Travel’s in Quebec Eastern Townships - Part 5

Whether dining on tasty delicacies that are artistically presented on the plate, or soaking in one of the outdoor hot tubs, a visit to the contemporary Balnea Spa and its restaurant, Lumami, is a restful retreat.

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A New, Sustainable Restaurant on Denmark’s Aero Island

 Biking Denmark’s islands couldn’t be more idyllic. But on my last couple of days, I discovered a new restaurant on the island of Aero that captured my heart. Not only was the cuisine creative and tasty, but the entire ethic of the establishment, Marstang Mad and Vin, revolved around sustainability. I recently interviewed the two young owners about why they feel so strongly about locally sourced ingredients, how they established their wine list, and what are must-see and must-do activities and sights on the island. I recently wrote about them and their restaurant for ForbesLife.

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Another Connecticut Day Trip From New York With Beach Access

A little over an hour from New York City, Southport, Connecticut is a bucolic waterfront town with a historic district peppered with grand 18th century houses. (The town dates to the 1600s and, given that had a successful port, was a favorite of wealthy sea captains and merchants who built their grand dwellings here.)  I strolled along the streets of the historic center of Southport, Connecticut and found that no matter the weather or time of day, this village is enwrapped in the charm of another era.

Here are some of the must-sees in Southport:

Southport Park is a 10-acre forested expanse smack in the middle of the town’s historic district. No matter the season, it’s worth walking its few trails, including one that loops beside a stream, past interesting rock formations.

The historic district is a mere scenic 20-minute walk to the beach, which is a simple curve of sand in a neighborhood dominated by immense mansions.

The Pequot Library, which dates from the late 1800s, retains so many other-era features, including two wood-paneled reading rooms with wood-burning fireplaces, original Tiffany stained-glass windows, and a grand stone, granite facade.

The Grey Goose is a local favorite for well-prepared food, and drinks. Despite the din, the environment is cozy with rugged wood beam columns, soft amber lighting, and a stone walled fireplace. They offer daily specials that are worth trying, including the blackened red snapper tacos  with avocado and pico de gallo.

Having dinner in an old railroad station waiting room hardly sounds like it would be an upscale experience. But, Paci defies the rules. By far, this is Southport’s best restaurant and one that shouldn’t be missed. The new glassed-in bar -- you can see the trains whizzing by -- is perfect for enjoying one of their many wines by the glass as well as anything on their dinner menu. Their signature meatball appetizer is the best around. (The recipe which includes pine nuts, raisins, sweet onions and garlic, comes from the owner’s family.)

The casual Horseshoe Cafe and Tavern has been in business since 1934. It’s a local favorite for hanging out with a glass of beer or wine to accompany a basket of freshly-made popcorn.

For a picnic lunch, my pick is the Spin and Span Market, a sandwich shop/grocery with tasty fixings. These include a popular turkey chili with melted Vermont cheddar, as well as the tarragon chicken salad wrap with apple bacon, mesclun greens, and plum tomatoes.

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Michelin-Starred Dining in the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands may not be on most people's radar, but they should be for myriad reasons, including that they're noted for their pristine air, land and waters. And in this treasured, far-flung archipelago, I made a surprising discovery: a Michelin-starred restaurant in a wild landscape serving an 18-course menu with mostly foraged ingredients. This is the article I recently wrote for Forbes.

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A Culinary Gem in Iceland

In Iceland,  Heimaey, the only inhabited of the Westman Islands off the south coast, is a precious gem with plenty of curiosities, including an 18-hole golf course nestled in a lush extinct volcanic crater, and steaming volcanic vents from the most recent volcanic eruption in another part of the isle where an innkeeper can bake bread in the hot earth. Among the verdancy and dramatic cliff tops where puffins can be found is a culinary treasure: Slippurinn. I recently interviewed Gísli Matthías Auðunsson, the young chef helming this family-owned establishment for ForbesLife.

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Restaurant Review: New York City's New Rice Noodle Eatery

Focused on mixian rice noodle dishes typical of China's Yunnan province, South of the Clouds, a just opened restaurant in New York City's Greenwich Village, may be small and quite informal but it will leave a delightful impression on your taste buds. I recently dined at this eatery where, as soon as I walked in from the cold, my eyes set on the dramatic mural on one wall, a mountain scene reflective of the topography in that province.

Along with the decor, the menu is minimal but memorable. All the main courses are served dry or in a soup. The signature dish is Crossing the Bridge Noodles that's served in a large steaming bowl of four-hour cooked chicken broth and a wooden palette containing silkie chicken, pork,  beef, fish, bean sprouts, tofu skin, cilantro, and scallion. These are then assembled at the table, a dish that can be shared, like all the main dishes. I also ordered the Tofu Pudding Rice noodles, a dry dish made with minced pork with fermented bean paste atop tofu pudding, plus julienne carrots, cilantro, scallion, crushed peanuts and Chinese pickles. Both were plenty tasty but, of the two, I preferred the latter for its heat, and sweet and sour flavors that were perfectly melded. The side of Yunnan ghost chicken, which is shredded chicken with cilantro, minced garlic and lime, is a perfect accompaniment, offering a different but complementary flavor and texture profile.

The desserts are unusual but a must try, whether it's the Yunnan rose with silver ear mushroom -- a delicate dish with a gelatinous-like texture and an aromatic surprise from the rose petals, or the milky rice made with whole milk, a very soothing dessert that was most welcome after the heat-packed meal.

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Enjoy A Flower-Centric Menu in Bangkok

Anyone who has a love affair with flowers and gardens as I do will want to visit a new restaurant dedicated to edible flowers. Midnight Moon recently opened in Bangkok on the property of the Museum of Floral Culture. The latter museum is ringed by a stunning garden, and the museum honors Queen Sikirit of Thailand who has long been a proponent of preserving gardens. Reserve a table at Midnight Moon for the multi-course, flower-centric menu and you'll also be treated to a guided tour of the garden at night. Find out more about the Museum and Midnight Moon in the article I recently wrote for ForbesLife.

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The Hidden Side of Curacao

Curacao is a many-sided beauty. As I roamed about this island that's part of the Dutch Antilles, I found that the only way to make this discovery was to traverse Curacao's historic, creative and arid spaces.

Sure, most people flock to the UNESCO World Heritage Site in the colonial town of Willemstad. But, instead of concentrating on Punda, the neatly laid-back historic neighborhood, I opted to take an architectural walking tour of Otrobanda, a pastel-hued, less affluent historic neighborhood.

My guide pointed out the lone black roof tiles among a sea of terracotta. Then I found out that it all dates to a 19th century governor who imported the more durable black, glazed tiles -- they carried a status cache -- from Holland for his mansion. Trying to emulate him, some citizens added black roof tiles to their homes, not glazing them, however, because of the added cost. The result: they're not as durable and they absorb even more heat.

Find out more about activities that will satisfy gourmands, art and architecture aficionados and nature buffs in my National Geographic Traveler - Intelligent Travel article.

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New Poké Restaurant in New York City

Standing on the corner of Third Avenue and 38th street -- a part of New York City I could call my virtual home -- I stared at a curb sign declaring “Sons of Thunder” with an arrow pointing east on 38th. It was barely 9 am and I hesitated following the arrow, wondering if this was some after hours club that forgot to take down their sign. (I hadn’t bothered to read the rest of the sign: poké.)

For those not in the know, poké is the ubiquitous Hawaiian thickly sliced, raw fish side dish that’s typically served atop rice with a soy-based or other sauces. It can be found anywhere and everywhere on the Hawaiian islands, from convenience stores to gas station markets.

That morning, I ended up circling the neighborhood, doing errands, and, intrigued by the curb sign, made my way back to 38th Street where I met John and his brother James, the delightful owners of Sons of Thunder, a name referring to a childhood nickname for the brothers.

James told me, “The idea for the restaurant was for it to be like a Hawaiian beach shack serving burgers, and chili dogs; poké would be a special." (The Hawaiian theme is a result of their grandparents emigrateing from South Korea to the U.S. via Honolulu; much later the family moved to San Diego.) But because of an unforeseen problem with the gas lines, Con Ed couldn’t turn on the gas for awhile. That meant no grilled chicken, burgers or fries. So it became poké all the way. “It was a blessing. If we had had the gas, we would never have explore it,” said James.

Yes, the menu is limited for now, but it’s a yummy one. (You can choose from among salmon, ahi tuna, steamed octopus or tofu.) My favorite dish is the salmon tostada made with chopped sashimi grade fish, baby greens, avocado and chili dust served on a warm corn tostada  that’s drizzled with baja salsa. Another dish -- it’s not on the menu -- is a bowl of brown rice and house-made beef chili paired with edamame, diced tomatoes, warm cheddar cheese sauce, onions and avocado slices. (If you're really hungry or if you stop by with a friend, order both.)

The brothers are very much attracted to a green ethic. Their ice cream is organic and locally sourced. The salmon is shipped in from the Faroe Islands -- yes, you heard right, all the way from the pristine Faroe Islands [you gotta love these guys] -- where the fish is farmed sustainably in its natural habitat using no chemicals. They have one white and one red wine on tap -- I prefer the bright, red berry notes of the red -- from the Finger Lakes region of New York State.

Meat eaters clamor for the chili cheese dog -- you can ask for fresh jalapeno for an added kick; or the banh mi dog served with mayonnaise, cilantro and jalapeno.

I prefer eating in since light streams into this sparsely furnished, informal space, thanks to an immense skylight in the rear dining room.

If you’re in Midtown East -- or even if you’re not -- this is a restaurant worth checking out. Even without the grilled items, you’ll delight in the fresh food, the creative preparation and the hospitality of the staff.

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