Take a road trip to a celeb-owned restaurant
Welcome to the dead of winter, a time when the northern two-thirds of the country thinks about hitting the road to the southern third for a sorely needed respite from the cold.
If that description fits you – and you happen to also be a foodie who likes to check out celebrity-owned restaurants – we’ve assembled a list of eateries in said southern third that you may find are worth your hard-earned vacation dollars.
Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar: Southern food and live entertainment are the bread and butter of this Nashville establishment co-owned by the country music star, which offers up a varied menu of burgers, salads, sandwiches and steaks, and is highlighted by a 32-ounce “Tommy Hawk” bone-in ribeye. And if you’re just coming for drinks, sipping a cocktail or beer at the rooftop bar is an experience not to be missed.
Meril: Located in New Orleans’ Warehouse District, Emeril Lagasse’s fourth Big Easy eatery has a casual atmosphere and an open-style kitchen, from which some of the chef’s favorite dishes are prepared, such as wood fired flatbreads, Korean chicken wings and a fettuccine Nero. There is also a large bar area that serves varied wines and craft cocktails. Insider’s tip: Try the barbecued shrimp.
Hell’s Kitchen Caesars Palace: As one might think, Gordon Ramsay is behind this eatery on the Las Vegas Strip that’s inspired by his TV series of the same name. Here, guests will feel like they’re on the show’s set as they dine on entrees ranging from beef wellington and crispy skin salmon to vegetarian offerings such as a quinoa salad and an artichoke risotto. And the cocktails are exotic and imaginative. Just make sure to make reservations early because it gets crowded.
Nic & Norman’s: Located in Senoia, Ga., about 35 miles south of Atlanta, is this eatery co-owned by “The Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus and executive producer Greg Nicotera that features an array of tavern-style options ranging from soups, salads and gourmet burgers to entrees like brisket mac and cheese, Coca-cola braised pork shank and homestyle meatloaf. It also has a “Walking Dead” vibe, so be prepared.