I live in the suburbs of D.C., and I go to Baltimore, Philly, and NYC regularly. I've been to Charleston, Ashville, and Montreal recently. Have plans to go back to Portland, ME in October. In November, I'm thinking about a 5 day road trip and I'm willing to drive as far as 12 hrs away from D.C. Any thoughts on where to go (and where to stop on the way)? Or you can give me some input on my ideas:
1. Knoxville, Nashville
2. Lexington, Louisville
3. Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Detroit (have been to Pitts & Cle)
4. Buffalo, Toronto
5. Providence, Boston
6. Charlotte, Savannah
My main interest is creative fine dining. I'm not going to eat a hamburger, hot dog, sloppy joe, meat loaf, or most soul food (dietary reason). I prefer seafood and offal to steak and potatoes. D.C. has pretty good ethnic Asian food so I'm not really looking for ramen, baos, kimchi, etc.
Be sure to go through Rappahannock County Virginia. There are some of the best restaurants in the state there, including The Inn at Little Washington. There are other great spots in Flint Hill, Sperryville, and on Route 211.
I just got a new car with zoom-zoom so I'd do a loop through Virginia. Richmond, then head west into the Shenandoah Valley. Personally, I want to go to Kingsolver's (the author) restaurant near Albemarle, The Harvest Table. Then come up along 81, 11, or even the Blue Ridge pkwy. Blacksburg, Roanoke, Lynchburg, Lexington, Staunton, etc. all have interesting pockets of food. Just recently I was in Staunton and had very good meals at Zynedoa and Aioli.
Bonus - farmers markets, breweries, wineries, and distilleries en route. Browse through this to get your mouth watering.
http://edibleblueridge.ediblefeast.co...
If you want to go further afield, Detroit and SW Michigan (Grand Rapids, AA, Kalamazoo) is beautiful this time of year not to mention lots of delicious eats and drinks.
Of your list, I would go with Providence/Boston. Second would be Charlotte/Savannah.
With that said, I wouldn't drive 12 hours just for food. Hopefully you have interests in your destination(s) beyond that.
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We just did a wknd of Destination Dining in Detroit! Listing the spots we ate in order of preference.. was amazed how good it all was:
1. Slows BBQ
2. Russel St. Deli
3. Gold Cash Gold
4. Townhouse
5. Dime Store (breakfast)
We really wanted to go to:
1. Roses Fine Food (closed for wknd.. read all about it in Bon Appetit or Saveur)
2. Selden Standard
3. Mercury Burger bar
4. Green Dot STables.
5. Sugar House
We made it to Detroit City Distillery (near Eastern Market) but wanted to get to Two James Spirits too
The riverfront has a great biking trail.. Belle Isle was beautiful. Detroit Institute of Arts felt like a museum in Europe (and $12 entry fee). Comerica tix were only $20 a piece from scalpers..The city is alive and well and reasonably priced! Only downfall is that every restaurant we went to required a reservation or a long wait. worth it every time.
I'm in Northern VA and my favorite food destination is New Orleans. I probably wouldn't drive (I hate to drive more than about 12 hours one way on a trip) but there's no need for a car once you're there which is a plus.
If you prefer seafood, head to Boston and head to the North Shore including the So. Maine coast. Check out the Boston and Northern New England CH threads for help.
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