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: Bites & Sights Part 1
When I was planning my trip to Madrid, I was a little overwhelmed. There was SO much to see and not enough time. That seems to be the case with all of my travel, but I digress. Below are a few of my favorite places that I visited. If you have any questions at all about any of this, feel free to comment below or shoot me an email! I am happy to assist in any way.
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.
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.
The Fashionable and Flowering Jardin Majorelle
The weather in Nashville is simply dreadful. Bone-chilling winds are whipping around corners and sporadic bursts of rain always seem to appear at the most inopportune time. In order to escape this nonsense, I have spent most of the day dreaming about my time in Jardin Majorelle.
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.
Meandering Through the Souks of Marrakesh
Welcome to the souks of Marrakesh. Where the streets are filled with snake charmers, storytellers, and minstrels filling the air with their sweet sounds. Anything that you could possibly desire is found in this chaos of color.
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.
Kasbah Tamadot: The Luxury Destination of the Atlas Mountains
Perfectly perched within the Atlas Mountains, Kasbah Tamadot is one of the premier luxury destinations in Morocco. Located about an hour outside of Marrakesh, Kasbah Tamadot overlooks the Ouirgane Valley providing the picturesque views of Mount Toubkal and other neighboring Berber regions around the area.
My Adventures in Marrakesh
After three flights and a windy ride through the city, I finally arrived at the lovely Peacock Pavilions compound. Featured in Elle Decor, "Peacock Pavilions hotel is a handmade, artisanal boutique hotel in an olive grove out on the outskirts of Marrakesh." Peacock Pavilions was the creation of Maryam Montague and her husband, Chris Redecke. Each building has been exquisitely decorated leaving no detail unfinished.
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?
A NYC Icon: The Plaza Hotel
I was beyond excited to plan my trip to New York. Strangely enough, it's not a place that I frequently visit, even though it's a trendsetting city for the US. I knew I would have absolutely NO trouble choosing which restaurants visit, but I struggled on where to stay.
There's something about Amsterdam that just begs for a slow afternoon/evening and a good glass of wine. Between the flickering candlelight, crooked canal houses, and tucked away corners, the city is full of cozy wine bars that make you want to put your phone on "Do Not Disturb" and linger for hours