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Brett Hughes Vs. Food

Say hi to Chef Highes at Cap City
Say hi to Chef Hughes at Cap City

Editor’s note: Each week in the “Brett Hughes Vs.”series MLL All-Star Brett Hughes tackles a new topic that he thinks deserves some noise in the lax world. This week: Brett sets the table with his take on one of his favorite subjects…food!

Lax peeps, what’s good? After my last few posts I hope people have some nice kicks and maybe a few new brands of clothes in the closet. I have been getting so many off-season emails at ESPN RISE about workouts and food, etc. So make sure to tune into my page on ESPN RISE and check out the athletes’ Thanksgiving navigator I am going to post with help from trainers like Jimmy Borell and ZoneReady.net. But why not discuss food with you guys too?

I get asked all the time what type of diet to have or what workouts are best, and over the years I have realized the BEST are the ones you can/will stick to. I read something about preparing for a season which said if you want to be the best prepared but don’t have the will power to work harder than anyone you know… stop reading and continue living your life. Ha, I love it.

Basically, you can read all the fancy diet books, buy all the organic foods, and workout super hard for a single week, but if you can’t stay the course you might as well not even worry about it.

The best diet is the one you can stick to. I try to go buy the 80% rule and stay healthy 80% of the time.  It’s not as strict as I’d like it to be, but it’s a good start.

I’m not here to totally harp on what not to do because I am actually a real big “foodie.” Ryan Boyle can explain what that means for those who don’t love the world of food. My brother Jeremy Hughes is a chef at Cap City Diner in Columbus, OH and, man, far beyond what this guy can cook up at work, he can just make the most amazing simple foods like a homemade pizza, braised short ribs, or hamburgers taste just incredible.

So here are some restaurants or styles of food I suggest you try when you get a moment. Just make sure you enjoy the food. If you can’t enjoy it then you might as well go have McDonalds. Julio Franco (the oldest player to ever hit a home run) once said said, “I view food as nothing more than fuel.” That’s probably why he could play into his 40’s, but I respectfully disagree.

You can never go wrong with wings
You can never go wrong with wings

My favorite eats:

Tapas – Amazing for a small group… some of the best spots are Mediterraneo in Hermosa Beach; MAS in Charlottesville, VA; Cobra and Matador in Hollywood, CA; and Marcella’s in Columbus OH. (My bro used to be a chef at this spot too.) Try them if you ever can!

Brazilian food – Just give it a try, guys. Tri-Tip is unreal, but the Brazilian favorite is Pichana and it’s amazing when done right. Silvios in Hermosa Beach, CA has to be the best I’ve had.

Key Lime Pie – When done right nothing can beat it.

Sushi – Just make sure it is fresh and tastes good, price is deceiving.

Buffalo Wings – Sorry Julio, these are not fuel by any means but so good. Buffalo Wild Wings will always be number 1, but I love Wild Wing Café, Roosters (not Hooters), and usually any really nice restaurant has a cool play on this classic.

Restaurants I think you should try:

The French Laundry located in Yountville, Cali
The French Laundry located in Yountville, Cali

Les Halles in New York City – Made famous by my favorite chef Anthony Bourdain.

Katsuya in Hollywood – It’s pretty amazing, but pricey.

Joe’s Stone Crab – It’s in Vegas and Chicago, but the best is in Miami.

Martini in Columbus, OH – A Cameron Mitchell joint that is amazing.

I am actually planning a trip to French Laundry soon, which is world famous and viewed as a top 40 restaurant in the country.

My list goes on and on… Where are your favorite places to eat?

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ESPN_RISEAbout the author: MLL All-Star Brett Hughes is a former UVA All-American who currently plays longpole for the Denver Outlaws.  Hughes also runs the lacrosse division of ESPN RISE and represents Team STX. He is also Co-Founder/Director of Lacrosse The Nations, a non-profit organization using the universal language of sport to bring hope and joy into the heart of impoverished communities.

Check out all of the LaxAllStars ongoing series with Brett Vs. Style, Brett Vs. Shoes, Brett Vs. College Football. Got an idea for a “Brett Vs.” article? Email us at info@lacrosseallstars.com.