This is going to be one of my very many catch-up posts. There is a huge lag between writings as life sometimes veers to so many directions at a whirlwind speed that there is simply no time to pause and write.
We took this trip late 2018. The kids were grown and active. If there ever was a time when it would be ideal to take kids across the globe it would be this. All three were in high school.
We arrive in Cinque Terre after more than 24 hours worth of plane ride, a regular train and a teeny tiny train, and what felt like 20,000 steps up to our Airbnb.
But look at this view. Totally worth it.
Our base was Vernazza, one of the five cities.
We started the day at the fresh market. Freshly made pasta!
Hiking was the itinerary for Day 1. My sister found this route. She’s a hiking aficionado. She will find a hiking route anywhere. She promised wonderful views so we laced up our shoes and off we went.
She promised that it would be pretty, not easy. The promise delivered The mountainside is filled with vineyards Down below is the city of Corniglia. Breathtaking.
One of the things I love about going to the countryside is dining in hole-in-the-wall restaurants. We found this place as we headed back and the food was divine. That, or we were really starving 😬
Schiaccetra. Dessert wine from the grapes on the mountain we just climbedSpaghetti Al Nero. Always a delight. Check your teeth before smiling.Teeth checked!!!
I won’t get into why I haven’t blogged since forever. Had something to do with a certain virus, a lockdown, and people saying that it is insensitive to be posting about going out and eating amidst all the suffering. I get that, so I stopped my silly blogging.
“We either live with it, or die of it” — Fauci did not say that, I did. So this is me, getting back to do what I’ve always been doing: embarking on food adventures, this time as safely as I possibly can. Life is too short to be feeling bad and eating bad food. Also, I’m not really that important to get “cancelled”.
This “crawl” is divided into three categories: Old Reliables, Great Finds, Influencers Choice.
Old Reliables – these are well-established restaurants in the area, consistent in quality and service.
Il Vilagio Osteria – this is in Hotel Terra. As you can see, I am off to a good start in celebrating my 50th with a 20 year old Latour. We brought the bottle. As opposed to Texas, Wyoming does not have insane corkage regulations.
Meatballs! the hand pulled mozarella is a great touchHave I mentioned that Bourdeaux pairs really well with pizza? Il Fico – dried fig, cognac-caramelized apple and several yummy cheeses.Every self-respecting Italian restaurant has great Tiramisu on its menu
Westbank Grill – this wonderful restaurant is tucked in the heart of Four Seasons – a hotel that really lives up to its name because with any location you go, at any point of the pandemic, they are there — open and welcoming, ready to give you the best experience (for the right price, of course).
Black Cod with SaffronOh look! Steak, I wonder who ordered this? HahaCrispy Brussel Sprouts with Boar Bacon – in the design world, this would be a shabby-chic kind of dealAnother 50th celebration. Yey!!! This is a pear donut with verjus glaze.
Handle Bar – also in Four Seasons but more of an apres ski kind of vibe
Handle bar mustach-shaped pretzel! Brushed with beer cheese Elk ChiliDuck Fat Wedges – sounds so unhealthy, because it probably is. It’s really good though
2. Great Finds
Old Yellowstone Garage – don’t let the name fool you. It looks nothing like a garage (not my garage, for sure). It’s artfully decorated, very modern and relaxing, right on the slope of Bridger Gondola, inside Caldera House. We ate here twice (and you know how I feel about going to the same place twice–so this is pretty good).
Focaccia Basil PestoPappardele Elk Bolognese – they claim that they have the best in town and I concurScallops with Heirloom beansWagyu Zabuton aka little pillow. This is more like little throw pillows because it came cut, but the tenderness is definitely there!
Bin 22 – accidentally discovered as we were walking around trying to find the town square. It is a wine store slash restaurant kind of deal. Absolutely amazing food in a very non-Jackson Hole price range. We ate here twice, ON THE SAME DAY. So I cannot stress enough how good this place is. I am not featuring any of the wines because I wasn’t able to take pics of the bottles; we did have Priorat, Spanish Vermouth and a really nice and bubbly Cava
This is their food specialty – hand pulled Mozzarella with wild mushroomsGrilled Spanish OctopusFor round two we had baked brie and paella
Local Restaurant and Bar – for a name that doesn’t exactly scream wildy imaginative, this is an amazing restaurant conveniently located next to the town square. We stumbled on this gem as we ran fleeing from the restaurant that I will feature next.
Bar is on point. I had a Matilda which is a local vodka, curacao and some cardamom bitters. D had a NebbioloLove, love, love this herb crusted bone marrowBuffalo burgerHanger steak with Chimichurri sauce
3. Influencers Choice – these are restaurants that come up with every travel blog. Not to bash these bloggers-for-a-living lot, but they DO have to push places to “earn their keep”. Take with a grain of salt when reading these travel blogs as some places are just too hyped up.
Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – the good thing is, nothing in the menu cost even close to a million dollars. Otherwise, the food is unimaginative, the service is tired.
The only saving grace is the cute saddle they have as barstools. People who have never rode a horse may disagree; while very Instagramable, it is very uncomfortable
2. Mangy Moose – too bad because this is really close to where we were staying. Menu is kinda generic and don’t let me get started with the service…. There are a lot more pleasing apres-ski areas in Teton Village
And just like that….I’m back (although I was never really gone).
