Eat Your Heart Out
Lobster rolls on the Boston harbor, flaky pastelitos from Miami ventanitas: these are the things we travel the world for, not just because they’re delicious, but because neighborhood restaurants are the heart of local culture. This is where people celebrate life, catch up with friends, share family recipes passed down through generations, and reinvent them for the next.
Across Independent Collection Hotels & Resorts, the best local spots aren’t just around the corner – they’re at our doorstep. From vibrant French bistros in Washington, D.C. to New England classics in Cape Cod, here’s where to savor the local scene.
Boston
You know Boston for its spectacular seafood – a reputation it has well earned – but take a closer look and you’ll find so much more than clam chowder. Young, innovative chefs and a growing multicultural community are shaping Boston’s food scene into an exciting fusion of international flavors.
Take for example Para Maria, a Latin-inspired restaurant at The Envoy Hotel in Boston’s Seaport District. Helmed by Cuban-American chef Tatiana Rosana, a two-time “Chopped” champion and “Bar Rescue” Chef Expert, Para Maria adds some sazón to New England dining. Go for the chipotle mushroom tacos, or try something different, like the guava-glazed salmon with coconut rice, young coconut and tomatillo chow chow, and spiced pistachios. Don’t forget a side of crunchy tostones, a special dish that, like the restaurant’s name, pays homage to Chef Tatiana’s grandmother, Maria.
Washington, D.C.
When it comes to jazz music, Washington, D.C. is the stuff of legend. Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald, and the great Dizzy Gillespie have all performed here. Duke Ellington is a D.C. native. The jazz clubs on U Street are almost 100 years old. Even the sculpture gardens have jazz music these days!
From Dupont Circle to Georgetown, there are so many ways to experience jazz culture in the District. Enjoy your musical immersion at The St. Gregory Hotel’s charming French restaurant, Ellington Park Bistro, where you’ll be treated to live performances by some of the best local jazz artists in town, plus delicious French cuisine in a buzzy bistro atmosphere. Slip into a velvet booth, pop open a bottle of Champagne, and let the good times roll with Blanquette de Veau, French onion soup, and classic steak frites. Weekenders can also enjoy the restaurant’s famous brunch complete with bottomless spritzes, brioche French toast, and smoked salmon tartine. Top it off with a stroll through Duke Ellington Park, a charming homage to D.C.’s own jazz legend.
Cape Cod
Summer may be peak season for Cape Cod, Massachusetts, but fall and winter bring just as much beauty – and unbelievable seafood. Before you feast, it’s time to work up an appetite. Set sail for a glimpse of humpback whales along the coastline, meander through quaint historic streets, or try mountain biking through the Cape’s wooded trails.
Whatever you choose, anchor your explorations at Sea Crest Beach Resort and you’ll be rewarded with not one, not two, but five on-site eateries, each with its own take on Cape Cod cuisine. Collectively known as Streetscape, this assortment caters to every palate. Enjoy Cape quintessentials like New England Clam Chowder at The Lantern Room, munch on fish ‘n’ chips from a seaside shack at The Hatch, or cool down with a classic ice cream cone from Captain Scoops.
Philadelphia
The City of Brotherly Love is full of national treasures: Independence Hall, cheesesteak sandwiches, and Rocky Balboa, to name a few. Perhaps the most treasured of all is Rittenhouse Square. Dating back to the late 1600s, the famous square was planned by Philadelphia’s founder, William Penn, for whom the state of Pennsylvania is named. Fast forward to the 21st century and Penn’s landmark greenspace is more vibrant than ever, with thousands of locals and visiting out-of-towners buzzing through all year long.
Jump into the action at Lacroix, a dazzling AAA Four Diamond restaurant and Forbes Four Star winner nestled in the luxurious Rittenhouse Hotel. This Philadelphia icon has been around for over 20 years, spoiling guests with avant-garde French cuisine and award-winning wine lists chosen by their in-house sommelier. Lacroix’s latest visionary, Executive Chef Eric Leveillee, adds international flavors and rare ingredients to the mix like Japanese matsutake mushrooms with chicken confit, and succulent scallops topped with corn, brassicas, and serrano ham. And for dessert, how about Lacroix’s famously rich bananas foster topped with Baerii caviar?
The restaurant is a go-to for big celebrations, but those in the know come for the Sunday brunch buffet. Pile your plate with decadent bites like Berkshire pork, snow crab claws, or truffle and caviar deviled eggs – then walk it off at the ever-so-beautiful Rittenhouse Square below. It’s what William Penn would have wanted.
Miami Beach
Along with Latin American influence, the city of Miami Beach has visible ties to European culture, like classic Art Deco architecture and taking pleasure in long, unhurried meals whenever the mood strikes. Get a taste of both at Cadillac Hotel & Beach Club, a luxurious oceanfront resort with coastal European charm.
At the hotel’s Italian trattoria, Donna Mare, locals and travelers mingle over house-made pasta, wood-fired pizza, and premium cuts of meat grilled to perfection – all masterfully prepared with local farm-to-table ingredients. An Italian meal wouldn’t be complete without a glass of wine, of course. Choose your favorites from Donna Mare’s curated selection of Italy’s best, from crisp rosés of Provence to classic Tuscan reds. Pop open a bottle and soak up the sunshine like it’s summer on the Riviera. Cin cin!
Monterey Bay
Seafood and wine are two iconic staples of California cuisine and major players in the state’s local economy. At Salt Wood Kitchen & Oysterette in Monterey Bay, your delicious meal directly supports the California farms, fisheries, and purveyors that made it possible – which makes it even more satisfying.
The restaurant itself is quintessential California on its own. There’s an outdoor patio (pup-friendly, of course) surrounded by rolling dunes and distant beachfront views. The interior design is coastal chic, and the live-fire kitchen knows how to put on a show.
Located at The Sanctuary Beach Resort, Salt Wood has what one might call “a sense of place” – an immersive ambiance where sights, sounds, and smells are intertwined with a destination’s identity. Indulge all of your senses with seafood classics like Bay scallop ceviche, Dungeness crab benedict, and grilled octopus tacos, or opt for something meatier like 24-hour short rib, Tomahawk steak, or juicy chicken smoked to perfection over California oak wood. To drink, how about a bottle of Sauvignon Blanc from the nearby Santa Lucia Highlands? A fruity IPA from Monterey’s Alvarado Street Brewery would also hit the spot. Pair them with an evening bonfire on the beach, and you might as well call yourself a local!
Discover more unique culinary adventures and savor unforgettable flavors with Independent Collection Hotel & Resort’s dining experiences.