No matter what they say in their own defense most people travel with a list of restaurants that usually exceeds the number of highlights to be visited on their travel agendas. In our case our loyal “Lets Travel-ers” never met a plate that was too full or a menu that was too long. To that end I will be focusing on some nifty new places around the globe to nosh, nibble and have a nip, as well.

New York

The Meatball Shop/ 84 Stanton Street/212-982-8895/www.themeatballshop.com

Great Balls of Meat Balls!! They’re everywhere in this small temple devoted to the juicy little darlings. They come in all varieties and flavors from pork to chicken to vegetables to beef and even Salmon. And that’s not all. The list of possible sauces such as parmesan cream or a spicy meat ragu, to snuggle them in, is pretty impressive. A side of Polenta and an ice cream sandwich for dessert will make you feel you’ve really had a ball.

London

The Fish Club/ 189 St. John’s Hill / 020-7978-7115 / www.thefishclub.com

Fish and Chips to the max are what you’ll find at the Fish Club and you don’t even have to be a member. They let anyone, at least anyone who isn’t fishy, order a variety of finned favorites. If you’re going to be in London then having Fish and Chips in a real “Chippie”is almost as important as visiting the Tower. After crunching your way through the menu they have home made ice cream or the pudding du jour, just to insure smooth sailing.

Hong Kong

Café Gray Deluxe / Pacific Place 88/ 011-852-3968-1106/ www.upperhouse.com

Super star Chef Gray Kunz, who has sharpened his knives all over the world, has now decided to wow Hong Kong’s dining elite with his new posh home at the top of the Upper House hotel. For starters it’s on the 49th floor overlooking all of the twinkling lights of the city, and in Hong Kong that’s a lot of twinkling. His menu doesn’t try to compete with his Chinese colleagues but instead focuses on Kunz’s take on comfort food done up in a glam setting. Sounds like a plan if crabmeat fritters and braised short ribs make you forget all about dim sum and lo mien. Time will tell…