Travel Bites

Growing up outside New York, I was sure I was eating the best bagels in the world. Then I visited a small bakery in South Portland, Maine.

If you are a food-lover, chances are you are familiar, at least in passing, with Oakland, California. Perhaps you’ve flagged the East Bay city as a day trip, a single-day diversion from the main attraction, San Francisco, which is rightly renowned as a mecca for food-lovers. But you’d be wrong to relegate Oakland to the sidelines.

I have never been to Sag Harbor in the summer. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I imagine this tiny village pulls in a tony crowd in white linen and nautical stripes. Perhaps they sit at tables on the sidewalk and drink rosé and slurp oysters! And there is nothing wrong with that. I also love rosé (even in winter), and I am quite fond of nautical stripes. But I quite prefer the reality of this little town in the winter.

We love hotel bars of all ilk — fancy and not-so-fancy, wood-paneled and leather-clad, cozy and candlelit, and airy and bright — but while we have a soft spot for even middling versions, a truly great hotel bar is something rare. It’s something to be noticed and appreciated. Here’s how you know you’ve hit the hotel bar trifecta. And a jacket. Possibly suspenders. His shoes are shined. He probably has silver hair. Or no hair! He is not wearing skinny jeans.

Are you traveling on Valentine’s Day? Maybe you’re taking a cross-country flight to surprise your honey? If you’re flying Delta Air Lines, you may be in for a super-sweet surprise. Passengers on select flights between JFK and SFO or LAX will get a mini bottle of La Marca Prosecco with a cute striped straw and … A box of Vosges Haut-Chocolat chocolate truffles! This sweet deal isn’t just for first-class passengers either.

There’s no shortage of delicious things to eat and drink in New Orleans. Since I first visited in 2007, it’s become, in my humble opinion, one of the most exciting food cities in the country. While I have my favorite treats that I always seek out (I’m looking at you, beignets and cafe au lait), I’m always discovering something new. On my most recent trip, I stumbled (literally) onto Big Easy ‘Bucha.

Beach towns in the winter are a magical thing. And I’m not talking about, say, Miami (although 80°F and sunny does sound pretty good right now). No, what I’m talking about are summer beach towns — the ones that swell to bursting come Memorial Day, but for the rest of the year are just regular little villages that happen to be in close proximity to sand and sea. To me, these beach towns are even better in the winter. Here are five reasons why.

In New Orleans, Mardi Gras isn’t just a day — it’s a month of celebration with masquerade balls and parades and music and merriment that culminates on “Fat Tuesday,” the day before Ash Wednesday and the more somber Lenten season. Today — Lundi Gras — it is not uncommon for locals to go out for a boozy lunch that stretches all the way until dinner.

If you are a frequent traveler, like I have been at points in my life, packing your bag becomes almost second nature. You don’t have to think about it; you just know what you need (and, just as importantly, what you don’t). Over the years I have made the somewhat controversial decision to leave one item behind: my water bottle. This is not to say I don’t love a cute water bottle or that I don’t hydrate. I do!

Breakfast is probably the meal I struggle most with. I want it to be healthy, but also satisfying enough that I don’t feel hungry again by 11 a.m. I want it to be quick and easy, but also, ideally, homemade. I have my go-tos — Irish oatmeal with flax, maple syrup, and a pinch of sea salt and homemade cashew nut milk with dates, cinnamon, and vanilla — but they can start to feel really boring, really fast.

It’s St. Patrick’s Day this week, which is a terrific excuse to not only drink green beer and don some plaid, but also to drink Irish coffee. If you ask our assistant food editor Sheela, the best Irish coffee is made by her Uncle Eddie — and we have tested this method and found it to be a winner. Get the recipe: How To Make Irish Coffee But if you ask me, the very best Irish coffee comes from New Orleans.

Stroll down Miami’s Calle Ocho and you’ll pass by any number of coffee windows, or ventanitas. The most famous one is at Versailles, but there’s no shortage on Little Havana’s main drag and elsewhere in Miami. And anywhere you can find a ventanita, you’re likely to find a crowd. That’s because drinking a café cubano is a social activity. Sure, the coffee is good (and sweet!

Carry-on cocktail kits are not new. In fact, this carry-on cocktail kit isn’t even new-new (it’s been around for about a year). But it’s new to me, and I am very, very excited about it. I say this as someone who isn’t generally excited about carry-on cocktail kits or rainbow sprinkles or flamingos. I am stoic in the face of unicorns. But this tiny dose of fun has me doing a little happy dance. Why, you might ask? It’s a good question. And here is my answer.

Until recently, maybe a year ago, I was never someone who went to the airport early. I have never missed a flight (at least through any fault of my own; I cannot be held accountable for the weather in Atlanta), but I have come close — very, very close. My reasoning for not getting to the airport early was simple: I disliked spending time at the airport. Who were these people, I wondered, who arrived hours before their flight? What did they do? Well, now I am one of them.

One might argue that airplane food has made some major strides in the past decade. These improvements are mostly in first class, where partnerships with famous chefs have meant meals and wine that you can actually stomach. But let’s not forget that fact that economy passengers can now get a semi-decent wrap or a box of totally acceptable snacks.

Vacation Rental: Lokal Hotel, Philadelphia, PA Sleeps: There are six apartment-style rooms, 3 one-bedrooms and 3 two-bedrooms Price: Rates start at $195 Why We Wanna Cook Here: We’re definitely feeling the bold blue look here. In the great debate of hotels vs. vacation rentals, I admit that I am torn. And not because I don’t have strong opinions — I do! I love both so much! Don’t make me pick just one!

San Francisco is one of the most exciting food cities in the United States. If you’ve made the trip, chances are you’ve filled your belly with everything from clam chowder in a sourdough bowl and Zuni Cafe’s roast chicken to horchata bubble tea and toast slathered with homemade preserves at The Mill. Maybe you’ve even ventured across the Bay to Oakland, which is quietly gaining a reputation as a serious food destination. (Perhaps even better than San Francisco?

Earlier this year, the TSA released an updated list of foods that you can and can’t bring through airport security. Of course we all know that solid foods are okay, while anything that’s a liquid or gel needs to be 3.4 ounces or less. Anything bigger and it’ll have to go in your checked bag — or the garbage. The complete list of yays and nays was fairly predictable.

According to the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants List, the best restaurant in the world is in New York: It’s Eleven Madison Park and, if you’re lucky enough to have $295 for dinner — per person, gratuity included, wine pairings not included — I’m pretty sure you would be in for the meal of your life. If, however, you do not have a collective grand to spend for a lavish tasting menu for two, with wine pairings, I have an alternate contender to propose.

On the last Friday of September — this year, the 29th — the town of Binissalem completely shuts down for a yearly feast known as “Sopar a la Fresca.” It means dine outside and that’s exactly what the residents of this tiny Mallorcan village do. They take to the streets, set up simple wooden or plastic tables, and sup on noodles and lamb.

You already know that October is a really, really good time to go to EuropeFikatoasthyggeIKEA Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is offering free fares for kids aged 2 to 11 from all U.S. SAS destinations — L.A., San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, New York, Washington, D.C., and Miami — to Scandinavia and Finland. (In actual seats, not on your lap or in a suitcase.) Well, almost free.

The best thing I brought home from Portugal wasn't a port, sardines, or an egg custard tart.

As an avid traveler and eater, I’m always on the lookout for the next great food destination, big or small, domestic or international. Will Bloomington, Indiana be the next Austin, Texas? Is Madrid poised to steal the culinary crown from Barcelona? Toronto has been on my radar for some time now. Vogue called the Canadian city the world’s next culinary hotspot, and one of Montreal’s top chef’s said he thinks Toronto has the best food in Canada.

We’re all familiar with this scenario: You bought the cheapest ticket at the very last minute and when you go to choose your seat, there aren’t any left. It will be assigned at the gate, they say. This is code for: You’re sitting in the last row in the middle seat. I’m pretty sure there is no one who would actually choose this seat. But what happens when you do get to choose? Do you choose the window or the aisle? In my experience, people tend to have strong opinions.

2018 is right around the corner and the question on my mind is: Where will I go on vacation next year? I have my eye on Puglia (you have to see these photos) for an off-the-grid spot that’s still easy on my wallet. If I’m feeling more adventurous, I’m thinking Mexico City — and specifically this one neighborhood — but according to Lonely Planet, there’s another destination that should be on my radar. Can you guess what it is?

One of my very favorite parts of travel is bringing that experience back with me and enjoying it in my home. Sometimes we need a dose of a different destination (i.e., to imagine life outside of crying toddlers or sticky kitchens), when getting on a plane isn’t in the cards. That’s why every time I travel I set aside part of my trip budget for a special find that triggers memories whenever I need to be transported (even for a second).

Once you start traveling with kids, you develop a deeper appreciation for the vacation rental. Beyond the obvious amenities like kitchens with full-sized fridges and bath tubs, these rentals have more space for the kids to run around and also to give you some peace and quiet to relax. Hey, it’s your vacation too, right?

Vacation Rental: Casa Tiny in Puerto Escondido Sleeps: 2 people Price: $82 per night Why We Wanna Cook Here: Glamping meets gourmet kitchen. If you’ve ever wanted to spend a few days off the grid, this is the place to do it. Located in Punta Altares, a 30-minute drive from the bustling beach haven of Puerto Escondido, Casa Tiny was modeled after the simple living practices depicted in Henry David Thoreau’s Walden.

I used to spent hours poring over vacation rental listings on sites like Airbnb and VRBO looking for places that were comfortable and kid-friendly for my family of four. It’s completely possible, as long as you know what to look for, but it’s also time-consuming. Then I discovered Kid & Coe, a website dedicated to family-friendly vacation rentals around the world.

It’s hard to go anywhere in Italy and not return home with a new outlook on your cooking. I’m lucky to have been many times, each visit bringing fresh ideas to the recipes I develop and the ways I approach life in general. It’s easy to say that the Italians have it down. Here’s the thing about Rome in particular: it’s so beautiful, everything tastes good.

If I were to guess which city had the most guidebooks written about it, my guess would be Paris. Paris is, after all, the city many romanticize, regardless of whether or not they have actually been there. There is a charm to Paris, a pull for many travelers — it’s a city full of quirks, mystery, hidden streets, and tucked-away gardens. But as a resident of Paris, I am here to tell you: the guidebooks don’t tell you everything.

Whenever you’re traveling somewhere new, local customs can be daunting (and sometimes go completely over your head without your knowledge). India, with its awesome breadth of color, noise, and exuberance, can be especially overwhelming at times. This list offers a general rundown of some things to know before you go. By all means, I see this as a starting-off point — feel free to add more in the comments below. Happy trails!

When you plan a trip to a country as vast and varied as India, there are unlimited routes to take. Stay up north and explore the “Golden Triangle” (Delhi, Agra, and Jaipur); spend time in a tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh; escape to an ashram in Pune — the options are endless.

Earlier this year, I traded the frigid New York-Paris grind for a tiny beach hut in Goa. Situated on the Arabian Sea, midway down India’s southwest coast, the former Portuguese enclave is known for its miles of beaches and (for lack of a better word) enthusiastic full-moon parties.

The first time I traveled alone I was just 12 years old. It was a baptism of sorts that set the tone for an itinerant future. (Ten years later I would find myself alone on the Eastern coast of China, wondering if I’d finally gone too far.) Solitude tests you — your resourcefulness, level-headedness, and ability to budget. And if you find yourself lacking in any or all of those departments, it can be reassuring to find that it’s still not the end of the world.

Every family has their own Thanksgiving customs, but there is one tradition that unites us all: standing in line at airport security. The TSA is as much a part of the holiday as pumpkin pie. It is beautiful, in a way. America may be more divided than ever, and yet all of us must stand together, forever, holding our quart-sized plastic bags.

Visiting New Orleans as a Midwesterner, everything is new: the swampy heat, the “For Sale” signs that also specify “Haunted” or “Not Haunted,” the casual spookiness that is embedded in everything from the omnipresent graveyards to the ready-made voodoo dolls. Oh, and the drinking laws.

At Kitchn, we are big fans of IKEA. It is, after all, the inventor of the RÅSKOG utility cart. But the Swedish superstore is no one-trick pony! It delights and amazes outside the home as well. In fact, an $18 IKEA find is the best travel companion that’s ever hit the road with me. (No offense to past travel buddies!) It was love at first sight when I saw this FÖRENKLA shoulder bag hanging on the wall at IKEA. I adore the color, the functionality, and the smart design.

A few weeks ago, my husband Peter and I ran off to St. Croix for a few days with little expectations, plans, or clothes. (You know, 80-degree weather and all.) To make things even more unexpected, I became a vegetarian two weeks before our trip. My husband blames Lent; I blame my need to be difficult (for fun). Along with St. John and St. Thomas, St. Croix is one of the United States Virgin Islands, which means you don’t need a passport to get there.

When my husband and I decided to go to Greece for our honeymoon, a lot of our friends and family were jealous. I didn’t blame them — Unmarried Me was jealous of Future Me, too! To help ease the sting (and thank everyone for all they did for us during wedding planning), we knew we wanted to bring back souvenirs for everyone. We wanted to get everyone the same thing (to make things a little easier for ourselves!

As a frequent traveler, I pass hundreds of suitcases a month, and I’ll often ask a fellow nomad what makes her bag perfect. Of course, no such unicorn exists — one traveler’s Tumi Continental, after all, is another’s albatross. Personally, I find the boxiness of a hardshell irksome, with its inability to conform both to bulky contents and to the curves of my body.

Packing for a trip with my daughter means a suitcase that’s equal parts clothes, entertainment, and food. The food part is oh-so-necessary to keep little (and big) tummies full and blood sugar levels steady. We bring stuff from home so that we don’t succumb to the expensive snack kiosks at the airport.

If you were put on the spot and had to guess the most popular item so far for 2017 on the wedding registry website Zola, could you guess it? You’d probably get it right and guess a KitchenAid stand mixer, yeah? And not because we told you in the title of this post! You just know it’s a safe bet. “You cannot go wrong gifting a couple a KitchenAid stand mixer.