• Why Gastrotraveling?
  • What Can I Do for You?

Gastro Traveling

Food Drink & Hospitality Explored

  • Culinary Reviews
  • Food Festival Planner
  • Top Foodie Vacations
  • Hospitality News
  • Wine Reviews
You are here: Home / Archives for Top Foodie Vacations

Kick Off Montreal’s 375th Anniversary With These Luxury Hotels and Key Attractions

October 6, 2016 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

Whether you’re planning a trip to properly kick off Montreal’s 375th Anniversary or simply want the latest scoop on maximizing your visit to the most sophisticated city north of the U.S.- Canadian border, the following hotels and activities are all sure bets:

Hotel Gault

It’s hard to believe that Hotel Gault actually got its start in 1871 as a cotton factory. Now one of Old Montreal’s smallest historic boutique hotels, its exterior retains the original ornate Paris-inspired Haussman greystone fascade. Exposed brick walls, wood beams, and cast iron columns form the back bone of the hotel’s minimalistic interior.

All 30 loft-style rooms are at least 350-square-feet framed by tile-and-concrete and brightly patterned carpeted floors with sleek blond wood furnishings and rough brick walls. But that’s where the minimalism ends. Luxury appointments like custom crafted mattresses, Casa Novea linens, and a nightly turn down service that includes a selection of fresh baked treats embody the other dimension of staying here.suite-corner-1

Bathroom floors have heated tile floors while several feature freestanding soaking tubs. 5th floor 1,020-squarefoot deluxe apartment rooms have private terraces, kitchenette, living room, dining area and work space perfect for quick “livin’-it-large” visits as well as longer term stays.

lobby

The hotel’s multi-use lobby functions as both reception area and restaurant/lounge with a large Francesco Binfaré yellow sectional couch to the side of the front desk while brightly colored Knoll chairs are situated near soaring windows perfect for people watching over an Allongé and fresh flaky croissant in the morning. Alternatively, your evening can include browsing their magazine library and rotating art exhibit of local painters, photographers and illustrators while sipping signature cocktails like a Kombucha Libre or Montreal Ice Tea.

Wellness packages here include passes to Bota Bota and Scandinave les Bains, both spas a short walk away with saunas, steam rooms, and cold plunge pools. Bota Bota, once a ferry boat and now an indoor/outdoor floating spa is docked in Old Port while Scandinave les Bains is fully indoor.

Hotel William Gray

Also located in the heart of Old Montreal but overlooking Place Jacques Cartier, this newly opened hotel is an artful amalgamation of preserved historic architecture and bright energy efficient modern design. A newly constructed 8-floor, 127 room glass tower straddles 18th century crushed limestone Maison Edward-William-Gray and grey stone Maison Cherrier buildings.william-gray

The interior is not only elegantly appointed but outfitted with regionally produced furnishings and amenities all the way down to the en suite doormats made from recycled rubber by a local artisan. Natural light is maximized in every way possible from floor to ceiling windows, light toned wood flooring, concrete ceilings, and white sheer curtains.

Art adorns the walls featuring bird drawings by Canadian artist Steven Spazuk. Utilizing fumage, a technique of creating trails of soot using a candle or torch flame, Spazuk then sculpts them into his uniquely winged creatures.

williamgrayroom

Bedding down for the evening is a treat with sumptuous Marie L’Oie linens, down comforters, and pillows. In the bathroom, Frette towels, multi-jet rain showers, and Le Labo bath amenities await. Twice daily housekeeping and mini-bars fully stocked with made in Montreal snacks make the in-room experience extra special.

maggieoakes

Their rooftop deck and cafe with full bar provides spectacular views of Old Port, Notre-Dame Basilica, and Victoria Square among other historic landmarks while onsite Maggie Oakes Restaurant features an indoor wall mounted herb garden, while prime steaks and an extensive wine cellar ages under glass completely visible defining the dining room’s focal point.

rooftop

Now in its second location on the ground floor of the hotel facing Rue Saint Vincent, Café Olimpico appears as if it’s been here for centuries with exposed rough-hewn beams, thick stone walls, and marble counter serving up espresso drinks along with locally baked specialty pastries. Walk through the back of the cafe into independent retailer Boutique OTH, showcasing local clothing designers as well as Canada’s only Vans Partnership outlet.hotelmonville

Hotel Monville

The cranes are onsite at Rue de Bleury and the anticipation is building but the doors of Hotel Monville won’t be open for guests until July 2017. Under construction steps away from the Palais des Congrès and Quartier des Spectacles, Hotel Monville is shaping up to be a 20-story masterpiece with a sleek ultramodern cubist glass exterior enclosing 269 artfully furnished rooms and suites accompanied by more than 4,000 sq ft of meeting space and what promises to be a breathtaking terrace.

Be first to book a room here!

Biking Lachine Canal

Once a major trade route linking the Atlantic Ocean with the interior of North America, the Lachine Canal served as a key shipping route up until 1950 when it quickly lost its relevance due to increasing vessel size and completion of the St. Lawrence Seaway. Today the canal is purely recreational with boat tours and an accompanying 14.5 km pathway open to bikes and pedestrians. Bike rentals can easily be arranged trail side at Ma Bicyclette.

lachinecanal

Ranked the third most beautiful urban circuit in the world by Time Magazine in 2009, this path follows the canal from Bonaventure Expressway west of the Old Port to Chemin du Musée in Lachine. Open year round from dawn to 11:00 p.m. but only maintained from April 15 to November 15, cross-country skiers and snowshoers can find their slice of heaven here during winter.

Montreal Craft Beer Tours

Each 1.3 mile narrated walking & drinking tour through the Entertainment District includes 3 craft breweries with a total tasting of 6 different beers. Beyond chugging the samples, a very tempting prospect indeed, your tour guide encourages you to look, smell, and note the flavor profile. Tastings are further enhanced with food pairings like poutine, gravlax & cheeses, and several varieties of chocolate. Plan on consuming the equivalent of 2 pints throughout the experience making it quite adequate for developing a slight buzz.

montrealbeertours

Co-founded by a community organizer and an entrepreneur, tours not only focus on breweries but on the neighborhood’s historical and cultural aspects like the former Red-Light District, once the scene of hustling and brothels during the city’s shipping heyday. Walk past the sites of Montreal Jazz Festival and Just for Laughs Comedy Festival as well as public art displays and architectural gems made all the richer by narrated stories and anecdotes.

Food Trucks

Food trucks are a recent phenomena in Montreal. From 1947 to 2013, they were banned due to hygiene concerns and competition with established “brick-and-mortar” restaurants. But The Quebec Food Truck Association worked hard to light a spark that has now ignited roughly 200 food trucks throughout the city.

montrealfoodtrucks

Choices range from mainstays like grilled cheese, and pulled pork to mobile haute cuisine like foie gras poutine by Chef Martin Picard at Camion Au Pied de Cochon and lobster truffle cappuccino by Chef Jérôme Ferrer at Europea Mobile.

Montreal food trucks must be affiliated with an established restaurant or catering business and commit to periodically move from site to site ensuring variety in each neighborhood.

Au Sommet – Montreal’s Newest Vista

ausommetAu Sommet, atop Place Ville Marie, occupies the skyscaper’s top 4 floors with les Enfants Terribles Brasserie, Made in Montreal boutique, and #MTLGO, an interactive cultural exhibit exploring hockey, gastronomy, performing arts, and Montreal neighborhoods via 55 videos and 500 photos culled from city archives and social media shares. Select what appeals to you and print out an actual ticket which doubles as your personal Montreal bucket list for favorites to experience in person like the Biosphère’s geodesic dome, riding a BIXI bike from the Plateau to Old Montréal or climbing the Clock Tower.ausommetobservation

A recently opened Observation Deck at the top 46th floor is the main attraction with stunning 360° views outfitted with the same digital telescopes used at Dubai’s Burj Khalifa along with a 4-season outdoor terrace with 12-foot-high bay windows and an urban garden. It is here that you can zoom in on the majestic St. Lawrence River, Jacques-Cartier Bridge, the Quartier des Spectacles or Mount Royal to the west providing Montreal’s iconic natural backdrop.

During winter, it’s comforting to know that Place Ville Marie is in the heart of the city’s RESO Underground Pedestrian Network as well as home to a massive revolving spotlight and giant illuminated Christmas tree.

Photos courtesy of Montreal Tourisme, Montreal Craft Beer Tours, Hotel Gault, Hotel William Gray, Hotel Monville, & Steve Mirsky.  Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

The Colonnade: Boston’s Homegrown Luxury Hotel

August 12, 2016 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

BackBayNight

The Back Bay neighborhood is home to so much of what makes Boston a world class city. You’re a quick walk from legendary Fenway Park, the seemingly endless blocks of Newbury Street’s boutique shopping, the Skywalk Observatory atop Prudential Center, stunning emerald ribbons of parkland bordering the Charles River, and inventive dining helmed by a growing community of star chefs.

backbayboston

It’s hard to imagine but fair to say that well into the early 1970s, demolition permits for much of what you now see far outnumbered shoppers and tourists walking the streets.  The Charles River was literally an open sewer and skid row living conditions snuffed out blocks of classic brownstones once home to tight knit ethnic enclaves.

colonadeexterior

The Colonnade Hotel

The Colonnade Hotel opened in 1971 on the corner of Huntington Ave. and West Newton St. as a definitive catalyst for the neighborhood’s renaissance. Sleek towering pillars of concrete girded by floor to ceiling windows designed and built by Bertram Druker rise 12 stories above the surrounding architecture to the back of the property built more than a century earlier. Still owned by the Druker family today, The Colonnade is a distinct rarity in Boston’s increasingly chain dominated hotel scene.

colonadelobby

Walking through the spotless plate glass front doors attended by congenial door staff, you enter a marble floored lobby outfitted with clusters of plush seating to either side and straight ahead a circular wooden table inlaid with a detailed and colorful map depicts both historic and present-day Boston.

colonadefoyer

Past guests like Whitney Houston, Ronald Reagan, Dean Martin, Harry Connick Jr., Val Kilmer, and Matt Damon are testament to The Colonnade’s panache further enhanced in 2008 by the property’s latest $25 million renovation.

Timeless elegance persists in many amenities like the Rooftop Pool and onsite Brasserie Jo while perks have been added over time like a courtesy Audi SUV for situations when Uber won’t cut it and a “VIPets” package that hooks your fluffy friend up with a pet bed, bowl, selection of 3 brands of food, and a map outlining dog parks and restaurants where they can stay by your side when it’s time for you to eat.

colonnaderoom

All 285 rooms in this Preferred Hotels’ Lifestyle Collection Hotel start out at a roomy 350 sq ft enhanced by floor-to-ceiling windows that not only flood your living space with natural light but open for fresh air when desired. For more stretch-out space, book one of their 700 sq ft Parlor Suites outfitted with a single king or two doubles with a separate living/dining room and two bathrooms or their even larger 950 sq ft Luxe Suite.

chefnick

Brasserie Jo

Executive Chef Nick Calias is in charge here and strikingly blends the latest culinary techniques with classic French bistro fare at Boston’s first authentic French brasserie opening in 1998.  “Boston’s chef community’s strength is rooted in our diverse backgrounds and love of cooking,” says Calias.

BrasserieJoDish

Perfecting his craft in Brasserie Jo‘s kitchen for nearly a decade now, Calias has a passion for building the finest dishes with the freshest ingredients.  Favorites include Grilled Lemon Chicken Paillard,  Chicken Coq Au Vin, Mussels Riesling Marinière, and Alsace Brioche Bread Pudding.

BrasserieJoInterior

Styled after a typical 1940s French bistro, the restaurant’s mosaic tile flooring, dark wood furnishings, and a strikingly eclectic mix of vintage art prints and paintings on the walls invite you to gather either in the dining rooms or at their vintage bar serving up seasonally changing craft made oversized martinis, Alsatian-style beers, and an extensive wine list.

rooftoppool

Rooftop Pool

12 stories above the streets of Boston, The Colonnade’s rooftop, open Memorial to Labor Day features the city’s only publicly accessible Rooftop Pool.  Billowing white cabanas available for private rental outfitted with plush outdoor sofas and chairs are ensconced along one side of the rooftop railing with spectacular views of historic South Boston.  Look across the pool from this vantage point and you get a decidedly more modern backdrop of gleaming skyscrapers.

rooftoppool

Comfortably chic lounge chair seating on the bamboo floored main deck, lush plantings, and a full service 12-seat bar serves up 3 different types of house made sangria and seasonal specialty cocktails along with light bites like Grilled Swordfish Tacos, RTP Lobster Roll, Petite Pearl Hot Dogs, and Bifteki Sliders.

rooftopyoga

noodlesOngoing poolside activities include twice-weekly complimentary pre-breakfast “Sunrise Salutation” yoga classes with esteemed in house yogi Rebecca Pacheco and a guest chef pop-up series roofTop Chefs hosted by Executive Chef Nick Calias.

Debuting this summer, a lineup of the city’s top chefs who also happen to be Calias’s friends share their latest creations like Tiger Mama‘s Tiffani Faison’s crispy curried Singapore Street Noodles and Malaysian Short Rib Rendang, Southeast Asian delectables normally only available from her restaurant’s open kitchen.

 

Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.  Photos courtesy of The Colonnade and Steve Mirsky

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Distinctive Inns Along the Coast of Maine

April 20, 2016 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

KennebunkportCoast

Contemplating an escape to Coastal Maine evokes images of clipper ships, rugged beaches, lighthouses, and the most prized lobsters in North America. Kennebunkport is a fine example of where all this and more comes together. Where you stay has a big impact on the quality of your experience, and thankfully your search is now much simpler with Inns Along the Coast, a new coalition of 8 historic inns also situated in Bar Harbor and Rockland Maine that all meet 5-star standards like impeccably maintained rooms appointed with luxury amenities, chef prepared breakfasts, in room spa tubs and fireplaces, collectible art on display, and no foolin wifi that’s strong no matter where you roam.  And the best part is you’re connected with properties guaranteed to be unique destinations in themselves made all the richer by their unique history and innkeeper legacy.kennebunkport2

Inns Along the Coast also provides complete locally pre designed itineraries that take the guess work out of which activities and sights can’t be missed. 1802 House, Captain Jefferds Inn, and Inn at English Meadows are all Inns Along the Coast within walking distance of each other in Kennebunkport yet offer completely different experiences.

 

Captain Jefferds Inn

Situated among other sea captain’s homes of the same era in Kennebunkport’s historic residential district, Captain Jefferds Inn is a several block stroll away from the Kennebunk River, Dock Square, and many dining options, art galleries and unique shops. Like many of Maine’s coastal towns, Kennebunkport was established on shipbuilding. Thankfully, its original walk ability and 18th century architectural charm was preserved as a historic district in 1976 so it really feels like you’re stepping back in time.

CaptainJefferdsExterior

 

Captain Jefferds Inn owners Erik and Sarah Lindblom took their first innkeepers course 25 years before even buying the property.  Over the years they searched for the perfect inn on the coast of Maine before settling on this inn. The deciding factor along with its compelling historic charm and in town location was the perfect spot for their prized grandfather clock to be tucked next to the central staircase leading from the foyer to rooms upstairs.

CaptainJefferdsSunPorch

Each of the 16 guest rooms is unique with many featuring a gas fireplace or wood-styled stove, spa tub, or perhaps a private screened in porch or deck approaching cottage-like privacy and coziness. 3-course breakfasts are served in the fireplaced dining room with an adjoining sun porch set up with a coffee serving station and magnificent selection of loose leaf gourmet teas for brewing.  Simply fill up one of their small tea pots with your choice and linger or bring up to your room and indulge with a good book.  Saving you a trip to the market, Erik and Sarah sell wines by the bottle as well as local maple syrup and homemade snacks.

1802 House

Teri and Roger Walker’s journey as innkeepers began upon returning to the US after living in the UK for 20 years. Teri always fantasized about being an innkeeper and happily, “Roger was a good sport and supportive of that dream.” Their challenge was finding the right inn in the right location while living in the UK raising a family and working long corporate hours. They overcame this by consistently taking vacations in the US staying in B&B’s whenever possible to test the waters. Serendipitously, on their first trip to Maine in 2011, they quickly fell in love with Kennebunkport and the 1802 House which happened to be for sale and bought it soon after.1802DiningRoom

15 Locke Street is a quick drive or an entirely doable walk to Kennebunkport village but worlds away in ambiance. Instead of water views and village life, 1802 House is tucked away down a country lane ensconced in the serenity of historic Cape Arundel Golf Club.  As the name implies, this stately colonial was built in 1802 starting out as a family home with additions gradually added over the years. In the 1990s it was converted into a bed and breakfast but it wasn’t until Teri and Roger took over in 2012 that the  property’s interior was completely overhauled to include a central dining room, custom spa baths, premium bedding, heirloom furnishings, and a 3 room Sebago Suite outfitted with oversized 2-person spa tub and private balcony.

1802SebagoSuite

Inn at English Meadows

A quick stroll down Port Road in Kennebunkport’s Lower Village to eateries like Old Vines Wine Bar and relative newcomer Ports of Italy, Inn at English Meadows, a meticulously renovated 1860 Greek Revival, brings a Soho vibe to a farmhouse originally built by local dairy farmer Asa English.InnatEnglishMeadows-Patio

Kate and David Parisi are the latest couple in a long string of innkeepers welcoming guests to the property for over 75 years. 10 artfully appointed guest rooms and suites along with a separate two-bedroom Carriage House bungalow meld original moldings, wide plank floors, and the original rambling layout with a thoroughly modernist ambiance of Blue Dot-esque furnishings, Vera Wang beds, Frette linens, Malin+Goetz soaps and the owners’ personal collection of watercolors and collages on display throughout the property.InnatEnglishMeadowDiningRoom

Waking up here is made extra sweet with readily available locally roasted Coffee by Design and a 3-course gourmet breakfast beginning with fresh baked daily pastries like Maine blueberry scones with sugar cinnamon butter.  Then it’s on to exquisite dishes like honey roasted plums or pears infused with thyme from the onsite herb garden and then perhaps a breakfast pizza topped with prosciutto andInnatEnglishMeadowHoneyRoastedPear lemony mascarpone.

Evening possibilities include kicking back on the Inn’s patio or landscaped English gardens in Adirondack chairs with a bottle of wine or favorite cocktail. For beach walks, you have Mother’s and Gooch’s Beaches lining Beach Avenue entirely accessible by sidewalk from the inn. And just a 15 minute ride away, you have 3 mile long Goose Rocks Beach, a powdery sandy stretch kept that way by a barrier reef just off shore.

Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky, Captain Jefferds Inn, & 1802 House, & Inn at English Meadows. Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Mount Washington Valley: A Story of Chili, Chocolate, and Celebrating Local

April 9, 2016 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

chilisamples

New Hampshire’s Mt. Washington Valley region is built on small business. Beyond outdoor tourism like skiing, mountain climbing, and whitewater rafting, more than 25 locally run inns, 70 restaurants along with an array of local specialty food purveyors and farms fuel a robust hospitality and culinary scene. This synergy is celebrated with longstanding festivals and special events. Two annual biggies held at the end of February are The Chilly Chili Cook-Off and the Mt Washington Valley Chocolate Festival, each respectively in their 13th and 27th years bringing together lifetime locals and curious tourists.chiliservers2

Chilly Chili Cook-Off

40 professional chefs put their best chili recipes to the test at the Chilly Chili Cook-Off competing for award categories like best beef, vegetarian, classic, and chicken chili, cornbread, and themed displays. Not only does a panel of professional culinary evaluators choose the winners based on aroma, consistency, and taste, but a People’s Choice Trophy is also awarded based on attendees individual votes. Bumping up the exclusivity factor a notch, a limited number of VIP package tickets offer early admission, gift bags, and special entry to the Awards Ceremony.chocolatecupcakes

Chocolate Festival

Renowned as the ‘Sweetest Day on the Trails”, the Mt Washington Valley Chocolate Festival partners with Mt Washington Valley Ski Touring and Snowshoe Foundation to make chocolate indulgence totally guilt-free. Weather permitting, chocoholics cross country ski or snowshoe along the Mt. Washington Valley network of trails at designated inns and businesses like Local Grocer & Cafe, Riverside Inn B&B, and the Whitaker Meeting House to sample different renditions of decadence like rich organic truffles, creamy fondue sauces, and double mocha brownies. And just because this is a chocolate festival doesn’t mean that some stops won’t also include live music and perhaps some beer sampling as well.snowvillageinnexterior

Where to Stay

You have many unique lodging choices when visiting the Mt. Washington Valley like Stonehurst Manor, a classic 5-star retreat overlooking the White Mountains with all the amenities of North Conway right down the hill, or the themed rooms of Adventure Suites ranging from Motor Cycle Madness to a Deserted Island suite complete with hammocks and beach bar.

Snow Village Inn

But when you’re looking to head off the beaten path for a decidedly more rural escape, Snow Village Inn in Eaton has been welcoming guests since 1948. First built as a summer home on the lower slopes of Foss Mountain in 1916 by Pulitzer Prize winning author Frank Simonds, the main inn now features 5 Queen and King Suites above the downstairs restaurant and bar with commanding views of the Presidential Range.snowvillageinndiningroom

Two additional on site properties, Chimney House, with 4 fireplaced guest rooms and the Carriage House, a renovated old barn with 8 well appointed rooms connected to a common area and library on the second floor offer quieter retreats with a more cottage-like ambiance.

snowvillageinnbreakfast

Max’s Restaurant & Pub

Onsite Max’s Restaurant & Pub serves hearty breakfasts each morning to all guests with a rotating selection of homemade baked goods and hot entrees like frittatas or stuffed French toast accompanied by bottomless cups of locally roasted Wicked Joe Coffee. It is at this first meal of the day that you get a taste of Chef Peter Willis‘ penchant for fresh ingredients and artful preparation that figure even more prominently at dinner. No stranger to the Mt. Washington Valley with stints at The 1785 Inn, Darby Field Inn, and at one point his own restaurant Coyote Rose, Willis draws from his Asian, South American as well as
Southwestern and Santa Fe culinary inspirations to create dishes like Eggplant Ravioli with a roast red pepper sauce, curry spiced walnuts, and goat cheese or a satisfying Rack of Local Lamb with olives and mint chimichurri.

Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky & Snow Village Inn.  Coverage resulting from a sponsored visit.

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Exploring California’s Anderson Valley and Mendocino Coast

December 29, 2015 by Steve Mirsky 1 Comment

andersonvalleySometimes the most impressive destinations require a trip to someplace more off the beaten path. Taking a side trip from Napa Valley is a great example. Iconic in its own right for wineries, stellar culinary scene, and vibrant arts, after spending a week on tastings and soaking in Napa’s ambiance, you just might be ready to head north up Route 128 for 2.5 hours over hairpin mountain curves into Anderson Valley which eventually leads to the Mendocino Coast.

Surrounded by steep, forested slopes and rolling hills dotted with picturesque
vineyards, farms and orchards, the narrow 15-mile long Anderson Valley boasts warm, sunny days and cool, foggy nights nearly year round. Slow down for the growing list of wineries like Toulouse, Roederer, Navarro, and Philo California’s Lula Cellars.

lula

Owner/winemaker Jeff Hanson named Lula after his maternal grandmother born in 1879 who lived to the age of 89 raising three children by herself after the death of her husband. Jeff left Napa Valley’s wine making scene in 2010 after more than 20 years as a salute to her tenacity and rugged spirit, buying and planting up a long fallow farm with Pinot Noir and Zinfandel vines. Two short years later, his limited production yielded Gold Medal winning Costa Pinot Noir and Mendocino Ridge Zinfandel. With yearly outputs now exceeding 3000 cases, Jeff sources from other local vineyards as well but still avoids distributors selling directly to customers both online and in his tasting room.

redwoodforestSoon after visiting Lula, you’ll pass though several Redwood groves before reaching the Mendocino Coast defined by waves frothing far below on sandstone cliffs fringed with gnarled Shore Pines clinging to the wind buffeted and often fog enshrouded overlooks reminding you that the wide open Pacific is a powerful force to be reckoned with. Any swimmable coast line here is extremely dangerous if you’re not aware of the tide schedules and immense undercurrents. Villages along this stretch of Pacific Coast Highway like Little River and Mendocino dot the coastline among rolling meadows and working farms resembling Scotland much more vividly than the classic beach scenes of Southern California.mendocinocoast

When it’s time to check-in for an overnight, plenty of top rated lodging options await offering their own unique hospitality as well as connection to the riveting landscape and local history. Here are 2 can’t-miss standouts:

Brewery Gulch Inn

Brewery Gulch Inn‘s very existence is tied to California’s North Coast logging heritage. Lumber mills situated at the base of most major rivers, including The Big River just north of the inn, supplied timber used to rebuild San Francisco after the Great Earthquake of 1906. brewerygulchexterior

Giant redwoods in the surrounding forests were felled during summer when the river’s current wasn’t strong enough to float logs down to the mills. “Log decks” behind each dam were built by incrementally stacking logs on top of each other. As the decks became taller and heavier, their weight pushed the lowest logs called “sinkers” deeper into the river silt. When winter rains arrived, the dams were dynamited to release the logs. “Sinkers” left forgotten under The Big River for over 150 years were unearthed during an earthquake retrofitting project on the Big River Bridge in 1961. Perfectly preserved by cold, mineral-rich ocean waters, these logs with diameters reaching 16’, were used in the 2001 construction of present-day Brewery Gulch Inn.

brewerygulchsinkers

Situated on the original 10 acre farmstead of Mendocino pioneer Homer Barton, the Inn overlooks the craggy bluffs of Smuggler’s Cove tucked along 48,000 acres of preserved meadows and redwoods of Jackson Demonstration State Forest. In 2007, current owners Guy and Sarah Pacurar purchased the 10-room Inn featuring a central Great Room and dining area built around a huge four-sided fireplace made of glass and welded steel by a local shipbuilder. brewersgulchgreatroom A 3-story high skylight and 13-foot tall redwood-trimmed French doors flood the space, including the dining area’s quarter-sawn oak tables, with sunlight and unobstructed views ofbrewerygulchbuffet Smuggler’s Cove.

Whether gathering around a dinner buffet with entrees ranging from Scallops on a Bed of Lentilles Du Puy, Moroccan Lamb, Mussel Bisque, and Halibut Escabeche complemented by their widely diverse selection of local beers and wines or pondering their cooked-to-order breakfast menu featuring Millionaire’s Bacon, Executive Chef Peg Davis only uses organic locally-sourced ingredients from what either local Mendocino County farmers, fishing fleets, or their own heritage garden provides.

The Inn’s Zen-like tranquility extends to the rooms where all but one have ocean views from a private balcony or patio. A complementary bottle of wine awaits upon check-in and the well appointed bathrooms invite luxuriating with their Asprey and Molton Brown bath salts and soaps.

Little River Inn

Roughly 5 minutes up Route 1 from Brewery Gulch Inn on 225 wooded acres high on a knoll also overlooking the wild Pacific, Little River Inn‘s ambiance successfully integrates historic polish with seaside luxury.

littleriverinnexterior
Although beginning as a homestead built in 1853, Ole Coombs, grandfather of present day Innkeeper Cally Dym, got the ball rolling converting house to inn by convincing his mother-in-law to turnlittleriverinndecks the living room into a bar now affectionately known as Ole’s

Whale Watch Bar. Coombs gradually expanded the gingerbread trimmed white clapboard Victorian beyond its original footprint officially opening to the public in 1939. Little River Inn’s first rooms were rarely locked and even in the off chance that a guest insisted on it for safety or privacy, all locks throughout the property had the same key.

As the years unfolded, the Inn served as lodging headquarters for some major local film shoots including East of Eden starring a young James Dean who reportedly made himself a bit too comfortable by kicking his feet up on the bar prompting Ole to kick him out.littleriverinnhistoric

Today, the Inn’s 65 spacious ocean view rooms are complemented by an on site restaurant, the only golf course in Mendocino County, and a day spa offering treatments like seaweed body scrubs and warm stone massages. At once exuding edge- of-the-world ruggedness and sophisticated panache, most rooms have either a private patio or balcony overlooking the Pacific, a spa tub or steam shower, and a gas or wood burning fireplace.

RosiesCottageRoom

The sheer variety of rooms here truly offer something for everyone. Examples include Traditional, Luxury, and Jacuzzi Deluxe main property rooms overlooking the verdant front lawn and wide open ocean while Garden Retreat rooms are tucked away in extra tranquility. Off site cottages include pet friendly Llama Barn nestled on a tranquil wooded estate a mile north of the main property where you can visit the resident llamas and crack open that long neglected novel out in the patio gardens while at ADA accessible Johanna Brock luxury suite in the seaside Mallory House sits right on the bluffs with its own arbor and hot tub on the back deck a stone’s throw above Mallory Cove.

littleriverinncalimariFor years, Little River Inn’s signature dish was local abalone cooked on Ole Coombs customized grill which was eventually adapted into the griddle used to this day for cooking up his Swedish Hotcakes served every morning on the breakfast menu. Other can’t miss breakfast dishes include their fresh Crab Cake Benedict and Cynthia’s Homemade Granola.

Chef Marc Dym, Little River Inn’s latest Executive Chef, married into the position in 2006. Dym brings a Zagat rated modern twist to classic American-regional dishes like Confit Pork Osso Bucco, Asian Calamari Salad, Pinenut Crusted Salmon, and when available, Sole Meuniere made from Petrale Sole caught in nearby Noyo Harbor. Selections on the Inn’s wine list and local beers on tap often pair extremely well with whatever is on the menu. Dym’s more spontaneous creations are best explored on the bar menu with small plates like Green Lip Mussels with Tobiko wasabi mayo, Baked Brie, and fried Calamari dusted with rice flour flash fried in house made mustard sauce.

olewhalewatchbar

Although typically used out of expediency at many hotels, in room dining at Little River Inn is de rigueur for at least some meals during your stay. Weather depending, the views, especially sunsets from your patio or deck trump the inn’s main dining room. But the smaller dining room to the front with windows or a seat at Ole’s Whalewatch Bar can’t be beat for savoring the Inn’s historic ambiance and taking your turn with the binoculars spotting whales migrating offshore.

Photos courtesy of Appelationamerica.com, Lula Cellars, Brewery Gulch Inn, Little River Inn, and Steve Mirsky.  Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.

Filed Under: Culinary Reviews, hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Discover Napa’s Simpler Serene Side at The Sunburst Calistoga

November 28, 2015 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

downtowncalistoga

Napa Valley is a gourmand’s paradise. A quick 45 minutes north of San Francisco (sans traffic) over the Golden Gate Bridge, across the barren hills of San Rafael and Galinas and then onto Route 37 along San Pablo Bay and its cooling breezes that ultimately moderate The Valley‘s ideal growing climate. The City of Napa is the Valley’s southernmost gateway to endless wine tastings thanks to more than 400 vineyards spanning roughly 50 miles anchored by posh inns and retreats along with an extremely high concentration of Michelin rated dining. But where do you turn if you just want to drink in the ambiance and not drain your bank account?

sunburstcalistogaentrance

Head to where the Silverado Trail (now a road) begins on the valley’s northern end in Calistoga. Downtown Calistoga, a walkable historic district with local shops and restaurants like Calistoga Roastery (a frequent haunt of Pearls Before Swine illustrator Stephan Pastis), Solbar, and Sam’s Social Club are interconnected with Queen Anne style Victorians (some of which are B&Bs) gracing the side streets. Unhustled, more laid back, off the “scene-and-be-seen radar”, Calistoga has been a renowned spa destination ever since mineral mud baths became popular back in the late 1700s during California’s Spanish colonial era. An 8 minute stroll from the village center up Lincoln Ave. brings you to The Sunburst Calistoga. Once a single-story 1950s motor lodge, now all 50 rooms rehabbed to retro modern with boutique perks like mini bar snacks restocked daily including in-room Kuerigs armed with regional gourmet roasts, reliable Wi-fi, and most blessedly, daily access to their mineral pools.

 

sunburstcalistogaroom

The Sunburst Calistoga taps into the area’s fissures deep below the earth’s surface providing a natural source of 180 degree water heated by seismic activity feeding their 2 pools and spa tub. By the time it reaches the pools, temperatures range from 80 degrees in the main pool to 104 in the jacuzzi. All are open 9 am to 10 pm each day for guests seeking a blissful soak or a few laps. Although chlorinated for sanitary reasons, you can still detect a greenish tint and sulfuric aroma to these waters rich in silica, sulfur, sodium, calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron. Beyond the toasty hot water euphoria and muscle relaxation that comes with it, these minerals also revitalize skin and normalize your metabolism. As an added bonus, your body absorbs these needed minerals much more effectively through the skin than swallowed concentrated supplements.

sunburstcalistoga

CalistogaMountainsDuring your stay, wine tasting adventures can begin next door at Lava Wine and progress down Silverado Trail to Brian Arden Wines. You’ll soon discover there are only so many swirls, sips, and spits you are going to want to do before deciding on a bottle and savoring with friends. This is totally doable if you slow down your wine tasting journey by taking a bike following Calistoga’s one of many designated bike routes to further afield vineyard. By no means an endorsement for biking while drunk, keep in mind that Portland Oregon has more bikes and breweries per square mile than anyplace in the U.S. and they haven’t met the apocalypse yet. Here’s my theory: Biking minimizes alcohol intake since your travel time drastically lengthens and you’re too busy enjoying the ride to sip a few more glasses. Should you take this approach or hike the Oat Hill Mine Trail across the street from The Sunburst, you’ll be rewarded with awe inspiring views and a deeper sense of place.

Photos courtesy of The Sunburst Calistoga and Steve Mirsky.  Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored stay.

Filed Under: Top Foodie Vacations

The 1000 Islands’ Latest Harbor Hotel in Clayton New York

November 3, 2015 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

 

1000IslandsHotelExterior2The Village of Clayton is situated on the St. Lawrence River where it begins converging with Lake Ontario in New York State’s 1000 Islands region. Seemingly untouched by time with not a chain outlet to be found among local shops in historically preserved storefronts along with grand Victorians in a walk able street grid, it’s no wonder that an adjacent long underutilized water front lot used as a fuel depot was recently transformed into 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel, a AAA 4-diamond full service resort.

Checking into the 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel begins in a rustically furnished vaulted ceiling grand entry leading to1000IslandsHotelLobby hallways lined with vintage photos depicting Clayton’s historical ties with the river. Artistic lighting, intricately patterned carpeting, and water view windows wherever possible provide a distinctive ambiance to the common areas while rooms feature hardwood composite flooring, bay windows overlooking the St. Lawrence, and floor to ceiling tiled showers. The hotel’s 6 suites include spa tubs,  lavishly outfitted wet bars, and at least one balcony.OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

seawaygrilledishesOnsite Seaway Grille has grown into a local dining hotspot with just as many outside patrons as on site guests savoring freshly prepared dishes like Curried Barley, Frenched Pork Chops, and a tender house made gnocchi served with sage butter, asparagus, prosciutto and pumpkin seeds topped with feta. Executive Chef Patrick Leibacher also regularly schedules culinary experiences like a Wild Game Dinner Series and a 7 Continents Dinner with dishes paired with wines from across the globe. This culinary inspiration spills over into the adjoining 1000 Islands Bar with local Wood Boat Brewery on tap accompanied by small plates like sunflower seed dusted scallops and a regionally inspired North Country Charcuterie board.

With over 6,000 square feet of conference and banquet space including a grand ballroom, you can bet that plenty of weddings are booked here overlooking the river with fire pits interspersed throughout their extensive riverside patio. Partnering with two local spas, the hotel’s In-House Spa packages include sparkling wine and strawberries upon arrival, in-room massages by Creative Edge Salon, and breakfast in bed. Their Romantic Getaway package bumps it up a notch with a bottle of Champagne and rose petal turn down.MuskieDeck

Next door to the hotel, step down onto the 49-slip municipal floating dock and look clear to the bottom. You’ll  see why the St. Lawrence River is a fishing and recreational boater’s paradise as well as a key shipping route a.k.a the Seaway connecting the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes. Dotted with 1,864 islands to be exact, many of the Thousand Islands are private and large enough to only accommodate a small cottage while others grandly display Gilded Age mansions like Boldt and Singer Castles regularly open for tours.BoldtCastle

As part of the hotel’s Island Cruise Package, you can board the Muskie, Captain Jeff Garnsey of Classic Island Cruises‘ 1953 wooden cruiser for 3-hour river excursions. Instead of large double decked tour boats narrated by an unseen guide over an intercom, Jeff describes what you’re seeing right from his wheel on a deck accommodating no more than 6 passengers. Garnsey customizes his voyages to include local wine and cheese pairings, stopping off at Boldt Castle, providing close up views of storied homes on Millionaires Row, as well as following a route bootleggers used back in the 1930’s. Garnsey also incorporates a Shore Dinner Experience into his cruises featuring traditional ingredients and techniques developed over more than a century as a St. Lawrence River tradition.AntiqueBoatMuseum

Other can’t-miss 1000 Island attractions include Clayton’s Antique Boat Museum. Here, 4.5 acres worth of exhibits depict the evolution of recreational boating from sleek wooden cruisers of the 1930s up through the roaring 50’s & 60’s when speed boats were built for the masses. The Seaway Wine Trail, winding through 78 miles of the scenic byways includes Clayton and rewards visiting wine enthusiasts with local award-winning Coyote Moon and Thousand Islands wineries with pairing possibilities made all the more authentic with local River Rat Cheeses.

Photos courtesy of 1000 Islands Harbor Hotel & Steve Mirsky. Coverage made possible by participating in a partially sponsored visit.

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Way Beyond Golf at Florida’s PGA National Resort & Spa

July 31, 2015 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

PGAResortPoolWith a name like PGA National Resort & Spa, home of the annual Honda Classic in Palm Beach Gardens Florida, you’d be right to assume that golf is big here with 5 onsite championship golf courses including 1 that’s brand new Fazio designed. But even for travelers who haven’t swung a club and never plan on it, PGA National’s wide array of other award winning amenities make it a premier go-to Florida escape.

Staying Here

You know you’ve arrived once you’re standing in their expansive lobby overlooking the resort’s zero entry pool and lake in the background. Right outside, iDECK, a 3,000 sq. ft. dining and event terrace is under construction while iBar, their full lobby bar awaits with sumptuous seating, light bites, and golf themed cocktails like The Pommer and Tee Time served from 11 a.m. ’til after midnight.PGAMancave

Since opening in 1981, PGA National Resort and Spa has not only evolved along with the game of golf and tournament circuit but in exceeding guest expectations with ongoing upgrades. Currently in their final phase of a property-wide $100 million renovation, all 379 guest rooms received floor-to-ceiling makeovers. Some were redeveloped into specialty suites like 1 bedroom Media Rooms elevating the man cave concept to a 5-star level with multiple large screen HDTVs and enough designer leather recliners to accommodate game day partying. A Bridal Suite features bathrooms outfitted with limestone walls and a large soaking tub. Two additional Spa Suites bring spa services directly to you with a second door from the bathroom leading to a room outfitted with a professional massage tables.PGAironwood

Dining

Although there are a total of 6 on site venues to grab a bite, when it’s time for that ultra luxe dining experience, you simply must head over to Ironwood Steak & Seafood. The menu centers around exactly what the restaurant’s name implies. But the magic resides in its plush conversation-inducing ambiance, impeccably personalized service, and how Executive Chef Sean McKee artfully builds signature dishes using seasonally fresh ingredients and prime locally caught seafood like Mahi-Mahi, Red Snapper, and Florida Spiny Lobsters. In the turf category, opulent cuts of steak feature their 32-ounce Wagyu Tomahawk Bone-In Ribeye for Two and Kansas City 21 day dry-aged prime are seared to perfection in a Vulcan 1,200-degree broiler. You can shoot the moon with wine pairings thanks to their floor-to-ceiling 1000 bottle wine room. A remarkable 36 vintages are available by the glass including PGA Private Label Cabernet Sauvignon made in Napa exclusively for the resort.

Satisfying sides like their chive risotto, wild mushroom ragu, or She Crab soup make you less PGAiTruckguilty about indulging in their house made warm Belgian chocolate lava cake or a daily chef’s trio of mouse.

But the fine culinary delights coming out of Chef McKee’s kitchens aren’t strictly confined to the formalized onsite venues. PGA National’s very own mobile gourmet iTruck periodically opens up as the resort’s 92-second hole as well as competing in food truck competitions and catering local events & parties with comfort food like BBQ pork sliders, Birdie Shrimp, truffle fries, and lobster sliders. The resort also hosts festivals throughout the year like a Craft Beer Festival & Burger Bash showcasing more than 120 craft beers and ciders paired with gourmet burgers and live local music. Back in 2013, PGA National set a new Guinness Book World Record for the longest ice cream sundae at their Ice Cream Festival. Reaching a length of 1250 feet snaking through 2 ballrooms and the entire length of the resort’s 40,000 sq foot indoor conference center, the sundae consisted of 1850 lbs of Luke’s Ice Cream, 1696 lbs of chocolate sauce, 462 lbs. of sprinkles, 840 lbs of whipped cream, and 1748 lbs of bananas.

Waters of the World Spa

Ranked among the top 25 spas in the United States in a recent Conde Nast Traveler poll, the 40,000 square-foot European-style Spa at PGA National features Waters of the World, mineral pools infused with healing salts imported from Salies de Bearn in the French Pyrenees as well as Israelan Dead Sea salt.

PGASpaChoose from more than 100 internationally inspired treatments like a Pure Fiji Coconut Honey Sugar Scrub that exfoliates then moisturizes with a botanical blend of 4 tropical drift nut oils and passionflower extract. Or go high tech with their Hydrafacial Treatment System that uses a vacuum based skin abrasion tip removing impurities with while infusing the healthy underlying skin with deep cleansing active serums.

No visit is complete without having in-spa Waters of the World Cafe serve healthy spa-tini cocktails like their vitamin B rich Watermelon Vodkatini along with healthy snacks pool side from the comfort of your lounger. Don’t forget, your stay includes unlimited access to their Health & Racquet Center featuring 19 Har Tru tennis courts, racquetball courts and an outdoor lap pool.

Photos courtesy of PGA National Resort & Spa.  Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.

Filed Under: content marketing, hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Connecticut’s Delamar Hotel Southport: Boutique New England Meets New York Chic

June 8, 2015 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

delamarexterior

 

Only 80 minutes from Midtown NYC and a quick walk from Southport Connecticut’s train station, Delamar Southport‘s classic white clapboard colonial architecture situated on the Old Post Road looks like it’s been a fixture here since the town’s 19th century maritime heyday.

Until walking inside, it’s hard to conceive that construction on the property was actually completed in 2010 .  Then you realize this quintessential Connecticut escape is a recent creation deftly balancing the refined elegance of New York chic with New England country charm.delamarlobby2

Delamar Southport’s lobby is the perfect place for lingering with your complimentary glass of champagne or sherry upon check-in. You’re surrounded by custom designed furnishings, antique marble floors, museum-quality art from the owner’s personal collection, and a French limestone hearth in the center.

Other inclusives making your stay extra special include chauffeur service within a 3 mile radius of the property encompassing local beaches, and a full delamarroombreakfast buffet each morning. A 24 hour concierge service is on hand to arrange a picnic basket prepared for a day at the beach along with complimentary towel service and bottled water.

Whether checking into one of their 44 guestrooms or 6 luxury suites, one of which is the 2,800-square-foot Woodward-Newman Presidential Suite outfitted with three spacious bedrooms and two-and-a-half baths, you’re in for the ultimate boutique hotel experience. Rooms have a light, airy décor anchored by  resplendent four-poster beds, handcrafted  furnishings, the latest flat-screen TVs and Tivoli audio systems with iPod docking stations. Marble floors, Bvlgari bath amenities, and Italian linens grace the bathrooms.

It’s easy to see why long term stays, especially in the suites, are common with twice daily housekeeping including evening turndown, same day laundry and dry cleaning service, as well as dog friendly for pets under 100 pounds. And lucky for you when it’s meal time. You’re steps away from on site Artisan Restaurant, Tavern & Garden.Chef Frederic Kieffer-2

 

Artisan

Originally from Paris, Executive Chef Frederic Kieffer cooked at top restaurants in France, New York, and in Connecticut at L’escale and Gaia before taking the reigns at Artisan in 2011.  Kieffer reportedly had his ingredient suppliers lined up well before Artisan’s architectural drawings were completed. “We source ingredients from local farms in the spring, summer, and fall. In the dead of winter we have to reach out to Californian or Floridian growers but even then we only work with the most sustainable farms.”
artisaninterior

Artisan exudes craftsmanship from the interior’s 18th century classic Scandinavian design to artfully prepared dishes. “Our goal is to produce as much as we can in house”, says Kieffer. “Our restaurant is named Artisan because we want to showcase the craft of cooking in every way possible. Homemade items include our pickles, apple wood smoked bacon, breakfast sausages, foie gras, meatballs, all our pastas, and seafoodsoupnot-to-miss sorbets and ice creams.”

Their seafood chowder is a classic dish where it all comes together. First served in a shallow white soup plate with choice morsels caught within the last 24 hours nestled in the bottom, a pitcher of creamy chowder is then poured over the top.  Sprinkling on some of their  house-made fennel flavored oyster crackers adds just the right touch.

Seating options here are diverse ranging from indoor dining area centered around a full bar, an outdoor patio/garden during warmer months with a full service bar as well, and The Copper Room, an elegant glassed-in private dining room ideal for special more intimate gatherings.

When asked about his personal favorite menu pairings, Kieffer shares, “During summer there is nothing better than our local oysters from Mystic CT with a glass of Sancerre. If you prefer Chardonnays then the roasted oysters are terrific.  Menu items during cooler months like pig croquettes (homemade crispy pig headcheese), chicken liver mousse, and cheese from our friends at the Fairfield cheese shop, all pair nicely with a glass of Oregon Pinot Noir”.


delamarspaSpa

A restful escape is never complete without a spa visit. Featuring skin treatments using award-winning Biologique Recherche and Valmont, as well as micro current therapy, medical-grade collagen upgrades, and an Amethyst BioMat, Delamar Southport’s full-service spa suite offers  respite with a more intimate setting than the typical spa layout. Outfitted with a couples treatment room, steam shower, and living room with a fireplace, you are closer than ever to restorative bliss.

 

Photos courtesy of Delamar Southport and Elitemeetings.com   Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored visit.

Filed Under: hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

Connecticut’s White Hart Inn Features British Cuisine

May 15, 2015 by Steve Mirsky Leave a Comment

whitehartinnGetting away from it all doesn’t always mean escaping but rather discovering something new.  A great example of this lies 2 hours north of NYC in the quintessential New England town of Salisbury Connecticut. Overlooking the center green, increasingly hard-to-find seats at recently restored 16- room White Hart Inn‘s restaurant and tap room clearly demonstrate that word is spreading about Chef Annie Wayte‘s British-inspired cuisine.chefwayte

Although a fixture in Connecticut’s Northwest corner for over 200 years, the White Hart Inn has evolved with some prior notable owners like Edsel Ford, an alumnus of nearby Hotchkiss School, and tea maker John Harney who got his start crafting blends in the inn’s basement. As reflected  in a 1964 local newspaper ad inviting residents to  buffet-style Sunday Suppers for $2.99 per person, the inn’s menus have evolved as well. One constant is that the bar and restaurant continue to serve as a gathering place for NYC weekenders, parents visiting their children at nearby boarding schools, and locals connecting over their favorite libations.

Chef Annie Wayte

Mastering the perfect pastry crust was tops on Chef Wayte’s achievement list at age 9. Inspired by Fanny Craddock’s TV show (Britain’s Julia Child) and later as a young adult on London’s haut-cuisine circuit, she picked up many core skills at Michelin-starred restaurants like Sally Clarke’s (think Alice Waters). Then it was on to helming fashion designer Nicole Farhi’s restaurant and the esteemed 202 Café in London, both of which she replicated in NYC before joining the White Hart team in 2014.

whitehartasparagusWayte is quick to point out that British gastronomy was a disaster 25-30 years ago. “Now it is on par with the world’s best making London one of the best restaurant cities in the world. While chefs like Fergus Henderson, Mark Hix, and Jason Atherton elevated quality British foodstuffs like Bramley Apples, Seakale, Langoustines, and Clotted Cream, the real credit goes to farmers, fishermen and ranchers producing these key ingredients.  If you haven’t tasted real Devonshire clotted cream on a freshly baked scone with English strawberry jam then you are certainlywhitehartdish missing out.”

Tap Room 

Menu staples here include accessible tavern-style English fare like Scotch Eggs, Devils on Horseback, along with classic Fish & Chips. “I’m really fortunate to have amazing partners that give me free reign on the menu here at White Hart. Having sunk many a pint in the Tap Room over the last decade, I am sensitive to the fact that it belongs to our local customers. It is their pub.”

whitehartdiningroom

Dining Room

“I wanted to take our dining here a step further with dishes like roasted pork rack with foie gras butter and grilled swordfish with freekah, baby beets, and pickled ramps.” Hardwood floors underfoot softly contrast with cream-colored wainscot paneled walls sporadically graced by paintings from local artists Jasper Johns, Frank Stella, Terry Winters, and Tom Levine. A long wooden table in the center surrounded by rustic dining tables covered with white tablecloths add elegance without the pretension. A working fireplace warms the space during colder weather.

Regardless of which menu you pick, just about everything is made from scratch with the best ingredients available usually sourced from local purveyors. “We’ve put a lot of time and energy into building a really broad list of wines from small producers at gentle price points and our draft beers are all local New England and New York craft produced.”

Photos courtesy of Steve Mirsky & White Hart Inn.  Coverage made possible by participating in a sponsored tasting.

Filed Under: Culinary Reviews, hospitality news, Top Foodie Vacations

  • « Previous Page
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • …
  • 15
  • Next Page »

About Gastrotraveling

I provide content that increases your sales of food, beverage, or hospitality of any kind.

Join me for free content marketing solutions!

* = required field
unsubscribe from list

powered by MailChimp!

Connect for More Perspectives

  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 
  • 

Copyright © 2018 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in