Editor’s Note: Each week, Life & Thyme contributors are trotting the globe, taking in the sights and turning over all kinds of culinary stones for future stories. In our new weekly Off the Menu series, we ask for their favorite food-related finds from all over––and share them here.

“Adriatico Mar in Venice, Italy’s Dorsoduro neighborhood. Yes, please. Stop in for €3 spritzes and stay for their wine selection. Feels so far from the typical overwhelming tourist bubble that Venice can be.”

Adriatico Mar, Calle Crosera, 3771, 30125 Venezia VE, Italy

—Ziza Bauer, Writer (Nashville & Los Angeles) Ziza on Instagram

“The breakfast sandwich line-up at Littleneck Outpost in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. From their best-in-class avocado toast to a leaning-tower-of-Pisa-esque mushroom and egg on focaccia, this sunlight-drenched shop is equal parts charming and utterly delicious.”

128 Franklin St., Brooklyn, NY 11222

—Carly DeFilippo, Writer (New York City) Carly on Instagram

“My pick is from my trip home to New York for Thanksgiving. I live in California now, and I can barely put into words what a decadent comfort it was to have my mom’s Italian home cooking––in this instance, homemade sauce and meatballs with pasta.”

—Jackie Bryant, Writer (San Diego) Jackie on Instagram

“La Guerrerense ceviche stand, Ensenada, Baja Mexico. Stopped by Sabina’s famous stand for a quick bite while down there for a shoot. I had the bacalao and pulpo ceviche tostada (pictured), as well as couple others. Her seafood is extremely fresh––minutes out of the water. Sabina is an icon in Baja cuisine, and her cart is always a must when stopping in Ensenada.”

—Jim Sullivan, Photographer (San Diego) Jim on Instagram 

“I’ve developed a serious addiction to Erickson Woodworks food photography shooting surfaces over the past year, and can’t say enough about the amazing custom boards that Ginny Erickson and her team handcraft in her studio in Orange, California. Everything from faux finishes of marble and concrete, to reclaimed vintage woods, and custom colorful plasters––anything you can dream up, Ginny can create. I even challenged her with a crazy “dream-surface” this year: splatter paint. And she nailed it (pictured above). I think these surfaces are fantastic to have on-hand not only for professional photographers, but for chefs, bloggers, home cooks, or really anyone who wants to take their food photos to the next level.”

— Anne Watson, Photographer (Southern California) Anne on Instagram

“The Buffalo Milk Caramelle Pasta at Don Angie, a new West Village spot with an emphasis on ‘modern’ Italian cuisine. The dish is served with persimmon and black sesame, and is as gorgeous as photos suggest––and even more delicious. Not pictured here because…well, Instagram has more than got it covered.”

Don Angie, 103 Greenwich Ave, New York, NY 10014

—Stef Ferrari, Senior Editor (New York City) Stef on Instagram