Why I paid $900 to dine at Saison
Acquiring Michelin stars has been a hobby of mine for quite some time, albeit a costly one for both my wallet and my waistline. In the midst of planning my annual trip to San Francisco, I decided it was a great time to add a few Michelin stars to my list seeing as the Bay Area now has as many three star restaurants as New York City.
D.C. Dining: Lupo Verde Brunch
Brunch. It's a social institution and there's arguably no better way to start your weekend. What do you look for when making your brunch selection? Champagne and Caviar service? Amazing eggs benny? What about that extra crispy Benton's bacon?
D.C. Dining: Rose's Luxury
Lately, it seems as if I am developing a habit of standing in lengthy lines for dinner. First Street XO and now Rose's Luxury. The question that is always asked: "was it worth it?" You'll have to read and find out!
D.C. Dining: minibar by José Andrés
I just returned from a weekend of wandering around Washington D.C. and I can't wait to share my dining adventures! Washington D.C. is not necessarily a place that is on my radar but one of my dearest girlfriends moved there for graduate school so of course, I had to visit! There's nothing better than enjoying sensational food with your best friends.
Madrid Musings: Mercado de San Miguel
One of my favorite "foodie" experiences during my trip to Madrid was visiting the Mercado de San Miguel. In fact, I enjoyed it so much, I went each day while I was there. The market reminded me of the West Side Market in Cleveland, but with serious Spanish flair. There are a variety of vendors (over 30, I believe) serving different tapas dishes, meats, sherry, and seafood. I didn't even know where to begin, so I just started wandering.
Madrid Musings: El Club Allard
Everyone has a story but I find the story of a chef to be particularly interesting. After reading several articles on El Club Allard, I knew I had to meet Chef Maria Marte. Her display of tenacity and perseverance is one for all to admire.
Madrid Musings: Street XO
As you all know by now, I am notorious for planning all of my vacations around food. Before I even made flight or hotel reservations for Madrid, I checked to see what Michelin star restaurants were in the area. Imagine my excitement when I discovered that there were 14 different restaurants with Michelin star rankings, and that doesn't even include the World's 50 Best list! Seeing how Diver XO and Alinea recently collaborated, it was one of the first places to research.
Next Restaurant takes us back to Ancient Rome
Every year around November/December, I anxiously anticipate Next Restaurant's menus for the upcoming year. Chef Grant Achatz and Chef Jenner Tomaska are both imaginative and calculated with their menu iterations.
Save The Date: Music City Food and Wine Festival September 15-17, 2017
Calling all food connoisseurs, music lovers and imbibing enthusiasts! The fifth annual Music City Food and Wine Festival returns to Nashville on September 15-17. In an effort to keep up with the ever evolving culinary scene in the Music City, the festival producers have decided to spice things up a bit.
Windy City Bites: Yuzu Sushi and Robata Grill
Confession: My name is Catherine Courtney and I eat for the insta. Let's be honest, everyone does it whether they admit it or not. It's an epidemic.
A Rick Bayless Classic: Topolobampo
Every time I go to Chicago, I try to make it to a few new restaurants. Over the past eighteen months, it's been harder and harder to abbreviate my list as the Chicago dining scene is always evolving. When one place closes, three more open making it exhausting for this Nashville girl to keep up.
Doughnuts and Dive Bars: The Charlotte Edition
Sharing Flavors & Laughter at Kid Cashew
Taking a trip to Charlotte in the near future? If so, I have a place that you MUST try. Kid Cashew. It is EVERYTHING. Literally, it might be my favorite brunch I've had in the last six months and that is one serious statement from a girl who loves to brunch!
Get Hoppin' through Charlotte's Microbreweries!
Let's face it, anytime Southwest Airlines has a sale I am all over it. Not that I need an excuse to explore a new city or meet up with friends, but it certainly helps. I decided to take advantage of the three day weekend and pop up to Charlotte, North Carolina and see what the chatter is all about.
In case you're waffling...
While wandering the streets in Brussels, it's likely that you will be greeted with the sweet scent of freshly baked waffles. (And no, it smells NOTHING like Eggo waffles people.) Admittedly, this was one many things that I couldn't wait to try. Imagine my surprise when I went to order my first "Belgian" waffle to find out that these don't exist.
What's for dinner? I have the answer!
Nashville's culinary landscape is always changing and these are questions that I am asked at least once a week by friends and co-workers. Finally, Sylvan Park has addressed all of these questions with one answer. The newest addition to the Sylvan Park neighborhood will open its doors on Tuesday, April 4th, 2017 for service.
Dining Guide: Nomad Marrakesh
If I learned anything in Marrakesh, I can tell you that after spending the day wandering the serpentine paths in the souks, you will work up an appetite. Dining options are rather limited in the souks, so I recommend you plan ahead and make reservations.
Lunch Overlooking the Atlas Mountains
It's hard to believe I was sitting on a terrace at Sir Richard Branson's Kasbah Tamadot resort just a week ago. With luggage unpacked, piles of laundry to sort through and my return to work looming, the vacation hangover has completely set in. Rather than dwell on the inevitable, I'll transport myself back in time and share the details of my amazing meal at Kasbah Tamadot.
Far From a Basic Bakery: Dominique Ansel Bakery
As I sit scrolling through my Instagram feed, the usual suspects make their appearance: Cronuts, Cookie Shots and Blooming Hot Chocolates. Trust me, I am not complaining :) Stopping by Dominique Ansel Bakery was an inevitable item on the New York City itinerary.
Exploring NoLIta: Brunch at Estela
Knowing that I had limited time in the city, I schemed and plotted to ensure that I hit as many of the best restaurants as possible. I find that as I travel more frequently, I am able to tweak my "foodie reconnaissance". After perusing the World's 50 Best List and Michelin Guide, I usually narrow down the heavy hitters. Can you believe that there are 72 restaurants that received Michelin stars in 2017?
Every city has that one restaurant that people whisper about with a mix of reverence and urgency. It’s on every listicle and when brought up in conversation, “You have to go” is usually the general response. In Mexico City, that place is Máximo Bistrot. Tucked into a leafy corner of Roma Norte, it’s equal parts refined dining room and neighborhood favorite, and somehow manages to feel both important and unpretentious simultaneously.