Winter weather makes us eager for a getaway. We're ready to hit the road and explore--with some quality eats. With Winter Eataways, we've made it easy to plot your escape from the city. From Westchester in New York to Highway 1 in California, these five itineraries pack some serious munching into a single day's trip. Locate the best shop to pick up provisions, a scenic spot to park and eat, an afternoon activity to boost your metabolism, and, finally, a place for a quick dinner before heading back home. Happy exploring!
Day trip to Westchester
Decamp to Westchester for the Day
With winter happily entrenched and the sun a meek reminder of summer past, it's time to unfurl from the concrete confines of the city and head to Westchester for the day. We've scouted the best of the 'burb to ensure you'll be able to stretch your legs, lungs and belly with some truly excellent food, beer and baked goods.
Detroit Eats
A Food-Packed Weekend in Detroit
Full of jammers, picklers, sausage makers and bakers, Detroit is fast outgrowing its reputation as a food desert and gaining one as a burgeoning hub of do-it-yourself food bravado and artisan craft. Spend a weekend exploring the city's finest, from wood-fired pizza and artisan bread to craft coffee and barbecue.
A taste of Baltimore
Get Your Fill in Baltimore
Harbor views, a thriving Little Italy and an up-and-coming coffee scene have all helped turn Baltimore into one of the most exciting new culinary scenes in the country. Though Charm City is close enough to visit in an afternoon, we've found that there are enough new restaurants to fill several days of dining.
Eating on the bay
Slurp Oysters Up North
We think of the coast in the summertime, when the persistent sun makes the drive up Route 1 the stuff of California dreaming. But tucked into a cottage overlooking the Bay, slurping briny oysters--well, winter's all right too.
Seafood picnic trip
Beachside Oysters in Ventura
Travelling north to eat Mexican shellfish is admittedly a contradictory journey. But the oddness of The Jolly Oyster selling Baja-raised bivalves in San Buenaventura State Beach is easy to assimilate once you snag a picnic table and take in the sand dune views. Although the operation looks like a food truck, it isn't licensed as one, so you have to both shuck and slurp--but that's part of the fun. Best of all, everything you need for an epic oyster picnic can be purchased along your drive up the 101.
Marin Sun Farms
1. Marin Sun Farms
Leave the city in the morning and you'll hit Point Reyes Station just in time for lunch. At this retail butcher-shop-cum-restaurant you can get one killer burger ($12), with patties made of beef, lamb or goat on seeded brioche buns. Omelets ($10), made from the legendary farm eggs, are fluffy and overstuffed. Not optional: the French fries cooked in pork fat ($4). Marin Sun Farms, 10905 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station; 415-663-8997 or marinsunfarms.com
Wit & Wisdom
1. Wit & Wisdom
Inside and out, every angle offers prime views in the dining room of Michael Mina's new Wit & Wisdom. Windows look out over the up-and-comingHarbor East, but the real scene is inside the open kitchen, where chef Ben Lambert presides over locally sourced American fare, including braised Border Springs lamb shank and smoky bacon-wrapped rockfish. Pastry chef Chris Ford's bourbon-laced maple custard is a velveteen blend of winter warmth. 200 International Dr., Baltimore; 410-576-5800 or witandwisdombaltimore.com
Bedford Post Inn
1. Bedford Post Inn
This eight-room Relais & Chateaux inn from 1760 is a) owned by Richard Gere; b) gorgeous in the very-best country chic way; and c) home to an airy yoga loft. After a morning class (click here for a schedule), take the stairs to The Barn for a fireplace-side brunch of a Hammy-Cheesy-Eggy croissant and cubed country-fried potatoes ($14). Pick up a slice of angel-food cake and a jar of pickles on your way out. 954 Old Post Rd., Bedford; 914-234-7800 or bedfordpostinn.com
Eastern Market
1. Eastern Market
Visit this sprawling market, which has been feeding Detroit since 1891, for a sampling of the city's artisan food vendors. Locally made favorites include Suzanne's Granola, Corridor Sausage and Grown in Detroit produce. In the ring of storefront businesses around the market, Russell Street Deli is a brunch and lunch staple. 2934 Russell St., Detroit; 313-833-9300 or detroiteasternmarket.com
Woodland Hills Wine Co.
1. Woodland Hills Wine Co.
Wine is imperative when eating oysters--more so than with almost any other food. Home to both Muscadet and Chablis, France has the corner on oyster wines, and this Woodland Hills store has a good selection of both. Muscadets are as mineral-laden as they are cheap, making them our usual pick; 2008 Terre de Pierre ($22) is a particularly elegant bottle. Aligoté, the other white grape of Chablis, yields less fruity wines than Chardonnay, making bottles like 2007 Bachelet Aligoté ($16) perfect for bringing along to the beach. 22622 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills; 800-678-9463 or whwc.com
The Marshall Store
2. The Marshall Store
Head farther up the coast for a walk on Dillon Beach, then double back for a late-afternoon snack at this charmingly ramshackle spot. Oysters are the draw; they're prepared five different ways, both raw and cooked. Get a dozen (from $12), a bottle of County Line rosé ($26 for 750ml) and a table outside. The Marshall Store, 19225 Highway 1, Marshall; 415-663-1339 or themarshallstore.com
Thames Street Oyster House
2. Thames Street Oyster House
Crab shacks put Fells Point on the dining map, but in a neighborhood of mallets and Old Bay, newcomer Thames Street Oyster House is changing the tide. The restaurant shucks a variety of plump, briny local oysters with a choice of mignonettes and local microbrew pairings. In true Baltimore spirit, the restaurant also sears a meaty crab cake and serves fresh lobster meat in a buttery roll. 1728 Thames St., Baltimore; 443-449-7726 or thamesstreetoysterhouse.com
Stone Barns Center
2. Stone Barns Center for Food and Agriculture
Maybe you've dined with Dan Barber at Blue Hill, but if you haven't met Stella and Stanley, the 100-pound sheep-guarding dogs, you haven't had the full experience. Make their acquaintance (and with chickens, pigs and farmers, too) on a tour ($10 per person; click here for the schedule) or use the new iPhone app. Afterward, warm up at the Blue Hill Café with some shopping, parsnip-focaccia bread and dense hot chocolate. 630 Bedford Rd., Pocantico Hills; 914-366-6200 or stonebarnscenter.org
Supino Pizzeria
2. Supino Pizzeria
Owner Dave Mancini, who trained in his father's Italian village, makes almost every pizza himself. Variations like the Affumicata (speck, roasted garlic, parsley, mozzarella, smoked Gouda and ricotta), plus a lasagna recipe from Mancini's Italian grandmothers, give this tiny Eastern Market storefront a cult following. 2457 Russell St., Detroit; 313-567-7879 or supinopizzeria.com
Fisherman's Catch
2. Fisherman's Catch
If oysters and clams only sound like appetizers to you, then take a slight detour through Oxnard and stop at the Fisherman's Catch. Part restaurant, part fishmonger, this no-frills spot usually has a few local picks in the case--shark ($6 a pound) and beautiful slabs of sea bass ($15 a pound) on our visit. Spiny lobster ($25 a pound) is also occasionally available, which would be our pick if we were feeling flush. 3960 Tradewinds Dr., Oxnard; 805-985-6200 or fishermanscatch.com
Nick's Cove
3. Nick's Cove
Room rates for the 12 luxurious cottages here are less expensive in the winter (from $225 per night), but the beds are just as comfortable, the views are just as lovely, and the wood stove in your room even more compelling. Check in, then venture out to the 1930s-era dining room for more oysters or a bowl of creamy clam chowder ($11). Nick's Cove, 23240 Highway 1, Marshall; 415-663-1033 or nickscove.com
Toby's Coffee Bar
4. Toby's Coffee Bar
The next morning, ease reentry into the city by stopping on the return for cappuccino and a Brickmaiden Breads scone in Point Reyes Station. Buy some crumbly currant-and-pine-nut biscotti ($1.75) for later. Toby's Coffee Bar, 11250 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station; 415-663-1223 or tobyscoffeebar.com
Daniela's
3. Daniela's
After years of searching for an ideal location, local chef and Italy native Daniela Useli opened her first restaurant, Daniela's, in a converted Hampden row house last summer. Though the tiny café has only a few tables, Useli hosts a perpetual throng of locals hungry to take away her many-layered lasagna Bolognese, plump crab ravioli and flaky, piped-to-order ricotta cannoli. 900 W. 36th St., Baltimore; 443-759-9320
Coffee Labs
3. Coffee Labs Roasters and Mint Premium Foods
Baristas dole out serious latte art, a choice of global beans and coffee prepared Kyoto, pour-over or siphon-style at Coffee Labs Roasters. Walk over to full-to-bursting Mint Premium Foods and join the line to buy dried kiwis, sobrasada sausage and wheels of cheese. 7 Main St., Tarrytown; 914-332-1479 or coffeelabs.com; 19 Main St., Tarrytown; 914-703-6511
Astro Coffee
3. Astro Coffee
This charming new coffee shop serves the best cup of joe in Detroit. The owner's wife, who used to run a café in Australia, makes a delectable spread of cakes, pastries and sandwiches, like beet hummus, and lentils with spinach. 2124 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-638-2989 or astrocoffeedetroit.blogspot.com
Downtown Ventura
3. Downtown Ventura
What picnic essentials did you forget? If you're in town on a Saturday, you can grab final provisions--like the radishes and blood oranges we bought--at the city's farmers' market. There's Rocket Fizz, an old-school candy and soda shop, nearby, with massive amounts of saltwater taffy to be had. Palm St. and Santa Clara St., Ventura
Lamill Coffee
4. LAMILL Coffee
In lieu of opening in New York, Chicago or other big coffee markets, Los Angeles coffee cathedral LAMILL looked to Baltimore to launch its first East Coast outpost, partnering with the Four Seasons to open an airy shop right on the water. The roaster's laborious siphons, drips and pour-over methods mean that diners should brace themselves for a wait, but the shop's food menu of bacon scones, Nutella-filled tarts and hot beignets with boozy butterscotch helps ease any impatience. 200 International Dr., Baltimore; 410-223-1450 or fourseasons.com
Captain Lawrence Brewing
4. Captain Lawrence Brewing Company
Pull into the industrial parking lot and head for the silo to find the brand-new location of this tasting room and brewery. Buy a tasting glass for $2 to taste from a dozen brews (we favor the Smoked Porter and Liquid Gold) and take a tour of the shiny-new facility (click here for a schedule). 444 Saw Mill River Rd., Elmsford; 914-741-2337 or captainlawrencebrewing.com
Avalon Bakery
4. Avalon Bakery
Most Detroiters buy their bread from this socially conscious institution. Entering its 15th year, Avalon is a pioneer in the Detroit food scene and was baking craft bread with organic ingredients long before it was cool. Don't miss the scallion-dill loaf. 422 W. Willis St., Detroit; 313-832-0008 or avalonbreads.net
The Jolly Oyster
4. The Jolly Oyster
You've amassed your supplies, and now it's time for the business of the day: eating shellfish. $40 buys three dozen oysters and two pounds of clams, which is an impressive seafood spread. The folks at the truck will gladly give you an oyster-shucking demonstration, but then you're on your own. If you want to go beyond raw, try your hand at cooking some on the grill. Afterward, stoke the fire and steam open your clams with a splash of wine and a bit of butter. 911 San Pedro St., Ventura; 805-798-4944 or thejollyoyster.com
The Cookery
5. The Cookery
Finally, relax over a dinner of salty potatoes coated in butter and Parmesan ($7), an Easter pie stuffed with soppressata, salami and hot pepper marmelatta ($10), a sweeping bowl of radiatore pasta with lamb Bolognese and fresh mint ($16) and chocolate polenta for dessert ($8). The place is packed from 5:30 p.m. on with diners who know just how good David DiBari's cooking is. From the banks of the Hudson in Dobbs Ferry, it's a quick hop home to Manhattan. 39 Chestnut St., Dobbs Ferry; 914-305-2336 or thecookeryrestaurant.com
Honor & Folly
5. Honor & Folly
With Slows BarBQ on one side and Sugar House craft cocktail bar on the other, this adorable new inn could not be in a better location for food-minded travelers. Honor & Folly offers regular cooking classes (jams, stocks, pickling and guest chefs) and will stock the fridge with local snacks; many of the locally designed goods on display are also for sale. 2132 Michigan Ave., Detroit; honorandfolly.com
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