Coffee House: Philz Coffee, San Francisco

It's no Stumptown, but it's really, really, really good. Skip Peet's. $$ (for coffee)

http://www.philzcoffee.com/

Restaurant: the Cravery, San Francisco

Mmm. Thick but flaky pastry with curried and other fillings. What's not to like? $

http://www.thecravery.com/

Restaurant: Tropisueno, San Francisco

Really good, Tex-Cal-Mex. Ask for salsa habanero. Not so upscale it can't offer a combo plate. Marg with fresh lime. $$

http://www.tropisueno.com

Cigar and Wine Bar: Pop's Safari, Fort Worth, Texas

Wow. This is one of the things I love when I travel; running across unexpected treasures. You must go here.

http://popssafari.com/

Restaurant: Tillman's Road House, Fort Worth, Texas

Great atmosphere, so-so brunch. Service with an attitude (not in a good way). $$

http://www.tillmansroadhouse.com/

Restaurant: The Mansion on Turtle Creek, Dallas, Texas

All it promised lo these 30 years. Everything was spectacular except for the "TX grit fries". Not bad, just not same quality. $$$$

http://www.mansiononturtlecreek.com/

Cookies: HeavenScent Natural Foods Chocolate Angelica Cookies

O. M. G. $$ (for cookies, but totally worth a melt-in-your-mouth-light-as-air-cookie experience).

Cheese: Beecher's Marco Polo

The best flippin' cheese EVER. Black and green peppercorn heaven. $$

http://beechershandmadecheese.com/

Wine: Tempranillo Campobarro (Red) 3L Box

I haven't had too many bad tempranillos. Decent. $

Restaurant: Black Sheep Pizza, Minneapolis, MN

Think 'meatball/ricotta/garlic'; seriously-satisfying FRESH toppings; coal-fired.  Roasted beet & goat cheese salad. Say no more. $

http://www.blacksheeppizza.com

Movie: Avatar in 3D

Worth seeing in 3D. Not for kids. Some "wow" entertainment if you don't mind holes in the story.

http://www.avatarmovie.com

Beverage: Dr. Pepper "Heritage" (With Sugar)

Okay, I understand the economics of not making it this way, but even I might drink soda again if they went back to making it with sugar. $

http://www.drpepper.com

Coffee: Starbucks VIA™ Ready Brew (Columbia)

Only slightly better than Sanka, and way more expensive. The packaging's cute, though. $$

http://www.starbucks.com/via

Wine: Witness Tree "Chainsaw" 2007 Pinot Noir

Light-bodied, earthy. Great with or without food. Nice from this small Oregon vineyard. $-1/2

http://www.witnesstreevineyard.com/

Restaurant: Hell's Kitchen, Minneapolis

As good as its Duluth cousin. New location is nice and creepy (to a fan of " el dia de los muertos"). Super cobb salad and a lovely peach bellini ( though not called that). $$

http://www.hellskitcheninc.com

Wine: Falling Star 2008 Merlot Malbec

Super wine at a lovely price. Medium-body; the merlot balances the normally weighty malbec, making it a good late-summer red. $

Restaurant: Pok Pok, Portland, Oregon

Not to be missed. The #4 bus goes right there. A Thai-street-food tapas-style restaurant with tasty dishes and a charming atmostphere. Sit outside, especially if it's raining. Cool, interesting cocktails. $$

http://www.pokpokpdx.com/

Restaurant: Pop!, St. Paul, MN

Creative fusion menu with South American flavors. Friendly bar, hip decor. You can't hate a place that has the guts to sell Tab. $

http://www.poprestaurant.com

Restaurant: Great Harvest, Portland

Good bread makes a hearty breakfast sandwich. Cautious service. $

Wine: Penner Ash '06 Pinot Noir

Yummy; blackberry pie with cream. $$ (when one's usual is $7)