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  • Tacos & Cervezas in Tijuana

    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]

  • A Wedding in Brooklyn

    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]

  • Foodie Heaven in Puerto Rico

    Foodie Heaven in Puerto Rico

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Okay, I know, when someone says “let’s go to Puerto Rico” the first things you think about are probably beaches, boats, and fruity rum cocktails.  Let’s be clear: all of those things happened on my trip to Puerto Rico, and I have some tips for all of those things, but one of my favorite parts of this trip was the FOOD.

    First off, this wasn’t a couples trip, I made the trip to PR for a bachelorette party.  All of my suggestions would be completely appropriate whether you’re doing the same or traveling as a couple though.

    Where to Stay

    We chose to stay at La Concha Renaissance San Juan Resort.  It’s a Marriott property for those who like their points.  It was in the Condado area (about a 15 minute cab ride from Old San Juan), had numerous pools and was right on the beach.  Ticked all of the boxes for a bachelorette party.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”366″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    What to Do (besides eat):

    A booze cruise and snorkel trip with Salty Dog.  The marina is about an hour away from San Juan, so they can arrange transfer for you, or you can drive yourself if you have a rental car. However, if you plan to take part in the booze part of the cruise, I suggest you just let them arrange transport.  You get about 5 hours on the boat and ride out to Icacos Island.  (I believe there are other islands you may go to, but we went to Icacos).  Unfortunately, as soon as we got there it started to rain, and lightning, and thunder.  The lightning and thunder passed quickly but the rain never really let up.  Of course, if you’re snorkeling you’re getting wet anyway so it’s not the biggest deal.  We were on a catamaran boat that had a bit of shelter and they put up some additional covers and we were fine.  They fed us a great lunch, and as many rum drinks as you could have.  While I can’t speak for other boat companies, I would highly recommend Salty Dog, they were really laid back and fun.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”367″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Explore Old San Juan.  There are lots of cobblestone streets and little shops (many are pure tourist traps) and lots of little bars and restaurants.  We ate dinners and went out to the bars at night here as well, but it’s worth a morning or afternoon of wandering around.  Very close by your can check out Castillo San Cristobal, a large fort overlooking the water.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”368″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]RELAX! We had a short time in Puerto Rico and wanted to make sure we got some pool and beach time in, so we did!  Especially for those who don’t get to live at the beach year round like I do, I think devoting a day to relaxing is perfectly fine![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Finally, the food!

    Where to Eat

    Marmalade: AH-MA-ZING.  We did a tasting menu here the first night and ended up with 14 courses of delicious seafood, meat, pastas, and so on.  Perhaps not the best place to go on your first night of a bikini vacation, but we did.  Tip: if you make a reservation for 9pm (or later) the tasting menu is a bit cheaper.  Marmalade is in Old San Juan so after your 14 courses you can walk around to different bars and walk off some of the food!

    Asere Cubano Kitchen: You guessed it, Cuban food! We tried the different Cuban meats and some seafood and everything was delicious!  Tip: Asere is located in La Placita, so make reservations for a Friday night – they close down the streets in La Placita and everyone buys drinks from the bars and drinks at tables outside.  Here you’ll get a more local feel!

    Dragonfly: Back in Old San Juan, but craving something a little different?  Dragonfly is Latin Asian Cuisine.  I love pretty much all Asian food so I was sold before we sat down.  The restaurant looks small when you walk in but there is a large space downstairs filled with tables – I’d still recommend making a reservation though.  We had everything from sushi to dumplings to spring rolls and tacos.  For the third night in a row I consumed way more food than necessary but… I can’t say I regret a single bite!

    Caficultura: on the last day we didn’t have any activities planned and were flying out later in the day so rather than get sandy or sweaty (okay, well, it was pretty humid walking around that day) we went into Old San Juan for the day. If you find yourself there around brunch, I’d highly recommend stopping here.  It’s small and there was a little bit of a wait, but my sweet potato crepes filled with chicken sausage and goat cheese hit the spot.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”369″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]One last tip: while there are many bars in Old San Juan (and other neighborhoods in San Juan) La Factoria is a must-visit if you find yourself out in Old San Juan one night.  It’s a number of different rooms all with different vibes and music, filled with tourists and locals alike.

    Whatever you do, wherever you stay and whatever you eat, I’m sure you’ll have a great time in Puerto Rico – what’s not to love?[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Boats and Clothes in Hoi An

    Boats and Clothes in Hoi An

    [vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]While planning our itinerary for our two week trip in Vietnam, Hoi An kept coming up as many people’s favorite place on their trip – and also the spot to go to if you wanted custom clothing made. It seemed a like a stop we couldn’t pass up and I’m so happy we didn’t – it ended up being one of our favorite stops during our two-week trip and we left with a lot of custom clothing![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”451″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]After the chaos of Saigon (or Hanoi) Hoi An was a breath of fresh air. It’s a pretty small town with a river separating the old town from the rest of town. The old town, or ancient town, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site so I don’t believe there is any place to stay within those walls but anywhere else is just a few minutes walk away.

    What To Do

    Wander around Ancient Town – lots of little restaurants, cafes, a few bars and lots and lots of tailors. You’ll also find it hard to miss the Japanese Covered Bridge (pictured below).[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”454″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Take a half-day trip to My Son – My Son is a set of ruins from the ancient Cham Empire. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was mostly destroyed during the Vietnam War.We hired a car for relatively cheap and the driver waited for us while we walked down the road to the ruins. You can also do a more organized tour but normally that’s not our jam. It was definitely cool to check out and I think worth a half-day trip if you’re in Hoi An.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”455″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Get Custom Clothes Made! But seriously…if you have any interest in getting some custom clothes made – this is the place if you’re in Vietnam. There are tons of tailors – big shops to small – it’s hard to choose! We were given the recommendation to go to Yaly Couture which is where we got 95% of our clothing made, but if that place isn’t your style there are plenty of recommendations on TripAdvisor or just walk into a store that has something you like! Having an idea of what you want is probably a good idea, but not necessary. Toby knew that he wanted some suits and ended up getting some custom shirts as well. I had no idea what I wanted and ended up buying some nicer dresses, a romper, and a pair of pumps! They have a bunch of mannequins dressed in custom clothing and endless binders and fabrics to give you ideas.

    Tip: if you want to get some custom clothes made, I’d plan to be in Hoi An for a few days as most of the shops are busy and you’ll have to go back for a fitting (or a few).

    We read stories of people renting bicycles and riding around the countryside and heading to the beach but between our trip to My Son, just wandering around, and numerous fittings for clothes we didn’t have time to do either of those.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_media_grid element_width=”6″ gap=”10″ grid_id=”vc_gid:1470237371184-998c17a6-40d2-1″ include=”457,458″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]

    Where to Eat

    Before we talk about where to eat, let’s talk about what you need to eat in Hoi An. White Rose is their signature dish. What is white rose, you might be thinking. It’s a little dumpling, usually of minced shrimp or pork in rice paper. Delicious!

    Green Mango Restaurant – this was our first food stop in Hoi An. We had lunch there but I’m sure it would be a great spot for dinner as well. It’s also right near Yaly’s if you need to kill time between fittings.

    Morning Glory – this restaurant is pretty popular so if you can, make a reservation. We didn’t but didn’t have to wait too long. We sat upstairs and after reading some reviews, it seems like we got a better (cooler) spot.

    White Marble – right in the heart of Ancient Town, we got a table on the second floor next to the window overlooking the street. We sampled all sorts of delicious Vietnamese appetizers and since it was the only wine bar we found ourselves in on this trip we made sure to order some wine.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_single_image image=”462″ img_size=”500x” alignment=”center” style=”vc_box_rounded”][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Whatever you do while you’re there and wherever you eat – just make your way to Hoi An during your trip![/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Food & Fun in Vancouver

    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]