, cappuccinos, cortados, Americanos, lattes, mochas, cold brew, pour-over and Japanese iced coffee, along with specialty drinks. The maple latte seems is the drink to try. The combination of maple and smoked sea salt is heavenly. Grade: A

If you're looking for one of the most unique places to stay — or simply enjoy a cocktail — in southern West Virginia, The Historic Morris Harvey House combines history, hospitality, and a hidden speakeasy under one roof. Built in 1902 for prominent Fayetteville residents Morris and Rosa Harvey, the three-story Queen Anne Victorian was one of the town's first homes with indoor running water, featuring an innovative rainwater collection system that fed an 800-gallon copper cistern. The 14-room home still showcases many original architectural details, including seven restored oak fireplaces with Italian tile, antique furnishings, and wraparound porches. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the property's coolest attractions is Rosa's Speakeasy, an intimate, reservation-only cocktail bar named in honor of Rosa Harvey. Hidden inside the historic home, the 21-and-over speakeasy is designed to evoke the elegance of the Prohibition era, with vintage décor, candlelit spaces, and a menu of carefully crafted cocktails paired with charcuterie boards and desserts. Seating is intentionally limited to preserve the cozy atmosphere, and reservations are strongly recommended. I enjoyed a charming cocktail with a mini clothespin and Baby's Breath, as well as a slice of pie. Have you ever been? Grade: A

Located in Fayetteville, The Gaines Estate occupies a restored 1920s-era mansion that has been reimagined as a restaurant, cocktail lounge and event venue. The space feels like a private estate dinner party, with historic details, elegant rooms and outdoor patios overlooking the landscaped grounds. The menu features dishes such as seared trout, filet au poivre, Tuscan chicken and gnocchi, burgers, seasonal pasta specials and house-made desserts. Look at my friend Bri! We just loved this space and could have spent all evening here exploring the historic rooms. But, it was dinner time! The first bite was a simple house salad. Fresh and satisfactory. We started with the Caramelized Onion & Goat Cheese Flatbread, topped with sweet caramelized onions, creamy goat cheese, mozzarella, arugula and a balsamic glaze. The tangy goat cheese and sweet onion was nicely balanced with the peppery arugula. The balsamic glaze added some sweetness. It was quite flavorful, without being heavy. I ordered the Tuscan Chicken & Gnocchi, which featured a Tuscan-seasoned chicken thigh served over house-made gnocchi with sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and baby bella mushrooms, all tossed in a white sauce. The dish delivered the kind of cozy flavors that fit the setting — tender chicken, soft gnocchi and a creamy sauce paired with the savory combination of mushrooms, greens and sun-dried tomatoes. The gnocchi added a hearty element to the dish, making it feel like a comforting Italian-inspired entrée while still fitting into The Gaines Estate’s upscale casual style. Grade: A

Cou Cou Rachou is a French bakery in Charlottesville that feels like a little slice of Paris tucked into a Preston Avenue shopping center. The bakery focuses on traditional French breads, pastries, and cakes made with local, organic ingredients. The name itself reflects the bakery’s welcoming spirit. In French, “coucou” is a warm greeting often shared between friends and loved ones, which fits the cozy, neighborhood feel of this bakery. Cou Cou Rachou was founded by pastry chef Rachel De Jong, who trained at Le Cordon Bleu in Paris and spent time working in acclaimed kitchens before opening the bakery in Charlottesville. Her background includes experience alongside chef Patrick O’Connell at The Inn at Little Washington, bringing a fine-dining level of technique to everyday pastries. The bakery case is filled with French classics like croissants, pain au chocolat, and other laminated pastries, along with creative seasonal offerings. The attention to detail is clear in the layers of flaky dough, delicate fillings, and careful presentation. The yellow plum financier is a made with a rich almond cake base, and has a buttery, almost caramelized flavor from browned butter. The slice of yellow plum adds a bright, slightly tart contrast. The texture is what makes a financier special — crisp around the edges, soft and moist in the center, with a delicate almond flavor that pairs beautifully with the fruit. The summer berry danish combines flaky, buttery laminated pastry with bright seasonal berries. The crisp layers and rich dough are balanced by the fruit’s natural sweetness and acidity, creating a pastry that feels fresh, delicate, and perfect for a summer morning. The vegetable galette at featured seasonal vegetables centered into a rustic, flaky crust. The buttery pastry provides a rich base for the savory veggies. Have you been? Grade: A

The Naughty Lobstah is a food truck based in Ohio that specializes in New England-style seafood with a twist.

The truck started as The Wicked Lobstah, but changed its name in 2022 after a trademark dispute. The rebrand to The Naughty Lobstah kept the same owners, recipes and playful personality.

Some of its most popular menu items include:

* Connecticut-style lobster roll – warm lobster tossed in butter on a toasted split-top bun.

* New England-style lobster roll – chilled lobster lightly dressed with mayonnaise. I ordered The High Society Roll - Warm buttered lobster with truck-made black & white truffle mayo on a buttered/toasted New-England Style split top bun. The truffle adds an earthy richness that elevates the sweet lobster, creating an indulgent bite. Grade: A

Lost & Found Pizza & Provisions is located at the entrance to Lost River State Park in Mathias, West Virginia, where it combines a wood-fired pizza restaurant with a provisions shop in the heart of the Lost River Valley. The provisions section includes beverages, snacks, pantry items and local bakery items - including some delicious cookies from Cove Mountain Bakery. Cove Mountain Bakery is a home bakery specializing in cookies, cupcakes, brownies & sugar cookie decorating classes. The restaurant side is fun and funky with a large dining space and unique art. The menu contains hand-tossed wood-fired pizzas, salads, sandwiches, appetizers, and a selection of beer, wine, and cocktails. I ordered the Apple Pizza, which was made to order right in front of me. The wood-fired pizzas feature blistered crusts with lightly charred edges, a crisp exterior, and a chewy interior that provides a sturdy base for all those fresh toppings. The Apple Pizza combines house onion jam, thinly sliced apples, and white cheddar on a wood-fired crust, with the option to add bacon for an extra savory element, creating a balance of sweet fruit, sharp cheese, and smoky flavors. Grade: A