My favorite travel tip: Buy the $10 Zagat's iPhone app. It's the definitive source for finding good restaurants in every major city. Not necessarily expensive restaurants either--most cities have a few 27/28-rated cheaper local's favorites.

I'll start you off--hit Sushi Ota in San Diego, and Lotus of Siam in Vegas. Both 28-rated and Lotus is the best Thai in the country. Lunch should be less than $20.