Bites from the Road

Ironwood, Laguna Hills, California

Since it was my last night in California, we lingered over dinner at Ironwood in Laguna Hills longer than usual. We sat outside in a tent with enough heaters that I took my sweater off. We sipped on our lush Tuscan Bocelli Sangiovese $41) as we nibbled our appetizer. The meat on the BBQ ribs was so tender it fell off as I picked up a bone. The coleslaw contained Granny Smiths and almonds ($16). Learning that we were splitting the goat cheese salad ($9), the kitchen served it that way and then offered to also do so with the Double R Ranch ribeye steak ($41). That steak, cooked exactly [...]

By |2021-01-31T18:45:36-05:00January 24th, 2021|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Ola Mexican Kitchen, Long Beach, California

I met a NY friend who moved to California when I visited recently. We met halfway at Ola Mexican Kitchen in Long Beach and sat outside with the Pacific Ocean as a backdrop. She recommended the Skinny Margarita ($12) made with Sauza Blue fresh lime juice, agave and a splash of club soda. We sipped a couple of those while catching up and nibbling warm tortilla chips dipped in their fresh salsa. For dinner, we each had tacos (two $14, three $17) in their soft handmade tortillas. My favorite was filled with a thick strip of lightly battered and fried rockfish topped with cotija cheese, chile-lime aioli and tequila citrus [...]

By |2020-12-12T16:04:58-05:00January 15th, 2021|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Bridge Group Hits the Road to Baxter’s, Hyannis, MA

Playing bridge with friends has been a savior during COVID. I currently play multiple times a week with these friends instead of only occasionally. One of my groups decided to take a road trip to our friend's home on the Cape. Was beyond a treat to be together, play, shop, laugh, sing, prepare meals and play bridge. No cards involved, we each played on our devices sitting near each other on opposite couches. Almost every time I've vacationed on the Cape since the 70s, I've stopped at Baxter's — a casual eatery built over the water — for fried fish. The vegetarian in our group tried the fried mozzarella sticks [...]

By |2020-10-26T13:28:09-04:00October 25th, 2020|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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My Last Meal as the World Closed: Esszimmer, Salzburg, Austria

(Obviously, written before COVID-19 quarantine)  Little did I know when Andrea Kaiblinger and I were emailing about my reservation at her Michelin-starred restaurant Esszimmer in Salzburg (Austria) that my friends Scot, Ed and I would be their last customers before the government instructed them to shut down. Andrea welcomed us warmly as we arrived at her comfortably elegant restaurant.  Andrea, who works with her husband Andreas, mentioned that they had been operating for 16 years. "How many years have you had the Michelin star?" "Sixteen," she responded with a big smile filling her face.   I've always found lunch an affordable way to dine at Michelin-starred restaurants. That also gives [...]

By |2020-09-30T17:16:43-04:00September 24th, 2020|World, World Restaurants|0 Comments
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Dim Sum in Hong Kong, Classic vs New-Age, A World of Difference

Dim Sum in Hong Kong comes in many forms, from the traditional with waitresses pushing carts that you simply point to what you want to much more contemporary with offerings filled with French classics like ratatouille and foie gras. We experienced both in our 36 hours discovering this modern city. Our first was at Maxime's Palace Dim Sum in Hong Kong City Hall that had been recommended to us by an ex-pat. It's reminiscent of Jing Fong restaurant in New York's Chinatown with Chinese-speaking uniformed waitresses pushing the carts past the white tablecloths tables in a huge room with windows next to the Hong Kong harbor. Like in NYC, you [...]

By |2020-01-27T07:55:58-05:00March 7th, 2020|World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
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Lunch at Galae Restaurant After Chatting with Phra KK, a Buddist Monk

Our local guides Chintana Suwawan and her husband Poj from Window of Thailand introduced us to the Thai culture, Buddhist life and Lanna traditions before we boarded a bus to explore the city.  Our group of 12 on a Global Palate Adventures trip visited Temples of Chiang Mai and then chat with Phra KK, a Buddist Monk (a highlight of my time in Thailand!) about his life and Buddhism. Afterward, we drove to a restaurant located amidst their lush flower gardens. Since the outdoor space at Galae Restaurant was full, we ate inside with our group served family-style. Like at most other meals in Thailand, we ate chicken satay and Pad [...]

By |2020-01-24T08:09:15-05:00March 3rd, 2020|World, World Restaurants|0 Comments
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Surfside lunch at Splashes at Surf & Sand Hotel, Laguna Beach, CA

Some dear friends from LA offered to drive down to Laguna Beach to meet me for lunch while I was out in California visiting my son Eric's family.  My daughter-in-law Casey recommended Splashes at the Surf & Sand Hotel as the restaurant is right on the beach with views of the Pacific waves hitting the shore. That and I had read that Executive Chef, Ron Fougeray served up fresh seaside cuisine. While waiting for our lunch, we nibbled their fresh bread and homemade yummy sun-dried tomato and olive tapenade spread, being careful not to ruin our appetite by finishing it. My friends started with the rich tableside lobster bisque ($18). [...]

By |2020-01-02T17:06:03-05:00February 29th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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River Market Restaurant Chiang Mai Dinner with Global Palette Adventures, Thailand

The River Market Restaurant, overlooking the Iron Bridge, is just a quick walk towards the Ping River from Le Meridian Hotel where our group was staying. That's where we had our welcoming dinner with our group attending the Global Palette Adventures Chiang Mai trip. The restaurant serves substantial portions of Thai food at reasonable prices great for sharing. Our host Lowell ordered lots of apps for the dozen of us to share that included tender skewered chicken satay (4 for 185 THB*) with sliced cucumbers and a peanut sauce with just a bit of spice. The least exciting was the coriander-crusted seared tuna with green mango som tam with chive [...]

By |2020-02-25T12:53:21-05:00February 21st, 2020|World, World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
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Portuguese Lunch at Fishbone Kitchen & Bar, Laguna Beach, California

After spending time at the Laguna Beach playground with my grandkids, we walked up the street to  Fishbone Kitchen & Bar, a Portuguese seafood restaurant, for lunch. My daughter-in-law asked if the boquerones from the pesticos (appetizer-size little snacks) bar menu was possibly available, as it was one of her favorites. The waitress checked, returning with a plate filled with the pickled anchovies ($12) with tortilla chips and pickled jalapeños. Do not miss this yummy and unusual combo! While waiting for the boquerones, I tried their pineapple jalapeño caipirinha ($13) that needed a bit of a kick and my son tried their Margie ($13) with El Jimador tequila, Cointreau and fresh [...]

By |2020-02-16T16:20:59-05:00February 9th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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My Friend’s Place, Pickett’s Village Bar, Maplewood, NJ

Maplewood is only a 30-minute ride from Penn Station on the express train. That's where my friend's restaurant Pickett's Village Bar is located. It opened in May 2019 almost one year after her husband Jim Pickett passed away. Heidi Hovland owns it along with Doug and Beth Sasfai, Brinton Brosius and Ashlee Anthony. They opened the restaurant in honor of his memory and the way he lived his life: "with heartfelt appreciation for how connecting over a drink or a meal brings people closer together and how these connections make life, and all of us in it, better." Pickett's has 24 beers on tap, plus lots more bottles and cans. [...]

By |2020-02-05T19:56:35-05:00February 5th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (3) – Sambos

[Continued from A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2)] Our last breakfast on the trip was at Sambos a family-owned restaurant offering classic fare to start the day. We sat outside across from the beach at the Pacific for our last meal of this trip, as after our meal we were off to the airport, heading home.  One sister had the garden omelet ($14.85). I indulged in their special Huevos Rancheros Special made with poached eggs, layered fried corn tortillas, black beans, cheese and chorizo all topped with salsa and guacamole ($15.50). That was a meal that satiated me for the first leg of my flights home. [...]

By |2020-02-18T15:39:39-05:00January 12th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2)- Bob’s Well Bread Bakery

[Continued from A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (1)] Another day when driving from SLO to Santa Barbara, we stopped at Bob's Well Bread Bakery known for his hand-made artisanal bread. Good bread is something New Yorkers are quite used to, an anomaly in Southern California Proprietor/Boulanger Bob Oswaks was serving that day at this gas station turned bakery. We arrived mid-morning at this order-at-the-counter cafe/bakery and sadly many of the pastries including the Kouign-Amann ($5) that I had read about were sold out. The current cardamom scone ($4) was how I like it, not overly sweet. Also available are sandwiches such as hummus and veggies on [...]

By |2020-02-18T15:39:28-05:00January 12th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (1) – Kreuzberg

On our sisters' trip to California recently, we stopped at a few interesting places for breakfast that I wanted to share. In San Louis Obispo (SLO), we let my grand-nephew Kailer, who is attending Cal Poly, select Kreuzberg California on Higuera for breakfast day. It's a local art-adorned hangout serving house-roasted delicious coffee and small bites. One grand-nephew indulged in their Belgian waffle with fruit, maple syrup and dusted with confectioners' sugar ($9). [Continued on A Few Southern California Breakfasts From Our Sisters Trip (2) and (3)] I'd recommend each of these breakfast places mentioned in the three posts if you're in Southern California.   Kreuzberg California 685 Higuera St, [...]

By |2020-02-18T15:38:15-05:00January 12th, 2020|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Margot Cafe & Bar, East Nashville, Tennessee

While at the Les Dames d'Escoffier International conference in Nashville, a group of us dined at Margot Cafe & Bar, an inviting restaurant said to have precipitated the gentrification of East Nashville. We were seated in the quiet upstairs making it more conducive to conversation. Our shared apps included the house-made potato chips served with aioli ($5) and small nuggets of corn coated okra with a remoulade sauce, sprinkled with scallions ($12). One friend who loved chicken livers ordered that appetizer batter-fried served with contrasting textured other goodies (fresh apple slices, radishes and pickled onions) in a mustard vinaigrette ($13) and a salad of local lettuces with shaved fennel and gorgonzola [...]

By |2019-11-26T10:22:07-05:00December 27th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Lunch at Stonehouse, San Ysidro Ranch, Montecito, CA

After my Connecticut friend who now lives in Montecito picked me up at the Santa Barbara airport we drove up to San Ysidro Ranch for lunch. This idyllic spectacular 500-acre California property is the place where Jackie and Jack (Kennedy, for you millennials) honeymooned as they — guard their guest's privacy. If you recall, Montecito is where the heavy rainfall after the Thomas Fire deforestation caused mudslides forcing the property to close. It reopened this April. Although there's a terrace on the lower level,  we chose the upper one with the spectacular view of the Pacific. We opted for the three-course prixe fixe market menu ($47) that emphasizes local ingredients. [...]

By |2019-11-30T07:43:05-05:00December 25th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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A Birthday Dinner at Community Table, New Preston, CT

We made a day of it, heading up to Northwest Connecticut to see our friend Joann Makovitzky's new home, shop in New Preston and dine at her restaurant. The Community Table is located in Litchfield County, close to Washington Depot and New Preston. It's a casual welcoming restaurant where we enjoyed the cooking of Chef Paul Pearson of Yorkshire, England.   We started with a few apps, enjoying their hummus made from kabocha squash hummus and served with sliced radishes and the homemade seeded crackers ($16) that we saw on sale at The Smithy on Main Street in New Preston.  I loved the rich Raven and Boar Farm pork liver paté [...]

By |2019-11-26T10:23:23-05:00December 23rd, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Italian Meal at Olio E Limone Ristorante, Santa Barbara, CA

One of my responsibilities before heading to California for a sister's trip was to research dining options. Everyone I asked about Santa Barbara restaurants included Olio E Limone Ristorante on their list. We stopped in for lunch at this Italian trattoria, one — according to the photos on the wall — that Julia Child also enjoyed. We each picked one dish and shared them all. Our favorite (not to be missed) is their Soncino con Anatra, that's thick slices of duck breast roasted until only rare (perfect!) over mâche with clumps of goat cheese all drizzled in a balsamic vinaigrette ($19). That dish and what followed worked well with our bottle [...]

By |2019-11-26T10:24:08-05:00December 13th, 2019|USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Lunch at Mockingbird, Nashville, Tennessee

Maneet Chauhan — celebrity chef, restaurateur, author and celebrity judge on the Food Network’s Chopped! — gave the keynote "Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained" at the opening session at Les Dames d'Escoffier International 2019 conference in Nashville earlier this fall.  Later that day, a group of us headed to lunch at The Mockingbird, one of Maneet's many restaurants. We sipped the unusual cocktails we had selected while we all enjoyed reading the creative names of the food and drinks.  We sampled the La Pamplemousse Is Loose (Cathead Honeysuckle vodka, grapefruit and lemon, $12),  the Old Fashioned-Ish (Buffalo Trace, Mantra Japa Simple, Averna and chocolate bitters ($11) and the cutely named Tequila [...]

By |2019-11-09T14:01:42-05:00December 9th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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The Fox Bar & Cocktail Club + Nashville Palace

The first stop on our Nashville eating and drinking crawl was at the Nashville Palace to listen to "50 Shades of Hay" country music with singer/songwriter Wendy Newcomer on lead vocal and her husband David Spicher on upright bass. We sipped a drink and nibbled some sweet potato fries while enjoying the music. Next, we headed to the unique Fox Bar & Cocktail Club not far from Opryland Hotel, hidden behind Nicoletto’s Italian Kitchen. The Fox serves imaginative, seasonal cocktails changing its offerings monthly. Its unusual multi-page menu is replete with a drink-key explaining the images that accompany their cocktails. That includes the specific glass, the type ice (one cube, [...]

By |2019-11-09T12:47:35-05:00November 25th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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Folk, Rolf and Daughters’ Sister, East Nashville, Tennessee

Many attendees to Les Dames d'Escoffier International 2019 conference in Nashville last month mentioned dining at Rolf and Daughters, the Mediterranean eats place from James Beard Award-nominated chef Philip Krajeck. Some friends and I instead headed to the chef's newest neighborhood restaurant and bar called Folk in McFerrin Park, East Nashville. It's a hip place with custom artwork from local artist Alex Lockwood and Paul Collins lining the walls. This was our last stop on our eating and drinking crawl that had started with breakfast at the Old School Farm (more Nashville posts to come!) earlier in the day. With pizzas made with flour from non-GMO mills in the region, [...]

By |2019-11-11T14:14:02-05:00November 11th, 2019|Bites from the Road, USA, USA Restaurants, USA Travel|0 Comments
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