The octopus arrived at our table on a plate illustrated with the two hands of the many workers who helped produce this gorgeous dish. At Bracero Cocina de Raiz in San Diego, Baja cuisine advocate Chef Javier Plascencia invites guests to witness and celebrate the efforts of all the workers—including produce pickers, grapevine pruners, and fishermen—who help them produce such incredibly creative and flavorful dishes in a Mexican style completely … [Read more...]
Mazatlán Food Culture: Beyond Shrimp & Pacifico Beer
The beach resort town of Mazatlán has long been known as the home of the Pacifico brewery and the first Señor Frog's. Restaurants like the Shrimp Bucket and Señor Frog's have been legendary spots for tourists to visit while in town, but there is much more you should know about the food scene if you are planning a visit. I recently visited Mazatlán and attended their first Culinary Roots Festival; Raíces Culinarias Mazatlán 2015. The festival … [Read more...]
Relax in Conejo Valley: Food, Wine, Microbrews & the Outdoors
Conejo Valley is located about 45 minutes north of Los Angeles; due to its proximity, this region makes for an ideal weekend getaway from Los Angeles. You are not dealing with a confusing artery of multiple freeways - there is one main freeway that goes through the valley, the 101 and to a lesser extent, the 23. Conejo Valley encompasses four communities, Agoura Hills, Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Newbury Park spread out along this part of … [Read more...]
Three Fabulous Colonial Cities in Mexico
Mexico is a huge country, that well deserves a visit. I have been there 3 times and for as much as I try to explore a bit more every time, I am never quite done with it. It is one among the few countries I keep going back to, like Peru or Cuba, because it just has everything I can possibly look for when I travel. Amazing archeological sites, lush nature, beautiful beaches, deserts, interesting indigenous communities, delicious food and gorgeous … [Read more...]
Artistry and Foodie Craft in Paso Robles
From a tastefully arranged table featuring delicious, beautiful food to an Art Deco-infused wine tasting at the top of Paso Robles, foodie visitors and locals to this exciting wine country can find rich aesthetic experiences in the midst of their gastronomic discoveries. The wine’s the thing, of course, but there’s so much more to experience in Paso beyond just wine tasting. Blending together foodie art with a tour of this northern San Luis … [Read more...]
5 Reasons why Santiago is the Most Underrated South American City For Tourism
When people think of Chile, what comes to mind are usually the breathtaking views of Atacama, treacherous hikes through Patagonia, and the stunning beaches along the coast. I'm not saying these three extremes are anything short of amazing, or else I'd be lying. However, Santiago, a metropolitan city of more than 6 million people that sits in the center of these marvels, is an amazing city itself and here are five reasons why. My name is Nick, … [Read more...]
A Nicaraguan Pirate Story
Chapter I: The Introduction He filled the doorway and peered down at me with eyes the color of the deep blue sea. “You must be Louise” he said, “Come in”. The familiarity startled me a little. It had been one of those weeks where the city water was on for just a few hours a day. Bathing was barely an option. Doing laundry was not. Nothing was clean. Black board shorts and a matching tank top would have to do. The two bus, one van, and one … [Read more...]
Cap Juluca, Anguilla
Sitting on the most comfortable lounger ever, watching fat white clouds scuttling by in the seriously blue sky above Cap Juluca on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, I’m wondering why I’d ever want to get up. I suspect the rich and famous who visit here, like Liam Neeson, Denzel Washington, Jennifer Aniston and other cinematic superstars, don’t want to get up much either. This is one great beach, St. Maarten and St. Bart’s on … [Read more...]
VenturaCountyWest: Laid-Back Fun
It may be hard to believe, but not far from Los Angeles (about an hour’s drive depending on traffic) are thousands of acres of avocado and lemon groves, fields of strawberries, raspberries, celery, tomatoes, peppers and cut flowers--not to mention a palm tree farm or two. Where is this place? It’s Ventura County, in particular, the three cities of Camarillo, Oxnard and Ventura known as VenturaCountyWest. Because of its agricultural roots … [Read more...]
Gastronomical wonder at my fingertips
“Chicas! ¡venido a la cena!!!” Quima’s voice travelled through the corridor and my eyes sprung open! Thank goodness - dinner was served. I looked at my watch: 9:23 pm. We’re making progress, at least from the usual 10 o’clock. Sometimes I wondered how my gastric juices could hold out for so long, but maybe I was starting to get accustomed to Spanish standard time. Breakfast at eight AM, a snack at eleven, heavy lunch at two, Tapas or merienda … [Read more...]