It's pretty common knowledge that a restaurant that offers sushi on one page of its menu and lasagna on the other -- and barbecue somewhere in between -- isn't going to cook you the best meal of your life. It will probably be decent, but will more likely be disappointing (and hopefully it won't give you food poisoning). There's only so much that one establishment can do well, and if they try to do too much they usually just fail at all of it.
As a response to all those fails, the restaurant industry has taken a shift in the opposite direction with highly focused, super-specialized establishments. Today, biscuits have their own kitchen; meatloaf has its own bakery; and there's even a restaurant to fulfill all of your rice pudding desires. It's a brave new world -- and we sure are eating well.
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Here are our favorite spots that put all their effort into making one dish really well.
1
Rice To Riches
Flickr: Wally Gobetz
This New York establishment offers 18 flavors of rice pudding at all times. Guys, this is amazing. Rice pudding heaven.
Rice to Riches
Rice to Riches
2
Oatmeals
Oatmeals
If you love oatmeal, Oatmeals is your place. Samantha Stephens has transformed your affection into a New York restaurant that serves nothing but oats. And these are not your boring bowls of morning oatmeal, but recipes made with interesting ingredients like truffles, pesto and lemon curd.
Oatmeals
Oatmeals
3
Heywood Grilled Cheese
Flickr: Gregory Han
Guys, of course this exists. And it's worth a trip to LA just for one of their grilled cheeses.
Heywood Grilled Cheese
Heywood Grilled Cheese
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4
S'mac
Flickr: Robyn Lee
So much mac and cheese. There's even a mac and cheese platter. This is our happy place -- and you can find it in a couple different New York locations.
S'mac
S'mac
5
The Meatloaf Bakery
Flickr: Elizabeth
This is not your mother's meatloaf. This Chicago bakery puts out meatloaf in the shape of cupcakes and uses mashed potatoes as "frosting."
The Meatloaf Factory
The Meatloaf Factory
6
Empire Biscuit
Flickr: bionicgrrrl
All biscuits, all the time. And that's no joke. This East Village empire of biscuits is opened 24 hours, churning out hot biscuit sandwiches.
Empire Biscuit
Empire Biscuit
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7
La Maison Du Croque Monsieur
La Maison du Croque Monsieur
Guys, here's a restaurant totally dedicated to croque monsieurs. If you're not familiar with this French sandwich it's basically a grilled cheese with the added magic of béchamel sauce. It's glorious - and found in New York.
La Maison du Croque Monsieur
La Maison du Croque Monsieur
8
Treat House
Treat House
So. Many Rice. Krispies. It's a childhood dream finally realized on Amsterdam Ave in New York.
Treat House
Treat House
9
Peanut Butter & Co
Flickr: rachaelrayforever
Yes, you can make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich easily at home. And yes, it's way cheaper to get your PB&J fix that way. But, the New York Peanut Butter & Co shop makes peanut butter sandwiches feel extra special.
Peanut Butter & Co.
Peanut Butter & Co.
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