Single New Yorkers look forward to Fleet Week every year. But this is a reminder that Fleet Week is about the thousands of Sailors, Marines and Coast Guardsmen who keep us safe on a day to day basis. Some of … Continue reading →

Most of us know Cinco de Mayo as the day to hit up Mexican restaurants and enjoy Margaritas. Perhaps that is why Time named it the #4 drunkest holiday. Most people also assume that it is Mexican Independence day. It’s … Continue reading →

When I think of Detroit, I think of Eminem, cars, Kiss, the economy, and food. Yup. I think about food.  Outside Detroit, people think of the city as one of decline. What they fail to see is the growing food community … Continue reading →

Michael Steinberger is an author and for nearly ten years was a wine columnist at Slate. Steinberger also contributed to publications such as The New York Times, Food & Wine, New York Magazine, Wine Spectator, The World of Fine Wine, … Continue reading →

Tuscany shall live in my heart forever. Heck, I barely escaped last time I was in Italy. Forty five days of Tuscany meant lots of Chianti Classico, Vino Nobile di Montepulciano and of course Brunello Di Montalcino. There is something … Continue reading →

For those of you who don’t know it, I liked with Greeks for over 15 years. My mom married a Greek gentleman (didn’t end so well), but we ate incredibly well during that time. Easter was one of my favorite … Continue reading →

I recently received an invite to review Savann. I had no expectations when I arrived. It is located in an area I like to call a restaurant wasteland. This is the Upper West Side near 80th Street and Amsterdam. There … Continue reading →

China continues to struggle with food safety scandals. Huaying Agricultural, a prominent Chinese poultry company doing business as the “World’s Duck King”, terminated four employees suspected of selling diseased ducks. Media reports indicate consumers were supplied with ducks that died … Continue reading →

This winter could be an argument for global warming. This week we hit 70 degrees in NYC. People are out in flip flops and shorts, and dogs are getting longer walks. What I’m really looking forward to is dining outdoors. … Continue reading →

I’m at SXSW this week. It has been pretty disappointing. It took me 24 hours to get from NY to Austin. When we arrived, it was cold and rainy. Worst of all, there are way too many people here, so … Continue reading →

Researchers at Cornell and University of Hawaii are accepting applications for qualified individuals to participate in a four month simulated trip to Mars. The social media news website Mashable explains that Cornell University and University of Hawaii-Manoa researchers want six … Continue reading →

Susan Rike invited me and a few other food writers to sample the food at Fiorini. The restaurant has been around since 2006 and is the creation of Restaurateur-Chef Lello Arpaia. This is one of those classic NYC restaurants. The … Continue reading →

One of the most anticipated events in New York City is Fashion Week. For foodies, it is another reason to rejoice. It means restaurants will be working hard to earn your business. Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week will take place from February 9-16th … Continue reading →

CNN International writer Yumiko Watanabe explores B-grade cuisine: Japan’s version of what America calls comfort food, country cooking, soul food, haute burgers, gourmet hotdogs, or gastropub. Watanabe explains that B-grade cuisine is not the “mainstream ‘quality’ stuff that’s simpered over … Continue reading →

In Kuala Lumpur, the largest city in Malaysia, Wi-Fi is now a mandatory prerequisite for food operators when they apply for their license to open a new restaurant, or when existing operators renew their license. The Wi-Fi requirement will also … Continue reading →

Funny how much President Barack Obama has touched the world. Whether you like him or not, his influence is felt everywhere. Imagine my surprise when I encountered the following restaurants in the most unexpected places in the world: Obama’s in … Continue reading →

I’ve been obsessed with Italian cooking ever since I came back from Italy this summer. I’ve been playing with basics and not so basics. I think I’ve finally perfected the Carbonara after trying out lots and lots of recipes. Ingredients: … Continue reading →

Italy is a great country for food. But there are some things you need to know before assuming that every meal will be the best of your life. If you are headed to Italy (specifically Tuscany) these are some things … Continue reading →

Europe boasts of many different world-class cuisines. With the spotlight usually given to France, Italy, and Paris, there’s one place that truly gives some interesting and exciting culinary scene. Vienna, throughout the years, learned to brighten up someone’s day with … Continue reading →

Dining in Amsterdam is quite exciting. The city has something different to offer on every corner. We’ve had Indonesian, Peruvian, French, Basque, Italian. If you crave it; it can be found in Amsterdam. This is what makes Amsterdam so exciting … Continue reading →

During my recent trip to Amsterdam, I walked past the most interesting store. It specializes in British and American goods. Being American, I was instantly intrigued to see what they sold. Sadly, it was mostly junk food. Among the items … Continue reading →

Airport food used to be a disappointment, especially when facing long ticket lines and delayed flights. This is no longer the case. Delightful airport dining is made possible through fantastic restaurants at most airports. Next time you’re traveling, make sure … Continue reading →

My quest for Italy’s best wines is just heating up. From the breath-taking land of Chianti, we are now traveling to another Tuscan town in Florence, Italy. The town of Montepulciano is a modern day celebration of the Renaissance period. … Continue reading →

During our trip to Spain; we knew we had to try something by the Adrià brothers. We were unable to secure reservations for Tickets; so we reserved at 41º, it’s “younger, hipper, more accessible twin”. We arrived a few minutes late at … Continue reading →

On our second day in Barcelona; Antonio and I decided to discover the city. We walked all the way from our apartment near the Plaza Espana all the way down to La Rambla. It was a hot, long walk and … Continue reading →

Antonio and I were incredibly lucky to have Zarautz Taberna Vasca a block away from our hotel in the Sants neighborhood of Barcelona. It was unassuming, so we expected nothing and came out completely in love. So in love that … Continue reading →

Anyone could dream of living in a castle in a far away land. But for wine lovers, the fantasy is quite different: the castle is surrounded by beautiful vineyards and sprawling gardens. Perhaps this is why it was so easy … Continue reading →

One of my favorite things about eating in Nice is that many of its Michelin starred restaurants offer incredibly affordable lunch options. For example: Flauveur: Lunch 23€ Aphrodite: Lunch 25€ L’Univers-Christian Plumail: Lunch 20€ Keisuke Matsushima: Lunch 18€ Of all … Continue reading →

Another of my favorite restaurants in Nice (along with Keisuke Matsushima) was L’Univers De Christian Plumail. It is set at the entrance of Old Nice a few steps away from Plaza Massena and overlooks gorgeous gardens which make their outdoor … Continue reading →

Tuscany is blessed with land perfectly suited for wine; one of it’s most priced possession: Chianti. Probably, if not, the most famous area in Tuscany, Chianti never fails to mesmerize people with its charming landscape and sumptuous red wines. For wine … Continue reading →

Divine architectures, a delicious appetite for art, food and wine, and breath-taking landscapes that make a very gorgeous dream destination – this is how I would describe this Italian region called Tuscany. Italy is one of the world’s most important … Continue reading →

If there was one thing that I found incredibly frustrating about Italy was the lack of food choice. It is incredibly difficult in most cities (Rome, Florence, Bologna) to find anything other than Italian restaurants. On top of that; most … Continue reading →

I had many mediocre meals in Italy. Trattoria Marione broke this trend. This lovely restaurant is located about 8 blocks away from the Duomo and very near the Marino Marini museum. We walked in by chance. The restaurant was packed … Continue reading →

This is the restaurant that forever changed Antonio into a man that now loves tartare. Enoteca Pitti Gola e Cantina is a lovely little place across from the Pitti palace in Florence. They don’t serve many dishes since their kitchen … Continue reading →

Came across the weirdest thing in Italy. They have “Self Service” restaurants. Basically; it is a room with vending machines. These vending machines sell actual meals. I did not have the guts to try them; but in theory they could … Continue reading →

The day we arrived in Nice we were pretty tired. There was no time for internet  search. Antonio and I blindly scoured the streets to find a restaurant. We stumbled upon Place Garibaldi where there was quite a good number … Continue reading →

If you have not figured it out; I am a big fan of Eataly. Their NYC location won my heart and their Italy locations have stood up to my expectations. This trip to Italy was interesting to say the least. … Continue reading →

Ever since Eataly opened in NYC; I have been obsessed. I find myself there at least once a month. I was pleasantly surprised when I found one in Florence; and thrilled when I ran across the location in Genova. In … Continue reading →

Our first meal in Budapest was breakfast. Both Antonio and I were determined to find a true American breakfast. After a month in Italy where breakfast consisted of eating only baked goods, prosciutto and cheese we were ready for some … Continue reading →

I fell in love with Cortona from the moment I stepped out of the taxi in front of Casa Chilenne bed and breakfast (if you go to Cortona, I seriously recommend that you stay there; Jeanette and her husband Lucciano are … Continue reading →