Food Patrol

This restaurant is so superb, the location is on one of the most beautiful streets in Rome, near Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain (make sure you have your boomer shoes on so you can walk after dining). I would describe this destination as pure beauty. The owners, Giovanna and Clemente are known masters in this business, both looking like movie stars, enjoying their success with such graciousness.

I have had so many “Blondee moments” throughout my food critic years. I thought it would be fun to share some of those tips and moments with you that might help your travels and make you smile too!

Port O Call is part of the Yellowfin Group of Restaurants. Their other restaurants include:  Pearl is a top addition to the favorite sushi scene, Bistro J is a lively bistro that is a true culinary jewel, and Ten is Bermuda’s hot spot and they do have the best tapas.

A selection of great pastries and bakeries to delight the palate.

While on a family emergency trip to Beaumont, Texas, we had the fortune of finding the Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen which was at the same exit as our hotel.  Pappadeaux’s is a small chain based out of Houston, Texas.  The restaurant concept was founded by the Pappas brothers who have created a group of different small restaurant chains that serve seafood, Italian cuisine, Mexican cuisine, steaks, BBQ and burgers. They had their start in Houston in 1967 with the opening of The Brisket House in Houston.

I lived in Manhattan for quite a few years. One particular restaurant, the Palm Too was always such a lovely dining experience. I would say we would dine here at least once a month. I had also tried other locations, Atlanta, Boston, Washington D. C and the Hamptons. I always loved coming back to this particular one, it is the place to go.

This is a 50 seat French restaurant in the beautiful historic part of the city. Owners Vitaly and Kim Paley have turned this Victorian home into a true award winner.

We know that Monaco is one of the most elegant, richest places in the world. It is a dream place for a dream time. It is very expensive to visit here, so special if you can come. The architecture is dreamy and beautiful people are everywhere. This is a lovely province on The French Riviera that has a very famous Monarchy. It is true opulence here.

This is a fabulous place for true boomer foodies. I started to have pure fun the moment I arrived. There is only one problem, there is so much, you want to buy and taste it all. That is why, if you live close you need to revisit when you can. Situated along the Napa River and Napa River trail and also in the downtown of Napa, it is in a great location.

This treasure in Sacramento, California (the state capitol) is set in the tree lined McClinley Park neighborhood. Chris Pendarvis is the owner and Isabel Cruz is the creator of the menu. I meant Inga, the general manager the day I visited. The front has dramatic vines growing right above the sign telling me where I was, Orphan. Inside is a touch of industrial, a pea colored green stone flooring, and rust accents everywhere. There are modern pieces mixed with antiques.

This fabulous, outrageous, sexy restaurant is located in The Hazelton Hotel, in the heart of Yorkville, in downtown Toronto.

One was created by Mark McEwan, a chef who is busy every second. It is part of his empire, The McEwan Group. It has that wow factor the moment you step in which boomers love! The design of it all is outrageous and there are art collections placed everywhere, mosaic everywhere. When you go on the website, just listening to the music makes you want to be there in a second! There are true red suede walls and huge panels of window in the Neil Young room.

We wanted to take the family on one final vacation, but weren’t sure where to go.  We decided to go on the Oasis of the Seas, one of the largest cruise ships in the world.  I was excited, but cautious about dining options.  As a Diabetic type 2 insulin dependent individual I was determined to keep my blood sugar in check while still having a great time, and enjoying everything.  A little pre cruise awareness was helpful, so I asked for a refrigerator in the room, a sharps container and activity options.  I also looked into the food choices carefully, both from healthy food availability, and cost.  

NEWYORKANDFOOD - yes, they're inseparable.  As any New Yorker knows, and any visitor too, from the vendors on the Streets, to the five star restaurants, New York has the best food in the world.  Any discussion on New York has to talk about it's foodies! Yes, we invented the word for those distinctive people who seemingly live, breathe and eat their way through life and New York.

Cindy Pawleyn is so brilliant in the culinary world. She is chef-owner of this sophisticated and centrally located restaurant in the wine country. The parking lot is always full, no matter when you drive down the highway. There is a nice garden with tables as you walk up in case you have to wait to get in. When you enter the front door, there is a small bar. It is truly a hot spot and the place to be seen. You will get such excellence of food that will go directly to your soul.

This is a top tapas restaurant and a must visit whenever I hit the beautiful state of Kentucky in Louisville.

Two restaurants in Carmel, California owned by Clint Eastwood.

This is a casual hot spot in the beautiful neighborhood of Land Park. After you experience this gem, believe me, you will be back again and again! Robert Masullo is the owner. He will be here working right alongside everyone else. There is such a warm feeling the moment you walk in from him and the waiters, all in cool t-shirts with gold leafing. The weekends are really busy here so a little tip from me.....call to see how busy it is before you arrive, especially with a group.

Three luxurious locations for wonderful chocolate for the holidays - or anytime during the year!

As always one thing leads to another, and in this case watching a barbeque cooking show, the BBQ Crawl, on the Cooking Channel during the summer led us to a day trip to Whitesville, KY on September 22, 2013.  In the show Danielle Dimovski, aka Diva Q, travels around the country to showcase BBQ restaurants and competitions by the best BBQ cooks in the United States. In this instance one of the places she visited was the BBQ at the annual church picnic at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church in Whitesville, KY.

The week seemed to fly by and the time had come to leave camp and head north through Vermont to Canada. Susie had a fun and productive week and had made many new friends, both canine and human. She was going to miss her camp buddies especially Brie, Lucy, Rascal, Digby and another Aussie, Phil a blue merle from the Bronx. 

Blondee tells us about great places to eat at scenic Lake Como in Italy.

The Kogart restaurant is on the ground floor of one of Budapest’s most beautiful old villas. I so want to experience this beautiful culture and city someday. I love the people from here. I have a very soft spot for Budapest, we will just say it must be magical....people fall madly madly in love here, that I know for sure.

Semsa Denizsel, the chef, owner took one of the very first farm-to-table approaches in Istanbul. She knew in her late teens she wanted to be a chef. Her background started when she studied at London School of Printing. She worked with magazines as a food stylist Semsa ran another restaurant before her dream came to life when she opened Kantin in Jan. 2,000. Semsa has had so much fun with her success. She has her own radio show and does a lot of consulting on the side.

Nashville gives us the best stars and legends in country music and they also give us restaurants that are legends and stars…..The Victorian Home restaurant named Jimmy Kelly’s is on the top of that list!