Food

Surrounded by rolling hills and lush vineyards, Sonoma Valley is a premier destination in Northern California. Sonoma Valley offers visitors an array of activities such as wineries, spas, 5-star restaurants, hiking trails, historic grounds, and a variety of ethnic eateries. One of our favorite towns to visit is Healdsburg. A quaint town with a charming town square, Healdsburg is the perfect place to make as a home-base as you explore the various wine areas. After numerous trips to Healdsburg, we have come up with some of our favorite spots: Where to Stay: 
19 August, 2013
We have been heading down to New Orleans for Tales of the Cocktail since 2009 and each year we have wanted to eat at Cochon. But, the ever-popular restaurant is always booked and we were never organized enough to make a reservation in advance. But, not this year! When you’re down in NOLA there is one thing you can’t deny, good old southern cooking. And, if you’re in the mood for southern comfort food with a kick of Cajun, then Cochon is a necessary stop.  Chef and Owner Stephen Stryjewski, Winner of the 2011 James Beard Foundation's “Best Chef South”, and Louisiana native Chef Donald Link, Winner of the 2007 James Beard Foundation's “Best Chef South”, opened Cochon in 2007, which was a finalist for the James Beard Foundation “Best New Restaurant”. Makes sense why it's hard to get a reservation!
18 August, 2013
Last year on our final night in New Orleans, we happened upon a small bistro in the French Quarter, just off of Bourbon Street, and thought it looked like a quiet, charming place to eat. After a week of over-indulging in food and drink, we were looking for something simple. We were in for a big surprise as we had stumbled upon a hidden gem. As we planned our return trip to New Orleans this year, the first thing we did after booking our flights was make a reservation for dinner at Louisiana Bistro. We decided to book it for our first night in town when we knew we would have the biggest appetite. At Louisiana Bistro, Chef Mars offers a contemporary twist on classic Creole cuisine. Featuring delicious local seafood and seasonal fruits and vegetables, this menu is as fresh as it gets in NOLA. With around only a dozen tables, the setting is intimate and exclusive - reservations are recommended and most often required to snag a seat.
17 August, 2013
Back in the late 90s, I spend four years studying and working in Washington DC. I loved living in the city.....so much culture, so many sites, people from all over the world and lots of fun. But, the one thing DC did not have was good food. I had come from LA which was always looked down upon by those in New York and San Francisco when it came to our food. But, in all honesty, even LA beat DC when it came to food. Now, more than 15 years later, both cities have vibrant food cultures. On a recent return visit to DC, I ate at three very different places that each represent the excitement of the food scene. And, now that Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week (August 15-25) is about to start, it's a great time to check out these restaurants and others.
16 August, 2013
Hollywood Boulevard is one of LA's most well-known and trafficked staples. Whether you are dazzled by the stars on the Walk of Fame or captivated by famous landmarks like the Chinese Theatre and views of the Hollywood Sign, it is safe to say visitors come to this Boulevard looking to be wowed. While sights and flashy landmarks aren’t for all, there is one thing travelers and locals alike can enjoy - the food. Although there is an abundance of local eateries, bars and night venues, some of the best restaurants on Hollywood Boulevard can be found right in your own hotel. For us, that location was Delphine at the W Hollywood Hotel, located on the corner of Hollywood Blvd and Vine, in the heart of the Hollywood strip.     Delphine Eatery & Bar is located right off of the main boulevard and offers Contemporary American cuisine that is inspired by fresh and organic ingredients. The ambiance is inviting and gives off a cool California vibe with a splash of Miami chic. Seating is offered both inside and on the patio, and the décor is colorful and warm with a sophisticated flare. Besides the fresh atmosphere and creative cuisine, our visit was prompted by their new summer menu items. With so many refreshing new items, we had to make a trip and try a few (or more).
15 August, 2013
The owners, Neal Bodenheimer and Kirk Estopinal, of Cure and Bellocq in New Orleans, opened their newest spot Cane and Table, just in time for Tales of the Cocktail. And, we are thankful they did so. Of course, it was a bit difficult to find with the nondescript entrance, especially with the line for another restaurant blocking the door- But, we found it.
15 August, 2013
Located on L.A.’s infamous Restaurant Row on La Cienega, the new Scratch|Bar is tucked on La Cienega between Wilshire Blvd and San Vicente. Next door to Matsuhisa (use their parking lot to valet your car), Scratch|Bar stands out among its neighbors in all ways. Most importantly, everything is made from scratch.....from the food to the decor.  
14 August, 2013
It may not be an official star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame but located on the back lot of the "Jimmy Kimmel Live" show is its newest star....Adam Perry Lang, who is serving up serious BBQ with his Serious Barbecue truck.     
13 August, 2013
Like the yin and the yang, there are two things that seamlessly go together- summer and ice cream. Lucky for us, we got to enjoy some savory sweets just in time for the close of national ice cream month. If the weather and views aren’t reason enough to head down to Marina Del Rey, then this local gem certainly is. Inspired by the coastal towns of the Mediterranean, the food at CAFE del REY is about discovery, simplicity and quality of ingredients. Pastry Chef Tonye Dunn makes no exceptions when it comes to the quality of her craft and she cooks up quite a dessert menu that has people noticing. Her most recent venture is the creation of a non-traditional ice cream and sorbet menu that uses fresh and local ingredients. She typically concocts new flavor profiles every three weeks and highlights seasonal ingredients that complement each other. We got the chance to taste a plethora of flavors that pleased all of our taste buds.     Surprisingly, most of the ice creams and sorbets stay true to their flavor and are made by cooking down the primary ingredients in two rounds. In celebration of national ice cream month, our ice cream social menu had both savory and sweet flavors that you really have to taste to believe.
09 August, 2013
It’s been more than a year since talk began surrounding Chef Michael Cimarusti (of Providence Restaurant) opening a New England clam shack in LA.  Named after his maternal grandparents, Connie and Ted, Chimarusti takes us to the East Coast where he grew up, offering a menu of simple, delicious, familiar seafood dishes. The restaurant is located where the old Silver Spoon used to be in West Hollywood. As you approach the 140-seat restaurant, the large patio, open floorplan and exposed kitchen are bright and inviting.
06 August, 2013
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