Culinary Travel

When most of us think of Cuba, we have a romantic mental image made up of scenes from the 1950s, perhaps including Al Pacino visiting on the eve of the revolution (Godfather reference). A place full of nightclubs, casinos and, of course, bars where cantineros (Cuban bartenders) threw Cuban cocktails between mixing glasses and poured from multiple bottles of rum at a time into big blenders.

Five generations ago in the Galatoire family Jean Gatatoire emigrated from Pardies, France bringing his treasured family recipes with him. Settling in New Orleans, in 1905 he opened Galatoire’s restaurant on Bourbon Street. Today the tradition of French-influenced cuisine with a decidedly Southern Louisiana twist, coupled with superior service continues to make Galatoire’s a favorite of the crescent city’s locals and visitors alike.

Situated just outside of Cleveland, Ohio, you will find Flour restaurant. A traditional Italian eatery opened by Chef Paul Minnillo and Matt Mytro, Flour is keeping things real while leaving the all too trendy term “rustic” in the past. The sleek dishes that emerge from their kitchen, run by Chef Matt Mytro, are memorable and truly unique. Believe me, their chorizo stuffed dates, cozily wrapped in pancetta will haunt your tastebuds long after you have left.

It was time for a change, bring back traditional Swiss food from the land to the plate. Hung’ER Butchers Shop and Restaurant in the Park Hyatt Zurich is more than locally sourced. Chef de Cuisine Frank Widmer has been working exclusively with a butcher in the village Jona who makes sausages, dry ages meat and pork and with no waste.

Asian fusion restaurants are a dime a dozen in Manhattan, with Eastern-inspired eateries popping up all over the city. Whether it’s a mishmash of Korean and Mexican flavors stuffed into a burrito, or a hybrid of traditional Western dishes peppered with Thai spices, it’s safe to say that ‘East meets West’ is most certainly here to stay.

Despite the enormity of great coffee in Manhattan, it can still be difficult in certain areas to find a great stop later in the day. Sadly, not all New York City cafes are created equal, and especially for those who enjoy an evening cup of lovingly-crafted joe, it can be hard to locate a provider. Fortunately, the quality coffee scene grows stronger and shops are expanding like wildfire, but in the meantime, there is one place in particular that always seems to be nearby when needed: Birch Coffee.