6 Unforgettable American Restaurants

Eating out at a restaurant should always be a memorable experience, one marked by delicious food and intimate moments shared with close friends, significant others, and family. Some restaurants go above and beyond to ensure that diners leave satisfied, whether it's with sustainable, experimental dishes, a curated wine list, or a location in a historic building. This list, in no particular order, highlights eateries across the USA that you won't forget.

At #1, we have the Corner Kitchen. Located in Asheville, North Carolina, the restaurant is housed in a historic building that dates back to the 1800s. Its neighborhood, Biltmore Village, was designed by famed landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted, designer of New York's Central Park.

The Corner Kitchen serves comfort food classics like burgers, pasta, and strip steak. The beverage menu includes wine, beer, and cocktails. It is co-owned by Kevin Westmoreland, an Asheville native, and Joe Scully, who is also the chef. Scully previously worked at The Druid Hills Golf Club in Atlanta, as well as the United Nations in New York City.

Coming in at #2, we find Papa Cristo's, a Greek market and restaurant in Los Angeles. The eatery serves family-style dishes full of traditional favorites such as falafel, moussaka, spanakopita, and dolmades. Papa Cristo's is available for catering orders, and has served food at a variety of events such as corporate lunches and weddings.

The restaurant was originally opened as a market by Sam Chrys in 1948; to this day, the operation imports Greek food items to Los Angeles. Papa Cristo's uses the ingredients sold at the market, such as olive oil, cheese, and seasonings, for its restaurant dishes.

For #3, we present Terrapin Restaurant. This farm-to-table eatery is located in the Hudson Valley of New York, and blends aspects of French, Southwestern, and Asian cuisines using local, organic ingredients. It has been featured in Valley Table and many other publications.

The menu includes items like pork chops, macaroni and cheese, pan-seared seabass, and fried chicken sandwiches. There are cocktails, such as margaritas and mimosas, available to order, as well as a wide array of desserts like cheesecakes, chocolate gateaus, and pies.

The #4 entry is Maritime Parc. Founded in 2009 by Executive Chef-Owner Chris Siversen in New Jersey’s Liberty State Park, it offers a unique dining experience with panoramic views of the Hudson River, the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, and the Manhattan skyline.

Located on the perimeter of New Jersey’s Liberty Landing Marina, Maritime Parc is a modern answer to the classic coastal fish house - where a friendly vibe, fine food, and fond memories are always on tap.

Aiming for a modern take on a coastal seafood restaurant, Chef Siversen's focus is on seasonally-inspired menus with local, organic, and sustainable ingredients. After studying at the French Culinary Institute, he cooked at restaurants such as Alison on Dominick Street and the 21 Club before landing at Maritime Parc.

Up next, at #5, we get a rustic New American kitchen, lounge, and social house from owner Amy Morton, called Found. Located in Evanston, Illinois, it features a "flexitarian menu" that aims to highlight local ingredients, with shared plate dishes that have a vegetarian focus.

Found's bar offers a kitchen-centered craft cocktail program, a boutique domestic wine list, and a whiskey selection. The eatery's social mission is to hire and train unhoused individuals to work in the restaurant industry. It has been featured in the press many times, in outlets such as Chicago Magazine.

Last but not least, at #6, we come to Croton Reservoir Tavern. The eatery was opened in 2003, a few blocks from Times Square in New York City. It features a 50-foot oak bar, brass-studded leather chairs, wrought-iron railings, and a leather banquette.

The restaurant was named in memory of the nearly forgotten Fortress Reservoir which used to stand in place of the current New York Public Library and Bryant Park.

Menu items include crispy lemongrass shrimp, burgers, watermelon salad, and fish and chips. Croton Reservoir has several spaces available to rent for private events, including a downstairs lounge outfitted with booths, exposed brick wall, and a bar with concrete floors.