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Last week we covered the blue. This week we cover the red. This week's Foodie Finds features restaurants in Red States (although not necessarily red cities). Bon appetit. Wait a minute. That's French. Can't say that in Red States. Ahem. Good eatin'. Buz and Ned's Real Barbecue - The real deal - Richmond, Virginia Hansen's Sno-Bliz - A magical combo of shaved ice and homemade syrup - New Orleans, Louisiana House of Tricks - Contemporary American cooking in a charming atmosphere - Tempe, Arizona McCrady's - Sean Brock won 2010 James Beard Best Chef Southeast - Charleston, South Carolina Salt Lick Bar-B-Que - Authentic Texas BBQ - Austin, Texas

This week's culinary offerings include some fabulous restaurants safely ensconced in Blue States and one in Canada (in case anyone is thinking of fleeing after Tuesday's results): Delfina - Stellar neighborhood trattoria - San Francisco, California Flour Bakery - Delicious sandwiches and to-die-for baked goods - Boston, Massachusetts Passionfish - A focus on sustainable seafood and local ingredients - Pacific Grove, California Saucebox - Pan-Asian dishes and cool cocktails since 1995 - Portland, Oregon Soif Wine Bar - Surprisingly good food for a casual wine bar - Santa Cruz, California Toro - Sorry, Jose Andres. The tapas here (not at DC's Jaleo) are transcendente - Boston, Massachusetts Vij's - Best Indian in North America? - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

This week's foodie feature highlights some choice restaurants from recent travels: Brasserie V - one of the most consistently excellent and unpretentious restaurants in town - Madison, Wisconsin Forbes Mill Steakhouse - power dinner spot if Manresa breaks the bank - Los Gatos, California New Heights - new chef is taking old restaurant to new heights - Washington, DC Phoenix - best dim sum in Chicago? - Chicago, Illinois Publican - taking the gastropub concept to an exalted level - Chicago, Illinois Past Foodie Finds.

In an effort to spice up this blog a bit, we'll tap into the Optimists' foodie inclinations by periodically featuring some choice restaurants and food-related businesses. This week we feature some frozen favorites: Capogiro Gelato - world-class gelato in the cradle of liberty - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Chocolate Shoppe - satisfies our craving in & around Mad-town - Madison, Wisconsin Michael's Frozen Custard - a twist on ice cream, with eggs + cream & sugar -- Madison, Wisconsin Sebastian Joe's - ice cream can't taste much better than this - Minneapolis, Minnesota Toscanini's - NY Times calls it "the best ice cream in the world" - Cambridge, Massachusetts What and where are some of your favorite?

In an effort to spice up this blog a bit, we'll tap into the Optimists' foodie inclinations by periodically featuring some choice restaurants and food-related businesses. This week we feature some favorite West Coast destinations: Xanh Bistro - stellar Vietnamese in Orange County - Fountain Valley, California Swan Oyster Depot - serving oysters for 97 years - San Francisco, California Vij's - some say the best Indian cuisine in North America - Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada Clyde Common - part of a bustling foodie scene in PDX - Portland, Oregon Soif Wine Bar - my favorite place to eat in the land of Banana Slugs - Santa Cruz, California Past Foodie Finds .

In an effort to spice up this blog a bit, we'll tap into the Optimists' foodie inclinations by periodically featuring some choice restaurants and food-related businesses. For our inaugural offering, here are some places we've enjoyed in recent travels: August First Bakery & Cafe - one word: bacon scones! - Burlington, Vermont Clancey's Meats & Fish - an amazing butcher shop & more - Minneapolis, Minnesota Donrockwell.com - THE dining guide to the Nation's Capital - Washington, DC Pizzeria Orso - fine Neapolitan pizza and not-to-miss antipasti - Arlington, Virginia Quarterdeck Restaurant - hammer away at stellar Maryland crabs - Arlington, Virginia Sanford - impeccable food & service; one of the nation's best - Milwaukee, Wisconsin