The first thing that strikes you when you enter Café Lurcat in Minneapolis is a wall of noise. When my dining partner and I arrived for our 8 p.m. reservation, the bar/lounge was buzzing with conversation, and I thought, ok…we’re going to have to talk loud. We did…but it was worth it.
Want to be in the “in” place? After thirty years St. Tropez is still the place to be seen, for some summer beach cred why not visit the 5km stretch of sloping golden sands, get yourself a St.Tropez tan and mingle with the stars. Try The Pavillon de Pampelonne for a touch of luxury –…
Ellen Young (my wife) and I are hosting a six-night tour of Charleston, SC and Savannah, GA. Join us as we relive history and savor the taste of two great antebellum southern cities. We’ll tour the charming seaport of Charleston, explore an 18th century plantation, then revel in the style and grace of Savannah.
Miraval is a destination health and wellness spa an hour outside of Tucson, Arizona, not only have they been voted, “Number 1 Spa” in Spa Finder magazine, they have also been featured in Conde Naste. It goes without saying, well I guess I just did say it, that Oprah has also voiced her approval for…
Colorado will never be Provence. Or Napa. Or even Walla Walla. But the state’s wine industry continues to mature and grow, making a stop at any of the summer’s wine-related festivals a lot of fun. Wineries throughout Colorado offer tastings at regular weekend farmer’s markets and the grape-focused food festivals that seem to pop up…
Your taste buds will really get down and party at this special event, the New Frontiers of Taste,celebrating the 100th year anniversary of Dr. Kikunae Ikeda’s discovery of *Umami, the 5th taste. This major event is timed to coincide with the International Symposium on Olfaction and Taste (ISOT), and will draw a variety of attendees…
I’ve dined at Pizzeria Picco at least six times in the past few months. Each time, I’ve tried a different thin Neopolitan-style pizza and haven’t found one yet that wasn’t absolutely delicious. In fact, the food critic for the SF Chronicle, Michael Bauer, has proudly proclaimed it’s “The best pizza in the Bay Area.”
I’m loving everything I hear about this new restaurant: 1. It’s located in the old space of Jan Birmbaum’s acclaimed Catahoula Restaurant which was a great cozy spot for hanging-out. 2.It’s owned by a talented hubbie/wife team,Matthew and Sonjia Spector, who share a “Farm to Table” philosophy. 2.The menu changes daily using only the freshest…
When you and the rest of the fam are finally “themed-parked-out” and yearn to step up to all the thrills and excitement of a Real “Adventure Land”, then you’re ready for a family holidays at Riverdene Lodge, situated at the world renowned Shamwari Private Game Reserve near Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa. It has…
This is definitely NOT an oxymoron. Carlson Hotels Worldwide’s new, unique Radisson Resort Hecla is part Costa Rica eco-adventure, part Caribbean beach resort, part Florida waterpark with a three-story indoor waterslide, part European spa, and part fabulous cuisine. This spectacular island retreat on Lake Winnipeg was inspired by Nordic traditions, embodying the essential elements of…
So many California wines have been bought by East Coast or European conglomerates, I’ve lost track of who owns what. But this week, five well-known Golden State wineries — Buena Vista Carneros (Sonoma, established 1857), Geyser Peak (Alexander Valley), Atlas Peak (Sonoma), Gary Farrell Winery (Healdsburg) and XYZin Wines (Geyserville) — were sold to Ascentia…
One of my fave trade tastings each year is the Rieslings from Germany. Unfortunately, most of these incredible wines never see the light of day in the States. On the rare occasions that I do spy one on the menu and try to order it, I usually get the same comment from my (riesling ignorant)…