In North America

Do You Know The Way To San Jose?

San Jose is a destination that may not be on your bucket list but you should find your way there because it’s definitely a place to explore for good food, wine and lots to do.

I recently was invited to visit San Jose by Team San Jose. I was not financially compensated for my review. All opinions and experiences are my own.

When I first found out I was going to San Jose I couldn’t stop singing the song “Do you know the way to San Jose” by Dionne Warwick. It was an “earworm” that I just couldn’t get out of my mind.

I have to admit that as I landed at the San Jose Airport I was still humming the song. When I told people I was going to San Jose and asked if they “knew the way,” they would just look at me. This is a vintage generational Burt Bacharach song from 1968. Clearly, only people “of a certain age” would be familiar with the song. Arriving in San Jose I was surprised that the airport is only a few minutes from downtown which makes visiting very convenient.

California is such a remarkable state to visit. I’m certain you could spend a year or more exploring all the different climates and beauties of the Golden State. San Jose is a quick 45-minute drive from San Francisco and an hour from Monterey. 300 days of sunshine every year make San Jose a terrific place to visit just about any time. Here are some things to do in San Jose.

Go for the Food

San Jose restaurants certainly have plenty of choices when it comes to delicious cuisine. A go-to destination for busy Silicon Valley foodies, it’s a sure bet that whether you’re seeking award-winning restaurants or casual market dining San Jose has it all.

Salad Nicoise at the Left Bank in San Jose

For a lovely Sunday brunch, you can try out the classic Parisian brasserie The Left Bank on Santana Row in San Jose. Whether you choose to sit outside sipping an aperitif and people-watch on the busy shopping strip or cuddle up inside you’ll find the menu classic French. You can stop in for lunch, dinner, or their busy Sunday brunch.

San Pedro Square Market is a food court on steroids. Although you can get the usual food court tastes like pizza, hot dogs, and burgers, don’t expect the food to be predictable. The vendors are vast and offer a wide array of foods and dishes for every palate. Dine inside or outside in the relaxing courtyard that offers live music on the weekends.

A Little Portugal

Go to this part of town, Little Portugal, if you want to feel like you’ve been transported to Portugal. This little enclave is full of Portuguese immigrants who have lived here for generations. Stop by Popular Bakery for an authentic pastel de nada or other Portuguese sweet.

Adega Restaurant is the first Michelin-starred restaurant in San Jose that is owned by a Portuguese family. “Adega” means winery in Portuguese so you know you can expect a good wine list, too.

Don’t forget the Wine

It’s no surprise that San Jose has many wineries and vineyards to visit just a short drive away. There are lovely small wineries ready and waiting for you to try. They offer tasty wines and most have breathtaking mountain views.

There are so many lovely wineries to choose from, plan on spending at least a couple of days exploring different vineyards and learning about the wine. There are several varietals, including Pinotage from Loma Prieta Vineyards, that are unique to the region. You’re bound to discover something you like during your explorations.

Save Time for Some Terrific Entertainment

Santana Row is the “Rodeo Drive” of San Jose. The busy strip offers luxury shopping and fine dining but there’s plenty of casual dining as well. It’s an easy walking area with plenty going on. From outdoor yoga classes to live concerts, this area is residential, retail, and entertainment combined.

From Tesla to H&M, the many exciting retailer shops make exploring the latest fashion trends and gourmet goodies easy and fun. You’ll also find plenty of nightlife with clubs and restaurants serving Silicon Valley’s latest tech stars.

If you’re looking for an ideal location for a hotel stay, the Hotel Valencia on Santana Row is beautiful and has gorgeous accommodations, a spa, a swimming pool, restaurants, and bars all at your service for a relaxing stay.

Hotel Valencia lovely appointed rooms. — Hotel Valencia has lovely appointed rooms.

A courtyard view and a comfy leather chair at the Hotel Valencia made my stay just perfect for my weekend wine getaway.

A few steps away from Santana Row is the famous Winchester Mystery House. Whether you’re an architecture buff or fascinated by mysteries you’ll want to visit the Winchester House, a 160-room mansion built by Sarah Winchester wife of William Winchester inventor of the Winchester repeating rifle. Many secret rooms, stories of ghosts, and odd mysteries are all explored on tours of this one-of-a-kind mansion.

If you love music be sure to check out the Mountain Winery. Live concerts, wine, and food are all part of this outdoor music scene. Listening to music under the stars in the mountains just doesn’t get any better than this.

San Jose has all the entertainment you’d expect for the tenth-largest city in the United States. Whether it’s opera, ballet, theater, sports, nightclubs, or comedy clubs – they have them all.

If you want to learn more about San Jose check out the comprehensive website sanjose.org.

THE QUICK BITE: San Jose, in sunny California, is a perfect destination to explore a beautiful wine country, terrific food choices and many cultural and entertainment options.

In Americas

Foodie Fun And So Much More in Traverse City

By Sue Reddel

Fall is my favorite time of year. Road trips can be especially fun as you see all the dazzling leaves putting on their full colorful display during your travels. This fall we decided to take a trip up to visit Traverse City, Michigan restaurants, and taste some of the delicious food.

We were recently the guests of the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa. We were not financially compensated for our visit or a review. All opinions are our own and based on our experiences.

Those of us who follow the foodie scene know that Traverse City has become one of the Midwest’s top culinary tourism destinations. We made the trip from Chicago to Traverse City in a little more than 4 hours with one stop. Your timing will depend on how long and how many times you choose to stop along the way.

Anna's House in Grand Rapids, Michigan — Anna’s House in Grand Rapids, Michigan

Road Trip Stop

We left early in the morning and went to brunch at Anna’s House in Grand Rapids. They’re open 6 am to 2 pm daily. Anna’s has two locations. We stopped at the newer location on Beltline Road and it was an easy off and on the highway for our trip. The breakfast was big and good. Anna’s focuses on fresh local and seasonal ingredients.

Happily, fall pumpkin pancakes and hot apple cider were on the menu during our visit. Anna’s is clearly a local favorite as there was a line outside the Sunday morning we arrived, but it moved quickly and we only waited about 15 minutes. Portions are generous so if you’re not super hungry go ahead and split something – you’ll be just fine.

Quench Your Thirst

When we arrived in Traverse City we were quite thirsty so our first stop was one of the best breweries in Traverse City, the Right Brain Brewery. They made us feel right at home as we settled in with our beer sampler. You have to know that Michigan is loaded with many terrific micro-breweries and Traverse City has an embarrassingly large amount of excellent choices. But we have a special fondness for the head brewer here and would recommend you pay them a visit if you’re in the area. Their creative menu of waffles and snacks intrigued us as well. As for the brew, well we really enjoyed all the beer we tasted but had a special fondness for the Northern Hawk Owl, a medium-bodied amber ale, and the Chubby Squirrel their seasonal spiced amber ale. Lucky for us we were even able to purchase some of the Northern Hawk Owl to take back home, which we did!

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

We then made our way to the Grand Traverse Resort & Spa. The resort really is like a city unto itself. Located on 900 acres of rolling hillside the beautiful scenery makes for a relaxing stay. The main lobby leads to the Marketplace. A great place to pick up coffee, a snack or a freshly baked goodie. It’s one-stop shopping if you don’t want to make the trek into town. The Grand Traverse has many amenities that include three golf courses, indoor and outdoor tennis, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, beach access, a great spa, excellent dining, and more. The resort is perfect for a girls’ weekend, golf getaways, weddings and meetings, and a wonderful retreat for any time of year.

More Traverse City Food

We had the chance to dine at the Aerie Restaurant, located on the 16th floor of the tower building. We had a perfect window view of the setting sun on Traverse Bay as we sipped our cocktails and unwound from the day on the road. Our server, Jen made sure we had everything we needed for a perfect relaxed dining experience.

Smoked Trout Crostini from Aerie Restaurant in Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

We started with a smoked trout salad crostini that featured smoked trout, red onion, celery, capers, rice vinegar, fresh lemon juice, black pepper, first-press olive, and pesto oil atop crunchy crostini. We simply loved this starter.

Pork Chop and Smoked Cheddar Potato Tower at Aerie Restaurant in Grand Traverse Resort

Another favorite was the marinated two-bone pork chop smothered in house-made BBQ sauce. The smoked cheddar redskin potato tower – yes, a cheesy potato tower – made a perfect pairing.

We also sampled the pan-seared scallops and honey-herb glazed chicken with celeriac mashed potatoes. Everything was quite well-prepared and delicious.

The Aerie also has an extensive dessert and dessert wine menu sure to please every palate. We tried the chocolate bananas foster, which was a deconstructed bananas foster, and the cherry toffee pudding featuring Michigan’s finest cherries.

After a good night’s sleep, we headed off to the spa for a little pampering with an hour-long massage, just what the doctor ordered. The spa has all the services you would want from massage and hydrotherapy to nail and hair care services.

Don’t Miss A Thing

We headed into town next and as we suspected Traverse City food had well more available than the two days’ worth of eating and exploring that we had planned. The “downtown” strip is loaded with cute shops, restaurants, and bars that can make the adventure fun and leisurely. Follow along with our helpful Traverse City restaurant guide at the bottom of the page for more ideas.

Dining in Traverse City restaurants includes white fish sandwiches to Italian cuisine, Mediterranean eateries, and everything in between, this place truly is a foodie’s heaven. The townspeople are super friendly and easily recommend more places for you to explore. They do seem to support one other and their foodie culture generously, and that’s great for visitors like us too.

Tasting the local wine, cider and spirits of Traverse City food is a trip all by itself. The nearby Leelanau Peninsula has many wineries and a local dairy to taste test.

Don’t Miss The Ice Cream

What caps off any foodie destination? A sweet ending, of course. We had to experience the famous MOOmers Ice Cream voted “America’s Best Scoop” on Good Morning America. Moomers Homemade Ice Cream makes over 120 flavors and has over 20 unique flavors available daily. I chose the Cherries Moobilee which has black cherry-flavored ice cream with chunks of black sweet cherries, chocolate fudge swirl, and chunks of brownies. It was ice cream perfection! As I sat there enjoying my homemade cone and ice cream somehow knowing that the Plummer family (proprietors of Moomers) use cream from their own Moomers Farm Creamery and dairy farm right behind me made it all taste that much better.

All and all, Traverse City was a wonderful local fall trip. The only downside was that we wish we had more time to experience more of the food, wine, and spirits the area has to offer. Another trip for Traverse City food will definitely be in our future sooner than later.

Just some of the places to find the best food in Traverse City:

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa This amenity-filled resort has everything you could want. Ask for a high-floor room for a spectacular view.

Moomers Ice Cream A must-stop that’s a little out of town but well worth it for delicious homemade ice cream.

Poppycock’s Restaurant is Terrific new American cuisine that has a great vibe and features martinis & jazz on Friday’s. We also loved the artwork in the restaurant.

Northern Natural Cider House Organic hard cider spot. This is a great place to rest your feet in downtown Traverse City and relax with some yummy cider.

Right Brain Brewery Go taste what is brewing up at this Traverse City treasure, you won’t be disappointed. Chat up with the locals on what they’re drinking.

Grand Traverse Pie Company Get a slice of one of their cherry pies. You’ll dream about it for days. We also love the doing good and giving back karma of their second “community” store that gives profits to community good.

Grand Traverse Distillery We loved their cherry-flavored vodka. Stop in for a tasting.

The Village Grand Traverse Commons A former asylum turned into a shopping, winery, and restaurant space. They’ve maintained the historic buildings and created a unique environment for tourists and locals to shop.

Traverse City Any Time of the Year

Traverse City is a year-round destination. Summer includes water sports, hiking, and farmer’s markets. Fall has beautiful scenery and harvest time. Winter has snow sports like snowshoeing, snowmobiles, and spas. Year-round you get the great tastes of Traverse City. Whenever you visit be sure to check the dates and times that all businesses are open. This is a seasonal tourist city. Most shops are open year-round but check ahead to avoid disappointment.

THE QUICK BITE: Food in Traverse City should not be missed. If you’re looking for a quick weekend trip in the Midwest this is a place you will enjoy for its great variety of food, beer, wine, and fun.

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In Blog

Moleskine Voyageur Lets You Share Your Memories

By Sue Reddel

I was recently invited to review the Moleskine Voyageur. I was not financially compensated for this review. The opinions shared are my own based on the experience I had.

Everybody knows Moleskine and most people love to use their notebooks for writing journals or sketches. But I have to admit that I don’t keep a journal when traveling. Most people who know me know that I capture a lot of my travels on social media. When I saw the new Moleskine Voyageur and learned there was a social component I was intrigued.

The Moleskine Voyageur is much the same as some of the other Moleskin notebooks but this one has many additional features that make it a perfect traveling companion. Here are a few of the nifty highlights of the Voyageur:

The canvas cover holds up well during travel, but doesn’t add much additional weight
Perfect size to fit easily into your backpack or purse
Handy back pocket to keep important documents, receipts, etc.

The back of the paper band is an I AM HERE sign that is great to use for selfies
Detachable checklists, packing lists, and to-do lists
World map with time zones

Stickers to highlight items throughout your journal

Moleskin Voyageur Accessories — Moleskine Voyageur Accessories

You can take the “I Am Here” band selfie, add it to the Moleskine Around The World Flickr group and use the #m_iamhere hashtag to track other Voyaeur users.

I have to admit that it was fun to get my selfie taken by someone else, which might not technically make it a selfie but does help start a great conversation. Another unique feature is that you can print out itineraries and content from anywhere in the exact Voyageur dimensions using the MSK2 online tools. You can paste them in the journal or stick them in the back pocket.

This picture was taken after about 12 hours stuck in the Havana airport – but that’s a whole other story! I have to admit that although I’m a travel writer, I hardly ever actually physically “write.” While I was in Cuba I was reading quite a bit about Ernest Hemingway and I thought it was interesting that in his early years, Hemingway wrote in longhand. In this age of technology, that’s almost unheard of. What’s more, people’s penmanship is horrible. Schools are wondering if they should even teach “handwriting” anymore. Hemingway also wrote standing up at his typewriter, lending authority to the belief that the new new thing – stand-up desks – has actually been around quite a long time.

We had the opportunity to tour Hemingway’s house in San Francisco de Paula and it was definitely a highlight of my visit to Cuba.

The infamous Hemingway fishing boat the Pilar

Regardless of current fads and fashions, I have to admit that I rather liked actually writing down my thoughts on paper. Cuba is an amazing country and it was impossible to capture everything with photos. Also, since the Internet was unavailable, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter posts, which are easy way to share quick bites, were not an option.

Hemmingways Office Outside Havana — Hemingway’s office in the Havana suburb of San Francisco de Paula

I enjoyed writing my thoughts down and made it a ritual at the end of every day. Remembering all the faces, tastes and experiences made me go back and examine how I felt as opposed to what I expected, an interesting comparison. I also took notes throughout the day to jog my memory when I would later write more detailed stories. I know a lot of people now take notes on their tablets or phones and I do too. But writing notes down by hand seemed to give them more importance and they stuck in my brain.

In this fast-paced, sometimes stressful world, it seemed like a nice reward to take the time to write down my thoughts, draw a few sketches (sometimes I completely forget that I was an art major in college! How is that possible?), and then return to them later and relive the experience all over again.

Next month I’ll be using the journal on my trip to Nevis, another island that I’m sure will be a unique experience. Be sure to check out the Moleskine Voyageur and all its features at Moleskine.com. You might just rediscover how much you love writing.

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking for a way to capture your travel memories both in writing and electronically you should check out the new Moleskine Voyageur. You can write, sketch and share your travels with the Moleskine Voyageur travel community.

In Food Stories

Devon Avenue – Chicago Little India

By Sue Reddel

We recently had a chance to tour Devon Avenue, Chicago’s own Little India with Anupy Singla, author of Indian for Everyone. If you live in Chicago you already know that it’s loaded with many ethnic neighborhoods – Italian, German, Chinese, Puerto Rican, Polish, we have it all. If you haven’t visited Devon Avenue’s Little India you should take the time to visit. It not only has many wonderful Indian restaurants but is also filled with shops carrying all sorts of Indian delights from spices to jewelry and more.

The first stop on our tour was the fantastic Patel Brothers market. This is a huge store loaded with everything that you might need to make a perfect Indian meal and then some.

The aisles are wide and they carry many items that you wouldn’t find anywhere less comprehensive for Indian cuisine.

Fresh produce is available in abundance. Many fresh spices, fruits and vegetables can be found, including Indian eggplants and bitter melon.

Patel Brothers SWAD brand spices

They also package their own spices, providing reasonably priced versions of those often used in authentic Indian cuisine.

And there are plenty of snacks, both savory and sweet for that quick bit of Indian flavors on the go.

Our knowledgeable guide Anupy even showed us how to pick fresh ingredients, like choosing the best pomegranates.

We then had a chance to visit Kamdar Plaza, well-known for having the tastiest authentic Indian snacks. Known as a place that people come for Indian “fast food,” Kamdar supplied us with several treats to check out on our visit.

We enjoyed some plump and crispy samosas.

And some warm and satisfying chickpea stew.

Aloo Tikki - Spicy Potato Patties — Aloo Tikki – Spicy Potato Patties

The potato patties were spicy, with a perfect blend of crisp exterior and soft inside.

Barfi - Indian Dessert — Barfi – Indian Dessert

And we tasted some of Indian sweets, like Barfi, an Indian dessert with a funny name but delicately sweet flavor perfect for ending our meal.

We learned a lot on our visit to Devon Avenue in Chicago and from our tour guide Anupy. Mostly we learned that Indian food is not as intimidating as it may first seem. Many of the spices can be bought in prepared blends and delicious chutneys can be added in various combinations to create the tastes that you most enjoy. We even tried our hand at making some Bhel Puri, a dish we tasted and fell in love with at Kamdar. And it was pretty good for a first try! We’ll definitely be testing out more recipes, especially those in Anupy’s latest cookbook, Indian for Everyone.

To get you started, here’s one of her recipes from Indian for Everyone that you can try for yourself.

Sookhi Dal (Dry, Spiced Lentils)

In the Punjabi home, this dried version of soupy lentils is eaten with unleavened bread and a curry on the side. I tend to use it as my favorite filling for a wrap or pita on days when we just can’t think of anything else to make for dinner. I often buy mini pitas and stuff them with this dry lentil dish for my kids’ lunches.

Yield: 7 cups / 1.7 L

Tools: You’ll need a heavy-bottomed, 6-quart / 6-L (or larger) stockpot or Dutch oven with a lid and an 8-inch / 20-cm frying pan.

Ingredients:

2 cups / 420 g duhli moong dal (dried, split, and skinned green dal), picked over and washed (they look yellow)
3 cassia or bay leaves
2 whole cloves
1 (3-inch/ 8-cm) stick cinnamon
3 whole dried red chiles
½ teaspoon turmeric powder
3 cups / 710 mL water
3 Tablespoons / 45 mL ghee or vegetable oil
1 pinch hing (asafetida)
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 medium yellow or red onion, diced
2 teaspoons plus 1 pinch salt, divided
1 Tablespoon grated or minced ginger
3 cloves garlic, peeled and minced or grated
4 fresh Thai, serrano, or cayenne chiles, stems removed and chopped
1 teaspoon amchur (dried mango powder)
1 teaspoon Garam Masala
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon red chile powder or cayenne pepper
Juice of ½ lemon
½ cup / 10 g fresh cilantro, minced
Roti or Naan for serving (optional)
Tortilla wrap or pita, for serving (optional)
Hummus, for serving (optional)
Chopped onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

1. Combine the dal, cassia leaves, cloves, cinnamon, dried chiles, turmeric, and water in a heavy-bottomed, 6-quart / 6-L (or larger) stockpot or Dutch oven over medium–high heat and bring to a boil. Typically, a frothy film will form over the dal as they boil—just skim off and discard it.
2. Reduce the heat to medium–low and simmer, partially covered, for 11 minutes. Remove from the heat, cover completely, and set aside for 5 minutes, allowing the dal to absorb the extra moisture.
3. Carefully remove and discard the whole spices. Stir gently. The dal should be al dente—firm, but cooked through. Cover and set aside to cool slightly while you prep the remaining ingredients.
4. In an 8-inch / 20-cm frying pan over medium–high heat, warm the ghee. Add the hing and cumin seeds and cook for 40 seconds, until the cumin seeds sizzle and turn reddish-brown.
5. Add the onion and the pinch of salt to the frying pan. Cook for 2 minutes, until slightly browned. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.
6. Add the fresh chiles, amchur, Garam Masala, coriander, and red chile powder. Cook for 5 to 10 seconds and remove from the heat.
7. Transfer the contents of the frying pan to the stockpot containing the dal. Add the remaining 2 teaspoons of salt, the lemon juice, and the cilantro and stir carefully, taking care not to break down the dal too much.
8. Serve traditionally, with the Roti or Naan, or as a wrap in a tortilla or stuffed in a pita smeared with a little hummus and garnished with the onion, tomatoes, lettuce, and avocado.

Recipe & photo reprinted with permission from Indian for Everyone by Anupy Singla, Agate Surrey, October 2014.

THE QUICK BITE: Take a trip down Devon Avenue, Chicago’s own Little India, with us and author Anupy Singla. Then try out a recipe from her latest cookbook Indian for Everyone.

In Food

Street Food Around The World

By Sue Reddel

If you like wandering around cities looking for quick bites then street food around the world is definitely for you! We love to explore all the places we visit on foot. There truly is no better way to really get to know a city, the people and the culture. One of the added benefits is sniffing your way down the streets trying to find your next tasty treat.

We thought we would take you on a quick tour around some of the places we’ve explored and the street food we’ve sampled. This is by no means a definitive list. Just about any destination’s street food is worth finding and exploring. Let us know what you’ve found and enjoyed in the comments below!

Street Food Around The World

Istanbul, Turkey

Istanbul is full of smells and sights to entice every wandering visitor. For a quick snack a simit is a terrific treat. The crusty outside loaded with sesame seeds reveals a flaky tender inside. Pick one up as you wander around the Grand Bazaar to fight off any hunger pains.

Beijing, China

Street Food Around the World Night Market in Beijing — Night Market in Beijing

The Donghuamen Night Market in Beijing is legendary for having everything you can imagine on a stick and ready to be eaten cooked, raw and even still moving. If you’re not an adventurous eater, rest assured you can also get traditional seafood and rice bowl options as well.

Street-Food-Around-The-World-Sweet-Potatoes-Beijing — Sweet potatoes roasting in Beijing

Even on the back streets of the Beijing hutongs (alley ways) you’ll find vendors roasting delicious sweet potatoes or beautifully carving pineapples for passersby to enjoy.

Singapore

Singapore’s hawkers, or street food vendors, are known all over the world. Seafood, vegetables, rice dishes – there are so many choices it will make your head spin! While you will want to visit for all the fine shopping in Singapore, don’t miss the chance to try one of the best selections of street food in the world.

Kiev, Ukaraine

On the fast paced streets of Kiev just outside the train terminals there are plenty of food kiosks for the hungry traveler. Whether you’re picking up shawarma, a sausage or other local fare you’ll also see some U.S. favorites like Coca-Cola to go with it.

Havana, Cuba

Street Food Around The World Sweet Havana Ice Cream — Sweet Havana Ice Cream

On our recent visit to Cuba we learned that Cubans love their sweets, especially ice cream! The ice cream in Havana is creamy and super sweet. You can see lots of people walking around enjoying the easy-to-carry cones wherever they go.

Brussels, Belgium

Street Food Around The World Belgium Waffles in Brussels — Belgium Waffles in Brussels

We have to admit that this is one of our all-time favorites! Nobody does Belgium waffles like the folks in Brussels. Besides, where could you go to get this wonderful street treat and walk a few steps to see the amazing Brussels pee boy? Fully-loaded like this one, with fruit, fudge and whipped cream, it’s worth the stop either way.

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Street food around the world coconuts on Cobacabana Beach. — Enjoying fresh coconuts on Cobacabana Beach

Sun-kissed beach bums and beautiful girls in tiny bikinis aren’t the only thing on the beaches in Rio. There are lots of places to sit and enjoy the view. How about icy cold coconut water straight from a fresh coconut? Can’t think of a tastier and more healthy drink on a hot day.

Germany

Street Food around the world pretzel lady at Oktoberfest. — The pretzel lady at Oktoberfest.

Sure everybody goes to Munich for the beer. Just don’t forget the delicious giant Bavarian style soft pretzels and yummy sausages of every flavor and length. It’s a beer AND food festival, after all.

Sausge-Sharing-Foodtravelist — Sharing a sausage “selfie” at a Chriskrindlmarket.

Paris, France

Street Food Around the World Crepes in Paris — Crepes in Paris

You can’t walk very far in Paris without seeing a pedestrian quickly walking to their next stop with a baguette or a sandwich. We’re certain that’s how the French stay so thin – they’re always moving. We love all the breads, croissants and sweets you’ll see on display along the sidewalks in Paris, but a freshly made crepe with ham and cheese or Nutella is magnificent!

A Bit Closer to Home

New York City

You can’t pass by a busy NYC corner without seeing a Halal cart. Everyone has their personal favorite. We’re not sharing ours because it’s busy enough as it is, with the line often winding well around the corner. Chicken and rice one of the most-loved street foods you’ll find in the Big Apple. Some folks even try to make it at home, but nothing beats the warm delicious street food fresh from the source itself.

Tucson, Arizona

One of the treats of visiting Tucson, Arizona is trying the local specialty, a Sonoran Dog. Does a hot dog wrapped in bacon topped with fresh tomatoes, onions, mayonnaise, mustard and Jalepeno pepper sauce in a lobster roll pocket-style bun sound good to you? If it does, then you’ll love the unique local contribution to street food – a genuine Sonoran Dog!

THE QUICK BITE: There’s no better way to explore a city than to try its Street Food. Here’s our quick journey to some of our favorites.

In Food Stories

Happy Bastille Day

By Sue Reddel

We were recently invited to sample the Bastille Day menu at The Peninsula Chicago. We were not financially compensated and all opinions expressed are our own.

Happy Bastille Day!

Viva la France! We will use just about any excuse to celebrate France and especially French cuisine. Bastille Day, July 14th is no exception. Bastille Day celebrates French National Day and remembers the Fête de la Fédération, which was formed after a year of political struggle in France. Celebrations and parties are held throughout France and around the world.

Peninsula-Chicago-Pierrot-Gourmet-Bastille-Day — Peninsula Chicago Pierrot Gourmet Bastille Day

We recently had the opportunity to taste some of the offerings for the Bastille Day menu at the Pierrot Gourmet at The Peninsula in Chicago. Needless to say our appetite for all things French was certainly whetted by the delicious menu constructed by Executive Chef Mike Wehrle and Executive Pastry Chef Dimitri Fayard.

Salad_Lyonnaise_Pierrot_Gourmet — Salad Lyonnaise Pierrot Gourmet

The classic Salad Lyonnais was a perfect start. The lardons were generously abundant and both crunchy and chewy while the champagne vinaigrette was light and tangy.

Bouchot_Mussels_Petite_Gourmet — Bouchot Mussels Petite Gourmet

My personal favorite was the Bouchot Mussels prepared with Pernod, fennel, and fine herbs and served with crunchy country French bread. We were served a tasting portion but we saw the entree portion and it was very ample. The mussels were bathed in a delicious broth worthy of sopping up with crispy toasted bread. Don’t waste a drop.

Short_Rib_Bourguignon_Pierrot_Gourmet — Short Rib Bourguignon Pierrot Gourmet

Another classic French dish, the Short Rib Bourguignon with cipollini, confit potatoes, and carrots, was an excellent choice as well. The short rib melted in your mouth along with the rich winey sauce.

Trio_of_Desserts_Pierrot_Gourmet — Trio of Desserts Pierrot Gourmet

The pièce de résistance of course is the desserts. We tried three beauties. Mousse Chocolat Facon Grand-Mere featuring dark chocolate mousse, topped with vanilla bean ice cream, Tarte Tatin with carmelized apple tart, puff pastry, and creme fraiche, and Flan Parisien cooked custard tart with caramel sauce. Make sure you leave room to try at least one of these delightful desserts.

French Martini at The Bar in The Peninsula Chicago

When you’re done with dinner take a quick elevator ride up to The Bar in The Peninsula Chicago for an intimate quiet libation in this country club-type setting. This bar is sure to please anyone you host. Whether you’re entertaining a new sweetie or a hard-to-impress client, they will not be disappointed.

Peninsula-Chicago-All-Things-French — Peninsula Chicago All Things French

The Peninsula Paris

The Peninsula’s Bastille Day menu runs through August 14th. If you want to continue your Francophile cravings, all The Peninsula Hotels will be celebrating the opening of their The Peninsula Paris in August 2014 with the theme “All Things French”. From a French-inspired afternoon tea, and “Chocolate at the Pen” you are certain to find the perfect way to celebrate the French in style.

Planning a trip to Paris? Champagne overlooking the Sacre Couer sounds spectacular to me! We can’t wait to visit the latest The Peninsula location. We had the good fortune to stay at The Peninsula in Beijing and all we can say is that we were completely spoiled by the staff, food, and accommodations. Be sure to consider The Penisula for your next trip.

THE QUICK BITE: Happy Bastille Day! Celebrate at The Peninsula Chicago with a classic French menu deliciously prepared and served in a French bistro style. Enjoy your scrumptious dinner indoors or out. Don’t miss the latest The Peninsula in Paris!

In Travel Tips

Summer Travel Tips

By Sue Reddel

When the thermometer starts to rise we all yearn to be on the road with family and friends. We dream of the beach, the pool, BBQs, picnics and all that summer fun. Before you hit the road, check out our summer travel and tips to make your summer adventures as good as they can be!

Summer Travel Tips

Plan ahead

Make your reservations early especially if you’re flying. Check on the hotels you want to stay with and check again for anything nearby that might be more economical. Optimizing your credit card miles and points will also make your dollar go a bit further. No surprise but everyone travels during the summer so make sure you leave plenty of time for airport security, lines for rental cars and unexpected weather delays. Booking the earliest flight of the day will help ensure you get to your destination that day. If you’re traveling by car be sure to check all your fluids and tires for a safe trip.

Visit the good old USA

Many of us have fond memories of summer vacations spend in the backseat of a station wagon with our siblings. Why not create memories for your kids with a road trip? Whether it’s just a few hours away or you make the trek to a Disney hot spot at least you’ll have something to talk about for years and years to come. We love visiting the National Parks many of them like Yosemite have phenomenal accommodations. For travelers visiting from abroad, the United States has as many different cultures within it as anywhere on Earth. Choose a city, state or region and explore it fully. There’s huge variety from food to habitat, so pick something that appeals to you and discover it’s depths. Whether you’re living in America or somewhere else, a road trip in the USA is an awesome way to dive into summer.

Pack light

Keep it simple. You’re going on a summer vacation. Leave all the fancy jewelry, clothes and shoes at home. Almost every destination expects summer travelers to be casual. Packing black jeans and solid color shirts will help you blend in with the locals rather than stick out like a tourist. Comfortable shoes should be at the top of your list. Walk everywhere and go ahead and have that house-made dessert. If you’re going on a long trip be sure to keep a few essentials in your carry-on. Your bathing suit, a spare pair of shorts and t-shirt will let you start your vacation as soon as you get off the plane!

Protect Yourself

We’re not talking the usual warnings of travel hazards like pickpockets, scams and other treacherous rip-offs that abound. We’re thinking sun and bugs. It can’t be said enough that protection from the sun rays is no longer a choice, it’s a must. Be sure to re-apply liberally if you’re in the water or working up a sweat. Summer also brings out our flying little insect friends. Not only are they pesty but some are known to carry diseases. Whether you’re using natural methods or bug spray- if you’re outdoors, especially in the dawn or dusk, be sure to use them and keep those buggers away.

Summer foods and festivals

Many places, small and large, love to celebrate the warm weather with festivities outside. A simple picnic basket might be the best meal of the week paired with a free outdoor concert with friends. Do some quick investigating and you’ll be surprised at how many events are going on and how many are free or very low cost. Setting up a chair on the Avenue of Michigan’s Woodward Dream Cruise is a dream for car lovers. Even setting up a quick simple on your deck or in your backyard will create a vacation-like atmosphere easily & fast.

Wherever you live and wherever you want to travel, summertime is a great time to explore the great outdoors. Train, boat, plane, hike, bike, swim, or just have a picnic at a nearby park. Celebrate summer and keep these tips in mind to make the most out of whatever your plans.

THE QUICK BITE: Summer Trips and Tips will have you planning, packing, eating, and hitting the road in style.

In North America

The Legend of Berghoff Beer

By Sue Reddel

We were recently invited to sample the latest in beer and food pairings at Berghoff Chicago. We were not financially compensated and all opinions expressed are our own.

When you arrive at Berghoff’s the first conundrum is which door to enter. There’s the Berghoff Bar, and the Berghoff Restaurant…it’s a huge establishment. When we found the right door (Berghoff Bar) we were transported back in time by the murals over the bar and the antique light fixtures that still use the original style light bulbs today as they did in 1898 when the Berghoff first opened.

It’s more than ironic that The Berghoff which started as a men-only saloon should now be owned by a woman – Carlyn Berghoff, the fourth generation to run one of the oldest family-owned businesses in the United States. Under her watchful eye, Berghoff’s is now the Berghoff Catering & Restaurant Group.

The saloon which started out serving free corned beef sandwiches with the purchase of a stein of Berghoff beer grew its menu with many German-American classics. The restaurant is full of rich Berghoff history. The Berghoff bar still operated during Prohibition but sold near beer and soda pop and became a full-service restaurant.

In 1933 when the Prohibition was lifted the City of Chicago issued liquor license No. 1 to The Berghoff and they have kept that No. 1 license ever since.

Not Your Grandpa’s Berghoff Beer

Founder Herman Joseph Berghoff hailed from Dortmund, Germany, and arrived in Chicago after stops in NYC, and Fort Wayne, Indiana where the Berghoff brewery was first located. The beer was so popular that he decided to open a cafe in Chicago. He sold a glass of beer for a nickel and a stein of beer with a free corned beef sandwich for a dime. Many a young Chicago lad had their very first beer at the Berghoff Bar. Now the beer is brewed in Stevens Point, Wisconsin, and with the help of Chicago beer expert, Randy Mosher has recrafted the beers. The Stevens Point Brewery allows Berghoff to be produced in small batches of 100 barrels for a fresh clean beer. It also provides more flexibility for innovation.

Flights & Bites

We visited during Chicago Craft Beer Week and sampled their Flights & Bites, consisting of five Berghoff beers accompanied by tasty food designed to complement each beer. We started with the Berghoff Dortwunder Lager paired with the Beet Bruschetta. The crisp beet and peppery arugula in the bruschetta paired well with the light lager. Then the Berghoff Straight-Up Hefe-Weizen with Mussels in Hefe-Weizen proved tasty as well, providing a nice creamy pairing with depth but not heaviness of flavors. We then sampled the Berghoff Summer Solstice paired with the Bavarian Pretzel – a fantastic pairing with the citrusy tang of the Solstice working perfectly with their fantastic house-made pretzels and a dollop of beer grain mustard! Next, we tried the Berghoff Reppin’ Red Ale with Beer Braised Onion Brat. This red ale has a blend of seven malts topped off with a mix of selected Pacific Northwest hops. The grilled meat compliment was just right. We wrapped up the formal pairings with the Berghoff Sir Dunkle Dark and the unique and delicious Beeramisu, a rich and satisfying pairing.

As good as this was, there was one final surprise, a taste of the new “Stock Ale” that Berghoff Brewery will be offering very soon. This smooth amber beer is aged in oak barrels and infused with Belgian brewer’s brown sugar the brew is mellow with molasses, vanilla, toffee and brown sugary notes that make it taste like the tawny port of beers. And with a hearty 10.4% alcohol content, it was an absolutely delicious way to finish it all off. Look for it when it becomes available in the weeks ahead.

The low price of just $10 for the 5 beer tasting during Chicago Craft Beer Week makes this a killer value. It’s available through May 20th.

The atmosphere was fun and noisy on the Thursday night that we dropped in but it instantly reminded us of our days in Germany surrounded by beer-drinking friends all looking for a good time, a good story, good beer, and great food. We’d say at Berghoff Chicago you can find all that and more!

THE QUICK BITE: The Berghoff Bar in Chicago is a classic establishment that has been around since 1898. They’ve kept the history but also kept up with the times making this a wonderfully fun and amiable place to grab a beer and some delicious German-style food.

In Blog

Food Travel In Kazakhstan

By Sue Reddel

by Sue Reddel

Food Travel in Kazakhstan wasn’t what I expected. Frankly, I didn’t know what to expect. Upon doing a little research I learned that horse meat was often on the menu. Throwing away my thoughts of horses as “pets” or entertainment I headed to the city of Almaty to learn more.

Upon arriving at my hotel I asked the girls at the front desk for their favorite local restaurants. They were very friendly, a little shy, and giggled as they told me about horse meat and horse milk. Yes, horse milk or kumis is an alcoholic beverage made from fermented mare’s milk. Although kumis has the alcohol equivalent of most beers they warned me that it can “creep up on you” so be careful.

As my time was limited to 24 hours of exploring, I ventured to their favorite restaurant choice Tabeteuka on foot. It was less than a half mile away and a beautiful day. Along the route, you could see the Zailiysky Alatau mountains. Once the capital of Kazakhstan, Almaty is still one of the most developed and culturally diverse cities in Kazakhstan. The city is on a major earthquake fault, which is one of the reasons the capital was moved. There is a constant earthquake threat there, and historically, there have been many very destructive quakes in Almaty.

Beautiful Mountain Scenery Mountain Scenery — Beautiful Mountain Scenery

The nearby mountains call tourists to visit for winter weather outdoor activities. For a panoramic look at Almaty take the cable car ride to Koktubey. On a clear day, they say you can see all the way to Siberia!

I chose to sit on the outdoor patio to enjoy the lovely weather. I ordered the horse milk, a potato, ham, and cheese dish, eggplant rolls, mutton in pastry, and funchesa salad.

I have to admit, the horse milk just wasn’t to my taste. It was very gamey and strong – so no worries about me stumbling back to my hotel room after too much imbibing. A few sips were enough for me to say I tried it. The food, however, was another story. The eggplant rolls were quite nice and light – a terrific appetizer.

The funches consisted of light noodles with small bits of beef, shredded carrots, and peppers. This also was a perfect appetizer dish.

The mutton in pastry was delicious. The mutton (grown sheep, as opposed to lamb) flavor is strong but the flaky pastry added a unique and super buttery flavor that was quite tasty.

The next day I ate at the restaurant in the Rahat Palace Hotel which had been highly recommended by several people with whom I had chatted. As I was being seated I noticed that all the artwork was of horses. It was more than a little awkward to be dining surrounded by portraits of the animal you might soon be eating.

However, I didn’t let that stop me. I had to taste the horse. First up was a horse sausage. As you might suspect the meat was gamey but the sausage was also very fatty so it just wasn’t for me.

My final horse item was the horse filet served with roasted garlic and grilled onions. I must say that although it did not taste like a beef filet (which I love) it was not gamey either. It was very tender and actually quite delicious.

All in all my tastes of Kazakhstan were pretty good. My limited time didn’t let me explore as much as I would have liked but someday I’ll return to learn more about this huge country filled with pleasant and hard-working people.

QUICK BITE: A large country with unique food travel offerings Kazakhstan will have you exploring new flavors in no time at all.

In Asia

Dumplings and Typhoons

By Sue Reddel

A few years ago I had a business meeting in Taiwan. Unfortunately, June is the beginning of typhoon season so my visit was mostly rainy. Even so, I had a great time learning more about the people, culture, and food of Taipei, the political, economic, and cultural center of Taiwan.

When I first heard about a tropical storm heading our way, I connected with new friends on Twitter to find out what to do. I was surprised to learn that since tropical storms are so common in Taiwan the locals often go to the shopping malls, their answer for distraction during a stressful time.

I learned about Taipei 101, a mall with 101 floors created to symbolize the growth of Taiwan and Taiwan traditions. It was designed to withstand typhoons and earthquakes. It is also home to many international luxury brands like Prada, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany and Co., and many more. It is featured in many New Year’s Eve celebrations when they set off elaborate firework displays every year.

Taipei 101 also boasts an amazing food court. One of the restaurants Din Tai Fung is ranked one of the top 10 gourmet restaurants in the world by the New York Times. Its Hong Kong branch has been awarded One Michelin Star three times. Clearly, I couldn’t miss the opportunity to sample these delights. So, grabbing the umbrella, I headed off to the mall just like the locals.

Walking into the food court of any shopping mall at lunchtime is daunting, but it’s especially challenging when you’re at Taipei 101 and don’t speak Chinese or Taiwanese. Sure you see global brands like KFC and McDonald’s, but trying to find the Chinese characters that signify Din Tai Fung is another thing entirely. Thankfully, there was an information desk with a lovely woman who spoke English and helped me find my destination. Separately, it must be said that the Taiwanese I encountered were extremely friendly and helpful people, who smiled abundantly and were most willing to help a confused traveler.

Once I knew where to go, Din Tai Fung was easy to find… it had a huge line of folks waiting to get in. Slightly discouraged, I approached the hostess stand and asked how long the wait would be. Cheerfully I was told 20-30 minutes, so I decided to sign in. This is where the fun really begins. Once I got my printed number I was told they would call the numbers. In Chinese? I asked. Yes, but the numbers were also shown on the overhead digital display and a gentle bell rang each time a number was called. Easy peasy. I was also given a clipboard with a menu and a pen to make my choices prior to being seated. Brilliant.

While making my way through the menu (in English and Chinese) I spotted their highly recommended XiaoLongBao original steamed pork dumplings and fried rice with shrimp and egg. I ordered a Taiwanese beer and the eight treasure rice dish for dessert. A gracious staff member came up and asked if it was my first time – being a tall, English-speaking Caucasian certainly makes you stand out in this crowd. She then proceeded to give me two brochures in English about how Din Tai Fung got started and where their other locations are around the world – 119 locations in 15 countries! Including many in the U.S.A. She came back later to review the order to be sure I didn’t want to change my order.

When my number was called, precisely 30 minutes later, I was brought to my table, which was already set and ready to go. I was greeted by a friendly server in English and given an instruction card on how to eat the dumplings. This is actually important because if you don’t do it properly, the scalding gravy inside the dumpling could burn you. You need to let it escape first by poking it with your chopstick (eating with chopsticks is a whole different article).

The food promptly arrived and my feast began. The steamed dumplings with my custom-mixed soy sauce, vinegar, and fresh ginger were amazing. Clearly, these are their most popular item for a reason. When you first walk into the restaurant and see about ten chefs hand-preparing these dumplings in a factory-like setting you know it’s serious business.

The fried rice (you can order brown or white rice, I opted for brown) was the best I’ve ever had. The egg was diced into larger pieces and was amazingly fresh. The shrimp were plump and yummy. Taiwanese beer was the perfect accompaniment. The Eight Treasure rice dessert was a sweet and delicious ending to my feast.

This was just one of my delectable food stops in Taipei. If you’re in Taipei or somewhere else in the world where Din Tai Fung is located you should definitely try it for yourself. It’s delicious food in a relaxed and friendly environment. Check out their website for more information and all their locations.

THE QUICK BITE: Whether you’re in Taiwan or one of the many of cities that you may find Din Tai Fung it’s worth a visit to taste their award-winning dumplings.

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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Sue Reddel

Go for the Food

A Little Portugal

Don’t forget the Wine

Save Time for Some Terrific Entertainment

Road Trip Stop

Quench Your Thirst

Grand Traverse Resort & Spa

More Traverse City Food

Don’t Miss A Thing

Don’t Miss The Ice Cream

Just some of the places to find the best food in Traverse City:

Traverse City Any Time of the Year

Sookhi Dal (Dry, Spiced Lentils)

Directions:

Street Food Around The World

Istanbul, Turkey

Beijing, China

Singapore

Kiev, Ukaraine

Havana, Cuba

Brussels, Belgium

Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Germany

Paris, France

A Bit Closer to Home

New York City

Tucson, Arizona

Happy Bastille Day!

The Peninsula Paris

Summer Travel Tips

Plan ahead

Visit the good old USA

Pack light

Protect Yourself

Summer foods and festivals

Not Your Grandpa’s Berghoff Beer

Flights & Bites

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