Nancy Kay Streiter
There are many ways to have great food experiences, but most fall into two types: those who want very upscale, Michelin-star level food and service that celebrate the fine art of eating, and those who want traditional local cuisines in authentic settings. Sustainable is the trending direction for both.
As a foodie myself, I always have my eye out for the best of both kinds as well as culinary experiences of all kinds. One of my latest discoveries is the ApliNN, a restaurant at the new Lumen photography museum in South Tyrol, Italy where you dine and sip local wines while watching people ski down the mountain. The chef is a renowned three-star Michelin chef known for his innovative sustainable cuisine that uses only fresh local ingredients. I knew him from his restaurant at the Rosa Alpina Hotel & Spa in Cortina.
California is a leader in sustainable dining. Many of the wineries of Sonoma and Napa Valley and Santa Rosa offer gourmet dining experiences overlooking the vineyards. One of my favorite spots is Piazza del Dotto, a wine estate in Napa. They offer a great two-hour wine tasting and food pairing (by reservation), something that is really catching on. It’s a refined way to taste wines and foods.
Barcelona is not just a great city for art and architecture, it is a top culinary city. It has wonderful regional specialties. In the small family owned eateries of the seaside neighborhood of Barceloneta, you’ll find excellent, fideuà, a seafood dish that is similar to paella. The area around the famous Boqueria market is the most famous place to sample regional dishes, but there are many other wonderful markets where you can sit at a bar and enjoy the menu of the day and chat with locals.
Many clients enjoy taking a private, guided tapas tour, sampling specialties at a number of places across the city. And of course, Barcelona has a number of wonderful Michelin-star restaurants, including Lasarte, which sports three stars.
Food is an important part of every culture and eating is just one part of the experience. You might take a cooking class with a local or a celebrity chef that begins with shopping for local ingredients in the market, attend an olive tasting in Greece or do a chocolate tasting in Belgium.
As a former Cordon Blue candidate, amateur chef and foodie extraordinaire, I can set the table for wonderful culinary experiences around the world. If you are hungry for foodie experiences, give me a call.