Le Pigalle Hotel
If I had any hip Parisian friends with a tasteful flat in Pigalle, I would expect it to feel a lot like Le Pigalle Hotel which blends retro furniture and decor with a modern design aesthetic, and of course there would be a dance poll in the living room, constantly burning candles from Le Labo, and DJ’s spinning the latest trendy tunes.
Luz Verde- The Best Tacos in Paris
After seven years in France, I’ve learned that most French don’t understand or appreciate quality Mexican cuisine and this is represented by the lack of Mexican restaurants throughout the country. So when I learned that a former Top Chef (2017) with a Mexican heritage, Alexis Delassaux, had opened a restaurant in South Pigalle (So-Pi), I […]
Le Couvent des Minimes Hotel & Spa
When you think of Provence, the villages of Gordes, Menerbes, Bonnieux, Les Baux de Provence, or maybe even Saint Remy de Provence are the first villages that come to mind, but you rarely hear the village of Mane mentioned. This is good for those of us who like to explore new Provencal villages and prefer […]
Azor Hotel
Consisting of nine islands, and approximately 2400 miles from the east coast of the United States, The Azores are probably one of the most undiscovered destinations within a 4-hour flight from the East Coast of the USA. The islands are characterized by dramatic volcanic landscapes, deep lakes, lush green pastures, fishing villages, and rows of […]
Huus Gstaad
Set in the glorious Swiss Alps at more than 1,000 meters above sea level, the spectacular surroundings of Huus Gstaad influence every aspect of the hotel. Built in the classic wooden-clad chalet style, the 136-room hotel holds onto the quintessential styles of the local architecture, while at the same time infusing it with a sense of modernity.
Ski Lodge Engelberg
Long road trips can be great for randomly revisiting the past and telling stories about life before your kids were born or were too young to remember. Somewhere on the road between Cambridge and Lucerne and after listening to “Old Town Road” for the millionth time, the topic of ski photography came up with my […]
Escape to Provence
The lavender fields of Provence draw crowds from around the world and for good reason. The beauty of the flowers themselves, grown in massive rows that stretch for kilometers, are enough to whip your senses into shape, but then you combine the plant’s wonderful aromatherapy at work, and Provence in July is a perfect prescription […]
Abbaye de la Bussiere
In the heart of Bourgogne (Burgundy), Abbaye de la Bussière is an ideal base from where to discover and taste wines along the famous Route des Grands Crus wine trail. Just half an hour’s drive from Dijon, the luxury Relais & Chateaux hotel is also perfectly situated as an ideal stopping point on the road […]
Reserva Margarita at Pappasito’s
While Pappasito’s is part of a large, Houston-based chain of restaurants that cooks up everything from pit-smoked BBQ to Louisiana-style seafood, there is no denying that their Tex-Mex is legit. When I visit Houston, I typically find my way to both Chuy’s and then Little Pappasito’s on Kirby and order similar items each time- typically […]
House Margarita at 777
One of the best house margaritas in Europe is at 777 in Dublin. While I have also tried many of their unique Mexican inspired cocktails on the menu, like the Lobo Verde (Don Julio blanco tequila, Triple Sec, cilantro, jalapeno, lime juice) and the Mi Corba Mas Sexy (Don Julio blanco tequila, grapefruit, lemon, thyme), […]
France 101: Petanque
When I think of summer in the south of France, many things come to mind: the endless sunshine, the blue waters of the Mediterranean, the persistent sound of the cicada, the low roar of the crowd on a market day, the taste of cold rose by the pool, rows of purple lavender, sunburned tourists taking […]
Chuy’s Famous Rita- On the Rocks
Chuy’s is the very definition of Tex-Mex, but with that “keep Austin weird,” fun and funky attitude. Since its opening on Barton Springs Road in Austin in 1982, it’s been serving authentic and fresh food in an atmosphere that has become uniquely Chuy’s. The founder’s joke that their “decorator” was a good friend of theirs, Jose […]