Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with food and Travel

NYE in Mt. Lassen, or Joe vs. the Volcano 2010

dhn — Thu, 24 Dec 2009 12:15:30 -0800

How to spend NYE in Redding, CA? More generally, what are great local, non-chain places to eat at in Redding, Mt. Lassen, and the Shasta Lake region? Any nice, "fine dining" options for NYE, or are we looking at just burgers and barbecue and the like? Good food more important than atmosphere, although if there's a suggestion for a nice romantic restaurant, I'm all ears. Also let me know if there's some trail or some sight or some activity we must do in the area. We'll be there from Dec. 29 to January 2nd and staying at a hotel in Redding. Thanks!

Vancouver BC restaurant recommendations, please

rabinowitz — Thu, 17 Dec 2009 18:45:17 -0800

We're going to be in Vancouver BC in late December, and would love your restaurant recommendations. For the most part, we tend to like the same places as those "foodie" folks, especially places that concentrate on local, seasonal ingredients, but we love all good food. Nothing too snooty (Mr. Rabinowitz won't be bringing a jacket and tie), but we're open to (almost) all cuisines and price ranges as long as there's deliciousness involved. We'll be there for several days, and we'd like to experience a range of Vancouver's food offerings-- but we definitely want to have at least one GREAT Chinese meal, as that's one of the few things not available to us at home in Portland.

As to geography, we'll probably be staying at a hotel downtown (any opinions on Sutton Place vs. Fairmont Vancouver vs. Wedgewood, by the way?), but we'll have a car so we figure we can get just about anywhere we need to.

Thanks so much, Metafilter.

Help me name my web show!

mordecai — Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:50:48 -0800

Name-my-web-show filter: I'm launching a web show that features the places and foods of Singapore. I need a shot, snazzy title for it, ending with a .tv domain. Anybody got any ideas? Thanks so much!

Yelp a Paris?

kenzi23 — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:48:48 -0800

Is there a Yelp-type site for restaurants in Paris (or Europe, as a whole)? Ideally I'd like a restaurant guide for Paris that is based on user reviews, is easy to search and bookmark like Yelp to make my meals in Paris a breeze. I'll even take a blog or a list if that's all I can get. Any suggestions are welcome.

Denver in a Day

disillusioned — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:41:52 -0800

Boulder? Denver? Help me day-trip to Colorado *THIS* Saturday! So I snatched up an interesting offer: Frontier Airlines had PHX->DEN same-day roundtrip for $59, inclusive. (No add'tl taxes or fees, available ONLY for this Saturday, and only for an hour, at that!)

We arrive in DEN at 9:24am and we depart at 9:20pm.

We *may* have a ride from the airport, but what's the cheapest way to downtown Denver (or Boulder) if not? Where's best to land if we want to get around the city relatively easily once we do, assuming no car?

What's there to see and do for fun eating on a Saturday? Which would you recommend to make the best use of our time? We probably need to be back at the airport by 8:15 at the latest, so take that into account. (No checked bags, clearly.)

I like photography, museums, good food, fun art, cool people, markets, fairs, weird off-the-beaten path stuff, and anything else going. I'll have my brother in tow, who's also down for pretty much anything.

Help plan my one-day itinerary, and understand that very little is a bust for us; it was a $60 thing, so why not, right?

Thanks!

Alternative holiday ideas for New Zealand?

dinoworx — Sun, 27 Sep 2009 23:46:26 -0800

It's a common enough question, what should I do on my holidays in New Zealand? But we're not regular folks so finding good information has been difficult. We have 10 days in late October and we fly in and out of Auckland. We're Australian but well traveled and will most likely stay on the North Island unless some compelling information arises. We've hired a campervan and intend to travel about and camp where we can. Maybe a bed and breakfast or two. Though we are on a budget the main goal is to relax and enjoy the scenery rather than try and cram in too much. With our particular interests can mefites offer some good advice on where to see and do things that we'd find appealing. We're reasonably fit but not hiking all day up mountains fit.

I have a keen interest in permaculture and city farms/community gardens. My partner loves alpacas and all sorts of animals whose fleece can be shorn spun and knitted, ideas for seeing spring, lambs? She also has a keen interest in Neil Finn so the museum is on our list. Any excellent craft and/or local food markets?

We both love coffee and tasting local delicacies. Especially wine! Mud baths and sulphur springs sounds cool as well. We're looking to experience some of the natural beauty that New Zealand has to offer.

As we are in Australia the odds of a second trip are probably high. But may be a few years off. This time of the year it looks like the weather will be cool and wet. So are there things to do that work well in that kind of weather? Many thanks in advance!

Affordable Spain!

lattiboy — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 20:46:38 -0800

What are some of the best things to do in Spain in October? Going on an 11 day trip of Spain:

We will be spending the 1st, 2nd, 3rd days in Madrid, hopping the bullet train and then spending the 4th, 5th, and possibly 6th day in Barcelona. After that we're going to play it by ear, but we're thinking of going to Valencia and different spots in Catalonia (I lined up a rental car) and driving back to Madrid (it's my scheduled drop off point for the car).

Looking for awesome stuff to check out. We'll have a car from the 6th to 11th day of the trip. It would be great if things could trend toward the affordable as I'd like to have some of our savings when we get home.

Also, is there a "city pass" type thing for Madrid and/or Barcelona? We saved a bundle on our last trip to San Francisco by getting one of those. It included metro and museum entry for a flat fee.

Cheap, portable, legal-to-cross-an-ocean food from TJs

mdonley — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 15:47:23 -0800

My mother is coming to visit me in Poland from our home in California and has asked me what foods she can bring me from Trader Joe's that are worth her bringing over. I have some ideas, but as I've been away so long (over a year), I want to make sure we land at the intersection of still-in-the-storeness, luggage space allowance, practicality and deliciousness. In fact, she has kindly but firmly requested I produce a list! For Christmas last year, I got a hamper of UHT mole sauce, a few bottles of Tapatio/Cholula, some random Mexican dry spices, and a bunch of TJs sweets/cookies. It was great.

While the quality of "raw" food here is amazing, prepared/regional/fancier ingredients which cost a bit more, like real maple syrup or balsamic vinegar, etc., are much harder to find and often severely lack in quality unless one buys, say, a tiny $50 bottle of the stuff.

We're on a budget of not-crazy. Total cost of this little excursion should be under $40 for me to have a good conscience. I also don't have a TJs in front of me to see what things actually cost. And lighter is better.

She's checking a bag, so liquids are cool. Fresh food is out given agriculture restrictions and the total door-to-door length of her journey (about 24 hours).

As a final note, the mdonley kitchen trends Mediterranean generally, with Latin, Indian, and Southeast Asian flavors popping up when cost and ingredients align. And I love Thanksgiving.

My future dinner guests and I thank you!

Welcome, mom!

mdonley — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 06:58:15 -0800

I'm looking for a fun, cheap, highly-visible way to welcome my mom when she arrives at the airport and make her first night and day at my new place relaxed and comfortable. Specifics:

- I live in Poland, she lives in California.
- It'll be around 10:30 at night when we meet.
- She will be crazy jetlagged.
- There will only be her flight arriving at that time of night so the airport will be quite quiet.
- She'll have just had her first Ryanair experience.
- She's pretty low-maintenance and happy to roll with whatever-may-come.
- She's not incapacitated in any way.
- She'll probably want a cigarette or two.
- I live less than 10 minutes from the airport. I'll arrive at the airport by bus and we'll go home via taxi.
- Going out for food is probably not an option - it's not a very big city, and things shut early. She eats everything.
- I speak Polish, she doesn't.
- I cook pretty well and will be home for the entire day before she arrives.

Actual questions:

1) How should I welcome her when she first sees me? A huge sign? A bunch of flowers? A bunch of balloons would be tricky on the bus, as would a non-foldable/rolled sign.

2) What foods are great when you first land and you've been eating airport food for twenty hours? What should I have in the house for her? A big salad? A roast chicken? A few bottles of wine? Candles?

Shower me with your ideas: how did the people meeting you at the airport make you feel great? What was your first night like at their place?

Fun in Paris?

disillusioned — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 19:24:27 -0800

TypicalTravelFilter: What are the must-sees, tips and tricks, and off-the-beaten paths whilst in Paris for 3 days? I'm visiting Paris later this month for three days, down from London.

I know the Museum Pass is supposed to be fantastic, but what other absolutely amazing things are proximate/accessible without a car service (public trans, walking, or bus okay)? (I'm staying at the Arc de Triomphe Hilton.)

I'm very into food, but my typical garb is t-shirts and jeans. What do I need to pack in case I'd like to eat at a very nice restaurant? Moreover, what very nice restaurants would you recommend? I'd also love for feedback all along the economic strata, from dirt cheap (if such a non-McDonalds thing exists) bites to what I might expect to pay for a much nicer restaurant. Also, will I have trouble getting in some place great? Can I make reservations once I'm there, or is it already too late for some of the better places?

I like photography as well, and people watching. I'm not terribly into wine, which itself is a crime in France anyway, or fashion, or shopping, but I do love art, museums, off-the-beaten path demonstrations or activities, and everything else... any other tips and tricks would fantastic as well, including faux pas, etc.

(And of course I'm eating up other threads as well, but please feel free to link to any I absolutely must not miss.)

Merci.

What should I do and eat in Beijing for 36 hours?

damiano99 — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:51:05 -0800

TravelFilter: I have 36 hours in Beijing. What should I see (serious amateur photog) and where should I eat (dim-sum preferable.) Bonus: Good hotels with Internet access. Any help or suggestions appreciated!

Making the most of two days in downtown Seattle

2oh1 — Mon, 08 Jun 2009 22:21:56 -0800

TravelFilter! A friend and I will be spending two days in downtown Seattle without a car. Any recommendations for cheap yet delicious eats? Aside from Pike Place Market, what should we make sure we see or do?

City of Light on a light wallet

bricoleur — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 13:14:02 -0800

Care to share your tips and tricks for spending a week in Paris on the cheap? Accomodations: Clean and quiet. Open to anything from couchsurfing.org to short-term apartment rental.
Food: Cheap ethnic preferred, but I'm not picky.

Bonus points for stuff in the 13th and 14th (hoping to attend DrupalCon at Cité Internationale Universitaire).

Recommend quirky places to visit or places to eat/drink between London and Snowdonia...?

skylar — Wed, 25 Mar 2009 08:02:04 -0800

I'm taking a journey by car from London (England) to Portmeirion (North Wales) and back a day later. The quickest route appears to be M1-M6-M54-A5 and then eastwards through Snowdonia and a variety of smaller roads. Along this route, say anywhere after Northampton, are there any lovely/eccentric places to stop either for some brief sightseeing or for a bite to eat and something to drink? The idea is to take a break halfway through the journey or so. I don't mind a detour of a few miles off my route if it means avoiding frightful motorway service stations with terrible food and no atmosphere. I'm seeking recommendations from people who have either taken this route from London to North Wales or who live along the route. Where would you stop for a gander and for a meal if it was up to you? Quirky, strange or picturesque places appreciated.

Finally I'm willing to consider taking a different route home, travelling southwards out through Snowdonia...so if there are some great sights or some peculiar inns in a different direction that I should visit please let me know! Thanks.

A loaf of bread, a jug of wine, and Lyon singing in the wilderness.

mdonley — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 08:21:07 -0800

I'm going to Lyon this weekend and will be free from late Saturday evening to about noon on Sunday. I'm into food and photography but am on a super-tight budget, so I'm looking for both some cheap, tasty delights and some particularly pretty little corners of the city. I'm staying in Vieux Lyon, going to a concert in Villeurbanne, and can speak French.

Istanbul Travel Tips

mary8nne — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 04:19:35 -0800

TravelWiki: Tips, Suggestions or Advice on Things to do in Istanbul. Off to Istanbul for 5 days (4ppl -2 Couples). What must we do? We are all in Late 20s to early 30s and travel preferences probably range from:

Local restaurants / delicasies you just _must_ eat when there
Good bars to drink in
Historical/ Monument type stuff that is good to see.
Markets / Cultural Experiences.
Short Day Trips out of Istanbul

And Google map links or addresses / references are appreciated. (We are making a monster Google Map of things to do before we go).

Eats in NYC?

Heliochrome85 — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 18:42:06 -0800

I'm taking a 3 day vacay to NYC. Help me make the best of it foodwise! I'll be in New York from thursday through sunday. I have been to new york many many times before, so I've done the traditional touristy things.

The eats I'd like to hit on this trip:
Bagels (Tal's has been a consistantly good choice)
Cheesecake (Carnegie's is always good)
Chinese takeout
Pizza
Seafood (Oyster bar?)
Cannolis
BBQ?

I've been living outside the US for quite some time, so this is a bit of a "hit all those hankerings" kind of trip. The only concern I have is that Ill be travelling by myself, so naturally, eating by myself. Oh, and Ill be staying in at 26th and 6th Ave. so easy to get to would be ideal. Please help me if you can. Previous threads have only addressed a small part of my quandary

Texas Foods That Travel?

odayoday — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 13:23:27 -0800

My boyfriend and I would like to bring some traditional Austin or Texas foods to Louisiana for his family to try over the holidays. Basically, we're looking for tasty treats that will withstand 8 hours in the car (we're bringing a cooler, so cold stuff is fine). So far we've thought of sausage from Lockhart and Bee Butter from the Bee Cave Honey Company. We need some more/better ideas!

The Best of Miami and South Beach?

kdern — Wed, 10 Dec 2008 09:26:45 -0800

Spending next week in Miami... tell me about the best food on Miami Beach and South Beach, also cultural experiences in Little Havana and Little Haiti. My fiancee and I will be in Miami from Mon to Saturday next week, staying at the renovated Fontainebleau. What are your favorite restaurants etc. on Miami Beach and South Beach?

Especially interested in sushi, Indian, lounge type nightclubs (not dance clubs), great salads or salad bars, diners, pizza and any other great small local spots. We don't mind expensive or upscale restaurants, but we especially like good local spots and ethnic food.

We're also interested in going into the city itself to visit Little Havana and Little Haiti - where should we eat in these neighborhoods?

Anything else in the city itself that is a must-see or must-eat?

Standard Fare

Pennyblack — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:41:03 -0800

Here in northeast USA, salt, pepper and ketsup are the standard middle of the table condiments in cheap restaurants. What are they in other parts of the country and the rest of the world?

The quest for Russian molasses

Emperor SnooKloze — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 04:06:35 -0800

Меласса в Москве? Leaving for Moscow this Friday, and one of the things I'm packing along with me is a bottle of regular ol' blackstrap molasses for my sister in law. It seems inconthievable that there's no place in Moscow to purchase what I understand to be molasses, though, and I'd love to give the name/location of a store for when she runs out. So, Mefites:

1) Is the molasses I grew up with here in the states the same thing as Меласса?;
2) Is there anyplace in Moscow to purchase the stuff? (inlaws live inside the ring road, near Mayakovskaya);
3) What should I not miss in Moscow next week? I visited once, a very long time ago, but didn't really have the ability to do anything on my own.

Thanks!

What are the best places to stop (for great PHOTO ops and delicious FOOD) along Hwy 101 from San Francisco to Seattle?

dcruzin — Thu, 02 Oct 2008 13:16:09 -0800

Please recommend the best places to stop for PHOTO opportunities and delicious FOOD along the 101 from San Francisco to Seattle on a 3-day road trip? I have search some previous posts like this. But I have more specific criteria.

We leave San Francisco early on a Monday (maybe 7-8am), and we want to get to Seattle by 9-10pm on a Wednesday.

Like I mentioned, my friend and I are avid photographers and looking for some great landscape and nature photo opportunities. We also LOVE food, so unique and DELICIOUS places are requested (cheap doesn't hurt, either).

We're planning to camp out, so we need 2 different parks/forests to camp at.

Right now we're thinking about:

-Redwood National Forest
-Eureka, CA
-Mendocino, CA
-Oregon Dunes

We live in Seattle, so we prefer places that would be tougher to get to from Seattle since we could do those another time.

We know that 3 days isn't very long, so we will have to be pretty selective, but just wanted lots of suggestions to choose from.

Any links to photo/travel blogs, especially ones with photos are welcome!

Thanks!

Do you know of small towns in the Adirondacks?

Nillocsoc — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 09:47:29 -0800

What are some small towns in the Adirondacks (NY)- with nice community, local food, and art? I am looking to spend a few months in the Adirnodacks and am searching for small towns that offer a nice sense of community: art, food, music, books, outdoor activities. Ideally not too touristy, but even that would be okay.

All ideas are appreciated, and anything details about the places would be great!

Thanks.

Inexpensive awesome in Copenhagen?

jrb223 — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 10:29:29 -0800

Inexpensive awesome in Copenhagen? I'm headed to Copenhagen for two weeks, and I have heard that the city can be quite expensive. To that end I was looking for recommendations of things to do, see, eat and drink that won't break the bank. Any recommendations of can't-miss spots that are easy on the pocketbook and might not be in the guidebooks?

Hate to be a Maine in the...

littleredwagon — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:04:25 -0800

My family and I will be taking our 3rd annual trip to Waldoboro Maine in a few weeks. We'd like to get some strong recommendations on the following items within 30 miles of Waldoboro: - Place for breakfast that doesn't include Moody's. - Out of the way lobster spot (send via mail link in profile). - Unique things to do for a 3 year old? Any and all information is greatly appreciated! Oh..one more question...is it normal for lobster in a lobster roll (at Red's Eats) to be cold? That threw me last year.... Thanks mefites!