La Vieja Bodega, La Rioja Spain

12/10/202212/10/2022

Simply one of the greatest treats to the La Rioja region in the north of Spain is not just the wine but the food.

We are in for an amazing treat at La Vieja Bodega just outside of Haro.

A vineyard and fine dining all in one.

If you go with a large group you can have a wine tasting in their cellar which has the musty smells of yesterday and wines.

Angel, who owns the restaurant with his wife Marion have a fancy selection of some 400 ones at the front of their restaurant.

The menu for the restaurant is stunning as is the food.

You can’t really go wrong and today I order the ratatouille with cod fish and the shoulder of lamb for main course.

It is all delicious, flavoursome and gluten free!

The shoulder of lamb is one of the most tender sweetest well cooked cuts I have ever had.

Desert is a gin and tonic sorbet – it is enough to wake you up yet lure you towards a siesta.

I would love to bring a group of people through the Basque region showing you these amazing gems. The food and the people are warm, hospitable and excellent at their wines and food.

You will need to book in advance here and if you are lucky enough you will get to meet the wonderful duet Angel and Marion. Thank you, we will be back again for sure. x

Alpha Street Kitchen and Bar

20/07/201920/07/2019

Hading down to Rotorua can be a slightly long drive. The looping gentle knolls are truly stunning and there are a few river crossings and lovely sites but I would recommend a stopover in Cambridge.

A little town south of Hamilton with a BIG pride and the home of an absolute find of a restaurant, Alpha 1.

We swung into town not expecting much but eager to find a place for lunch.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a statute older style looking pub. Pub grub crossed my mind and certainly would have filled the bill.

We decided to venture into town a little more. A very clean and colourful town.

A vineyard nearby and of course Alpha 1.

Somehow the parking angels parked us directly infront of this gem.

Walking in we are greeted by the French Maitre D.

A warm fire size welcomes us and a very understated menu. Not overly inspired by the menu. The Maitre d’ fills us on in the oyster special. Well you could have blown us over with a feather.

The oyster dish was a signature dish to celebrate Mauri Week.

We asked him to run over some of the other dishes and by the end of two we are salivating.

We order the oysters, the pulled pork belly and fish and chips.

The parred wines are also winners – esp the Malabec.

The menu is here.

The Pig and Whistle Rotorua

20/07/201920/07/2019

Rotorua can get cold and when it is you will want a big hearty feed and a fire side. The Pig and Whistle offers both and a very friendly vibe. We arrive for the tail end of lunch and it is packed. The meals look incredible as we enter and the staff greet us and let us know upfront how long the wait for meals will be.

Over to the fireside and a leisurely beer and New Zealand wine.

It is really relaxing watching the flames and people enjoy themselves then our lunches arrive.

I order the brisket and it is delicious, cooked to perfection and a meal I will have flashbacks to for years. The way brisket should be cooked.

My partner has the pork schnitzel, also a very generous serving and equally as yummy. I definitely would recommend stopping by for a meal and drink. Apparently they have a dance floor on the weekends

Moana Fish Eatery Canggu

21/10/201711/12/2017

I am unsure why I hadn’t got to visit this awesome little restaurant tucked away up Jl. Batu Bolong. Moana Fish Eatery has been around a while now.

The menu is extensive – salads, sushimi, cooked fish and more.

I have the grilled mahi mahi and it is delicious. Tender and cooked to perfection. The salad is small but sufficient.

The Tartare is meant to be a stand out dish and the cheesecake to finish pretty wicked too!

I got into the chalk walls and managed to knock up a little turtle.

Overall a nice open air restaurant with a good vibe. Good for individuals, couples or groups. Prices are good too! I rate this restaurant as 9/10.

With Ayu the owner…

Salamanca Markets Tasmania

13/06/201714/06/2017

If you are booking a trip to Hobart, Tasmania, make sure you include a Saturday morning in Hobart and visit Salamanca Markets.

A local iconic experience shared by millions over the years and a mainstay for locals.

I remember growing up here (in Hobart), we used to frequent the markets every Saturday. It was a way of life!

It’s where we buy our produce, catch up with friends for a coffee, or bump into other people in our community. It is exactly that – the village meet up.

Now I am older, and the boutiqueness of Tassie has been developed more, I love going.

Boutique wines, meads, ports, cheeses, fudges, truffles, dips, relishes, jams… are headline acts for the food scene.

The local farmers will offer their great, unadulterated foods, and produce and flowers.

AND the crafts are incredible.

Tasmania, is a listed world heritage site. Some of the oldest forests in the world offering some incredible walks. Which also have some of the oldest trees and delightful pines. Sasafras and Huon pines are two incredible woods that many use to make bowls, domestic items with aswell as larger scale furniture. you can see it all at the markets.

The markets are open from 7am – 2pm…every Saturday.

The Art’s Cafe Roma

10/05/201710/05/2017

This restaurant caught my eye as the perfect place to sit and paint one afternoon.

The food is reasonably priced but with most restaurants with world notable views, there are premium prices for everything, including drinking water. But it is worth it.

It is plum across from the Colosseum and for that reason alone worthy of a luncheon to fully suck in the Colosseums magnificence.

I find myself there on a beautiful autumn’s day and manage a front table. Arriving a little before 12 often means you can get the best seats in house.

Wine Tasting at Sea

18/09/2016

On board drinking experiences vary and being the seasoned wine taster that I am, it felt mandatory to try the wine tasting experience on the P & O Cruise as well as the Mix-It Cocktail Experience.

I take this part of my life very seriously (days at sea) and aside from writing travel blogs, dipping in and out of the spa, I will always sign up for a few drinking experiences.

The wine tasting one is fantastic.

So often in life I feel wine is drunk not enjoyed.

The wine tasting enables you to thoroughly enjoy the true experience of wine – the joie de vie, the elixir of the Gods. I love wine so slowing down to have some one walk me through each quality and aspect of the wine, the colour, the aroma, the palette and to tell me the story about the wine maker and his intent on creating the wine is like attending a liquid art gallery.

The ship often shares one or two high end bottles which are beautiful to enjoy. I highly rate the wine tasting, the random people you meet at your table and the funny staff.

A different liquid experience and equally as fun is the cocktail mixing hour. For a modest sum you can make 4 delicious cocktails , have some fun and consume them all!

I found it very enlightening and learned that you can infuse your own vodkas with anything from chillis, to fruit to chocolate eclairs! I also discovered that many cocktails made behind the bar include sugar syrup and explained many so called “hangovers” that hadn’t made sense in the past – now I know they were sugar crashes.

We made an expresso martini, a humming bird, a caprioska and a chocolate one….

A REAL must do if you are at sea for longer than half a day. Don’t second wonder, just do it.

Italy Retreat October 2016

18/09/201618/09/2016

Fancy SIX fantastic Nights in Italy Exploring Amazing Food, Culture and History?

Last minute I have decided to share my trip exploring Italy starting in 3 weeks.

DATES: starts Wednesday 6th October and finishes Monday 10th October

It includes 6 nights accommodation, 3 lunches, 3 meals and all tour costs.

NB: Alcohol, shopping, tips, flights, insurance and others (see under booking page) are at your expense.

Italy is a country full of passionate people. Being part Italian I resonate well with the culture and people and am very proud of the food, the arts and history and would love to share it with you.

It is the BEST place to fall in love with food, to create a positive relationship with life and happiness and learn why I DO NOT believe in dieting. I want to show you the real currency of food.

On this 6 night trip of a life time these are the highlights:

1. Visiting the The Vatican and seeing the famous Sistine Chapel, famous for Michelangelo’s ceiling.

2. Touring the Colosseum and hearing about the gladiator fights of yesteryear.

3. Visiting the Spanish Steps, the Trevi fountain and Pantheon.

4. Night tour of Rome, sampling local delights and wines

5. Full day visit to Umbria, exploring the hill top village of , a cooking class and wine tour

6. Full day trip to Ponza Island with a day cruise, blue grottos and snorkeling in the Mediterranean Sea

7. Visit the ancient underground Catacombs

8. Discover Egypt in Rome in a 2000 year old pyramid that is only open twice a month

9. Walk on the old Appian Way.

10. Experience the Three Tenors, inside the walls of St Paul’s an opera experience you will never forget

We will experience Italy through half and full day tours with some time on your own to explore the many piazzas at your own pace, or to sit with a cappuccino and watch the incredible fashion walk past.

I love Italy and particularly Rome.

It is an ancient history and has so many wonders to explore as well as being one of the fashion capitols of the world.

This is the program so far (subject to change but will involve these elements).

Wednesday 5th October

We arrive and check into our comfortable hotel. This will be base which is central and close to all the sights.

We kick start the retreat at 4pm for a welcome drink, then head off for our light night tour through Rome.

Exploring side streets and piazzas we discover incredible restaurants, bars and sample local foods. The Trevi fountain and Spanish Steps are beautiful at night, as is the Pantheon all lit up. You will realise by bedtime that you are in one of the most amazing cities in the world.

Thursday 6th October

Today is a serious day of Rome immersion.

Every time I go, it spins me out how many landmarks and wold events took place in Rome. From the Colosseum and gladiator fights in Julius Caesar’s Rein, to the Roman Catholic Church influence and home base in The Vatican.

Rome will inspire you through history – it is simply overwhelming at times.

The art works in the Vatican make it one of the richest museums in the wold and the tour around the Colosseum take you back 2000 years to a land that really did exist. Being amongst the well preserved ruins you can nearly hear the cheer of the crowds.

In the afternoon there is a some time off to do a spot of shopping before we meet for our “Food Tour” of Rome.

We will be guided by a local to all the secret eating places, sample many local foods and wash them down with delicious wines.

Friday 7th October

We head off nice and early to visit the incredible country side region of Umbria.

We have a full day visiting a working farm which produces wines, olives and foods. We visit a few towns, including the sensational hill top village of San to Umbria and visiting. On this day we get too cook some of the produce we gather from the farm, sample local wines and see a more relaxed side of Italy.

Tonight is free for you to discover your own trattoria or revisit one from the night before.

Saturday 8th October

Twice a month, the 2000 year old pyramid (that not many people know about) is open to the public. This will be a first for me so I am extremely excited.

In fact today is all a little bit, “off the normal tourist” map with some activities that I hope you love.

After the pyramid, we will walk on the famous Appian Way. Built in 312 BC it was a strategic road for the Roman Army.

Time permitting we will visit the catacombs, which gives a stunning insight into ancient Roman life. The Romans were actually quite short and seeing these well preserved catacombs is fascinating. If you have ever read the Holy Grail by Dan Brown, or other books about Rome, the Catacombs are a must.

Tonight we are treated to a Opera inside the walls of St Peters.

Recapturing the magic of Pavarotti and the three tenors, tonights voices will be accompanied with a string quartet.

Sunday 8th October

Today we have a sleep in…. you can experience a mass first hand if you like as our morning starts a little later.

Today we explore the lesser known ruins of Ostia down near Lido Beach.

The well preserved town gives a true insight to the Roman Empire and is easier to access than Pompeii.

The afternoon will be relaxed back in Rome to visit museums, art galleries, or to simply sit in a piazza and watch life go by. Dinner is at your leisure.

Monday 9th October

Today is a full day starting with a short drive, then ferry to local island Ponza. Less busy than the other Amalfi islands but just as pretty (if not more) we have the whole day to explore the island, swim through grottos, cruise on a boat and drink wine and eat local pasta. This is what the mediterranean is all about and for a day we will lap it all up. Optional snorkeling on this day (which I will definitely be doing).

Our tour and retreat ends back in Rome tonight. We can head out for a final drink or you can relax after a wonderful day on the Med.

This trip is perfect for people who want to find passion again! You will get to hang out with me for six days and over that time we will break through any fears, issues that may be holding you back in life.

Come on a trip of a life time with me and yes, while last minute this promises to be an amazing trip.

I am only taking a handful of people so book your spot now.

Cooking Class Ubud, Bali

09/09/201609/09/2016

Any opportunity to learn new cooking styles (and get to eat the produce) is a big green light for me so I was keen to get involved at Ketut’s Bali Cooking School.

I actually chose this cooking school off the internet but was not disappointed.

We were collected from our hotel then taken around the food markets – the ones the locals go to for produce. It was really good travelling around with Made. His funny sense of humour and wicked laugh had me smiling from ear to ear.

After our walk through the markets, I felt I knew a whole lot more about a subject I am passionate about, food and nourishment.

Made taught us about different foods, how they are grown, what they are used for and more. It was like a short cultural tour.

Back into the airconditioned van we headed out to the cooking school. It was a short drive outside Ubud, which was really nice. Set in a rice field, the atmosphere was relaxed, open and cool. We all had our chef’s apron, we prepared and made 7 dishes.

There were a few people present but plenty of stove tops and lots of helping hands that cleaned dishes so that things never back logged and flowed really well.

Made explained all the spices and bases to be used in traditional Balinese dishes which we proceeded to make.

It was really good, efficient, funny and comfortable. Much better than what I was expecting. Check out the menu that you cook here.

After we cooked for a few hours, we sat down to a banquet. To come on a retreat with me to Ubud, click here.

Three great places to eat in Ubud

09/09/201609/09/2016

Three of my favorite places to Eat in Ubud

I could actually rattle off a dozen incredible cafes in Ubud, Bali but that would take the fun out of your day to day discovers. These are three that are a little more certain and different in experience. Ubud has wonderful eateries but be sure to try these:

Eco Swasti Conscious Eating

Set aside off the road down a beautiful lane way is an organic retreat called Eco Swasti. I stumbled across this gem one sunny afternoon and head back there twice over the week.

With lots of home grown organic produce the place emanates a green vibration of a different kind. With over a dozen goats in the yard, all chatting to each other and a pond bubbling through it, the restaurant/cafe is beautiful.

They have amazing food, fish as well and chicken, smoothies to die for and even sell plaga (the local white wine).

Three Monkeys Cafe Ubud

The Three Monkey Cafe on the same street as the monkey forest is a reliable, great feed restaurant. The prices wont break the bank balance and the food is 4-5 stars. Set along side a rice paddy the atmosphere is excellent, the service really good and the food worth going back for.

Meals from Three Monkey Cafe Ubud — Chocolate pate Three Monkey Cafe Ubud

It is quite dark so ask your waiter for a torch. And if you make it to desert ask for the chocolate pate. Simply divine.

Mosaic

I think by far the best restaurant in Bali is Mosaic. They offer a degustation menu of either 6 or 8 courses. You can even pair your meals with wine.

The chef uses local produce which your waiter brings to the table and explains as you eat each course. We all loved each meal and it is really hard to pin point a favourite. I think mine was the Bumbu Rujak with king oyster mushrooms.

Check out the menu! Oh and you need to book ahead as they book out.