https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/jim-beam-distillery-trump-tariffs-b2888451.html "Jim Beam, one of the largest makers of American whiskey globally, is shutting down bourbon production at one of its Kentucky distilleries for a year... Industry group Distilled Spirits Council of the United States said that U.S. spirits exports plummeted 85 percent, falling below $10 million in the second quarter of 2025, which CEO Chris... Continue Reading →
Pizzeria Bianco (Phoenix)
Heavily lauded and now the subject of a Netflix "Chefs Table: Pizza" spot, Pizzeria Bianco in Arizona is one of the top 25 pizza spots in the US. Even my Uber driver knew about it. He did say "you're talking to a huge pizza afficianado", but he prefers Chicago style pizza, that he gets from... Continue Reading →
San Diego Restaurants, Greatest Hits
Refresh for latest updates Downtown Lou & Mickeys (sit streetwise next to the bar). Steak, seafood, great bartenders. They're simplifying their menu lately. Sit streetside during Comiccon for ringside seats after 4pm. C Level / Island Prime Meze Greek El Prado, Balboa Park Alberts, San Diego Zoo Cocina 35 chilaquiles Waterfront views Miguel's/Topsail/Brigantine Little Italy... Continue Reading →
Sweet Rice Thai (Gardena)
We've been to Sweet Rice twice now. Recommended by our LA foodie friends, it is delicious. I judge a Thai place by their Panang curry, and theirs is great. About $18. This is a place to try. Sweet Rice 1630 W Redondo Beach Blvd #4, Gardena, CA 90247 https://maps.app.goo.gl/6tKygFXBEUMD1rvN6
Pizzaria Mozza (Newport Beach)
Nancy Silverton and her bread empire have several pizza outposts in LA that we have meaning to go to for forever. Now that I'm part of the Cedars Sinai Long COVID study I have ample opportunity to check out ALL the SoCal restaurants as I trek back and forth to LA. Only open for lunch... Continue Reading →
LA Tiki Bars
Mr Tiki Bar and I have been to 4 or 5 of these and they have all have extensive decor and craft drinks. A great place to meet friends! "The ultimate guide to tiki bars across Southern Californiahttps://www.latimes.com/food/list/best-tiki-bars-los-angeles-orange-county-san-diego-venturaFrom classic tiki haunts to new speakeasies, these are the best tiki bars and Polynesian-inspired restaurants in San... Continue Reading →
Honolulu Sept ’23 – Dining
Here's our restaurant visit list. It's easy to eat light-ish in Hawaii with all the fish, fruit, sushi, and snack like options. - Ninja Sushi. Many locations, fast, cheap-ish, good. Usually our post flight pick me up, just outside of HNL. 4/5 stars. Crushed Ahi Bowl! - Duke's Waikiki. Mr A hates capers and yet... Continue Reading →
PGA Tour Grill > Aspire Lounge (SAN)
Better food, better surroundings, and less crowded than Aspire Lounge...which was FULL with a line of 20 people waiting at 7am. No thank you. The PGA Tour Grill at SAN came to our emotional rescue with the free dining benefit of the Chase Priority Pass. Not shown: nice 3 egg omelet with fancy sauces, hash... Continue Reading →
626 Night Market (OC Fairgrounds, Costa Mesa)
We have not been to an Asian food night market since the before times, and have very fond memories of the humongous 626 Night Market at Santa Anita and the huge FoodieLand festival in Del Mar. Then this weekends San Diego 626 Night Market was inexplicably cancelled today 1 hour before opening, so we hopped... Continue Reading →
Vintana (Escondido, CA)
2 drinks and an appetizer for $58 might seem outrageous, but I'm tired of paying $16 for a Old Fashioned only to have it taste nothing like an Old Fashioned, with dirty ice. And the Crab and Ahi tower was exquisite. You can almost forget you're on the 2nd floor of a Lexus Car dealer.
Teas around the world
Here's what I've been drinking lately - The black tea with the rose petals in the lower left corner is "Special Turkish Tea" from the markets outside of the Egyptian Market (Spice Market) in the Old City of Istanbul. We heard the prices in the Egyptian Market were out of this world (60 euro per... Continue Reading →
Cocina 35 (San Diego)
Best Chilequiles in San Diego? Si! "Creamy habanero-cilantro salsa topped with Cochinita Pibil". Super thick crunchy chips, spicy, delicious citrusy shredded pork. Expect an hour wait unless you go at opening or closing. Come visit, because we're definitely taking out of town guests here. And huge portions... My take home container looks like a full... Continue Reading →
Istanbul (March 2023) – part II – Dining
Dining. We read many, many reviews detailing poor food and various ripoffs at dining establishments in Old City/Beyoglu/Istiklal/Karakoy. Yet somehow all restaurants are rated 4.8 in Google. And many with significant numbers of one star reviews under those 4.8 average ratings. It started to sound like Venice - bad food, bad service, high prices. Perhaps... Continue Reading →
Naples (March 2023) – part I
Naples - how to think about it? Ancestral home of Pizza, my favorite food of all time. "Dangerous and dirty." Gateway to the Amalfi coast and Pompeii. The first place we've traveled to since the pandemic. First off I have to say we went too hard. We are the type that has to see everything.... Continue Reading →
Istanbul (March 2023) – part I
Istanbul for me used to be one of those crazy places that "regular" people don't go to, like Antarctica or the Olympics, and I got just that reaction from several people when told of our destination. What really planted the seed was our visit to St Mark's Cathedral in Venice which houses the Triumphal Quadriga,... Continue Reading →
Culture Shock: Tea and Bathrooms
We walked into EspressoLab on Istiklal street and for a moment I forgot where I was. Me: Do you have Iced Tea?Young, mod Turkish Server's expression says: What are you talking about.Me: You know, tea over ice.Server: Uh, OK?... But Turkish tea!Me (finally remembering I am not in Starbucks in the US): Never mind. Coke... Continue Reading →
Dining, French style
Mr A had alerted me that champagne was listed on the dinner menu in Air France Premium Economy. Steward: What would you like to drink?Me (eagerly): Champagne!Steward (with the slightest of sneers): Of course Madame, but that is your apertif, what will you have with your dinner?Me: Umm...Steward: With the white veal i suggest white.... Continue Reading →
Past Posts of Note
Eats https://vagawandering.com/2022/03/07/the-kitchen-sacramento-ca/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/12/29/con-pane-rustic-breads-cafe-san-diego/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/11/21/101-noodle-express-alhambra/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/11/02/als-1-italian-beef-lou-malnatis-chicago/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/11/01/cindys-chicago-athletic-club/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/11/01/rick-bayless-mexican-empire-chicago/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/10/04/hitching-post-2-buellton/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/08/29/pegasus-taverna-and-astoria-bakery/ https://vagawandering.com/2020/02/18/jaleo-disney-springs/ https://vagawandering.com/2019/08/18/peter-luger-brooklyn/ https://vagawandering.com/2019/04/07/shermans-palm-desert/ https://vagawandering.com/2019/02/11/international-travel/ https://vagawandering.com/2019/01/01/mariscos-los-arcos-mazatlan-mexico/ https://vagawandering.com/2018/07/14/balthazar-nyc/ https://vagawandering.com/2018/07/06/gallaghers-steakhouse-new-york/ https://vagawandering.com/2017/12/30/afternoon-tea-fairmont-empress-vancouver-bc/ https://vagawandering.com/2017/02/23/the-taste-of-expectations-exceeded-boma-animal-kingdom-resort/ https://vagawandering.com/2016/12/22/restaurant-jasmin-san-jose-del-cabo/ https://vagawandering.com/2016/06/15/side-door-5-crownscorona-del-mar/ https://vagawandering.com/2016/04/12/restaurant-jose-maria-segovia-spain/ https://vagawandering.com/2016/04/11/chocolateria-san-gines-madrid-spain/ Places https://vagawandering.com/2021/08/30/we-are-all-detroit/ https://vagawandering.com/2021/08/11/big-island-2021/ https://vagawandering.com/2020/01/01/new-years-eve-12-31-19-amsterdam/ https://vagawandering.com/2018/04/14/rome-day-2/ Shaolin Temple (Dengfeng, HENAN Province) https://vagawandering.com/2016/03/12/5-chinese-girls-trumps-fat-rich-american-every-time-shaolin-monastery-china-4252009/ the Great Wall, Mutianyu section: https://vagawandering.com/2016/03/12/hey-lady-buy-some-fruit-mutianyu-section-of-great-wall-bejing-china-51609/ Alakai Swamp Trail (Kauai). https://vagawandering.com/2018/08/12/alakai-swamp-trail/ Great Wall, 2009
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