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centralparkcollection · 2 years ago

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Where to Eat the Tastiest Street Food in London

London is often associated with high-end restaurants and posh eateries helmed by celebrity chefs. However, the English capital also has an exciting culture of street food through its long-stay markets and pop-up food courts. Furthermore, London has an exciting food scene that encompasses British, European and international cuisine. Find out what and where to experience the best of street food close to Central London hotels.

Southbank Centre Food Market

Open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, the Southbank Centre Food Market is a convenient choice for tourists. It’s moments from the London Eye and Royal Festival Hall.

Stalls represent British classics such as scotch eggs, sausage rolls, and Cornish pasties. However, there is an excellent variety of global fare including Japanese-style poke bowls, Korean barbecue, Polish sausages, Dutch pancakes, Greek souvlaki, North American sandwiches, and Portuguese custard tarts.

The drinks offering is equally broad, with options ranging from bubble tea and hot chocolate to West Country cider and European craft beers.

Mercato Mayfair Food Hall

Convenient for those staying at hotels near Paddington Station, Mercato Mayfair Food Hall is one of the most unusual places to go for street food in London.

Housed inside a deconsecrated church, the building is appointed with original stained glass windows, vaulted ceilings, and an altar. Spread over two floors, the venue has stalls serving worldwide cuisine, a rooftop terrace, and an atmospheric wine cellar in the crypt.

Food on sale includes pad Thai, lobsters, homemade pasta, ramen, grilled meat, and Malaysian street food with an emphasis on sustainable practices.

Vinegar Yard

Next to London Bridge Station, Vinegar Yard brings together food, drinks, art, and a weekend flea market.

Food is available daily with the offering changing seasonally. In general, you can anticipate such options as Asian street food, burgers inspired by Indian recipes, and Neo-Neapolitan pizzas.

Draught beer sourced from local breweries is rotated frequently while cocktails reflect the season.

Pergola Paddington

Guests staying at hotels near Paddington Station should pay a visit to Pergola. This is a rooftop bar with a street market atmosphere.

Food on the menu includes ciabatta sandwiches, hot chicken, loaded fries, duck pancakes, bao, and dumplings. The offering includes main plates and platters, perfect for sharing or experimenting with different flavours. The popular venue has scores of tables making it a wonderful option if you plan on making an afternoon or evening of it.

Tipples inspired by the seasons include classic cocktails and spritzes with plenty of options for those who do not drink alcohol.

Borough Market

Borough Market is the most famous spot for street food in London. This Thameside market springs to life early each morning with vendors selling fresh produce, pantry items, regional cheese, artisan coffee, and street bites.

Typical dishes cooked at the covered market include Spanish paella, rock oysters from Essex, gourmet sausage rolls, curries from South Asia and Southeast Asia, and traditional apple crumble.

There are several bars where you can sit down with an ale or glass of wine. In fact, these are the perfect destination for a date night while staying at Central London hotels.

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countryinnsuites · 2 years ago

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Explore Popular Local Restaurants, Breweries, and Wineries in Boone NC Near Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Boone, NC

Welcome to Boone, North Carolina, where the breathtaking beauty of the Appalachian Mountains meets a thriving food and drink scene. As a guest of Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, you have the perfect home base for exploring the local restaurants, breweries, and wineries that make this region so special. In this guide, we’ll take you on a culinary journey through some of the most popular Restaurants, Breweries, and Wineries in Boone NC.

A. Restaurants in Boone

Located just a short drive from the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, the Gamekeeper Restaurant offers a dining experience that is both elegant and rustic, featuring locally-sourced ingredients and expertly prepared game meats. The menu changes seasonally to showcase the freshest ingredients, but some of the standout dishes include the Grilled Elk Loin, the Bourbon-Glazed Quail, and the Wild Boar Tenderloin. With its cozy atmosphere and stunning views of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Gamekeeper Restaurant is one of the top Restaurants in Boone NC.

Proper is a farm-to-table restaurant located in downtown Boone that sources its ingredients locally. Their menu changes frequently to reflect what’s in season, but some standout dishes include the NC Trout with butterbean puree, the Grilled Pork Chop with sweet potato puree and apple chutney, and the Smoked Half Chicken with honey glazed carrots and parsnip puree. The restaurant also features a rotating selection of craft beers on tap and an extensive wine list.

Beer enthusiasts will find plenty to love in Boone, thanks to the thriving craft beer scene. Two of the most popular breweries in the area are Appalachian Mountain Brewery and Blowing Rock Brewery, both located just a short drive from the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson.

Appalachian Mountain Brewery, also known as AMB, is a popular local brewery located in downtown Boone. The brewery is known for its spacious taproom and outdoor seating area, which offers stunning views of the Appalachian Mountains. The taproom is decorated with rustic wood and metal accents, giving it a warm and inviting atmosphere. The brewery features a rotating selection of beers that showcase local ingredients and flavors, including their flagship Long Leaf IPA, which features a citrusy hop profile. Other standout beers include the Boone Creek Blonde, a crisp and refreshing blonde ale, and the Black Gold Porter, a rich and chocolatey porter. AMB also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, as well as a selection of hard seltzers and ciders. In addition to beer, the brewery offers a menu of pub fare, including burgers, sandwiches, and tacos.

Blowing Rock Brewery is a cozy and intimate brewery located in the town of Blowing Rock, about 15 minutes from Boone. The brewery’s taproom features wood-paneled walls and a fireplace, giving it a cozy and inviting atmosphere. Blowing Rock Brewery focuses on traditional European styles of beer, with a particular emphasis on German and Belgian styles. Their flagship beer is the High Country Ale, a Belgian-style farmhouse ale that’s light and effervescent. Other standout beers include the Blowing Rock IPA, a hoppy and aromatic IPA, and the Barrel-Aged Imperial Stout, a rich and boozy stout aged in bourbon barrels. Blowing Rock Brewery also offers a variety of seasonal and limited edition beers, as well as a selection of hard seltzers and ciders. In addition to beer, the brewery offers a menu of classic pub fare, including burgers, wings, and nachos. Overall, Blowing Rock Brewery offers a cozy and intimate setting where beer lovers can enjoy traditional European styles of beer in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Wine lovers rejoice – Boone is home to some excellent wineries that offer tastings and tours for visitors. One of the top picks is Grandfather Vineyard & Winery, located just a short drive from the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson. This family-owned vineyard produces a variety of award-winning wines, including Chardonnay, Riesling, and Cabernet Franc. Visitors can enjoy tastings in the cozy tasting room or on the outdoor patio, surrounded by the stunning natural beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. If you’re looking for a unique and memorable wine-tasting experience, Grandfather Vineyard & Winery is a must-visit.

Booneshine is a local brewery located in downtown Boone that specializes in brewing a variety of beers on site. Their flagship beer is the Booneshine IPA, which features notes of citrus and pine. They also offer a variety of other styles, including lagers, stouts, and sours. The brewery features a cozy taproom with indoor and outdoor seating, and often hosts live music and events.

Conclusion

Boone, NC is a culinary destination that should not be missed, with a diverse array of local restaurants, breweries, and wineries in Boone NC near Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Boone, NC that showcase the flavors and culture of this unique region. So why wait? Start planning your food and drink itinerary today, and get ready to indulge in the finest culinary offerings of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

#Places to stay near Appalachian State University #Boone NC Luxury Hotels #Luxury Hotels in Boone NC #Hotels near Appalachian State University #Rooms in Boone NC #Hotels near Appalachian State #Downtown Boone Hotels #Luxury Resorts near Boone NC #romantic things to do in boone nc #luxury hotel near Appalachian State University #hotel with complimentary breakfast boone nc #best hotels in boone north carolina #best hotels in boone nc

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kukulasnorthrocks · 3 years ago

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Kukula's North Rocks | Famous Grilled Chicken Restaurants

Grilled Chicken with Rice and salad, order your favourite food from kukula's North Rocks. Explore other popular cuisines like peri peri chicken, burger, fries and more. Visit:- https://bit.ly/3FPaY3c

#Grilled chicken restaurant north rocks #Burgers place north rocks #Sydney food #Best Chicken restaurants north rocks #Chicken restaurants north rocks #nonveg restaurant north rocks #Portuguese chicken north rocks #Peri Peri Chicken #Flame-grilled chicken

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vickisventures · 4 years ago

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Durango from 8,000 feet

We made our first trip to check out our seedlings the other day. We were thrilled to see them sitting in about 4 inches of SNOW! We knew we might not need to water our trees, but we wanted to check on things and make sure everything looked alright. All of the protective sleeves were still in place and everything looked really good so far. We ate our picnic lunch in the back of the truck and just enjoyed the peaceful setting for a bit before making the 3.5 hour trip back to Durango. Glad it’s a pretty drive since we’ll be making it a few more times in the next few months.

We’ve hiked a couple more trails since my last blog. The first was a bit more than I thought it was going to be but sooo worth it. It was a 6 mile, fairly rocky loop. The views of the Animas valley were to die for though and we saw a fair amount of wildflowers along the way. There are also some amazing views of town. You get up to around 8100 ft. elevation so that was what got me. I was having trouble breathing. The trek back down was a lot easier going and we made it in around 3:45 hours total. Then yesterday, we went to Vallecito and hiked the Creek Trail. It was another 6 mile hike. I think 6 miles is about all we can handle for now. Between the elevation and the terrain, it about kicks our butts. This hike was a nice one too. We hiked either above or along a river most of the time. The water was roaring so loud at times, we couldn’t even hear each other talk. The mosquitos were a bit bothersome so we will need to start bringing bug spray on our hikes. We had hoped to reach a bridge as our turn-around point, but we couldn’t cross the “creek” due to high waters (Actually, I was too chicken to try to cross it!) and stopped short of that landmark.

Tomorrow is the big day leading to Memorial Day weekend. We have around 39 arrivals. Might get a little crazy at times. Thankfully, we have 3 couples working in the afternoon. This work week we have 4 afternoons and 1 morning scheduled. Steve doesn’t care for the mixed schedule but I don’t mind. We found out one of the couples is leaving in 2 weeks. The girl, although as nice as can be, has not adjusted to working in the office and the computer systems and has made multiple mistakes costing the park money. I doubt the managers were super upset when they gave their 2 week notice. I’m hoping Susan will be able to find a replacement couple because I’m not too excited about being short a couple the whole peak season. I have wondered if this will be our break to getting to work the morning shift from here on out. If so, it couldn’t have come at a better time as we are starting to stay open until 8pm this weekend. I’m not sure what we’ll do about our days off and church…we may just continue to do online church so we can continue our mid-week days off. We have also been playing around with other ideas for the fall/winter. Steve is looking into driving again in North Dakota for the sugar beet season for maybe 6 weeks. Then we might try to get a park job where we only work 2 days a week for December-April. We are still unsure…a lot will ride on what Steve can work out with Transystems. I’ll keep you updated as I know more.

We have found more good places to eat. We tried Olde Tymers Cafe and had some amazing nachos and fish and chips. We also went to a place I’ve been anxious to check out that is about 15 miles to the north of Durango called James Ranch Grille that is a farm to table restaurant. The place has mostly outside seating and is a peaceful location. We went with our Texas co-workers and enjoyed sitting outside and visiting…until it started to get chilly. They have good burgers and the fries are REALLY yummy. They have a little market that had closed by the time we were ready to leave so I want to go back and check out the market sometime.

I don’t know that we have any outlandish stories yet…give me some time! We have had some guests hit these huge rocks that are around the property to keep people out of ditches and the water. Steve had a guy hit one the other day as he was leading him to his site. The guest was pretty new to RVing which may have been the main issue. Thankfully, he didn’t get really upset. We have the pool open and the putt-putt up and running. We’ll start having the pizza oven going and breakfast served starting Saturday. I think we’ll be ready for our days off come next week!

#workcamping #full time rving

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path-of-my-childhood · 5 years ago

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Taylor Swift and Joe Alwyn Were ‘Warm and Intimate’ With One Another on Sushi Date Gigi Hadid After ’SNL’ Performance

US Weekly // by Samantha Leffler // October 7th 2019

Talk about a star-studded date night! Following Taylor Swift’s stint as the musical guest on Saturday Night Live on October 5, the “You Need to Calm Down” singer celebrated by having a rare date night with her boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.

Following Swift’s performance, she and Alwyn headed to Zuma restaurant on Madison Avenue in NYC for the afterparty. The trendy Japanese eatery, which is part of an upscale worldwide chain, is known for its sushi and robata grilled fare.

According to an insider, the pair stayed close to one another once inside and spent time with pals Gigi Hadid – who was spotted out for the first time since her split from Tyler Cameron – and model Martha Hunt.

“They were definitely very cozy with each other. Taylor was on Joe’s arm the whole night and were definitely holding hands a bunch,” the source told Us Weekly, noting that it was rare for the duo to be “more than a few feet away from one another” even if they were chatting with other people.

“They were surprisingly warm and intimate towards one another the whole evening,” the source added. Swift was even sporting “a huge sparkling ring” on one finger, but the rock, which fans speculated might be an engagement ring, wasn’t on the musician’s ring finger. The Grammy winner wore an oversized black blazer (much like Alwyn’s) which she paired with sparkly, embellished pants and silver Christian Louboutin shoes.

Other famous faces in attendance at the post-SNL shindig included the show’s guest host, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Kate McKinnon, who was seen wearing her signature North Face backpack, Keenan Thompson, Chris Rock and director Steven Spielberg.

Partygoers from Swift’s inner circle included Panic at the Disco’s Brendon Urie, Booksmart star Kaitlyn Dever, Glee alum Dianna Agron and Teen Wolf actor Dylan O’Brien.

Queer Eye’s Antoni Porowski, who is a friend of Hadid’s, was also in attendance and was spotted eating at Swift’s table with Alwyn and his pal.

While Hadid and Hunt left after a few hours, the happy couple ended up staying “almost all night,” according to the insider, and were spotted making their rounds and talking to people after they ate.

Speaking of food, the source tells Us Swift and Alwyn enjoyed grilled shishito peppers with yuzu sesame dip, chicken yakitori skewers and various sushi entrees, including a spicy tuna roll with green chili, spicy mayo and tobiko and yellowtail rolls topped with wasabi mayonnaise.

#taylor swift #joe alwyn #tay & joe #article #snl #october 5th 2019 #after party #gigi hadid #martha hunt #antoni porowski #zuma restaurant #new york #phoebe waller-bridge

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roswellroamer · 5 years ago

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Day 15. February 13, 2020. Franz Josef to Rangiora via Arthur's Pass. 420km.

Woke up a little foggy. Oh yeah, the weather was too. The open mike singers at Snakebite brewery had one or two excellent voices I really enjoyed and I may have had too much beer... 🍻 But at least the motel was just around the corner and morning came too quickly. One item I am not sure I have mentioned regards the usage of the maps.me app. This app allows for an easy way to use your phone GPS anywhere. The phone always known where it is, but if in an area where there is no cell signal/data or if I am not using my cellular data due to cost/choice the phone is unable to draw/show maps on Waze, Google, etc. Maps.me allows you to download countries or regions so that you can always navigate and see where you are. I utilize the red pin drop and save features to create a track of the places I have ridden on longer journeys such as these. It is helpful to have this data to assist in retracing steps (combined with the metadata embedded in the iPhone pictures). Since I'm waxing technically, how about the freaky similarity in the land area of both Georgia and NZ's South Island. The state of Georgia exceeds the size of the South Island by about 1,000 sq. miles at over 59,000 but basically they're the same size. I couldn't really have imagined spending 3 weeks + exploring Georgia but the terrain here is almost nauseatingly scenic. Most of South and central GA isn't that exciting to ride. North Georgia would certainly provide a visitor interesting riding for a week or maybe a bit longer. Enough stuff unrelated to this day. The forecast had used the word dreary and there was a low shroud of clouds hugging the mountain ridges. A few stray drops dotted the visor as I aimed again northward toward Arthur's Pass. Shaking out the cobwebs I commented to Ted via our Sena Bluetooth communicators that even in the low shroud hiding most of the dramatic peaks, the riding has been pretty much nonstop scenic. Fern forests and sheer rocks where the road has been cut that are covered in ferns. Growing in everything crack and crevice. In fact, saw one of those mowers attached to a tractor on a hydraulic arm that was trimming the ferns today. When the scenery then changed as you wind in between scenic preserves (all named) the transition to farmland is met with seeded flowers creating a welcome mat to the berm of the road most places. Kind of like how North Carolina and zone places in Georgia plant areas of wildflowers in the median strips but this is done on both sides of the road creating a natural orange beauty line highlighting the roads. Came upon a Yamaha and a new Triumph Rocket 3 R at a construction stop light where we crammed our way to the front of the line. We followed them for a while as we wound up some tight turns. That R3 looks great! He had a nice looking Triumph bag strapped on the pillion. We actually passed them after a while. 🤷‍♂️ After meandering for a bit we opted to pull in to Ross (gold mining town) for some needed sustenance. A cappuccino and French toast garnished with grilled banana and bacon hit the spot. We were about 2' too late as a crowd of Aussie bikers from outside Brisbane was just loading in ahead of us. No spring chickens they, yet they were largely off road and headed on the fantastic network of NZ biking and hiking trails all the way to Greymouth. (Which was 66 km on the road so more for them). Good on you, bikers! 🇦🇺

Next we headed inland to cross the Southern Alps again as we had done yesterday this time back to the east via Arthur's Pass. First a 40km detour north to Greymouth since the GPS showed no fuel ahead on the pass. We headed up the pass and as is usual the windiness and elevation both increase significantly. This isn't a terribly high pass at just over 3,000 feet but snow fields and lots of runoff debris fields are revealed as we ascend. We see an unusual hotel and pull into "New Zealand's most interesting hotel", the Otira hotel. You can zoom in on the pic and see some of the depths the proprietors have gone to in order to make this place unique. There are so many curios and antiques strewn about the rooms, it oozes history. See Gollum dangling his "precious" perched on the roof's edge? Fed a couple leftover chips to the pig penned up down by Gandolph's garage. 🐖 Had the "famous" whitebait fish sandwich. Some sort of pressed pan fried whitefish on toasted bread. Pretty good! The Kiwi train rolls all along the pass somehow disappearing under the peak in a feat of underground tunneling. It came by configured for freight and stopped by the hotel for a while. Ted was supposed to ride the passenger version on the same line a year ago however the western highway we had just ridden was washed out so they couldn't make it. Imagine that! 🌧 🌧 After lunch we passed by an Italian style viaduct, open on the side away from the hill immediately followed by a waterfall which had been diverted to flow over the road on the concrete roof constructed as a water slide to launch the flow harmlessly away from the road. One last very long bridge brings you to a corner just shy of the peak which is scarily named Deaths Corner but offers a road up to a dramatic lookout. Seen there was a blacked out Road Glide with those angled mini apes that looks good. The guy is in full leathers, I think some sort of group (OK maybe gang) and he asked about my Klim gear. If I had brought it from home? He said it was good stuff and I agree! We came down the pass and there were plenty of sharp turns. 35 and 25kph suggested limits for hairpins and came by a number of ski resorts. Being on the Christchurch side of the pass these are more accessible to the population center of the South Island. As the descent continues we turn on the scenic inland route not far from where we started on our ride out of CHC two weeks ago. In fact our resting place this evening is really a suburb of CHC. We pass the now familiar trimmed hedge walls, checkered farmland and sheep. We zig zagged a couple of times thinking the GPS had it wrong but soon we pull into the well kept Riverstone Motel. First place the whole trip that had A/C (air con here) and oh my I sure enjoyed that. Mike the proprietor was helpful and off we went to town about 2.5 clicks away after a shower and change. Most of the restaurants were closed for some unknown reason. We opted for a Chinese place that was good and notable in that fried rice was ordered because no rice came with the dishes ordered, but the fried rice was so loaded with meat and chicken that there wasn't much rice! Back to the bar adjacent to the motel for a nightcap and then a much needed rest. Trip is going off without a hitch really, good fortune has smiled on us to date. 😴

#advrider #motoadventure #newzealand #franzjosefglacier

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lindsayruebens · 6 years ago

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The Grand #5-10-30

Last fall, Kane and I had two Frontier flight vouchers burning a hole in our pockets.

Also that fall, we celebrated being together for a decade. And then I turned 30 in December. April is Kane’s 30th birthday. And May is our fifth wedding anniversary.

And, for the past five years, we had exclusively used our vacation days for traveling to see family during the holidays and weddings. We were not only ready to celebrate but extremely ready for a vacation, and ready to do it up big.

Enter what my social-media-eschewing husband has persistently referred to as the #5-10-30 trip (yes I know there are no hyphens in real hashtags, but here we are), and he did so persistently enough that I too eventually broke down and also called it The 5-10-30.

Direct Frontier flights from Philadelphia narrowed our options considerably, and we wanted to pick somewhere we’d never been, so Denver it was. My parents very generously offered to watch Russ in Pennsylvania for a week, and after lots of research and planning, that’s how the best vacation Kane and I have ever had, or shall I say, The #5-10-30 Trip, materialized.

We rented a 2019 Nissan Rogue and basically did a loop beginning and ending in Denver. I kept a detailed journal of the trip, but I’ll spare you the less-thrilling details and share the highlights:

Day 1: Afternoon/evening in Denver

(^Ready for takeoff to Denver!)

Great AirBnB cottage in the LoHi neighborhood. After meeting us, our host ran into her house to bring us her own nice bottle of tequila, limes and shot glasses to start off our trip on a celebratory note. Cheers!

Speaking of cheers, we recommend the Recess Beer Garden, where we watched Virginia win the national title.

Day 2: Denver/Colorado Springs

We kicked breakfast off at Bacon Social House with a flight of bacon. And because we’re corny, we gave serious thought to ranking the six bacon styles (French toast was my fav, barbecue was Kane’s). Scissors for sharing the slices were included.

Next up: Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs. The red rock formations were breathtaking, and we’re glad we went to the visitor’s center for info on hiking trails. Great views of both Garden of the Gods and Pikes Peak.

Another fantastic AirBnB in Old Colorado City, and delicious dinner — just say yes to the brisket grilled cheese and lamb sliders — outside at Cerberus Brewing Company while watching the sun set behind the Rockies.

Day 3: Colorado Springs

We spent much of this day in the earth.

First stop was Cave of the Winds. Holy cow, do the Lantern Tour if you can. Our self-described hippie tour-guide, John, thoroughly scared us before we even began, warning us of having to walk crouched low for a couple of minutes through under-4-foot-high tunnels, that we’d only be walking by the light of candle-lit lanterns (hence the name Lantern Tour) and that we were about to enter the supposedly most haunted caverns in North America. It’s not a tour for the faint of heart (nor the arthritic). Learned the history of the 19th-century pioneers who took ownership of the caves and held exotic parties in them, and of course there was a generous helping of spooky ghost stories.

(^Our only photo in the cave before the tour began-- not the kind of setting to take a selfie!)

Back in the sunlight, we had lunch at Ivywild School, an elementary school-turned community center/local business spot/brewery.

Dinner in downtown Colorado Springs at The Rabbit Hole, also underground. We did actually try rabbit with the Bunny Bites appetizer… a drier, leaner version of chicken nuggets.

Day 4: Cañon City/Nathrop

Spent the day at the Royal Gorge in Cañon City. The gondola ride across was slightly panic-inducing, but offered amazing views; informative short movie about the Gorge in onsite theater; then walks across America’s tallest suspension bridge. The gaps between some of the wooden planks of the floor allowed you to see all the way to the Arkansas River flowing below. YIKES. Of course Kane insisted we really feel “fully alive,” and so we were the only ones nutty enough to go back and forth several more times in the wind. Don’t worry, I felt super-alive, and thankfully, remained in such a state.

Spectacular mountain drive along Route 50 to Nathrop, where we checked in at the Mt. Princeton Hot Springs Resort. It’s in the San Isabel National Forest.

(^Serious room with a view.)

That evening we donned bathing suits in 30-something degree weather to recline in the hot springs of Chalk Creek. We laid our heads on rocks, stared at the stars and crescent moon overhead and enjoyed deep conversation that also included momentarily pretending we were contestants on The Bachelor, because it was such an over-the-top date, and I assured Kane I was most certainly there for the right reasons.

Day 5: Nathrop/Breckenridge

Hot springs again in the bright morning sunshine before driving to Breckenridge, which was a little insane with hairpin turns up and down mountains. We drove through Alma, North America’s highest incorporated town, and were relieved to make it to our AirBnB. Then: A scrumptious sushi lunch downtown at The Blue Fish and perusing the town’s many shops.

We called up the Lost Bus, owned and operated by the Broken Compass Brewing, which picks up people for free from downtown Breckenridge to its brewery site a few miles away. This was my favorite brewery of the trip! Fantastic craft beers and great local vibe.

Then we walked about half a mile down the road to Flight Club for food. It was an extremely local experience (complete with a guy glass-blowing pipes next to the bar!) and even featured a local battle-of-the-bands winner, Hollywood Farmers, who were actually quite talented.

(^My view from the bar. Just some casual glass-blowing, dudes.)

Day 6: Boulder

A crazy drive to Boulder on Route 70 with foggy snow showers. But we made it in one piece to Chautauqua Park and hiked around the Flatirons on the Enchanted Mesa Trail and loved it.

Lunched at Roxie’s Tacos, where they served amazing Mexican-Indian fusion in the lovely campus area of CU-Boulder, then drove to the Celestial Seasonings headquarters for a free tea tour and samples. A highlight was the peppermint room! Free aromatherapy.

Checked into a Courtyard Marriott and ate at Avery Brewing Company.

Day 7: Boulder/Denver

Amazing breakfast at Lucile’s in adorable downtown Boulder. Walked around Pearl Street Mall, where the tulip beds were in bloom. If I had to choose one of the places we visited to move, I’d pick Boulder!

Drove back to Denver and attended a beautiful Palm Sunday Mass at the Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception. Proceeded to a tour of the Molly Brown House. Loved learning her incredible story: a rags-to-riches miner’s wife, Titanic survivor, philanthropist, winner of French Legion of Honor… Google her if you have time!

On to Stranahan’s Colorado Whiskey for a delightful distillery tour. We learned how it was made and aged and also how to properly drink whiskey. Not sure I’m a converted whiskey-drinker, but loved every minute of the tour.

We ended our trip where we began, in the LoHi neighborhood, at a fantastic Mediterranean tapas restaurant called El Five. We sat outside overlooking the Denver skyline and the Rockies before catching a red-eye home. It was the perfect way to punctuate a pretty near-perfect trip.

(^Dinner view. Until we meet again, Colorado!)

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wanderinglotus7 · 6 years ago

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School House of Rock

I have one month left in Thailand and the time is going by so fast. It doesn’t help either that all my friends at Bridgewater are graduating in less than 30 days (May 4th is our graduation). I admit, I do feel a little left out sometimes watching my friends taking cap and gown pictures, announcing their grad school acceptances or announcing their new employment; and watching some of the Thammasat seniors graduate adds on the nostalgia. It’s weird watching people graduate, but I still have finals starting mid May. It’s weird for me because I am a senior and technically I already graduated from Bridgewater fall semester, but for technical and document purposes, I will be considered as a summer grad because Thammasat has to send my transcripts to Bridgewater [and Thammasat runs on Thai time].

In the states, I major in psychology with two minors in social work and cultural studies. When I was registering for classes in Bangkok, I considered taking one or two social work courses, but most of them were similar to the courses I already took at Bridgewater. So, for one day, I sat in a course within the American and British studies program and dropped it because I learned the material in my junior year of high school. Anyway, I’m not trying to do more work than I have to while I’m here. To be a full time student here you only have to take three classes, but I’m following Bridgewater’s criteria, so I have to take at least four classes. Four classes doesn’t sound like that much, but when the lectures are like 3-4 hours long that’s alot!

My classes are within the Thai studies program that focuses on Thai society and everything related to the people. I’m taking Thai Dance, Thai Cuisine, Thai Media and Society, and Basic Thai. The classes aren’t that difficult; outside the discipline, other students view these courses as elective (BS) classes. I’m enjoying my classes though I do have my days were I feel like I am wasting my time, but you can say that about any class and at any college campus. My most difficult class is Basic Thai because learning a different language can be difficult for anyone especially if you’re only fluent or exposed to one language My favorite thing about Thai Studies is that my classes are hands-on. The inter-activeness helps me maintain my attention and keeps me from daydreaming most days. Unlike at home, I don’t get assigned much assignments besides Basic Thai, but they are few. Some days I have to force myself to be a student and make myself to study and complete assignments [on time]. The academic environment in Bangkok is so relaxed and less stringent (not really complaining until I want know what my grades are like).

In Thai Dance, I’ve learned various dances that originate from different regions of Thailand. These dances come from the North, Northeast, Central, and Southern Thailand. Along with the dances, we’ve learned about traditional instruments used in these performances and even had the opportunity to play them. Me and some classmates visited a museum to learn more about Bangkok (Thai) entertainment. At the end of this month we have our public performance. Myself and other students have the opportunity to wear dance costumes and perform one of the four dances we’ve learned from the semester. Recently, I attended an international cultural camp where I learned more Thai dances, more about the instruments, and got to wear a traditional Thai dance outfit.

I’m a big foodie, so it doesn’t surprise me that I’m taking Thai cuisine. The best way to understand a culture is to try the food. Now, the name sounds a little deceiving because we don’t spend every class cooking Thai dishes. The course is mainly lectured based with some cooking demonstrations and two cooking classes. I’ve gotten to sample various foods and desserts, visited a local fresh market, and learned and cooked popular Thai dishes like green chicken curry, bananas in coconut milk, and grilled pork spicy salad. I’ve learned about the history of Thai food and how the dishes vary depending on regional location and foreign influence. Now, I’m learning how different restaurants operate and all the responsibilities that comes with working in the food service industry.

Thai Media and Society is my favorite class! I love the interesting discussions we have in class and listening to the different perspectives on certain topics from the various countries represented in class (i.e. American, Russian, Japanese, Korean, etc.). I actually pay attention in that class unlike some other people, but I did semi decent on the midterm. Now, I’m focusing on my group’s final presentation which is composed of an abstract and an oral presentation. I’m learning alot from interviewing various people and working with classmates from different cultural backgrounds. My group is researching racism within Thai society and how advertisements play a role in Thai beauty standards. Last month, the class took a field trip to the ThaiPBS station which was a fun experience. It was my first time touring a national broadcasting network studio, and later this month we are visiting another popular network studio in Thailand.

Basic Thai isn’t a bad class, but I have to shift most of motivation towards this class because I actually want to do well in that class. So far, I’m doing okay. I just have to schedule more time outside of class to really practice and learn the language. I get flashbacks to when I was learning Spanish. For me, Spanish is easier to learn than Thai. What mess me up is that the Thai language is all about tone and not necessarily about pronunciation. One word can have five different meanings depending on the tone being used. I’m slowly integrating Thai vocab into my daily conversations and it’s kind of going okay. No means will I be fluent in Thai by the end of May. Maybe if I was gonna live here longer and put more of an effort, I could be fluent if I really tried. During the summer, I’m gonna try to keep practicing the language to see how far I can get and I have a language to help me out as well.

One degree down and one more to go. Grad school here I come...after my gap year. Fingers crossed I’ll be walking Boston College’s campus Fall 2020.

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roadjanus · 6 years ago

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Heading to the Dead Sea...lucky we’re not dead...

A Muslim woman’s bathing suit next to a bikini! Border crossing and our YMCA lobby . So beautiful!

First glimpse of Israel...from Jordan height of land.

Heading to the Dead Sea

We thought we had that covered...just a short drive from Aqaba to the north end of the Dead Sea. There we would take a look at that oddity (400 m below sea level). Stay overnight and the next day...over the border to Israel. But of course, 5 hours later we arrive. How did that happen? Well, I’m using that new app — maps.me. It is a wonderful little app that works like google maps but offline. But we’re not too good at operating it as yet. So we set the route but didn’t press start, so it was showing where we were going rather than where we should go. So we ended up on this little road heading out of Wadi Musa, past Little Petra (who knew) and the road got smaller, and twister, and then smaller, and we were climbing up and up and up. And the road got smaller and narrower. An occasional donkey cart. Bedouin settlement. Then nothing. Just that narrow, serpentine road. We eventually came to the height of land. What a view. I think it was our first sighting of Israel. Fabulous. Then we had to come down from that height of land. I closed my eyes.

We came along the Western Jordanian border. There were a lot of very poor people living along this border. Looked like market gardening was the main industry. Until we got to the potash mines at the south end of the Dead Sea. This whole area was poor and extremely ugly. People were living in shacks that used some sort of poly to keep out the wind. This was in great contrast to the beautiful farms in the Jordan Valley. Towns were as poor as anything we ever saw in Africa. Even when we got to what the map said was a resort area we were taken aback by the lack of resort infrastructure. There didn’t seem to be any resorts that were close to the sea. We can see Israel across the sea. This land is so poor that we can’t understand why anyone is fighting over it. Lots of times we’ve said this. The land is so rocky and mountainous. Desert, rock fields.

When we finally reached the north of the sea we drove in circles for quite a time to find the hotel. No signage. Then when we finally reached the hotel we find a fairly new Ramada, with a fence and gate...and a man who checks for bombs. So we passed that test. We got checked in and then discovered that all our worldly goods would have to be handed over in order to eat at the hotel. What a price! Crazy. Who are they feeding at that price. By that time we were pretty tired and a little Hangry. So off we went to a little restaurant that was on the main road. So I go in to check out the menu and while I’m there, Bestie’s Man discovers he can’t open the car door. He’s locked in! Haha. A man steps up to help. Eventually it’s fixed. He’s out! So the restaurant doesn’t have hummus. The man who helped said, “Just go next door to the convenience store and buy some. You can bring it to the restaurant.” And that is what we did. We ordered fried chicken and grilled chicken (the best we’ve had so far this trip— and that is saying something) and brought hummus from next door and had wonderful bread. All for a pittance. And a cat came in from outside and shared our leftovers. Don’t you just love this country! People were so friendly and helpful. The food was so good. The cat was friendly. No more Hangry!

In the morning Bestie and I headed down to the sea. We only had about an hour as the man from the car company was coming to pick up the car and drop us at King Hussein Bridge (Allenby Bridge). I rubbed the mud on, then went into the ocean. A couple who were already there told me to walk in and then sit. so I did. And I floated. It was next to impossible to push my legs down. I know that sounds crazy. So I had to turn and propel myself backwards with my arms until I got to shallow water. It felt unnatural. I’d been warned not to get the water in my eyes or even on my face as it would burn. The mud came off, sort of oily. It stuck to my cuticles and under my nails. It was a ‘sperience!

And off to the crossing. We’d been warned that trouble could be had at this bridge. It is the only crossing for the Palestinians coming from the West Bank. They can cross into Jordan and fly out of their airport or continue into the Middle East. Of course the Israelis are touchy about the Palestinians. The Jordanians are touchy about the Israelis that are coming into their country or going out. So everyone is on edge. The men at the crossing were grim. Uniforms and guns. Not the friendly Jordanians that we’d been encountering incountry. Not that they were unpleasant. Just serious. But we were dropped off and walked into Jordan customs, paid our exit fee and then boarded a shuttle bus that would take us to the Israel border. The system they have set up seems to me to be awkward in the extreme. They take our passports when we pay, (10 Dinars) then we wait, then we go out and put our luggage on the bus, board the bus...all without any instruction. A very nice Chinese man helped us. And a priest also offered assurances that we were doing the right thing and that our passports would be returned. And sure enough, a man came on with a pack of passports and matched them up with the faces on the bus. We paid him the fee to ride the bus. 8.5 Dinars each. What they were doing with those passports I can’t imagine.

We drove awhile, waited awhile. A Jordanian policeman came on and checked a passport or two, looked us over. We drove some more. Checkpoint. Then we were at Israeli customs. Another lineup. Luggage goes through a big scanner. We waited quite a while for it. Took a long time for the luggage to come through. But I had some time to look around. There were women working there. I hadn’t realized how much I missed them. They were, generally, smiling and cheerful, helpful. The men were friendly, although I noticed there were several men just watching. They had security tags on and were just leaning on the wall, watching. Many soldiers with big guns stood around but did not appear threatening to us.

I have to say that the magic word is “Canadian”. I can’t tell you how many times we’ve said this and been fast tracked through security lines, scanner lines. Welcome, Welcome! It’s wonderful to be Canadian.

We got through Israeli customs. So from start to finish, about 3 hours. Not bad. No problems, just waiting.

And we’re in Israel. It is immediately more organized, more European. Everything is done quickly and completely. We get a taxi and we’re off to Jerusalem. The country is neat and tidy. Great road. It is obvious we have left Jordan. It’s 45 minutes to our hotel. So glad to be here

#jordan #dead sea #retirement #second childhood #border crossing #Allenby Bridge #King Hussein bridge #Israeli customs

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icleanedthisplate · 10 months ago

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Dine-Out Meals of January 2024, Ranked

I ranked the following based on taste alone. I made no consideration for ambiance or the general dining experience or whatever. I included meals I got to go. I included food trucks, catered meals, and fast food.

A solid showing by restaurants in Huntsville, Alabama and Wichita, Kansas this month.

Should you be interested in the pictures or reading the few words I had to say about each meal, click on the home page and scroll down or see the archives.

Cream of Asparagus Soup, Artisanal Cheese Platter (shared), Pan-Seared Gulf Yellowfin Tuna. The Bottle Restaurant. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.10.2024.

Combo Marino, Plantains, Flan. Gabby’s Peruvian Restaurant. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Italian Beef Bene, Cinnamon Roll (shared). Raduno. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.14.2023.

Beetroot Salad, Salmon, Strawberry Rhubarb Crisp. The Revivalist. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

Pork Ribs w/Collard Greens, Mac & Cheese, Banana Pudding. Wright’s BBQ. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.4.2024.

Jinya Bun, Jinya Tonkotsu Black. Jinya Ramen Bar. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Tuna Tacos, Pan Seared Black Seabass, Curry Duck Breast, Poblano Mac & Cheese Casserole, Honey Soy Brussels, Sticky Toffee Cake (shared all). Table 28. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.13.2024.

Bleu Burger w/Duck Fat Fries. Dempsey’s Burger Pub (Clifton Square). Wichita, Kansas. 1.23.2024.

Feta James, Mr. Nice Guy, Apple of My Eye (shared dessert). Leverett Lounge. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Harissa Avocado Bowl. CAVA. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Assorted Sushi Rolls (Rainbow, California, etc.). Fujiyama Express. North Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Local Mix w/Grilled Chicken. Urban Cookhouse. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.12.2024.

Baleada Con Todo w/Carnitas. El Sur Street Food Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.8.2024.

BLT-AE Sandwich w/Grilled Veggies, Jolly Green Juice. HomeGrown. Wichita, Kansas. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Scratch Salad w/Rotisserie. Waldo’s Chicken & Beer. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.6.2024.

Grilled Salmon (Snappy) w/Grilled Veggies, Rice & Beans. Flying Fish. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.19.2024.

Shrimp w/rice, Steamed Veggies. La Chingada. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.5.2024.

Egg White Grill, Yogurt w/Fruit. Chick-fil-A. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.10.2024.

Petit Jean Ranch Salad (to go). Zaza Fine Salad & Wood Oven Pizza Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.22.2024.

Bacon Cheeseburger w/Onions & Mushrooms, Fries. Vanilla Milkshake. CJ’s Butcher Burger Boy. Russellville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024.

Green Chile Stew, Crispy Ahi Tuna Taco. Local Lime. Rogers, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Tortilla Soup. Chuy’s Chuy’s. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.20.2024.

Whipped Feta & Prosciutto App (shared), Salad Lyonnaise. Wild Fork. Tulsa, Oklahoma. 1.26.2024.

Chicken Livers w/Okra, Mashed Potatoes, English Peas. Cindy’s Place. Corinth, Mississippi. 1.10.2024.

Grilled State Bird Sandwich w/Fries. Hill Station. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Chicken Salad Sandwich w/Chips. McAlister’s Deli. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ark-Mex Enchiladas w/Tomato-Cucumber-Mint Salad, Pinto Beans. Heights Taco & Tamale. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.30.2023.

Yogurt & Granola w/Fruit Compote. Mylo Coffee Co. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.31.2024.

Fattoush Salad w/Salmon. Meddys. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Green Goddess Salad. Newk’s. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.17.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.25.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Fayetteville, Arkansas. 1.18.2024. (No photo)

Meat & Cheese Plate (shared), Pork Ribs w/Beans, Slaw. Charlie Vergo’s Rendezvous. Memphis, Tennessee. 1.12.2024.

Bangkok Noodles w/Shrimp. Bangkok Thai Cuisine. Little Rock, Arkansas. 1.3.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Wichita, Kansas. 1.24.2024.

Ham & Cheese Croissant. Starbucks. Conway, Arkansas. 1.23.2024.

Red Pepper Sous Vide Egg Bites. Starbucks. Huntsville, Alabama. 1.11.2024.

#food list #food blog #huntsville alabama #wichita

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lametravel · 2 years ago

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Lisbon

Though the Gatwick airport may have been crowded and messy, we were able to relax as we got off the plane in Lisbon. Our taxi dropped us off in the Alfama district, famous for its scenic narrow streets throughout its steep hills. The driver struggled to find our apartment but luckily Sammy was out in the street to help direct us.

Our reunion with Keyfer and Sammy started out with a bang as we explored the windy streets. Lisbon started a month long party of St. Anthony, celebrating by eating a lot of grilled sardines. We enjoyed some shots of ginja and sangria as we took in the beauty of the city. Keyfer found us an amazing restaurant nestled in a corner of an intersection. Though the server was very... European, the selection of Octopus, seafood and chicken was absolutely delicious.

The next day, we got the lay of the land by taking a free walking tour. It was interesting understanding the context of Portugal and how the city became a global hub with the emergence of the spice trade. We also didn't know that so much of the city, as we know it today, was defined by a major earthquake that took place in the middle of the 18th century. The 3 hour walking tour flew by as we snapped a ton of pictures. After a break of eating both lunch (gluten free crepes) and egg tarts (both gluten-ful and gluten free) we explored the festival in Alfama further.

For our second day, we took a tour around Sintra. For being only half an hour out of the city, it felt like you were in a totally different place. We drove through the roads surrounded by lush vegetation and numerous estates with well maintained gardens. When we got to the town of Sintra, we walked around the medieval old town and Quinta da Regaleria, with its maze of lush gardens and 30 meter well that lead into some spooky caves. We drove to a beach for lunch and ordered fresh fish, followed by wine tasting of a local specialty. We ended the tour with a bang, exploring the Palace of Pena, situated at the top of a mountain. Here we got many pictures of the the building and the scenic vista's. Definately worth the visit!

Our third day, we planned to go to Berlingas, a protected island just to the North of Lisbon. We were a little worried because our Sintra tour guide made it seem like it wasn't anything special. Our fears were put to rest as we arrived via the ferry, and seeing the stunning landscape of the little island. Our guide Joao, took us on a hike up the hill over looking the clear, teal water and jutting rocks. We strolled down over 100 stairs to the old 17th century military fort, which is now a hotel. Once we got our fill on land, we got a totally different view kayaking around the island. It was such a special experience floating through caves and seeing the plentiful fish swimming under us. We topped the day by relaxing on the beach and getting sunburned.

Unfortunately, there was a little bit of drama on the tour. Joao mentioned that there was a big soccer match happening that evening- the Portuguese National team was playing against Switerland. I tried to buy tickets for Keyfer and I but Visa threatened to cancel the purchase. After exhausting my international minutes and getting a lecture from a call agent that I shouldn't purchase anything online in another country, the problem resolved (I think... the purchase is still pending) However, we had to pickup our tickets from someone by the stadium close to the start of the match. Our guide Joao, acted as our fixer, speaking to the seller and coordinating a pickup by his local pizza shop. We are so thankful for him, because Keyfer and I were able to see an amazing Soccer match. There were so many great moments but the highlight for me was seeing Christian Ronaldo and many other great players work together so effectively, eventually winning 4-0 against the other team.

Unfortunately, the last time we were in Portugal, Lauren and I did not have as great of a time. We didn't have a lot of money, and our experience was tainted by some unfortunate events, such as a car accident and broken braces. This experience, spending time with our good friends, redeemed the city for us, and we are excited to come back. We are now off to Barcelona to catch up with Elyse and Danny and continue the good times!

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kukulasnorthrocks · 3 years ago

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Grilled Chicken Restaurant | Burgers Place North Rocks | Kukulas North Rocks

Would you like to know the place in North Rocks to eat Grilled Chicken and burgers? Kukula's North Rocks are the best place to eat Portuguese chicken in North Rocks. Get to know more visit here:- https://bit.ly/3tpeUoK

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businessweekme · 6 years ago

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California Highway 1 Road Trip

Six weeks ago, Highway 1 fully reopened in Big Sur, following devastating mudslides in May 2017. After $54 million worth of repairs and the removal of millions of tons of earth, rocks, and debris, travelers can once again enjoy an uninterrupted drive along the gorgeous coastal highway between San Francisco and Los Angeles.

But it’s not just the views that make the trek one of the most famous road trips in the world. There’s also the food to contend with: Dotted along the winding route, you’ll find peppery smoked-fish tacos, juicy burgers smothered in eggs and melted cheese, and homemade doughnuts oozing with jelly.

Our version of this journey begins in Point Reyes Station, north of San Francisco. There, you’ll want to stock up on triple cream Mt Tam cheese from Cowgirl Creamery and scarf as many straight-from-the-bay oysters as you can get down. Your eating adventure will continue from there—you’d better start hungry.

Point Reyes

Side Street Kitchen

The specialty at this year-old, bright, modern diner is the crispy skinned rotisserie chicken, fragrant with herbs and served half or whole with an array of sauces, including curried yogurt, salsa verde, and chimichurri rojo. The other specialty: puffy, sugar-coated, fruit-filled apple fritters. 60 4th St., Point Reyes Station

The Boat Oyster Bar

Hog Island Oyster Co. is famed for the oysters it pulls out of the bay and supplies to top dining rooms around the country. A reservation-only café on the water features those world-class bivalves; the menu changes often, but it frequently includes Hog Island’s singular kumamotos. You can get a dozen raw for $36; even better are the barbecued ones, grilled and dripping with chipotle bourbon garlic butter. 20215 Shoreline Highway, Marshall

Half Moon Bay Area

La Costanera

Peruvian food is having a moment in the U.S., and La Costanera, with its wall of windows overlooking the water from a second-floor dining room, has been recognized by Michelin’s Bib Gourmand. The menu has a mix of classics such as antichuchos (grilled skewers) with marinated beef heart and pork belly; empanadas; tender beer-braised lamb shank; and lomo saltado (beef tenderloin with onions, soy sauce, and a fried egg, if you want one). 8150 Cabrillo Highway, Montara

Dad’s Luncheonette

Chef Scott Clark used to cook at San Francisco’s Michelin-three-starred Saison. He’s transformed a red-painted train caboose into a cozy, wood-lined diner with a small menu of comfort food favorites. The $12 hamburger sandwich has melted cheese, a soft egg, and red onion pickles on grilled white bread; the mushroom version substitutes maitakes for the grass-fed beef. 225 Cabrillo Highway South, Half Moon Bay

Sam’s Chowder House

Seafood makes up almost the entire menu at Sam’s, including a “Captains Platter” of oysters, clams, shrimp, poke, and ceviche; an appetizer of grilled sardines; steamed clams (with the option of linguine); and lobster rolls, “naked” with butter or “dressed” with aioli. At night, the place highlights fresh catches such as Pacific swordfish and local halibut. The seats on the deck offer a panoramic ocean view. 4210 Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay

Hop Dogma Brewing Co.

The rotating array of craft brews at this locally popular beer hall might include Pyro’s Prost chili beer (pilsner brewed with jalapeño); Every Third Inquiry, a Bourbon barrel-aged stout; and the flagship Alpha Dank IPA. Guests can order food from nearby Lamas, a Peruvian and Mexican restaurant, and the tacos, burritos, and arroz con pollo will be delivered to the taproom. 270 Capistrano Rd., Half Moon Bay

Duarte’s Tavern

Dating back to 1894, when Frank Duarte bought the place for $12 in gold, this venerable restaurant specializes in a California version of Continental cuisine. The menu runs the gamut from shrimp cocktail to pork chops with fresh applesauce. The specialties are anything with artichokes, plus the cioppino, packed with clams, shrimp, cod and especially crab, which people drive down from San Francisco to eat. 202 Stage Rd.

Santa Cruz

The Picnic Basket

Set on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, the picturesque luncheonette has an all-day menu with a powerful breakfast selection: golden-brown turnovers stuffed with seasonal fruit or Niman Ranch ham and cheese; an egg-potato-greens frittata sandwich on toast; and house-made jelly doughnuts. Later in the day, hot dogs and elbow macaroni and cheese turn up on the menu. The nearby Penny Ice Creamery, where everything is house-made under the same ownership, is equally popular. 125 Beach St.

Monterey Peninsula

The Meatery

A serious, whole-animal butcher shop with impressive cuts of meat on display, this white-tiled space also serves as a deli. Sandwiches range from a hefty Reuben to banh mi made with caramelized pork belly slices, pickled vegetables, a hit of cilantro, and kewpie mayo on a French roll. A highlight is the house corned beef with sauerkraut on rye. The hot food offerings change daily: On Sundays and Mondays, there’s buttermilk-fried chicken; on Thursdays, visitors line up for the baby back ribs. 1534 Fremont Blvd., Seaside

The Bench Restaurant

Set on the impossibly scenic Pebble Beach Golf Links 18th hole, the Bench has a crowd-pleasing menu that offers all kinds of pizza-styled flatbreads: with pepperoni; with ratatouille, fennel ricotta and heirloom tomatoes; and with bench bacon and grilled, pickled red onion. The 24-ounce short rib, the Smokey Joe, is smoked for 10 hours. Aside from the best views, the outdoor deck has fire-pit tables. 1700 17 Mile Dr., Pebble Beach

Aubergine at l’Auberge Carmel

Chef Justin Cogley operates one of the country’s best under-the-radar fine-dining restaurants. Set in a Relais & Châteaux property, the intimate dining room has a $175 tasting menu that combines local ingredients in unexpected ways: A Morro Bay oyster with caviar has a hit of sea water, and seared abalone is accompanied by romaine lettuce that’s been braised and sliced in thick rounds, with lobster-infused lettuce puree. Monte Verde at 7th Ave., Carmel

Big Sur

Big Sur Bakery & Restaurant

Amid the trees in the hills off the highway, this exceptional café produces terrific pizzas from the wood oven, with a charred, bready, chewy crust and such toppings as creamy greens, mushrooms and tangy taleggio, and red sauce meatballs. The place is first and foremost a bakery: The creamy lemon curd pie in a pistachio crust is addictive, as is any pastry in the display case. 47540 Highway 1

Sierra Mar at Post Ranch Inn

Post Ranch Inn, renowned for its modernist, cliffside, treehouse rooms overlooking the ocean, has a new manager, Gary Obligacion, formerly of Chicago’s celebrated Alinea. The property’s Sierra Mar restaurant is home to one country’s largest wine collections, with 14,000-plus bottles. It complements an elegant four-course tasting menu from which the seared foie gras has a garnish of hazelnuts and king salmon is paired with smoked split peas and sweet apple. 47900 Highway 1

The Sur House at Ventana Big Sur

In 2017, Ventana went through a multimillion-dollar renovation. The renovated Sur House restaurant now has outdoor fireside seating and a bar menu with smoky spice-rubbed chicken wings and open-faced tuna melt accented with pickled fennel. The dinner menu has deceptively simple dishes, such as grilled pork loin on a bed of jalapeño-spiked grits. The wine cellar is also notable: some 10,000 bottles with a focus on the Central Coast. 48123 Highway 1

San Luis Obispo

Ruddell’s Smokehouse

There’s not much barbecue along Highway 1. The notable exception is Ruddell’s, where founder Jim Ruddell set up shop in 2001 in a small building with a few tables outside. The place smokes albacore and salmon with a brown sugar and kosher salt rub; chicken is slow-cooked over hickory. The smoked seafood and poultry are available as tacos in a big French-roll sandwich or salad—and by the pound. 101 D St., Cayucas

Cracked Crab

In the surfing town of Pismo Beach, the unpretentious Cracked Crab has a blazing neon sign and lines stretching out the door. The menu changes according to availability of seafood and features an ocean’s worth of crab: dungeness cocktail with lime and avocado; puck-size, pan-seared lump blue crab cakes; and New England-style lobster rolls stuffed with crab instead. The seafood buckets offer the opportunity to mix and match wild Gulf shrimp, Alaskan crab, clams, mussels, and lobster tails; they go for $61 for one person and $79 for two and come with all the mallets and scissors you’ll need to extract the shellfish. 751 Price St., Pismo Beach

Santa Barbara

Jalama Beach Store & Grill

In Lompoc, the epicenter of Santa Barbara winemaking, is this grill, set inside a store that’s set inside the county park. The specialty is the Jalama burger: It’s quintessential Cali-style, with shredded lettuce, tomato, onions, special sauce, and a griddled bun. The burger has gotten so popular over its almost 40-year history that the name is trademarked. 9991 Jalama Rd., Lompoc

La Super-Rica Tacqueria

Famous for being name-checked by Julia Child, Super-Rica is a cheerful, white-and-turquoise stand with a large selection of options that feature stellar homemade tortillas. The tacos are filled with all kinds of grilled meats—chunks of spiced, brick-colored chorizo; adobado with tender strips of marinated pork. The Super-Rica Especial is made up cheese-stuffed green pasilla chiles that are roasted and draped over tortillas with marinated pork and more cheese, for $6. 622 N. Milpas St., Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara Shellfish Co.

At the end of a dock on the harbor, this photogenic counter started out selling local seafood almost 30 years ago. Customers can still buy fish from commercial fishermen here. (There’s also a robust online store with trays of uni and stone crab claws.) The chopped caesar comes with a choice of grilled, skewered shrimp or sweet scallops. There’s more local shrimp, coated with coconut and crispy fried, garnished with onion rings. Also highly recommended are the linguine studded with garlic-sauteed clams in the shell and the monumental, steamed two-pound crab, along with a selection of local wine and beer by the pitcher. 230 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara

The Los Angeles Area

Malibu Farm

What started as a pop-up dining room by Helene Henderson in 2013 is now a farmers market-driven restaurant and café on the Malibu Pier, with outposts in Miami and Hawaii. The all-day café at the end of the dock has a lightbulb-lit menu that boasts a pile-up of Swedish pancakes with whipped cream and whatever the seasonal berries are, as well as kale caesar and BLTs with lemon aioli brushed on whole wheat. Down the pier, a slightly more serious version of the restaurant offers a tofu, spinach, and tomato scramble on weekend mornings, and nachos, featuring blue corn chips laden with black beans, melty cheese, and drizzles of sour cream in the evenings. 23000 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Tallula’s

Chef Jeremy Fox, who heads up the nearby vegetable-focused Rustic Canyon, now puts a creative spin on the Mexi-Cali dining room. In a colorful space decorated with hanging plants, Fox uses exceptional local corn, served Mexican-style with smoky chipotle aioli, and accents black-cod tacos with malt tartar sauce in tender, house-made tortillas. A daily taco special is dreamed up by rotating cooks in the kitchen. The serious bar program features mezcal Manhattans on draft, as well as the obligatory margaritas. 118 Entrada Dr., Santa Monica

Father’s Office

Chef Sang Yoon began serving one of the—if not the—country’s first gourmet burgers almost 20 years ago. The Office Burger is made from freshly ground, dry-aged beef, so it’s got a deep, meaty flavor that’s further accentuated by sweet caramelized onions, bacon, gruyere, and blue cheese. Accompanying fries, standard or sweet potato, are presented in a mini-shopping cart. Father’s Office is equally known for pouring dozens of local craft beers. 1018 Montana Ave., Santa Monica

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#Travel #Big Sur #California #eateries #Highway 1 #road trip #where to eat

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chriscoleman · 3 years ago

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St. Martin with the Donald's

June 27 - July 6, 2021

Saint Martin is part of the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean Sea. It comprises 2 separate countries, divided between its northern French side, called Saint-Martin, and its southern Dutch side, Sint Maarten. Julia and I met up with the Donald’s for a week of vacation.

David Sr, Melissa, and their 15 year old daughter Allison arrived on the island a week before us. David Jr, Liz and their 2 year old son Jack were also there. 8 of us total.

Sunday June 27th we left Seattle on a red-eye flight to JFK. Prior to departure we were required to have a negative COVID test, which was reviewed/approved by Sint Maarten Electronic Health Authorization System (EHAS). Once the logistical paperwork was out of the way - it was smooth sailing into SXM.

David Sr. picked us up at 2pm island time. He chauffeured us to Hertz rental car and then onto Zee Best for baguette sandwiches. We finally met up with the full family at our rented villa - Mariposa. The rest of the crew had switched from a smaller villa near Orient Bay to Mariposa in the Les Terres Basses neighborhood for our 8 nights together.

Pool time allowed us all to catch up before dinner. Chef Cee at Big Cee’s restaurant served up a laid back 1st dinner on the island in Porto Cupecoy. Our waitress was energetic and friendly, leading us to the restaurant as we entered the plaza. My tuna steak and Julia’s grouper fillet were exceptional, as were the fried plantain appetizers. Never too full for ice cream - we got scoops on the way back to the car.

Tuesday the 29th we started with the closest beach to the villa - Plum Bay. Julia and Allison walked around to the point while I swam and relaxed in the shade. David Sr. and Melissa joined after a while and we navigated the rocky entry for chill ocean time. Although the girls were gone for a while - no sunburns in our first afternoon of full Caribbean sun.

Lunch at Maho beach, Sunset Grill, provided us with one of the most popular tourist activities - watching the planes land at SXM airport. Big commercial jets landing on a runway only feet from the beach. The grilled chicken, burgers, and frozen drinks were all delicious. Then a quick grocery shop so David/Melissa could cook us shrimp dinner at the villa (plus brownies!).

Wednesday we got up early to hit Marigot for pastries. Chez Fernand Bakery served up AMAZING baked goods of all kinds. Choosing was the hardest part. I settled on a croque monsieur and Julia with a pistachio roll of some kind, both huge. Also an almond & chocolate pastry from Sarafinas by the marina - which turned out to be my favorite of the entire trip. Then a quick walk through the street market for souvenirs (shirts, hats, spices, and coconut coasters).

Friars Bay was empty when we arrived at 10am. We picked 6 beach chairs + umbrellas in front of Friars Bay Beach Cafe to be home base for the day. They were $5 each, as long as we agreed to have lunch at the restaurant.

Happy Bay was around the corner, so after some relaxing at Friars we took a short trail to the next cove. It was obvious right away why this was one of David Sr.’s favorite beaches. Near deserted, silky soft sand, and no commercialization of chairs/bars/massages/etc. We only spent an hour but on future trips I’m sure it will be more (especially if they have live music).

Dinner was at a fancy Sicilian / Italian restaurant Sale & Pepe. We got to pick out the whole snapper we ordered - which was cooked to perfection. Then Julia ordered a mysterious frozen dessert - almond semifreddo.

A beer at The Hole in the Wall finished off our night. Ronny ‘Santana’ and Tanya Michelle sang hit songs while everyone at the bar cheered along. We danced on the patio since Allison wasn’t old enough even for Dutch bars.

Thursday July 1st was another early morning. Up and out with a 30 minute drive north to Orient Bay. David Sr. has visited the island many times, staying in Orient the majority of the time. Unfortunately the winds had blown in massive amounts of seaweed - sargassum. It was in the water and on the beach. Too much to make a day at Orient enjoyable - so we bailed for a bakery breakfast at Good Morning Cafe.

Grand Case was the backup option - which turned out fantastic. Rainbow Cafe hooked us up with a cabana for the day and buckets of Presidente beers. We got loose and bobbed in the ocean for hours.

Vacations with the Donald family involve a mix of restaurants and home cooking. Typically each family will cook 1 dinner, with a light breakfast at the house and lunches on the beach. David and Liz chose to skip their home cooked assignment - instead buying us all dinner at Gutside restaurant on Thursday night. An unexpected treat where our family was the only one dining there all night. Ribs, snapper, shrimp, and conc were tasty, plus an in-shell crab appetizer. Jack even ate a rib or 2 while making friends with the staff.

Vacations with the Donald family also involve card games. Crummy Rummy is a classic. Melissa dominated us all, with me and Allison bringing up the rear. Not my finest hour - but hanging with the family is what it’s all about. We got to chat about Allison’s upcoming driving test and her plans to try out for the high school swim team.

Friday the 2nd David cooked us a breakfast hash before rolling with Julia, Allison, Jack, and me to Plum Bay. We swam, trying to keep our feet off the rocks unsuccessfully. A pair of high school graduates jumped from the nearby rocks in celebration in their full cap-and-gown. Jack napped on David’s shoulder as we chatted and the girls walked the beach. David Sr. and Melissa showed up as we were leaving to have lunch at the villa.

Baie Rouge was our afternoon spot. First attempt at accessing the beach was stopped by a gate guard. Luckily he pointed us in the right direction and we were taking photos at the colorful doorway entrance in no time. Another near-deserted beach, very natural without any restaurants. We swam around the point to see ‘Davids Hole’. A bit precarious but totally worth the effort once we were there.

Ocean 82 is a classy restaurant in Grand Case. A favorite of David and Melissa, as they like to celebrate anniversaries here. We started with a delicious tuna tartare appetizer, fresh salads, and ice tea. Then we picked out a 4 pound lobster to share - as a special treat. Unfortunately the lobster was prepared with cajun seasoning and flambé, when thermador was the order. The good news is that the waiter took the responsibility and discounted our meal heavily for compensation. Rough ending to an otherwise fantastic restaurant experience.

The night didn’t get better after that… Julia’s ear pain grew to the point where an emergency room visit was necessary. Water had gotten into her ear a day or 2 before and became infected. Antibiotic prescription was acquired relatively quickly at a Dutch ER.

Saturday July 3rd we went to the pharmacy first thing to fill the antibiotic prescription. Then onto Mullet Bay for beach time. Yes - Julia is a trooper and wanted to go to the beach after being diagnosed with an ear infection less than 12 hours prior. We got chairs in front of Da Water Hole restaurant. The virgin frozen Miami Vice drinks hit the spot. Then we jumped in the waves all afternoon.

David Sr. hired a professional photographer for family photos, Alex Julien. We met up on Plum Bay beach and sweated our butts off during a sunset shoot. We used the Le Château Des Palmiers villa owned by Donald Trump as the backdrop. The palm trees on his property really were stunning. Results turned out beautiful!

Julia and I cooked fajitas for our group dinner. Quick and easy. A decadent chocolate cake from Chez Fernand for dessert. Early to bed as Julia continued to recover.

July 4th began with a parade at Club O on Orient Beach. Odd to see an American holiday celebrated on a French beach, but apparently it’s a tradition as many expats called this beach home. There was still some sargassum, but a command decision was made to roll with it. We set up shop at Orange Fever bar for the day with front row chairs + umbrellas. The pizza was fantastic with service directly to our chairs. I even walked the entire beach with Julia and Allison on a mission to document each bar, in order, of Orient Bay. We also tried to hit Club O for happy hour, missing it by 30 minutes. 4:30pm is pretty much the closing hour for beach bars, so we left to acquire dinner. The Grand Case LOLO, Cynthia’s Talk of the Town, was perfect BBQ chicken for takeout.

Monday July 5th was our last full day on St. Martin. We started with a dip in a nearly deserted Baie Rouge then got cleaned up for our COVID test at 11:45am. The USA currently requires a negative test before allowing anyone into the country. The test at a medical facility in Simpson Bay was extremely convenient. In-and-out in 5 minutes flat for $70. Then onto Mullet Bay after picking up Cuben sandwiches at Zee Best.

Mullet Bay was calm this time. The beaches really were different each time we visited. Any time 1 was windy/wavy we were able to find one that wasn’t. The sand may be out 1 day and back in another. It was interesting to see the terrain change over such short periods. Hurricane Elsa was passing the island a few hundred miles west, increasing the ocean’s power. Luckily we weren’t affected by Elsa otherwise. Rosie’s Rib Shack had amazing ribs according to David/Liz and the banana frozen daiquiri was a treat for Julia and me.

Heavy rain as we drove to the grocery store - Carrefour. We bought burgers and sides for a quick final dinner. A fancy restaurant reservation at Mario’s was the original plan, but the family was tired of 3 hour meals so we offered to cook instead. Not a meal to write home about (fries were soggy and buns were airy), but it was easy and gave us time to chill together. David Sr. spun up a curated playlist of songs for each family member. I got the Superman theme and Julia the Leia Star Wars song, along with many other thoughtful songs as we ate rock solid ice cream.

Go-Home day was July 6th. Pack, eat, clean the villa, and load the vehicles by 10:30am. Then gas the vehicles, pickup sandwiches, return the vehicles, and check into the airport for our 2pm flight. Lines were long - but we managed. Emigration / customs at Miami airport went smoothly and we boarded for Seattle at 8pm. Midnight local time we were at home petting the increasingly vocal black cat.

Lucky buggers David Sr. and Allison get to stay in SXM for another 2 weeks. Julia and I return to Seattle to a Sounders game, ultimate league, a siding project, and work. Life is beginning to feel normal again after a big COVID break. Happy to have seen the Donald’s and allow David to share St. Martin with us. I know we’ll be back again.

For now - I need to eat a salad and run a mile - I’m fatter than ever!

Next up… Iceland!!

#SXM #vacation #beach

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nessventures · 4 years ago

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Hidden Gems in San Diego that are Staying Safe

I have grown up in San Diego since I was 4 years old, and I've barely even scratched the surface of the amazing food culture this city has. Here are some spots I have found since becoming a foodie and broadening my horizons. While the COVID-19 pandemic has definitely been a challenge for us all, it has been especially tough on the restaurant industry; feel free to show your support by going to some of these amazing places.

Lourdes Mexican Food

Cardiff by the Sea

No website

They have the best caldo de pollo (chicken soup) in San Diego. It brightens up your day and is the best thing when feeling glum. It comes with either flour or corn tortillas and will rock your world. I also happen to think they have some bomb carnitas and recommend trying that as well. Pictured below is the wonderful soup in question and a carnitas taco. (pre-covid)

Tribute Pizza

North Park

https://www.tributepizza.com/

Is an innovative pizzeria based out of an old post office building. They have weekly special pizza labeled “The Tribute” which ranges from all sorts of fresh ideas such as “our tribute to the Alsatian flambeed classic pizza, with cognac infused organic creme fraiche, caramelized onions and shallots, shaved cremini mushrooms, lamb chopper sheep's milk gouda, parsley and parmigiano reggiano, and the option for crispy bacon” which was fantastic. They also have amazing brussels sprouts, focaccia, charcuterie boards, and seasonal desserts. Instagram is the best place to check in on what exciting offers they have at any given time. Pictured below is one of their amazing cheese boards. (pre-covid)

Pop Pie/Stella jeans

University Heights

https://www.poppieco.com/

Pop Pie is a fantastic pie shop/ ice cream sister combo restaurant adventure. On one side you have amazing savory, sweet pies, and coffee. These individual sized savory pies come in flavors such as green hog & cheese, classic chicken, and roasted veggies & yellow curry. On the other, you have gourmet flavors of ice cream such as matcha pistachio, ube + pandesal, and brown butter pecan. Stella Jean's has an ever-changing menu for these fantastic flavors and I highly recommend following both businesses on Instagram. Pictured below is a Stella Jean Pint of specialty ice cream.

Northside shack

North Park & Point Loma

While the website is unfortunately rather outdated in terms of information and aesthetic, Northside Shack is a fantastic customizable acai bowl establishment that also offers a wide variety of smoothies. It is a great place to get a boost of energy for the day through some super fresh fruit. Pictured below is an acai/pitaya bowl I couldn't have devoured faster if I tried.

Shank & Bone

North Park

https://www.shankandbone.com/

Shank & Bone has amazing Vietnamese food including bun bowls, pho, and some fun fusion items. You can’t go wrong with anything, but I would recommend the grilled shrimp bun bowl because their grilled shrimp is off-the-charts delicious. I also think they have some of the best pho broth I have ever had, and that's definitely saying something given the breadth of my foodie journey. Pictured below is their amazing Saigon chicken wings.

This is just the tip of the iceberg of hidden gems scattered through-out San Diego. It has been a huge help to have some places to look forward to frequenting during COVID-19, and I take great comfort in knowing that I can rely on their sanitation and safety. Comment below if you have any new and exciting recommendations; I'm always thrilled to dive deeper into this city's culinary scene. Above all else, stay safe out there!

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