Let's Eat.

Aside from all the obvious benefits of vacation (not being at work) one of my favorite parts is the food. My plan is always to eat as much good food as I can by both eating out and cooking. There is a fine balance between cooking and eating out when on vacation. For example, I have a very low tolerance for 'road food' and pretty much cant wait to cook a nice meal once we reach our destination. Cooking is something I love to do but don't do as often as I should. Or at least as creatively as I should.

Vacation is the perfect time to try some new recipes, or just use the tried and true ones you already know you love. I also feel strongly that meals should be kept pretty simple because lets face it, you are on vacation so you should be expending as little energy as possible. And by 'cooking' I mostly mean 'grilling.' When we took our first couple vacations to Virginia Beach we tented, which meant we had no choice but to grill whatever hot meals we wanted. I loved this. Grilling really helps you appreciate your food because you have to prepare it and then wait to eat it, while it is on the grill taunting you looking delicious. Not to mention there are few better ways to enjoy your food then sitting around a campfire with your closest friends eating a good meal.

Shrimp and Grits - Outer Banks Brewery

As much as I love grilling, I equally love going out to eat at interesting restaurants. As a general rule we (Paul and I) try as hard as we possibly can to avoid eating at chain restaurants. Especially when on vacation because why would you ever spend the time you have away from home eating at a place you see everyday, and in every town, all over the country. He makes an exception however for the Outback Steak House, because did you know its specific to the south? A real treat.

Seriously though, we spend a lot of time trying to figure out the best restaurants to try in our destination city. So far, I can't think of any real disappointments we have had. More on the specific places to come, but let me also say that the breweries tend to be my favorite places to hit up. They typically have really good beer, and if you've found a winner, they have great food! More on these to come as well. Breweries tend to be a good option because they are the kinds of places that will pride themselves on providing you a great beverage, and they know the importance of accompanying that beverage with awesome food.

If you are the kind of person who sticks to the Applebee's and Fridays when on vacation I would strongly encourage you to think outside the box and only eat at local restaurants on your next trip out of town. While you're at it, do that when you are at home as well and I bet you will be pleasantly surprised by the great food around you.