Food & Travel

Off to ‘Dinner’ for Lunch February, 2011

Heston Blumenthal’s swanky new restaurant at the Mandarin Oriental, Knightsbridge, opened on January 31st 2011. Its opening was accompanied by a week long extravaganza of twirling roasted pineapples, puffs of steam, and busy charming waiters. He has abandoned his chemistry set in favour of historic British recipes that he has updated with a twist. Each dish appears on the menu accompanied by ‘c.’ and some numerals.

Peace, Love & Tacos February, 2011

Tacombi at Fonda Nolita, located in the heart of New York’s Nolita neighbourhood (i.e. North of Little Italy) is a cultural fusion of sorts; a Mexican beach party in the midst of hipster heaven. It was created by the dashing Dario Wolos, who is himself a cultural melange; born to a Mexican mother and a French father, his childhood was spent hopping from country to country.

ABC Kitchen January, 2011

As soon as I heard that Jean-Georges was opening up a restaurant in ABC Carpet and Home focusing on local ingredients I knew it was going to be a new favorite. I’m not sure what took me so long to get there, but after seeing a photo of his roasted kabocha toast in New York Magazine this past November, my mouth watered and I’ve been back every chance I get.

America's Best Zinfandel! January, 2011

There are 500 wineries in Napa Valley, America's foremost wine-producing region. Charter Oak Winery, in sleepy St. Helena, takes pride that it is the smallest. Oh, and by the way, it's also the most authentic, most traditional winery.

Two guys, and the son of one of them, pick the grapes by hand, turning them into award-winning wine.

A Land of Olive Oil January, 2011

It is at this time, early in the New Year, that freshly pressed olive oil hits the shelves. It was just weeks ago that the olive harvest began. In mid-November, as the air chilled and frost softened the green of the olive trees, small towns and farm villages in olive-producing nations around the Mediterranean commenced the production of olive oil. Grand Châteaux and small producers alike spread vast nets under their trees and raked the olives from the branches.

A Spin Through the Riviera Nayarit January, 2011

 

Two little words: tequila sommeliers. They brought a huge smile to my face on a quick gastro-tour through the Riviera Nayarit, the relaxed, hospitable and gorgeous region of Mexico just north of Puerto Vallarta. Old-style Mexican cuisine given an extra-healthy twist is a trend that has gripped the area’s tourist destinations: ingredients, prep, method, everything is geared toward wellness.

A Picnic in the Mountains of Jerusalem January, 2011

Winter is a very short season in Israel. In most years it starts 4-5 months after the summer ends. This type of climate produces a long autumn-winter, which in our part of the world means very fickle and unpredictable weather that alternates between heat waves and storms that can last several days. Even though it's really hard to decide what to wear when going out in the mornings, autumn and winter in Israel is a magical time which excels in beautiful days of mild temperatures and intermingled with soft breezes.

A Truffle Hunting Trip December, 2010

When Thanksgiving rolls around, naturally one thinks of family, fun and feasting on good old American classics. We were graciously invited to a lovely Thanksgiving dinner, but we decided instead to go to South of France on a hunting trip – no, not to shoot rare breeds of birds but to find a rare breed of fungi called Tuber melanosporum, the rare and elusive winter black truffle. We planned the entire trip around this event; we even selected the right outfits for such an occasion. What does one wear to hunt truffles with dogs anyway?

Ambrosia Chocolate and Spice December, 2010

I just spend my first wintery weekend in Nantucket. It’s the first time I have seen the island cloaked in a beautiful cool blue light, with bare trees, browning fields, and deep blue icy waters. I didn’t expect it to be as picturesque and charming as summer and in some ways it was even more so.

The Journey of New York Whiskey December, 2010

Over a recent autumn feast in the mountains of New York’s Hudson Valley, a dear friend professed that there are mountain people and there are beach people, and the sooner you figure out which you are, the sooner you’ll find a life of contentment.

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