Meat and Potatoes, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Photo from Girllikestoeat.com

Surprisingly, Pittsburgh is turning into one of my frequently visited cities. Good thing they have a burgeoning food scene that goes beyond the Primanti Brothers stereotype of food in Pittsburgh. Meat and Potatoes (the restaurant) is becoming one of my standbys.

Experience

Meat and Potatoes is attached to the lobby of a theater downtown, so it's really active on show nights. Pretty loud, dark and generally buzzing.

Karma Sushi Bar and Grill, Flagstaff, Arizona

Karma interior from Tripadvisor.com

I remember when Karma Sushi first opened thinking, "Wow, this is a pretty fancy-schmancy sushi place for Flagstaff. I hope the sushi is good." Happily, it is.

Experience

Karma is a non-traditional sushi restaurant, more aligned with the American upscale, lounge-type sushi restaurant. It is usually very busy on weekend evenings, filled with younger parties on dates or "friends night out."

River City Grill, Yuma, Arizona

River City Grill interior, from TripAdvisor

I've been traveling with my business partner, Jim, to Yuma since 2006, and we've been dining here since practically our first visit. River City Grill is one of Yuma's finest restaurants (and it happens to be within walking distance of the Best Western Coronado Motel, which provides our accommodations. How convenient!)

Experience

This is one of the hippest places in Yuma that doesn't try to be too hip. In addition to the colorful and eclectic inside dining room, there's a lovely patio for outdoor dining in winter months.