Good Taste is the Worst Vice

Hallstatt, Austria

If it's true that a picture's worth a thousand words, most visitors return from Hallstatt with the equivalent of about a million words on their cameras. It's one of the most picturesque - and most photographed - villages in the world. It also has a long history - with evidence of salt ... continue reading...


All Purpose Pizzeria, Washington DC

I've been waiting over a year for a return trip to All Purpose in DC, and it didn't disappoint! We first visited right after they opened, squeezing a big group around the bar to celebrate our friend E's birthday and trying practically everything on the menu. Ever since, I've had All Purpose's ... continue reading...


Métier, Washington DC

My (digital) subscription to the Washington Post always pays off when we visit DC - I have a shortlist, in advance, of the places I'd like to dine.  This time, Métier was my choice for a special night out. It's a dressed up, tasting menu spot tucked beneath its more casual sibling restaurant, ... continue reading...


Imperial Vienna

There are still plenty of reminders of the Habsburg Empire in Vienna today - it's part of the charm of the city. We popped into Café Demel for cups of Schoko-Baileys, rich, boozy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.  It still proudly bears the designation "K. u. K. Hofzuckerbäcker" - K.u.K. ... continue reading...


Steirereck, Vienna

One of my favorite vacation luxuries is a long lunch, whiling away a few hours with wonderful food and wine before stepping into the afternoon sunshine for a postprandial stroll. So on our last day in Vienna, we arranged for lunch at Steirereck, located in the Stadtpark just outside the ... continue reading...


Next: Hollywood

D is a movie buff.  He'll happily watch anything - even movies he himself describes as "terrible" (sometimes I think he likes those the best!).  So if there was ever a restaurant made just for him, Next: Hollywood is it. Take a look at the trailer and see how many movie references you can ... continue reading...


Salzburg: a few of my favorite things

We made the most of our short visit to Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart and setting for the Sound of Music.  Read on to hear about our favorite things! Sporer This little shop on the Getreidegasse was at the top of my Salzburg list - no surprise since the schnapps we had while visiting my father ... continue reading...


Japanese chicken salad

Who wants to cook after getting home from work on a hot day?  Not me! That's where chicken salad comes in - no need to heat up the oven or stand over the stove, and it's pleasantly cool to eat. I decided to recreate an old favorite of mine from Sushi House in Palo Alto, which features a tangy ... continue reading...


Lunch at Le Bontemps, Medoc

During our day on the Left Bank we had lunch at Le Bontemps - the small-town French restaurant of my dreams. Short, seasonal menu?  Check. (Fittingly, written on the top of an old wine barrel) Unassuming location, in a small building complex?  Check. Husband and wife team?  Check. And ... continue reading...