The winds of change have been blowing steadily through Miami’s Design District ever since it put itself on the map some five years ago. I can recall touring empty streets at one time or another in the short span of a few years; sometimes reminiscent of a stroll through … Read more
In Hong Kong, two friends often greet each other by asking “Nei sihk mh sihk faahn ar?” Roughly translated, this means “Have you eaten yet?” a common greeting that eschews the more traditional, “How are you?” This simple phrase reveals volumes about Hong Kong’s character. In a city with restaurants … Read more
I was reluctant to visit Thailand thanks to its reputation as a haven for sexpats – old geezers with their drooping, chicken skin arms around the shoulders of girls and boys forty years younger. But when I realized how much I loved the spices of Southeast Asia, and legitimate massages, I … Read more
The Setai brand is known for turning heads when it comes to hospitality and in that sense singlehandedly brought a sense of refinement when they arrived on Miami’s South Beach scene some 10 years ago. One of the last of a series of new construction projects along the famous white … Read more
The Squire says, “You gotta Borgata!” Izakaya, a modern Japanese pub, has definitely redefined Atlantic City’s dining scene. Inspired by his time living in Japan, Chef Michael Schulson’s first restaurant endeavor, offers guests a unique combination of Japanese cuisine and a dynamic social scene. “Opening my first restaurant at Borgata was a natural decision for … Read more
It took a few twists and turns for the Miami Design District to become the white hot neighborhood it is now, boasting high end home furnishings showrooms like Fendi Casa and Luminaire as well as the likes of Cartier and Louis Vuitton. However, the dining landscape in the past had … Read more
Rain is pounding the parked cars while the wind rips through the tall palm trees lining scenic South Pointe Drive. Their ominous swaying in the gutsy breeze becomes a riveting scene for the few folks brave enough to be out on this awful day. A pick-up truck with protruding surfboards … Read more
Flying Fish in lemon butter sauce with fungi sweet potato and plantains. Chopped conch with herbs and spices served with coconut Run Down sauce. Goat stewed with a blend of cilantro, garlic, onions, red pepper, leeks, scallions and rosemary in a red wine sauce. These mouth-watering menu descriptions alone are … Read more
When Italians came to San Francisco in the 1800’s, they brought with them their talent for combining fresh local ingredients in their food, creating new specialties. In this northern California coastal city, one of these was a seafood stew called Cioppino (after Ciuppin a soup from Genoa), perfected by mixing … Read more
It’s exciting to see what the big gun hotel groups do in a resort destination, especially one with a pedigree like Miami. Enter the InterContinental Hotel and Toro Toro, a daring new concept in hotel restaurants by Richard Sandoval. The hotel is visible before even setting foot inside, the monolithic … Read more
Crystal chandeliers, faux wrought iron flourishes, low lights over the bar and a beautiful view onto Berzcy Park with a fully illuminated fountain set the stage for Lucien, an offbeat nouveau bistro in downtown Toronto with aspirations of epicurean greatness. It won’t be hard for them to reach that with … Read more
At the entrance to Azul in the stunning Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Miami, a dazzling white marble open kitchen catches your eye. Here is where you can observe true culinary art at work. The remarkable ambience with floor to ceiling windows showcasing the romantic Bay of Biscayne is fitting for a restaurant … Read more
If you’re one of those folks who tunes in regularly to the Food Channel and gets excited at the thought of attending one of the many Food & Wine Festivals held regularly across the USA and Canada, take my advice and head for Calgary, Western Canada’s latest destination food city … Read more
A visit to Thasos Greek Taverna should be made in two parts. By day the restaurant’s blinding all-white color scheme is eye popping. By night the intricate exterior light show on the roof and façade of the simple white structure becomes a dazzling beacon for everyone smart enough to follow … Read more
Most people have probably never heard of Oaxaca but those that have may know it for its mescal, mole, and oaxacan cheese. And please don’t forget the chipolines! But more on those later, too much more in fact. Oaxaca is in southwestern Mexico and is both the name of the … Read more