Best of 2011 - Travel

I hope you enjoyed the Best of 2011 food post.

I have to say that even though it was a hard to wittle down a year's worth of eating, it was just as hard (if not harder) finding ten travel photos that encapsulated this year for me. My travel year consisted of revisiting Los Angeles after not setting foot on the West Coast of the U.S.A. for almost nine years; my first time taking a plane within my own state to Buffalo, NY; seeing my family in Antigua; and of course discovering the wonders of Turkey. For all of that, I really do need about 15-20 pics. My travels may not be as extensive as some travel blogs out there, but I wouldn't trade this year for anything. :)

Again, in no particular order and with links to relevant posts, I present my Best/Favorite/Most Intriguing (to me) travel photos of 2011.

The Griffith Park Observatory in Los Angeles, California at sunset. Check out my trip to Los Angeles by clicking the California label on the left.

The view of English Harbour from Shirley Heights, Antigua

The ceiling of the Aya Sophia - Istanbul, Turkey

Niagara Falls (New York side)

Betty's Hope, Antigua

The Celsus Library - Ephesus, Turkey

Prepping to fly with the Royal Balloon company - Cappadocia, Turkey

Blue Mosque - Istanbul, Turkey

Above the rock formations in Cappadocia, Turkey

Up and Away - Cappadocia, Turkey

Do you have any favorites of these the pictures? I'd love to know which one and why. :)

Do you have any travel plans already on the horizon for 2012?

Best of 2011 - Food

Hello, all!

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, is ready to finish out Hanukah, and has had a great start to Kwanzaa!

I can't believe that it's December 27. Where did this month go, and, more importantly, where did this YEAR go?

What I do love about the end of the year are lists of what people think are the best of anything. Last year, I made a list of my favorite food and travel shots of 2010. You can take a look at them here (or just click the Top Ten label on the right).

These pics are a mix of the most intriguing or memorable things I ate in 2011 as well as some of my better food photography (which isn't saying much. LOL!). Here they are in no particular order with links in case you missed a post or two....

Wild Rock Lobster (River Cafe - Brooklyn, NY)

Roasted lobster tail, mango, fennel, lemon, olive oil

Chicken & Waffle Cupcake (Robicelli's - Brooklyn, NY)

A piece of chicken on top of a waffle. Love it!

Buffalo Wings (Anchor Bar - Buffalo, NY)

Buffalo wings in Buffalo! :)

Taylor Bay Scallop Ceviche (River Cafe - Brooklyn, NY)

On the half shell with sea beans, tomato and coriander

Manti (Pasazade - Istanbul, Turkey)

lamb-filled pasta topped with tangy yogurt sauce, tomato sauce and spices

Deviled Eggs (Prune - New York, NY)

A good one from my IPhone. People love this on Foodspotting. Have you tried out the site?

Cheeseburger Animal Style with sauteed onions and extra sauce (In 'N Out Burger - Culver City, California)

My first In 'N Out burger!

Irmik Helva (Pasazade - Istanbul, Turkey)

A traditional Turkish dessert

Ducuna with Ling Fish & Chop Up (Miss Brenda's Food Stall - English Harbour, Antigua)

Mistanya Kuzu Firin (Imbat - Istanbul, Turkey)

Here's to more great eating in 2012!

Stay tuned for my Best of 2011 travel photos.

Best of 2010 - Food

When I thought about doing a Top Ten/Best Of series for this year, I thought that it would be totally easy. Yet when it came to food shots, I didn't realize how hard it would be. How I can distill a half year's worth of food blogging into ten pictures. Should I go with pretty food pics or my favorite experiences? Decisions, decisions, decisions....I just decided to throw in a little bit of everything: some of my favorite dishes this year, some new food experiences that I had and stuff that was just plain pretty (if I do say so myself). Again, all of this is in no particular order. Good food is just good food. Isn't that right? :)

Burger from Good Stuff Eatery in Washington, DC

The Sweet & Salty Cupcake from Baked, Brooklyn, New York

I have said it before, and I'll say it again: I think about these cupcakes all the time.

Breakfast fruit platter, The Samaya, Seminyak, Bali

Yes, I know that this is a plate of fruit, BUT it's a PRETTY plate of fruit!

The "Special" at Babi Guling Ibu Oka, Ubud, Bali

Peach Tatin, Colicchio & Sons, Manhattan

The Rijstaffel at Chandi, Seminyak, Bali

Marinated Sea Scallops, Pickled Swiss Chard Stems and Aji Dulce Peppers

Gramercy Tavern, Manhattan

The lamb burger at The Breslin, Manhattan

This made me believe in meat again (sorta).

The Indonesian breakfast at the Samaya, Seminyak, Bali

A lobster roll from the Red Hook Lobster Pound pop-up restaurant at Fulton Ferry Landing, Brooklyn, New York

I hope Red Hook Lobster Pound does this again next year. This time, I think I'll need more than one trip over there.

Do you have a favorite meal from 2010? Where did you eat it, or what did you cook?

Best of 2010 - Travel

Hi, everyone!!

I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday. For those of you on the U.S. East Coast (or traveling towards or from there), I wish you safe travels. Getting home yesterday was not as harrowing as I thought it would be, but I am still amazed at how businesses choose NOT to shovel their sidewalks. I was climbing over some major snow just to get our building's front door. Yikes! Rant over...

I'm still pretty shocked that 2011 is really staring us in the face. One of the fun things (to me anyway) about this week are the year end reviews of the past year, so I thought I would do the same for this blog. I was lucky to be able to go to a few new places this year: Las Vegas, Bali and Arizona. I thought I would show you some of my Top Ten favorite pictures from these trips...in no particular order.

The fountain show at the Bellagio

I was glad to finally see this in person after way too many viewings of "Ocean's 11." There was no DeBussy playing in the background though.

The mock Statue of Liberty outside of the New York, New York casino, Las Vegas

I'm still not sure how I feel about Las Vegas as a whole. Going there as a married 30-something that doesn't really stay out late anymore is probably a lot different than going when I was in my single, hard core partying 20's. The most fun part of being there for me was meeting many of my blogger friends from Weddingbee, but I enjoyed the over-the-top architecture and scale of the casinos.

Bale Kambung (Floating Pavilion) of Taman Gili in Semarapura, Bali

Lake Batur, Bali

Goa Lawah (aka the Bat Cave), Padang Bai, Bali

While this is not the greatest picture, looking at this and remembering the low hum of all of those bats clustered together and the smell (OH, the SMELL) has to be one of the more memorable moments of our trip to Bali.

Seminyak Beach, Bali

Religious celebrations are a part of everyday life in Bali. From the small offerings at the doorsteps of homes and businesses to the temple celebrations lasting well into the night, religious observances are everywhere and inescapable. I enjoyed learning more about Balinese Hinduism and often being able to experience it first hand.

Sedona, Arizona

My first trip to the Southwest was so worth it. Seeing these majestic red rock formations was definitely one of the highlights. I'd love to explore this part of the country again.

Sunrise over the Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon

More of the Grand Canyon (Can you tell that I loved it?)

There were lots of pictures to choose from, and I am sure that I am missing something in this list. I am glad to have been fortunate enough to have these experiences this year. Here's hoping for an even more adventurous 2011!

What were some of your favorite moments travel or otherwise of 2010? If you like any of these pictures, I'd love to know your favorite.

Next up: My Top Ten Food Shots of 2o10.