Sue Reddel

In Blog

Top Food Markets

Food Travel is here to stay. Every day another report is published on how many people enjoy traveling to new places and experiencing the culture through diverse culinary discoveries.

As Food Travelists, we love to explore the local markets when we’re traveling. It’s the perfect opportunity to learn more about the foods, spices, and people of the place you’re visiting. We highly recommend that you check out a local market wherever you are visiting, be it near or far. Walk around, see and smell everything before choosing your favorites. As an added bonus, it’s a great exercise to help work off the calories from all that yummy food you’re about to experience.

While we can only scratch the surface, here’s a quick tour of some of the top world food travel markets we have visited.

Top Food Markets

St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, Canada Top World Food Travel Markets — St. Lawrence Market in Toronto, Canada

St. Lawrence Market, Toronto, Canada

Home of the world-famous Peameal Bacon Sandwich, amazing seafood, a fully stocked mustard hut, and a whole lot more.

Donghuamen Night Market, Beijing, China

Anybody who’s been to China has a picture of some huge creepy crawler or odd sea creature on a stick. It’s a definite must-see while visiting Beijing.

Quincy Market or Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston — Quincy Market aka Faneuil Hall Marketplace in Boston

Quincy Market in Boston

If you want to experience the heart of Boston, don’t miss this stop. Whether you love seafood, fresh produce, or just people watching it’s a wicked good time.

Detroit Eastern Market

Open all year round this downtown market brings the local farmers into the big D. Terrific assortment of fresh produce as well as food trucks, local restaurants, and shops nearby.

Istanbul Grand Bazaar

Not officially a “food” market it’s the granddaddy of markets. There are spices, teas, and plenty of goodies available. We bought a lovely Turkish tea set at the Grand Bazaar and it’s fun to watch people delivering tea to shopkeepers throughout. If you’re lucky they might ask you to join them for a glass of tea while you negotiate.

We had to include another shout-out to Istanbul for the local markets throughout the city. Fresh fish is plentiful. Don’t miss the Spice Market as well. Istanbul is definitely one on top of the world’s food travel markets.

Urgup Market in Cappadocia, Turkey — Urgup SaturdayMarket in Cappadocia, Turkey

Urgup Saturday Market in Cappadocia, Turkey

This market wins the award for the LARGEST produce we’ve ever seen. Cappadocia has some of the most fertile soil in the world because of the volcanic soil and it shows! The cabbages are way bigger than your head.

Cho Ben Thanh Market in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

This huge market is a combination of food, spices, and everything else! Be prepared. These vendors are pros and see a tourist coming a mile away. Have fun, but be sure to negotiate everything.

Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco — Fisherman’s Wharf in San Francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf and Embarcadero in San Francisco, California

Wear your walking shoes and hit the waterfront in San Francisco. Rice-A-Roni may be the San Francisco treat, but it’s got nothing on these blocks and blocks of food lovers’ paradise. All the seafood, bakeries, chocolate, and cocktails you could want. Make a day of it and enjoy it all.

Mercat de Sant Josep de la Boqueria, in Barcelona

One of the top food travel destinations in Barcelona, this market located on La Rambla is everything they say it is and much, much more. Wander around and see everything before making your choices or simply eat in the market at one of the many tapas stands.

meat-vendor-at-victor-hugo-market-tolouse-france — Vendor at Victor Hugo Market in Toulouse.

Victor Hugo Market in Toulouse, France

If you’re in Toulouse and looking to create a perfect picnic basket or grab a quick snack this market is for you. You’ll find wonderful French cheeses, sausages, bread, and unique fruits from the region. It’s a big one and you’ll want to check out every corner.

Mazatlan Seafood Market

There are many fresh markets in Mazatlan, Mexican. Of course, there are, this region supplies most of the seafood and produce for the entire country! Just don’t miss the seafood market where you can get fresh shrimp, oysters, and more just by strolling down the street. We sampled some oysters that were just taken out of the Pacific. Just doesn’t get any fresher or better than that.

Central Hall Market in Budapest

We were lucky to be able to tour Budapest while on a Viking Cruise. It was in the winter being able to check out all the local goodies indoors was a real treat. This market not only had fresh food you would expect like fruits, meats, and veggies but also loads of packaged goods that made perfect gifts for folks back home.

Local farmers at the Athens Greece Farmers Market — Local farmers

Farmers Markets in Athens

There are many, many food markets in Athens, Greece. Be sure to check on the schedules and places where they are when you visit. Leave plenty of time to stroll the markets talking to vendors and sampling their wares. You’ll find a wonderful selection of olives, oils, fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Some things you won’t find anywhere else. We bought the best pistachios with a pink tint on the inside that were different and delicious.

Phoenix Open Air Public Market

Available year-round this open-air market is a downtown hot spot for local small farmers and businesses. Go on Food Truck Friday for a great taste of the food in the area.

Lots of fresh fruit in Bugis Street Market in Singapore. Top World Food Travel Markets. — Lots of fresh fruit in Bugis Street Market in Singapore.

Bugis Street, Singapore

Well known for its markets and street food Bugis Street is one you won’t want to miss. It boasts fresh produce, fish, spices, and plenty of stands with every kind of food imaginable. When you need a food break there’s shopping for clothes, souvenirs, and more readily available too.

Food Travelists at the Frankfurt Christkindlmarket

Any Christmas Market in Germany

We love Christkindlmarkets. The people, the food, and the Gluwein are simply not to be missed. There are Christmas markets in many parts of Germany, so you can pick your territory and take the train to several different markets in a few days’ time.

Our home town favorite Logan Square Farmers Market in Chicago. Top World Food Travel Markets. — Our home town favorite Logan Square Farmers Market in Chicago

Logan Square Farmers Market in Chicago, Illinois

We’d be remiss if we left out our Chicago favorite. Logan Square Farmers Market brings the best local farmers and sustainable food producers from the region together for a food extravaganza. Held every Sunday from 10 am – 3 pm we think it’s one of the very best markets in the city.

We hope you enjoyed our top food market list. We know there are many more so please share your favorites with us in the comments below.

Dane County Farmers Market in Madison, Wisconsin

You know our new home town is going to have a kick-ass market. One of the largest in the United States in fact. Dan County Farmers Markets happens every Saturday from spring through fall. Get there early for the best pick of fresh local produce and bakery items, and to beat the crowds. It gets busy but the good news is that these Wisconsin natives love to stroll the farmer’s markets that goes around the capital square. No pushing, no shoving, just smiles and a lot of no you go firsts make this a simply wonderful experience. It’s just one of the reasons why we chose Madison as our home.

THE QUICK BITE: If you would love to eat your way around the world check out our round-up of the Top World Food Travel Markets. There’s something for everyone.

In Blog

Food Travel Photography Tips from A Pro

By Sue Reddel

We all could use some food travel photography tips. It seems that whenever you’re trying to get that perfect once-in-a-lifetime picture something is always wrong. The lighting is bad, too many tourists, wrong camera – enough with the excuses. We talked to professional photographer Angie Garbot to find out how anyone can take great pictures of their next culinary travel adventure just like a pro.

Angie has taken thousands of photos and captured special moments like engagements, weddings, family celebrations. She’s also been shooting food for multiple books and feature stories and is a passionate Food Travelist just like all of us.

Food Travel Photo Tips From A Pro Angie Garbot — Angie Garbot

Food Travel Photography Tips From A Pro

Here’s our interview with Angie:

Food Travelist: Today everyone is a photographer with the ability to take pretty good quality pictures with a device they carry around in their pocket. What separates amateurish photos from professional-looking ones?

Angie Garbot: Most simply, it’s a dedication to the art from all aspects. First, that photography is really an art – thinking through composition, lighting, the feeling of the subject (whatever it is) – all of these things are important and professionals have worked to gain the knowledge of how to make these things work in concert to create the best possible image. There’s also a…”polish” to professional photography, people are shown from the most flattering angles, colors are true to real life (unless there’s an artistic reason they’re not), the subject is given appropriate space and emphasis, things like that.

FT: What is your favorite thing or things to photograph?

AG: I’m lucky to work in a variety of areas from commercial to family to weddings to food, that’s like asking which child is a favorite! I love working with people, getting them to relax in front of the camera and capturing who they really are, not just what they look like. I also like working with “things,” like food, creating the best light, angles, styling to show off its goodness. When traveling, I especially enjoy finding what makes a place unique…architecture, people, food…and I like finding those things from the locals’ perspective, rather than a standard vacation “snapshot.”

FT: Do most people need a DSLR camera or are Smart Phones and point and shoots enough to get great photos?

AG: I truly believe that it doesn’t matter what device or camera one uses to create an image – it’s about knowing how to use it appropriately to capture beautiful and compelling images. I teach people to maximize their use of all types of cameras – from Smart Phones, to point and shoots to the fanciest DSLRs – based on what they’re going to shoot and the capabilities of the device at hand. Most importantly, the best camera to have is the one in your hand when a moment or subject presents itself…you don’t not take the photo because you only have your phone!

FT: What are some tips you can give our audience about photographing food with their Smart Phones?

AG: Less is more. So, if your plate is piled high with food, it really photographs like…a pile of food! If you do have a lot of food, try to get close to highlight individual ingredients.

FT: Do you recommend using an app to edit images on your Smart Phone?

AG: Absolutely! Remember, it IS a phone…which happens to have a camera built in. So, it has limitations on what it can produce. My two favorite apps are Google’s Snapseed and SmugMug’s Camera Awesome. Give ’em a try!

FT: What are some quick tips when photographing travel icons like the Eiffel Tower or Taj Mahal?

AG: Try to find an angle or a view that you haven’t seen a thousand times. For example, if you can get really close, focus on little details or architectural elements. If you can’t get close, try to position the landmark in a new way in your composition, perhaps showing some of the surrounding area/neighborhood to give some additional interest. And, never take just one photo. Try a few from different places – even a few steps up/back or right/left can make a world of difference.

FT: I find that simply looking at many photos everyday taken by different people gives me inspiration and ideas for my own work. Where do you find photographic inspiration from?

AG: Absolutely, looking at others’ work is always an inspiration! I like to seek out different kinds of photography, for example, black and white or landscape or maternity, and see what’s out there. I like to look at imagery that is a different style than my own to see what I can learn, what I like, don’t like, etc. and then try to use something new in my own work. Instagram is a great place to do this, there are thousands and thousands of hashtags to search, pick a subject, and get lost.

FT: So many food travel photos involve low light situations. How can Food Travelists and photographers get the best images possible in such circumstances?

AG: Please, do not use flash! 🙂 Yes, it’s dark in a lot of restaurants and eateries, but flash on our Smart Phones is harsh and completely flattens out the image, casts the food in an unflattering light…so to speak. Try moving a candle closer to the food for more light, or using window light to light the side of the food you’re shooting. Also, if you’re dining with others, you can ask one of them to pull out their phone and use their screen light or flashlight to give you a boost. Always remember, though, try to be discreet and not disturb the other diners around you!

FT: How do you recommend managing so many digital photos? They take up so much space on devices and hard drives. Are there any apps or services you would recommend?

AG: That’s a tough question, so much of organizing images is personal preference. One thing to do for sure, though, is get those images, especially important/sentimental/one-of-a-kind one, off of your computer hard drive or smart phone. Storage is inexpensive these days, invest in a large hard drive, and backup your images to it. You can also look into cloud storage, there is a lot of it available out there…just be sure you know the limits and how you’re being charged before you sign up.

FT: What is the one thing that amateur photographers can do to improve their photos?

AG: If you think you’re close enough…get closer! How often do we see photographs where the most important part of the image, the people, is teeny tiny somewhere in the middle of the frame? Or, we fall in love with a flower vendor in a large market, so we photograph a sweeping shot of the whole market…but how much more interesting if we just included the abundance of color in a display of flowers or maybe even the vendor him/herself with their lovely products?

Thanks, Angie for sharing so many fantastic tips and tricks with us. If you’d like to learn more food travel photography tips from Angie you can see some of her work on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and her website.

If you’re on Instagram check out our Food Travelist Instagram page. We have lots of fun sharing great photos there every day.

THE QUICK BITE: Food Travel Photography tips from professional photographer Angie Garbot. She shares some terrific advice on how to improve your chances of getting some great photos.

In Americas

Sleeping Bear Dunes Getaway

By Sue Reddel

If you live in the Midwest, traveling to the neighboring states is not only easy but the drives are typically reasonable and lovely. From Chicago, you can get to Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio in a short amount of time.

I had always wanted to go and experience the National Park at Sleeping Bear Dunes. When we had the opportunity to have a meeting in nearby Traverse City we thought, “Let’s do it!”

Photo courtesy of The Homestead Resort.

The Homestead Resort was recommended by a friend in Traverse City. We were their guests for two nights this fall. We traveled there in November so the weather was quite chilly. In fact, we experienced a little bit of snow while visiting.

We stayed in the Stony Brook Lodge section of The Homestead Resort. The common area was already decorated for the holidays, warm and festive with a fireplace going. Our accommodations were quite lovely. On the top floor, we had a great view of the lake. The resort is actually surrounded by the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. It was very quiet and peaceful.

Four unique hotels, condominiums, and home developments are spread throughout the 500-acre resort.

Nonnas Restaurant at The Homestead Resort — Nonna’s Restaurant at The Homestead Resort

Photo courtesy of The Homestead Resort.

The resort features several restaurants on the premises, a spa, salon, fitness center, pools, golf, and tennis. But the fun doesn’t end there. Whether you just want to relax and enjoy the views or are searching for an active weekend, The Homestead has plenty to do. In the winter there’s skiing, ice skating, and other snow sports. In the summer there you can opt for bird watching, fishing, boating, and hiking trails. Whether you want to be pampered by the spa or be active all day long The Homestead has what you need. It’s pretty sure to bet that everyone you’re traveling with will find something they like to do (or not do, as the case may be!) There are lots of peaceful areas to relax, read or just soak up the natural beauty of the area.

Anderson's Glen Arbor Market — Anderson’s Glen Arbor Market

The nearby town of Glen Arbor has many small shops and restaurants, which makes it fun to stroll through and spend a lazy afternoon. We especially enjoyed Anderson’s Glen Arbor Market, which has a terrific gourmet section and lots of local products. One fun option is for you to stop in there and create a delicious picnic basket with locally made goodies.

If you’re looking for a fun place to get a tasty bite, stop at Art’s Tavern. It’s a local pub with a lively bar, pool table, great pub menu, and lots of locals. Art makes a mean cheeseburger and crispy tater tots – including sweet potato tots, which we just love. Pennants from just about every college in the U.S. adorn the walls and ceiling. It’s a fun and laid-back spot with great grub and ambiance.

While you’re in the area, be sure to visit Traverse City too. For some tips on what not to miss check out our post:

Foodie Fun and So Much More in Traverse City

QUICK BITE: The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park is a beautiful spot in Northern Michigan with amazing views of spectacular dunes. The area is full of cute shops, local restaurants and The Homestead Resort for luxury accommodations and views of the lake and dunes.

In Americas

San Jose Eats And Treats

By Sue Reddel

As you know, we love to travel to new destinations and discover wonderful flavors. So on a recent journey to California, we were delighted to experience a vast array of wonderful San Jose eats and treats. If you don’t know, San Jose is in what’s known as the “Silicon Valley” area of northern California. But beyond all the fantastic technology companies, you will discover an incredibly rich and diverse culinary destination, from Michelin-starred chefs and five-star dining to hidden secrets, finds, and tasty desserts. There’s something for every budget and every taste in this charming, laid-back, California town.

Here’s a sampling of what we tried. The sweet endings include a mascarpone cheesecake, a trio of creme brulee, and other delicious ways to satisfy your sweet tooth.

Left Bank Brasserie

We had an excellent French lunch at the Left Bank Brasserie. From the sidewalk cafe, outstanding wine list, and classic menu choices, you really felt that you escaped to Paris for just a few hours.

Located on the always lively Santana Row in San Jose, Left Bank Brasserie is an authentic Parisian-style brasserie. So, we tried an authentic (and delicious) salad Nicoise. We were not disappointed.

Salad Nicoise at Left Bank Brasserie in San Jose

Having a leisurely lunch almost demands a dessert be ordered. Our personal favorite, profiteroles, made for a blissful ending to a perfect afternoon.

Les Profiteroles at Left Bank Brasserie in San Jose

San Pedro Square Market

Seems like just about every city has a “market” now but not everyone can boast a market with a wide array of vendors and a relaxing courtyard to meet up with friends over great food. San Pedro Square Market, located in downtown San Jose is a little gem that has so many great food choices it took almost half an hour before we settled on what to try.

This city market has over 25 vendors, in three spacious market halls that feature everything from wood-fired pizza, delicate crepes, and Spanish tapas to regionally-inspired hot dog creations.

Sweet Desserts at San Pedro Square Market

Of course, there are plenty of treats for dessert too. Like fresh chocolate chunk cookies. Who can resist? The market is a perfect place to visit whether you want to grab a morning coffee, lunch, or dinner with live music.

This is just a brief sampling of the wonderful, tasty food options you’ll find in San Jose. We have only begun to scratch the surface, and hope we’ve encouraged you to find your way to San Jose.

To learn even more about what there is to see in San Jose check out our other post Do You Know The Way to San Jose

THE QUICK BITE: If you’re looking to visit a city that offers many tasty food offerings for just about every budget or style be sure to check out San Jose eats and treats.

Pin to your California Food and Travel Board on Pinterest

In Americas

Christkindlmarket in Chicago

By Sue Reddel

Holidays tend to be full of traditions and one of my favorite traditions is when the Christkindlmarket opens in Chicago. The Christkindlmarket in Chicago, which opened in 1996 was inspired by the Christkindlesmarkt in Nurenberg, Germany which started way back in 1545.

Roasting Nuts At Christkindlmarket Chicago

The Christkindlmarket is an outdoor market that brings the tastes and treats of a European market to the middle of downtown Daley Plaza.

When you get to the Christkindlmarket with Picasso’s sculpture as a backdrop you immediately smell the grilled bratwurst, potato pancakes, spiced nuts, and schnitzel wafting through the air. With all those special scents, you know you’ve arrived.

Warm gluhwein, hot chocolate, coffee, and German beer make a great first stop before beginning your journey through the many vendors. Gluhwein is typically red wine with spices such as cinnamon, cloves, citrus, and sugar that is served warm in a small mug. It’s a great way to help keep a bit warmer on a cold Chicago day. The adorable commemorative mugs for hot drinks cost a little extra but make fun collectible souvenirs.

We would suggest then strolling the market with your drink of choice. Whether you’re just window shopping or looking for the perfect holiday gift you’re bound to be pleased by the large variety and many selections of unique offerings. Handmade German Christmas ornaments are a popular item and lines of customers wait to go in and pick out just the right ones for their Christmas tree. Kathe Wohlfahrt has hundreds of hand-blown ornaments to choose from in a comfortable enclosed tent. There are many more ornaments, beer steins, Black Forest cuckoo clocks, nativities, music, toys, and crafts as you wander through the market.

One of our favorite things is the authentic food flavor of the Christkindlmarket! Many German specialties are here including grilled sausages, pretzels, schnitzel, strudel, potato pancakes, crepes, hot nuts, candies, gingerbread hearts – almost everything you can find in a German Christmas market.

People tend to be in great spirits, and willingly share where they got this or that trinket or treasure, where they’re visiting from, or things not to miss. There’s even a warming tent where you can enjoy your food and drink, rest your feet, and mingle with the other market folks. Don’t forget to visit Santa and the huge Christmas tree for terrific photo opps. There also are special events and musical performances at various times, so check the website schedule to see what’s happening and when.

The Christkindlmarket opens the weekend before Thanksgiving and runs through December 24th. Admission is free. They often open multiple locations in the Chicagoland area. Be sure to check their website for the latest information.

THE QUICK BITE: Experience a European Christmas market in Chicago at the Christkindlmarket in Daley Plaza. Wander around the market full of tasty food, drinks, and beautiful holiday gifts.

In Blog

Samantha Brown on Food Travel

By Sue Reddel

Food Travelist was thrilled to interview travel expert Samantha Brown to learn about her favorite food travel memories, where she still wants to travel, and what food travel trends we can expect in the months ahead. Known for her cheerful personality and practical tips, Samantha Brown also knows a lot about food! We had a chance to catch up with her while she was on a visit in Vermont. Check out this video of Samantha Brown’s food travel insights.

Samantha Brown on Food Travel Interview Transcript

Read below for the transcript of our interview with Samantha Brown.

1. You travel to many different parts of the world. Tell us a little about what places have surprised you with great food.

I guess the place that really knocked my socks off was Thailand. Just being in Bangkok, I loved it and it was the food carts. The thing I love about food carts is that they were owned by generations of families. Four, five, and six generations of families where made one or two different items every single day and done that their entire lives for five generations. So you would wait in line and pay like three American dollars and you would get this plate, just like a paper plate and it wasn’t dressed nicely or looked fancy, but it tasted like the most luxurious meal you have ever had and again just like I said knocked your socks off. All the flavors were there and you spent two dollars I love when I can just be on the streets, eating street food with the locals and not shelling out $50-$70 per person for a great meal and that’s what I really loved about Bangkok.

2. What destination have you not yet been to but would like to visit and why?

Wow – I have not been to so many places, I think that one of the biggest misconceptions about me is that I have been everywhere and I have been to 51 countries and I have traveled for 15 years, but the world keeps getting bigger, not smaller. Places I would love to go to, I would love to go to Finland to see the Aurora Borealis, that’s my dream. I would love to go to Glaciers National Park in Montana to go on a bike ride. Things like that, I love being active, I love being in the outdoors. I don’t necessarily like sleeping in outdoors, I still need that nice resort to keep me warm at night, but I love those far-flung destinations that exist even in our own country.

3. What undiscovered destination would you recommend?

Well, it really has to be South East Asia that is the mecca of food. It is possibly a little expensive to get there about a $1,200 flight, but once you get there everything is petty cash cheap. You can go to Malaysia and have some of the best food of your life. On the island of Penang where there is not only a Muslim influence but Asian, Chinese, and Indian and it’s a confluence of flavors and dishes, and for very little money just change your idea of what food should taste like especially from a cart or roadside stand.

4. What is one of your favorite food travel memories?

I have so many, again if I may use Asia, I was in Singapore and I had fish head curry and I’m not the Andrew Zimmern of the Travel Channel, he has bizarre food. I like to stick to the chicken tenders, well not that bad but a part of the dinner was for the guest of honor to have the eye of the fish and this eye was probably this big and it’s the cooked eye of a fish. And everyone is watching me because they know as a Westerner that probably this is not my favorite experience that I was going to have and I put it in my mouth and I just waited. I had this large eye in my mouth and everyone is watching and it just dissolved and it tasted like butter and the flavors of the curry were mixed in and it was sensational. I loved it and I said “Well there is another eye right?” because don’t fish have two eyes? But as the guest you only get one eye, but it’s always taught me that we have a reaction to food like “Oh, we don’t eat that” and then you try it and it’s wonderful so it was one of my best experiences where I really got to try something that I would never try again, but I really enjoyed at the time.

5. Do you see any trends in culinary travel?

I think I see the biggest trend being one that I love is to make really great food accessible to the masses. Why do we have to stand in line at a really nice restaurant or not get in because we don’t have an expense account for the best chefs? These food trucks that are happening all over the United States are such a great way to have a little bite and really get a feel for something special. So I love the idea that I love when food is accessible and still really fabulous at the same time and I think that even though the food truck is a trend, it is here to stay.

We want to thank Samantha Brown for her time and thoughtful responses.

Thanks, Samantha! We wish you safe and tasty food travels.

Let us know what some of your favorite food travel memories are in the comments below.

THE QUICK BITE: Food Travelist interviews travel expert Samantha Brown about her food travel experiences and what trends she sees coming in the months ahead.

In North America

Do You Know The Way To San Jose?

By Sue Reddel

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.

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

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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:

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