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.
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.
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.
Tasty Park City Utah
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.
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.
Sweet treats in Tasty Park City
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.
Warm stone massage.
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.
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.
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.
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).
Margaritaville Hollywood Hotel
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.
TBEX Party at MODS. We love animals!
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.
The 7D Zombie Ride was really bumpy!
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.
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.
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.
Early flights before the sunrise.
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.
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
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, 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.
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!
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.
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
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
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.
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:
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!
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 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 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
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.
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
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
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.
One of the pleasures of travel is bringing home a little something that reminds you of your journeys. This can sometimes be a challenging chore with limited space in carry-on bags or just the desire not to schlep things around. (Did I mention that I hate carrying things?) That said, we thought we’d share a few items that we like to pick up before we hit the airport for the trip home. Perhaps you’ll find some of your favorite souvenirs among them.
7 Top Food And Travel Souvenirs
Bring a taste of your food travels home.
1. Tasty Reminders
Spices, sauces, oils, salts, wines, spirits, and beers are all great ways to bring your tasty travels home. You will instantly be transported back to the destination while enjoying them at home. We often suffer from what we call “vacation hangovers,” wanting the same tastes we just left. We once scoured Chicago for the best croissant after a week in Paris, but that’s another story.
2. Books, Maps, and Magazines
We love to read books prior to arriving at a destination to really understand where we’re going but finding additional information and behind-the-scenes stories always makes for good reading while flying home. Diana loves to pick up cookbooks and recipes that she can recreate at home. I love to visit museums and study art so a book about my favorite artists has me reading it over and over again. We’re also a little old-school and enjoy picking up printed travel guides and tour books too.
Clothing makes great souvenirs.
3. Clothing
We like to pick up t-shirts from Hard Rock Cafes we visit. We pick up one classic and one unique version with a cool design just for that destination. I got a beautiful hand-stitched dragon on the one I bought in Kuala Lumpur. They’re great to wear to parties and concerts. They’re a perfect icebreaker and always a good travel conversation starter too. (Update: we only pick up special t-shirts now that we’ve moved and downsized). We’ve also purchased things we might need while out and about like a scarf or sweater. Every time you wear them you’re reminded of where they came from.
4. Holiday Ornaments
It’s fun to collect holiday ornaments and make a “travel tree.” My nieces and nephews always loved to look at the beautiful ornaments and we’d talk about where they came from and the wonderful visits we had. Can’t find an ornament where you’re at? Try using keychains or other small tchotchkes and create your own ornament.
5. Currency
There’s always some money left over when you’re ready to leave. Instead of converting all of it back to your homeland currency, keep a few coins or bills. Some of the artwork is stunning and it reminds me of my stamp collecting days. Who knows? Some of it may even become more valuable over time, and it will always remind you of your time well spent in your travels.
6. Postcards
Talk about easy-to-carry and readily available! Many hotels and visitor centers give postcards out for free. Missed that perfect photograph of the Eiffel Tower? A postcard will do the trick – it’s guaranteed to have perfect lighting and perspective. We’ve even sent postcards to ourselves so we can have a postmark from the destination too. They’re also easy to keep in a scrapbook or small box at home.
7. Magnets
They’re small and ubiquitous. If you look hard enough you can find unique handmade ones or very specific magnets from a particular memory of that destination. I once covered one side of one refrigerator and was working on the second.
My rule with travel souvenirs is that I have to pick them up myself while at the destination. So many people want to bring me back a magnet or shirt and I have to politely decline and tell them no thank you. There’s something about knowing you have been there that makes the souvenir a much more special memento of your journey.
Looking for some creative ways to display your own travel souvenirs? Check out How to Display Your Travel Souvenirs by Pop Sugar for some great ideas.
How about you? Do you bring back souvenirs or just memories? Let me know in the comments below.
THE QUICK BITE: Looking for some help on what to bring home from your latest travels? We’re sharing our 7 top food and travel souvenir ideas to make your decisions just a bit easier.
I used to visit Milwaukee a lot. It was years ago and it was for business so I never really thought of it as a place to visit for fun or food.
We were invited by Visit Milwaukee to come and experience all that Milwaukee has to offer the Food Travelist.
In one word I can say I was – surprised. Not only does Milwaukee have many fantastic food choices it also welcomes you whole- heartedly with a wide smile and real gladness that you’re there to visit.
Exploring The Tastes of Milwaukee
Milwaukee is a mid-sized midwestern city of about 600,000 people. Located on Lake Michigan, it’s beautiful, clean and offers so much to see and do.
When you think of Wisconsin you might think beer, cheese, and brats, and they have all they for sure. But that’s just the beginning. You can happily eat your way through everything from great local farm-to-table, taste the spirits of local craft distilleries, enjoy international and fine dining, and much, much more. Here are just a few of the highlights we experienced that you might enjoy.
Breakfast at Cafe Benelux includes Smoked Applewood Bacon, lettuce, tomato, two fried eggs, avocado, basil aioli, nine-grain bread, and Benelux breakfast potatoes.
Breakfasts That Really Start the Day
The folks in Milwaukee really know how to start the day. There are plenty of options for wonderful breakfast fare whether you’re just looking for a great cup of coffee or a full gourmet breakfast. One great option is Cafe Benelux located in the Historic Third Ward right across the street from the Milwaukee Public Market. Named after the European “Benelux” region of Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg, they feature regional favorites like mussels and frites, and pannenkoeken. They serve breakfast through midnight every night of the week! Their expansive menu is bound to have something for everyone. They’re also known for their loaded Bloody Mary and other cocktails. Not a breakfast person you say? No worries they serve tasty lunch and dinner too.
Story Hill BKC Crepe Monsieur
Story Hill BKC(Bottle Kitchen Cup) is definitely a must-stop in Milwaukee. We can’t wait to go back to eat there again soon. The food is inspired by Upper Michigan flavors with a global flair. Everything coming out of the kitchen was stunning and delicious. They serve brunch all day every day from 9 am-2 pm. Dishes like Baked French Toast Bread Pudding, The House Special Crepe with smoked Berkshire loin bacon, Clock Shadow quark, baby kale, onion marmalade and baked eggs, Shakshouka, house-made sausage, and baked tomato bread are just the beginning. They also serve dinner and have a killer happy hour with great food and $2 off all tap beer & tap cocktails Tuesday – Saturday. Don’t miss it!
Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward
All Day Eats
Start in one of the liveliest parts of Milwaukee, the Historic Third Ward, which features the Milwaukee Public Market, the Third Ward Riverwalk, and plenty of other restaurants, galleries, and boutiques.
Milwaukee Public Market
Milwaukee Public Market Reminiscent of many other public markets, the Milwaukee Public Market is loaded with food shops and restaurants. From affordable fresh seafood to bakeries and handcrafted candies. Also offering classes and events, the market really has it all. Eat in the market or grab the makings of a perfect picnic basket to go. Either way, you’ll like what you find.
Snacks at Motor in Milwaukee
The middle of the day is a great time to taste of local snacks like sausages, cheese curds, and pretzels. If you stop by the Harley Davidson Museum (which is another great spot in Milwaukee – whether you’re a fan of motorcycles or not you will find this museum and the Harley history fascinating), be sure to stop in at their restaurant Motor. We loved the ambiance and their fried cheese curds were among the best in town. Their motto is bold American classics, served up classic Harley-Davidson style and we would have to agree. If you’re nearby, you can purchase a Museum Mug in The Shop and get a $3.50 draft of choice every time you bring it back to Motor. You can register your mug on their site and receive quarterly member updates and previews of events. Whether you stop in for appetizers, drinks, burgers, salads, or BBQ you’ll enjoy the Motor vibe and the delicious food choices.
Purple Door Super Premium Ice Cream
Want some super-premium ice cream locally made with 14% butter fat? Try Purple Door Ice Cream. They have all the classic flavors and some really creative ones too – like raspberry green tea, absinthe, and blueberry lemon. Can’t decide which flavor to get? Try their ice cream flight! If you live in Chicago you can also find Purple Door Ice Cream in pints at several grocery stores. Check the listings for the one near you. They also use recycled materials in their shop.
Indulgence Chocolatiers
Still, have a sweet tooth? Right next door to Purple Door Ice Cream is Indulgence Chocolatiers. They have a shop and chocolate pairing bar that could give you an opportunity to stick around sampling for a few hours. Their handmade truffles and gourmet bars and other chocolate delicacies are artisanal works of art. Pairing them with just the right wines, craft beers, and cheeses is an experience in passion, quality, and deliciousness.
Barnacle Buds Milwaukee
If you’re looking for a fun and funky waterside hang out (it reminded us of the Florida Keys) make your way to Barnacle Bud’s. It’s definitely a little off the beaten path and one of those places that you know you have to discover from the locals (or, of course, Food Travelist). The grilled grouper sandwich and crinkle fries were the perfect lunch and ample lobster on top of the Caesar salad was as fresh and tasty as could be. They also have burgers and sandwiches for the land lubbers as well as daily specials. Boaters pull along the dock for a quick bite or libation. They serve plenty of local craft beers and cocktails and have an oyster bar and Bloody Mary bar to keep you relaxing there all afternoon. It’s not fancy but it’s friendly and fun.
Pedal Tavern Milwaukee
Want a little exercise while you check out the local sites? Try Pedal Tavern a bar that you pedal around town. The group that passed us on our visit looked like they were having a fun time working off their libations along the way. Pedal Tavern does tours, pub crawls, and private parties. No worries about drinking and driving someone with a clear head is steering. So drink up and gets some steps on that FitBit too!
Lake Front Brewery
Want to try some delicious beer and be entertained by the best brewery navigation specialist in Milwaukee? Try the tour at Lake Front Brewery. You’ll get to sample their beer and learn all about the process that goes into brewing and learn about their history too. Ask for tour guide Josh, you’ll be glad you did (he even has his own Twitter account! @Tourguidejosh). Be sure to try their best-selling beer New Grist Pilsner Style Beer – it’s gluten-free!
Central Standards Craft Distillery
If you’d like to have a spirited cocktail, check out Central Standard Craft Distillerywhere you can find uniquely handcrafted vodka, gin, and white whiskey. Enjoy the laid-back tasting room and maybe even grab your own bite to eat and bring it in from the local food trucks that park outside. There are also tours you can take if you’d like to learn more. And learn about their bourbon program, which will celebrate two different bourbons!
Sobelmans Cheeseburger Bloody Mary
With names like The MasterPiece, The Baconado, The Crown Mary and The Beast you know the Bloody Mary’s at Sobelmans is gonna be different. Pack your appetite for these tasty cocktails and juicy burgers. You might also need some extra patience because this place is small and it gets packed.
Japanese Kobi Beef New York Strip Steak Dream Dance Steak
Evening Eats
Every type of food you can imagine is available in the culturally diverse Milwaukee restaurant scene. We did not have a chance to experience the classic supper club but did try out the Milwaukee favorite and Wisconsin state drink the Old Fashioned along with delicious Kobi Beef Steak at Dream Dance Steak in the Potawatomi Casino and Hotel. Perfect for an elegant dining experience, the restaurant blends refined innovation with the tradition and comfort of a Wisconsin steakhouse. Options include tasting menus, private dining, and various specials.
Wisconsin Blue Old Fashioned is made with fresh blueberries.The Artichoke A La Mode Pizza at Pizza Man
Craving pizza? Try the Pizza Man with some unique toppings like the best-selling Artichoke A La Mode, which features artichokes, tomato, basil, and cream cheese (shown above). They also have a gluten-free crust available. There’s also a wide range of appetizers, pasta, and Italian entrees from which to choose. There’s a full bar and extensive wine selection as well.
Brady Street
If you’re looking to do some exploring, walk down the nine blocks of Brady Street that run east to west from beautiful Lake Michigan to the Milwaukee River. You’ll find some of Milwaukee’s most charming restaurants, cute shops, bars, and cafes.
Black Sheep Restaurant Tater Tot Nachos
Located in Walkers Point, Milwaukee’s warehouse district you’ll encounter Black Sheep Tap Wine Bar. They have an inventive casual menu that includes “haute” dogs with hand-cut fries, sandwiches, bar favorites, small plates, and desserts. Originally the Schupert-Zoeller Printing Company, Black Sheep features a modern look with tall ceilings and exposed brick walls. Check out their unique small-production wine collection from one of the 16 unique wine taps. Choose from three different pour sizes of either red, white, or rose. The wines change frequently so you may discover a new special wine or your old favorite. We loved the vibe of Black Sheep – very relaxed, friendly, laid-back, and LGBTQIA+ friendly.
Wine Tap at Black Sheep
Milwaukee, WI is a land of plenty whether you live close by or are visiting from far away. Be sure to check out all our articles about the different facets of this fun and tasty Midwestern town.
THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for food, drink, and fun in a friendly city be sure to explore the tastes of Milwaukee. Whether you spend a weekend or a week you’ll find many different flavors to enjoy.
When is summer coming? Will it ever be warm? These are the questions that most Midwesterners have been asking this June. This summer has been off to a rainy, gloomy, and cold start this year. On a visit to Milwaukee, Wisconsin courtesy of Visit Milwaukee we found one festival that is going strong and loaded with a wide variety of hot music – Summerfest!
Disclosure: We were guests of Visit Milwaukee and were not financially compensated and the views expressed are our own and based on our actual experiences.
Summerfest is billed as the largest music fest in the world. The festival features 11 stages, over 800 live music acts with more than a thousand performances over 11 days. Summerfest was started by Milwaukee Mayor Henry Maier in the 60s after he visited Oktoberfest in Munich and wanted to bring that spirit to his hometown to help revitalize Milwaukee’s downtown area. The permanent festival grounds at the Henry Maier Festival Park are now home to many festivals throughout the year including Pride Fest, Polish Fest, Festa Italiana, German Fest, Milwaukee Irish Fest, Mexican Fiesta, Petfest, and Indian Summer Festival. Check out Milwaukeeworldfestival.com for all the dates and details.
Photo Courtesy of Visit Milwaukee.
If you’re a music lover you can spend the whole day going from stage to stage to stage enjoying every music genre from reggae, hip hop, classic rock to country. Don’t forget to sync your FitBit because 10,000 steps won’t begin to cover the 75 acre Henry Maier Festival.
Sheryl Crow at Summerfest in Milwaukee
Check out their website at Summerfest.com for the full lineup.
What really sets this festival apart is its beautiful setting on the shore of Lake Michigan. If you’re lucky enough to attend when they have a fireworks display you will be treated to one of the best displays we’ve ever seen.
Lots of food and drink choices at Summerfest
If you like crowds stay on the main path and feel the energy of music and food lovers alike. If you like it a bit quieter hit the lake shore path and find secluded benches and video screens to enjoy the music. With over 45 local food and beverage vendors on hand, Summerfest is sure to offer something for everyone. This is not your standard Wisconsin beer and brat show, although you can get them. Don’t miss the ribs, grilled corn, Italian, German, and Mexican specialties, and much, much more! No fear of being thirsty with plenty of beer, wine, martinis, and soft drinks choices going around.
Photo courtesy of Visit Milwaukee.
General admission tickets start at $26.00 for a single-day pass. Multiple other options make Summerfest a really economical way to see some of the best music performers in the world.
If you must take a break from music and food check out the shopping, which features four marketplaces with local artisans creating jewelry, apparel, artwork, and more.
Check out these quick video highlights of Summerfest in Milwaukee.
Summerfest runs through July 5th. See their website at Summerfest.com for details and information on purchasing tickets.
THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a fun summertime music and food festival in the Midwest check out Summerfest in Milwaukee happening now through July 5th.
