All around the world, the bright rainbow colors have intrigued my eyes and tantalized my taste buds... Los Angeles: Bottega Louie Paris/London/NYC: Ladurée London/Washington DC/Brussels: Paul London/Paris: Pierre Hermé San Francisco: L'Artisan NYC: Bisous Ciao As the...
Food + Drink Guides
The Best Macarons in Los Angeles…
are nestled on the sprawling shelves of trendy downtown French bistro and bakery, Bottega Louie. Just because it's LA, don't assume that you'll find "skinny macarons"; there's no skimping on size and thickness here. The real differences are the taste, texture, and...
The Best Hamburger in California…
is waiting for you at In-N-Out, a delicious, amazing, fabulous, regional fast food chain that is the pride of the West Coast, particularly California, and that often leaves tourists or East Coasters pining for more. A bold statement, I'm fully aware, but it's the one...
Berlin: 3 Favorite Christmas Markets
The Christmas markets (Weihnachtsmarkt) in Berlin are simply magical, and really the only reason to visit during the bitingly cold winter months. Starting in early November, the city shines in all its festive glory, transforming pockets into quaint, romantic, and...
The Best Macarons in Paris…
can be found at the original 1862 Ladurée bakery, located on Rue Royale. Famed as the creator of the double-decker macaron, Ladurée not only offers the elegant dessert in a rainbow assortment of flavors, but it also holds as one of the oldest tearooms in Paris,...
Photo Essay: California’s Chocolates Through the Lens
America may not be known for churning out the finest in chocolate, but it still has its share of chocolatiers and artisan brands that are worth exploring. And two of those brands hail from California! That's a proud moment for this native Californian. 🙂 If you're in...
The Best Martini in London…
is the classic dry at Duke’s Bar (housed in luxury boutique hotel, Duke’s Hotel), a hidden gem in London’s bar scene. Rumor has it that, as a seasoned Duke’s Bar patron, Ian Fleming (of the James Bond fame) coined the catchphrase “shaken not stirred” here, so it’s no...
The Best Lemon Tart in Paris…
can be found at Jacques Genin, one of Paris’ most reputable pâtisseries and chocolate shops, located in the 3rd arrondissement. But don’t go asking for a lemon tart; ask for a tarte au citron instead. You’ll be received with much better service, and maybe even a...
The Best Custard Tart in Lisbon…
and arguably, the world is the Pastel de Nata (also called the Pastéis de Belém) from Antiga Confeitaria de Belem--the purported birthplace of the eggy dessert. Think of it as one of Portugal's culinary gifts to the world. These unbelievably creamy, flaky custard...
“Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950” Exhibition at the V & A Museum in London
I love London. I love British culture. I love fashion. Fuse all three and you get the new exhibition--Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950--at the Victoria & Albert Museum in Kensington, London. Pardon me, while I let out an effusive scream. *unrestrained...
The Best Rose-Raspberry Croissant in Paris…
can be found at Pierre Hermé, one of Paris' premier pastry shops, nestled in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area (my favorite location out of the 7). I often hear people say croissants are not pastries, but instead of getting into an argument about how wrong they are, I'm...
Newport Beach: A Honeymooner’s Paradise
The sweet fragrance of love is in the air, and this time it is in Newport Beach, California. Think classic, not cliché. Look beyond the usual destinations such as Bora Bora or Hawaii for your honeymoon, and let the coastal gem of...