“I believe in the quote…Life’s a Feast, Enjoy Every Bit.” My 2025 birthday dinner was simple but very special” with a little salad, a great pizza…a superb wine! Please be my quest as I share some of my favorite meals in 2025.

Marla’s birthday dinner last February.

We joined Stacy’s family for a great dinner at Javier’s Gourmet Mexicano in Dallas.

Thanksgiving dinner at Lisa and Ray’s was one of my favorites ever!

Our dear friend Alex made a special low-salt dish for Marla which was sensational! She served her own Alexandra Sainz Millesime 2014 vintage Champagne which is always amazing!

Alex’s husband Chris was our son-in-law Ray’s college roommate. Marla set up their first date while we were on a visit with Alex to see my Mother years ago.

The cuisine on the Belmond Eastern & Oriental Express train was unique and very elegant!

The chef came out to say hello.

The setting is often just as important as the dinner itself. This is at the wonderful Beach Tree Restaurant at the Four Seasons in Kailua Kona.

Lunch at the rustic jungle restaurant in the Galkadawala Forest Lodge in Sri Lanka.

I made a dinner reservation at one of my favorite places in Florence, Italy. My grandsons and I had just finished a week of cycling in Tuscany.

We love when Paxton stays over night and makes pancakes from my mother’s recipe.

Our granddaughter Logan had a summer internship in Boulder. We were able to get together for a late breakfast at one of our favorites, Lucile’s Creole Cafe on 14th street.

While on a Butterfield & Robinson bike tour in Sri Lanka in February with good friends, Jennie & Tom, we had a spectacular dinner at Aqua Forte in Galle Fort. I took a bad fall on the next days’ ride and hurt my leg. I didn’t see a hole in the road because of the shade. The last nights group dinner was down some steep steps at the hotel, so I opted for an easier dinner alone. I took a Tuk Tuk to Aqua Pizza for a super salad and pizza.

A new restaurant discovery was the Les Antiquaires in Paris. We both loved it!

Watch this video of Marla’s Crêpes Suzette.

My brother introduced us to Pueo’s Osteria in Waikoloa Village, Hawaii last year. We returned again this year for a super dinner!

Dinner with good friend Lea at a favorite of ours in Lafayette, CA, Reve Bistro. They even have Alex’s Champagne on their list.

I first encountered La Marquiere in Carcassonne while on a bike tour in 2011. Marla and I really loved it this year!

Marla said I needed to try the famous regional Cassoulet at Le Chaudron in Carcassonne the next night. It was delicious!

On the last evening of our AHI Southeast Asia tour we were presented with a dinner spectacular of fine cuisine and dance performances. This was at the Sofitel Angkor Phokeethra Resort in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

We loved our early evening dinners at the Kayon Jungle Resort in Bali.

Some of our favorite dinners for the year were outside on our deck!

We enjoyed fine cuisine at the Fiori Di Murano Restaurant at the Royal Hotel in San Remo.

A sunset dinner at a condo in Mauna Lani Point on the Big Island.

We our new friends Kevin & Marc for dinner at the Four Seasons in Bangkok.

Lunch this year at Patzcuaro’s Mexican Restaurant brought back so many memories! It was wonderful as always!

A memorable outdoor dinner of unique Sri Lanka cuisine at Kamatha at the Uga Ulagalla resort.

After a very nice dinner with some of my favorite people at Bistro 31 in Dallas.

We loved ALL our salads this year!!!

Photos: Dick Gentry. Not to be shared without permission.