Local ice cream shops everywhere are going far above and beyond your average chocolate and vanilla cones. Savory tang like Goat Cheese, unusual ingredients like Lobster and unique inspiration like Horchata, a Spanish drink, are seasoning up ice cream scoops all over the place.



We've searched and found thirteen incredibly creative scoops of ice cream in America. Take a peek and be sure to visit any and all of these places for a taste of something a little different in frozen form. But please let us know if you think we forgot someone -- we're always up for trying new ice cream flavors!

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With fifty states spread from coast to coast and beyond, America offers some of the most diverse and unique cuisine in the world. But there's not just one thing that can be referred to as "American food" -- there's a whole array of cuisines across the country that make up our cuisine. And depending upon what part of the country you're in, that food may change.



For instance, if you visit Philadelphia, the food is cheesesteak. But if you go to the other side of the country and drop in on San Diego, you want fish tacos. In Boston, it's a bowl of clam chowder at a historic restaurant. Barbecue and pizza are also both very American but they can change depending on where you are: barbecue comes in different styles across the south and pizza is at the center of a debate involving Chicago and New York City -- who has the best?

We've scoured the country for the best in regional foods and we're happy to offer some good advice on where you can taste these unique eats. Click on to find out more.

More Near You
- Local Restaurants
- Dining Deals
- More Dining

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When choosing a spot to dine with your Valentine, you may ask yourself, "What makes a restaurant romantic?" And that question can be answered in many different ways. Perhaps a table for two near a cozy fireplace, a beautiful view of the sunset, a candlelit corner with top-notch service or a beautiful setting with the promise of an intimate night together.



Whatever it is that you and your sweetheart are looking for, there's definitely somewhere to find it no matter where you are across the country. But if you need a few ideas, we've found our twenty favorite romantic restaurants across the country.

May we suggest amazing beauty with a waterfront view in the Northeast, delicious five-star luxury in the South, a historic landmark in the Midwest, a hilltop retreat in the Southwest or the rustic charm of the French countryside out West among many other romantic experiences that we highly recommend.

More Near You
- City's Best Restaurants
- Romantic Restaurants
- Dessert Spots
- Local Florists

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The dreaded flu season came much faster than we'd like, but there are ways to prevent the nasty bugs from making your life miserable. Instead of popping vitamin pills, give your immune system a boost with some healthy and delicious fruit and veggie juice.

For that reason, you should know the best places to find your daily dose of juice when you're on the go. That's why we found a few of the best juice bars around the nation. Here are some of the tastiest juices to keep the winter germs away:

7. Jamba Juice - Nationwide
Located all over the nation, you can walk into any location to get your favorite juice blends. For those on a restricted diet, you can get non-gluten juice blends like the Acai Super-Antioxidant.

6. Inta Juice - Columbus, OH
As one of the best juice bars in the area, they offer 15 supplements (echinaca, ginseng, etc.) as a drink add-on. They also have non-dairy juice options. One of their energizing drinks, Pike's Peak, has 7 supplements and bee pollen for a mega nutrient boost.

5. Go Raw Cafe - Las Vegas, NV
Yes, it's possible to get a clean lifestyle in Sin City. Get the Superfood Smoothie with cacao nibs and hemp protein, or try the Liver Mover with beets, coconut water, cucumber, and carrot juice.

4. One Lucky Duck - New York, NY
Pure Food and Wine's takeaway juice bar sources only local organic ingredients, so you know their raw juices are as fresh as possible. To strengthen your body, their Blue Grape (grapefruit and blue green algae) and the Thai Green juices (greens, pineapple, cilantro, lime) will do the trick.

3. Cafe Gratitude - San Francisco, CA
Based on life's abundance, this raw food restaurant named their drinks after affirmations. The "I Am Worthy" is a blood tonic that's filled with kale, beet, celery, apple, and ginger while "I Am Rejuvenated" is a juice blend of wheatgrass, apple, ginger, and lemon.

2. Beverly Hills Juice - Los Angeles, CA
Whether you need a detox or fighting a bug, this raw juice bar will nourish your body. Get the Apple Lemon Triple Ginger juice or Hot Tomato Tonic if you're feeling run down.

1. Doc's Organic - Chicago, IL
Using only 100% organic fruits and veggies, you can even add a Power Pick Up to your drink for free. Try the popular 4Berry Smoothie or Original Doc's Green Smoothie (locally grown spinach, kale and bananas blended with apple juice).

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Who doesn't love pasta with lots and lots of cheese? With the chilly weather in full swing, we're all craving for a hot plate of mac and cheese.



Here's the great news - If you're too lazy to make your own, check out our picks on where to eat this deliciously gooey and wholesome comfort food.

Poco Wine Room
Seattle, Wash.
A longtime favorite, the Truffled Mac n Cheese here is a gourmet's paradise. The seductive mix of penne and fusilli pasta blended with gruyère, cheddar, and muenster cheese is simply irresistible. To make things sweeter, the dish is then drizzled with the fragrant truffle oil. If you go there during Sunday happy hour, it's only $5.

S'MAC
New York, N.Y.
Specializing only in mac and cheese, this eatery serves up twelve kinds of macaroni and cheese. Be sure to try the La Mancha, a blend of Manchego cheese, fennel, and onions. Or get the Parisienne with Brie, figs, shiitake mushrooms, and rosemary. Gluten-free and multi-grain pasta are also available.

Carneros Bistro & Wine Bar
Sonoma, Calif.
Filled with tons of maitake mushrooms, the scrumptious Midnight Mac & Cheese is also finished with a delicious porcini crust.

Harmony Grill
Chicago, Ill.
Harmony Grills offers a regular Mac and Cheese and a Texas Red Chili Mac. You can also customize your very own blend with ingredients like pesto, tofu, ham, goat cheese, chicken, etc.

Madeleine Bistro
Tarzana, Calif.
For the vegans, this flavorful yet light mac and cheese is a great healthy choice. Apparently the soy bacon is quite tasty.

Glenn's Restaurant and Cool Bar
Newburyport, Mass.
To add a touch of decadence, chef-owner Glenn Mayers adds chunks of lobster to his five-cheese sauce. Mixed with penne pasta, it's a year-round popular menu item.

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The holidays are around the corner and as a family you'll probably be dining out a lot. If you're having a hard time locating a kid-friendly spot or want to try a new establishment, try our picks to please the little ones.

With special kids' menus being offered by these restaurants, everyone will be having a fun and tasty meal.

Claim Jumper - Nationwide
This chain features a Build Your Own Pizza that will appeal to the pickiest eater. If the child is 12 or under, he or she can sign up for the Little Jumper Birthday Club.

The Cafe at Four Seasons Hotel - Chicago, IL
This hotel cafe has a cute breakfast menu that features Mickey Mouse waffles and T-Rex oatmeal. They also have a special Tween menu -- it includes a healthy Design Your Own Taco plate that comes with lean ground chicken or beef.

Benihana - Nationwide
With an enthralling tableside show that will entertain everyone, this traditional teppanyaki chain has a menu for children 12 and under. Entrées like Hibachi Chicken Jr. and Hibachi Shrimp Jr. are served with shrimp appetizer, salad, grilled vegetables, steamed rice, and ice cream.

Central Park Boathouse Express Cafe - New York, NY
This scenic cafe has a casual menu with kid-friendly options (burgers, salads, chilis). After lunch, take your kids aboard a rowboat, or hop on a Venetian gondola.

Outback Steakhouse - Nationwide
This popular steakhouse has small-portion entrees like Joey Sirloin and Junior Ribs just for kids under 10. Kids also get a beverage and a choice of garlic mashed potatoes, Aussie Fries, baked potato, veggies, or sweet potato.

Chenery Park Restaurant - San Francisco, CA
Tuesday nights are Kids Nights at this neighborhood restaurant. Menu items such as Beef-a-roni and Chenery Chicken Nuggets will let the parents relax while the wee ones nosh on their favorite foods.

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Who doesn't love a spicy serving of jerk chicken? This traditional Jamaican dish is typically made with a dry jerk seasoning of allspice, Scotch Bonnet chili peppers, thyme, cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger. It is then slowly cooked over pimento tree wood and branches.



The result is a sweet and smoky meat that's plain irresistible. Since we can't all jet off to Jamaica for the real thing, some of the places here in the U.S. should whet our appetites for the time being.

Boston Jerk City is considered by some folks to have some of NY's finest jerk chicken, while others prefer the fall-off-the-bone tenderness of Peppa's Jerk Chicken in Brooklyn. Still, other diners swear by Danny & Pepper Jerk Chicken Express.

Ja's Jerk Chicken in Chicago serves up all sorts of jerk dishes. They have jerk tilapia fish, jerk salmon, and jerk chicken wings. If that's not enough, Calypso Cafe has some tasty jerked baby back ribs and a jerk chicken caesar salad.

For the west-coasters, Sweet Fingers Restaurant in the SF Bay Area is supposed to have the best jerk chicken around. They tout themselves for having an award-winning jerk sauce, so it's worthy of a try. For the seafood lovers they also have a jerk shrimp entree that might rival the original jerk chicken.

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As the temperature starts to dip, savoring a great cup of hot chocolate is guaranteed to make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. But forget cocoa powders, true hot chocolate is made with real melted chocolate and steamed milk or water.



Here are 10 places across the country that serve up hot chocolate with perfection:

City Bakery in New York, N.Y.
City Bakery has been home to New York's best-known hot chocolate since 1990.Not only is the hot chocolate with homemade marshmallows known throughout the Big Apple, but it's known across the country as well. Don't miss their annual Hot Chocolate Festival which features a different flavor of hot chocolate each day. Sip on unique concoctions such as cinnamon hot chocolate, banana peel hot chocolate and malted milk hot chocolate.

Mon Aimee Chocolat in Pittsburgh, Pa.
For true chocolate connoisseurs, Mon Aimee Chocolat serves the real deal when it comes to drinking chocolate. Made with your choice of milk chocolate, dark chocolate or dark chocolate with spices, this special treat is totally delicious.

Intemperantia Chocolates in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
This gourmet chocolatier's hot chocolate is highly praised by SoCal locals. Made with imported Belgium chocolate and heavy cream, it's awesomely sinful. Don't live nearby? Order some to try.

Mindy's Hot Chocolate in Chicago, Ill.
Windy City residents love to warm up at James Beard Outstanding Pastry Chef nominee Mindy Segal's namesake Wicker Park restaurant and dessert bar. Spice things up with Mindy's Mexican Hot Chocolate made fresh with dark chocolate, milk and cinnamon. And be sure to try the homemade marshmallows.

Brasserie Beck in Washington, D.C.
If you're one of those people who orders hot chocolate just for the whipped cream, the Brasserie Beck is the place for you. The slightly bitter Belgian hot chocolate is delightfully intense and comes with a mountain of whipped cream so big it almost outweighs the drink.

Jean-Philippe Patisserie in Las Vegas, Nev.
This European-style pastry shop nestled inside the Bellagio is known for having some of the city's best hot chocolate. Touted as a modern day Willy Wonka, renowned pastry chef Jean-Philippe Maury even has his own 27-foot hot chocolate fountain.

Flour Bakery + Cafe in Boston, Mass.
Literally everything is prepared in-house at this South End cafe. The hot chocolate is made to order using bittersweet chocolate ganache (house-made, of course) and your choice of steamed milks. Just thinking about it is making our mouths water.

Tartine Bakery in San Francisco, Calif.
Tartine Bakery takes advantage of local dark chocolate manufacturer Scharffen Berger to create a hot chocolate that is ultra rich and pleasingly complex. And if that's not enough to put you in a chocolate coma, dig into the flourless chocolate soufflé cake made with Valrhona chocolate.

The Little Nell in Aspen, Colo.
There's nothing better than curling up by the fire with a warm mug of hot chocolate after coming off the slopes. And The Little Nell's signature hot cocoa is exactly the one you want. It's mixed with Valrhona chocolate ganache and whole milk and finished with fresh whipped cream and a chocolate-dipped peppermint stick. Total perfection.

Serendipity 3 in New York, N.Y.
Ok, we know this is a list about hot chocolate, but we couldn't resist mentioning Serendipity's legendary frozen version. You can even order the mix and make it at home. It's simply divine.

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With the long weekend bringing beautiful early fall weather to most of the country, it's the perfect time to grab a seat outside and indulge your voyeuristic side with a little game of eye spy.



Here are some of our favorite spots to people watch:

10. Yaffa's in New York, N.Y.
This quirky Tribeca cafe is kitschy and casual. The menu is inexpensive, the food is great and the outdoor tables offer a primo view of Greenwich Street.

9. Gemma in Miami, Fla.
This intimate lounge overlooks all the action on Miami's famed Lincoln Road.

8. The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C.
From this scenic people-watching outpost, you'll be entertained by tourists amidst the beautiful backdrop of the nation's capital.

7. La Cita in Los Angeles, Calif.
When it comes to people watching in downtown L.A., there's no better place than La Cita's outdoor patio filled with hipsters.

6. Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco, Calif.
Grab some ice cream at Ghiradelli Square, then perch yourself on a bench near the pier for some of San Francisco's most entertaining people watching.

5. Banq in Boston, Mass.
Air-kissing fashionistas and media darlings put on a show at this Washington Street eatery.

4. Martini Park in Chicago, Ill.
Chicago Magazine has ranked this hotspot as one of the best patios for people watching along River North.

3. Mon Ami Gabi in Las Vegas, Nev.
This sidewalk cafe has always been a favorite spot to watch the wild and peculiar Vegas crowd.

2. World Famous in San Diego, Calif.
Enjoy fresh seafood, hand cut steaks and hilarious people watching at this beach front restaurant.

1. Blue Water Grill in New York, N.Y.
New Yorkers know Blue Water Grill's outside corner table provides the ultimate vantage spot for people watching.

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After a long steamy summer, you've probably had your fill of ice cream. Now it's time to lighten up with some swirly fro-yo goodness. Frozen yogurt shops are opening up all over the country, as more Americans seek healthier alternatives to ice cream.

Frozen yogurt is made with milk instead of cream which results in a lower fat content. Forget the guilt of indulging in ice cream, you won't be cheating while you're eating this tantalizing treat.

Here are the best spots to scoop up the yummiest frozen yogurt:

Yogen Fruz in Locations Nationwide
With over 1,100 locations in 20 countries around the world, this frozen yogurt shop serves delicious and nutritious frozen desserts. Each serving of their probiotic frozen yogurt, available in three flavors, weighs in at 120 calories or less. Top it off or blend it up with a variety of fresh fruit toppings. Stephanie Pratt, Khloe Kardashian and other celebs are often spotted at the Beverly Hills location.

Froyo Love in San Marcos, Calif.
The idea at this self-serve frozen yogurt shop is simple: allow customers to mix and match their frozen yogurt flavors and toppings, then weight the cup and charge by weight. Since the number of toppings doesn't matter, you can sample a little bit of everything.

Yogorino in Philadelphia, Pa.
This newcomer to the Philly froyo scene serves tart Greek-style chilled yogurt in only one flavor that can be topped off with all kinds of goodies. Options include fresh strawberries, blackberries, muesli, granola, nuts and more.

IceBerry in Locations Nationwide
IceBerry's slightly sweet nonfat frozen yogurt comes in four mouthwatering flavors including original, green tea, honeydew and chocolate. A wide assortment of colorful toppings are available such as gummi bears, Fruity Pebbles, Oreo cookies, chocolate chips, rainbow sprinkles, almonds and plenty of fresh fruits.

Tasti D-Lite in Locations Nationwide
This New York success story now has locations in Florida, New Jersey, Texas and Tennessee. Their luscious and creamy frozen yogurt comes in more than 100 flavors. Imagine tucking into a generous scoop of cake batter, bananas foster, coconut mounds, latte fudge, peanut butter dream or strawberry shortcake for 100 calories or less. It may sound too good to be true, but we promise you this place is heavenly.

Pinkberry in Locations Nationwide
Another favorite of the Hollywood crowd, Pinkberry's frozen yogurt is made fresh using the highest quality ingredients. Flavors change with the season and currently include original, pomegranate, passionfruit and coconut. Since Pinkberry believes not all good things have to come to an end, past flavors that were particularly popular, such as green tea and coffee, are placed in the flavor vault until they are reintroduced.

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What started back in 2003 as a small kiosk at a college campus has resulted in the birth of numerous restaurants that specialize in serving one of America's favorite foods: cereal.



When the first cereal café, Cereality, opened at Arizona State University, the kiosk was met with overwhelming success. College students flocked to fill up their bowls with as many different cereals as they could combine and add-in "toppings" such as marshmallows, graham bites and chocolate chips.

One thing's for certain: These cafés are serious about cereal. The concept of a mix-and-match cereal bar may be simple, but the experience is anything but ordinary. Cereal cafés encourage originality, inspiring you to get creative and mix up your morning routine. The atmosphere is bright, lively and colorful, and the servers are warm and welcoming. At Cereality, the servers, knows as "cerealogists," even dress in pajamas.

Considering that the average American consumes about 10 pounds or 160 bowls of cereal a year, according to ABC News, it's only logical that cereal franchises are popping up all over the country. So as all the college students out there head back to campus, we thought it'd be fun to highlight the best spots to blend your own bowl of sugary goodness.

The Cereal Bowl in Miami, Fla.
Tucked in a little shopping center in Coral Gables, this is where University of Miami students get their cereal on. There is also a location in Newark, Delaware and The Cereal Bowl plans to expand into Washington, D.C., New Brunswick, N.J. and Birmingham, Alabama in the near future. Try the Dirt Bowl, an oddly satisfying concoction of cookie crisp, Oreos, chocolate syrup and gummy worms.

JUJU Cereal Bar in Los Angeles, Calif.
This breakfast hotspot lets you choose two scoops of dry cereal (everything from Fruity Pebbles to Special K), up to three mix-ins (think bananas, coconut, even peanut butter or maple syrup) and your choice of milk or yogurt. There are plenty of healthy options on the menu, too. Try using Kashi, Weetabix or hemp granola as a base, add in some wheat germ or whey protein, and finish it off with a pour of soy milk.

The Cereal Boxx in Tuscon, Ariz.
This breakfast café offers every kind of custom cereal creation you can dream up, but that's not all. The restaurant also serves fresh Belgian waffles, Spudsters (loaded baked potatoes), scrambled egg wraps, bagels, protein shakes and more.

Cereality in Locations Nationwide
Prepare to be overwhelmed at Cereality. There are so many different ways to mix and match what's in your bowl, it seems the options are endless. The toppings bar has everything from malted milk balls to fruits and nuts. You can even customize specialty items such as smoothies and parfaits.

More for the Cereal Crazed...
- Try the 'Eat Me Crunchy' Bowl
- Mix Your Own Custom Granola
- Pick Up This Cereal Cookbook

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The almighty sandwich is a great on-the-go meal that will fill you up without stressing your wallet. But not all sammies are created equal. There is definitely an art to sandwich making and it all starts with some quality bread. Add some succulent slices of meat, a little cheese, condiments, fresh lettuce and tomatoes, and you've got yourself a seriously well-crafted sandwich.



Next time you're looking for the best thing on sliced bread, drop in to one of these top sandwich shops:

10. Baguette Boxx in Seattle, Wash.
This casual eatery is quite simply a great place to get great food. The no-fuss sandwiches are made entirely by hand using only the highest quality ingredients. Try the crispy drunken chicken baguette made with battered crispy chicken, sweet tangy sauce, caramelized onions and cilantro.

9. Goose the Market in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Goose, a specialty food and wine market, may be small but the sandwiches deliver maximum deliciousness. The Batali, made with coppa, soppressata, capocollo, provolone cheese, and tomato preserves, is a knockout Italian sandwich and one of the market's best sellers.

8. Pesen's Bread and Panini in Miami, Fla.
There's nothing flashy about this quaint Miami sandwich shop except the food. The owner and his wife make everything themselves including a fantastic Caprese sandwich on baguette and a Mediterranean sandwich with hummus, feta cheese and olives in pita bread. Pesen's signature is the pressed panini sandwich, so be sure to try one of those as well.

7. Neal's Deli in Carrboro, N.C.
The pastrami, corned beef and smoked turkey are all made in house at this European-style mom-and-pop deli. Neal's signature tuna salad is a knockout as is the rustic white bread.

6. Red Truck Bakery in Warrenton, Va.
The New York Times has ranted and raved about this adored rural bakery. The pastries, breads and cakes (the sour cream coffee cake is a must) are the specialty, but the sandwiches are first rate too. The bread is made using the best local ingredients and you can usually get it fresh out of the oven.

5. Be'wiched in Minneapolis, Minn.
This charming gourmet deli in the Warehouse District serves artisanal sandwiches that are as fresh and healthy as it gets. The meats are house cured and natural, sustainable ingredients are used whenever possible.

4. All Star Sandwich Bar in Cambridge, Mass.
Cambridge's All Star Sandwich Bar is a home run. Known for kicking things up a notch, chef Chris Schlesigner loves incorporating a little spice into his sammies. The Beef on Weck is a popular menu item made with house roasted beef and extra hot horseradish. And if you dare, try the Atomic Meatloaf Meltdown made with grilled meatloaf, pepper jack cheese, Inner Beauty hot sauce and red onion jam on sourdough.

3. Ike's Place in San Francisco, Calif.
You'll like Ike's - guaranteed. The gigantic, three-part menu offers something for everyone whether you're a carnivore, vegetarian or a vegan. Each sandwich is served with Ike's Dirty Sauce and house garlic aioli sauce, made with numerous herbs, spices, garlic, and some of Ike's own secret ingredients. Ike's commitment to producing high-quality sandwiches has earned the deli numerous accolades over the years.

2. Devine Pastabilities in San Diego, Calif.
Voted the best sandwich shop in San Diego, Devine Pastabilities is, well, divine. The signature dish is the torpasta, a perfectly crusty Italian roll that is hollowed, toasted and stuffed with your choice of dish. Stuff it with salad, meatballs, even creamy pesto, fettuccini alfredo or lasagna.

1. 'Wichcraft in New York, N.Y.
To make it in Manhattan, sandwiches have to be filling, portable and offer something out of the ordinary. 'Wichcraft has figured out how to create just that. Chef and owner Tom Colicchio concocts tantalizing hand-held meals by assembling fresh and distinctive ingredients in perfect harmony. The Sicilian tuna with shaved fennel and lemon is to die for, and even the skinny women of Madison Avenue can't resist the ganache-filled cream'wiches.

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Craving a little taste of France? How about some Nutella, sliced bananas, whipped cream, a touch of powdered sugar all rolled up in a thin, perfectly crisped crêpe? Oui, s'il vous plaît!



Crêpes originated in Brittany, France where they are traditionally served with apple cider. Thanks to the French, there are plenty of places across the U.S. where you can enjoy a good authentic crêpe. Here are our picks for the best crêperies coast to coast:

The French Crêpe in Los Angeles, Calif.
The French Crêpe has been dishing out sweet and savory crêpes at the L.A. Farmers Market for 15 years. The panini sandwiches are crisped to perfection too.

Crêpes by the Sea in Delray Beach, Fla.
The crêpes at this quaint little café just a few blocks from the beach are wonderfully elegant. Just cruise by this crêperie and you'll be lured inside by the sweet smell wafting out from under the red awning.

Crepes on Columbus in New York, N.Y.
All the crepes at this charming Upper West Side café are made from scratch and made to order. Chocolate lovers can create their own crêpe using filling choices such as Belgium milk, dark or white chocolate, creamy peanut butter, sweet coconut, an array of fresh fruits, marshmallows, Nutella and more.

La Crêpe Nanou in New Orleans, La.
Situated on a cozy little corner in New Orleans, home to some of the best crepes in the country, La Crêpe Nanou has been serving traditional French fare for over 20 years. Just tasting the crêpes will cause serious cravings. You'll also want to sample their signature moules frites.

La Creperie in Chicago, Ill.
This family-run bisto-style restaurant encourages experimentation. You can create your own crêpe from a variety of ingredients. On the sweet side, choose from ingredients including chocolate, sweet cream, coconut, and fruits galore. Or go savory with eggs, cheese, ham, veggies and more.

Creperie Beaumonde in Philadelphia, Pa.
All the locals know Creperie Beaumonde has the best desserts in Philly hands down. The crêperie has received numberous awards including "Best of Philly," "Best of Brunch" and "Best of Outdoor Dining."

Cafe Bonaparte in Washington, D.C.
This quintessential Parisian café located in the heart of Georgetown is a great place to grab a bite and enjoy some people watching. Order up the ever-popular Saint Germain crêpe, a lovely combination of strawberries, whipped cream and almonds.

Ti-Couz in San Francisco, Calif.
Ti-Couz is one of the oldest crêpe restaurants in San Francisco. From seafood sauce and smoked salmon to berries and brown sugar, you can customize your crêpe exactly to your liking choose from a long list of a la carte fillings.

Bayside Skillet Crepe and Omelet Place in Ocean City, Md.
Beach towns are a great place to find scrumptious crêpes. Spend a Sunday morning at Bayside Skillet and you'll see exactly what we mean. Housed in a can't-miss pink building, Bayside serves up generously sized crêpes brimming with all kinds of yummies. The homemade chantilly is an added bonus.

Crispy Crêpes Café in Boston, Mass.
Located near Boston University, this tiny mom-and-pop shop serves up pizza and crêpes at bargain prices. The sweet crêpes are exceptional with a delicate golden crust and decadent fillings.

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A little bit of French, a sprinkle of Spanish, a dash of Native American and you've got a gumbo stew that's as authentic as it gets. A mixing bowl of culture, gumbo originated in New Orleans based on the French soup bouillabaisse. The "holy trinity" of celery, bell peppers and onions is of Spanish origin and the use of ground sassafras leaves came from the Native Americans.

You can taste the "Laissez les bon temps rouler!" (or "Let the good times roll!") vibe of New Orleans in a traditional bowl of spicy and rustic Cajun gumbo. Ladled over white rice, the stew is almost slightly imperfect yet inspired at the same time - similar to the soulful sounds of improvisational jazz floating through the streets of New Orleans.

While a good gumbo may be the heart and soul of Louisiana cooking, these down-home kitchens outside The Big Easy know how to serve up a well-seasoned bowl of stew:

Acadiana in Washington, D.C.
This contemporary, Louisiana-style restaurant dishes out a mean bowl of gumbo loaded with jumbo lump crab, shrimp, crawfish, oysters, redfish and served over mahatma rice.

Crooked Bayou in Orlando, Fla.
Award-winning Cajun food is the specialty at this Downtown Orlando eatery.

Great Jones Café in New York, N.Y.
The no-frills façade of this Greenwich Village café may not excite you, but the insanely good gumbo will get your blood flowing.

Clay's Smokehouse Grill in Portland, Ore.
Clay's Smokehouse Grill smokes and simmers all of their meats, poultry, seafood and veggies on the premises making for a spicy and delicious gumbo soup.

Guy's Gumbo Shack in Fairhope, Ala.
Alabama Tourism rated this Creole kitchen number six in the Gulf Coast for 100 Dishes to Eat in Alabama. The gumbo, jambalaya, and red beans and rice all reign supreme.

Dodie's in Dallas, Tex.
If you're craving some honest Creole cuisine, head over to Dodie's. A native New Orleans family owns the place and all the recipes are homemade.

Brenda's French Soul Food in San Francisco, Calif.
At this Creole diner located in the Civic Center, you'll nosh on some of San Fran's best traditional French soul food.

Heaven on Seven in Chicago, Ill.
One of Chicago's most popular restaurants for over 25 years, the saying goes, "People who come back from Heaven all say the same thing...try the gumbo!"

Baby Kay's Cajun Kitchen in Phoenix, Ariz.
Baby Kay's serves gumbo by the cup four different ways, accompanied by white rice and dense flavorful garlic bread that's hard to beat.

Gumbo's in Denver, Colo.
Gumbo's hearty namesake dish will fill you up, but leave you wanting more.

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Who doesn't love cupcakes? These individual handfuls of sugary goodness is enough to make the grouchiest person smile. To get you through the tough work week, grab a few of these for you and your officemates, and you'll all be whistlin' while you work.

Make sure you check out some of the best cupcakes in the nation:

With long lines snaking out the door, NYC's famed Magnolia Bakery offers old-fashioned favorites such as Red Velvet or German Chocolate cupcakes. A popular fave is the Hummingbird, a cupcake made with pineapple, banana, and pecans.

Love at First Bite of Berkeley, Calif., has an unusual and delicate Matcha Green Tea cupcake that's made with the Japanese ceremonial matcha tea. If that won't satisfy your sweet tooth, try the Ginger Babycakes, a gingerbread cupcake with limoncello-cream cheese frosting.

Hello Cupcake in Washington, D.C. has a Velvet Elvis cupcake that's named after The King's favorite sandwich (peanut butter and banana). This bakery also offers gluten-free and vegan flavors each day.

Seattle's sassy Cupcake Royale has a heavenly Lavender cupcake that will send you off to a floral bliss. They stir in actual lavender buds to make the dreamy frosting. Another popular flavor is their Lemon Drop cupcake, topped with a real Lemon Drop candy.

Miette in San Francisco has picture-perfect cupcakes that will turn any occasion into a super chic affair. Get the chocolate with the Italian meringue frosting, or the moist ginger one with cream cheese frosting.

Celebrities love L.A.'s Sprinkles for a good reason. Made with the best ingredients, their popular cupcake flavors include the classic Red Velvet, Ginger Lemon, or Chocolate Marshmallow.

Along with regular standbys, Pittsburgh's Coco's Cupcake Cafe offers vegan cupcakes in Chai, Green Tea, Margarita and Red Velvet flavors. Other unique flavors include the Mimosa and the Tiramisu.

Cupcake Jones in Portland has a Rocky Road cupcake that will blow your mind. Another gourmet flavor to get is the White Chocolate Marionberry. They even have doggie cupcakes for your pets!

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A centuries-old Middle Eastern tradition is becoming increasingly popular in the United States: the hookah. Hookah bars seem to be popping up left and right, particularly in college towns and urban cities, as more people look for ways to spice up a typical night on the town.



Hookah lounges boast impressive menus with just about every flavor of tobacco, or shisha, you can possibly imagine. Choose from an array of fruit-flavored shisha including mango, strawberry and peach, or go for something sweeter like chocolate mint, orange cream or pina colada.

Shisha smokers say sharing a hookah with friends is a fun and fresh new way to socialize while embracing multiculturalism at the same time. Patrons of hookah lounges will sit for hours smoking shisha, playing table games, enjoying live music, and noshing on traditional Persian dishes.

Many feel that hookah lounges have reinvented the nightlife and restaurant scene. It's an experience that, by its very nature, encourages social interaction and making new friends -- something that is often missing in the lives of busy Americans lost in cyberspace and chained to their computers and BlackBerrys. The hookah bar is all about immersing yourself in the experience and the tradition. As one hookah lover puts it, "You talk with young people, old people, all kinds of interesting types. Next thing you know three hours have gone by! There's really no other experience like it."

While smoking shisha seems to be a growing trend, hookah bars in some cities are going up in smoke. In Boston, a series of anti-smoking laws passed earlier this year will require all hookah bars to close within ten years. Similarly, in North Carolina, a smoking ban in restaurants and bars will go into effect in January, forcing hookah bars to either convert to a tobacco shop or shut down.

Here's the buzz on some of the best spots to smoke shisha coast to coast:

10. Tantra Restaurant & Lounge in Miami, Fla.
The vibe at Tantra exudes seduction. A live grass floor, waterfall and sensual music make this place hot, hot, hot.

9. Sphinx Café Hookah Bar in Pittsburgh, Pa.
Catering to the University of Pittsburgh college crowd, Sphinx Café is the city's only authentic Egyptian hookah bar and coffee house.

8. Gazuza in Washington, D.C.
Under the same ownership as D.C.'s trendy Chi-Cha Lounge, this Dupont Circle hookah lounge features sleek modern décor and an expansive second-story patio overlooking Connecticut Avenue.

7. Horus Cafe & Kebab House in New York, N.Y.
NYU students flock to this cafe for Mediterranean and North African bites, over 20 flavors of hookah, and DJs and belly dancers on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.

6. Gypsy Café in Westwood, Calif.
All the hipsters head here for wonderfully smooth hookahs, first-rate food and impeccable service.

5. Zentra Hookah Bar in Chicago, Ill.
Located on West Weed Street, this exotic little hideaway is a great place to toke -- hookah, that is.

4. Layalena Restaurant in Tempe, Ariz.
There's nothing "college bar" about Layalena. This hookah lounge features belly dancing, high-quality tobacco, gourmet bites and a beautifully appointed décor.

3. Desert Nights in Redondo Beach, Calif.
Consistently rated among the best of the best in the LA area, Desert Nights keeps the hookah experience authentic with an impressive array of exotic shisha flavors in a casual, relaxed environment.

2. Cozy Café Hookah Lounge in New York, N.Y.
With over 69 flavors of hookah, this place keeps the shisha-loving crowd coming back for more. Don't miss the live belly dancing on Friday and Saturday nights.

1. Ali Baba's in Brentwood, Calif.
Rated by locals as the best hookah bar in the Bay Area, Ali Baba's varies their shisha flavors by season so there's always something new to smoke.

Click here for a directory of hookah bars in your state.

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