Travel and Food Notes

Paper Shower: Quick Clean-up on the Road

2012-05-23T15:46:00.000-04:00

For those of you who travel as much as I do, multiple daily showers aren’t usually possible. Further, water quality is often an issue as it was for me in both Cuba and Russia this year, and hand sanitizers don’t always do the trick. I usually use face wipes for morning and evening make-up removal and cleansing, but during the day I’ve found that the dual-function Paper Shower is the way to

Original Joe's is Back: Eat at Joe's in San Francisco

2012-05-21T16:46:00.001-04:00

Travel and Food Notes welcomes back David Andrusia, San Francisco resident and writer who is passionate about his neighborhood's restaurants. “Nostalgia isn’t what it used to be,” wrote Simone Signoret. We love Simone; but when it comes to Original Joe’s, the San Francisco institution that has been resoundingly reborn in North Beach, she couldn’t have been more wrong. Once upon a time,

New York Yankees: New York City Fancation in the Bronx

2012-04-29T12:29:00.003-04:00

It’s time to kick off the 2012 series of Fancation (vacations built around going to a baseball game or other sporting event) articles with the Fancation that’s closest to where I now live: Yankee Stadium. If you're hungry for more NYC articles, please check out my weekly column on AllNY.com, Stuff to Do, Meryl's Picks, or my NYC restaurant reviews. Baseball Stop: Yankee Stadium

Dining and Baseball: Spring Traditions for Travel and Food Notes

2012-04-23T11:00:00.003-04:00

Starting this month, I'm all about two things: restaurants and baseball. I'm not sure why I connect the two, but I guess it has something to do with getting deeper into the culture of a location by understanding the sports mores and by experiencing the cuisine. I kick off this series with a look at my current home, New York City. Here's a restaurant, right in my neighborhood, that's gotten a

Renting an Apartment in Paris (Instead of a Hotel): Why You Should or Shouldn't

2012-04-18T01:42:00.006-04:00

Apartment rental in Paris I've often thought about taking a month off and renting an apartment in Paris or a farmhouse in Tuscany instead of booking a traditional five-star or four-star hotel. Here, Travel and Food Notes welcomes guest blogger Peter Hochstein, author, biographer, ghostwriter, journalist and award-winning advertising copywriter, who captures the often-hilarious essence of

April Wine Events in NYC: Some Free, Some Not

2012-04-14T18:30:00.006-04:00

This is a great month to sample some unfamiliar Italian wines if you're planning to be in NYC with free wine tastings, some ticketed wine dinners, and other events. I got a sneak peek at these wonderful wines at Eataly’s wonderful Manzo restaurant, where I sampled a number of wines not previously known to me but ones that deserve special commendation: the versatile Adanti, Montefalco Rosso, a

Brooklyn Food & Travel Expo -- April 14

2012-04-11T22:42:00.005-04:00

Here’s an event you won't want to miss if you’re in the NYC area – the 2nd Annual EscapeMaker.com Local Food & Travel Expo.On Saturday April 14, from Noon-5pm more than 50 getaway destinations, from counties to towns to local farms and bed & breakfasts within a day's drive or train ride of NYC will be exhibiting at One Hanson Place in Fort Greene in Brooklyn (where the Brooklyn Flea takes place).

Drink More Water when You Travel: 3 Ideas for Beverages

2012-04-02T12:05:00.006-04:00

If you're like me, you never drink enough water. I'm always trying out new coffee bars, drinking too many cocktails and wonderful wines, and finding myself tired when I fly. I know I'm supposed to hydrate but water is just so boring. Here are three ways to kick up your water choices to encourage you to drink more:Try Very Cherre tart cherry juice mixed with Perrier and a slice of lime. It

Disney Fantasy Sets Out on Inaugural Voyage Today after Christening in NYC

2012-03-31T19:18:00.018-04:00

Disney has done it again. The new Disney Fantasy cruise ship, which made a christening stop in New York City after its transatlantic crossing from Germany a month ago, will begin service from Florida today. Although we were wowed by the inaugural evening with appearances by Mariah Carey (who christened the ship), Neil Patrick Harris and Jerry Seinfeld (who introduced the evening’s frivolity),

Garment Care Travel Tips -- How to Deal with Fashion Emergencies on the Road

2012-03-27T22:03:00.004-04:00

If you’re like me and you travel a lot, odds are you’ve found yourself in some pretty sticky situations. What I’m referring to are those times when you have only one outfit to wear and there’s no dry cleaner or valet in sight. Or your baby has dumped a bowl of cereal all over himself (and possibly you).Here are a few travel tips for garment care from my favorite NYC cleaners, Jeeves. They’re my

In the Mood for a Great Pastrami? Eisenberg's is the Place

2012-03-23T17:07:00.005-04:00

I just had to share this video of my favorite non-trendy sandwich shop in New York City, Eisenberg's. Perfect meal: hot pastrami on rye, fountain Coke (it's sweeter than a Coke from a can or bottle, unless it's a Mexican one), and garlic pickles. Add your choice of mustard or Russian on the sandwich, and life is definitely good. Feeling adventurous? Try the corned beef or tongue. Going strong

Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo: a Double Dose of Mexico Vacation Magic

2012-03-21T23:51:00.015-04:00

About 15 years ago, my husband and I discovered Ixtapa and Zihuatanejo, on the Pacific coast of Mexico. Somewhat remote (from the East coast) and naturally beautiful, the area became one of our favorite vacation places, with or without kids.Without kids in tow, no question, our resort of choice is La Casa Que Canta in Zihua. It’s incredibly private and sexy with its cliffside perch and

Time to Drink with Mad Men, Finally! Sunday March 25

2012-03-13T23:01:00.004-04:00

It’s finally time for Mad Men. I’ve had my fill of Desperate Housewives’ shenanigans and pseudo-drama, dysfunctional families with Shameless and Modern Family, and trials and tribulations with Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. And, while I still love everything about The Good Wife, it’s Mad Men that I’m salivating for.The long-awaited premiere of Mad Men, Season Five is finally on Sunday,

Need a Ski Fix: Check out Utah!

2012-03-06T11:25:00.016-05:00

If you’re frustrated by the lack of skiing most of the US has experienced this winter, we suggest travelling to “The Greatest Snow on Earth” for the weekend at one or more of Utah’s 14 ski resorts. Never suffering from a lack of snow (they usually have more than 500 inches of dry, fluffy powder on the slopes each year), there are seven ski resorts located within one hour of Salt Lake City, a

Philadelphia Flower Show Starts Today! - Special Promotion with Van Gogh Exhibit at Museum of Art

2012-03-03T22:27:00.007-05:00

I can almost taste spring just thinking about one of my favorite Philly events of the year, the Philadelphia International Flower Show. I may be a diehard Red Sox fan, making me partial due to our interleague "rivalry," but Philly holds a special place in my heart as home to one of my alma maters. Baseball aside, you don't need to fly out to the Pacific to enjoy some tropical blooms, as Philly is

Best Sign Ever -- Seen in Brooklyn

2012-02-25T03:27:00.004-05:00

I'm the biggest offender when it comes to walking and texting or reading emails. I took notes on this years ago when Finland folks were doing it as a matter of course, and no one else had cell phones. Now, everyone stands the risk of getting hurt. Did you see Glee this week? Don't text and walk, don't text and drive. Look at your surroundings, instead. That's what travel is about.

Just a Little over a Month to MAD MEN: TV (and your iPod) Keeps Getting Better and Better

2012-02-19T21:55:00.005-05:00

There have been some amazing TV shows of late: Homeland (insightful and intriguing), the Private Practice-Grey's Anatomy crossover (for medical-romance junkies), Shameless (dysfunctionality at its best), Alcatraz (history and suspense buffs), but it's Don Draper debauchery that I'm drooling for now. All of these shows are perfect for downloading on your iPod when you travel. I purchase the full

San Francisco Dining: the Best for Winter Warm-ups

2012-02-16T21:57:00.009-05:00

Cioppino at Anchor Oyster Bar; Garcon! San FranciscoTravel and Food Notes welcomes fellow foodie, David Andrusia. David is a writer and career consultant in San Francisco. The author of BRAND YOURSELF (Random House) and THE PERFECT PITCH (Time-Warner), he helps folks realize their career potential even in these tough times.A weird winter by the Bay to be sure: one day we're chilled to the bone,

Lobster for Lovers for Valentine's Day -- Straight to Your Door

2012-02-11T00:20:00.004-05:00