Fully Focused

Pastabilities (Syracuse, N.Y.) • The Brine and Bottle (Nags Head, N.C.)

This trip, Guy’s visiting restaurants with a definite direction. In Syracuse, the longtime pasta institution makin’ a tomato sauce just for dipping, wicked-spicy chicken riggies, and duck and cheese pizza. And in Nags Head, the local food-focused joint using funky techniques on deep fried pickles and soft-shell crab.