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.
Keeping It In The Family: Rhine Hall Distillery
Rhine Hall. It's a new name in the Nashville market but one that Chicagoans know very well. Nestled in the heart of West Fulton Market, Charlie and Jenny Solberg are keeping their family tradition alive producing some of the best eau de vie around. You might be scratching your head about now or pulling up a tab to google "eau de vie." Don't worry, I had to do the same thing.
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: Entente
While I was in the midst of my foodie reconnaissance for an upcoming trip to Chicago, I stumbled across a restaurant new to the Chicago dining scene, Entente. As I began to read through several articles, I became very excited and knew this was a must during my visit. At the helm of this new venture is Chef Brian Fisher, formerly of Michael Carlson's Schwa and Chef Mari Katsumura, formerly of Curtis Duffy's Grace. With that combination of culinary prowess, I knew I would be in for a treat.
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.
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.
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?
Some cities have a way of demanding a second chance. And that was exactly the case with Montreal. My first trip was less city exploration and more an extended exercise in retail recovery, lost luggage will do that to you, which meant the city I’d heard so much about remained largely unvisited.