Verjus is an enthralling dining adventure from beginning to end. It was an exhilarating experience that left me perfectly happy to have dropped $150 on a meal… and look forward to doing it all over again. A bit of a travel splurge, but well worth it. From the moment I made my online […]
Yearly Archives: 2015
23 posts
I was thrilled when I discovered that my last day in Paris this fall would coincide with the opening day of the “Picasso Mania” exhibition at the Grand Palais. Based on past visits to the Grand Palais, I knew it would be wise to purchase my ticket in advance. After […]
Also see new Paris Cafe additions in My 9-Day Paris Food Obsession. I recently packed too many activities into five too-short days in Paris, but I always prioritized passing time in a favorite Paris cafe. Patronizing a Paris cafe these days may instill ambivalence or inspire defiance. To me it’s the quintessential Paris sightseeing activity. I’m satisfied to […]
The Eat Real Festival just completed its 7th year, and it was more popular than ever. Foodie crowds tightly packed charming Jack London Square marina vying for delicious and inventive artisan food. Each September, food trucks, pop-ups, and familiar local restaurants take over the picturesque marina for three days of lively food […]
After a day-long drive al We had intentionally made no reservation so that we would have no time pressure as we popped in and out of cute towns along the coast. By early evening, we had checked into our strategically situated downtown hotel. Our plan was to have a leisurely […]
My amazing 3-day trip along the Maine coast could surely be conveyed in pictures alone. Lots of gorgeous scenery and tasty food. Maine really is dotted with picturesque lighthouses that peer out over a rocky blue ocean. And my big discovery may be that three days in Maine is just […]
I had been interested to visit Boston’s SoWa Sunday Market for a long time. So, on my recent New England vacation, I dedicated my last full day in Boston to an immersive dive into this hip outdoor market. The SoWa Market features unique food and artisan goods in a vintage […]
Oleana had been on my Boston food list forever. And this trip I made it happen. Still jet-lagged from my red-eye, I had kept myself awake on my first day in Boston with a sensory-filled excursion through the South End, and a stellar tapas lunch at Toro. But Oleana was earmarked as my […]
I was anxious to check out Toro on my Boston travels, for its modern take on Spanish Tapas – and luckily it was conveniently located not far from my South End hotel. I knew that Toro was popular and trending – and didn’t take reservations. So strategically, I aimed for […]
I just returned from two amazing weeks in New England, and while it was filled with stunning scenery and interesting festivals, it was clearly dominated by food. I spent nearly half the trip in Boston’s city center, with focus on the city’s hip South End …but also did a lot […]
I discovered Irot one day walking down Webster Street in Oakland, when I happened upon his stunning “Indian Chief Wearing War Bonnet,” striking against its bold red brick wall. I was mesmerized. And I immediately began following Irot on Instagram, which is how I discovered that he had a show […]
Last weekend I headed to Clarksburg spurred on by my recent interest in checking out more off-the-beaten path wine country surrounding the Bay Area. I've been finding some interesting wines that have renewed my interest in the California winemakers who have decidedly moved away from the traditional oaky-buttery days of yore. […]
Jump to Video I’m obsessed with the Shifting Topographies public art installation at the 17th Street Gateway in Oakland. Several months ago, my favorite hidden BART entrance to the 19th St. station suddenly closed. A few months later, the tiny Gateway alley that bridges Broadway and Telegraph reopened featuring a swirling […]
The Crocker Art Museum in Sacramento has been on my must-visit list forever, but somehow the opportunity to visit had eluded me. But with the recent opening of the Toulouse-Lautrec and La Vie Moderne, I made a point of going before the exhibition closes on April 26. As we headed […]
When I urged my family to have lunch at The Rind in downtown Sacramento one Sunday afternoon, it didn’t take much persuasion. What could be better than all things cheese? Not much. And The Rind certainly knows how to stay on a theme. Having never been to The Rind before, […]
Just as I was contemplating being more open-minded about California wine, Fog Crest Vineyard comes along and steals my heart. Now I may now have to forsake all other California vineyards. Set in the Russian River in Sonoma County, on a day trip we decided to just explore... and let fate guide […]
I’ve been interested for a while now to check out up-and-coming Livermore Wine Country, just east of San Francisco. These days, where isn’t there wine country in California? Even though it’s not far from my Oakland digs, Livermore has been elusive since I’m car-free. So, when some friends invited me […]
Meeting House Square is one of my favorite cozy spots, located in the heart of Dublin’s Cultural District. It is a charming and modern modular square that packs a ton of activity inside its high walls. It is ringed with tasty restaurants, art, and history. Here you will find indie […]
The next time I go to L. Mulligan, I will go hungry. Sure, I knew it was going to be stick-to-your-ribs, inventive pub fare with an interesting beer selection, but I wasn’t prepared for how immensely filling it would actually be. And with all the other great food options in Dublin, I didn’t appropriately […]
After a whirlwind roadtrip around the countryside, we arrived back in Dublin for our five final days in Ireland. We immediately made a reservation at The Chop House restaurant for the next night. The Chop House had intrigued me for its modern Irish menu and focus on local products. I […]
Hung-over from lack of sleep on my overnight flight from California to Dublin, I stumbled into my hotel, stashed my luggage, and headed immediately to one of my favorite breakfast spots, The Queen of Tarts. Only about two blocks from my hotel and nestled in the unassuming Cows Lane, lies […]
My first jetlag night in Dublin and I had been struggling to stay awake since my 6am arrival. Six weeks before I had brazenly decided to book theater tickets on my first night in Dublin, as part of my strategy to maximize performances of the Dublin Theatre Festival. When “Spinning” […]
Escaping Galway’s bustling center of shopping and swarms of students, we crossed the River Corrib into a more peaceful neighborhood. We had ended up at Kai Café & Restaurant for lunch rather than dinner simply by how the puzzle pieces of our numerous dining options fell into place during our short 2-day […]