I am not a huge beer drinker. However, if there is one beer that I enjoy, it is Newcastle Brown Ale. From the slightly sweet, slightly bitter taste, to the rich color and smooth finish, this English beer is one of the best. I first tried Newcastle many years ago upon my first trip to England. I Continue reading
3 May 2012 
Flavors of Disney World
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Bonjour! I recently returned from a trip to the happiest place on Earth...Disney World! You may wonder why I seem to make Disney an annual trip. Well, I like Disney for many reasons...including that it is quite a nostalgic place for me. I worked at Disney World over 10 years ago, in the Magic Continue reading
19 April 2012 
A Very Nespresso Birthday
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Last weekend, my husband treated me to an overnight in city for my birthday. After checking into the Hotel Palomar (a fantastic boutique hotel in Chicago), we headed to Bloomingdale's Home Store to view its Nespresso products. As I walked through the doors, I was completely surprised and nearly Continue reading
19 December 2011 
Eat, Drink, and Be Merry: An Elizabethan Christmas
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(Photo source) Two years ago, I wrote about the Christmas traditions of Victorian England. Although Victorian England is one of my favorite eras, Elizabethan England - the time of Shakespeare - is a close second (minus all of the torture and head chopping). So, as Christmas is less than one week Continue reading
10 October 2011 
A Taste of Travel Memories
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(photo source) Each time I travel to a different country or even a city, there is usually one food or meal that ends up being so memorable that just the thought of it can take me right back to my worldly destinations. I recently read a New York Times article on unforgettable foods of Europe, Continue reading
15 September 2011 
Why the French Grocery Shop Every Day
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(photo source) One thing I admire about French women (and there are many things) is their ability to shop for their meals every day. No stocking up for a month, or even a few weeks, for these girls. They don't want to be tied down to food they have in the house, but rather eat whatever they fancy Continue reading
29 August 2011 
Twinings’ Boston Tea Party
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(photo source) In 1706, Thomas Twining opened his first tea room in London. By 1831, Twinings company had launched its first brand of Earl Grey tea, a brand and taste that would remain consistent and intact for 180 years...that is, until this year. In April, Twinings tea, one of the most Continue reading
8 August 2011 
My European Staycation: Tea at the Drake Hotel
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In keeping with my new goal of having a European staycation in August, I made my way to "England" this weekend via afternoon tea at the Drake Hotel in downtown Chicago. As many of you know in reading my posts, I love to take afternoon tea, whether it is in my own house or in another country. In Continue reading
25 July 2011 
Lemons of the Mediterranean
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According to best-selling author and French icon Mireille Guiliano, a French woman's la boisson du jour on a sunny summer day is quite typically a citron pressé - or lemonade as we know it stateside. But given a lemon, the French can make much more than lemonade. In fact, it is a nearly impossible Continue reading
18 July 2011 
Gelato Vs. Ice Cream
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(photo source) When a good friend of mine recently returned from Italy, he raved about the wonderful flavors of this amazing Mediterranean country - the pasta, pesto, wine, and especially, the gelato. Once you have gelato, you'll never go back, he said. Gelato....Ice Cream - What's the Continue reading
7 July 2011 
Traditional French Preserves
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When I was in Boulder, CO, in May, I came across a wonderful little gourmet kitchen and food shop. In addition to your typical gourmet foods - specialty coffees, teas, pasta, chocolates, etc., the store had many European gourmet imports, of which several were available for free tastings. I just Continue reading
4 July 2011 
Wimbledon Brunch
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As I mentioned in my previous post, this weekend marked the 125th grand slam tennis tournament held at Wimbledon in England. In honor of this historic event - and the fact that my sister and cousin were visiting from out of town - I served a very Bistro Chic Wimbledon Brunch: Mimosas - made with Continue reading
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