destination: puerto rico

Anywhere in the Caribbean is worth the trip, but if you've never been to Puerto Rico, you haven't seen the best of the best. It's a beautiful island with incredible people, scenery, food and of course, fabulous beaches. Ponce, Rincon, El Yunque, and La Fortaleza are only a few of the places you should be sure to visit. Don't forget to keep your eyes open to spot a coqui frog.


According to the Puerto Rico Culture website, Puerto Rican cuisine "is a unique tasty blend of Spanish, African, Taíno, and American influences, using such indigenous seasonings and ingredients as coriander, papaya, cacao, nispero, apio, plantains, and yampee. Locals call their cuisine 'cocina criolla'." During the short time I was there, every meal included fresh tropical fruits, plantains, and always rice and beans.



This is one place I would hope everyone visits sometime in their life; and not only for the beaches, snorkeling and food. Talk to the locals to find the best places to visit, and the best beaches. Some of our friends told us of a place people call 'the ugly beach'; it was the most beautiful beach I've ever been to.

click here for a recipe using plantains that comes straight from the caribbean.

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destination: las vegas

Las Vegas is a favorite vacation destination for my husband and I. Not only is it close enough to drive down for a quick weekend vacation, but the choices for dining are growing all the time. It may be hard to find the $5.99 steak special these days, but some big names are now in Vegas.

The choices are endless, and it can be a bit overwhelming with so many restaurants to choose from. Here are a few that I have been to and loved:

Located in the Planet Hollywood Hotel and Casino, the Strip House had the best steak that I have ever eaten! You have to get a steak - it is a steak house after all, but make sure and order the black truffle creamed spinach. You'll be thinking about it and craving it for months to come!!

Also located at Planet Hollywood, and a bit more on the casual side, is the cafe Planet Dallies. The menu was large, but my favorite has been the Kobe Beef Sliders. Delicious!!

If you are looking for a pastry for breakfast, or for a quick snack, try Lenotre at the Paris Hotel and Casino. I originally sought out this cafe because I heard they sold the infamous macarons there, but even though they didn't have any when I visited, I wasn't disappointed by the other delicious pastries I tried. But be aware that there will be quite a line in the mornings, although it does move quickly.

On our last trip, we really wanted to visit Tom Colicchio's (of Top Chef fame) restaurant- Craftsteak. We actually went to the MGM Grand where it is located and put our name on the list, but they weren't seating yet and we were hungry and impatient. So we ended up going next door to Emeril's Fish House. And while we were at a fish house, we ordered steak. (I guess that's what we were in the mood for!!) I didn't think the steak quite lived up to the one at The Strip House, but my husband thought it was equally good. My favorite, though - were the smashed potatoes. I could have lived on those!

There are so many choices that I want to make a yearly trip down, just to indulge in the different restaurants for a weekend!!

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destination: NYC

I ventured to NYC this week for food business and made the most of eating my way through the city in 4 short days. A good friend and mentor took me to a restaurant he recently invested in and to put it plainly, the experience didn't dissapoint. Nestled on a small street corner in the West Village, this quaint yet cool eatery seemed to capture the charm of NYC in a very "barnyard chic" fashion. I enjoyed a delicious Sangria Marinated Hanger Steak and French Fries (done right) dipped in a tangy cocktail sauce. The real star was my appetizer, Bacon Wrapped Scallops with Grits. Words couldn't possibly do this dish justice.
My quick trip to New York also included an hour long visit to Dean & Deluca, Bouchon Bakery, and Pizza from Ray's. Once again, NYC has manifested to me that whether it's an eclectic sangria hanger steak, a simple slice of pizza, or a delicate pastry, this city is full of fabulous food.

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destination: barcelona

Barcelona is one of my favorite European cities. To me it’s like a warmer version of Paris, but with beautiful beaches, great food, and very friendly people. It’s a city that I can spend days just walking the streets to absorb the history and culture of this great city. I especially love the buildings designed by Antonio Gaudi. With their crazy mix of curves, colors and designs, they are like nothing else I have ever seen. One of the days that I was there, I decided to spend the entire day visiting his architectural masterpieces. I had a fantastic time and before I knew, it was already late afternoon and I hadn’t eaten anything. I found this great modern café that only the Europeans seem to have and walked in. I was first served the most amazing bread that they rub with tomatoes and garlic and then toast. After eating what was probably and entire loaf’s worth, I ordered a bowl of cream of asparagus soup to go with it. I can honestly say this was one of the best soups I have ever tasted and I ordered even more bread to go with it. The combination of the two was absolutely out of this world. It was so good in fact that I spent half a day the next time I was in the Barcelona trying to find the same restaurant and when I finally did it was as good as I remembered.

—Zupas Aficinado

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destination: Maine

I was in Boston for work and got this crazy idea to stay an extra day, rent a car and spend a day driving through New England. To pack in as much as humanly possible, I decided to drive a huge loop and see New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all in one day. I drove through beautiful forests and quaint New England towns, but the highlight of the trip was in Maine, where I stopped to see this great lighthouse out on a small island. It was my first time in Maine and it was just how I imagined it should be. It was only about 10:00 in the morning, but I was not going to leave Maine without trying some of their famous lobster. Lucky for me, there was a little seafood shack right next to the lighthouse, and so I ordered a whole Maine lobster and bowl of Lobster Bisque and ate them at a picnic table overlooking the lighthouse. The lobster bisque was rich and creamy with delicious little pieces of fresh lobster. It was still early in the morning, so the sun was hitting the ocean just perfectly and I just sat there memorized, watching the waves crash against the rocks as I ate. Definitely not your average breakfast, but it was absolutely delicious and for me the perfect meal to capture the essence of Maine.

—Zupas Aficinado

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destination: Amsterdam

For me, Amsterdam is the most European of the famous European Capitals. Maybe it’s because it combines so many of the best attributes of its more famous cousins: the canals of Venice, the side-walk cafes of Paris, the architecture of London, and the reserved sophistication of Berlin. You could say it’s unlike any other European city and at the same time, just like every other European city. I had been here twice before and was captivated by the city and especially with the artwork of the Dutch Masters (My absolute favorite is “The Night Watch” by Rembrandt). I couldn’t wait to see it again, but since it was spring, we decided to first spend a day in Dutch countryside visiting its famous tulip fields. With rows of flowers as far as you can see—they seem too beautiful to be real. It’s as if you are in a painting and the artist has surrounded you with the most beautifully vibrant colors. The only reality check came for the constant rain. So, when we got back to Amsterdam we were cold, hungry and looking for something to warm to eat. Earlier, we had seen a small soup café and it seemed the perfect remedy. I had a delicious pea soup and it really hit the spot. For me, it was the epitome of Amsterdam, because it tasted like soup I had eaten so many times before, but at the same time it was like no other soup I had ever tasted. What a great way to end a great day in the European city that is Amsterdam.

—Zupas Aficinado

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destination: Northern California

According to Gourmet Magazine and the International Culinary Travel Association, California is the top destination for travelers whose vacation plans include food festivals, wine tours, and other culinary pursuits. 

Culinary activities include but are not limited to cooking classes, dining at some of the most highly regarded restaurants in America, visiting farmers markets, gourmet food shopping and attending food festivals. Wine activities included touring a winery, driving a wine trail, tasting locally made wines and attending wine festivals.

My vote for making the most out of a culinary trip to Northern California lies at the CIA (Culinary Institute of America). Here you can tour their teaching kitchens which are among the finest professional education facilities in the world offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside, minutes from world-class vineyards and some of the best dining experiences you may ever have. Plan in advance and make reservations at one of their world renowned restaurants and don't miss out on an opportunity to take a culinary class from the finest professionals in the industry. 

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