BAY AREA CONCERT TREK; GREAT FOOD FINDS IN BOTH DIRECTIONS

A Bruno Mars concert was the raison d’etre for a quick trip to the Bay Area and back on a recent weekend.  Yes, he performed locally (in answer to your question), but a prior commitment led us to make the third of four trips up north this year (Thanksgiving weekend to follow).

Considering the total time necessary to fly (door-to-door close to five hours), why not hop in the convertible and enjoy the glorious CA sunshine while stopping along the way in Paso Robles, aka the (not-so) new Napa.  And that is exactly how it went with some great tunes both during the drive and certainly at the concert. 

Lunch was at Buona Tavola in P.R., right on the main street.  I have to force myself to eat salmon for the health benefits, but this was just downright delicious.  Paso Robles might be inland (and hot), but fresh fish is abundant.  Since I wasn’t driving, a lovely glass of local rose’ was a perfect side note for the brief stop and off we went.

View from the room

The Bay Area can certainly hold its own with us So Cal folks when it comes to traffic, sad to say, particularly in the Silicon Valley corridor.  Nevertheless, we arrived at the Four Seasons in Palo Alto with time to spare.  This is a very modern, hi-tech (natch) outpost that caters to the business crowd coming to the area.  It is literally down the street from Stanford and a great location for access to all the local environs.  Weekend rates are quite “reasonable,” at least by FS standards.   The other choice for luxury accommodations would be the Rosewood located on infamous Sand Hill Road, where all those venture capitalists looking to fund
the next Facebook or Twitter are located.

Back down the 101 to the SAP Center (formerly HP Pavilion, home to the San Jose Sharks), we arrived in search of a quick bite prior to the concert and found that the arena clearly caters to the drinking-as-opposed-to-eating patrons. There are normally tons of food options but nearly none were open, save for two.  Alcohol? Not a problem.  That was a mystery to us -- not the alcohol part, but seemed like a lot of revenue lost!  

Mr. Mars puts on a fantastic concert. If you're not familiar with him, he provided the halftime entertainment at this year's Super Bowl and is hugely talented with major appeal to all ages. Literally, there were moms without kids there, people of every ethnicity, and few remained in their seats.  As a side-note, he lives in my Studio City neighborhood (as clearly evidenced by the non-stop tour buses) but I have yet to have the opportunity to see him.  Were 

that to happen, it would be steep praise for a show completely devoid of profanity (call me old fashioned) and proselytizing (hooray).  In other words, nearly two hours of pure entertainment.

We couldn't fit 20 ears if we wanted to!

We returned to the 101 for the drive home the next day.  Stops included a farm stand (damn, I must curtail how much corn to bring home), and another wonderful meal in Paso Robles (kind of the half-way point) -- this time for spectacular Mexican food at Habaneros on 12th Street.  I'm not a big Yelp user, but that was how we ended up at this 30-seat restaurant that served incredibly fresh and delicious food.  I wish them continued success and urge anyone in the P.R. area to stop by; you will be happy you did.

No iceberg lettuce to be found in this delicious tostada with carne asada

Taco/Enchilada combo plate

Offering compliments to the chef in the tiny kitchen

Getting my artistic side on during the ride home.

Finally, another note regarding Paso Robles.  I signed up for a twice-yearly mailing from Pasolivo, an artisan olive oil producer.  The shipments always have their regular EVOO, with some wonderful surprises in addition.  My fave is the basil-flavored oil which is used practically daily during the summer with tomatoes from my garden ... and for the best-ever way to eat almonds, coat (unsalted) roasted almonds with their lime-flavored oil, heat on a sheet pan at around 350 degrees until brown.  Sprinkle with sea salt.  Amazing.  

What else does one really need in life?

IF MONEY WERE NO OBJECT ..

Oh, the thought of it.  Conjure up your dream trip and take it without a care in the world.  Do you even know where you might go?  After reading the article linked HERE, I got to thinking: What would my trip look like if money were no object (not to mention time).  Mind you I'm not talking about a year at sea or even several months.  Most of the featured excursions are roughly three weeks, so say you round it up to an even four.  That could be eminently do-able (hey, this is creative thinking!).  

My trip is all about the water.  And the travel between destinations would be one of the converted 757's mentioned, where there are only biz class seats ...

Stop #3 below ..

Here we go:

:: Depart Los Angeles for Fiji, with accommodations at the Huka Retreats on Dolphin Island (there are two other Retreats:  New Zealand and Capetown).
:: Proceed to Queenstown on the south island of New Zealand.  There are gorgeous lakes there, but it is really a stopover for Milford Sound.  That part would be a flyover or small private cruise in order to savor the gorgeousness of the area.
:: Next stop: The Maldives off the coast of India (is it "deeves" or "dives"?) and the Four Seasons at Landaa Giraaviru.  Not much comment needed ... think pristine beaches, superb service, few people.  Trifecta!
:: And then: the island of Santorini in Greece, with accommodations at Perivolas Retreat.  

Map of New Zealand; Milford Sound is the lower left corner - south island.

After a quick stop in Athens, it would be straight home.  Not sure I could absorb more on just one trip.  And there you have mine.  More importantly, what about YOURS??? 

More importantly, what does YOURS look like??

TRAVEL HITS ~~ HOW ONE TRAVELER GIVES TO MANY ~~ CLASSIC HOTELS REDONE

Every day begins much the same way as everyone else I know, with perusing the computer for whatever happened overnight: breaking news, pressing emails, Twitter feed, etc. After obligations are taken care of, the thing I most look forward to is finding out what is happening in the world of travel.  That might be local or overseas (are people a little nervous these days?); what others have experienced lately; new and/or interesting hotels to visit; and, of course, creating my own trips!

There are so many online sources it becomes a bit mind-boggling trying to take it all in.  Forthwith, a few recent favorites :

The Off Duty Summer 50: Fifty Reasons to Love

 the Road Trip

First, no planes. Second, no planes. And then there are all the persuasive pleasures along the way—from impromptu swimming to drive-in eats.
Plus: Freewheeling togs, tech, routes, snacks and shades

Click here to see the amazing graphics -- each of which provides information leading to a "reason"!  

~~~
A Summer Camp in Maine for Grieving Boys

Venture capitalist Wiley Cirelli talks about his annual sojourn as a volunteer at a glorious summer camp … but with an amazing twist.  If this story doesn’t pull at your heartstrings, your next trip is on me.

~~~

Three Classic Hotels Get Facelifts

Fairmont Le Château Frontenac in Quebec City, Hotel del Coronado in California and Gurney's in Montauk, N.Y., have undergone major renovations ... read about each one here

Le Chateau Frontenac

Gurney's

Hotel del Coronado

I’ve been to two out of the three; I best be going to Montauk to check out the renovations in person!

SUMMER 2014 TRAVEL TIPS FROM THE EXPERTS

Ahhhh, summer.  For many of you, that means travel!  And where might you be going this summer of 2014?  Well, read here for advice from experts (courtesy of the Wall Street Journal "Off Duty" section) on their favorite choices for these selected destinations ... anything shown below in hot pink is a link to their website.

1. MADRID, Spain                              

Decorator/Madrid native Lorenzo Castillo:

Power Lunch // El Qüenco de Pepa. Serving traditional cuisine, it's famous for harvesting its own vegetables, including tomatoes and delicious artichokes. The crème de la crème of Madrid society dines there. Henri Dunant, 21-23; quenco.com

Enchanted Evening // El Landó. This restaurant is reminiscent of what Spain once was. The waiters wear white uniforms, the décor is all woodwork and wall sconces. The meat entrees are excellent and their stews are superb. It's a personal favorite of our king.Plaza Gabriel Miró, 8; casalucio.es

Star-Studded Cocktails // Museo Chicote. For after-dinner drinks, follow in the footsteps of two Americans forever linked to Spain: Ernest Hemingway and Ava Gardner. They both frequented Chicote, a 1930s bar on the Gran Vía, a Spanish version of Broadway.Gran Vía, 12; museo-chicote.com

Local's Museum // Museo Cerralbo. A Madrid insider cannot be worthy of that name without recommending this museum near the Plaza de España. It houses what was the personal collection of the 17th Marquis of Cerralbo—everything from sculptures and paintings to coin collections and tapestries. Ventura Rodríguez, 17;museocerralbo.mcu.es

Fabulous Flea // El Rastro. On weekends I love to shop in the barrio de La Latina. It has antique shops and a Sunday flea market. Afterward, enjoy tapas at El Viajero. El Rastro: Plaza de Cascorro; El Viajero: Plaza de la Cebada, 11; www.elviajeromadrid.com

Ramon Freixa, Chef/Owner of namesake restaurant (two Michelin stars) and three other restaurants in Spain:

Gastro Bar // Le Cabrera. I eat here after going to the cinema or theater, or even when I finish working at my restaurant. I am thrilled by the bravas fries and the chicken wings.Calle de Doña Bárbara de Braganza, 2; lecabrera.com

Pantry Purveyor // Delishop. This is a gourmet shop that sells every kind of food for your kitchen. One recently opened in the Salamanca neighborhood. Multiple locations, including Calle Argensola, 16; delishop.es

Magic Martini // Gran Meliá Fénix hotel's Dry Cosmopolitan Bar. For a perfect cocktail, I recommend the dry martini created by Javier de las Muelas, probably the most famous cocktail man in Spain. The bar has a digital counter that keeps track of drinks, and they've logged every martini sold in the bar. If you purchase one, you receive a certificate documenting the number. Calle Hermosilla, 2; melia.com

Sunday Spot // Luzi Bombón. This is the ideal place to go with friends on the weekend. It's a modern brasserie in the middle of the Castellana with enormous windows, high ceilings and a modern décor. I recommend the oysters and the royal crab as starters.Paseo de la Castellana, 35; grupotragaluz.com

Show Time // Microteatro Por Dinero. When I'm in the Malasaña neighborhood, I like to see a short play. Calle Loreto y Chicote, 9; teatropordinero.com

Carolina Herrera de Baez, Creative Director of Carolina Herrera fragances; Madrid resident:

Green Go-To // El Retiro Park. A walk in the park is one of my favorite things to do in Madrid; this one is walking distance from my home. I enjoy going with my children to play. The main entrance is Alcalá gate, near the Plaza de la Independencia.

Homey Haunt // Murillo Café. To meet with friends, I go to Murillo. The food is delicious and the space is so cozy. I love the mini hamburgers, the tuna carpaccio and the "ladies lunch" (thin, grilled chicken paillard with arugula and cherry tomatoes). The natural juice special of the day is great. I especially like the maracuyá (passion fruit). Ruiz de Alarcon, 27; murillocafe.com

Best Hotel // Casa de Madrid. Whenever a dear friend comes to visit, I recommend this small, unique hotel right next to the opera, the Royal Palace and Plaza Mayor. It's so charming and just like home. Calle de Arrieta, 2; casademadrid.com

Walking Shoes // Castañer. The best women's espadrilles are from Castañer. They are so chic and so comfortable. Several locations, including Calle Almirante, 24;castaner.com

Haute Décor // Isabel López-Quesada and Federica & Co. // The showroom of Isabel López-Quesada is a great place for furniture and unique pieces. I love Federica & Co. for antique items. Isabel López-Quesada: Calle Alfonso Rodriguez Santamaria, 22;isabellopezquesada.com. Federica & Co., Hermosilla, 26; federicaandco.com

2. MUMBAI, India                        

   

Madjur Jaffrey, Actress/Foodie
(Cookbook Writer/Author):  

Bric a Brac // Chor Bazaar. When I first came to America, I went back to Bombay to Chor Bazaar to buy everything. It is filled with an endless amount of things, and wonderful antiques. You'll also find vintage Bollywood movie posters here. Mutton Street, Byculla

Rare Eats // Britannia & Co. Parsi food is hard to find outside of private homes. Order the fish patra; and berry pulao, a rice dish made with barberries. And you must have a fresh lime soda. S S Ram Gulam Marg, opposite New Customs House, Fort, 91-22-2261-5264.

Bazaar Fruits // Crawford Market. It's basically a market of seasonal produce. If you're there in April or May, you should buy the Alphonso mangoes. Near Abdul Rehman Street, South Mumbai

Coco Central // Konkan Café. Beautiful fish with coconut and red chilis. Everything is shipped from the Konkan coast—they have more than a 100 coconuts shipped in every day. Taj President, 90 Cuffe Parade, vivantabytaj.com

Street Sweets // Bhendi Bazaar. This area is home to the Dawoodi Bohras, a Muslim community whose roots trace to Egypt and Yemen. You will find the most amazing sweets, such as halwa and jalebi (a sweet and crispy pretzel-like disc), in the lanes here.Near Mohammed Ali Road, Bhuleshwar

Anushka Shankar, Sitar Player/Daughter of Ravi Shankar:

Sound Stage // Blue Frog. Surreally modern in its décor and design, it's the only place in India that combines a music-centered auditorium with the casualness of a bar. There are international and Indian artists; usually it's a live act followed by a DJ. Mathuradas Mill Compound, Senapati Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, bluefrog.co.in

Super Sands // Juhu Beach. I try to spend a minimum of an hour here. It's a place where you really get the vastness of the people that call the city home. Everyone lands up on the beach to have an ice cream with their family. You see quite a variety of people. West Mumbai

Star Grazing // Indigo. This restaurant is in a restored bungalow and feels really warm and swanky at the same time. You can do that usual actor spotting, but the food is actually really good. 4 Mandlik Road, Colaba, foodindigo.com

Street Style // Fashion Street. Miles and miles of market stall shopping. I tend to buy several of those simple kurtas (cotton tunics) to wear over jeans, and stop and have street food. MG Road, South Mumbai

Cheeky Chic // Bombay Electric. This shop has really unique clothes and cool accessories, kitschy Indian things. Definitely for people who like clothing with a twist. 1 Reay House, Best Marg, Colaba,bombayelectric.in

Raymond Bickson, Managing Director/CEO Taj Hotels:

Culture Cool // National Centre for the Performing Arts. There is a great mix of established work and experimental, Indian and Western classical. You cannot go wrong. NCPA Marg, Nariman Point,ncpamumbai.com

Abundance of Dishes // Trishna. We bring guests here, and they are stunned by the hundreds of items on the menu. The garlic-butter king crabs are the reason people return again and again. Birla Mansion, Sai Baba Marg (next to Commerce House), Fort, 91-22-2270-3213

Old Worlds // Phillips Antiques. I love to gaze at their beautiful treasures and maps, and check out any new collectibles. From carved cupboards to Gauri heads to oil lamps, it's an authentic slice of the past. Madam Cama Road (opposite Regal Cinema), Colaba,phillipsantiques.com

Snack Attack // Camy Wafers. My daughters and I just love the fresh potato chips from this Colaba snack shop. 5-6 Oxford House (off Colaba Causeway), Colaba, 91-22-2282-8430

Restau-Disco // Shiro. This restaurant is a wonderful oasis in midtown. Friday night with music from the '60s, '70s, '80s and '90s is great fun. And the food is delicious. Bombay Dyeing  Mill Compound, Pandurang Budhkar Marg, Worli, shiro.co.in

3. MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay                    

Francis Mallmann, Chef/Author:

Modern Flavor // Isla de Flores 1900. Gastón Yelicich is a chef of precise cooking. You can taste the young spirit of the city in his famous bone marrow with coarse salt and toast. Isla de Flores 1900, 02-410-5188 (this location is open from April to December)

Native Art // Museo Figari. Part of the idiosyncracy of Uruguay. Pedro Figari was a post-Impressionist painter who shows us the life and happiness of the country through his depictions of its dances, architecture and lifestyle. The museum opened only last year.Juan Carlos Gómez 1427, 02-916-7031

Vintage View // Plaza Zabala. It's the most beautiful plaza, tiny and romantic, with old buildings and trees. Near the Old Town, which in my memory is linked with my childhood and my grandmother's house. It's a few blocks from the Mercado del Puerto, so stroll it after lunch. At the intersection of Solís, Alzaibár, Washington and Rincón

Intimate Eats // Estrecho. A tiny bar-restaurant—the name means "narrow"—where you eat at the bar looking into a simple, great kitchen. It's French food and the menu changes quite often. My favorite dish is the salmon baguette. Sarandí 460, 02-915-6107

Eduadro Galeano, Artist/Resident

Scenic Stroll // The Rambla. The city's riverfront promenade—it's an infinite walk of water and sand, the river's edge, where my legs wander without tiring and words wander in my mind.

Day Drainer // Café Brasilero. The oldest café in the city, which keeps surviving various deaths and will always be my second home, the place where I always find time to waste time. Ituzaingó 1447, 02-917-2035

Side Show // Café Bacacay. It is in front of the Teatro Solís, where at night you eat and drink while contemplating the lights from the theater. Bacacay 1306, bacacay.com.uy

Victory Temple // Centenario Stadium.Where the first World Cup, in 1930, was played—and was won by Uruguay—and where the voices of many euphoric victories and crushing defeats echo to this day. estadiocentenario.com.uy

Art Branch // Museo Nacional de Artes Visuales. Take in surprising works of Uruguayan art between walls of glass that let in the greenery of the surrounding Parque Rodó.Tomás Giribaldi 2283, mnav.gub.uy

Jorge Drexler, Pop Star/Native

Drum Roll // Michigan street. Every Sunday at noon in the Malvín neighborhood, a drumming group called La Gozadera walks about eight blocks playing candombe—Afro-Uruguayan folk music. lagozadera.org.uy

Dance-Off // Baar Fun Fun. It's the place where tango singer Carlos Gardel performed long ago. It opened in 1895. Go on a Friday night to watch and listen to a live tango show.Ciudadela 1229, barfunfun.com

Hometown Spin // La Ronda. It's tiny, with a beautiful round bar, and they play amazing vinyl, including Uruguayan indie singer-songwriters. Montevideo is like the Seattle of South America—we have a lot of singer-songwriters and an amazing new generation of musicians. Ciudadela 1182, 02-902-6962

Dough Maker // La Negra Tomasa pizzeria. It's just the most amazing pizza and the chickpea faina is great. You can order the cake underneath the pizza but I order it alongside it. I always order the faina from the edge, the thinnest and crunchiest part.Pedro Bustamante 1165, 02-622-2218

Southern Gifts // Manos de Uruguay. They are beautiful stores with handmade stuff. I buy sweaters and scarves made from hand-crafted natural wool. multiple locations,www.manos.com.uy

Other cities in future posts .. enjoy your travels wherever they take you!