Cruising the Coast of California and Stopping for Good Food
Our road trip to Northern California started in San Diego with a list of restaurants to share meals with family and friends. First stop was Westlake Village outside of Los Angeles and we met relatives for dinner at Brent’s Deli. I recently learned about Brent’s from a former New Yorker and he was right,...
Bratwurst and Cheese in Wisconsin
A short drive north of Chicago and we were in Wisconsin. I was so impressed with the green farm lands and easy to navigate roads. I had not visited this state and was ready to eat cheese, brats and kringles. Welcome to Wisconsin! First stop in Wisconsin was in Kenosha at The Brat Stop for...
Chicago and food-just skimming the top
We decided to travel to Chicago and Wisconsin to use airline credit and explore the steaks, pizza and sausages which appeared to our liking. Midwest beef is worth the trip Once settled in our hotel near Chicago’s Miracle Mile, high on the list was Midwestern beef. Gibson Bar and Steakhouse came highly recommended and it...
More Places to Explore on the Big Island, Hawaii
Another beautiful day on the Big Island driving along the Kohala Coast to Waimea. Waimea The mid week farmers market in Waimea sells vibrant produce grown in the rich volcanic soil. I can never eat enough of the juicy tomatoes and green leaf lettuce during my visits. Fresh from the earth is best and this...
Road Trip Discovering Arizona Cookies and New Mexico Chiles-Let’s go!
We packed our bags in the car and headed towards the USA Southwest region, away from our “coastal influence.” Cookies in Arizona and New Mexico chiles were about to add spice to my adventure. Jacob Lake Inn makes the best cookies near the Grand Canyon Driving the Arizona scenic route on Highway 89A, near the...
Pink Pancakes and Shrimp
Sunday morning as I walked to the Royal Hawaiian Hotel in Waikiki, I saw this cute couple sitting at the bus stop. I stopped and chatted with them while they were waiting the bus to church. Gary and Taemi live in Honolulu but he was wearing a Raiders face mask. Turns out Gary was raised...
Temecula is Thriving in Old Town and the Wineries
I can’t remember the last time I visited Old Town Temecula and it’s more lively than before. All types of restaurants and shops and a special bakery. Oak Grove Culinary Creations sells desserts for their at risk and special needs youth. I gladly support this concept! At Devilicious Eatery most of the menu items are...
Discovering the Varieties of Food in San Diego’s South Bay Communities
Since I can’t travel, I went on a food exploration of the South Bay, San Diego and found so many choices. First stop was Star Dust Donuts in Imperial Beach which has been there since 1967. The sole owner sells inexpensive donuts and the community knows him well. A word of advice is to bring...
Wines of the West–Paired with the Best
The following is a guest post written by Noreen Kompanik (Noreenkompanik.com) Here’s to food, wine, friendship, and good times. And cheers to some amazing family winemakers, including three women-led wineries. That’s what happens when a group of food and wine lovers get together to pair their favorite dishes with some incredible wines from California and...
The Local Waters in San Diego with Refreshing Lunch Views
Visiting beautiful Torrey Pines Gliderport in La Jolla with activities worth watching in a stunning location is a must. I remember years back when hang gliders soared over the cliffs and now there’s modern powered paragliders. There’s even a falconry experience including parahawking with trained falcons soaring around the paragliders. Talk about a unique...
No Denying My Baking Genes
As you probably know by now, baking is in my genes. This is a picture of my grandmother and her sister showing off a layer cake they had made in their San Diego home. In 1979, I visited the Betty Crocker test kitchens in Minneapolis and still remember how exciting it was watching cakes and...
The Good and The So-So Baking Results During Quarantine
More quarantine baking with many delicious baked goods and a few which I thought needed improvement. Let’s start with this eye appealing and stunning dessert- Summer is fresh peaches and plums in abundance. Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa) to the rescue with her Peach and Blueberry Crumbles recipe. I used peaches and plums and followed...
