The Black Dress Traveler

Navarra in New York (and DC too!): A Wonderful Week of Wine & Food from Spain

Are you craving Piquillo red peppers, Rosado wine and Iberian pork? Don't worry if you can't jet off to Spain right now - New York City and Washington, DC are celebrating cuisine from the Kingdom of Navarra from February 6 - 14.

Located in the north of Spain, Navarra borders the Basque Country, La Rioja, Aragon and the Pyrenees. Known worldwide for the running of the bulls in Pamplona and immortalized by Hemingway in The Sun Also Rises, the experts state that the "climate and topography make Navarra an extraordinarily fertile region…an historic distinctive cuisine with multi-national influences. Navarrese cooking incorporates local products of the highest quality, with a great variety of mushrooms and other fungi; superb meats, game, and fowl; Cantabrian fish; regional cheeses like Roncal, Aezcoa-Valcarlos and Idiazabal; and locally produced olive oil." I say, DELICIOUS! 

During Navarra Gastronomic Week, acclaimed chefs and wine experts will host a variety of tastings and serve special menus. Participating restaurants in NYC include Boqueria, Casa Mono (one of my favorites), and Toledo. In DC, Jaleo, La Bodega, La Tasca and several other eateries are putting the spotlight on Navarra. Enjoy!
 
For more information, visit www.navarragastronomy.com.

Dine Out For Haiti

I just learned from one of my favorite chefs, Alain Allegretti, that he and over 40 restaurants in New York City and beyond have joined together to create Dine Out For Haiti. Each restaurant will donate up to 10% of their sales to support the earthquake relief efforts in Haiti. Dine Out For Haiti will take place on Sunday, January 24th. Those restaurants that are closed on Sunday will participate on Monday, January 25th. Also, the W Hotels of New York will be referring all of their guests to the participating restaurants.

The restaurants can choose to make their donations to Action Against Hunger, Doctors Without Borders, and Partners in Health. Restaurant staff are also being encouraged to make a donation. 

In New York City, in addition to Allegretti, Gramercy Tavern, Tabla, Casa Mono, Otto, Tribeca Grill, and many other top restaurants are participating. Out west, your options include Pizzeria Mozza in Los Angeles and Carnevino in Las Vegas.

For more information and a complete list of participating restaurants, visit www.dineout4haiti.org.

Travel & Learn: Take an Educational Vacation

Have you ever fantasized about baking bread in Italy, dancing Flamenco in Spain, making perfume in France, or studying Portuguese in Lisbon? Make your next vacation a learning holiday. Pursuing your passion in your dream destination can add a whole new dimension to your travel experience. Here are a few companies that offer fantastic learning opportunities abroad. If only college had been this much fun!

 - From cooking courses to sports holidays, GoLearnTo offers a wide variety of learning opportunities in 30 countries. Some of their unique classes include perfume making in France, belly dancing in Turkey, and surfing in Ecuador. These are vacations to remember!

- Carbs are not the enemy - poorly made bread is! Made with the finest ingredients and the utmost of care, artisan bread is a thing of delicious beauty. Get to know your dough by enrolling in an Artisan Bread School course in Tuscany, the United Kingdom or the United States. Learn to make fantastic foccacia, crusty ciabatta, and sensational sourdough from school founder Carl Shavitz. Yummy! 

AmeriSpan proclaims to offer "every language, every culture, everywhere." It may be a slight exaggeration (sorry, no Na'vi classes for you Avatar fans) but they do teach Arabic, Chinese, Korean, Spanish and more. You can choose to learn the language of your choice from a diverse selection of countries, including Morroco, Germany, Taiwan, Argentina, and India. You can also explore AmeriSpan's volunteer programs and internship placements.

Truffles, Paella & Crabs Are Just A Click Away: Shop Online for Regional Foods

That Marcel Proust guy was on to something - taste has the power to conjure up very powerful memories. A bite of a sweet madeleine was the catalyst for Proust's vivid recollection of his childhood in Remembrance of Things Past. For me, a perfectly prepared paella transports me back to sunny Spain. Living in NYC, I have the luxury of being able to dine at restaurants that serve virtually every cuisine on the planet but sometimes you want to cut out the middleman and just nosh at home. Here are a few websites that will deliver your favorite regional goodies to your door. Bon appetit!

La Tienda sells everything you need to make an authentic paella right at home. Pans, rice, saffron, and peppers from Spain are all available at this popular site. They even ship a frozen paella! An impressive selection of chorizo, jamon serrano, turron candy, bath products, ceramics and more make La Tienda THE ultimate source for the best of Spain.

Foodies go crazy for truffles and for good

 

 reason. A few slivers of this aromatic tuber take everyday foods like eggs and pasta from boring to sublime. Based in Umbria (Italy), Sabatino Tartufi has been in business for more than 100 years. Visit their website to order their highly coveted fresh black and white truffles in addition to truffle infused oils, salts and creams. Preserved and frozen truffles are also available.

While you can get a good crab cake in many places, Maryland has mastered the art of making a GREAT crab cake. If you're craving the Chesapeake's tasty crustaceans but can't make it to Maryland, just take a virtual visit to The Crab Place. Shipping Maryland seafood from the dock to your door, The Crab Place is a purveyor of crab cakes, King Crab legs, handpicked crab meat, and everything you need to host your own crabfest. They also sell lobster, shrimp, and seasonings.  

And, if Proust has inspired you to snack on a tasty madeleine, you can buy them at igourmet.com. They import these quintessentially French sweets from Brittany.

The No Snooki Guide to the Jersey Shore:

MTV's controversial new reality show Jersey Shore has managed to depict the southern part of the Garden State as a fist pumping bar brawl set to an endless soundtrack of house music. One of the breakout stars in this cast of self-proclaimed guidos and guidettes is Snooki. Rocking jet black hair that is as long as she is tall, Snooki is a tiny uber-tanned party animal whose signature dance move is the panty free cartwheel. Oh my.

As a fan of the Jersey Shore region, I wanted to share a few places that are the complete antithesis of what is depicted on MTV. Your chances of running into Snooki and her raucous roomies are pretty slim in the three towns listed below. Call my buddy Mario at 33 London Taxi to take you around the Jersey Shore in style in his fleet of London style black cabs. Just promise me, no fist pumping please!

Spring Lake: This bucolic town was my introduction to the Jersey Shore. A quiet enclave of Victorian mansions, Spring Lake has a 2 mile non-commercial boardwalk that is perfect for a romantic or solitary stroll by the ocean. Choose one of the many historic inns for an elegant overnight stay. Click here to read more about my first visit to Spring Lake and some of my favorite spots.

Red Bank: Red hot Red Bank boasts fine dining, shopping and A-list accommodations. Book a stylish room at the Oyster Point Hotel with a view of the Navesink River and enjoy an evening cocktail and dinner in their elegant bar. Catch a concert at the spectacular Count Basie Theatre and grab a bite to eat at RED Restaurant and Lounge - home of New Jersey's best crab cake. Shop 'til you drop at selve for custom shoes, Carter & Cavero for excellent olive oil, and SPACE for home furnishings. You might even catch The Boss, Bruce Springsteen, shopping at Jack's Music Shoppe. Click here to read about my trip to Red Bank.

Asbury Park - Home of the legendary Stony Pony and an iconic Boardwalk, Asbury Park has experienced a major renaissance. See and be seen at Watermark - a chic beachfront lounge with ocean views, plenty of eye candy, and killer cocktails. My friend Patti also recommends the "awesome vacation cuisine and great vibes" at Langosta Lounge and The ShowRoom, a "very cool art house showing classics and indie films." 

La Dolce Vita On a Plate: Delicious Italian Desserts

Americans adore our milk and cookies but food historian and author Francine Segan (The Opera Cookbook, Movie Menus) says that Italians prefer their sweets paired with a delicious glass of wine or liqueur. I just returned from Francine's presentation in Manhattan at the 92nd Street Y, La Dolce Vita: Italian Desserts Tasting & History, and my sweet tooth is saying grazie!

Francine kept the audience captivated with sugary treats, sophisticated libations like Limoncello, and tasty historic tidbits. As we munched on rich Italian chocolates, torrone, panforte and panettone; we learned that Columbus introduced chocolate to the New World, a woman invented the popular BACI chocolates, and everyone's favorite creamy chocolate and hazelnut spread, Nutella, is the result of cocoa rationing during WWII. Even spices get the sugary treatment in Italy: have you ever tasted candied cinnamon or fennel? Delicious!

So, next time you are fantasizing about long days under the Tuscan sun or starry nights in Umbria, add a dash of la dolce vita to your day with some delicious Italian sweets. And, take Francine's advice - don't forget the vino!

Nigella Bites the Big Apple!

Best-selling cookbook author, television star, and world renowned domestic goddess Nigella Lawson had the crowd at Tuesday night's Hudson Union Society event eating out of her hands and hungry for more!

Dressed in a perfect little black dress, the curvy culinary celebrity was in New York City to promote her newest book, Nigella Christmas. More than just a collection of holiday recipes, Nigella's festive book is full of practical advice to keep your holiday meal preparations stress-free so that you can focus on enjoying time with your guests.   

A winning combination of posh and down-to-earth, Nigella proudly proclaimed that she is "spearheading the anti-perfectionist movement."  She continued by explaining that "food is about home cooking" and that most people on their death beds will reminisce about the simple foods of their everyday lives, such as a juicy roast chicken, and not the elaborate creations served in restaurants.

Nigella's talent and passion for food have led her on an incredible journey but her ascent was far from premeditated. "I never planned anything in my life. I loafed from crisis to crisis," she laughed. 

Nigella's talk revealed some basic but important truths about life: be comfortable in your own skin, relish life's unexpected twists and turns, and a pat of real butter makes everything better!

Photo taken by J Hoch.

Morocco in El Barrio: The Kiosk Restaurant in Spanish Harlem

The magic of Marrakech and the charm of Casablanca is just a subway ride away in East Harlem. One of my favorite places in the growing El Barrio culinary scene is The Kiosk, a charming eatery that serves Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine.
The colorful decor and sweeping wall murals are the perfect backdrop for Chef/Owner Mounir Najd's flavorful and fresh cuisine. Drop in for breakfast, weekend brunch, happy hour drinks, lunch, or late night hookah service. The Kiosk also has live jazz on Thursday nights.

I'm still having a great time working my way through the menu at The Kiosk but I am crazy about the perfectly seasoned Moroccan eggs (baked eggs with merguez sausage, onions, tomatoes, herbs & spices served in a clay tagine). And, the sweet little shots of Moroccan tea are absolutely addictive!

The Kiosk is located at 80 East 116th Street. www.mnkiosk.com

Ten in My Town: Alva Johnson's Atlanta

From where to buy the perfect little black dress to the best spot for a romantic dinner, reaching out to local ladies with a zest for life is one of the best ways to get the inside scoop on a destination. Ten in My Town asks savvy ladies to name their top ten picks for the places to see and be seen in their hometowns. Our first stop is the land of juicy peaches, sweet tea, spicy reality TV drama queens, and so much more – Atlanta! Glamorous Georgia girl and globetrotter Alva Johnson is our guide to this sexy southern city.

Alva Johnson
Co-Founder, Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational
www.icswi2010.com

Whether staffing 22,000 temporary employees for the Olympic Games, training personal assistants for celebrities such as Vera Wang and The Dave Matthews Band, or planning large scale events in Brazil and Germany; Alva Johnson is the consummate planning professional. As the co-founder of the Independent Champagne and Sparkling Wine Invitational (ICSWI), which will take place in New Orleans in April 2010, Alva brings the same energy and enthusiasm to bubbles that she’s used to ignite crowds worldwide. Alva passionately believes champagne isn’t just for special occasions – it’s the ultimate celebration of life! Let Alva's Ten in My Town picks inspire you on your next trip to Atlanta.  

1. To Buy the Perfect Little Black Dress - I love to shop at Fa'brik in Buckhead or Wish in Little 5 points. Both have sexy yet eclectic styles. Fa'brik is more designer driven while Wish has more fashion-forward options.

2. For a Night Out with the Girls - The St. Regis Hotel Bar- great crowd, cool atmosphere...after that possibly Club Opera or The Cheetah (this IS Atlanta).

3. For a Romantic Dinner - Canoe or Joel. Canoe when I want to see the Chattahootchie River or Joel when I want great French food and sexy atmosphere. 

4. To Take Out of Town Guests - my favorite local place by my home, Bistro VG's (formerly Van Gogh's). I live in the suburbs, 45min from the city, so I take out of towners to my favorite place by my home.

5. For Something Sweet- Bistro VG's again or Krispy Kreme. Bistro VG's for great crepes and homemade sorbets. Krispy Kreme for those days I do not have to fit into my little black dress.

6. For Cocktails - Drinkshop in The W Hotel Downtown or my home is pretty infamous for Champagne gatherings.

7. To Connect with Nature - my backyard...one of the great things about living in the suburbs is having a large backyard, a lake across the street, and a brook flowing in my back yard. My backyard is a haven for butterflies, they congregate in my yard and I love to step out of my stilettos and just be.

8. To Connect with the Past - Auburn Ave. in Atlanta. This is a historical street which has the Martin Luther King Center and Ebenezer Baptist Church.

9. Where I Go to Unwind - to the kitchen. I love to cook and naturally I have lots of great wine and champagne at my home, so my kitchen is a great source of relaxation. I pop a bottle of champagne, and enjoy it while I create a feast. My children love to cook with me so I buy them sparkling grape juice which makes them feel "fancy."

10. To Learn Something New- Easy one- the library, any library, usually the library at Crabapple Middle School (my son's school). I have always been an avid reader, a true lover of books, and any time I can spend in the library is a happy moment for me. I go to my son's school library without him knowing until he sees me in the hallway or the librarian tells him I've been there for hours.

What the?: New York NOT On List of World's Best Cities To Eat Well

Forbes Magazine recently published a list of the World's Best Cities To Eat Well and my hometown of New York City was not included. How can this be? Not only does New York City have some of the finest gourmet restaurants in the world but authentic cuisines from every corner of the globe can be easily found in the Big Apple. London was also notably missing from this culinary countdown. The article says, "Unfortunately, for these inarguably delicious cities, the local cuisine just isn't as dynamic as in other parts of the world." Well, I never!  

According to Forbes, "the list is derived from the 2009 Anholt-GfK Roper City Brands Index, released in June. It surveyed 10,000 people from 20 countries--each chosen for geographic and economic diversity--in April of this year. It asked them to rank 50 cities on such varied subjects as climate, physical attractiveness, restaurants and nightlife. Cities were judged on lifestyle, buzz, multiculturalism and attractiveness."

Of their selections that I have visited, Barcelona is my favorite thus far. I will have to make a point of visiting the other places to see if they really outshine New York City. Ok, I'll get over my hurt feelings and share their list with you. Tell me what you think. What cities would you add to this list?

1. Paris
2. Rome
3. Tokyo
4. Mexico City
5. Barcelona
6. Madrid
7. Hong Kong
8. Beijing
9. Milan
10. Shanghai

Table Talk: The Inside Dish from 5th Generation Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard

5th generation French Chef Jean-Stephane Poinard has taken America's oldest city by storm. St. Augustine locals and visitors have all been been swept away by the authentic French cuisine that Chef Poinard lovingly and expertly prepares at his Bistro de Leon.

Watch the video to learn how Chef Poinard was literally baptized in the kitchen and how a nice French boy landed in Florida!

Go RED for the Best Crab Cake in New Jersey

Perfectly prepared crab cakes are most often associated with the state of Maryland but the Garden State proved they can also work culinary magic with these tasty crustaceans. The Black Dress Traveler was honored to receive an invitation to help choose the best crab cake in New Jersey as a judge at the 3rd Annual Crab Cake Festival and Shore Chef Cook Off.

Twelve restaurants competed at Monmouth Park for this coveted title but there was only one winner: Red restaurant located in Red Bank. Their baked beauty boasted perfectly seasoned and juicy lumps of crab meat topped with micro greens. Congratulations to Chefs Dominic Giuliano and Darryl Feeney!

Escape with a Cup of Tea: Win Two Traveler's Tins from the Republic of Tea

Ahhh, who doesn't love to escape with a perfectly brewed cup of tea. Not only is tea good for you and delicious but it can calm your nerves, ease a tummy ache, and be the catalyst for great conversation when shared with friends. Tea is always a big part of my journeys. Not only do I travel with my own tea for a taste of something familiar when I am far from home but I love trying new teas and even visiting grocery stores to pick up a few boxes of the local favorites.

Republic of Tea pays homage to the tea-loving-traveler with their Traveler's Tea Tins collection. Each compact tin contains 6 unbleached, round tea bags in an airtight container. (Once emptied, these refillable containers can be used to hold more tea or as a great container for change, earrings or cream when traveling.) Seven lucky Black Dress Traveler readers will each win 2 Republic of TeaTraveler's Tea Tins. (Each tin has a retail value of $4.75). Each winner will receive a pair of tins selected by me from the following teas: Get Relief (herb tea for digestion), Get Charged (herb tea for energy), Get Happy (herb tea for lifting your spirit), Get Passionate (herb tea for the libido), Get Heart (herb tea for cardio health), Get it Going (herb tea for regularity), Get Clean (herb tea for detoxing), Get Growing (herb tea for hair, nails/bones), Get Some Zzz's (herb tea for rest), Get Relaxed (herb tea for relieving stress), Get Wellness (herb tea for immunity), Get Soothed (herb tea for scratchy throats), Get a Grip (herb tea for PMS/Menopause) and Get Maternal (herb tea for pregnant/new moms). 

Inn Style in St. Augustine: Easy Elegance at the Inn on Charlotte

It is not surprising that America's oldest city, St. Augustine (Florida), has more than its fair share of quaint inns and bed & breakfasts. How does one choose where to stay with so many options? Well, if your criteria includes a luxurious bed, a well appointed room, gourmet breakfast, and a welcoming innkeeper then the answer is easy: make the simply divine Inn on Charlotte your home away from home while visiting the city of Ponce de Leon's Fountain of Youth, cobble stone streets, and bay breezes.

Lynne Fairfield, Inn on Charlotte owner, enjoying her oh-so-pretty porch.

Owned by the beautiful and gracious hospitality veteran Lynne Fairfield, the Inn on Charlotte is conveniently located just steps away from St. Augustine's main attractions, including the lovely bayfront. (to learn more about tourist attractions, click here to read about my previous trip to St. Augustine). I have never been much of a bed & breakfast girl but now I realize that those other B&B's were not a good match for my travel style. Staying at a bed & breakfast is almost like staying with a friend and l'll be honest - I love my friends but there are very few that I actually enjoy staying with. A good innkeeper has to possess the right combination of professionalism without being distant and warmth without being clingy. They have perfected this magical formula at the Inn on Charlotte. From the moment I arrived, I felt at home and at peace. When I wanted to chat, Lynne and her fabulous assistant Sharon were charming and a real joy to spend time with. And when I just wanted to relax, they were respectful of my quiet time on the porch.

The Inn is an elegant brick home that was built in 1918 for a local attorney and was tastefully restored in 2003. Gorgeous antiques and reproductions pay homage to the Inn's past while modern amenities such as whirlpool tubs in every room, cable television and WI-FI accommodate the needs of the modern traveler in each of the Inn's 8 rooms. 

Tiffany's Studio with the fantastic bed - see the step ladder!

The sunny and spacious Tiffany's Studio is where I nestled for two glorious days. The room's decor was inspired by Louis Comfort Tiffany, the legendary artist and designer whose famous stained glass windows can be seen in all their glory at nearby Flagler College.  In fact, all of the rooms at the Inn on Charlotte are named after a prominent person in St. Augustine's history.  My room had tasteful Tiffany inspired accents such as lamps and stained glass panels in the bathroom windows. And the bed, how glorious. Plush and inviting, the little step ladders on each side of the Queen bed made me feel like a princess. Next time, I will pack my tiara to make the experience complete!

Outside of my room, I spent a great deal of time relaxing with a book and a glass of wine or sweet tea on the Inn's shady porch. As visitors walked by, many of them would stop and comment on the loveliness of the Inn on Charlotte. I would raise my glass and smile - that's what you do in the South! The Inn keeps a small refrigerator in the living room stocked with iced tea and lemonade that you can help yourself to during the day. In the evening, red and white wine magically appear in elegant crystal carafes along with fresh baked cookies and savory homemade cheese pennies.

The Inn on Charlotte takes their responsibilities as a bed & breakfast very seriously and realize that where you lay your head at night and what you eat in the morning define the experience. Stepping out of my Princess bed, I was greeted both mornings with breakfasts that were visually appealing and absolutely delicious. Cleaning the elegant China plate of stuffed french toast and quiche with sausage and granny smith apples was a pleasure with every bite.

Breakfast quiche with oven roasted potatoes and fresh banana bread.

I have a very simple test for judging how much I enjoyed my stay at a hotel: do I get up eager to leave or does a bit of melancholy enter me as check-out time approaches?  I handed over the keys to Tiffany's Studio begrudgingly: bye bye Princess bed, farewell sweet porch, adieu delicious breakfast. Maybe I'm still not a bed & breakfast girl, but I am certainly an Inn on Charlotte girl!

(The Inn on Charlotte is currently offering a special rate. Stay any 2 MidWeek (Sunday - Thursday) Nights in August and September 2009 and receive the 2nd night for only $19.18. Applies to rooms $169 and above. Click here for more details.  )

To learn more about the Inn on Charlotte, visit www.innoncharlotte.com.  To learn more about St. Augustine, visit www.getaway4florida.com.

 

Join the Black Dress Traveler at the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off

The Black Dress Traveler is thrilled to be the hostess for the New Jersey Crab Cake & Shore Chef Cook Off.  This is a perfect summertime event: great food and plenty of fun at the legendary Monmouth Park Racetrack on the Jersey Shore. The event will take place on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23 from 11:30 am - 5:00 pm and admission is only $3 and free for ages 12 and under. (I will be there on Sunday only for the judging of the crab cakes.)

Taste crab cakes and seafood delicacies cooked up by some of New Jersey’s top restaurants as they compete for top honors from judges and you, the public.

This family-friendly event includes live music, lots of fun for the kids and of course thoroughbred racing. Saturday will feature performances by the Rock N’ Roll Chorus. Sunday is the Jersey Thoroughbred Festival. Enjoy The Star-Ledger Family Fun Day, with clowns, face painters, live music, pony rides, bounce houses, and more. 

Watch the commercial! Hope to see you there!

An Argentine Affair in NYC: Wine, Food & Music at Water Taxi Beach

No, this affair has absolutely nothing to do with a certain frisky South Carolina governor! On Wednesday, August 19, from 6pm to 9pm, “An Argentine Affair,” presented by Trapiche and Michel Torino Wines, will take place outdoors at Water Taxi Beach Long Island City. Argentine chefs and restaurateurs from the New York metro area will unite for this first-of-its-kind event to showcase their versions of traditional foods, as well as their meat-grilling skills.

 

Tickets will be available for purchase at http://anargentineaffair.com/ for $35* ($60 for two) and will allow participants a chance to explore the tastes of Argentina, without ever leaving the city. The event’s dishes will be paired with Trapiche wines from Mendoza and Michel Torino of Cafayate, imported by Frederick Wildman & Sons. A portion of ticket proceeds will go to Action Against Hunger, a global humanitarian organization committed to eliminating world hunger, and the Wine Course at the Department of Hospitality Management at New York City College of Technology. Event is open to the first 600 ticket holders.

Talking & Tasting with Top Chef Stephanie Izard

The 55th Summer Fancy Food Show in New York City featured more than 250,000 products and I feel like I tasted every single one. In the space of 3 hours I sampled pickled cactus from Mexico, coffee from Cameroon, European rose nectar, and even bacon lip balm that the exhibitor told me was an aphrodisiac. Hmm, maybe that explains why that Emeril Lagasse impersonator was getting all flirty with me.

Just when I thought my taste buds had gone to sleep, they perked up at the sight of season 4 Top Chef winner Stephanie Izard - the first, and so far the only, female chef to win Bravo's popular culinary showdown.  Today Chef Izard was working her magic at the Lucini Italia Olive Oil booth and her Chilled Walla Walla Onion Soup with Green Garlic Vinaigrette & Olive Oil Poached Shrimp was DELICIOUS, refreshing and superbly seasoned - the perfect palate pick-me-up.  

Gracious and down-to-earth, Chef Izard even laughed when I dorkily asked her if making the soup was as stressful as Top Chef's Quick Fire Challenges. Chef Izard told me that her new restaurant, The Drunken Goat, will be opening in Chicago in January 2010. If the soup is any indicator, her restaurant is going to rock!

Masala Moment: A Chat with Chef Suvir Saran

Suvir Saran is the charismatic and witty culinary guru behind the popular Devi Restaurant in New York City and American Masala in Jersey City. Formidable food critic Frank Bruni said that Devi is "perhaps the city's best Indian restaurant" and it has been awarded a 2-star rating by The New York Times and 1-star by the Michelin Guide. Saran has also written two widely acclaimed cookbooks - Indian Home Cooking and American Masala: 125 New Classics From My Home Kitchen.

I recently had the chance to chat with Chef Saran at the Authors & Inns Tour in Spring Lake, New Jersey. Watch the video to hear our spicy conversation about veggies, Indian spices and why you shouldn't feel guilty about cheating on your favorite foods with new flavors.

Sweet Talk with the Creators of Oprah's Favorite Brownies

As Mistress of Ceremonies for the Authors & Inns Tour in Spring Lake (New Jersey), I had a great time chatting with celebrity chefs and cookbook authors.

This video clip shows me sharing a bit of sweet talk with the owners of the wildly popular BAKED- Matt Lewis and Renato Poliafito. You'll see why Oprah and Martha Stewart are crazy about treats from BAKED. If you live in NYC or Charleston, you can drop by BAKED or you can use their cookbook to create some sweet goodness at home.

Win a Bottle of White Truffle Olive Oil from Carter & Cavero!

On a recent visit to Red Bank, New Jersey, I was introduced to the wonderful Carter & Cavero Old World Olive Oil Company. My 2 years as a student in Spain instilled a passion for olive oil and Carter & Cavero offers high quality extra virgin and whole fruit fused olive oils grown and pressed in special mills in Spain, Italy, France, Greece, Australia and California. They also sell luxurious olive based beauty products, an exquisite selection of vinegars, gourmet foods and more. If you can't make it to their stores in Red Bank or Long Branch, you can shop online at www.carterandcavero.com. 

Enter the contest for a chance to win a 500ml bottle of Carter & Cavero's White Truffle Olive Oil (retail value $45). Incredibly fragrant, White Truffle Olive Oil transforms the simplest dish into a decadent delight. Made in Italy, this olive oil is smooth yet intense in flavor. If you like the wonderfully unique taste and aroma of white truffles, this is the oil for you!

 

Shoofly Pie and Wine: Five Things I Just Learned About Pennsylvania

It all started with a slice of pie. Shoofly pie to be exact. Apparently, I am the only person on the planet who had never tasted this sticky sweet confection of molasses and brown sugar with a crumb crust.

A Pennsylvania Dutch staple, each bite of Shoofly pie made me realize how very little I know about the Keystone State (aka the Quaker State or the State of Independence). Sure, I can rattle off some Philly trivia (Benjamin Franklin, Brotherly Love, cheese steaks, the Liberty Bell, Patti LaBelle) but Philly is just one city in a state of more than 12,000,000 people. Energized by the sugary goodness of the Shoofly pie, I was determined to learn more about Pennsylvania. If my list below inspires you to visit PA, log on to www.PAStories.com to enter a sweepstakes to win one of 12 fantastic Pennsylvania vacation packages.

1. Wine - Who knew that Pennsylvania had more than 100 wineries? With approximately 14,000 acres of grapes, Pennsylvania ranks 8th nationally in the production of wine. There are several wine trails you can visit, including the Groundhog Wine Trail, Brandywine Wine Trail, and the UnCork York Wine Trail.

2. Beer - Not only is Pennsylvania home to Yuengling,the oldest brewery in the United States but it also has six breweries that pre-date prohibition - more than any other state. Today there are more than 50 brew pubs and small breweries in Pennsylvania.

3. Art - The Andy Warhol Museum in Pittsburgh is the largest museum in the world dedicated to the work of one artist. Fallingwater, Frank Lloyd Wright's architectural masterpiece, is located in the Laurel Highlands just an hour away from downtown Pittsburgh.

4. Snacks- Being the home of iconic brands like Hershey's, Heinz, Frito-Lay, Herr's and UTZ have secured Pennsylvania's position as the "Snack Food Capital of the World." Klondike Bars, Whoopie Pies and Shoofly Pie were all invented in Pennsylvania.

  5. Scenery - Pennsylvania has 17 million acres of forest and 83,000 miles of rivers and streams. National Geographic named Route 6 as one of the top 10 scenic drives in the country.

To learn more about Pennsylvania, visit www.VisitPA.com.

Tastebud Travels: My Perfect Provencal Lunch at Allegretti

I've never been to Provence but my taste buds are convinced that we traveled to the South of France after my perfect lunch at Allegretti. Located at 46 West 22nd Street in NYC's Chelsea neighborhood, Chef Alain Allegretti's namesake restaurant showcases the vibrant and fresh flavors of his native Provence. The flavors are big but not convoluted and I am not embarrassed to say that I cleaned my plate on every course. Perfectly seasoned and elegantly presented, each dish was richly flavored without being too heavy and overwhelming my palate. Drop by for a drink and an upscale nibble at the inviting bar or allow Chef Allegretti to whisk you away on a complete culinary journey to Provence in the main dining room.  In addition to the a la carte menu, Allegretti is currently offering prix fixe menus at lunch ($28. Monday-Friday) and dinner ($42. Monday - Saturday.) Here are a few photos from my lunch. Alas, I did not save room for dessert but I plan on remedying that situation in the near future. Bon appetit!

Sardines 'In Saor'

tian of roasted tomato, avocado, fingerling potato, hearts of palm, tomato coulis

Provencale Fish Soup

garlic crouton, gruyere cheese, classic rouille

 

 

This is how the soup looks after you spread the rouille and gruyere on the croutons and let them abosrb all of the spicy goodness of the broth.

 

Nicoise Ravioli

stuffed with braised oxtail and swiss chard, parmesan, orange beef jus

 

Win a Box of Roni-Sue's Chocolate Truffles!

Take your tastebuds on a journey with this delectable selection of Roni-Sue's Chocolates. Made by hand in New York City, Roni-Sue's chocolate truffles are edible indulgences that artfully combine rich chocolate with spices, fruits, and fine spirits. One lucky reader will win an assortment of 15 chocolate truffles (retail value $22); including Manhattan, Dark & Stormy, Zydeco and others. The New York Times calls Roni-Sue's Chocolates "a winner" and The New York Daily News says "Roni-Sue's Chocolates really rock!" Zagat raves, "Ohhhh...those truffles!"

Real Deal: $89 Hotel Rooms at San Francisco's 4 Star Hotel Adagio

Darlings, leave your heart in San Francisco but not all of your hard earned money!

Hotel Adagio, a luxury boutique hotel with 171 guest rooms in San Francisco’s theater district, is offering special spring time rates starting at $89. Conveniently located just off Union Square, the Adagio is also home to Cortez Restaurant and Bar. Cortez's creative Mediterranean cuisine was recognized in the 2008 Michelin Guide, recently received a Three Star review from San Francisco restaurant critic Michael Bauer (San Francisco Chronicle) and was named one of the "66 Hottest New Restaurants in the World" in the May 2007 edition of Condé Nast Traveler Magazine. 

Hotel Adagio is located at 550 Geary Street. 

This package can be booked online by visiting the website at www.jdvhotels.com/adagio, using the code 89RATE.

 

Little Black Travel Diary: Francine Segan (Food Historian & Author)

Francine Segan

 

 

www.FrancineSegan.com

 

From the dining customs of ancient Greece to America's sweet dessert history, Francine Segan dishes out tasty food facts in her books and lectures. Her most recent book, Opera Lover's Cookbook, was nominated for the prestigious James Beard award. Francine is also the author of Movie Menus, Shakespeare's Kitchen, and The Philosopher's Kitchen. Her expertise and ebullient personality have made Francine an in-demand guest on radio and television for CBS, the Food Network and the History and Discovery channels. An avid traveler, Francine explores the world researching culinary history and the latest food trends. Let's peek inside the Little Black Travel Diary of Francine Segan!

 

 

My first memory of traveling is riding the subway to Brooklyn with my Italian grandma to get a special Sicilian Christmas dessert.  I was so small that I didn’t even have to sneak under the turnstiles, I cleared them by at least a foot.

I never travel without my business cards. Traveling is the best, and most fun, way to network.

 

My favorite destination is Italy, especially Piedmont in the north. It’s still a relatively little known region but with great shopping, art, and fabulous food.

The taste of red wine reminds me of Italy.

My favorite traveling companion is myself

 

Traveling alone is awesome! I get to do whatever I want whenever I want. Plus I have lots of stories to tell my hubbie when I get back. It sure keeps the marriage exciting to take separate vacations once a year.

 

I dream of visiting Istanbul, especially their spice markets.

 

A film, book, or song that awakens my wanderlust is my photo album. Whenever I look at pictures of some place I’ve been, I get a craving to return.

 

My favorite traveling outfit is a pair of black slacks and a fabulous black jacket by Christian Lacroix that I picked up in Cannes on sale. The jacket is wrinkle-proof and easy to dress up or down. 

 

My most unforgettable traveling experience was spending a week at a chocolate plantation in Belize. Raw coco beans tastes nothing like chocolate candy. The process of turning the beans into what we recognize as chocolate is absolutely fascinating. The cacao beans actually have to ferment, just like wine.

 

When I have been away from home for a long time, the thing I miss the most is speaking English and my own cooking.

 

If I could travel back in time, I would go to Ancient Rome. What a hoot to see all those ruins in Rome looking brand new. Plus togas seem very flattering!

 

My travel icon is my best friend in Italy, Angela Traversa. She’s always flat broke, but always traveling. She figures out ways to get cheap airfares and interesting deals. She’s been everywhere and has friends all around the world.

 

My must have beauty product when traveling is Vaseline. It does triple duty. It’s great to take off makeup, but is also a good moisturizer and burn cream.

 

My words of travel wisdom are TRAVEL. Even if it’s just a train ride to a nearby city, get out there. When you’re “traveling” –no matter the destination or duration—you tend to live the time more fully.