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Category: Fine dining

MIRAZUR…WHAT IS IT LIKE TO DINE IN A RESTAURANT THAT WAS VOTED THE NO.1 IN THE WORLD.

I have always been one to celebrate special occasions of my life, important milestones as well as happy minor events. A BIG birthday this year necessitated going big the entire twelve months! You might think I’m being a little narcissisic, but I’ve always believed in &#8220…

FABULOUS MENTON WITH THE FAMILY…MY 7 WEEK BIG BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION BEGINS

Big birthdays require big celebrations and I had thought (or should I say, “obsess.”) about this one for well over a year! Nothing would make me happier than having our entire family together in one of my very favorite places,…Menton, France, a true gem on the Côte d…

THE EVOLUTION OF A BIRTHDAY DINNER

I always felt a really BIG birthday called for a really BIG birthday dinner celebration. I talked to my party planner (Marla) and she said…“I hate to disappoint you but we have a couple of problems.” “I understand you want to go big but we…

MAGICAL MOMENTS…FAVORITE DINING EXPERIENCES FOR MARLA AND DICK

There is a certain “je ne sais quoi” for dining experiences which stay in your memory bank year after year. These often magical moments are much more than the creative craft in the kitchen. It could be an important celebration, the unique aesthetic ambiance of the restaurant&#8217…

FAVORITE DINING EXPERIENCES SHARED BY FAMILY & FRIENDS

This week on Facebook I asked family and friends for favorite restaurant ideas. I’ll share their choices as we travel a culinary journey far away and close to home. Pour yourself a glass of wine and let’s see what people people loved. I’ll begin…

THREE PERFECT NIGHTS IN WAIKIKI…A SHORT TRIP BUT OH SO SWEET!

It was beyond wonderful to be back in the Hawaiian Islands again! Marla’s cardiologist made us cancel our March 2022 trip, so this visit was very special! We began our trip with three nights in Waikiki on Oahu. We haven’t been in Waikiki for almost 20…

REFLECTIONS ON THE PAST YEAR

2022 was amazing on so many levels! Wonderful moments with family, friends, and an adventure or two. After Marla’s doctor gave the “OK” for European travel we were all in for 3 weeks. It was a hard recuperation! I was overly excited and take full responsibility…

WONDERFUL DINING EXPERIENCES…From over-the-top to casual

The news this week on the international front has me plunging into the comfort (read: escapist) zone of past wonderful dining experiences. When I become stressed, I do love favorite foods and wine! Be my guest as we explore dinners from fancy to deliciously simple. I love to dress up…

AN OLD MENU BRINGS A CASCADE OF WONDERFUL TRAVEL AND DINING MEMORIES IN THE ALSACE REGION OF FRANCE

I’ve kept copies of menus from some of our favorite restaurants over the years. Last week I looked at one from our first trip to France’s Alsace region many years ago. While attending Heimtextil, the world’s largest textile trade fair in Frankfurt, Germany, Marla…

WONDERFUL BANDOL…A family get-together on the magical Côte d’Azur

Big trips with the family are a rare event these days. COVID-19, business commitments, daughters and sons-in law schedules, and grandchildren’s academic and athletic programs can totally mess up grand schemes and best of plans. In 2020, I saw a window of opportunity and immediately began…