Category Archives: Food and Wine

My Montecatini

Posted on February 23, 2020 by

Montecatini Terme is a happy Tuscan mix of art, culture, and legendary spa scene. Belle Époque is the graceful era between 1890 and 1914 when Montecatini developed its elegant spa-style. Art Nouveau bathhouses set in a verdant, landscaped parks offered … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Culture, Food and Wine, International, Italian Travel, Off-the-beaten-track, Opera, Theater, Travel, Tuscany | Tagged , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Florence: Fashion & Friendship

Posted on January 8, 2020 by

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

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

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

Portland, Maine: Where To Stay?

Posted on June 25, 2019 by

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

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

Art in Bloom: The Sequel

Posted on May 22, 2019 by

An exuberant spring festival at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts offers guided tours, workshops, and high tea. A little stodgy, a little corny, and very Boston, Art in Bloom inhabits a deeply old fashioned groove with garden clubs and … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine | 1 Comment

Boston: Art in Bloom, Part 1

Posted on March 29, 2019 by

Spring Green As another endless winter slides into dreary mud season, I plan a Boston getaway in search of signs of spring. I begin my odyssey at the Museum of Fine Arts (MFA). First stop: Henri Matisse’s Geraniums.  Neil Welliver … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Culture, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, Lobster, New England Travel, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Born To Run

Posted on November 12, 2018 by

My pal theater boy somehow scores tickets to Bruce Springsteen on Broadway. Magic, sleight of hand and surprise are just a few of his many gifts. We arrive rumpled and in need of a recharge. It is not quite noon. … Continue reading →

Posted in Art and Culture, Documentary Film, East Coast Travel, Food and Wine, New York City, Off-the-beaten-track, Theater, Travel | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments

Portland Maine’s Rising Tide

Posted on August 30, 2018 by

Bon Appetit Magazine recently named our little town of Portland, Maine, “Restaurant City of the Year 2018.” Suddenly, we’re a world-class destination for all things yummy and wondrous – a somewhat frenzied big deal. Here is my humble townie perspective: … Continue reading →

Posted in Bon Appetit, East Coast Travel, Farm-to-Table, Food and Wine, Maine, Maine Travel, New England Travel, Staycation | 1 Comment