Gastrolust

This was not a particularly good month of eating, mostly because I was in nowheresville most of the time. Let’s jump in, starting in Albany, where I pulled off the highway shortly after leaving the airport for dinner at Ala Shanghai in Latham. This place has a slightly more upscale feeling than most Chinese restaurants. [...]

[Read more →]

I’ve written up my summer travel previously, so let’s jump to August and a few restaurants I hit at the start of the new school year. My first trip is always to Tampa, but never with enough time to get anywhere interesting. This time around I simply went to Kwan Ming for this dish of [...]

[Read more →]

I’m in airports frequently, with O’Hare in Chicago one of my least favorites for food. So I was excited to learn that Rick Bayless opened Tortas Frontera in Terminal 1. Using locally sourced ingredients, Tortas serves a number of the namesake griddle-baked sandwiches, as well as molletes, which are the open-faced variety. Tortas is a [...]

[Read more →]

Just a few trips in March, starting in Pocatello, Idaho. It’s not the place you’d think of eating Indian food, but I gave it a try at Himalayan Curry & Kebob House. I had time for a quick lunch, so the buffet called to me, and let’s just say that it sufficiently filled me up [...]

[Read more →]

February started with a quick trip to Chicago, and by quick I mean flying from Seattle and then back home the same day. Luckily, this meant a chance for lunch in the Windy (and brutally cold) City, which turned into one of my favorite meals of the year. I pigged out at The Purple Pig. [...]

[Read more →]

I reported previously about travel to the Yakima Valley, which is a fun escape from Seattle, albeit a bit restaurant-challenged.
If you’re searching for something special, something romantic, you’ll need to go beyond Yakima and get into the countryside. Oh, there are decent places to stay in the city. Yakima’s Fairfield Inn has suites [...]

[Read more →]

With just four nights planned in Paris, this food lover was fascinated by the endless eating possibilities. It had been years since I last visited the city, and back then I was on a “student” budget—not that there’s anything wrong with eating baguettes and cheese all day long.
How would I allocate [...]

[Read more →]

The brochure from the Belgian Tourist Office tells me the country has 28 castles. Appeals to my childhood fantasies. 35 UNESCO World Heritage Sites. That sounds educational and fun. 500 types of beer (each with its own glass). I’m getting thirsty. And over 2,000 chocolate shops. Alright, when is the next flight?
All this and much [...]

[Read more →]

Sure, there are many great restaurants in San Francisco—just as there are many San Francisco treats in the way of romantic and sexual things to do. So little time, and so much to do…so let me narrow things down for you with a suggested eating itinerary and few extras. Here are ideas [...]

[Read more →]

You don’t have to race down mountains on skis or a bike to enjoy Whistler. You and your loved one can enjoy the outdoors and other activities in a more relaxing, romantic way. Here are ideas for a memorable day in Whistler, where we stamp this week’s Passport to Pleasure—a hedonistic [...]

[Read more →]