When it comes to food, a little danger not only enhances the taste, but also gives you an amazing story to regale your friends and family with. While plenty of dishes are risky for various reasons, there are a few that present a much more intense challenge—some widely known (like puffer fish) and others a little more obscure (like casu marzu). ... Read More
Though the full list of winners won’t be released until April 4, the 2016 San Francisco World Spirits Competition has unveiled the recipients of the Double Gold medal. The 16th annual competition was held March 17-20 at Hotel Nikko in SF and yet again, saw an increase in entries over the previous year. ... Read More
Though many restaurants have come and gone over the years, Tetsuya’s has stood the test of time. The Relais & Châteaux property has in fact been a top spot in Australia’s culinary capital for nearly 30 years, claiming a place on San Pellegrino’s World’s 50 Best Restaurants nine years in a row.... Read More
Napa Valley may be small in size, but it is giant in impact. With over 400 wineries and counting, this valley first put California wine on the map by winning the Judgement of Paris blind competition 40 years ago, an event recounted in the 2008 film, Bottle Shock. Having just wrapped upon March 20, the 5th annual Flavor! Napa Valley celebrated this historic moment (along with many others) during their huge four-day festival. ... Read More
Remember those little plastic Easter eggs your parents used to fill with goodies? Well, the Regent Taipei has taken that concept and blown it away with their unique cake-filled ostrich egg. Available at the hotel from March 25 to April 5, the one-of-kind treat is made by filling the large egg with fine cake batter and then carefully baking.... Read More
Just a 2.5 hour drive from Sydney, the Hunter Valley Wine Country is the oldest and most historic wine region in Australia. As it is especially well known for Semillon and Shiraz, a visit will result in tasting endless varietal blends and expressions of these grapes along with other varietals grown in nearby regions. While the wines are the stars of the show, the valley’s dining scene is just as impressive. Every establishment strives to serve seasonal local fare that highlights the area’s wines. Here are five of the area’s best restaurants that are worth a visit:... Read More
Mezcal is one of the most misunderstood spirits available, with many confusing it for being interchangeable with tequila. Although they both use plants from the genus agave as raw material, tequila is arbitrarily restricted to one particular variety: the blue agave (also known as agave tequilana). Mezcal, on the other hand, benefits from a greater diversity with over 30 different species available for producing this unique spirit.... Read More
Andy Blanton got the “cooking bug” while working as a dishwasher when he was 15. From there he went on to graduate from the Culinary Arts Institute of Louisiana in Baton Rouge. Eager to explore his Cajun culinary roots, Blanton has worked at the renowned Commanders Palace in New Orleans and Brigtsen’s Restaurant, where he cooked under the acclaimed James Beard award-winning chef: Frank Brigtsen.... Read More
It’s no wonder that some of our favorite flavors of all time are trending right now in bars across the country. How could they not be? Banana? Spice? Everything nice? While these flavors may have always been around, there is a phenomenon occurring at the moment where people want to be transported to a new time and they’re using their cocktail selection to accomplish this.... Read More
Ever since Yamazaki Sherry Cask 2013 was named the “World Whisky of the Year” in Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible 2015, it has become one of the most highly covetable whiskies on the planet. In the wake of the award, sales of Japanese whiskey exploded and new, non-age statement releases (such as Hibiki Harmony) were brought to market to help relieve some of the demand. ... Read More
If you’re afraid of heights, you may want to skip getting a cocktail at Biré Bitori. Designed by Tall Arquitectos, the restaurant hangs over Mexico’s Copper Canyon and as you can see from the renderings, it takes serious advantage of the views. ... Read More
Scandinavian cuisine has undergone a complete transformation in less than a decade, with the dull and uninspiring fare of old replaced by what’s become the talk of the culinary world. The Michelin Guide has taken note, giving the region’s first three-star ranking to two restaurants, Copenhagen’s Geranium and Oslo’s Maaemo.... Read More
Whether it’s due to the new trend among oenophiles to seek wine already fit for consumption or the declining faith among major estates in the en primeur process (which is purchasing wines that are still in the barrel)—or even a bit of both—the fact remains that the en primeur market is in a state of transition. ... Read More
