Company spending pressures combined with the needing to stay near Waverly station found myself at the Hotel Indigo for a few nights during my recent work trip. I wasn’t sure what to expect, especially being situated among a lot of construction even continuing on during a 10PM arrival. Surprise, surprise, the place was absolutely delightful!…
Venice M’Art
After reading about the ever-so-cool sounding Venice M’Art- bar, restaurant, and concept store, I knew I’d definitely be planning an afternoon around it. They had so many fun little menus and didn’t accept reservations for lunch so I was looking forward to the laid back good time. You see the chic white cushy chairs on…
La Caravella- Venice
While I had a reservation already booked for La Caravella my final night, I was wandering the neighborhood the night before, people watching and sneaking into a few shops as the merchants were closing up for the day. That’s how I found myself awkwardly perched on an uncomfortable bar stool in the high traffic area…
Gio’s- Venice
Sometimes it’s more fun to have the splurge meal of the day be lunch than dinner, providing a reason to stroll around all afternoon and lazily walk it off well in advance of the evening or if you’re on a city break, it creates the perfect opportunity for wine-fueled shopping. Gio’s did just that. Located…
Lineadombra- Venice
Lineadombra looked like a real gem as soon as I’d read the menu and realized it was just a fifteen minute walk from the hotel who also recommended this intimate place. I got all dolled up for my solo date night, starting with an apertivo at Antinoos Lounge, and even shoved my broken toes into…
Chaophraya- Edinburgh
Ahhh to be back in Edinburgh after a year and a half away felt so good. The moody city sprawled between small hills always manages to look cold while giving the chilled visitor a cozy feeling. Despite an eight hour plane delay, I was greeted with blue skies and stunning castle views from Chaophraya, the…
Antinoos Lounge- Venice
A hidden gem on the opposite side of Dorsoduro is the Sina Centurian Palace. I sneaked a peak during a leisurely stroll from the Guggenheim and pegged it for the perfect dinner or drink not so far from Il Palazzo Experimental. The entrance was rather grand and you could imagine how lovely this terrace would…
Il Palazzo Experimental- Venice
After falling hard for Experimental Chalet, Hotel des Grands Boulevards, and then maybe even a little in love at Menorca Experimental (it remains only a memory rather than a review), that I’ve been on a quest to check out and check in to all of the other properties of the Experimental Group. After a few…
Ristorante Riviera- Venice
After a 2:30AM wake-up call in rainy Switzerland, pushing through to a sunny arrival in Venice, I was in dire need of lunch! Nothing too heavy as I’d booked a nice dinner that evening, but just enough. My hotel restaurant’s tiny terrace was full, so I did the next best thing and just plopped down…
Ina’s Cacio e Pepe Eggs
Ms. Ina claims she makes cacio e pepe eggs for dinner parties of the ‘breakfast for dinner’ variety. While I find this somewhat hard to believe as this was exceptionally simple, they were a little more special than your usual scramble, so why not. I’ll buy it, like I’m off to buy some more Pecorino….
Macarons and Mayhem Guide: Paris
MACARONS La Grand Epicerie: Extensive upscale food hall and grocery with a truly impressive pastry case. Popelini: Choux pastry delights filled in a wonderful array of sweetness. MAYHEM Hotel de Crillon: My go-to bar when dressed for an occasion. Classically modern music and cocktails with excellent people-watching. Little Red Door: Consistently one of the best…
La Croix Verte- Nyon
It never ceases to amaze me that personal sized pizzas are something like $25-$45 in Switzerland. While I’ve gotten accustomed to doubled housing costs, higher grocery bills, a thousand different types of taxes, the pizza cost still blows my mind, maybe the most. You can drive over the border and have a delightful pie for…
Los Cuates- Nyon
Swiss Mexican always leaves something to be desired, but Los Cuates was definitely the best to date. A very festive dining room, somehow even more festive drinks, and food that was…well… Swiss Mexican. Pretty solid as there was note a grate of Gruyere or edible flower in sight as with previous attempts at the cuisine….
Mountain Burger- Villars
On an unusually sunny Friday in Villars, I was wondering the cutie little ski town seeking the best looking menu and spot to sit in the sun and devour a book I’d just started on the train. Ok, ok in reality I was also looking to devour some lunch and landed at Mountain Burger where…
Viu Villars
Hotel Viu Villars was the perfect jumping off point for a first ski weekend. Well situated by the center of town and train station, it made going back and forth, and storing luggage a breeze. The hotel was totally booked for the half-term school holiday and felt a bit like Lord of the Flies, but…
Villars-sur-Ollon
Bretaye, the ski station, and Villars will always have a special little, frozen, slice of my heart as it’s where I learned to ski- even after a icy-pants filled tumble down a giant hill.
On Valentine’s Day Ina Makes Us a Lemony Cheesecake
A lover of all holidays, Valentine’s Day has always struck me as one of the silliest, but somehow also loveliest. Hater of heart shapes, lover of romance this one was self-love in theme and started with a full 8 hours of sleep followed by winning a writing contest (shocking, I’m sure). Not romantic externally in…
Greek Lemony Chicken Soup
There’s something to be said about the worse the photo, but if it’s posted here, that the recipe must be REALLY good. This is one of those. My photographic skills are not only lacking, but more so here as I couldn’t wait to dive into this bowl of flavorful goodness. ADDITIONALLY, I am not one…
Steinhalle- Bern
While you can find my musings on travel, food, hotel reviews, and recipe testing on this gorgeous blog, I don’t often leave feedback directly to establishments unless it’s particularly incredible or awful. In the case of Steinhalle Bern, I thanked the chef, waiter, and host directly, lauding the experience as my favorite meal in Switzerland…
Noumi- Bern
On a city break where you’re logging 25K-30K steps a day, I subscribe that you can eat anything you want, life is short, right? So after traversing the city, the hill behind it, and back again, I landed at the oddly situated Noumi, in the basement of the Bellevue Hotel. The vibe was not at…
Hotel Bristol- Bern
Ah, that January to April time period where literally nothing happens every year. You have to convince yourself to get back into the swing of things for work and stop drinking champagne at all meals because you’ve now entered the dullest part of the year. May as well surrender your passport for renewal, right? With…
Loaded Biscuits
Loaded biscuits, biscuit bombs, cheddar-apple-bacon-chive biscuits, clean-out-the-fridge biscuits. Would a biscuit by any other name smell as savory? Whatever you call them, hop to it for a winter morning loaded in biscuity indulgence. Loaded Biscuits
Ina’s (Chipotle & Rosemary) Nuts
Wow- Ina’s nuts are DELICIOUS! These savory, slightly sweet nuts are going to be in regular rotation of my apero menus. My guests agreed that these were the standout of the meal and I’m only sad I sent a nice chunk of them away as part of my lovely hostess duties. Ina’s Nuts
Cold Longevity Noodle Salad
It turns out that longevity is a lot like revenge and is best served cold. This simple dish was a standout of my lunar new year brunch with friends taking it to go and it being the highlight of the following seriously bonkers work days. Save yourself about half of the sauce and prep extra…
Spring Roll Crisps
Need a simple and ludicrously easy impressive looking snack that you’ll also find as the starter of The Cape hotel in Cabo? Thought so. What a happy accident to stumble into this no-recipe recipe! Spring Roll Crisps
Super Model Project: White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Rarely a cookie recipe comes along – from a supermodel, no less- that truly blows your mind. This recipe is absolute, indulgent perfection! Sweet, salty, crunchy, chewy… Ms. Teigan nails it, the it being my waist line, but totally worth ‘it.’ Chrissy’s White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
Chrissy’s Cucumber Salad
Happy lunar new year, ya’ll! I don’t know anyone more ready for some cleansing, fresh vibes than this girl right here…which I suppose is ironic being that the holiday was ushered in by a carb-laden dim sum brunch and just wee bit of wine with the girls. There was this cucumber salad that Chrissy Teigan…
Spicy Tuna on Crispy Rice
One of my favorite restaurant appetizers is anything involving spicy tuna and bonus points if its resting on a bed of crispy rice. So, when I found this original Nobu copycat recipe, I knew that this had to be my special new year’s eve dinner. I need to try again on the rice as I’m…
Blueberry-Lemon Yogurt Cake
My go-to coffee cake recipe received a small makeover this morning involving one lemon that really elevated the recipe a bit. It’s amazing how lemons make absolutely everything better. When life gives you lemons, toss them into a tried and true recipe.
Jaya at The Setai- Miami
On our final evening in Miami, we celebrated my 40th birthday with a very upmarket dinner and an “Asian Bazaar Night” which was meant to have some sort of performances. Sounded kind of weird, we were in! Having dined and enjoyed drinks around the elegant Setai lobby in years passed, I was absolutely shocked when…
Esme Rooftop- Miami
The first night of our Miami girly weekend brought us to the Esme Hotel, recommended by several friends for well… all of their common spaces. The hotel was beautiful and with so much lovely, dim lighting we seemed to have spend a gorgeous evening there and took about zero photos. We dined on the rooftop…
Hotel Greystone- Miami
After a whirlwind work week, my sister joined me for a girly weekend on the beach and we relocated to Hotel Greystone which purports to be a design-y adults-only haven with its own beach access. Upon arriving at the hotel, the vibe was just right, the lobby was clean, elegant and well designed. We were…
Byblos- Miami
During a week-long work trip in Miami while staying at The Royal Palm South Beach, I managed to dine at Byblos two nights in a row before the work commitments really started. The restaurant is beautiful with lots of fun plates for sharing. This made it a challenge as a solo diner, but two meals…
Hashbrown Crust Quiche
Christmas this year saw the introduction of a beautiful new brunch creation that was as simple to make as it is colorful– hasbrown crust quiche! Made in a springform pan, it looks daringly more elegant and complicated than it actually is. She held together quite nicely when sliced! Hashbrown Crust Quiche For the crust: For…
Coco Bistro- Providenciales
After the year I had, I was grateful to be entering my 40th trip around the sun, rather than dreading this threshold of midlife. The day itself must have been built off of my vibe because it was absolutely better than expected. If you’re with good friends, what more do you really need, but I…
Grace Bay Club- Providenciales
After the craziest year complete with a c!^#r diagnosis and recovery, it was essential to celebrate my 40th in a big way. Lucky for me, tropical islands are pretty appealing to old friends in December, so away to Providenciales we went for birthday festivities and a grad school reunion. We opted to stay at the…
Ina’s Chipotle Cheddar Crackers
I must have been good this year as I received TWO new Ina cookbooks for my collection! Despite not planning any meals whatsoever while at my parents’ house, I had to break into Ina’s ‘Go To Dinners’ with…well…not a dinner, but the best salty, savory, apero snack I’ve made in awhile. ‘Twas so nice, I…
Mercado- Fort Wayne
Question: what’s a girl to do if she’s trapped in an entire country that doesn’t do Mexican food well or allow the sale of hot peppers? Answer: hit every Mexican restaurant north of the country itself, including the delicious Mercado in Fort Wayne. The sibs treated me to a (very) early dinner one (very) cold…
Pendry Chicago
The prior to my 40th trip around the sun, the gentleman suitor type person (edited: master manipulator) and I spent a very chilly weekend in Chicago. It was his first time there and my first in seemingly as many years. So much has changed, new neighborhoods crop up, old haunts shut, the shopping a bit…
Sweet Potato Casserole Waffles
Leftover whipped sweet potatoes crowding your fridge? I can attest that shoving them in some waffle batter is an excellent use of their efforts for breakfast the next day and perform equally as well in the toaster on day two. Sweet Potato Casserole Waffles Adapted from Grace and Good Eats
Cranberry Orange Oatmeal Cookies
The star of this year’s cookie plate is reminiscent of a cookie I found at Violet Bakery in London several years ago and have been chasing ever since. Some might argue these are better suited to the citrus-laden days of spring, but I think they are perfect for the holidays. Plus, their citrusy glaze keeps…
Cora Pearl- London
Good ole lady of the evening, Cora Pearl, strikes again! Remember when I made her my best friend last year? This girl, here? The one with the greatest fish stew…. A year later, after a whollllleeeee lot of stuff happening, I saw her again. I was so sad she didn’t deliver her fish stew. Last…
London at Christmas
Could there possibly be a better city for Christmas than London? Even if festivities begin ludicrously early, the twinkling lights, oversized trees, and flying angels take the streets, I venture to solidly say absolutely not. This is the pinnacle. It’s the most wonderful time o the year, indeed mate!
Harvest Apple Cake
Still have apples from your overly curated IG apple picking? Thought you might… why don’t I introduce you to my Grandmother’s apple harvest cake recipe. It’s a family tradition, ludicrously simple, and succinctly captures that fall magic in every bite. Harvest Apple Cake
Ina’s Winter Squash Soup
Is it clear I’m coming upon 40… I love soup….this must be a key sign of entering the next decade. This one was so easy, so comforting, and ludicrously simple if you buy squash that is already cubed. It’s definitely one for the winter rotation and if you top it with pretzel bread croutons and…
Ina’s Apple Pie Bars
I know you have apples. I’ve seen you all over Instagram picking them with your families, some in coordinated outfits. Some claiming you don’t know how to make pie. Tis the season. Ina’s Apple Pie Bars are better than pie because well, they’re Ina’s. Also, the crust is more short bready goodness than bland shortening…
Le Tout Part Deux- Paris
After an absolutely incredible “find” of the not at all hidden Cheval Blanc and it’s rooftop restaurant, Le Tout, back in April, I knew I would be returning for my surprise solo trip in October. Lucky for me, the weather was 75 degrees! The last week of October! So, I opted out of their full…
Shiro- Paris
If you’re looking for a way to properly indulge on a Friday or Saturday night in Paris, consider Shiro. While the resto has a full menu during the week, on the weekend it only offers an omakase menu so all you have to decide is whether you want six or eight courses and how much…
Hotel Le Bellechasse- Paris
She’s baaaack! Me! I’m that she! And as a woman of her word, I’m returning to Paris for a couple top secret weekends this year. Recently was one such weekend and after such an incredible mid-chemo jaunt to Le Bellechasse, well, I knew I just had to return. The room I had this time was…
L’Antre Amis- Paris
If you’re living in Geneva, chances are you might find yourself with friends from Paris who can send you to neighborhood haunts rather than restaurants you’d find written up on blogs and in guidebooks. L’Antre Amis is just that- a neighborhood gem and recommendation from someone who used to be of that neighborhood. Tucked onto…
Macarons and Mayhem 