Spoleto: Two Restaurants in Historic Center

On this page I am going to tell you about two restaurants in Spoleto (Italy) you may keep in mind when visiting this ancient Italian city. One of them is Ristorante il Tartufo (piazza Garibaldi, 24, 06049 Spoleto, Italy). The second is Osteria Del Trivio (via del Trivio, 16, 06049 Spoleto, Italy). Both restaurants are located close to each other; both locations are convenient for those who visit Spoleto historic center; both are specializing in traditional local cuisine. But similarities stop here. Feb. 28, 2011

Montepulciano (Italy) - Some Places to Eat

As a small town, Montepulciano does a good job with feeding crowds of tourist invading the place. In this installment of my notes about Montepulciano, I want to describe some options available to visitors looking for places to eat and drink in this town. To do that, I invented my own scheme to group places to eat you can find in Montepulciano.
Montepulciano (Italy) - Coming to Town
Montepulciano (Italy) - Churches
Montepulciano (Italy) - Some Places to Eat Feb. 3, 2011

London Pubs for Dummies, Part 3: Pubs Mentioned in Article

This part is the list of pubs (with addresses and my brief and biased notes) that I kept in mind as reference points while drafting my biased article about London's pubs. In my selection, there is no special meaning; it's mostly a random collection of some of places we visited while walking the streets of London, and where I took my time to pull out my camera and take a few shots.
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 1: A Biased Opinion
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 2: Vocabulary and Tips
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 3: Pubs Mentioned in Article Feb. 24, 2010

London Pubs for Dummies, Part 2: Vocabulary and Tips

Despite all my scepticism about London's pubs, I would still encourage you to try at least some of them. Who knows, maybe your experience and perception will be different from mine. Anyway, if you decide to do so, you may find the information below useful during your own pub adventures. It contains some tips and clarifications regarding some brewing industry terminology especially where it relevant to pubs in United Kingdom.
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 1: A Biased Opinion
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 2: Vocabulary and Tips
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 3: Pubs Mentioned in Article Jan. 29, 2010

London Pubs for Dummies, Part 1: A Biased Opinion

When I travelled to London for the first time, I was so enthusiastic about having an opportunity to visit this mecca of brewing industry with it hundreds and hundreds of pubs. Well, as often the case, especially when expectations are too high, the reality makes you put everything into perspective.
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 1: A Biased Opinion
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 2: Vocabulary and Tips
London Pubs for Dummies, Part 3: Pubs Mentioned in Article Jan. 24, 2010

Tai Kai Lok Restaurant in London Chinatown

This brief posting is more a tip than a review. If you are in London, most likely you are going to visit its Chinatown. Do yourself a favor and visit Tai Ka Lok, a tiny Chinese restaurant specializing in Cantonese roast duck, roast and crispy lean pork, suckling pigs, soy chicken and some other yummy stuff. It will not score high points for cleanliness and decor. But food is fabulous. I can guarantee that once you have tried them, you will never forget the deliciousness of mouth watering dishes you find here. Jan. 16, 2010

Restaurant Don Camillo Creations - A No-nonsense Review by a Layman

Restaurant Don Camillo Creations popped up on my radar screen while we were searching for a perfect restaurant in Nice, France. First, it appeared on the list of places to visit as a result of my Internet research of restaurants in this city - ratings looked promising. Later, when a concierge in our hotel recommended to visit it, we decided to visit it. Here is my brief account (call it review if you want) of our impressions and observations. Jan. 1, 2010

Luc Salsedo - The Best Restaurant in Nice, France

The number of places where to eat in Nice is staggering - something you would expect from the fifth city in France which is also a major tourist center and a leading resort on Côte d'Azur. However, if you are looking for something more than just decent, if you are a gourmand in search of examples of fine Niçois cuisine, you will find that there are surprisingly few restaurants for a city with population of nearly 350 thousand people that may deserve any special attention. Having spent quite some time in search of good restaurants in Nice, here is my recommendation - restaurant Luc Salsedo, which I without hesitation proclaim the best in town. Dec. 31, 2009

The Grenadier - Pub in London, United Kingdom

For those looking just for a pint (or more) of ale, The Grenadier, a tiny pub in London (United Kingdom) near to Belgrave Square and Hyde Park Corner, is not the place "to strive, to seek, to find." Same way, even if the food offered at this pub is good, I would not spend much effort to go there just to taste it. However, if you are searching for something exceptional and remarkable in English character and history, the pub can be very well what you would like to see and experience. Nov. 10, 2009

Goring Hotel, London, United Kingdom

If you go to London, United Kingdom and want to stay in a hotel that has the flavor and character of an old English mansion, the Goring might be your choice. Cosily located in the very heart of London in Beeston Place, the hotel is only five-minute walk from Buckingham Palace. The Goring Hotel is a trip back into a quieter slower age, it leaves warm memories and romantic feelings of last centuries and people. Oct. 29, 2009

Fortnum & Mason and Surroundings on Piccadillly, London

I am offering you a glimpse of Piccadilly, a major London street, running from Hyde Park Corner in the west to Piccadilly Circus in the east (located very close to Charing Cross). Actually, my small gallery and blurb covers only small area on Piccadilly closer to Piccadilly Circus. As the focal point of the gallery, I selected Fortnum & Mason, a famous department store and Royal Warrant holder. But I will also show some other places of interest you can see and visit in this area. Oct. 27, 2009

Fortnum & Mason - Surrounding Area

London is a very big city, and even its one street such is Piccadilly with adjacent area of St. James's have so many places to see and visit that a whole guide book can be written with lists of museums, shops and restaurants to visit. Elegant and expensive, right at the heart of London, this area can offer a lot. Below is just a humble attempt to give you an idea of what to see, where to go, and what to expect. Oct. 7, 2009

La Dolce Vita - Traditional Italian Restaurant in London, UK

It seems like every big European city has a restaurant (or bar, or cafe, etc.) called "Dolce Vita." Well, true or not, there is one in London, UK. One of the pluses of this restaurant is its location - between Harrods and Harvey Nichols. By the way, this area is also a place where many high fashion stores (for example, on and off Sloane Avenue). So, if you are ready to drop after shopping and want to have a lunch, consider Dolce Vita - a small restaurant claiming to deliver a traditional Italian cuisine. Oct. 6, 2009

Downtown Frederick, Maryland - Restaurants and Bars - Isabella's, Brewer's Alley, and Acacia

Review of three of some popular restaurants in Downtown Frederick: Isabella's Taverna & Tapas Bar, Brewer's Alley Restaurant & Brewery and Acacia Fusion Bistro. All three are located in the heart of downtown, North Market Street, and very close to each other. I heard that they are own by the same person. However, regardless of the ownership issue, the main thing they have in common is that although all three are worth visiting, they are not the best of what restaurant industry can offer. Aug. 16, 2009

Downtown Frederick, Maryland - Restaurants and Bars - The Tasting Room, Firestone's Restaurant & Bar and Black Hog BBQ

We continue our review of restaurants in Downtown Frederick, Maryland. This time, we'll talk about The Tasting Room, Firestone's Restaurant & Bar and Black Hog BBQ. As often the case, there is a reason why for this part of the article, I selected those three. On one hand, The Tasting Room, Firestone's Restaurant & Bar are located very close to each other (in fact, they are in neighboring buildings on N. Market Street). So, it would be interesting to see how they stack up against each other. Black Hog BBQ is a bit different from both; in fact, it's different from anything you can find in Frederick. Still there is one thing Black Hog and Tasting Room share - and that will be their owner. July 8, 2009

Downlown Frederick, Maryland - Restaurants and Bars - Bushwaller's American/ Irish Pub, Patrick's Irish Pub and Frederick Cellars Winery and Tasting Room

Well, this time I will be talking about places where you are supposed to drink primarily: there is a couple of popular pubs in Downtown Frederick: Bushwaller's American/ Irish Pub and Patrick's Irish Pub. The third place in this installment is actually a winery and not a restaurant. But they have a tasting room, and the place has some good reputation in Frederick. So, I though it could be a good idea to group all three together based on "drinking" nature common to all of them. July 8, 2009

Legal Sea Foods

Legal Sea Foods restaurants are a chain of more than 30 establishments located in nine states on the Eastern coast of the United States and Washington DC. It's not franchise but a family owned business, and perhaps this is one of the reasons for its success. According of the Legal Sea Foods motto, if it's not fresh, it's not legal. Legal Sea Foods offers unmistakably American cuisine and a good one with its focus on value and quality of food. May 28, 2009

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 4, Walking Inner Harbor

The last installment of the article dedicated to Baltimore Inner Harbor and its four ships opened to public. This page describes other places in the harbore: where to eat and what to see.

One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 1, Inner Harbor and USS Constellation
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 2, Submarine USS Torsk SS-423
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 3, Lightship Chesapeake and USCGC Taney
One Day in Baltimore Harbor - Part 4, Walking Inner Harbor

May 10, 2009

D'chez eux, Restaurant in Paris

It's hard to believe, but this classic French bistrot in Paris is not mentioned frequently in travel guides and reviews. However, if you have not had a chance to visit this restaurant, do yourself a favor - you will not regret it - go there! Nov. 17, 2007

Traditional Dining Places in Paris

Here is the list of several off the beaten track, mostly inexpensive restaurants with main courses prices from 10&ero; to 35€. The list is a result of a research based on personal experiences. Many of these places do not appear in travel guides. In fact, if they do, that would be a very strong factor for not including one or another restaurant into the list. We have tried to select places visited by locals.

Aug. 11, 2007