CONEY ISLAND

While it is not actually an island, Coney Island is a great ocean front city.  It's a bit like a gigantic fun house.  If you are in the mood for ridiculousness, this is the pace to visit!

Summer kicks off with The Mermaid Parade.  Bring your camera and enjoy the costumes from both participants and parade watchers, alike!  Be warned, partial nudity is allowed.  It is the event of the year for the arts community, but if you miss the parade there are other chances to enjoy the fun and frivolity.  

Each year on the Fourth of July, Nathan's hosts its annual hot dog eating contest.  I must admit, I was there the year the Joey Chestnut took the title from Kobayashi.  It's so popular that there is a whole organization dedicated to competitive eating.  

What goes better with hot dogs than baseball?  Catch a game at the home of The Brooklyn Cyclones.  The minor league team is affiliated with The NY Mets.  And the ticket prices won't break the budget!

The baseball team took its name from the famous roller coaster.  And since no beach is complete without an amusement park, they have that covered with Luna Park and Deno's Wonder Wheel. Yes, there are two.

The boardwalk is booming!  You must stop into Tom's for an egg cream and some classic diner eats.  If a hot day in the sun has you longing for a beer, pop into Ruby's for a cold one.  

And don't let me forget to mention the beach.  It's part of the NYC Parks System so there are no fees.  And there is a long stretch of beach to enjoy!

RAYMI Peruvian Kitchen & Pisco Bar

If you are looking for a great restaurant near The Flatiron Building, I highly recommend Raymi.  A friend discovered this place as it is convenient both to Penn Station and the subway I needed to take to get to Brooklyn.

Their signature cocktail is the pisco sour and it is amazing.  The bartenders are very friendly and they get quite artistic with the bitters as a finishing touch.

Their menu features some small plates which are perfect pairings for the cocktails.  Those pisco sours go down very easily so adding some food into the mix is key.  The corn empanadas are delicious.  There is a full ceviche bar.  

We love this place so much and keep coming back so we have pretty much tried everything on the menu and have all been pleased.  They even often a vegetarian dish, which is flavorful and delicious.  Definitely ask about the specials and they change up the vegetable sides often. Although we haven't tried it, there is a whole suckling pig on the menu.  You will have to plan ahead as it requires a 72-hour pre-reservation.  The staff is great and knows the menu so you will get good tips if you ask.

If visiting Peru is on your bucket list, this is a great place to whet your appetite. 

FARGO, NORTH DAKOTA

Yes, I've seen the movie.  And no, I probably wouldn't have visited if my favorite copywriter had not moved back to North Dakota from NYC.  I am definitely glad I made the trip.  It was not at all what I expected.

It's definitely a place to visit during the summer months as the winter's can be pretty brutal.  It is typical of most cold-weather cities in that the thaw brings energy to everyone.  But the cold is clearly not scaring everyone off, Fortune Magazine recognized the city as America's Most Undervalued Tech Hub.  

The area is home to three universities.  I am sure the students at Concordia, North Dakota State University, and MSU Moorhead certainly support the local sports bars and pubs, being a college town also adds to the eclectic charm and arts scene.  There is some great street art and quite a bit of playful art to dress up the trash bins in the back alley areas behind the restaurants. And there are many opportunities to see live performances if you like musicals, opera, live bands or theater.  You can also find zen at a yoga class within an art gallery.

We enjoyed a cocktail at Sky Prairie at the top of the Donaldson Hotel.  The drink menu is great and the view is a great way to kick off the visit and get a sense of the surroundings.

The food scene was not at all what I expected.  We had a delicious meal at Mezza Luna.  I may have had the best pretzel and cheese dip yet at Wurst Beer Hall.   And there are also some great Mexican places.

Fargo and Moorehead are sister cities.  Fargo is on the Minnesota border and you can easily walk across a small bridge from one city to the other.  Right there at the border is a unique structure just begging you to visit.  After visiting, it is clear what that white structure is guarding.  Lots of interesting history from the tour guides at The Hjemkomst Center. 

There are also a number of great places perfect for a road trip.  We did a day trip to Detroit Lakes, but I was also told that Grand Forks Greenway is also another fun option.  If we had a few extra days, we could have ventured to The Badlands in Medora and visited Theodore Roosevelt National Park.   

Would I go back?  You betcha!

LEARNING TO MAKE INDIAN FOOD AT HOME

I am very fortunate to have a good friend who often has me over for delicious, homemade Indian food.  I am even more fortunate that she offered to teach me how to prepare a few dishes myself!

We started with a few basics.  I learned that Masala simply means spice and does not refer to a particular seasoning.  The masala blend varies from dish to dish.

We made saffron rice.  The link is not to the specific recipe we used, but it is similar.  We also made Dal, which is a lentil dish and staple of Indian cooking.  There are many variations and recipes.  It is the dish that no one can get just the way their mother made it.  

Cauliflower is known as Gobi.  Using fresh cauliflower, we cut the florets and prepared to saute them with the seasonings.  We heated two tablespons of olive oil with thinly sliced white onions, garlic and mustard seeds.  Be careful not to let the onions brown too much.  We then added the cauliflower with a pinch of tumeric, salt and red chili powder.  You can toss in some sliced jalepenos as well if you like it spicy.  Add a few drops of water, cover and let simmer over a low to medium flame.  Just before the cauliflower is cooked fully, toss in largely cut squares of plum tomato.  Sprinkle with cilantro.  This recipe also works well with shredded cabbage.  We made everything by memory, but this is the closest recipe I could find online. 

We then made Masala Stuffed Eggplants and this is the link to the recipe we used.  The hardest part of this recipe is finding a store with the proper type of eggplant.  Being in NYC, that is not an issue.  We sliced the eggplants so they opened like a flower, rubbed in the seasoning and sauteed.  The final result is beautiful, unique and delicious.  And it is one of those great dishes to wow without a lot of effort.

FINANCIAL DISTRICT NYC

When friends come to the city to visit, I am often asked for recommendations on things to do or places to visit.  Here are a few suggestions and tips for The Financial District.  

The Alliance for Downtown NY is probably the best resource for all things FiDi.  Their website lists everything from museums to restaurants.  

Battery Park is filled with waterfront activities and the park itself has had recent renovations and restoration of pier areas.  For some history, visit Castle Clinton, catch the ferry to the Statue of Liberty or wander through the Irish Hunger Memorial.  Take in the views over dinner at Gigino's at Wagner Park, check out the scene at Danny Meyer's North End Grill, get your seafood fix at Harborhouse at Pier A or head to the rooftop at The Conrad to try their popsicle cocktails.

If you are looking for a steakhouse, there are many options to choose from.  There is the historic, Delmonico's.  Or, you can dine in a bank vault at Bobby Van's.  And we cannot leave out Harry's at Hanover Square for its culinary and literary fame.

There are also a great number of museums to visit.  Fraunces Tavern, Anne Frank Center, Museum of American Finance, The Skyscraper Museum and The South Street Seaport Museum. When visiting The National September 11th Memorial and Museum, you may also want to be sure to visit the observatory at One World Trade Center.  

For a more casual scene, head on over to Stone Street for a great variety of restaurants with the street closed to the public and plenty of seasonal outdoor seating.  A great spot for breakfast, a light lunch or pastries is The Financier.  Beckett's and The Stone Street Tavern are classic pub fare.  And the calories are definite worth it at Adrienne's Pizza Bar. 

The South Street Seaport is also loaded with things to do.  There are shops and restaurants along the cobblestone streets.  You can also depart for a boat tour of the harbor. The waterfront park stretching along the pier has had recent renovations and additions.  One of my favorite places is Cowgirl Seahorse for a good margarita and some Mexican food.            

Ghent, Belgium

A few years ago, I had some time between leaving one job and starting a new one.  I was itching to go someplace, but was planning travel at the last minute and had no one who was able to join me.  Fortunately, a friend of a friend in Ghent offered to let me stay in his guest apartment.  

Last minute travel can sometimes be expensive, but a little creativity may resolve that problem and add to the adventure.  I was able to get a great deal on flight from NYC to London.  I spent some time visiting friends and family in London before catching the EuroStar train to Belgium. The train allowed me to enjoy the views as we traveled through a bit of France before making it to Brussels where I changed trains for Ghent.

My host didn't live too far from the Gravensteen Castle so the gorgeous building served as my guide during my stay.  I love architecture and history so I had plenty to explore around the city. This website does an excellent job at outlining the historic points of interest.

And the city is not limited to history buffs.  There is The University and the area surrounding it is filled with interesting shops, colorful street art and interesting characters.

It is a very walkable city with plenty of places to stop and explore along the way.  I am used to city life so my idea of walkable does not always find agreement.  The city is also well known for bicycle travel.  

Most everyone speaks English so it is a great place to visit for lazy Americans such as myself who never bothered to become fluent in any other language.  Dutch is the official language and this is a pretty interesting article explaining the difference between Flemish and Dutch dialects.

OK.  Let's get down to chocolate and beer.  I had to sample a bit each day.  Leonidas was already a favorite and their creamy milk chocolate definitely tastes even better in Belgium.  I did fall in love with this shop and took my share of their chocolates home.  I especially adored their dark chocolate.  As for beer, I found myself stopping here and there to enjoy a beer outdoors throughout each day.  This place is great for enjoying a beer and people watching with the market as a backdrop. You really cannot go wrong anywhere, but my absolute favorite stop had a very friendly bartender who made suggestions and poured me some interesting brews.  I must admit, I stumbled a bit on my way out!

I am a vegetarian so sometimes finding good food while traveling can be tricky.  I found a market where I picked up some fresh bread and cheese.  Since I was traveling alone, I mostly snacked around rather than sitting for a formal meal.  I did find this amazing place with a piano and lounge feel and the most amazing asparagus soup, but I cannot remember the name for the life of me.  I can tell you that you will find Le Pain Quotidien in Belgium so if you visit the ones in the city, it is authentic.

Long Island Wineries

A few years ago, a group of us woke up early on a Saturday and piled into a extended limousine to head out to the North Fork of Long Island for a tour of the wineries.  It is about a two hour drive from Manhattan.  There are a number of car services who specialize in these tours and will help to plan your trip.  

One of our first stops was Water's Crest.  We were a bit taken aback when we pulled up as our expectation was to visit a vineyard as opposed to a strip mall.  Looks can be deceiving, though. Their tasting room quickly changed our opinion.  The owners are knowledgeable and were especially friendly to our group.

Sadly, I have come to learn that our favorite spot along the tour is now only open for private events.  They may have closed operations entirely as indicated by the Yelp listing and it looks as though there hasn't been much activity on their Facebook page.   

Another great spot along our tour was Pellegrini Vineyards.  Their tasting room is spacious and they have a beautiful courtyard with views of the vineyard.  

There are a number of great wineries and the landscape is absolutely beautiful.  It is a great trip idea for birthdays or celebrations of any sort.  It's also just a great reason to get friends together for a fun day!

BEANAS Mexican Restaurant in Rahway, NJ

I wandered into this little treasure by chance.  I never pass up the chance to try out a Mexican restaurant and this place is just screaming for folks to come inside.  The decor is cluttered in a great way.  From sombreros to photos, it definitely has that Texas-style blend of Mexicana and Americana memorabilia.  And there was no dust!  I would hate the job of cleaning, but felt confident that the kitchen was likely to be as tidy.  As the name suggests, Beanas is all about the beans.  They offer black, red or refried beans with nearly every meal.  The prices are very reasonable and the portions are large.  It's a BYOB so be sure to stop by the liquor store beforehand to pick up your tequila as they have virgin margaritas all set for you.

Rahway is a city in Union County, NJ.  It was mostly known as home to Rahway State Prison, which was rather frustrating to residents as the prison isn't actually located in Rahway so the state did rename it recently.

The location is great for commuters as there is a NJ Transit rail station nearby, with access to both the NYC commuter line and the Jersey Shore line.  The area around the train station now offers new rentals at Metro Rahway and Skyview. 

Yoga & Spa Retreat in Dahlonega, GA

A friend and I were in need of a little getaway for some relaxation and rejuvenation.  We came across this adorable spot in Dahlonega, GA.  We flew into Atlanta, rented a car and headed to the hills.  It is about an hour or so outside of Atlanta.  You literally travel a dirt road to get to the location.  There is a beautiful farmhouse with a bed & breakfast feel.  We stayed in one of their rustic cabins, but the beds were comfy and we enjoyed the flashback to summer camp.  The resort offers a number of packages.  We opted for the 3-Day Mind, Body & Spirit, which includes daily yoga classes as well as two 60-minute spa treatments.  Meals are also included.

We had a fun a time exploring the area as well.  Who knew Georgia had wine country?  We strolled around the quaint downtown area popping into the shops, art galleries and enjoyed some wine tastings as well.

We both love a good hike and what better way to balance out the wine tasting.  There are a number of great hikes with beautiful waterfalls in the area.  We opted for Raven Cliff Falls as it was a decent trail, but didn't require any special footwear other than sturdy sneakers.  The pay off to the hike was a beautiful waterfall and a serious fresh air fix.