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Culinary Brilliance in Leeds
2007-07-28 05:40:00
I can?t decide if Anthony?s Restaurant would feel more at home in London or Paris or if it is in the exact right spot in Leeds . I guess I was just surprised to find this level of restaurant in such an unexpected location. Anthony?s Restaurant on Boar Lane just off of Trevelyan Square in central Leeds is truly a world-class establishment. I honestly forgot where I was as I walked out the door and it took me a few moments to remember that I was in Leeds. The star of Anthony?s Restaurant, chef Anthony Finn, learned how to serve up an amazing meal at El Bulli (the world renowned restaurant near Barcelona). The key to a dining experience here is adventure. The menu is rather small but extremely well thought out and original. We tried the Roasted Red Mullet with Coconut Jelly and Mangosteen simply because I couldn?t believe that could work. It did. The much more normal sounding Pig with Scallop and Goat Cheese Ravioli was also top tier. I wish in retrospect that we?d tried the Tasting Men...
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London?s Lebanese Restaurant Empire
2007-07-28 05:26:00
What started at 21 Edgewater Rd. in London has now grown into an ever-expanding chain of tasty Lebanese Restaurant s in central London. The Maroush Restaurants are mainly congregated around the flagship store on Edgewater Rd. near Bayswater Rd. and the northern tip of Hyde Park. We stumbled upon "Maroush 5" on Vere Street just off Oxford Street during a day of shopping on Oxford St. This restaurant is pretty huge (seating is split over 3 floors) and got very lively, i.e. noisy, as the evening progressed. The menu here is mind-boggling but our waiter was very helpful with giving suggestions on food to order based on what we liked. We stuffed ourselves on appetizers of hummus, shawarma, and falafel (along with the complementary vegetable plate) and almost didn?t have room for an entrée. We ended up splitting some more lamb. If we?d known about the complementary plate of fruit at the end of the meal (which is a meal in it's own right!) we probably would have skipped the en...
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Great French Food in London
2007-07-28 05:18:00
Anyone staying in the Knightsbridge area of London should take advantage of the fact that the best French restaurant in London, Racine Restaurant, is only a short walk away on Brompton Road. Sure, you can easily get to France these days via the Chunnel but a reasonably priced French meal in central London can hit the spot without a train trip. We had lunch here after a morning of shopping at nearby Harrod?s. This restaurant, on the surface, looks like it might be a bit stuffier and, well, ?French? than it really is. While the tables are crispy laid out and the place feels a bit heavy with all the leather and wood, the focus of the cuisine is on French country cooking and that alone helps dispel the stodginess that I first felt when I walked in. Quail, rabbit, duck and lamb are all popular dishes so we had the rabbit (great) and quail (amazing, definitely the better of the two). The wine list is what it should be at a French restaurant. Our service was just on the cusp of being over-...
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The Most Unique Hill Town in Italy
2007-07-28 05:11:00
As we drove toward Calcata, through the enchanting volcanic landscape, I tried to ready myself to see a town that looked, from the pictures, like a model of what an Italian hill town should look like. Though I was prepared, I still let out a ?Wow!? when Calcata came into view. The town sits high atop a stump of brown volcanic rock that looks like a stack of pancakes overlooking the beautiful valley below. This picturesque fortified village is worth visiting even if you never actually walk along the winding roads in town, which would be a shame as Calcata makes for a wonderfully eclectic daytrip. Italian authorities condemned the village in the 1930s fearing the nearby cliffs might collapse and take a portion of the town with them. Most of its inhabitants left at that time. Thirty years later, artists (i.e. hippies and bohemians) began taking up residence in Calcata and simultaneously transforming the town into an artist enclave while keeping the historic architecture of the village ...
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England?s Largest Zoo
2007-07-26 06:48:00
The town of Chester, located due south of Liverpool, is the home of England ?s largest zoo. Visitors to either Manchester or Liverpool can make an easy day trip to the world-famous, conservation-focused 120 acre Chester Zoo. The zoo made headlines in the 1970s for being the fist zoo in England to successfully breed Asian elephants. They continue to make news for their successful breeding programs, most recently for the virgin birth of three Komodo Dragon babies (two eggs still have yet to hatch) to their mother, Flora. The babies are not on display yet. The zoo is also well-known for their inventive enclosure designs. Visitors can see the zoo?s three jaguars at the ?Spirit of the Jaguar? enclosure (said to be the largest jaguar enclosure in the world) and the zoo?s seven black rhinos at ?Tsavo- The Black Rhino Experience.? Author and conservationist Douglas Adams helped open the ?Twilight Zone? enclosure which today is home to almost 300 bats. The elephants that helped make Chester ...
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Swisshotel London: French Cuisine
2007-06-28 01:32:00
I usually don?t eat where I sleep when traveling. I believe in diversifying my experience by trying out local restaurants and pubs instead of hiding out in the safe culinary zones of hotel restaurants. However, while staying at the Howard Swissotel in London (which, by the way, has a really wonderful central London location right on the Thames) I heard that the restaurant in the hotel was highly regarded. When I looked into the details, I learned that the JAAN Restaurant boasted modern French cuisine with an Asian kick?all under the supervision of an Australian executive chef. I passed by the restaurant and the décor finally won me over and made me decide to have dinner at the JAAN. I was thoroughly impressed. The restaurant?s floor-to-ceiling windows look out onto the hotel?s Garden Courtyard providing a lovely scene while you eat. Since the hotel claims that rabbit and lobster roulade is one of their signature dishes (two others, pigeon and foie gras, didn?t sound appealing), I op...
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Mont-St. Michel
2007-06-28 01:26:00
The day we decided to travel from Rennes to Mont -St-Michel there was a dark threat of rain on the horizon all morning. We almost decided to cancel our trip figuring that if we didn?t go, it wouldn?t rain. At the last minute, we embarked and enjoyed a rain-free afternoon at this splendid fortified abbey. The island of Mont-Tombe and the abbey of Mont-St-Michel are approached from the south via a causeway that makes passage to the island possible even at high tide (something that used to not be possible). The towers that you pass on your way in (King?s Tower and the Arcade Tower) used to provide housing for the abbot?s troops. That?s right, the abbots here used to be quite powerful. This is, after all, a fortified abbey. Pilgrims in ages past came to Mont-St-Michel to honor St. Michael and visitors today take the same path, the Grande Rue, up to the church. Unfortunately, today it is a tourist thoroughfare that one must get through in order to start feeling the truly enchanting atmosp...
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Hotel Jazz and B-Hotel Barcelona
2007-06-28 01:11:00
Hotel Jazz and its sister hotel the B-Hotel offer a non-pretentious modern, 3 star hotel stay in central Barcelona . Hotel Jazz is superbly located on the Calle Pelai (between Plaza Catalunya and Paseo de Gracia) and within an easy walk of La Rambla. The Hotel Jazz is the larger of the two (with 108 double rooms) and has a wonderful rooftop pool where you can sit and take in the sunsets over Barcelona. It is also the older of the two, opening in 2004. This is the better of the two hotels for exploring Barcelona on foot. The newer (2005) and slightly smaller (84 rooms) B-Hotel is located a little further out in the Plaza Espanya area of Barcelona near the old bull ring and is therefore a bit cheaper. The B-Hotel also offers a rooftop pool and terrace for swimming, sunbathing, or reading. While the B-Hotel is a little further away from the action than the Hotel Jazz, it is near plenty of public transportation that will whisk you to wherever you want to go. Both hotels cater to business...
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The Hempel Hotel: Notting Hill
2007-06-28 01:06:00
The Hempel Hotel in London is a great 5-star location to base yourself from. Designer Anouska Hempel has really created a wonderful hotel to stay in that is conveniently located near Hyde and Kensington Parks if you are interested in an urban park stroll, it is close to West End theatre and food, and it is a pleasant walk to Notting Hill . Notting Hills is arguably London?s hippest neighborhood and it made for a short walk from the Hempel. We deliberately went on a Saturday so we could head to Portobello Market for the amazing antique market. This famous market has been one of the best places in the world to peruse the wares of second hand and antique store dealers for almost 50 years. We made this our first stop and then headed over to the high-end retail store row of Westbourne Grove. Next we strolled along Clarendon Road which had much more personality that the Westbourne Grove area. Clarendon is where you will find the independent store and boutiques. We were surprised at the var...
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Parador in Toledo
2007-06-28 01:00:00
The wonderful parador hotel system in Spain has several gems in the collection. These hotels?housed in historic buildings like castles, convents, monasteries, and palaces that might have otherwise gone into disrepair?bring a steady stream of tourist euros to well-traveled destinations as well as out-of-the-way locations throughout Spain. The Parador in Toledo, a 14th century fortress perched atop Emperor?s Hill on the south bank of the Tagus River, offers unparalleled view of Toledo. In fact, this view across the valley to Toledo is the one painted by El Greco in his ?View of Toledo.? The grounds of the hotel are wonderful to explore as they are filled with the courtyards and turrets of the old castle. The pool is situated on a wonderful stretch of lawn with a great view of Toledo, If you are lucky, your room will open onto a balcony with a similar vista. Ask about getting a room with a view when you make a reservation (which you should do well in advance of your stay as this is a ...
More About: Arad , Rado

High-End Cuisine
2007-06-28 00:55:00
Opening a restaurant in London, especially in a central, hip location like Soho, can be a gamble for even the most venerated of restaurateurs but Arbutus Restaurant, which opened in 2006, delivers on two fronts: delicious, creative food at a reasonable price combined with a non-pretentious, not overbearing wait staff. The restaurant is regarded as one of the best new faces on the London culinary scene with good reason. The décor of Arbutus relies heavily on natural colors and textures and is devoid of distractions like art on the walls allowing the diner to focus on the food and presentation. Another way to view the décor is as a bland and sterile effort to force an aura of chic on the place. The openness of the room adversely affects the acoustics of the place as it can get quite noisy. Regardless of your reaction to the décor, you will probably agree with just about everyone who?s eaten there: the food is amazing. The portions do, however, value quality over quantity. The restaur...
More About: United Kingdom , Cuisine , High , Sine

Stout from the Source
2007-06-28 00:48:00
There is a very good reason why most visitors to Dublin should go to the Guinness Storehouse at St James?s Gate: the Guinness is amazing. They say that the murky water of the Liffey River is the reason for the quality of Guinness served in and around Dublin and that the farther you get from the source, the lower the quality of Guinness you?ll receive. This rumor may have little basis in reality (especially since they don?t use river water to make Guinness anymore) but there is something uniquely delicious about Guinness in Dublin. And for all of you who clamor about not liking Guinness, I suggest trying a pint in Dublin. You?ll find the taste unlike anything you?ve ever had before, Guinness stout or otherwise. I know of what I speak having had several friends espouse a hatred of stouts only to go and fall in love with Irish Guinness. The museum is housed in a 1904 fermentation warehouse that was converted into the ?Home of Guinness? in 2000, The first two floors of the museum go th...
More About: Ireland , Source , The Source

Trinity College Library in Dublin
2007-06-27 04:29:00
A trip to the Trinity College library to see the Book of Keels is on most every tourist to-do list of Dublin . The library?s Long Room (64 meters, 210 feet) is a sight in itself to behold. The Book of Kells, the beautiful illuminated manuscript from sometime in the 7th-9th century, along with several other literary treasures are kept below the library in the Treasury. It would be a shame if your visit to Trinity College was simply a visit to the old library and a pass in front of the bell tower on Parliament Square for there is much more to do and see here. Consider a student-led walking tour of the campus if you are visiting from April to October. They take just 40 minutes and run many times a day. The Samuel Beckett Centre often has shows during the day so consider some theatre if you visit on a rainy day. Another nice inclement weather destination is the Douglas Hyde Gallery. If, however, the weather is nice, wandering around the lovely quadrangles of the university is a true joy....
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Santa Cruz, Spain
2007-06-27 04:23:00
No matter what kind of accommodations you are looking for in Sevilla, Spain , you can find something in the neighborhood of Barrio de Sant a Cruz , the best place to base yourself in Sevilla. This compact area of town was formerly a Jewish ghetto but today is a wonderful mix of tourist attractions, tastefully restored buildings, tapas bars, and hotels. If you are looking for a central Sevilla hotel, the Barrio de Santa Cruz has a range of budget to luxury hotels ranging from 2 star to 4 star accommodations, bed and breakfast options, and competitive prices in all seasons. This is a good place to look for discount Sevilla hotels, especially in the off-season. Considering the Barrio?s central location, hotel reservations are a must any time of year. Once you get to the Barrio de Santa Cruz, most of the top attractions in Sevilla are only a short walk. Start in the Plaza Virgen de los Reyes and take in the massive gothic cathedral (and impressive Moorish bell tower) on the west side of th...

Luxury Hotel Meridien
2007-06-27 04:17:00
I?ll be the first to admit that I don?t really have too many 5-star hotel experiences to stack up against my stay at the Le Meridien Hotel in Brussels. However, I do know a great hotel at a great price when I see one and the Le Meridien fits that bill perfectly. The hotel?s sweeping exterior is quite impressive. Inside, the rooms are rather spacious and come with the usual high-end hotel amenities. Two extra bonuses were the large flatscreen LCD TV and plugs to hook up a music player (like my iPod) to the room?s sound system. The bathroom is equally nice. Our room had a separate bath and shower, both quite good at making us feel spoiled. The rooms are remarkably quiet as both external (street sounds and such) and internal (in the halls and between rooms) are both almost nonexistent. It was almost surreal to wake up and remember that I was in a hotel. The staff is extremely pleasant and helpful. The only downside I can think of was the expensive breakfasts, especially considering th...
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The Embodiment of Paris
2007-06-27 04:11:00
The Arch of Triumph, the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre are all, in their own right, recognizable symbols of this amazing city. For me, nothing feels and looks more like the Paris of my imagination that Notre Dame. The cathedral sits in the heart of Paris on the Ile de la Cite amidst the densest sightseeing portion of the city. From the first time I saw it while walking along the left bank, I was enthralled. The cathedral is as awe-inspiring when viewed from across the Seine as it is up close. The west front of Notre Dame is where visitors queue up to enter the cathedral. Take a little time to look at the West Rose Window (dedicated to the Virgin Mary) and the three portals on this side of the building. You could easily spend hours studying the carvings around the portals, the lurching gargoyles perched high on the ledges, and The Kings? Gallery (the 28 kings of Judah look down from over the main door) without ever going inside. Once inside, make sure to spend some time looking at the ...
More About: France , Dime , Embodiment

Hotel Le Trophée
2007-06-27 04:07:00
Deauville, Normandy is one of the closest beach town to Paris and it makes for a really nice weekend getaway. The town of Deuville is considered to be the heart of the Norman Riviera. I personally didn?t know that the Normandy area of France boasted a ?Riviera.? Normandy, to me, conjures up images of D-Day and Mont-St-Michel. A visit to this little town, however, changed my mind. It will probably change your mind as well. It is because of Deauville?s proximity to Paris, the city has been a popular stomping ground for vacationing Parisians for over a century. It is referred to as the lady of the French coast, and lays claim to the birthplace of the Coco Chanel handbag craze for it was here that Chanel opened a little boutique and began selling her bags. The town is also famous for horses, so it is quite easy to see a race or polo match in between sunning yourself on the beach. We chose to base ourselves in the very pleasant Hotel Le Trophée. The hotel, which has 35 recently renovated...

The Plaza on the River
2007-06-27 03:36:00
Visitors staying at The Plaza on the River in London don?t necessarily need to cross the Thames to have a pleasant day out. The Plaza?s location near the Jubilee Gardens neighborhood and the Southbank Centre makes it a great place to set out from for an afternoon of pleasant weather strolling on the south bank in the afternoon and a great place to absorb some top-tier culture later that night. The Jubilee Gardens are today most famous for the ?London Eye?. This ?observation wheel? (i.e. Ferris wheel) is the world?s tallest and it really does offer unparalleled views of the city. The wheel is made up of capsules and there are plenty of capsule options to choose from, including a wine capsule and seasonal capsule options (like a private Valentine?s Day capsule). You can book your ?flight? online and avoid the queue. The rest of the Jubilee Gardens make for a nice stroll but the grounds are clearly still trying to figure out their identity. The walk along the Thames is particularly nic...
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Holiness in Cordoba
2007-06-27 03:31:00
The Mezquita (?mosque? in Spanish) in Cordoba , Spain is one of those holy places in the world that truly feels spiritual, even to the sightseeing tourist. The site was originally a mosque constructed between 785 and 787 and today shows Spain?s history of religious turmoil in beautiful architectural grandeur. The site was once the second largest mosque in the world yet today it is a Roman Catholic cathedral. Since the Spaniards destroyed most of the mosques in Spain after regaining their chunk of the Iberian peninsula from the Moors, the Mezquita is one of the last significant embodiments of Islamic power available for visitors to see today. If you can, go early in the morning before the hordes of tourists arrive. The entrance to the complex is through the Patio de los Naranjos ? a tranquil courtyard filled with orange trees and spicy fragrances. Upon entering the Mosque, most visitors stare in silent awe at the hundreds of columns supporting the expansive roof. There are more than ...
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Josephine?s Château
2007-06-27 03:25:00
With all the famous châteaus in France (Chenonceau, Chambord and, of course, Versailles), the Château de Malmaison (website is in French only) often gets overlooked. Jose phine bought this property in 1799 while Napoleon was off fighting. They agreed to a divorce after Josephine proved unable to produce an heir and she lived out the remainder of her days in Malmaison tending her roses. Visitors to this charming château will be impressed with how little it resembles the hurried pace of other tourist attraction châteaus like Versailles. The house has been carefully maintained and contains many of Josephine's furnishings.  It also provides an opportunity to learn and understand more about Josephine's influential role in Napoleon's life. The house can easily be seen in an hour.    The real attraction to Malmaison, however, is the roses. Josephine spent much of her time cultivating a beautiful garden here at Malmaison and the fruits (or flowers) of her labor can still be seen...

Dublin Hotels: Gardens, Graves and the Best Guinness
2007-06-15 06:11:00
If you are looking for a little something different while visiting Dublin , head two miles north of the city center to the Glasnevin area for three enjoyable excursions. Your first stop will be the 210 year old National Botanic Gardens of Ireland . Plant lovers will have a field day here as the Gardens pride themselves on a combination of conservation, education and recreation. They claim to have over 300 endangered plant species (including 6 species now extinct in the wild). The rest of us can enjoy the well laid out grounds, a trip to the glasshouse for a break from the outside and guided tours on Sundays. Your next stop is right next door to the Gardens. The Glasnevin Cemetery is the largest cemetery in the country and the final home to many famous men and women in Irish history. The guided tours (Wednesdays and Fridays at 2:30 p.m.) are perfect for learning exactly what all the history is. Beyond the estimated 1.5 million graves in this massive site, the architecture of the cemete...
More About: Hotels , Guinness

Paris Hotel Artus: What a Find
2007-06-15 06:02:00
Hotel Artus in Paris enjoys a very good reputation, so it seemed like a great place to check out. During a long summer weekend, I enjoyed a very cool and well-appointed room on the ground floor. The location, on the Rue de Buci, is hard to top, being a lively yet safe area in St Germain. The hotel is surrounded by great shops, wonderful restaurants and loads of happening bars and cafes. This is what all central Paris hotels should strive to be. The reception staff is very friendly and helpful. Much of the welcoming reputation of Hotel Artus comes from its renowned Concierge. After you meet him, you?ll understand why visitors love him. Suffice it to say he gives Paris a friendly and very helpful face. All in all, there is nothing negative to say about the Hotel Artus. This 3-star hotel was renovated last year so the rooms are both fresh and well decorated. Rates run around ?245 for a double but have a wonderful winter rate of ?189 (through the end of January 2007). All rooms include ...
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Paris Travel. Monet: Inspiration
2007-06-15 05:59:00
Claude Monet is said to have seen the village of Giverny while passing by on a train. He immediately fell in love with the place and made it his home from 1883 until his death in 1926. The house and the surrounding gardens were the inspiration for some of his most famous works; a walk through the grounds will transport any visitor familiar with the great Impressionist?s works from canvas to reality. The house and meticulously maintained grounds are today overseen by the Claude Monet Foundation. The grounds, especially in the spring and summer when everything is in bloom, are truly incredible. The water garden and Japanese bridge both make for some wonderful reflective photography; don?t forget to take your camera. A fun game we played was to try to take photos of the grounds that were composed the same as some of Monet?s prints. Clos Normand, the Monet family house on the property, is also worth a stroll, as the hallways and stairways are filled with prints. The collection also give...
More About: Travel , Inspiration , Paris

Baker Street Station Sightseeing
2007-06-15 05:51:00
For those of us not overly interested in following the touristy trail of Sherlock Holmes but are staying in and around Baker Street , there are plenty of other sights and attractions in the Baker Street/Marylebone Stat ion area. A visit to Madame Tussauds London is, well, an experience. Even if you are skeptical of the whole house of wax idea, you?ll be amazed at how lifelike the figures really look as well as how close you can get to them for photo opportunities. The museum caters to young and old alike with exhibits ranging from a ?Pirates of the Caribbean? (including a replica of the deck of the Black Pearl) to ?Premiere Night? highlighting the opening night glamour of Hollywood (with plenty of British actors thrown in). Madame Tussauds took over the adjacent London Planetarium and, as of 2006, uses the space to show their kind of stars in a film by Aardman Animations (the Wallace and Gromit people). If the idea of a wax museum (or the steep admission cost) drives you away from Ma...
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Sherlock Holmes Park: Sleuthing on Baker Street
2007-06-15 05:44:00
The Sherlock Holmes Park Plaza Hotel in London situated on Baker Street , up the block from the fictional address of the famous sleuth, is a good place to base an exploration of one of the world?s most famous literary characters. Whether you choose the Sherlock Holmes on Baker Street out of a love of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle?s tales or because the hotel is an excellent central London boutique hotel, you owe it to the legend of Sherlock Holmes to do a bit of investigating in his honor. 221b Baker Street began as the fictional address of the world?s most famous detective and today is the site of the Sherlock Holmes Museum. The museum takes incredible pains to recreate a 3-story Victorian home exactly in the style described by Doyle. The museum claims that there is nothing in the building?s décor not mentioned in the stories (I had to take their word on that). The third floor has a decent figurine display portraying famous scenes from the stories. Back on Baker Street, it is hard not to s...
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Heading out in Knightsbridge
2007-06-15 05:36:00
If you?re based out of the Beaufort Hotel in London, you will probably make it a priority to see Harrods and Hyde Park. Other than those two destinations, many guests at places like the Beaufort Hotel don?t explore the neighborhood around the hotel, Knightsbridge. Give yourself an afternoon or two in Knightsbridge and you?ll see it?s a great place to spend some time. If you are looking for nearby arts and culture, there are few better museums on earth than the Victoria and Albert Museum for showcasing art and design. The museum?s permanent collection spans over 3000 years and includes Asian, British, Contemporary, Ceramic, Metalwork and Glass pieces. As well, their temporary exhibits are usually well thought out and presented. Check the website to see what?s there when you visit. The museum is on Cromwell Road just 5 minutes walk from the South Kensington Tube Station. Technically, the museum isn?t exactly in Knightsbridge but it?s so close that you won?t know the difference. If you...
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The Oldest Brassiere in Paris
2007-06-14 01:30:00
Maybe you?d already heard of Bofinger and decided that the oldest (and most beautiful) brassiere in Paris must surely be a tourist trap so you skipped it. If you are an off-the-beaten path kind of traveler, like me, that is an understandable mindset; however, you should force yourself to go to Bofinger. You will be glad you did, as I was. The central Paris location makes Bofinger a great place for a short break or a nice long dinner after sightseeing. It is just off the Place de Bastille opposite the Opera at rue de la Bastille 5-7 (just outside the Bastille subway exit). Make sure that you get a table downstairs under the Belle Époque stained glass ceiling. This huge dome is really from the Paris of your dreams. The ambiance will make sure you stay and the food will make you glad you did. Bofinger specializes in seafood (you?ll see it on your way in) but also offers a variety of other tasty, land-based options. My friend swears by the Chateaubriand steak. Whatever you decide to eat...
More About: France , Brass , The O

Indonesian Food in Amsterdam
2007-06-14 01:26:00
While the British were busy importing some of the best Indian food in the world to London, the Dutch East Indies Trading Company was working to bring some of the world?s best Indonesian food to Amsterdam . One of the top Indonesian restaurants in town is the Kantjil en de Tijger (The Antelope and the Tiger). The Kantjil en de Tijger is quite well known so reservations are a must. Centrally located on the Spuistraat in the heart of Amsterdam, The Kantjil en de Tijger is a large art-deco location that also offers take-out. The nasi goring is always a popular choice (and makes great take-out) but the gambit of Indonesian food is well represented here: coconut sauce and shrimp, vegetables with peanut sauce, and soja sauce chicken. Main courses run from ?10-?20. If you go for dinner, you should definitely try the Rijsttafel... a 20 course adventure for two (?40-?50). Though not strictly Indonesian, the L'Indochine also deserves mention here. The Vietnamese/Thai cuisine is some of the ...
More About: Food , Netherlands , Done

The Best Tapas Bar in the World?
2007-06-14 01:20:00
Cal Pep is considered by many to be the best tapas bar in the world. I?m always interested in testing culinary superlatives so I decided to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Cal Pep is located on Plaça de les Olles near the Barceloneta and Jaume I stations. They don?t take reservations so it is first come, first serve. The bar is a great place to sit and watch the cooks at work while chatting with the jovial owner, Pep Manubens. The focus of Cal Pep is on fresh, seasonally appropriate cooking and there is a heavy reliance on tasty seafood. The dishes are simple and cooked right in front of you. The best decision you can make at Cal Pep is not to decide. This is the kind of place where the waiters and Pep himself will make sure you try everything worth trying and never leave wanting more. With an extensive wine list that runs the gambit from well-known to regionally obscure, a safe bet for wine to drink is either to ask for a recommendation or have a bottle of the reasonab...
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Luxembourg Gardens
2007-06-14 01:14:00
With an abundance of 3, 4 and 5-star hotels in the St. Germain neighborhood of Paris, there is room for most any budget, from cheap to luxurious. And anyone staying in this convenient central Paris location should make time to stroll through the Luxembourg Garde ns . Built from 1615 to 1627 for Henry IV?s second wife, Marie de Médicis, today it is one of the most popular fair-weather hangouts for Parisians. With 25 hectares to roam (making it the largest park in the city), you can find a spot for a picnic even on a crowded day. This is prime central Paris people-watching territory: gentlemen of all ages playing chess; impeccably groomed ladies sitting in circles, each with her handbags close by, obviously enjoying the visiting, gossiping and time together; some children having a great time running around and laughing; other children out maneuvering their bateaus in the pond; and lovers out strolling arm in arm or lounging on the lawns. There are statues and fountains all around the pa...
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