Category: Finding Affordable Dining

The Coffee Escape

July 12, 2017

I woke up to some good news on Tuesday, 7-11-17 (in palindrome week).  According to two research studies, coffee will prolong my life.  Could it be the elixir of a long life?

After a long weekend jam-packed with family visits, celebration,  and even a college visit with my niece, I was seriously in need of a few cups of coffee to get through the work day. Honestly, I will travel for good coffee and unique coffee bars.  It is sometimes my gateway to a community and my first stop.

When I get off a plane in Miami, FL, my first stop in the airport is Cafe Versailles for a Cafe con Leche (coffee with milk).  And my future cups will be found at my favorite bookstore in Coral Gables, Books and Books and also a treasure of a shop called Threefold Cafe.

And usually, I try to make my first meal in New Orleans at Willa Jean for the best Iced Latte on the planet (it is the intelligentsia Coffee brand)–see below.

Willa Jean Coffee

I see too many people heading for the big chains and to what they know when they travel.  You should not go to Applebees and TGIF’s when visiting NYC.  Go local to me includes going local on my coffee.  There are apps for this and a great place called Delocator on the web.  I will admit to having 4 coffee finding apps on my phone.  I love the “Cups” app best.

Why go local for your coffee shop?  You get a real vibe about the community and what is important to them and the community board has a list of public events that are up for the weekend.  A good, cheap breakfast is also something you can find at most coffee shops.  You can ask a local in the shop, where they like to grab a bite to eat for lunch or dinner.  Oh, and a good coffee shop allows you to sit and chill for a few and take in the scenery.

The morning coffee drink is not the only one to think about.  Here are some other options:

  1. Coffee Milkshake (Frappe, Fribble, Cabinet, Egg Cream, Awful, Awful, etc…)
  2. Coffee Milk (it is a RI thing, but so worth stealing)
  3. Coffee Syrup
  4. Coffee Ice Cream
  5. Donuts (ok, so good donut shops usually have good coffee like my favorite, Allie’s of North Kingstown, RI).
  6. Kahlua and Cream
  7. Mudslide

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On a thrifty weekend away, you need a daily launch pad and do not be afraid to use the coffee shop as your launch pad.  Do you have a favorite coffee shop when you travel?

Los Angeles

June 8, 2017

Work has brought me to Los Angeles for conferences over the past few years and I am always enthralled by the dynamic food scene.  Before my last visit, I had some local friends compile a list of places to visit.  This list is small and if you do a little research, you will find even more treasures.

My friends know I love food halls and the Grand Central Market does not disappoint.

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In the 1980’s and 90’s Food Courts sprung up in every mall in America.  They had sub-par and standard offerings that I like to forget.  In Europe, Asia and Australia, the Food Halls remained a culinary presence for collecting provisions and catching a quick bite of local and authentic cuisines.  Thankfully, the twenty-first century has brought these back to the USA and many new ones are planned in places like New York City and Chicago.

The Grand Central Market LA houses nearly 40 food vendors, some non-food establishments and events that include music and walking tours.  Before its arrival and several world-class art and music venues, Downtown LA or DTLA was not seen as a must visit spot.  On the Sunday I last visited, the placed was packed with diverse patrons, live music, and an energy that I could only describe as spirited.

I had a breakfast sandwich from Eggslut, an extraordinary latte from G&B Coffee and a scoop of the best ice cream I ever had from McConnell’s, a Santa Barbara landmark.  Their “no crap added” ice cream is a do not miss at the market.

The Line Hotel, opened up shortly before a work conference trip a few years ago was a hipster paradise in Koreatown.  The restaurants in the hotel were not even open yet, so it gave me an opportunity to explore Koreatown.  Here is the info on The Line Hotel LA

My go to spots in Koreatown include:  The Holy Crab, Genwa, and The Bun Shop are favorites, but the LA Times and We Like LA have great lists of this amazing culinary destination for Korean, Thai, Latin Fusion, Donuts, Gastropub, and even Louisiana food in the sector.

My last stop before heading to Long Beach Airport is a stop at Jongewaard’s Bake N Broil with a few of my friends. An extensive list of creative omelettes, pancakes and extraordinary baked goods and pies are on the menu.  And usually a slice of pie is taken out for the long flight back to the east coast (Lemon Cream Pie is a favorite).  Jongewaard’s Bake N Broil

Cannot wait to head back to LA.

Eating Local: Farmer’s Markets

June 6, 2017

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It may be June 6th, but I am still wearing my fleece anorak here in New England this so-called “Spring.”  But the persistent rain we have had for the past few weeks is not dampening my spirit in pursuit of farm fresh food here in Rhode Island.  And I really like to meet the farmers or makers, as it makes me feel more grounded in the community.

How long has it been since you have been to a farmer’s market or a farm stand?  Was it last summer? Or a few years ago?

For me, visiting a farmer’s market is a year-round activity.  And I have gotten my friends hooked to this foraging as well.  In Rhode Island, we have farmer’s markets year round.  So my friends and I checked out the list of farmer’s markets this winter (yes, we have several) and spring.  Yes, there are wintertime markets on Saturdays and Sundays.

How do I make this a thrifty visit to the farmer’s market?  

  1. Meal Planning.  I do not go to the Farmer’s Market without thinking about what I would like to make with the products I might find.  I know that my favorite bakery, cheesemonger, or chicken farmer will be there, so I plan ahead.
  2. Make a List.  Just like you would do when you go to the grocery store make a list of what you might like to get, being a bit flexible based on what looks good and is in season.
  3. Head to your local American Farm Bureau affiliate website.  American Farm Bureau Federation  All states have a site and many list activities, events, and links to local farms.
  4. Does your state have a farmer’s market page?  Most do.  They will tell you the locations, hours, directions, and the vendors that will be attending.  And many also include a what’s in season list to help with your meal planning.  In New England this really matters.    Here are some of my favorites:

New York Farmer’s Markets

Farm Fresh Rhode Island

California Farmer’s Markets

Texas Farmers Markets

Farmers Market Online Illinois

SC State Farmers Market

5.  Check out the Non-Food Items.  So many farmer’s markets these days have other items like soaps, candles and spa products.

I have to admit my favorite thing to do after a visit to a farmer’s market is to have a picnic, but maybe with all of this rain this spring, it may have to be an indoor picnic.

Have a great thrifty weekend supporting your local farmers!

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Researching Cheap Eats

May 20, 2017

New Orleans is my favorite city.  For many reasons, the city of New Orleans holds a special place in my heart–it is a food lovers dream destination is definitely one of the reasons.  Just because this is a dream destination for foodies does not mean you have to break the bank each time you step into a restaurant in the Big Easy.  And this is the same in every US destination.

Where do I start my research?

First of all, I stay clear of Yelp and TripAdvisor.  I rarely use these two sites as I have been burned so many times by the tourist traps and the negativity that I see by the people who post.  And the food establishment and locals do not seem to be involved in making suggestions.  Eat local means listening to locals.  Here is my list:

  1. Plan ahead.
  2. If you are traveling to a larger city, head to Eater first.  Eater is more of a food authority and they have cheap eats pages too.  Where else would you find a page dedicated to finding the NOLA treat, the Sno-Ball?  (Must-Try Sno-Ball Stands).    As you peruse the articles, you will find out about the food scene, important must haves, and the site dives into the culture of a city.
  3. Search the internet for “Cheap Eats” in the city that you are planning to visit.  Many local organizations may have posted some ideas.
  4. Head to a local supermarket once you get to a city.  Those free magazines in the grocery store when you leave contain amazing suggestions.
  5. Check out the local newspapers or magazines online and look at their dining section or issue.  Many do an annual survey of their readers for the “best” pizza, cheap eats, ice cream, coffee bars, doughnuts and other local eating treasures.

Second piece of advice, make a list of places.  Do not be tied to the list, but, go with the flow during the weekend.  As I am visiting museums or a specific neighborhood, I try and eat nearby.  So some of the restaurants on my list may get moved to next time depending where my travels in the city take me.

Here is my plan for Memorial Day Weekend 2017:

  1. Willa Jean:  Check out Willa Jean for coffee, cocktails, biscuits, and other extraordinary food, snacks and sweets.
  2. St. James Cheese Company:   I have a weakness for creative salads and upscale grilled cheese sandwiches and the  St. James Cheese Company does not disappoint.  Their happy hour is a great time to snack on savory delicacies and a bit of wine.
  3. St. Roch Market:  Food halls are a staple of the European and Asian cities, but they are thankfully seeing a resurgence in the USA.  Wonderful choices abound at St. Roch Market.
  4. Elizabeth’s:  This is a spot that I am looking forward to going to for the first time.  Elizabeth’s Restaurant, where “Real Food, Done Real Good” is a motto I can embrace.  Several locals have suggested a visit to this place and looking forward to a slice of Lemon Chess Pie.
  5. Turkey and the Wolf:  Another new spot for me to visit in 2017.  Deviled Eggs with a twist and where else can you find a drink named, “When I was 10 I went to school as a dead cheerleader for halloween.”
  6. Ike’s Snowballs:  Mango is still my go to, but if I brought a dog to Ike’s Snowballs, they have meat flavored for your favorite dog too.
  7. And I will head to get a Beignet and coffee at some point (Cafe du Monde, Morning Call or Cafe Beignet are my favorites….)  Cafe du Monde, Morning Call, and Cafe Beignet.  When in NOLA…

If you want to experience a city, learn about its food history and unique places to eat.  Happy dining my friends!