Manai Gastronomia, São Paulo, Brasil

A recent work trip to Brasil provided me with a unique look into this country, its people, and most importantly, its food!

How do you feed 20 million people at lunchtime? Buffets. It took until my 3rd day of eating from a buffet at lunch to ask why this seems like the de facto method of eating lunch for Brasil's office workers. And it was explained simply enough - this is the only way everyone can eat good food in the time allotted for lunch. Restaurants would simply not have the time to take individual orders and make each person's meal choice if it was run like a traditional restaurant. Makes sense to me and my stomach!

Below is a look at one of the buffets we visited twice during the week. It's one of the best according to my taste buds and has been voted so by an online poll in years past.

The space is inviting, with an awesome, sunlit 2nd floor seating area, but you have to go up one of the nicest staircases I've ever seen to get there...

And the food...

Everything I ate at all the lunch buffets was good food, tasty, and much of it at a very reasonable price.  You could also go back for a little more Reais and get some dessert - uhh, yes please!

Sorvetes...

And those little torts and cakes, so good.

Village Tavern, Long Grove, IL

What do you get when you put hungry people in a tavern from 1847? Fed. And boy did we try it all at this quaint, but not small, joint in Long Grove, IL. They seem to have been here forever, even before Miller Beer was invented. They have lots of old-timey decor and history. Plus, good food.

I was not feeling hungry enough for a meal after a bunch of apps at the brewery nearby, so I thought I would go "light" with a simple sundae. Local ice cream, real whipped cream, it was pretty boss. And, well, it was a monster. I wound up getting about halfway in and giving up. No worries, the table finished it.

I would recommend Long Grove at almost any time of the year, and this place is on the list of places to go back to, hands down.

Barrel House Tavern, Sausalito, CA

This place is like an oasis in a bustling tourist town. Right on the ocean or bay. Great space, plenty of light and views. Awesome decor. And it only got better from there. We started with a great seat on the windows, looking out over the bay, then grabbed the menu...

We were very hungry and were basically wanting everything on the menu. Luckily, one of my fellow diners was nice enough to agree to "going splitzies" on two sandwich options. We chose the Steak Sandwich and the Burger (if I recall... ate too fast for many picks). We ordered a daily special of crudo for our table too...

And this steak sandwich - Mama mia! Plus sweet potato fries - we did good.

And sure, the food looks good, but I do feel remiss for not getting some shots of the views from this place (up on the 2nd floor, overlooking the bay) - it's just peaceful and serene. A really great setting to have a superb drink and/or meal.

Honestly, as soon as the next group of visitors, friends, or a date suggests anything near Sausalito, I'm going back to this place. It's not the cheapest of establishments, but the service, products, views, and overall feel are simply worth it.

Muir Woods National Monument, Mill Valley, CA

When in Rome, right? I actually hadn't been to this national monument yet, and was very stoked to go. It's pretty simple if you can have someone shuttle you to the entrance (Thanks, Aunt Sherry). The walking is mild to medium difficulty. If you stay on the boardwalk, it's very easy. If you choose to try some of the trails, a good gym shoe or hiking shoe/boot wouldn't be a bad idea.

We were able to walk the full boardwalk and some of the Hillside Trail in about 1.5 hours. I think seeing both sides of the forest, from the valley floor and from some heights on the trail, is a great way to take it all in.

Part of the trail is called a "cathedral" and they ask patrons to be a bit more quiet here, take in the natural surroundings with your ears, and let the animals do what they do. The forest has ears, Man!

If you are in the area, and either make reservations or like to just wing it, give this place a shot.