One of the things that’s always fun when writing about my home town food is that once in awhile I get to go back and experience some of my old favorites. When we were invited to the grand opening of Manny’s Deli in Chicago I thought what? Grand opening? Manny’s has been around since the early 1940s.
Admittedly, I hadn’t visited Manny’s in more than a few years. But I knew that Manny’s had wonderful corned beef and all the other delicious things you’d expect from a real Jewish deli. One of the interesting things about Manny’s is that it’s a cafeteria. You’d grab your tray choose your food and sit down and eat. Not very fancy, but man was it good food.
That great cafeteria-style dining still exists at Manny’s. But after eight months of construction, they’ve updated the restaurant and added a separate walk-up deli counter. When you first walk in what will amaze you is that it kinda still looks the same, only better. They say that the entire restaurant has been resurfaced. The black and white floor tiles and the fluorescent light signage look new but at the same time have that familiar look and feel of classic Manny’s.
We had the chance to chat with the Raskin family, who have been operating Manny’s for four generations. Ken Raskin has been working at Manny’s since 1975, so when his wife Patti and son Dan proposed adding a walk-up deli he was skeptical, to say the least. How skeptical? It took almost 10 years to convince him that it was the right thing to do.
We’re so glad they did! Along with Manny’s classic corned beef and pastrami, you can now order all your deli meats, cheeses, and salads all right from the same location they’ve been at since 1942. Serving Jewish deli classics like chopped liver, matzo balls, whitefish salad, kugel, blintz, knish, and of course, tuna salad, chicken salad, egg salad (try the egg white salad – it’s super light and perfect for summer), Manny’s has also added some updated versions like a healthy chicken salad, barley salad, and Greek salad. All are house-made on-site, super fresh, and tasty.
Did we mention that the deli has a full bakery as well? I love rugelach, scratch that, I’m addicted to good rugelach and I forced myself to try several varieties – fresh apricot was my fave at Manny’s Deli. Only Bea’s Bakery in L.A. comes close as a competitor.
Patti Raskin heads up the in-house bakery with deli favorites like rugelach, babka, black & whites, hand-made Chicago team cookies, and much more. They also make custom-designed cookies if you’re looking for that perfect little treat for a luncheon or client meeting. They have a full selection of bagels and butter cookies as well from locally sourced bakeries.
The highlight of the deli, and something hard to find in Chicago, is definitely the fish. You will simply not find a more thoughtful and thorough selection of smoked fish in the Windy City. Ken swears it’s the most unique selection in Chicago and we think he’s right. Smoked white fish, six types of salmon – try the pastrami lox, it’s delicious – smoked sable, sturgeon, and trout. It’s a smoked fish lover’s paradise and a real source of pride for the Raskin family.
They also continue the tradition of featuring old-fashioned candy that they had at the original restaurant. Remember Bit-O-Honey, Sugar Daddy, Slow-Poke, and Turkish Taffy? They’ve got them and a huge selection of what we used to call “penny candy” from which to choose. They’ve also added some modern choices including one of our favorites Torie & Howard. If you haven’t tried Torie’s latest flavor Meyer lemon and raspberry in the fruit chews or hard candy add that to your deli order.
Ken says that so far the feedback has been great from long-time customers. Some hardly even noticed the changes. They just want their Manny’s favorites. While we were sitting in the restaurant the deli hadn’t officially opened yet. Almost every customer went up to the adjoining locked door and gave it a pull. They couldn’t wait to get a look. One gentleman we spoke to said “It’s about time! I was going to buy some food to take home. Next time.” The deli officially opened last week so if you’re looking for a New York-style Jewish deli with everything you love, don’t miss Manny’s Deli!
Manny’s Cafeteria & Delicatessen
1141 South Jefferson Street
312-939-2855 mannysdeli.com
THE QUICK BITE: Manny’s Deli located south of Chicago Loop just opened a new walk-up deli right next to the cafeteria that’s been feeding Chicago terrific Jewish deli food for over 70 years.
Wine tasting. Sometimes it’s so pretentious or you might feel like you don’t know enough about wine to contribute to the conversation. We say no! If you like wine, like we do, it’s fun to plan a wine-tasting night at home. Invite a few friends over a taste a few different wines. It’s the perfect way to get together, share a few laughs and learn about some new wines. The casual environment makes even the first time wine drinker comfortable.
Recently the folks from Mercer Wine sent us some of their wines to taste and we thought, what better way to get to know their wines than with a few friends.
Of course planning a wine night is more than just the wine. You must have some tasty snacks and food to accompany the wine tasting.
We decided to go a little Middle Eastern and made a Greek salad. We picked up some delicious olive tapenade, hummus and fresh baked pita from our favorite local Middle Eastern store to go with the wine. For some sweets we kept it easy with some Damak dark chocolate bars with pistachios and Sheila G’s Organic Brownie Brittle.
Our guests also brought some lovely cheeses and crackers. We were all set to begin the wine tasting.
Here are the wines we tasted:
2015 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Spice Cabinet Vineyard Rose
2015 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Sauvignon Blanc
2014 Mercer Canyon Chardonnay
2015 Mercer Columbia Vally Pinot Gris
2013 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Sharp Sisters Red Blend
2014 Mercer Horse Heaven Hills Malbec
Mercer Wine 5th Generation Agriculturists
The Mercer family has been managing the same property in Washington State since 1886. Raising row crops, livestock and now over 2,000 acres of vineyards in Horse Heaven Hills AVA. In 2005, Rob and Brenda Mercer founded Mercer Estates, which has three tiers of estate wines: Mercer Estates, Mercer Estates Reserve, Mercer Canyons. And a single label dedicated solely to charity Eagle & Plow.
The Mercers are well-known for their care of the land through conservation efforts, community support and patriotism.
Two team members at Mercer were personally affected by the events on September 11, 2001. President Rob Mercer served in the Marine Corps. in the 90s and re-activated to serve in Iraq in 2007-2008. Their vineyard manager, John Derrick lost his best friend John Guadagno on Flight 93. Eagle & Plow is sourced from Mercer’s Block 93, a one-acre plot planted with 911 vines. 40 of those vines represent the 40 lives lost on Flight 93. All proceeds are donated to charities supporting victims of 9/11 and people who protect us everyday.
“We are stewards of our land, caring for and enhancing it’s environmental and social value, always striving to provide a life more abundant for all. At Mercer Estates, we produce wines that demonstrate the distinct terrior of the Horse Heaven Hills with a sense of balance. This is the highest form of art that we, as agriculturists, can accomplish.”
-Rob Mercer, President Mercer Wine
The Mercers consider themselves agriculturists. The Mercer family firmly believes in sustainability and focuses on water management, soil and fertility management, integrated pest management, waste management, research, community support and leadership. All this goes into making some wonderful wines from Horse Heaven Hills, Columbia Valley and Yakima Valley in Washington State.
Let’s Taste Some Wine
We decided to start with the Rose, which is made with 100% Grenache fruit. It was an excellent choice to start. Everyone loved the Rose. It’s perfect as a chilled summer wine and easily pairs with just about anything.
From there we moved on through the whites. We really enjoyed the light and refreshing, fruit-forward Sauvignon Blanc and the Pinot Gris, which paired very well with the aged cheddar a guest had brought to the tasting. If you’re a Chardonnay fan, the Mercer 2014 has notes of vanilla, creamsicle, juicy pear and pineapple.
We then moved on to the reds. We were all quite taken with the Malbec, which had hints of blackberry and plum. It went along quite nicely with the dark chocolate and pistachios. If you’re a fan of red blends you should try their Sharp Sisters, which is made to be shared with friends and family.
Wine Tasting Tips
Here are just a few things you might want to keep in mind when planning a wine tasting.
Prepare notes or information on each wine in advance for your guests
Provide water for all guests to cleanse the palate between tastings
Pour small amounts for each tasting, remember guests need to drive home
Have a “spit bucket” or empty container available for guests to dump unwanted wine
Have food available for snacking and pairing with the wine
Keep it simple and let your guests enjoy the wine and each other
We had a lovely evening tasting all the different varieties of Mercer Wines. We hope that you will consider Mercer Wine for your next wine tasting or just a glass with your next meal. To learn more about Mercer Wines and where to find them check out their website at mercerwine.com.
A very special thanks to the folks at Mercer Wine for supplying the amazing varieties of wine for our home wine tasting. As always all opinions are our own and reflect our experiences.
THE QUICK BITE: Planning a wine tasting is a wonderful way to relax and connect with friends. Mercer Wine produces three tiers of wine for every occasion making it a terrific companion for a wine tasting.
Memorial Day for most Americans signifies the start of summer. A lot of us spend time getting our backyards ready for Memorial Day by tending our gardens, dragging out the patio furniture, and getting things in order. It’s also a time to reflect on those we’ve lost. Specifically, those we’ve lost who have served in the military forces.
Sometimes we spend so much time running around getting ready, choosing a menu or planting our annual flowers that we don’t focus on the true reason for the holiday in the first place. This year we’re changing that. We’re keeping it simple but delicious with an easy celebration full of top-quality, good-tasting all-American food.
Special thanks to Kansas City Steak Company who sent us filet mignons to cook. We were not financially compensated. All opinions are our own and reflect our experiences with their product.
Our hero George
We have an important reason for the change this year. Diana’s stepfather George passed away recently. George was part of “The Greatest Generation.” He served in the U.S. Marine Corps and stormed the beaches in the Pacific as an officer at 18 years of age, along with his fellow Marines. George had a deep respect for his country and for those who served it. He rarely spoke of his experiences, like many of his generation that went through the same thing. His Purple Heart, awarded for being wounded by an instrument of war in the hands of the enemy, remained hidden away in a drawer. But we knew he saved lives and watched many of his young friends perish in what has been called “The Great War” and “The War To End All Wars.” The Marines have been America’s expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. And no one knew that better than George.
We’ll be celebrating George this year on Memorial Day. We’ll be thinking of him by eating a wonderful steak dinner, on time at 4pm. Ever the Marine, he was a stickler for promptness, especially around dinner time. We’ll remember the twinkle in his eyes when family would get together. I fondly remember him singing Christmas carols one holiday get together. He relished those times and meals we shared. He adored Diana and couldn’t wait for the meals she worked so hard on to be served, often yelling, “Hey it’s four o’clock. Let’s eat!” He lived a full, long life, traveled many places, smiled a lot, enjoyed his family and friends and loved his country. We’ll lift a glass of California red to George on Memorial Day and to all the other heroes and their families, who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and our freedoms.
Here’s our Memorial Day menu:
Grilled Kanas City Steak Company Filet Mignon
Baked Idaho Potato with Crunchy Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese
Steamed Broccoli
Strawberry Short Cake
We met the Kansas City Steak Company when Diana competed in the Food Fight Write Blogger Challenge. She had an opportunity to cook up some of their filet mignon as part of that competition and we really enjoyed them. The filets are aged up to 28 days and flash-frozen to lock in their freshness and tenderness. There are absolutely no additives or preservatives.
Kansas City Steak Company Filet Mignon
Kansas City Steak Company has been around since 1932 selling premium steaks – filet mignons, t-bones, porterhouse, rib-eyes, and top sirloin. They’ve extended their offerings to pork, poultry, and seafood. Also if you’re not completely satisfied they will either refund your purchase or send you another shipment.
If you’re looking for top-quality steaks, give them a try. Check out their website, too. They’re offering special Memorial Day discounts.
We typically marinate our meats before grilling but this steak is perfect with just a little salt and pepper or you can use the handy steak seasoning pack, which is included. Grill your steaks to your preferred temperature. Bake your Idaho potatoes as you like, either on the grill or in your oven. We love them cooked low and slow so the skin gets nicely cooked and crunchy – that’s the best part. I like butter, and Diana likes sour cream and chives. Diana baked some shredded parmigian0-reggiano on a greased cookie sheet till it was nice and crispy, careful this stuff burns quickly. It’s a cheesy crunchy treat. Of course, you can choose your own favorite toppings.
Steamed broccoli is a natural companion at a steak dinner. No need to do too much to it – just steamed and topped with a little butter. We love the pure Irish butter from our friends at Kerrygold.
Strawberry Shortcake perfect Memorial Day dessert.
For a perfectly American dessert, nothing beats homemade Strawberry Shortcake. Diana bakes up her Grandmother’s biscuits recipe and we get some fresh local strawberries from the farmers market and whip up some fresh whipped cream. Just a little goes a long way.
We hope that you share a thoughtful Memorial Day with family and friends this year. Take some time to contemplate what we’re really celebrating and hold those with whom we celebrate this day in your hearts. You can plan a memorable, wonderful meal without too much muss or fuss if you plan ahead and keep it simple. Join us in a toast to George and all the armed forces.
THE QUICK BITE: We recommend a simple but tasty meal while celebrating Memorial Day so you can enjoy the day and take a moment to reflect on those whom we’re celebrating.
We love traveling to discover towns and culinary hot spots around the world. In fact, as Oprah might say, it’s one of our favorite things. The good news is that there are more of these unique culinary destinations than you can imagine. On a recent trip to Northern England, we had the sheer joy of experiencing the town of Malton located in North Yorkshire, England.
Malton has many labels but our favorite is “Yorkshire’s Food Capital.” Located midway between the North Sea and the city of York it is a historic market town with many claims to fame. Did you know that Charles Dickens wrote “A Christmas Carol” in Malton? We didn’t either.
Back to the food. The main streets in town are full of quaint stores full of local produce, homemade foods made with local ingredients, a brewery, restaurants, coffee shops and so much more. Check out this short video on Malton:
My favorite quote in the video is from Michelle the owner of Groovy Moo Ice Cream, who sums up Malton simply with, “Everything people used to be this place still is.” And she’s right. When you arrive in Malton you immediately feel relaxed and welcomed. Although you are surrounded by historical buildings Malton doesn’t feel dated or old, it feels alive.
We stopped at the Malton Cookery School and couldn’t have felt more welcomed. Yes, they knew we were coming, but the atmosphere was warm and we felt immediately at home. Head Tutor, Gilly Robinson, all around nice person, and a great cook, was kind enough to let us help the class in session complete their meal. So fun, and all made with delicious local Yorkshire ingredients.
Right behind the school is Brass Castle Brewery. We walked over while they were busy working and got the scoop on this award-winning brewery. There are a couple of unique things at Brass Castle. First, they produce cask beer, which is served from a cask without additional nitrogen or carbon dioxide pressure. It’s unpasteurized and unfiltered. This was a traditional way of making beer in England and the type of beer consumed by ordinary folks in pubs. Their beer is also vegan and vegetarian-friendly – they use no animal-derived ingredients in their process.
Our next stop was Talbot Yard Food Court to visit all the food shops that are creating their own unique products all from Yorkshire’s finest ingredients. This is a one-stop shop for so many of the delicious foods in Malton.
Food 2 Remember, Paul Potts the Butcher meat pies in Talbot Yard
What makes the Talbot Food Court really special is that all these food entrepreneurs have brought their talents together in a lovely setting. You walk easily from shop to shop tasting real, fresh, local Yorkshire food. There’s even an outdoor picnic area available to enjoy your food while taking in the lovely view.
Groovy Moo Ice Cream
The Groovy Moo Ice Cream, Bluebird Bakery, Aldo’s Fresh Pasta, Roost Coffee and more all in the Talbot Food Court are part of the “Made In Malton Artisan Food Tour.” Groovy Moo makes handmade ice cream in a high-quality Italian gelato style using Yorkshire cream. Be sure to get there early because we’re told that sometimes lines are an hour long to taste their unique and yummy flavors.
Bluebird Bakery in Malton Yard
One taste was not enough at Bluebird Bakery. Be sure to get there early too as everything is made fresh daily. When it’s gone it’s gone! Not to worry, though. You can also get a taste of their lovely bakery items across the street at the Talbot Hotel because Chef Graham has Bluebird Bakery goods on the menu.
Freshly roasted coffee at Roost Coffee in Malton YardFreshly made pasta and Italian salads at Passione Della Pasta, Passion for Pastain MaltonTalbot Hotel Malton
After a full day of exploring and tasting Malton, we had the sheer pleasure of staying at the historic and luxurious Talbot Hotel. We were warmly greeted with an invitation to enjoy some fabulous Yorkshire tea and biscuits (cookies to us Yanks!). Even as I look at the picture below I can still taste that delicious buttery shortbread biscuit and wish I had taken some home. What a welcome!
Tea and Biscuits at the Talbot Hotel in Malton
Owned by the Neyland family since 1739, the Talbot Hotel displays classic British design. While the hotel has recently undergone extensive restoration, it retains its traditional comfort and style.
We were pleasantly surprised to find our room fully appointed with all the modern amenities. There were plenty of electric and USB outlets for charging and wifi service yet the decor was comfy in a warm British style.
After walking way more than their daily 10,000 steps, who could resist this gorgeous four-footed tub? Not me. That’s for sure.
After a little rest, we were off to The Wentworth Restaurant located in the hotel. The handsome dining room immediately invites you to relax and enjoy “Yorkshire on A Plate,” an extraordinary menu created by head chef Daniel Graham. Highlighting fresh ingredients from local suppliers, our meal was delicious, creative, and satisfying beyond our expectations. The only trouble we had was in deciding what to order from a menu that had so many wonderful choices.
King Scallops at The Wentworth Restaurant in the Talbot Hotel
Choose we must. For starters, we had hand-dived king scallops with pork belly, black pudding, carrot, and blood orange.
Rhubarb with confit duck liver The Wentworth Restaurant
We were visiting in March, which is prime time for the Yorkshire “forced” rhubarb season. That meant we had to try the pressing of smoked Yorkshire duck, and confit duck liver with Robert Tomlinson’s rhubarb, and parkin-gingerbread crumbs. Forced rhubarb is grown in a shed or in the dark and is said to be more tender than rhubarb grown outdoors. It was delicious!
Collection of Percy’s Pork at The Wentworth Restaurant
As the main course, a Collection of Percy’s Pork (Yorkshire vendor) with heritage carrots, fennel pollen, and Ampleforth cider (also from Yorkshire) sauce was simply scrumptious.
Raisthorpe Manor Pheasant The Wentworth Restaurant
We also had the Raisthorpe Manor pheasant (Yorkshire), which was a braised leg, Puy lentil cassoulet, baby turnips, and game jus. A truly unique and delicious dish.
Yorkshire Forced Rhubarb with Vodka Sherbet Shot The Wentworth Restaurant
We finished up with a refreshing rhubarb dessert with a vodka rhubarb-infused sherbert shot and ginger and custard. It was a lovely finish to a perfect dining experience. Our server and his assistants provided outstanding service. He waited patiently for us to take our photos and suggested wonderful wine pairings throughout the meal. We also enjoyed his delightfully dry sense of humor. We really felt like we were eating in a private dining room. Looking around we could sense that all the other diners felt the same too as they engaged in private conversations and looked like they were thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Chef Daniel Graham from The Wentworth Restaurant at the Talbot Hotel in Malton.
We spent a few minutes with Chef Graham and he couldn’t be more delightful. His unassuming manner only made him more charming. His ability to use the finest ingredients from the Yorkshire vicinity in an elegant yet approachable manner certainly makes the Wentworth Restaurant a place to dine whether you’re staying at the Talbot Hotel or not.
The Talbot Hotel has many historical photos from Malton so be sure to take a walk down the hallways and enjoy a journey back in time.
Talbot Hotel Lounge
There are also plenty of places to relax and enjoy a cup of tea, a gin and tonic or just curl up with your favorite book. The overstuffed furniture in the lounge is so comfortable you may not want to get up. But you should explore the property’s gardens and have a walk along the river Derwent.
If you want more ideas on what to do in Malton you’ll find a booklet in your room, “101 Reasons to Linger” authored by Tom Naylor-Leyland. It provides one hundred and one things to do in the Malton area including visiting castles, abbeys, gardens, museums, golfing, hiking, events, and, of course, the best food, craft beer, and wine recommendations in the area.
Sunrise at the Talbot Hotel Malton
After a lovely and contented sleep in our comfortable and quiet room, we awoke to a beautiful sunrise in Malton. Our only regret was having spent only one day in Malton and at the Talbot Hotel. We have definitely marked Malton on our Food Travelist map as a place to return.
Planning A Visit To Malton Yorkshire’s Food Capital
When you plan your journey to Malton you might want to consider a visit at the end of May to take in the annual Malton Food Lovers Festival. Sample the finest Yorkshire produce and cooking. You’ll find street food, presentations, cooking lessons, craft beer and cider, live music, and entertainment for the whole family. This is an event we know we want to return to experience. Check out their website for more information.
THE QUICK BITE: Malton, Yorkshire’s Food Capital, is a must-visit for food lovers. This market town in Northern England is stocked full of delicious culinary experiences. From delicious local produce, meat, fish, craft beer, and cider to handmade ice cream, tasty bakery goods, and hand-pulled pasta they have it all.
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.
Big thanks to Sue & Aidan Nelson of Yorkshire FoodFinder for creating this wonderful visit in Malton. Check out their website YorkshireFoodfinder.org when you’re visiting Yorkshire and they’ll create a personalized culinary tour for you too!
Food Travelist readers know that we adore Traverse City, a foodie’s paradise in northern Michigan. Along with a reputation for terrific food, local wines and craft beer Traverse City is also a haven for nature lovers. Whether you enjoy hiking, boating, fishing, golfing – you name it – you can do it in Traverse City. One of our favorite nature-focused activities is birding – we love to watch the birdies. Happily, this part of Michigan is loaded with amazing birds. Spring is a particularly great time to see migratory birds making a stop while on their journey to warmer climates.
We also discovered that we are not alone in our love of watching birds. One of the locals, a longtime dedicated birder, decided to combine his passion for birds with his love of craft beer and opened Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City. Rare Bird Brewpub serves up their own unique beers as well as other locally crafted beers, wines, cider and a full bar. The menu offers an eclectic array of international flavors from Pork Belly Bahn Mi and Curry Bowl to hummus and tacos. Traditional pub grub like burgers, mac ‘n cheese, wings and deviled eggs round out the menu making it a tasty little spot to get something yummy and maybe even get a glimpse of some feathered friends while there. Sound like fun? It is! We also love people who follow their passion, so here’s a little more about this beery birdy story.
Nate Crane of Rare Bird Brewpub. Photo courtesy of Traverse City Tourism.
In the middle of a discussion about brewing styles, Nate Crane suddenly looks out the window and begins counting geese.
“Sixteen,” he says, as the flock of honkers disappears south toward Boardman Lake. “I’ll have to log that as soon as I’m finished.”
People who know Crane are used to this sort of thing. He may be a beer-loving entrepreneur, but he’ll always be a birder at heart. And here in the snug bonhomie of the Rare Bird Brewpub, he can indulge his passion for birds by simply walking out to the edge of the Boardman River to see what new waterfowl have stopped in for a rest.
“Traverse City has some outstanding birding spots,” he says. “We’re blessed to have water all around us, and water is a natural conduit for birds to follow. It’s amazing some of the birds I’ve seen right here. I amaze myself sometimes.”
A lifelong resident of this northern Michigan resort town, Crane started birding when he was a youngster — going on field trips to spots like the Arcadia marshes and the Sleeping Bear Dunes with groups from the local Audubon Society. (He was always the youngest one in the group and sometimes he still is.)
After getting a business degree from Michigan State University, he briefly cherished the idea of pursuing a master’s degree in ornithology from Cornell. He quit his corporate job and started taking some math and science classes to prepare for grad school, working part-time at nearby Right Brain Brewery. That’s how he discovered the world of craft beer.
“I fell in love with it,” he says. “It was that simple. So I asked myself, why should I have to choose? I like birds and business and beer; why can’t I do all three?”
In 2011 he met Wisconsin-born brewer Tina Schuett, a former park ranger who fascinated him when he discovered she had once banded kiwis in New Zealand. When they decided to open a brewpub in a former Depression-era railway warehouse on Lake Avenue, the name came naturally. Rara avis, as the Romans used to say: a rare bird.
They chose a deliberately ambiguous crow-like bird for the pub’s logo – but a more personal symbol is displayed on a wooden sign above Nate’s favorite booth. It’s a long-billed curlew, hand-carved for Rare Bird by Nate’s former seventh-grade science teacher, George Wyklige.
Rare Bird serves up six brews of Tina’s making at a time, as well as guest taps from other brewers and a menu that runs the gamut from duck breast mac & cheese to pork belly banh mi. Managing a pub, especially one that’s still in its early years, is pretty intense work. But it does give Nate a lot of mornings for birdwatching.
Piping Plover in Northern Michigan.
“I’m not a list-making kind of birder,” he says. “My philosophy is, ‘Hey, let’s get out and walk around and see what we see.’ There are birders who are chasers – chasing after a particular bird – and if you’re one of those guys and you go out and don’t see that bird you’re totally disappointed. Me, I’m glad to see anything.”
Nate’s favorite month for birding is early November when the autumn winds often bring gifts from far-off places – rare birds blown to Traverse City’s shores by distant storms. He’s a big fan of the Sleeping Bear Birding Trail, an online guide to 123 miles of birding sites along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
In winter he’s particularly fond of Medalie Park, the tiny picnic area at the south end of Boardman Lake, as well as the adjacent Boardman River Valley and Sabin Pond, which have a “tremendous winter waterfowl population – northern pintails, trumpeter swans, snow geese.”
His most exciting recent find is a Northern Hawk Owl, which is almost never seen this far south — even though it’s the mascot of the local community college and the inspiration for one of Right Brain Brewery’s amber ales. But he loves more common birds, too – especially grassland birds like bobolinks, dickcissels, upland sandpipers, and eastern meadowlarks.
As for Cornell, Nate still contributes regular reports to www.ebird.org, the online birding checklist for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology.
“And I still have the t-shirt,” he adds.
Birding Trails in Traverse City Area.
Rare Bird Brewpub is located at 229 Lake Avenue, Traverse City, MI.
Hours: Monday-Thursday 3pm-12am.
Friday & Saturday 12pm-2am. Sunday 12pm-10pm.
You can also check out their menus and more at rarebirdbrewpub.com.
Thanks to Traverse City Tourismfor providing the photos and information about Rare Bird Brewpub and Traverse City.
When you’re visiting Michigan make sure to plan some time to explore all of Traverse City. To learn more about some of the other places we enjoyed, check out our story Foodie Fun & So Much More in Traverse City.
THE QUICK BITE:Rare Bird Brewpub in Traverse City brought together Nate Crane’s love of bird-watching and craft beer-making together in a tasty combination.
We love visiting Germany and Stuttgart located in the Southwest region in the state of Baden-Württemberg of Germany or what they like to call the sunny side of Germany.
It truly doesn’t matter what time of year that you may visit Stuttgart. The springtime brings flowers and gardens to explore, the summer has festivals, the fall has beer gardens, wine festivals & harvests and the winter brings Christmas markets. You really can’t pick a bad time of year to go.
I visited in fall for Volksfest (some say the Stuttgart beer fest is better than Oktoberfest in Munich, but that’s another story) and in winter to see the Christmas markets. Both trips were wonderful and full of fun and great food.
I was the guest of Baden-Wurttemberg Tourism Board on a press tour of the area. I was not financially compensated and all opinions are my own.
Wuerttemberg State Museum Stuttgart Photo Copyright Stuttgart Marketing GmbH
Their magnificent museums are one of their year-round attractions and there are lots of them. One way to see all these sights for less is with the StuttCard. The Stuttcard provides you discounts with 55 partners. You can choose 24, 48, and 72-hour cards. Admission is free to many museums and there are savings on many, many other attractions, such as theaters and shopping – over 55 offers from which to choose. And for us foodies, there are even welcome drinks or desserts in selected restaurants. A 48-hour StuttCard is only 20 Euros. Really quite a value.
There’s also a “StuttCard PLUS,” which allows you to add public transportation during the duration of your card for an additional charge.
Whether you’re a food, history, art, wine, or car lover, or all of the above, Stuttgart has a museum or attraction for you.
Some of the museums you can visit include the beautiful Ludwigsburg Palace, the residence of the kings of Württemberg often referred to as the “Swabian Versailles.” You will want to spend hours exploring all the rooms and art throughout the palace, which is one of the largest remaining German baroque palaces still intact. If you’re there in the summer leave plenty of time to stroll the beautiful gardens or take in a concert.
Ludwigsburg Palace Stuttgart Germany
The main square or Palace Square is a beautiful walking district with two palaces both old and new. The modern Stuttgart Museum of Art also has a lovely restaurant at the top to have a delicious meal and a terrific perspective to sit and watch the world go by.
Bonus Tip: FREE Wi-Fi is available at four central locations throughout the city: The Palace Square (Schlossplatz), Schiller Square (Schillerplatz) and the Marketplace (Marktplazt) and the “i-Punkt” tourist information center.
Want to see something really different? How about the Pig or Schweine Museum? Or one of the six wine museums? Or a schnapps museum or chocolate museum? Do you love cars? Then you know that the car was actually invented in Stuttgart and you won’t want to miss the Porsche and Mercedes Benz Museums.
Most museums in Germany are closed on Mondays so be sure to plan accordingly.
Other Tips & Suggestions While Visiting Stuttgart:
Waldhotel Stuttgart
If you’re looking for a luxurious, comfortable, and relaxing hotel in Stuttgart check out the Waldhotel Stuttgart. Located just outside the city in a garden and park setting the property is bordered by forest. I had the chance to stay there and I would enjoy waking up to the birds chirping. There are many paths for exploring nature near the hotel. In fact, the hotel is full of art that is inspired by birds – which I just love!
Bird Art at Waldhotel StuttgartFinch Restaurant Waldhotel Stuttgart Swabian Sirloin Steak
The aptly named Finch Restaurant inside the hotel serves a scrumptious breakfast buffet as well as inspired local Swabian dishes for lunch & dinner. I really enjoyed the peaceful ambiance of the hotel and the friendly, helpful staff.
Wiener Schnitzel at Weinstube Kachelofen
Be sure to try Weinstube Kachelofen in downtown Stuttgart. Open for lunch and dinner you will find many delicious local dishes to choose from served in a friendly environment.
Market Hall Stuttgart
Don’t miss the Market Hall downtown as well. There you’ll find everything you can imagine in one wonderful food hall. The art nouveau building has taste treats from around the world. The market is vibrant and diverse, and there’s a restaurant on the first floor for a bird’s eye view of the market and buzz of activity.
Whether you enjoy a place to relax and unwind or love to visit many historic sites, museums, and attractions Stuttgart is a perfect destination for you. The Stuttcard makes seeing everything easy and affordable, so be sure to pick one up when you get into town. For more information on the Stuttcard please check out their website stuttgart-toursist.de.
THE QUICK BITE: Stuttgart in southwest Germany is a wonderful place to visit any time of year. Explore Stuttgart with the Stuttcard & you’ll see all the top attractions & save.
To most people, Orlando means Disney World or Universal Studios. To us, it means one of the most relaxing places we’ve visited. Sound strange? Not at all. We were traveling to several locations in Florida last fall and decided to take a one-day break.
We chose the Waldorf Astoria Orlando because we’re members of the Hilton HHonors Gold program. We knew we’d be staying at a luxury hotel and taking advantage of our HH perks.
When we arrived at the hotel our room wasn’t quite ready so we were invited to use the spa to change our clothes and to enjoy the pool area. Since it was still morning we opted to check out their breakfast buffet first.
As you might expect the buffet was large and gorgeous. What really made it stand out was the spaciousness of the offerings. There were several food stations spread out to accommodate the large crowd at breakfast. Although it was busy the staff was very friendly and took the time to keep us entertained and laughing.
Breakfast Buffet Waldorf Astoria
There was an omelet station, waffles, pancakes, bacon, sausage, oatmeal, full bread bar, cheese and charcuterie bar, fresh fruit, Asian fare, and of course, cereals, granolas, yogurt, and juices. Something for everyone at the buffet as well as an a la carte menu for those who just wanted to order a traditional breakfast.
Waldorf Astoria golf course
After breakfast, we took a stroll around the grounds. It’s a beautiful property complete with a Rees Jones-designed 18-hole championship golf course. The walkway takes you to the sister property the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek, which offers additional choices for dining.
We returned to the Waldorf ready to relax by the pool. The spa is gorgeous and tranquil but we quickly changed into our suits to head to the pool. It was a beautiful sunny day and we didn’t want to waste a minute inside.
There are several pools to choose from all lined with comfy loungers in and out of the sun. We chose a shady spot and dove into some poolside reading and napping.
Frozen Grapes by the pool Waldorf Astoria Orlando
There’s cold water available poolside and attendants come around with frozen grapes from time to time, which is a perfect refreshment. There’s also a pool waitress that offers to take your order of frosty drinks, cold beer, snacks, sandwiches, and salads anything that might interest you all from the comfort of your lounge chair. There’s also a restaurant by the pool if you would rather sit at a table and eat.
After our relaxed afternoon of pampering, we went back to the desk to find that our room was upgraded to a deluxe suite (another perk of Hilton HHonors). We were each offered a glass of complimentary champagne as we headed to our room.
The suite was spacious and comfortable with a terrific view of Orlando. I really appreciate a nicely appointed bathroom and this one was 5-star, complete with Salvatore Ferragamo toiletries, a soaking tub, and a stand-alone shower. Fluffy towels and robes completed the assembly.
We hadn’t made any plans for the evening so I asked the concierge where he recommended we have dinner. He said that we must try Bull & Bear, the restaurant in the hotel. We hadn’t done any research about where to eat because we were “technically” taking a day off but we said, “What the heck. Let’s try it.” The bad news – the restaurant had no reservations available. He said they’d see what they could do and call us in the room.
As we settled into our room, the phone rang and happily they were able to get us in if we could be down in an hour. No problem!! We had some time to relax and get ready for dinner.
Peacock Egg Drink at Waldorf Astoria Orlando
Orlando Waldorf Astoria Food
Before dinner, we stopped by the Peacock Alley lounge for a quick drink. We tried the signature Peacock Egg – lavender syrup, blue Curacao, fresh lemonade and Bombay Sapphire Gin presented in an ice “egg” in a blue-lit glass. Gorgeous and refreshing.
We headed down just as the sun was setting. The Bull & Bear dining room with windows facing the west made a perfect place to watch the sunset in full display. If you time it right the view also includes the nightly Epcot fireworks display.
New World Gin & Tonic with St. Augustine Gin and the Bull & Bear Mule With St. Augustine Vodka
Diana and I sat on a comfy couch next to each other like Parisians. We took a deep breath ready to experience what we didn’t yet know would end up being one of the best meals we’ve ever had.
The menu at the award-winning Bull & Bear is presented to you on an iPad. The menu is fully illustrated with professional photos. Every menu item looks better than the next and there’s a full wine menu that offers pairing suggestions for every item. Since we were already indulging we decided to go with the tasting menu. Then we snuggled down and got ready to experience the Bull & Bar.
Potato Cappuccino At Bull & Bear Orlando
We started with the Potato Cappuccino dusted with Oregon Truffle Jus and Mushroom salt. This was just the beginning of our delicious and creatively served dinner.
Unique breads at Bull and Bear Orlando. Couldn’t stop eating the garlic monkey bread!Tomato Encrusted Chilean Sea Bass at the Bull & Bear Orlando
If you’re looking for top-quality meat try their Allen Brothers beef. From Chateaubriand for two to the 38 oz. Tomahawk Steak for two aged for thirty-two days they’ve got it all.
Bull and Bear Frites
The Bull & Bear is a steakhouse reimagined and has all the proper sides you’d expect. One not to miss is the Bull & Bear Frites. 100% Idaho hand-cut tallow potato crisp with organic garlic aioli.
Dessert at Bull and Bear OrlandoChocolate cigar Bull and Bear
We won’t tempt you with all the delicacies that graced our table but the dessert was a big reveal with a “lemon” that is deconstructed at the table by the server into a delightfully tangy lemon meringue pie and a chocolate “cigar” complete with ashes in the ashtray it was served in.
Chocolate Bar Waldorf Astoria Orlando
After a spectacular meal, we wandered through the lobby to discover a full Chocolate and Champagne bar ready to be devoured. But not by us. We headed off for another stroll around the property to work off some of that delicious dinner and then off to dreamland.
Grouper Sandwich Clubhouse Grille at the Waldorf Astoria
We slept in since we had a late check-out (another perk of Hilton HHonors Gold) and decided to have lunch down in the Peacock Alley. Since we were in Florida I had a hankering for a grouper sandwich. We sat down ordered our drinks and were bummed to learn they had no grouper. But…the server said they had a great grouper sandwich at the Clubhouse Lounge Grille and a great view of the golf course. She said take your drinks and head over there! We did as she suggested, and I’m glad. Talk about customer service! We got a seat at the window in their relaxing clubhouse and a tasty grouper sandwich and club sandwich.
All this in 24 hours! Think of what else you could do, eat and drink for a few more days. With over 12 restaurants to choose from between the Waldorf Astoria Orlando and the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek a few steps away, it’s an embarrassment of culinary delights and resort amenities.
And if you are looking to add Mickey Mouse to your Orlando experience the Waldorf Astoria has complimentary transportation to all the Orlando Disney theme parks and you can purchase tickets and Disney apparel and accessories in their conveniently located gift shop in the lobby of the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek.
For More Information: Waldorf Astoria waldorfastoriaorlando.com 14200 Bonnet Creek Resort Lane, Orlando, FL Reservations 888-353-2009
THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a luxurious resort that’s also a culinary destination look no further than the Waldorf Astoria Orlando.
When you think of Milwaukee, Wisconsin you immediately think of beer, sausage and cheese. While all these delicious things are certainly a big part of Milwaukee they are far from the only tasty treats in this up and coming Midwest all-American city.
Milwaukee Favorites
Avid Food Travelist readers know that I’m a tea drinker. Somehow I never picked up the coffee habit. When I was growing up my Mom and Grandmother drank a lot of tea and passed their passion along to me. I have to admit that much of my early tea was the yellow label Lipton (which still brings back good memories every time). As I grew up and started sampling other teas I was quickly hooked and now have several cabinets loaded with teas from around the world.
Imagine my surprise when we were visiting Milwaukee and I discovered how many teas originate from our Chicago neighbor. Here’s a quick look at just a few of the tea choices brewing in Milwaukee.
Tea Is Brewing In Milwaukee
Whether you’re looking for a spot to have a delicious cup of tea, a place to buy tea to take with you or a site for a tea tasting Milwaukee has you covered.
Rishi Tea
Rishi means “one who is a seer, sage, or seeker of truth” in Sanskrit. At Rishi they take tea to another level with all their organic teas. Rishi Tea was born in Milwaukee in 1997 when it dawned on entrepreneur Joshua Kaiser that the interest in coffee and wine might just mean that Americans would also find the fine flavors of tea alluring as well. It turns out he was right. Joshua’s interest in travel and culinary classics make him a great friend of Food Travelist. He travels around the world to source the best organic ingredients and teas.
Rich Tea Tasting Room in Milwaukee
We had the chance to visit Rishi’s state-of-the-art 32,00o square foot world headquarters and tasting room in Milwaukee and were really impressed. The facility is organized to ensure that the tea storage meets very stringent organic food safety standards and protects aroma segregation. It’s quite an involved production. Who knew?
Rishi Tea at Story Hill BKC Milwaukee
You may have seen Rishi teas in fine dining establishments, cafes, coffee shops, and retailers like Whole Foods. What we found really inspiring are the local Milwaukee restaurants that serve Rishi too. One of our favorite breakfast spots BKC Milwaukee carries a full line of Rishi Teas.
Rishi carries loose tea and bagged tea. Many serious tea drinkers only drink loose-leaf tea but Rishi’s new filter mesh bags made from plant-based resources are definitely worth a try. The looser weave of the bag raises the infusion quality and makes for an excellent cup of tea.
Watch the super short video below for more explanation.
My favorites from Rishi are Tumeric Ginger, Tangerine Ginger, Sencha Green Tea, and Green Tea Jasmine. They also have a full line of Matcha tea if you’re like me and have to have your cup of Matcha every morning.
You can also purchase Rishi through their website rishi-tea.com
Rishi Organic Green Jasmine Tea at Locavore
Urbal Tea
When you first meet Nick Nowaczyk you immediately understand why he’s in the tea business. He loves tea and he loves the benefits of tea. Even as a small boy Nick was picking flowers, berries, and mushrooms at the family cabin in northern Wisconsin.
In a search to discover a cure for a cold he was suffering from Nick began experimenting with natural remedies and healing. Shortly after, he began selling his tea blends to friends, family, and at farmers’ markets.
What makes Urbal Tea really different is that it’s made from dried herbs. All “teas” are caffeine free and loose, not in bags.
Urbal Tea Tasty & Good For You
Urbal Tea has three lines – Apothecary Blends, Herbal Selects, and Wellness Blends each carefully designed for a different purpose. For example, Free Flex is an herb mix that helps bring moisture and flexibility to joints and enhances the range of motion. After Dinner aid in digestion with a mix of peppermint leaf, ginger root, fennel seed, raspberry leaf, nettle leaf, orange peel, rosemary, and licorice root.
Whether or not the herbs actually help with any conditions, the FDA won’t say. But we can say that enjoying a warm cup of herbal ingredients is a calming and relaxing habit at a minimum.
Beans & Barley carries Urbal Teas
Urbal Teas are sold in several retail stores in Milwaukee and throughout Wisconsin including Beans & Barley, which we just love. Stop in pick up some Urbal Tea and check out their fun store and cafe while you’re there.
You can also order Urbal Tea products on their website urbalhealth.com.
Colectivo Letterbox Teas
Many coffee drinkers may know Colectivo for their hand-roasted award-winning coffee and scratch-baked taste treats from their own Troubadour Bakery.
Their name might sound familiar to travelers of Latin America. “Collectives” are the multi-color creatively decorated public transportation buses used throughout the region. The buses represent a regular part of life, which is what Colectivo Coffee wants to encourage for its customers. They strive to build enduring relationships with their customers with quality products and relaxing comfy places to enjoy life.
Colectivo in Milwaukee grinds its own coffee on-premise.
If you’re a tea drinker you need to check out their Letterbox teas. All are hand selected and crafted especially for Colectivo. Black teas, green teas, white teas, herbals, and organic teas are all available for the tasting.
Lots of tea to choose from at Colectivo.
You can enjoy your beverages in one of their stores or cafes, or take tea and coffee home or for gifts.
Colectivo LetterBox Tea
There are Collectivo locations throughout the greater Milwaukee area. Check out their website for locations and hours ColectivoCoffee.com.
As I mentioned in the beginning this is just the tip of the iceberg of tea tasting in Milwaukee. If you’ve got a favorite tea maker or place to have the perfect spot of tea please let us know.
Many thanks to our friends at Visit Milwaukee for helping us plan our trip to Milwaukee to meet these fine tea purveyors. Check out their site visitmilwaukee.org for lots of ideas on what else you can do in Milwaukee.
THE QUICK BITE: Teas Brewing in Milwaukee. Beer is not the only thing brewing in Milwaukee there are many teas brewing in Milwaukee too. Take a quick look at just some of the teas we discovered in Milwaukee!
Paris chefs make the French city shine. Paris is known for many things. The Eiffel Tower. Notre Dame cathedral. Even the River Seine that runs through it. But perhaps more than anything else that illustrates the soul of Paris and why we love it, is the cuisine that has made Paris one of the most sought after destinations by visitors from everywhere in the world. Paris chefs are a national treasure. To shine a spotlight on delicious Paris, the mayor of the city, the Honorable Anne Hidalgo, held an event at city hall that was unlike any other both in its scope and significance to the culinary community worldwide.
We had the honor of being among a chosen few international journalists selected to attend the event hosted by the Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo honoring the more than 80 Paris chefs with Michelin stars under their belts.
The pre-event press conference was led by Alain Ducasse, whose restaurants boast a total of 19 Michelin stars. He gave a very personal and heartfelt presentation of his concern for all people and their connection to high-quality, healthful food options. He noted that the typical diet, in his opinion, has too much meat and that he believes that proper nutrition requires a substantial reduction.
Hotel de Ville Celebre Ses Chefs
Walking into the Paris Hotel de Ville (city hall) is like stepping back in time. This building has housed the Paris administration since 1357. In honoring the Paris chefs who have lent their talents and tenacity to making it one of the most celebrated dining cities in the world, the ceremony was held in a magnificent gilded opulent reception room filled with crystal chandeliers and fresco painted ceilings. Being nestle among significant press from around the world and Michelin starred chefs was both humbling and breathtaking. We felt the palpable adoration of the attendees and the affection for and among the celebrants. It was, in a matter of words, a most delicious Parisian event.
Seeing so many of the Paris chefs that have given their all to their craft, many now household names in the foodie world, was awe-inspiring. History was being made, and we felt proud to be a part of it.
Paris Celebre Ses Chefs
Pierre Gagnaire, Joel Robuchon, Guy Savoy, Alain Ducasse, and many other illustrious Paris chefs were on hand, dressed with their sparkling white chef coats, making stunning displays behind the proud mayor.
After a brief video and the presentation of awards to the Paris chefs, we headed into several other rooms where the champagne flowed freely and samples of spectacular cuisine awaited us.
Paris Mayor Anne Hildago Meeting the Chefs
The mayor herself sampled a variety of the Paris chefs’ offerings. Everyone in attendance had one thing in common – the love of great food and drink.
Those manning the Paris chefs’ tables were furiously preparing the offerings for anxious attendees, ready to enjoy the best bites Paris has to offer.
Caviar tidbits started the mood in a properly elegant fashion.
From fresh fruit displays that looked gorgeous on their own
and clever parsnip logs nestled hidden in a food forest
to tasty multi-level macarons
and whimsical Salvador Dali cream puffs from Ducasse himself, the event was delicious beyond all expectations.
Even the Rungis market, containing the largest fruit and vegetable market in the world was present to get a nod of thanks and approval from the adoring crowd.
And, of course, we had to partake on your behalf, right? So we did. And we can tell you that Paris continues to be one of the great culinary capitals of the world. We can’t wait for you to have the opportunity to explore the delicious offerings of Paris chefs on your own.
THE QUICK BITE: We had the honor of being among a chosen few international journalists selected to attend the event hosted by the Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo honoring the more than 80 Michelin-starred Paris chefs. Here’s what it was like.
One of the biggest challenges for traveling is deciding what to pack and how to know when enough is too much. Packing can be especially tough before you step onto that long-haul airline trip. While international travel can seem overwhelming if you’re not globetrotting on a regular basis, you can make it a lot easier on yourself with a little preparation and planning. Here are some of our favorite pro travel packing tips to make getting ready for your trip much more pleasant and manageable.
8 Pro Travel Packing Tips
1.Make A List If you’re like me and can’t remember something you went to get in the next room, chances are you’ll forget something you meant to pack if you don’t have a list. One of our key pro traveler packing tips is to be sure to include the little things we all tend to forget like small umbrellas, mini flashlights, medicines, cords, gadgets or anything that will make your trip a success.
2. Paper. It may be green to go paperless, but one of our next pro traveler packing tips is that this is one instance when it pays to have a physical copy of your passport, visa, credit card, and any other important documents. Keep them in your hotel safe when you’re traveling. We always keep at least one actual credit card and some cash in the hotel safe – just in case. Be sure that your credit cards actually work overseas and most importantly check if they have a foreign transaction fee. It can end up costing you a ton in extra add-on charges if you use the wrong card. Capital One, American Express Platinum, United Explorer, and Citibank AAdvantage Executive are among U.S.-issued cards that currently do not charge this fee. Other cards around the world offer the same benefit. The terms do vary from time to time, so be sure to verify with your card company before you travel outside of your own country. You might also want to bring a pen to fill out those customs forms when you return from your journeys.
Travel Snacks
3. Water & Snacks. When it’s offered, airline food can often be unappetizing or worse. If you’re not flying first or business class, where the food may be substantially better, it makes sense to bring something edible along with you that you know you will like. Another one of our pro traveler packing tips is that taking healthful snacks with you can put you way ahead of the game, no matter what they may be offered onboard. Dry roasted edamame, pretzels, cheese and crackers, dried fruit, and, of course, dark chocolate are all great options. Other passengers will look at you with envy when you take out your little snack pack. Go Picnic, which provides packaged combinations of snacks, is another good solution for grab and go easy but healthy alternative. When you’re in another country, you might just want a snack instead of a big meal too. If you have your snacks along, you’ll be good to go without having to pay high mini-bar prices or needing to search for a convenience store. Having your own preferred tasty snacks with you will make your life a lot easier.
If you’re not flying first or business class you’ll also want to bring some water on the flight with you. Check the regulations because some countries do not allow it at all. Others allow it only after you have gone through security. Drink a lot of water when flying. Yes, you might have to get up a few times but that’s ok. It’s better to get up and move around anyway, especially during long flights. Limit your alcohol consumption while you’re at it. It only makes you more dehydrated and sluggish when you arrive at your destination.
4. Medicines. Our pro traveler packing tips also apply to prescriptions or OTC drugs. If there are any that you take regularly, be sure they’re in your carry-on bag. Flight delays or lost luggage can occur, so you’ll want to have them with you, no matter what may happen. If you have regular sinus trouble, sometimes troubled by changes in humidity, take something to help you on the flight and have it available for those unexpected sinus headaches that can make a long flight really miserable. Also bring along any over-the-counter meds you might need aspirin, Imodium, eye drops, or anything you may not be able to get. We carry a small “medicine bag” that has EVERYTHING in it. We just throw it in our bags and we’re good to go. If you do have a cold or stuffy nose, chewing gum can also help alleviate the “plugged ear” syndrome when landing.
5. Layers. You never know if it’s going to be hot or cold on a plane. The thin blankets provided can help if you get chilly, but sometimes you need a little more. Our pro traveler packing tips include packing a pashmina, scarf, or light sweater for the unknowable temperatures of plane travel as well as for adding some warmth if it ends up colder in your destination than you anticipated. It won’t take up too much room and will add a little style to any outfit while on the road.
So many gadgets to pack!
6. Gadgets. Can’t live with them, can’t live without them. What’s worse than not having your device? Not having it charged. Our pro traveler packing tips include making sure you put all your gadgets and your cords in your carry-on. When traveling internationally be sure to bring the correct adapters too. Most planes now have electrical outlets at your seat, but check with your airline or Seatguru.com before you fly if you’re not sure. If your seat won’t have an outlet, bring along your own extra power with an inexpensive power bank for reserve. Bring a mini-flashlight to keep in your gadget bag. Sometimes there are power outages in some countries and it’s best to be prepared for any potential interruptions. One of the gadgets I never travel without is my Bose Noise-Canceling Headphones. These make it easy to transport yourself away no matter who’s sitting next to you.
7.Entertainment. Be sure you load up your favorite laptop, tablet or phone with music, movies, books, podcasts, and games. Most airlines have terrific entertainment on long-haul flights but you never know when the system might fail, you’ve already seen everything they have to offer, or there’s just nothing there you want to see. If you’re an Amazon Prime subscriber you can download movies and TV shows before you leave to your device and watch them anywhere. It doesn’t hurt to bring a real book or magazine for times when you just want to read something the old-fashioned way.
8. Extras. Bring an extra set of clothes, underwear, and toiletries with you in your carry-on. At least you’ll have another outfit and the ability to clean up if your luggage goes missing.
Here’s a fun infographic just for you to make it simple to remember how to make the packing process easier for yourself!
Bonus Tips
Pack light! After packing all these snacks, cords, and other stuff you say pack light? Yep! Get everything out take a look and start taking things away. Do you really need that extra pair of shoes? Speaking of shoes, be sure you pack comfortable shoes because travel for us means lots of walking. I pack my Dansko boots in the winter and shoes the rest of the year and can walk all day long. They’re comfy and my feet and help support my back. Win. Win.
Coordinate your wardrobe so you can easily mix and match. Wear jewelry that goes with everything or take different ties and a few less shirts. Even if you do check a bag remember you’re going to be schlepping it around in airports, train stations, bus terminals, and public transportation. Packing light is imperative to your sanity and your back.
Flight delays, cranky flight attendants, language barriers, wrong directions, alarm clocks that fail, jet lag, too much bad food, and too much good food, all can make for rough travels. Pack your extra patience and a big smile. You’ll find the whole experience is made a whole lot easier. Remember, you’re experiencing things most people don’t get to – seeing the world, meeting new people, trying new food – count your blessings. Take a deep breath, chuckle a little to yourself and at yourself, and hit the road!
Lastly, have fun. Laugh often, and see the funny side of even the worst travel nightmare. Remember they will make for good stories later to share with your family and friends on Food Travelist. We love all your stories and want to know how your journeys go!
If you have any other travel tips you’d like to offer infrequent flyers please share them in the comments below.
Bon voyage!
THE QUICK BITE: Packing can be one of the most challenging aspects of travel. Here are 8 of our best packing tips to help make it easy for you to lighten the load.
