Q&A

SUMMER DESTINATIONS

BY KIRK SMICK, O.D., F.A.A.O.

FRIENDS, we are on the cusp of summer vacation — that glorious time of year when we pack our suitcases and our appetites for adventures in new cultures and cuisine.

I love to travel to exotic places (and Charleston) to eat gourmet food at Michelin star restaurants, drink great American and French wines and, of course, a glass of Macallan Scotch (25 preferred, but I’m OK with 18). I also love a perfect martini, shaken not stirred. I am fortunate to have friends who help with all the above (except for the Scotch, as that is my area of expertise). My world-travelling colleague Kirk Smick, O.D., F.A.A.O., especially knows his stuff.

I have had the great pleasure of traveling and dining with Kirk on several occasions. On one such occasion in Loire Valley, France, I didn’t know what to order from a very prestigious restaurant, Domaine des Hauts de Loire, so I ended up ordering all the entrees. (True story!) Kirk was not too happy with me, as we usually split the check. That said, his ability to try every single entrée I ordered seemed to placate him. And to top off the meal, we saw a beautiful bright yellow and silver private helicopter carrying an elegant-looking couple land on the restaurant’s front lawn. Kirk and I thought we traveled to restaurants in style, but this mode of transportation took the prize. Also, according to the head waiter, this is a normal occurrence of visitors to the eatery.

In this month’s “O.D. Scene,” Kirk takes you on a tour of his favorite U.S. restaurants, drinks and his four favorite cities for 2018, in case you’d like to check them out on your summer vacation Enjoy! OM

Jack Schaeffer, O.D., F.A.A.O.,
Editor-in-Chief
O.D. Scene

DIVINE DINING

ATLANTA → Trader Vic’s
Chinese Fusion
Hilton Atlanta, 255 Courtland St. • tradervicsatl.com

“At least once a year, I enjoy the clay oven-roasted duck with one or more Mai Tais.”

CHICAGO → Alinea
American
1723 N. Halstead • alinearestaurant.com

“If you’ve always wondered what molecular gastronomy is about, then Grant Achatz’s temple of fusion is where to go.”

NEW YORK → Caviar Russe
Seafood
538 Madison Ave., Second Floor • caviarrusse.com

“My wife and I enjoyed the Sunday brunch menu, and splurged on a bottle of 1981 Louis Roederer Cristal Champagne. We had a tasting menu of six different caviar samples, and it was sublime.”

SAN FRANCISCO → Benu
Seafood, vegetables and meat courses
22 Hawthorne St. • benusf.com

“Chef Cory Lee, a disciple of Thomas Keller’s French Laundry, does the French-Asian fusion thing in one of the most interesting presentations possible.”

SEATTLE → Ray’s Boathouse
Seafood
6049 Seaview Ave. NW • rays.com

“The black cod alone is worth it. Be sure to ask for a window table overlooking the bay.”

CHOICE CITIES FOR 2018

→ Budapest, Hungary. “The old European buildings reminded us [my wife and I] of Berlin, Frankfurt and Munich. The local people were very friendly, and the city isn’t short on major sights and attractions. And for dining, Onyx is a two-star Michelin award winner and very deserving of this.”

→ Lisbon, Portugal. “[This] capital city is wonderful and full of history, and you can see it all on foot by just leisurely walking around the cobblestone streets.”

→ Santiago, Chile. “Chilean food and wine was a pleasant surprise. Be sure to book a table at Chef Rodolfo Guzman’s Boragó. It [provides] a wonderful meal, and the local big red wines are a hit with everyone. We [my wife and I] were amazed at how modern the city was designed and carefully laid out.”

→ Sydney. “If there were just one city you should visit, except Paris of course, it should be Sydney. The Harbor Bridge, the Sydney Harbor itself and the famous Sydney Opera House all can be seen from the same downtown location. The indigenous Aborigines have an interesting culture and fascinating artworks. If you can get a reservation at Aria, the food is great, but the view across the bay is spectacular.”