Sue Reddel

In Drinks

Tea Is Brewing In Milwaukee

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.

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 in Milwaukee — 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?

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 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.

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.

Collective Teas in Milwaukee — 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 Collectivo — 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.

Collectivo LetterBox Tea Look What Teas They Are Brewing in Milwaukee — 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!

In Food Stories

Paris Chefs Get Delicious Honors

By Sue Reddel

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.

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.

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.

In Travel

8 Pro Traveler Packing Tips

By Sue Reddel

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.

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.

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.

In Blog

Gewurztraminer Great Wine for the Holidays

By Sue Reddel

This is a guest post by Katie Bundschu of Gundlach Bundschu Winery. We met with Katie in Chicago and had a wonderful lunch at Sepia learning about her family’s wines. They have a great sense of humor and don’t take themselves so seriously. Although they do take their family brand very seriously. We hope you enjoy the post and try the wine!

Gewurztraminer (‘girls are meaner’ or whatever helps you pronounce it) is my favorite varietal to drink during the holiday season. In all honestly, it’s becoming my go-to wine on a year-round basis now. Maybe too often, but that can be discussed another time. But not just any Gewürztraminer –my family’s Gewürztraminer. Gundlach Bundschu Gewurztraminer – try learning to say that growing up as a kid! Gun-Lock Bun-Shoe is my family’s winery and we are proudly the oldest, family-owned winery in California, located in sunny Sonoma. My great, great, great grandfather founded the winery back in 1858 and we’ve been growing grapes and farming on the same piece of property since then. In addition, we’ve harvested this esoteric varietal for 157 consecutive harvests since. Yes, I’m a lucky girl.

Katie Bundshu

After that shameless plug, now back to the wine…Gewürztraminer sometimes gets a bad rep. Most people are turned off because they think it will be sweet since it’s typically made as a dessert wine. We take more of an “old world” approach to this varietal – since we did originally come from Germany six generations ago. We make it so that its true characteristics of spiciness, beautiful floral aroma, and food-friendly acidity can shine. And did I mention it’s DRY…as in NOT SWEET?

This wine has been and still is on my family’s Thanksgiving and Christmas tables – and not just ‘cause we make it. My dad adds other French wines to that same table. However, we can never get enough Gewurztraminer. With its light body and, let’s face it, quaffability, it pairs with lots of different food, whether it’s turkey and all the fixings of cranberry sauce and stuffing, crab feeds, or oysters on New Year’s, this wine is seriously a good bet with anything. Even Chinese takeout!

Editor’s Note: We had the chance to sample Bundschu’s Gewürztraminer and I have to say that we’re fans. We, like many others, have had other types of Gewürztraminer and simply didn’t care for it. Our eyes were opened by Katie Bundschu. Check out their website at www.gunbun.com to learn more. Thanks, Katie! If you’re looking for something different this holiday season they will have something for you.

QUICK BITE: You may not be able to pronounce it but Gewürztraminer is a very tasty wine that will surprise you. Katie Bundschu tells us why we should add this versatile wine to our holiday table.

In Americas

Tasty Park City

By Sue Reddel

When you think of Park City you might immediately think Sundance Film Festival and skiing. But we believe you might be interested in learning that there is also a very tasty side of Park City.

Though it may surprise you, Park City has over 150 restaurants and bars, from award-winning five-star restaurants to casual apres skiing spots. With attention paid to locally sourced ingredients and fresh seafood flown in daily, there’s something for every palate.

Riverhorse Dinner in Park City, Utah Tasty Park City — The Riverhorse on Main in Park City, Utah

After a long day of outdoor activities, gallery hopping, or shopping, nothing appeals to the senses more than a fabulous meal. Luckily, Park City allows even the first-time visitor to dive into all it has to offer, making it a perfect place to spend a night or two enjoying it all.

There are plenty of options for the kiddies, including many ski resorts’ renowned ski schools and children’s programs, as well as many off-slope activities for all ages. If you want to explore more adult local gems you’ll want to experience the world’s only ski-in whiskey gastro-distillery High West Distillery.

Mainstreet Park City Utah — Main Street Park City, Utah

The history of this unique town is long and storied. In the late 1860’s the world came to Park City in search of its silver. In its day, Park City yielded over $400 million in silver and created many millionaires including newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst.

Strolling down Main Street you can experience both the old and new of Park City. 65 buildings are listed on the National Registry of Historic Places and more than 1,200 miles of tunnels still exist in the surrounding mountains as remnants of the mining days.

Park City boasts its claim as home to the largest ski resort in the United States, Park City Mountain. It’s also home to one of the top-rated ski resorts in the world, Deer Valley Resort. Luxury abounds in Park City at Utah’s only Forbes 5-Star and AAA 5-Diamond hotel, Stein Ericksen Lodge Deer Valley. With more luxury ski-in/ski-out accommodations than any other North American resort town, Park City offers the Waldorf Astoria, St. Regis, and Montage Deer Valley. Deer Valley Resort is known far and wide for its impeccable guest service, something we always welcome.

Extremely popular winter activities like skiing and snowboarding are just the beginning in Park City. Winter fly-fishing trips, hot air ballooning, bobsledding, snowmobiling, sleigh rides, and snow tubing are some of the other wonderful options to enjoy the spectacular outdoor Park City environment.

Want to experience an Olympic Bobsled run? Then check out Utah Olympic Park. Host of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games it’s now open year-round and is a training ground for high-performance athletes. You can even take a bobsled ride piloted by a professional bobsled driver. Less than a mile long and with speeds up to 50 mph you’re sure to be in for a memorable ride.

If you want a break from the slopes there are several food and wine tours available to help you explore. The Park City Food Tour, the Gourmand Tour, and the Utah Wine Tours all offer unique tastes of Park City for visitors or locals.

Park City also offers a large variety of local shops, galleries, spas, and salons to fill up the non-skiers days.

If you love discovering new artists check out the Park City Gallery Stroll. On the last Friday of every month, this free community event lets visitors enjoy light refreshments while exploring Park City’s many wonderful art galleries.

The Sundance Film Festival whose mission is to discover and develop independent artists and audiences is now a place to see and be seen by film lovers everywhere. Every January filmmakers and attendees descend on beautiful Park City to preview the new hopefuls and industry favorites. While winter in Park City is a skier’s paradise, a visit in the summer will also appeal to Food Travelists with The Park City Food & Wine Classic or the Savor the Summit event. Easy to get to, Park City is a short 35-minute drive from the Salt Lake City International Airport.

Interested in learning more? Check out this short video Park City at A Glance!

Check out Visit Park City for all the details on planning your own trip to Park City, Utah.

This post is sponsored by Visit Park City. As always all opinions are our own.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a destination that has lots of winter activities, beautiful accommodations, and lots of food to explore visit tasty Park City in Utah.

In Blog

Behind The Scenes of Travel Blogging at TBEX

By Sue Reddel

Ever wonder what it takes to be a travel blogger? Now’s your chance to find out. We were invited to speak at the TBEX North America in Fort Lauderdale. TBEX stands for travel bloggers exchange. We’ll take you behind the scenes of travel blogging at TBEX. It is billed as the world’s largest gathering of travel bloggers, writers, new media content creators and social media savvy travel industry professionals. We’ve attended previous TBEX conferences in Toronto, Dublin, and Diana spoke in Cancun specifically about food travel. We always come away having caught up with old friends, making new friends and being filled with inspiration & new ideas for Food Travelist. TBEX in Fort Lauderdale was no exception!

As food travel bloggers we typically travel to destinations via a media or press trip. Our accommodations, food and activities are usually provided by a destination marketing organization (DMO) or by the business or product sponsoring our trip. TBEX is a bit different because it is a trade conference for travel bloggers. Speakers may have their basic costs covered but attendees make their own travel arrangements. However, TBEX does a terrific job of attracting sponsors who offer organize parties, tours, special events and access to unique experiences available to all the bloggers before, during and after the 2-day conference. This conference was sponsored by the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention & Visitors Bureau. They did a wonderful job highlighting all the reasons travel bloggers should tell their readers about Fort Lauderdale.

Behind the scenes of travel blogging at TBEX North America

Carol Cain Empowering the audience at TBEX

TBEX kicked off with keynote speaker, Carol Cain of Girl Gone Travel. Carol is well-known as an outspoken travel blogger who always speaks in her own unique and humorous voice. Her talk was inspirational and forced many of us to re-think how we present ourselves to our audiences.

The conference contains several tracks of breakout sessions in areas such as content, commerce, community, and business that focus on exploring ways to improve your blogging and your website. There are also speed networking meetings with potential sponsors, partners and allies. You have the opportunity to set up 10 minute meetings in advance for the 2-hour sessions both days. These meetings are valuable opportunities for everyone to learn about others, discover common interests and explore ways they might work together.

One of the most important and rewarding aspects of TBEX is the chance to meet other travel bloggers. Many of us know one another only from communicating online. Being able to meet meet face-to-face is memorable, invaluable and fun. Meeting new people and hearing their stories of how they got started and what they’re doing is also a highlight, and is helpful and interesting as you exchange ideas and information.

Lee Blackwoow of Eat Travel Cook at TBEX — We met Lee Blackwood of Eat Travel Cook at TBEX

We got to finally meet Charles McCool and his wife Julie of McCool Travel and Lee Blackwood of Eat Travel Cook. Industry authority Johnny Jet and his wife Natalie were sweet and very approachable.

We also had the chance to meet lots of bloggers who came to listen to our Top Ten Ways to Accelerate Community Growth presentation. We did our best to engage and entertain the large audience, and loved hearing questions from the crowd. We really look forward to keeping in touch with the new people we met there and hearing about how they grow their communities.

BrewBrew Bus Tour at TBEX in Fort Lauderdale — Brew Bus Tour at TBEX in Fort Lauderdale

During TBEX we had the chance to take advantage of many of the TBEX activities. Before the conference, there are several “PreTBEX” tours that highlight activities of interest to travel bloggers in the host destination.We went on the Brew Bus tour of Fort Lauderdale with a dozen or so fellow travel bloggers and loved it. The plentiful samples of locally made beer was surprising and terrific! We can’t wait to write about our experience (so look to see us post about it soon).

We also experienced the recently opened and beautiful Margaritaville Hotel in Hollywood, just a short drive from Fort Lauderdale. It was delightfully attractive and their beach and pool areas are stunning.

The big TBEX opening-night party was held at MODS, the Museum of Discovery & Science in Fort Lauderdale. We were treated to bites of tasty “Floribbean” cuisine and free run in this hands-on museum. We took a crazy, bumpy journey on the Zombie 7D Ride. We explored the intriguing geography of the red planet in the Mars Rover simulator. And we whizzed through the everglades on a simulated airboat, alligators watching from the waters and all.

We also had some time to take the fun Water Taxi through parts of the Intracoastal Waterway canals, the signature water passages that give Fort Lauderdale the reputation as Venice of the United States. Seeing multi-million dollar yachts and homes along “Billionaire Row” was like being part of a waterway version of “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous.”

Pan E' Dolci on Los Olas Blvd. — Pan E’ Dolci on Los Olas Blvd.

Of course, no trip for us is complete without taking in the local tastes. We explored the famous Los Olas Boulevard and found a few little gems that we’ll also be writing about very soon, including the ridiculously delicious Pan E’ Dolci with real deal gelato made from the owner’s very own Tuscany recipes. We had to sample some for you, just to be sure it was authentic. And believe us, it was! Stay tuned for more about that soon…

Mahi Mahi Tacos at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina

While in Fort Lauderdale we stayed at the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina. It was a perfect place to stay – right across from the Convention Center where the conference took place. We also had a handy water taxi stop right out in front of the hotel, making it easy to hop on and explore. We had a lovely lunch including a delicious Cuban sandwich with sweet potato fries and super-fresh and tasty Mahi tacos while kicking back at The G, the Hilton’s pool bar & grill cafe on our first day.

Caps Place in hidden gem! — Cap’s Place Island Restaurant – a real hidden gem!

On our last night, we decided to venture out with our friends Katie and Margaret from Visit Milwaukee to check out Cap’s Place. We went directly to the source and asked the folks at Visit Lauderdale where to get terrific fish. They said Cap’s Place Island Restaurant served the freshest in Broward County. Recognized as a National Landmark and Florida’s oldest restaurant, the entire Cap’s experience is extraordinary, starting with the little ferry boat take to get there. Intrigued? Good! This is just an appetizer. Come back and read all about our delicious experience of this one-of-a-kind Florida dining.

All good things must come to an end. The less glamorous part of travel blogging sometimes is the actual travel. We were up at 4 am to catch our early morning from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, where we are attending FoodFightWrite, a food blogging exploration of the exploding world of food sport. More on that in another post too!

Thank you TBEX for another wonderful conference. We loved making new friends and colleagues and catching up with old ones. We were inspired by those we met and picked up some amazing ideas as well. We enjoyed Fort Lauderdale and all its attractions.

QUICK BITES: Travel bloggers have conferences too! We give you an inside look at TBEX, the world’s largest gathering of travel writers and bloggers.

In Americas

Jon, the Pizza Pro

By Sue Reddel

If you love pizza, perhaps you’ve thought about how you could get a job getting paid to eat pizza. Well, our featured member, Jonathan Porter, has managed to do just that! Here’s a q & a with the owner of Chicago Pizza Tours, and pizza pro just for you.

FT: Thanks for talking with us, Jon. We know that there are a lot of folks who just love pizza and are wondering just how did you come to start Chicago Pizza Tours?

JP: My previous career was a salesman working for a company my dad started in 1998. I worked there until 2009, and did well for most of those years. In 2009 after losing many of my smaller accounts, I finally lost the big account. I ended up taking a night job coaching tennis for the park district in Chicago, while trying to sell promotional products during the day. My wife Renee and I saved our money and jumped all in. We really wanted to showcase the smaller shops that were more “off the beaten path.” That really paid off for us because the customers loved the places they probably weren’t going to visit unless they were on the tour, and it allowed us to showcase Chicago neighborhoods. That covers the story of how and why I actually started the business, but I feel like my whole life I was preparing to do this. Growing up, I had this group of friends since grade school and we were all big time into pizza. I mean when other kids were going to the arcade or bowling, we were begging our parents to go to pizzerias. We are all still friends to this day and still get pizza at new places whenever we can.

Gino's East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza Jon Porter The Pizza Pro — Gino’s East Chicago style Deep Dish Pizza

FT: What differences are there in the various pizzas you’ve tried?

JP: No two pizzas are ever truly alike, they are all unique to the person baking them. I might eat at the same restaurant 3 times in 1 week and find a variance between Tuesday’s and Friday’s dough, but that’s just the pure physics of baking. Chicago is an unbelievable city to try different styles of pizza…Deep dish, tavern style thin crust, Neapolitan, Coal baked east coast, NY style, Sicilian, styles from Florence, Roman, even pizzas from the Puglia region of Italy.

FT: What are the most common questions about pizza that people ask you?

Coal Fire Pizza Chicago Food Travelist — Coal Fire Pizza, Chicago, IL

JP: The usuals are “What’s your favorite?” or “Have you been to such and such yet?” but the one that I enjoy the most is “Deep dish pizza stinks!?!” That one’s not really a question, more so someone hitting me with a statement and looking for me to defend the style. I usually follow it up with, which places have you tried and what was it specifically about the pizza that offended you? Chances are they’ve either gone to a chain that it churning them out carelessly, or even tried the style at a place called “Chicago’s Deep Dish Pizza” in a town in Idaho.

FT: What’s an interesting fact associated with pizza that people probably don’t know?

JP: Modern day pizza as we know it really started as the leftover scraps for peasants. It became so popular that royalty could not ignore it and had to see what all the fuss was about. In just a short period of time, pizza had a meteoric rise from the slums to the palace.

FT: If you could have any pizza in the world right now, what would it be?

JP: This is going to depend on the day and the mood I am in. Right now, I am a little bummed that I have not had Frank Pepe’s or Sally’s Pizza in New Haven. I have seen tons on TV, read plenty, and met people that actually worked there on my tours. For this question it isn’t a matter of looking backwards but looking forward to something unknown.

Pizanos Pan Pizza — Chicago’s Famous Pizano’s Pan Pizza

FT: Here’s a special Bonus Question: Any favorite celebrity pizza stories to share?

JP: President Bill Clinton held up Air Force One at O’Hare airport in order to have some Pizano’s pizzas delivered. That’s just awesome.

We think you’re awesome, Jon. Thanks for talking with us.

If you plan to make your way to Chicago, or you’re already there and want to do a pizza adventure, check out Chicago Pizza Tours today.

THE QUICK BITE: Chicago Pizza Tours’ Jonathan Porter can tell you everything you never knew about pizza – and more!

In Blog

When Is Sweetest Day?

By Sue Reddel

If you’re like me keeping track of birthdays, anniversaries, and other important dates is hard enough without needing to remember random off-the-radar holidays like Sweetest Day. Many people call Sweetest Day a “Hallmark holiday” because they think that it was a holiday concocted by the greeting card maker. Others would not be surprised that it was actually conceived by Cleveland candy manufacturers in 1922. Hallmark didn’t even start creating cards for Sweetest Day until the mid-1960s.

Cleveland_Committeemen_Who_Arranged_the_Details_of_the_Sweetest_Day_of_the_Year_and_Planned_Its_Success_when_is_sweetest_day — The Sweetest Day Cleveland Committeemen

A committee of 12 confectioners came up with the idea of The Sweetest Day in the Year. The idea was to acknowledge kind thoughts, words and deeds with a small sweet gift. Of course, selling a lot of candy was certainly on their minds too. They even distributed over 20,000 boxes to those in need to help spread the word. Several attempts to declare it a national holiday met with limited success. In 1937, the National Confectioners Association launched an effort to rank Sweetest Day among beloved holidays like Mother’s Day and Valentine’s Day. Again, thousands of promotions and candies were handed out to charities.

Although celebrated throughout the United States, observance of Sweetest Day is particularly prevalent in the Midwest where it all started.

When Is Sweetest Day?

Despite the naysayers, Sweetest Day still comes around every third Saturday in October, which this year is Saturday October 17th.

I have to admit that I’m not a huge sweet eater. I like chocolate, dark chocolate specifically. I grew up in Chicago and every holiday we got a special treat -Fannie May candy. I didn’t know it when I was a kid but Fannie May was started in Chicago in 1920 by H. Teller Archibald. Even when times were tough after World War II when ingredients were scarce Fannie May stuck to their original recipes. That often meant producing less products and closing stores when they ran out, but they never comprised the recipes of their hand crafted candies.

Fannie May Dark Chocolate Buttercreams When Is Sweetest Day — Fannie May Dark Chocolate Buttercreams

My parents weren’t big on lots of candy around the house so when holidays came we were always excited to get our Fannie May candy. I still fondly remember getting my dark chocolate buttercream egg and one solid chocolate rabbit at Easter and my half pound box of dark chocolate buttercreams at Christmas. My Grandmother would make a special trip to the Fannie May “downtown” to pick up my favorites. I would then savor my treats, doling them out one a day until the last one was gone. Learning to enjoy one at time is something I thank my parents for every day. Like savoring that cup of fresh brewed tea or lingering over a terrific glass of red wine.

I have to admit that today when I received a box of those same Fannie May dark chocolate buttercreams today for Sweetest Day I audibly gasped in delight. They still bring me so much joy. I’ve had the privilege of tasting chocolate all around the world and although there are certainly many chocolates I’ve appreciated, none come close to my beloved dark chocolate buttercreams. I’m sure it’s the sentimental memories of my Grandmother and our shared pleasure of eating these tasty treats that make them so perfect in every way. Doesn’t matter. I still enjoy them 50 some year later.

Fannie May Trinidads When is Sweetest Day — Fannie May Trinidads

Fannie May has long been know for their bestselling Pixie’s, hand-poured caramel over crunchy pecans and covered with chocolate. Another favorite is their Trinidads – rich chocolate cream center with pastel coating mixed with toasted coconut.

Even if you don’t want to support a candy industry sponsored holiday, we think it’s always a good idea to remember folks who make our lives a little sweeter everyday. Why not thank them with a wonderful treat they can savor and enjoy. We enjoy the feeling of making someone’s day really sweet. We, of course, suggest a Fannie May treat. Who knows? It may become one of your family’s new traditions. They also make a wonderful hostess gift for Thanksgiving, Christmas or any celebration.

Disclaimer: We gratefully received chocolates from Fannie May. We were not financially compensated for this review. As always, opinions expressed are based on our own experiences.

Pinnable Image Below

THE QUICK BITE: When Is Sweetest Day? It’s the third Saturday in October. If you’re looking for a new treat for your sweetie this Sweetest Day try Fannie May Chocolates.

In Canada

Best Food In Toronto

By Sue Reddel

We love Toronto, a bustling city and lively hub of cuisine and culture in Ontario, Canada. The people are friendly. It’s a beautiful city located on Lake Ontario. Coming from Chicago we just love cities on the water. A fabulous water view is something that we – like many other people – really gravitate toward.

Toronto is a Canadian city where multi-cultural neighborhoods thrive. Deciding where and what to eat can be a challenge because Toronto has an enormous number of food choices. This is a great advantage when you’re looking for variety and cultural authenticity.

Here are just a few of our experiences of the best food in Toronto:

Tasty-Toronto-Roast-Duck-Poutine-Pizza-Bannock-Toronto-Food-Travelist Best Food in Toronto — Roast Duck Poutine Pizza at Bannock.

Must Eat Toronto Food

One could argue that you can’t go to Canada without trying some poutine. We would agree. But why settle for your typical poutine fare when you can have roast duck poutine pizza at Bannock? Admittedly, we were a little suspicious of this menu item. And you must be warned that it’s big and the duck makes it quite rich. But that’s what makes this uniquely Torontonian pizza great for table sharing. It’s tasty and messy and filling and something you will not forget. So dig in!

Tasty Toronto Disco Breakfast at The Lakeview in Toronto Food Travelist — Disco Fries at The Lakeview in Toronto

Diner Delights
If you’re looking for a quirky “old school” diner stop by The Lakeview. In addition to some fabulous modern diner fare, they also specialize in hangover remedy foods. I tried the Disco Breakfast (sans hangover) and it was a tasty blend of a sunny-side-up egg, maple sausage, bacon bit, melted cheddar, and Havarti cheese over fries. Their menu and their staff have a great sense of humor which makes it even better.

Misto-Misto-Nunu-Toronto-Canada-Food-Travelist — MIsto Misto at Nunu in Toronto

Ethiopian
We had never tried Ethiopian food so when a friend who lives in Toronto suggested Nunu, we had to try it. It’s a small restaurant in the super-hip Queen Street West area of Toronto. They import gluten-free injera bread directly from Ethiopia. The spongy texture of this sourdough flatbread is quite unusual, yet it pairs perfectly with the traditional flavors of Ethiopia. We had the Misto Misto tasting menu, which was a large platter covered in injera and topped with Ethiopian meat and vegetable dishes. It was huge and more than enough for four people. The menu states “substantial” and they’re not kidding. It included lamb, beef, and chicken all marinated in different spices including garlic, ginger, turmeric, and rosemary. There were also plenty of vegetables to round out the complete offering, which easily filled all four tummies at our table. They also have a full bar and feature freshly squeezed juices and a housemade tonic.

Saint-Lawrence-Market-Food-Travelist — Saint Lawrence Market Toronto

St. Lawrence Market
Frequently ranked one of the top markets in the world, this expansive market could easily provide you with an entire day of fun eating your way through it. It’s loaded with fresh seafood, meats, cheeses, and deli. You name it they probably have it. One of the specialties you will find is the iconic peameal bacon sandwich at the Carousel Bakery in St. Lawrence Market. It’s been tried and enjoyed by many celebrated chefs whose images and thoughts are posted all around the booth.

Pea Meal Bacon Sandwich in Toronto Food Travelist Best Food in Toronto — Pea Meal Bacon Sandwich

It’s a substantial sandwich so go splitsy on it so you can enjoy some of the other goodies at the market. Want to read more about the St. Lawrence Market? Check out our Weird & Wonderful St. Lawrence Market post.

Kensington Market
A stroll around the centrally located Kensington Market is a perfect way to enjoy the weekend. Spend several hours walking the neighborhood markets and shops. The energy is palpable and the choices are endless. One of the things that we love about Toronto is that it’s such a great walking town. The more we can walk the better.

Plan on doing a lot of window and street shopping Kensington Market. The relaxed vibe of the neighborhood beckons you to stay all day.

Victor Restaurant in the Hotel Le Germain
One of the best meals we had in Toronto was at the Victor Restaurant in the Hotel Le Germain located in the Entertainment district. Chef Lanny McLeod’s Berkshire bone-in pork chop with sweet potato gratin, spring vegetables, and apple chutney was perfection. We really enjoyed the relaxed yet elegant dining room. The staff was attentive and charming. The Victor also offers Iron Chef-inspired dinners. Diners choose an ingredient and 5 courses are created by individual members of their kitchen team. The diners score the courses to determine a winner, who receives a bottle of champagne for their successful effort. We observed a couple experiencing the Iron Chef Dinner featuring lemon as the “secret” ingredient. We can’t wait to go back and try it ourselves and are thinking that garlic might be a fun ingredient to try.

We also stayed at the Hotel Le Germain and would highly recommend it. The attention to detail in everything they do makes it a really special experience. There’s a feeling of restrained elegance in the rich wood offerings, high ceilings, and impeccable service. You’ll even enjoy sitting in the “library” where you can relax with free coffee. The hotel offers free Wi-Fi, and a continental breakfast is included. Don’t miss the breakfast – it’s full of freshly baked pastries, meats, cheeses, yogurts, fruits, and 5 different custom blends of granola.

Food Trucks
As you’re walking around town you’ll notice an abundance of food trucks in Toronto. Whether it’s dumplings, ice cream, BBQ or coffee you’ll find some tasty food trucks in TO.

Historic Distillery District
Stop for a break and sample one of the many 100% certified organic beers at Mill Street Brewery. Better yet, try a flight so you can taste a variety of brews. Be sure to sample some of their sharable appetizers, salads or sandwiches and enjoy the fun ambiance at this well-respected and very local establishment.

These are just a few of the delectable delights we experienced in Toronto. For ethnic fare, be sure to check out their large Greektown, Little Italy, Chinatown (there are actually 3!), and Little India. If you decide to visit, bring your comfy shoes and make sure to leave plenty of time to walk through Tasty Toronto.

THE QUICK BITE: Tasty Toronto is full of many different cultural neighborhoods to explore. Here are just a few of the delicious food choices you’ll discover in Toronto.

In Europe

10 Things You Must Do In Paris

By Sue Reddel

I just had to do a 10 Things You Must Do in Paris post. I have two very good friends that are leaving for their first trip to Paris soon. Rather than inundate them with the hundreds if not thousands of things to know and reasons that I love Paris, I’ve decided to create my “short-list” of the things they must do.

Some of them are what most might consider “touristy” and some are not. So indulge me as I journey back to Paris, stroll down the Champs-Élysées munching on a baguette and enjoy my tour of the city of light.

10 Things You Must Do In Paris

Go to the top of the Eiffel Tower Yes, there’s a line, sometimes a really long one, but the views of Paris and just the thought that you’re in one of the world’s most iconic buildings should be enough to get you up there. The wonders of technology let you buy a ticket or tour of the Eiffel Tower ahead of time to avoid the lines. Once you’re in, you’ll forget about anything but being there.

Walk Everywhere Seriously, it truly is the best way to see the city. Go down the little streets off the big boulevards. Explore the courtyards. This is where you’ll find that little bistro or boulangerie you will talk about for the rest of your life. Plus, the more you walk the more you can eat & drink! Forget the FitBit. I’m pretty sure Parisians would laugh at it anyway. They walk everywhere too. Wear comfortable but stylish shoes. You don’t have to wear 3-inch heels like Parisian women but NO, I repeat NO gym shoes or “trainers” as they call them. Tres faux pas!

Visit the Musee Rodin Even if you’re not that into art you’ve got to visit at least a few of the world-famous museums in Paris. The Louvre and the Musee de Orsay are amazing art museums but the Musee Rodin is in the midst of lovely gardens that you can stroll through and admire the Rodin sculptures while being outdoors. Pick up some goodies to eat – this is a great spot for a picnic. Go inside the museum too. There’s lots to see.

Live-music-at-Sainte-Chapelle-in-Paris-Food-Travelist-10-Things-You-Must-Do-In-Paris — Live music at Sainte-Chapelle in Paris

Visit Sainte-Chapelle There are many churches you’ll want to visit in Paris but the one not to miss is Sainte-Chapelle. It’s kitty-corner from Notre Dame on the Île de la Cité. The stained glass windows are simply the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. You’ll need to walk up a skinny steep stone spiral staircase (say that fast five times) to get up there but it’s worth it and makes it that much more special. I’ve yet to see any photos that do the windows justice. Go in the morning or early evening on a sunny day for the best view. We’ve also gone to evening concerts in Sainte-Chapelle, which are marvelous because you are so close and the acoustics are amazing. We heard Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and I still remember it like it was yesterday.

Visit Montmartre and Sacré-Coeur Whether you take a cab or climb the hill yourself (which I recommend if you are able) you won’t be disappointed. The views alone from the highest point in Paris are worth it. I love to stroll among the working artists selling their wares. Careful for the ones who will draw your portrait and chase you down the street trying to sell it to you. But do keep your eyes open for a piece of art you like and you can bring home a treasure and a great memory. This area once housed the studios of Picasso, Van Gogh, Dali, Monet, and more. Get past the souvenir and t-shirt shops and really enjoy the artist vibe.

Foodie Heaven: Ladurée, Maison Mulot, and E. Dehillern This is more than one spot, but while you’re in Paris and you’re walking you’ll see a zillion bakeries, boulangeries, and patisseries. You’ll definitely want to try Parisian macarons. Don’t get into a debate about who is the best. Try them all and decide for yourself! We love Maison Mulot but also have a fondness for Ladurée as well. While you’re in a tasty mood, stop by E. Dehillern the best kitchen supply in Paris if not the world. Julia Child shopped there as did Anthony Bourdain, and many others. Bring back a souvenir for your kitchen from E. Dehillern and you’ll be transported back to Paris every time you use it.

Musée de l’Orangerie This museum houses the giant panoramic Monet paintings of his famous water lily gardens in Giverny. If you can’t make the day trip to Giverny – also very high on my recommendation list – this is almost like being there. If you do go to Giverny, come back to Paris and see these magnificent works of art. They will simply take your breath away. There’s also a robust art collection in the Musée de l’Orangerie. It’s fun to walk through the Tuileries Gardens and have a picnic or just relax by one of the fountains on your way in or out of the museum. One of the best things about Paris is experiencing all the wonderful art.

Extra Pita Greek Gyros in The Latin Quarter In Paris Food Travelist 10 Things You Must Do in Paris — Extra Pita Greek Gyros in The Latin Quarter In Paris

The Latin Quarter The Left Bank (or Rive Gauche) of the Seine River is known for its universities and lively fun style, full of bistros and cafes and fun. Former home of so many famous writers and artists, this supposedly is the less glamorous side of the river. But we always feel quite at home in these crooked streets and alleys full of wonders to discover. Stop by the Shakespeare and Company bookstore and imagine bumping into Hemingway or Gertrude Stein. The many food venues offering everything from “Extra Pita Greek” (gyros sandwiches with fries inside) to fondue to tasty gelato will insist you arrive hungry and taste your way through The Latin Quarter.

Saint-Germain-des-Prés Also on the Left Bank is home of the famous cafés Café de Flore and Café Les Deux Magots. Great for a coffee or brief repast, don’t end there. The other many cafés, boulangeries, chocolatiers, and quaint boutique shops will have you window shopping and people-watching for hours. What is Paris famous for? Sitting on a sidewalk cafe sipping a coffee or glass of wine and just watching the world go by. Try it. It’s relaxing and lots of fun.

Le Relais de l’Entrecote Admittedly we stumbled upon this Paris classic on one of our first visits to France. We wandered a bit from our hotel and got hungry. We spotted this bistro with a long line and figured it must be good. Little did we know at the time but it is just one famous food in Paris. We were about to taste the best steak frites we’d ever had. There are several Relais de l’Entrecote restaurants in Paris as well as several others throughout France.

I’ll leave you with the thought that although I’m just listing 10 things there are so many, many more things to do, see, eat, and experience in Paris places, we could devote an entire site to it. Perhaps when you go and find your top ten, you can share them with us as well.

If you have time to get out of the city, great day trips are Champagne/Reims, Normandy, Giverny, Versailles, and Mont Saint- Michel are all well worth exploring.

THE QUICK BITE: Paris, the city of light, is one of the most visited destinations in the world, and for good reason. Here’s our list of the 10 Things You Must Do In Paris.

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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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Here are just a few of our experiences of the best food in Toronto:

Must Eat Toronto Food

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