Diana Laskaris

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Diana Laskaris

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In Belgium

Get Romantik In Bruges Belgium

Bruges Belgium is one of the most romantic cities in Europe. So it’s only fitting that the Pandhotel, a beautiful small luxury property nestled on a quiet side street but close to everything should capture our attention. Pandhotel is part of the Romantik group of hotels and restaurants, a collection of independent establishments featuring some of the most beautiful properties you can find.

Food Travelist Pandhotel Brugge Belgium — Pandhotel Bruges Belgium on a quiet side street

Pandhotel caters to your refined sensibilities. It’s an 18th-century carriage house that is full of antiques, artwork, and cozy charm. Fireplaces and luxurious furnishings just beg for you to cuddle up and relax comfortably, even in the common areas. The staff is pleasant and attentive but not overwhelming.

There are 11 junior suites decorated with sumptuous Ralph Lauren fabrics and intriguing works of art. The beds are very comfortable with high-quality linens.

Food Travelist Pandhotel Brugge Belgium Ralph Lauren Suite — Comfy Ralph Lauren Suite

There is plenty of room to sit, plan, relax, read, or do whatever you like while you’re not enjoying the sights of this beautiful city.

Food Travelist Pandhotel Brugge Belgium Art Wall — Pandhotel Brugge Belgium Art Wall

You can start your day in their breakfast room with a wonderful meal and even indulge a little in some morning champagne if you, please. And after you’re done with your day visiting around town, you can unwind in the beautiful bar area with some port or other drink of your choosing.

Food Travelist Pandhotel Bruges Belgium Bar — Lovely Pandhotel bar

A delightful little plate of snacks will be yours along with the wonderful memories of everything you enjoyed about Bruges. Including this little gem of a hotel.

Food Travelist Pandhotel Bruges Bar Snacks — Pandhotel Bar Snacks and Port Wine

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a beautiful and comfortable place to stay in Bruges Belgium, the luxurious Pandhotel offers everything you want and more.

In Food

First Mistress of the Kitchen

By Diana Laskaris

It’s no secret that the French have always enjoyed great cuisine, and Louis XV was no exception. He took as his mistress a young woman named Jeanne Bécu, Comtesse Du Barry, whose father was a cook.

Madame du Barry, however, had a taste for cuisine other than the rich and heavy food that had been omnipresent in 18th Century France. In fact, she promoted lighter yet still flavorful dishes designed to tickle the tastebuds without inducing the food coma that came along after heartier fare. She did, however, enjoy drinking chocolate, and encouraged Louis to partake as it was believed to be an aphrodisiac!

Food Travelist Madame Du Barry Drinking Chocolate — Madame Du Barry Drinking Chocolate

A most interesting aspect of her culinary creativity is that she hired a female chef de cuisine. This was at a time when only men were in the kitchens of the upper echelons of France. Her influence grew and French culinary history changed as women began taking charge in the kitchens of the French aristocracy.

So confident of her chef was Madame Du Barry that when Louis XV boasted that the only good chefs were men, she invited the king to a meal prepared by her chef. Louis was thrilled with the meal and asked about the new man who was her cook. She retorted that it was a woman and suggested that since even the King himself was impressed, she should be awarded the Cordon-Bleu, an honor bestowed only on men to date.

Many dishes even today are associated with Madame Du Barry, particularly ones that involve cauliflower. One consists of cauliflower flowerets covered with Mornay Sauce, sprinkled with breadcrumbs, and grated cheese that is then baked and browned. Another is a creamy cauliflower soup.

Madame Du Barry is associated with cauliflower dishes — Du Barry dishes often use cauliflower

So when you see a recipe with “Dubarry” or “Du Barry” in its name, you know the famous – and sometimes infamous – lady recounted by the dish.

THE QUICK BITE: Madame Du Barry, Mistress to Louis XV of France, was not only a force in his bedroom but also in his kitchen. She brought women into the picture of professional chefs in France.

In Americas

Magical Mahekal in Mexico

By Diana Laskaris

If you dream about beautiful beaches, palm trees gently swaying, crystal blue waters, incredible food for a reasonable price, and a place just to hang out and relax, then Mahekal beach resort at Playa Del Carmen in Mexico’s beautiful Yucatan peninsula may just be the place for you.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Sunrise — Magical Mahekal Sunrise

Mahekal is the Spanish pronunciation of “magical” and that pretty much describes this place. Your first hint (aside from the breathtaking scenery) will hit you when you get to your room. Whimsical towel sculptures will make you smile if you’re not already.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal — Mahekal Resort

The rooms have a personal hammock or two, so you can relax without even having to reach the sand.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Home Sweet Hammock — Home Sweet Hammock

There are two pool areas to soak up the sun and stay cool.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Beautiful Seaside Pool — Mahekal Beautiful Seaside Pool

One of the beachfront casitas even has its own plunge pool that opens up right to the beach!

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Private Plunge Pool — Private Plunge Pool

The bar hosts happy hours where you’ll find the booziest cocktails ever sold at 2-for-1 prices. The reality is it’s more like 6 for the price of one, as the bartender is blissfully heavy-handed. Because your room will not have a telephone or television (by design) the bar area is a gathering place, which also has Wi-Fi and some computers if you absolutely must. You might even make a friend or two while you’re there.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal New Friends — ANew Friend

The restaurant is exceptional, serving to please every palate. Eggs in the morning with a Mexican flare are fantastic.

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Mexican Breakfast — Mexican Breakfast

And anytime is the right time for a little cerveza and chips!

Food Travelist Magical Mahekal Chips And Cerveza — Chips And Cerveza

You’ll never forget Mahekal or the sunrises and sunsets that you’ll see from the beach. If you’re looking for a beautiful, relaxing place with plenty to do nearby and outstanding food with a bit of fun, check out magical Mahekal in Playa Del Carmen Mexico.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a beautiful, relaxing place with plenty to do nearby, outstanding food with a bit of fun, check out the magical Mahekal beach resort in Playa Del Carmen Mexico.

In Asia

Singapore Shopping

By Diana Laskaris

Singapore shopping is known worldwide for its incredible quantity and variety. From indoor malls to outdoor malls to food hawkers, kiosks, and more, there’s something to please shoppers of every variety. For Food Travelists, there’s one super fun all-in-one shopping area worth getting to know.

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Largest Shopping Street — Largest Shopping Street in Singapore

Bugis Street (across from Bugis Junction) calls itself the longest shopping street in Singapore. What’s great about this shopping mecca is that it has its very own “Food Street” filled with all kinds of interesting prepared food to try. You can also wander throughout the mall and find many other food items for sale.

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Bugis Food Street — Bugis Food Street

If you’re a fan of calamari (squid), you’ll love seeing piles of stuff ready to eat. There are lots of other types of seafood available too, like octopus, fish, shrimp, and more.

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Squid — Lots of Squid

For those who like the exotic, beautiful dragon fruit brighten up some of the stalls. The pinkish-red skins with the pointy protrusions are easily identified.

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Dragon Fruit — Beautiful and tasty dragon fruit

Another fun food product that you can find in abundance is dried mushrooms of just about every type. It’s great fun to look at huge bags of tasty fungi piled up next to each other. Other dried items such as flowers or chestnuts or lotus roots can also be seen and purchased this way.

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Mushrooms — Dried mushrooms in abundance

And, if you’re a fan of stuff on a stick, Bugis Street has a wide variety of options from hot dogs to fried fish and vegetables, chicken nuggets, deep fried meats, tofu and more. People can be seen walking from stall to stall munching on something that’s on a stick.

ood Travelist Singapore Shopping Stuff On A Stick — Stuff on a stick

Here’s an interesting bit of trivia. In the 1950s through 1980s Bugis Street became a famous tourist mecca where transvestites would gather. Dressed flamboyantly they’d tease and pose for pictures with American servicemen and others. Bugis Street was renovated in the mid-1980s and now houses its wide variety of shops and food hawkers.

There’s still a bit of unpredictable local color happening in and around Bugis Street though. So don’t be surprised if a little unusual street entertainment should be going on when you’re walking by – like this snake charmer and his live cobra!

Food Travelist Singapore Shopping Snake Charmer — Surprising Snake Charmer

THE QUICK BITE: Singapore shopping is world famous. Food Travelists will enjoy the variety and unique offerings of Bugis Street, the largest shopping street in Singapore.

In Americas

Weird and Wonderful St Lawrence Market

By Diana Laskaris

St Lawrence Market in Toronto Canada has been named the world’s best food market by National Geographic and with plenty of good reason. When in Toronto, any Food Travelist will want to visit this colorful marketplace loaded with a huge variety of food markets, bakeries, delis, meat shops, and much, much more.

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful St Lawrence Market — Toronto’s St Lawrence Market

You could easily spend all day wandering happily around St Lawrence Market. In addition to the massive cheese, seafood, bakery, and deli displays, there are a few crazy specialties that you just won’t find anywhere else. It’s all part of the fun that you’ll encounter when you visit this eclectic and extensive labyrinth celebrating consumption. Here are a few wacky highlights that might get you to check it out.

Dog bones for all of man’s best friends. Some of the butchers offer a wide variety of bones, from beef to pork and from regular doggie size to brontosaurus size bones fit for the biggest pooch you could ever imagine.

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful St Lawrence Market Dog Bones — Dog Bones

To show off their sense of humor, some of the vendors offer thematic decor. For example, Diliso’s Meat puts the stand at the intersections of downtown BBQ Street and Poultry Lane and upmarket Beef Boulevard and Pork Place.

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful St Lawrence Market Beef Boulevard And Pork Place — Beef Boulevard and Pork Place

The “World Famous” Peameal Bacon on a soft country bun is the odd Toronto tradition offered by the Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market. This simple sandwich has captured the attention and affection of famous chefs from all over the world (whose images and signatures are plastered all over the stand) as well as just about everyone who steps into St Lawrence Market.

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful St Lawrence Market Peameal Bacon Sandwich — The Famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich from Carousel Bakery

Fiddleheads or crosiers as they are sometimes called, are actually a type of fern (the ostrich fern, if you must know) that is native to parts of Ontario, Quebec, B.C., and the Maritimes. Chefs and foodies alike are fans of this versatile and nutritious green that is fun to look at but works well tossed into a seasonal spring omelet, added to soup, or eaten fresh on its own.

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful_St_Lawarence Market Fiddleheads — Funny Fiddleheads

Perhaps not so surprisingly, you’ll be able to find maple products in abundance at the St Lawrence Market. In fact, there are maple products for consumption, like cookies, syrup, candies and the like to soaps and creams and lotions. As any self-respecting Canadian will tell you, your shelf is not full unless its full of maple!

Food Travelist Weird And Wonderful_St_Lawrence Market Maple Everything — Maple Everything!

Along with a mustard stand with a hundred flavors, olive bars with more colors of olives than you’d ever imagine and cheese, meat, and bakery stalls loaded with goodies, these are just a few of the weird and wonderful items you’ll encounter at the St Lawrence Market in Toronto that make it a fun place to explore.

THE QUICK BITE: Toronto’s amazing St Lawrence Market has many fun wonders to explore from the exotic fiddlehead to the famous peameal bacon sandwich.

In Food

Grandpa Frank, An Early Food Travelist

By Diana Laskaris

One of the things I love best about how I learned to love food travel is that my Grandpa Frank was the one who started it all. Grandpa Frank absolutely loved to travel the world and return with stories to entertain everyone for hours and hours. He was a bold traveler, with nerves of steel. He rarely found anything in travel too exotic.

He also loved to eat and drink. I learned about Zinfandel wine, Mexican eggs, Rhode Island Clam Chowder, and a whole host of other tasty things from Grandpa Frank. He was a great griller and a fearless experimenter in the kitchen. I also learned the difference between a “highball” and “lowball” glass, because Grandpa Frank sure loved his Scotch.

The most impactful memories I have of being with Grandpa Frank, though, were the times we spent in his garden. His southern California yard was filled not only with flowers and hedges but trees full of fruit – plums, peaches, oranges, lemons, guavas, avocados, and more. I loved to work in the garden with Grandpa Frank, and he was always appreciative of my willingness to get my hands dirty!

My Grandma Martha may have been the best cook in the family, but Grandpa Frank was an early Food Travelist – and I am thankful that he was willing to share those passions with me.

THE QUICK BITE: We all have people who have influenced our love of food and travel. Grandpa Frank inspired me. Who inspires you?

In Main Dishes

Pork Chops with Apples and Onions

By Diana Laskaris

Pork chops and applesauce is a fave on the comfort food circuit. We take this tummy-warmer and give it a little modern twist. Instead of turning apples into applesauce, we add some sliced onions and make an apple and onion sauce. Saucy aren’t we?

Food Travelist Pork Chops With Apples And Onions Sauce

You also don’t need to go outside and hit the grill to make this yummy recipe. A grill pan, indoor electric grill or even a skillet or broiler will work well too. It’s all about the love, you know. And this dish has loads of it! Easy to make, you’ll have them begging for more. This is a recipe for 4 chops, but you can make more or less based on who’s coming for dinner!

Food Travelist Pork Chops With Apples And Onions Grill Pan

Ingredients

4 bone-in loin pork chops (or whatever cut pork chop you prefer)
4 medium Spanish or Vidalia onions, thinly sliced
4 large apples, 2 tart (such as Granny Smith) and 2 sweeter variety (such as McIntosh, Jonathan or Fuji), sliced
4 Tablespoons butter or margarine
4 Tablespoons dark brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon granulated garlic
1/2 teaspoon ground sage or thyme
salt and fresh ground pepper to taste

Food Travelist Pork Chops With Apples And Onions On The Stovetop

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. Sprinkle pork chops with the spices.
3. Grill in grill pan, skillet or broiler (as you prefer) over medium heat for about 3-4 minutes on each side to get the grill marks or brown the outside.
4. While pork chops are cooking, sauté the onion and apple slices in the butter until they are tender, about 7-8 minutes.
5. Add brown sugar to the apples and onions and cook until the syrup forms and is thick and bubbly. For some added kick, if you like, you can add a splash of apple schnapps or other apple liqueur.
6. Pour sauce over pork chops and bake in oven about 30 minutes until inserted meat thermometer reads 140 degrees F.
7. Let rest for about 5 minutes before serving.

Food Travelist Pork Chops With Apples And Onions Bake

Serve with a fresh green vegetable, like green beans, broccoli, peas, spinach or kale!

THE QUICK BITE: Liven up your comfort food menu with this tummy-warming, easy recipe for pork chops with sweet and savory apples and onions.

In Drinks

Clicquot Champagne Queen

By Diana Laskaris

Do you love Veuve Clicquot champagne? Are you always on the hunt for that distinctive yellow label? Well, if you do, you might be interested to know that one of the best-selling brands in the world became that way because of a ballsy widow, forced to make her way in the world after the death of her hubby when she was only 27 years old left her with a failing business.

Indeed, the “Widow Clicquot,” Barbe-Nicole Clicquot Ponsardin, took some huge risks to build a business during the most tumultuous political and financial times. In 1814 during the war, she risked humiliation and utter financial ruin by shipping her exquisite 1811 vintage champagne to Russia – having to pass through a military blockade to do it. Fortune favors the bold, however, and her shipment arrived and her champagne ruled the Russian market for decades.

She also innovated the process of making Veuve Clicquot champagne, developing with her colleagues, a method of clarifying, known as “riddling,” which allows the sediment to gather in the bottleneck so it can be easily removed, leaving nothing but clear and sparkling bubbly.

Portrait of Madame Clicquot and her great-granddaughter Anne de Rochechouart-Mortemart by Léon Cogniet.

The Grand Dame of Champagne was also responsible for some of the greatest marketing innovations in the industry, some of which still hold fast today. Perhaps you’ve seen the bright yellow label standing out on the shelf? The reason it stands out so well is that when considering how to make it so, Madame Clicquot was eating an egg for breakfast and noticed the deep yellow yolk of the egg as it contrasted starkly with the egg white. She loved that yellow yolk color and adopted it for her label, and the Veuve Clicquot brand can be readily seen from across any room because of it!

Learning to Succeed

Madame Clicquot’s example provides so many lessons. Be brave, be bold, believe in yourself and take action. And it never hurts to have good taste. The one belief that has never changed through the years of marketing one of the world’s finest champagnes came from Madame Clicquot herself. “Only one quality, the finest.”

With that kind of vision, tenacity, and good taste, it’s clear (not from riddling!) that Veuve Clicquot remains the Champagne Queen. The next time you see the Veuve Cliquot Yellow label think of the wonderful lady who started it all.

If you’d like to learn more about Madame Clicquot you can read all about it in the book The Widow Clicquot: The Story of A Champagne Empire and the Woman Who Ruled It. It’s a real page-turner.

THE QUICK BITE: From a young widow on the edge of bankruptcy, gutsy Madame Clicquot created an empire and became the Champagne Queen.

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In Food

Galettes Galore

By Diana Laskaris

The cuisine of France is world-renowned for its sophistication, precision, and elegance. But there’s one item that we find more hearty and rustic than refined. And we love that! It’s the galette, a large thin pancake-like pastry that most often appears in the Brittany region of France. The galette could be considered a country cousin to the crepe. While crepes are known for their thin delicateness, galettes are often made a little heavier, often with buckwheat flour, lending a more rustic bite. Galettes may be filled with savory or sweet fillings.

Accompanying galettes in Brittany or Normandy is a traditional drink that comes from the plentiful apple trees grown there – cider (spelled cidre in the area). But it’s not the cider you would normally think of, sweet and smooth. This cider has a kick and is slightly bubbly with a tinge of alcohol content. It’s definitely a different taste, perhaps one that takes a little time to acquire. But it complements both sweet and savory galettes perfectly.

Food Travelist Galettes Galore Mont St Michel

A couple of recommendations for authentic galettes if you’re visiting Brittany or Normandy:

If you’re lucky enough to visit the stunning Mont St. Michel (and we highly recommend you do!) you’ll find yourself strolling among the shops, bakeries, bars, and restaurants lining the streets of the tiny town. But if you want to try a galette, here are a couple of places you will want to check out.

Food Travelist Galettes Galore Mont St Michel Bakeries

La Ferme St Michel has a great “snacks menu” that includes savory galettes filled with butter, cheese, egg, ham, and/or sausage.

Creperie La Cloche has savory galettes, “super” galettes with a tasty bunch of stuff inside and dessert galettes – something for everyone. They also have cidre.

Food Travelist Galettes Galore Le Moulin De La Galette View

If you’re in Normandy, then you’re likely to visit Bayeaux to see the amazing “tapestry,” the embroidery that shows the entire history of events leading up to the Norman conquest of England in one long piece. When you finish viewing this incredible artifact, you’ll likely be looking for some sustenance. We highly recommend you pay a visit to the picturesque and serene Le Moulin De La Galette. Sitting on the terrace alongside the river will keep you enchanted. Meanwhile, the hearty cidre and huge galettes will fill you completely. We experienced the ultimate indulgence – a savory galette filled with ham and cheese, followed by a dessert galette drizzled with rich, dark, sweet chocolate. Need we say more?

Food Travelist Galettes Galore Dessert Galette

Food Travelist Galettes Galore Savory Galette

Remember too that Calvados in the lower Normandy region is well known for its apple brandy of the same name. If you have a chance to explore Brittany and Normandy, you will find galettes galore and we suggest you taste a whole lot of them before determining which you like best.

THE QUICK BITE: For a tasty local treat when traveling in the Brittany and Normandy regions of France, get your hands on a galette and you’ll be happy you did.

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.

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Diana Laskaris

Learning to Succeed

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