Diana Laskaris

In England

Passionate Flavorful Pursuits in Northern England

While visiting gorgeous areas of Northern England, we met several people engaged in passionate flavorful pursuits in food and beverage. We thought you’d love to meet them. Here are a few of the tastemakers and their stories about what they’re doing in this fun and tasty place in the world.

Ambleforth Abbey

One of the unique places we visited in York, England combines education, religion, and fruity libations. An odd combination you might think? Think again! Ampleforth Abbey just outside the North York Moors National Park was established back in 1802. Monasteries have a long history of brewing some tasty drinks, and Ampleforth is no exception. Its wonderful orchard contains more than 40 different varieties of apple trees. This makes for a great resource in creating the famous award-winning Ampleforth Abbey Cider.

The monks of Ampleforth Abbey, have been growing apples for over 200 years. The monastery orchard has expanded to more than 2,000 apple trees covering over five acres. The orchard is now one of the largest commercial orchards in Northern England. In 2012, the Abbey joined forces with Little Valley Brewery to produce Ampleforth Abbey Beer based on a traditional Trappist style beer. The result was a winner. In fact, that year the Delicious Yorkshire Awards dubbed it Yorkshire’s Best Drink. Not a bad start.

Ambleforth Cider Selection Northern England — Ambleforth Cider Selection

Flavorful Ciders In Northern England

Local layman Tim Saxby has taken the Abbey by storm. He brings his passion for the orchard, cider-making, learning, and experimentation to this uniquely productive environment. In addition to award-winning beers and ciders, the Ampleforth Abbey also produces delicious spirits and liquors. Pear, peach and cherry brandy, a dry cider brandy (somewhere between Calvados and grappa), and apple liquor round out the current offerings. We suspect that there are already other ideas brewing at Ampleforth.

To be sure this beautiful historic attraction is there in the future, all profits from the sale of Ampleforth Monastic Produce go towards the upkeep and restoration of the Abbey and Monastery. We loved meeting Tim, seeing the orchards, and exploring the Abbey. We enjoyed spending time contemplating its historic connections and its new connections to contemporary life. The creative and talented folks making Ampleforth Abbey drinks bring history and modern tastes deliciously together in their flavorful pursuits.

Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

We love to cook with oil, but of course, that has its drawbacks. There are many kinds of oil, each with its own distinctive flavor and properties. Olive oil is such a healthful oil, but alas, it has a fairly low burn point. Same for coconut oil. Other oils have higher burn points, but they don’t really provide any flavor. When we were in Northern England, we discovered a whole new oil that got us thinking about all the wonderful ways we could use it – rapeseed oil.

If you live in the U.S. you may not be familiar with rapeseed oil – we weren’t. But upon learning more about it from the dedicated family and friends at Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, we’ve become raving fans. They produce award-winning oils, dressings and mayonnaise using the cold pressed process you would associate with the finest olive oils. And, rapeseed oil has half the saturated fat of olive oil, a high burn point, and a mild nutty flavor. Rapeseed oil is a new kitchen hero worthy of these flavorful pursuits.

Founders Adam and Jennie Palmer started Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil by going to a local farmer’s market. Their product was a hit and they grew the business from there. They’re passionate about the healthy uses of rapeseed oil. They care about sustainability and local British farming. As a result, they’ve become a fixture in the beautiful vicinity of the Yorkshire Wolds. They have a farm with also some 600 sheep and arable land to work. They also spend time educating children in sound farming and agricultural practices.

Rapeseed Oil in Northern England

We tasted several of the products, from extra virgin cold pressed rapeseed oil to oils with flavors ranging from mixed herbs to chili and spice. They also have some “deli” oils with unique flavors like lemon, basil or garlic. These are packaged to make great gifts. Or just enjoy using them in your own creative recipes. For those who want the oil used in a healthy condiment, they offer dressings made from their own home-crafted recipes. We loved the honey and mustard and fennel seed dressings. There’s even Yorkshire mayonnaise, plain with garlic, mustard or old smoked flavors, perfect for giving your sandwiches and salads a healthy little zing.

The process of making such carefully crafted oils takes time and patience. We walked through the process and felt the passion of these folks. That passion requires devotion, dedication and just plain hard work. We were thrilled to learn about a type of oil that offers a lot of the health advantages we’re looking for with a few surprising added benefits. If you check out their website you can learn more about Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil, their products and get some great ideas and recipes as well.

Staal Smokehouse

Once in a while, you meet people who just have to follow their passion no matter what. Justin and his wife Georgina opened Staal Smokehouse in Northern England because of such a passion. We visited Justin and got a sense of how they work magic with fish and meats in their exclusive, award-winning family business.

Sourcing the best quality products to work within their smokehouse is the first important part of the process. Staal sources almost all of their products from local farms. They dry cure their fish with sea salt and dark molasses sugar. They soak their poultry in a blended brine. Everything gets time to mature so that the flavors disperse evenly throughout the product. This takes time, but these flavorful pursuits are worth the effort.

Smoking Salmon in Northern England

Once they ready the food for smoking, they place it in a locally built kiln where a specific blend of apple wood and oak sawdust smolders until it generates a fine smoke that can permeate the product. They cold smoke the fish products but they add the further step of hot smoking to the poultry to add that depth of flavor. That extra time and effort make it a top of the line culinary delight. They then refrigerate the products to mature even more until they achieve the perfect blend of smoke and flavor.

Smoked Salmon from Staal Smokehouse Northern England — Smoked Salmon from Staal Smokehouse

Justin gave us a few tastes of duck, trout and salmon – he smoked them to perfection and they were absolutely delicious. If there’s a way to taste the love and care an artisan puts into the product, we tasted it there. They blend the subtle flavors of the woods, smokiness and high quality of the fish and poultry perfectly. While they might be somewhat secluded by their work in the smokehouse, the folks at Staal Smokehouse have decided that their flavorful pursuits are worth the time and effort.

To learn more about Staal Smokehouse and the individually crafted tasty products they produce, take a look at their great website. It’s full of information about Justin and Georgina and the smoking process. There are some great recipe ideas too. You’ll see more about how they’ve managed to live “The Dream” that encompasses their flavorful pursuits, a passion for great food and their experience in farming and fishing.

Ryedale Vineyards

How many people do you know who say they’d love to quit their jobs or retire and run a vineyard? Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. Well, we met Stuart and Elizabeth Smith, former educators who did just that. Not satisfied with the idea of having a little hobby vineyard, they’ve developed Ryedale Vineyards the largest vineyards in Northern England are currently the most northerly commercial vineyards in the UK. Make no small plans, as they say.

Surprised to discover that there’s wine coming from way up there? We were too. But we got a chance to enjoy a picnic with Stuart and Elizabeth, accompanied by a few of their tasty wines. Not only are their wines tasty, but they’ve won awards for their whites, reds, rosé and sparkling wines. They’re even creating ciders too. Certainly, Stuart’s flavorful pursuits in creating a world-class vineyard have culminated in his lifelong dream come true.

Ryedale Vineyards Northern England — Elizabeth Smith of Ryedale Vineyards

So, does this inspire you to jump out of your workaday world and into the romantic life of growing grapes and making wine? Whether you are or not, you need to know that it isn’t as easy as it might look. Stuart’s had a passion for vineyards and wine for years, supplying top quality grafted vines for over 20 years before making the leap to living the dream.

Wine in Northern England

Stuart gave us some insights into the process of making the award-winning wines. Elizabeth gave us a tour of the vines. It’s crazy to think that they’re growing so many grapes in Yorkshire, but that’s what makes Ryedale Vineyards so special. Elizabeth confessed that when they started, Stuart was the one with a passion for the business. But she learned quickly and we have to say that her knowledge of the vines and their fruit is second to none.

If you’re bitten by the vineyard bug, take a look at what these folks have done with their knowledge, experience, and passion. Even in a place, you would never expect it, Northern England, Ryedale Vineyards is proof that you can live the dream. They create award-winning wines in Northern England by working hard on that dream!

Surprising Northern England

Our time in Northern England was both delicious and eye-opening. We found that people with varied passions in the culinary world found ways to make them come true. Starting with a clear vision, gaining valuable and appropriate knowledge and plenty of elbow grease have led to the spectacular results we’ve described from these innovators. We hope you find their passionate flavorful pursuits as inspiring as we did.

Special thanks to Visit Britain! We were guests of Visit Britain on our visit to Northern England. We were not financially compensated. All opinions are our own and reflect our experiences at the time of our visit.

THE QUICK BITE: We visit a venerable old abbey producing wine, beer, and spirits, as well as the creative trailblazers behind a unique culinary oil, tasty smoked fish and poultry, and award-winning vineyards, all in the extraordinary environs of Northern England.

In Europe

Tiny but Mighty Tasty Piana Greece

By Diana Laskaris

Our accommodations were hosted by Real Greece Travel, but all opinions and suggestions are solely personal. We only recommend what we personally like and experience.

Where in the Heck is Piana, Greece?

Like many of you, we pride ourselves on finding destinations that are out of the ordinary, off the beaten, unique and memorable hidden gems. But even if we spent months scouring the broad array of diverse places to explore in the wonderful regions of Greece, it’s unlikely we would have determined to visit the charming and under the radar village of Piana, Greece.

Fortunately, our friends at Real Greece Travel, are pros at finding just these type of real Greek experiences. When Carole and Basil met in Chicago and fell in love even they couldn’t have predicted that they would end up owning multiple rental properties in Greece and becoming wonderful ambassadors of Greece for all their raving guests. What makes them perfectly equipped for this role is their love of Greece, their love of food, and of course their love of each other. Thanks to them we were introduced to Piana, Greece.

Carole and Basel Real Greece Travel. Photo courtesy of Real Greece Travel.

With only about 20 full-time residents, this tiny village in the Arcadia area of the Peloponnese is full of delights and surprises. We suspect that it is only known to those who have either happily stumbled on it while ambling around the great hiking of the area or, as in our case, have been introduced to it by knowledgeable locals with personal experience that they want to share with you.

Four Seasons of Greece

When many people think of Greece the images that come to mind are warm islands, blue waters, ancient ruins and the bustling metropolis of Athens. You may be surprised to learn that there are parts of Greece that experience four seasons and are so mountainous and even get snow in winter. Nestled into the Mainalos mountain range, Piana is such a place. And our fall visit provided us with yet another experience of the kaleidoscope that makes an authentic Hellenic experience so memorable and unique.

Hotel Papanikola in Piana, Greece

Although Piana is small, it has one thing that we most enjoy in any place that we visit. Wonderfully comfortable and welcoming accommodations. Here, the Hotel Papanikola fit the bill perfectly.

When you first arrive, you can’t help but breathe a sigh of delight. The welcoming main area of the guesthouse is more like a giant rustic living room, complete with super comfy seating of all kinds, bookshelves loaded with interesting titles, and a wood-burning fireplace. No matter where you’ve been or how you got there, you’ll want to plop down and relax for a while. It just feels like the thing you most want to do. Your bags will make their way to your room and you will check it out, but those sofas just beg to be lounged in right away.

Living Room at the Hotel Papanikola Piana Greece — Living Room at the Hotel Papanikola

We were warmly greeted by Dimitris Triantafyllidis and his wife, proprietors of the hotel. Our hosts referred to them as “Athens hipsters,” who came to support Demetris’ uncle, who owns the property. They are delightfully low-key, manage your check-in efficiently and let you gently slide into the relaxing ambiance without missing a beat.

Special Spirit and Spirits

One of the other great features of the Hotel Papanikola is a very well-stocked bar that adorns one side of the main room. Rakomelo is a local libation, in the form of a warm alcohol shot that we came to discover and enjoy. It consists of Tsipouro, a strong distilled Greek spirit made from the pomace or residue of the wine press, similar to the Italian Grappa. It comes in two varieties, with or without anise flavoring added.

Wonderful welcome at Hotel Papanikola in Piana Greece — Wonderful welcome at Hotel Papanikola

The Tsipouro is warmed and combined with honey, which is also a locally produced product and cinnamon or other local spices. This is a sipping shot drink rather than a shooting one. The Tsipouro has a high alcohol content of 40 or 45%, so together with the honey and spices, it will warm and relax you even in the height of winter. Full of antioxidants, we like to think that a little shot of Rakomelo has a health benefit, too.

We Went Nuts!

Another local specialty in the area is the walnut. We found a lovely bowl of shelled walnuts surrounded by a platter of whole walnuts in the shell waiting to accompany our Rakomelo. You will also find a plate of whole walnuts with a cracker and some lovely port wine sitting in your room if you want to relax by the fire in private. There are bags of walnuts available at the hotel, and Dimitris is developing a premium-aged Tsipouro that you might be lucky enough to snag for your journey home if your timing is right.

Arcadian Walnuts in Piana Greece — Arcadian Walnuts

Start The Day Right

You will notice that the dining area is part of this great room and there you can enjoy a traditional breakfast, looking out at the beautiful mountains.

You are welcomed in the morning with the smell of fresh baked bread and pastries. Wash it down with freshly brewed coffee or tea. Since Sue is a tea lover, she loved Hotel Papanikola’s tea menu and couldn’t wait to try the local mountain tea, which is thoroughly enjoyed.

Breakfast and Mountain Tea at Hotel Papanikola Piana Greece — Breakfast and Mountain Tea at Hotel Papanikola

Fresh bread and toast, meats and cheeses, and farm-fresh eggs will be brought out when you are ready. They also provide homemade jams and honey and sweets like freshly baked orange cake or French toast. Your day will start out feeling like you belong to an exclusive club of Greek insiders when you take in the local hospitality, peace, and beauty of this place.

Comfortable Rooms and Great Views

The rooms are comfortable, offering a rustic chic that doesn’t feel forced. Each room offers a private balcony for you to enjoy the wonderful view. Comfortable beds, mini-fridges with minibar, stereo, and a safe for your valuables and private baths all come standard. There are 8 rooms and 2 suites, with one accessible room for those with special needs. If you bring the kids along, they have a playroom complete with table tennis and other fun stuff to expend that boundless energy. There’s free wi-fi on the premises as well, but it can be spotty and we recommend that you relax and enjoy the peaceful surroundings anyway.

Food Glorious Food

While you can wine and dine yourself happily at the hotel, you’ll also want to explore dining options nearby. No matter what time of year you visit the area, you’ll find local food seasonally prepared and deliciously fresh.

The Paradosiaki Taverna offered us some unique twists on familiar tastes. We started with a ridiculously delicious pita bread stuffed and baked with feta cheese and some of our favorite garlicky tzatziki spread. This was followed by a light mutton broth that we laced with a squeeze of fresh lemon. The mutton used to make the broth and some roasted lamb was served with fresh fried potatoes, the sort of food that you think, “Oh, I couldn’t possibly eat anymore,” and then you do.

We also enjoyed some cooked local horta greens, which our host Basil expertly prepared with salt, pepper, and lemon. And we discovered that the typical “Greek salad” of tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions that is so ubiquitous in summer is replaced by a winter salad of cabbages and carrots, equally light and refreshing.

Other yummy dishes included a baked “pita,” or pie, of cheese wrapped in delicate dough, baked and served warm and a unique plate combining roasted pork and eggs. We smartly finished off our lovely but substantial meal with a big platter of fresh local fruit.

A Meal Like Grandma Makes

One of the special things about traveling with hosts that know the local area so well is that they also know the local residents. In our case, our host Basil from Real Greece Travel knows a special lady in Piana, Greece who treats him – and those of us with him – like family. In fact, the night we visited Mrs. Toula Basil’s cousin happened to be eating there too!

Mrs. Toula is one of the full-time residents of Piana, and she has a small restaurant where she treats visitors and locals alike to real “YiaYia” (grandma) style meals. We visited her one evening and immediately knew that we were in for a meal that was not only prepared with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients, but also with heavy doses of love and care.

We enjoyed abundant servings of Greek salad (both regular and winter versions), feta cheese made by a local cheesemaker, freshly baked bread, oven-roasted pork, and delicious heaping platters of local potatoes baked with olive oil, oregano, and lemon. Basil brought along a bottle of wine from one of our winemaker visits to make our meal complete.

It was fun for us to have a meal prepared by such loving and skillful hands. Mrs. Toula shared stories and personal experiences with us as well. One of the great joys of travel is getting to experience the local culture and meet the real people that populate the destinations you visit. For us, dinner with Mrs. Toula was the best of that experience, and one we won’t soon forget.

But Wait, There’s More

If you’d like to learn how to make any of the local specialties, you might be able to get a lesson from Dimitris and friends as we did. We were treated to a cooking class on how to make a traditional leek and onion-filled pita known as “Prasopita.” Before you worry that it’s a difficult or time-consuming process that is beyond you, trust us, it’s not. It just takes a little attention and care but is well worth the effort. Below is the recipe and instructions. And we include a photo or two so you can see the progress as you move along. This is one of those recipes that is as authentic as they come. We ended up eating ours for dinner that night and went to bed with full tummies and happy memories.

Recipe for Hotel Papanikola Prasopita

Ingredients for the Filling

Prepare ahead of time and let come to room temperature.

800 gr (4 cups) cleaned, sliced leeks
800 gr (4 cups) sliced onion
Olive oil for sautéing
White wine for deglazing
Salt & pepper to taste
1 cube Knorr vegetable bouillon
2 Tablespoons of all-purpose flour
2 eggs
2-3 Tablespoons Greek yogurt

Directions

Sauté the leeks and onions in a large skillet with plenty of oil (do not let it be dry) until soft.
Add some wine to the pan and scrape the brown bits in the pan into the liquid (deglaze) and add the salt, pepper and vegetable bouillon cube, combine.
Remove from the heat.

Add the flour and stir until mixed well.
Let the mixture cool to room temperature.
Once cooled, add eggs and yogurt and mix well. (If making a Vegan version, you may omit the eggs and yogurt).

Ingredients for the Filo Dough for 6 sheets of filo.

800 gr (4 cups) all-purpose flour
5 gr (1 teaspoon) salt
10 gr (1 Tablespoon) sugar
30 gr (3 Tablespoons) butter
300 gr (1 1/4 cups) water
30 gr (3 Tablespoons) wine vinegar
90 gr (9 Tablespoons) olive oil

Directions

Add all the ingredients into a stand mixer with a dough hook and blend until mix well. Or, add all ingredients and blend by hand, kneading gently but not overworking the dough.
Divide into 6 pieces.
Let rest for 10 minutes.

Brush a generous amount of olive oil on a 10 cm/4″ deep 30-40 cm/ 18-20 inch pan.
Start working the dough and add flour until it no longer sticks to your fingers or the board. Roll out the dough evenly to 2 mm/ 1/8 inch thickness.
Loosely wrap each dough layer on your rolling pin (a broom handle is traditionally used) to transport to your pan. Unroll your dough onto your pan, letting it fold over the edges.

Press the dough into the bottom of the pan, making sure to get the corners down.
Brush the layer of dough with olive oil and repeat the process 2 more times so that you have 3 thin layers of filo dough on the bottom of the pan.
Add the cooled filling on top of the dough layers and spread evenly.

Add 2 more shots of filo dough on top of the filling, brushing with olive oil in between the sheets.
For the third and top layer, you can make small folds for purely cosmetic purposes, or just layer on top as you prefer.
Pinch together all of the edges of the filo dough that are overhanging the pan and cut with a sharp knife, leaving about 2 cm/ 1 inch of the excess over the edge of your pain.

Pinch and fold in a braid to seal tight the edges of the dough around the top.
With a sharp pointed knife, cut the top layers of the oil into 10 cm/ 4-inch squares. (Hint: It may be easier to cut if you place in the freezer for about 10 minutes before cutting).
Optional: You can brush egg white on the dough if you want to have a shiny top.

Bake in convection mode at 175 Degrees Celsius /350 Degrees Fahrenheit for about 1 hour. Rotate the pan every 20 minutes to cook evenly and check as you go along for doneness as ovens vary.
If the top is not quite golden brown, you can turn on the broiler for a minute and watch carefully. If your top browns too quickly, cover loosely with aluminum foil.
Remove from the oven and let stand for 10-20 minutes before serving. You can also serve it at room temperature

Hotel Papanikola Prasopita Piana Greece — Hotel Papanikola Prasopita

A Place in History

While we love the food and drink in Piana, Greece, this mighty tasty village also has some wonderful historical and cultural highlights too.

For you history buffs, you might be interested to know that Piana played an important role in the 1821 Greek Revolution. Because it was difficult to access, the Armatoloi and Kleftes, Greek freedom fighters, were able to hole up there and provide support to the Greeks’ fight for independence from Turkish domination. They were first organized in this area by Theodoros Kolokotronis, and statues of the military hero still stand in the village. National bakeries in Piana also provided bread for fighters during the conflict.

Mythological Importance

The name Piana may strike a chord with the musical mythical character of Pan, the half-goat half-man who was said to live in a cave above the village. The mythological Pan is the god of the wild, shepherds and flocks, rustic music and even fertility and spring. One of the famous myths associated with Pan is that he pursued a certain nymph named Syrinx, who tried to flee his affections. To aid her in her escape, her fellow nymphs turned her into a reed, the type of which can be found abundantly in the area. The legend goes that Pan was still taken with her and because he didn’t know which reed she was, he cut the reeds into several pieces. In his grief, he kissed the reeds and discovered that his breath created sounds and fastened them together side by side to create a musical instrument, which he then kept with him all the time. We know this instrument as the Pan Flute or Panpipes, also sometimes called the Syrinx.

What Else to See and Do

There’s a small folklore museum in the village square where you can explore some of the agricultural life and traditions of the local area.

And, one of the most important fixtures in the village is Aigios Giorgios (St. George) cathedral. You can see it from just about every vantage point in the village as it sits atop a rocky overlook.

Aigios Giorgios Cathedral in Piana Greece

There’s also another small church in the village known as the Panagia Polykameni. Originally the Church of the Virgin Mary (Panagia), the Turks had burned it so many times that it was Polykameni (many times burned) was added to its name. The church grounds still house an oven used to bake bread for the Greek military during the revolution.

There are also lots of other small villages and towns near to Piana, which is less than half an hour from the capital of the Peloponnese region, Tripoli.

Tiny but Mighty Tasty in Piana, Greece

If you’ve been to Greece and think you’ve seen it all but haven’t been to Piana or some of the other interior regions, we’d like to let you know that you have much still left to explore. This tiny village in the heart of the Peloponnese is home to some of the most beautiful scenery, warmest people and unique history of Greece. We loved our visit to this hidden gem and would highly recommend you consider adding it to your future plans for uncovering even more of the many diverse experiences waiting for you in Greece.

If you’re looking for help planning a visit to Greece check out Carole and Basil’s website RealGreece.com for information about accommodations, day trips and much more.

And for more information on the hotel visit HotelPapanikola.gr.

Pin To Your Greek Travels Board

In Americas

Tasty Secrets of Carmel Indiana

By Diana Laskaris

Carmel, Indiana. When you think of Indiana, you may think of Indianapolis, Evansville, South Bend or maybe Fort Wayne. But just behind these better-known cities is a growing area that’s ripe for the tasting – literally. Carmel, Indiana in Hamilton County is experiencing a boom as those in places like the capital Indianapolis and others seek a kinder, gentler type of town. And in the wake of this search, Carmel, Indiana food rises to the challenge, providing both respite and repast in the same breath.

We had the opportunity to sample some of the tastes that are trending in Carmel, Indiana food. There are intriguing venues, such as Peace Water Winery, which combines the production of wine with the opportunity to do good. We had the opportunity to sample intriguing small plates at restaurants such as Divvy. And the craft brewing scene is alive in Carmel as well, with offerings such as Upland Brewing Company, which has been a Hoosier favorite for nearly 20 years. A fun little trip on the Indie Indy Foodie Tours bus helped us make our way through the tastes of the city.

Surprising Carmel, Indiana Food

The other highlight of our peek inside the culinary scene is Carmel, Indiana restaurants like the unique and quirky spot owned by chef Larry Hanes, who designed the interior and cooks every meal at the Eggshell Bistro. The globally inspired brunching menu was right up our alley.

Larry loves to talk to people from other countries to learn more about what they eat for breakfast. He tries to make the dishes complement one another, lending a global edge to the overall menu as well as each dish’s influences.

The sweet potato hash has Spanish influences from the chorizo, pico and black beans in it.

Shakshuka lends a Moroccan spin.

Other tasty dishes provide lovely global flavors, well-composed and pleasing to the eye. And the extensive menu of gourmet coffees and teas compliments the meal offerings as well. All these delicious offerings make the Eggshell Bistro one of the best restaurants in Carmel, Indiana.

If you’re looking for Carmel restaurants for lunch there are plenty to choose from. The From Scratch Restaurant offers many homemade dishes like “From Scratch” soups and sides like “From Scratch” baby red potatoes and Kettle Cooked Potato Chips. They also have been visited by Guy Fieri so you can experience his favorites by ordering The Triple D Sampler. It’s a feast of all their favorites biscuits and gravy, two eggs, two eggs, potatoes, cheesy grits, and a cup of their homemade brisket chili. Sounds like a belt buster to me.

While it may under the radar for all but those in the know around neighboring cities and states, Carmel has some pretty tasty offerings to visitors and locals alike. If you’re looking for someplace to visit for great tastes and a little fun walking, Carmel may be worth putting on your travel map.

For more information about Carmel, Indiana and the other cities in Hamilton County check their website at VisitHamiltonCounty.com.

We were hosted in Carmel by Visit Hamilton County. We were not financially compensated for this review. The opinions expressed are based on our own experience.

The Quick Bite: Carmel Indiana is booming with culinary delights from wine to beer to chocolate and global flavors. We share our view of some of those tastes with you.

In Europe

What Happens When You Go To Oktoberfest Celebrations

By Diana Laskaris

The fall is a season where many cultures celebrate the harvest. And among our favorites are Oktoberfest celebrations.

Oktoberfest Munich

The Bavarian city of Munich holds the granddaddy of all Oktoberfest celebrations. Some 6 million people attend the two-week-plus fest every year. The original Oktoberfest was a celebration to honor the marriage of Crown Prince Ludwig (later King Ludwig I) and Therese of Saxe-Hildburghausen, after whom the festival grounds of Theresienwiese were named.

Oktoberfest Celebrations Include Dancing in Munich

Since around 1960, the Oktoberfest has turned into a gigantic festival. Tourists and visitors came from all over to get pictures of celebratory Germans wearing traditional clothing, quaffing massive amounts of beer, and eating every sort of local food available. And, this is not too far from the modern Oktoberfest, except that it isn’t just Germans celebrating any longer.

The festival in Munich brings in over $1.5 Billion of economic benefits to the host city. More than 13,000 people are employed to help bring the multi-week fest to life. And that’s a lucky thing! In the 36 beer tents, festers drink nearly 2 million gallons of beer, 700,000 whole roasted chickens 60,000 sausages, and 59,000 pork knuckles. And there’s a lot more to eat and drink at Oktoberfest celebrations than just these core traditional items!

Oktoberfest?

Although the name might indicate otherwise, this annual celebration is held at the end of September as opposed to October. Generally, the end of September in Bavaria has very good weather, and as the event was lengthened over time, it was believed that the higher temperatures would stimulate the thirst of the visitors and keep them at the fest longer.

Today, the last weekend of Oktoberfest in Munich is still in October, but you will find it celebrated all over the world throughout September and October, and maybe a few other times as well. Stuttgart Germany holds the Cannstatter Volksfest for three weeks from the end of September through mid-October. While it is a beer fest, it is more of a celebration of the fall in general.

Stuttgart Volksfest Oktoberfest Celebrations

Oktoberfest Around The World

You may be surprised to learn that the largest Oktoberfest outside of Germany is held in Brazil, with more than 700,000 visitors. Canada, the U.S., Argentina, Mexico, Colombia, Chile, Hong Kong, Ireland, Australia, and Vietnam, among others, celebrate with festivities of their own. Even the West Bank town of Taybeh, where the only brewery in the Palestinian Territories resides, has celebrated since 2005.

There are also a number of its special events at each festival. The tapping of the keg occurs at the beginning with a guest of honor symbolizing the beginning of the festivities. Horse races harken back to the original Oktoberfest. Arts and crafts, live music, sauerkraut eating contests, beer stein hoists, and our favorite dachshund (wiener dog) races are some favorites.

Oktoberfest-Celebration-Dachshund-Derby-Visit-Milwaukee-768x460 — Dachshund Derby at Milwaukee’s Germanfest Celebration

Oktoberfest Food & Drink

There’s no lack of food at the celebration. Some of the most popular dishes served include sausages, pretzels, and beer, of course. But there are many wonderful traditional dishes to tray as well. Variations of pork are very popular. Many enjoy Schweinbraten (roasted pork) and Schweinshaxe (roasted ham hock or pork knuckle). You’ll also find Steckerlfisch (grilled fish on a stick) and knödel (potato or bread dumplings). Käsespätzle or as we like to call them cheesy noodles will ignite your love of German cuisine.

Pork Shank at the House of Gerhard in Kenosha Wisconsin

You’ll discover special seasonal beers around this time known as Märzen. They are delicious and hearty. German brewers such as Spaten, Paulaner, and Hofbrau have famous Oktoberfest beers. But you will also find some pretty delicious versions by local and national breweries in the U.S. such as Sierra Nevada, New Glarus, Great Lakes, and Samuel Adams.

Oktoberfest Celebrations Bier Beer — Lots of beer choices

Oktoberfest USA

If you live in the United States, some of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations can be found. Unlikely places noted for their Oktoberfest include Cincinnati OH(3), Denver CO(7), Tulsa OK(53), St. Petersburg, FL (71), Arlington, TX(93), and Scottsdale, AZ (18).

Top 20 Oktoberfest Cities
1	New York, NY	11	Pittsburgh, PA
2	Portland, OR	12	Sacramento, CA
3	Cincinnati, OH	13	Columbus, OH
4	San Francisco, CA	14	Boise, ID
5	Chicago, IL	15	St. Louis, MO
6	Philadelphia, PA	16	Madison, WI
7	Denver, CO	17	Milwaukee, WI
8	Miami, FL	18	Scottsdale, AZ
9	Seattle, WA	19	Lincoln, NE
10	Orlando, FL	20	Tampa, FL

From Wallet Hub.com

Zinzinnati Cincinnati

Wondering how big the celebrations in the USA really are? Well, America’s Oktoberfest Zinzinnati USA in Cincinnati, OH alone hosts 675,000. And there are over 100 dachshunds participating in the Running of the Wieners race there. And, there are 116+ varieties of beer available. Nearly 46 million U.S. residents claim German ancestry, which may be why Oktoberfest celebrations are so popular and well-attended.

Oktoberfest Celebrations Wisconsin

And, while Oktoberfest in Cincinnati is impressive, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention that our new base of Wisconsin probably offers the widest variety and most options for fall celebrations anywhere around. With more than 40% of Wisconsin residents reporting part or full German roots, it’s no surprise that you can find plenty of places to celebrate.

According to Wallet Hub’s recent study on Oktoberfest Celebrations, our new home, Madison, Wisconsin also is tied for number one with Lincoln, Nebraska for the highest percentage population with German ancestry in the United States. Who knew? I’m sure the folks at the Essen Haus Restaurant in Madison sure do.

Oktoberfest Celebtations 2 liter beer boot at Essen Haus in Madison WI — 2-liter beer boot at Essen Haus in Madison WI

Cheers!

One thing you will want to know wherever you go to celebrate Oktoberfest is the appropriate way to say cheers. It’s pretty simple and fun to say, usually with a large glass stein in your hand.

Prost Diana Laskaris At Oktoberfest Munich

Hold your beer high and say “Prost!” The smiles (and songs) are sure to keep things going for quite some time.

If you want a taste of some of the music to expect at Oktoberfest celebrations, check out the short video below from our time in Munich.

</ifWhether you enjoy good food, good drinking, good music, or a good wiener dog race, Oktoberfest celebrations around the world will have plenty of great options satisfy your yen.If you’ve visited Oktoberfest celebrations in your town or anywhere in the world let us know about them in the comments below. </p> <p>

If you’re planning to host or go to Oktoberfest Celebrations Pin It To Your Oktoberfest Board

In United States

Magical Missoula Montana

By Diana Laskaris

We thank Destination Missoula for hosting the visit. Thanks also for the lovely accommodations of the DoubleTree by Hilton Missoula – Edgewater. We were not financially compensated. All opinions we provide are our unique views and reflect our experiences. We pledge to provide our audience with truthful and honest reviews.

Missoula Montana is one of those places you may not have on your food travel radar. Well, tune it up because you should. I had the opportunity to experience this magical city in the beautiful western part of the state. Not only did I feast on some amazing food and beverages, but my eyes and soul feasted on the relaxing, understated vibe of this subtly sophisticated town.

One of the best things about traveling in the winter is seeing Mother Nature in her abundant glory. The Northern Rockies surround Missoula. And they follow you everywhere. You don’t walk out of a restaurant or into a bar or down the street or into the hotel without seeing them and even feeling their presence.

Missoula is a deceptively seductive destination. The first thing you notice is the surpassing beauty all around you. Then you get into a relaxed, casual, even mellow mood. You absorb it from the people around you. When you do a little exploring, you sense the college town vibe as subdued but pervasive.

And, before you know it, you’re totally hooked. The second largest city in Montana, Missoula has about 72,000 residents. As the home of the University of Montana, Missoula also has an incredible amount of cultural, culinary, and recreational attractions that will keep you busy for as long as you decide to stay.

DoubleTree Double Take

I got my first hint of the beauty surrounding me when I looked out the glass door of my room at the DoubleTree. I saw the lazy Clark Fork River flowing past me. The river made gentle sounds of flowing water and I stood there enjoying the scenery.

In the evening, I could see a lighted bridge in the distance, and the sounds of the water surely would lull me to a restful sleep.

The DoubleTree by Hilton Missoula – Edgewater houses Finn & Porter a relaxed and elegant restaurant offering fine dining on steak and seafood, with the added benefits of a wood-fired pizza oven and fresh seafood appetizer bar.

Breakfast is as complete or as simple as you like it. Because I knew I had a full day of eating ahead, I opted to keep it simple with some perfectly prepared eggs over medium and a crispy toasted English muffin, just the way I like it.

No matter what I ordered, it would be enhanced by the spectacular view from the huge windows offering a gorgeous view. In the warmer months, the outside dining is something you won’t want to miss.

Of course, as a Food Travelist, I happily needed to leave my comfy nest and explore the wide variety of options available for eating, drinking, and eating some more. Missoula is deceptively dense when it comes to great food and drink offerings. From fun and funky to fabulous fine dining, Missoula has something for every mood. Here is just a sampling of some of my favorites.

The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ

I love some good Q. But good Q can be hard to find. So I was delighted that my first taste of Missoula was at the awesome Notorious P.I.G. BBQ, an unassuming spot that apparently everyone knows about and loves. The menu offers sandwiches or plates and sides in a simple straightforward way. I decided that I’d be kicking myself if I’d gone to a place named Notorious P.I.G. and didn’t try the pulled pork. So that’s what I ordered with the assistance of my cheerful guide, along with coleslaw and baked beans. The potato salad is also a favorite, but I was already feeling like a p.i.g. myself so stuck with the standard number of sides.

On the table, you’ll find various styles of sauce to douse your eats with from vinegary to mustardy to spicy to my favorite, tangy and sweet. As hard as it is to give the meat its perfect texture and smoke, a lousy sauce can be its undoing. Fortunately, the Sweet Cady’s sauce here was fantastic and made me do a happy dance in my mouth. The bbq beans are also noteworthy as they had a bit of chewy caramelization along with the meaty, tangy, and sweet goodness that was cooked into them through patience and a really good recipe.

I also got my first taste of a local brew, the popular “That’s What She Said” cream ale from Draft Works Brewery. If I didn’t know what a cream ale was before, there’s no doubt in my mind now. It’s mild and has a sweet finish. No bitter after bite on this one, which paired perfectly with my sandwich and sides. And so I left stuffed and happy as, well, I bet you can guess.

Shopping and Strolling

Missoula, even in winter, is a highly walkable city. Several streets offer a wide array of shops, galleries, and points of interest that encourage you to stroll and explore. You can pop into a beautiful garden shop, check out some musical instruments,

catch a movie,

enjoy public sculpture and art,

explore a gallery,

look at books & stuff,

or get lost inside the “We Buy Anything” store

(which really does seem to buy anything!)

all within a few blocks.

If you’re feeling adventurous you can venture out a little further and be rewarded with even more fun surprises. Rockin’ Rudy’s is well-known by locals as the ultimate place for tchotchkes. This store is huge!

It has everything you can think of in the sundry category – shirts, jewelry, cards, and gifts of all sorts. It also has teas, videos and tons of other great stuff. With 8 rooms to browse, you could practically make a day of it.

But you’ll want to leave in time to explore another local treasure, a Carousel for Missoula.

This charming attraction has a special meaning to Missoula and each of the carved figures has its own special story. There’s a magical connection with the community and even dragons.

And, there are ongoing efforts of restoration that keep this special attraction in tip-top shape for visitors of all ages to explore and enjoy

Time for a Snack

With all that shopping and strolling, you’re likely to get hungry. There’s no lack of places to get a quick bite or a treat. Try a cone at the Big Dipper, some of the tastiest ice cream anywhere.

You can find a tasty gyro or piece of baklava made from yiayia’s special recipe at The Green Pastry Shop.

Grab a slice of pizza at The Bridge or Pie Hole.

Or a freshly baked pastry from Bernice’s Bakery or Le Petit Outre.

You can get some cookies from Mary’s Mountain Cookies

or something from Posh Chocolat to satisfy your sweet tooth.

As you explore Missoula, you will encounter signals that make you feel comfortable and let you know that know that everyone is welcome.

Quench Your Thirst

By now, you’re likely to be working up a little thirst. But don’t worry because, in addition to delicious local coffee and tea options, Missoula is crazy about making its own carefully crafted beer and spirits.

Montgomery Distillery offers up some incredibly smooth and sultry cocktails. I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to try their homegrown version of the Moscow Mule, complete with the copper mug.

There are many other classic pubs and bars. One that’s especially popular with University students at the end of a long night is Stockmans Bar and Cafe. It’s been around as a classic haunt for ages and has the cool old-school sign to prove it.

If you want a little entertainment with your libation, the Top Hat Lounge will fit the bill.

To quaff a brew you’ve got another ton of options. Tamarack Brewing Co. makes some seriously yummy beer. And, they also serve the largest plate of nachos I have ever seen!

While there are lots of other great brew houses nearby, if you’re willing to take a little jaunt maybe 15 minutes away, you will be rewarded with the incredible Highlander Brewing Company.

It’s in the fun and funky category, with great decor, fantastic brews and, I was told by a local enjoying a slice, delicious pizza, and bites.

Ethnic Eats Abound

You might imagine eating lots of meat and potatoes when you think of Montana dining. And you can certainly get your share of beef or venison steak and elk sausage, it’s true. But there’s so much more than that to explore and Missoula offers a stunning array of ethnic and fine dining options to satisfy whatever your mood may be.

Among the variety of options, you will find authentic Indian and Mexican,

Cajun and Asian,

Argentinian and Brazilian

and, of course, Italian eateries. Missoula has also mastered the food truck scene, which in the temperate months will offer you just about anything you could possibly want from tamales to pho, ceviche, Cuban sandwiches, gluten-free waffles, gumbo, bar and more. You won’t miss out on the latest crazes at Missoula’s casual eateries either where you can find tapas, ramen, sushi and even poke to enjoy.

Fine Dining Is Just Fab

For fine dining, you’re also blessed with plentiful options. I had a wonderful meal at Scotty’s Table, a sleek and upscale ambiance service fresh and creative Mediterranean fare. Best of all, the star of the show at Scotty’s Table is the incredible local ingredients that provide total satisfaction. Not only does everything taste incredible, but you know that you’re supporting local farmers and ranchers with a focus on thoughtful sustainable, eco-friendly business practices.

At my table, I couldn’t resist trying the fried Brussels sprouts and cauliflower appetizer. It came with bacon lardons, mustard crème fraiche, and apple cider reduction. And yes, it tasted just as good as it sounds. And there’s plenty to share with your dining companions.

My dinner companion couldn’t resist the beef duo, which featured braised local beef with rosemary-balsamic jus and chef’s select cut with a Montgomery whiskey, cherry pepper-blue cheese sauce. As if that weren’t enough, Asiago mashed potatoes and seared greens rounded out the plate. Utterly delicious.

As for me, I was not about to pass up the grilled local apple brined pork chop. Accompanied by a root vegetable puree and potato, beet and parsnip hash and finished with a roasted cipollini onion, apple, and mustard marmalade, it literally put me in hog heaven.

As if that weren’t enough Scotty’s Table also offers wonderful desserts, often highlighting seasonal and local ingredients.

The attentive and amiable service is well-suited to the ambiance, encouraging everyone to relax and enjoy a fantastic meal.

Frenchie Food? Mais Oui!

As you know, the Food Travelist palate loves to revel in delicious French-inspired fare. You probably also know it can be difficult to find such a treat when traveling. So it may surprise you that a Missoula institution on the dining scene is The Pearl Cafe, a chef-driven restaurant with inspired French cuisine courtesy of Executive Chef Pearl Cash. Travels in France inform not only the excellent cuisine but also the casual elegance and comfortably inviting environment surrounding you as a diner.

Dishes are carefully composed, with attention paid to every detail. You can choose from a wide array of appetizers ranging from classics like French onion soup gratinee and escargot, to something more nouvelle such as prosciutto and fig salad or curry beef spring rolls. We opted for a lovely chicken pate with a reduction of port and Madeira, served with sliced apples and French bread.

Entrees also offer a wide variety from duckling with pomegranate cherry sauce to filet mignon with green peppercorn sauce or grilled salmon with mustard butter. We tried the walnut and herb prawns, served with tomato remoulade, fresh vegetables, and frites.

and the irresistible filet mignon topped with port wine and Roquefort cheese sauce served with fresh veggies and creamy mashed potatoes. What a fabulous feast.

Service here is also as you would hope, friendly and helpful. Diners around us were happily chatting and enjoying every morsel, creating an environment in which we felt fully at home. If you have room for dessert, there are lovely options like creme brûlée, flourless chocolate torte, Grand Marnier cheesecake and more.

Wait, There’s More!

I’ve tried to provide a peek into what’s waiting for you in Missoula. But to be honest, I’m leaving out even more than I’ve been able to include. From a fantastic vintage scene full of boutique shops on the Hip Strip,

where you will also find a store full of upcycled goods,

to the farmer’s markets, impressive Missoula Art Museum with, get this, FREE admission, the public art park, the local music and theater scenes, bakeries, tea and coffee houses, and even a cool art house film and music venue (The Wilma), I have barely scratched the surface.

Honestly, I could just drive around looking at the beautiful houses and the snow-covered mountains and be totally happy.

The fact that everyone is so mellow, friendly, and helpful just is icing on the Montana cake. As you can probably tell, I was completely enthralled with my time in this magical city. And, it seems as though I’m not alone. San Francisco may steal your heart, but you will find your soul happily hanging out in Missoula.

Pin For Your Missoula, Montana Travel Planning

In Americas

Delightful Chico Hot Springs Montana Resort And Spa

By Diana Laskaris

As you may know by now, we love being surprised by unexpected delights during our food travels. Beautiful Yellowstone Country Montana is full of many such unexpected delights. And one of the most delightful places we explored was Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa in the most decidedly surprising little town of Pray, Montana.

We’d like to thank and acknowledge our hosts at Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa, who provided us with complimentary food and accommodations. This article reflects our own opinions based on our experience.

Natural Majesty

While we’d argue that just about everywhere in Montana feels like a majestic getaway, Chico is a beautifully composed, top-of-the-line version. The foothills of the Absaroka Mountain Range provide a stunning backdrop for the gorgeous manicured grounds of this rustic and romantic getaway. It somehow manages to exude luxury and casual comfort in a single breath.

Magical Pools

Perhaps that’s because there are many different ways to experience Chico Hot Springs. First is a visit to its namesake natural hot spring pools. The hot springs flow into two pools. One is more than 100 degrees and connected to a slightly cooler pool. You can linger a little or a lot in the warm mineral waters. If you want to just hang out and watch others, you can do that too. Or get a bite and a drink at the Poolside Grille. When we were there, happy guests of all ages waded in and out of the water. There was much chatting, mingling, relaxing, and enjoying the whole scene.

Chico Hot Springs Pools Food Travelist — Chico Hot Springs relaxing pools.

The Fun, Fun West!

And that’s just the beginning of the scene. There’s also fun Saloon that feels like you’re literally stepping back into the wild, wild west. The decor and ambiance are appropriately lively, and there are plenty of forms of entertainment. You’ll find everything from foosball and shuffleboard, to television, and video poker. They also offer live music on the weekends. The Saloon has plenty of room inside so that even when there’s a crowd, you won’t feel crowded.

Saloon at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Spa — Saloon at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa

Comfort and Joy

Over the years, Chico Hot Springs Resort has grown quite a lot. The main lodge is now accompanied by additional wings, lodges, cabins, log houses, chalets, cottages, and more. There’s literally something to suit everyone. Accommodations range from a five-bedroom Mountain View log house to the Chico Short Line, which is an actual train caboose that was moved to the property and turned into a luxury room. Our stay in one of the North 40 Cabins provided us with a spacious cottage with the comforts of home. It offered a lovely view, peace and quiet, and a hammock outside for lounging, one of our favorite occupations.

Cabins at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa

Chico Springs Relaxing Hammock — Relaxing in a comfy hammock with our own babbling brook outside our cabin at Chico Springs.

Pure Pampering

One of the most decadent luxuries available at the Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa is, well, the day spa. They offer spa and massage services such as hot river rock therapy, citrus salt scrubs, mud wraps, geothermal therapy, and more. There are also specials and combos of these relaxing, rejuvenating services that will melt away any stress you have and we know this with certainty because we experienced it firsthand. It feels amazing to have a naturally relaxing professional massage really helps you find your happy place. And, that we did all over Chico Hot Springs’ grounds.

Lots to See and Do

If you like to get out in nature, you can do that at Chico Hot Springs during any season. There are horses for riding and walking trails and gardens in the summer. We were fortunate enough to meet one of the gardeners and enjoy a stroll through the bounty that helps provide their produce. The folks at Chico Hot Springs will be happy to arrange all kinds of enjoyable pursuits for you, including river rafting if you’re up for it. There are cross-country skiing and snowshoe trips available in the winter. A special activity we’d like to come back for comes from Absaroka Dogsled Treks. You can join a team of Siberian Huskies leading you and your well-trained Montana musher on the trek of a lifetime!

The folks at Chico Hot Springs will be happy to arrange all kinds of enjoyable pursuits for you, including river rafting if you’re up for it. There are cross-country skiing and snowshoe trips available in the winter. A special activity we’d like to come back for comes from Absaroka Dogsled Treks. You can join with a team of Siberian Huskies leading you and your well-trained Montana musher on the trek of a lifetime!

Horses at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa

Having a Hoedown

While we were there, Chico Hot Springs provided the venue for the annual neighborhood block party where the whole vicinity filed in to share laughs and food and music, and fun. There were more than a few happy smiles from folks who may or may not have been old friends. They all certainly treated each other as though they were. We loved seeing families all together enjoying the festivities.

Fabulous Food

Of course, we wouldn’t be Food Travelist if we didn’t talk about the food and beverage scene at Chico Hot Springs. In this case, we have to say we’ve saved the best for last. The Dining Room at Chico Hot Springs offers one of the best experiences you will have anywhere. It’s fine dining in a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. The food ranges from outstanding classic favorites to adventurous favorites. We tried the unbelievably delicious Beef Wellington for two and the Wild Alaskan Halibut with smoked corn, black beans, quinoa, Epazote Cream Sauce, and brussel sprout slaw.

Beef Wellington at Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa

There are wonderful fish dishes and vegetarian too. They adjust the menu seasonally to take advantage of the freshest ingredients. Desserts are given attention too. A most popular choice is a hollowed-out chocolate-lined orange filled with meringue, sprinkled with rum and served flambé. It just doesn’t get any better than this. Service is personable and attentive and they are very accommodating, making sure that every guest feels cared for and appreciated.

Flaming dessert at Chico Hot Springs — Delicious flaming dessert at Chico Hot Springs

Hospitality Plus

We were fortunate enough to share our meal with Chico Hot Springs owner and wine expert Colin Kurth Davis and his lovely wife Seabring. Having created a successful cookbook and history of Chico Springs, A Montana Table, Seabring is currently working on her next Chico-inspired work. The two share a passion for Montana and Chico that shows through in everything they say and do and they offered stories about the history of the hot springs dating back to the first recorded date of 1865. They also shared the details of development and changes that brought the resort to its current expansive state. And even that will be enhanced by the addition of acreage for more trails across the road.

Wine, Wine, and More Wine!

We have to say that as much as we like wine, we never dreamed that we’d see a restaurant wine list that was as encyclopedic as the one Colin has put together for Chico’s dining room. Indeed, it’s really a wonder to behold. And, if you’re a wine-lover too, you’ll be happy to know that the Wine Cellar is available to book for a private meal for 12 to 16 guests. A lovely hidden spot for a private celebration of any sort.

Wonderful wine list at Chico Hot Springs

Hanging with the Locals

It’s no wonder that the laid-back and elegant atmosphere of Chico Hot Springs appeals not only to visitors from afar but also to the locals. In fact, many nearby celebrity ranch owners such as Dennis Quaid, John Mayer, Tom Brokaw, Michael Keaton, Jeff Bridges, Meg Ryan, and Peter Fonda appreciate the chic but low-key lifestyle afforded by the area. And they sometimes make their way to Chico Hot Springs, even jamming along with the live music from time to time.

Many delicious courses, glasses of wine and hilarious stories after our meal, we really couldn’t imagine a better way to spend the evening. It was a real treat for us to experience an excellent meal in a beautiful place with wonderful service. One of our magnificent memories of Yellowstone Country Montana.

Breakfast Buffet of Champions

There was only one logical way to finish off our visit to Chico Hot Springs. That is with an amazing breakfast buffet that included everything you could possibly want. Eggs, pancakes or waffles, fresh fruit, and more. Not to mention local bacon that was out of this world (yes, we admit it, we went back for seconds!). House-made granola and caramel bread pudding put us over the top.

Housemade Coffee Cake At Chico Hot Springs

Local delicious bacon at Chico Hot Springs

The extra special bonus prize was the Tumblewood Teas served at Chico Hot Springs. Tumblewood Teas is a company in nearby Big Timber, Montana. We had a chance to learn more about them during a visit to their offices, but that’s a story for another day. Needless to say, we loved their teas and started our morning with Bright Morning Montana. The loose-leaf tea of peppermint leaf, lemon grass, spearmint leaf, papaya leaf, lemon verbena, lemon bloom, and lemon juice was the perfect way to start the day.

Chico Hot Springs is Something Special

There’s something special about Montana’s Yellowstone Country. The accommodations complement the area’s majesty in a way that truly enhances your appreciation of all it has to offer. If you’ve got some time to explore and enjoy this amazing part of the country, you will have a trip to remember forever. And, if you want to enjoy an enchanting resort with deep historical roots, amazing cuisine, caring service, and every amenity imaginable, don’t miss out on a chance to visit Chico Hot Springs & Day Spa. You will emerge refreshed, renewed, and exceedingly content.

Save the Pin for reference later

In Americas

Monteverde Chicago Is Special

By Diana Laskaris

While Chicago has no lack of great Italian restaurants, Monteverde Restaurant & Pastificio is a more than welcome addition. Located in the West Loop area, this hub of deliciousness is buzzing with good vibes, great service, and out-of-this-world culinary delights. Chef Sarah Grueneberg, James Beard Award – winner for Best Chef: Great Lakes, former finalist of Top Chef and Executive Chef at the Michelin-starred Spiaggia has made a lot of noise with Monteverde, which she opened with pal and business partner Meg Sahs.

While we are not the first to heap accolades on their effort, we are going to do our best to be some of the loudest. We cannot recommend Monteverde enough – whether you live in or near Chicago or are looking for a reason to visit here, look no further. Monteverde is worth the trip. And now we’ll show and tell you exactly why.

We have run into Chef Sarah at various occasions, trade shows, charity events and such. She is a sweet and gracious woman, with more than enough charm to dispel the belief that wonderful chefs are grumpy, disagreeable maniacs. While we can’t vouch for her demeanor inside the kitchen, we spotted fellow Top Chef alum Richie Farina lending a hand, so we would bet that she’s just as great to work with as she seems she would be. Chef took time while we were dining to visit with us and take a photo as she did with several other happy diners all wanting just a moment with her during the very busy dinner service.

Chef Sarah Grueneberg and the Birthday Girl

When you’re looking for something special in a dining experience, there’s just no substitute for a gracious host or hostess. You will find it not only in Chef Sarah, but also in her wonderfully congenial staff, who manage the difficult and complex relationship that straddles educator, entertainer, and attendant with patrons, who sometimes have expectations that are hard to meet. Our server Dave fired on all cylinders combining charm, knowledge, confidence, and communication skills that made us feel welcome, cared for, and special all at the same time.

The restaurant is comfortable with the ambiance of a lively dinner party attended by a whole lot of people having a whole lot of fun. The pastificio, or “pasta factory” is visible behind the bar where the homemade pasta are being created in full view. While you can make a reservation for a table in advance (and you will need to do so quite a bit in advance as we did), Monteverde also makes room for walk-in guests. If you’re feeling lucky, the patio and bar make the complete menu available to guests on a first-come, first-served basis.

Chef Sara with Guests — Chef Sarah with Guests

While we know how much the service and ambiance make or break a dining experience, let’s face it, we’re there for the food. And on that score, we’ll just say that Monteverde is so far above much of the competition that it’s not even a race. In our usual fashion, we tried a variety of menu items and are thrilled to say there was not a “weak link” among them. Every single taste we had was outstanding. Even the beverage program offered something special.

As this was a final birthday hurrah for Sue, who celebrates “birthday month” every June, she had to start with a special craft cocktail. The Rhubarb Gin & Tonic was a perfect place to start. The wine and beer list and craft cocktails are extensive. There are also some non-alcoholic options for fun such as saba soda, blood orange San Pellegrino sparkling juice, and an Arnaldo Palmer, which just made us smile. Complementary long skinny breadsticks punctuated by fresh rosemary were a great way to get the tastebuds ready for the deliciousness to come.

The dinner menu offers multiple ways to dine. As Dave told us, folks can typically order small plates or snacks followed by pastas. There are also some large plates for sharing among the table. It seemed a good idea to take a sharing approach so we could get a range of tastes. We started with a couple of different Stuzzichini (snacks), which you can smartly order by the individual piece. We tried the artichoke & sunchoke crostino with housemade ricotta and laced with fontina fonduta, shallot, and Savini truffle, a stunningly flavorful combination.

Artichoke Sunchoke Crostini — Artichoke & Sunchoke Crostini

We also had a PBT! This tasty bite has prosciutto butter, topped with radish, asparagus, and lemon marmellata atop seeded rye toast. It was fresh and bright and pure delight.

As you know, we never met a burrata we didn’t like. So when we saw the Burrata E Ham offered among the Piattini (small plates), we just couldn’t say no. The olive oil drizzled cheese came punctuated by impossibly thin slices of Broadbent country ham. Accompaniments include rhubarb mostarda, grilled spring onion and a roasted string of our favorite Mighty Vine cherry tomatoes. But the best part of this delicious assembly has to be the tigelle. These little flatbread disks came with fresh rosemary baked on top. Dave educated us to slice them in half and fill with cheese, ham, and other ingredients like little sandwiches. Let’s just say that if we were not in public we simply would have licked the plate. Yes, we would.

We decided that we’d complement our main course with wine. We ordered some lovely Aglianico Terredora di Paolo from Campania, Italy by the glass. There are several appropriate beverages available including local ciders and craft beers as well as an extensive wine list. We liked the fact that we had several options by the glass as well as the many bottle offerings.

We were unable to decide whether to go for meat or pasta. Luckily, there was an option perfect for us. We ordered the brilliantly all-encompassing entre per la tavola (for the table) Ragù alla Napoletana. The huge dish came beautifully rustic with an eye-popping array of goodies. Everything on the plate is housemade. The dish has fusilli rustico, cacciatore sausage, soppressata meatballs, tomato braised pork shank accompanied by a roasted escarole.

Fully aware that we would be taking home plenty of lefties, we did our best to taste everything. We did. And it was ridiculously good. The pasta was perfect, fresh and chewy and satisfying in the way that only truly fresh-made pasta is. The sausage had lovely grill lines and a little bit of heat. The meatballs were tender and meaty just the way you expect from an Italian grandma’s kitchen. The pork barely clung to the bone, tender and mild, with tomato sauce that was light and comforting, not overwhelming.

We opted to save room for dessert, and of course, some sparkling moscato to go with it. Though it was difficult to narrow down the choices, we decided upon two. First, the warm rhubarb crostata with rhubarb basil salad and ginger-strawberry swirl ice cream. Then the warm dark chocolate tart, with toasted meringue, banana caramel frozen yogurt and Marcona almond brittle.

Yes, they were as good as they look. Pastry Chef Sara Lamb managed to make these sweet endings rich and indulgent without being heavy or cloying. They were the perfect end to an amazing meal and experience at Monteverde.

While we love good food and good people, we seldom rave as we have in this review. That’s because Monteverde is so special. We really do want you to know that it is worthwhile for you to go yourself. It’s our pleasure to tell you when we find something special. To this end, we want to let you, Chef Sarah and all involved in Monteverde know that the notices, awards, and accolades are well-deserved. We think Monteverde Chicago is something special and we think you should get your reservations now. And, if you happen to add a couple of seats to your table, we’d be happy to join you anytime!

Monteverde Restaurant & Pacifico is located at 1020 West Madison Street, Chicago IL You can see their full menu and make reservations at monteverdechicago.com.

In Drinks

Cinco De Mayo With A Difference

By Diana Laskaris

We love celebrating holidays, especially those that commemorate festivities with something tasty to eat and drink. Cinco de Mayo observes the Mexican Army’s surprising victory in the Battle of Puebla in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War.

And as much as we love to celebrate with traditional Mexican food and drink, we know that sometimes it’s fun to mix things up a bit. Here are a few suggestions to get your own juices flowing on how to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in your own special way.

Tasty DIY Buffet

We love celebrating holidays, especially those that commemorate festivities with something tasty to eat and drink. Cinco De Mayo observes the Mexican Army's surprising victory in the Battle of Pubela in 1862 during the Franco-Mexican War. And as much as we love to celebrate with traditional Mexican food and drink, we know that sometimes it's fun to mix things up a bit. Here are a few suggestions to get your own juices flowing on how to celebrate Cinco De Mayo in your own special way. We love having many options when it comes to dining and so do our friends. One way to keep everybody happy is to host a

We love having many options when it comes to dining and so do our friends. One way to keep everybody happy is to host a “DIY” Cinco de Mayo buffet. Here you can do all the slicing and dicing of whatever toppings you like, have some rice and beans on hand, add a cooked meat, poultry, seafood or veggie option, add some salsas, put out some warm tortillas and everyone can make their tacos, burritos or tostadas their own way. It’s easy for you and all your guests can make exactly what they want. A perfect win-win as we see it!

Nuevo Tacos

If you’d like to serve the troops yourself, but want to keep things interesting, why not try some mix-and-match nuevo street tacos? Here you can use your imagination to add some fun new ingredients to add some interest. How about bbq pork tacos or jerk chicken? You could use pork belly or tofu, blackened shrimp, or bison. Go wild with something like Cobb salad tacos, beer-battered fish, or gyros. Or mix metaphors completely and put mac & cheese, pepperoni pizza, or banh-mi fillings in a tasty tortilla. It’s really up to your imagination but treat each one like a gem and provide variety for your guests by mixing them on their plate.

Bloody Maria

For the drinkers in your crowd, a Bloody Maria might just hit the spot. Use your favorite Bloody Mary recipe, but substitute the vodka for your favorite tequila instead. Then use your imagination to amp up the garnishes. Here’s one with just a simple veggie garnish of pickle, olive, lime, and sport pepper. But you can make it as bold as you want. We’ve seen such things as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and even fried chicken gracing the top of these multi-functional cocktails. If you want to make an impression, figure out how to get a burrito to stick on top. We guarantee your friends will be talking about your Cinco de Mayo party for years to come!

Tito Rita!

For those who aren’t tequila fans, twist up the cocktail menu with a vodka-based margarita. Tito’s Handmade Vodka is one of our faves for all occasions, so it’s not surprising that they’ve come up with a handy recipe for enjoying Tito’s on Cinco de Mayo too. Give it a try and let us know what you think.

Tito Rita (for Cinco de Mayo!)

1 1/2 oz. Tito’s Handmade Vodka
1/2 oz. Cointreau
1 1/2 oz. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 1/2 oz. fresh squeezed lime juice
1/2 oz. simple syrup

Method:
Shake, and garnish with a lime.

We’ll be sure to do our best Mexican hat dance for the Cinco de Mayo celebration this year. How will you be celebrating? Let us know and feel free to share any recipes or tips you have for making the festivities fun!

In Food

Viking River Cruise Galley Miracles

By Diana Laskaris

Cooking on a ship creates challenges for sure. But if you’re cooking for nearly 200 people on a Viking River Cruise every day during their “trip of a lifetime” the stakes are even higher.

The Viking River Cruise culinary team that we experienced as we floated down the Danube River from Germany through Austria and finally in Hungary, was no less than miraculous.

So we thought we’d give you a brief glimpse inside the miracles in the Viking Rive Cruise longship galley that kept everyone fed and happy for a week.

Disclosure: Viking River Cruises hosted us for our experience on the Longship Atla. We were not financially compensated for this review, and the opinions expressed here are all our own.

The first thing you’ll want to know is that although the Viking River Cruise longships are more than 400 feet long, the kitchen (galley) is a neat compact area with no room for waste.

Professional equipment is chosen for its ability to handle many tasks, from ovens to boilers to steamers.

The galley crew must operate like a ballet, fully choreographed to provide meals to nearly 200 people at a time, without anything getting cold and meeting the desires of even the most demanding customer.

Often covering meals in both the formal dining room and an informal terrace, the crew must be sure that all bases are covered without delay. Some high-tech help keeps the kitchen humming.

Breakfast consists of not only a marvelous full buffet including hot items but also the opportunity to order anything a la carte, such as your favorite of eggs over medium.

Lunch has several different options from lighter fare to hearty dishes and even some choices that reflect the local cuisine. As we were floating through Germany and Austria, we were of course delighted to see schnitzel among the offerings.

At dinner, there are the dishes of the evening as well as a few special events. And the desserts are delicious.

There is a dinner celebrating the local cuisine that features entertainment reflecting the regional culture.

Also included is the chef’s dinner, which in our case provided Chef Mihai of the Viking River Cruise Longship Atla an opportunity to strut his stuff with beautiful course after course.

Several special events are also orchestrated by the kitchen. We had the opportunity to learn about and taste a yummy apple strudel.

Gingerbread decorating and learning local cookie recipes were also on the menu.

There was even an opportunity to watch our enthusiastic crew make a local delight called Kaiserschmarren that’s like a giant tumble of pancake bits. The fun they had producing these treats made it all the more fun for us.

And, of course, there were opportunities to make friends while tasting the wine and beverages that went with each meal.

The romance of the Danube is undeniable. And it was made all the more memorable for us by the miracles that came out of the Viking River Cruise galley.

Interested in taking your own tasty river cruise check out their website for all the details at vikingrivercruises.com

THE QUICK BITE: The Viking River Cruises culinary team that we experienced as we floated down the Danube River from Germany through Austria and finally in Hungary, was no less than miraculous.

In Blog

My First Ever Cooking Competition!

By Diana Laskaris

If you’ve ever been to a cooking competition like a chili or bbq cook-off or have watched cooking competitions on TV, you may wonder what it’s like to be part of it. Well, I had the chance to give it a try myself and I’m going to share my experience with you.

The World Food Championships have been shining a spotlight on the world of “Food Sport” with a competition that brings people from all over the world to compete in various categories ranging from bbq to seafood to dessert and more. The stakes are high as the ultimate winner can get a $100,000 prize.

As part of the event in Celebration, Florida, Saucy Mama Sauces, Kansas City Steak Company, The Happy Egg Company (we LOVE this company’s mission of providing humanely-raised eggs and encourage you to learn more!) and others sponsored Food Fight Write’s First Annual Saucy Mama Blogger Challenge, where invited bloggers such as myself were given the opportunity to get just a taste of competing in a live food sport event.

For this contest, we were required to use Kansas City Steak Company beef filets and Saucy Mama Sauce from a limited selection. While some competitors planned in advance, I was coming directly from another conference (see more about our great time speaking at TBEX so I had to think about what I would make on the fly. I also had to provide a recipe with my submission, meaning I had to keep track of items, quantities, and instructions, something I rarely do.

As a first step, we got our photos taken in a chef’s coat. It was fun seeing everyone try to look cool in the Florida heat!

Then we got a look at the Kenmore Pro Kitchen Arena. The equipment was amazing, everything you would want in your own kitchen – a free-standing oven and cooktop, microwave, grill, toaster oven and more. We were trained in all the details of the appliances, which represent the state of the art and were being used for the first time in such an environment.

Next, we had to do a “pantry run,” which is essentially a race to a table with various ingredients you can use in creating your dish. We were told that the only part of the dish that would be tasted by the judges was the meat, so I kept it simple. The sauce I chose to use was sesame ginger, so I picked up a carrot, onion, scallion, shallot, some cilantro and fresh ginger I had an apple from lunch and thought it would add a nice touch. We were also given some fresh microgreens from a local farm.

Once we had the ingredients, we had 90 minutes to prepare our dish. We were to provide one complete dish for the judges to see and 5 small tastes for the judges to sample. We had been told previously that there were going to be 40 to 50 bloggers so that samples were to be just a bite for the judges.

Then we got to work. I caramelized the onion in some butter and added bits of apple. This would be the base on which I’d put my filet. I then briefly marinated the meat in the sesame ginger sauce then used a tried and true method of searing it quickly in a skillet then cooking it to medium rare. I decided to add a little color to the plate by making a carrot “couscous” using the food processor to make beads of carrot, to which I added fresh ginger, scallion, apple, and cilantro blended with some of the sesame ginger dressing.

Just like in preparing a meal at home, I had to keep in mind my timing. 90 minutes is plenty of time, but I had to make sure that the meat wasn’t overcooked and that I had enough time to make the small plates, which are the ones the judges would taste.

While I was cooking, my sous chef (aka Sue chef) was taking photos and providing encouragement. I also had a some visitors lending their advice, including Emily Ellyn aka the Retro Rad Chef from Food Network Star, Cupcake Wars and Cutthroat Kitchen.

I did my best to make an attractive and appealing dish within the rules and limitations provided.

After I turned in my plates and recipe to the judges, our friend Anthony Martorina (@ant_kneee) stopped by for a taste and gave me a thumbs up.

Anthony was also a “Cheferee” for some of the World Food Championship Events and has a long history of judging food competitions from his wonderful work with the Culinary Fight Club in Chicago.

How did I do? Well, I was #15, somewhere above the middle. Not bad for a first try. If you are interested in giving the world of competitive cooking a try, you might dip in via some online competitions you can find through sites like Contest Cook and Cooking Contest Central. Or see what live cooking competitions are going on near you such as those here.

Who knows? One day you may find yourself killing it at a cook-off or living it up on TV. The important thing is to have fun and be sure to follow the rules. You’re bound to learn from the experience!

THE QUICK BITE: If you’ve ever been to a cooking competition like a chili or bbq cook-off or have watched cooking competitions on TV, you may wonder what it’s like to be part of it. Well, I had the chance to give it a try myself and I’m going to share my experience with you.

Sue & Diana

Welcome to Food Travelist! We are Sue Reddel and Diana Laskaris. We travel the world to find unique spots away from the crowds. From Michelin-starred restaurants to tasty street food on a stick. We hope to bring the world just a bit closer together as we share a meal and learn about different cultures through food and drink.

Learn More
Categories
- Blog (29)
- Food (167)
  - Entertaining Ideas (12)
    - Holidays (8)
    - Parties (3)
  - Food Stories (63)
  - Recipes (94)
    - Appetizers (12)
    - Breakfast (10)
    - Desserts (16)
    - Drinks (7)
    - Main Dishes (34)
    - Mediterranean (8)
    - Side Dishes (24)
    - Vegetarian (12)
- Portugal (33)
  - Learn About Portugal (22)
  - Living In Portugal (22)
  - Moving To Portugal (15)
- Travel (225)
  - Americas (87)
    - Central America (1)
    - North America (84)
      - Canada (4)
      - Mexico (3)
      - United States (71)
    - South America (1)
  - Asia (9)
  - Caribbean (7)
  - Europe (81)
    - Austria (1)
    - Belgium (2)
    - England (6)
    - France (14)
    - Germany (7)
    - Greece (7)
    - Italy (2)
    - Portugal (28)
    - Spain (2)
    - The Netherlands (4)
  - Middle East (1)
  - Travel Tips (50)
- We Recommend (26)
  - Better Living (14)
  - Doing Good, Giving Back (2)
  - Things We Love (13)

Diana Laskaris

Ambleforth Abbey

Flavorful Ciders In Northern England

Yorkshire Rapeseed Oil

Rapeseed Oil in Northern England

Staal Smokehouse

Smoking Salmon in Northern England

Ryedale Vineyards

Wine in Northern England

Surprising Northern England

Where in the Heck is Piana, Greece?

Four Seasons of Greece

Hotel Papanikola in Piana, Greece

Special Spirit and Spirits

We Went Nuts!

Start The Day Right

Comfortable Rooms and Great Views

Food Glorious Food

A Meal Like Grandma Makes

But Wait, There’s More

Recipe for Hotel Papanikola Prasopita

Directions

A Place in History

Mythological Importance

What Else to See and Do

Tiny but Mighty Tasty in Piana, Greece

Surprising Carmel, Indiana Food

Oktoberfest Munich

Oktoberfest?

Oktoberfest Around The World

Oktoberfest Food & Drink

Oktoberfest USA

Zinzinnati Cincinnati

Oktoberfest Celebrations Wisconsin

Cheers!

DoubleTree Double Take

The Notorious P.I.G. BBQ

Shopping and Strolling

Time for a Snack

Quench Your Thirst

Ethnic Eats Abound

Fine Dining Is Just Fab

Frenchie Food? Mais Oui!

Wait, There’s More!

Natural Majesty

Magical Pools

The Fun, Fun West!

Comfort and Joy

Pure Pampering

Lots to See and Do

Having a Hoedown

Fabulous Food

Hospitality Plus

Wine, Wine, and More Wine!

Hanging with the Locals

Breakfast Buffet of Champions

Chico Hot Springs is Something Special

Tasty DIY Buffet

Nuevo Tacos

Bloody Maria

Tito Rita!

Signup for our newsletter

Thank you for sign up!