Rachel Dunn Chocolates- Unbelievable Apple

This apple is one of the most decadent, delicious desserts you could ever imagine! Take a huge, crisp Fuji apple, cover it with thick buttery caramel, dark chocolate and sprinkle liberally with roasted almonds. Seriously, you’ll lose your sh** when you take the first bite. I’ve been buying these bad-boys as gifts for years, and your friends will love you forever. It’s THAT good.

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Lobster Roll in Butter from Neptune Oyster, Boston MA

Growing up in the Boston area, I ate my share of lobster rolls and after I moved out of the area, would get these awful cravings. As luck would have it, a summer internship brought me back to Boston in 2006. And yes, I lobster rolled my butt off but this buttered beauty at Neptune is still in my dreams. Warm lobster chunks, dripped in butter and on a toasted brioche roll: crazy cholesterol, crazy good.

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Fried Whole-Belly Clams from the Clam Box, Ipswich MA

Keeping up with the seafood theme, fried clams are another regional New England delicacy. Fried clams: invented by Woodman’s but perfected by the Clam Box. I visited the Clambox a decade ago but I thought they were the best I’ve ever had. Crispy, crunchy, sweet and briny, there’s nothing like an Ipswich fried clam. Awesome-sauce and to die for, try ‘em if you’re ever up in the area…

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Crepe with orange-butter sauce from Ti Couz, San Francisco CA

Miso Ramen from Ippudo, New York City

There’s ramen and then there’s RAMEN! Ippudo is a ramen chain from Japan with only one US location. And it’s a shame because their noodles are awesome! Take fresh, thin toothsome ramen noodles floating in a slow-cooked broth, top with cabbage, scallions and some rich roasted, Berkshire pork and wow! They even put a piece of egg in there branded with their name. An amazing bowl of soup.

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Any Pizza from DiFara’s, Brooklyn, NY

Thankfully my cousin brought me to this pizza mecca in Brooklyn on Avenue J and we only waited 45 minutes! The owner (Dom DeMarco) is getting up in years so who knows how long you have to get an authentic, DiFara’s pizza? But they are sublime: charred crust, luscious tomato sauce, a mix of high quality cheeses, hand-snipped fresh basil and a dab of high-quality olive oil. We’re talking about a transcendent pizza here…
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A Real Philly Cheesesteak from Pat’s, Geno’s or…

Love my cheesesteaks but have yet to eat one in Philly and that kills me! Something about the savory steak, gooey cheese and soft bread that makes for a perfect meal. And yeah, I’ll have mine wit whiz…