Bites from the Road

My Favorite Basque Pintxos: The Gilda

The Gilda — a Basque-style tapa often served on a skewer — is one of the oldest pintxos in San Sebastian. The newly opened Bar Casa Vallés (Reyes Catolicos Kalea, 10, 20006 Donostia, Gipuzkoa, Spain) first served it in the '40s, named after the American film Gilda. It's a little bit spicy, a little salty, just like the Spanish-descended actress Rita Hayworth's character in the movie.  Jon, our local tour guide on a trip with Global Palate Adventures, took us to his social club, where his family and numerous others could entertain by either hiring a chef or preparing their food in the large kitchen. Jon introduced us to this pintxo, instructing [...]

By |2022-10-20T08:59:46-04:00October 20th, 2022|Recipes, Starters, World|0 Comments
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Michelin 1-star Nerua at Guggenheim Bilboa Museum, Bilboa, Spain

The Basque country is a must-do for anyone who loves food. My first stop was in Bilboa (Spain) to visit the Guggenheim Museum. Afterward, we headed next door to Nerua, a Michelin one-star restaurant offering local Basque cuisine. We opted for the reasonably priced 85 € multi-course tasting menu with their 35 € wine pairing beautifully described by our attentive server, Asier Llona. Our first delicacies were the labor-intense amuse-bouche: A small glass of tomato-water clear gazpacho and three pintxos on a ceramic bench plate. One was a bread croquette filled with bonito, another a mini quail egg topped with langoustine foam and then the Cricket. That's the name they [...]

By |2022-10-20T08:51:43-04:00October 12th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, World, World Restaurants, World Travel|2 Comments
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Dinner at Novo on the Creek in San Luis Obispo, California

It was my last meal in California in late summer before waking at dawn to head back east from San Luis Obispo. We opted for creekside dining in the heart of downtown San Luis Obispo at Novo, serving locally sourced, wholesome, and globally inspired food. We started with a bottle of their Zuccardi Malbec (reasonably priced at $38). We had decided to mainly have sharing plates as that's what's most interesting at Novo. Friends told us not to miss their salmon bisque ($10) with the recipe from Robin's, their sister restaurant in Cambria, CA. We ordered one small "poco" bowl and three spoons to share the rich broth with huge chunks of salmon. [...]

By |2022-10-09T09:51:20-04:00October 5th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Breakfast at Blue Sky on the Bay, Morro Bay, CA

It was one of my last days on the beautiful Central Coast of California. My sister and I had decided to drive up to Morro Bay for brunch. She frequented Blue Sky, located waterside along the Embarcadero, that offers an all-day breakfast with friendly service and beautiful views of Morro Rock and Estero Bay. She had a veggie scramble ($18.99) with tomato, spinach, red onion, mushrooms, black olives and cheese topped with avocado slices and served with a toasted English muffin and fresh fruit. I'm a sucker for huevos rancheros. This version topped corn tortillas with poached eggs, refried beans and ranchero sauce, then served up a side of guac [...]

By |2022-10-02T09:08:26-04:00October 1st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Not to be Missed: Old West Cinnamon Rolls, Pismo Beach, CA

"Do not miss the warm cinnamon rolls at Old West," we were told. Our family, who live in San Luis Obispo, came to visit us at the home I rented on Pismo Beach for what I termed Camp Grammie (Also referred to as Camp Grimby, Camp Pismo Beach and Camp Everyone!) It was the first time I had vacationed with all three grandkids. Like camp, I had activities planned to keep them busy. Our visitors raved about the cinnamon rolls at Old West, suggesting going early, as some flavors sell out. I listened. Soon after it opened at 6:30 am the next day, I headed to Old West Cinnamon Rolls [...]

By |2022-10-09T12:43:09-04:00September 29th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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A Stop in at Dive Bar & Restaurant, West Haven, CT

We planned an afternoon on Gulf Beach after lunch to catch up on life. We never got there. We stopped at Dive Bar & Restaurant, a place offering a great view of Long Island Sound that's just across the street. Oddly, Connecticut's expansive coastline offers little waterside dining. This Dive Bar is just over the Milford border in West Haven. I started with their bloody Mary ($10), one of my go-to brunch libations since it was before noon. My dining partner had their Lemon Drop ($10). We both ordered their chicken poke bowls ($17.95), replacing the poultry with grilled shrimp, yet I substituted a blend of arugula and romaine for [...]

By |2022-09-28T06:40:18-04:00September 27th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|5 Comments
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Lunch at Eureka!, San Luis Obispo, CA

Wanting one-on-one time with my grandnephew, I asked where he'd like to dine together. He picked Eureka! downtown, where he met me between his work shifts. It's an all-American place with a burger focus, using locally sourced produce and a rotating craft beer and beverage program. Service is friendly. All their burgers are Santa Carota Angus beef raised almost exclusively on a diet of carrots and served atop a buttery brioche bun. We nibbled on their amazing Brussels sprouts ($10) while catching up. These crispy morsels are glazed with an orange chile sauce and topped with chimichurri and almonds. I followed my niece's recommendation for their Fresno fig burger ($17). [...]

By |2022-09-23T06:47:47-04:00September 25th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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TASTE! craft eatery, San Luis Obispo, CA

Can't make up your mind what to order? Taste! craft eatery is for you. The menu offers a Duo ($16), Trio ($20), or Quartet ($29). You select two, three or four items from their extensive menu of choices and get small portions of each. None are full size but certainly satisfy. Interesting concept. For brunch, I sampled the So Gouda from the bowls, the Bahn Mi from the sliders and their fries! The bowl came filled with spinach, smoked gouda andouille and a poached egg, with my hollandaise on the side. The small bun, spread with garlic aioli, was filled with pulled pork, pickles, jalapeño peppers, daikon sprouts and cilantro. [...]

By |2022-09-18T16:12:04-04:00September 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Bistro Basque, Milford, CT

Could it have been a decade (gulp!) since I dined at Bistro Basque in Milford? At that time, I had described it as "a hidden gem in the center of Milford." The menu, of course, changed; the space had too. We sat outside on a terrace and sipped the Pazos de Lusco Albariño ($52), enjoying the food and company.  Two of us ordered only small plates, including their cauliflower gratin ($15), codfish croquetas ($11), piquillo peppers stuffed with short ribs ($15) and foie gras poêlé ($15.50). Loved the flavor of the seared foie gras, only wished there was more of that and fewer sautéed apples.   One friend had their traditional paella Estilo [...]

By |2022-10-02T15:19:00-04:00September 17th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|7 Comments
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Breakfast at Celia’s Garden Cafe, Los Osos, California

Celia's Garden Cafe is a 20-minute drive west from San Luis Obispo in Los Osos, where we headed to brunch one Sunday. It's a quaint cafe serving breakfast & lunch. Dining outside is an all-season happening when on California's Central Coast. When you go, request the back terrace as the front area is noisy from the passing cars. My family often visited, knowing what they wanted to order and where to sit. Celia herself greeted us. She was handling tables that busy weekend. I sampled their Bloody Mary ($9) made with wine vodka (as they have no liquor license). A nice spicy drink. Unfortunately, the wine vodka didn't sit too [...]

By |2022-09-18T15:47:39-04:00September 15th, 2022|USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Eating at the Shore, Long Branch, NJ

Long Branch has been our summer go-to place when heading to the shore for a day or longer stay.  It's about an hour and a half drive on weekdays to the white sand beach. Since we like eating outside in Pier Village, we frequent the same places along the boardwalk. We are there more for the view of the Atlantic than the food.  That said, Avenue makes a decent bloody Mary, garnished with pickled green beans. Try their Croque Madame ($23). It's a hearty ham and cheese sandwich topped with a fried egg. If you're a fry lover like me, order their crispy shoestring fries ($10). The honey ginger glazed [...]

By |2022-09-11T02:29:13-04:00September 9th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Gracie’s Luncheonette, Leeds, Hudson Valley, NY

Gracie's Luncheonette in Leeds, New York, is worth going out of your way for. They make nearly everything on the menu from scratch and source locally. Owners Allyson Merritt and Andrew Spielberg went to the Culinary Institute of America, where they met. My friends who frequent the place knew to ask for the table with the view of Catskill Creek, where you sometimes spot bald eagles. At first, I couldn't decide between the fried green tomato BLT made with house-cured and smoked bacon and the tuna salad sandwich, each with a side salad or fries. I chose the latter after learning that they even make the American-style cheese for the [...]

By |2022-09-11T03:32:58-04:00September 3rd, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA|0 Comments
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Outdoor Lobster Bake, Windam, NY

Call Pat Higgins by 9 pm Wednesday with your order of fresh lobster flown in from Maine. His outdoor Lobster Bake is open only Saturday night from Memorial Day through Labor Day. It's from 5 to 7 pm outside behind the theatre complex, with seating at picnic tables near the Batavia Kill Creek. Although they provide plastic utensils, I suggest you bring your own plus — if you own them — lobster crackers and wine. Be sure to wear something washable as no bibs are provided. My friends and I had the hot dog bun filled with a quarter pound of fresh lobster, offered either with hot butter (Connecticut style) [...]

By |2022-08-20T15:48:53-04:00August 22nd, 2022|USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Founders House Pub & Patio, Milford, CT + Bedwetter at NY’s Linda Gross Theater

One Connecticut friend and I decided on a beach day at Milford’s Gulf Beach, grabbing a bite ahead of time, then spending the day by the water catching up! Like many of you, the pandemic kept me distanced from many friends. We had a quick lunch on the patio of Founders House Pub, not far from the train station or beach. We started with cocktails that seemed such a bargain compared to the Big Apple. The espresso martini was a mere $13, the Ketel One on the rocks $11. We shared two fresh salads, both of which I'd recommend.  One was an unusual chilled sweet potato and avocado with kale, roasted Brussels [...]

By |2022-08-27T11:26:22-04:00August 18th, 2022|Bites from the Road, NYC Restaurant Reviews, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Brunch at Casa Ortega, Wappinger Falls, NY

Fermin Ortega and his wife Mayra moved from Queens to Wappinger Falls about a year before the pandemic to open Casa Ortega with Mayra's brother Irvin Gonzaga. Albert, our friend who we were visiting, dines here twice a week. Hence, we ended up there when visiting him.  I started with a spicy, nicely balanced bloody Mary for only $7. Sticker shock for me, who's used to Manhattan prices. We started with their housemade guacamole ($12) with warm chips, salsa and salsa verde. For brunch, Albert always has their golden brown pancakes with maple syrup and crisp bacon ($10). I ordered huevos rancheros ($13), my favorite Mexican breakfast, requesting poached, not [...]

By |2022-07-28T16:40:11-04:00July 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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John Fraser’s Iris, Midtown, NYC

John Fraser's new Aegean-cuisine Iris was on my ever-growing to-try list. I started chatting with the manager when we both realized we had recently met (and exchanged cards!) at the Terrace at the Edition Hotel, another of JF Restaurant's locations.  It became more of a drinking lunch as we were outside at this location near Carnegie Hall enjoying one of spring's perfect days. I first sampled the Iris Manhattan ($19) made with Makers Mark and served with a mini-spoon containing a Luxardo cherry, my more adventurous dining partner ordered the Son of Aphrodite ($21) that blended saffron-infused Del Maguey Vida Mezcal, passion fruit and yellow chartreuse. I moved on to [...]

By |2022-06-19T10:21:42-04:00June 17th, 2022|Bites from the Road, NYC Restaurant Reviews|0 Comments
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Breakfast at Willa Jean, New Orleans, LA

We were in New Orleans for a fund-raiser for their Les Dames d'Escoffier chapter's "Diggin NoLa: A culinary affair with the Big Easy." One morning, we headed for breakfast at Willa Jean, a retro-chic café offering Southern breakfasts and baked goods opened by Chef Kelly Fields in the Central Business District in downtown New Orleans. I began with a mimosa ($10) followed by a breakfast plate containing their amazing biscuits, cheese grits, bacon, sausage and eggs ($16). I had my eggs poached, one of my dining partners had hers scrambled. Truly the best breakfast I had in New Orleans! My other dining partner ate their pastrami smoked salmon with fries [...]

By |2022-05-08T09:20:13-04:00April 26th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Nina Compton’s Compare Lapin, New Orleans

First stop on my New Orleans eating adventure was Compare Lapin, the sophisticated eatery serving Caribbean- and European-accented New Orleans flavors located in Old No. 77 Hotel & Chandlery. Chef Nina Compton, who hails from St. Lucia, was unable to join us. She sent us bubbly before she had to depart ($18 each). Don't miss her flaky buttermilk biscuits with both honey and bacon butter ($6/2). We used them to sop up the sauce from both the tuna ceviche ($17) in tiger's milk (Leche de Tigre) topped with crisp yucca strips and the Calabrian butter in the five large broiled shrimp ($17). I'd recommend the tender curried goat with delicate [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:14:19-04:00April 21st, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Armani’s Cucina, Vero Beach, Florida

Our friends made a reservation at Armani Cucina, an Italian restaurant in a strip mall Vero Beach while we were visiting. The highlights of that dinner, graciously served, included their cold cannellini beans with warm grilled octopus ($18.95) and the warm garlicky knots ($6.95) as starters. The stand-out entree is their housemade pear & gorgonzola fiocchi in a creamy alfredo sauce drizzled with truffle oil ($21.95). It's so rich, I'd suggest that you share it.  That was delicious with the young Corvina Amarone, Tinazzi,  2018, Vento, Italy ($48) with its ripe red fruit notes. Armani's Cucina, 1920 14th Ave, Vero Beach, FL 32960 (772) 907-5774

By |2022-04-23T11:12:41-04:00April 19th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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Bosphorous Turkish Cuisine, Winter Park, Florida + Scenic Boat Tour

If you find yourself in Winter Park, Florida, do not miss a stop at Bosphorous, a Turkish restaurant serving Anatolian cuisine located near the train station and a 5-minute walk from the scenic boat tour we were planning to take on Winter Park's chain of Lakes. Our waitress Joy explained every part of the menu with a big smile on her face. Drinks first. On an Old Fashion kick, we tried theirs made with hand-selected Knob Creek Single Barrel Bourbon, muddled orange, cherry juice and house-made Turkish fig bitters ($13). Delicious. In addition, we ordered a Sevilen ($46) Turkish Sauvignon Blanc to accompany our meal. We started with their over [...]

By |2022-04-23T11:21:24-04:00April 15th, 2022|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|2 Comments
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