CULINARY TRAVEL Tasting Notes: The Story of Lavender Crest Winery in the Quad Cities Posted on December 17, 2023June 18, 2024 Lavender Crest Winery in Colona, Illinois, is a good spot to savor lunch and a glass of wine. However, following my visit, I’m left pondering the winery’s legitimacy. It’s not that I didn’t enjoy the wine flight I ordered—it was pretty good. And we discovered a bottle that suited both our palates. The problem occurred when our server seemed less versed in the wines and couldn’t answer any of our questions. She took our order, handed it to the bartender, and left us to our own devices. Having had such a delightful time at Old Oaks Winery in Milan last week, we decided to explore another local winery. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Seolhwa- Myeonggok: Cafe Hopping to the End of the Red Line in Daegu Posted on December 12, 2023June 28, 2024 Have you ever taken the metro to the end of the red line here in Daegu? Me neither, but I was curious. The red line is one of three metro lines in Daegu and the closest line near my house. So today, we’re going to do something a little different. We’re going to go cafe hopping using the metro—taking it to the end of the red line in both directions—Seolhwa/Myeonggok today and Ansim tomorrow—to see if we can find a couple of pretty cafes to visit without getting in the car. This journey along the red line promises not only charming cafes but also a unique exploration of the city’s diverse neighborhoods. As we embark on this adventure, let’s uncover Daegu’s hidden gems and vibrant spots, all conveniently accessible via the red line. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Baristro Asian Style Cafe Chiang Mai Thailand Posted on December 4, 2023August 18, 2024 Baristro Asian Style is a perfect example of how social media can work wonders. It proves that being creative and having a solid social media presence can make a big difference. Simply put, they can charge more for what other cafes offer at a lower price. Thanks to its popularity on social media, especially IG, the cafe gets many customers who pay 80 Baht just to come in and take pictures for their personal Instagram feeds. These posts spread the word, and the cafe gets even more attention without spending a dime on advertising, effectively turning their customers into unpaid brand ambassadors. Many cafes try to do this, but Baristro Asian Style is the first one I’ve visited with a cover charge. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL 5 Pretty Cafes and Coffeehouses in the Quad Cities Posted on November 30, 2023January 14, 2025 Embarking on our first coffeehouses in the Quad Cities, Steven and I chose Vibrant Coffeehouses and Kitchen as our destination. Housed in a spacious warehouse-style setting, the coffeehouse offered a delightful array of coffee, desserts, salads, and sandwiches. The reasonably priced avocado toast, priced at $4.95, stood out on the menu, and the experience of ordering in the States without breaking the bank was a pleasant surprise. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Scenic Route Bakery: A Route 66 Cafe Pitstop in Des Moines Posted on November 25, 2023October 27, 2024 Discovering Des Moines: A Road Trip Adventure We made an unexpected yet delightful pitstop in Des Moines during our road trip from Kansas to Illinois. Moreover, it’s a city we had never explored before. However, little did we know that this charming city would hold a culinary gem that would… Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Discover the Winter Swan Cafe: A Blend of South Asian Flavors in Rochester Posted on November 19, 2023September 17, 2024 The first cafe I enjoyed visiting in Rochester was located within a stunning historic building in the heart of East Rochester. This is where I stumbled upon the Winter Swan Cafe, a delightful coffee shop that seamlessly blends the vibrant flavors of Vietnam and Thailand. Tucked within the recently expanded… Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL The Best Guide to Cafes in Gachang South Korea Posted on November 12, 2023September 12, 2024 Cafe hopping in Gachang, just outside Daegu, amid the stunning countryside, is a delightful experience. Most of these cafes are family-owned, offering excellent coffee and a tempting array of brunch options that will satisfy your taste buds. As we explored this serene countryside, we encountered several hidden gems, each with unique charm. Read more
CULINARY TRAVEL Homi Hosi Cafe: Modern and Traditional Hanok in Gyeongsan South Korea Posted on November 11, 2023May 20, 2024 Gyeongsan is one of my favorite places to go to cafe hop. And Homi Hosi Cafe is a good one to check out on your next caffeine run. Step inside the massive wooden lift and slide door at Homi Hosi (also spelled homihosi) Cafe. In this Daegu suburb, you’ll immediately… Read more