Sconyers Bar-B-Que, Augusta, GA

BBQ on the brain? If you are ever in the Augusta area, Sconyers Bar-B-Que is your pit stop. Met owner Larry Sconyers by phone recently, and he shared the story of his long-running family business. Established in 1956, this Augusta destination does BBQ the old-fashioned way, pit-cooked for around 24 hours over oak and hickory. Larry, youngest son of founders Claude and Adeline and driving force behind the restaurant's national success, adheres to a time-honored philosophy. "The best barbecue is what you grew up eating, and that's what we serve, not just a meal, but our original hole-in-the-wall experience," he says. "We want you to feel like you are going to eat at your mother's or grandmother's house." Sconyers' signature pork BBQ and hash has been served at the White House and the Georgia State Capital; the restaurant is open Thursday through Saturday.

Bon Appetit Ontario!

Enjoyed great breakfast this morning at the Bon Appetit Culinary Studio in the Conde Nast Building on 42nd Street, hosted by Ontario Tourism, Ottawa Tourism and Tourism Toronto. First highlight was a quick detour to stop and observe the employees in the much-touted Conde Nast Cafeteria--every bit the show one would expect. Then it was off to the delicious breakfast, Ontario wines included, with my Canadian friends. Chef Caroline Ishii of Zen Kitchen in Ottawa (dined there last year, and it is truly sensational) and Chef Anthony Rose of the Drake Hotel in Toronto treated us right, from the former's sea vegetable caviar and garlic pesto dumpling in wild-leek ginger broth to the latter's Eggs Drake (apple cider poached egg with wild boar peameal bacon) and apple smoked whitefish among the savory treats. There's a food revolution on in Ontario: check out my recent feature on culinary tourism there for Meetings East.