Sunday, September 20, 2009

Barcelona & Costa Brava, Spain

Places visited: Barcelona, Tamariu, the Girona countryside

Best B&B:

Mas Martorell near Girona (lovely rooms, hosts, pool and an extraordinary breakfast with everything home made)

Top restaurant:

Irati (Basque tapas) in Barcelona (not the best food, but fun concept, atmosphere and worth the money as you pay for each toothpick)

Provence, France

Places visited: Le Thor, Isle Sur la Sorgue, Avignon, Gordes, Rousillon, Seguret, Buis le Baronnes, Gigondas, Mollas sur Ouveze, Les Baux, Mont Ventoux, St. Julien Bridge, Chateau de la Canorgue Winery, Vaison la Romaine, Uzes, and Pont du Gard.

Favorite B&B (and restaurant):

Les Carmes close to Le Thor (with Michelin star chef and CHEAP gourmet dinners every night except Sundays plus wonderful hosts and guests)

Favorite towns:

Isle Sur la Sorgue (huge Sunday market, smaller Thursday market)
Gigondas (excellent wine tasting and restaurants)

(honorable mentions: Gordes, Rousillon and Vaison la Romaine)

Best sight:

Cathedrale d'Images

Restaurants
:

Best Restaurant EVER:
Les Carmes near Le Thor (see above)

Worth going to if the weather is nice:
La Girocedre in Puymeras near Vaison la Romaine (beautiful back yard and hearty French food)

Nice not-so-heavy French food:
Terroirs in Uzes (try their delish tartines)

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Washington D.C:

Top restaurants:

2 AMYS pizzeria (mmm delicious Italian style pizza)
Rosemary's Thyme Bistro (for a mediterranean breakfast)

Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Dublin

Top three experiences:

- Walking Tours: Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
- Music: Dublin City Jazz Orchestra (at the Button Factory)
- Lunch: Gruel (68 Dame St.)

New York

Top restaurants:

- Mexican: Pinche Taqueria in Nolita (227 Mott St.)
- Austrian: Blaue Gans in Tribeca (139 Duane St.)
- Italian: Lavagna in East Village

London

Top restaurant:

Belgo for their food, but mostly their BEER!

Miami (and Carnival Cruise to the Bahamas)

Top restaurant:

- Rosa Mexicano (just for their good guacamole)