Merlot braised beef shortrib at Talula restaurant in Miami, FL
If, like me, you waited far too long to make reservations or were simply put off by the high prices of this weekend’s specialty dinners in celebration of the Food TV Network’s South Beach Wine and Food Festival, there’s still hope — provided you’re not put off by offal (animal guts). While most folks are drawn to the tender center cut of beef or the chaste chicken breast, many gourmets groove to the trendy ears-to-tails movement that’s bringing the sinewy cheap cuts to the tables of fine dining restaurants. Read More »
Breakdancer at Fisherman's Wharf in San Francisco
The attention span and focus of their audience is minimal. Most passersby are simply looking for lunch or the next ferry to Alcatraz. Street performers, or “buskers,” must relish the act of performing enough to ignore being ignored. Exposing a bit of heart in hopes of an answering smile, a bit of applause and hopefully, a dollar bill or two… This is not for the faint of heart or those desiring a steady income. Read More »
Rustic veggie plate at Seasons 52 restaurant in Orlando, FL
With over 5,000 restaurants in Orlando, it’s pretty easy to escape the fast food frenzy and avoid overpriced theme park food. It’s even possible to find affordable world-class restaurants, catering to a health conscious society. Two restaurants serving up low calorie feasts without compromising taste are mentioned below.
Seasons 52 (7700 Sand Lake Road): Orlando is the birthplace of a relatively new restaurant concept — seasonally-inspired healthy dining that changes with the products available during particular seasons. Season’s 52 caters to both the taste and calorie conscious with all menu items under 475 calories, including caramelized sea scallops, garlic chicken flatbread, roasted crab-stuffed shrimp, ripe plum tomato flatbread, and the char-crust filet mignon. Read More »
Cheeseburger & fries at Buttermilk Channel restaurant in Brooklyn, NY
Manhattan may still be the best bet for fancy five-star meals, but now a foodie trip to NYC can’t be complete without a trip across the river for what’s being called “new Brooklyn cuisine”—farm-to-table fare featuring adventurous ingredient combinations, and served in a laid-back, barnyard-chic setting. These three newbies do it best.
Buttermilk Channel (524 Court Street): Every bite is a surprise at this somewhat-out-of-the-way Carroll Gardens restaurant. Complimentary popovers are dotted with sea salt and honey; house-made pickles bring a tangy, spicy kick; and roasted almonds are doused in maple and bacon. Read More »
Vizcaya Museum & Gardens in Miami, Florida
Sometimes a city is so young it has to import its history and commemorated architecture. In the case of Miami, several buildings were constructed in the early 1900s to resemble old European styles; in other instances, historical establishments were taken apart and shipped to the U.S. Two of Miami’s most spectacular historical sights are explained below. Read More »
Haena Beach on Kauai, Hawaii
To better understand the geography of Kauai’s north shore, it helps to first know a bit of Hawaii’s history. The traditional Hawaiian division of land is called an Ahupua’a, an area that extended from high in the mountains, along the waterways as they descended through valleys and onto the coastal plains, and out to the protective reefs (valuable fishing areas). The boundaries were marked by Ahu (stone cairns) upon which the Maka’ainana (people living on the land) would place a Pua’a (pig or other form of tribute) for the local Chief or Konohiki (administrators). This system ensured a shared use of the land and its natural resources, as well as the necessary Kapu (restrictions) to ensure the environment’s sustainability. Read More »
The Ivy restaurant on Robertson Avenue in L.A.
Robertson Boulevard in Los Angeles is only a 5-minute walk from end to end, and yet it has become almost as famous as the celebrities who shop there. If you see paparazzi outside, it’s a good sign that someone recognizable is inside (though the paparazzi do camp out at the Ivy, one of the most famous restaurants in L.A.). Located on the border of Beverly Hills and West Hollywood, it’s both upscale and edgy — a side of L.A. you won’t find elsewhere — and its boutiques cater to the youthful, fashionable, and daring. Bargains can be found, however! You just need to know where to look. Read More »
Emeril stirs something up at the 2005 South Beach Wine & Food Festival
When the South Beach Wine & Food Fest kicks off this weekend and Emeril and Bobby and Paula and the Neelys start popping up all over town, I know you’re going to have just one burning question in mind,
“Where the heck am I going to take Anthony Bourdain for dinner that will prove to him I’ve got ‘Natural Born Foodie’ street cred?”
Let’s face it, you need a few places that are interesting, ethnic, and not easily overwhelmed by the thousands of starry-eyed FoodTV fans who will be swarming all over South Beach. You want a casual vibe (because Tony favors jeans) and a menu with a few surprises to keep things interesting between mugs of beer and drunken revelations about what iguana really tastes like… Read More »
You can look like a glamorous New York City socialite, or just a fresher, prettier version of yourself when you drop by The Kimara Ahnert Makeup Studio on 113 Madison Avenue, which is within walking distance of the Marmara Manhattan and the Surrey hotels in the Upper East Side. Makeup artist Kimara Ahnert has worked with stars such as Catherine Zeta-Jones, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Isabella Rossellini, and she offers everything from make up lessons to facials to self-tanning applications. The studio almost feels like a lavish apartment with its plush Swiss robes and Louis XIV chairs. Read More »
