Pietro Nolita is a little gem of a restaurant on a quiet street in New York that had me at pink and pasta, two of my favorite things.  Opened in late 2016 by two food and fashion industry veterans, the color scheme at this “healthy Italian” subterranean spot is entirely pink both on the interior and exterior– essentially an Instagram and Pinterest fanatic’s rose- colored dream. Owners Pietro Quaglia and Mina Soliman, former co-workers at Dolce & Gabbana, wanted to break the traditional, “stuffy” rustic Italian restaurant atmosphere mold and offer up something fun and light-hearted that evokes a 50’s style diner if it only used pastels.  They liked that pink is a derivative of red – a powerful, passionate color with so many positive connotations including, of course, love.   The pink-hued theme is carried on throughout their menu as well — particularly with some of the pasta dishes...

For two weeks in August, Western Europe, for the most part, takes a collective holiday. The streets are much quieter than usual and the atmosphere at night buzzes with the laissez-faire attitude that comes with not having to worry about reporting to work the next morning. So I fit right in. Many restaurants and boutiques take the holiday too – as they should – but that gives those that choose to holiday in Paris (me!) a limited set of choices. Luckily, Molly (This Yuppie Life) and I did our homework and can now pass along our wisdom on where to eat and drink … and chill out in between.      Fat Pants: Home base was Hotel Bachaumont — it’s always my go-to because the neighborhood is full of café’s, wine bars and locals. I always start and end a trip with a meal at either Bianco for pizza, Café Compas...

When my job sends me to Europe, there is only one thing on my mind … where else can I go while I’m there? In May, I was scheduled to work in Frankfurt - an international melting pot boasting beautiful parks that provide the perfect backdrop for a city run and some of the best sushi (yes, sushi) I’ve had away from California. Not to mention the modern German fare, such as what you’ll find at Meyer’s Restaurant. Frankfurt deserves a post of its own, but that’s for another time. Since I was traveling solo and only had a weekend, I wanted to stick close to Frankfurt. I’d like to think it was fate that I stumbled upon Baden Baden, which means “bath bath,” given I have an obsession with baths. Dating back to the Roman Empire and famed for its rejuvenating thermal waters, this quaint little town is a...

There are some places you visit where you revolve most of your itinerary around the next meal. A mecca for foodies, Vancouver is definitely one of those spots, especially when it dips to 19 degrees, like it did when I was there over the holidays. My friends and I set up a home base between Gastown and Yaletown, walking distance to a plethora of the coolest restaurants and bars in the city. I went expecting amazing sushi and seafood, given all I’d heard, but what I didn’t expect was an inspired Mediterranean brunch and mouthwatering, classic French cuisine. Full guide to come, but read on for my top picks for picking up a fork and raising a glass. Brunch Medina This Mediterranean-inspired brunch spot doesn’t take reservations so be prepared to wait. Good news – it does live up to the hype.  Start with a Lavender Latte and Waffle with...

Since I don’t live in a state where the leaves change color, for me, fall is the season for wine. I’m spending next weekend in Napa Valley and before I get there, my wine shipment from Willamette Valley will have arrived. As a lover of good wine, I’ve been around the world tasting vino from Old World vintages in Bordeaux and Douro Valley to New World varietals in Sonoma, Napa and Santa Barbara. This past spring, I had to try my hand at the famous Willamette Valley Pinots and the incredible scenery I’ve heard so much about. Here is my recipe for a perfect fall getaway to Oregon wine country. PJ Pants: THE place to stay in Willamette Valley, The Allison Inn & Spa manages to achieve the luxuriousness of a resort and the coziness of a mountain cabin. The rooms are comfy enough for a post-wine tasting nap; the...

We love exploring new cities, but sometimes finding the best places to eat while traveling can be daunting.  Boneapptour, a meal-sharing/in-home dining platform founded in 2014 offers a unique alternative. Their AirBnb- like services make it easier for travelers to discover local cuisine and culinary traditions across the globe.  We chatted with Co-founder Rinita Vanjre Ravi to get the scoop on this very appetizing (get it?!) idea.   Was there a particular experience that prompted you to create BonAppetour?  My Co-Founder, Inez and I were on a backpacking trip and found ourselves in London on Christmas Eve. We were very spontaneous travelers, and didn’t make plans or do much research before visiting. When we arrived, we saw that all the restaurants were closed, so we had nothing to eat that night. As we were trying to find a place that was open, we passed by homes and saw families celebrating...

When I first heard about MissTravel.com, I was admittedly skeptical. It’s basically Tinder for travelers – a matching service for people who want a travel partner, but also wouldn’t mind if they found love in the process. First dates take place everywhere from the Maldives to Bolivia to Sweden … and come with no strings attached? Seems too good to be true. Approximately 600,000 members (who go through a strict approval process) are giving MissTravel a go and we caught up with one of them to discuss why she joined, what really happens on dates and how she’s loving her new life in London. Meet Chelsea.  How did you find out about MissTravel and what made you join? I saw an ad for it on a different dating website, with a question like “Young and want to travel?” I was instantly sucked in. Are you on the site to find...

In a land that has become a haven for the Nobu’s and Mastro’s of the world, it’s sometimes nice to find a place that epitomizes the laid-back surfer beach vibe that made Malibu famous in the first place. Located across from Zuma Beach and away from the traffic of the PCH, Sunset Restaurant is a breath of fresh air if you’re in the mood for no fuss and no pretention. Don’t get me wrong - I’m a serious fan of Nobu’s delicious sushi and gorgeous seaside views, but there’s still something about a friendly place where you can roll up after a day at the beach and just be comfortable in your natural state. On a Tuesday night, I took my parents, who were visiting from the East Coast, on the scenic drive up the 101 to check this place out. The lone structure across from the quiet beach (which...

by Monica Rohleder I am the child of a flight attendant and by the time I was 10, I had been to Hawaii a dozen times. My mother formed a love affair with the Hawaiian Islands through her travels there, so I followed suit and found my home away from home on the raw, magical and spiritual Big Island. The Earth begins and ends on this Island every day. At the North end of the Island, you see the lush green vegetation, flowers, waterfalls and life that came from the volcanoes, now quietly sleeping. But on the South side, experience a completely different landscape that resembles the surface of the moon. Black lava canvases the land, sporting varying colors and textures, all markings the dates when the flow began. As the sun shines down on the black rock, rainbows of colors sparkle and dance on the surface, as the crashing...

Napa is basically what happens when you blend a bit of Tuscany, with a dash of the scenery and overall loveliness from “The Sound of Music,” and mix in a healthy dose of every fairy tale land you’ve ever read about.  Except the castles in this fantastical kingdom are surrounded by vineyards, and the gold at the end of the rainbow is this magical thing called wine.  Now let’s get to it. PAJAMA PANTS …where to crash and get some R&R Andaz Napa I stayed here in its previous life as the Avia Napa Hotel and I have an inkling this iteration is even better. What’s best about this hotel is the location in the heart of downtown Napa, which means easy access to local tasting rooms and brunch spots when you just want to walk somewhere. Plus, there’s a huge bathtub in the middle of the room – perfect...

by: Tracey DeFrancesco Australia is synonymous with sun, adventure, and laid-back locals with sexy accents. I’ve long dreamed of traveling Down Under to cuddle koalas and box with kangaroos (let’s not get hung up on the fact that neither of those things is legal). So when TWS Tennis Tours invited me to join their trip to the 2016 Australian Open, I packed my summer clothes and tons of sunscreen and hopped on a plane for the fifteen-hour flight across the Pacific Ocean. Melbourne is a city known for experiencing four seasons in a day: a rainy morning turns into a scorching hot afternoon followed by a chilly evening. But it’s also a mysterious city whose best offerings can only be found by exploring alleyways and ducking into arcades to see what hidden gems lie just around the corner. If you’ve also been longing to see the other side of the...

When you get an invite for a celebration of pork, you’re intrigued … or at least I was. (Vegetarians probably wouldn’t be.) I am a big fan of bacon, belly, loin and chops, but as an entire concept? My curiosity got the best of me and I checked yes for Smithfield Chefs Table at Pistola LA, a restaurant that usually serves up fancy Italian fare and killer steaks. (The location also just happened to be in the old digs of one of my favorite French spots – AOC).  So who is Smithfield? Good question – Smithfield Foods is the world’s largest pork processor. Ah yes, the pork connection is made. Their Chefs Table series showcases their premium pork, DURoC, in foodie cities across the country. After hitting up Nashville and Miami, they took the concept to Los Angeles and put the pork preparation in the hands of Pistola’s Chef Vic...

Living in LA, it’s hard to find great French restaurants.  Yes, they do exist, but not to the extent they do in New York City, for instance.  I can remember living in New York years back and not a day would go by where I didn’t pass a Parisian cafe with wicker bistro chairs and the smell of delectable pastries filling the air. Well, I don’t live there now and I rarely use walking as a mode of transportation anymore (thanks LA) so on the rare occasion that I do stumble upon a new French restaurant, I jump at the chance to check it out. Le Petit Paris was that place. Located in the lobby of the Old Stowell Hotel in downtown LA’s Spring Street corridor, this bi-level grand space boasts exquisite interiors including chic chandaliers, oh-so-hip artwork and French music straight out of La Vie En Rose. The staff...

To really get a feel for a culture, get out of the city and see what the country has to teach you. So when deciding where to go for a little getaway on a recent trip to Paris, there was really only one choice in my mind — Bordeaux. (If I’m going to learn, I’m doing it over a glass of wine.) Only a three-hour train ride from Paris, Bordeaux immediately slowed down the pace and it was easy to settle in to the joie de vivre as only the French know how— over good drink, good food and good company. I never felt the urge to exercise (aside from the walking), the need to count calories or the desire to do something “productive.” I only had two days in wine country, but it’s probably good I didn’t have much time, given that I managed to purchase 12 bottles of...

The Holidays are here and while it is still upwards of 70 degrees in Los Angeles, we do love to embrace the spirit of the season- we just have to work a bit harder to feel the vibe as we walk around in our flip-flops and tank tops. One way we Angelenos compensate for our lack of frigid temps and snow is to get festive with our food and alcohol. Of all the Wanderpants editors, I’m admittedly the worst cook despite the fact that I do love food.  This also does not mean I don’t love entertaining, it just means I have to keep things simple when it comes to food preparation and distract people with good wine, music, and conversation.  I recently discovered Can Bech’s “Just for Cheese” line of 100% natural sauces, created to complement and enhance a variety of cheeses by using internationally sourced fruit, nuts, and spices.    At a recent “Wine and Cheese “ get-together...

Guest Author - Mike Sapp I recently had the chance to visit Croatia. My original impressions were optimistic, but after having been, I can now say the country is a must for any European adventurer! Dubrovnik is a gorgeous city that has recently been popping up on the destination radar as King’s Landing on the HBO hit series Game of Thrones - the city is just as alive and vibrant as the show would have you believe (without all the violence, deception and dragons, of course). Walking down the limestone alleys between walls that have been standing since the 14th century, you feel like you’ve been transported back into a fairytale. The cuisine is a fantastic combination of Greek and Italian, but the real majesty lies in the picturesque architecture and natural surroundings. Bluer waters are hard to find, and when framed by cypress and olive trees, you really feel like...

Tea has been on my mind lately. Not just because I’m married to a Brit who enjoys more than a few cups daily.  Not because I come from a family of Persians who drink tea like it’s tap water.  Tea for me brings back memories of chats with my grandmother and rainy days indoors. That said, the absolute best way to enjoy tea is the “proper” way – afternoon tea.  When you think of Los Angeles, you don’t immediately think of great spots to find afternoon tea. There is one place, however – The Peninsula Beverly Hills -- that does  afternoon tea very well. On a recent afternoon my British husband and I ventured out to experience tea at the Peninsula.  Before arriving my husband thought there wouldn’t be enough food for him and that we should plan on lunch afterwards. By the time we left, however, he admitted he...

As my favorite Ghostbuster, Bill Murray, once so eloquently mused, “If you’re not a pizza, then the answer is yes, I can live without you. “ Bill, you took the words right out of my pizza-filled mouth. “The United States of Pizza” is a new book by Chef and Pizza Connoisseur Craig Priebe (published by Rizzoli), which celebrates America’s melting pot of pizza, from skinny to deep-dish- to cheese-less and gluten-free.  As Priebe’s research scouring the USA to discover the best pies (cough…tough job…cough) shows us, they’re all glorious in their own unique way.  The book is filled with glossy, hunger-inducing photos and recipes along with a guide to all of the pizzerias featured.  Some highlights include Santarpio’s Shrimp Scampi Pizza (Boston, MA), Beau Jo’s Green Chile Pork Pizza (Idaho Springs, CO), and Pizzeria Delfina’s Panna Pizza (San Francisco, CA).    In honor of “The United States of Pizza” and my favorite food of all-time, below are some standout places for pizza here in Los Angeles (some of which Priebe’s includes in...

Charleston, SC has long been a tourist destination for history buffs, beach bums and culinary enthusiasts. And while the city could have always been described as quaint, cute and the idyllic Southern town, it would never have been described as hip, cool, modern or happening. But in the last  few years, all that has started to change. It began with the culinary pioneers whose amazing food inspired by local fare caught the attention of the rest of the world. Then came the rapidly expanding bar scene on Upper King where divey college bars closed in favor of upscale lounges and cocktail bars (this area has since reverted and been replaced by Canonborough). But there wasn’t really a hotel to match the city’s unique take on the arts. Until now.  As luck would have it, I was visiting Charleston in late August when the Grand Bohemian (a 50-room luxury boutique hotel)...

By: Stacey Among the many festivals the Bahamas call home throughout the year, Goombay Summer Festival is a lively party filled with locals and tourists alike enjoying music and food along the salty ocean breezes off gorgeous Arawak Cay in Nassau. The Goombay festival was named after the large goat-skinned drum that booms loudly throughout many Bahamian dances, and is the heartbeat of the famous Junkanoo festival. First launched in 1974, Goombay Summer Festival showcases Bahamian culture with a plethora of local bands, Goombay dancers, fire dancers, and hordes of locals dancing and singing along with the music.  This festival is geared toward making sure both locals and tourists alike have a great time.  Bahamian officials feel that it’s really important that everyone can experience Bahamian fun and culture at the same time.   While it is a great big party, it’s also very much a family affair.  For every rum-drinking party-goer I...

Roy Choi has done it again.  The Chef who “drove” into the LA scene with his famous gourmet Korean taco “Kogi Truck” is now back with one of his best so far – Commissary – a new restaurant that sits high atop Koreatown in a greenhouse at the newest hipster hot spot – The Line Hotel.  Those of you who have frequented his other popular eateries -- A-Frame, Sunny Spot and POT -- will also be pleasantly surprised with Commissary. I visited a few weeks ago and have to say the place is a visual spectacle.  Greenery and potted plants hang from each and every corner, even more beautiful in the evening when you can see it glow all the way from Wilshire Boulevard. Visuals aside, the food caters to vegetable lovers. We went for dinner and tried one of almost everything on the menu. My favorites starters were the...

Similar to how we Californians worship our native avocados and…wine (?!), Antiguans are proud of their indigenous produce- namely mangoes- and the many ways they can be enjoyed. To pay homage, the Mango Festival was created ten years ago and has since become a “can’t miss” event attended each summer in Antigua by tourists and locals alike. Located in the orchards of beautiful Christian Valley where over 30 varieties of mangoes are grown, this festival celebrates all things mango – the tropical “king of fruit”- with live music, a market, kids’ activities, competitions, games, and more. Everything mango-made you could dream of shows up at the festival – from fruity soaps and  preserves, to scented candles and wine. To kick off the festival, the Antigua & Barbuda Hospitality Training Institute hosts the Mango Pineapple Culinary Competition whereby local professional chefs are invited to create dishes using these key ingredients. The...

I’ll admit it. I love Jane Austen novels. I’m THAT girl. (Well, not entirely.) But in all of her novels and the movies that came after them, I always wondered why they walked so much. I know they didn’t have cars, but they walked not just to get from A to B, but also for the pure enjoyment of walking. I just thought they were bored. But now I know better. There is nothing quite like a walk on Cotswold Way – it’s more shades of green than you could imagine exist, the perfect background for daydreams or losing yourself in a book and full of great country folk (and sheep!) that make for interesting conversations along the way.   True story: My friend and I (he lives in London) decided to explore some of the quaint villages via car. After spending most of the day in Winchcombe, we started making our way to Upper and Lower Slaughter. However, we ran into an obstacle....

Anyone who believes “Maui is for lovers” is just wrong.  Sure, it’s romantic, but it is also full of adventure and fun.  So much so, that I once went to Maui by myself for Valentine’s Day weekend and crashed a wedding.  True story.   Maui is the second largest of the Hawaiian Islands so there’s a lot to see and do – there’s seriously something for everyone.  Sorry honeymooners! FAT PANTS ...where to chow down and then unbutton the top button   Plantation House Restaurant Located at the Plantation Golf Course in Kapalua, this scenic restaurant is dining at its finest.  The Plantation House serves innovative, delectable cuisine in a pristine setting which gives a whole new meaning to the word “panaromic.”  The expansive view of the ocean and the surrounding mountains pairs perfectly with your Sauvignon Blanc.   Mama’s Fish House This world-renowned restaurant on the North Shore of Maui...

If you’re the kind of person that likes surprises, you might want to grab a seat at the Dinner Lab table. And since their kick-off LA dinner is this Saturday (July 25), you’ll have to be spontaneous too. What’s Dinner Lab? Glad you asked. In their own words, they are “a new members-only supper club that connects adventurous diners with rising star chefs for unique rogue pop-up dining experiences across the country.” It started in New Orleans, as all good things do. (Ahem, I was born there.) It’s adventurous because you have to be willing to play along with the Chef’s whim. The theme of the first LA dinner, hosted by Chef Wes Whitehead of WEST Kitchen & Catering in Malibu, is Tea Time — a global gastronomical tour devoted to the nuance and possibilities of tea. Menu items include an Arnold Palmer Hushpuppy from the US, Chai BBQ from...

Mumbai? Bombay? Bombay? Mumbai? Naan to worry, it means the same thing. For those who don’t know, Mumbai is the crown jewel of India (matter a fact, its coast is shaped like a “queen’s necklace”). It’s the most populated city in India and you can bet your last rupee it feels like it. When my best friend and I visited, we had no clue what to expect. Watching Slumdog Millionaire on repeat won’t prepare you for what’s in store. Flying into the city, all you see are miles and miles of slums. Once you touch down, Mumbai and its people are sure to melt your heart. Oh, and then there’s the kids. With their adorable little smiles and doe-eyed faces, they tug right at your heartstrings (and a lot of the time they’re tugging straight for change in your pocket). Poverty is everywhere here so get used it, people. Regardless,...

I heard someone describe Lisbon as “a Spanish Paris.” Sold. Upon arriving in Lisbon, I knew it was a city I was doomed to fall in love with. The people are pleasant and helpful even if you don’t speak a lick of Portuguese (but it’s always nice to learn a few words). The streets were hilly, quaint and lined with mosaics of cobblestone and brightly colored tile. The food was a mixture of fresh seafood and lovely meats. And the history is one of exploration (Does Vasco da Gama ring any bells from History class?) It’s also extremely budget friendly, especially for the quintessential European experience - good food, good wine and a peek at times past. Oh, and late nights. It’s Spanish-influenced after all. Pajama Pants Where to crash and get some R&R Baixa House Similar to a B&B, this cozy place is situated in the middle of the...