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Archive for the ‘Travel’ Category
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
Lunch as provided by the IFBC…what I sampled
Chef John Howie, Seastar Restaurant, John Howie Steak, Sport Restaurant and Bar
Salmon Carpaccio
Suggested Wine Pairing: L’Ecole No. 41 2008 Semillon-Columbia Valley & 2007 Syrah-Columbia Valley
Chef Shannon Galusha, Bastille
Marinated Octopus with Chickpeas and Preserved Lemon (others enjoyed with Chorizo Vinaigrette)
*This was my favorite dish, I had two helpings! Attractive in an artistic way, the octopus was large enough to be a tiny offensive - as in do I want to close my eyes or am I brave enough to take a big bite - I chose the latter and found it deliciously flavorful and perfectly chewy. A tad bit salty, and I mean that in the best way.
Suggested Wine Pairing: Skylite Cellars 2008 Sierra (73% Pinot Gris & 27% Sauvignon Blanc)
Chef Jason Stratton, Spinasse
Zucchini in Capione with Fennel and Apricot
Suggested Wine Pairing: 2009 Carderetta SBS 79% Sauvignon Blanc, 21% Semillon
Middle photo Lemon Basil.
Posted in Drink, Epicurean Events, Travel | No Comments »
Saturday, August 28th, 2010
After making my way through Logan (is it me or has security gotten a lot more efficient) to the “secure area” I landed a prime people watching seat at Lucky’s and ordered up a dirty martini and fries. Next NewsLink for trashy reading. Come on, I’m flying. Though I also carried a copy of New York Magazine (I subscribe) and Dave Eggers Zeitoun should I have opted for something more elevated.
Having been on an uneventful, but loooooong flight I was very happy to get into my room at the Hotel Monaco. Once in, bags down, I found my aquatic buddy for the weekend Albert. He seems a lovely little goldfish, full of energy and with none of the pretentiousness of one of those James Bond-like aquariums I read about last week in the Times.
The first day of the International Food Blogger Conference (IFBC) was in “culinary high gear’ featuring the likes of Dianne Jacob and Kristine Kidd leading the informative workshop “The Art of Recipe Writing and Kathleen Flinn orchestrating the learning and hilarious seminar “Writing With All Five Senses.”
Every manner of recording device emerged from bags and pocketbooks onto the rows of tables lined up close together in a room of the Theo Chocolate factory. IPADS, IPhones (from what I could observe these were used primarily for Twittering, something I learned today some food bloggers are “aggressive” about), Blackberrys (presumably also for Twittering), laptops, digital cameras, applicable cables, and on occasion (such as with myself) a notebook and pen for taking copious notes.
As a young blogger (less than 18 months) I continue to find I have a lot to learn about how to improve Delicious Musings. My voice, style, how I utilize links, and overall experience one has reading this blog. I will be incorporating some of the practical advice I learned today in posts featuring recipes (look for more cultural or historical information in the headnotes and nutritional data when appropriate) and to dig deeper into the experience of a dish utilizing more verbs to describe its smell, texture, and sound.
Posted in Thoughts, Travel | 1 Comment »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
Tomorrow I fly to Seattle, where I expect to meet a lot of interesting people (some of whom have blogs I have begun to follow and really enjoy), eat and drink (and write all about it), see friends, and spend a little more time in a city I’ve only had the briefest of relationships with in the past year.
One day I would like to roadtrip to and throughout the Northwest by back road and highway. It is the best way to see the country, conversing with oddball strangers (because those are the most memorable), having deep conversations with my traveling partner(s), eating good and really bad food, and checking out for a few weeks.
Photo by Grant Harder.
Posted in Epicurean Events, Travel | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 17th, 2010
I cannot remember how I came across Kate Neckel’s work, but I can tell you I was super excited when I did. Let’s start with the fact that she was hired by the Ace Hotel in NYC (the home of the infamous sandwich boasting pockets of bourbon) to draw on the walls of Room 1208.
Once during an alcohol induced weekend of excessive behaviour with wild friends and members of the Ohio University men’s ice hockey team I spray painted on an outside wall. It was the beginning and end of me drawing on any walls, and certainly not an experience that aided my time researching a promotional piece for the Julian Schnabel film “Basquiat” during my days at Miramax Films. My college stunt may not have unearthed any interest in graffiti artists, but my time on “Basquiat” most certainly did. That, similar work on independent films, and living in the East Village (and later Los Angeles) reading Hunter S. Thompson, Tom Robbins, Jack Kerouac and Charles Bukowski greatly influenced my frame of mind. Gone were the impressionists with pretty water lilies and sunflowers, in were honest unchartered territories to be challenged and explored.
I don’t know if I would have appreciated artists such as Kate Neckel before that time, which would have been such a shame. Her doodles/illustrations and videos are incredibly fun, and as the smart folks at the Ace knew can transform the visual boundaries of a space.
Kate’s “stuff” is inspired by skateboards, dreams, lust/love, little yellow birds, rituals, patterns, surfing, a love of tulips, and so on…
Kate is available for commission work: kate at kateneckel.com or for more info and to see more of her work please visit her website.
***Photos are by Cara Bloch please do not use without permission of the artist. Please email her for permission: carablock at aol.com
Posted in Surfing, Thoughts, Travel | No Comments »
Thursday, August 5th, 2010
I am escaping to Seattle and Los Angeles the end of this month for a week and am so excited. When I booked my trip a few weeks ago it seemed so far off, now it seems like it will be here and gone tomorrow. I like the period of time leading up to a trip - all the anticipation and planning (what to do and wear) are fun. In Los Angeles I want to see the Dennis Hopper exhibit at MOCA, check out the food truck scene, surf, and relax.
Actually, that was “all” I wanted to do before I heard about Ludo Bites (the guerilla style pop-up restaurant event created by Chef Ludo Lefebvre (a two time Mobile Travel Guide 5-Star Award winner and almost more impressive a student of the great Chef Alain Passard at L’Arpege (the French “equivalent” of The French Laundry). In case you missed Sam Sifton’s review in this week’s NYT Dining section, check it out online. Same with the Time Magazine article from earlier this year on Chef Lefebrvre and dining out in the future. Of course, you could just visit Banana Wonder and ogle over the pictures of the blogger’s recent LudoBites dining experience. Thanks Nathan for sending that link to me! I’m not jealous or anything, just green with envy! See LudoBites is sold out, it has been since (supposedly) shortly after it was announced.
Vadouvan Naan Bread, Salted Coconut Butter ($4)
Grilled Octopus, Oregano, Grilled Hazelnut Polenta, Pineapple Aioli, Piment D’Espelette Gille ($16)
Campfire Smoked S’mores, Guacamole Sorbet ($14)
Photos Banana Wonder.
Posted in Travel | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
There is a large patch of Milkweed, outside the Inn at Isle au Haut creating a perfect breeding ground for Monarch butterflies. I could watch them eat all day, it is amazing. Line after line of leaf disappears so quickly. The cocoon (or chrysalis) is green with a tiny gold line - perhaps where the caterpillar sewed it up? The inn had two jars, each with one caterpillar - one in its chrysalis stage, the other eating. Diana (the innkeeper) named one “Twitchie” after watching him do what could be described as a combination of breakdancing and what one might look like dancing to reggae music. “Fatty” well he just eats a LOT. These photos were all taken in front of the inn.
Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
For breakfast, Diana made Fresh Peach Muffins with coconut and walnut streusel that sunk into them. What put that completely over the edge was her delicious homemade strawberry butter. Then, she made a Baked Pancake with peaches, raspberries, and maple syrup. Of course it was delicious and the plate had to be cleaned. Then I needed to walk and bike a lot!
Consider this: Having walked a couple miles you find yourself on Boom Beach, which is made up of large smooth round rocks. You find a large enough rock, or combination of large rocks, and begin sunning. After an hour or so somehow you have found a way to be hungry again (after Diana’s large breakfast). How fortunate! She packed you a homemade lunch with a sandwich, bag of what amounts to a handful of trail mix, brownie, fruit, and mini bottle of pink lemonade with Maine blueberries.
Dinner is five courses. My first night at the inn the menu was: a hummus with homemade pita and marinated artichokes, Summer Squash Soup w/ Roasted Red Pepper Cream, Garden Greens with Shrimp Esceviche, Garden Chard Wrapped island caught Halibut with herb butter and Eggplant Napoleon, and Blackberry Pear Rhubarb Pie. Diana also makes homemade rolls for each dinner.
Posted in Comfort Food, Friends, Travel | No Comments »
Monday, July 26th, 2010
Rain, sun, fog - I got it all during my weekend on Isle au Haut. Unlike the weather, certain things such as the rustic charm and great food never change on the island. It is as beautiful as ever.
The island is located six miles out to sea from Stonington Maine and is home to the most remote sector of Acadia National Park. There is a year-round community of 45 - 50 and a significant summer population made up of day-trippers and summer residents. The year-round community is comprised of fishermen, two chocolate makers, retirees, and at least one famous writer. Paved/unpaved roads leading to trailheads and lush forest that feels like a fairyland. There is a loyalty among those who have spent significant time on the island, a true community with unwritten rules. A friendliness, which can be found in people willing to offer a lift in the back of their pickup into town (where the one tiny market, ranger station and post are located), and a feeling of freedom.
No surprise, I had a GREAT time!
The church spire is one of the first signs of the town.
The town dock, where the mailboat, that brings people onto the island from Stonington lands.
This Bittersweet Peruvian Chocolate Raspberry Tart from the Black Dinah Cafe was out of this world!
Kate was so sweet, she took time out from her busy chocolate making day to give my friend and I directions on where to hike. Went up Black Dinah Mountain and took in the scenery at Robinson Point, location of the island’s lighthouse.
There were so many raspberry bushes on the island. They provided a healthy and tasty snack while hiking.
Diana’s Lunch Buggy sells homemade sandwiches, whoopie pies, cookies, chips, and pink lemonade with Maine blueberries. I had “The Veggie” with pesto, cucumber, tomato, and I am not sure what all else for lunch. So good.
The view from the Inn at Isle au Haut is magical.
Posted in Baked Goods, Friends, Travel | 1 Comment »
Thursday, July 22nd, 2010
Finally the end of the week. What are you up to this weekend? I am heading to Isle au Haut Saturday morning for my annual visit. It is a quiet island with one inn, a chocolate cafe, charming people, and picture perfect scenery everywhere. Some of you may have read a few highlights I shared in past posts. Hope you have a wonderful weekend!
Photos Inn at Isle au Haut, Diana Santospago.
Posted in Friends, Travel | No Comments »
Tuesday, June 29th, 2010
One more reason to love NYC - the crazy art exhibits you find in the most unusual places. While purchasing a jar of Anarchy Jam at Chelsea Market I stumble across this brilliant/hilarious collection of photographs by David Mead. Check out these beard and mustache champions!
Posted in Photography, Travel | No Comments »
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