There is no such thing as Italian food. The country is made up of twenty regions with distinct characteristics. Every town, every village makes the same dish in vastly different ways, just like they speak different dialects and wear different traditional costumes. Tuscany is arguably most famous for Chianti and … Read more
“Hey mister throw me something” is what you’ll hear along the routes of any one of the nine Mardi Gras parades in Lark Charles, Louisiana. That “something” will be ropes of brightly colored beads that people, dressed in the regalia of their Krewe, toss from their floats. New Orleans is … Read more
Nowadays, it seems as if there’s a holiday for everything. Some are more mundane than others (National Cabbage Day? Who knew?), but nothing begs to be honored quite like tequila’s most celebrated shaken concoction: the margarita. Technically, Cinco de Mayo does it justice, but if ever there was a perfect … Read more
What goes better with wine than cheese? OK, don’t answer that question. How about what goes better with Moroccan wine than French cheese? If you agree and swoon at the mention of camembert, you’re in luck. Next week a French Connection will be more than ever a la mode as Cheese … Read more
Months before stepping foot in Anchorage I was told that the winter had been unseasonably warm; there hadn’t been much snow. This was something of a revelation as I was anticipating freezing temperatures too low to imagine and what I’d need to buy before I left to keep warm (snow … Read more
More often than not, hotel restaurants have to offer something special to win guests’ attention and seldom are they popular with locals. Finding a casual in-house eatery with well-prepared dishes and a happening scene is rare. Jasper’s Corner Tap & Kitchen in San Francisco’s Serrano Hotel, located two blocks west … Read more
Call them boutique hotels. Call them design hotels. By whatever name, small hotels are a dime a dozen especially in big cities like San Francisco. But, once in a while, you discover one so special you wish you could stay forever. The Serrano Hotel, a National Historic Landmark, raises 16 … Read more
If you’re in Santa Fe before March 5th, “Lowriders, Hopper and Hot Rods” is a must-see show at the New Mexico History Museum. The dramatic exhibition is darkly staged in a new section of the historic Governors Palace, built in 1609, and includes photos, memorabilia and 2 stunning lowrider autos. … Read more