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Category: North America

4 Days in Mexico City
[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]I had never given too much thought to Mexico City. After all, I’d done the beaches in Cancun and Cabo and the border was 30 minutes from my house. But after a couple of layovers there and hearing more and more good things about it, we decided to look at flights. $115 round trip from Tijuana. Done.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Before I get into all of the things we ate and did, here are a few tips I have:
1. We went to Mexico City in July which is part of the rainy season. (Yeah, living in San Diego I tend not to consider those things). I was a bit dismayed checking the forecast before we went but don’t let the “rainy season” stop you from traveling there. It was pleasant during the day, sometimes hot and even sunny. The rain would start between 4pm and 5pm and every day we were there it wouldn’t last too long. It also happened to rain whenever we were heading back to the hotel for a nap, shower, or watching Lucha Libre so it didn’t bother us in the slightest.
2. If you’ve read about Mexico City at all you’ll know to expect traffic. And you should. But if you don’t mind walking and are staying in a central location you don’t always have to hop in a car or bus. We didn’t take the Metro but did take Uber every time we needed transportation – it’s ridiculously cheap and felt safer than trying to catch a cab.
3. Mexico City sits at about 7,500 feet. Altitude affects (and doesn’t affect) everyone differently but I would just remember that you’re pretty high up there! We tried to drink as much water as possible (this also may have been because we were also drinking beer, wine, and mezcal).
4. There is not a whole lot going on in Mexico City on Sunday night. I didn’t find Monday night to be too much better. We knew this going into our trip so planned accordingly and still had some great meals, but just something to be aware of – 90% of the bars and restaurants you might be looking to go to will not be open (if they’re open on Sundays they’ll be closing early).
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Where to Stay

We opted to save a few bucks and used points at the Sheraton Maria Isabel which I’d recommend. It’s a really central location with nice rooms that you’d expect from a nice Sheraton. Apparently, there is a second tower that hasn’t been updated yet but since we didn’t stay there I can’t speak to that. If you want to splurge a bit the Four Seasons and St. Regis are down the road and really, at under $300 a night (at the time we visited) not a splurge for the fact that they are the Four Seasons and St. Regis. Or, you can find plenty of great Airbnbs for low prices if you’d rather go that route.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Where to Eat (and Drink)

La Docena – not only was this place delicious, it’s open on Sunday nights! And near the arena where you can catch a Lucha Libre match. La Docena is known for their oysters but they plenty of other seafood and meat dishes too. But…their oysters…now, I honestly don’t get what the big deal is over a raw oyster but these…these were smoked with tuna crudo on top. They were not only the best oysters I will probably ever have in my life, but just generally a really great dish. We also had some yummy mussels, a tuna special, and summer wine (whatever that is) mixed with vodka served in a penguin.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”809″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Seneri – Seneri is a contemporary Mexican restaurant that sits above Mercado Roma (which looked delicious itself). I definitely recommend if you’re looking for a nice dinner date. They took their time bringing out our food and we had a nice night with a bottle of wine from Guadalupe Valley.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021137-22664871-e350-2″ include=”801,802,803″][vc_column_text]Fonda Fina – another restaurant in Roma Norte, this place was a bit more casual but still definitely delicious. We had pork belly sope, a squash blossom salad, and a flank streak. After the small plates and salads you get to pick your meat (or fish), sauce, and side. Try the mezcal ice cream to end your meal. Also…they’re open on Mondays![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021140-b151efd0-8c34-7″ include=”813,814,815″][vc_column_text]Lardo – we walked here for brunch on Sunday. Expect to wait a bit (perhaps not during the week). You can buy a coffee and pastry while you wait. We ended up sitting at the bar and had two good egg dishes and some mimosas. I thought the food was pretty good and I wasn’t feeling all that adventurous with my order so it would be worth going back to.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Parian Condesa – we checked out this food hall on Tuesday afternoon. It was pretty empty so we were able to get a seat out on the back patio and they have waiters that serve you from any of the stalls in the food hall. We ended up ordering some delicious guacamole and had a few tacos as well, but they had all kinds of varieties of food if you need a break from Mexican![/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Tacos!

El Califa – located just a couple of blocks from the Sheraton – we had a variety of delicious tacos with lots of cheese, guacamole, and a few beers. The tacos definitely differentiate in price and I think there are definitely cheaper taco places out there, but this was really good![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”799″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]El Farolito – located in Polanco, this was another delicious taco stop. I felt like I overate at El Califa so tried a little bit less here, but overall I think I preferred El Califa. This stop did finally bring us to the neighborhood of Polanco so we spent some time walking around after and checking things out after that.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]

Drinks!

Due to the fact that we arrived on Saturday and Sundays and Mondays are completely dead, we didn’t have a chance to check out as many places as I would have liked.

Felina Bar – a small, dark, hipster bar that made us feel like we were in Brooklyn or San Francisco. You could tell the bartenders put a lot of love into making their drinks (and a lot of time). We had a fun time here the drinks were yummy but if small, dark, hipster bar isn’t your scene I would probably skip it.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]Licorera Limantour – we found seats at the bar here on a Saturday night and tried a couple of different signature cocktails. Delicious! I definitely recommend coming here for a drink. They also played amazing old school hip hop music the entire time we were there adding to the greatness.[/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]La Cerveceria de Barrio Condesa – we stopped here for a drink and to take in some people watching. Located on the corner of a cute street with shops and restaurants, you can grab a beer and a variety of Mexican food (we went with some tuna which seemed to be one of the themes of the weekend). Definitely a nice stop on an afternoon walk![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

To Do

Teotihuacan – these Aztec ruins are located about 45 minutes outside of the city. We spent about 2 1/2 hours there walking around and hiking up and down pyramids. We went on a Monday morning, which I’d definitely recommend — or at least, I wouldn’t recommend going on a Sunday when it’s free for Mexicans so more crowded, and by the time we were heading out a little after 1pm it had gotten a lot more crowded than when we arrived at 10:30am. Be prepared to walk! We probably walked around 5 miles when we were there and climbed A LOT of flights of stairs – but the ruins were cool and it was definitely nice to get a break from the city.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021142-010b520e-4203-9″ include=”812,810″][vc_single_image image=”811″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Chapultepec Park – this huge park is in walking distance from the Sheraton. We checked out the castle which was pretty cool and just spent some time walking around the park. We also found Alas de la Ciudad (the wings of the city) which is fun for a photo op! We heard the Anthropology Museum was great as well, but didn’t make it there.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”805″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”821″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Luche Libre – so, so entertaining. We ended up going on Sunday at 5pm which was perfect because 1) it ended up raining while we were at the match 2) it was close to La Docena which is open on Sunday nights for dinner. I think we might have paid around $15 for tickets and then got cheap giant Coronas and random snacks. There were 5 matches and the entire thing lasted for 5 hours. They don’t have matches every night but if you’re in town when they do, it’s definitely an entertaining (and cheap) two hours.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021145-eb64ec12-fa87-1″ include=”806,807″][vc_column_text]Centro Historico – the historic center of the city wasn’t my favorite but worth checking out the Zocalo and the cathedral and walking around for a bit. When you need an escape from the chaos head up La Terraza in the Gran Hotel and have a drink overlooking the square.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”800″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”825″ img_size=”500″ alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Walk around! La Condesa, Roma Norte, Zona Rosa, Polanco – there are so many restaurants, bars, and shops to check out and when it’s a nice day, it’s nice to just walk![/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021150-c6bc21ee-967b-9″ include=”808,804″][vc_column_text]Casa Azul (Frida Kahlo Museum) – our experience at the Frida Kahlo Museum wasn’t the best – the whole experience was completely unorganized and crowded and I’m not sure if I can recommend it (perhaps I just wasn’t appreciating it enough). But, it did bring us to the area of Coyoacan which felt like a small town worlds away from Mexico City. If you’re in the area on Saturday there is a big market – there were still a handful of stalls open when we were there on a Tuesday. Note: closed on Mondays (as most museums are).[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021151-e74d2ab4-988c-0″ include=”818,819″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1500954021152-819c12a5-a3e5-4″ include=”822,816″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All in all we had a great time in Mexico City, and for the price of flights and hotels, we would definitely go back – but probably make sure to leave by Sunday evening next time. There are so many more delicious restaurants and bars to check out! In addition to where we went, we plan to go back and try out Tacqueria el Greco, Volver, Quintonil, Maximo, Pujol, Peua, and Guzina Oaxaca for food and Gin Gin, Baltra Bar, La Mascota, Bosforo, Maison Artemisa, Romita Comedor for drinks![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
July 24, 2017
Visiting Vineyards in Valle de Guadalupe

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]There have been a variety of articles written about Guadalupe Valley being the next Napa – being that Mexico is a drive, walk, and quick uber away (and much less expensive than Napa) I was excited to check it out.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We walked across the border a little before 11am and called an uber. If you’ve never walked across the border into Tijuana, you should expect a little bit of chaos. There is one road where taxis, Uber, and friends and family are coming to pick up anyone and everyone who has just walked across the border so the traffic is constant. Buy a bottle of water or some street tacos while you wait – it could be a little while.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1490065548307-5b45a17b-bf52-0″ include=”750,743″][vc_column_text]I had read about UberValle (seemingly similar to UberWine in the Paso Robles wine region) but the option was coming up on my phone. Assuming I’d be able to utilize the feature later, I selected an UberX, and twenty minutes later Miguel pulled up in his red Chevy Spark.

Miguel was wonderful. And talkative. And a lifesaver. Once we got down to the Guadalupe region (we decided to start at the farthest winery we were interested in visiting, about an hour and 45 minutes from the border) I tried to pull UberValle up on my app to no avail. So, I’m not sure if this service never gained popularity and was discontinued, but I won’t assume it’s an option in the future. Miguel was happy to stay with us for the remainder of the day – even letting me end every ride and start up again between wineries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

The Wine

Our first stop was Vinos Las Nubes, which sat perched on top of hill overlooking gorgeous rolling hills and vines. They had two tasting options – one regular tasting of 5 wines for about $8 and a reserve tasting that was a few dollars more. We opted for the regular tasting and a cheese plate – we were in need of a snack after our two+ hour adventure to get there! Their wines are mostly blends, and all mostly delicious. I really enjoyed all of the reds and went home with a bottle of the Seleccion de las Barricas (for under $12!). I definitely recommend heading here, enjoying some wine, and taking in the gorgeous views.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”745″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_column_text]Our second stop was Villa Montefiori, relatively close by. This winery focused on Italian wines – so if you’re not a big fan of Italian wines I would steer clear. They were smaller than Vinos Las Nubes, but had a nice outdoor patio and the same beautiful views. They had a few different tasting options for $10 and $15 so we did one of each. The wines were okay, but nothing special enough to buy a bottle of, and I don’t think I’ll plan on visiting them again (and, while I drank a bottle of Italian wine every night when I lived in Italy 11 years ago, it’s not usually what I’m drawn to these days).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”749″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At this point we were starving, so we opted for a winery that also had a restaurant, Corona del Valle. Corona del Valle had a bit of a rustic feel when you walked in, but then led out to a large patio. There wasn’t much in the way of views here, but the food was yummy (and necessary) and the wine was fantastic. We snacked on some delicious guacamole and fresh ceviche and did two different tastings. I really enjoyed all of the wine I tried here and went home with a bottle of the Merlot and a bottle of the Tempranillo/Nebbiolo. The Malbec was another favorite, but a little bit pricey for my wine-tour-on-a-budget plan in Mexico.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1490065235345-0462e8a4-389e-3″ include=”751,754″][vc_column_text]After Corona del Valle we had time for one more stop, but since we were crossing the border back to the United States that evening, we decided to start our journey back. From our last stop it was about an hour and twenty minutes to the border.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”748″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]All in all the day was wonderful. Next time I’ll probably plan to have dinner in Tijuana on the way back or stay the night in Ensenada or Rosarito. For more recommendations for dinner in Tijuana on the way back, read on here.

Our Uber for the day (for about 7.5 hours) was right around $100. Wine tastings were anywhere from $8-$15 and bottles of wine started as low as $11.50 a bottle. With those kinds of prices and the close proximity to San Diego, I’ll definitely be going back![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

March 20, 2017
Road Trippin’ California

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After almost nine years of living in California, I finally made some time to visit Big Sur. Living down in San Diego meant that I couldn’t make it an easy day, or even weekend trip, so with a week off between Christmas and New Years I made a mini-road trip itinerary.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Day 1 – Paso Robles

Being that I’m a wine lover and had explored Temecula, Santa Ynez and Sonoma, it only made sense that the first stop to break up the drive would be Paso Robles.

Stay

There are some winery resorts to stay at, but since we were only there for one night we opted to stay in town. Town didn’t have too many higher end options, and their mid to low range options were relatively expensive. I opted to use points for the Paso Robles Inn and was not disappointed. The location couldn’t have been better for staying in town and the room we had was nice (with a very spacious bathroom).

Eat

We had dinner at La Cosecha – Restaurant & Bar. The paella and cioppino were so so, but my mezcal drink in a smoked glass was quite good. The scallops appetizer was delicious. Not my favorite place I’ve ever been, but I’d go back, if just for drinks and appetizers.

Red Scooter Deli – anxious to get on our way to Big Sur, I stopped into this little place for some breakfast sandwiches and cappuccinos. Both were delicious.

[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”699″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Wine!

Of course, the main reason I decided to stop here was for all of the wine. We spent about four hours wine tasting that afternoon. There are about 200 wineries in the area so I know there a lot more to taste, but here’s where we went and what we thought!

Adelaida – I honestly chose this place because it looked pretty in a photo (and because I had decided we would stick to the west side) but was impressed with all of the wines we tasted. It was here I learned about the Mourvedre grape and where we decided to pick up a bottle of Mourvedre wine. They snuck in a little extra wine, port, some walnuts and chocolates too.

Halter Ranch – at this point we decided to let our UberWINE driver lead the way. He brought us down the road to Halter Ranch which was absolutely gorgeous. They just built a brand new building for their tastings. Everything we tasted there was delicious as well and the views were gorgeous.

JUSTIN Winery – we were warned that they had been purchased and turned corporate, and it definitely felt that way. The wines were all pretty great and they had two different tastings you could do. One was more expensive than the other so we split them. (some of the wines overlapped). We didn’t purchase any wine here but ended up buying some merchandise for our friend Justin and received the tastings for free (a $35 value).

Turley Wine Cellars – it seems that most wineries in Paso make a white wine or two just to appease those coming along for the ride who might not love red wine. Well, at Turley we tasted 100% red, and 100% Zinfandel. While they were good, I’d prefer a more diverse tasting menu (and perhaps they do have a more diverse menu at times).

Cypher Winery – our last stop of the day was a smaller winery called Cypher. To be honest, at this point I was pretty tipsy and a little bit more focused on an adorable yellow lab puppy, but I had no complaints and they gave us wine glasses when we left. There was also another winery right next door but they were closed (it was the day after Christmas and a Monday).[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503378910-3087c671-6fc5-6″ include=”698,703″][vc_single_image image=”693″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Tip!

UberWINE was great. It can get expensive (averages around $40 an hour) but you have a private driver the entire afternoon. So, if four of you go wine tasting for four hours, what’s $40 a person?! If you’re not doing a pre-planned wine tour or have a designated driver, I’d highly recommend this option as cell phone service was not the best, sometimes non-existent out at the wineries.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Day 2 – Big Sur & Monterey

We woke up bright and early and started our drive to Big Sur. These were the stops we made along the way:

Elephant Seals Vista Point (San Simeon) – early on in the drive we decided to check out the elephant seals – worth a few minutes to check these guys out if you have any interest![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”702″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]McWay Falls & Julia Pfeiffer State Park – pretty crowded, but amazingly beautiful. Definitely worth the stop.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”697″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][vc_single_image image=”692″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Nepenthe Restaurant – we had actually been told the food wasn’t very good, and with an hour and a half wait we weren’t very interested, but it was easy enough to order a glass of wine at the bar and take in some gorgeous views.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”696″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Big Sur River Inn – we stopped for a late lunch here – a rustic, woodsy feeling place and enjoyed some beers, a burger and a delicious pulled pork sandwich.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”701″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Bixby Bridge – probably one of the most photographed spots in Big Sur, we obviously joined the crowds during golden hour for a few great shots. It was a wonderful end to our drive (until we realized we were on a one lane road of traffic leaving Big Sur and Point Lobos State Park at the same time)![/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”695″ img_size=”large” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We then checked into The Monterey Hotel in downtown Monterey for the next two nights. It is a historic hotel but our room was rather modern and again, the location made everything easy.

Still full from our late lunch we opted to do some more wine tasting at Sovino Wine Bar & Merchant and then had a late dinner at a really cool restaurant called Restaurant 1833 (also, delicious!).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Day 3 – Redwoods & Carmel-by-the-Sea

Our original plan was to explore Point Lobos State Park, but after spending all day driving the coast the day before, we decided to find some redwoods instead. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was closest, about an hour drive away, and we wandered around in the cold forest for a while, in awe of these amazing trees.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503378923-bd9041ee-eae3-8″ include=”700,694″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The park was actually just east of Santa Cruz so we decided to head there for a quick lunch. Santa Cruz has yet to impress me, so after a little bit of seafood we made our way back down to Monterey to drop off the car and yet again, taste some wine.

We spent mid-afternoon to early evening visiting a few wine bars in Carmel (there are about 14 in a couple of square blocks – they actually call it the Carmel Wine Walk By-The-Sea). We picked up a couple of bottles from Blaire Estate and Shale Canyon Vineyards and then were ready for dinner.

It was recommended to us to go to Grasings and it did not disappoint. We managed to snag a table in the bar area during a busy dinner time and enjoyed good drinks, lobster mac and cheese, paella and duck. Definitely passing along this recommendation!

The next day we started our journey home after picking up some more breakfast sandwiches at Caffe Trieste Monterey – it just happened to be across the street from our hotel, but another good (and relatively quick) breakfast spot if you’re downtown.

Can’t wait to explore even more of this amazing state![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503400128-de37b3f6-835e-2″ include=”708,709″][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1483503436122-40ef62d2-09c0-5″ include=”707,706″][/vc_column][/vc_row]

January 3, 2017
36 Hours in Portland (Maine)

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Somehow after 22 years of living in New England, and numerous trips to Maine, I had never spent any time in Portland. I was given the opportunity to go this past weekend for a bachelorette party (sorry, Toby!). It was too quick a trip and I definitely want to go back, but here were my thoughts on what I did get to do/eat/drink![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Where To Stay

We were a larger group (12 total) and at one point had the potential to be even more so we stuck with hotel rooms, as finding a house for up to 20 people can be a tough task! We opted for the Hilton Garden Inn Downtown Portland that was a great location – walking distance to a lot of shops, restaurants, bars and the ferry. However, I was blown away at the hotel prices – I know it’s August in New England but $425 a night? If I went again with Toby or a smaller group I’d definitely check out AirBnB.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Where To Eat

Roustabout – we dinner in a private dining room our first night. This was cool, but meant an additional $100 “dining room” charge and a set, family-style menu. The whipped ricotta, chicken marsala and eggplant parmesan were delicious. The Italian cookies for desert were not. They had creative drinks as well – I’d be open to checking it out again if I was able to order off the regular menu.

Union Restaurant – on day two we came here for brunch. You should too. I haven’t even looked at their dinner menu but I would go back for dinner in a heartbeat. The Orange Cinnamon Bun with smoked bacon maple syrup and whipped mascarpone that we got for the table was amazing. I also had the omelet with ricotta and peaches – seems weird but was delicious, and came with some yummy potatoes as well.[/vc_column_text][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1471294914427-5cecf261-dfeb-5″ include=”507,508″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Sonny’s Bar & Famous Food – on night two we didn’t have dinner reservations and with a group this big it was difficult to find a place that could actually fit us all (even for an early seating!). Sonny’s had been recommended to us and after going, I see why. Lots of creative cocktails and yummy Latin food – not necessarily what you might be looking for in Portland, Maine, but their tacos, queso fundido and lobster stuffed avocado did not disappoint. Not in the mood for Latin food? I’d still definitely swing by for some cocktails.[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”510″ img_size=”300x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

What To Do

Sail! We did a two-hour windjammer sail with the Portland Schooner Co. You can bring your own booze and snacks and it’s a pretty relaxed couple of hours. If you’re really interested in learning a lot about what you’re sailing by though, I might pick a different company (assuming another one exists that is more informational).[/vc_column_text][vc_single_image image=”509″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Breweries! Unfortunately our self-made brewery tour never happened due to time constaints but we had planned on Rising Tide, Maine Craft Distilling, Bunker Brewing Co. and Oxbow Tasting Room, which are all very close to one another. Next time!

Bars! Being that we were on a bachelorette party (and are all in our early 30s) we hit the bars both nights after dinner. Bubba’s Sulky Lounge was perhaps one of the strangest bars I had ever been to – kind of like dancing the night away in the middle of a flea market (and cash only) but so much fun! It gets to be on the edge of more sketchy neighborhoods so taking a cab or uber might be a good idea. Our other hotspot of the weekend was the Pearl Nightclub, which was also a dive bar on one side so you could pick your poison depending on if you felt like dancing or not!

Too quick of a trip and I definitely will be back – if you have any recommendations for the next time I’m there let me know![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

August 15, 2016
Tacos & Cervezas in Tijuana

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]When I moved to San Diego back in 2008 it wasn’t all that safe to travel to Tijuana – people had even stopped going over for an afternoon of cheap tacos and beers. As things started to change all I heard were nightmare stories about how long it took to cross the border on the way home and I lost interest and all but forgot about it. Then, I had lunch with a girlfriend who had recently spent the day there with her boyfriend and had lots of recommendations – I was sold. The following weekend we made our way down on a Saturday afternoon for a day full of eating and drinking.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”427″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We were starving by the time we made our way to the border, parked (it seemed like a nightmare even finding a paid lot that wasn’t full so we ended up parking in the outlet mall parking – I probably wouldn’t recommend this if you were planning on staying very late or overnight in Tijuana, but it worked for us), and walked across we were starving. We decided to grab a cab and head to a nicer restaurant and I am SO glad we did.

We had an incredible lunch at Mision 19. The owner also owns Bracero Cocina in San Diego’s Little Italy – if you live in San Diego or are planning a visit and want some upscale Mexican food, please GO HERE. Mision 19 was just as good and half the price. For appetizers we had tuna tartare, octopus and a scallop parfait. Then we split a pork belly and baby back rib entree which, not exaggerating, might have been one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. The drinks were yummy and the service was terrific. They also had a tasting menu that I would do the next time around, especially if we went for dinner.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237017615-278f5285-0cea-7″ include=”435,433,434″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After lunch we were stuffed and walked about a half mile or so to another restaurant that had been recommended to us, Verda y Crema. Not needing any more food at the moment, we drank some mezcal and sangria and hung out at the bar. The restaurant was cute and the menu looked great – I’d definitely come back again to eat.

After drinks we strolled around Avenida Revolucion, just soaking in the scene, live music spilling out from restaurants and bars, donkeys painted like zebras on the street corners and touristy stores filled with tchotchkes.

Calle Sexta is known for its bars, but, unfortunately it seemed to be a bit early for the bars we wanted to check out to be open. We happened to wander into a not-open La Mezcalera which looks like it’s back patio is pretty cool at night.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”429″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Last but not least, we made our way to “Taco Alley” which is exactly what you’d think – a row of taco shops on a street. We sampled some carne asada, adobada and chorizo tacos from Las Paisas and Tacos El Paisano – everything was yummy and cost about $1 or less – a must stop if you’re in TJ for the day![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”430″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]At that point the sun was starting to set and we figured we had a long wait ahead of us so we made our way back to the pedestrian border crossing. We were back in America 18 minutes later. I was surprised – and elated! Maybe Saturday evenings aren’t a popular time to make your way back to (or into) America?

Tips!

They have Uber in Tijuana and it is SO cheap. We easily had service everywhere because you can pay Verizon $2 a day when you’re in Mexico with their newer international options so it was simple and much more comfortable than cabs.

If you have Global Entry bring your Global Entry card and you can access the Sentri line. It wouldn’t have made a terribly big difference the day we went but I can see it being a life saver in the future. Of course, if you are traveling with people who don’t have Sentri or their Global Entry card, you’ll just be sitting on the other side of the border waiting for them.

So, whether you live in San Diego or are coming to visit, heading down to Tijuana for the day can be a fun (and cheap!) adventure. Next time we’re planning on checking out the beach or making our way farther south to Rosarito, Ensenada or Guadalupe Valley for some wine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

August 1, 2016
A Wedding in Brooklyn

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We kicked off the 2016 wedding season in Brooklyn, NY in June. There a million and one restaurants, bars and things to do in NYC so I won’t tell you where you HAVE to go – I’m no New York expert, but here are some (mostly) foodie highlights from our trip:

Brooklyn

meadowsweet – Located in Williamsburg, we went here for lunch but if we had had the chance, I would have loved to come here for weekend brunch. Regardless, lunch was delicious. The pasta and fried chicken sandwich came highly recommended by our waitress so I decided on the latter. It was delicious! And not too large, so I was able to eat every bite and not feel (too) bad. The sandwich came with some delicious french fries as well. We capped it off with a bottle of white on the patio and then made our way back down Bedford Street.

The Ides – located in The Wythe Hotel where the wedding took place, the Ides is an indoor/outdoor bar/restaurant on the 6th floor with amazing views of Manhattan. We didn’t eat here but made sure to swing by for some drinks and amazing views. This place definitely turns into a scene (both day AND night). It’s also a gratuity-free establishment but they seem to make up for that with the drink prices.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”405″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Urban Rustic – we came here for some breakfast sandwiches. They were nothing to write home about but did the trick. Their lunch menu appeals to me a bit more if you’re in the mood for a sandwich. It’s also right next to McCarren park if you’re feeling a little picnic.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Manhattan

ABC Kitchen – close to Union Square, we were lucky enough to go to the rehearsal dinner here where I felt like we tried everything on the menu. From roasted beets with housemade yogurt to housemade ricotta with strawberry compote, crab toast and salmon with the most delicious carrots I have ever eaten to a delicious cookie plate. That was only about half of the food that we ate but trust me…everything. is. amazing. The ambiance was great and they’re connected to the ABC Carpet & Home store.

Bubby’s – we put our name here for brunch and spent our 45 minute wait time wandering around the High Line that began right across the street from the restaurant. I had a simple (and delicious) Turkey B.A.L.T, but the fried chicken biscuit, lobster roll and mac and cheese were all delicious.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]No trip to New York disappoints, and this one certainly did not. Can’t wait to visit again. Have some favorite restaurants in NYC? Let us know![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 22, 2016
48 Hours in Portland

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We decided to head to Portland at the end of October. Not exactly prime weather time to go to Portland, but that also meant less tourists and cheaper flights! Since we were only there for a short time we decided to stick to the city – next time I definitely want to rent a car and check out some waterfalls and wineries![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”386″ img_size=”medium” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We did get our fair share of rainy Portland weather – but that didn’t stop us from eating and drinking our way through the city! Here were our top spots:

Eat!

Clyde Common – I came across this restaurant on another blog. The restaurant describes itself as a tavern with a European flair – it looked yummy and was close to our hotel (downtown). We had an amazing waiter who gave us delicious recommendations and we shared some of their plates. They also had a great selection of cocktails – highly recommend!

Voodoo Doughnuts – another stop on the Portland tourist trail. But, why not? The donuts were crazy, ridiculous and oh-so-sugary good.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”387″ img_size=”300x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Pok Pok – if you’re planning a trip to Portland someone will probably recommend that you go to Pok Pok. Being that I love Asian food, especially Thai, it seemed like a no-brainer to me. They’ve expanded to other locations and even have some in LA, but we hit up the original. Located in the Division/Clinton area, it’s a cab ride from downtown. We would have loved to check the area out more but the weather wasn’t cooperating with us. They also don’t take reservations unless you’re a party of 6 or more, so instead of chancing a long wait at night, we decided to go for lunch. We shared a handful of things and everything was delicious – make sure you order the wings!!

Departure – this wasn’t a restaurant I was expecting to find in Portland – it felt like kind of a scene and was definitely more dressed up than what I consider the rest of Portland to be (in my 48-hour stay). However, the food was delicious and yes, more Asian cuisine! If you want a dressier night while out in Portland, this isn’t a bad place to go! They also have rooftop patios if you end up there with good weather.

Salt & Straw – on Sunday we made our way to the Alphabet District in Northwest Portland, up the hill from downtown. Wander along 23rd and 21st street for shopping, food, drinks and dessert! I’m not sure if it was time for dessert but we had heard only amazing things about Salt & Straw (that’s ice cream in case you hadn’t hear of it). If you’re in the mood for a cold, sweet street, definitely stop by! This also has apparently made it’s way to LA – so keep that in mind if you’re in the LA area![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”389″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Drink!

Stumptown Coffee – we’ve become a bit of coffee snobs at my office over the past few years, mainly drinking Blue Bottle coffee, grinding our own beans, pour over, hot black coffee. When we made our way into Stumptown I decided I was in the mood for cold brew, despite the cloudy and cool weather outside. Best. Decision. Ever. We all have our own taste but I still think it’s the best cold brew I’ve had to this day. Bonus: you can buy cold brew in milk cartons and cold brew nitro in cans there too.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237120474-be1ad990-067e-2″ include=”392,390,391″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Deschutes – living in San Diego, now one of the biggest craft brew scenes in the US, I’ve become a beer snob and like to snob it up in other big beer towns. We found ourselves at Deschutes during a torrential down pour and sampled many of their beers. I found it all pretty delicious, and they have some yummy bar snacks as well. The ambiance was warm and cozy which was nice on such a rainy day.

Rogue Ales & Spirits – we then made our way over to Rogue, which had much more of a dive bar feel, but had just as many (if not more) delicious beers to try! Also in the downtown area, an easy stop on a brewery tour if you’re staying or playing downtown.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237120477-09b3448f-c900-1″ include=”395,396″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Taste on 23rd – by the time we made our way to the Alphabet District on Sunday I was ready for some Oregon Pinot Noir. We wandered into Taste on 23rd – while the place itself didn’t seem like anything to write home to me, they had plenty of wines to choose from, plus food and beer!

All in all our Portland trip was a success – but I can’t wait to get back in the summertime and check out more of the outdoor offerings![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 12, 2016
36 Hours in Vegas

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]We decided relatively last minute to make a weekend trip to Vegas which meant flight prices were already climbing. With no traffic we could make it from San Diego to Las Vegas in about 4 ½ hours so we decided it was worth saving a few hundred dollars and turning the weekend into a mini-road trip.

Tip: leave as early as possible on Friday. Friday traffic is bad enough and we’d be fighting people on their way to LA, Riverside, Palm Springs and Vegas, as well as anyone just generally on their way home. We got out of San Diego around 2:30pm and made it to our hotel by 8pm.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”378″ img_size=”400x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Where to Stay

There are plenty of options in Las Vegas but since we were trying to do this trip on the cheap (relatively) we chose The LINQ – a newer Caesar’s property midway down The Strip that was $110 a night with Total Rewards. The rooms were nice, although the shampoo, conditioner and body wash was in bulk dispensers in the shower, like a gym locker room, which I understood was reducing waste, but still seemed a little low rent. The location was hard to beat – you had The High Roller ferris wheel and the promenade full of different bars and restaurants.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”380″ img_size=”400x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

Where to Eat

Like hotels, there is no shortage of food options in Vegas. Since we arrived relatively late and took a bit to settle in, have a few drinks and change, we decided to go to Chayo, a higher end Mexican restaurant in the hotel. I wouldn’t go back. The food was just okay – and definitely not worth the price, especially for someone who lives 20 minutes from the Mexican border.

Serendipity 3 – if you want larger portions, or a good base to get you through a day of pool parties or gambling, look no further. We had extra large bacon, egg, and cheese bagel sandwiches and ridiculously overpriced mimosas.

Jaleo – a tapas restaurant in the Cosmopolitan. Not the first time we had eaten there and again did not disappoint. From bacon wrapped dates to seafood croquettes and paella, everything was delicious.

What to Do

We spent Saturday at the pool at The LINQ – a good alternative if you don’t want to spend the money going to a pool with a popular DJ. Good music, lots of young people, giant beer pong and pool jenga, plus free entry made it an easy choice. Day beds and cabanas were available as well.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”381″ img_size=”400x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Gamble! This was my first time really learning how to play black jack (yes, I have known 21 equals black jack) so we spent a few hours each night gambling at O’Shea’s, a bar in the promenade next to the hotel. Good music, beer pong and a fun vibe make a little different than just gambling in a casino.

Bars! We didn’t end up making it to any clubs this trip, but instead hung out at AmeriCAN (also in the promenade). They have over 70 beers from around the country, plus games like beer pong and giant jenga.

Chandelier Bar – if you’re going to have dinner at Cosmo, or before you head into Marquee, I always like to stop and have at least one drink at the Chandelier Bar.

And…that was it. We got on the road at 10am on Sunday to avoid horrendous traffic that I had been warned about, and was home around 3pm, after a 25-minute detour to the slowest McDonald’s I’d ever been to. While the drive could have been worse, I think I’ll stick to flying in the future![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

June 6, 2016
Food & Fun in Vancouver

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Growing up in the northeast, I was no stranger to Canada, we frequented Montreal between the ages of 18-21 and made a trip to Niagara Falls. But British Columbia – that was a whole world away. That was, until I moved to San Diego and then it was just a few hours of flights up the coast! Although we went in mid-July, we ended up landing immediately after a heatwave and had a cooler, slightly rainy trip. While I love my heat and sunshine, the trip was still great and I’ll definitely be back. Here were some of the top things we did and places we ate![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”408″ img_size=”400x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded” title=”Grouse Grind”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]The Grouse Grind – take a quick Uber or free trolly from downtown and in minutes you’ll leave the city behind. The Grouse Grind makes for a great (and healthy) start to your weekend. You go up and up and up. There is no turning back (or at least you’re not supposed to hike down). You can also take a cable car up if you’re not feeling so energetic. The hike was great – the view from the top… probably great but we were pretty fogged in. We enjoyed some beers and took the cable car down – I’d love to go back on a sunnier day.

Capilano Suspension Bridge – if you’re already out doing the Grouse Grind, it’s an easy stop on the way home, lots of suspension bridges to walk around on. A fun pit stop, but definitely not something I think you’d have to make a special trip for.

Granville Island – Like shops? Food and drinks? Granville island is definitely worth at least taking a walk around. They have an entire shop just for umbrellas – which we at first thought was funny until it started to rain.

We also went by the Olympic Cauldron and had brunch in Stanley Park – typical must-dos on your first trip to Vancouver!

[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid grid_id=”vc_gid:1468457298466-0fccde57-7de4-8″ include=”409,410,411″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]In between all of the site seeing we did A LOT of eating (and drinking) of course. Here were some of our favorites:

Hapa Izakaya – if this isn’t the first blog post you’ve read, you know I LOVE Asian food. This place did not disappoint. Modern Japanese cuisine – lots of shareable plates. They have a few locations – we went to the one in Yaletown which had a bunch of bars and restaurants nearby – great for pre- or post- dinner drinks.

Cardero’s – on the water in Coal Harbor, we chowed down on lots of seafood for dinner here. We were a cab ride away from the bars we went to after, but if you want some good seafood on the water I’d recommend this place. Not as trendy as some other spots but still delicious!

Vancouver Urban Winery – located in Railtown, but just two blocks from Gastown, our last dinner gave us the opportunity to check out yet another cool neighborhood in Vancouver. And of course, lots and lots of wine. They had a variety of different types of food to please anyone and we had a few shareable plates that were all pretty yummy.

Teahouse in Stanley Park – an expensive, but gorgeous little spot for brunch. After enjoying some much cheaper (and also delicious) crepes near our hotel the morning before, this was the very opposite – but we enjoyed good food and brunch cocktails before deciding we didn’t want to chance renting bikes when looming rain clouds.

After dinner we spent most of our evenings out in Gastown or Yaletown, with pit stops on Main Street on our way home. Lots of different neighborhoods for whatever kind of scene or vibe you’re looking for. We will definitely be back![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

July 13, 2015