#better cuisine. there's a vibe of enjoy food! food is special and important! but Be Careful.

[ttaibhse]

it is sad that women who enjoy food are portrayed varying degrees of negatively just about everywhere and actually even men who enjoy food don't exactly enjoy a fantastic rep... why is it such a common idea that enjoying food too much is a moral failing

[pangaatindianrestro01]

Best Cafe in Springbrook: Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar

Springbrook in Gold Coast, Australia, is not only famous for its lush rainforests and stunning waterfalls but also offers a delightful culinary journey. If you are a food enthusiast looking for a place that serves rich Indian flavors, Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar, the best restaurant in Springbrook, is the ideal spot. This charming restaurant is known for its authentic Indian cuisine, offering a variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, as well as a convenient takeaway menu and the option to reserve tables for a seamless dining experience.

Why Visit Springbrook?

Springbrook is a picturesque destination, surrounded by natural wonders such as the Springbrook National Park, breathtaking lookouts, and tranquil walking trails. After a day of exploring the scenic beauty, there’s nothing better than indulging in a delicious meal. That’s where Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar comes into play, offering an ideal retreat for food lovers.

About Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar

Nestled in the serene setting of Gold Coast, Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar brings the flavors of India to the heart of Springbrook. The restaurant boasts a warm and inviting ambiance, blending traditional Indian decor with modern elements, making it a perfect place to unwind and enjoy a great meal.

What Makes Pangaat Stand Out?

Pangaat is known for its dedication to serving high-quality, authentic Indian food. The restaurant uses fresh ingredients and time-honored recipes to ensure every dish is packed with flavor. Whether you’re looking for a comforting curry or a spicy treat, Pangaat caters to diverse taste preferences, offering a delightful culinary experience.

The Menu at Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar

Vegetarian Delights

Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar offers a wide range of vegetarian dishes that are sure to satisfy every palate. From the creamy richness of Paneer Butter Masala to the earthy flavors of Dal Tadka, each dish is crafted with love and care. Vegetarian options are perfect for those who appreciate the delicate balance of spices and herbs in Indian cuisine.

Non-Vegetarian Specialties

For those who prefer non-vegetarian fare, Pangaat has an array of delicious options. Signature dishes like Butter Chicken, Lamb Rogan Josh, and Tandoori Prawns are prepared using authentic Indian spices and techniques. Each dish offers a unique taste experience, reflecting the diversity of Indian culinary traditions.

Special Takeaway Menu

Pangaat understands the importance of convenience, especially for those who want to enjoy a meal at home. Their special takeaway menu includes a variety of dishes that are perfect for enjoying Indian flavors on the go. The takeaway service is quick and efficient, ensuring that your meal is hot and ready when you arrive.

Reservation Options

To ensure a hassle-free dining experience, Pangaat offers the option to reserve tables in advance. Whether you’re planning a dinner with family or a romantic night out, booking a table ensures that you have a spot waiting for you. Simply call ahead or use their online reservation system for easy booking.

Ambiance and Dining Experience

Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar offers an elegant and cozy atmosphere, making it ideal for family gatherings, date nights, and even business dinners. The interior features traditional Indian decor with a contemporary twist, creating a welcoming space where guests can relax and enjoy their meal.

Customer Reviews and Testimonials

Pangaat has garnered positive reviews from locals and tourists alike, with customers praising the rich flavors, generous portions, and friendly service. Many diners appreciate the authenticity of the dishes and the welcoming vibe of the restaurant, making it a top choice for those seeking Indian cuisine in Springbrook.

Why Indian Cuisine is Popular in Australia

Indian food has become a staple in the Australian culinary landscape, thanks to its bold flavors and variety. The Gold Coast, including Springbrook, has seen a rise in the popularity of Indian eateries like Pangaat, which cater to a growing appreciation for spicy curries, naan bread, and aromatic biryanis.

Must-Try Dishes at Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar

If you’re visiting Pangaat for the first time, don’t miss their signature Butter Chicken, rich with creamy tomato gravy, or the Tandoori Platter that offers a sampling of their best kebabs. For vegetarians, the Palak Paneer and Vegetable Biryani come highly recommended.

The Importance of Fresh Ingredients in Indian Cooking

One of the secrets to the delicious taste at Pangaat lies in their commitment to using fresh ingredients. Fresh herbs, spices, and locally sourced produce are key to achieving the vibrant flavors that Indian cuisine is known for. This focus on quality ensures that every bite is as delightful as the last.

Takeaway Experience at Pangaat

With a user-friendly takeaway option, Pangaat allows you to enjoy your favorite dishes in the comfort of your home. The takeaway service is designed for convenience, with well-packaged meals that retain their freshness and warmth even after a journey home.

How to Reach Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar

Located in a prime spot in Gold Coast, Pangaat is easy to access. Whether you’re driving or using public transport, you’ll find clear directions online. Its proximity to popular Springbrook attractions makes it a great stop before or after a day of sightseeing.

Dining Tips for Visitors

To make the most of your visit to Pangaat, it’s best to plan ahead and book a table, especially during weekends. Pair your meal with a refreshing mango lassi or a glass of their house-made chai for the perfect dining experience.

Pangaat’s Role in the Local Community

Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar, the best cafe in Springbrook, believes in giving back to the community. They support local farmers by sourcing fresh ingredients and participate in community events, making them a cherished part of the Springbrook area.

Conclusion

Pangaat Indian Restaurant & Bar stands out as a culinary gem in Springbrook, Gold Coast. With its rich menu, inviting ambiance, and commitment to authenticity, it offers a dining experience that is both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, Pangaat is a must-visit for anyone looking to explore the vibrant flavors of India.

[world-traveller]

City Travel: What are the 10 Most Popular Cities in the World

Cities have existed for thousands of years. They have always been a symbol of modernism and prosperity. Cities have attracted people because they stand for more opportunities, a better lifestyle, and more freedom. Although the look of cities has transformed over the years, cities still hold the same sentiment for most of us. Moreover, with the advancement of technology and innovation, cities are grander and more luxurious than before. There are plenty of amazing cities in the world, some are more popular than the others for a variety of reasons. It could be its history, architecture, culture, food, or the general vibe of the place. Here are the top 10 most famous cities in the world.

Bangkok, Thailand

Vibrant, happening, yet affordable, Bangkok is a dream destination for every backpacker and is also the world’s most visited city. No Southeast Asian tour is complete without a trip to Bangkok. The amazing party places, the go-go bars, the hawker streets, the street food, and the massage parlors are some of the main reasons people visit Bangkok. But what most people do not know is that Bangkok is home to rich history and culture as well. The grand palace of Thailand’s royal family and the ancient magnificent temples stand out among the brilliant skyscrapers and modern buildings of the city and are worth visiting.

Paris, France

Just the name “Paris” exudes class and elegance like no other. The capital of France has been popular for its art, culture, architecture, food, and fashion for times immemorial. Paris also has a rich and colorful history. Apart from all this, Paris is considered the world’s most romantic city. One of the main attractions here is the Eiffel Tower. Along with this, Notre Dame Cathedral, Louvre Museum, Arc De Triomphe, and the Palais Garnier are a few of the must-see attractions. The delectable French cuisine is another important reason for visiting the city.

London, United Kingdom

London has everything that makes for a great city. History, culture, architecture, and art – you name it, and London has it. The city was founded in 43 CE by the Romans and has a history of over 2000 years. It is a delight to explore the city as there are several interesting places to see and fun things to do in London. London is filled with iconic architectural attractions like the Tower of London, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, and more. The city also offers plenty of museums that tell you about the history of the country. It also has a rich theater culture where the West End theater shows are enjoyed by locals and tourists alike.

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is one of the only popular cities on this list which is not the capital of the country it belongs to. In fact, it is surely the most popular city in the middle east, although there are several popular countries near Dubai. It is also one of the youngest cities on this list. Dubai is one of the top cities in the UAE and is known for luxury, glamor, and its over-the-top architecture. The city has some of the greatest number of world records, as it is home to the tallest building in the world (Burj Khalifa), the largest mall in the world (Dubai Mall), the largest indoor theme park in the world (IMG Worlds of Adventure), the largest manmade island in the world (Palm Jumeirah), and the largest natural flower garden in the world (Dubai Miracle Garden), to name a few. While the city is filled with modern attractions, it is deeply rooted in its culture. You can still learn about its culture and traditions in the older part of the city.

Singapore

What makes Singapore truly special is that it one of the three cities in the world that are also countries. Singapore is a tiny city-state in Southeast Asia. Despite its size, it is one of the topmost metropolitan cities in the world. The popular attractions of Singapore include the Merlion Park and Marina Bay Sands Park. There is also a huge garden right in the middle of the city, which is the Gardens by the Bay. Apart from this, the city also has a separate island (Sentosa Island), built purely for the purpose of entertainment. Singapore also has several ethnic pockets like Chinatown, Little India, and Arab Street, where you can learn about the ethnic groups that give Singapore its unique flavor.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur is another popular city amongst tourists. The city is as modern as it can be with contemporary buildings and structures filling its skyline. Yet, it has also been able to preserve its multicultural essence, created by the presence of Malays, Chinese, and Indians in Kuala Lumpur. The Petronas Twin Towers are one of the most iconic landmarks of the city. The recently added Merdeka 118 Tower is also the tallest in the city. However, in the pursuit of adding modern landmarks to its skyline, the city has not failed to preserve its natural habitats. Places like KL Bird Park, Aquaria KLCC, and KL Forest Eco Park prove this fact.

New York City, United States of America

New York City is on the bucket list of almost all travelers. Diverse, multicultural, and vibrant, New York is the ultimate city, where there is something for everyone. One of the highlights of New York city is Central Park, an 843-acre park right in the middle of the city. Central Park is not just beautiful but has innumerable fun activities to keep you hooked all day. Then there is the architecture of the place to explore. The Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Chrysler Building, and One World Observatory are a must see in New York City. The city is also popular for its art and culture. It has numerous museums and art galleries that are a delight to explore. The Broadway shows of New York are something you should not miss. The best way to explore New York City is on foot.

Istanbul, Turkey

The most unique thing about Turkey’s capital Istanbul is that it is spread across two continents: Europe and Asia. What makes the city more interesting is its rich history. The city has been ruled by several empires over the centuries, including Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman empires. The influence of all these empires can still be seen in its architecture and culture. You can explore both through its numerous attractions like Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Grand Bazaar, Dolmabahce Palace, etc. Apart from this, exploring the Bosporus on a cruise is also an interesting thing to do here. Then there is the Turkish cuisine which is bursting with variety and flavors. Do not forget to visit the Grand Bazaar for the ultimate shopping experience.

Tokyo, Japan

Tokyo is one of the most futuristic cities in the world. The technological advancement of this Japanese city is unparalleled. But what makes this city unique is that the people here still find pleasure in the simple things of life like cherry blossoms and origami. Like most cities in Asia, Tokyo also combines the traditional and modern together beautifully. The modern skyline with its skyscrapers co-exists beautifully with its beautiful temples and shrines. Tokyo is also home to some amazing parks where you can enjoy a variety of things, including some of the best historical sites. Another reason you must visit Tokyo is its cuisine. Be it high end fine dining restaurants or street markets, there is plenty to explore in the food market here.

Antalya, Turkey

Some may find it surprising to find another city in Turkey as one of the most visited countries in the world. However, Antalya in Turkey has become quite popular among tourists in the last few years. One of the main reasons people love visiting Antalya is its natural beauty. The city has some of the most beautiful waterfalls, the Dodan Falls, Manavgat Waterfalls, Kursunlu Falls, and Lara Falls being some of them. Also, this city has some of the most pristine beaches like Damlatas Beach, Olympos Beach, and Konyaalti Beach. Along with these, Antalaya also has several modern attractions to entertain the tourists. But one place you must visit is the Old City, which will take you back to the old era. The best part about this place in the city is that it will give you an incredible view of the Mediterranean Sea.

The list of top 10 cities in the world keep changing every year, as the cities evolve and progress. Visiting these cities will not only give you an idea about them but also the essence of the countries they belong to.

[unrestedjade]

Baseless Ferengi headcanons no one asked for and that get increasingly queer-navel-gazing and self indulgent because the horrible space goblins have consumed my brain:

- Mobile ears, because if hearing is so well developed and important to them they should be able to aim those big stupid radar dishes. Also because then they can emote with them and that's cute. THE AESTHETIC IS PARAMOUNT.

- Since they canonically sharpen their teeth with chew sticks and sharpeners, their teeth must grow continuously. So I submit: subcultures that let certain teeth grow out as a fashion/political statement. Ferengi punks and anarchists with 5" tusks. Ferengi with all their teeth filed flat (mom and dad HATE it).

- Corollary to the above, most of their teeth are crooked. At the least, they don't share our fetish for straight teeth. What if their teeth are deciduous, and there's no point in trying to force them into perfect alignment, since they'll just fall out and get replaced? So like, sharks but their teeth can also grow longer with no limit. WHAT HAST EVOLUTION WROUGHT ON FERENGINAR :V

- Parents nagging their kids to sharpen their teeth "or they'll grow up into your brain and you'll die :)"

- Personal space? Don't know her.

Okay I need a cut because there's too many now. WHOLE SOCIETY OF GAY HOMOPHOBIC UNCLES AND AUNTS GO I HAVE A PROBLEM

- I can't remember who on here put forth the idea of them having retractable claws but Yes. :3

- Pushing back against the worst canon episode a bit but: relative ear size being the only obvious sexually dimorphic trait, and even that having enough of a gray area that the only way to be 100% sure you're talking to a male or female Ferengi is if you do a blood test. Unless they're intersex! *shrug emoji*

- This is why they're so fanatical about gender conformity and their Victorian "separate spheres" attitude to men and women's roles. Capitalist patriarchy is fragile! And as artificial to Ferengi as it ever was to Humans! (self-indulgenceeeee about gender shiiiiit)

- You know how with domesticated rabbits, the rabbit getting groomed and paid attention to is the boss? Yeah. Go ahead and paint your bestie's nails, just don't be surprised if she cops a little bit of an attitude with you from then on.

- Their fight/flight/freeze/fawn instincts skew heavily toward the last three, and what a lot of other species read as annoying sucking up is the Ferengi in question feeling anxious and unsafe. Especially if they don't feel integrated into the group. Even being at the bottom of the pecking order is better than not being in the flock at all.

- If they DO opt for fight, it's ugly and typically their last resort. Bites or scratches will get infected without intervention-- microbes that their immune system can handle could cause big trouble for aliens. You might wanna check for full or partial teeth that break off and get lodged in the wound, too.

- Too many of these are tooth related but I don't care. :B More teeth stuff: you know what else has teeth that grow constantly? Puffer fish. Likewise, Ferengi can chew up mollusk shells as easy as potato chips, and they need the minerals for their teeth. (Imagine grandpa Sisko offering Nog a crayfish for the first time and watching as he just...pops the whole damn thing in his mouth and crunches away...)

- Their staple foods seem to be grubs and other arthropods, high in protein and fat. I've unilaterally decided their cuisine also involves a lot of edible fungi, ferns, plant shoots and seeds. Gotta get those vitamins. Overall flavor profile leaning toward umami, vegetal, and fresh herbs, and pretty mild (or "delicate" if you wanna be snooty about it, which a Ferengi probably would let's be real).

- Not much sugary food. I'm basing this solely on Quark's aversion to root beer as "cloying". Which could definitely just be his personal preference, but most of the people I hear hating on root beer cite the actual sassafras/sarsaparilla flavor (saying it tastes like medicine) not the sweetness. Nog might be the weirdo outlier for being able to enjoy it.

- Their home planet isn't bright and sunny, so their eyes are better at discerning shades of gray in low light conditions, with relatively weak color vision. Which could explain why they dress Like That.

- Conversely, human music has a reputation for stinking on ice because a lot of it is juuuuust lightly dissonant or out of tune because we can't pick up flaws that small. Ferengi can, and it drives them up the *wall*.

- Music? So many different kinds. Traditionally, maybe lots of percussion and winds, and water as a common component of many instruments to alter pitch or tone. Polyphony out the ass. Some of the modern stuff is an impenetrable wall of sound if you're not a species with a lot of brain real estate devoted to processing sounds. Pick out one melody to follow at a time.

- Yes, back to teeth again I'm sorry. It's a sickness. At some point in their history, pre-chewing food was just something you did for your baby or great grandma as a matter of necessity. Possibly your baby gets an important boost to their immune system and gut biome from your spit. At some point takes on a more formal intimacy aspect and gradually drifted from something all adults and older kids do to something only women do. Your husband and older kids have perfectly functional teeth, but you love them, right? =_= (Think old memes about husbands being useless in the kitchen if little wifey isn't there to cook, but even more ridiculous. Ishka was right about everything but especially this. Thank you for making your family chew their own food, Ishka. Not all heroes wear capes. Or anything!)

- How did they get started on the whole men: clothed vs women: unclothed nonsense? My equally stupid idea: men just get cold easier. Those huge ears dissipate a ton of body heat. Cue Ferengi cliches like "jeez, we could be standing on the surface of the sun and my husband would put on another layer." At some point, again, this got codified and pushed to ridiculous extremes in the name of controlling women and keeping everyone in their assigned box, to the point that women just have to shiver if they really are too cold and men have to pass out from heat stroke if the alternative is going shirtless, because That Would Be Inappropriate.

- Marriages default to five years, but they're also the only avenue for women to have their own household or any stability. Plus their religion places no emphasis on purity save for pure adherence to the free market and the RoA. So, curveball to the rest of their patriarchal bullshit: female virginity isn't a concern in the least. Bring it up and they'll rightly side-eye you.

- Family law is absolutely bonkers and lawyers that specialize in it make BANK. I feel like custody would default to the father usually but oh wait, the maternal grandfather has a legal stake in this, too, and your next father-in-law is asking HOW many kids are you dragging into my daughter's house, etc etc. Growing up with a full sibling is way rarer than growing up with half or stepsiblings, since it usually takes both men and women two or three tries to find someone they vibe with. (Not love, unless you're super cringe.)

- A misogynistic society is a homophobic society. Imo those flavors of shittiness just come in pairs. Homosexual behaviors are fine within certain parameters (aka "always have sex with the boss") but not on your own terms. To add spice, bisexuality is their most common mode (because I'm bi and these are my hcs for my fics I'm not writing, so there), but capitalism demands fresh grist for the mill so you better get het-married and pop out some kids you lowly peons. You have a choice so make the proper one. :)

- Corollary to the above, that doesn't keep all kinds of illicit "we're just friends with quid-pro-quo benefits for realsies" affairs of every stripe and every gender from going on everywhere. Many Ferengi have a lightbulb moment somewhere in early adulthood when they figure out their dad's business partner or the "auntie" who visited their mom every month had a little more going on.

- Plus there's way more gender non-conformity and varying degrees of trans-ing than the powers that be have a handle on. Pel isn't unique, even if most would have to somehow make it out into space to be able to thrive.

Damn a lot of these are just my personal bugbears plus THE GILDED AGE BUT WITH HAIRLESS SPACE RODENTS ain't they

- Women can't earn profit, okay. But lending or "lending" things to each other isn't commerce, riiiiiiight? To be assigned female is to master navigating a vast, dizzying barter/gift economy. Smart boys and men leverage this, too, and there are splinter sects that view this as the purest expression of the Great Material Continuum.

- Of course plenty of women make profit anyway, and just do their bast to dodge the FCA. The tough thing about insisting on using latinum as currency is that cash can be so hard to track, you know?

- Because of the RoA, guys are discouraged from doing favors or giving gifts without setting clear expectation of getting some return on investment. This can twist into an expression of friendship (and of course women do it too), and the ledger will keep cycling between debit and credit among friends for decades. A common mistake aliens make is to tell them recompense isn't needed without explaining why, or return their favor or present with something that zeroes out the debt. The Ferengi will assume you want to break off the friendship. (I cribbed this from dim memories of an African studies course I took in 2007 and whose textbook I know I still have but I can't frigging find it...)

- Flirting, they do a lot of it for a lot of reasons. Roddenberry made it clear that they're just straight up pretty horny, but there's no reason it can't pull double duty for building alliances with other people, smoothing over feuds or disagreements, or cementing friendships. Ferengi who are ace and/or sex-repulsed are possibly viewed similar to the way we'd view someone who's "not a hugger/not big on touching" and if they flirt just don't get offended if it doesn't go any further; aro Ferengi don't garner much comment aside from an occasional "wow how badass, never falling in love with anyone."

- where to even start on making sense of the Blessed Exchequer??? Like seriously, what is this literal prosperity gospel insanity, I need to force myself to re-read Rand and like, some Milton Friedman for this shit. Help.

- fuck I'm probably going to actually do that, RIP me...

[hulhuleiselandhotel]

When we think of Maldives we think of the beautiful blue ocean, clean crisp air surrounding us on an island. But did you know what else this tropical paradise had in store for us? As much as you enjoy the scenic beauty, we all need a good meal to complete our day. And on a vacation, the hunt for good food begins!

From lavishly priced food to affordable ones, we have covered all the best food places for you in every price range and countless food varieties. These food places will make your stay an unforgettable one!

Let’s explore these 7 unmissable food places in the Maldives:

1.Uduvilaa- If good food and classic wine are your go-to on a vacation, then there’s no better place than

Uduvilaa

. This place is known for an extensive menu offering local flavors with western influences. Enjoy lip-smacking food with an unforgettable view that captures graciously blue sky, waterfront, and the impressive skyline of the capital Malé city.

2.Ithaa undersea restaurant- This is by far the most surreal food experience you’ll ever receive. Ithaa is an undersea restaurant at Rangali Island. The dreamlike place and delectable food are what make this one of the best food places on our list. Their food mostly consists of fusion dishes. They also specialize in exceptional contemporary European dishes and quality champagne. To have Michelin-quality food surrounded by reef sharks and manta rays is truly once in a lifetime experience.

4.Symphony Lagoon- Symphony Lagoon is one of the oldest restaurant brands, known for its family suitable bistro-style dining. They are known for quality food at affordable prices. They also offer private beach dinings. Their night buffet is astonishing. Some of their favorite dishes include Lebanese chicken, fish and chips, and a variety of curries. Don’t forget to save some appetite for their delightfully rich desserts.

5.Just Veg by Atmosphere Kanifushi- Just veg was the first vegetarian restaurant in Maldive’s.This is the best restaurant for vegetarians and vegans. Their cuisine is inspired by the Mediterranean, Arabic, and Indian regions. They are known to serve traditional and contemporary culinary dishes. A well-prepared delectable meal that will make meat lovers fall in love with vegetarian cuisine. Enjoy fine-dining surrounded by a splendid sea view.

6.Reethi grill:  If you’re looking for a fantastic grill menu with beautiful scenery then Reethi grill is exactly the place for you to be! The wood-fired pizza, tandoori, and grill are some of its specialties. It’s the perfect place for family and friends to relax by the open-air restaurant and enjoy the live cooking show for a realistic experience. Imagine a sky full of shining stars, the calming sound of waves, a good laugh with your loved ones, and fantastic food, sounds like heaven right? Well, it is come and experience it for yourself!

7.Palace Sichuan- If you thought an authentic Chinese restaurant in the Maldives would be hard to find, well then we have got you covered. Palace Sichuan serves bona fide Cantonese cuisine. It offers a wide range of rice and noodle-based dishes. Fish dishes are extensively popular. The ambiance will give you a high-end Chinese restaurant vibe. Some of their ingredients are directly imported from China. Though a bit on the costly side, every penny spent here is absolutely worth it for the high-quality food this place has to offer.

[flairmagazineblog]

Summer Hotspots to Hit; Baky Hospitality

When it comes to summer brunches, beach parties and fancy dining, we all know Baky Hospitality never disappoints. Here is a rundown of our favorite spots that we don’t want you to miss. While so many restaurants and bars are finally reopening, some of us are still quarantined at home. If that’s you, fear not. There are delivery and take-out options just for you. More than that, we also talked to the founder, Ayman Baky, for an exclusive on the behind-the-scenes and the creative mindset that goes into running this business.

Tell us a bit about yourself, for those who don’t know you. How did Baky Hospitality come about?

I came to Egypt when I was sixteen years old. I used to live abroad with my parents. I studied Mass Communications at the American University in Cairo and minored in Economics, graduating in 1996. I started my first job in Orascom. In 2001, I became a marketing manager for Sony Music International, when they opened new headquarters in the Middle East. While working for both Orascom and Sony, I was also an event organizer. Around the age of 27, I decided I don’t want to do events anymore and I was hesitant about how to go about my future. I wanted to own my own bar. I had the opportunity to partner with Nicha Sursock, who was actually a legendary chef in the food & beverage industry. He called me up, told me he’s opening a small bar in Zamalek and asked me to be a part of it. I said I’d love to and I decided to leave Sony to focus on that new project. It was called White and was established in 2003. I worked there for a year but things didn’t work out with the other partners, then I decided to partner again with Nicha in his original restaurant, L’Aubergine. It was a small, old-style, scruffy bar and we took it to the next level and turned it into a French bistro concept. After that, I got married and got my first daughter in 2007. Then, I got offered a marketing director job at Virgin Megastore and I decided to take it alongside L’Aubergine. I stayed with them for two years and then I met Ahmed Beltagy and we ended up opening Tamarai at Nile City Towers. The revolution hit us pretty hard in 2011 and we had to really think outside the box to make this place work. Tamarai was a big name in the market back then and I definitely learned a lot from this experience, not to mention that it helped me build a name in the industry.

In 2013, I decided I didn’t want to work in the nightlife industry anymore. I wanted to drift more towards food and beverage. I felt like I could do it on my own, as well, so I left and set up Baky Hospitality. The revolution had hit me hard personally and I had made some bad investments in Dubai and Greece, and lost a lot of money, so I wanted a fresh start, from the ground up. I think I was 38 at the time. I saw how the nightlife industry wasn’t very sustainable. Its life cycle is short because it depends on a temporary trend. The F&B industry is more creative in terms of dishes. It was also hectic working till 4 or 5 in the morning, while dealing with people who are only drinking the whole time; no one wanted to eat. I was also very religious then and I felt my calling was to do something more laidback, which better reflected my character, my beliefs and my family’s image. So, I took a small bank loan and we took on Sachi in Heliopolis. It was actually a small storage area that we revamped and licensed. The name Sachi is a merge between my children’s names – Sasha and Chris. It means ‘child of joy’ in Japanese and so it suited me because they are my joy in life. I put a great amount of effort into it and I was only targeting Heliopolis residents at the time; I never thought in a million years that we’ll find people coming from all over Cairo to dine in Heliopolis. It certainly took us to another level and opportunities began opening up. I was talking to a university buddy, Mohamed Allam, and he had Swan Lake in New Cairo, where he wanted to open a clubhouse. I told him I actually wanted to do something more upscale and exotic – something that the market needs. I suggested we go for something like the Japanese restaurant, Nobu in Mykonos, and that’s how we now have Kazuko. We got fully booked the second day after launching and we’ve been fully booked ever since. Because of this sudden success, I was approached by Hacienda in the North Coast to take over Omar Rateb’s beach bar. I had looked up to him since I was a kid because he had a knack for selection, quality of guests and mood. I signed off on Sachi by the Sea with Hacienda in 2016. After that, we were inspired to make use of a lounge area in front of Kazoku, and we turned into a sophisticated, upscale bar – known as Shinko. After that, I was approached by Emad El Hazek to do a concept in LakeHouse. I recommended we should go for a proper Italian restaurant and that’s how Lexie’s came about.

How do you create a work culture that drives success in this field?

The most important part of my career journey was creating a team that carried the culture of a real family. It’s a corporate structure but the way we treat each other is very much like a family. A lot of employees at our headquarters are very loyal and have been with me since my days at Tamarai, and even at L’Aubergine and White. There’s no secret formula that drives success. It really comes from the heart. It’s the character and the charisma. It’s the experience and the decisions to remain humble, avoid being greedy and being wise in taking baby steps towards growth. It’s also the genuine love you treat people with and making them see their part in this success story because it’s definitely not just mine. The new employees who come in notice the loyalty and the vision in our work culture and it becomes contagious because they start envisioning themselves growing as well. Of course, the financial aspect is very important but the human development within the organization is very important to me.

What are the biggest challenges people face in the hospitality industry?

Definitely, the supply chain – trying to get good quality raw material in this country is pretty difficult. Staffing is also difficult – we have stopped hiring top-tier managers. Our new staff start at the bottom and work their way up in order to learn our culture. They get promoted as they grow, and they begin taking on other restaurants, the more we expand.

Do you have any plans to expand further?

The only thing I can reveal currently is that we’re opening the biggest restaurant in Baky Hospitality history soon – Sachi Park St. We’re very excited about it, and we’ve combined everything we’ve gained from seven years of experience and effort and invested it into this project – in terms of food, drinks, design, music, and quality of speakers, furniture and lighting. We have consultants working with us from Lebanon, Dubai and Singapore, so we have big expectations for it.

How do you manage quality maintenance across each restaurant and bar?

We work with a lot of consultants from abroad to give us advice on how to keep moving forward. We also have an F&B department and the members are responsible for every brand under Baky Hospitality. Our managers and chefs are also on top of everything all the time. They’ve been in the company for years and they have developed in their style of cooking, in paperwork and their discipline towards company rules. In the beginning, there were hiccups, of course, but we learn and it works through a lot of organization and trust.

What are the keys that you believe attract young people?

I think going out in Egypt has changed so much over the years, especially since ten years ago. The crowd that we have now has travelled a lot; they’ve seen the standards at other restaurants abroad and they compare the quality. Back in the day, people accepted whatever they had but the young generation of today is analytical and understands exactly what they want. We try our best to meet their expectations in terms of service, food, setup and music. The hospitality element we bring is also about the experience you get when you walk into our restaurants, not just the food. That includes the entrance, how you’re greeted and welcomed, how you’re seated and how we serve you. Like I said, we also depend on our consultants from abroad to help us upgrade everything we do.

Sachi Restaurant, Heliopolis

If you’re staying in the city this season, this is possibly one of the best places to go with family or friends for a memorable, fancy meal. Following strict precautionary measures to ensure guest safety, the restaurant remains spirited, offering you its usual jovial vibe. On another happy note, you can also look forward to the launch of their brand new branch in the heart of Sheikh Zayed.

Sachi by the Sea

We thought this Sachi branch deserved its own slot on the list because it is way too special. This is hands-down among the first-rate nightspots you’ll come across in the North Coast. Providing seasonal fine dining and bar service, Sachi by the Sea is where you want to be if you’re looking for elegant parties and one of the best experiences Sahel has to offer. Make sure to keep tabs on their social media to find out the musicians and singers they will be featuring every week.

Lexie’s

Most of us have tried several Italian places in Egypt but if you haven’t been to Lexie’s, you haven’t tried real Italian. It’s on a whole new level. At the risk of sounding cheesy, it is the type of food that will hug your soul. You can enjoy a beautiful view from their terrace or a romantic, cultural ambience indoors. With that said, we would definitely recommend it for two main scenarios – date night and brunch with friends.

Kazoku

Kazuko is for those who are willing to try something new. For the sake of the slightest hint of adventure in 2020, we encourage you to try out their delectable Japanese cuisine. The dining experience is unrivaled – not only because of the cultured DJs that keep showing up, but also because you can’t deny the contemporary, exotic edge that makes this place stand out glamorously in the hospitality scene in Egypt.

Summer Hotspots to Hit; Baky Hospitality was originally published on FLAIR MAGAZINE

[achrafchachi]

Vacation Ideas For Couples: 39 Awesome Places To Visit With Your Partner

1Seoul, Korea

Seoul is not only a perfect destination for the couple that’s all about city life—within city limits there are green spaces and mountains, offering hiking, outdoor sports (the couple that sweats together, stays together), and perfect picnic spots.

But back to the more urban aspects. Seoul is known for its nightlife

. And what better way to bond than over late night karaoke or getting adventurous with some delicious street food?

Best of all, Seoul can be enjoyed on the cheap, though you might want to avoid the more upscale Cheongdam-dong and Gangnam if you’re trying to save your pennies.

2Prague, Czech Republic

Prague snags a spot on the list because of its dream-like surroundings. This is a city to walk hand-in-hand with someone you love and just soak it all in: the bridges, the old churches…it’s like being in a living, breathing fairy tale (for more storybook charm, see #29).

If classical music moves you, go take in some Mozart with your girl and cap off the evening with some local beer—Prague is thought to have some of the best brews in Europe.

3Portland, Oregon (USA)

For couples looking for something a little bit more laid back and offbeat, I want to throw Portland into the mix.

The city has some great food—both high-end dining and incredible food truck options—with an emphasis on local ingredients. (And if you’re anything like me, the way to my heart is through my stomach.)

In addition to a burgeoning culinary scene, I’d recommend taking advantage of the amazing people-watching opportunities here. It’s built-in conversation all around you. Grab a cup of coffee (Portland has some of the best in the country) and browse through books and records with your new lady friend (or fellow), while keeping your eyes on the quirky folks in their natural habitat.

4Paris, France

This is a more familiar entry for those of you feeling a little skeptical about the romantic potential of Portland or Prague.

I don’t think I really need to do much by way of explaining why Paris would make a great destination for romance, but in a nutshell: small, winding streets; sidewalk cafes; good wine; candlelight.

Paris sort of sells itself here.

5Buenos Aires, Argentina

Travel down South America way to Buenos Aires, home of the tango, the forbidden dance.

In appearance, the city is rather European, but the flavor is totally South American. Buenos Aires is a passionate place—it’s sexy, bright, and always going. This is a place to give in to pleasure. There is food from all over the world (in addition to the famous, juicy Argentinian grilled steaks) and the city never sleeps.

So, eat, dance, drink—really live it up—while you’re here.

6New England, USA

Rent a car and drive around the northeastern part of the United States with your sweetie.

Save this excursion for the fall months: for whatever reason, leaves are really romantic. As can be hiking, some light antiquing, eating real maple syrup drizzled all over some freshly-made pancakes, and staying in a quaint bed & breakfast.

This is also a really good opportunity to wear flannel (see #7 on the list).

7Venice, Italy

There is something so desperately romantic about a city fated to drown…

That, and the food, the masks, the fog; the grandeur. Venice is all about fantasy and opulence. Between the prosecco and the secret passageways dotting the Gothic palaces, this mysterious city is ripe with sex appeal.

8Kyoto, Japan

Kyoto is a perfect place for a spring getaway. At this time of year, the cherry blossoms frame the classic Japanese architecture and distant mountains. There is a beautiful serenity and sense of tradition in this former capital city.

If you and your SO need to hit the reset button from the stresses of work and cramped city living, peace is only a plane ride away.

Bonus: Kyoto has become a foodie destination. Both haute cuisine and classical Japanese faire shine here.

9San Sebastian, Spain

With the mountains of the Basque region in the background, this beach town in the Bay of Biscay sort of has everything. By day, you and bae can surf, play in the sand, or meander around the charming town.

When the sun goes down, things get sultry. The city has a very lively nightlife and also seems to be a magnet for Michelin stars. (Go to town on food here—from pinxtos (tapas) to fine dining, any extra pounds you two put on will be worth it.)

10Montreal, Quebec (Canada)

Set on an island in the St. Lawrence River in Québec, Canada, Montréal has become a go-to North American destination for culture—be it art, food, architecture, music, or cinema.

While you’re there, go to a museum or simply take in the street art, and be sure to go to a concert. There are about a billion music festivals that take place in the city—there’s always some type of live music to see, whatever your taste. There is something really special about experiencing new music or art with someone you’re into.

Tip: This is another great place to get your eat on: from rich French food, traditional Canadian faire (think: poutine), to pretty much every other international cuisine you can imagine, Montréal is doing it, and doing it well (extra points if you picked up on that L.L. Cool J. reference).

11Tulum, Mexico

Tulum is an eco-paradise on Mexico’s Caribbean coast, not far from its more famous sister city, Cancún. Unlike that perennial Spring Break party spot, Tulum is quieter, less crowded, less expensive, and is known for its commitment to holistic living and the environment.

Whether you choose to keep your feet planted in the white sand of the area’s beaches, enjoy a hammock nap together, dip into the water for some snorkeling, or venture into the jungle to check out ruins (or one of the late night jungle parties, complete with DJ), that’s up to you.

Whether the two of you prefer quiet and calm or something more active and social, or maybe a little bit of each, Tulum is flexible (just like the abundant yoga practitioners who flock to the area).

12Loire Valley, France

Bike rides, picnics, fresh fruit and cheese, castles, rolling hills and plush fields…that’s what we’re working with here. This region in Central France offers abundance and splendor in, well, abundance.

This is also wine country, so you can spend every day pleasantly tipsy while you get fresh air and take in the incredible scenery around you. You can even row a boat together along the river, although I’d recommend doing this before hitting the vineyards heavy—best not to drink and row.

13The Hebrides, Scotland

The general vibe of these islands off the west coast of Scotland is misty and romantic. Everything is rocky and green and full of history.

Cozy together in wool sweaters by night and, by day, pay a visit to some of the many distilleries all around these isles. The scotch, and of course the presence of your gal/beau, will help keep you warm.

14Hamilton Island, Australia

Does the fact Taylor Swift went here last winter turn you on or off?

If the latter, don’t let the pop princess sour you on this idyllic destination in the Whitsunday Islands in Queensland, Australia. If the two of you live for aquatic experiences (or trying new things), Hamilton is located at the edge of the Great Barrier Reef.

So, there’s plenty of diving, snorkeling, sailing, and making out in the water to be done.

15St. Lucia (Caribbean)

Decadence and geologic wonders collide in St. Lucia, located in the Eastern Caribbean.

Surrounding the luxurious resorts where you and your new girl/guy can get treated like royalty—room service, spa treatments, complimentary bathrobes—are some pretty delightful natural marvels.

St. Lucia boasts waterfalls, rainforests, volcanic spires, reefs, hot springs, and of course, pristine beaches and crystal-clear water.

If you’re like me and enjoy a little decadence punctuating your adventure, St. Lucia is a go. Nothing is better than a massage after tackling a mountain. Or volcano, for that matter.

16Stockholm, Sweden

You know how sometimes being around really attractive, stylish people can make you feel better looking yourself? Something about how “you are the company you keep”? That’s what happens here.

Being surrounded by cool people and design seems to raise your own cool factor. Especially in those early stages of dating, looking cool is all-important. If you’re feeling in a rut, eating on the couch while binging on Netflix, get back your edge with a week wandering the streets of Stockholm.

This is a city for couples interested in fashion, food, and art. Who love architecture. Couples who enjoy looking to the past, absorbing and learning about history, but also have an eye to the future; to the latest thing.

17Joshua Tree, CA (USA)

Switching gears from the historic cobblestone walkways of Stockholm to some more rugged terrain, #12 on this list is Joshua Tree, about 2.5-3 hours outside of Los Angeles.

So named for the Dr. Seuss-esque Joshua trees that line its landscape, this desert town is home to some funky shops, but most importantly a National Park that feels like visiting another planet. It’s a really cool place to explore with someone you like (or love), all the unusual flora and fauna and the views for miles.

I have to admit I’m slightly biased here: Joshua Tree was a stop on my honeymoon. I’d recommend renting one of the artsy offerings on AirBnB, hiking all day, and then cooking at night, eating by the fire, with all the stars above.

*Need extra reason to make your way to Joshua Tree with your honey? Visiting a desert took the #5 spot on our 28 Places Every Man Should Visit in His Lifetime list. Check and check.

18Berlin, Germany

Like Stockholm, Berlin has an abundance of “It” factor. The city has become a mecca for art and design and is undeniably, and achingly, cool. I think Lonely Planet captures Berlin best, describing its combination of “glamor and grit.”

While Berlin is perhaps a little intimidating in its spot on the cutting edge of basically everything, it’s also exceedingly laid back and unfussy. Though highly stylized, nothing is too precious—things are a little rough around the edges.

There is no judgment here. It’s equal parts welcoming and unpredictable, which is totally sexy.

If late nights invigorate you and your love, and being a part of the art-world inspires you, this is the place to visit.

19Fez, Morocco

One word best captures this Moroccan city: vibrant.

Being in Fez will have all of your senses mesmerized: from the smells of the teas, foods, and spices in the markets, to the mosaic tiles, textiles, and brightly colored everything, and all the different textures of the metalwork and rich leather.

There is something so sensual about it all—distant prayers sung out into the sky, the setting sun, dim lights, rich aromas, warm nights, ancient fortress walls…

20Croatia

While the Croatian coastline is populated by its fair share of yachts, this small European jewel is a mostly affordable option for couples looking for the bright blue waters and rocky coastlines typical of the Mediterranean.

Not only is it a natural wonder—waterfalls, peaks, and canyons abound—but so rich in history. Traveling through Croatia is like a history lesson on a vast variety of past empires, an intermingling of various architecture, art, and traditions.

There is an abundance to see here, and to talk about.

21Vienna, Austria

Featured in the quintessential ‘90s romance Before Sunrise, starring Julie Delpy and Ethan Hawke, it is hard not to equate this city with falling in love.

So make like these movies stars, and spend all day and all night exploring the city on foot, with some occasional stops to quiet cafes and maybe a boisterous bar or two. Get to really know each other as you pass along the cobblestone streets.

These beautiful surroundings, modern architecture juxtaposed against historic opera houses, make a perfect backdrop for intimate conversation.

22Istanbul, Turkey

While touring the markets and historic structures that line this city should make their way on to your Istanbul to-do list, make sure not to overlook the water.

Cruise on the Bosphorous at night (or walk along it by day), sip some Turkish coffee on the riverbank, and take in the incredible views of Hagia Sophia from the water.

There is something really special and mystical about this place, how it straddles two cultures and two continents. It is a very unique experience and definitely one to share with someone you love.

23Santa Fe, NM (USA)

Santa Fe is somewhere I’ve been visiting since I was little. So, it hasn’t always been a romantic destination for me, but it’s been a much-loved one for as long as I can remember.

The New Mexican landscape is so strange and beautiful. There are pine trees and cacti, red clay rock, snow, desert…it’s so diverse and unusual in that respect, which makes it an incredible place to be outdoors.

In addition to exploring the terrain together, it is the particular smells and particular lighting that make this a romantic city. After dark, particularly in the winter, luminarias (paper lanterns) cast a warm glow across town and the smell of piñon in the air is just completely enchanting.

24Portugal

Take in as much of this country as time permits. It’s affordable, scenic, and totally charming.

Fly into Lisbon first—the city is all quaint shops, cobblestone streets, vibrant neighborhoods, and gorgeous architecture. There are even vintage trams to help get you up the city’s sometimes-steep walkways. These afford incredible views and allow you take in many historic sites and other attractions.

Outside of Lisbon, check out Sintra, Évora, and Óbidos—all three are ancient and picturesque (and a little bit more off the beaten path when it comes to tourism). Everything is lush, green, and packed with interesting culture (and stories to tell).

Extra credit: Visit Madeira and/or the Azores (both islands) off the coast. Madeira is known for its great weather and sense of fun and the Azores, for its wildlife (whale watching!) and verdant grounds (pineapple plantations!). Both areas are remote and make for really enchanting, once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

25Florence, Italy

Maybe it was reading A Room With a View many years ago, but Florence is somewhere I always associate with love, adventure, and beauty.

Known as the birthplace of the Renaissance and renowned for its art and architecture, one of the most breathtaking and romantic aspects of the city is how sunlight dances across its rooftops. There is something so special and so gorgeous about the light here. (You’re going to look great in all your pictures together.)

26Bora Bora, French Polynesia

Situated near Tahiti in the South Pacific, Bora Bora is basically paradise (some have joked “it’s so nice, they named it twice”).

The water is perfect and clear, the beaches a pristine white. You can stay in deceptively luxurious thatched roof bungalows perched over that aforementioned crystal water. You can swim with turtles and exotic, brightly colored fish.

This tropical island is secluded and idyllic—it’s no coincidence it’s one of the most popular honeymoon destinations in the world. But don’t feel like you need to pop the question before booking accommodations—unwed pairs are equally welcome.

27Southern Spain

The vibe in this southern part of Spain is so relaxed and friendly and the weather is totally perfect—rent a car and cruise around for days.

I’d make sure to stop in Granada to see the spectacular Alhambra palace, in all its Moorish splendor. There is something really romantic about climbing up there to that fortress on high and walking around underneath the vaulted ceilings, patterned in stars, weaving in and out of the delicate columns, listening to the soothing sounds of the trickling of water from the fountains.

When in Andalucía, Seville should also be a top priority. Seville is warm and bright, both in terms of the sun’s rays shining down on you, and the vibrancy of its culture and people.

Drink lots of sangria, dine on tapas, and take in some flamenco. This spirited city will put you both in a great mood. And nothing is sexier than happiness.

28The Greek Isles

Ever since a good friend of mine selected the Cyclades for her honeymoon, visions of dining out on a whitewashed terrace on the Greek Isles with my own spouse have cycled through my head.

The setting of this island is postcard-perfect. The bright white, sun-soaked buildings contrast in such a wildly perfect way with the surrounding deep blue waters and rocky mountains.

Santorini is probably the most famous and sophisticated option. It’s also the most romantic. Don’t read too much into that descriptor of sophistication, however—Santorini is made for lazy days of soaking in the sun, slow strolls, and long meals. The vibe is 100 percent pleasure and relaxation.

29Bruges, Belgium

Switching gears completely from sun-drenched island life, we have Bruges, nestled in northwest Belgium.

With an old medieval city like this, you get all the canals, old churches, and small, winding streets out of your childhood storybooks. It’s like a fairy tale, Hans Christian Anderson-style, come to life (but fast-forwarded through the sad bits, straight to the happy ending).

It’s all so dreamy. This is a city that calls for a lot of hand-holding, kissing on old stone bridges, and long, conversation-filled dinners.

Tip: This is a really popular tourist spot in the summer. We’d recommend planning your visit for the spring (daffodil season) or the winter (when it is all chilly and cozy holiday charm) instead.

30Santa Barbara, CA (USA)

I’m going to be up front again about my bias with this one. Just like Joshua Tree (#17), Santa Barbara was a stop on my honeymoon trail (which was a road trip along America’s West Coast, with me, my husband, and our dog packed into a black Mustang).

But I’m not the only one who thinks Santa Barbara is one of the most romantic places on earth. JFK and Jackie handpicked this as their own honeymoon destination, a pair famous for their great taste (if not the best marriage).

Why Santa Barbara? In addition to the ocean, palm trees, mountains, and Spanish-style architecture, there is something really serene and special about this place. Hummingbirds flitter around and bright flowers bloom almost on cue.

It’s all really luxurious, but somehow in a really welcoming, low-key way. And can be done on whatever budget you need to adhere to—from celebrity-level spending to more modest accommodations, either will afford you a really lovely stay.

31Seychelles, East Africa

The Seychelles are just off East Africa, right in the Indian Ocean. For me, I would go just to see the rare giant tortoises, but maybe you might need more convincing? Or a sexier reason for your stay than some old reptiles?

So, let me start by describing how incredible the soft, powdery sand feels in between your toes and how the water is so clear and bright it almost looks like a swimming pool. The rocks and lushness of the flora and fauna are so incredible, they seem like something painted by a Surrealist.

Pretty much everything you eat has been grown on the island or caught in the water that surrounds it. It’s all fresh and delicious. Eating with your hands, with cool, fruit juices covering your fingers, all under the warm sun…it doesn’t get much more sensual than that.

32Cinque Terre, Italy

Ah, the Italian Riveria. Without me even writing anything else, your mind has probably already wandered to thoughts of glamorous people, delicious food, plentiful wine, bright colors, sunshine, and salty sea air.

This is romance, Italian-style, perched cliffside along the Mediterranean. Fill up on freshly caught seafood, local olives, cheese, and pesto, and toast your limoncello to love.

33Hunter Valley, NSW (Australia)

About two hours away from Sydney, is a gorgeous stretch of Australian wine country. Everything is lush and green, all rolling hills dappled in sunlight.

In addition to developing some of arguably the best red wines in the country, Hunter Valley has garnered a reputation for some high-quality eats. And you can be sure that all of those culinary delights will pair quite perfectly with all that delicious wine.

One of the best things about this area, though, besides its good food and vino, is how secluded it is. Everything feels really private and intimate, like you’re an escaping real life, which is an important thing for me if I’m looking for a romantic vacation.

Oh and did I mention you can take a champagne hot-air balloon ride? I mean, come on (insert mic drop here).

34Puerto Rico (Caribbean)

I love the bright colors and sunny disposition of this Caribbean island. And that it is equal parts tropical rain forest and sandy beaches as it is full of architecture and interesting history.

Walk around Old San Juan together, learning about the city (and island’s) past, visiting the old churches and stopping to enjoy a couple of beers with the locals, all to the beat of music from the streets and storefronts.

Take things up a notch by exploring caves and spotting rainforest wildlife. Try out surfing or investigating the coral reefs. Or just be beach bums together and catch up on reading (or sleep) on the sand. Choose your own adventure here, be it stirring or sleepy.

35The Cotswolds, England

I’m a lifelong Anglophile. My dream real estate purchase is a house on the English countryside and I am pretty much a sucker for everything the BBC exports our way. I could go on. But instead, let’s focus on you and your romance.

Take your love to the Cotswolds. This area sits northwest of London, and is an expanse of charming thatched roof cottages, rolling green hills, old stone manses and churches, small shops (shoppes?), and grazing animals.

It’s quiet, peaceful, and a perfect spot for time outside—hiking, horseback riding, rambling, and cycling—and evenings indoors in front of glowing fireplaces. Sip some tea and just take it easy.

36South African Winelands

Let’s talk a little bit more about wine. On this list, we’ve visited Australian wine country, and just about every other destination I’ve recommended drinking lots of it. I sure hope you like wine.

While there is nothing sexy about red wine mouth, this region in South Africa most definitely is. The cuisine and the area’s beverages are fantastic and the scenery is totally spectacular. Everywhere you look there are fields of green dotted by grand mountains. It’s just so vast and endless and amazing.

Rent a car and drive around from winery to winery, or you can choose to cycle. There are even some lovely old trams that take you through the vineyards. If you get wined out, so to speak, there is also mountain-biking, horseback riding, golf, fly-fishing, and chocolate-eating (South Africa is doing some great things with cocoa).

Get tipsy, get active. Though maybe not in that order.

37Cartagena, Colombia

Some of you might be throwing a surprised glance my way upon seeing this city of ill repute here. But isn’t a hint of danger titillating?

In all seriousness, the walled city is actually totally safe for travelers today. Long gone are the days of Escobar (though, please feel free to relive them on Netflix with Narcos).

This city is another on the list that straddles two cultures—the European influence is apparent (more of those cobbled streets I love), but the colors and sensuality of the Caribbean and South America are also there in full force. Even the humidity is sensual there.

This city is equal parts alive/boisterous/active and quiet. So enjoy some sleepy strolls and get your taste of Cartagena’s lively social life, too.

38Andaman Islands, India

Located in the Bay of Bengal, these islands—popular honeymoon picks in India—are covered in beaches and rainforests, and surrounded by reefs packed with marine life.

The Andamans are extremely remote: if privacy is what you two want, you got it. These islands are so secluded and so precious, only about a dozen of the total 300 are open to tourists. So, this is a really special destination.

While you’re there, traverse through the jungles, give diving a try, eat exotic things, look for rare wildlife, weave in and out of the mangroves…really make the most out of your time together in paradise.

39Chiang Mai, Thailand

Last, but not least (again, there’s neither order nor hierarchy on this list) is Chiang Mai, Thailand.

First off, let me mention we’re ending on a really affordable note. Bangkok can get crowded and pricey—Chiang Mai is a refreshing alternative.

The city is calm and unpolluted (speaking equally about the traffic and the air) and easily walkable. There is some incredible classic cuisine available from street vendors that sit alongside newer restaurants and art galleries. Old meets new here in a fantastically uncomplicated, easy way.

While you’re here, take some classes together, check out new and different foods in the markets, and then be sure to explore the countryside. Just a few beats away from city life, you’ll find pulsing green jungles, waterfalls cascading down mountains, hot springs, ancient villages, temples, shrines, monks, and elephant sanctuaries.

There is so much to see, do, and try, minus the overwhelming sounds and crowds of similarly active and exciting locales.

[bites-kms]

Christmas Around the World

I’ve been waiting for almost a year to finally post this! Who knew that a year later, I would be finishing this post from Oxford St, surrounded by live Christmas carols and decorations that might blind the tourist eye. 

Regardless on where you are or what you believe in, Christmas is always a special happy time to celebrate together with whom you love the most. Perfect occasion to drink and eat delicious feasts and fall into a food comma until the next day. Wasn’t that was resurrection was about? :D <3 

I had the chance to spend December in different continents and countries, yet only 2 times I’ve spent Christmas away from home: one in HCMC and another one in Madrid. 

So... how do people experience the most joyful time of the year around the globe?? 

Southern Hemisphere - Hot Sunny Summer A) Uruguay - Montevideo & Punta del Este :: Home Lovely Home

Imagine this: 34 degrees Celsius, sunny beaches with mainstream, snowy decorations on every corner. Heavy, caloric food, heritage from cold Christmas spent in Italy or Spain, where our main ancestors have come from. Green countryside postcards and the white, sandy beaches are the Uruguayan equivalent of a snowy pine wood. Still, Santa, or as we call it, Papa Noel, wears the same winter outfit. 

At home is always about the “mesa” service. It’s a ritual. My Dad loves to do it and he is the greatest host when it comes to cuisine “alla Tocchetto”. When I was little, I remember helping him with el Nono while eating some of the charcuterie while preparing it, before going to Church o “Misa de Gallo”, the ceremony performed on the Christmas Eve, with my Mom, la Nona and Aurora. The best part of the Misa is that after it, Christ was already born so I was able to open my presents earlier than 12 o’clock - hence, earlier than anybody else!- and at midnight we only concentrated on staring in awe the great fireworks.

As a second dish, we usually have lechon or cold pigglet, with potatoe salad. Of course, we had turron, an almond and honey pie, as well as digestives and drinks, just enjoying them all-together. Sometimes, my godfather Beto also joined.  

Over the last 10 years or so, we changed the setting to Punta del Este, where we started renting the penthouse of this little wonderful boutique hotel and had bbqs and a privileged views of the ocean and the peninsula. Although is summertime, you can always count on experiencing some wind in Punta, so we were always wrapped in blankets or wearing a light sweater. 

Life happens and suddenly the guests at the table became less, with more empty seats, but with the same spirit and love. Those chairs were replaced by life long lasting friends like Henry & Carmen, once my lovely Turkish roommate Ayse joined, and it was a special occasion since it was her first and only Christmas at the time. I’m really looking forward for this 2017 Christmas since I haven’t been in Uruguay in December since 2015, whilst the year before I’ve spent it in Australia and Vietnam. 

Western Europe:: The tradition begins  A) Spain: Madrid & Galicia & Barcelona 

Last year was the first one that we spent it all together abroad, destination: Spain. There wasn't much to do in Madrid on the night of the 24th as we were expecting, but we did have two wonderful surprises: 1) we did our first DIY Christmas Sweater and 2) we discovered the amazing comfort food of “Migajas de Navidad”, meaning bread crumbs with everything else you can find: chorizo, meat, beans and veggies. 

B) England - London 

Stylish, classy, British. I had the chance to be there last weekend and it was the biggest snowstorm of the last 4 years! You could actually appreciate the white scenery across urban London, and that’s not common at all. Hot chocolate, warm mulled wine with cinnamon and pieces of fruit, as well as Pret-a-Manger soups are some of the British delights that keeps you warm during this wonderful time. Listening to random Christmas carols or singing for charity is something quite common on London Streets - cresting along lasting memory and stealing you a smile every single time. 

C) Portugal - Lisboa & Porto 

This is Christmas with Saudade. The Portuguese feeling of nostalgia is present in every food and on every corner. The lights are on but dimmed or faded out a little, with multiple Christmas Markets around, and the traditional Bolo Rei.

It was quite nice to arrive to our Airbnb and received, under a beautiful Christmas tree, three little gifts. We had such nice hosts and the location were superb: quite close to Praca de Pedro in Lisbon and a few blocks away from the main square in Porto. Such a lovely stayed and magical eve.

South East Asia:: Humid and Joyful  A) Singapore - Singapore 

Another hot and sweaty Christmas. In the humid weather, creating a cool atmosphere is more than necessary. Modern Christmas Markets, in-store Christmas carols, full-on decorated avenues and what they call a “Christmas Wonderland” is ready to transmit the coziness of the most wonderful time of the year! The key stars of Singapore are Gardens by the Bay displays, with each year’s unique proposal -one year they even scheduled a live show of snow fall!- and Orchard Road, the most important and fashionable street where Christmas presents and purchases are made. Each store competes with each other to get the most amazing decoration, therefore more likes and pictures shared on Instagram, creating a wonderful and cheerful avenue where shopping becomes a North Pole visit. 

B) Vietnam - Ho Chi Minh City 

I’ve spent a very unconventional Christmas here in HCMC. I went to church to respect my home traditions, went back home, walking down Hai Ba Trung. I exchanged gifts with my couple and I kinda received a wedding proposal in return. It was a very joyful moment. We hugged each other very closely and went to have dinner to this wonderful place we truly liked, I cant remember the name at the moment, but I do remember the amazing little red tea tiramisu served in a little plant pot. It was a Thai Place. We carried our little champagne bottles downtown and greet the passing by people with a “merry chismas” - the way they pronounced it. Every Vietnamese in Saigon was out driving around, taking pictures of the crazy motorbike scene of that night, having a very merry moment. 

Northern Hemisphere - The B Side::: Where the real magic happens  

A) Russia -  Moscow & St Petersburg 

I went to Russia during December and experienced the snowy magic of the ex USSR, but didn’t have the chance to experience Christmas Night itself over there. I guess Orthodox Christmas may vary a little bit from what one is used to,  but I’m sure it would be amazing too.

I did had the chance to ice skate in front of the GUM, the amazing and huge commercial store located right next to Lenin’s mausoleum on The Red Square. It was quite a magical experience yet it made me think a lot. Everything was very Christmasy, very “Coca-Cola” if you’d like, since they do have this special Santa guy as well. Oranges are the Ortohdox symbol of prosperity and good luck that’s why they put it over the tree (same as the offerings done in Lunar ew Year in South East Asia). Chocolates, packed in a very unique, Russian way that resembles Russian architecture style tiles, are also served as treats for kids and adults alike. 

It was such a nice experience, drinking the warm mulled wine, riding a wonderful carrousel, singing Volga-Volga, remembering my Nono and toasting on his name. You feel the new Russian vibe but there’s something graceful and elegant about their Czarist past they can’t get rid of and you feel like a princess, waiting for Anastasia to show up and gossip about the past ballet or opera show. 

Shopping malls are also quite fantastic - and when it comes to discounts and trends, Russians know their stuff. 

B) Finland - Rovaniemi 

When hitting north, you better go big or go home. I went to Rovaniemi, in the highest, Northern part of Finland, on my way to Lapland. It was nice to make a stop there, not only to experience the Article Circle crossing line, but also and mainly because you can experience there real house of Santa Claus. Remember when you were a kid and you ended up taking pictures of yourself in every mall with a very dubious looking Santa? Well.. in this one, you can actually get the original picture after all!

You can visit Santa’s workshop and experience how the gifts are being made by the Elf team and you can learn the different Christmas traditions from around the globe. There’s an amazing souvenir shop where you can actually get your passport stamp by “the North Pole / Santa’s Workshop” but they getting more and more picky about that, since they don’t dare to stamp your actual passport anymore with a fake “country”. Yet, make sure to bring postcards or notebooks and get those stamps instead!

Bites & KMs Tip:::: SANTA CLAUS VILLAGE EXCLUSIVE!::::

You can also experience the deers and hopefully, if you are lucky, you can meet - or eat- Rudolf! There is a beautiful restaurant shaped as a tipi hut, North Pole style of course, where delicious feasts are being served. Don’t lose your time and go straight to the deer or even bear meat, you won’t regret it!

C) Sweden - Stockholm

If you imagine a white, snowy perfect Christmas, I bet Sweden and Stockholm is what’s on your mind and trust me, it will surely surpass your expectations. 

My lovely Sverige. Saint Lucia’s weekend is by far the most festive one and the one you should not miss! Same week as the Nobel Prize ceremony, Saint Lucia is a very typical Swedish Tradition, where carols and candles are being lighted in honor of this Saint. They also do a very picturesque procession in Gamla Stan and in Skansen. The lovely Christmas Markets, with their handcrafted art and food are a delight you shouldn’t miss. Try some mulled wine to warm you up while watching the amazing city lights, making it even more charming than usual, rising up its splendor.

D) New York, New York - Mariah Carey’s Kingdom 

It is indeed the most wonderful time of the year. With the incredible 5th Ave window displays, the fantastic and traditional Saks megastore decoration, as well as the Rockefeller Christmas Tree lightening, New York is fantastic during this time. All the parks around Manhattan and Brooklyn have Christmas Markets where to find delicious treats, fantastic gifts and charming people sharing the Christmas spirit. Macy’s and all the department stores play “All I Want for Christmas is You” and it’s the anthem for December. It makes me so happy. Download the Spotify playlist and enjoy Mariah, Wham! and Michael Bluble non stop.  

Wherever you experience it, whatever you believe in, I do tend to agree with the song that says “It’s the most wonderful time of the year” since, regardless of the gift and shopping stress, family business and menu planning discussions, people are happier, people are more united, and people are having a blast with the one they love. So, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Bites &Kms, with love <3

[xpbali]

Top 5 things to do in Bali this month:

1. Fitness Fanatics:

If you are anything like me, every holiday is planned around and close to a gym. Yes holiday is about relaxing, but a sweat session is important too.

Here are my 3 top gyms to visit and train at when you visit Bali:

Bali MMA:

Bali MMA is situated in the heart of Canggu, which is a very popular area most tourists book into when they visit Bali. Bali MMA is the number 1 MMA gym on the island which offers classes for all levels of fitness and experience. From Muay Thai, BJJ, Wresting to Yoga, they have you covered. They have top level coaches running the Muay Thai Classes, and Black Belts from all over the world joining them for a session, spreading knowledge from all different schools in the world. Definitely worth a pop in or a session to burn off that pizza from last night. www.balimma.com

Crossfit Wanderlust:

The Infamous Crossfit Wanderlust is situated right next door to Bali MMA is Canggu, not only do they have top Crossfit athletes from all over the world coming to visit and train there, but some of them even run retreats which you can book and enjoy. Crossfit is one of the best workouts which burns off all those burgers and beers in a session. So make sure to make a turn at Crossfit Wanderlust, oh did I mention their amazing banana flour pancakes and delicious coffee…  www.crossfitwanderlust.com

2BEFIT BALI:

Well, you are on holiday. So why not do a workout where you have scenery. 2BEFIT runs specialized  bootcamps on the beach. Challenging you not only physically but mentally too. They have qualified coaches to push you to your limits and help you reach your goals. After your session, what’s a better way to cool off then having a dip in the beautiful ocean, followed by a refreshing coconut. 2BEFIT hosts bootcamps in Canggu, Seminyak and Sanur. www.2befitbali.com

2. Night Life:

We cant dispute the reputation Bali has when it comes to its night life. Bali is always happening, and often has top DJ’s and music artists performing here. Due to the fact that there are so many Clubs to choose from, offering different genres of music, it was hard to name just 3. With the help of Bali by Hotels.com, we picked our 3 from their top 10 clubs.

Sky Garden Rooftop & Lounge:

Sky Garden Rooftop is situated in the heart of Kuta, with not only raving reviews about their DJ’s and music, but their amazing food and drinks such as the Triple Vodka. “With an unbeatable ALL YOU CAN EAT BIG TEXAS BBQ BUFFET, that includes 4 HOURS of Free flow drinks of your choice for only 99k IDR.” Says TripAdvisor. This is definitely a place to see and enjoy at least once when you here in Bali. www.skygardenbali.com

Omnia:

Omnia is located on the limestone cliffs in Uluwatu, which has a breathtaking panoramic view of the Indian Ocean. A day club with a vibe which is so addictive, being surrounded by infinity pools, bungalows and pool beds which is accompanied by some of the best tunes played by famous DJ’s from all around the world – where else would you rather be? Also situated in Omnia is a modernized Japanese restaurant, ‘Sake No Hana’. With its flagship being in the center of London, I’m sure it’s food compliments the surroundings perfectly. www.omniaclubs.com

La Favela:

La Favela is situated in one of the most popular streets in Seminyak. La Favela is definitely a must. The interior decorations are mind blowing, with ponds and small bridges with semi gardens and artificial waterfalls, it captivates anyone who steps foot past the front door. Gonzalo and Sandra Assiego became fixated with turning this place which was originally a house into the masterpiece it is today. “For me La Favela is really underground. That is the soul of LA Favela. The party spirit. Yes you have dining in a beautiful place – the garden is beautiful but then its like the inside of a museum that has been made with love from our own search for pieces, to things from our homes and the homes of our friends. We also wanted to recreate the ambience of the underground 90’s party scene.” – Gonzalo and Sandra Assiego.www.lafavelabali.com 3. Spirituality:

For those of you who are looking ‘inwards’ and are on a journey to find yourself and heal. Bali is the Island of a thousand Gods, and speaks to your soul on so many different levels. With beautiful temples and incense burning around every corner, add in prayers and meditation, and all the answers you are seeking will surface when you least expect it.

Elephant Cave

:In the heart of Ubud, the Elephant cave was built as a spiritual place for meditation. As you walk down towards the temple, you will be asked to wear appropriate attire such as a sarong, which you can rent at the entrance. Once you head down, you will see a pool with 5 out of 7 Hindu Angels holding vases which are sprouting out water. You can step into this shallow pool, where you can go stand in front of each angel and ask or wish for something. www.balibyhotels.com Once you are finished in the Pool, you can head up the stairs and towards the elephant cave. You may enter the temple where you can meditate and prayer to the respected Hindu Gods. If you are lucky, a Pemangku will bless you after your prayer.

Yoga Retreat:

When we find ourselves feeling lost in life, it often stems from too much stress, lack of self love and feeling overburdened. This is the time we need to center ourself and go deep within. We highly recommend booking into Como Shambhala Estate. At Como Shambhala Estate, you can book and find a package which best suits you. From Yoga teachers, Ayurvedic doctors, dietitians to signature massage therapies and beauty retreats – this a place where you can receive some TLC (tender loving care) and find peace and calmness. www.comohotels.com

Goa Giri (Nusa Penida):

Goa Giri is situated in Nusa Penida, which is located southeast of Bali. Not only is Nusa Penida known for its crystal blue waters which is popular for day trips that include snorkeling and hiking, but there is also a Large Cave Temple. The Large Cave Temple is found in the village of Suana. You will find the entrance is a narrow opening in rock face. Just before the main shrine in the cave, white marble covers the corners in the temple. In the temple, you will find 6 praying spots. “This includes the preceding stairway up to the Ida Hyang Tri Purusa lan Ganapati shrine at the entrance. The remaining five spots are inside. Visiting pilgrims must go through all of them, consecutively. Visits usually include a holy water purification ritual. Devotees take their seats on the raised marble platforms.” www.bali-Indonesia.com The Final praying spot is devoted to the Chinese deities known as Guan Yin or The Goddess of Mercy. “This is where a lot of people ask for blessings of better business and prosperity.” As stated by Bali by hotels. Definitely worth the trip we would say.

4. Surfing:

You cannot fly all the way to Bali and not try the surf. Not only is Bali one of the top places to surf, but it’s a great place to learn to surf. There are nearly surf school at every beach you go to, you have to give it a try.

Uluwatu:

As you know when you search Bali, Uluwatu will always come up somewhere in your search as a recommendation. Uluwatu is very popular for its Surfing, Scenery and Unique temples. Once you have had your fun in the sun and caught those massive waves, there are plenty of massage places to pop into for a quick rub down before you make it back up to the top of the cliff, where you will probable find yourself enjoying sundowners to end off an epic day.

Padang Padang:

As you head through a beautiful hollow rock entrance, which is easily accessible. You will come across a white sandy beach which offers consistent barrels and an average of 4 foot waves and above. Padang Padang is a regular host for international surfing competition such as Rip Curl, therefore we recommend this beach more for intermediate and professional surfers.

Canggu – Pantai Batu Mejan – Echo Beach:

This beach is a black sand beach, and is well kept and is spotlessly clean. This beach is one of the best surf spots in Bali, with a laid back, chilled vibe which is complimented by beautiful sunsets. On top of all of that, there is amazing seafood to fill the gap after a busy day in the ocean. This beach is for intermediate to advanced surfers.

5. Eat:

This was a tough decision to only mention 3 restaurants to try. I can think of at least 10 amazing restaurants to eat at all offering something unique. I absolutely love food, and Bali is definitely spoilt for choice.

Sisterfields:

Sisterfields being an Australian concept, is found just at the end of Eats Street opposite Seminyak Square. This is a place which is buzzing all day long. Their coffee is definitely up there and is one of the best coffees I have had so far here in Bali. Their breakfasts cater for everyone, but if you are a health conscious bunch, I would recommend their Açaí Berry breakfast bowl. If you are just dropping in for lunch, well their Australian all day Brunch menu should definitely fill the spot. www.sisterfields.com

Murni’s Warung:

If you are looking for the best Indonesian Cuisine, all you have to do is Whisper the word Murni and your driver will know exactly who you are talking about and where to go. The living Legend Murni is in Ubud and is often refereed to as the Mother of Ubud due to the fact that she pioneered tourism in Ubud and is still very active in her restaurant. The great thing about Murnis Warung is, if you would like to stay over and experience ubud a little longer she has a guest house and spa which you can book into. From A le carte menus, healthy menus to vegetarian menus she has something for everyone. To book a reservation to indulge: www.murnis.com

Ultimo:

Ultimo Italian Restaurant was definitely worth every penny and the 10min wait to get a table. When driving down Eats Street in Seminyak, I often wondered what the hold up was as taxis stop and empty out by the car load in front of this restaurant. Now that I have experienced their delicious food and buzzing restaurants, I will definitely be returning for more. Pizza, pasta, chicken, steak – everything was and is excellent. Give them a try when you visit Bali: www.bali-business.site.com #Bali #BaliProperty #BaliInformation #TodoInBali #Surfing #BaliRestaurant #BaliGym

[brettbarker]

#candc Final

So our final day of cuisine and culture is upon us, and as they say, all good things must come to an end. This class without a shadow of a doubt has been the best class I have ever taken in my life. I really felt like I was immersed in the many cultures that we studied as I felt immersed through the food and the settings that we were in while we were eating them. I am truly grateful for all of the people that I have met and had the opportunity to get closer to over the last ten days. I could not think of a better way to spend two weeks that involves school, and frankly it didn’t even feel like school because it was something that I looked forward to every day and was excited to do! So to summarize, The first day of class, we were served English tea and were fortunate enough to have been given a presentation from Kathy Filby! I learned a ton about tea, more than I ever thought I would learn. It really made me want to drink more tea and actually invest more time in drinking it like the British do. The second day of class we went to Tigin Irish pub in St. Louis. This was similar to foods that I have had before, yet it was totally different at the same time. I tried some things that I never thought that I would try in my life and actually ended up liking them a lot! After Tigin we went to the Jewish federation of St. Louis to have a Seder meal. This was completely different for me since I have not experienced much with the Jewish culture. It was really interesting to learn about why they did it and what all of the parts of the meal stood for. Next, for dinner we went to Das Bevo in St. Louis which was a restaurant built by the Anheuser family that served traditional German food. This was quite familiar to me since my hometown is Swiss-German and my family is also quite a bit German. We had many of the traditional meals such as schnitzel, bratwurst, knockwurst, sauerkraut, and many other things. After the meal we got to tour the mill that was apart of the restaurant. On Thursday, we left at 5:30 in the morning for New Orleans. The drive was pretty long, but was so worth it. When we arrived, we went directly to a restaurant called Mother’s Restaurant. While we were there we had all kinds of Cajun food from jambalaya to gumbo to etouffee. This was my first experience with these Cajun foods and I couldn’t have been happier since I had it in the place where it all originated. That night we went to Preservation Hall. This was one of my favorite parts of the entire trip for me. While we were there, we experienced the Preservation Hall All-Stars play for us. This was the best live jazz I have ever heard in my life, and all of the people in the band were quite up there in age, but still played their instruments like i’m sure they always have. It was great to experience something that is so much apart of the culture in New Orleans and to hear some of the best of it in the whole city. The next day Friday was a great day. First thing in the morning, we went to Cafe du Monde and ate beignets and drank coffee. This was excellent and was one of my favorite individual foods from the whole class. It was even so good that we went back for more later in the day. We then were able to walk around the French Quarter and see what it was really like. I definitely was able to get a taste of the overall vibe of the city and see what life was like on a daily basis for some of the people of New Orleans. Next, we went to Dooky Chase for lunch. The food here was fantastic, but the part that I took away the most was that we were able to speak to Leah Chase. I will never forget this as long as I live because the advice that she gave us was so good. Also I was so fascinated by her fame in the city and some of the people that she has met over the years. At the age of 96 years young she still took the time to come out and talk to us. This made me really respect her and realize that she is one special human being who has obviously been doing something right all of her life. I want to be more like Leah. We then took a ferry over to Algiers and explored that neighborhood for a little bit before we went to dinner at The Maison. This was Creole food and was incredibly good. The soup that we ate had alligator in it which I didn’t know about until after we left. It was good! We were able to all hang out in that and engage in some really great conversations which I think is so important and is something that I really valued. Saturday was quite busy as we went on a swamp walk at the Jean Lafitte National Park and Reserve. It was really amazing to be able to walk through and see how the swamps really are! After that we went to Cafe Abyssinia for Ethiopian food. This was completely different from anything that I had ever eaten before, but it was incredible. The food was spicy, but just the right amount for me. After that we went to Bay St. Louis to an absolutely gorgeous beach right at the golden hour when the sun was just starting to set which was excellent for pictures! On Sunday we sadly had to head back home, but the ride home wasn’t too bad since we stopped in Memphis to eat at Central BBQ. This was like a bonus cultural meal and was top notch. We were also able to see the place where Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated which was very fascinating and surreal. It was a very big part of our history as a nation, and was good to be able to pay our respects to Dr. King. Monday was one of my favorite days since we were able to eat Dominican food at Ivan and Lourdes Estevez’s house. The food was all homemade by Lourdes herself and was absolutely incredible. It was probably my personal favorite meal if I only were able to choose one. I really liked how after we were done eating how we all went around and said a little something about ourselves. This was not a formality, but was because Ivan and Lourdes really did want to get to know each and every one of us. I really respected that and was something that I really liked about their culture. Later that night my group made our dessert as we were unable to prepare it Wednesday. We made Macrons and it was a blast. It was great to be able to learn to make something new from a different country and culture. Also they were delicious.Wednesday night was our dessert party. I really liked this since we were able to see what everyone else made and were able to appreciate their hard work and effort. Everyone did fantastic and I truly enjoyed everyone else’s desserts. They all did an fantastic job. Today which was Thursday, was the last day of class and the last two meals. The first thing we did when we arrived in St. Louis was go to Fontbonne University and hear about the Bosnian Memory Project and learn a little bit about Bosnian culture and were able to be educated about the conflict in their country and learn a little bit of what it means to be Bosnian. I really liked this as a history buff and was really moved by some of the stories we heard from Bosnians around St. Louis. We then had lunch at Grbic Restaurant. This was fantastic. It was a mixture of many cuisines from many different cultures. We learned at Fontbonne that there is no such thing as traditional Bosnian food since they have always been influenced by other countries. The atmosphere of the restaurant was great and really made you feel like you were in Bosnia. For our final culture, Italian, we went to The Hill in St. Louis. The Hill has been a cultural hub for Italian people since the late 1800s. The culture is so strong that the people who live there have influence in the city of St. Louis and what happens to their neighborhood. The Hill is home to many famous Italians such as Yogi Berra, Joe Garagiola, and four Italian members of the U.S. National soccer team that beat England in the 1950 world cup. We saw many places on The Hill including St. Ambrose church. We later went to play boccie ball which turns out to be incredibly fun, and wrapped it up by eating at Guido’s. We were served many courses in this meal, all being extremely delicious. I think that I had some of the best toasted ravioli and pasta that I have ever had in my life there. It stinks that this class cannot go on for another whole semester , but I am so grateful that I took it as it was one of the best cultural experiences of my life. It was incredible how many cultures that we were able to cover and still have this much fun. I would recommend this class to anyone. Thanks Doug and Deloy for being such amazing professors. This was a great interterm and can’t wait to see what this semester has in store!

https://freelymagazine.com/2017/01/07/what-food-tells-us-about-culture/ 

[dnygroup]

The Best Restaurant Concept! – QSR V/S Cloud Kitchen

What is A QSR Restaurant Concept?

QSR stands for a Quick Service Restaurant. This restaurant concept is deliciously popular in the food industry. It represents a fast food restaurant that prepares meals within minutes. However, there are preparations beforehand and commendable efforts of the team in the backend that make the food deliverable within the time frame of minutes. It is the speed of food preparation that makes it ‘Fast Food’. Quick service restaurants provide minimal table service. It is extremely fast and it requires the highest levels of management expertise. This restaurant concept requires the presence of mind of all the employees all the time. Its quality standards are extremely high along with the most appropriate supply chain management in all seasons. DNY Hospitality offers a systematic step by step procedure to enter into the QSR market with our cafe & QSR Consulting service. We cover everything related to it from a market feasibility study to SOP’s & management training.

Success Mantra for a QSR

This restaurant concept needs to be faster than the customer’s mind. Deliver the food package before the customer finishes the payment. No compromises in the quality are acceptable. The French fries of McDonald’s have no spots in whichever season you consume them. Hats off to their quality maintenance! Consistent innovation in flavors, new launches, new combos, discounts & offers are helpful to be the preferred choice of the restaurant concept. The representatives should carry a smiling demeanor and they feel happy while taking the orders. Vibes convey more and better than words. Maintain hygiene well, since the kitchens of the most quick service restaurants are visible. Last but not the least, the taste of fast food must undergo proper menu planning so that your customers have all the valid reasons to be loyal to you.

8 Key elements that make QSR Restaurant Concept successful

1. A Restaurant with trendy fast food

2. Smaller and Niche Menu Offerings

3. Opt for an Easy-to-Operate Model

4. Choose Location Where People Walk-In to Eat

5. Heavy Branding Activity

6. Industry-oriented Qualification and Training of Staff

7. Automated Processes

8. A Targeted Marketing Plan

Let’s talk about each point in detail

1. A Trendy Restaurant

Find out fast food items in trend and demand. Write down the list of the items that people in your target location love to consume when they go to a mall or a food zone. Innovations are also in trend. Choose either of them finalize the best location and launch the restaurant with fast food brand after branding and designing of the restaurant concept. Take services of professional consultants like DNY hospitality, if you need help in analyzing the cafe ideation & concept of your dream restaurant.

2. Smaller and Niche Menu Offerings

The restaurant concept works on smaller and niche menu offerings since one needs to prepare them immediately. You can choose to serve ice creams, burgers, pizza, fried items, etc. A limited number of food items ensure ease of operations and hassle free environment. The staff gets well-acquainted with the operational procedures quickly and retention rate is also higher with this restaurant concept. This would define your target customers and thereby your digital marketing campaign.

3. Opt for an Easy-to-Operate Model

Beginning your entrepreneurship career with a quick service restaurant concept is a prudent decision. However, it is advisable to opt for an easy-to-operate model. Avoid taking challenges to serve better quality. Quality can be enhanced in every food business model. An easy path can also lead you to great heights of success. It requires a balanced market feasibility study that we are pleased to offer.

4. Choose Location Where People Walk-In to Eat

Location for every restaurant concept plays an important role in every business. While selecting the location, it is better to choose a place where people visit with the mindset to consume and enjoy the company of their near and dear ones. Your selection of location should not force people to take the pains to reach your outlet. We recommend crowded areas like high-street, railway stations, airport lounges for QSR business.

5. Impactful Branding Activity

Impactful branding campaign is necessary for establishing the brand name of a quick service restaurant concept especially because it’s the turning point for customer visuals. Concept and food is first believed to be consumed with eyes, before the mouth. Educate people on what you are serving and how differently you are doing it. Using the pictures for branding is prudent because the food industry can grow by leaps and bounds if it can tempt the target market. The pictures of mouth-watering dishes are easy to attract customers. DNY Hospitality specializes in branding & designing to help in every restaurant concept.

6. Industry-oriented Qualification and Training of Staff

Industry oriented qualification and training of the staff members for making QSR restaurant concept successful is compulsory. DNY hospitality offers 7 quick steps to start a quick service restaurant business. Staff hiring and culinary training is also one of them.

7. Automated Processes

The restaurant concept of quick service demands easy-adopting kitchen operations. We recommend choosing the best quality custom-made equipment that is durable and that guarantees safety and easy use. Restaurant SOP’s to be easy to follow and report procedures. The main thing is the recipes been half-cooked in central kitchen and then delivered for ready-to-heat concept in your QSR’s. However, if you starting new with 1 QSR, central kitchen concept doesn’t suit well. In that case chose a right menu, plan your operations correctly to manage the cuisine in smaller area.

8. A Targeted Marketing Plan

Create a targeted marketing plan for the restaurant concept of quick service. It should correspond with the brand ideation, design, menu, and vision of the restaurant. Remember the cultural preferences of the target market and the people influencing them. DNY Hospitality offer a focused digital marketing campaign service without any extra charges with restaurant consulting programs. We recommend marketing on platforms where you get orders from like aggregators along with a right social media campaign.

What is a Cloud Kitchen Restaurant Concept?

Cloud kitchen restaurants are remote kitchens that are opposite to the quick service restaurant model. It serves food by delivering it at your doorsteps. One can place orders on phone or food delivery apps. Many budding entrepreneurs have their eyes on this restaurant concept because there is a lot of difference between QSR and cloud kitchens. DNY Hospitality can assist you in successfully launching and establishing a unique brand of cloud kitchens.

Cloud Kitchen Success Mantra

The most important hack that helps in running a cloud kitchen restaurant concept successfully is establishing a multi-brand cloud kitchen. A cloud kitchen often caters to one niche market that is active occasionally or seasonally. For example, sweets are in more demand on special occasions. Besides, not many people have a sweet tooth. This is why running a single brand cloud kitchen can be a little challenging at times. A multi-brand cloud kitchen on the contrary keeps generating revenue throughout the year in all seasons and on all occasions. If you wish to know more about multi-brand cloud kitchen franchise only in 7.5-8 lacs, read the full article here: One & Only Exclusive Multi-Brand Cloud Kitchen Franchise under Rs. 7.5 Lacs in India

8 Key elements that make cloud kitchens more successful

1. Start Multi-brands from one Kitchen

2. Backend area, with Low Rentals and No Footfall

3. Leveraging Multi-offering Menu

4. Branding & Designing

5. POS Centralized Restaurant Billing Software

6. Standard Operating Procedures

7. Hire a Team and Training  

8. Sign-up with Aggregators

9. Appropriate Digital Marketing Plan

Let’s talk about point in detail-

1. Start Multi-brands from one Kitchen

As discussed in the previously, it is important to serve more than one niche market for a cloud kitchen restaurant concept to survive and prosper. We at DNY hospitality offers at least three brands out of 5 options that one can choose to start multi-brand cloud kitchen. All five brands are original and our creative team has put their heart & soul into developing them. They are a blend of variety and creativity. Here they are:

1. Dum Shahi Biryani

2. Kuku Chap Chap

3. YaYY! Momos

4. Grill’D

5. EggOMogo

2. Backend area, with Low Rentals and No Footfall

Cloud kitchens can operate from a location that has a sufficient backend area to install kitchen equipment. The rental amount will be reduced to a considerable extent with limited area. Try to have the least number of footfalls at your cloud kitchen model to ensure easy operations and maintenance. It is a wonderfully established restaurant concept of the decade.

3. Leveraging Multi-offering Menu

The menu holds the highest importance especially while considering QSR v/s cloud kitchen. It is better to select the brands and cuisines according to the multi-brand kitchen design and menu engineering process. The restaurant concept of the cloud kitchen model must make maximum use of existing staff members, base preparations, marination, using the equipment multiple times and for multiple purposes, etc. DNY Hospitality 15 years of experience in helping ambitious entrepreneurs in designing multi-purpose kitchen equipment, using the equipment intelligently with planning for their optimum use to leverage your assets and multiply revenue.

4. Branding & Designing

A cloud kitchen is not visible to the customers. Therefore, some entrepreneurs believe branding & designing may not be necessary for a cloud kitchen. However, they are ready to invest in Digital Marketing. We recommended focusing on branding and design to make a cloud kitchen restaurant concept recognizable through digital marketing. These designs are exhibited on the package of food items, websites, and social media handles. They become the foundation for marketing.

5. POS Centralized Restaurant Billing Software

Central POS software that handles all multiple brands is the key feature for cloud kitchen business. POS is a point-of-sale system that allows you to control your processes, monitor your growth, and monitor your inventory, sales, margins, food costs, wastages and operation. In short, it is the back-bone of your food business.

6. Standard Operating Procedures

It is advisable for all the entrepreneurs of multi-brand cloud kitchens to follow standard operating procedures in accordance with this restaurant concept.  Invest in appropriate kitchen consultant and get them train you and your team. Menu planning is a systematic procedure to develop, try, and finalize recipes. It includes raw material procurement & liaison and storage-related management principles. Always follow the procedures related to kitchen planning to deliver orders on time.

7. Hire a Team and Training  

Recruitment of trainable candidates is extremely necessary because training is the next step after recruiting. Trainability depends on the soft-skills of a professional. The training skills of the staff of DNY Hospitality for culinary training and other parts of training can help you and your staff gets top-notch training. The performance of your dream restaurant depends on how well your staff members grasp the hard skills and make your cloud kitchen restaurant concept successful.

8. Sign-up with Aggregators

The aggregators are food delivery application service providers. They cater to every other second house in the town. Make a research on the package, discounts & offerings and get your cloud kitchen registered with them as early as possible. They provide a hassle-free platform with fair opportunities for your restaurant concept to be trending as a star performer amongst cloud kitchens.

9. Appropriate Digital Marketing Plan

The trend of digital marketing over outdoor marketing has taken over. The cloud kitchen restaurant concept can influence people with the help of mouth-watering pictures and creative taglines. The cloud kitchen model needs consistency in digital marketing campaigns. Take the opportunity to provide offers at the time of occasions. Offering discounts will make people subscribe to your social media handles and it will be easy for you to reap the results of digital marketing.

6 Similarities between Cloud Kitchen restaurant concept and QSR

1. Multi-brand Operations

2. Unique menu & niche positioning

3. Operating Procedures

4. Rigorous Training

5. Co-existence of QSR and Cloud Kitchen restaurant concept

6. Marketing strategy

1. Multi-brand Operations

Both cloud kitchens and quick service restaurants work well in multi-brand operations. Any food outlet with multi-brands can help in serving the customers broadly. When a family visits a QSR or orders from a cloud kitchen, different family members have different taste preferences. Therefore, each restaurant concept with multi-brand operations is going to help you serve your customers better.

2. Unique menu & niche positioning

The menu for both cloud kitchen and a quick service restaurant must be small and niche. A large menu may hamper the speed of the operations. One brand of either or cloud kitchen or quick service restaurant must cater to a niche market only. Preparing multiple categories of food items demands more investment in menu engineering and kitchen equipment. Therefore, understand the importance of the short menu in each restaurant concept. DNY Hospitality can avail kitchen equipment, kitchen planning, and food technology to develop the right kitchen.

3. Operating Procedures

The operating procedures in each restaurant concept must be simple. Train all the staff members to be able to work in all the departments. One must be able to take the orders and do the billing, prepare meals, pack them, clean the area, go shopping, etc. The simpler the procedure, the smoother the operations and the more the revenue.

4. Rigorous Training

While performing the brand ideation and analyzing the feasibility of the restaurant concept proposed by you to DNY Hospitality, we explain the importance of rigorous training and necessary formalities. Training is necessary to keep the hands working all the time. The customers can start placing the orders as soon as the outlet opens during the lunch hours till 11:00 p.m. or till whenever the services are given. An only well-trained staff can manage this workload with a happy mood.

5. Co-existence of QSR and Cloud Kitchen restaurant concept

In QSR v/s cloud kitchen, both the restaurant concepts can easily survive with each other on the same roof. You may choose to establish a restaurant with quick service for a food item or brand that you heartily wish to serve with a physical appearance at a mall or a public place. You may also invest in a cloud kitchen model along with the same kitchen preparing meals for QSR.

6. Marketing

Marketing is making the right product to reach the right customer at the right time in the right manner. Creativity and consistency are two factors to achieve the desired results through marketing. Quick service restaurants require digital marketing as well as outdoor marketing to an extent. The Cloud kitchen restaurant concept is also heavily dependent on a systematic digital marketing campaign. It is almost impossible to survive without marketing in both of them.

Differences Between Cloud Kitchens and QSR

Physical Appearance

Monthly Rent

Capital Investment

Expand-ability

Operational Space

Operational Costs

Cuisines

Dine-in Space

Number of Employees

Physical     Appearance

The first point of difference between QSR and Cloud kitchen is that a cloud kitchen restaurant concept does not have a physical appearance in front of the customers at a public place. On the contrary, a restaurant business with quick service is a place where customers can go and order food. It provides space for the customers to sit.

Monthly Rent

The second point of difference between QSR and Cloud kitchen is monthly rent that shows high levels of differences. The rent of a location depends on profitability. The restaurant concept with quick service can give profits at a prominent location like a mall or a well-established food zone. Therefore, the monthly rental charges of a QSR are far more than a cloud kitchen model.

Capital Investment

The third point of difference between QSR and cloud kitchen is the capital investment. For a cloud kitchen, it is as less as Rs. 6-7 lacs for a single brand whereas the capital investment for a restaurant concept with quick service can be extremely high. It depends on various factors like the area, food items, kitchen equipment, interior cost, facade, branding & designing, etc. A tentative amount to begin a QSR is around 20 lacs & more.

Expandability

The next point of difference between QSR and cloud kitchen is related to expansion. Expandability is present in both types of the restaurant concept. However, its cost has huge differences in a QSR and a cloud kitchen model. The expansion of a cloud kitchen easier because it does not need much area to operate. The same kitchen equipment can also be utilized partially for creating multiple brands. If you invest in multi-brand cloud kitchen offered by DNY hospitality, you can begin with 3 brands only in the investment of 7.5-8 lacs. If you want to build your own brand, You can also begin a cloud kitchen under 5 lacs with 5 amazing hacks.

Operational Space

The operational space for a quick service model is more than is necessary for a cloud kitchen business model. The restaurant concept of a multi-brand cloud kitchen also does not require huge operational space. It seems miraculously unbelievable, but it is true. If the brands are chosen carefully according to the space available and the preferences of people in your city, the operational space required can be very less. This will also decrease the amount of rent that is indirectly proportional to revenue and profits.

Operational Costs

Operational costs in a quick service restaurant concept involve the staff members to attend the customers, cleaning staff for the space occupied by the customers, the utensils for cutlery to serve food, electricity charges, the interior decoration, furniture, etc. In a cloud kitchen restaurant concept, one only needs to follow the branding and designing of the interior of the cloud kitchen model for the employees. The furniture and interior must correspond with the logo and designs of the brand.

Cuisines

The most prominent cuisines for a quick service restaurant are ice creams, eggs, juices, pizzas, burgers, hot beverages like tea and coffee, Maggi, etc. All these taste best when consumed fresh, hot, or cold. In the cloud kitchen restaurant concept, one can rely on grilled, baked, boiled, fried food items. This is one more point of difference between QSR and the cloud kitchen.

Dine-in Space

Quick service restaurants offer some room for seating arrangements and consumption. The cloud kitchen restaurant concept is based on a restaurant that has no space for dining-in. However, it has the capability to appeal to the taste buds of its target customers and consumers. DNY Hospitality offers QSR & Cafe consulting, cloud kitchen consulting, restaurant consulting and cloud kitchen franchise. Our offerings in restaurant establishment business consultation are comprehensive.

Number of Employees

The number of employees in a cloud kitchen is lesser as compared to a restaurant with quick service. The cloud kitchen restaurant concept can operate well even into 2-3 staff members provided the restaurant has sufficient automation. On the contrary, a quick-service restaurant requires the staff of at least 8-10 people to provide backend and frontend support.

Conclusion

The recent concept of cloud kitchen can help you establish a single brand as well as a multi-brand cloud kitchen model. You can lead the industry by taking a cloud kitchen franchise only in 7.5-8 lacs. The benefits of DNY Hospitality are no franchise fee for first 20 outlets. The restaurant concept of quick service can help in giving your brand visibility but at a huge cost. You must follow your business ideas according to your vision, interest, and most importantly passion. If you do so, nothing can stop you from getting successful and DNY Hospitality would consider itself fortunate to support you.

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Best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX

Restaurants In Mazatlan MX – Mazatlán may be a popular tourist destination for several holidaymakers, especially given its close proximity to the Lower California peninsula and therefore the number of cruise liners that dock there. Situated on the coastline of Sinaloa, a northern state, there is obviously an abundance of waterfront dining and drinking options during this city which is crying bent be visited.

Find below Best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX (Mexico)

DOCK7

Enjoy a shocking view over Mazatlán marina at this fantastic seafood find, with cannon fodder and cold beers. We recommend posing for the DOCK7 daily specials, but they even have such delights as freshly seared tuna and even fish and chips for the homesick Brit holidaying during this Sinaloan seaside town. The wait staff is attentive and therefore the atmosphere is basically amazing, to not mention that marina view when the sun sets and transforms the boats into shadowy silhouettes. Sit under the palapa and luxuriate in the cooling breeze as you admire the waterfront location and fresh seafood.

El Presidio

The first best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX is El Presidio. Located during a phenomenal, historic, 1876 Mazatlán building within the heart of Centro Historico, El Presidio may be a spectacle restaurant with tremendous character and great food. I really like sitting at their righteous bar to grab a couple of drinks. The restaurant offers indoor/outdoor seating in an open-air setting.

Mariscos La Puntilla

For anyone just visiting Mazatlán thanks to a fast ferry stop, who still wants both excellent waterfront dining and fresh seafood, Mariscos La Puntilla is that the ideal place. Situated on the brink of the terminal, Mariscos features a brilliant atmosphere and a wealth of both locals and tourists dining together on some affordable and flavorsome seafood dishes. The range of shrimp options is superb, as is that the traditional Mazatlán specialty Pescado zarandeado.

See Also:

Info about Renting a car in Los Cabos

You must try Some of Cancun Mexico Restaurant menu

Pancho’s (Restaurants In Mazatlan MX)

Pancho’s is another one among those Mazatlán staples and permanently reasons. they provide consistently great Mexican food at a reasonable price. Plus, We really like sitting outside facing the ocean for breakfast, lunch or dinner.

Cilantro’s

The next best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX is Cilantro’s. It’s located in Pueblo Bonito Hotel, Cilantro’s maybe a great waterfront dining option as long as it sits right at the water’s edge and provides absolutely beautiful views over the ocean. Sit within the outdoors, under the thatched palapa style roof to enjoy your meal, and check out to form a reservation for around an hour before sunset to urge the foremost out of your visit to the present great little spot. As for the food, it rivals the view.

Casa Loma

Located off the beaten track on a quiet road, Casa Loma may be a classic Mazatlán restaurant that stands the test of your time . My wife and that i always love their table-made Caesar and hearts of palm salads. The house special, pescado flamando, is muy delicioso.

El Muchacho Alegre

El Muchacho Alegre is perfectly located during a prime spot on the beach in Mazatlán, and alongside the chilled-to-perfection beers, they also offer seafood dishes. For a buzzing and convivial atmosphere, this is often the spot to be, especially as long as they frequently host live banda music. You’ll leave feeling you actually got a taste of the normal Mazatlán vibe at this beachside bar, as despite simple appearances it’s pretty authentic and popular among locals too.

Casa 46 (Restaurants In Mazatlan MX)

The next best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX is Casa 46. Awesome location overlooking Plaza Machado and doubtless one among the foremost high-end, fine dining experiences in Mazatlán. you’ll sit inside the restaurant, which is elegant, but my recommendation would be to take a seat outside and absorb the views and energy from Plaza Machado. remember that there are two flights of steps to urge to the restaurant and no elevator.

La Concha

The oceanfront restaurant of El Cid El Moro Beach Hotel, La Concha features a prime spot overlooking the crashing waves and benefits from the nice and cozy tropical breezes, bound to cause you to desire you’re dining in paradise. also because of the restaurant, there’s also a poolside bar incorporated into this highly recommended location, meaning you’ll relax with a drink after dinner, or maybe just pop by for a nightcap before bed. The food offers something for everybody, as long as they need a world menu, so you won’t be stuck for choice.

El Cuchupetas (Restaurants In Mazatlan MX)

Located in Villa Union, this is often Sinaloan cuisine at its best! Dignitaries and even the president of Mexico are frequent guests. Major local scene. Lunch only. well worth the effort! The scallops are the most important, freshest, and tastiest I’ve ever eaten and therefore the Governor’s Tacos are to die for. Actually, everything is incredible.

El Parador Espanol

The next best Restaurants In Mazatlan MX is El Parador Espanol. Paella is one among my favorite dishes, and nobody does it better than Chef Julian Portugal. who learned the art of Spanish cuisine while living in Spain. Luckily for us, he brought his culinary skills and Spanish cuisine to Mazatlán. After over 20 years since its opening. El Parador continues to supply a good sort of Spanish and international fare, starting with salads, pasta, tapas, and beef cuts to a vast number of exquisite combinations of aromas, flavors, and textures.

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Although it seems to be a well-known tourist destination along the French Riviera, Marseille is still thought of by many people as nothing more than a crowded,

over-hyped merchant city influenced by the colorful daytime antics of fishermen and salesmen. It’s not entirely wrong: Marseille obviously retains an important role as a strategic Mediterranean port. Yet that very spirit, combined with the cultural mix that is so typical of the area, also helps to color the city’s rich and meaningful nightlife. Read on to discover some of the best things to do in Marseille, France at night.

1. Check out the Festival de Marseille

Marseille’s signature festival is a nearly month-long event celebrating the richness of cultural arts to be found all over the city. The project was born out of a desire to create a more tolerant and open artistic community that would serve as a safe space for the exchange of ideas. Each year spectators look forward to a plethora of film screenings, concerts, and special performances.

2. Explore the local art scene

There’s something decidedly nostalgic about the city of Marseille. Blame it on the crowded bazaars, the over-worked harbor, the tasty cuisine, or the deep blue waters of the nearby sea.

No one can say with any certainty just what it is that makes Marseille such an attractive setting, but it has certainly served as a source of inspiration for countless artistic musings. Take part in its enchanting art world by visiting local galleries, like the Galerie of Marseille, La Maison de l'Artisanat et des Metiers d'Art and the Bureau des Compétences et Désirs.

3. Relax into the literary wonders of Marseille

France has been known to churn out some of the most talented literary pioneers in history, a tradition that seems to be very much alive and well within the southern port city of Marseille. Marseille is home to the Centre International de Poésie, a lively cultural space which hosts special poetry readings and meet ups for those looking to be transported through time and space by the spoken word. The center also offers a free library that boasts an extensive collection of anglophone works

4. Enjoy splendid theatrical performances

Yet another thing that complements Marseille’s nightlife is its abundance of live performance venues. These include such wonders as the Théâtre de l'Odéon and La Criée, the national theatre of Marseille. Both showcase a variety of local talent: from tragedies and dramas to orchestral concerts, ballets, and operas. A popular spot for cabaret dancing, Le Théâtre de Tatie also comes highly recommended.

5. Find comedic relief

Escape the everyday worries and stressors of travel with a visit to Marseille’s most popular comedy joint, La Quai du Rire. Part cafe, part comedy club, this chilled out venue spotlights local, up-and-coming standup comedians and hosts unforgettable comedic theatre performances.

6. Follow the sound of music

In addition to a host of other advantages, Marseille also boasts a particularly explosive music scene that is best witnessed over at the popular warehouse-turned-concert-hall, Dock des Suds. With an emphasis on both local and international rhythms, musical genres here are no less diverse than the artists and the locals themselves. Meanwhile Marseille’s opera house and Le Cri du Port jazz bar are also popular venues for all those who share a penchant for the music arts.

7. Karaoke

Think you’ve got what it takes to go up against the pros? Then head over to Chez Ida, a favorite local karaoke bar where jolly tourists and locals go to belt out some of the most gleefully obnoxious ballads of the past several decades. Be sure to expect a constant stream of patrons, all ready to sing the night away in drunken revelry.

Idas has set itself apart from other establishments because it serves as both a traditional-style Marseillaise restaurant and karaoke venue with a small dance floor for the rhythmically-inclined. It is, indeed, so popular that weekend table reservations are all but necessary.

8. Wine and dine

Whenever you’re ready to relax and unwind there are few things better than a glass of wine paired with an irresistible platter of fresh, local cheeses. Enjoy all this and more at La Part des Anges wine bar. Also, on the swankier side of things there’s Intercontinental’s highly-acclaimed rooftop bar, Le Capian, where the luckiest travelers in town go for cocktails and appetizers. Both places are excellent precursors to a night on the town.

9. Bars, clubs, and discothèques

One amazing advantage of visiting Marseille is its incredibly active after-hours scene. There is a long list of bars, nightclubs, and other establishments to be appreciated, each one vying for a spot near the very top. Among these are le WhiskyBar and La Dame Noire, which are both celebrated for good food and even better vibes. Better, yet, escape the ordinary over at New Cancan, a widely known LGBT nightclub with special themed nights and animated live music performances.

Read also: Top 10 things to do in Toulouse, France

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Where to Drink the Best Natural Wine in Copenhagen

What is natural wine, or naturvin, and why do Danes love it so much? As a city famed for its beer traditions, Copenhagen isn’t somewhere you’d expect to find a thriving wine scene. But while the French revere classic Bordeauxes and Italians praise Tuscan reds, Danes have a special penchant for natural wines.

Natural wine producers don’t work with industrial pesticides or preservatives. Instead, they use environmentally sensitive cultivation methods and native yeasts during fermentation. Experts say this practice creates wines closely reflecting the climate and ecology of individual vineyards.

In Denmark, members of the New Nordic culinary movement were some of the first to bring natural wines to the public’s attention. Chefs offering dishes with sustainable, seasonal ingredients sought beverages with similar properties, and found natural wine to be the perfect accompaniment.

Copenhagen’s natural wine scene is now one of the most dynamic in Europe. These are the best spots in the city to enjoy a glass or bottle of natural wine (naturvin):

  Den Vandrette

Rosforth & Rosforth, one of Denmark’s oldest natural wine importers, owns Den Vandrette, a bar and restaurant located close to Nyhavn’s seaward entrance.

“Sune Rosforth started importing natural wines in the early 90s,” explains Anders Duedam, Den Vandrette’s manager. “He’s half French and originally sourced his wines from the Loire valley. This bar has only ever been about natural wines.”

  With links to producers all over the world, Den Vandrette’s wine selection is often eclectic. “We import a lot of wine from Georgia,” says Anders. “The country is really important within natural wine these days, and I think we, with Sune Rosforth, have been a big part of that.”

These wines also influence the restaurant’s cuisine: “Two weeks ago we did a whole Georgian week – full Georgian wine list, full Georgian menu,” Anders adds.

    Den Vandrette’s day-to-day menu features a range of small sharing dishes. “We’re pretty fish and vegetable-focused,” Anders says. “But we have a new head chef, Dave Harrison, who worked at Au Passage in Paris for six years. He likes to do homemade charcuterie, using whole animals and game as much as possible.”

Something to drink:

  1. Rkatsiteli-Mtsvane: “GoGo” 2017; Kakheti, Georgia; Rkatsiteli and Saperavi 75 DKK per glass, 375 per bottle

2. Laureano: “terme de guiu” 2017; Catalonia, Spain; Macabeo, Granache blanca 90 DKK per glass, 450 per bottle

3. Belloti: Rosso Étoile du Raisin 2007, Piemonte, Italy; Barbera 150 per glass; 750 per bottle

  Den Vandrette

Havnegade 53A 1058 København K

Opening Hours: Mon – Sat 4:00 – 11:00 pm Sun Closed  

    Ved Stranden 10

Ved Stranden 10, an elegant wine bar that overlooks Christiansborg Palace, was one of the first to fully embrace natural wines in Copenhagen.

“When we opened in 2009, the wines we enjoyed happened to be made with a sense of responsibility for the environment and weren’t full of chemicals and preservatives,” explains manager Maurice Chapman. “Today, each of the wines we have here conveys a sense of time and place; when they were harvested and from where.”

With one of the city’s most extensive cellars, Maurice works closely with his guests to satisfy their needs. “We have 1700 references but no wine list,” he says. “So it requires quite a lot on our part to decipher what our guest are after.”

  He continues, “we’re happy to give as many options as it takes to find something that’s agreeable, and the longer one works here, the better one gets at saying, “Ah! I know just what you want.”

Ved Stranden 10 also offers a range of French-influenced dishes, including charcuterie, cheeses, and their famous croque monsieur.

Something to drink:

  1. White Ecke; Niederösterreich, Austria; Welschriesling, Röter Veltliner 75 DKK per glass, 375 DKK per bottle

2. Cuvée 910; Macon, France; Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Gamay 135 DKK per glass, 675 DKK per bottle

3. Sønne; Steierland, Austria; Sauvignon Blanc 145 DKK per glass, 695 DKK per bottle

  Ved Stranden 10

Ved Stranden 10 1061 København K

Opening hours: Mon – Sat 12:00 – 10:00 pm Sun Closed  

    Pompette

Before co-founding Pompette, Martin Ho spent ten years working with natural wines and their producers across Europe and the US. On returning to Copenhagen, he was surprised by the high cost.

“In France, most good natural winemakers sell their bottles for around five to fifteen euros,” he says, “but by the time they were reaching consumers in Denmark, I found they weren’t accessibly priced anymore. My partner and I wanted Pompette to be a place that made natural wines available to everyone, the way the winemakers intended.”

When Martin opened Pompette with his business partner Jesper Emil Norrie last year, they listed wines at 50 kroner per glass. “At 50 kroner, anyone can come on board,” Martin says.

  He continues: “With fair markups and brutally honest pricing, we’re not making a crazy profit. But who cares when almost anyone can come and enjoy it. Price should never be a barrier for trying natural wine.”

Guests at Pompette can also buy bottles to take home and snack on a range of appetizers, including cheeses and charcuterie, a concept inspired by France’s “cave” wine stores.

Something to drink:

  1. Janko Stekar: Sivi Pinot 2017; Goriska Brda, Slovenia; Pinot Gris 50 DKK per glass, 260 DKK per bottle

2. Weingut Brand: Riesling Free 2018; Pfalz, Germany; Riesling 50 DKK per glass, 272 DKK per bottle

3. Anna & Martin Arndorfer: Pompette Orange 2017; Kamptal, Austria; Gelber Muskateller, Muller-Thurgau, Grüner Veltliner 50 DKK per glass, 316 DKK per bottle

Pompette

Møllegade 3 2200 København N

Opening Hours: Everyday 2:00 pm – midnight  

    Vinsupernatural

After working for several years in fashion and design, Jonathan Soriano established Vinsupernatural, a bottle shop combined with a lifestyle store and deli, with his business partners Joachim Friis & Lars Christensen in January 2019.

“This place is a concept store that’s rooted in natural wines; we’re using the wines to open up other spaces and new ideas,” he explains.

“Here, we identify ourselves more as customers, as aficionados who are working with wines. In other stores, they’ll inform you about the terroir, the history, the grapes. We’re the guys who’ll ask: ‘What’s your favorite junk food?’ ‘What do you like to do when you don’t drink wine?’ We’re more focused on life – this is basically our 360,” Jonathan says.

  Besides its numerous side projects, including pop-up events and product launches, Vinsupernatural holds an enviable wine collection.

“We’re a great entry-level place; we have so many people who are new to natural wines coming here,” Jonathan says. “But we also have many people who are down with natural wines coming here, because we have a selection that others don’t.”

Something to drink:

  1. Dom. des Sarradels; France; Roussillon, Grenache; 125 DKK per bottle

2. Peach of Mind; Ardeche, France; Syrah, Viognier; 200 DKK per bottle

3. Skeveldra; France; Sancerre, Sauvignon Blanc; 310 DKK per bottle

  Vinsupernaturel

Gl. Kongevej 37 1610 København V

Opening Hours: Mon 2:00 – 4:30 pm Tues & Weds 2:00 – 5:30 pm Thurs & Fri 2:00 – 7:00 pm Sat 12:00 – 5:00 pm Sun Closed  

    Manfreds

Manfreds, which opened on Jægersborggade in 2010, was one of the initial restaurants to integrate natural wines within its food menu, an approach extending from its “farm to table” ethos.

“When we opened, Christian Puglisi [Manfred’s owner] wanted to serve as much organic food as possible to guests,” explains Isacco Bartolini, the restaurant’s beverage director. “And later, after the Relæ Community acquired its own organic farm, it was equally important to focus on wines that were free from industrial manipulation – that reflected the terroir, the soil where they were harvested.”

The process of pairing natural wines with dishes in Manfreds, the sister restaurant (and across-the-streeet neighbour) to Michelin-starred Relæ, is unique to each guest.

  “At Manfreds, we have a tasting menu that you can combine with ‘the sommelier’s choice’, which is a set of three different wines by the glass,” Isacco explains. “But if you order à la carte, it’s more common that we’ll direct you to wines that simply follow the flow of your dining experience.”

“Compared with Relæ, where you receive a glass of wine with each dish, it’s a bit more relaxed and freestyle,” he adds. If you don’t feel like a full meal, you can take a seat at the bar and enjoy a glass or two.

Something to drink:

  1. Etienne Courtois: Cuvée des Etourneaux 2014; Solonge, France; Gamay; 125 DKK per glass, 625 DKK per bottle

2. Jean Yves Peron: Cotillon des Dames 2013; Savoy, France; Jacquere; 775 DKK per bottle

3. Colombaia: Vigna Nuova 2016, Colle Val d’Elsa, Italy; Sangiovese; 85 DKK per glass, 425 DKK per bottle

  Manfreds

Jægersborggade 40 2200 København N

Opening Hours: Everyday 12:00 – 3:30 pm (lunch) 5:00 – 10:00 pm (dinner)  

    Peryton

Nick Garner opened Peryton in 2017, a wine bar equipped with a basement art space and its own publication, Oberon.

“When we make a magazine, we have the idea for what we want the vibe to be, but we work with specialists in certain fields,” he explains. “And that’s also what we do with the wines at Pertyon.”

  Nick continues, “I’m not a wine nerd; I’m an enthusiast. So I pick the styles I like and work with those who are super passionate about their products.”

Alongside his food options, which include salads, toasted sandwiches, and bar snacks, Nick offers ten natural wines, a selection he consciously limits. “I want a simple menu that has good, reliable wines on it,” he says. “I’m a little bit turned off by the bourgeois nature of natural wine, so there’s a philosophy behind it: to be straight forward.”

  Nick also holds regular events at Peryton. “We do lots of experimental music evenings which go really well with natural wine, activating the setting in a cultural way,” he says. “But the main idea is to offer a social space for people to meet.”

Something to drink:

  1. Nagelsbjerg Vin: “Amager Wildstyle”; sparkling apple wine from the southern tip of Amager, Denmark; Spontaneous fermentation, no added sulfite 80 DKK per glass, 300 DKK per bottle

2. Eric Kamm: Riesling Sec; Alsace, France 90 DKK per glass, 450 DKK per bottle

3. Viña Sanroke’s “Kilako Espumante”; Itata Valley, Chili; Moscatel de Alejandría 90 DKK per glass, 450 DKK per bottle

  Peryton

Dronningens Tværgade 52 1302 København K

Opening Hours: Weds – Sat 3:00 pm – “late” Sat 1:00 pm – midnight Sun – Tues Closed  

    Ancestrale

Johann Duedahl Jacobsen, Ancestrale’s co-owner, came across natural wines during the latter days of his formal education as a chef and waiter.

“I was trained ‘classically,’ and I’ve tried almost anything you can think of – all the big-name wines in the most peculiar vintages,” he says. “But just as I was about to finish my apprenticeships, I tasted some wines made without herbicides or pesticides, made with indigenous yeast. They stood out to me, and I’ve loved them ever since.”

  Later founding Ancestrale in Vesterbro, Johann stresses the wide-ranging merits of natural wines to his guests via his selection.

“We want to emphasize the quality in wines made via biodynamic practices,” he says. “All of our wines are organic or biodynamic, and we see a future within sustainable approaches to farming and agriculture. It’s what we find interesting in our personal lives and everyday work, and it makes sense for us to promote these values through our small business.”

The wine bar also offers five small dishes, which can be bought singularly for 95 kroner or together for 375 kroner.

Something to drink:

    1. Weingut Brand; Pfalz, Germany; Pinot Blanc 400 DKK per bottle

2. Matassa: Marguerite; Côtes Catalanes, France; Muscat, Viognier, Macabeu 600 DKK per bottle

3. Sextant: Monthélie premier cru; Burgundy, France; Pinot Noir 800 DKK per bottle

  Ancestrale

Oehlenschlægersgade 12 1663 København V

Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 16:00 – 23:00 Fri & Sat 16:00 – 24:00 Sun Closed  

    Mother Wine

David Biffani co-founded Mother Wine alongside his successful Italian restaurant, Mother, in 2009, during the early years of Copenhagen’s gastronomic revolution.

“What we liked about natural wines was that they offered something new and different each year,” he explains. “Natural wines aren’t supposed to please the market but reflect their environment; we took a similar approach with our food.”

Mother Wine stocks natural, organic and biodynamic bottles from Italy. David and his business partner Nick Pound were among the first to bring these products to Denmark.

  “We started importing wines from day one of opening,” he says, “but at the time, the producers in Italy were quite timid.”

“The first contract we secured was with Lorano, a producer in the Marche region. After trying their wines, we realized the flavors were changing with every sip, and that’s when we knew we wanted this experience every time,” David recalls.

While Mother Wine holds some exclusive brands, David’s philosophy focuses on accessibility: “We’re trying to put natural wine within the everyday context because we think everybody deserves something good to drink,” he says.

Something to drink:

  1. Piccolo Bacco dei Quaroni; Lombardy, Italy; Pinot Nero; 75DKK per glass (restaurant price) 110 DKK per bottle (shop price)

2. Lorano 2014; Marche, Italy; Sangiovese; 95 DKK per glass (restaurant price) 220 DKK per bottle (shop price)

3. Habemus 2012; Lazio, Italy; Granache, Sirah, Carignan 430 DKK per bottle (shop price)

  Mother Wine

Gammel Mønt 33 1117 København K

Wine Bar Opening Hours: Mon – Thurs 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Fri – Sat 10:00 am – 10:00 pm Sun Closed

Mother

Høkerboderne 9 1712 København V

Restaurant Opening Hours: Everyday 11:00 – 1:00 am

    Honorable mentions

This isn’t all! The natural wine scene is continuously growing here in Copenahgen. We also highly recommend Barabba, Gaarden & Gaden and Apollo Bar. And of course, there’s always more to come!

Want more wine in Copenhagen? Check out our recommendations for the best wine bars. Not into wine? Try these beer or cocktail bars instead!

Where to Drink the Best Natural Wine in Copenhagen published first on https://medium.com/@OCEANDREAMCHARTERS

[thebestintoronto]

12 Of The Best Restaurants In Toronto For Every Taste & Budget

The variety and quality of dining options in Toronto has developed a lot over the past several years. Notoriously hip neighborhoods like Queen Street West have long been a haven of delicious grub, but the foodie bug in Toronto is spreading like an epidemic. Just like the city itself, Toronto’s food scene is strengthened by its boundless international influence, which brings some of the best cuisine from every corner of the world right to our doorstep. It's hard to imagine being any more spoiled.

For even more options, check out 10 More Of The Best Restaurants In Toronto For Every Taste & Budget.

The first twenty years of my life were passed either in the heart of Toronto or on its outskirts, so I know the city well. Many of my summers have been spent cycling along the downtown Victorian homes, with weekends on the beaches of Toronto Island. My corporate flights concierge Yore Oyster is based in Toronto, as is Storied Agency, where I’m a partner, so the city is very much my home. With that said, I wanted to represent a variety of opinions in choosing the best restaurants in Toronto, so I turned to some of the city’s top food experts and influencers for their thoughts. These are their selections for 12 of the best restaurants in Toronto, for every palate and budget.

Where: Ethiopiques

Recommended By: Lisa Zhou eats, cooks and blogs about it. She believes in eating whole foods and is determined to inspire others to live a healthier lifestyle.

Why: Taste authentic Ethiopian food with your hands and enjoy a traditional coffee ceremony accompanied by delicious roasted grains.

227 Church St, 416-623-7300

Where: Rasa

Recommended By: Abbey Sharp is a Registered Dietitian, TV spokesperson, YouTuber, food writer and blogger. Her first Penguin cookbook, Mindful Glow, is due in stores 2018.

Why: Rasa is one of my favourite hang outs for dinner, lunch or brunch because even when its undoubtedly indulgent, it feels deliciously healthy and fresh. At dinner or lunch, their Chopped Salad with crispy Harissa chickpeas, sumac and a smear of jalapeño feta will make any carnivore a veggie-fan. At brunch, their Oatmeal Waffle with rhubarb compote and granola is a total treat. Don’t forget to order a side of their Schmaltz potatoes—you’ll probably not want to share.

196 Robert St, 647-350-8221

Where: Superpoint

Recommended By: TasteToronto creates and curates crowdsourced content to reveal the best restaurants, chefs, dishes and local food events in Toronto.

Why: Serving up slices to go by day, this trendy, exposed-brick locale offers Italian fare at night. Go for: The pizza.

184 Ossington Ave, 416-519-6996

Where: Bar Raval

Recommended By: Diala Canelo, a food and travel blogger, loves exploring new cities via their vibrant food scene. She’s currently working on her first cookbook.

Why: The best tapas in the city, even better than some of the ones I've tried in Barcelona. Make sure to order the hot octopus.

505 College St, 647-344-8001

Where: Yasu

Recommended By: xiaoEats is a Toronto-based food blogger obsessed with noodles, runny eggs, sushi and all things sweet.

Why: Yasu, a Japanese restaurant offering only omakase, is a perfect example of what I love about Toronto restaurants. From the intimate sushi bar seating to the exquisite, high-quality ingredients, experience an authentic multi-course meal of edomae style sushi without crossing the ocean.

81 Harbord St, 416-477-2361

Where: Omai

Recommended By: On top of being a full-time physiotherapist, Hubert Leung has shared his honest, entertaining experiences of the food scene in Toronto for the past 8 years.

Why: A cozy sake bar in the Baldwin Village area that specializes in temaki—authentic Japanese hand rolls. Great selection of sake and snack dishes like Fingerling Fries with cod roe mayo.

3 Baldwin St, 647-341-7766

Where: Kiin

Recommended By: Grace Pan is a content creator, digital marketing strategist, and event planner based in Toronto.

Why: There's a whole other world of traditional Thai dishes most of us have yet to discover, and Kiin is where you can get an authentic taste of it. Chef Nuit Regular incorporated the rare art of Royal Thai cuisine into the menu with flavours that will explode in your mouth. Every item's ingredients are so simple yet so incredibly delicate and delicious.

326 Adelaide St W, 647-490-5040

Where: Wilbur Mexicana

Recommended By: Started by Kim & Cyrus' love for trying new food, @TOFoodDates is an Instagram account that highlights the top food date spots in the Greater Toronto Area.

Why: Located in the heart of Toronto’s entertainment district, Wilbur Mexicana has some of the freshest and most unique-flavored tacos we’ve ever tried in the city. We highly recommend the Baja Fish Taco and trying out the complimentary self-serve salsa bar!

552 King St W, 416-792-1878

Where: Cafe Cancan

Recommended By: TasteToronto creates and curates crowdsourced content to reveal the best restaurants, chefs, dishes and local food events in Toronto.

Why: Pastel-hued dining room with a patio serving contemporary takes on French bistro staples. Go for: The French bistro vibe.

89 Harbord St, 647-341-3100

Where: Buca

Recommended By: Both the noodle-obsessed xiaoEats and future cookbook author Abbey Sharp.

xiaoEats’ Reasoning: Buca transports diners to Italy with their amazing house-made pastas and salumi bar. All of their sides are must-orders, from the warm bread knots covered with olive oil, rosemary and garlic to the smoked olives.

Abbey’s Reasoning: Buca has consistently top notch service, and beautiful food to match. Their pizzas are perfectly cooked throughout--no soggy middle--with bold flavour pairings on each one. Ask for the Scarmoza with smoked mozzarella, salumi and pepperoni if you like a little kick. Buca’s Yorkville location is particularly known for their seafood, so don’t miss the table-side deboned whole fish specials, or the seafood charcuterie.

53 Scollard Street, 416-962-2822

Where: Adamson Barbecue

Recommended By: On top of being a full-time physiotherapist, Hubert Leung has shared his honest, entertaining experiences of the food scene in Toronto for the past 8 years.

Why: The go-to spot in Toronto for Texas-style smoked BBQ. This place pumps out delicious cuts of meat like smoked brisket, ribs, turkey and sausage, all sold by the pound or by platters. You can even enjoy some of their signature smoked meats on pizza at Conspiracy Pizza next door.

176 Wicksteed Ave, 647-559-2080

Where: JaBistro

Recommended By: Started by Kim & Cyrus' love for trying new food, @TOFoodDates is an Instagram account that highlights the top food date spots in the Greater Toronto Area.

Why: Having tried their prix fixe menu, JaBistro's high end restaurant provides a sophisticated approach to traditional Japanese fine dining. With their fish imported from Spain and Japan and hand-crafted by top quality chefs, this omakase-like experience has changed our view of sushi.

222 Richmond St W, 647-748-0222

This article " 12 Of The Best Restaurants In Toronto For Every Taste & Budget" was first seen in www.forbes.com by Jordan Bishop

  The IV Lounge - IV Therapy Toronto Service Provider

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Type of Venue: Dessert stall Cuisine: Desserts Highly Recommended: Frozen Cheesecake on a stick (Golden Gaytime), Waffle on a stick (Nutella & Strawberry), Corn on the cob (Dorito crumb), Ferro Rocher Milkshake

Who knew that sticking cheesecake and waffles on a stick could make dessert so much better! Stix is the new must-try dessert stall in Melbourne, offering extravagant sweet treats from a humble setup inside a small parking lot in Coburg.

Inspired by a similar concept in America, Lisa and her partner have cornered this niche market in Melbourne, giving the food capital of Australia something to talk about. Made to order, choose from frozen cheesecake (imported in, with both vegan and vegan & gluten-free varieties available), waffle or corn on the cob, followed by the flavour topping you would like. Vegan and/or gluten-free toppings are also available, along with hot drinks (including coffee) and house made shakes.

Frozen Cheesecake on a stick – Oreo Crumble ($7.00)

Frozen Cheesecake on a stick – Golden Gaytime ($7.00)

Frozen Cheesecake on a stick – Snickers ($7.00)

Waffle on a stick – Nutella & Strawberry ($7.00)

Waffle on a stick – Hazelnut Crunch ($7.00)

If you need something savoury to balance out all the sweetness, Stix also offer corn on the cob, pierced with a stick, and coated in your choice of Doritos, Mexicana or Salt & Vinegar, or served plainly on its own. The most popular choice is the Doritos flavour, whereby the corn is smeared in a house made special sauce, sprinkled with crumbled Doritos, and finished with a drizzle of mustard that somehow elevates this unusual combination of flavours, sparking a newfound love for mustard, Doritos and corn. Even if you aren’t a huge fan of mustard, you must try this combination.

Corn on a Cob – Doritos ($6.00)

Thick and creamy in texture, their shakes are not to be missed either.

Ferrero Rocher Milkshake

Word is quickly spreading about Stix and their delectable desserts, making the experience of eating desserts with family and friends even more fun! A real community vibe is felt with their down-to-Earth location and friendly service, proving that a simple concept can become a viral crowd-pleaser for all ages to enjoy.

Note: I visited as a guest of Stix. Thank you to Lisa and her partner for their generous hospitality throughout our experience.

Stix 600 Sydney Road Coburg, VIC 3058 Hours: Daily 5pm-11:30pm.

Dessert on a stick... the best thing since sliced bread: Stix, Coburg. Type of Venue: Dessert stall Cuisine: Desserts Highly Recommended: Frozen Cheesecake on a stick (Golden Gaytime), Waffle on a stick (Nutella & Strawberry), Corn on the cob (Dorito crumb), Ferro Rocher Milkshake