Dim sum is a uniquely Chinese. Dim sum consists of a variety of dumplings, steamed dishes, and other items often served in individual bamboo streamers. They are similar to hors d’oeuvres but when several are ordered they make a wonderful meal. The words literally mean, “touch your heart.” I was introduced to dim sum during a visit to Hong Kong

Vancouver, BC: There is no tastier time to visit Vancouver than during Dine Out Vancouver – the city’s highly anticipated annual restaurant event where visitors can sample three-course dinner menus at over 200 restaurants at the delectable price points of $18, $28 or $38 (exclusive of taxes, alcohol and gratuity). Tourism Vancouver’s eighth annual

Dubai is considered an expensive destination but it doesn’t have to be. John and I visited in Dubai in January 2009 and our favorite evening turned out to be our least expensive. After wandering through the spice souk with it aromatic smells we hopped on board an abra, handed the boatman one dirham (27 cents), and crossed Dubai Creek. Abras are flat-bottomed

For a small Irish town made up of little more than two streets Kenmare has a surprising number of award winning restaurants and Packie’s is no exception. Local chef Martin Hallissey has created a fine dining experience without losing any of that Irish charm or hospitality. The menu focuses heavily on produce from the local region – scallops, mussels and

John and I have been to Singapore several times. Our son was an exchange student for one semester at the National University of Singapore and often ate at hawker stalls, informal street-side eateries. He said, “A hawker stall was a great place for a filling meal on a limited budget.” Over the years the hawker stalls, just like Singapore, have transformed.

Orel Emile Gentle Steward traded his life as a chef on a cruise ship to be a chef in his hometown of Sambo Creek, Honduras. Sambo Creek is one of many colorful Garifuna villages that dot the north coast of Honduras. The Garifuna are an AfroCaribbean group who live on some of the most beautiful palm-fringed beaches in Central America. The friendly town, the fresh

Meals in Ecuador often consist of set menus known as almuerzos (al-mur-zoes) lunches and meriendas (merry-en-das) dinners, which usually consist of a soup, main course (usually meat) and a dessert. These usually cost just one or two dollars. Soups are without doubt Ecuador’s specialty. They are always hearty, usually including vegetables, potatoes and a

Situated in the Galata district of Istanbul, the pastry shop called Karakoy Gulluglu is probably the best place to buy baklava in the city. Situated just over the Golden Horn from Eminonu, the nearest tram stop is Karakoy. Customers can buy at least 20 different types of baklava either in kilograms or in portions. A teller on one side of the shop takes your

I have a bad habit of turning my nose up at hotel restaurants. That would be a very big mistake in Macau. There are a ton of fab ones there, many of which are chain, like the MGM Grand and the Four Seasons. We had a dim sum meal at the Four Seasons that I still dream about. Steamed dumplings and hot soup. A flight of tea. Impeccable service and Coke Light over

One of my great joys in life when traveling internationally is taking the opportunity to experience food as it was traditionally prepared. As a rule, I find something both different and memorable. I have been in the Cook Islands for less than two days when a traditional food opportunity presented itself. While on Tangaroa’s “Safari” tour I had the chance

Sightseeing makes hungry and what the exhausted traveler needs to calm those grumbles in his stomach is a nice place to eat and rest, with great and abundant food at a price that won’t burn too big a hole in the budget. Tobacco Road Restaurant in downtown Miami fits the bill perfectly. For starters, the place is full of history. It’s Miami’s

New York, NY – April 23, 2009 – Hong Kong has declared 2009 the year of food and wine, and from now until next March Hong Kong will be a horn of plenty to eat and drink. While Hong Kong has long been known as Asia’s culinary capital, the removal of wine duty this year presents an excellent opportunity to showcase all the reasons why. The city is

The last time I stayed at the Opus, I arrived during a nighttime drizzle and melodic thumping as hipsters moved in and out of the doorway leading to not just a hotel, but a cool scene in the Yaletown area in Vancouver, British Columbia. As unhip as I am, I never felt out of place. Two years later, I arrived during a daytime drizzle and, this time, something even

It is the general belief that when traveling people should eat everything that’s different than what they are normally eat. This is more true if someone offers it to you. When a person offers you food, you eat it — unless you want to insult them. So when I took a trip to the town of Oaxaca in the summer of 2003, and I came back without trying the

I never consider myself much of a “foodie,” someone who knows and understands the complexity of making delicious meals. Moreover, I don’t know how to write about food — within itself also an art form. However, I like food, a lot! I love eating, and believe that food can be one of the great joys in life. Even though I lack the skills to