Rio de Janiero - JOBI
Now Jobi doesn't have its own website, but it is one of the best local hangouts in this fashionable Brazilian city. Dehouche Luxury Travel's review of the Leblon area where Jobi is located, lists the botequim cafe as one of the best watering holes around. It's true. So very true.
After a few hours delay, we needed a fantastic place for our late lunch and were lucky enough to stumble by Jobi after quickly dismissing the recommended joint a few blocks back – it looked like a low budget pizza chain with plastic menus filled with pictures.
Jobi had a table of locals inside clearly enjoying their long lunch, surrounded by a smattering of glasses, all shapes and sizes, laughing and leaning back in their chairs.
Just us, them and an older couple in the corner. The man was drinking whiskey. The bottle is brought to the table with a measuring label on the side. Customers pour as they like. When finished, the amount consumed is noted and price tallied accordingly. Red checked table clothes and a chalked menu on the wall created more of the comfortable background we wanted.
The rest of the place was empty. By the time four’o’clock rolled around all of the tables had filled up. Eager to enjoy happy hour, lots of locals stood outside drinking beers and smoking cigarettes, some leaning on the street parked cars. Boisterous Portuguese filled the air. The relief of Friday night echoed down the street.
We had a salad with simple vinegar, fried rice with bacon bits and a good piece of meat. Every morsel was Truly Outrageous. I’m proud to have discovered this “Jem of de Janiero”. ;-)
Napa - Bounty Hunter
This place is a combination of two great worlds: Napa Valley wine country and your buddy’s backyard barbeque. One local said its a spot where men hang around with the hopes of bagging vineyard daughters. "How you doin?"
Wine Spectator, Playboy, The Wall Street Journal and Food & Wine too have satisfied their Wine Country cravings here. It's a super easy, casual atmosphere paired with great service, and superior quality food and wine. You can't go wrong at Bounty Hunter.
Take a gander through this wine bar's Smokin' BBQ menu. Immediately your tastebuds will moisten as your brain recognizes the possibilities of this joint’s extensive wine list, open-fire grilled entrees and comfort food.
The place is famous for its Beer Can Chicken, but they have Applewood Smoked Beef Brisket (my fav) on the menu. The brisket sandwich is stacked high on a fresh bun with pulled brisket accompanied by grilled corn on the cob.
Bounty Hunter is best known for tracking down some of the best wines in the world, hence the name. Over 40 wines are served by the glass. I paired the brisket with the hunter’s ‘Killer Cabs’ wine flight. They have three homemade barbeque sauces for dipping. 
London - Zuma
Super cool spot. Known to be frequented by celebrities. First opened in 2002, the German chef has since opened locations in Hong Kong and downtown Miami on the river. The atmosphere is dark, hip and intense. Our service was very good. We started with salmon sushi slighted smoked to a crisp on the outside, some calamari sautéed in jalapenos, hamachi sea bass w/ lemon oil and spicy peppers and miso soup. All prepared to perfection. Each tastier than the next.
The highlight of our meal was the main course: a wagyu ribeye steak, cubed and covered in a ginger chutney that tasted like my favorite Japanese ginger dressing. It was positively luscious. We enjoyed every bite. I could’ve eaten the sauce with a spoon. After a bottle of chilled sake, I did. I'll definitely whip up something similar to share with family and friends on my home table.
Other Greats:
Scottsdale - The Mission
Buenos Aires - Don Julio
Brussels - La Quincailleire
Moscow - Cafe Pushkin
