Blackbird, Chicago 1997 – 2020 (RIP)
Chicago’s Blackbird has closed. The restaurant announced this week that they were closing permanently, unable to survive the COVID-19 pandemic. This sucks. I don’t live in Chicago anymore, so I…
Australia’s Winter Truffles are in Season. Get Some While You Can!
Although it’s summertime here in the United States, it is winter in Australia, where black truffle season is underway. The black truffle that grows so beautifully in Manjimup, Western Australia, is the…
The Disappearing Art and Rhythm of Chinese Tea in Hong Kong
There is a mystical quality to the tea ceremony that becomes clearer only with practice and time, but the art of Chinese tea is fading. Sadly, most of Hong Kong’s traditional tea shops have disappeared. I’ve been thinking a lot about Chinese tea lately...
Cocktail Recipe: Jasmine Sour Martini from Taj Falaknuma Palace
If you've got a jasmine bush in your yard (and the jasmine is blooming throughout Los Angeles at the moment), or if perhaps your neighbor has one... Make this drink! This...
10-Second Review: El Tizoncito, Mexico City
El Tizoncito has been making charcoal-fired tacos al pastor in Mexico City since 1966. Here's a quick look.
Quick Look: Hao, Zihuatanejo
Miguel Baltazar is one of Mexico’s brightest rising-star chefs. Here’s a quick look at Hao, one of the restaurants he oversees at the new Thompson Zihuatanejo.
Where to Eat in Mexico City, part 2
Mexico’s dining scene is on fire right now. And has been for awhile. This is easily one of the hottest fine-dining restaurant cultures in all of the Americas.
Quick Review: Maenam, Vancouver
Maenam is a glamorous little Thai restaurant in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighborhood. In Southern California we’ve got some of the best Thai food outside of Thailand. But we’ve got nothing quite like this.
Quick Review: Bar Oso, Whistler Village
Bar Oso is an authentic Spanish tapas bar in the heart of Whistler Village. They've got a fantastic Spanish wine list and wonderful sangria. The chef is from Madrid...