Hampi, India: Where to Stay and Eat

The entrance to Sunny's

WHERE TO STAY *please note, most places don’t have an address.  This is the way it is here, it is small enough to not need them.  When you arrive, simply ask someone or you will very likely see the signs. There are two areas of Hampi.  The main Bazaar, which sits at the foot of [...]

Restaurants are Banning Customers from Taking Pictures of Their Food

Hyderabad-India-Taj-Falaknuma-Palace-April-2012-068

According to this New York Times article, some chefs are beginning to ban customers from taking pictures of their food. I think that’s a crazy move for most restaurants since it’s free publicity and there could be a major backlash. However, for the more popular and formal restaurants, I can understand the reasoning behind it. Flashes are distracting [...]

Houston Hot Spots: Where to Eat and Drink in the Big H This Fall

This Heights-area market, serves up everything from produce and dairy to specialty coffees and artisan breads, complete with a full butcher shop and prepared foods.

Houston is getting quite a bit of attention for its culinary scene. The trifecta of excellent farming, ranching and fishing in the area is a major contributor, and there are a slew of new restaurants, bars and markets that are worth checking out. Here’s what’s hot in Houston right now: Underbelly Chef Chris Shepherd opened [...]

Website of the Week: Savored.com

Restaurant reservation website offers off-peak pricing


A brilliant new concept where diners can make free online reservations and pay lower prices at fine restaurants during off-peak hours. Savored uses a proprietary technology to search restaurant availability to find you the highest possible discounts in 10 major U.S. cities. Once you find a table, reserve it online for free and enjoy an [...]

Virginia Beach

King Neptune!

I had never been to Virginia Beach, but the name itself has always sounded appealing to me.  I pictured a vast beach on the Atlantic bordered by hotels. And although the beach is endless and there are many hotels, most are not very tall, and the place has a much more intimate feel than what [...]

Where to Eat in Medellin, Colombia

Traditional Medellin meal in Colombia

The most memorable dining experience I have ever had in my life occurred at El Cielo in Medellin, Colombia. Literally, the night was a sensual feast for all senses. We had what they call 11 moments.  One can have up to 20 moments. The chef Juan Manuel Barrientos, winner of several awards, has created a gastronomic [...]

Chef John Sedlar’s Playa Restaurant

Playa restaurant

Raising the Bar for Urban Latin Cuisine Living in LA as long as I have, I forget that it is not normal for a four-year-old boy to confidently order Rad Na from a Thai waiter as my friend Charlie does.  LA’s multi-cultural vibe does indeed permeate its food scene, leading me to believe that one [...]

London’s St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel

London-St-Pancras-May-2011-155

Last week we left off after I landed in London from an Air New Zealand flight. Passport control and customs took no time at all, though it was a long walk from the gate. If Renaissance Hotels, who brought me over the pond, hadn’t arranged a car service for me, I definitely would’ve taken Heathrow [...]