Diana Laskaris

In Drinks

Cinco De Mayo With A Difference

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.

In Blog

Reimagining Tapas

By Diana Laskaris

We know that the word “tapas” conjures up images of many small plates at a Spanish table finished off with a pitcher of sangria. And while that’s an awfully good image, it’s not the only one available when you think of tapas in a larger context. Tapas to us means small sharable plates of something edible. They are not a starter or appetizer; together they form a complete meal. They may be hot or cold and they provide the perfect opportunity for tasting variety of flavors from a destination, whether you’re in Spain, America or somewhere else in the world.

We find the serving of small shareable plates is naturally available in a variety of places. For example, in Mediterranean countries such as Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, the concept of mezedes is a natural part of the cuisine.

In the Middle East, mezze are are also featured throughout the cuisine. You will find great examples such as hummus and vegetable dips, meatballs, falafel, pickled vegetables, salads, olives, cheeses and much more spread before you as a feast of small delights to be sampled and shared.

Asian food is also natural for sharing, from wonderful Japanese pork buns or edamame to Chinese egg rolls and dumplings there are a lot of bite sized or shareable tapas-friendly foods.

Even Indian foods such as samosas, pakoras, and others make for a wonderful spread of tasty eats that work great as shareable plates.

And though it may seem contrary to the concept of a big bowl of pasta, or platter of chicken parmesan, Italian cuisine also lends itself to the wonders of sharing small plates. The traditional antipasto plate is meant to be shared.

But there are also some wonderful options you can treat this way, such as crostini or bruschetta, caprese (tomato and mozzarella slices), asparagus wrapped in prosciutto and other items.

Latin cuisine makes good use of the small plates concept as well.

You can enjoy Peruvian, Brazilian, Cuban or Mexican tapas. Empanadas and tacos make for wonderful small plates sharing.

Thinking about the idea of tapas, we can extend its application to just about any cuisine, even if it may seem not to fit. For example, when we were in Dublin, Ireland, we visited Fade St. Social, a very popular restaurant featuring “Irish Tapas.”

We sampled some delicious local fare made for sharing such as the novel raw beef flatbread a modern twist on traditional colcannon.

And even the if the idea of German tapas makes no sense in the mind, the tastebuds love the idea. Especially when doing some “beer tapas” as well. You can find small glasses for sampling or sharing in many places now and having some tastes that pair well can be fun and different.

Let’s not forget about dessert! Think about French profiteroles (though some of us would rather just eat all of them than share).

Or mini cannolis or zeppelin with different sauces for everyone to try.

You may even find a well planned sampler of mini-desserts, such as we found at Seasons 52, where the choices are many but the calories are few!

The concept of tapas has reached far beyond the borders of Spain. And we’re thrilled. Using a little creativity you can find all kinds of ways to create the tapas of your dreams. Tell us about your favorite, if unexpected, tapas discovery.

Pinnable Image Below

THE QUICK BITE: The concept of tapas has reached far beyond the borders of Spain. And we’re thrilled. Here are a few of the global tapas we’ve discovered in some unexpected places.

In United States

Tasty Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas

By Diana Laskaris

Let’s face it – Las Vegas is a sort of fantasyland for grownups. Hotels and services cater to just about every desire. But if you love music – especially rock music, the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas stands alone. And more than that, for Food Travelists, it offers a great variety of dining options all in one place.

We’ll start out with the obvious Hard Rock characteristic – music memorabilia. It’s the bedrock of the Hard Rock empire. And, in this, the Hard Rock Hotel in Las Vegas doesn’t disappoint. In fact, there are so many displays that you can spend several hours just strolling, looking in hallways, casinos, restaurants and everywhere to find something that makes your inner rocker smile. We especially liked the many drum sets on display and the fun collections of photos and items from folks like Keith Richards, Steven Tyler and Heart.

We stayed in the upscale HRH Tower part of the hotel, which offers suites and some VIP amenities.

We had a central column that divided the sleeping area from the sitting area with a flatscreen television on each side. There was also a nice view of the rest of Vegas, especially at night.

If you’re there when the weather is nice, there are plenty of options to get outside, such as outdoor patio dining, several pools, bars, whirlpools and lounge chairs, suitably set out on one of several swimming areas with sandy beach settings. There are stages outside where concerts happen during the “Rehab” pool parties.

And for the indoor entertainment scene there are the Vanity and Body English nightclubs, concert venues Vinyl and The Joint as well as live bands for Friday Night at the Pool. Of course, for those who like to gamble, there’s plenty of casino action.

After a night of playing hard, you might feel like getting room service. Luckily, the Hard Rock delivers an outstanding breakfast. Just about anything you want, delivered hot and tasty. We had a full-blown eggs, sausage, and bacon platter and tried their biscuits and sausage gravy. Everything was delicious.

There’s so much variety in the restaurants at the Hard Rock complex that we’d venture to say you can find just about anything that you’ve got a taste for there. We had to try a few for ourselves.

Our first stop was Pink Taco. We loved the entrance complete with sombrero donning zebra statue and pink neon sign. The scene was fun and the music lively. More importantly, the food was excellent. The emphasis is on fresh preparations, including handmade tortillas you can watch being prepared. We found all our favorites there from fajitas, tacos and tostadas to some specialties like honey-chipotle wings, sweet corn fritters and ceviche. For those who like the hot stuff, they even have an “Inferno” menu with such items as Diablo Nachos (made with scorpion chile cheese sauce and habanero beans). They have an extensive bar, as you would expect. And, we discovered that the margaritas were all too good.

For something a little different we had lunch at Culinary Dropout, a “rebel” American gastro-pub concept that also has locations in Arizona. The menu is varied as one would expect, from antipasti to sandwiches to entrees. We tried their beer battered fish & chips, which looked lovely and hearty on the plate.

But the star of our meal was their rendition of house potato chips with famous onion dip. To call them addictive would be an understatement. Paired with a craft brew or clever cocktail and you’re tummy will be happy for quite a while.

There are several other dining options to suit your mood.

If you’re looking for an all-night diner, they’ve got that too, with Mr. Lucky’s a decidedly retro feel and satisfying menu to match. Everything from spiked milkshakes to fried mac & cheese bites, chicken pot pie to spaghetti & meatballs, you’ll find comfort food galore here. And, as would be fitting, you can order breakfast (and everything else) around the clock.

For something a little more high-end, it doesn’t get much higher then Nobu. The classic Japanese flavors infused with South American and Western accents have enchanted chef Nobu Matsuhisa’s devotees around the world.

Fu (which means “luck”) Asian Kitchen offers “Asian cuisine with attitude.” There’s a swagger to the fusion fair offering uniquely modern dishes as well as more traditional bites as well. And, should you get a yen for it, you can have in-room delivery as well.

For meat and libations there’s the classic 35 Steaks + Martinis. There’s also a coffeehouse the offers Italian coffees, teas, smoothies, pastries and gelato, a juice bar and an express cafe for grab and go drinks and snacks.

So, basically, you can find almost anything you would want at the Hard Rock Hotel. We’re sure that’s okay with them and it’s just fine with us!

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a Las Vegas hotel with a little bit extra and a lot to offer from food to games and especially music, The Hard Rock Hotel HRH Tower is a good bet.

In Asia

Asian Feasts and Finds

By Diana Laskaris

The appeal of Asia food to Food Travelists is undeniable. The vast continent with cuisines a wonderful variety of cultures and cuisines spans from Indian to Chinese to Thai to Vietnamese to Singaporean and more. There’s truly something for everyone and with as many tastes and traditions to explore as a traveler desires.

We thought we’d tantalize your taste buds and let your mind take you to familiar and unfamiliar feasts and finds in the exotic and delicious cultural landscape of Asia with a photo journey through some of our favorite Asian feasts and finds.

There are many delicious dumplings from Taiwan to Tokyo. World famous dim sum, steamed dumplings, fried gyoza, and pot stickers all fit the bill.

Many Asian feasts include noodles. Vietnamese Pho, Japanese Ramen, Chinese lo-mien and many other delicious meals include noodles at the core.

Rice is another favorite component of much Asian cuisine. Whether it’s wrapped around sushi, plain and simple, fried with lots of goodies, or somewhere in between, rice is tasty and filling.

Asian Food Everything Fried Rice — Everything Fried Rice

There are many delicious ways to stuff something yummy into a wrapper, whether using a won ton, a soft rice bun, rice wrap or lettuce. Rolls can be deep fried, steamed or served on a platter that makes everyone smile.

While there may be more Asian treats that you can shake a stick it, you can find skewers with many eats, both unique and sweet.

Asian Food Beijing Night Market Lots of Stuff on Sticks — Lots of Stuff on Sticks

Candied Fruit on Sticks Beijing Asian Food — Candied Fruit on Sticks Beijing

Street eats and DIY are also lots of fun in Asia. Hawker stalls selling local favorites, street stands and hot pots where you can cook your own meal are all part of the various scenes.

Dishes that require patience to perfect (and to eat!) are a testament to the thoughtfulness evident in some Asian cuisine. Delicately carved duck that has taken hours, even days to prepare by masters in a restaurant can be matched by the beauty of lovely carved fruit that can be purchased from a local in an alley in some neighborhoods.

Asian Food Peking Duck Prep — Peking Duck Prep

Tea has a special place in Asian cultures. Not only the explanations and the ceremonies, but the great variety as well. And then there’s just the fun of it, like bubble tea, which can be found in trendy areas from China to Los Angeles.

Nanluoguxiang and Bubble Tea — The Trendy Nanluoguxiang Hutong and Volcano Bubble Tea

But after all that wonderful food, we find ourselves out exploring what’s going on where we are.
Singapore provides some great places to commune with nature through the Jurong Bird Park and the Zoo, which also has a night zoo so you can see nocturnal animals when they are awake.

Beijing’s Confucious Temple and Guozijian Museum provide a thoughtful place where you can contemplate in a relatively small area dotted with old and historical trees amid a bustling metropolis with millions of people.

Parades and celebrations are part of fun.

And markets of every sort provide opportunities to scout out unique ingredients and the freshest produce nearby.

Whether you like to eat outdoors or catch a great view, Asia is full of opportunities.

From tasty snacks called “Chaat” in India

to entertainment by talented acrobats in China

Asia is full of feasts and finds. And if you’re looking for some western dish, you can find that too, like a tasty burger in Singapore.

Daniel Boulud Singapore — Burger at Daniel Boulud’s db bistro moderne in Singapore

More Asian Food

Sometimes Asian flavors are even in your own town. So, while you’re waiting to make that trip, enjoy some local tastes of Asia whether they’re modern and unique like a crazy Ramen Burger

or traditional and tasty

Asian Food Sharing with Friends — Sharing with Friends

like a Chinese restaurant with a big lazy Susan full of food to share with family and friends.

THE BIG BITE: Explore the exotic and delicious cultural landscape of Asia with a photo journey through some of our favorite Asian feasts and finds.

Pin to your Asian Food board on Pinterest

In Americas

A Day in Wisconsin

By Diana Laskaris

There are a lot of places that make for a good day trip all around the Midwest. If you’re in Chicago, Wisconsin is a logical choice and Milwaukee is only about 90 minutes away. And for Food Travelists, it can make for a fun day of taking in a variety of places and plates. Here’s a look at a few favorite Milwaukee highlights that you can enjoy without breaking the bank in just a day.

The Milwaukee Public Market is one of our favorite places to amble around and investigate the local food scene. From a whole booth dedicated to mustard to wine, delicious baked goods, and much more, there’s something for everyone at the market. You can check out the seafood by just looking for the easy-to-spot signage.

And if you want to take something home to cook, there are plenty of spices and rubs from experts in the field, like Tom Douglas, whose book of crab cakes has guided us in making more than one meal!

If you love coffee, you’ll find some fresh roast blends there.

And of course, it’s a cheese lover’s paradise, being Wisconsin and all.

We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the abundance of world-famous cheese curds aka “squeaky cheese” available there too.

And, if you want to take something lovely home with you from your visit, stop by the fresh flowers and get a bunch to go.

Fresh Flowers at the Milwaukee Public Market

More Than Just Cheese & Beer

The Milwaukee Art Museum is also world-class, especially for modern art. It’s also got some beautiful views of Lake Michigan.

Artists from Ellsworth Kelly

to Andy Warhol

to Georgia O’Keefe

and Alex Katz is all on display.

Alex Katz - Sunny #4 — Alex Katz – Sunny #4

There is usually a fun special exhibit, like the one we saw on animation art.

And, there are some unique displays that you just won’t find anywhere else.

And, of course, no visit to Milwaukee would be complete without a visit to a local brewery. We heard that Lakefront Brewery, in addition to having some fabulous beer, also had a fun tour.

The price of admission includes tastings, and you can earn more “chips” good for additional samples if you correctly answer a question posed by your brewery navigation specialist along the way.

The brewery tour is fun, and you get to see its inner workings.

You can choose to taste many award-winning brews and they have some of the best organic and gluten-free beer you’ll find anywhere.

The nature of the work and its fun comes shining through with a proudly posted notice containing the words of the Laverne & Shirley tv show theme song declaring “We’re gonna do it!”

If you want to spend an enjoyable day in a city that pleases all of your senses, give Milwaukee a visit. There’s a lot of fun and flavor within a reasonable driving distance from many places in the Midwest.

THE QUICK BITE: From food to art to shopping to beer, Milwaukee, Wisconsin offers a lot of fun for a Midwest day trip.

In Americas

A Quick Relaxing Getaway

By Diana Laskaris

We love the idea of getting away from it all without having to pack a big bag and head to the airport. The idea of a “stay- cation,” if you will, is something we like, but confess we haven’t done much. We thought it would be great to give one a try and tell you what we think. Maybe it will inspire you to take a little local jaunt when the opportunity arises.

When the Le Méridien in Oak Brook, Illinois offered us a chance to experience a comfortable executive suite, spa treatment, and on-premises restaurant, we thought it would be a great way to check out just what a little R & R close to home has to offer to a harried local or two.

Disclaimer: We were invited to stay at Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center and experience their offerings. We were not financially compensated and the opinions expressed are our own based on our experiences.

Just so you know, Oak Brook is a suburb about 45 minutes from downtown Chicago. It’s also home to the headquarters of several large organizations including Ace Hardware, Blistex, and Lions Clubs International. Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center is located in the Oakbrook Shopping Center, with access to over 25 restaurants and luxury boutiques, so you’re not out in the boonies somewhere with nothing to do, although that would be okay with us too.

The hotel itself has undergone a $25 million transformation, creating a sleek, modern, comfortable environment with just about every amenity you could want. When you walk into the lobby, there’s a cool piece of artwork, attentive service, and a vibe that says, “Don’t worry. We got you covered.” Even though we arrived in our own car, it felt like we were somewhere much further away.

We were given a full explanation of the services and set our appointments for massage in the spa suites, then went to the room. The executive suite was cool and sleek, but not too cold. Little touches like live plants and painted log tables provided a nice accent to the otherwise super-cool tech and urban chic. The suite was spacious with a large bedroom sitting room that spilled out into a dining area. The Bose sound system, flatscreen TVs and stylish phones made it clear that you were only as far away from the world as you care to be.

A nice touch, too, Le Méridien’s unique partnership program with local cultural centers. Presenting the Unlock Art™ pass found in your room will get you complimentary admission the local cultural partner. In this case, the Elmhurst Art Gallery is the partner and presenting the Unlock Art™ pass at the Art Museum gives you complimentary admission and access to private events and exhibition launches.

If you reserve a Le Méridien Club level room, you get access to the Executive Club Lounge with complimentary workstations, high speed Internet (also available in the rooms), newspapers, a full breakfast, snacks and beverages throughout the day and light appetizers during happy hour. You could even just hang out and watch TV while sipping a fresh espresso, if you like.

The hotel also has an exercise room with a full complement of whatever you might want.

The main floor of the hotel has Longitude 87, which serves cocktails, breakfast, and lunch.

The 9th floor holds El Tapeo, a restaurant offering a modern twist on Spanish tapas.

There’s also a lounge, which provides a great place to hang out and listen to live music on weekend evenings.

With the local theater and shopping scene, we can easily see why the restaurant is full of shoppers and theater goers looking for a way to rest their heels with a drink or nibble before or after the entertainment of their choice.

And as nice as all these are, there’s one offering that made this Le Méridien soar for us. Unquestionably, the spa suites are the crown jewel of this local retreat. We were provided with what we agreed were the best massages we’ve ever had. Tipsukhon Calfa, our massage therapist and esthetician, originally from Thailand, honed her skills first working with chiropractors then another high end spa in Chicago. She now provides services at Le Méridien, that include a meaningful consultation and personalization that are knowledgeably tailored to suit your individual needs.

She spent considerable time with us, learning about our trouble spots and determining the best course of therapy for each. And, even if you’re just looking for a way to soothe your tired muscles or refresh your skin, we’re sure there’s magic in any treatment you will get here.

In addition to the ESPA aromatic essential oils specific to your preference, fruit, juice, tea and water, the comfortable spa suites also offer a unique “hot bed,” a heated tile lounger built into the shower area. After your treatment you can lay on the hot bed, enjoy a a soaking tub, rain shower, body sprayers or soaking tub as well. You receive a bit of personal relaxation time where you can get yourself together before heading back to whatever activity or non-activity you choose. One of the suites is large enough to accommodate a small group for a girls’ or guys’ getaway, perfect for de-stressing before or after a big event.

So if you don’t think you have time for a big getaway, go for a little one. And if you’re anywhere near Chicago, check out Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center, relax and enjoy.

THE QUICK BITE: Sometimes a quick getaway is the perfect way to relax and refresh. Le Méridien Chicago – Oakbrook Center provides a welcome respite and an incredible spa experience.

In Food

Deliciously Unique Le Chique

By Diana Laskaris

If you are a fan of avant-garde cuisine, where every dish will surprise your senses, stimulate your imagination, and dazzle your taste buds, then the spectacular experience offered by Le Chique restaurant in the “gourmet inclusive” Azul Beach Resort Riveria Cancun by Karisma in Puerto Morales near Cancun, Mexico should be a must in your travel plans.

Disclaimer: We were invited guests of Azul Beach Resort and Le Chique Restaurant. However, all opinions expressed are based on our own experiences.

The ingenious and delicious Author’s Menu at Le Chique created by Executive Chef Jonatan Gomez-Luna Torres plays hide-and-seek with your inner child while delighting your grown-up sensibilities about how fantastic a truly inventive menu can be. The menu can vary from 12 to 24 courses, depending upon whether you are staying at the resort and looking for the “inclusive” offering, want to expand to the extended menu or are staying elsewhere but dining at the adults-only restaurant. We were invited to experience Chef’s accomplishments, as Le Chique was being recognized with a rare AAA 5-Diamond Award.

Chef Jonatan is not new to cutting-edge world-class cuisine, having trained at some of the most notable chefs and restaurants in the world, including El Bulli’s Ferran Adria. But his heart belongs to his native Mexico, and the flavors, ingredients and sensibilities he brings to the table reflect this appreciation and insight.

There are so many deliciously unique elements to the Author’s dinner at Le Chique that we tasted, we could write our own book (and we wouldn’t even hide food in it, as was done for our meal).

But to give you just a sense of the fun and delightful nature of our experience, we will share a few of our favorites.

To begin the adventure, we were offered mescal, a Mexican alcoholic beverage made in Mexico. Adventurous as it sounds, the ground “cricket” dust on the side of the bowl added just the right saltiness to accentuate the handcrafted liquor. And we were off to a fiery good start.

Some of the fun of this trip into food wonderland came from the surprise elements. We were mesmerized by the gin cloud, like a puff of cotton candy that when consumed in one bite squirted sweetened gin into your mouth like a grown-up carnival treat.

The mimetic pecan nut played hide and seek with us, as it took us a minute to determine which of the nuts in the bowl were actually made of foie gras and chocolate.

The large cherries on top of the Maraschino cherries are called Cherry Campari. They provide a delightful burst of flavor upon the first bite.

Not only does the food at Le Chique play tricks on your taste buds, it also provides a visual feast. Having a friend who handcrafted some of the serving dishes, Chef Jonatan enjoyed bringing the rustic appeal of nature to our table. From hollows that look like a good place for marrow to posts with “leafy” tacos to fish nets filled with crispy fish rinds, the menu continued to surprise and intrigue us.

Roasted-looking mini-corn cobs on forks sticking up from burnt wood embers playfully tease your eyes and tongue at the same time.

As if there wasn’t enough to keep your mind reeling, the Kumamoto/Oyster Leaf/Ojo Rojo was literally rolling in fog!

When it’s time for the sweets, there’s more to your “lemon pie” than meets the eye, as the “lemon” is actually not a lemon, but cleverly detailed lemon ice inside a crusty lemon rind, all of which is edible.

The Azul Sensatori is a large, luxurious resort, well-appointed and with attentive service that you would expect from an establishment of this level. The “gourmet inclusive” approach includes 6 restaurants including a Caribbean bistro, classic Mexican, global tapas, authentic Tuscan Italian and more. There are also swim-up bars, high-end lounges, beachside grill and cantinas and most anything you could want.

Regardless of where you find yourself in Mexico, if you’re looking for a truly unique and memorable dining experience, don’t hesitate to check out Le Chique. We understand the menu and, in fact, the decor are changing, so you might just see us there too when the new ambiance arrives!

THE QUICK BITE: If you are a fan of avant-garde cuisine, where every dish will surprise your senses, stimulate your imagination, and dazzle your taste buds, then the spectacular experience offered by Le Chique restaurant in the “gourmet inclusive” Azul Sensatori Hotel by Karisma in Puerto Morales near Cancun, Mexico should be a must in your travel plans.

In Food

Flavors of Aloha

By Diana Laskaris

Winter may be raging outside your window today. Or you may be living in a milder climate with some sun and soft breezes. But wherever you are right now, chances are you’d be happy to be experience the delights of island living, if you could. Luckily, we found a way to share a slice of Hawaiian flavor with you right now and you don’t even have to get up from your chair. Flavors of Aloha is the first delicious cookbook in the Cooking with Tommy Bahama series, and it puts the creation of island-inspired cuisine within reach for home cooks everywhere.

Food Travelist Flavors of Aloha — Flavors of Aloha

As anyone who has stepped off an airplane in the Hawaiian Islands can tell you, the fragrances of Hawaii hits you before your feet are on the ground. You are transported immediately and know you are someplace special. This gorgeous coffee-table sized volume sets the right mood from the beginning, with a cover displaying images of flowers, fruits and fish that evoke the unique scents of island cuisine.

Food Travelist Fried Rice — Fried Rice with Kimchi, Bacon, and Peas

The sections of the book honor nature’s elements of earth, wind, fire and water, engaging your senses both visually and emotionally as the delicious recipes swim across the pages. Asian and Western cooking traditions blend together to create exciting and inviting dishes that will help even the most dedicated Type A personality relax a bit and enjoy the bounty of nature.

Food Travelist Hawaiian Beach — Hawaiian Beach

Recipes cover the gamut from pupus (appetizers), through soups, salads, entrees and sides, all with an easy flair that makes this an ideal book for home cooks to use for spreading their culinary wings just a bit. Everything is clearly laid out from ingredients to instructions, with explanations that do not assume too much expertise.

Beautiful photographs of the islands, activities and, of course, mouth-watering food, pepper the pages along with over 100 recipes that range from super simple 5 ingredient Lomi-Lomi Salmon with Tomatoes and Onions to more intricate undertakings such as Kalua Pulled Pork Sandwiches. Cocktails are covered too, including such classics as the Blue Hawaii and more modern libations such as the Hibiscus Lime Cooler. And, of course, desserts are abundant from a passion fruit chiffon tart to the transcendent Pina Colada Cake. There are even easy instructions for making your own fresh fruit syrups for your own shave ice treats.

Food Travelist Pulled Pork — Kalua Pulled Pork Sandwiches

We loved the beauty of the book, the wonderful sampling of island-inspired recipes and the stories about the people, places and elements that come together to make this island cuisine so unique and memorable. More than just a lovely cookbook, Flavors of Aloha Cooking with Tommy Bahama is a love letter to a lifestyle and an invitation for you to share in it wherever you may be. All we can say is “We accept!”

You can read more and pick up a copy here.

Try this easy dip recipe below when having some friends over and add a little Aloha! to everyone’s day.

MAUI SWEET ONION, BACON, AND CHIVE DIP

Ingredients

3 slices bacon
1 Tbsp vegetable oil
2 sweet onions, preferably Maui, about 12 oz/ 340 g total, cut into 1/4-in/6-mm dice
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 cup/240 ml sour cream
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, plus more for garnish
1 tsp granulated onion
Potato chips or assorted raw vegetables, for serving

Directions

1. Cook the bacon in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, turning it occasionally, until crisp and browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain and cool. Discard the fat and wipe out the skillet with paper towels.
2. Add the oil to the skillet and heat over medium heat. Add the onions and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp pepper. Cover and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Uncover and reduce the heat to medium-low. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are deep golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer the onions to a medium bowl and let cool completely.
3. Finely crumble the bacon and add to the onions. Stir in the sour cream, the 2 Tbsp chives and the granulated onion and season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate to blend the flavors, at least 1 hour or up to 2 days.
4. Transfer to a serving bowl. Sprinkle with chives to garnish and served chilled, with the potato chips for dipping.

Makes 6 to 8 servings (2 cups/430 g)

THE QUICK BITE: Flavors of Aloha is the first delicious cookbook in the Cooking with Tommy Bahama series, and it puts the creation of island-inspired cuisine within reach for home cooks everywhere.