We recently went on a couple's getaway to Bermuda and with only 5 days' time and so much we wanted to see and do, so we had to be very selective with our activities. Â And that included our choice of restaurants. Â Choosing a restaurant not only involves an investment of money … Continue reading →
Creamy Rice Pudding with Yogurt (Dairy-free, Gluten-free, Vegan)
Thank you to Silk for sponsoring this post! Aren't those rice puddings pretty? Â This recipe for Creamy Rice Pudding is super easy and adds an element of fun and variety by stirring in your yogurt of choice. Â The yogurt not only makes the rice pudding even creamier, it … Continue reading →
Family Visit To Sonoma County: What To See & Where To Stay
When most people think of Sonoma County they think of wine.  And that's an accurate image because it's wine country.  In fact it's the #1 wine country destination in the U.S..  But Sonoma County offers a great deal beyond its wine-related activities. Our family took a … Continue reading →
Safari West: An African Adventure
A couple of weeks ago our family took a trip down to California north of the Bay area in Sonoma County.  We had a few things planned on our itinerary and at the top of our list was Safari West.  We had never heard of it prior to this trip but discovered it in researching … Continue reading →
ONA Goes To Bermuda (Brooklyn Camera Bag Review)
I've been wanting to get a new camera bag for a while. Â And when it came time to take a trip to Bermuda a few weeks ago I knew I finally had to break down and get one. Â Up until this point I've either used a camera backpack or have simply carried my camera in my purse. … Continue reading →
A Day in St. George’s, Bermuda
If you're traveling to Bermuda, St. George's is an absolute must.  Indeed, St. George's is enough reason alone to travel to Bermuda in the first place. The oldest surviving English town in the New World, St. George's is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a historical … Continue reading →
Bermuda: A Week at The Hamilton Princess & Beach Club
We recently returned from a week in paradise.  Bermuda.  And during that week we were invited to stay in one of the most stunning hotels we've visited:  Bermuda's premier Hamilton Princess & Beach Club, a Fairmont managed hotel. Luxury hotels are frankly a dime a … Continue reading →
Surfing Coronado and Family Beach Fun in San Diego
San Diego is a terrific family vacation destination.  A few months ago I published several articles about our family trip to San Diego: Our visit to the San Diego Zoo and SeaWorld, our stay at the stunning San Diego Omni Hotel, and our dining experience at the Bali Hai … Continue reading →
Loews Hollywood Hotel, Los Angeles, California
Our family recently took a trip to Los Angeles and stayed at the Loews Hollywood Hotel. Â Located at the corner of Hollywood and Highland, its boasts views of the hills, the Hollywood sign, is just minutes from the Griffith Conservatory, Universal Studios, Madame Tussauds and … Continue reading →
An Iconic Tour of Victoria, BC
Depending on what you plan on doing there, Victoria offers fun, beauty, elegance, charm, history and adventure. Â A few weeks ago in early March I invited my mom to join me for a weekend getaway. Â Victoria is reminiscent of England in some aspects of its culture and … Continue reading →
Family Weekend in Whistler, B.C.
That's my husband in the picture. Â Okay, not really. Â But he does look pretty dang good in skis and can hold his own on the slopes! I grew up in southern Germany just a couple of hours from the German and Austrian Alps. Â My parents took us skiing every winter and those … Continue reading →
Breathtaking Butchart Gardens and High Tea in Victoria, BC
Last week we took a trip to beautiful Victoria, BC. Â I invited my mom so we could spend some quality mother-daughter time and The Butchart Gardens was at the top of our list of places to visit. Â Though it was early March, there were some Spring flowers already in bloom and … Continue reading →
Exclusive Interview with ATK’s Christopher Kimball
I've long been a fan of America's Test Kitchen cookbooks and their TV show is the most-watched cooking show on American television. Â Running since January of 2001, it's approaching it's 15th anniversary. America's Test Kitchen host, Christopher Kimball, is the author of … Continue reading →
Historic Madison, Georgia
Madison is a real treasure.  We took our kids on vacation to Georgia to visit some family and Madison was one of the top destinations on our list.  My husband and father-in-law are both history buffs and even though I grew up in Europe, American history has always fascinated … Continue reading →
Solvang: California’s Little Denmark
My husband and I escaped for a little couple's getaway to Southern California and on our drive up the coast we stopped at the little town of Solvang in the heart of Santa Barbara's beautiful wine country in the Santa Ynez Valley. Solvang, Danish for "sunny fields", is a … Continue reading →
A Comprehensive Guide To Cooking Oils: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
By Todd C. Killebrew, N.D. With the enormous variety of cooking oils available on the grocery store shelves it can be very frustrating and confusing to decide which ones are the most healthy and how to properly use them. There are many differing opinions out there about … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Westin Portland, Oregon
My mom and I recently took a trip down to Portland, Oregon for a girls' weekend getaway.  Choosing a hotel was an easy decision.  After the great experience my husband and I had at the Westin Bellevue, I was eager to try the Westin Portland.  We couldn't have picked a better … Continue reading →
Four Fun Family Attractions in Santa Barbara, California
My husband and I took a couple's trip to Los Angeles last Summer and drove up to Santa Barbara for a day while we were there. Known as the American Riviera, we instantly fell in love with it. Â And as wonderful as it is for a romantic getaway, Santa Barbara isn't only a place … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: Casa Guadalajara, San Diego, California
Our family had the pleasure of eating at Casa Guadalajara while on vacation in San Diego. Â It was a fun and delicious experience! Colorful, vibrant, lively, flavorful - four words that describe both the restaurant and its food. Â Come take a virtual tour of the restaurant … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Vacations: Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles, CA
Our family recently took a vacation to Los Angeles and stayed a the Sheraton Gateway Hotel. Â Because of its great location, Sheraton Gateway served as a perfect home base for our family to access many of the LA attractions we came to see. Â The hotel is conveniently located … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: Bali Hai Restaurant, Shelter Island, San Diego, California
Here's some sunshine and palm trees for you to enjoy during this chilly season. Â Our dining experience at Bali Hai Restaurant on Shelter Island in San Diego, California. Â You've got to see the setting and views! … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Hotel Palomar, Westwood, California
This is the second Kimpton hotel we've stayed at and we're noticing a definite pattern: Â Swanky luxury hotels in great locations with top notch service, exquisitely comfortable rooms and beds, and each with their own unique personalities. Â Come take a virtual tour of Hotel … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Vacations: Omni San Diego Hotel, California
Our family went on vacation to San Diego a few weeks ago and stayed at the Omni San Diego Hotel.  Normally a hotel is just the place you stay while you're having fun elsewhere, but in this case, Omni San Diego was very much a highlight of our family vacation.  We were so … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: Paparazzi Ristorante, Los Angeles, California
If you like Italian cuisine and either live in Los Angeles or plan on taking a trip there, then this is a restaurant you must get to know. Currently ranked #10 best Italian restaurant in Los Angeles, Paparazzi Ristorante is a gem.  Each dish uses the finest … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Vacations: San Diego, California (Part I)
We just got back a couple of weeks ago from our family vacation to southern California. Â With a rambunctious 2 and 4 year old we were a little stressed at the thought of how it would all play out. Â But I'm happy to report we all made it back in one piece having … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: BLVD 16, Westwood, California
Located in Kimpton's Hotel Palomar in the swanky Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles is BLVD 16, the hotel's highly acclaimed restaurant and lounge. Â Not only frequented by hotel guests, BLVD 16 is a popular hangout for the locals and it's easy to see why: Â It provides some … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Inn At The Market, Seattle, Washington
It's ranked #56 out of 100 best hotels in the world by Travel + Leisure 2014 and #3 best small city hotel in the USA.  It won TripAdvisor's Travelers' Choice Awards for Top 25 Hotels in the USA, has consistently made Condé Nast's Gold List and is in the Condé Nast Platinum … Continue reading →
Seattle’s Pike Place Market: A Virtual Tour and History
We live less than an hour from Seattle and it's always been one of our favorite date night destinations.  My husband and I recently took a couples overnight trip and stayed at Seattle's highly acclaimed Inn At the Market which is literally right next to Pike Place Market, … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Alexis Hotel, Seattle
All pictures taken by The Daring Gourmet. Â (Exceptions: Â The two bedroom photos courtesy Alexis Hotel) Location! Â Location! Â Location! Â We've all seen those words slapped onto real estate flyers but they're especially applicable here. Smack dab in the heart of Seattle, … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Westin Bellevue Hotel + A Day of Bellevue Food Fun
Above image courtesy of Westin Bellevue (also the swimming pool and spa pic). Â All other images were taken by and are copyright of The Daring Gourmet. Â My husband and I recently took another trip to beautiful Bellevue, Washington. Â This time we decided to take our 2 year … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: The Musso & Frank Grill, Hollywood’s Oldest Restaurant
My husband and I recently went on a couple's getaway to Los Angeles. Â I had scoped out a few restaurants in advance and the one that stood out to me most was the historic Musso & Frank Grill, the oldest restaurant in Hollywood. Â It first opened it's doors in 1919 and has … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: The Grand Hotel in Salem, Oregon
We recently took a family trip to Oregon to visit the Enchanted Forest theme park (click to read about our visit).  We stayed overnight at the beautiful 4-star Grand Hotel in Salem.  Let us take you on a virtual tour of our experience. … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Hotel Murano Tacoma, WA
Above image courtesy of Hotel Murano. Â All other images, unless otherwise noted, copyright The Daring Gourmet. Enjoy this virtual tour of the beautiful Hotel Murano. Â A stunning hotel of glass in the heart of Tacoma. … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: BITE (Tacoma, WA)
Situated on the 4th floor of Hotel Murano in downtown Tacoma, BITE is a sleek and trendy restaurant offering full views of the city skyline and water.  We recently dined there and sampled several of their dishes.  Come join us on a virtual tour! Above two images … Continue reading →
The Daring Gourmet Dines Out: John Howie Steak, Bellevue
My husband, Todd, and I recently enjoyed a night out in Bellevue and had dinner at John Howie Steak. Â This was our second time to this restaurant, and this time I came prepared with camera in hand because I wanted to share with you what I already knew would be a wonderful … Continue reading →
Daring Gourmet Getaways: Columbia Gorge Hotel & Simon’s Cliff House, Oregon
My husband and I try to get away every quarter or so for some quality couple's time. Â With a 2 and 4 year-old at home, finding alone time is challenging. Â I know many of you can relate. Â But we try to make it a priority - not only for our sake, but for the sake of our kids. … Continue reading →