Travel Tips & Adventures

While growing up, I had my share of deli food. I love it!  Once in a while, I need my fix of the savory, scrumptious tastes, usually served in copious quantities.

I’m a good cook, but I really love to try the deli food of other great cooks. Plus, some deli food takes a really long time to make well.

I’ve eaten at Carnegie Deli in New York City. I’ve eaten deli food in many cities. Some is better than others: some is so-so; some is incredible; some is so bad you don’t want to take the leftovers home.

(more…)

In our effort to bring real travel experiences to you, we highlight a unique business with a good eco-ethic:

If you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area, a fun diversion and a good place to grab a meal is at the Queen Creek Olive Mill. For locavores – those who want their foods grown near where they are eating them – the Queen Creek Olive Mill fits the bill. (more…)

When traveling in Hawaii, you envision soft breezes, sunsets, luaus, and palm trees. One thing that a traveler does not expect is the obsession with SPAM®, not the e-mails, but the canned meat. In one store, they had actually created a giant, boat-shaped display with multi-colored cans of SPAM® as the construction material! (more…)

After several fun days exploring Williamsburg, you naturally will want to buy souvenirs, gifts or memorabilia. Basically, stuff, but Williamsburg stuff is definitely special.

Williamsburg has gift choices for every taste and budget. I purchased a Colonial era finely designed silver pin that I still cherish straight from the silversmith’s shop.

There are open air opportunities where you can purchase plants, and refreshments, hats and, well, almost anything that you can imagine appropriate to Colonial Williamsburg right in the restored area.

For an eclectic collection of Colonial Williamsburg purchases from $2 to as much as you can imagine, head to Merchants Square, adjacent to the restored area of Williamsburg.

The Wigmaker Shop in Colonial Williamsburg, Courtesy of the CWF

(more…)

(This week, we continue our review of  Williamsburg, Virginia…)

Brunswick Stew at Chowning’s Tavern 

When my family visited Williamsburg while I was a child, we ate at Chowning’s Tavern  and I vividly remember eating Brunswick stew. I don’t know why they call it Brunswick stew, but I recall the savory chicken stew and couldn’t wait to try it again when I returned as an adult. A melding of many flavors and rich colors, it was still terrific! (Recipe follows.)

Chowning's Tavern - Photo provided by The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation

Williamsburg has several restaurants with different menus and styles of cuisine. All of the restaurants have servers in Colonial-style period costumes who “fit the part.”

(more…)

When you think about travel, sometimes the meals can be the most memorable part of the trip. New Orleans is certainly a memorable place in its own right, but rarely do you get a repeat performance that lives up to expectations in the way I found about Brennan’s.   (more…)

When I lived in Germany, I was trying for an authentic experience while living in a rural community near Stuttgart. My local market had an array of items, some of which I was familiar with, some not. But, sauerbraten had to be the quintessential German fare. I was so excited when I saw a vacuum packed pre-soured sauerbraten waiting for me! (Keep reading for recipe!) (more…)