Author Archives: Epicurious Travelers

About Epicurious Travelers

Ms. Margolis-Pineo created EpicuriousTravelers.com to showcase her published work and ongoing food-travel adventures. Based in Portland, Maine, she travels frequently both in her home state and north to Montreal, her favorite North American city. Although she refuses to use the word "foodie," she has an abiding interest in food and wine. Ms. Margolis-Pineo's background as a designer gives her site an edge in the oversaturated blogosphere. New contacts, "likes," subscribers and content are always welcome!

Three Boroughs, Three Olives, 33 Hours

Posted on February 3, 2020 by Epicurious Travelers

These are perilous times, and my democracy grief is overpowering. No one is selling tickets for civility and truth, so I grab tickets to Medea at Brooklyn Academy of Music. BAM’s contemporary production is harrowing and utterly relatable. Based on … Continue reading →

Posted in Bobby Cannavalle, New York City, Off-the-beaten-track, Politics and Other Mistakes, Portland Maine, Retro-Travel, Theater | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Montecarlo

Posted on January 26, 2020 by Epicurious Travelers

This jolly uphill street is in Montecarlo, a charming town nestled in the Tuscan Hills. The quaint historical center is surrounded by small shops and maze of city walls. Once called “Vivinaia,” Montecarlo has nearly 20 wineries — an astonishing … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Travel | Leave a comment

Siena: Golden Light

Posted on January 23, 2020 by Epicurious Travelers

I am honing my far niente skills in the golden light of Siena. Home is a fifth-floor walk-up overlooking the bell tower and zebra-striped cathedral of Santa Maria della Scala. Much of this quaint Tuscan town is della scala — … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Travel | 1 Comment

Boo! Halloween in Pistoia

Posted on January 9, 2020 by Epicurious Travelers

In Pistoia’s historic Piazza del Duomo, it’s Halloween. Patron saints San Zeno and San Jacopo supervise as children whirl and shout. Their hysteria is charmingly muted and they’re modestly costumed, with small bags of cookies from local merchants. I notice … Continue reading →

Posted in Italian Travel | Leave a comment

Florence: Fashion & Friendship

Posted on January 8, 2020 by Epicurious Travelers

I arrive on a golden Tuscan morning, hire a car and check into centrally located Hotel Malaspina. The B&B’s cheerful staff, robust breakfasts, Wifi, rooftop terrace, cozy rooms and free valet parking (yes, I said free valet parking) make it … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Eating Montreal

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Epicurious Travelers

Montreal’s burgeoning food scene rivals any “best of” city, even my tasty little hometown of Portland, Maine. Glowing fruit and vegetables in mysterious heirloom varieties, divine buffalo mozzarella, robust cider vinegar, flinty wines, and oh, the duck! Pillowy gnocchi and … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Festivals, Food and Wine, Holiday Travel, International, Jazz Festival, Maine, Maine Travel, Montreal, Music, Off-the-beaten-track, Quebec | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

Take A Bow

Posted on July 19, 2019 by Epicurious Travelers

It’s a long and winding road to Montreal. Hours of rural Maine, New Hampshire and a tiny slice of Vermont zip by before we cross into the rolling hills of Canada. We pause at leafy Café Ailleurs for our annual bonjour … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, East Coast Travel, Festivals, Food and Wine, Holiday Travel, International, Jazz Festival, Maine, Montreal, Music, Off-the-beaten-track, Quebec | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Goodnight You Moonlight Ladies

Posted on July 6, 2019 by Epicurious Travelers

James Taylor, dreamy 1970s pop/folk icon, returned to Tanglewood last night with his all-star band (including my jazz-crush, Steve Gadd) for a wondrous July 4 of song and sentiment. Taylor is a fixture here in the Berkshires, and this performance … Continue reading →

Posted in East Coast Travel, Holiday Travel, Music, New England Travel | 1 Comment

Portland, Maine: Where To Stay?

Posted on June 25, 2019 by Epicurious Travelers

My beloved and discerning friend Robyn is coming to Portland in September. Please recommend a downtown hotel, she asks. With an in-house restaurant. Closer to our place in the East End. And oh — can we make sure Nils won’t … Continue reading →

Posted in East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Food and Wine, Lobster, Maine, Maine Travel, New England Travel, Portland Maine, Staycation, Travel | 3 Comments

Fab at 40: Montréal Jazz Fest

Posted on June 12, 2019 by Epicurious Travelers

Spectacular summer birthday celebration June 27 – July 6, 2019   As the 40th edition of the Festival International de Jazz de Montréal (FIJM) approaches, our festive neighbors to the north are getting ready to party — and what an … Continue reading →

Posted in Canada, East Coast Travel, Festivals, Food and Wine, Jazz Festival, Music, Quebec | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment