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 the table occasionally.

Our first 3 Star Michelin dining experience was at Auberge de l’ill in the Alsace region of France many years ago. Our hotel helped us get a reservation due to a cancellation. It was a brand-new experience for us and was exceptional. Today they hold 2 Stars with Michelin.

This is one of their dining rooms overlooking the ILL River.

Marla’s very favorite dining experience was at the original location of Zaranda on the island of Mallorca. Zaranda has moved to Hotel Es Princep in Palma. It is a 2 Star Michelin restaurant.

Marla is allergic to seafood, so the chefs devised an exciting vegetarian menu for her.

One of my very favorite dinners was at Gary Danko in San Francisco. We went on my birthday and LOVED the entire evening!

We enjoyed the expertise of the cheese sommelier.

There is flambe…and then there is…flambe!

We took our grandsons for dinner at Bangkok’s The Deck Restaurant at the Arun Residence. It is right next to the Chao Phraya River and overlooks the majestic Wat Arun.

A dinner which combined fabulous Tuscan wines, cuisine, and a beautiful view was ours at Taverna Squarcialupi in Castellina in Chianti. It was sensational from start to finish.

The restaurant also has a winery. Total wines carry some of their beautiful Chianti’s in Denver.

Sometimes just a simple dinner is great especially if you have a nice view. We rented a cliffside home north of Bodega Bay.

While in Granada Spain we enjoyed a fabulous meal at Carmen San Miguel.

The sunset from our table on the terrace was breathtaking!

Our friends Kathy and Philippe treated us to the 2 Star Michelin La Chevre d’Or. Eze Village is one of our favorite places!

Decisions….decisions!

One of our most romantic dinners ever was high up the hill at the St. George Restaurant in the Hotel Ashbee in Taormina, Sicily. We felt very special.

Ok, where do you go for dinner when you want a totally old-school off the strip Las Vegas vibe? There is no place like Piero’s! For a moment you may feel you are on the set of The Soprano’s with a few burly mobsters with a couple of hookers in tow!

Marla is looking delicious along with her food at the 3 Star Mirazur. In 2019 the restaurant was ranked Number 1 in the world!

Some of the tables have great views of Menton, my favorite seaside town on the Cote D’Azur.

One of my favorite restaurants in St. Peter Port, Guernsey is Da Nello. We are with my niece Suzanne, nephew Steven (here from Edinburgh) and his wife Karen. Suzanne’s husband Chris took the shot. The Northern Italian cuisine is superb!

We were treated to a simply elegant dinner at Les Crayeres in Reims, France, by the Sainz family. At the time it was 3 Star Michelin and today it is 2 stars. We were able to tour the amazing kitchen after dinner.

The classic main dining room.

While on a cycling tour in Southwestern France with my friend Philippe, we both were ready for a big evening of fine cuisine. While in Carcassonne we dined at the incredible Franck Putelat. How wonderful when Philippe said, “It’s my treat!” They serve amazingly inventive cuisine! 2 Star Michelin.

Food as art at Franck Putelat.

Nothing better than dinner with great people (my nephew and wife), a seaside view with a sunset, and Mallorcan delicacies! We are at Randemar in Port Soller, Mallorca.

I can’t tell you how many fun meals we’ve had at San Francisco’s Alioto’s. They have been closed for over a year and a half. I hope this institution can reopen soon! We are with my mom and her beloved Dungeness crab 3 months before she died.

Our favorite San Francisco restaurant was Fleur de Lys. It closed in 2014. We assembled the A team for this special birthday dinner for Marla. Back row: Lea Isetti, daughter Stacy, yours truly, and daughter Lisa next to Mar.

“This is what I’m talking about!”

We always enjoyed dinner at the John Dominus Restaurant in Honolulu, Hawaii. The location and their amazingly fresh seafood selection was tops! Their view of Waikiki and Diamond Head was the best! Sadly, they closed in 2010.

Their old location.

A new restaurant was built on the same location, and it looks fabulous! 53 By The Sea is very popular today with their signature view!

It might not be exactly simple but for me a nice pizza, a salad, and a great Cabernet does it quite nicely!

Photos: Dick Gentry (Except panorama shot at Mirazur and 53 By The Sea. Interiors of Les Crayeres, Franck Putelat, and Piero’s.)