Restaurants

The Maltese city of Valletta hides many treasures.  It’s what, after all, it was designed to do when it was built by the Knights of St. John several hundred years ago.  Valletta could be called a city of secrets, of surprises.  It’s one of its charms.  In fact – I find something new there every time I visit.

But after you wander the labryinth-like streets searching out Napoleon’s headquarters, the Malta Experience and the famous Teatro, take some time to also find the Trabuxu Wine Bar.  Known as Malta’s first wine bar, it’s a place not to be ignored.

But first you have to find it.  Even if someone points it out to you on a map, you may still miss it.  It’s well known (in fact, the bar hosts some events for Valletta’s famous Notte Bianca festival) yet it still remains a place just waiting to be discovered.

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Remember when I discussed taking the measure of restaurants by sampling how they prepare duck?

As I’ve said before, usually I’m disappointed.  The duck is dry, chewy or downright tasteless.  But then at times, often when I least expect it, the duck is perfect.  A masterpiece, if you will.

The other night, I wanted to check out a Weinstube in Heidelberg.  I wasn’t there to eat – mainly to check out the wine list (which, by the way, was small yet very impressive).  But the smells from the kitchen proved too much for me to resist.

You might not find Das Laemmchen unless you know where to look.  Nestled in the narrow stress of the Handschuhsheim area of Heidelberg, a gold lamb denotes its presence – nothing more.  But one step inside and you’ll never forget it.  This historic building holds a three-star hotel, gourmet restaurant Das Lamm, and the more casual Weinstube, Das Laemmchen.

My entenbrust (duck breast) in a sour cherry sauce was incredible.  I could have easily ordered myself a second plate.  And the Ihringer Winkelberg Spaeteburgunder proved to be a perfect companion.  My companion’s rindfilet proved to be equally delish – cooked to a perfect medium (a rarity in a country that likes its beef cooked to toughness) and served with remarkably ungreasy bratkartoffln.

Thrilled with the food, I asked the bartender what I might expect when eating across the hall at the lauded Das Lamm.  He smiled, poured me a second glass of wine and told me I should find out for myself.  “Believe me, you will not be disappointed,” he said.

With images of that perfect duck dancing in my head, I don’t doubt it.  A return trip to Das Lamm (and probably another to Das Laemmchen, too) is definitely in order.

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Das Laemmchen
Hotel Gasthof Lamm
Pfarrgasse 3
69121 Heidelberg
Germany

Tel:  (49) 6221-47930
Email: info@lamb-heidelberg.de

Photo courtesy of Kayt Sukel.

Kristine Hansen is a freelance writer and true wine connoisseur.  In fact, if you love wine, you’ve probably read one of her articles about farming grapes or wine-bar trends in publications like Wine Enthusiast, National Geographic Traveler, American Way and Budget Travel.  She really knows her stuff.

She also knows enjoying good wine doesn’t mean emptying your bank account – which is why she has now launched a new blog, Uncorked Value.

“Uncorked Value addresses the question of whether or not wine has to be an expensive habit,” she says.  “And the answer is no!  I want people to know that there are lots of ways to explore wine even if you don’t have a lot of money to spend.”

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This week marked the end of the Durkheimer Wurstmarkt.  What’s that, you ask?  Think of it as the Wine Lover’s Oktoberfest.  Each year, the city of Bad Durkheim, situated along the famous Deutsche Weinstrasse, hosts a huge festival celebrating the region’s wines.  It’s a big carnival, party and wine tasting all wrapped into one.  It’s probably no surprise to learn that it’s one of the highlights of my year.

But one of the best parts of heading to the Wurstmarkt is checking out all the great wineries and restaurants along the Weinstrasse.  And one that I have to stop at whenever I’m in the area is the Weinhaus Henninger.

Of course this restaurant has great wine.  Locally made, you can try all manner of excellent vintages – the wine list is bigger than the menu.  But the reason to stop here is the food.  Creative, international and unique, you won’t be disappointed.

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Every wine lover appreciates a wine bar with a little ambiance.  And you can find ambiance in spades at Vedema Resorts‘ Canava Wine Bar.

Santorini is an island in the Cyclades famed for its natural beauty and volcanic caldera views.  But there is more to this island than just the scenery.  It is also prime wine country,with the native Assyrtiko grape thriving in the islands hard, sun-baked ground.  This grape produces some lovely white and dessert wines.  They tend to be dry, with hints of citrus and even a slightly smoky taste courtesy of the island’s volcano.

And trying them at the Canava is a true treat.  Vedema Resort is a Luxury Hotel Collection property built on the foundations of a 400-year-old winery in the hills of Megalohori.  The Canava itself is literally within these foundations – lodged in old catacombs underneath the hotel.  The Resort literature says it has a “distinguishing atmosphere.”  I say it has a cool, earthy beauty of which I’ve never seen the like.

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Gold Dust Lounge @ Union Square

Do you love old westerns? Are you comfortable in somewhat seedy surroundings? If you answered “yes” to both, then you are in luck because situated on noisy Powell Street in Union Square, is the Gold Dust Lounge.

This old dive has been plying its customers with White Russians since the era of San Francisco ’s Barbary Coast days. If Laffing Sal or “Laughing Sal” was real, she would have been right at home in this place. Someone who probably did stop in was Sally Stanford, the famous local madam.

Built in the 1930’s, today the Gold Dust Lounge still has live music but now $3 champagne. You’ll love their happy hour or maybe just stop in for a drink some night after seeing a show at the American Conservatory Theater.

They take cash only, but considering how cheap the drinks are, I think this is a great place to experience true San Francisco color. Though I am partial to the Buena Vista for mine, I hear that their Irish Coffee is pretty good. If you are coming from out of town, all the Union Square hotels are close by and the Villa Florence is next door.

Bring the hand sanitizer and a full stomach, but if you have a taste for a creepy good time with your strong cocktail, the Gold Dust Lounge is the place for you.  Maybe the money you save on drinks will help pay for your hotel.

247 Powell Street
(between Geary and O’farrell Sts)
San Francisco, CA 94102
(415) 397-1695

Do you know Trier?

Many don’t and it’s a shame.  Trier, or la ville des Treves, a mid-size city nestled along the banks of the Mosul River, is the oldest in Germany – and one of the oldest settlements in Europe.  But you don’t come here just to see monuments like the Roman-age Porta Nigra or the medieval Cathedral.  Located in the heart of prime grape country, you come for a taste of some of the region’s finest wines.

But if you prefer to sip your quaff with a great meal and an even better view, you can do so at the Zum Domstein.  This restaurant and Weinstube is located in the city central, just across from the large stone Cathedral.  This eatery specializes in modern takes on ancient Roman dishes – but when I saw latkes with apple and bacon on the menu (or, as they translated it, potato crepes), I knew I had to partake.  How could I resist?

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Posted by Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip

Sticky Buns from C Shop in Birch Bay, WA photo by Nancy D. Brown

If you have plans to visit Washington State’s Bellingham or Mt. Baker regions, you are in for a treat, or two or three. I was fortunate to land in Bellingham during the peak of the raspberry season in mid-July and was eating and drinking my way through this culinary and recreation wonderland. My apologies in advance for this long post, but it was very difficult to pair the list down.

Sustainable Connections in Whatcom County

There are more than two dozen quality restaurants in the historic Fairhaven District and even more dining opportunities in downtown Bellingham. If you appreciate locally grown produce, and fish that’s fresh from the docks of Bellingham Bay, make a reservation at Nimbus Restaurant. Owner Josh Silverman makes cooking appearances at Bellingham’s Farmers’ Market and utilizes local growers such as Cloud Mountain Farm, DeVine Gardens, Moondance Farm, Grandview Farm, Nooksack Nine, Fourth Corner Farm and fish provided by Jeremy Brown.

Peppered Pork Tenderloin photo by Nancy D. Brown

For classic European food served on the patio, over-looking Bellingham Bay, try Fino Wine Bar. The Peppered Pork Tenderloin with mushroom polenta and Chianti sauce scores a home run, as does the view.

Best Coffee with a water view: The Woods Coffee located in Boulevard Park is a great place to relax with a cup of joe by the stone fireplace, or take your hot chocolate and scone and sit outside by the water.

Artisian Chocolate Necessities Chocolatier Kevin Buck

Best Chocolate: Prefer a hint of Kahlua in that chocolate truffle? How about the subtle essence of fine Montigo Rum? While I prefer my Callebaut Belgian chocolate injected straight into my veins, no chocoholic in their right mind would turn away a sample of anything offered from Artisan Chocolatier Kevin Buck. Indeed, my buck stops at Chocolate Necessities.

Best Local Ice Cream: Mallard Ice Cream

Ralf's Pretzels

Best Pretzels:

Ralfs Bavarian Bakery

Bellingham Farmers Market

Best Local Wine: Winemaker Rob Dhaliwal and his brother Dhar have got something special happening at Samson Estates Winery. Located in the Nooksack River Valley in the northern most corner of Washington State’s Puget Sound Appellation, the raspberry wine has captured my attention. Not that I’m a Napa Valley wine snob. But let’s be honest, I didn’t have high expectations for a fruit-based wine. Dhaliwal’s delilah artisian fruit wine is well balanced and shows off the home grown raspberry flavors. I had Winemaker Rob Dhaliwal sign the bottle that I purchased, but alas, it broke in transit to California (so says UPS.) In this case, Brown didn’t get the job done!

La Vie En Rose Bakery

Best Bakery: Drop me at La Vie En Rose French Bakery & Cafe in downtown Bellingham, lock the door and throw away the key. Well, not really, because I wouldn’t be able to replicate the rosemary sea salt rolls that Owner Johnny Lahr bakes fresh daily or his from scratch fruit tarts.

All photos taken by Nancy D. Brown

Nectar Wine Lounge in San Francisco

Looking for a place to have a relaxing conversation with your friends or a date in the Marina neighborhood of San Francisco, while sipping on a nice glass of wine?  If you want to skip the busier people watching sideshow of this wine bar on Chestnut Street, Nectar Wine Lounge is the perfect place.

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A relaxing night out is hard to come by these days. With two crazy boys, summer vacation and living in a new location, a night out needs to be savored and thoroughly enjoyed. When Whit and I had the chance to hit the town we jumped at it.

We wanted to hit the wine bar first, because really, why not? Liquor before beer and you’re in the clear, right?

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