English Breakfast

Out of all the breakfast around the world options, we start deliberately with the classic English breakfast because of its ubiquity – perhaps it is a leftover bastion of the days when there was a little bit of Britain all across the world, but rarely is it that you find yourself in a country where you can’t get ahold of an English breakfast.  As the picture shows, English breakfast comes with toast, eggs, mushrooms, sometimes baked beans, bacon, sausage, grilled tomato, and hash browns.  If you were hungry before this plate of calorific fuel, you won’t be after.

Variation:  In Scotland, your Scottish Breakfast will come with black pudding and/or haggis.  Definitely a way to start your day!  And in Northern Ireland, you’ll get the “Ulster Fry” which has soda bread for toast.

American Breakfast

Is it just me, or is America the breakfast king?  I think would could have a  breakfast around the world lineup just for the Americans and their northernly neighbours alone!  Beyond the pastries and egg-y dishes, there’s nothing more emblematic of the U.S. of A. at breakfast time than a classic stack of pancakes (flapjacks?) with eggs and bacon.  Don’t forget that maple syrup (a staple of Quebec food) and a big ol’ scoop of butter.  In the states, you can get regular pancakes, buckwheat pancakes, blueberry pancakes, strawberry pancakes, pumpkin pancakes, and I’m sure there are others I’ve never heard of.

Slightly Off Topic Editorial Rant:  Dear America, not everyone wants cream in their coffee.  Ever heard of milk?

Turkish Breakfast

Out of all of the breakfast around the world options, if I’m on the road, Turkish is my favoruite if I can find it.  While I love a gut-stuffing serving of pancakes, it’s hard on the system – I need even more of a caffeine injection to keep me going, but Turkish breakfast is light, tasty, and still gives me the tastes I want.  Turkish breakfast mostly consists of spicy sausages or meat, feta cheese, olives, cucumbers, egg and tomatoes.  Sometimes there will be some extra fruit or veg, such as figs, depending on what part of Turkey your chef is from.

Burmese Breakfast

Out of all the breakfast around the world inspiration, it is Burma that is the most surprising, both for the breadth and depth of the options!  Consider the naan-like flatbread, pictured, which comes with bean sauce, or you can also just butter the bread.  Another tasty option is htamin jaw, which is rice with chickpeas.  Burma has its own Burmese doughnut, which you can dip in some palm syrup.  Yummy!

Greek Breakfast

For those of you with a sweet tooth, your breakfast around the world option should be set to Greece, where pastries and coffees are the order of the day.  Consider the options:  spanakopita ((spinach, feta, onion, egg, flavouring in a flaky pastry), tyropita (cheese, egg, filo dough), or bougatsa (custard, cheese, filo dough), paximathakia (a.k.a. biscotti), all washed down with a jet black coffee that could clear the grease off a car engine.  Greek breakfast is fairly small, as they work themselves up for the bonanza buffets they serve for late lunch and late dinners.

Australian Breakfast

Most of the time, breakfast in Australia resembles our other breakfast around the world candidates – either a classic English fry-up or an American pancake stack.  But some of my favourite memories from the land of Aus were starting off on our day’s long drive, stopping at one of the Old Country Store shopfronts that dot the country, and getting a glass of cold, flavoured milk (coffee flavour, chocolate, etc) and having a meat pie.  They have different kinds of meat, such as sausage or bacon, but a classic meat and brown gravy pie really hits the spot.  And perhaps that flavoured milk appeals to the kid in me.  Nobody mentions this, but to me it just feels… a little more Australian than anything else.

Hong Kong Breakfast

Ok, so I’m pandering the the tourist in me here, because typically the average Hong Kong local only goes to dim sum on a Sunday, for a special occasion.  But if you’re visiting, I say have dim sum as often as you like, because it’s one of the most unique of our breakfast around the world options, and it’s yummy.  Caffeine addicts take note that it’s usually green tea served, so if you have a lot of trouble with your chop sticks, you might want to have a cuppa before you head out.  Dim Sum is usually served in places called “teahouses,” and the menu will be full of tasty options. I’m not a dim sum expert, but a couple of favourites include cha-siu-bao (Cantonese barbecue pork buns), and dou fu fa (sweet tofu pudding with ginger sauce).  If you’re not sure, then just ask for an assortment of stuff, both sweet and savoury, and laugh your way through the experience.

Brazilian Breakfast

Breakfast around the world wouldn’t be complete without a shout out to Brazil.  That’s not because you’d find anything all that exotic here – Brazilian breakfast resembles European continental breakfast in many ways – but because of the juice.  A Brazilian friend of mine told me that the one thing he hates when he travels abroad is the lack of fresh fruit juice – because in Brazil, fresh fruit juice is always on offer.  At one place we had breakfast, I wanted to try all the juices, so I had about 6 glasses of juice on the table.  Nobody batted an eye – though perhaps they were wondering if I was on some strange health kick!  Some of these fruits are considered ’super fruits’ (translation: really healthy), so drink up!

French Breakfast

We end our tour of breakfast around the world in France, whose breakfast resembles more like our list of the world’s best desserts than it does breakfast.  In many countries, an alternative to breakfast is to have some classic French breads and pastries.  Who doesn’t know about pain au chocolat (yum), pain aux raisins (yum), croissants (yum), baguette with butter and jam (yum), brioche (yum), or any of the country’s other hundreds of flour and sugar based products?  Start your day off right.

What breakfast around the world was really special and memorable?  Tell me – leave a comment!

Photo Credits: Mike Fleming, Misterbisson, stormgrass, Mirmurr, Ed, AvlXyz, redpolkadot, Beedieu, xiaozhuli.

Cheeese (Fromage)

For the uninitiated, Quebec food and specifically Quebec cheese might mean a plate of poutine - that’s the unhealthy-but-delicious concoction of fries, cheese curds, and gravy shown above.  And I would dare say that’s a good place to start.  But Quebec is a cheese lover’s dream, and I’ve had some of the best cheeses in the world here – over 300 kinds of cheese are produced in the province.  If the weather gods are friendly to you, stop and pick up some stinky cheeses and have a picnic.  You won’t be sorry.

But what cheese to try?  Here are a few recommendations that you should be able to find in grocery stores (except where noted):

• Le Riopelle de l’Isle
• Le Mont-Jacob
• Grand Cheddar 3 ans
• Migneron
• Ciel de Charlevoix
• Chèvre noir
• Le Cendrillon (voted best cheese in the world in 2009)
• L’Abysse; this cheese is aged for 5 years at the bottom of the Saguenay river in 400 ft of water. It’s the only cheese of its kind in the world. Still pending government approval for the distribution, you will have to visit Fromagerie Boivin for a taste.

Beer (Bière)

Quebec has been experiencing somewhat of a Quebecois beer renaissance.  This is because in the 1980’s, the provincial laws changed that allowed small businesses, such as a pub or restaurant, to brew their own beers on premises.  The result, in a time when all but a couple of conglomerates controlled the market, now means that no matter where you go in Quebec (including retail shops), your choice of beer is… a little intense.  Fruit flavoured beers, maple beers, fizzy beers, ales, lagers, and everything else in between.  If you like beer, you will love Quebec – many restaurants offer a beer pairing with their Quebec food as well as a wine pairing.

As you stand, bedazzled by the beer section of the local Quebec shop, here are a few recommendations:

• St-Ambroise is quite a popular brew, and their apricot ale is very tasty without being too sweet. They have an awesome oatmeal stout (when on tap, it’s better than Guinness).
• An everyday favourite is Belle Gueule Pilsner.
• L’Alchimiste and Barberie make beers that are out of this world.

Quebec breweries produce beers for any time of day (starting your day with a warm St-Ambroise stout is a great part of a nutrious breakfast), mood or dish.

The Mecca for beer lovers is by far Le Dépanneur de la Rive near Québec city. They have by far the largest selection of beers in Canada. Over 336 different beers but 711 beers on rotation. The outside looks like any other dépanneur but one you enter the front door you’ll be walking through a maze of beer cases stacked to the ceiling. Staff will push beer samples at you. Apart from beer they usually a few pints of milk, a couple of loaves of bread and the daily paper for sale. But, it’s all about the beer!

Meat (Viande)

Both the romantics as well as the pessimists of French cuisine know that France will eat anything that moves – a stereotype that starts with the lowly pigeon and ends with pig-on-a-platter.  The only other place I have been with such a love affair with meat is Quebec.  As the photo above illustrates, meat is serious business here.

Like in France, Quebec has an Appellation controlée system for some of their meats. Veau de Charlevoix, agneau de Charlevoix, agneau de l’Ile verte etc.

A smoked meat sandwich is one of the popular touristy things related to Quebec food – a visit to Montreal without having a sandwich from Schwartz’s is a trip not worth taking.

Tourtière is a meat pie popular across the province, though the type of filling varies depending on where you are – typically pork but sometimes it is duck or even hare.

Pate is another Quebec classic – and once you must try from a bakery or butcher’s where it is made fresh. Similar to all of the other products listed, Quebec pate comes in many shapes and sizes, from duck to pork, and in so many different flavours.

And who wouldn’t want a Chien Chaud – it sounds delicious, but if you speak French you know this beautiful phrase simply means hot dog.  They make ‘em right though, particularly up in Quebec City.

I should warn my American readers, though – if you order a Quebec pizza, you will not get a “pop tart with ketchup” as urban myth permates – but instead, a pizza with…meat.

Maple Syrup (Sirop D’Erable)

Did you know that 75% of the world’s supply of maple syrup comes from Quebec?  If you’ve been in any souvenir shop in Canada, you’ll have seen plenty of the sticky stuff, and it is mostly from here.  It was Quebec that introduced me to the grading system for syrup flavours – “Aunt Jemima” isn’t the only way to prepare mable syrup, and in many stores in Quebec you can choose from dark, richer flavours or opt for something light.

In early Spring, you can enjoy some “tire sur la neige”, or sugar snow, which is maple syrup poured onto fresh (preferably white) snow.  It’s so good we featured it as one of the world’s best desserts.  But often, Quebec food is flavoured with maple, such as glazes on meat.

So, next time you are in Quebec, ask for something a little more local.  Cheese?  Beer?  Meat?  Maple Syrup?  What else do you need!

Photo Credits: joephoto, Gary Soup, Author Photo,kylemac,

Editor’s Note:  Special thanks to Marc Faubert, a true Quebecois whose fabulous gastronomic advice and never-ending pursuit to keep taste buds moist and bellies full made this article possible.

Best Breakfast in Rochester: Scott’s

We start off the morning right – because one of the best restaurants in Rochester isn’t really a restaurant, but a stand at the Rochester Public Market:  Scott’s.  Regardless whether you had a heavy night before, or you just need some stamina for a day of Rochester Sightseeing, a made-to-order breakfast sandwich from Scott’s (eggs, meat, and a meat sauce I have only see here in Rochester) will count for a day’s calorific intake, but the taste makes it all worth it.

Best Coffee in Rochester: Java’s

It’s the little touches that matter, and that’s why Java’s takes to place for the best coffee in Rochester.  If you get their iced latte, for example, you’ll get a nice dollop of foam on top – which means you can sprinkle chocolate or cinnamon on top.  It’s just a nice touch, and don’t forget to pick up maybe a sandwich, or one of their enormous-sized cookies.  They’re home-made and come in flavours like green tea coconut.

Best Sandwiches in Rochster: Spot

Spot has some pretty tasty coffee, so yes, one of the best restaurants in Rochester is a coffeehouse!  And what’s not to like about their venue: it’s an old car dealership turned into a megaplex of flavour, with kitsch “stuff” hanging from every corner.  I love it – it’s the perfect place to do some work, or read a book, and on nice days they have a few tables outside.  Their menu is great; if you manage to take your eyes away from the pasty counter and onto the menu, you’ll find two must-haves: a Matt sandwich (eggs/meat of your choice/cream cheese) or their chicken foccacia with pesto and tomato yumminess.  Goes well with coffee too.

Best Everything-Under-One-Roof: Wegman’s

This is no secret.  You won’t dine here alone.  But many New Yorker’s (or anyone in any state with a Wegman’s) will tell you that it is one of their best restaurants. In Rochester, or specifically Pittsford, Wegman’s has a cafe where they experiment with new products.  But even in a regular Wegman’s you have your choice of an amazing array of products:  Asian, Thai, Mexican, Indian, Sandwiches, Pizza, and a Vegetarian/Salad bar that would make any carnivore switch sides.  Wegman’s is a foodie paradise and if you’re laughing because I’m telling you to go to a grocery store on your holiday, just go and report back.   You won’t be sorry.

Best Only-in-Rochester:  Garbage Plate

Another only-in-Rochester experience, one of the best restaurants in Rochester is Nick Tahou’s Hots, and that’s because they’re known for their special concoction, the garbage plate.  It’s cheap, cheerful, and downright terrifying.  The “plate” comes with your selection of meat ungraciously dolloped on top of macaroni salad (”mac sal”), potato fries, onions, meat sauce, and ketchup.  That’s at least the more or less ‘original’ recipe, but there are lots of various floating about, including one that has nothing short of a cheeseburger on top. Let’s just say you wouldn’t be hungry if you managed to finish one of these.

Best Dining with Kids: Diner at Museum of Play

Not only is the Skyliner one of my votes for best Restaurants in Rochester, it is also the best place to take children. That’s because it is inside of the Museum of Play, a fabulous Rochester museum which explores the intersection of play and many other disciplines, such as personal development.  (I think that travel is play – what do you think?)  Besides, how many museums have an entire diner car in their lobby?

Best Restaurant in Rochester for Dinner:  Dinosaur BBQ

Another one of the best restaurants in Rochester isn’t a well kept secret, either:  all of the motorcycles parked in front of Dinosaur BBQ gives it away as a place to eat big and eat well.  From the eclectic display of “paraphernalia” (for lack of a better word) on every spare wall space, to the multiple versions of BBQ sauce delivered to your table with the food, Dinosaur is quit the dining experience.  I wasn’t able to even come close to finish any of the food they brought, but you do get a nice sampling of things, and both the BBQ and the sides (fries, macaroni salad, veggies, etc) were all very tasty.

Best Chocolate Shop in Rochester:  Stevers

I couldn’t send any self-respecting foodie off to explore the best restaurants in Rochester without telling them about Stever’s, over by Park Avenue.  The sign says home made candies, and it’s true: walking in is like stepping back in time, where chocolates were made and sold in the same building by people who actually cared about chocolate.  The store is filled with chocolates in every shape and size – think of something and they have it.  They’re closed one month during the summer, so be sure to check in before you head over, and for goodness sake, don’t go in hungry!

Best Ice Cream in Rochester: Abbotts

Last but not least, our round up of the best restaurants in Rochester takes us to dessert.  And in Rochester, all roads lead to Abbott’s for dessert.  Their soft serve treats are dreamy, and they have the best crunchy/sprinkly stuff to put on top.  Portions are well-sized, which is good because you’ll want more when finished.  Abbott’s original location was just a small building with a view of Lake Ontario, and today you can still visit this location and enjoy a cone or dish while watching the waves lap at the shore.  What’s not to like?

Editorial Disclosure:  Portions of this trip were sponsored by Visit Rochester.  This sponsorship in no way affects the editorial content of this piece.

Photo Credits: scotts…maureen_sill, drewgraets, Christy Bassman, Knile, mmellander, David Sifry, Stevers Chocolates, Travelin’ Librarian

Durango, CO

Durango, CO is a small collage town I called home for a little over 4 years as I attended Fort Lewis College. Durango offers a plethora of local eateries from mexican food to BBQ. There are two places you just can’t pass up when you visit this scenic mountain town:

Serious Texas BBQ: You might not think that the best Texas style BBQ would be located so far from Texas but man would you be wrong! Step into this local favorite and taste why this is seriously the best Texas BBQ around. When you do go, you simply must order the Texas taco. The Texas taco is made when you put masterfully slow smoked meat into a tortilla with some cheesy potatoes, jalapenos and large amounts of the house sauce. It is pretty much the best thing I have ever had in my life and I dream about it on a nightly basis. Can’t make it out to Durango? Never fear! You can order all you need to make your own Texas taco from the Serious Texas BBQ Website! http://www.serioustexasbbq.com

RGP’s Flame Grilled Wraps: Without a doubt one of the Durango locals favorite hole in the walls, RGP’s makes the best wrap sandwiches you have EVER tasted! Originally raining from Boston Ma, the owners of RGP’s specialized in grilled pizza. One day they got sick of eating pizza all the time and decided to start using the grilled pizza crust as a wrap for sandwiches, and RGP’s was born. Now located in Durango, RGP’s serves a variety of sandwiches that will keep you coming back again and again. If you want to experience the best of both the pizza world and the sandwich world, you have to stop into RGP’s on main street!

Colorado Springs, CO

I spent most of the last 15 years living in Colorado Springs so I am most familiar with the places to eat in Colorado Springs, another popular town for visitors. There are three locations that made my Mile High Foodie list that you should try if you are in town:

El Taco Rey: Some Coloradians believe there are no good Mexican restaurants in Colorado Springs, but they might not be aware of this tiny place located off of E. Colorado Ave and S Wahsatch Ave. To call El Taco Rey a hole in the wall would be an understatement. If you were to go at lunch you would be forced to make new friends and squeeze into a table with strangers if you wanted to eat in. Where the place lacks in seating, they make up in flavor. El Taco Rey is famous in Colorado Springs for having the best (and award winning) avocado pork burritos smothered in green chili. If you go, I would HIGHLY suggest you try this dish but they also have many other traditional mexican dishes to please any palate. Delicious and cheap, makes this place one of my all time favorite places to eat in Colorado Springs, CO!

Bahn Thai: I love food with some spice, and none is spicier then Thai cuisine. When I am in Colorado Springs and I want Thai food I will only go to Bahn Thai. This place is not only very inexpensive but also offers a great deal of traditional Thai dishes to choose from and you can make it as hot as you can stand! With two locations (one my the citadel mall off S. Academy and the other out west off of Garden of the Gods) you are sure to get all your favorite Thai dishes from spring rolls to Tom Yum Guy soup! I would highly recommend the Thai beef salad. Enjoy!

Mollica’s Italian Market & Deli: Italians and New Yorkers can rejoice because Mollica’s is as authentic as you get in Colorado for Italian food and specialties. Family owned and operated, Mollica’s specializes in homemade sausages and pasta. They also have a fantastic selection of Italian dishes from manicotti to my favorite, the hot sausage and peppers sandwich. They even have skinny sausage, which my New York born boyfriend says is not easy to find outside of New York!

Denver, CO

You can’t be a mile high foodie without some great places to eat in Colorado’s capital! The hustle and bustle of the capital city is ideal for foodies on a budget. Denver offers up a whole plate of fantastic eateries that will satisfy the biggest of hungers!

Rise & Shine Biscuit Kitchen and Cafe: Rise & Shine gets back to the basics of traditional southern cooking, pared down to a single, delicious menu item: biscuits. The owner, Seth Rubin, has converted many of a biscuit skeptic into believers with his ever growing menu. Colorado residents come from far and wide to sample Seth’s biscuit of the day and enjoy a cup of coffee. Rise & Shine is the perfect place to stop in for a quick and inexpensive breakfast that is far from the norm. This is a must try place, so be sure to add it to your itinerary when you visit.

Biker Jim’s Dogs: Although not exactly a restaurant, you cannot talk about fantastic mile high eateries without mentioning Biker Jim’s Gourmet Hot Dog Stand! Biker Jim’s is known far and wide as THE best place to grab a dog, and not just any dog either. Biker Jim’s offers up gourmet treats ranging from rattle snake, elk and pheasant to veal and buffalo. Sure you could still order a regular beef dog, but why would you want to do that? Hey if it’s good enough for Anthony Bourdain it’s good enough for me!

Gyros King: Although the Gyros King is actually located in Aurora, just outside of Denver, it is worth the short drive. The place is owned by a Greek couple that serves up some of the best Greek food in all of Colorado. I personally have become addicted to their Gryros, and yes they are the KING of making gyros!

Boulder

Known far and wide as one of the countries most active and healthy cities, Boulder prides itself on being socially and environmentally conscience and tend to have some of the best choices in organic eateries.  And it’s weird – so what better place to explore your taste buds for some more unique places to eat in Colorado.

Turley’s: Offering menu choices for any kind of eater. They have healthy choices, organic choices, gluten free choices and so much more. Turley’s is one of the best breakfast and brunch places in Boulder and the blueberry pancakes are killer! Go to Turley’s for breakfast so everyone in your group can get exactly what they want!

Have you had some awesome eats in Colorado that is not listed above? Tell us about it in the comments section below.

Photo credit sowerspics, beverly and pack, jeffrey beall, jeffreygee

Tteok-bok-i: Rice Cakes in Hot Sauce

If you dare, taste the most popular street food of all time! It is called Tteokbokki.  It’s simply cylinder shaped rice cakes cooked with Korean hot pepper sauce as a main ingredient. A lot of malt is in the sauce, so you should be able to taste the sweetness but for people who not familiar with spicy food, it can be just damn hot. You can find this weird Korean food at street vendors in every corner in Seoul. Another popular food along with tteok-bok-I is Umuk. Umuk is fish cake in different shapes and it’s commonly sell with tteokboki. To eat, dip the cake in the hot and tasty soup, with little bit of soy sauce. These two foods sell any season of the year, but in the winter with a cup of Umuk soup and tteokboki couldn’t be better.

A plate of Teokboki : 2000 won ($1.5 USD)
A stick of Umuk : 500 won ($0.4 USD)

Soon-dae: Noodles in Pig’s Intestines

This is a quite famous street food in Korea. Most of snack stalls in Seoul have Soondae because Koreans eat this with Tteok-bok-i. There’s several different ways of Soondae making, but mainly noodles-transparent noodles- and vegetables in cleaned pig’s intestines.  Many Europeans or North Americans would likely call this blood sausage.  Eat it with salt, though people in south part of Korea, such as Busan, eat it with bean sauce. Not only can you eat Soondae with sauces, but also there’s a main dish called Soondae Guk, hot pot of soup with Soondae. It’s cheap, it’s tasty! Weird Korean food couldn’t be more satisfying.

A plate of Soondae : 2000 won/plate ($1.5 USD)
A pot of Soondae guk : 6000 won/pot ($5 USD)

Dark-bal: Feet of Chicken

Let’s not mince words when it comes to weird Korean food – this is is exactly what it called. Cooked feet of chicken. Usually it cooked with hot pepper sauce and it can be served with or without bones, and you’ll find it prepared in various ways: grilled, steamed or parched with sauce. Chicken, cows and pig are the usual farm animals in Korea, so I’m guessing that’s why poor farmers cooked and ate feet of chicken. How’s the taste? Mostly it is really chewy and hot. It is a delicacy. Darkbal goes nicely with soju (Korean Vodka).

Bun-dae-gi: Silkworm Pupae

This is a literally a silkworm and possibly the most visually unappealing of all the weird Korean food. It is usually boiled and then seasoned. When I was a kid, there was Bundaegi vendor in every town; it was the most popular street food of all time. This is not quite as popular to children nowadays like it used to be, but many Korean people have a nostalgia for Bundaegi. Often it is served with alcohol (again, such as Soju) for grownups. A soup of bundaegi go with alcohol really well. There’s also a can of bundaegi in a market, which suprisingly is a steady seller. It can be little unreal to eat but taste it! Then you will understand why.

Ggup-dae-gi:  Pig Skin

Have you had grilled pig skin? Koreans are meat-loving people, which is reflected in their weird Korean food tendencies. Even pig’s skin can be a good delicacy. There is even a specific restaurant for pig’s skin. Sometimes it parched with hot sauce but grilled one is the, best in my opinion. As you can imagine, the skin of pig is quite strong but that’s a part of beauty of this dish. Near where I live, the whole street is filled with restaurants just for pig skin. ‘Mapo’ is name of the area, located in mid-west of Seoul. My father used to take us there – its not a ‘fancy’ restaurant but the skill is the best in town. But usually if there’s pork, there’s a skin too. Find it and grill it! It’s such a charming dish!

Photos by Stu, Ron, Jiyeon Juno Kim, Complicated, Jiyeon Juno Kim

Best Restaurant with a View – Elf

Elf (”el-eff”) is a top floor restaurant/bar/club/cafe on the river the Centraal Station.  It’s a very fresh, modern cafe.  The view is stunning – especially watching the trains bustling in and out of the station below – and the food is fabulous.  It’s a great place for brunch, lunch, dinner, and it turns into a nightclub at night.  It’s on the eleventh floor, hence the name elf, which is Dutch for eleven.   The building – formerly the Dutch Mail headquarters – is the temporary home of the modern art museum, which is moving back to its original building soon, and the restaurant has changed ownership, so its unclear how long this gem will remain around.

Best Restaurant Architecture – De Waag

De Waag is a fabulous building in the center of the Nieuwmarkt you can’t miss it.  In summer there’s an outdoor terrace, though a candle-lit evening inside the building is a real charmer.  Built in 1488, the building is one of the original city gates of Amsterdam.  When the walls of the city were torn down in the 1600s, the building was re-purposed as a weigh house.  Today it serves up some of the best food in Amsterdam: tasty soups, sandwiches, steaks and salads.

Best Sandwich in Amsterdam – Pasta Tricolore (formerly Pasta Di Mamma)

Oh man, the “broodtjes” at Pasta Triocolore (formerly Pasta Di Mamma) are to die for – they aren’t just the best sandwiches in Amsterdam, but the best sandwiches in the world.  This is sort of an Italian deli with a cafe on the side, so you’ll find locals strolling in to pick up something for dinner after some luxury shopping on P. C. Hooftstraat, where this cafe is located.  The breads are baked daily – they’re massive, and I recommend the tomato bread.  Ingredients are fresh and they’ll make whatever you want, but try the Bari: fresh parmaham, pesto, and mozzarella.   It is pure heaven and the best food in Amsterdam you can enjoy on a bench in the nearby Vondelpark.

Best Bakery in Amsterdam – De Bakkerswinkel

I risk offending many by saying that the Bakkerswinkel (translates as the baker’s shop) has better scones than you can find in England.   There are multiple locations but the best one, and most popular, is on the Warmeostraat in the red light district – a cute, tiny tea house surrounded by sex parlours, toy shops, and bathhouses.  The irony that they have the best food in Amsterdam only improves on the experiences, and beyond great scones they have the best tea selection in town as well as tasty sandwiches.  You can get baked goods for takeaway, and you can buy their homemade jam in the shop.

Best Indian Restaurant in Amsterdam -Gandhi

Gandhi is the best Indian restaurant in Amsterdam, though you’d never know it.  An “only in Amsterdam” location, you’ll find this restaurant on the Damrak – yes, that street full of awful souvenir shops and noisy neon signs – just below a massive sauna.  Yup.  Anyway, if you find it, tell them I said hello, as myself and my friend Linda have been there more times than we can count.  The staff are charming, and I couldn’t more recommend their veg samosas, followed by butter chicken or chicken saag.  Best food in Amsterdam?  YUM.

Best Red Light District Dining – Blauw Aan De Wal

Blauw Aan de Wal is no secret, as you’ll find it written up in all the travel guides and best food in Amsterdam lists, but most people can’t find it.  (See it in the picture above?  Ha – it’s just off to the side.)  Translated into English as “blue on the quay,” you have to go down an alleyway off of Oude Zijde Achterburgwal and then through a courtyard, so ask your hotel or accommodation to explain it to you or else you’ll spend the night in circles being offered all sorts of special deals.  It’s Mediterranean food and to me there’s a tinge of French influence.  It’s tasty and the ambience is very romantic.

Best Dutch Restaurant in Amsterdam – Moeders

Moeders means mothers in English, and not only is this place fantastic to enjoy some Dutch home cooking, it is also a great place to take your mother.  (I’ve been with mine – she approves and is her first choice for the best food in Amsterdam.)  First is the ambience – set on a canal near the Westerkerk, the walls are covered with pictures of mothers, which makes this small and cozy venue that much nicer. The dishes, knives, and forks are all different too – all donations from locals, which I just love, as it’s fun to compare your mug to your neighbour’s.  Top tip is to have the hemawurst stamppot – it’s a sausage, spinach, and mashed potato concoction guaranteed to satisfy.  If you’re feeling brave, wash it down with a moeders koffie – packed with as much alcohol as there is coffee!

Best Cafe in Amsterdam – Cafe De Jaren

Cafe de Jaren is a ultra-popular cafe in central Amsterdam.  It’s got a massive canal-side terrace (shown above) and is a lovely, airy place, though sometimes it can be pretention; it is certainly a ’see and be seen’ sort of venue.  Regardless, the coffees are good and so are the sandwiches and popular salad bar, so go and mix it up with the locals, en vogue.

Best Takeaway Food – Wok to Walk

Yes, you should try FEBO – the weird and wonderful snack bar you’ll find on most corners.  But if you want a proper snack that’s fresh and yummy, my vote goes to Wok to Walk.  They have several central locations – the one just off Leidesplein is more like a sit-down restaurant – and ordering is simple.  First, you choose your meat or veg, then you choose rice or noodles, add on any additional veggies, pick a sauce, and off you go.  Your stir fry will be made in front of you and handed over to you piping  hot.  I’ve had so many of these and they’re the best food in Amsterdam, perfect before a night out or a bit of a pick-me-up halfway along.

Best Pancakes in Amsterdam – The Pancake House

So Dutch pancakes are called pannekoek, and if you haven’t had one, they are a halfway point between French crepes and American pancakes.  I’m going to cast my vote for the best pancakes in Amsterdam to The Pancake House; some will disregard this opinion because this place is very touristy, but given the fact that they do have very good pancakes and their menu of choice is miles long, it is a great bet.   If you can’t decide, just try the “plain” – which comes with lemon and lots of powdered sugar.

Best French Fries in Amsterdam – Manneken Pis

Vlaams Friteshuis is the most famous place place for fries in Amsterdam, and they do have very good fries, but the queues are often very long.  I had no idea, though, that my friend Robert & I have frequented a couple of times the very place that is rated the best in the country – Manneken Pis!  It is right on Damrak and it, well, looks like just the others, but I love their frites/chips/fries/whatever-you-call-them, one of the best food in Amsterdam experiences you can have is walking around with some piping hot fries.  I take mine just with ketchup, but feel free to try them with mayo (Dutch mayo isn’t the same as American or UK mayo – it’s far lighter).  Brave souls should order a pataat oorlog – Dutch for ‘french fry war’ – which comes with peanut sauce, mayo, and onions.

Best Steak in Amsterdam – Cafe De Klos

Down the assuming lane Kerkstraat, Cafe De Klos is probably the darkest restaurant you’ll ever eat in – it is a bruin cafe, so it’s more of a bar first, restaurant second.  However, locals know it for having very very tasty steaks on the cheap. Who doesn’t like a steak and beer?  The staff here are friendly, in fact perhaps a little too friendly, so regardless you’ll have a good time and a good meal here.

Best Bar Snacks in Amsterdam – Cafe De Schutter

On a small alley between the Rokin and De Spui, Cafe De Schutter is a student hangout.  The reason I send tourists there regularly is because it’s upstairs and the walls are covered in posters and paraphernalia, so this place has a great vibe and buzz.  Their menu is mostly bar food, but it’s great to have a few drinks and a snack, such as their chicken satay which is legendary.

Best Italian Restaurant in Amsterdam (and Most Romantic Restaurant in Amsterdam) – Pastini

Pastini is a very special place for me – it must be one of Amsterdam’s most romantic restaurants – just check out the view you get!  It’s a corner place, very tiny, and very simple.  But when you stock the menu with quality wines and simple dishes that have the freshest ingredients, and all of that for reasonable prices, what else do you need? Everything they serve is the freshest and best food in Amsterdam, but if it’s a special occasion, I recommend a bit of bubbly to start.  Oh, and be sure to have the meringue for dessert.

Best Dessert in Amsterdam – Appeltart at Cafe Winkel

Another “well known secret”, Cafe Winkel on the Noordermarkt makes the best appeltaart in Amsterdam.  It is kind of like apple pie, but not really.  You’ll want to ask for it warme and of course met slagroom – with whipped cream – it is heavenly.  Wash it down with a cup of coffee, and you’ll be right as rain – even if it is raining out.

Best Thai Restaurant in Amsterdam – Song Kwae

It is possible to run your body on pad thai – I tried.  I’ve had more of them at Song Kwae , a brilliant little Thai place in the Nieuwemarkt, than I care to admit.  Their soups are fantastic too, and be sure to try some of the other starters if you’re hungry enough.  Despite having the best food in Amsterdam, the staff are cheeky and fun too.

Best Outdoor Cafe with a Terrace in the Sun – ‘T Blauwe Theehuis

While technically this shouldn’t be on a list of the best food in Amsterdam, I couldn’t help but squeeze ‘T Blauwe Theehuis in because this terrace cafe, hidden away in Vondel Park, is the perfect place for a glass of wine or a beer on a sunny day.  They do have fresh bread with various spreads which are quite yummy, but if you’re buying drinks you can always bring along a sandwich or something of your own.  The name means the blue tea house, and I suppose you could have a tea or coffee, but doesn’t a refreshing rose and a bit of sunshine sound like the perfect afternoon?

Best French Restaurant in Amsterdam – Harkema Brasserie

I’ve only been to Harkema once, and it was one of the best birthday’s of my life.  The venue is crazy fun – which is unexpected as it is hidden down the alleyway called Nes, just off of the Dam Square.  I love French food, so when I say this is some of the best food in Amsterdam, I do mean it.  Fresh preparations, paired nicely with their wine selection (which is almost an art installation, actually), and probably the best table service in Amsterdam.  Bon appetit!

Other Tips and Thoughts

There’s so much great food in Amsterdam, I’ll probably remember a few others and update this in future.  Despite typical misconceptions, Amsterdam is a foodie destination.  Jump on your bike, get away from the tourists, and see if you can find a cosy little place to hang out.  De Pijp is a neighbourhood out just on the edge of town and is a good place to explore restaurants.  If you find there’s only a Dutch menu, just ask the staff to translate, or a recommendation. They’ll be happy to oblige.

Photo Credits: Mingo.nl, helena, cookiemouse, Michell Zappa, Venue Photo, Taver, Darcie, Mauricio, Javi, Tracy Hunter, Bookeditor, lbsterling, Veronique Debord, taver, Starry blue sky, appaloosa, dutchamsterdam, roland

Best Ice Cream in Vancouver

La Casa Gelato claims to be the only ice cream store in the world with 508 flavours. No, that isn’t a misprint.  You could spend an afternoon in here just looking for the right taste combination for you, so I figured that’d be a great place to start our foodie tour.  The right answer might be to eschew the rest of our best food in Vancouver list and just camp out here, sampling your way to the finish line.  With freshly made waffle cones and a near carnival-like atmosphere, that might just be what the doctor ordered.

Best Modern/Contemporary Food in Vancouver

The Cactus Club is defined as ‘casual fine dining.’  In otherwords, the upmarket experience without the stiff corporate atmosphere, and that’s what you’ll get at the Cactus Club, a chain of restaurants owned by a local celebrity chef.  The place reminds me of having dinner at a night club, complete with skinny, over-friendly waitstaff.  (I’m told by locals this was not a random incident but indeed a regular feature of their marketing campaign.)   The bar has a great menu of drinks, from local beers to good value for money cocktails, and my meal was superb.  My choice was the steak with sweet potato fries, followed by a apple pie.  Sounds kind of boring, but when everything is made with fresh ingredients and served in appropriate portions, what’s not to like?

Best Mexican Food in Vancouver

Don Guacamole was where I was tipped for the best Mexican food in Vancouver, and I left quite pleased.  As many of you know, Mexican is one of my personal favourites, so I’m pretty particular.  The dining experience in general leaves a lot to be desired: our entrees arrived within minutes, which didn’t give us any time to enjoy either our drinks nor the tasty chips provided with a trio of salsas (pictured).  Normally I would worry about such rushed preparations, but my traditional choice of enchiladas were very tasty and I could actually see much of the prep work in the open kitchen, which was clean and spotless.  However, do not leave here without  having dessert: the churros are the best dessert in Vancouver the world.  Healthy sized portions of batter are deep fried to be moist and crunchy, then rolled in lots of cinnamon and sprinkled with sugar.  Heaven: these even surpassed the breakfast churros in Madrid, and I’ll be damn sure to update our list of the world’s best desserts.

Best Dim Sum in Vancouver

One of the best things to do in Hong Kong (and actually one of the best things to do in Melbourne too) is to spend Sunday morning brunch having dim sum.  YUM!  It’s one of my favourite traditions and one I celebrate whenever I’m somewhere that offers the opportunity.  So where is the best dim sum in Vancouver?  Well, it’s actually a restaurant hidden away in a Chinatown parking garage (yes, really): Floata.  Floata offers the authentic Hong Kong dim sum experience.  What does that mean?  Well, you get those fun roving carts that have an array of tasty dishes, some more foreign than others.  But also means a loud, boisterous environment, rude/pushy staff, and if you want something on a cart that doesn’t come by your table, you have to shout.  I love it, but you definitely need to know what you’re getting into.  Be sure to look at for the beef noodles with a splash of soy sauce – one of the best platters we chose.

Best Pizza in Vancouver

Vancouver reminded me a lot of New York City with its multitude of pizza parlours on nearly every corner – wherever there isn’t a coffeeshop, basically.  They all seemed quite similar, but there was one name that came up time and time again (both on social networks as well as amongst friends): 2001 Flavors.  I don’t even think the place says 2001 flavors, and let’s be honest: it’s a terrible name for a pizza joint (hell even La Casa Gelato knew better).  This place is at Pender and Seymour, and I’ve just included the window signage for some directional assistance.  Cheap, simple, and good:  best pizza in Vancouver indeed.

Best Cocktails in Vancouver

Hotel Vancouver is the place to be when it comes to celebrity sightseeing in Vancouver – this Fairmont property is an iconic building and a social hotspot.  One of the best experiences you can have is to enjoy cocktails in the lobby bar, 900 West.

Side point:  If you find yourself at the airport, the Fairmont at the airport also has a popular cocktail bar/restaurant with one of the city’s favourite bartenders: Jetside Johnny.

Best Crepes in Vancouver

You won’t have a hard time finding crepes in Vancouver – there are several chains selling them across the city.  But if you want real crepes prepared by proper Frechmen (yes that’s complete with the overarched accents and grandious but brusque service, by Canadian standards anyway) you simply must go to La Bretagne.  I felt transported back to the French countryside:  first it was listening to the accents and the recommendations.  Then it was the tasty wine that was suggested to pair with my meat-filled crepe.  And then the flavours: mon dieu!  These guys know what they are doing, and if you can’t go to France, go to La Bretagne for the best crepes in Vancouver.

Best Butter Tart in Vancouver

Butter tarts are a stable of Canadian desserts.  It is rumoured the oldest known recipe is from 1915, but they are likely an import from Scotland where a similar tart exists.  You will find them everywhere in Canada and in Vancouver, but if your butter tart ENORMOUS, JUICY, AND DELICIOUS (upper case intentional, for emphasis) then you must got to Tartine.  It’s a little bakery almost underneath the roadway bridge on beach avenue, near the ferry stops for Granville Island.  Naturally, they have lovely-looking breads and an assortment of other treats, including berry-filled tarts, but there is something simple yet satisfying about the BIG (did I mention they are larger than normal?) Tartine butter tart.

Best Everything-under-one-Roof

Wow.  I was worried that Granville Island was going to be one big tourist grab, but I was sorely mistaken – the shops, stalls, and vendors here are popular with locals and for good reason: the food is amazing.  Fantastic bakeries, soup shops with steaming bowls of good stuff, pie vendors, and everything in between.  My personal favourite was Curry2U who has a butter chicken to die for.  Go here hungry, walk around bewildered, and leave satisfied.  Tip:  If you eat outside, watch out for the seagulls – they are fearless.

Best Coffee in Vancouver

Anyone who has been to the Pacific Northwest knows one thing:  the entire place is one big long caffeine jag.  I think in Vancouver there is even an intersection with two large Starbucks on opposite corners.  So I did my best to try everything (am still buzzing as we speak) and the best coffee I found was the lattes at Cafe Artigiano.  They have the most lovely latte art as well, and you must try one of their scones – very moist and tasty.

Best Vegetarian Restaurant in Vancouver

Any sentence that involves the words Vegetarian and Vancouver seems to finish with the worlds The Naam.  This Kitsilano restaurant is a local icon and the place to go for Vegetarian.  It is cheap and cheerful, open 24 hrs a day, and has great breakfast, great desserts, and good stuff in between.  It is easy to see why so many locals love it.

Thanks to JoAnna, Jeannie, Ruth, Ian and Judy for all their tips and suggestions for the best food in Vancouver!

Photos by Ranger Gord, mastermaq, LadyDucayne, jules, Author, I Am, LaRuth, Sifu, cheukiecfu, A Hermida, xynldotnet

Best Mexican food in Austin:  Gueros Taco Bar

It is no surprise that some of the best food in Austin is Mexican-inspired.  But many of the restaurants in Austin serve what I’d call Tex-Fresh-Mex: fun and light ingredients, without all the lard and salt.  And they’re BIG into tacos, maybe just a little obsessive if I may say so.  Gueros takes top marks for great service, a fantastic menu, and terrific ambience at their venue on South Congress.  Portions are a healthy size without being obscene.  Try an Al Pastor taco which is topped with pork, cilanto, and pineapple: great for those warm sunny Austin days.  And don’t forget the queso!

Best Austin BBQ with a View:  County Line

Ok, so any round up of the best food in Austin or the best restaurants in Austin would be utterly incomplete without the choice of best Austin BBQ.  This is a tough choice:  Uncle Billy’s (mentioned later) does decent BBQ.  So does Salt Lick, Stubb’s and several other respectable venues.  I ate at several and find it hard to choose a winner, as I’m not from Texas so my palette obviously does not discriminate as distinctively for such things.  However, County Line on the Hill (out in the “boonies” outside of Austin) takes the cake for me.  The view is stunning, for one, and the ambience is “only in Texas.”  So while I’m not going to go out on a very precarious limb and say that The County Line is the best Austin BBQ, I will say it is a phenomenal dining experience and well worth the drive to get there.

Best Breakfast in Austin: Magnolia Cafe

Magnolia Cafe has a slogan: Everybody Knows, Everybody Goes.  And as far as best food in Austin goes, it takes the cake, or the Magnolia brownie as it might be (pictured).  Magnolia is fabulous for breakfast and for brunch, so it is no surprise it is popular with both locals and tourists.  It’s not to be confused with the establishment of the same name in New York City famous for their cupcakes, but Magnolia has its own local celebrity status and it is well earned.

Best Coffee in Austin: Jo’s

If you need a caffeine jag, go to Jo’s.  And after all the best food in Austin, you’ll need a damn coffee just to get around. There are several Jo’s: the one on South Congress is a fantastic place in good weather as there is what I like to call the entrepreneur’s lounge.  Everyone is hanging out with their laptop doing their thing and enjoying the tasty brew.  But the Jo’s on 2nd avenue in downtown is also a fab place to be, sort of one of those be seen places.  Oh and Jo’s on 2nd has AMAZING migas.  Try it.  You won’t be disappointed.

Best Weird Thing To Eat in Austin:  Gourdoughs

You might be asking yourself: that kind of looks like an airstream trailer.  You’d be right!  It’s Gourdough’s, one of the trailer park food vendors you saw mentioned in our weird things to do in Austin round-up. Some of the best food in Austin is served from these “mobile units” (the friendly term), and in future we’ll be giving them their due justice with a round-up of their own.  But Gourdoughs earns lots of awards:  they have some of the best doughnuts in town, and for sure they have the best weird things to eat in Austin.  For example, try their most popular item, the Mother Clucker.  It’s chicken and honey on a hot doughnut.  Sounds weird, but trust me:  It is GOOD. Good good good.  Worth going to Austin for this food product alone.

Best Beer in Austin:  Uncle Billy’s

After trying to work your way through the best food in Austin list, you’re going to be desperate for a drink, and for good reason. Quench your thirst at  Uncle Billy’s, a terrific venue south of downtown that has a great vibe and great beers too.  They always have a tasty Belgian wheat beer (that goes down a little too easily – one to check out) as well as a pale ale, blonde ale, organic amber ale.  The rest of the lineup depends on the night, so be sure to ask your sever what’s on tap, and don’t be afraid to experiment: at this place, it is hard to go wrong.  As mentioned earlier, the food is terrific, including the BBQ, and Uncle Billy’s serves up the best mac and cheese in Austin.  Hands down.

Best Everything-Under-One-Roof:  Whole Foods

Did you know one of the biggest tourist attractions in Austin also has the best food in Austin?  Yup: it’s Whole Foods.  Their flagship headquarters store in downtown Austin has flocks of travellers, and why is there a surprise?  I mean, come on, you have your choice of:

• beer alley: an aisle of beer
• muesli alley: an aisle of every muesli/oatmeal/granola combination imaginable
• dessert buffet (yes!!  heaven on earth has arrived)
• made-to-order burrito bar (top of my recommendations list)
• wine tasting station

Ok, at this rate we’ll be here all night.  Let’s just say if you are craving it, whole foods has it.  After all, the have a sign inside that says “capital of food.”  Pretty much sums up this venue.

Best Ice Cream in Austin: Amy’s Ice Cream

Amy’s Ice Cream is without question one of best food in Austin options available.  The ice cream is served up with style and panache, with a good dose of humour applied.  As you can see from the photo, you can choose from a number of ice creams as well as “crush’ns” or toppings.  I had heard lots and lots about Mexican Vanilla [an ice cream, not a topping], which sounds good, but actually I felt it was too sweet.  A shame as lots of potential.  However, I created my own concoction which I feel like I should contact Amy’s about calling it the STE special: coffee ice cream with oatmeal cookies.  It kind of tastes like biscotti.  It’s the perfect after-meal treat, as it’s a touch sweet, with that lightest of coffee kicks to get you going. Perfection.  Thank you Amy.

Best Pizza in Austin:  Home Slice Pizza

Home Slice Pizza is definitely part of the social fabric of this town: people live and die by a slice from here.  As far as best food in Austin goes, if you  haven’t been here, you haven’t been to Austin.  There are a couple of locations and after a few drinks, a few slices of Home Slice will go down well, without question.  Check it out.

Best Happy Hour in Austin:  The Four Seasons

TRIO at the Four Seasons takes the honours for the best happy hour in Austin.  I didn’t try their food for dinner meals, but if it’s a similar menu then this place must have the best food in Austin and the best wine list in Austin, because believe me ladies and gentlemen, these are professionals.  The snacks we had at our table were so good there was total disagreement at the end as to what was the best happy hour choice, so I can’t even make a recommendation in good faith (though crab fondue is AMAZING, and so are the garlic fries), so go, order some wine and a few appetisers, and work your way through it.  Did I mention their sommelier even has his own wine blend on offer? Yup.  Amazing.

Best Burger in Austin:  Hut’s Hamburgers

Hut’s Hamburgers is where you go when you want comfort food, but it deserves its place as some of the best food in Austin for sure.  It’s a quaint place – the walls are decorated with license plates and sports paraphernalia, and you’ll get those massive oversized soft drinks only found in the States.   The burgers are to die for – juicy meat patties, fresh buns, and that salty-wonderful cheese that is perfectly melted.  My only complain is that you get FAR TOO MANY french fries – we split one order three ways and we didn’t finish it.  But they were good fries, for sure.  Hut’s.  You won’t regret it.

Best Modern/Contemporary Restaurant in Austin:  Parkside

Parkside is on 6th street, the epicentre of nightlife in the city and a place where you would think that the best food in Austin would be found, but for me a lot of those places are plastic and faceless.  Not so for Parkside, which manages to serve up the most imaginative and refreshing dishes in a way that is simple and fabulous.  I’m not sure how else to describe them.  Start your meal off by cleansing your palette with one of their lovely fizzy drinks, then check the specials and ask for a recommendation if you’re not sure.  Because this place is good.  Very good.

Best Crepes in Austin: Flip Happy Crepes

Flip Happy Crepes is another food cart vendor, similar to our weird friends above, Gourdoughs.  You might think that a crepe is a crepe, but you won’t think that after you visit this place.  Flip Happy is legendary and without out a doubt some of the best food in Austin: people from far and wide know about “that crepe place in Austin in an airstream trailer.”  And come on: their slogan is Made from Scratch, with Love.  What’s not to like?  Come here hungry so you can have both a savoury crepe to start and a sweet crepe for dessert, but you’ll go home full, guaranteed.  Nutella, pictured above, is a top favourite – no surprise there.

Best Steak in Austin:  Ruth Chris

Ok, so Ruth Chris is a chain – somewhat of an atypical choice for our foodies guides.  But if America had a ‘meat belt,’ surely Texas would be at the heart of it.  So any list of the best food in Austin would be absolutely remiss without a steak category, and Ruth Chris is king of this category.  Whether you want it bloody and mooing or burnt to a crisp (though perhaps somewhere in the middle might be a better choice), you’ll find it here, all with a no hassle, relaxed attitude that you’ll find pretty much anywhere you eat in Austin.

Photos by jaredten,Venue Photo, ravik694, mccheek, Author Photo, Venue Photo, craige, Jess Webb, Venue Photo, Venue Photo, Author Photo, Jean-Michel Dufaux, kkatrinaa, Urban Mixer

Disclosure:  Portions of this itinerary were sponsored by the Austin CVB but in no way reflect on the content featured here.

Best Breakfast in Orange County:  Polly’s Pies, Huntington Beach

The only way to start your day in Orange County is to stuff yourself silly at Polly’s Pies.  It’s a fascinating place – the staff spent a minute or two explaining to me how the pie oven worked, after I asked what that ENORMOUS thing was behind her while I was paying.  It’s pretty cool, and they have every pie known to man, plus a few that you didn’t even know were possible.

The nice thing about Polly’s is that everything else is really good.  They have a cinnamon roll the size of a car tire, a tasty oatmeal, and of course all the pies, pancakes, and scrambled eggs you can manage in a morning.  The perfect hangover cure or a great top before spending the day exploring the OC.  Visit Polly’s – you won’t regret it.

Best Brunch in Orange County: Plum’s Cafe, Costa Mesa

Americans do one meal better than anywhere else in the world, and that’s brunch.  And if you want to enjoy brunch at one of the best places to each in Orange County, look no further than Plums Cafe.  The space is fresh and modern, the coffee is hot, and the portions are UNGODLY ENORMOUS.  Above is the photo of their Dutch baby (the irony is not lost), a pancake-cum-crepe dish that is served with lemon and powdered sugar.  It’s pretty tasty and easily out-sized my glob of French toast.  Plums also has the best bacon in Orange County – crunch, spicy, and delicious.  Plums also has a great outdoor seating area, so if its warm, go alfresco.

Best Mexican in Orange County: Las Barcas, Huntington Beach

How many Mexican restaurants do you know sell bumper stickers for their customers?  If I had a car, I would buy a “I <heart>Las Barcas” because I do indeed heart Las Barcas.  I actually went about three times during my visit, so if you want the best Mexican in Orange County, the PLEASE go here.  They have fresh tacos made to order, tasty burritos stuffed to the max with tasty ingredients, a self-serve salsa bar (and do believe that’s made fresh too), and the best chips in town too (yup – they make those too).  If that wasn’t enough, the staff are also super-friendly.  This is the gold standard to which all Mexican restaurants should be held.  I heart Las Barcas.  You should too.

Best Pizza in Orange County: Pizzeria Ortica, Costa Mesa

Ok, so this is California, but if you think Cali-style pizza is California Pizza Kitchen, you are mistaken my foodie friend. Instead head to Costa Mesa for the cosmopolitan fabulous Pizzeria Ortica.    How about the salsiccia: homemade sausage, caramelized fennel, marscapone, red onion, and buffalo grana? Or the margherita pizza with spicy salami and mushrooms?  There’s asparagus pizza, summer squash, or you can even get the tomato/garlic/oregano option with no cheese. Italy never tasted so good – that’s because their pizzas are prepped in a 300 year old ‘biga’ that was brought from Naples.  Skip the chains and head here.  Did I mention the wine and cocktails are good too?

Best Coffee in Orange County: Cafe Enchante, Huntington Beach

If you’re location independent, then you’ll be looking for a good place to work.  I found it:  Cafe Enchante,  just a few blocks from the main street in Huntington Beach.  It’s an unassuming venue, but their coffee is excellent and the space is perfect to hang out for a chat or to sit and get some work done.  They have great bagels, as well as muffins and other pastries.  The wifi is free, and so is the unique decor – ranging from some wall paintings to the beach-scene-inside-the-glass-table.  Places like these are one of a kind, so pop in and support them – cafes with personality are a dying breed.

Best Restaurant Ambience (And OffBeat Eat) in Orange County: Habana, Costa Mesa

Habana Restaurant is a part of “The Lab” – what they dub as the ‘anti-mall’ – and indeed it’s a little more interesting than your typical American mall.  Habana is the main restaurant, and you must try it.  It wins two awards for me: one, for the ambience.  Their outdoor patio at night is dark and light by hundreds of candles, clustered along the walls in candelabra-style, which creates this wonderful ambience.  Second, the food and drink are great; you don’t often get good ethnic food but Habana does their interpretation of Cuban with flair and panache while sticking to some originality.  OOh, and the sangria – get a designated driver, trust me on this one, it goes down way too well.

Best Cupcakes in Orange County:  Sprinkles, Newport Beach

An offspring from Beverly Hills in the North, Sprinkles is leading the cupcake craze (which I believe was born across the continent, in New York City). And once you have one, you’ll see why they’re the best cupcakes in Orange County – and they should be, they’re not cheap!  We didn’t get to try red velvet, which I hear is brilliant.  I tried strawberry, which I loved but was sweet enough to induce early diabetes.  My personal recommendation is the cinnamon and sugar; it’s a nice balance of sweet and spice without an overkill on the icing.   If you don’t like cupcakes, at least go look – aren’t they cute?

Best Ice Cream in Orange County:  Shake Shack, Crystal Cove

We close with my personal highlight of all of Orange County and what has to be the best ice cream experience EVER: the Shake Shack.   (That photo was before I tried it – the excitement matched the hype!)  Shake Shack is off the Pacific Coast Highway, and it’s literally a shack that is easily missed.  Once you arrive, you are offered some fantastic sea views – one good shove and the shake shack would be in the ocean!  The menu is straightforward and unassuming, and the results are INCREDIBLE: the best milkshake ever.  The perfect balance of ice cream, milk, and toppings, whipped to perfection and topped with whipped cream and a maraschino cherry.  Great views and great treats, what’s not to like?

Chateau Potelle, Napa Valley, California

Napa Valley isn’t my favourite wine region really, but the most beautiful vineyard in the world (in my opinion) can be found here.   The vineyard, Chateau Potelle, is tucked away hidden on a hill away from the main road.  The winery produces a number of different types of wines and in fact is probably the most delicious wine in Napa as well.  This is a must-see in vineyard: friendly owners, a beautiful picnic spot, and amazing wine.  What’s not to like?

Tallavera Grove, Hunter Valley, Australia

Hunter Valley has quite a few most beautiful vineyards, so it’s tough to pick just one, but if I had to, it would be Tallavera Grove. It’s so beautiful it is actually one of the featured images on our travel desktop wallpaper next month.  They have some tasty wines and the lakes and rolling hills behind the winery seem to stretch on forever.  So wonderful, just simply wonderful.

Rippon Vineyards, Central Otago, New Zealand

One of the most beautiful vineyards in New Zealand is near Lake Wanaka, probably one of the most beautiful lakes I’ve ever seen.  It’s one of those postcard shots – lush green grass surrounding a rich blue lake with a set of perfectly jagged peaks, snow-capped, jutting between the background and the sky.  So what better place to put a winery than here?  That’s what Rippon Vineyards thought, and they chose wisely.  The Otago region has some of the best Kiwi wines, in my opinion, so the combination of unbeatable views and amazing wines is nothing short of bliss.

O. Fournier, Mendoza, Argentina

The mix of the sharp modern architecture and the backdrop of the Andex Mountains puts the O. Fournier winery on the world’s most beautiful wineyards list.  It’s an interesting winery as the facility uses gravity, not pumps, to help service the mountaintop facility. Syrah and Malbec never tasted so good.

Mission Hill, British Columbia, Canada

British Columbia is a beautiful part of the world, so its no doubt that one of our most beautiful vineyards is here.  Top marks go to the Mission Hill Winery – no only the view fantastic, but the estate’s incredible architecture is gorgeous – from the heights of the bell tower to the cavernous barrel cellar.  Oh, and did I mention the wine is fantastic?  Yup.

Staffelter Hof, of the Moselle River, Germany

Cruisng down the Rhine and Moselle rivers in western Germany is simply a European must-do.  It’s a charming part of the world, with the steep slopes covered with castles and vineyards.  One of the most beautiful vineyards with a great view is the Staffelter Hof, one of the oldest wineries in Germany.  Apart from their tasty Riesling, you can also visit their distillery for tasty spirits such as quince and peach.

Vergelegen, South Africa

With a name that means remotely situated in Dutch, you know you’re on to something good.  And that’s exactly what you’ll find at Vergelegen, a near picture postcard perfect stretch of octagonal-shaped land on the Western Cape of South Africa.  It was established in 1700 and is just as beautiful today as it was then.  I can’t help but agree with this quote from their website: “I saw this place with exceptional pleasure, since everything there was laid out wonderfully finely” – Reverend Francois Valentijn, Nov 1700

McGregor Vineyard, Finger Lakes, New York

The Finger Lakes region of upstate New York is some of America’s most beautiful countryside, and home to a little-known but fantastic wine region.  A favourite winery of one of our readers, offering with sweeping views of Keuka Lake, is the McGregor Winery.  Its’s hard not to argue with views like that, but wait until you try the wines – and McGregor offers some of the more innovative and unique productions in this region.

Gaspereau Winery, Nova Scotia

Wine is one of the many charms of Nova Scotia, and the perfect place to soak up great views with a tasty glass is at the Gaspereau Winery.  Why not try a Canada classic, the Maple Wine (obviouly a touch sweet) or any of the other wines, which have been described as “dangerously drinkable.”  Not a surprise considering your attention will likely be diverted by the fresh air and gorgeous backdrop.

The Dézaley Vineyards, Switzerland

We all know of Europe’s ability to grow wine and grapes on seemingly inaccessible locations making for many of the world’s most beautiful vineyards.  But none is more picturesque and beautiful than the Dézaley Vineyards in Switzerland, overlooking the blue waters of Lake Geneva.  They say the grapes so lucky to be growing here are blessed by the sun from three angles: sun from heaven, sun off the stone walls and sun off the lake.

Cinque Terre, Italy

Wandering the seaside walkways between the villages of the Cinque Terre in Northwest Italy are some of my favourite Italian memories.  But can you believe that on these cliffs there are tiny vineyards?  Believe me, it’s worth feeling the burn to head up onto the top of the cliffs for better views: not only of the sea, but also a fresh perspective on the seaside views.

Scala Dei, Priorat, Spain

Scala Dei means God’s Staircase, and that’s how you’ll feel when visiting this winery just an hour southwest of Barcelona. Monks established their monastery here in the 12th century (so one of the oldest world’s most beautiful vineyards) and wine tourism is growing in popularity here, meaning you will find plenty of options for accommodation, exploring, and of course, time to taste those tasty wines.

Banyuls, France

The Banyuls vineyard is on Frances southern coast, near the Spanish border.  Wine has been grown here since the time of the Greeks and Romans they say, and you’ll want to come for a visit to check out the coastal scenery and try out the tasty dessert wines (both red and white).  Very yummy.

Quinta do Infantado, Portugal

We close out our list of the world’s most beautiful vineyards, the Quinta do Infantado, where you can find many an opportunity to get your Port on.  They say this district has some of the best Ports, which might be because traditional, manual methods are still employed (due to the rugged terrain).  Despite all our efforts to eradicate those great bastions of traditional winemaking, there’s nothing like uncorking a bottle fresh from the vineyard and soaking in the view of some of the world’s most beautiful vineyards.