Some people eat to live while others live to eat; I for one am squarely in the latter camp.The meal that turned me into a foodie will always be etched in my mind; I was in my early 20s and just finishing up the last deployment of my Naval career. We had been out to sea for 159 days straight and after pulling into Marseille France I needed some breathing room. A few of my closest friends and I went straight for the train station and after perusing our options headed towards Avignon. It was late March; gray,drizzly and a bit chilly but we didn’t care. We were in Provence and blissfully had most of the town to ourselves. We settled into our cozy little auberge and just wanting to relax made reservations at its restaurant. What we didn’t know is that we were in for a five course feast and knowing very little French, most of what arrived to our table was a surprise. I enjoyed a delicate vegetable soup topped with a perfectly poached quail egg, had my first tastes of foie gras and venison, and sampled a number of heady French cheeses. This was all ended with with an intensely rich chocolate-orange pot de creme which still stands as one of the best desserts I’ve had. Looking back, this was a pivotal experience for me. I discovered the pleasures of truly good food and the joys of surprising discoveries on the road.
It broadened my mind and my palate, isn’t that what travel is about?
In that spirit I asked a few of my fellow travel bloggers about their favorite food experiences from the road. Food is one of the best ways to truly understand a destination and in the words of Andrew Zimmern, “If it looks good, eat it”.
Jessica of the Dining Traveler
Although I have many memorable dining experiences to share, my most recent one took place in Okinawa, Japan. I lived in Okinawa for a year from 2003-2004. It was a place that open my mind and palate to experience life abroad. To be there again a few months ago was a culinary homecoming. Upon arrival, I dined at JiroCho, a local Okinawan restaurant which specializes in sushi and tempura. As you enter, you can smell the fried goodness of tempura in the making. Okinawa is known for its unique vegetables, especially goya (bitter melon) and benihimo (Okinawan sweet potato). The tempura is glorious bite into with its crispy outside and the discovery of the fresh vegetables on the inside. As I indulged in the tempura, I was taken by the sushi chef JiroCho making his creations at the bar. There’s a basket with fresh fish sitting on ice where he has his daily selection for creation. As I savored the scallop and a tuna sushi, I felt the freshness of the fish with a light spice of the freshly ground Wasabi he’s already added. It’s been two months and I still think if this meal and look back to Okinawa in gastronomic nostalgia.
http://www.diningtraveler.com/
Melody of Wherever I May Roam
If you are like me, you go through phases where you are in love with a different type of food all the time. During my Russian cuisine days, I had the opportunity to visit several Russian restaurants around the US but none appeased my palate like that of Red Square Restaurant at the Mandalay Bay Hotel in Las Vegas. The regal yet friendly atmosphere welcome you to come in and admire their gorgeous frozen Ice bar and vodka vault, which was my husband’s favorite part of the experience. For me, it was the mouth-watering filet mignon with a tangy delicious sauce along with creamed spinach and wild mushrooms.
Heavenly.
Then it got even better when the dessert arrived. Strawberries Romanoff, the stuff dreams are made of. My summary of this dining experience?
Sheer bliss.
http://www.whereverimayroamblog.com/
Monica and Jon of We Travel Together
Le Chique is an award-winning, adults-only restaurant, and can be found in the all inclusive resort Azul Sensatori, just 20 minutes from Cancun. The restaurant is also available for guests outside the hotel, and you can choose between the 16- and 22-course dinner with wine pairings.
In this restaurant the menu are designed to puzzle, amuse and amaze you, and each dish are a work of art, literally.
We had the 22-course dinner and were there for about 3 hours. We sat in the wine cellar, one of two special tables. The other can be found at the chef’s table, in the kitchen. But no worry, wherever your table can be found you will have a special and unique evening.
Welcome to the restaurant where nothing is as it seems! They play a lot with the flavors and your senses, an exotic restaurant complete with gourmet preparations, a range of flavors, and inventive techniques intended to tease the senses and tell a unique story with each course.
Ben and Jazzy of Road Affair
Rellenitos de plantano, what can I say? The love that I have for this Guatemalan snack is deeply rooted. This deep fried street dessert made from mashed sweet plantains, filled with a sweet black bean sauce gave me my first foodgasm. Not only is Rellenitos de plantano mouth-watering good, it’s also dirt cheap, one rellenito cost about $0.30 to $0.65 USD or 2.50 to 5 Guatemalan quetzals. This typical and popular Guatemalan dessert is found year around, so no need to wait for a special holiday to get these bad boys. If you are ever in Guatemala, this is one snack you don’t want to pass up on. It’s just that good. (Photo courtesy of foodologie.com)
Brock and Tanj of A Travelogue
Located in Shinjuku area, near the metro, we ate at Yakitori alley in Japan. Yakitori means skewered food grilled to perfection. Narrow stall restaurants line this proportionally narrow alleywhere the most popular place to eat at is Kabuto. The restaurant seats only a few people and is one of those places that makes you feel like you stepped back in time. All over the alley, you can smell barbecue and immediately your senses get heightened and you want to seat down and eat. The menu at Kabuto is simple – they only serve eel. Yes, only eel and all its parts (even innards). The eel yakitori will surely melt in your mouth and makes you want to order for some more. This is one of the most memorable food adventures we had in Japan. Not to mention, it’s pretty cheap too! What’s special about this place is that the grill master himself has been grilling eel for more than 50+ years.
Charles of McCool Travel
After two days in Venice Italy, after being disappointed with the food from places suggested by our apartment owners and Yelp, I picked a place serendipitously. That is, after exploring—well getting lost—for an hour or so, I stumbled upon a place with no fancy menu, sign, tables, linens, silverware or wait staff. Instead, I was rewarded with the best pizza I have ever had. The fried egg topping it was not my favorite but I did eat some of it. I ate about half of the pizza for lunch and had the rest the next morning—when it was even better than the day before.
What are some of your best bites from the road?
Polly Barks says
Oh man, this all looks so good. I have to say that my favorite meal (if it can even be called that) was after a long day of suffering as a vegetarian in rural Armenia: amazing Georgian wine, fresh baked bread with homemade butter and honey harvested just a few days earlier.
So simple, so satisfying.
Brianna says
That sounds like a great meal to me, even as a dyed in the wool carnivore.
Alli says
That 22 course dinner at Le Chique sounds absolutely incredible! What an experience! The gym is not to be missed the next day after that 😛 😛
Brianna says
A meal like that would definitely be worth the hours in the gym afterward.
holly fink says
Check out 2foodtrippers.com. They are two great food travel bloggers.
Brianna says
Yes they are, Mindi and Daryl are great!
Tamara says
I’m totally in your camp, I live to eat, especially when we travel! I’ve been known to spend more on dinner than our hotel for the night.
Brianna says
You and me both!
Jessica says
Thanks for sharing my Okinawa experience. I got hungry reading all these delicious stories!
Brianna says
Luckily for us there is a whole tasty world out there to explore.
Ryan Biddulph says
Hi Brianna,
The meal you had in France sounds tremendous!
I am no foodie for my palate is not discerning at all – huge fan of Thai Pandan rolls and other less than refined snacks LOL – but can also appreciate a good bite here and there.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Ryan
Betsy Wuebker | PassingThru says
Someone once unfriended me on FB because I posted too many photos of what we were eating. LOL haters gonna. Your pivotal experience in Avignon sounded so wonderful, and I love that you can recall every detail. No doubt the combination of the fine company and the emotions associated all rolled into place to create perfection that probably would be difficult to repeat. Even though I’ve just finished breakfast here, I am salivating at everyone’s selections. Enjoyed this post. 🙂
Brianna says
That person and I would not get along lol.
Dannielle Lily says
This made my mouth water! If you ask me, one of the best ways of experiencing a country is through its food. It’s a sensual thing so it kind of ingrains itself in your memory, and certain flavours will always remind me of a certain place
Brianna says
I totally agree!~
Simone says
I’m drooling sitting at my desk! haha and 22 courses wow!!! Food is one of my favourite parts of travelling, I love trying new & exciting cuisines! x
Simone @ http://www.theaussieflashpacker.com
Brianna says
You and me both!
Sarah says
I remember mine like it was yesterday. A restaurant atop a hill in Barcelona and a dish that translated to Lake of Chocolate. My husband ordered it and I opted out because I felt fat. (Turns out I was pregnant).
The dessert came and the plate looked covered in chocolate with some chocolate on top. At first we thought the name was misleading but realized it was a bowl of melted chocolate with integrated desserts underneath.
To say the least he hardly got any and me and the baby truly enjoyed it.
Brianna says
Lol, sounds like you and I would get along just fine.
Melody Pittman says
22 courses in Cancun- sign me up! That looks very interesting. Thanks for allowing me to participate. 😉
Brianna says
Thanks for your contribution Melody!
Amanda @ MoveLoveEat says
I am pretty easy to please but I did have an amazing pasta in Phuket – I have never had one so good before – even in italy! Such a strange place for it!
Britany Robinson says
I, too, live to eat. Rellenitos de plantano… I’ve never heard of those but they look AMAZING.
Ben says
WTF? A 22 course dinner? That sounds like enough food for a whole week 😀
P.S. Thanks for featuring us in your post.
Nic from Roaming Renegades says
Wow, I am so hungry right now!! One of the best things about travel is trying different foods and discovering new things to eat. For us the Zapiekanka in Poland was amazing, cheap, local street food!
Jenna says
I’m looking forward to hearing more about your meal in Copenhagen. I think the best food I’ve eaten recently has been in Napa Valley, at some of the Michelin-starred restaurants. I love the food in CA. 🙂
Brianna says
Noma was my first Michelin experience and it definitely won’t be the last.
Ana says
I am one of those who live to eat too 🙂 and this post is so yummy! As a vegetarian, I have dietary restrictions and, depending on the country, it is more or less annoying. However, I still consider myself a foodie and enjoy so much tasting different dishes all around the world. My favorite cousine are Thailand and India… Uuumm, I am so hungry now 🙂
Brianna says
As I’m sure you know there is a world of tasty vegetarian options out there.
Andi says
I am with you, food is such a huge part of travel for me and the things that stays with me long after other memories fade. Great group of bloggers, some new to me, can’t wait to check them out!
Anda says
I’m with you on this one, Brianna. I LOVE to eat (which is not actually a good thing!) and traveling opens new opportunities to discover great foods and great eateries.
Brianna says
Food is one of life’s great pleasures IMO.
CHARLES MCCOOL says
Thank you for including my contribution with the other great submissions. Now I am hungry …
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
I may have gained five pounds just from reading this post. So delicious – sign me up for all of these spots!
Revati Victor says
Such amazing experiences! But I liked Monica’s the best! Let me at em!
Brianna says
Seriously, how can you go wrong with 22 courses?
Esther of Local Adventurer says
I’m always looking for good asian food when I travel. It’s pretty rare that we find a good one on a whim though even when we’re looking a tripadvisor / yelp.. but every so often we’ll find a hidden gem on road trips. we found a really great thai place in the middle of nowhere on our cross country road trip from atlanta to LA. I really wish I remembered what city and place!
sherezade says
i hope the 22 course dinner was made of little samples 😛 i think the most I have had was 9 course dinner (being 5 of them amuses).