Archive for the ‘food’ Category

New Mexico Restaurant Week

March 2nd
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
U.S. West destinations events and festivals food

People in most parts of the country are happy to put the month of February, and its atrocious weather, behind them. March, with the promise of spring, is a time to come out of hibernation and explore new venues. Travelers in New Mexico on Santa Fe or Albuquerque vacations this month have a special opportunity to get and about. Both cities will be celebrating New Mexico Restaurant Week. There’s no better excuse to skip dining at your Albuquerque hotels than the lure of southwestern culinary delights from the area’s finest restaurants.

Santa Fe Restaurant Week, which takes place through this Saturday, March 6, and Albuquerque Restaurant Week, which happens from March 7-13, will showcase some of the best restaurants in the state at prices that can’t be beat. Each participating restaurant will have a delicious three course dinner available for Restaurant Week participants. Depending on the level of restaurant, the cost is $25 per couple, $25 per person, or $40 per person.

This is a fantastic opportunity to sample creations from some of the best chefs in New Mexico at a fraction of the cost of a normal three course meal. In addition to the fixed price dinners, there are also unique culinary events and tastings to be held each day. While no special tickets are necessary, reservations are required for the events and highly recommended for the restaurant meals.

As would be expected, many of the presentations center around the local Mexican and Native American influences on New Mexico’s unique southwestern cuisine. For example, today at Santa Fe’s hightly touted Epazote Restaurant, there is an informative talk and on tacos and their origins, along with a three-course tasting.
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Forget the South Beach Diet – Stuff Yourself Silly with Food and Festivities in Miami

February 22nd
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast beaches destinations events and festivals food

South Florida has had quite a month. Now that all the hype and hoopla of the Super Bowl has transitioned from the Sunshine State to New Orleans (despite Fat Tuesday already passing, Lombardi Gras is still going on there), South Beach is serving up something a little different from football fare this week—instead of crazed pigskin diehards, it will be refined tastes, exquisite appetites, and luxury Miami hotels being filled.

Hosted by Southern Wine & Spirits of Florida and Florida International University, which just happens to have one of the best college hospitality programs around, the South Beach Food & Wine festival has become an annual Miami vacation for some of the top names in the wine and culinary world—as well as connoisseurs of the fruit of the vine and foodies everywhere. For four days, the event will showcase these talents, tasters, and numerous culinary personalities, including many from the Food Network which sponsors the event.
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Exploring Virginia Wine Country

February 8th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Mid-Atlantic destinations food romance

Whether you’re a hopeless romantic who believes in the XOXO, heart-filled history of the Valentine’s Day holiday, or more of the cynical type who believes it’s nothing more than a profit-producing vehicle fueled by greeting card companies, there’s no doubting that this upcoming weekend will feature more romantic getaways than any other time of the year.

Given the tagline that “Virginia is for lovers,” it’s a Valentine’s destination you might want to consider. Especially since it’s one of the nation’s fastest growing, widely esteemed wine regions, and no romantic getaway is complete without a select bottle of red or white. Add the beauty of Appalachia, and more than 15 distinguished wine trails to discover the 150 wineries spread out across the Commonwealth, you’re sure to have one close to that Richmond hotel room you booked for the occasion, or wherever you’re staying.
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Big Game Getaways: South Florida Hot Spots

February 4th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast beaches destinations food outdoor adventure

It’s the fourth quarter of our Big Game Getaways—exotic, fun, family-friendly, and, in some cases, cheap travel ideas for you to enjoy while you’re taking a Miami vacation to see the Super Bowl. While it’s been fun exploring the different spots around South Florida—most of which have been a trip down memory lane as it’s the place I called home while growing up—the final whistle is blowing on our vacation planning around a trip to the stadium where it’s being played (just checked, and they have not re-named it again in the last week, not yet anyway).

To round out our suggested ideas of your very own Super vacation package, here are some other attractions and places to enjoy that aren’t too far of a drive from your Miami hotel. These destination spots below have been featured here on this blog before, so if you want more details, just click on the title name to read all about them. While most experts are currently favoring the Colts to pull out a victory in the big game over the Saints (I’m thinking I’ll be rooting for New Orleans), you can bet that any one of these suggestions will be a winner as part of your vacation plans, no matter if your team wins or loses.
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The Gullah Celebration at Hilton Head Island

January 29th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast destinations events and festivals food

February is more widely known as Black History Month, but each year during this time on Hilton Head Island, a certain sub-culture of the African-American population holds its own unique month-long event. For 14 years, Hilton Head hotels have been full during this traditionally slow (and colder) time of year—not with beach goers—but those attending the Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration to honor and preserve the traditions and accomplishments of the Gullah people.

It’s one of the Southeast’s more popular events, drawing 20,000 attendees who experience arts and crafts shows, food festivals, live entertainment, and more each weekend during the month of February. Not well known outside of the Coastal Carolina Lowcountry, the Gullah people are descendants of West Africans who were brought to the coastal islands of South Carolina and Georgia as part of slave trading in the early years of our nation. They have a very rich heritage filled with struggles and perseverance that developed their own traditional dialect, diet, spiritual beliefs, and way of life, and the Gullah Celebration is an opportunity for everyone to book some last minute Hilton Head vacation packages and enjoy all the unique contributions they have provided to the region.
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Big Game Getaways: Miami’s South Beach

January 27th
2010
by Matt Wilson
posted in:
U.S. Southeast beaches destinations food

After three weeks, we now know which teams will be packing their bags for a trip to the Super Bowl. The New Orleans Saints sent Brett Favre into retirement (again… and again… and yet again) with a thrilling overtime victory and, most thankfully, the idea of the Jets in the Super Bowl is nothing but a J-E-S-T Jest! Jest! Jest!thanks to Peyton Manning embarrassing the junior varsity team from New York. And for those of you booking flights to see the big game, we also know a spot you’re sure to visit.

Anyone on a Miami vacation is going to have one place in particular on their travel itinerary, whether it’s morning, noon, or deep into the brightly lit dark of night. This once sleepy district of Miami Beach filled with art deco architecture from the 1930’s has seen its share of good times and bad, with a demographic that has ranged from retirees, cocaine cowboys, and fans of Jackie Gleason over the years to the beautiful people, supermodels, and celebrities of today. It’s an international hotspot with so much to do that you could easily spend an entire month on the 23 blocks of the southern portion of this barrier island and never run out of new things to do, 24 hours a day. Such is the SoBe lifestyle of South Beach.
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Chase the Winter Blues Away at Portland’s ChocolateFest

January 27th
2010
by Robin Bruns Worona
posted in:
U.S. Pacific Northwest activities events and festivals food

Is it just me or does it seem a little gloomy lately? Everywhere. Cold, wet, dreary, that time of year when you start thinking about Mexican beach vacations and quick Miami getaways. Hey, I’m definitely not knocking fun in the sun, but you know what really always makes me feel better? Chocolate. Beats a sunburn in my book, any day. And it just so happens that the World Forestry Center in Portland, Oregon is hosting ChocolateFest this weekend. It’s the perfect excuse to take advantage of the current great deals on Portland hotels and head up to the City of Roses for a long weekend. If nothing else, think of it as a pre-Valentine’s Day tasting event.
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Manuel’s Restaurant in Cabo

January 19th
2010
by Becky Youman
posted in:
Mexico destinations food shopping

Cabo San Lucas, located at the tip of Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, is an interesting study in contrasts. Physically it’s a land of harsh mountainous desert terrain that drops down to gorgeous sandy beaches. You will occasionally even find cactus growing next to a sand dune. The people drawn to Cabo vacations cover both ends of the spectrum as well – from college spring breakers looking to down yards of beer and party late into the night to well-heeled golfers and spa-goers. This latter group, discerning travelers with exacting standards, have high expectations when it comes to Cabo hotels and restaurants.

One of the clusters of high-end businesses catering to these travelers can be found at Palmilla, an area located on the corridor that connects San Jose del Cabo and  Cabo San Lucas. The renowned One&Only Palmilla Resort is found here, as is the highly touted Nicklaus designed course at the Pamilla Golf Club. There is also an upscale retail area, the Shoppes at Palmilla, located across from the resort. One of my favorite high-end restaurants, Manuel’s, is located in the Shoppes at Palmilla.

Manuels, a restaurant famous for its creative, organic cuisine, is located in a corner building with a wrap-around outdoor patio and swaying palm trees out front. The hacienda-style architecture includes white-washed walls and red-tile roofs. The hacienda atmosphere continues inside, but the real focus of the restaurant is the open kitchen where the Mexican-born, Italian-trained chef Manuel is hard at work.

The menu here changes seasonally depending on what fresh ingredients are available. I suggest that you opt for a variety of plates as you will not disappointed in any of them. Each dish is a gorgeous presentation of color and texture while the flavors of the food are enhanced but not over-powered by creative sauces and sides. Some of the presentations are so elaborate they almost look like delicious, edible architecture. The scallops with lime risotto, for example, look like they are still swimming in a coral reef. (more…)

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12 Reasons to Visit NYC This Winter

January 7th
2010
by Jessica Mordo
posted in:
U.S. Northeast activities events and festivals family food music shopping

Taking a bite out of the Big Apple may be a bit challenging this season, given that the (brrrrrrrr) chilly temperatures can just about numb your whole face! However, New York City is indeed a great choice for a 2010 wintertime getaway. Why? Well, there’s the not-insignificant matter of abundant off-season deals on New York City hotels as well as cheap flights. Plus, there are a dozen phenomenal events spanning food and wine, art and nature, sports and cultural traditions to whet your appetite for the Big A, no matter what the thermometer reads.

burton1. The Nightmare (Way) Before Christmas
Fans of the fabulously freaky filmmaker Tim Burton will love the showcase exhibit at the MoMA, which kicked off in November to rave reviews and runs through April 26. Over 700 items, including drawings, photos, storyboards, puppets, costumes, paintings, animated works, props, and more are on display, allowing you to relive your fave moments from “Beetlejuice,” “Edward Scissorhands,” “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and more, before checking out a retrospective of Burton’s feature-length movies and shorts.

2. Urban Antiquing
Furniture, jewelry, art, and decorative objets are sold at the annual Winter Antiques Show, held at the Park Avenue Armory January 22 through 31. It’s the perfect opportunity to hunt for that Fabergé egg, Persian rug, or golden snuffbox you’ve always wanted–or to simply wander and browse the museum-quality wares, Parisian flea market style.

morimoto3. Affordable Upscale Eats
Take advantage of the best week to dine out in the Big Apple: New York Restaurant Week, taking place January 25 through February 7. Many of the city’s finest eateries provide reduced fixed-price menus, so you can sample French fare done to perfection at Bar Boulud, Japanese delicacies at Morimoto, Italian Batali-style at Lupa, rich fondue at Bar Artisanal, and more. The event is extremely popular, so be on top of making reservations, which are permitted starting January 12. (more…)

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Celebrate New Year’s Eve with a Giant Fish in Port Clinton, Ohio

December 29th
2009
by Robin Bruns Worona
posted in:
U.S. Midwest activities events and festivals family food shopping

sideimage2What are you doing New Year’s Eve? You didn’t forget to plan something in the midst of all the hype around that other holiday did you? Come on, it’s New Year’s Eve! It’s your chance to party like an idiot then wake up and get a whole fresh start on life. Well don’t worry, it’s not too late. Sure you might not be able to find a hotel room on Times Square, but there are plenty of other, dare I say more interesting “drops.” No, I don’t mean that kind of drop. I mean the good old fashioned Dick Clark kind of drop. But with a twist. A 600 pound fiberglass fish twist.

For the past 13 years, the charmingly historic Port Clinton, Ohio has celebrated Walleye Madness at Midnight. You’ve got to check it out. You can probably still find a cheap flight to nearby Cleveland and have a New Year’s Eve adventure you’ll never forget. Of course, if you live nearby, just drive. But book a hotel room. There are plenty within walking distance to the festivities so if you want to party (within reason, of course) you won’t have to worry about driving.
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