One of the first columns I wrote as the “Traveling Gourmet” was “Restaurants with a View.” Sometimes, though, all you want is a drink with an inspiring vista. So I’ve…

I like surprises. I like new discoveries, and I like the anticipation of something that’s about to happen. That’s why Walla Walla is such a fun place to visit. With…

I’ve been traveling and writing about it for many wonderful years. Often, after a long flight, or a day of sightseeing, all I wanted to do was eat at my…

I’ve set myself a challenge. I’m going to tell you all about Oakland, but I’m not going to mention two things: 1) Any quotations from Gertrude Stein containing the word…

Sometimes you’re just in the mood for a mid-day treat, or you’re planning to skip dinner entirely and just eat dessert! This is when you need a special place devoted…

Damn, St. Louis has changed. That’s the thought that keeps occurring to me whenever I visit the city where I grew up. Whether it’s changes in the city, in me,…

If you love touring, and you love food, what could be a better way to explore a new destination than a food tour? These guided gourmet expeditions are attracting a…

Bucharest is a big, crazy, sprawling, intimidating, sometimes beautiful, keep-you-on-your-toes kind of city. It isn’t the kind of city where you immediately say “Wow, I love this place” but rather,…

If there’s one thing I notice returning to Seattle after many years, is that its dining scene has become phenomenal. Not only is the city abundant in fresh fish and…

One of the surprising attributes of this desert oasis is the fact that it is home to an amazing artistic scene. How could an artist live in an area like…