Travel Archives : Page 13 of 37 : TRAVEL/FOOD

Coming Soon: Rock Legend Sammy Hagar Debuting Sammy’s Island

Cocktail Recipes, Las Vegas, Resort, Resorts, Sammy Hagar, Uncategorized

Trendsetter and Rock & Roll Hall of Farmer Sammy Hagar, who turned the Cabo Wabo-beach vibe into an iconic lifestyle brand is transforming the Palms Casino Resort’s pool into a Red Rocker-inspired island getaway debuting Friday, May 17.

This summer, Sammy Hagar and Palms Casino Resort will introduce Sammy’s Island, a tropical pool getaway inspired by the music and Baja beach vibe of the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer, lifestyle trendsetter and spirits trailblazer. Featuring a vibrant blend of delicious food, refreshing cocktails made with Hagar’s signature spirits, and live music performances to make poolside days and nights come alive, Sammy’s Island will officially debut on Friday, May 17.

“Sammy’s Island is something I’ve dreamed about for years and the pool at Palms is the perfect location for it,” said Hagar, who has been instrumental in the design and overall setting of the Cabo-inspired oasis. “In addition to their Pearl Theater being one of my favorite places to play, the Palms has a gorgeous pool deck with multiple pools and a stage for live music, which is undergoing a total transformation into Sammy’s Island. I couldn’t be more grateful to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and the entire team at the Palms for making this dream a reality.”

The sun-filled oasis will feature an abundance of stylish cabanas and daybeds, four ultra-exclusive Red Rocker-themed cabanas, a stunning pool island designed for lounging in the sun, and a poolside restaurant. Each bar will offer a unique spirits experience, including a Tiki Bar serving tropical cocktails featuring Hagar’s premium Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with rock icon Rick Springfield, and Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails canned cocktails. In addition, guests can enjoy the tequila-forward Tequileria offering flights of additive-free Santo Tequila and Santo Mezquila, a unique tequila/mezcal blend by Santo Spirits, Hagar’s top-shelf tequila brand in partnership with celebrity chef Guy Fieri.

Sunsoaked guests can indulge in poolside beverage service offering a wide selection of drinks, canned cocktails, beers such as Red Rocker Lager, and an assortment of specialty cocktails featuring Hagar’s top-shelf spirits such as the signature Maui-jito, crafted with Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum rum, fresh lime juice, pineapple syrup, fresh mint leaves and topped with club soda and dehydrated pineapple; strawberry daiquiris made with Sammy’s Beach Bar Platinum rum and the Palm’s signature frozen strawberry mix; and refreshing frozen Cabo-rita featuring Santo Blanco tequila, Cointreau and fresh lime sour.

Sammy’s Island offers poolside bites delivered throughout the day with a wide selection of dining options including breakfast favorites such as the Baja Breakfast Burrito made with carne asada, scrambled eggs, fries, pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo and avocado in a flour tortilla and Egg Sandwich made with applewood bacon, cheddar cheese, over medium eggs and maple aioli, served on a brioche bun and with a Tajin fruit cup.

Sammy Hagar menu items — Chicken-Tinga-Nachos-Sammys-Beach-Bar-Red-Head-Rum-Sammys-Beach-Bar-Kola-Spiced-Rum-Chicken-Wings-Poke-Bowl-Veracruz-Chopped-Salad-Thai-Salad-with-Seared-Tuna-at-Sammys-Island. @Patrick-Gray

The menu will also feature shareable dishes such as Chicken Tinga Nachos featuring shredded chicken tinga, black beans, shredded cheese mix, jalapeño, cotija cheese, pico de gallo and house-made salsa; Chicken Wings, made with a chef’s dry rub and served with veggies and ranch or blue cheese and tossed in choice of buffalo, Vegas hot, or sweet chili sauce; and quesadillas featuring cheese mix, pico de gallo, lime crema, guacamole and salsa verde on a flour tortilla, or add a choice of protein such as carne, pork, chicken or Impossible Beef.

Red Rocker Mahi Tacos at Sammy’s Island @Patrick Gray

A variety of tacos, burgers and salads, bowls and wraps are also available such as the Veracruz Chopped Salad with lettuce blend, tomatoes, black beans, avocado, roasted corn, cheddar cheese, jicama, tortilla strips and creamy cilantro dressing; a vegan Thai Salad with shredded cabbage, romaine, bell peppers, carrots, red onion, mint, cilantro, peanuts, spicy peanut and coconut dressing with the option to add chicken or seared tuna; or a Poke Bowl with tuna, surimi, seasoned rice, nori, edamame, cucumber, O’s hot sauce, pickled onion and crispy shallots.

Rooted in the immortal spirit of rock ‘n’ roll, Sammy’s Island will host live poolside events throughout the summer featuring a variety of musical acts from headline performances to some of Vegas’ favorite local entertainers. On Saturday through Monday, the pool will feature top DJs spinning sets of music to keep the Sammy’s Island vibes going strong.

Seasonal Fruit Tower at Sammy’s Island. @Patrick Gray.

Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, Hagar has turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants Cabo Wabo Beach Club in Huntington Beach, Cabo Wabo Cantina in Las Vegas and Sammy’s Beach Bar and Grills in Cleveland, Maui, Honolulu and Las Vegas airports, as well as a successful spirits portfolio featuring Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails, Santo Spirits and Red Rocker Brewing Co.

Sammy’s Island at Palms Pool, located at Palms Casino Resort at 4321 W. Flamingo Rd., will be open seven days a week from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. More information will soon be available at https://www.palms.com/experiences/sammys-island.

The opening of Sammy’s Island is another highlight in the Rock & Roll Hall of Famer’s year which also includes him being honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Tuesday, April 30, and the highly-anticipated launch of his THE BEST OF ALL WORLDS” 2024 tour. Hagar will be joined by rock heavyweights and longtime bandmates Michael Anthony (bass, backing vocals), Jason Bonham (drums) and guitar virtuoso Joe Satriani. Collectively, they have played together in nearly every phase of Hagar’s career including Van Halen, Chickenfoot and The Circle so fans can expect a setlist that includes rock anthems such as “Finish What Ya Started,” “5150,” “Your Love is Driving Me Crazy,” “Best of Both Worlds,” “Poundcake,” “Sexy Little Thing,” “One Way To Rock,” “Right Now,” “Good Enough,” “Eagles Fly” and more.

Cabo-rita Cocktail with Santo Blanco Tequila at Sammy’s Island

⦁ 1 ounce Cabo Wabo tequila (blanco is my preference, but reposado works great, too)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce Damiana liqueur (sub more orange liqueur if you can’t find this, but it won’t quite be the same)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce orange liqueur (e.g. triple sec, Cointreau, etc)
⦁ 1⁄2 ounce fresh squeezed lime juice
⦁ splash blue Curaçao
⦁ ice
⦁ lime peel (garnish)

Method
1. Pour tequila, Damiana, orange liqueur, and lime juice in a shaker and fill with plenty of ice.

2. Shake until ice cold. (If using a stainless cocktail shaker, you should start to see frost on the exterior. Yeah, that cold.)
3. Pour into a chilled, salt rimmed Martini or Margarita glass. Those handblown ones from Mexico are perfect.
4. Drop lime peel into glass.
5. Pour a splash of blue Curaçao onto the drink (I suggest 1/2 – 1 teaspoon) and serve.

A ZESTY RIFF ON THEALL-TIME CLASSIC

The quintessential tequila concoction gets a snap of ginger for just the right balance of sassy and sweet. Meet your new go-to cocktail.

1 1/2 oz Santo Tequila Reposado
1 oz lime juice
1 oz ginger syrup

For the ginger syrup:

2/3 cup freshly peeled and sliced ginger
¾ cup sugar
¾ cup water

To make the margarita:
Pour the ingredients into a shaker with ice. Shake well and pour all contents into a glass.

To make the ginger syrup:
Combine the ingredients in a small saucepan and cook, stirring occasionally, on medium-low heat until simmering. Allow to cook for an additional 25 minutes on low heat. Strain the ginger out of the syrup and chill in a heat-proof container until cold.

NOTES
The syrup recipe will produce enough to make several margaritas. Only fresh ginger will work for this recipe.
We do not recommend dried, frozen, or preserved ginger.

About Sammy Hagar:

For more than four decades, Sammy Hagar has been recognized as one of the best and most accomplished lead singers and songwriters in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the seminal hard rock band Montrose, to his multi-platinum solo career, to his ride as the frontman of Van Halen, Chickenfoot and his latest best-selling supergroup, The Circle, Hagar has amassed 25 Platinum albums on sales surpassing 50 million worldwide. Along his journey, he has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written with songs like “I Can’t Drive 55,” “Right Now,” and “Why Can’t This Be Love,” and earned the highest respect of the music industry with a Grammy Award and induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Since opening his flagship Cabo Wabo Cantina in 1990, he’s turned a lifelong passion for great food, music and spirits into a thriving and iconic lifestyle brand encompassing restaurants and spirits. He launched Cabo Wabo Tequila in 1996 and catapulted it into the #2 ultra-premium tequila brand in the United States, cementing his position as a spirits industry trailblazer. He sold Cabo Wabo Tequila in 2010 for what was then a record-setting nine-figure deal. He now owns an award-winning portfolio of top-shelf spirits and beer that embody that same spirit of Baja beach life and rock ‘n’ roll.

They include Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum, a partnership with rock icon Rick Springfield, Santo Spirits, a partnership with tastemaker Guy Fieri, Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails. and Red Rocker Brewing Co. Made in Puerto Rico, Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum was founded in 2012 and comes in three varieties: the newly enhanced Platinum Rum and Kola Spiced Rum as well as Red Head Rum. Santo Spirits was founded in 2017 and now offers Santo Tequila Añejo, Santo Tequila Blanco, Santo Tequila Reposado and Santo Tequila Blanco 110, as well as the innovative Mezquila – the world’s first tequila/mezcal blend. Sammy’s Beach Bar Rum steeps island flavor into Sammy’s Beach Bar Cocktails’ top-shelf sparkling rum cocktails, founded in 2021. The canned cocktails come in four playful twists on classic flavors: Tangerine Dream, Pineapple Splash, Island Pop and Cherry Kola Chill. A nod to Hagar’s Cabo roots, Red Rocker Brewing Co.’s inaugural release, Red Rocker Lager is a Mexican-style lager that is light, crisp and refreshing, with just a touch of sweetness.

Sammy is #1 NYT bestselling author, a dedicated philanthropist, donating millions back to local communities through his private non-profit Hagar Family Foundation, and the first Honorary Ambassador to Los Cabos, an honor he was bestowed in 2022 in recognition of his longtime investment in the people and economy of Mexico. Visit RedRocker.com for more information.

About Palms Casino Resort:

Palms Casino Resort is making history as the first resort in Las Vegas fully owned and operated by a Native American Tribe. Palms Casino Resort features two distinct towers with 766 hotel rooms and suites, a diverse mix of bars, restaurants, live entertainment venues, and immersive lifestyle experiences across a 95,000-square-foot reimagined casino. Offering free valet and self-parking, the resort also includes over 190,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and event space; the Pearl, a 2,500-seat theater; an expansive pool, The Spa & Salon at Palms; a wedding chapel; the Brenden Theatre 14-screen cinema and nearly 600 units at Palms Place condominiums.

Palms is located just west of the center of the Las Vegas Strip off I-15 on Flamingo Road. Palms Casino Resort is owned by The San Manuel Gaming and Hospitality Authority (“SMGHA”) an affiliate of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. For more information visit http://www.palms.com/ or the Palms Press Room. Follow Palms on social media at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

San Juanico: Baja California Sur’s Must-Hit Surf Spot

Adventure, Baja California Sur, Ocean, Surfing

Known for its legendary breaks, unparalleled beauty and the second longest wave in the world, San Juanico in Baja California Sur (BCS) has emerged as the must-hit spot for ardent surf fanatics seeking an unsurpassed wave experience. Nestled along the eastern side of BCS in the Comundú region, the picturesque and untouched area, also known to Americans as ‘Scorpion Bay,’ showcases epic swells that cater to surfers of all skill levels – from barrel-filled points to mellow rollers.

It’s no surprise that despite San Juanico’s small size, it has long been a bucket-list item for west-coast surfers. San Juanico’s world-class waves offer some of the longest rides on the planet, lasting up to two minutes long. On big days, when all of the break points in the bay connect, these waves provide seemingly endless, smooth rides that are the stuff of surfers’ dreams. With the town well off the beaten path, surfers in San Juanico will find serenity within the secluded waters.

Photo courtesy of Kirt Edblom/Wikimedia Commons.

As for the journey to San Juanico, travelers begin by flying into Loreto (LTO) from the United States with airlines such as Alaska Airlines and American Airlines – with Alaska offering direct flights from Los Angeles (LAX), and American offering direct flights from Phoenix (PHX) along with seasonal direct flights from Dallas (DFW). Surfers in Southern California can also cross the border via the Cross Border Express (CBX) and fly into Loreto directly via Volaris. Once in Loreto, travelers will need to rent a car and embark on the three-and-a-half-hour journey to San Juanico. Along this drive, travelers can navigate the scenic route, augmented by stunning vistas of the La Giganta mountain range and tranquil beaches like Juncalito.

Accommodations in San Juanico are equally captivating – with rustic yet comfortable retreats providing a peaceful oasis amidst the desert-meets-sea landscape of BCS, like Casitas San Juanico or, for travelers craving adventure, they can pitch a tent with the San Juanico’s robust camping community.

taco — Photo courtesy of El Burro Primavera

Guests can immerse themselves in a laid-back atmosphere and enjoy warm welcomes at local eateries like El Burro Primavera – known for their micheladas and fresh ceviche tacos. Part of San Juanico’s charm is that the town still doesn’t have an electric grid, and while this is due to change in the future, for now, it provides an even more serene local experience for surfers seeking a remote escape. Visitors should be aware that there is no easily accessible bank, so bring plenty of pesos prior to arrival.

Photo courtesy of Adam Jones/Wikimedia Commons.

As the town of San Juanico continues to capture the hearts of travelers, surfers have been clamoring to experience its uniquely unspoiled beauty amidst the prospect of progress. The timeless allure of the area’s epic waves remains, inviting surfers to embark on this bucket-list journey.

About Baja California Sur

Situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of California, the state of Baja California Sur encompasses the southern half of the Baja Peninsula. The climate is perfect for fishing, boating, surfing, and diving, making the destination an adventurer and thrill-seeker’s dream. The state features breathtaking scenery from the windswept ocean beaches on the west to the tranquil, turquoise waters on the east. In between are canyons, desertscapes and lush oasis ripe for exploration.

Photo courtesy of Kirt Edblom/Wikimedian Commons.

Known for its extraordinary marine life, whale watching is one of the area’s most well-known tourist attractions along with sportfishing, kayaking and bird watching. More information on Baja California Sur and the state’s northern regions is available at Visit Baja Sur.

Southwest Germany in Its Element

Adventure, Baden Baden, Baden-Württemberg, Boating, Freiburg, Tübingen

In 2024, Southwest Germany celebrates its water-rich areas as perfect vacation getaways.

Elixir of life, force of nature and finite resource: water is a precious commodity that we pay special attention to in Southwest Germany. On your journey through the water worlds in Southwest Germany, you may encounter traditional crafts and maintained customs, learn about sustainable initiatives and natural areas worth protecting, cycle to refreshing places of enjoyment and meet personalities who have dedicated their lives to water.

Tens of millions of years ago, ice and water formed the natural landscapes in Southwest Germany. The results today are lovely valleys in which babbling streams, deep gorges with thundering waterfalls, extensive caves and underwater canals through which water flows into the springs and rivers. The often protected, unspoiled landscapes can be explored on adventurous hikes or bike tours or even rafts.

Water has always exerted a magical impact on people and provides material for legends, myths and rituals. Cleaning, decorating and blessing wells and springs is still widespread today in many communities in Baden-Württemberg. But there are many other customs, traditions and festivals in Southwest Germany related to water.

Following are just a few of the water-related and fun places you can experience in Southwest Germany and where the most surprising water stories have their sources.

A big anniversary will be celebrated on Lake Constance in 2024: 1,300 years ago, the wandering bishop Pirmin founded a monastery on the island of Reichenau, which became an important source of inspiration for art, culture and politics in the early Middle Ages. “We form a bond” is the motto of the anniversary year with a series of festivities, exhibitions, spiritual offerings and civic projects. The highlight is the large state exhibition “World Heritage of the Middle Ages: 1300 years of the monastery island of Reichenau”. It will take place from April 20th to October 20th, 2024 in the Archaeological State Museum in Konstanz and on the Reichenau itself.

Outstanding works of art such as the magnificent and rarely shown manuscripts of Reichenau illumination illustrate the Abbey’s glorious history. At the “original location” on the island, a new, modern leadership system will connect the three medieval church buildings with the completely renovated cathedral treasury and the new monastery gardens. Reichenau

The wild water of the Ravenna Gorge roars down and has been digging a narrow valley for thousands of years. It can be explored via wooden walkways and rock galleries on the “Heimatpfad Hochschwarzwald,” or “Native Path of the Black Forest Highlands.” With small cascades of water, the large Ravenna Falls and the impressive Ravenna Viaduct make the tour an experience. The nearby “sister gorges” of Wutach and Gauchachschlucht are among the oldest nature reserves in Baden-Württemberg. hochschwarzwald.de

Black Forest Rafting: Rafting is a centuries-old tradition and has been part of the “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” since December 2022. Up until the 19^th century, thousands of fir trees were transported over streams and rivers from the Black Forest and they reached Holland via the Rhine. In the Kinzig and Nagold valleys, the tradition is maintained and can be experienced in museums, on themed hiking trails, and at festivals.

The international rafting festival at the Monhardter “Wasserstube,” or river, in Altensteig provides an insight into historic forestry jobs and crafts, including the turning of the logs. Members of the Oberes Nagoldtal rafters’ guild demonstrate their skills as they travel through the watery “streets” of the Wasserstube. schwarzwald-kinzigtal.info; Altensteig.de

Nightlife in Baden-Baden’s World Heritage Caracalla Spa Baden-Baden is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Great Spa Towns of Europe” and is famous for its thermal springs. Several thousand gallons of thermal water have been gushing out of the springs every day for over 2,000 years. The Romans knew about the healing power of the thermal springs and built the first thermal baths. In the historic Friedrichsbad, you can immerse yourself in the past: the extensive bath was opened in 1877 based on the model of the Roman thermal baths, the ruins of which lie directly below. The modern counterpart is the Caracalla thermal baths with its extensive bathing and sauna area. Every first Friday of the month, the spa invites visitors to celebrate and relax in the evening with special performances, unique sauna infusions, live music by the water pool and spectacular dance shows. baden-baden.com; carasana.com

On a Coffee Trip in Stuttgart: Passengers and connoisseurs can have a really good time on the MS Wilhelma: With coffee and cake or lentils with spaetzle and a glass of wine, the view from the sun deck of the vineyards, meadows and forests on the bank combines a feast for the eyes and the palate to create the ultimate culinary experience.

The ship is part of the Neckar-Käpt’n fleet, which is based in Bad Cannstatt, and which is a part of the city of Stuttgart. In addition to special tours with readings or wine tastings, the boat completes scheduled trips. One special route is the “Schillerfahrt” from Stuttgart to Marbach, where Schiller was born. neckar-kaeptn.de

Water and Drinks: Gin Tasting with Punting Ride in Tübingen: A river, a punt, four gins, a few tonics and a fine brandy sommelier: these are the basic ingredients for an unforgettable pleasure trip off the beaten track. The special event starts on the garden terrace of the Hotel Domizil in Tübingen. Here, with a view of the Neckar, various variations of regional gin are tasted under the expert guidance of fine brandy sommelier Angela V. Weis. Before going out on the water, everyone can prepare a gin and tonic with botanicals to their liking and receive a Poké Bowl to Go. Then, the leisurely twilight tour begins in a punt around the Neckar Island. tuebingen-info.de

Baden State Brewery Rothaus: Culinary delights can be experienced all year round in Germany’s highest brewery: Located at 3,280 feet above sea-level between fir and pine trees, the Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus (Baden State Brewery Rothaus) offers its guests pure refreshment. Seven of their own springs supply them with pure, clear brewing water. On the “Zäpfle Weg (Zaepfle Path),” you can find out everything you need to know about the brewery at nine stations. The path leads past the popular “Zäpflebrunnen (Zaepfle Fountain)” to the spring area and ends at the “Quellgeist,” the wooden patron saint of the springs. rothaus.de

Street Streams – the Freiburger Bächle: They are centuries old and crystal clear, are considered to be unique and offer space for games. We’re talking about the Freiburger Bächle, a wide network of man-made, paved streams from the River Dreisam that have run through Freiburg since the 12th century. In the Middle Ages, the paved channels were used to supply industrial and fire-fighting water.

Today, they are the venue for the unique Bächle boat race and a glimmer of hope for long-term singles: As the saying goes, anyone who accidentally steps into one of the Bächle must marry a Freiburger. The “Bächle cleaners” ensure that your feet stay clean and the streams always flow. visit.freiburg.de/attractions/freiburger-baechle

In Baden-Württemberg, or Southwest Germany, it is never far to the next water experience.

Whether it’s a river cave expedition in the Swabian Alb, canyoning in the Black Forest or SUP yoga on Lake Constance: Southwest Germany has it all. You can find refreshment as well as extra kick to your holiday in Southwest Germany.

Post by Victoria Larson and Natalie Dietl, Southwest Germany Tourism.

Article: What Is the Oldest City in America? A Look at the Top 11

Adventure, Boston, Florida, Great Lakes, Historic Restaurants, New Jersey, New Mexico, Regional & Ethnic, Wisconsin

What Is the Oldest City in America? A Look at the Top 11 https://flip.it/–jqGq

WANE: Couple visiting every Texas Roadhouse in US stops in Fort Wayne

Adventure, Fort Wayne

https://www.wane.com/news/couple-visiting-every-texas-roadhouse-in-us-stops-in-fort-wayne/

Savor the South Shore: Over 30 Restaurants to Try

Breweries, Desserts, Distilleries, Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Gourmet, Historic Restaurants, Northwest Indiana, Restaurant Week, Restaurants, Savor the South Shore, winery

Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks offers residents and visitors 3-course meals or other special offers at discounted prices. The 14-day culinary promotion began February 26 and will end March 10. More than 30 local restaurants in seventeen different communities will be participating.

Restaurants include:

Aftermath Cidery & Winery, Valparaiso
Asparagus Restaurant, Merrillville
Bedarra Bar, Crown Point
The Brewery Lodge & Supper Club, Michigan City
Byway Brewing, Hammond
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Gary
DOC’s Smokehouse and Craft Bar, Dyer
Four Corners Winery, Valparaiso
Freddy’s Steakhouse, Hammond
Fuzzyline Brewery, Highland
Gamba Ristorante, Merrillville
Goblin and the Grocer, Beverly Shores
Grindhouse Café, Griffith
Jack Binion’s Steak, Hammond
Jax’s Crown Town Grill, Crown Point
Lighthouse Restaurant, Cedar Lake
Midwest Eats, East Chicago
Miller Pizza Company, Gary
Northwoods Falls, St. John
Off Square Brewing, Crown Point
Parlor Doughnuts, Munster & Valparaiso
River Rock Restaurant at White Hawk Country Club, Crown Point
Rosebud Steakhouse, Munster
Running Vines Winery, Chesterton
T-Bones Pier 11, La Porte
Teibel’s Restaurant, Schererville
Tiny’s Coffee Bar, Gary
Union Hall – Journeyman Distillery, Valparaiso
William B’s Steakhouse at Blue Chip Casino Hotel Spa, Michigan City
Zorn Brew Works Co., Michigan City

Specially priced menus are listed online at http://www.savorthesouthshore.com. Customers do not need a coupon or discount code, they only need to ask to order from the Savor menu. Savor Restaurant Weeks and participating restaurants will also be promoted through Facebook at www.facebook.com/SavorSouthShore and through a VIP Text List by texting “Savor” to 219- 799-7770 (standard text rates apply).

An all-new promotion this year, the South Shore Passport App will be available to download beginning on February 26! This app will replace the current South Shore Brewery Trail App and in addition to breweries will also include other passports including one for Restaurant Weeks. It will be available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

App users will be able to check-in to as many participating Savor restaurants as they can between February 26 – March 10. Each check-in earns an entry towards an exclusive gift card package valued at $250! One winner will be chosen at random the week of March 11. The more you dine out during “Savor the South Shore” …the greater the chance of winning!

Savor the South Shore was created by the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority to promote area restaurants, attract new customers and highlight specialty menu items and pairings. Learn more at www.savorthesouthshore.com.

Eater: James Beard Awards 2023: America’s Classics Winners

Gastronomy, Gourmet, Historic foodways, Historic Restaurants, James Beard Awards, Las Vegas, Restaurants

https://www.eater.com/24084686/james-beard-americas-classics-award-winners-2024

Devour Culinary Classic: 2024 Winners

Desert Botanical Garden, Devour Culinary Classic, Gourmet, Historic foodways, Phoenix

Local First Arizona is proud to announce the winners of the 15th annual Devour Culinary Classic.

The event showcasing Arizona’s top chefs was hosted Feb. 24-25 at Desert Botanical Garden in partnership with the Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance.

A panel of top food critics and journalists from around the country tasted dishes served by over 50 participating restaurants and purveyors, scoring on taste, presentation, degree of difficulty and creativity.

Dishes that qualified for awards were then designated Best in Show, Double Gold Medal, Gold Medal, Silver Medal, Bronze Medal and Heritage Food Medal.

The second year of the Heritage Food Medal honors the best dish with ingredients that are indigenous, heirloom, low-water, desert-adapted or locally sourced (within a 100-mile radius of the restaurant) and thus more sustainable for Arizona. Climate-smart foods are essential for farmers, chefs and diners to support and expand for the future of our state.

In addition, Devour volunteers helped attendees divert a record 3 tons of waste from the landfill to recycling or composting, a 70% diversion rate.

Devour Culinary Classic 2024 Award Winners:

Best in Show

Gastronomic Union of Tucson (GUT chefs)

Juan Almanza, Kelzi Bartholomaei, Mat Cable, Michael Elefante, Obadiah “Obie” Hindman, Sarah Lamberth, Roderick Ledesmo and Devon Sanner

Judges called these dishes “mouthwatering,” “killer” and “luscious”

Birria Campanelle – Campanella with Barrio Beer Beef Birria Guisado, Cotija, Cilantro Oil, Avocado + Lime Salsa, Corn Crema

Tacos de Canasta de Calabazo + Cascabel – Mesquite Roasted Local White Squash, Cascabel Chiles, Pepitas, Tepary Beans, Corn Tortilla, Pomegranate Pickled Shallots, Azafran Vegan Crema, Mushroom Chicharron with Sonoran Chile Crisp, Mico Cilantro
Jamaica & Limoncello Cheesecake

Double Gold Medal

Arizona Wilderness Brewing Co.
Arizona Wagyu Slider, Duck Fat Rosemary Fries
Cafe Lalibela
Red Lentils and Cabbage, Chicken and Yellow Split Peas
Chilte
Duroc Pork Tomahawk with Huitlacoche Chiltepin Mole
Tia Carmen
Tuna Tostada, Vanilla Flan

The Rez: An Urban Eatery

Chocolate Mole Tamale, Jackfruit Taco on Fresh Blue Corn Tortilla

Gold Medal

Chula Seafood
Dry Aged Fish
JW Marriott Scottsdale Camelback Inn Resort & Spa
Paella Royale, Charred Octopus

Silver Medal

Board + Batten
Campo Italian Bistro
Carcara
Clever Koi
Dahl Restaurant Group
Frites Street
Latha
Litchfield’s at the Wigwam
Lom Wong
Poolboy Taco
Roka Akor
Renata’s Hearth
Rough Rider
Sandfish
Sonoran Pasta Bar
The Gladly/Citizen Public House
Uchi

Bronze Medal

Aioli Gourmet Burger
Canal Club
Fellow Osteria
Kembara
Lucero
Lylo Swim Club
Ocean Prime
Phoenician Tavern
Phoenix Culinary Collective
Prado
PV Pie and Wine
Renaissance Phoenix: Dust Cutter
The Peppermill
Zuzu

The esteemed Devour judges were:

Stephanie Burnette

South Carolina-based writer, culinary instructor and ICS World Chili Cookoff judge

Stephanie Burnette is a food and travel writer in the Carolinas and covers the southeast. She writes for Eater, Thrillist, Town, atHome, SC Department of Agriculture, as well as for multiple visitors guides each year. Her background includes culinary instruction at The John C. Campbell Folk School and 400+ recipes for Gannett. She is the author of the upcoming 100 Things to Do in Greenville Before You Die, by Reedy Press. She’s judged the ICS World Chili Cookoff and the Great American Burger Contest but says her two teenagers are the best critics she knows.

Katherine Chew Hamilton

Freelance food and beverage writer, restaurant critic, and editor. She most recently worked as the food editor of Portland Monthly magazine, where she reviewed restaurants, reported on restaurant openings and closings, and highlighted up-and-coming pop-ups and food carts. Previously, she was the food critic at the East Bay Express in Oakland. Favorite bites and sips include handmade noodles, tacos, Dungeness crab, and Willamette Valley wine.

Natasha Pickowicz

New York City–based chef, writer and three-time James Beard Foundation Award finalist.

Much of her pastry work explores the relationship between baking and social justice, including ongoing collaborations with seminal New York City institutions like Lenox Hill Neighborhood House, God’s Love We Deliver, the Brigid Alliance, and Planned Parenthood of Greater New York, for whom she produced a massive city-wide bake sale, raising more than $150,000 between 2017 and 2019.

Currently, Pickowicz runs the pastry pop-up called Never Ending Taste, which has been held at NYC’s Superiority Burger, Brooklyn’s the Four Horsemen, the American-Vietnamese bakery Ba. n B., the Taiwanese tearoom T. Company, Los Angeles’s Kismet, and the legendary Chino Farm in Rancho Santa Fe, California.

Pickowicz’s recipes and writing have been published in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Bon Appetit, Saveur, Food & Wine, New York magazine, Cherry Bombe, and many other publications. Follow her on Instagram at @natashapickowicz.

José R. Ralat

José R. Ralat is Texas Monthly’s taco editor, for which he writes about Mexican food and food culture. He is also the author of “American Tacos: A History & Guide.” Ralat has written for Eater, Imbibe, D Magazine, Vice, Gravy, and other national and regional online and print media outlets. He is a two-time James Beard Foundation media award winner. Ice cream might just be his one true love.

Howard Seftel

Howard Seftel was a Valley restaurant critic from 1992 to 2015, the first eight years at Phoenix New Times, then 15 years at the Arizona Republic. During that time, he dined out — anonymously — more than 5000 times, and served as a James Beard Award judge.

A native New Yorker, he worked abroad for five years, in West Africa and the Middle East, and later taught American history at the University of California, Berkeley and Antioch University.

These days, when he is not eating out, he’s likely to be at a baseball game, playing the piano, reading history or hitting the road to visit far-away children and grandchildren.

Thank you to sponsors TCI Wealth Management, Maverick Beverage Company, Lyft, City of Tempe, Integro Bank and Wyndham Hotel for their support.

About Local First Arizona

Founded in 2003, Local First Arizona is a community and economic development organization working to strengthen local economies. Local First’s areas of focus include developing entrepreneurship, rural and urban community development, racial equity, environmental action and food access. Local First is the largest local business coalition in the U.S. and advocates for independently owned businesses of all sizes by assisting local owners to compete and collaborate to strengthen Arizona’s economy and build state pride. Visit localfirstaz.com for more information and a directory of more than 3,000 Arizona-owned businesses.

About Desert Botanical Garden

Discover the tranquil vibrancy of 50,000 desert plants nestled amid the red rocks of the Papago Buttes at Desert Botanical Garden. An Arizona icon for 85 years in the Valley, the Garden is a compelling attraction and desert conservation pioneer, offering worldly plants, vibrant trails, world-class exhibitions, festive events, fascinating classes and so much more. Visit dbg.org for more information.

About Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance

The Southern Arizona Arts & Cultural Alliance (SAACA) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the creation, preservation, and advancement of the Arts. SAACA strengthens the bonds between people, place, and purpose through collaborative, arts-driven experiences. SAACA (formerly the Greater Oro Valley Arts Council) was created to develop cultivated programming that spotlights local creatives and celebrates unique culture, while providing direct opportunities for artists to make and sell their work. To date, SAACA has created over 500,000 arts-driven experiences, from innovative community festivals and cultural celebrations to creative sector development, and accessible arts enrichment programs. Visit saaca.org for more.

Chicago is Conde Nast Traveler’s Best Big City !

Architectural, Artisan beer, Bakery, Chicago restaurants, Chicago River, Chicagoland Area, Coffee, Distilleries, Elegant dining, Farm-to-Table, Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Gastronomy, Gourmet, Great Lakes, Historic Restaurants, Hotels

Choose Chicago is delighted to announce that Chicago has been selected to host the Democratic National Convention in August 2024. Following last year’s historic seventh consecutive win as Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Big City,” we know the below tally of exciting new hotels, inventive restaurants, dynamic exhibitions, and eclectic festivals offers just a taste of what’s in store this winter/spring of 2024.

Come and discover big city culture, Midwestern hospitality, and urban adventure; visit ChooseChicago.com for more information.

Recent Accolades:

Chicago and its businesses were honored in multiple categories of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards:

Best New Hotel (#9): The St. Regis Chicago

Best New Restaurant (#8 and #10): Asador Bastian

and The Oakville Grill & Cellar
Best Beer City (#8)

Best Independent Coffee Shop (#1): Big Shoulders Coffee

Best Cidery (#1): 1. ERIS Brewery and Cider House

Best Gluten-Free Bakery (#9): Wheat’s End Cafe & Bakery

Best Gluten-Free Beer (#4): Prairie Path – Two Brothers Artisan Brewing

Best Gluten-Free Pizzeria (#6 and #7): Robert’s Pizza & Dough Company, Chicago’s Pizza

Best Urban Kayaking Spot (#5)

Two Chicago hotels ranked in the Top 10 of The Best Hotels in the World: 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards by Condé Nast Traveler.The Peninsula Chicago earned the No. 9 spot.

And the LondonHouse Chicago, Curio Collection by Hilton, came in at No. 10.

Chicago restaurant Smyth was awarded its third MICHELIN Star.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport was named Best Airport in North America by Global Traveler for the 20th consecutive year. The award is voted on by readers in the publication’s GT Tested Reader Survey, which counts more than 20,000 write-in votes.

To read more about Chicago in the news, click here.

Statewide dinner parties invite Hoosiers to explore what’s on their plates

Artisan beer, Farm-to-Table Restaurant, Gourmet, Historic foodways

Join Indiana Humanities on Wednesday, February 21, as we ask the question, “What’s on Your Plate?” during a special Unearthed-themed Chew on This. Sign up for one of eight locations around the state where you’ll share a meal from a local restaurant and a fun, insightful conversation with other curious Hoosiers. Each table will be led by a knowledgeable facilitator, someone to help us grapple with questions about what we consume, how we consume, and the impact of what we put on our plates. Your ticket price includes your meal and an unforgettably engaging experience.

LOCATIONS | FACILITATORS

Conversations will take place at different locations around Indiana, all at 6:00 p.m. local time. When selecting your ticket, please pay careful attention to the restaurant cuisine and your dietary preferences/restrictions (vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, etc.). All locations will have these different dietary options available. Your ticket will serve as your entrance to the restaurant. Your ticket price includes a meal, non-alcoholic drink, and tax and tip at one of the locations. Alcoholic drinks will be available for purchase directly from the restaurant. Refunds are not available after 72 hours in advance.