Category: Global Dining
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Café Belvedere | Cream Cake + Views of Lake Bled, Slovenia
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…
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The Grand Cafe | Luxurious Dining in Minsk, Belarus
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 favorite grand cafes was Gundel Restaurant in the heart of Budapest, Hungary. Grand Café is…
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The Bubble Room Restaurant | Captiva Island, Florida
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…
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Lunch Break at Harry Potter’s “Birthplace” | The Elephant House in Edinburgh, Scotland
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…
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Farewell to the long running 21 Club | Manhattan, New York
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,…
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Historische Wurstküche zu Regensburg | The World’s Oldest Sausage House
Regensburg, Germany – I am a full fledged jet setting gastronome, and will travel for food. I must confess that I decided to take a day trip to Regensburg just to eat at one of the world’s oldest restaurants, the Historic Sausage Kitchen. I was not expecting this old world Bavarian town to be as…
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Zur Letzten Instanz | Berlin’s Oldest Restaurant
Over the last couple of 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.…
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Zlata Ribica | A classic restaurant in Ljubljana, Slovenia
As a traveling gastronome, one of my goals is to taste as 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 the oldest eateries in…
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London’s Portobello Road Market | Beyond Bedknobs and Broomsticks
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…
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MOVIA Wine Bar and the Orange Wines of Ljubljana, Slovenia
The charming little country of Slovenia sits quietly 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…
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A Swanky Champagne Sunday Brunch Buffet | Biblioteka No 1 in Riga, Latvia
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…
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Laima Candy | Latvia’s #1 Sweets Since 1870
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…
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Lunching at RULES | London’s Oldest Restaurant
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…
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CONTE Restaurant | Perfection in Perast, Montenegro
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…
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Osetra Seafood & Steaks | San Diego, California
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 gastronomic facets of wine, craft cocktails, exceptional seafood, and steakhouse quality beef. Additionally, Osetra has the only wine tower and…
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Kalev-Maiasmokk Café | The Oldest Cafe in Tallinn, Estonia
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…
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Hell Hunt | Estonia’s First Pub
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…
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The Swanky STK Steakhouse | Las Vegas, Nevada
STK inside the Cosmopolitan is a swanky on The Strip steakhouse, with a club like vibe to it. One would think that the draw into STK would be that party feel with a live DJ in the house, but the food and cocktails are just as big of a draw. We had come in for…
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A Perfect Lunch at Kolonade Wine Restaurant | Riga, Latvia
I had the most perfect chicken meatballs while lunching at Kolonade Restaurant in Riga, Latvia and it was totally unexpected. I was in the capital of Latvia, and on my way to the city park when I spotted a darling one-story columned house across the LAIMA clock. I thought the building looked interesting, and realized that…
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Just Can’t Get Enough – Depeche Mode Baar | Tallinn, Estonia
Being a New Waver turned Goth Girl back in the 80s and 90s, running into the Depeche Mode Baar in Old Town Tallinn was a double take moment. DM was a huge part of my youth as well into my adulthood. I have seen these Brits in concert more than any band in my repertoire,…
Trixie Navarre 