1. Osaka, Japan

Known as the “Nation’s Kitchen,” Osaka is a treasure trove of culinary delights. This city pulses with a fun-loving energy that spills into its food scene. Must-tries include okonomiyaki (often called Japanese pizza) and takoyaki (octopus balls). For seafood lovers, the daily tuna auctions at Osaka’s vast fish markets are a spectacle in themselves. For a taste of local street food, stroll through Dontonbori Street, or visit Kuromon Ichiba Market for fresh seafood and unique souvenirs.

2. Lyon, France

The undisputed gastronomic capital of France, Lyon is famed for its traditional bouchons—cozy eateries serving local Lyonnaise dishes like veal casserole and salade Lyonnaise. Wine and cheese lovers will find themselves spoiled at Lyon’s fresh markets. The city boasts about 20 Michelin-starred establishments, including the renowned Paul Bocuse Restaurant.

3. Lima, Peru

As the heart of Peru’s culinary renaissance, Lima offers an extraordinary mix of traditional Latin American cooking with Japanese influences, known as Nikkei cuisine. Highlight dishes include ceviche and lomo saltado. Dine at top establishments like Central Restaurante to experience innovative Peruvian cooking.

4. Austin, TX, USA

 For barbecue aficionados, Austin stands out with its revered preparations of ribs, sausage, and brisket. Franklin Barbecue, a lunch-only spot, draws crowds for its exceptional smoked meats. After dining, the city’s famous 6th Street offers lively bar-hopping opportunities.

5. Bangkok, Thailand

As the street food capital of the world, Bangkok offers an array of dishes that encapsulate the complex blend of spicy, sour, salty, sweet, and bitter flavors. Key attractions include Silom and Chinatown, where vendors serve up dishes from dawn till dusk.

6. Melbourne, Australia

Melbourne’s dining scene vibrates with a youthful energy, driven by its robust coffee shop culture and brunch scene. The city’s cuisine reflects a melting pot of influences, including Chinese, Italian, and Greek.

7. San Sebastian, Spain

This city is a paradise for lovers of pintxos (Basque tapas) and local Rioja wines. San Sebastian is notable for its high concentration of Michelin-starred restaurants, offering a sophisticated dining experience.

8. Istanbul, Türkiye

Experience the rich array of Turkish cuisine from meze to kebabs in Istanbul’s bustling bazaars. Local favorites include grilled eggplant salad and artichoke dishes.

9. New York, NY, USA

New York’s culinary scene mirrors its cultural diversity, offering everything from iconic street foods to upscale dining experiences. The city is a pioneer in many popular dishes including NY-style pizza and bagels.

10. Florence, Italy

In Florence, traditional Tuscan cooking highlights simple but exquisite flavors, with street carts and historic eateries like Da Nerbone offering authentic tastes of the city.

11. Copenhagen, Denmark

Copenhagen is at the forefront of the New Nordic Cuisine movement, which emphasizes local and seasonal ingredients. Noma, a two-Michelin-starred restaurant, is a must-visit for food enthusiasts.

12. Charleston, SC, USA

Charleston is the home of Lowcountry cuisine, which is deeply rooted in Southern and African culinary traditions. The French Quarter offers a taste of local dishes served with genuine southern hospitality.

13. Buenos Aires, Argentina

Renowned for its steak, Buenos Aires is a dream destination for meat lovers, with its bodegóns and parrillas offering classic Argentinian dishes.

14. Singapore, Singapore

Eating is a way of life in Singapore, where the food scene offers a blend of Malay, Chinese, and Indian influences. The hawker centers, like the Chinatown Complex Food Center, are perfect for sampling a wide variety of dishes.

15. San Francisco, USA

Famous for its seafood, San Francisco’s culinary offerings are best enjoyed at places like Fog Harbour Fish House, where diners can relish the views along with their meal.

This guide is designed not just to satisfy your hunger but to enrich your cultural understanding through the universal language of food. Each city offers a unique window into the local lifestyle, making every meal an adventure.

Until we travel again…

I send you Delicious Wishes, xo

Denise

The post Explore the Top Culinary Capitals Around the Globe: A Food Lover’s Travel Guide appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s blog post is courtesy of guest contributor, Jesse Clark of Soulful Travel.

Planning a surprise getaway for your significant other is a thrilling opportunity to demonstrate your deep understanding of their desires and create a meaningful experience. It revolves around meticulous attention to detail and the personalization of every aspect of the trip to touch their heart. Savor Our City aims to assist you in crafting a journey that not only surprises but also forges a profound connection with your partner.

Understanding Travel Preferences

Delving into your partner’s travel inclinations is the foundation of a successful surprise trip. Whether they are drawn to the serenity of sandy beaches, the thrill of mountainous terrains, or the vibrancy of bustling cities, aligning the destination with their travel aspirations is paramount. By choosing a location that resonates with their soul, you not only honor their preferences but also elevate the overall experience, making it more than just a trip – it becomes a journey tailored to their dreams.

Coordinating With Their Schedule

The element of surprise is best maintained when the trip is seamlessly woven into your partner’s existing schedule. This thoughtful synchronization ensures that your partner can immerse themselves fully in the experience without the worry of conflicting commitments. It’s a delicate balance of maintaining the surprise while ensuring that the timing is perfect. This careful planning is a testament to your dedication and understanding of their lifestyle and commitments.

Aligning With Significant Dates

Aligning your surprise trip with a significant date adds an extra layer of sentimentality to the experience. Be it an anniversary, a birthday, or any other day that holds special meaning in your relationship, celebrating it with a surprise getaway elevates the occasion. This thoughtful timing transforms the trip into a commemoration of your journey together, making it more than just a holiday – it becomes a celebration of your love and shared history.

Keeping Up With Health and Wellness

Embracing a joint dedication to health and wellness can strengthen the bond in a relationship. By incorporating fitness and well-being activities into your getaway, you not only cater to a shared interest but also elevate the overall experience. Selecting accommodations with fitness amenities, organizing outdoor adventures, and opting for nutritious dining choices subtly infuse wellness into your trip, enriching it as a holistic journey that nurtures both your bodies and your relationship.

Setting a Realistic Budget

A well-planned budget is the backbone of a stress-free getaway. It’s about striking a balance between splurging on unique experiences and being mindful of financial limits. By setting a realistic budget, you ensure that the focus remains on the experience rather than the expenses. A thoughtful budget plan covers all aspects of the trip, from travel and accommodation to dining and activities, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for both you and your partner.

Personalizing the Adventure

The essence of a surprise trip lies in its personalization. Visiting places that hold special significance in your relationship, indulging in activities that reflect shared interests, and incorporating elements that resonate with personal memories all contribute to creating a journey that is deeply intimate. This level of personalization transforms the getaway into a tapestry of shared experiences, strengthening the bond and enriching the relationship.

Considering an Enchanting Disney World Escapade

For couples who share a fondness for the whimsical and the wonderful, a theme park adventure can be the ultimate surprise. The key lies in choosing a destination that has sentimental value or holds a special place in your shared history. A theme park getaway is more than just rides and attractions; it’s a revisit to cherished memories and a chance to create new ones. Look into a Disney Vacation Club membership, as it pays off with exclusive access to Disney’s top-notch resorts and vacation experiences. It’s a perfect blend of nostalgia, excitement, and pure joy, making it an ideal choice for a surprise getaway.

Planning a Creative Surprise Reveal

The reveal of the surprise trip is as important as the trip itself. It sets the tone for the adventure ahead. Planning a unique and creative way to unveil the surprise not only heightens the excitement but also showcases your effort and creativity. Whether it’s through a playful scavenger hunt, a surprise gathering of loved ones, or a heartfelt message, the reveal is your opportunity to make the moment unforgettable.

Crafting a surprise getaway for your partner is an act of love that combines thoughtful planning, a deep understanding of their preferences, and a touch of creativity. It’s about creating an experience that resonates on a personal level, one that strengthens the bond and leaves an indelible mark on your relationship. By following these guidelines, you can turn a simple trip into an extraordinary adventure filled with love, joy, and memories that will be cherished forever.

The post Secret Getaways: Planning the Ultimate Surprise Getaway for Your Beloved appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s article is by one of our contributors Jesse Clark from soulful-travel.com 

Living a healthy lifestyle is certainly easier when you can stick to a daily routine. However, being a traveling professional doesn’t mean you can’t prioritize your health on the road. Consider these seven tips from Savor Our City to help you focus on your well-being while you hustle for your career.

1. Eating Healthy on the Go

Snacking is the easiest way to fall into unhealthy habits on the road. The most accessible items available in a pinch are typically junk food, but you can get in the habit of packing your own healthy snacks to keep with you. For example, buy a small portable cooler where you can keep fruit, water, nuts, and other healthy options. Stock up when you shop so you don’t run out too quickly.

2. Make Self-Care a Priority

Self-care is an important component of overall well-being. When you feel yourself getting burnt out on the road, schedule some time to relax. You can book a spa appointment or simply stay in bed for the day, order take-out, and watch your favorite show. Self-care is personal, so do whatever you prefer to do to recharge.

When you are at home, having a space that relaxes you can be a boon to your self-care. A backyard patio, for example, can be a great place to spend time. If you need to clear space in your back yard to build one, keep in mind that removing a tree stump is a tough job to take on unassisted. Save yourself the hassle and search online for a local landscaping company that can handle the job. Cost tends to scale according to the size of the stump, but it will be much cheaper than a potential injury.

3. Keep Your Schedule Organized

If you need a routine to stay focused on fitness, you can keep a tight schedule even on the road. Consider downloading an app on your phone to help you stay organized. Visit a travel planner website and integrate everything on your email calendar with reminders. Don’t forget to designate specific times to stop for exercise and meals. Those things are just as important as meetings.

4. Know Where To Get Medical Care

Prepare for any unfortunate health scares by searching for virtual medical care available in your area. When you do need to see an online physician, you have a wide variety of treatment options with minimal wait times, more flexibility, and quicker access to prescriptions. It’s also typically a more affordable option, even if you can’t find one that takes your insurance. When booking a doctor’s appointment, the only things you need are an internet connection and a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

5. Plan Places To Exercise on the Road

Getting exercise while traveling is easier than you may think if you make it a priority. Only book hotels with a fitness center, or join a gym with locations across the country and book your stays near one when possible. When you have the option to take the elevator, choose the stairs, and map out the nearest bike trails if you prefer running for your cardio.

6. Stay Hydrated

Drink plenty of water. Research shows that not drinking enough water can lead to liver damage and hormonal imbalance. You’ll start to feel sluggish, and as your energy drops, so too does your motivation to keep up with your schedule. Keep a water bottle on you at all times and keep track of how much you have to drink.

7. Get Plenty of Sleep

Busy people often choose to sacrifice sleep first to keep their schedules tight. However, this is a mistake. Your body can maintain that routine only for a short period before you over-exhaust yourself. Know when to put work aside and get the sleep you need.

Now you know what you need to do to travel and maintain your healthy lifestyle. The key is consistency. Use these tips to prioritize your self-care, and next time you’re in Florida, treat yourself to a food tour from Savor Our City.

Until we travel to our next destination…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post 7 Tips To Help Traveling Professionals Keep a Healthy Routine appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s post comes courtesy of our guest contributor Jesse Clark, of Soulful-travel.com who continues to share with us some useful info related to traveling safe during this crazy new norm we live in. You’ll find her previous articles,  How To Travel Safely On A Foodie Vacation In Florida and Your Never Too Busy To Travel–And Save Money In The Process to be super helpful and we are pleased to share this latest one with you today.

Traveling to visit family is a means to an end for most of us. We long to see friends and family, enjoy a home cooked meal, and form fond memories. We accept the crowds, delays, and congested highways as the price we must pay. But what if you could enjoy the journey as well as the destination? Would that take some of the stress out of travel? Stick with us as we present five tips for traveling stress-free, presented below by Savor Our City.

First Tip: Bring Ear Plugs

Do you enjoy spending time in an airport? If so, then you’re part of a rare and exceptional breed. Most of us would rather do almost anything else. Still, air travel is the fastest way to get where you’re going. So here’s a tip for making the trip a bit more pleasant: plug your ears. A pair of foam earplugs can take the edge off all the cacophonous caterwauling and help you to find your happy place even if you’re stuck in the terminal. This tip comes courtesy of the good people at the Travel Channel.

Second Tip: Give Yourself a Buffer

Leaving for your trip at the last minute is no way to promote peace of mind. You run the risk of working yourself into a tizzy well before you ever reach your destination. Do yourself a solid and allow as much buffer time as possible. That way you’ll stay calm, cool, and collected.

Third Tip: Secure Your Home

Arranging some common sense deterrences prior to your trip can help you to focus on having a good time. Here are some suggestions:

• Avoid leaving keys under potted plants, in your mailbox, or anywhere else that thieves are likely to look. If you need to hide a key, be smart about it. If you need to change your locks before you leave, or you’d like a professional to see if your locks are in good working order, use sites like Angi to find a locksmith in my area.
• Set up a webcam to monitor the inside of your home. You can check the images just by going online.
• Place high visibility signs in prominent spots around your home advising would-be trespassers that you have an active electronic security system. You can find the appropriate signage online or by checking your local hardware or home improvement store.
• Arrange for a trustworthy person to check your mail, pick up the paper, and take a poke around the premises while you’re away.
• Leave a car parked in the driveway if possible.
• Use light timers so that they come on in the evenings to make your home look occupied.

Fourth Tip: Stay Connected

What’s the number one item left behind in hotel rooms? The phone charger. We really rely on our phones for pretty much everything these days, especially while away. And you do not want to be unable to use it. As simple as it sounds, packing an extra charger will put you at ease, even if you never have a need for it.

Fifth Tip: Schedule a Post-Vacation Vacation

Let’s face it: traveling to see family can be stressful. Why not schedule a little break for yourself between the family togetherness time and when you go back to work? For example, you could rent a cabin in a peaceful lakefront setting, where you and perhaps a special someone can spend a day or two to unwind. Think of it as a well-deserved gift to yourself.

Or let the family know you’re going into the city for a day just to explore, to see a museum you’re excited about, or to just have a coffee somewhere and relax.

Pack your bags and get ready for a great time with those you love. But take a moment to appreciate all that you have before you head out the door, and make sure you’re prepared in all regards.

Until we eat, drink and travel again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post 5 Travel Tips for Visiting Your Family appeared first on Savor Our City.

Today’s post is from our guest contributor Jesse Clark

Going on a great trip away from home comes with many benefits. It’s a chance to take a break from the demands of business, relax, broaden your perspective, learn more about yourself, and so much more. However, while many people struggle with whether it will be beneficial or being too busy to travel, one of the top reasons people don’t travel is due to a tight budget. It’s true, travel can be expensive. But if you plan ahead and use money-saving strategies, you can go on a magnificent, rejuvenating trip without draining your bank account.

For those who want to travel without abandoning their budget and business responsibilities, consider these tips from Savor Our City.

Be open-minded and flexible.

When you book your trip, be flexible. Keep an open mind about your destination and travel dates. You can often find special deals on flights to certain vacation spots, and even if it’s a place you weren’t considering before, it might turn out to be the perfect getaway.

Also, spend some time on booking sites to observe the price differences on roundtrip flights regarding the days of the week. For instance, flying Tuesday to Tuesday — or even Saturday to Saturday — is typically much cheaper than flying Friday to Sunday. Moreover, you can save a significant amount of money by traveling during the off-season or shoulder season.

Opt for a vacation rental.

Unless you know people who live at your destination and they’ve opened their home to you, you will need to book a place to stay. While hotels come with many different perks, vacation rentals are simply a better all-around option for extended stays.

When you go through a hosting service like Airbnb, you can expect to have nice, clean accommodations. Plus, there will probably be more space to spread out, you’ll be able to comfortably cook your own meals, and you’ll have exceptional privacy. Oh, yes, and it’s a lot less expensive than staying at a hotel.

Lighten your workload.

One obvious way to reduce stress levels and ensure you can enjoy your downtime is to reduce your work obligations. Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done. These days, though, there are terrific services popping up that can help you with all sorts of business tasks.

Take a routine chore like filing the annual report for a business. Any entrepreneur can tell you that this is a must-do, yet nobody relishes the day they need to pull together all their data, then organize it and file a report with the state. You can simply pass this project on, though, through affordable services like ZenBusiness.com. They offer personalized dashboards to tend all the details your state requires of your company, will compile the data, and then file the report on your behalf. By leaning on a service that has all the bells and whistles to take care of chores like these, you can focus your time, money, and energy on your relaxing getaway.

Change your wireless plan.

This one is essential because it can save you hundreds of dollars: get an international wireless plan before you leave for your trip. Roaming charges can do a number on your budget, and a good long-distance plan will enable you to talk to friends and family while protecting you from unexpected hikes in your monthly bill. Also, consider switching to unlimited data, which will save you from steep overage charges while allowing you to use your phone for navigation, web browsing, social media, and other tasks.

You don’t have to empty your savings to take an awesome trip. Use savings opportunities and rent a car so that you can go where you want, when you want. Opt for an unlimited data plan to protect yourself from hefty fees, and be flexible with your destination and travel dates. Finally, ditch the hotels and go for a vacation rental for a more cost-effective stay.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post You’re Never Too Busy to Travel — And Save Money in the Process appeared first on Savor Our City.

Think about the food just in your state. It probably differs from one spot to another, based on who settled where and when, what they grew, where they originally came from, and what resources they had. History, people, preferences, and culture all play into regional food, and that’s what makes exploring it so interesting and diverse. And with road trips on the rise, digging into the food scene wherever you’re going, or wherever you live, can be a rewarding and delicious reward.

If you want to learn more about food, wherever you go, there are a couple of steps you can take. For starters, you can always contact your favorite food gurus here at Savor Our City.  Additional resources are local eats apps or local bloggers, who may also have a presence on social media sites such as Instagram. Many food magazines also have good regional recommendations. Want more tips? This graphic offers some ideas to get you traveling, eating, and enjoying what food has to offer.

Let us know if you found this info useful and if you have any additional tips that you turn to find great places to eat when you are traveling out of your home town.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

The post New Ways Discover Food While Traveling appeared first on Savor Our City.

Epicurean: fond of luxury or indulgence in sensual pleasures; having luxurious tastes or habits, especially in eating and drinking; devoted to sensual pleasures, esp food and drink. Synonyms: gourmet, luxury, lavish, deluxe, rich. Get ready to awaken your senses and indulge your soul as I share with you my two night gourmet adventure in Tampa. In this blog post, I will be covering our stay at the fabulous Epicurean Hotel. In part two, I will share with you our discoveries as we ventured out to check out the Tampa culinary scene.

Eat: At Elevage, they’re crafting dining experiences that speak to lovers of life’s great flavors. The way they see it – there’s no greater celebration of life than to indulge our most basic human need, and I for one, couldn’t agree more. They do it exceptionally well here.

Drink: The perfect cocktail or the right glass of wine can turn an ordinary evening into an unforgettable one. There are many options for imbibing here; you can order a drink pool side, at the lobby bar or head up to Edge, the hotel’s roof top bar;  the perfect place to catch an innovative cocktail with a view to boot.  You can also partake in any of the wines that have been selected and placed for you in your room.

So now that our tour was done, we bid Tom adieu and headed back to our room to get ready for our dinner.  We decided to stay on property our first night and dine at Elevage, which turned out to be a good thing, since it began to rain as we headed down for our 7pm reservation. Fortunately for us, that was the only rain we saw the remainder of our trip. Shaina and I decided to mosey up to the bar before sitting down for dinner. Bartender Jack (donning a blue & white checkered shirt which we discovered was a highly favored choice of garb of men in Tampa) crafted up a Moscow Mule for me, which I am happy to report was served in the proper copper cup and was outstanding. Shaina ordered the Watermelon Pisco which of course I got to try and it was delicious as well. It was made with Kappa Pisco, House watermelon syrup and lime juice. Time to have a seat for the main attraction.

Our server Kylie and Restaurant Manager Joshua were very attentive and helpful in making recommendations to us.  We decided to start off by sharing the Horiatiki Salad, made with watermelon, feta, cucumber, pickled onion, spicy greens and tossed with a cracked olive vinaigrette.

I spotted sauteed Fiddleheads on the menu and was so intrigued. Neither of us had ever heard of them. Turns out they are the furled fronds of a young fern that we were told were only available for a short window in the Spring. Ours were sauteed with garlic, shallot, chili flakes. They had the texture of a crunchy green bean with a slight bitterness that we both found to be irresistible. We devoured these.

 

Another side that we both really went crazy for was the smashed cauliflower made simply with farmhouse cheddar and breadcrumbs. The ingredients may be few, but what they do to transform them back there in the kitchen is what Elevage is all about- taking the familiar and elevating it to a whole new level. I think we are both still salivating over this dish.

For our entrees, Shaina chose Scallop a la Greque with artichokes, sunchokes, asparagus, licorice herbs and saffron vinaigrette. Of course I got a taste and the scallops were cooked perfectly and the flavors all came together very nicely. I ordered the Duck Paprikash with crispy duck confit, buttermilk dumplings, kale and spicy paprika cream. I loved every bite of the duck and the sauce complimented the dish perfectly.

Rounding the bend, we approach the final stretch of the evening…dessert. Decisions, decisions. The pecan brownie with ganache and salted caramel ice cream won out amongst some stiff competition. As Shaina so eloquently put it, “So fudgy, so chocolatey, so delicious.”

Our room overlooked Bern’s Steak House. I have been to Bern’s many many years ago but on this trip, we just did not have time. We did learn though that Bern’s has a farm about a half hour away. Also another fact which may be of interest to some of you, there’s a huge nondescript building next door to Bern’s. Turns out that’s their warehouse where they store well over 700,000 bottles of wines. There are 7,000 plus wines on the Bern’s wine list. They have earned the designation as having the largest and most extensive wine list in the country for a restaurant. Pretty impressive, I’d say.

I can’t thank the Epicurean team enough for hosting us and for their most gracious hospitality. We will be back. Maybe this summer for the Epic Chef Showdown to support Feeding America Tampa Bay. Friends, if you are interested in visiting the Epicurean Hotel, I would highly recommend that you do so. You will be glad you did!

The Epicurean Hotel is located at 1207 South Howard Avenue, Tampa, Florida 33606

Their phone number is 813-999-8700. Click here to be taken to their website.

Until we eat again…

I send you delicious wishes, xo

Denise

Denise Righetti

C.F.O. (Chief Foodie Officer)

Savor Our City

www.SavorOurCity.com

 

The post The Epicurean Hotel, A Foodie’s Paradise… appeared first on Savor Our City.