Archive for Food
Lisbon Lovin’, Lovin’ Lisbon It’s All Good
Posted by: | CommentsI’m always happy when a new travel destination exceeds my expectations. I have expected much, and received far more, from places like Dubrovnik, Croatia; Granada and Ronda in Spain; Beijing, China, and Chicago, USA. But one place captured my heart when I really didn’t even know why I was visiting, other than it was close by and I hadn’t been there yet.
It’s easy to spout off the reasons to visit places like London, Rome, Tokyo or Seattle, but ask someone to name the tourist attractions in Lisbon, Portugal, and you’ll probably receive only a blank stare in return. While the Portuguese capital many not be high on many travelers’ must-see lists, it ranks among my favorite places in all the world.
Why Lisbon? That’s easy…
Neighborhoods – The Baixa is Lisbon’s old downtown, the winding streets of the sailors’ quarter are called the Alfama and you can look down on the town from the Bairro Alto.
Bairro Alto
Belem – The Monastery of Jeronimos’ breathtaking cloisters, the soaring and inspiring Monument to the Discoveries and the island fortress of Belem Tower.
Monastery of Jeronimos
Food – Hidden in a crappy-looking building along Rua das Portas de Santo Antao, Casa do Alentejo offers hearty meals and a charming atmosphere. Above the main square in the Bairro Alto, Cervejaris Trindade serves homemade brew and meals in Lisbon’s oldest beer hall which is housed in a former monastery. How’s that for history? If the weather allows, sit outside in the cloisters.
Casa do Alentejo
Sidewalks – Where else can you find pattern-tile sidewalks that themselves are works of art?
tiled sidewalks
Sintra – Hop on the train and spend the day in this former summer city of Portugal’s kings and queens. The Royal Palace with its unique twin chimneys is interesting, but it’s whimsical, Ludwig-esque Pena Palace that’s Sintra’s star. You can also see the ruins of a Moorish castle and views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Pena Palace
Public Transit – The hilly city uses trolleys, funiculars and elevators like the Elevador de Santa Justa, designed by a student of Gustav Eiffel, to move locals and tourists around. Much cooler than buses and subways.
Elevador de Santa Justa
To borrow, and butcher, a line from the Fresh Prince, “Lisbon lovin’, lovin’ Lisbon it’s all good, I’m lovin’ Lisbon it’s all good.”
Taco Taco is a Favorite Favorite in San Antonio San Antonio
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I love me some good Tex-Mex food and San Antonio, Texas, is no stranger to creative Mexican cuisine. While there are tons of eateries, some good others not so much, clustered in the tourist district along the famous River Walk, my favorite San Antonio grub comes from a small, unassuming place far from the visitors’ usual haunts.
Located near the intersection of Hildebrand and McCullough Avenues, Taco Taco impresses not with its decor, but with tasty breakfast tacos so good Bon Appetit declared the place as home of the best tacos in America.
Local friends tell me lines of hungry fans often snake around the restaurant on weekends just waiting to fill up on their favorites from among almost 20 different types of breakfast tacos. With homemade tortillas wrapping up your favorite ingredients, it’s easy to wait in line to dine on these heavenly tacos.
Vancouver Street Food – Japa Dog Takes Gold
Posted by: | CommentsThe world will soon descend on Vancouver for the 2010 Winter Games. As the games approach, I find myself catching the Olympic spirit – and craving a hot dog.
Sports fans who travel to British Columbia should take the opportunity to check out a unique and tasty bite of Vancouver that would surely grab the gold in any street food culinary competition.
If you’re too good to eat at a hot dog stand, stop reading now. But if an outstanding hot dog with a Japanese flair turns you on, then Japa Dog is your place.
More than a hot dog, Japa Dog offers turkey, beef, pork and veggie sausages covered with creative and crazy combinations of Oriental garnishes like seaweed, Teriyaki and soy sauces, grated raddish, bonito flakes, fried cabbage, plum sauce, edamame and Japanese mayo.
It may seem strange to be in Canada standing in line for a Japanese take on an American icon, but it’s worth the wait. You can find the Japa Dog stand on the corner of Burrand and Smithe Streets in downtown Vancouver.
Seattle Travel Food – Mac/Cheese at the Icon Grill
Posted by: | CommentsI have discovered what may be the world’s best mac and cheese at the Icon Grill in Seattle, Washington.
Made with four cheeses, the Icon Grill’s Ultimate Macaroni and Cheese is a gooey, crusty-topped bowl of tasty goodness. The culinary masterpiece arrived at our table steaming hot and topped with finely chopped tomatoes, but what happened next really sent me over the edge. Our waiter, who told us that the dish was the restaurant’s top-selling item for about a decade, poured a huge glob of melted cheese right on top.
This is what I call good-nasty. Grab a fork and call the paramedics.
