Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Chocolate bark

Whenever I'm in Texas for New Year's, I like to come up with a few cooking projects. This time I thought it would be fun to make chocolate bark. After all, my mother and stepfather love chocolate as much as I do! I used 70% dark chocolate, but any kind would do - you could even swirl milk ... continue reading...


My mom’s “Waldorf Astoria” cheesecake

I love cheesecakes of all kinds - but this one is special. My mother was served this cheesecake at her bridal shower many years ago, and asked for the recipe from the hostess, my grandfather's colleague's wife.  It had the name "Waldorf Astoria cheesecake", an elegant name for an elegant ... continue reading...


A three star dinner at Maison Pic, Valence France

Let's say au revoir to France with one final memorable meal, our three Michelin star dinner at Maison Pic. We had champagne and little bites while deciding between the two menus, the Collection Pic (classics) or Actualités (meaning "current events" or "news" - essentially dishes of the ... continue reading...


Lunch at La Menthe, Lyon France

During one of our days in Lyon, we spent a few hours just wandering around, window shopping, and of course trying to decide where to eat lunch.  We noticed a long line outside one spot, and drew closer to see what it was.  Domino's Pizza!  Pass. Just at the end of the block, though, we spotted a ... continue reading...


Picante, Anguilla

As far as I can tell, there's only one Anguillan Mexican restaurant - Picante.  On an island where most menus are influenced by Caribbean, European, or even Asian cuisine, it's certainly different. And that's 1) why the restaurant was opened to begin with, 2) probably why I didn't eat there until ... continue reading...


Dispatches from Anguilla (Pt 1)

Anguilla is just the same as we remembered it, except maybe a tiny bit busier.  We're back at the Viceroy in one of our favorite rooms overlooking the ocean.  Everyone here is so nice and welcoming, the room is perfectly peaceful, and I know a quiet nook to hide out on the beach away from the ... continue reading...


A visit to Breckenridge, CO

My sister and I can never resist hot buttered rum, especially after tromping through snow on a chilly afternoon. After we spent some time exploring the main street in Breckenridge (aka "Breck", as the locals call it), the sign proclaiming "best hot buttered rum" drew us inexorably into the ... continue reading...


Williams & Graham, Denver

How can you not love a place with a cocktail named "Java the Nut"? My favorite place we went during my Denver trip was definitely Williams & Graham, a speakeasy-type cocktail place. We went on Saturday just after 5pm (I've learned my lesson about these first-come-first-served cocktail ... continue reading...


Tea at the Brown Palace Hotel, Denver

While I was visiting my sister and brother-in-law this weekend, we started discussing this blog - and my sister said, "You need to write about something other than France!" Yes, I'll admit, France has occupied most of this space lately. So in honor of my sister's request, here's the first of my ... continue reading...