I kept seeing Fritattensuppe on menus around Austria. I had no idea what it was until I dined at Europa Stuberl in the Grand Hotel Europa this evening. The menu read, “Beef broth with pancake stripes.” That in no way sounded appealing to me but as a local dish I thought I’d give it a try. Besides, it’s just a soup so if it was disgusting, I wasn’t wasting my entire meal. Continue reading
Rather than just welcoming us with a smile, the breakfast staff at Hard Rock Vallarta 
greeted us with a warm smile first, then conversation, a hug, a balloon for Athena, and continued kind gestures throughout the meal. I think it’s safe to say that they are officially the friendliest hotel staff I’ve met. kudos to you at Hard Rock Vallarta; you know how to treat your customers/family right. Continue reading
With its casual elegance, fresh local fare, Rudee Inlet location, and family-friendly staff, it’s
easy to see why Rockafeller’s Restaurant is loved by locals and tourists alike. Rockafeller’s is one of Virginia Beach’s dining landmarks, making it a must on our first trip to Virginia. Continue reading
The bustling and popular Five Fishermen Restaurant in Halifax, Nova Scotia has an 
unsinkable history; it was once Snow’s Funeral Home and housed bodies recovered from the Titanic. The reviews for the restaurant are equally unsinkable, though, so I thought I would give it a try. On my last night in Canada, accompanied by my sister and her boyfriend, I reeled in a delicious dinner at Five Fishermen. Conveniently located next to the World Trade and Convention Centre, The Five Fishermen Restaurant & Grill is recognized as Halifax’s finest seafood restaurant. Known world wide for its fantastic cuisine, friendly staff and rich history, they provided exceptional quality, a downtown view, unparalleled service, and a memorable evening. Continue reading
When it comes to steak, it’s undeniable that The Keg serves only the finest cuts. They are aged for tenderness. Then, a special blend of seasonings is added to lend unique flavor while still allowing the natural properties of the high quality, well-aged beef to be enjoyed to its fullest. This ensures that a tender, succulent, flavorful steak is guaranteed off the grill every time, but I often wondered if there was more than meets the “rib-eye”; is The Keg a cut above the rest in areas other than steak? Their menu not only features tender, juicy steaks, but vast appetizer choices, slow succulent chicken, and irresistible desserts. Quality, comfort, and superior service are three key ingredients that make The Keg Steakhouse & Bar experience like no other. Continue reading
We spent our two days in San Francisco strolling the familiar visitor zones of Fisherman’s 
Wharf, hopping the crowded tour bus to Muir Woods, taking snapshots of the Golden Gate Bridge, and exploring the Italian food districts. After all, what makes San Francisco so incomparable is the sheer breadth of its neighborhoods and its distinct pockets of local culture. Within a relatively compact 40-square-miles, we found showy Victorian manses and elegant Art Deco skyscrapers; the sprawling, verdant oasis of Golden Gate Park, along with some shockingly good museums; and oh the restaurants, with food, much of it made with sustainable, local ingredients, are simply sublime. Few other cities can match this town’s charm and simple bliss. Continue reading
Our first American Thanksgiving was celebrated at The Palazzo and it will go down in our 
history books as the grandest Thanksgiving to date. The inagural event, held at the waterfall atrium, was a unique, festive, and sold-out holiday feast fit for kings and queens. We sat side-by-side at two 30-foot masterfully decorated tables with guests from around the world, sharing the joyous holiday occasion with our “Palazzo family” while being surrounded by magnificent décor featuring autumn leaves, bales of hay, cornucopia, and traditional crops of American landscape. Although it could never compare to my mother’s slow-cooked-to-perfection turkey or her moist, melt-in-your-mouth rolls or being surrounded by my brothers and sisters while reminiscing about childhood and sometimes reliving it, The Palazzo created a welcoming environment that reminded me of all things for which I am thankful. Continue reading
Someone recently asked me about Boston, MA. What is there to do there? Is it a good city
to visit? When visiting Boston two years ago, I discovered that it houses neighborhoods with distinct character, historic shipyards, top educational institutes, the beloved Red Sox, and big-city entertainment. With history and culture around every bend, skyscrapers nestled next to historic hotels, and modern marketplaces lining antique cobblestone streets, Boston is a vibrant, thriving city with adventures for all ages. Unfortunately, I can’t address many of those beautiful sights or locations around Boston because I found McGreevy’s Pub, home of the Dropkick Murphys and all that quaint historic, cultural stuff was replaced by an excessively drunken day and night in the heart of Boston. At only 1200 steps from Fenway Park and the Boston House of Blues, McGreevy’s 3rd Base Saloon is a traditional Irish Pub dedicated to Boston sports, Boston history, and great Boston music. It’s known as America’s first sports bar, winner of Boston’s best sport bar many times over, home of the Dropkick Murphys, and the best bar in Boston to kick back and enjoy a pint. Continue reading
Fast food and poor-quality ready-to-eat meals are becoming a regular part of the average 
diet, but I don’t want that for my daughter or my family. I’ve made fast food a weekly, sometimes a lot more, venture to say the least. I didn’t put much thought into the foods that I was putting into my body, but now that I’m going to be a mom, I need to take better care of myself and my family. If I want my daughter to grow up healthy and strong, I need to include fresh, healthy foods in her diet. Cooking healthy foods for my family doesn’t need to be complicated or time-consuming. In Favorite Family Meals, bestselling children’s food author Annabel Karmel applies her signature fresh, creative cooking style to focus on the family and shows how you and your children can enjoy time spent in the kitchen preparing everyday dishes that are delicious, nutritious, and often just plain fun to make and eat! Continue reading
Bucket List Publications 