Big Island, Hawaii-Coffee and Chantilly Cake
Anytime is coffee time, and I discovered the Kona Mountain Coffee store on the Big Island. The coffee is 100% grown and hand picked on the family’s Kona farm, then roasted in the store. I met the owner Bill Dwyer and his daughter Heather, and they are committed to producing the smoothest coffees. Chocolate candies...
Big Jake and Randy Serving Big Island Style BBQ
BBQ at the roadside stand Big Jake’s in Honaunau, south of Capt Cook, Big Island, Hawaii. It’s all about the barbecue ribs, meats and chicken cooked over keawe wood by Jake. Jake was raised on the island, cooked in many established kitchens and is a certified bbq pit master. You know its good bbq when...
Honolulu Baby-How I Love Their Foods
Every few years, I like to go to Honolulu and eat favorite foods just like the locals do every day. Known for long wait times in Waikiki, Eggs ‘n Things, the check in person at the restaurant on Saratoga Road, told my cousin Ann and me that the wait would be an hour. Happily, the...
More Genuine Mexican Food in San Diego
Chilaquiles with or without a fried egg? I must have the egg with a runny yolk to drizzle over, but Chris’ mom, Norma wanted her dish without an egg. Talavera Azul in Chula Vista, Calif is very well known for their varieties of chilaquiles. The traditional dish (not to be confused with nachos) is made...
Restaurants in Rural California-Santa Barbara, Nipomo, Carmel Valley
California is a trend setter for modern and cutting-edge eateries which garner lots of attention, especially in celebrity studded Los Angeles. However, when it’s time to drive north from Los Angeles, these detours will take you back in time and no one leaves hungry or disappointed. One of the most scenic roadways is the 101...
Carlsbad-“The Village by the Sea”
To think Carlsbad used to be a stop off point between LA and San Diego before modern roads existed. Usually, I zip by this coastal city while driving on the freeway, and when the opportunity came to take a walking tour with Carlsbad Food Tours I got excited. Our guide took us to an old...
Tiny Carmel packed with Goodness
Some people come to look at the most stunning ocean views in Carmel, which I did, but then I found the bakery. Carmel Bakery has been baking breads and desserts for over 100 years in the village of Carmel-by-the-Sea. I bought a freshly made pretzel for the road and a slice of raspberry layered Napoleon....
Rustic Dining in Old Fashion Settings
Pull off hwy 101 in Nipomo (near Santa Maria) and on a side street is the legendary Jocko’s Steakhouse. Old time dining which is more about the food than the ambiance. Aubrey cooked all the meats and chicken to perfection over red oak and flare ups didn’t interfere with his timing of flipping and searing....
A Drive to the Los Angeles area for lunch and cherry pie
Let’s drive to Carmel and see the Big Sur area, I said, but certain stops along the route are a must. First stop was for Vietnamese food in Orange County. I had heard the food was very good in Little Saigon, near Westminister, but narrowing down the choices was difficult. In my constant search for...
Old San Diego with the New Rising Up
Oh how much my native San Diego has changed in downtown with new high rise structures in front of old buildings. Whenever I travel people always say how they love to visit our city. So I say to my local friends, get out there and experience it and don’t take it for granted. I soaked...
The Creative Sweets of the Holidays
Time for the holidays with food and decor. One of our favorites is the elaborate Holiday Chocolate Display at the Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad. It has become a traditional event for us and this year’s “Santa’s Workshop Emporium” is incredible. To create this masterpiece, Executive Pastry Chef Christophe Rull brought together a few teammates...
