For many visiting Los Angeles, figuring out which neighborhood to stay in can be overwhelming. You may want to find a hotel near a beach, or by a hip and cool area close to trendy restaurants, or maybe near concert venues, museums, or other cultural offerings. So, if you want a city that’s accessible and has all of those attributes along with a freeway to get to other neighborhoods conveniently–– then Culver City is the city for you.  

Whether you’re in Culver City for a weekend or a more extended stay, you’ll find plenty to explore in this City filled with boutique hotels, delicious food, shopping, and a major movie studio. This diverse city is conveniently located near other cities like Marina Del Rey and Venice Beach, or if you’re in town for a sporting event or concert, Sofi Stadium in Inglewood is just a few off-ramps away.

Where to Stay in Culver City

The Shay is a boutique hotel that opened in late 2021, and if food and beverage and great hospitality are a priority when you travel, then The Shay is a top-notch option in the area. Culver City is a big entertainment town with HBO Max, Apple, Amazon, and Sony Studios residing there, so the hotel buzzes with entertainment industry folks checking into the sleek, modern, yet unpretentious lobby. Beyond its cozy 148 rooms and 19 suites with expansive views lies Culver’s Arts District, within walking distance to Platform, an outdoor shopping center across the street. Filled with great shopping and restaurants like Margot and New York’s Roberta’s Pizza, you’ll find plenty to check out, like seasonal pop-up shops.

The Shay Hotel sits on a development called Ivy Station. Here, you can catch the metro to Downtown Los Angeles in 27 minutes, skipping all the traffic, and it only costs $2. Or you can go the opposite way, and it’ll take you to the heart of Downtown Santa Monica near Third Street Promenade–– a few blocks away from the Santa Monica Pier.

Where To Eat In Culver City

With iconic movies like Gone With The Wind and Wizard of Oz and TV shows like Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune filmed at Sony Studios, a studio tour is a must. The lot takes up a whopping 44 acres, and surrounding the gigantic area are coffee shops and eateries that are within walking distance. For newer and trendier local favorites, go to Go Get ‘Em Tiger for coffee or a quick lunch. Next to it is Homestate, a casual Tex-Mex taco joint with some of the best homemade flour tortillas in Los Angeles.

But for more at The Shay, you’ll find guests and locals heading to the Canopy Club, the only rooftop restaurant with a pool in Culver City. Sip on a banana mai tai at this Old Hollywood meets Palm Springs decorated poolside spot. Take the elevator up during the sunset for some beautiful photographic moments. For light bites, get the Hamachi Crudo and rosemary french fries, or if you’re starving, order the delicious and filling CC Burger, a classic smash burger with onions and American cheese.

Although local favorite Etta, on the lobby floor of The Shay, shuttered at the end of 2023, a new Italian restaurant will be taking its place, incorporating a menu featuring wood-fired pizzas and classic pasta dishes. For the ultimate, The Shay hotel experience, watch the sunset at Canopy Club with a drink in hand, enjoy a few starters, and then proceed downstairs to the new Italian spot below for dinner once it opens its doors.  Afterward, leisurely walk back to your room after a night well spent, all in one hotel.

Another historic landmark is The Culver Hotel, opened in 1924 by Culver City founder and philanthropist Harry Culver. If you’re coming from Sony Studios, transport yourself to a different era by exploring the speakeasy The Velvet Lounge for a craft cocktail. This part of Culver City grew tremendously over the last few years with Los Angeles staples like Salt & Straw for wacky ice cream flavors or a popular salad and sandwich fast-casual eatery called Mendocino Farms. If you’re a Neapolitan pizza lover, you’ll have to check out Ugo, an Italian institution that has resided at this location for 18 years and boasts Neapolitan pizza exactly like it’s made in Naples with a prestigious seal from The Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana. If you want the utmost lavish LA experience, you’ll want to cross the street and walk into Erewhon, an upscale grocery store with a cult-like following, where no one seems to care about spending $18 on a Hailey Bieber Strawberry Glaze Skin Smoothie.

Lastly, if you’re looking for an elevated dinner experience, the chic Juliet is a French restaurant with a Michelin nod. The ambiance is warm, and the decor is stunning. The menu consists of starters like chicken liver tartlet, sea bream tartare, and beautiful dishes like seared scallops with Meyer lemon butter or duck confit “cigars.” Save room for a dessert favorite–– the brown butter madeleines with salted honey chantilly.

The post A Culinary Guide: Where to Stay & Eat In Culver City appeared first on Honest Cooking.

São Paulo is a culinary mecca where most street corners offer a destination of delicious smells and tastes. Like New York and Mexico City, there’s a plethora of places to stay and hundreds of restaurants to eat and imbibe in this gargantuan city.  The following is a list highlighting a few neighborhoods and what to do in their surrounding areas.

While traveling to Brazil, many end up with short layovers in São Paulo when, in reality, the bustling and vibrant city should be the main attraction for food-loving travelers.  São Paulo is the largest city in the Americas, and although plagued with traffic, it also has some of the country’s best restaurants, museums, and culture. So ignore the traffic and find an incredible tour guide company like Go Aura (ask for Aurelio) to help determine which neighborhoods offer the best places to stay, eat, drink, explore, and shop. Indeed, a must is the São Paulo Museum of Art, which boasts Brazilian artists like Tarsila do Almaral and classic artists like Renoir and Monet.  And when you’ve had your fill of great art, pick an exciting neighborhood like Jardins to go shopping (Brazilians love shopping malls) and hit up many of the eateries along the way and immerse yourself like a true Paulista at one of the best culinary epicenters of the country.  

WHERE TO STAY

Renaissance São Paulo

The Renaissance Hotel chain previously catered to business travelers, but its cadence has changed to a cooler and hipper brand.  Its high ceilings and sleek design exude warmth like the Brazilian people who work there. Check in and receive a glass of bubbly on the house, and if you’re lucky, live music will be playing in the lobby, which connects to a beautiful bar and sushi lounge. Ask for a room on one of the top floors to get a true panoramic view of the city through your oversized windows. You’ll find a top-of-the-line fitness center open 24 hours a day, or get a massage at the spa, where you can head to the sauna, an expansive pool, and a jacuzzi. They offer plenty of standout food options here, but I’ll dive into those later.

Renaissance São Paulo is in a prime location in the Jardins neighborhood. It’s located near the main Avenida Paulista, where you’re about a 12-minute walk to the Museum of Art of São Paulo. This museum is internationally acclaimed and contains art from around the world, including modern art from famous Brazilian painters to well-known European artists like Picasso, Monet, and Renoir. Afterward, head outside and walk to one of the many small parks nestled along the city to take a break from burgeoning city life and get lost in a micro jungle with birds squawking in the distance. The parks in São Paulo are a wild contrast to the buzzing metropolis surrounding them. Ibirapuera Park, less than 2 miles from the hotel, must not be missed.

JW Marriott São Paulo

For a chic and modern hotel that opened last year in a quieter part of town, you’ll definitely want to check out JW Marriott São Paulo. This hotel emanates luxury. The black and white marble throughout the lobby frames the fresh flowers placed strategically to complement the Brazilian art that abounds throughout the property.  Walk by the breathtaking red and gold spiral staircase while you pass the eye-catching Bar Caju before taking the elevator to your room. With 258 rooms, there’s something for everyone. Whether you stay in a deluxe guest room, the extraordinary presidential suite, or one of the apartment suites, the famous Estaiada Bridge and skyline views are fantastic. The rooms are bright and contemporary, with wood accents everywhere.  The apartment suites feature a spacious standalone bathtub, perfect for relaxing after a busy day. Or, if you prefer, find your way to the spa on the bottom floor and take advantage of all the amenities, including facials, massages, or simply the tranquility of the heated indoor and outdoor pool.  Each choice is a wonderful way to end a travel day.

WHERE TO EAT

Terraço Jardins

Whether you’re staying at the Renaissance São Pauloor or not, Terraço Jardins is a stunning restaurant that guests and locals reserve for its garden-like ambiance with plants at every corner. Chef Raul Vieira helms the restaurant with a menu highlighting elevated and beautifully presented Brazilian food consisting of fresh ingredients from local purveyors. Start with fresh tuna with avocado, and then enjoy the crispy bolinho de arroz, which reminded me of arancini, the Italian rice ball. There are many meat options everywhere, but if you’re feeling pescatarian, try the fish of the day with grilled shrimp in a moqueca sauce reminiscent of a Thai yellow curry with coconut milk. Pace yourselves because dessert is a must here. Order the brigadeiro tart, less dense than a chocolate fudge cake. You’ll find brigadeiro at every pastry shop in Brazil. It is the quintessential dessert at all birthday parties, whether you’re turning one or eighty-one. Another popular Brazilian dessert is arroz doce— rice pudding. And it’s not your classic rice pudding. At Terraço Jardins, it’s coconutty and torched like creme brûlée with condensed milk, making everything creamier and more decadent. Terraço Jardins is also open for breakfast, and you’ll find an incredible breakfast buffet with omelets made to order.

Vista Restaurante

For another memorable meal, Vista Ibirapuera by Pedro Oliveira boasts a Michelin nod. Located on the Museum of Contemporary Art’s roof, it offers expansive views of Ibirapuera Park and the rest of the city. If you’re a cocktail lover, the cocktails are some of the best in town. Ready to elevate your beverage game away from caipirinhas? Vista is the place. Using the fruit juice from the caju (the fruit that produces the cashew nut), the Caju Amigo combines cashew fruit jam with vodka for a refreshing twist on the classic cocktail. For a drink reminiscent of a piña colada but better, try the Triple Coco with cachaça, coconut milk, condensed milk, dehydrated coconut, and coconut foam. In terms of food, the popular choice is Carne-De-Sol, salt-cured steak usually from the Northeast of Brazil, which is like dry-aged beef but saltier yet texturally smooth, served with an addicting piece of the fluffiest cassava bread. Try the gnocchi with taleggio cheese and truffle butter if you want something decadent. With so many options, it’s tough to choose, but luckily, you can work it off by walking the sweeping Ibirapuera Park afterward.

Restaurante Neto

What’s better than an international collaboration with Italian and Brazilian flavors combined? There’s no need to answer because you’ll know once you eat at Restaurante Neto at JW Marriott.  Inspired by the Italian immigrants who immigrated to Brazil, the menu is an ode to the marriage of nationalities by serving Italian dishes with local Brazilian products. Do not miss out on the homemade bread with the most luscious butter, smoked salt, and garlic confit. The star of the show is the cured cheese raviolini swimming in a delectable broth with black truffle. You can’t go wrong with either beef or tuna carpaccio, but I’d commit to beef to keep it traditional with the Italian theme. Whether you choose gnocchi, orecchiette, or my favorite, the braised tender lamb shoulder with handmade tonarelli, a square-shaped spaghetti, you’ll be perfectly content. Sip it down with a photogenic Spritz flight for a complete meal.

Bar Caju

When you walk inside JW Marriott, it’s no surprise that the property radiates a high-quality hospitality experience. Once checked in, you’ll gravitate toward the glistening bar, Bar Caju. The menu is unique, with unforgettable craft cocktails by bartender extraordinaire Gustavo Rômulo. Their signature drink is Meu Caju, which features Brazilian gin, cachaça, cashew soda, falernum, and citrus. It reminded me of a clarified milk punch but packed a fruity yet balanced profile. One I would love to attempt at home is the Tomate. It’s Bar Caju’s take on a savory martini. It contains vodka, dry vermouth, tomato water, spices, basil, and olive oil. This martini tastes like a caprese salad and is a delightful way to cleanse your palate before the meal.

An excellent culinary neighborhood is Pinheiros. If you miss your hipster coffee shop back home, Futuro Refeitório is for you. It’s more than just a coffee shop; it’s a full-blown eatery where floppy disks can hold your place in line with a QR code attached to it. You can sit at the counter for a coffee and a pastry, or there’s a full bar where you can order breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Go in the morning to get a sense of the place and start with Brazilian coffee and a mouth-watering pastry like a salted caramel donut covered in sugar. Like New York, this neighborhood has hip and inviting restaurants at every corner. If you’re looking for a snack, Try Real Padaría for one of the most popular coxinhas in this neighborhood. The bakery specializes in homemade bread, but the famous Brazilian croquette is one of the best here because it’s not extremely heavy or greasy. The potato filling with the shredded chicken inside is delicious, and if you’re a cheese fan, order one with catupiry, similar to crème fraîche or a lighter cream cheese.

Another great area to check out is Beco Do Batman in the Vila Madalena neighborhood. It’s called Beco Do Batman because the DC character, Batman, was graffitied back in the 80s. Now, Brazilian art students and famous street artists display graffiti art in every crevice of the neighborhood. It’s the perfect place to take pictures, and it’s also a great place to shop. Discover artisanal jewelry, home goods, and gifts to take home. If you’re looking for a pick-me-up and need coffee, check out Coffee Lab, a 12-minute walk from Beco Do Batman. Here, the coffee shop looks like a house, and you order inside a quaint kitchen like you’d find at grandma’s house. This place is also home to a coffee school by coffee expert Isabela Raposeiras. The coffee is some of the best in São Paulo, all sourced in-house.

Quintal deBetti

If you’re staying at JW Marriott and looking for a restaurant that locals love nearby, be prepared to be wowed by Quintal deBetti. With a couple of locations, choose the one that’s attached to a butcher shop. They specialize in dry-aged meat, but you can uncover anything your carnivorous appetite desires. The unassuming restaurant has a dramatic walkway filled with plants as if you were walking into a massive greenhouse. You’ll come across this gorgeous outdoor eatery with twinkling lights, picnic tables, and churrasco grilled on spits. Quintal deBetti is perfect for big groups, so the place is constantly filled with families and friends enjoying a meal together.

 An ice-cold Brazilian beer is the move here, but cocktails are also available. If you’re curious, try a sparkling wine from Brazil for a crisp and light wine option. For food, start with their popular garlic bread and pair that with cheese served similar to Mexican queso fundido but bite-sized called queijo coalho. For beef, you can’t go wrong with any option with all types of cuts available. I ordered a ribeye because who can say no to a decadent marbled steak? Try the arroz biro biro, comparable to fried rice, with scrambled egg, bacon, and crispy potato sticks on top to accompany it. If you have room, the burger is out of this world and is drenched in cheddar cheese reminiscent of nacho cheese or like an elevated Arby’s Beef N’ Cheddar but with a dry-aged patty. Quintal deBetti is a must if you’re in São Paulo, and if you can make it early on Sunday, that’s the best choice for landing a table.

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Suppose you’re a visitor with limited time in New York and enjoy great food, live music, spectacular New York views, and dancing until the wee hours of the morning. In that case, you have two newer Moxy Hotel options to consider. Decide if you want to stay at the Moxy Lower East Side or Moxy Williamsburg in Brooklyn; the two properties are dissimilar but emanate the same youthful and vibrant Moxy atmosphere. At the Moxy LES, you’ll discover a moody piano lounge, a modern Japanese restaurant, a stunning rooftop bar with expansive city views, and an underground nightclub under one roof.

The property feels brighter and more contemporary at Moxy Williamsburg, with locals wining and dining alongside you. At this hotel, there’s plenty to explore. Look forward to eating at the beautiful Israeli restaurant from the Levant region, and you’ll also come across a rooftop bar for incredible views of Williamsburg Bridge and the Manhattan skyline while sipping on a Southeast Asian tropical cocktail. Before calling it quits and going to your room, head downstairs to an exciting nightclub founded by an award-winning team behind some of New York’s best clubs.

Whether time is short or not, either Moxy Hotel property you choose will be an energetic, vibrant New York adventure with everything you need right at your doorstep.

Moxy Hotel LES

Moxy Lower East Side opened in October 2022 in a neighborhood filled with culture and entertainment. You barely need to leave the property with its five drinking and dining establishments. The Moxy LES channels a modern funhouse vibe with plenty of entertaining and culinary surprises tucked inside. As for the rooms, they are bright and playful, inspired by the circus and old-time menageries that once lined the Bowery. The space-optimized rooms are practical, with king beds, strong rain showers, and superb city views.

Tao Group Hospitality’s Japanese restaurant, Sake No Hana, is nestled in the hotel’s basement. The space is dramatic as you walk down the spiral staircase; each step brings you closer to Japan with its unique tapestries that look like kimonos. The extensive beverage menu is whimsical, with Instagrammable drinks and a unique variety of sake presented by a sake sommelier who guides you through a fantastic Sake adventure.  Start with a fun cocktail like the Harajuku Icon served in a large golden goblet and tastes like a Japanese piña colada but with vodka, Japanese liquors (iichiko shochu, soka), coconut milk, and galangal, which tastes citrusy and limey.

As for the meal, various dishes consist of grilled teppanyaki, yakitori skewers, Wagyu beef, and creative sushi rolls. With many fascinating options, standout dishes included spicy tuna tartare with Kaluga caviar and rice crisp. Or try the crispy soft-shell crab served with a smokey daikon sauce, excellent for dipping. As for sushi, there is no wrong choice. Whether you choose nigiri or sashimi, the variety of fish options tasted so fresh and melted in your mouth. For something unique, order a temaki or two for an untraditional “hand roll” option that looks like a sushi taco. The unexpected crunch is nice, but I’d stick to the traditional sushi rolls. For the second act, featuring noodles, rice, and entrees, the Short Rib Yakimeshi stole the show. It’s a Japanese version of fried rice, and this one has bone marrow, which is served table-side; mix it all together with the rice and short rib for a decadent bite. And for matcha lovers, dessert is a must.  Sake no Hana has a delightfully decadent Matcha Tiramisu with fresh strawberries. A complete taste of the moist matcha cake, luxurious matcha cream, and strawberry with a sip of sweet strawberry sake will have you returning to this cool, swanky restaurant week after week.

Speaking of cool places, the Moxy LES adventure continues. Meander to the rooftop and walk into the Highlight Room during sunset hours before your dinner at Sake No Hana. You’ll be sixteen stories above the ground, with breathtaking show-stopping views. Order an aperitivo at the bar and take in those sweeping New York City views that never get old.

After dinner, stroll back up to the lobby and walk around the corner outside to the intimate piano lounge, Silver Lining, which has its entrance on Broome Street. Watch the piano player perform, or maybe there’s a live band, but either way, sip on a martini in the dark and sexy space and enjoy the performance. Silver Lining exudes a sophisticated vibe and is a foolproof date spot for hanging out with friends. And if you want to keep the night going, check out the alley behind the hotel, and you’ll find the lively nightclub, Loosie’s. Doors open at 11 p.m. until 4 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. Get ready to have fun, drink, and dance the night away.

Moxy Williamsburg

If Brooklyn is more your speed, consider staying at The Moxy Williamsburg, which debuted earlier in March. In contrast to Moxy LES, this Moxy hotel has more of a contemporary and free-spirited ambiance. In the heart of town, the hotel possesses twenty-foot high ceilings and the wonderful natural light is welcoming and shines on Bar Bedford, the lobby bar, and an all-day café. It’s an optimal space to co-work with a cup of coffee or to bring a corporate group here for drinks after work. As for the rooms, the design emphasizes the room’s functionality, like a desk that folds down from the wall to provide a workspace if needed. The huge windows in the room accent more of the New York skyline. The layout is similar to Moxy LES, both warm and welcoming with its burst of color, exciting artwork, and peg boards instead of closets to hang clothes, which gives it a functional but relaxed Moxy feel.

Look forward to a great meal at Mesiba at the Moxy Williamsburg. The restaurant pays homage to the flavorful cuisine and celebratory “breaking bread” culture of the Levant (Eastern Mediterranean) region. The rounded bar made of coral-colored marble is a showstopper, and the warm wood accents intertwined throughout the restaurant with the addition of Hollywood-style booths and an open floor plan make it a striking space.

Mesiba means “party” in Hebrew and is the ideal place to throw one. Mesiba is the place to bring friends and family to enjoy a celebratory meal. Chef Eli Buli serves traditional dishes with a contemporary twist, paying homage to Tel Aviv’s high-spirited energy.

To start, choose one of the unique cocktails like the Mish Mish with Patron Blanco, ojo de tigre, Grand Marnier, kefir, lime, and fennel pollen salt for a tart palette cleanser. Next, order the Frena Bread, the fluffiest flatbread that is puffed up like a balloon when it hits the table; a bite with Middle Eastern herbs dipped in a delicious sour cream and spicy shatta, which is like a spicy hot sauce of jalapeño is the ultimate precursor to the meal. Your biggest challenge will be not to devour everything in 2 minutes. Then, go for a lighter dish like the Fluke Crudo swimming in a red cardamom and carrot consommé broth, bringing a peppery flavor to the fish and a fabulous dipping sauce for the Frena bread.

Since Chef Eli showcases Eastern Mediterranean food, seafood felt like the right choice, and it absolutely was. You cannot leave this restaurant without ordering the crispy whole fish, and it’s a shareable size that can easily be shared with two people. Enjoy the fried fish with sauces like carrot zhoug, a spicy cilantro dip, and tabila sauce, which tastes bright and citrusy. For the perfect bite, make a lettuce cup taco with the fish, herbs, and spices;  it was one of my favorite dishes. If you have room, another standout dish consists of the head-on prawns risotto. The food runner grated a traditional yogurt stone on top for an unexpected tang that balanced the creamy risotto well. Most of the menu played with herbs, sauces, and dishes I’d never tried before, making it an extremely memorable meal. For those with a sweet tooth, order Mesiba’s version of an espresso martini with labneh foam for a great twist on the classic while you decide on dessert. If you don’t like your dessert too sweet, Knafeh is a Middle Eastern dessert with filo dough crust, cheese, and rose water flavored simple syrup and then topped with pistachios.

Don’t stop there. Before calling it quits and returning to your room, take an elevator to the rooftop bar called Lillistar for a nightcap and some of the best views of Williamsburg Bridge and Manhattan. You’re transported to Southeast Asia and can enjoy various tropical drinks.  If you get a second wind, the Jolene Sound Room is an intimate space inspired by mid-century recording studios; enter through a separate entrance on Bedford Avenue and finish the night dancing to local and global DJs.

The post NYC: Two Hotels, Two Vibes, Lots of Moxy appeared first on Honest Cooking.

Monaco’s Monte-Carlo exudes an air of refined elegance that is nothing short of extraordinary. The city’s rich history, interlaced with its sun-kissed shores hugging the Mediterranean Sea, casts a romantic glow over its cobblestone streets, inviting visitors to a world of luxury and beauty. And adding to Monte-Carlo’s magnetic draw, you’ll find Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo, an opulent hotel established in 1886. The Belle Époque-style property has attracted the international elite for 136 years. And now, there’s another reason to visit this glamorous hotel: to experience Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo’s fine-dining restaurant, Les Ambassadeurs.

To arrive in Monte-Carlo in style, take a seven-minute Blade helicopter ride from the Nice airport and take in the cityscape of stunning homes on hills, high-rise views, and yachts resting in the harbor, all nestled along the French Riviera. Book Hotel Metropole’s Monte-Carlo, right in the middle of town, steps away from the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo. Since the city is the second-smallest sovereign city in the world, second to Vatican City, exploring Monte-Carlo won’t be hard. Food lovers are in luck; the hotel offers various restaurant concepts like Yoshi (the only Michelin-starred Japanese restaurant on the Côte d’Azur) or walks over to the Lobby Bar or the Odyssey, where you’ll find top-notch Mediterranean fare.

As an ode to the first Les Ambassadeur restaurant that existed in the 1920s at the hotel, the reimagined fine-dining concept reflects French gastronomy with Mediterranean-inspired dishes. Michelin-starred Executive Chef Christophe Cussac is at the forefront of Les Ambassadeurs. Over time,” he says, “I have learned to simplify, to go straight to the products without complicating them. My goal is that when someone tastes my cooking, they immediately understand and remember it. That’s my ideal. Keep it simple, but above all, keep it good”. And then you will understand because the restaurant uses the self-proclaimed “Cussac Style” approach of “three flavors per dish,” respecting the overall balance and ingredients of each plate.

To enter Les Ambassadeurs, pass the valet with lines of high-end cars, looking like an outdoor luxury showroom, and walk through the gorgeous Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo lobby. As you enter Les Ambassadeurs, take in the radiant bronze, luminous yellow, ivory, and gold-hued tones of the dining room, reflective of the glamor and sophistication of the Monegasque culture. Sound advice is to reserve the chef’s round table for views of Chef Cussac cooking with his team. Once seated, prepare for a world-class culinary experience, starting with the ambiance; a candlelit table with a fresh bouquet of flowers and decorative blown glass plates all in orange hues.

Find unique wine bottles with various vintage collections starting with the wine list. Cleanse your palate with champagne and prepare for wine pairings from near and far, like an oaky 2009 Saint-Joseph La Dame Brune from Domaine Georges Vernay. For bread lovers, the bread trolley that arrives before your meal is an exciting way to start. Choose between many options and watch the bread server carve a generous spoonful of butter onto your plate from a mountainous butter plate.

Chef Cussac’s menu reflects his straightforward approach.  One standout dish includes The Sea Bream tartare stuffed in an Imperial caviar cannelloni. This dish exudes decadence with its generous heaping of caviar alongside gold flakes as the outer shell of the cannelloni. The Royal Langoustine is melt-in-your-mouth good, served with a crispy green bean tempura in a citrusy, buttery Maltaise sauce. However, a must-order is The Blue Lobster, a loose interpretation of lasagna with paper-thin fresh lasagna pasta constructed like a teepee bathing in a beautiful lobster sauce. Then, choose Milk-Fed Lamb cutlets for the most tender lamb or a French favorite,  Baby Pigeon served with a light parmesan emulsion.

The perfect portion sizes and the simplicity of each dish made it easy to leave room for the other culinary showpiece, the dessert trolley—which Indulges in multiple options from cakes and tarts ranging from fruit to chocolate to cinnamon decadence. The best move here is to get a sampler plate and try a bite of everything, or if you’re too overwhelmed by all the choices, go for an incredibly straightforward one; try the puff pastry with light vanilla cream and wild strawberries to end the beautiful experience with a memorable last bite.

Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac

Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo

4 Av. de la Madone, 98000 Monaco

Website

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Madeira is nestled along the North Atlantic Ocean and is the largest island in an archipelago off the African coast. It glistens like a radiant emerald jewel bewitching anyone on its enchanting shores, majestic cliffs, and cascading waterfalls. Top all that off with its free-flowing, decades-old Madeira wine and the local culinary delights from both land and sea.

Although a quick trip for many Europeans, it’s also gotten easier to get to Madeira from the States. Azores Airlines rolled out a seven-hour direct flight from New York’s JFK last year. The number of flights a week is limited, so ensure enough vacation time to make it worth it. Once you fly into the capital city of Funchal, the island welcomes you with open arms and offers visitors a culinary adventure of a lifetime.

But before you take the gastronomic voyage throughout the island, there are a few activities you should be aware of. Make sure to find a place that makes poncha; you can enjoy the strong beverage with various flavors, like passion fruit and tangerine, or go the purist way and order it traditionally with just the agricultural rum, lemon juice, and sugar. Bartenders muddle the drink with a wooden contraption, and after knocking back a few, let’s just say your Portuguese miraculously starts flowing better. Another activity you must make time for is riding a wooden sled called toboggan down a mountain, which began in the 19th century as public transportation. Go up the hill in a cable car. Then, men called carreiros in straw hats, and white uniforms will take you down in a wicker basket, using their thick-soled shoes as the only brakes. While you swivel left and right, hoping you get to the bottom, it’s definitely a quick and exhilarating ride as cars stop to let you pass.

Chef Octavio Freites of Madeira said it best:

“To talk about Madeira is to talk about the sea surrounding her. It greatly influences the weather, the flavors of the products, the land, the cuisine, and the character of the people.”

Here is a culinary list of where to stay and where to eat on the island of Madeira.

Hotel Quinta Jardins do Lago

For a charming and luxurious stay, consider Hotel Quinta Jardins do Lago. Close to the center of town, this Botanical Garden Quinta boasts over 500 different plant species and flowers surrounding the 18th-century property. All rooms have views of the luscious gardens; if you have a big group, the hotel offers a four-bedroom villa with surrounding views of the island. The buffet breakfast includes delicious local fruits and vegetables; if you’re feeling ready for a mimosa, that’s also available. After a day of relaxing at the pool, head to aperitivo hour with live music in the lobby.

You can call the concierge for help making a reservation at The Beresford Restaurant inside the hotel. You’ll feel like you’ve transported yourself back to the 18th century. This elegant restaurant features Madeiran food like Cuttlefish Ink Pasta, Foie Gras, and Madeira Wine Jelly as an amuse-bouche. The elevated three-course meal consisted of Scallops with Caviar foam Leek and a Venison Wellington with Celery Puree and Truffle. And for dessert, a dark chocolate, coffee, and passion fruit mousse paired nicely with Blandy’s Verdelho Madeira wine.

The Vine Hotel

If you love to stay in the hustle and bustle of the city, then The Vine Hotel is the place for you. It’s in the heart of town and stumbling distance if you decide to imbibe in a few ponchas. The hotel is attached to a mall, so if you like shopping, it’s in the perfect location. The chic modern design comes from local interior designer Nini Andrade Silva. Look forward to a buffet breakfast in the morning, so you can load up on coffee, local fruits, and handmade pastries before hitting the town.

As you explore Funchal, there are a few local food spots to look out for, like the open-air market, where vendors sell fruits, vegetables, flowers, and local seafood. Next, find Casa do Bolo do Caco and try Madeiran bread, similar to garlic bread but made with sweet potatoes. You’ll want to order it in sandwich form with chorizo for the ultimate snack. Afterward, head back to The Vine Hotel to relax on the rooftop pool and enjoy the island air.

Socalco Nature Hotel

In contrast to The Vine Hotel, Socalco Nature Hotel is on the other side of the island and has a subtler feel. Away from the central city of Funchal, Socalco Nature Hotel is perfect for those who want a quieter stay away from the nightlife. Situated on a cliff, the warm wood tones calm the incredible Atlantic Ocean views making this hotel a perfect oasis. Book a massage or head downhill to the beach, a 15-minute stroll, where you can order more limpets as you relax and take in the views. However, heading back up the steep hill may not be for the faint of heart, and taxis are available. Chef Octavio Freites (Desarma Restaurant) helms the kitchen at Socalco Hotel, so you’re in for a real gastronomical treat. There’s nothing like waking up from a good night’s sleep in a minimalistic room and heading to breakfast with gorgeous ocean views as far as the eye can see.

To balance out all the culinary experiences, order a car and check out an incredibly scenic levada hike near Socalco Nature Hotel. With waterfalls, spectacular views, the UNESCO Laurisilva Forest, and over 1,500 miles of irrigation channels around the island, walking alongside a water channel brings you to lush jungles at high elevations. You’ll walk through a pitch-dark tunnel, where you’ll need to use your phone or a flashlight, and when you’re through, you’ll hit dense jungle surroundings with new vegetation and the cleanest air. Walking through mountain tops in clusters of clouds brings such serenity and peace that I wish we had done a levada hike every day.

Blandy’s Wine Lodge 

You can’t go to Madeira and not immerse yourself in Madeira wine. After all, the Founding Fathers toasted the 1776 Declaration of Independence, signing with Madeira wine. And the best way to understand Madeira is to visit Blandy’s Wine Lodge. In the 16th century, this historic building was a monastery, then later a prison, and now it stores decades-old Madeira wine in dark wood barrels. It also includes a museum, a tasting room, and a restaurant. The Blandy family came to Madeira from England in the early 1800s, and the company has stayed in the family ever since. In the tasting room, you can try different varieties of fortified wine like Malmsey, one of the rich varietals, or Verdelho, a drier Madeira wine. These wines are pretty complex, so comparing them to port– not intentionally exposed to heat like the Madeira wine process– may offend a local or two.

To dive even deeper into the Blandy Madeira world, head to their restaurant, 1811 Bistro & Wine Bar, for a complete meal paired with Madeira wine. A Madeira Wine Tonic is a great way to refresh your palate before tasting more wine. One standout dish here is a homey Fish Stew, which went well with the ten-year Sercial Madeira wine–– the driest of the four classic varieties of the fortified wines. After that, go for the Arroz De Pato (duck confit risotto), a rustic dish that is smoky, fatty, and comforting.  It paired nicely with Blandy’s Verdelho 10-year.

Fajã Dos Padres

Fajã Dos Padres is a must-add to your itinerary. It’s about 20 minutes from town; you can only get to this location by cable car or boat. You’ll arrive at the tip of a cliff and cable your way down a steep incline, praying you’ll actually make it down. Of course, you do, and the trip is worth the sharp descent. After getting off the cable car, look forward to a beautiful organic farm at the bottom of the mountain. You walk through all the bounty Madeira provides bananas, pitanga (fruit that tastes like a sour cherry), mangos, tomatoes, avocado, and much more.

While getting lost while exploring the farm is easy, follow the path leading you to a fantastic casual outdoor beach-front restaurant cooking up some of the best Madeiran food we ate. If you’re into chargrilled oysters or enjoy the consistency of mussels or clams, you’ll have to order limpets, a member of the mollusk family. Here, limpets come on a half-shell coated in garlic butter for a delicious appetizer. It’s perfect to pair with a Portuguese Vinho Verde, a crisp and slightly effervescent white wine. Lastly, consider renting a boat to take you back into town, and if you plan it right, enjoy the sunset as you sail the gorgeous turquoise waters of Madeira on the way back to town.

Tradicional Lunch at Quinta do Barbusano

Do you love wine and want to eat lunch like a local?  If so, head to Quinta do Barbusano on the island’s north side, about 40 minutes from Funchal. Nestled on the mountainside of São Vicente, António Oliveira opened a beautiful winery with basically floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the breathtaking valley below. After a wine tour of the property, head back into the tasting room to try different wine varieties like the high-acid and crisp Verdelho, reminiscent of a Sauvignon Blanc with plenty of minerality because of the island’s temperatures.

After the tasting, you’ll enjoy watching owner António Oliveira make you lunch. Reminiscent of Brazilian churrasco, Oliveira skewers meat onto a laurel bay branch, called espetada, and grills it over the fire. The home-cooked meal includes a simple tomato and cucumber salad and broiled potatoes with the espetada hanging vertically for easy access once you figure out how to pull it off the stick onto your plate. A belly full of Portuguese wine and a simple yet delicious lunch made Quinta Do Barbusano one of my favorite excursions.

Nini Andrade Silva Design Centre

For a panoramic view of the city from Funchal port, check out Nini Andrade Silva Design Centre for dinner, where the restaurant sits on top of a promontory. She is a native Madeiran who also designed The Vine Hotel. Silva takes a modern approach to the space, elegant but not too fussy. Options here include crab and crawfish ravioli, scallop carpaccio, foie gras terrine, or beef tartare, but since it’s a coursed-out menu, the chef changes it depending on what’s in season.

ÁKUA

If you’re a person who craves seafood over red meat, then ÁKUA is the perfect place for you. Chef Júlio Pereira pulls inspiration from the smells and flavors of the ocean that all started at a fishing village when he was young. For a casual time at this cozy restaurant, sit at the counter and check out all the action. You’ll find a variety of seafood, rice, and local fish like grouper carpaccio and fried cod fish tacos, but the most unique dish is the fish sausage board. The casings of fish wrapped into a sausage may not look appealing, but every fish sausage packs a salty seafood punch.

Gazebo

You may have noticed from this list that Madeirans feel deeply proud of their island and the plentiful bounty that it provides. And the bounty continues to flow at another incredible restaurant called Gazebo. Chef Felipe Janeiro cooks you an intimate meal at a Quinta-like villa that he and his wife own. Enjoy an amuse bouche in their garden and then step into a room where you may even get a greeting from their toddler. As you enter the dining room, you’ll find one large table in the center and a beautiful open kitchen a few steps away–– front-row seats to the culinary show as Madeira’s ingredients take center stage.

Our menu highlighted plenty of Madeira fare like moganga (a type of squash) served with tomato and fennel; scabbard, which is found plentiful in those waters, was served with chickpea and miso, and other options also included beef chuck with black garlic and mushroom.  Since this is an exclusive experience, head to their website for reservations. This restaurant is perfect for big groups.

Nata 7

You can’t go to Portugal and skip out on trying pastel de nata. Although it originated in Lisbon, the island makes comparable versions of this light pastry. This tasty custard egg tart is flaky and isn’t too sweet, making it the perfect snack between breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Nata 7 is in the heart of Funchal and had the flakiest crust of all the ones I tried. Pair it with a café pingado (a small macchiato), and it’s a superb combination.

Galáxia Skyfood

Although I sound like a broken record, another stunning view of the island is on the 16th floor of the Savoy Palace at Galáxia Skyfood. Whether you sit inside or outside, the panoramic views are breathtaking. If you’re not looking to splurge, order a craft cocktail at the star-studded bar with bright lights. For a fine-dining meal, Galáxia Skyfood’s food presentation is a work of art, and you’ll find dishes like Wagyu skewers served smoking on your plate in a nest of pine branches. With so many courses to enjoy, save room for dessert. A standout dessert was a play on a Madeira banana that looked like an actual banana with a white chocolate yellow peel alongside an edible Madeira banana sticker, meant to be eaten whole with banana ice cream on the side; it was whimsical and delicious.

Desarma

For an unforgettable dining experience and a fantastic way to end your Madeira trip, make a reservation at one of Madeira’s newest fine-dining restaurants, Desarma, on the rooftop of The Views Bahia. Renowned Madeira Chef Octavio Freites serves two prix-fixe seasonal menus and enjoys “disarming” guests’ senses in outside-the-box ways with his dishes.

We started our first course at the chef’s table with Madeira sparkling wine to cleanse the palette, and we watched the kitchen cook in what felt like a synchronized dance. When the first dish came to the table, it did absolutely disarm us; we were served Crab Ice Cream with Pepper Sauce for a sweet and salty amuse bouche with Briny Seaweed Tuile for added crunch. The taste of the crab with the pepper sauce complemented the seaweed tuile’s brininess beautifully. Following this course, we sat back in the dining room with beautiful ocean views, and the rest of the meal was paired perfectly with Portuguese wine. Each dish was masterful and a gastronomic delight. This restaurant is perfect for special occasions and ranges from €135-185 euros a person.

The post Portugal’s Madeira Island is a Gastronomical Powerhouse appeared first on Honest Cooking.

For those near Southern California craving a change in pace, adventure to San Diego for an exciting music and food opportunity. San Diego’s known for its famous Gaslamp District, beautiful beaches, exciting baseball games right in the heart of downtown, and its delicious culinary scene. If it’s your first time in San Diego and you love city life with restaurants, bars, and the baseball team, San Diego Padres, then the Gaslamp District is for you. With many hotel options, consider the newly renovated Kimpton Alma for dog-friendly rooms, fantastic pool concerts, and a meal at The Desmond with the acclaimed LA chef Jason Neroni at the helm.

After completing a $25 million renovation last year, the sleek and stylish Kimpton Alma emerged from what was once Hotel Palomar. Featuring 211 rooms, look forward to bright rooms with cool blue tones featuring eclectic art, Mexican-inspired decor, oversized bathrooms with standalone tubs for maximum relaxation, and balconies with pool deck views. Depending on your budget, options like two-story penthouses are available. Or if you want to feel like you’re in your own loft apartment, a two-bedroom corner suite overlooking Gaslamp District should do. Kimpton Alma is pet-friendly (all kinds, shapes, and sizes), and if you tell the staff ahead of time, a dog bed, water bowl, and treats await your furry friend in your room. 

Head to the lobby bar after checking in for a refreshing cocktail as you start your San Diego adventure. Kimpton Alma boasts three dining concepts, including the brand new Leave of Absence, and the rooftop pool deck, which opened this year. Order a drink with Kimpton’s custom smoky mezcal and chef Jason Neroni’s wood-fired pizzas— an excellent prelude to Neroni’s new pizza concept, Best Bet, opening in LA later this year.  For breakfast, you’ll want to head down to The Cafe for some of the best coffee in town and homemade out-of-the-oven blueberry muffins. The full breakfast menu will pique your interest if you enjoy fluffy eggs and crispy bacon. And for happy hour lovers, wine tastings at The Cafe are a great start to the evening. 

While staying at the Kimpton Alma, a reservation to The Desmond is a must. Chef Jason Neroni recently introduced a new seasonal menu featuring San Diego’s local, fresh bounty. Neroni loves working with local farms showcasing what’s in season. He states: “Seafood in San Diego is incredible. At The Desmond, I don’t feel we’re pigeonholed to go French, Italian, or American. I’m happy to put Japanese curry, black cumin, or pomegranate molasses here and there, and with such an international clientele, we can do whatever we want.” 

And speaking of doing whatever he wants, his new knockout menu highlights include Bluefin Tuna Tartar with toasted sunflower seeds, and pickled green strawberry reminiscent of freeze-dry strawberry cereal from your childhood, a perfect palette cleanser for the rest of the meal. Now, a burrata dish is on many menus. Still, this high-grade Italian imported burrata is served in a pool of rainbow-colored vinaigrette served with grilled strawberries, which brings out the creaminess of the burrata. Neroni is known for his handmade pasta, so you’d be remiss not to order fresh pasta with yellowfoot mushroom, brown butter parmesan fondue that tastes like earthy, cheesy goodness. Sure, you’ve had crispy squash blossoms; however, squash blossoms filled with Dungeness crab are a must-order on this seasonal menu. Leave room for dessert, like the fluffy meringue with brown butter Meyer lemon curd. 

To maximize the experience, ask your server to pair your courses with a handcrafted cocktail. Recommendations include choosing the Fresca Sonora featuring tequila, aloe, pineapple, lime, and Fresno chile to go with the burrata dish. Or for the rich pasta, ask for Pine Creek, a non-alcoholic yuzu, lavender lemon soda, which also cuts the fattiness of the dish.

Chef Neroni’s menu changes seasonally, so check the website for more information. While on the website, look at Kimpton Alma’s Off The Record concert series for live summer performances by the pool at the new Leave of Absence this year. After checking out The Desmond, if you’re interested in other restaurants Chef Jason Neroni oversees, head to Los Angeles to a Venice neighborhood institution called The Rose or his highly anticipated restaurant Best Bet opening soon.

The post At The Desmond, Chef Jason Neroni Gets Playful with Local Ingredients appeared first on Honest Cooking.

When traveling to Washington DC, many focus on The White House, The Lincoln Memorial, and all the other major landmarks that make up this country’s extensive history. But besides its rich history, the city also oozes rich culinary offerings that will add another fulfilling notch to your belt.  Whether you have a long layover or only a short weekend to explore, consider DC’s NoMa neighborhood. It’s an up-and-coming culinary haven with the addition of a new hotel, a couple of Michelin-starred chefs, and not one but two delicious food halls. 

The Morrow Hotel opened its doors at the end of last year in the energetic neighborhood of NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue). Once you enter the hotel, it emits that new car smell of brand newness, which builds excitement. The lobby’s high-ceilings mixed with the light blue and cream tones of the furniture give it a tranquil effect. Head to the elevators after check-in, and a pleasant surprise awaits you; a vending machine filled with petite Moêt & Chandon champagne bottles. Snag one (or two) and head to your room for a bubbly happy hour. Relax in the minimalistic room with the same calming blue tones as the lobby and prepare for a delicious weekend ahead. 

Le Clou

Situated within The Morrow Hotel is the French restaurant Le Clou featuring the Michelin-starred Chef Nicholas Stefanelli. This  bright brassiere stuns with its sophistication showcasing gold chandeliers, leather banquettes and a wrap-around marble bar. Here, find French classics with a modern approach. Start the meal with unique cocktails like the French martini with créme de framboise and clarified pineapple. While you enjoy your martini, you might as well order a seafood tower with ½ main lobster, ½ dozen oysters, North Carolina shrimp and citrusy, plump scallops. Next, order the escargot, but not prepared the traditional way. It’s served with flakey puff pastry and addicting garlic butter. For mains, enjoy Canard, the duck leg confit with seared foie gra or you can’t go wrong with a classic Steak Frites with béarnaise and more delicious butter.

NoMa’s Union Market is situated in a restored food hall space and it’s stuffed with over 30 food halls. It is a food-lover’s dream, and it’s almost impossible to decide where to eat. So, don’t; Enjoy a progressive meal with different bites from different locations. Whether you start the day with a coffee and creme brûlée doughnut from DC Doughnut or you head over to Buffalo & Bergen for New York-style bagels and hearty knishes (hand-roll dough stuffed with potato, onion, and other fillings), you can’t go wrong. Other stalls include a variety of cuisines like sushi, Korean tacos, dumplings, bakeries, charcuterie, and much much more. It’s in the epicenter of the neighborhood and stumbling distance from The Morrow Hotel. 

La Cosecha

For a unique market experience, head over to LA Cosecha, a Latin American food hall that celebrates Latin American culture. Shop around a variety of stores like Nova Bossa showcasing beautiful specialty goods from Brazil and check out  Arte Tepuy featuring Venezuelan artists’ handmade jewelry, handwoven baskets, and more. And when you start to feel hungry, revel in the mouth-watering food options including Salvadoran pupusas (La Casita Pupuseria), a modern taco spot (Las Gemelas), and Peruvian-style sandwiches, and empanadas (Peruvian Brothers). To quench your thirst, head to a mezcaleria (Mezcalero)  featuring a plethora of mezcals and tequilas, or walk over to Serenata, where two drink connoisseurs will concoct top notch drinks. And if you want an upscale restaurant experience with a Michelin star, El Cielo is the spot. Besides the warm, beautiful decor, Colombian Chef, Juan Mael Cielo serves fine-dining cuisine sprinkled with social activism by hiring displaced war victims to work at his restaurants.

Cotton and Reed

When two NASA strategists became friends and discovered their love for rum, they quit and opened Cotton and Reed, a rum distillery and bar. Cotton and Reed’s white rum won the double gold meal and best of class in San Francisco’s World Spirit Competition of 2022. All of Cotton and Reeds rums are distilled, processed, and bottled in-house at their Distillery in the Union Market district in NoMa. As you enter the moody, dark warehouse, consider starting with a cocktail made with their white rum to prepare your palate for a rum flight afterward. Go with the cocktail Redbeard, with white rum, ginger, Campari, and lemon, to start your rum journey in a bright and delicious way, as you move through the menu.

The post How To Spend A Culinary 24 Hours in Washington DC appeared first on Honest Cooking.

Need help figuring out what to get your adventure-seeking, globe-trotting friend as a gift? Revamp their travel lifestyle by surprising them with some practical new accessories to make their airport trip seamless. Take it a step further, and treat them to a delicious culinary experience they won’t forget. Here’s a list of exciting travel products and food adventures that will take the guesswork out of gift-giving by making their time an exciting time.

Culinary Experiences

One-of-a-Kind Sushi Sho Sunset Experience
Do you know someone who loves traveling to Hawaii? We recommend staying at the luxurious Ritz-Carlton in Waikiki. Sushi Sho, situated inside the resort, should be on any sushi lovers bucket list . Since reservations are almost impossible, you can surprise them with a luxurious, secluded beach picnic experience including Sushi Sho bento boxes and sake pairings with no reservation needed. There’s nothing better than enjoying the warm Hawaiian breeze and beautiful sunset while enjoying an array of revered Chef Nakazawa’s sushi delicacies.

Inspirato
For a deluxe membership, give the gift of Inspirato, a luxury hospitality company that provides subscribers access to more than one million hand-selected vacation options. Whether it’s a Chilean wine country excursion, a Nashville Culture and Cuisine experience, or the Francis Mallman Cooking Summit mid-September this year, there’s something for every food lover in your life. Local transportation, daily hotel breakfast, wine tastings, and all group culinary activities are included. Solo travelers will feel safe and at ease with all of Inspirato’s adventures.

Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows Sazerac and Sushi Experience
For the globe-trotter in your life traveling to Santa Monica, arrange a surprise for them at Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalow. Not exclusive to hotel guests, this incredible Lobby Lounge experience starts with a Sazerac Box, which holds the ingredients to a customized Sazerac cocktail consisting of an absinthe perfume bottle, Peychaud’s bitters, Angostura bitters, rye whiskey, Rémy Martin VSOP Cognac, and a golden spoon. The smokey cocktail looks like something out of a Harry Potter potions class. A few steps away is Soko, a very intimate 8-seater sushi bar, perfect for solo travelers. As a tribute to the origins of sushi, the name ‘Soko’ means ‘storeroom,’ which is a literal interpretation, given that Soko was built out of a simple storeroom tucked away in the hotel’s main-floor lobby. This culinary gift will wow your travel-loving friend or loved one.

Cloth & Flame
Cloth & Flame is an absolute showstopper dinner experience for your adventurous foodie friend. This company is known for beautifully putting together farm-to-table meals at unexpected places, like a Sunset in the Sonoran Desert meal, a magical dinner inside an Oregon forest, or a coursed-out culinary experience on floating docks in Puget Sound. If you’re traveling alone, it may be easier to make friends with the wine flowing chefs preparing  a delicious meal. These events sell out quickly, so check the website for the perfect one.

Impastiamo
If you know someone traveling to Los Angeles, Mexico City, the San Francisco Bay Area, or New York and they love to cook, the women-owned Impastiamo is a great gift. Traveling alone is exciting but it can get lonely at times, so taking a cooking class in a new city could be a cool way to meet others who share a love for food. Some past classes include: a dumpling making class, fresh pasta class, focaccia making class, and a strawberry pie class. Head to the website to buy them a gift card, so they can book their preferred event.

Travel Products

Rollink
Say goodbye to bulky carry-on bags and check out Rollink. The collapsable luggage is lightweight, durable and is 75% thinner than your average suitcase.  It expands into the perfect carry-on and can be easily stored by fitting under beds or in tight spaces. Besides the cool colors it comes in, Rollink often offers free shipping. Rollink is different from any carry-on I’ve ever had and I love the collapsible design.

Cincha
Do you ever have the problem where you’re at the airport and you have your phone in one hand, passport in the other, your small personal bag is loose on top of your carry-on and everything might fall to the ground at any point? If so, the brand Cincha is great because it takes care of that problem. Their travel belt hugs your personal bag to your carry-on, making everything tight and sturdy. The designs are colorful and you can personalize it for that special person. Another option is Cincha’s belt bag which is a popular choice, where you can wear it as a fanny pack or cross-body. It also tightens around your carry-on and is perfect for smaller items like your passport, keys and phone.

MinkeeBlue
MinkeeBlue is perfect for a road trip, or even as a day-to-day bag. It’s a multi-use, zip-up tote that comes with an insulated lunch box that fits inside the bag. If it suits you, take the lunch box out and put after work shoes in there instead. Use it as a diaper bag, or a computer bag, the options are endless. There’s so much room with many compartments that it’s easy to organize. So, whether you’re going on a quick day trip, or heading to the gym after work this bag has it all.

CALPAK
Calpak is a family-owned brand that’s been around since the late 1980s. Besides its modern and functional design, Calpak has a variety of travel items from toiletries to make up bags, luggages to portable charges and much more. Buying a Calpak gift for your favorite frequent flier will be a breeze. The mini backpack from the new Luka collection is small but mighty. Bring it to a hike since it’s water-resistant or use it as a personal item on a flight because it slides onto your carry-on keeping everything sturdy in one place.

Bose Noise Canceling Headphones
Noise-canceling headphones may be a pricier gift but one every traveler could use. Bose headphones are the cream of the crop. When you download the app, turn on aware or quiet mode. The aware function cancels out noise, but the magical quiet mode makes your surroundings peacefully silent. Warning, take them off before talking to someone because you may sound louder than you think.

The post The Foodie Traveler’s Gift Guide  appeared first on Honest Cooking.

If rainy winter months aren’t working for you, hop on a short two-hour flight from Los Angeles to Los Cabos, Mexico, where It’s summer year-round, an excellent antidote for seasonal depression.

Feel the cool ocean breeze, embrace the warm sunlight on your skin, and take in the beautiful Baja peninsula. Instead of the classic hacienda-style resorts, book something bold and modern like The Cape, a Thompson Hotel. From there, enjoy unobstructed views of the Sea of Cortez from every room, an infinity pool with a swim-up bar, a saltwater pool, a rooftop bar with stunning sunsets, and last but not least, look forward to award-winning chef Enrique Olvera’s restaurant, Manta.

Mexico City’s Javier Sánchez, Benedikt Fahlbusch, and Mexican interior designer Marisabel Gómez Vázquez are the creative force behind The Cape. Together, these talents blend a vibrant 1960s Baja-meets-Southern California vibe. Don’t let the dark exterior fool you; the Cape’s mid-century modern aesthetic, combined with its warm, beachside ambiance, encapsulates the pulsating Mexican spirit. 

Once checked in, walk through the lobby while taking in the panoramic view of the ocean kissing the sky and, of course, El Arco; it’s a distinctive piece of granite in the shape of an arch, a Los Cabos landmark. Most rooms have a private terrace and a daybed, perfect for relaxing and enjoying the views. One of the features worth mentioning is the copper-leaf bathtub adjacent to your bed. The Cape wants you to have an ocean view at every moment. For those seeking luxury comforts, consider the signature Surfer Villa, a three-bedroom, two-story luxury suite with a private entrance, an outdoor grill, and a plunge pool, among other lavish amenities. 

The Rooftop

For drinks before dinner, head over to The Rooftop. On the 6th floor, The Rooftop is surrounded by lush greenery, two chic open-air bars, fire pits, and views of the ocean and downtown Los Cabo. You’ll find a stunning circular bar with a beautiful circus-like canopy roof as you walk. Sip on a hot & spicy margarita with tequila, chile ancho, and serrano pepper, and revel at the moment as you watch the colorful orange hues of the sun go down.

Manta 

For those who have not visited Enrique Olvera’s three-star Michelin restaurant Pujol in Mexico City or his restaurant Damien in Downtown Los Angeles, Olvera is a culinary innovator of modern Mexican cuisine. So, making a reservation at Manta at The Cape is a must. The 114-seat restaurant exudes sophistication, starting with its large hand-crafted dark wooden door and dimly lit room with wood, leather, and dark stone textures accentuated with a wine wall. Then consider its five-course tasting menu. Well-thought-out dishes include beetroot with ginger and habanero, chocolate clams in leche de tigre and ginger oil, and chile-crusted ribeye and grilled fish.  But the shockingly good entree was the roasted sweet potato with almond mole. The sweetness from the sweet potato harmonized with the saltiness and bitterness of the almond mole, making it a masterpiece of culinary creativity.  

Currents Spa 

For maximum relaxation, make an appointment at Currents Spa. The dark, charcoal-gray walls of the spa and its minimalistic art help center you as you sip cucumber spa water.  Enjoy the steam room or sauna, or jump in the freezing cold plunge pool if you’re brave. Or look out into the water, breathe in the ocean air, and unwind into a state of peacefulness. Celebrity trainer Modu Seye offers wellness classes in a workout room with panoramic wall-sized windows if you’re looking for more wellness activities like HIIT (high-intensity interval training)  classes. Check the schedule for rooftop cycling, or arrive early for sunrise beach yoga. Or, if you want to be babied, go directly for a relaxing massage.  

Sunken Bar

Sunken Bar is the casual lobby lounge that’s sunken into the lobby floor. It makes you feel like you’re sitting in a close friend’s mid-century modern living room with Mexican rugs, wood accents, and bold furniture. Wake up early and grab a warm cappuccino and flakey pastry, or head over for lunch, where you can look forward to an incredible sushi menu. Order sashimi and smoked nigiri platters of fresh escolar (butterfish), king salmon, and hamachi. Have you dabbled in Mexican wines? Ask for a Valle de Guadalupe Chenin blanc or a sparkling rosé from San Miguel De Allende for a dry and crisp pairing to your melt-in-your-mouth sushi experience. For something more substantial, Sunken bar has an extensive selection of mezcal that won’t disappoint. 

Sunset Sailing

For an unforgettable experience, ask the concierge to book a sunset sailing yacht around the Sea of Cortez. The gracious captain and staff start you with celebratory bubbles. Then you’re off to sail among the turquoise waters passing the famous El Arco at the southern tip of the Baja peninsula. You’ll see sea lions basking in the sun or sleeping in the water there. Make your way to the edge of the yacht, jump in, and snorkel, becoming one with the sea life.  Or,  if you’re like me, you can easily watch all the action from the boat because the water’s as clear as the day ahead.

The Cape, A Thompson Hotel
Website
México 1 Km 5, Misiones del Cabo, 23455 Cabo San Lucas, B.C.S., Mexico

The post The Cape, Los Cabos, Offers the Perfect Winter Escape Plan appeared first on Honest Cooking.

It’s no secret that Monterey County is blessed with beautiful beach cities with breathtaking views of waves crashing against the majestic Big Sur coastal cliffs.  There is almost nowhere in the County that doesn’t serve up a heaping plate of beauty, like the scenic 17 Mile Drive. It wraps around the Monterey Peninsula, where the ocean views paint a perfect backdrop for the beautiful homes and top-of-the-line golf resorts. But there is more to gorge on than scenery, and if you continue to Carmel-By-The-Sea or Monterey— two charming towns with unique restaurants and wineries, you’ll find some of the best food and wine in California.

We have compiled a list that will make your next visit to this gorgeous region as delicious as it is gorgeous.

Stationæry

Off the beaten path, in the charming little town of Carmel-By-The-Sea, you’ll find a hidden gem, Stationæry. This is a killer breakfast spot known to locals. Its quaint ambiance and the bustle of breakfast service is reminiscent of a Los Angeles trendy haunt, but the atmosphere is much more inviting. Start with a specialty coffee, like their aromatic lavender latte, or a spiked San Carlos Spritzer with Prosecco, hibiscus, Meyer lemon, and bitters. The food focuses on seasonal ingredients from local farms. You’ll see plenty of dishes on each table, like the shakshuka with saffron tomatoes, harissa, chickpeas, halloumi cheese, poached eggs, sourdough, or sweeter items like the french toast with sheep’s milk cheese, cinnamon apples, brown butter, maple syrup, `and milk bread. Afterward, go for a walk around town, where you’ll find various boutiques featuring local artists’ work.

PassionFish

Pacific Grove is like a coastal doll’s house — a tiny little town with tiny, charming houses but ample dining opportunities. Rent a bike and take in the sights, and then head for PassionFish, a 25-year-old restaurant offering sustainably sourced wines at reasonable prices. Peruse the menu of delicious dishes like the smoked trout ceviche tostaditas and crispy duck confit with a honey reduction, or try the sea scallops in tomato-truffle butter. And finally, It would dishonor the evening by not trying a dessert like a maple banana bread pudding with bourbon caramel sauce and banana ice cream.

Post Ranch Inn

For a luxurious, unforgettable experience, drive to Post Ranch Inn, nestled in the cliffs of Big Sur. To stay at Post Ranch Inn may be a substantial investment, but its payoff is ultra-comfort, where you can unplug in spacious rooms that look like glamorous adult treehouses. To ensure tranquility, there are no phones, televisions, or alarm clocks in the rooms, providing an opportunity to escape the bustle of everyday life and reconnect with nature. If an overnight stay is too pricey, make a reservation at the resort’s Sierra Mar restaurant, which is 1,200 feet above the Pacific Ocean. The menu changes often, but ingredients come from their on-site Chef’s Garden, confirming that Post Ranch is at the forefront of sustainability as a green resort.  Pair your meal with award-winning wine, and although the menu is rarely the same, cross your fingers and hope for an iteration of the Chef’s Garden Harvest crisp crudité, chickpea hummus, piquillo pepper puree, and other dips that are so fresh, an excellent opener to the rest of your culinary journey.

Cru Winery

South of Monterey Bay in Soledad, you’ll find Cru Winery. It may be an hour’s drive from Carmel, but the beautiful Santa Lucia Mountains and farms make it a picturesque drive. The quiet surroundings of the winery make it an excellent place to kick back and enjoy the bright, oaky Chardonnays with citrus acidity and vibrant, light-bodied Pinot Noirs. The wines are nicely paired with unique cheeses, like the creaminess of a coconut cream cheese amplifying the tropical flavor of the Chardonnay.

Wrath Winery

After you taste at Cru Winery, drive to Wrath Winery, a short distance away. A creepy old house along the road signals you’re a minute away. Fittingly, the wine label features the creepy old house, but the tasting room offers a spacious area where you can take in beautiful views of the Santa Lucia Mountains while you sip. Here, you can taste various wines, like the Winemaker Series, Single Vineyard series, or EX. EX means “out of” in Latin and “speaks to our focus on expressing the personality and characteristics of our Certified Sustainable (SIP) estate vineyard.” If you enjoy a crisp and tropical sauvignon blanc or a rich and unoaked chardonnay, then Wrath’s EX wines are for you.

Scratch Winery

Scratch Winery is owned and operated by Sabrine M. Rodems, who is also the winemaker at Wrath Winery. She decided to enter a little populated world of women-owned wineries because, as she said,” I wanted to do something that combined art and science.” Scratch Winery at the Carmel tasting room is elegant yet comfortable, with bright-colored couches, gold accents, and delicious wines. The winery features wines made with grapes grown in Monterey and offers award-winning wines like the tropical fruit-forward Scratch 2017 San Saba Vineyard Blanc de Blanc Sparkling from Monterey and the Scratch 2017 Kristy’s Vineyard Riesling with its yellow peach and poached pear aromas.

Lucia at Bernardus Lodge & Spa

For another luxurious experience, head to Bernardus Lodge & Spa in Carmel Valley. Receiving a Forbes star in 2021, Bernardus Lodge & Spa is truly a spectacular resort along the California coastline. Whether you’re staying at the hotel or not, make a reservation at Lucia Restaurant and Bar. Executive Chef Christian Ojeda takes the dining experience to the next level with his fresh take on classics and the integration of local influences. Start with the heirloom tomato carpaccio with local strawberries and mozzarella cream. For mains, look forward to king salmon with heirloom bean ragout, or go for a juicy 8 oz filet mignon with salt-cured potatoes, roasted carrots, and garlic broccolini. The vegetables are crisp and fresh and come from Bernardus’s garden around the corner. In addition, Bernardus’ award-winning wines will seal the deal. If you’re unsure of what to order, the sommelier will guide you each step of the way with a Monterey County wine pairing.

Rise + Roam

Rise + Roam should be at the top of your breakfast list. Once you walk in, the bright, airy bakery in Carmel-By-The-Sea is overwhelming with all the mouth-watering options. Do you want a handmade morning bun or a seasonal bear claw? Maybe a huge cinnamon roll slathered in icing the size of your hand? Prefer savory? No problem. Rise + Roam offers homemade, flakey croissants, egg and cheese danishes, and even handmade pizzas in the evenings. If you head there in the morning, you can also look forward to delicious small-batch coffee, the perfect vessel to dunk your buttery croissant inside.

Schooners

There’s nothing better than sitting oceanside at a restaurant enjoying the best seafood Monterey offers. After a long day of exploring, Schooners, located in the Monterey Plaza Hotel, is a beautiful place to sit, have a great meal and watch sea otters swim in the bay. If you arrive for lunch, you’ll need to order the showstopper Supreme Plaza Mary with garnishes like bacon, grilled prawn, blue cheese olives, and a pickle spear. For a little bit of everything, consider the seafood tower, which features raw items like local ceviche, west coast oysters, and black tiger prawns. A must-order is the Monterey Cioppino Pot, where each spoonful is filled with shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, and seasonal fish in a beautiful saffron-Dungeness crab broth.

Woody’s

You’ll need to make time before your flight back for a shockingly good restaurant at no place other than the Monterey airport. Woody’s is owned by well-known Chef Tim Wood, previously of Carmel Valley inn. He decided to take over the old Golden Tee, a Monterey institution. The quaint, unpretentious restaurant’s chalkboard sign states: “soup of the day: whiskey with ice croutons,” and is precisely the kind of place to have a couple of drinks before your flight. Surprisingly, what you may not expect is one of the best ribeyes of your life. It may be because you’ve had a couple of drinks or because of a fine-dining chef who created an exceptional menu. Either way, head to the airport early and check it out yourself.

The post How to Spend The Perfect Culinary Weekend in Monterey County appeared first on Honest Cooking.

Most know Merced as the “Gateway to Yosemite” where many make a quick pit stop before continuing on to the national park. But now, you may want to pause in the little city for more than just a bathroom break. Instead, consider booking a weekend at Merced’s recently renovated art deco hotel and where Merced’s first fine-dining restaurant resides. Or, look forward to excellent wine tastings located in a beautiful farm, showcasing live music and wood-fired pizzas. Merced is also home to a distillery, where you’ll discover sweet potato distilled spirits. And so much more.

Where to Stay

El Capitan

El Capitan is located in the heart of downtown Merced. Its 114 guest rooms capture the essence of early California and The American West, featuring art from local artists and beautiful art deco architecture. You can’t miss the neon marquee outside, and once checked into your spacious room, head back out for a drink on their beautiful courtyard. Better yet, ask for the communal record player room that’s a super Instagrammable vibe. Pick amongst various records, unwind, sip on your craft cocktail and listen to Motown hits.

What makes El Capitan really special is its total commitment to the community and to the revitalization of Merced. To that end, it has partnered with UC Merced and small businesses to offer diverse events that receive praise from both residents and visitors.

What To Do

Mainzer

When you’re ready to explore Merced, head around the corner to the historical venue, Mainzer, built in 1920 and recently renovated in 2020. You can’t miss the old-school movie theater marquee. And when you enter, the retro gaming area transports you back to the 80’s or it feels like a scene from Stranger Things was filmed there.

Head upstairs to a quaint movie theater with eclectic leather chairs and couches with popular movies screened weekly. In the main entertainment space, you’ll find a restaurant highlighting American comforts by Chef Quentin from Rainbird. Choose fried chicken, a classic cheeseburger, and look forward to the self-serve beer bar. Pro tip: Peruse the schedule for what day Mainzer has karaoke night. It’s less like a drunken karaoke experience and more like Merced’s American Idol, with incredible talent singing their hearts out.

Vista Ranch

After exploring Downtown Merced, drive to Vista Ranch for a charming farm experience located on 20 acres. Explore the farm, which moonlights as a wedding and events venue. Afterward, head to the tasting room built in 1910 and enjoy a wine tasting from grapes grown at Vista Ranch.

With many events happening at Vista Ranch, you won’t want to miss “Vista Nights,” opened to the public offering wood-fired pizzas made with the farm’s vegetables. Picnic tables, twinkle lights, live music, quality wine, and handmade pizza make Vista Ranch a must-stop while visiting. For fans of the bubbly, choose their sparkling wine, Valle. A quote on the wine label describes Merced and its agriculture to a tee. “When nature strives to bless our lives, and heaven nearer seems; where sun and soil in lieu of toil produce life’s sweetest dreams.”

Corbin Cash

For an off-the-beaten-path experience, head 10 miles through Merced to farmland that’s been in David John Souza’s family for almost 100 years.

What did he do differently when he took over the family business? He distilled bountiful sweet potatoes into vodka, gin, rye whiskey, and a barrel reserve sweet potato liquor in custom charred American white oak for up to 4 years. Head to the tasting room, try them all, and take a couple of bottles of the award-winning spirits home.

Native Son

Located inside El Capitan, Native Son offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Roll out of bed and head over to grab the best coffee in Merced.

If you’re going to Rainbird for dinner (more on that later), grab a light lunch at Native Son. Highlights include luxurious, creamy burrata with sweet onion jam, brioche, avocado, and poached rhubarb. Another light bite is the tomato toast with grilled sourdough, ricotta, basil, olive oil, and the freshest, marinated cherry tomatoes. No matter your food choice, the cute ambiance with its blue accents, checkered floors, and dark wooden tables will round out your experience.

Rainbird

With agriculture running the show in Merced, why not use the generous bounty from farms that make up so much of California’s produce to open a fine-dining restaurant in town? That was the question that Chef Quentin Garcia posed when deciding where to open his next restaurant, Rainbird. He states: “It’s in the center of agriculture for California. And there’s a lot of individual farmers, big farmers, and there’s just no restaurant representing them. So, that’s what drew my interest. Is this a shining moment where there’s an opportunity for the next special food scene for a whole part of a city, let alone a valley? So, to me, that was more of a challenge than going for a larger resort that says, “here’s an endless check, do whatever you want.”

The beautiful warm tones with gorgeous art, like a piece called “Ontogenesis” by Margaret Haden, above one of the tables, represents an aerial view of the almond blossoms grown in Merced. As for the food, look forward to an elevated 5-course prix-fixe dinner showcasing the best of Merced’s local agriculture, highlighting the recent harvest and where it is harvested. The menu changes every week, but enjoy artful dishes with even the amuse bouche, a plum tart with smoked ricotta, served on bark with fog dissipating above from the dry ice underneath. For $35, add the wine pairing for an even more elevated experience. For Chef Garcia, maintaining excellent relationships with local farmers is a priority. Because of the respect between each other, many don’t grow for anyone besides Garcia, who helped one farmer from heading into bankruptcy.

What’s next for Chef Quentin as Merced continues to grow? “There’s no real bakery here. So, if we can make quality bread and start giving that bread to other restaurants, and they don’t have to order out frozen boxes of bread, then we’re doing the community a service, and we’re helping to bring them food in different ways.” With that kind of commitment to the community, good food, fine wine, and inventive spirits, Merced deserves to be more than a quick stop.

Map of Merced

The post Merced: The Gateway to Yosemite is More Than Just a Gateway appeared first on Honest Cooking.

This beautiful, walkable city is a bit high-end but still approachable, polished, and clean, and it prides itself on over 300 businesses — the largest concentration of locally-owned businesses in Denver. It rightly boasts a robust culinary scene, lovely hotels, and local boutiques. Here are some suggestions for where to stay, eat, and explore while you’re in town, and fortunately, most are within walking distance.

Hotel Clio

While there are a few boutique hotel options In Cherry Creek North, check out Hotel Clio, which recently went through a multi-million dollar renovation earlier this year. Sip on a cocktail handed to you at check-in, and take in the immense, luxurious lobby with black and white marble and gold accents attached to the stunning Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge.

Once checked in, relax in large rooms with views of the beautiful Rocky Mountains, five-piece marble bathrooms, and the comfiest beds. Enjoy epicurean moments in the lobby during your stay. On Sundays, there’s Tableside with the Chef, where you build the perfect guacamole together or on Mondays, check out Tequila Talks for a delicious tequila tasting, all complimentary. As Hotel Clio states, “We’re your muse for discovering something new in our community, where boutique shopping and exquisite attractions are steps away.”

Blue Island Oyster Bar

Living in a landlocked city shouldn’t make finding sustainably-sourced seafood impossible. Look forward to Blue Island Oyster Bar, where you’ll find the freshest oysters shipped daily from Long Island’s Blue Island Shellfish Farms.

The restaurant’s warm and nautical vibe makes for a laid-back experience. The best part? The menu includes delicious options like Alaskan King Crab Legs, Smoked Trout Dip, Chilean Sea Bass, and Grilled Spanish Octopus. For those curious about the lobster rolls, go for it. Choose between Connecticut or New England style, depending on if you like it hot or cold. Bite into the creamiest or the butteriest lobster on perfectly soft brioche.

The Cherry Cricket

The Cherry Cricket, a Cherry Creek North staple, came to fruition in 1945. The restaurant is expansive and colorful, with abundant indoor and outdoor seating. It’s a great first date, family night, or even a solo trip spot. Known as “Denver’s Best Burger,” you’ll want to arrive with an appetite.

The 983 Big Cheesy won the 2022 Denver Burger Battle. If this burger special is still available, prepare to bite into American cheese, jalapeño bacon, white cheddar mac and cheese, crispy poblano, bacon jalapeño jam, and topped with jalapeño Cheetos. The Cherry Cricket should provide guests with wheel barrels because you’ll leave stuffed but happy.

Chatelier and Co

For an exciting art and wine pairing, follow Chatelier and Company’s Instagram to sign up for its next big gallery event. Amandine Chatelier is a French sommelier who is a cognac and brandy expert. Chatelier throws events at art galleries tantalizing your senses by pairing a piece of art with small bites, music, and delicious cocktails.

We enjoyed David Yarrow’s exhibit at Relévant Galleries. One of his pieces was reminiscent of the Wild West, so we sipped on a smokey cocktail with cognac, Grand Marnier, and a splash of elderflower liqueur. The drink is paired with a slice of pecan and butterscotch pie. The sweet dessert and the cocktail’s smokiness enhanced the whole gallery experience reminding you of being at home with family at Thanksgiving. If you want to learn more, check out her website at https://chatelierandco.com/.

Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge

For another immersive experience, walk over to Toro Latin Kitchen & Lounge located inside Hotel Clio. Make it a memorable evening by taking a Peruvian ceviche-making class before your dinner reservation. Don’t worry for those who aren’t cooks; it’s more about assembling the ceviche ingredients while Chef Oscar Padilla guides you each step of the way. The citrusy Leche de Tigre (tiger’s milk) marinade was the most challenging part, and it was luckily measured out for us. We added the sashimi grade tuna, radishes, onions, sweet potato, and orange/mango sauce. It was a bright way to cleanse your palate before heading to the dining room.

Once seated for dinner, Toro exceeds expectations by infusing South American, Chinese, and Japanese flavors. You’ll want to start with the signature Mercado Margarita with jalapeño tequila, passion fruit, lime, and a lovely hibiscus-rosemary foam, which balances the tanginess with a nice blend of sweetness. Standout dinner options include the lightest and flakey sweet corn empanadas with manchego, avocado puree, and a chimichurri sauce that should be bottled and sold; it’s that good. Next, consider a sushi roll like the Angry Scorpion with spicy tuna, crab, and avocado. For your entree, go for the Lomo Saltado, a Peruvian beef stir fry served with creamy jasmine rice and sweet & sour sauce. Don’t leave yet because the dramatic dessert to order is the Instragrammable La Bomba. It’s an edible chocolate bowl shattered in front of you, revealing an assortment of berries, scoops of ice cream, and meringue bites.

Denver Botanic

For those who need a break from eating and imbibing, you’ll want to grab a car to explore the beautiful Denver Botanical Gardens. Admission for adults is $15, and you can quickly lose yourself within the 24 acres of plants, gardens, and art.

While walking around the 18 gardens internationally inspired by countries like Japan, China, and South Africa, it’s fascinating to learn how these exotic plants can grow in Colorado’s Denver’s semi-dry, high desert climate. If you’re ready for a nosh, there are two restaurants (Offshoots Café + Hive Garden Bistro) and a coffee shop (Copper Door Coffee Roasters) on the property.

CYL Sauna

For a great way to feel rejuvenated, walk over to CYL Sauna. The infrared sauna suite will have you sweating and burning calories in 40 minutes. Boost your immune system, reduce stress, and help any workout recovery.

But after a long culinary weekend, sweating out everything made me feel like a new person. Once finished, drink plenty of water, stay hydrated, and enjoy the all-day calmness that comes next.

The post How To Spend A Spectacular Culinary Weekend In Denver’s Cherry Creek North appeared first on Honest Cooking.