Dining Archives - Travelgirl

SouthWest Germany: Culinary Superstar!

travelgirlinc — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 18:27:53 +0000

Want to go to a region of superstar restaurants? Then, take a trip to SouthWest Germany. Baden-Wurttemberg, has 85 award-winning restaurants. The reputation of Baden-Württemberg as a connoisseur state is based not only on top gastronomy, but on a broad, unique base of high-quality, home-style restaurants. In these restaurants quality and regionality are both an obligation and an incentive. Best proof of this: an overwhelming proportion of the restaurants that were awarded the Bib Gourmand by the Michelin Guide – for “carefully prepared, inexpensive meals” – are based in Baden-Württemberg. In SouthWest Germany, enjoyment always means beer, Schnapps and wine.

Here are suggestions for a visit:

Since 1951, Breuninger Confiserie has offered excellent pastry that is part tradition and part innovation. For a unique pleasurable experience, the sweet delicacies are made fresh every day in the store’s in-house manufactory. The (karls)kitchen is Breuninger’s restaurant above the roofs of Stuttgart. The menu offers beloved regional classics as well as seasonal dishes from all over the world.
Amidst a beautiful national park deep in the Black Forest, the tiny town of Baiersbronn with 15,000 people and home to 11 Michelin stars. Six star restaurants with a total of 11 Michelin stars are located in the Baiersbronn and the surrounding Black Forest National Park Region.The restaurants are: The Schwarzwaldstube in the Hotel Traube Tonbach (3 Michelin stars), the Restaurant Bareiss in the Hotel Bareiss (3 Michelin stars), Traube Tonbach’s new one Michelin star”1789″ (former Köhlerstube), the gourmet restaurant Schlossberg in the Hotel Sackmann (1 Michelin star), “Le Pavillon” in the Hotel Dollenberg in Bad Peterstal-Griesbach (2 Michelin stars) and Werner’s Restaurant in the Hotel Schloss Eberstein in Gernsbach (1 Michelin star). It is an extraordinary concentration of gourmet prowess.
tourism-bw.com

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Try Wild-Caught, Sustainable-Sourced Shrimp Burgers

travelgirlinc — Fri, 03 Jun 2022 17:43:41 +0000

Increasingly consumers are looking for foods that have a focus on healthier eating and products that are kinder to the universe. Wild-Caught Mexican Shrimp Burgers by Del Pacifico Seafoods fits the bill.
Patties are made from 100 percent chopped wild-caught, sustainably-sourced Blue Mexican Shrimp (no ground shrimp here) utilizing the whole catch, even the oddballs. Simply made with only four ingredients, the burger patties consist of wild caught shrimp, garlic, black pepper and sesame oil. Each 1-pound package contains four individually wrapped Shrimp Burger patties. Simply prepare them on the grill, a few minutes per side, or in a cast iron skillet.
Del Pacifico Seafoods uses the most sustainable methods of harvest and processing that exist today. Working in close collaboration with artisanal fishermen, offering them a fair chance to compete in the global seafood market, has allowed them to promote sustainable fishing practices and bring the world’s best shrimp to new markets. Del Pacifico is also Fair Trade and Friend of the Sea certified. The products can be purchased through online stores found its website and in select retail operations.

$19 for a box of four patties. delpacificoseafoods.com.

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Drink Up so No Kid Goes Hungry

travelgirlinc — Sun, 27 Mar 2022 14:42:48 +0000

Noble Vines, a premium California collection has partnered with No Kid Hungry to raise $150,000, that will provide up to 1.5 million meals for children in need. The Napa-based Noble Vines is calling on U.S. wine lovers to “become hunger heroes” simply by enjoying its award-winning Cabernet Sauvignon. Until April 30, 2022, the company will donate one dollar to No Kid Hungry for every bottle of Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon purchased, up to $150,000, with a minimum commitment of $75,000. Each one-dollar donation can provide up to 10 meals served to children in need.
No Kid Hungry is a national campaign run by Share Our Strength, a nonprofit working to solve problems of hunger and poverty in the U.S. and around the world. Noble Vines began its focus on hunger relief in 2020 with partnerships supporting local food banks across the U.S., expanding that program from 19 states to 30 in 2021. Noble Vines 337 Cabernet Sauvignon is one of California’s leading premium Cabernets and is a three-time winner of 90-point ratings from Wine Enthusiast magazine. $14.
noblevines.com

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N.C’s Cabarrus County offers Local breweries to explore and enjoy

Mary Welch — Wed, 08 Dec 2021 20:29:09 +0000

Cabarrus County, about 20 minutes north of Uptown Charlotte, N.C., is more than just the home where “Racing Lives,” it’s a hub of local wineries, independent craft breweries and a whiskey distillery inside a former prison.

Here are a few of the places to imbibe and enjoy the beautiful sensory of the Piedmont region.
Southern Grace Distilleries – Tour the storied grounds and taste award-winning small-batch whiskey and bourbon at this prison-turned distillery in Mt. Pleasant. Opt for the Convicted Spirits Tour during spooky season or the behind-the-scenes “Behind Bars” tour anytime.

Rocky River Vineyards – Plan a mid-week road trip to sip an apple cider slushy on “Wine Slushy Wednesday” at this scenic vineyard located in Midland next door to the site of America’s first gold discovery, Reed Gold Mine.

High Branch Brewing Co.– The first tenant of Gibson Mill Market, a developing community gathering hub featuring a one-of-a-kind food hall-style dining and shopping experience.

Tipsy Hare Ciderworks – Coming soon to revitalized Downtown Kannapolis, Cabarrus County’s first cidery sits alongside veteran-owned and operated Old Armor Beer Company in the City’s newly designated West Avenue District across from Atrium Health Ballpark.
visitcabarrus.com

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10 Top Irish Food Tours

travelgirlinc — Wed, 10 Nov 2021 13:43:15 +0000

There is definitely more to Irish food than corned beef and potatoes. Here are 10 tours that will introduce you to the joys of Irish cooking
1 Delicious Dublin Food Tours
Join multi-award-winning food writer Ketty Quigley on a tour showcasing traditional and modern Irish food and drinks including amazing dairy products, baked goods, craft beer, whiskey and seafood.

2 Ballyvolane House Foraging Tours
Fancy a forage? Head to historic Ballyvolane House in County Cork and walk through woodlands and meadows gathering as you go. From April to June you’ll forage for leaves and flowers and afterwards enjoy a three-course lunch incorporating the foraged plants.

3 Fab Food Trails (Cork)
County Cork claims to be Ireland’s culinary capital, and a 2.5-hour tour around Cork city will take you to top producers and purveyors who will offer up the most delicious food as well as some intriguing local knowledge.

4 Howth Craft Beer and Seafood Trail
A winning combination of the finest craft beers, the highest quality locally caught seafood and the picturesque surroundings of the village of Howth, makes this food tour one to relish. The experience includes a history of the village and a chance to chat with the fishermen.

5 Galway Food Tours
Galway has a rich and exciting food and drink scene and this tour delivers a top-class experience including visits to artisan producers, cheesemakers, creative beer projects and artisan chocolatiers.

6 Taste & Tour Belfast Food Tours
If you’re up for a marmalade martini or some Ulster Fry pintxos, head to Belfast. The award-winning, belly-busting, four-hour Belfast Food tour includes a taste of organic smoked salmon, wonderful cheeses, incredible local gins, craft beers and speciality breads.

7 Kenmare Foodie Tours
The pretty village of Kenmare on the world-famous Ring of Kerry is home to a thriving foodie scene. Take a walking tour with television cook and Irish food blogger Karen Coakley to experience local delicacies and chat to local traders and producers.

8 Taste Wexford Food Tours
Wexford’s rich food story is told on a tour of farm shops, soft fruit farms, bakeries, cafes and restaurants enabling you to sample a range of foods from traditional freshly baked Irish soda bread using locally milled flour, to seafood chowder and the sweetest locally grown strawberries.

9 Kinsale Food Tours
The busy fishing port of Kinsale in County Cork is the perfect place to sample fresh seafood as well as a myriad of other artisan local delicacies.

10. Doolin Food Tour
Discover the best gourmet experience in County Clare on a food tour of picturesque Doolin on the Wild Atlantic Way. Stopping off at the Burren Smokehouse, famous for producing the finest smoked salmon in Ireland, it also includes tastings of locally produced cheese, craft beer and award-winning fish and chips. www.ireland.com #greenbutton

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Enjoy a No-fuss Barbecue at Texas ranch

travelgirlinc — Mon, 07 Jun 2021 20:46:00 +0000

Let’s face it. Part of the fun of going to Texas is barbecue but sometimes you just don’t want to go out to a restaurant to partake in the tangy ribs, chicken, brisket and wings. No problem! The BlissWood Bed & Breakfast Rancho in Cat Spring, will provide you all the fixin’s so you can prepare your own barbecue dinner.
Guests at the ranch can order the DIY Grilling package, which includes a gas grill in their private backyard as well as a refrigerator stocked with two choice rib eye steaks, two twice-baked stuffed potatoes and two corn on the cob. The package costs $69 for up to two guests, plus the cost of accommodations and tax.
“A lot of people want to barbecue but don’t want to go grocery shopping or manage the clean-up,” says Carol Davis, owner of the BlissWood Bed and Breakfast Ranch. “When you come here you can have your BBQ your way and not have to deal with the before and after.”
Adding, “This is a truly ideal way to celebrate your summer, especially if you’ve been cooped up in your home or apartment for many months.”
BlissWood Bed and Breakfast, located on a 350-acre working ranch about an hour west of Houston, features its own lake, horseback riding center, barn and exotic animal safari. The B&B consists of 14 cabins and cottages with woodsy furniture, full kitchens, sitting areas and porches; some include wood-burning fireplaces or stoves, whirlpool baths, and hot tubs. There are also some glamping options (Grand Safari Tent, Conestoga Covered Wagon, Deluxe RVs).
www.blisswood.net

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Bento-Style Boxes of Sushi to Go

travelgirlinc — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:02:55 +0000

Yakitori Jinbei, a casual restaurant in Smyrna, GA., outside Atlanta, is now offering an at-home Omakase experience featuring high-quality sushi, sashimi and nigiri to go. Omakase means “I’ll leave it up to you” in Japanese.
Chef and Owner Dr. Jae Choi, along with Joseph Kwon and Shuma Kuwamoto, created this new option that includes chef’s choice of sushi roll, six pieces of nigiri and sashimi sampler that is served in a take-home Bento-style box. Dr. Choi left his optometry practice to purse a career in the restaurant business and it has been featured on Food Network’s Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives and has been named “Best Ramen in Atlanta” by the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

www.yakitorjinbei.com

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Louisiana’s King Cakes Shipped for Mardi Gras

travelgirlinc — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 14:57:33 +0000

Mardi Gras will certainly look different this year but that doesn’t mean we can’t get out the beads, put on some zydeco tunes and enjoy the celebration. And, don’t forget the king cake — another honored Mardi Gras tradition.
   King cake is an oval-shaped cinnamon roll with colorful sugary icing, mostly purple, green and gold, which signifies justice, faith and power. The cake is thought to have been brought to New Orleans from France in 1870 and symbolically represents a jeweled crown honoring the wise men who visited Jesus on the Epiphany. That’s why many cakes have a tiny plastic baby placed alongside the cake. Tradition has it that whoever finds the baby is “king for a day”.
   This year Mardi Gras is on Feb. 16, so there is plenty of time to order a king cake from Coastal Louisiana, which knows how to celebrate Mardi Gras.
   Here are several local Louisiana bakeries that will ship your king cake in time for Mardi Gras:

Cannata’s King Cakes of Houma is located in “Bayou Country,” traditionally home to one of the largest celebrations in the state. Last year the bakery’s Gooey Butter Snickerdoodle-flavored king cake earned the “People’s Choice Award” in the New Orleans King Cake Festival. Started in 1939 and still family owned, you can choose from almost 40 flavors and more than a dozen package options.

The Cajun Pecan House opened its doors in 1985 and now offers more than 30 varieties of king cake along with 23 different candies, pies, pralines and pastries. The most popular king cake is cinnamon-pecan.

Located in Jefferson Parish, Haydel’s Bakery holds the Guinness World Record for the world’s largest king cake, when in 2010 they created two giant king cakes that wrapped around the Superdome in New Orleans. They ship fresh king cakes as well as mini king cake 12-packs around the world.

Randazzo’s Camellia City Bakery hasn’t changed its king cake recipe in more than 50 years and every piece of dough is carefully kneaded, braided and molded by hand.

Delicious Donuts & Bakery in Lake Charles is known to have the best king cakes in southwest Louisiana, but the bakery is best known for its Boudin King Cake, which is made with a yeast-raised dough and filled with cheese, crawfish, shrimp, imitation crab meat, jalapeños and Cajun seasoning topped with bacon bits, cheese and jalapeños.

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Chef-inspired chicken dishes delivered to your door

travelgirlinc — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 02:44:39 +0000

Great chicken is like a great little black dress. It’s always wanted and enjoyed. That’s why we’re excited about Chef Nick Leahy, fresh from opening neighborhood spot Nick’s Westside, has launched Chicken Out, a chef-inspired chicken-only concept that is available via delivery only.
   Chicken Out’s menu offers four and eight-piece fried chicken meals, half or whole roasted Springer Mountain Farm chickens, roasted chicken shawarma, crispy smoked chicken wings with 19 dry-rubbed and sauced flavors, a crispy chicken sandwich, and six side dishes. For dessert, how about fried cinnamon donut holes? Delicious.
   Some of the offerings include: Smoked Chicken Wings, which are brined, smoked, and then fried crispy to order. Dry rubbed flavors include harissa, citrus-pepper, Cajun spice, everything bagel, adobo, honey-habanero, yellow curry, Jamaican jerk, Korean BBQ, maui wowee, ranch, tandoori, za’atar, and togarashi.
   Sauced wing options include hot & sour, classic Buffalo (regular or hot), garlic & chili butter, spicy barbecue and green curry.
   The Crispy Fried Chicken is brined and then fried in a specially seasoned flour mix. Each order comes with biscuits and a choice of one side.
   Half and whole roasted herb, lemon, and garlic-rubbed birds are available as well as chicken shawarma, which includes house pita, yogurt source, spicy sauce, pickles, vegetables, and salad.
   The Crispy Chicken Sandwich is made with thigh meat and served on a potato bun with pickles, lettuce, regular or spicy aioli, and potato chips. A la carte sides ($5) include fat fries, mac and cheese with ham, caramelized onion, and cheddar bechamel, braised greens with pot liquor, potato salad, coleslaw, and seasonal vegetables.
www.chickenoutatl.com.

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Holiday Vegetarian Coffee Cake

travelgirlinc — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 17:36:33 +0000

AYO Almondmilk Yogurt and Akasha Restaurant, which is located in Culver City, have put together a number of delicious recipes just for the holidays, such as its Cranberry-Almond Coffee Cake.
Opened in 2008, Akasha features California and New American cuisine along with cultural influences from Chef Akasha Richmond’s world travels, many of which are vegetarian.
AYO Almondmilk Yogurt is crafted from organic, sun-grown almonds by the fourth-generation farmers at the Billings family ranch. Naturally flavored with an infusion of organic vanilla, blueberries, strawberries, or peach, the vegan, plant-based yogurt is just 150-160 calories per 5.3 oz cup and has less added sugar than most other varieties.

Cranberry-Almond Coffee Cake
1 cup gluten-free 1-1 flour (we use Bob’s Red Mill gluten-free 1-1 baking flour)
½ cup coconut flour
¼ teaspoon baking soda
¼ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon sea salt
¼ cup olive oil
2 oz. softened plant-based butter
1 &1/3 cups organic sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon orange zest
3 eggs
1 container AYO vanilla yogurt
1 & ½ cups fresh cranberries
1/3 cup chopped almonds (for topping)
1 tablespoon sugar (for topping)

1. Grease a 10-inch round baking pan and line it with parchment paper. Preheat oven to 345 degrees.
2. Mix gluten-free flour, coconut flour, baking soda, baking powder, and sea salt in a bowl.
3. In a standing or hand mixer, cream the butter and olive oil. Add sugar and beat until smooth. Add citrus zest and eggs, one at a time, and cream well for about 2 minutes.
4. Add flour mixture and yogurt in three parts, starting and ending dry.
5. Scrape into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for 30 minutes. Let cool. Remove from pan.

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