This archetypal English country pub on the edge of the North York Moors serves possibly the best pub food in England. It has a Michelin star and was voted the Egon Ronay Gastropub of the year in 2006. What's more, it's a picture postcard inn - the building itself dates from the 14th century (that's not a typo!), and is a picturesque old longhouse with thatched roof. Anyone visiting York (30 miles away)should make the detour to visit this pub.

They have an informative and well done website for anyone wanting more info, directions etc.

In the heart of the barrio in Waco, Texas, in a tan metal building of stark lack of appeal, "Siete Mares", much patronized by media covering Bush's trips to the ranch on Prairie Chapel Rd. in nearby Crawford.

Passible fish and shrimp, original sauces, and along with the obligatory "Shrimp Cocktail", a pleasant tpair "Ceviche" and "Pulpo" (Octopus).

An unexprected encounter.

Hatch, Utah is a tiny village a little more than halfway between Zion NP and Bryce Canyon NP in Utah--I think that qualifies as the middle of nowhere. By chance, I stumbled upon the Adobe Deli, and boy, was I not disappointed. I was so impressed that I wrote a TripAdvisor review--something that I rarely do, just because I'm lazy --which you can view here. (Looks like a couple other reviewers concur with me!)

But be careful: they're only open seasonally!

If I'd only decided to start keeping up on this forum a few weeks earlier...I was there just days after your post!

I saw the literature on it, but I figured it was a touristy thing. We were on a budget, and the most basic private accomodations (booking a four-bed hostel room at $42 for each bed...the cheapest way to get a room to ourselves) at any of the Voyages accomodations near Ayers Rock/Uluru (due to monopolistic concession agreements...grr...) was already more than double our standard nightly budget, so we opted to avoid any of the eating options and just make PB&J sandwiches. Still, I now wish we'd have taken advantage of the Sounds of Silence, now knowing that it was actually worth it!

Wow I would so recommend a New York City restaurant right now but it is deifnitely not in the middle of nowhere .

Maybe I should start another thread "Great restaurants in the middle of a sea of horrible restaurants."

If shawbridge hadn't mentioned it, I was going to add it. I wrote a review on www.igougo.com for any that would like to read:


http://www.igougo.com/review-r135550...tmosphere.html

Another place (not in the middle of nowhere) that had great food in Scotland was Oakwood restaurant. it was west of Inverness, on the road down to Loch Ness. Here's my review of it:


http://www.igougo.com/review-r135550...tish_Food.html

Opinions on the price/performance of this event vary considerably; I did not think that it was worth it, or was even that good ignoring the pricing (which is stratospheric -- but then you know about the tourist monopoly there). Lots of better food and scenery is available at a fraction of this price, and just as memorable. The primary benefit is convenience, for those who can't/don't want to spend the time to find better. It really doesn't fit in with the motif of this thread.

Fennville, MI - about 20 miles from Saugatuck, The Journeyman Cafe, with a pub connected next door called the Rye.

http://www.journeymancafe.com/

Both are excellent, and quite a find!

That's right, El Paso TX!
Simply called: "Homemade Italian Food"
9449 Montana Ave

Christina is the Owner- Italian immigrant who married a soldier who was stationed there. The best Italian food I've had since Spring of 2007 (When we spent 10 days in Tuscany)
Seriously- Go to this place, you will not be disappointed.

Mountain Thai - Lakeside, AZ

The cook/owner is from Thailand. I've never been to Thailand, but this Thai is equivalent or better than any other Thai I've had in the US.

Tammy & Johnny's - Melfa, VA
If you love fried chicken and hush puppies, this is the place for you. KFC opened and didn't last long. Popeye's opened and had to close as well. Best fried chicken I've ever had.

Lee's Garden Restaurant - Troy, OH
This is my favorite restaurant of all time. Chinese restaurant but the cook is originally from Japan. Go there at lunch time and all of the execs from the local Honda plant eat there for real Japanese style food.

I created an account just to respond to this thread.

Mendocino, CA - population 1200. Hard to get to. Windy roads, but beautiful. Me and mine ended up at Stevenswood. Subtle, but upscale. Very comfortable and considerably understated - the food was incredible! I'd say it's New American cuisine for sure and perfectly executed. I had duck prepared sous vide with confit duck leg and foie gras ravioli. My mind was blown. Tender and perfect. Tasty. Juicy.

I had a delectable salad to start. Arugula and beets as I recall. Again it was very subtle, but really delicious - the kind of thing that needs to be eaten a few times over the course of a week to get a full understanding. Like good music.

Anyway, there's my 2 cents! Enjoy your travels.

Oh, stevenswood.com

Anthony's Market in West Point, MS. Close to no where, but oh so good. Rich comfort food, so nice for nowhere.

The Larapin Inn in Trinidad, CA. About 20+ mins north of Eureka, CA

Based on my recommendation, we hosted a state-wide meeting of about 30 people in Eureka, just so we could drive up to the Larapin for dinner one evening! ^

Excellent food, great specials, and very attentive staff.

I paid and got the miles!

Wish I knew that when I was there for 2 weeks last summer. Not that I expected much, but it was hard living on restaurant food for that long in RST.

Nice thread. I'm excited to go to Magnolias in VA next time I'm there.