Drinking Claras at La Bodega

La Bodega is a local tapas joint in Sant Carles de la Rapita, a small village along Spain’s Mediterranean coastline. Here you will not find the posh elegance of Madrid, the flare of Seville or the cosmopolitan air of Barcelona, but you will find darn good fish. Sant Carles is an especially nice beach because it is on a bay, and the water is warmer and calmer than the rest of the Mediterranean. Come for a day at its beaches and make sure to have lunch or appetizers at La Bodega. Read More »

Molto Bene! Savor the pizza with your Chianti in Tuscany

When traveling in Italy and in particular Tuscany, you often can see more and enjoy more if you rent a car in my opinion. A car can get you through narrow roads and around the region in a relaxed manner. With a car you can avoid the large tour buses that set your pace for you. Gas nowadays can easily be found along the autostrada if you are the type to worry about finding any along the regular roads, and they all take credit cards.

We love getting a car when we travel because our pace is usually very relaxed, centered around finding good food, a glass of wine and enjoying the gorgeous scenery.  For me, my idea of a perfect day on vacation is one planned around getting up when my eyes open, picking a place to visit on the map that entails a leisurely drive and then enjoying a relaxing meal. Read More »

Busy in motion

When we last left off on the job search report, our friend had landed a job as the cashier at Golden Corral instead of a position with Greek’s Pizzeria.

In theory, I don’t have a problem with  GC as we lovingly call it. Yes, it’s a buffet, and therefore the food is prepared and served in volume. Which is fancy speak for silver tubs under a heat lamp. But I’m not a particularly fancy, gourmet diner — and heaven knows I can’t fry my own chicken or grill a steak worth a darn — so we have a meeting of the minds here.

Besides, any restaurant that offers all-you-can-eat soft serve ice cream gets my vote. Just ask every cruise ship I’ve ever boarded.

My problem lies with the price versus value equation. Contrary to what this blog may have led you to believe, I’m not a big eater. I take a bite of this, a taste of that, and call it quits on about half the portion other people dish up for dinner.  I’m big on ordering from the lunch menu even if it’s after hours. I split meals, look for petite versions of sandwiches, and always check the a la carte list. So the truth is, I don’t eat $10 worth of food in a sitting … and therefore I don’t pay that on an average night either.

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Fresh Seafood brings crowds @ Anchor and Hope Restaurant

A bargain always feels good. It can be an unexpected extra discount at the register when buying that leather jacket already on sale. [Thanks Loehmann's!] Or a bargain can even be had at a somewhat pricey restaurant.

We were downtown in San Francisco and just ate some of the freshest oysters, at Anchor and Hope. This light filled restaurant is across the alley way from the St. Regis Hotel and clearly caters a little more to that posh crowd. Read More »