Think New York, London, LA or Paris.  You can find every type of cuisine in Shanghai – from Chinese to Thai, British to American.

Try these:

Chinese

Sichuan Citizen (30 Donghu Road at Huai Hai Road, French Concession) French owned and staffed, the spicy Sichuan food will blow your mind.  Try the ribs.  $10 per person.

Shanghai at Night

South Beauty (881 Yan’an Zhong Lu at Tongren Lu) The epitome of a classy night out.  Also offering Sichuan fair, the ambiance and style make this a real night on the town.  Try the beef presentation dish.  $10 per person.

1221 (Yanan Xi Lu at Changshu Lu, Changning, Shanghai) Shanghai has cuisine all its own, and this place does it best.  The tea ceremony is worth the visit by itself.  $10 per person.

Pan-Asian

People 6 (150 Yueyang Lu at Yongjia Lu) Delicious food and awesome feel, if you can figure out how to get in.  Hint: it has nothing to do with the actual door.  $10 per person.

Baan Thai (1479 Fuxing Zhong Lu at Huaihai Lu) The second best Thai food in Shanghai, after Thai Gallery.  Sit outside under the massive gazebo.  $10 per person.

Thai Gallery (27 Datian Lu at Beijing Xi Lu) The best Thai food in Shanghai.  The menu is an art canvas and everything on the walls is for sale.  $10 per person.

Veggie Special

New Age Veggie (Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui Metro Station) For all those vegetarians who want to know what chicken and pork taste like.  Fake meat is the order of the day at this delectable restaurant.  Still satisfies meat lovers, too.  $10 per person.

Western

Element Fresh (Shanghai Center, 1376 Nanjing Xi Lu at Xikang Lu)  Offering a mix of western and pan-Asian fair, their brunch menu definitely has the most rewarding entrees on offer.  Don’t miss the chocolate banana soy protein power shake.  It’s perfect after a big night out.  $13 per person.

Kitchenette (966 Changle Road at Wulumuqi Road, +86-21-6248-6361) An adorable little American diner dropped into the middle of Shanghai.  Fantastic French toast.  $5 per person.

Blue Frog (Super Brand Mall, Lujiazui Metro Station)  The best burger in Shanghai, bar none.  Try the 2-4-1 if you’re there on a Monday.  Extensive western menu as well.  $10 per person.

Bits & Bobs

La Mian – A specialty from western China, these “long noodles” are made before your eyes and taste divine.  Look for two large metal pots brewing outside a neighborhood hole-in-the-wall restaurant.  $1 per bowl.

Baozi – Stuffed buns are the perfect breakfast food.  Look for big round bamboo steamers.  They come in both meat and vegetable varieties.  20 cents per bun.

Xiaolongbao – Shanghai’s take on stuffed buns.  A bit smaller and a bit more dumpling-esque.

All Days – The Chinese equivalent of 7-Eleven, All Days is the place to buy nearly anything from bottled water to rain ponchos.  Open “All Day(s).”

Kyle got the travel bug after moving to China following graduation. He has since visited over 50 countries on 5 continents working in International Development. More online at www.kyletaylor.com.

Last week, I gave you some tips on the best bars in Seattle. Did you think I was going to leave you hanging on the food?

Here are a few of my favorite spots in Seattle to grab a little grub:

Photo Credit: WordRidden on Flickr

Le Pichet - Probably the most authentic French brasserie experience in Seattle, although the newly-opened Bastille in Ballard is sure to give Le Pichet a run for its money.

Via Tribulani – For the “this-takes-me-back-to-my-trip-to-Naples” pizza experience. Wood-fired oven, Peroni on draught, and excellent Tiramisu.

Punjab Sweets – Located in Kent, this little hole-in-the-wall place located in a strip mall has the most authentic Indian food around and a huge selection of mithai (Indian sweets). If you’re used to Indian buffet lunches you’ll be thrown by the menu here because it’s not your everyday Americanized-Indian food. Food here is 100% vegetarian and they use quality ingredients which you can taste in every bite.

Anything missing from the list?

Dallas is where I’ve lived the longest and I enjoy it because it has a whole lot to offer, especially when it comes to food.

First off, I really love that there’s more to the Dallas scene than BBQ. BBQ is the food of the cowboys, who you’ll find in Forth Worth (aka COWTOWN). Don’t ask me about BBQ because I don’t eat it. We have plenty of long-established joints around town that, I’ve heard, provide a delicious sampling of this traditional Texas food. Sonny Bryans, Spring Creek BBQ, Babe’s, Colter’s, etc. I personally don’t like it so that’s as much as I know.

Instead I love to feast on delicious burgers and Tex-Mex, which are in abundance around here. But you have to be careful with quantity versus quality.

Photo From TwistedRootBurgerCo.com

Where you’ll find the good stuff:

Twisted Root – A great burger/hot dog joint featured on Diners, Drive In’s and Dives. The menu is limited… on purpose. It keeps your decision-making process simple which is really the theme of this little eatery. Burger, fries, drink and maybe the shake-of-the-day for dessert. The menu is written on a series of chalk boards and with a black sharpie on brown butcher paper and taped to the wall above the cash register. Seriously. Twisted Root is a no-frills place that just wants to offer good food, ice cold beer and a casual chill-out atmosphere. I love it. Each order gets a celebrity name card, so when your order is up, you’ll be known as “Beetlejuice” or  a local favorite like “Dirk Nowitzki.”

Desperados – My favorite Mexican restaurant and a family-owned establishment since the ’80s. It looks somewhat like the Alamo on the outside, but the interior is calming and intimate. Start with chips-n-salsa, get the Steak Argentina for your main course and finish with sopapillas. Don’t forget to wash it all down with a frozen margarita. Desperados has been around for forever but it has only one other location, keeping it a very local establishment. I think of Desperados as a special place – one you save for special occasions.

For your everyday Tex-Mex cravings, hit Blue Goose. For starters, the margaritas here are outstanding. The sour cream chicken enchiladas are always delicious and you have a never-ending supply of chips-n-salsa. There are several locations around Dallas and the suburbs and the location you pick definitely affects the atmosphere. On Lower Greenville Avenue, expect a lot of bikers and bar-hoppers as this is a central location to get your drink on and pub crawl. It’s a lot of fun!

L.A. is a health food haven.  Gotta be lookin’ good in the city of beautiful people!  For the sake of making this a well-rounded list, I’ll try to make this an even spread of grub and greens.

1. In-N-Out -  If you’ve seen Pulp Fiction, you know this one. Cutting carbs?  Ask for it Protein-Style (aka: no bun).  Otherwise, ask a Double-Double Animal-Style.

2. Urth Café - This is an all organic coffee and tea place.  There are a couple across L.A., but I always prefer the one on Melrose.  It’s a great place for star-spotting, and the lunch salads are delicious.

Mmmmmm...In and Out Burger, Animal Style

3. Diddy Riese -  Every UCLA and USC student knows about this place.  It’s the home of the most delicious cookie sandwiches in town.  There’s often a wait that wraps the building, but the cookies and hot, gooey and crazy cheap!

4. Pink’s Hot Dogs - Pink’s is a one of a kind hot dog stand.  Again, there is often a line, but it’s a famous late-night hang out and worth the wait.

5. Mel’s Favorite Diner -  Another great place for late-night after an evening out on the town.  Right on the Sunset Strip, this place is perfect for people-watching, and you’re sure to end the night with a story to tell.

6. Roscoe’s Chicken and Waffles -  I’ve never been to this one, but it’s a “not so healthy, but go for the experience” kind of place that offers a selection of the finest southern home cooking in Los Angeles (or so I’m told).

7. Lulu’s Café -  This one I frequented during my time in L.A.  Right on Beverly Drive, it’s perfect for a casual lunch/brunch or afternoon snack on the patio.

8. El Cholo -  … is so yummy, and great for a group!  Lots of USC students come here because it’s a quick and easy drive off The 10.

9.  The Ivy-  This is the place to splurge if you have the means.  The view overlooking the Santa Monica pier is great, and the food is so amazingly fresh.

10.  Raffi’s -  This is a personal favorite.  A bit outside L.A., in downtown Glendale, this restaurant has the best Persian food you’ll ever find, and I’m not alone. All of the kabobs are to die for.

Am I missing something?  Let me know and comment below!

Photo Credit: VirtualErn on Flickr