6:15AM. It was pitch-black, near freezing temperature, windy and my heart was racing as I and famously not good at biking/can barely bike. Once I am away from the lighted paths of the main lodge, I turn on my headlamp and get to the bike stands only to find that none of the bikes have…
Category: review
Review: Jakes Hotel Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Over Thanksgiving 2020 I spent a week in Jamaica. It was a fantastic and relaxing time, wherein some impressive COVID Protocols were adhered to by the two hotels I chose to stay at. I spent 4 nights on the North Shore in Oracabessa at Goldeneye then I spent 3 nights on the South Shore in…
Review: Goldeneye Resort, Oracabessa, Jamaica
Over Thanksgiving holidays in 2020 I made the decision to fly down to Jamaica. This was after extensive research with regards to COVID, from entry requirements to what hotels were doing. I also took all necessary precautions, testing 72 hours before departure (despite the official Jamaican policy that allows for tests within 10 days, which…
Podcast Recommendation: Nick Kokonas [co-founder of Alinea Group] – Know What You Are Selling
Short post here just to share an excellent podcast I listened to yesterday. While I have yet to dine at Alinea in Chicago, I have had the chance to have drinks and bites at The Aviary in NYC (featured image), and what an experience that was. There is also the episode on Netflix “Chef’s Table”…
Review: JL Studio, Modern Singaporean Cuisine in Taichung, Taiwan
Intro As mentioned in my prior two posts, this trip back to Taiwan has been a massive culinary adventure. While AKAME may be my #1 now, another restaurant not in Taipei is high up on my list and may be #2 but definitely top 5. That is JL Studio in Taichung, Taiwan. I had read…
Review: Sinasera 24, Changbin, Taitung, Taiwan
Intro As mentioned in my previous post on AKAME in Pingtung, Taiwan, on this trip back home I have traveled outside of Taipei to dine at a few restaurants. Another one is a full destination restaurant: Sinasera 24. What I mean by that is that you go there for the meal but you also stay…
Review: AKAME, Contemporary Indigenous Taiwanese; Best in Taiwan?
Intro Ever since I returned to Taiwan in March of this year to take refuge, I have been eating nearly nonstop. From new and old favorite street stalls and hole in the walls. To attempting to eat at most of the new haute/ tasting/ creative type restaurants that have popped up in the last 4-5…
Review: Lunch at El Celler de Can Roca, Girona, Spain
In March 2020, precariously right before COVID-19 hit Europe and the Americas real hard, I ventured to Barcelona, Spain. Why Barcelona when Spain’s cases were on the rise? Well, at the time the recorded official cases were around 500-600 centered around Madrid and most importantly I figured it was worth the risk because….upon calling, I…
Review: The American Bar and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, London
In early February I decided to go for a weekend to revisit London. I had visited once before in 2010 and at the time I recall I felt the stereotype that London lacks good food was true. But I noticed in the years since the London food scene seems to have changed, the city itself…
Review: Cathay Pacific First Class CX806 HKG – ORD
Intro In January 2020, which feels like it as a different lifetime ago now, I made a quick trip back to Asia. For my return back to the states I found some last minute award bookings for Cathay Pacific First Class on a few Hong Kong to North America routes. Cathay Pacific first class has…
Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier and The Wing First Class Lounges
Let me start by saying Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge is hands down the best airline lounge I have so far experienced. In January 2020, which today feels like it was multiple years ago, I took a short trip back to Asia. For my return, I booked Cathay Pacific First Class from Hong…
Review: Turkish Airlines 787-9 Business Class IST-ATL with 737 SKD-IST
As usual, all menu pictures will be at the end of the post Intro For my return journey following my Christmas 2019 following my 6 day trip through Uzbekistan I opted to book a confirmed ticket from Samarkand to Atlanta via Istanbul on Turkish Airlines. I used points and miles to confirm into business class,…
TheGastronomicTraveler 