Hungry for you by Lynsay Sands
The plot of New York Times bestselling author Lynsay Sands’ latest novel, HUNGRY FOR YOU (on sale from Avon 11/30/10, ISBN 9780061894572, $7.99), revolves around a vampire who poses as a chef–and it’s got us thinking about food!
Restaurants can set the scene for all sorts of events. Whether it’s a birthday dinner with girlfriends, a romantic evening, or just a normal night out, you never know when you’re going to have an unforgettable dining experience. And if you’ve ever worked in a restaurant, you know there’s a ton of action that goes on behind the scenes….case and point, the unpredictably steamy relationship that sparks between Alex and Cale in HUNGRY FOR YOU.
We asked Lynsay Sands to tell us about the best restaurant she ever ate at:
It’s funny you should ask that because I have been missing a certain restaurant since returning to Canada from England, and what I’ve missed most was shredded aromatic crispy duck rolled up in very flat Chinese pancakes with hoisin sauce, green onions (or spring onions as they are called in England) and julienned cucumbers. It is AWESOME. I fell in love with it the first time I tried it, and it was killing me that I can’t get it here. A couple weeks ago that craving attack just went wild and I put out a plea on Facebook for help finding a recipe to make this dish. I had tons of lovely people trying to help and they even found it for me…hmm, just talking about it makes me think I should make it again… And the restaurant that started the madness? The North China Sea in Huddersfield, England.
For a chance to win a $250 gift certificate to the national restaurant chain of your choice (think Cheesecake Factory, P. F. Changs, Chillis, etc), tell us in comments: What is the most amazing restaurant you ever ate at, and why was it so good?
Congratulations to Kimberley C for winning the $250 gift certificate!
Over the years my family has created many great memories at various restaurants. Everything from special play-dates as a young girl at McDonald’s to weekly steakhouse visits as a teenager with my baby sister and our mom and step-dad up to my son’s first birthday celebrated at Chucky Cheese! That is not where it ends… I am just trying to be nice and not name every life event that included a restaurant (there are way too many). With all of the special memories I have of various restaurants, I could not choose just one.
laughter and smiles to you all!!!
My favorite restaurant is Emeril’s New Orleans Restaurant. It has the best food I’ve ever eaten.The last time I was there I had Crawfish Tails in Creole Cream Sauce ,Andouille Crusted Redfish and a very delicious Peach Shortcake.
We found a little restaurant in the town we live in called Teakwoods Tavern & Grill never would have expected the amazing food that they have there.
One of my fave places to eat is St. Andrews in NYC. You can have a great burger in the front of the house in the pub or have a fantastic steak and some cok-a-leekie soup in the fine dining restuarant inthe back. And you can never go wrong in a place where the bartenders and waiters wear kilts.
The Angus Barn in Raleigh!! It looks like a barn on the outside & is very rustic inside. They make the best steaks! They have awesome cheese in crocks, served with crackers, celery & assorted olives. And their chocolate pecan pie is to die for!
MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
My favorite place to eat is a fiftys diner called Johnny Rockets. I first found it in high school with my boyfriend at the time and have taken so many friends there. At the moment it is also where my 5 year old prefers to eat as well. Not only do they have my favorite burger but they also have a fun atmosphere where they even dance to some of the songs.
Even though this is not a fancy eating place Dominoes Pizza in Leamington is my favourite. Since I am a celiac I only eat the chicken wings. Why I chose this is because they have delicious pizzas which feeds the rest of my family and there are never any complaints.
My favorite place to eat so far in my little world would be “Cheif In The Forest.” This is a 5star meal hidden away in Hauser Lake, ID. The food is spaticular, flavors melt in the mouth, and have yet to met anyone who has been disapointed. Country, seclusion, and atmospher to boot. This is one of the hidden treasures in northwest. Space for lover, friends, couples, celebrations, and all other celebrations. Seating is limited and Reservations are must. Best time is fall when leaves are turning and birds flock, in evening cross road to small lake and can watch the bats fly across snaking on bugs, see gental waves of water lap to shore. realy words are not enough it is that all and all best hide hole i have found thus far
For me it would be The Cottage Inn. It’s just a very small place that has truely home cooked meals. When I was little my Grandparents lived 3 doors down from it. We’d get ice cream there every Sunday. My Grandparents are long gone now, but The Cottage is still there. Lots of good food and nice memmories..
Congrats on the new release Lynsay.. can not wait to get my own copy. I love this series. Thank you for giving everyone a chance at the GC…
Good luck everyone.
Can’t remember the name, but it was a top-class restaurant near Georgetown in DC where we celebrated my niece’s college graduation. We had everything from soup to nuts plus extras, wines and appertifs. Never tasted better, everything cooked to perfection, and for dessert I had the best bread pudding I ever tasted, so light and delicious, I’m going back for me next time I’m there.
I would have to say Grandma Moura’s in Buffalo it is a magnificent Mexican restaurant. Everything is homemade right down to salsas, sauces from scratch. Very authentic and delicious.
Michelle B. aka Koshkalady
I love The Outback– I haven’t ate at any truly fancy restaurants, but I love everything about them, and it’s a super nice meal that you can dress comfortably while eating, but still feel like it’s a nice night out.
My favorite place to eat is a fifties diner called Johnny Rockets. I first found this place when I was in high school with a boyfriend at the time. Since then I’ve hung out there with other friends and even my family. Last year my 5 year old wanted to go there for his birthday dinner. It not only has my favorite burger, but it has a fun atmosphere as well. Not only do they have little juke boxes to play music from but during certain songs they sing and dance. Not only do they have good food but I have many fond memories there as well.
My husband and I recently went on a date. We dropped our kids off at my sister’s house & her husband recommended Novita Bistro & Lounge in Metuchen, NJ. The food was exceptional! They offered a Chef’s tasting which consisted of a salad, seafood dish, steak dish and dessert complete with a wine pairing for each meal. The food, not the price, was extravagant. The night was made even better by the live entertainment—a crooner and his piano followed by a comedy show made complimentary to all diners. We will definitely be having another date at Novita’s.
We don’t eat out much because so manay restaurant food reminds me of hospital food. Tbe one place my husband and I can agree on is ‘Cracker Barrel’. The food reminds me of my mom and grandmother’s cooking when I was a kid and visiting the family farm. The food is great and the feeling of being at home is even better, especially when I can leave the table and not worry about cleaing up.
I’d have to say the most memorable restaurant would be Rainforest Cafe. That’s because it was on a family trip to Galveston Island. We are talking about the whole family from Grandma to great grand children. Everyone enjoyed it and it was wonderful for the whole family to be together.
The best restaurant we’ve ever been to was the restaurant in the Flamingo Hilton in Las Vegas.(don’t remember the name!?) It was about 25 years ago and it was our first trip anywhere together.(we’d been married about four years) The restaurant was beautiful, we had steak dinners and the steak just melted in our mouths. The waiter stood off to the side behind a pillar and it seemed as if all we had to do was think what we wanted and it was right there in front of us. We were broke as could be, didn’t have a nickel to our names and only took the trip because the hubs sister flew us free because she worked for American Airlines so all we could afford was that dinner. But it was THE BEST dinner we’ve ever eaten!! And now the Flamingo Hilton is no longer, we watched a news story on the implosion and saw it demolished!! But we’ll NEVER forget it!
Since my husband and I have been honing our cooking skills, we haven’t gone out a lot to eat lately. However, we have fallen in love with Longhorn Steak House. I’m the person who never orders steak out because it never comes out right. This place cooks my steak “perfect” every single time. They have the best cuts of rib eye that I’ve ever had. Their lobster and shrimp dip is out of the world. And you must save room for dessert – “the sampler” consists of strawberry cheesecake, caramel apple goldrush (an apple cobbler type of thingy) and chocolate stampede (a chocolate mousse cake). It’s to die for. I’m serious. It is so worth that 10,000 calories that you know are in there (LOL). In fact my husband and I had another great dinner there this evening when we celebrated my birthday. The service is excellent, and you’ll never get a bad meal, ever.
If you like BBQ there is a place in Ga. called Sonny’s BBQ that is pretty darn good, we’ve gone there twice when I’ve visited.
Zina
I have gone to several Chinese Seafood Restaurants but most of the quality in taste have gone down, portion has gotten smaller and the price has gone up.
I went to Newport Seafood Restaurant. Every dish is delicious and each dish portion is perfect. The price for each dish is very reasonable.
I have recommended the restaurant to several of my friends and each has come back saying the food at the restaurant is delicious without hurting their pockets.
In Southern California, we have a small, local chain called Fish House Vera Cruz. We enjoy this restaurant so very much! The fresh fish and seafood is good, but the way they prepare it is exquisite and memorable.
The fish is grilled and served with fresh dinner rolls straight from the tables of the gods; soft and warm, perfectly shaped and flavored, with a rich creamy butter. Garlic mashed potatoes on the side or a light and savory rice pilaf with grilled fresh vegetables compliment the feast.
Their desserts are decadence incarnate, and the wine list represent the best of California vinyards. They even have a fresh fish market on site, and the decor is apropos; huge, decorative fish tanks filled with living jewels of the sea.
I have to say for me a restaurant that stands out and became, my little piece of heaven is J Alexander’s in Nashville Tenn. My husband toke me to Nashville this year for my 31st Birthday which was a wonderful surprise. Even though that day it rain all day and then some because, that day was when the flood happen. Talk about crazy day but, what made it bareable was J Alexander’s. To say the food was Magnificent is a unstatement, the porter house steak was like butter to die for, and the mac&cheese was awesome and the buttermilk onion…well were OMG!! But in the end that day not the shopping, the book sigining he took me to, none of that compared to J Alexander. Oh by the way we made it out of Nashville just one hour before they started shutting the road down… thank God for good servie there. So Yes J Alexander is Heaven on Earth
My sis took me to Mom’s Restaurant and I loved it! It was delious and the food didn’t make me sick like some restaurants do. I can’t wait to go again!
There is a Japaneese steak house here that is really good, you have to be careful if you don’t live near the ocean when ordering lobster or fish because they have to be frozen and shipped and it doesn’t taste as good as the fresh we get here in New England.
The resturant is Fuji’s in Stonington/Pawcatuck CT.
Zina
We always love to got to our local Red Lobster resteraunt!!! They not only have amazing food but it is really themed decorated and the staff is really funny and kind of entertains you throughout the meal. They serve the best seafood around and the most decadent desserts and drinks. Our whole family absolutely loves to go there for any occasion!!!
I’d have to say Mc T’s Restaurant on Sanibel Island was the experience of a lifetime. The seafood was never a disappointment with shrimp (any style) and grouper being my favorite. Then for dessert … Mud Pie. Chocolate ice cream, carmel, whip cream with layer of a chocolate-crunchy crust. Yum! It was usually a special occasion when we visited the island so friends came along. That’s memories to last a lifetime.
My favorite restaurant when I was in college was Legal Seafood in Cambridge. I go there for special occasions including my graduation. My parents even bought me caviar!
It is still Dec. 5th here, so I am trying.
The restaurant that most impressed me is on the top floor of the Rudder Tower at Texas A & M. in College Station. The food was exceptionally great as was the service and the price was reasonable. If the restaurant has a name, I did not see one.
I had seen this contest days ago, but waited to ask someone who works at Texas A & M the name of the restaurant on the 12th floor of Rudder Tower. He didn’t know a name either although he highly recommended the restaurant. The menu prices for visitors is very reasonable, but I understand there is even a reduced price for college workers and perhaps students. It is truly worth a visit. The restaurant’s
wall, that is floor to ceiling glass, gives one a gorgeous view of the campus.
One of my favorite restaurants is The Whistlin’ Pig in Asheville, NC. The barbecue is wonderful, the service excellent, and the bluegrass entertainment is outstanding!
Hum I would have to say Logans Roadhouse. I love the feel of it, the food is great, and you can have a drink if you like. The first time I ever went in one, I was like omg this place is nasty. lol There were peanut shells in the floor. We were proctoring Contractor exams and my boss and coworkers thought it was so funny. Once I tried the food I was hooked. My favorite meal there is the Sirloin & Jumbo Grilled Shrimp Scampi.
I want to Thank Lynsay Sands and Coffetime
for this wonderful gift. My husband and I will be able to go out to dinner countless times….Yum! Thank you very much.
Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays
God Bless!