Gastronomy – Travel – Culture
Exceptional Global Dining Experiences, both in the USA and abroad.
Tucked within the Smoky Mountains of Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a little gem of place called The Wild Plum Tea Room. Locals had suggested this restaurant to me, thinking that I would enjoy it and they were correct. This dining experience was exactly what I was looking for during my day trip to Gatlinburg. It was… Continue reading The Wild Plum Tea Room | Gatlinburg, Tennessee
The Box Tree Restaurant is an award winning fine dining experience in the heart of Ilkley, which is a small spa town in West Yorkshire, England. The cuisine served has a French base and is seasonal, so the menu creations change season to season. Over the decades The Box Tree has been awarded numerous awards… Continue reading The Box Tree Restaurant – An Award Winning Dining Experience | Ilkley, West Yorkshire, England
Fine dining in Las Vegas has always been a favorite past time of mine, especially when it is a multiple coursed dinner with wine pairing. It gets even better when dinner is hosted by a Master Sommelier as he discusses each wine, the regions of which they came and how to taste the food with… Continue reading A Taste of Spring Wine Dinner with Master Sommelier, Carmelo Messina | Tuscany Gardens in Las Vegas, Nevada
Bled Cream Cake, Rosé, Caffe and a Fairy Tale View - That was all that I needed to seal the deal on my love for Slovenia. It all happened at Café Belvedere, a graceful spot along Lake Bled which boasts the best church and lake views. Café Belvedere not only had breath taking views, but… Continue reading Café Belvedere | Cream Cake + Views of Lake Bled, Slovenia
The Grand Café in Minsk, Belarus was so very grand! This luxurious and sumptuous restaurant was one of the most beautiful old world dining establishments of its kind, that I have been to in Eastern Europe. One of my other favorites was Gundel Restaurant in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. Minsk, Belarus - One of… Continue reading The Grand Cafe | Minsk, Belarus
It's Christmas all year round in Captiva, Florida! This little coastal island located off the Gulf of Mexico is my favorite place in all of Florida to visit. There are only a few places in the United States that I can say I feel at home and relaxed in. Both Sanibel and Captiva, Florida have… Continue reading The Bubble Room Restaurant | Captiva Island, Florida
The majestic and magical city of Edinburgh has been a favorite of mine for several years. Old Town was just as I had pictured it, the alluring medieval buildings paired with the haunting vibe of the Royal Mile, created many stirring stores in my mind. It was no wonder that Edinburgh became the "Birthplace" of… Continue reading Lunch Break at Harry Potter’s “Birthplace” | The Elephant House in Edinburgh, Scotland
There were many moments when I traveled to a country or dined at a notable restaurant, and I made it just in time. I had either missed a natural disaster, an act of violence, or in this case the closure of a legendary restaurant prior to the pandemic. My father and others who know me,… Continue reading Farewell to the long running 21 Club | Manhattan, New York
Regensburg, Germany - I am a full fledged jetsetting gastronome and will travel for food. I must confess that I decided to take a day trip to Regensburg just so I could eat at one of the world's oldest restaurants, The Historic Sausage Kitchen. I was not expecting this old world Bavarian town to be… Continue reading Historische Wurstküche zu Regensburg | The World’s Oldest Sausage House
Over the couple decades of my gastronomical travels, I have been to many of the oldest eateries in Europe and the UK, including Rules of London, the Historic Sausage House in Regensburg and Botin in Madrid. All have been unique dining experiences, considering they were all the oldest in one way or another. On my… Continue reading Zur Letzten Instanz | Berlin’s Oldest Restaurant
The Triple Bridge in Ljubljana As a traveling gastronome, one of my goals is to taste many traditional dishes in the country or city that I am visiting. Slovenia had several regional dishes that I was curious on trying and I found three of them under one roof. Restaurant Zlata Ribica, is considered one of… Continue reading Zlata Ribica | One of Ljubljana, Slovenia’s Oldest Restaurants
Portobello road, Portobello roadStreet where the riches of ages are stowed.Anything and everything a chap can unloadIs sold off the barrow in Portobello road.You'll find what you want in the Portobello road.- 'Portobello Road' Bedknobs and Broomsticks Soundtrack When I first told a friend that I wanted to visit Portobello Road Market, he asked "That's… Continue reading London’s Portobello Road Market | Beyond Bedknobs and Broomsticks
The charming little country of Slovenia rests comfortably in-between the more tourist centric countries of Italy, Austria, Croatia and Hungary. I try not to be biased with any country that I have visited but Slovenia was one of my favorite Balkan countries. It was steeped in old world charm, the people were friendly, and the… Continue reading MOVIA Wine Bar and the Orange Wines of Ljubljana, Slovenia
Vērmane Gardens is one of the prettiest public parks in the Baltics States and is located in the center of Riga, Latvia. It was one of my favorite places in the city and it made for a day of relaxing strolls, a canal boat ride and plenty of people watching while eating my bag of… Continue reading A Swanky Champagne Sunday Brunch Buffet | Biblioteka No 1 in Riga, Latvia
Riga, Latvia- It is not a secret that I always gravitate towards food or an eating establishment with history. It could be the oldest restaurant, the oldest bar or in this case- the oldest candy company. Laima Confections is based out of Riga, Latvia and became one of the largest candy manufacturers in the Baltic… Continue reading Laima Candy | Latvia’s #1 Sweets Since 1870
I had finally made it to the oldest restaurant in London! I had been wanting to dine at Rules for over a decade and after numerous trips to England, I finally made it a top priority. As a food enthusiast, I take my eating seriously and have a restaurant bucket list. Rules was on that… Continue reading Lunching at RULES | London’s Oldest Restaurant
There are a few moments in life when the world seems perfect and one of those moments for me, was in Montenegro. Not just during this seaside lunch in Perast but my entire visit to the Balkan State of Montenegro, was extraordinary. The Region of Kotor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is lined with well-preserved… Continue reading CONTE Restaurant | Perfection in Perast, Montenegro
San Diego, California- Since 2006, Osetra Seafood & Steaks has been providing a sophisticated wining and dining experience in the heart of the Gaslamp District. This fine restaurant is perfect for those who enjoy the gastronomy facets of wine, craft cocktails, exceptional seafood and steakhouse quality beef. Additionally, Osetra has the only wine tower and… Continue reading Osetra Seafood & Steaks | San Diego, California
Crossing into Tallinn, Estonia by bus from Riga, Latvia marked a huge travel milestone for me. It was the moment that I had accomplished one of my big travel goals; to visit every Baltic State, Eastern European and Balkan country. I did it in four years from the time that I fell in love with… Continue reading Kalev-Maiasmokk Café | The Oldest Cafe in Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn, Estonia- According to their coasters and signage, Hell Hunt is the first pub in Estonia and established in 1993. I cannot confirm nor deny it and I am assuming that this pub opened its doors a couple years after the communist regime ended in 1991. There is no better way to declare independence from… Continue reading Hell Hunt | Estonia’s First Pub
