Hawaii Highlights – Oahu, Kauai & Big Island
I’m back from an epic 12-day trip to Hawaii, researching, reporting, exploring and eating my way through multiple islands, concluding with the Big Island Chocolate Festival. Although there are only a few Hawaiian chocolate makers exporting to the mainland (including Madre Chocolate,…
Ritual Chocolate, Park City, Utah
Chocolatemaker Robbie Stout of Ritual Chocolate has a simple chocolate-making philosophy – by using the best equipment to process the best cacao beans, you’ll make the best chocolate. “When I look at a competitor, I judge them based on their equipment and their bean…
The Gallery Cafe, Basseterre, St. Kitts
After a visit to the farmer’s market and a tour with Chef Miles Thompson from Christophe Harbour, we circumnavigated the island before ending our morning at Independence Square for what was supposed to be a light brunch at The Gallery Cafe….
Healdsburg Dining: Valette, by Chef Dustin Valette
Valette is the hottest new restaurant on the Healdsburg dining scene. Chef Dustin Valette is a local talent and just last month he opened his namesake restaurant with his brother Aaron Garzini after working at some of the best restaurants in San…
Bite of the Week: Every Dessert at Blackbird
The highlight of lunch yesterday was most definitely dessert at Blackbird. Or, more accurately, nine desserts. If you’ve ever dined with me, you know I’m likely to order two desserts when I’m having a hard time deciding. I’m a big…
Bite of the Week: bellyQ Brunch
bellyQ has a new brunch menu and you should try it. From interesting cocktails to enormous delicious entrees, it is everything brunch should be – savory, filling, great for sharing and precipitating a food coma so there’s no need to go out for dinner…
Bite of the Week: La Sirena Clandestina Brunch
La Sirena Clandestina is one of my favorite restaurants in the West Loop, Chicago’s hottest dining neighborhood. It’s a laid-back alternative to some of the fancy pants spots across the road (The Aviary, Next, Moto). There aren’t many options for Brazilian…