Bites from the Road

Wahlburgers, Hingham, Massachusetts

If you are from Boston, Mark and Donnie Wahlberg are icons. They act, sing, model and now own a fleet of restaurants headed by younger brother Paul. The A&E reality show, The Wahlburgers has only added to the restaurant’s popularity. I made a lunch date with a friend and together we rode the MBTA ferry to Hingham, a 40-minute ride across scenic Boston Harbor. Wahlburgers is a casual open kitchen concept with paneled wood, concrete floors, green walls and matching chairs. High above are soundproofing panels with Mark and Donnie’s TV and movie name memorabilia. The lure of burgers drew us inside but we were halted by a 2-hour wait [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:57:22-04:00September 17th, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Pachapapa, Cusco, Peru

If you've ever wondered what upscale Andian cuisine tastes like, Pachapapa — which translates to father earth — is a must try in Cusco, Peru. Not adventurous enough to eat the local specialty of whole guinea pig, we did try the marinated alpaca skewers (26 soles/ $8.21). An interesting texture, the closest comparison is beef, with an earthy flavor. The scent of the wood fire oven prompted us to order the smoked trout pizza (29 soles/ $9.15) with mozzarella, capers, onions and arugula. Being inland, river trout is typically the fish of the day in Cusco, and the mildly sweet tomato sauce contrasting with the salty and savory taste of [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:56:28-04:00September 6th, 2015|Bites from the Road, World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
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Sam’s at Louis, Boston, Massachusetts

You can never have too many outdoor dining options in the city where a moment of respite brings Zen to a crazy day. I booked a business lunch at Sam’s at Louis after seeing it on  the Boston Globe Magazine list of best restaurant patios. The restaurant in the ever-changing Fan Pier district above the former apparel boutique Louis with floor to ceiling windows overlooking Boston Harbor. Step beyond the stark interior to the wraparound deck stuns with views of the city, yachts, schooners and planes scaling to the heavens. From the get go, the selection of eclectic dishes, attractively plated for sharing, caught our attention. Do try the refreshing [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:48:36-04:00September 3rd, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Big W’s Roadside Bar B Que, Hudson Valley, NY

We left the city heading to Sherman CT for the weekend with a car filled with groceries, planning to cook dinner when we arrived. But as we approached the state we began looking for a place to eat as we were hungry and didn't want to wait. The first place had an hour wait. We kept driving when the driver recalled the amazing BBQ they had recently, not too far from where we were. The aroma from Big W's Roadside Bar B Que on route 22 was enticing, as were the smiles on those eating outside on picnic benches. We happily indulged in their combination plate for one, which was [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:05-04:00September 2nd, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill

As you enter Shell & Bones Oyster Bar & Grill on the waterfront (the old Sage American Grill), you are welcomed by wide-open walls of windows with an expansive view of Long Island Sound. The interior features both a raw and a stylish horseshoe shaped bar, ideal for socializing. The décor is fresh and clean with no stereotypical nautical signs. The menu offers small plates, soups & salads, chefs selections and side dishes to share, and features a Simply Prepared Classics section, for those looking for unadorned options with a choice of a simple sauce — a perfect option for those who want simple entrées not overloaded with extra ingredients -- [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:18-04:00August 22nd, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Tarry Lodge, New Haven, CT

Tarry Lodge seemed like a good place to meet friends for a birthday celebration. After all it's the positively reviewed new Mario Batali – Joe Bastianich place and I'm a fan of many of their NYC places including Casa Mono and Del Posto. I thought we couldn’t miss. Our waiter was very attentive, but then disappeared. We tried to order wine from three servers — as each had stopped by to see whether we needed anything — before we got a bottle. We chose the wine that was pushed— Toscana La Mozza Morellino di Scansano 2013 ($38) —as it seemed easier to just do so at this point. Their kale [...]

By |2017-08-31T15:40:18-04:00August 20th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Capital Cocina y Cafe, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia

Wandering the cobblestone streets of bustling Bogotá, it may be easy to overlook the tiny restaurant Capital Cocina. Located in La Candelaria, a vibrant and historic neighborhood filled with hostels, university students, bars and street art, this restaurant serves one of the best steaks I've ever eaten -- and for a huge bargain. Upon returning the second night, the waiter recognized us and brought over a crispy baked potato chip appetizer with creamy dill yogurt and a spicy red pepper purée for dipping. The main event, the steak entree (Filete de Res: 26,000 pesos/ $10.24) is a hearty portion, perfectly tender and cuts with a butter knife -- no steak knife necessary! That night [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:30:22-04:00August 15th, 2015|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Ventuno, Nantucket, Massachusetts

After a day of riding bikes and enjoying the surf at Nantucket’s Cisco Beach, we dined at Ventuno, a romantic and deliciously executed Italian restaurant that sets the bar high for culinary island dining. We sat in a cozy corner inside the grand colonial with moss green paneling, antique fireplaces and real burning candles on the table, a missed atmosphere gem that I rarely see anymore. Try the rombo di lenza, a large sweet-flavored halibut served with lavender edible flowers, capers, marinated white cauliflower, juicy currants and pine nuts that add a great crunchy texture, all under a base of green spinach and yellow cauliflower purees ($37). The halibut was [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:05-04:00August 6th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Pauly Saal, Mitte, Berlin, Germany

While visiting Berlin earlier this year, I made a late lunch reservation at the 1-star Pauly Saal, a restaurant that I had both read and heard about. My expectations were high.With a Michelin star, I expected both impeccable service and remarkable food. I was seated outside in the restaurant garden at a white cloth-covered table under a giant umbrella. My choices included either the 3-course prix-fixe lunch for a reasonable 49 Euros (~$55) or a la carte. The 34 Euro 2-course option that I had read about and had seen on their website was not available. I selected my courses, asking my server to recommend German wine pairings. Oddly there were [...]

By |2017-09-01T15:27:40-04:00July 28th, 2015|World Restaurants, World Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
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La Cocina Pepina, Cartegena, Colombia

La Cocina Pepina, Cartagena's hard-to-find Carib-Colombian restaurant in the lively and funky Getsemani neighborhood, is worth the hunt. Blending in to the colorful street with a bright yellow facade, the restaurant's interior is relaxed with rustic and traditional decor. Cartagena is known to have a booming culinary scene with Caribbean and international fare that can rival any American metropolis. This restaurant is no exception. The outstanding appetizer of camarones en aguacate (22,000 pesos/$8.52) is a flavorful and fresh medley of sautéed shrimp, avocado, tomato, red and green pepper, finely chopped onion, cilantro and lime. The perfect starter on a hot afternoon. The dorado asado (29,000 pesos/$11.24) is the dish I [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:37:56-04:00July 11th, 2015|World, World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
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Dan’s Taste of Summer, Hamptons, NY

Dan's Taste of Summer annual food & wine festival takes in the Hamptons beginning on Friday July 17th with GrillHampton, a competition pitting 8 NYC chefs vs 8 Hamptons chefs in the ultimate grill off. Located at Sayre Park, 156 Snake Hollow Road, Bridgehampton. Tickets available for $125 (inclusive of all food & beverage). Saturday July 18th is the fifth annual Taste of Two Forks, the biggest celebration of East End restaurants bringing together more than 40 spots under one roof, hosted by The Chew's Michael Symon and Hamptonite Katie Lee (also co-host of Food Network's The Kitchen). Also located at Sayre Park, with tickets from $170 for general admission, [...]

By |2017-09-03T08:11:01-04:00July 10th, 2015|Rambling, USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca, Boston

Mario Batali’s long awaited Babbo Pizzeria e Enoteca recently opened in the Seaport District. We stopped in for lunch after riding the scenic Hingham ferry across Boston Harbor to Rowes Wharf, followed by a quick 10-minute walk on Seaport Boulevard. At Babbo, you’re greeted by wafting Italian classical music, warm orange tones and yellow terracotta tiles under an exposed industrial ceiling. We sat at the white marble pizza bar divided by a glass partition, watching three chefs roll out dough and add scrumptious ingredients such as mozzarella, red tomato sauce and mushrooms to pizzas that are cooked in a 1,000-degree wood fired oven for 90-seconds. We nibbled on bread sticks [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:50:37-04:00June 30th, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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San Francisco Street Food Festival

San Francisco Street Food Festival (SFSFF) — the Bay Area’s annual celebration of local food and drink, community, and entrepreneurship —  announced the dates for the seventh annual festival on August 15 and 16, 2015. The 2015 SFSFF is moving to the Dogpatch and historic Pier 70, a Forest City Project, to accommodate the festival’s growing popularity and fan base. In 2014, the festival welcomed 50,000 guests, while featuring over 80 local vendors. This year’s event is projected to be even bigger, especially that this year’s event will be two days instead of one. For more information on the festival, click here. - Guest contributor

By |2017-08-31T16:21:58-04:00June 27th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Restaurant Volt, Kreuzberg, Berlin, Germany

"Berlin?" asked the helpful American Air Lines person I was speaking to, offering another city I might fly to after I had dismissed Paris, Rome and Lisbon because I'd been before. I wanted to fly comfortably in style to my son's wedding in Europe last month, but didn't want to use all my miles. If I wanted to choose the days, it could have cost me up to 65K miles each way for Business Class seats; yet only 20K for off-peak low fares if I could find one. I paid the extra 25 bucks to speak to that amazingly helpful human. Once she learned that I was completely flexible about [...]

By |2017-09-05T09:47:33-04:00June 22nd, 2015|World Restaurants, World Travel|0 Comments
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La Bodega, Tamarindo, Costa Rica

While the touristy beach town of Tamarindo offers a plethora of international options from Mexican to Israeli, it's La Bodega, the small and unassuming cafe off the main road that packs some of the most impressive flavors in town. The friendly service and relaxed atmosphere are an added bonus to the daily specials (all local and organic) like Greek chicken salad, fresh fruit smoothies and tasty breakfast dishes. The omelet filled with fluffy eggs, queso fresco, bacon, onions, tomato, green peppers and basil (2500 col/$4.70) is flavorful perfection. The iced coffee from Terrazu, known as the Napa valley of Costa Rican coffee is top notch and refreshing. There's even an [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:37:42-04:00June 20th, 2015|World, World Restaurants, World Travel|1 Comment
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2015 Oxnard Salsa Festival Celebrates Everything Salsa!

Get ready to spice things up during the 22nd Annual Oxnard Salsa Festival, one of Oxnard’s signature events. The festival celebrates salsa food, music and dance on July 25-26, 2015 at Plaza Park, Fifth and “B” Streets, in historic downtown Oxnard. Presented by the Oxnard Downtowners, the annual event features spicy food and fiery, top entertainment, attracting an estimated 45,000 salsa lovers to the City of Oxnard for the two-day action packed celebration. Event highlights include Main Stage entertainment with Salsa and Latin Jazz bands; the Salsa Tasting Tent, featuring over 75 different salsas; an eclectic vendor marketplace; international foods; Kids Korner attractions; chef demonstrations; a salsa recipe contest and [...]

By |2017-09-01T14:47:37-04:00June 18th, 2015|USA Travel, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Aragosta Bar and Bistro, North End, Boston

Just off Commercial Street is Aragosta Bar + Bistro, serving Italian-inspired dishes from within the Battery Wharf Hotel. The cozy restaurant is unassuming with muted yellow decor and friendly service, but its dinner offerings are worth a visit and will appeal to most anyone. I was invited to sample some of the new just launched menu launching created by Executive Chef Joseph Adamo who was previously with the Loews Miami Beach Hotel. Sitting in a corner booth I enjoyed the views of the open kitchen and their hospitality. I recommend the tasty Latin-influenced finely diced red onion, lime juice, cilantro and shrimp ceviche appetizer served with fried plantains and seasoned [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:47:39-04:00June 2nd, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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Archie’s Seabreeze, Fort Pierce, Florida

Archie's welcome sign "no shoes no shirt no problem" announces the casualness of the sprawling outdoor space across the street from the ocean on Hutchinson Island. You go for the fun, not really the food - although it's freshly prepared and not bad. And, you can even bring your canine — as Archie's has special areas to sit where they even provide doggie water bowls. We both had the fresh fish sandwich ($11.99), blackened.  It's a thin piece of grilled mahi-mahi lightly coated with spices, topped with lettuce and tomato on a soft Kaiser roll, served with tartar sauce, creamy cole slaw and fries. Sweet potato fries are extra ($1.50) [...]

By |2017-08-31T16:19:06-04:00May 29th, 2015|USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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Ranchos Morgan, Ometepe, Nicaragua

Situated on the Lake Nicaragua shoreline of Isla Ometepe, Ranchos Morgan is a hidden gem with fresh local dishes at a serious bargain. Sunset dining means sipping mojitos (45 Córdobas/$1.69) with basil from the property's herb garden while watching the locals ride by on horseback with a backdrop of Maderas Volcano. For dinner we shared the chicken filet with a creamy mushroom sauce flavored with onion and garlic (150 Córdobas /$5.65). It was accompanied by our-soon-to-be favorite side dish in Latin America-- patacones-- lightly breaded and fried plantain patties, a salty sweet delight. The clear winner though, was the tender filleted fish in a parsley, garlic and olive oil sauce [...]

By |2017-10-24T07:33:39-04:00May 23rd, 2015|Bites from the Road, USA Restaurants, xyz misc|0 Comments
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The Beacon Hill Bistro, Boston

Beacon Hill Bistro, a casual business lunch gem, is a quick walk from Back Bay and the Financial District. The nearby Boston Common Garage makes it convenient for out-of-town drivers. The European-styled restaurant is comfortably elegant with banquettes, black and white retro tiled floors and closely set black iron tables, adorned with trendy dish towel napkins that seemed out of place. Conversation was easy, as the restaurant wasn’t filled. Chalkboards promote upcoming wine dinners. Upstairs is the boutique Beacon Hill Hotel; explaining the snippets of French and Italian heard around us. Forget your conversation and focus on the food. It is worth it. We sampled four dishes and every bite [...]

By |2017-10-28T07:52:52-04:00May 1st, 2015|USA Restaurants|0 Comments
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