ROME – Porchetta from heaven. That's what awaits inside the hole-in-the-wall that's been serving it since 1890. (And don't bother looking for it in your guidebook.)
SAVERDUN, France – Everyone knew everyone. When the president made his toast, it ended in a nearly-naked conga line followed by a brass band that serenaded each lady in turn. (Ah, the French.)
BOULDER, Colorado – The Rockies might not be where you'd expect to find excellent Friuli-Venezia Giulia cuisine and Neapolitan pizza. Prepare to have your expectations dashed. Twice.
AUSTIN – Paul Qui had invented a dish that he knew would drive the drunk crowd nuts: deep-fried roasted beets dusted with shichimi and dressed with kewpie mayo. Beets? For real.
NEW ORLEANS – Long after the plate was removed and long after the last bite of heart-thumping upside-down pineapple cake was licked clean from the spoon, I thought about those oysters.
AMSTERDAM – Café Winke was our morning hangout, with great coffee and the best appeltaart in town. At night, it was Café 't Arendsnest, where we explored Dutch craft beers.
LE MARCHE, Italy – Italians don't value scheduled time in the way Americans do. Still, they'll give you incredibly tasty dishes to distract you from it.
ROME – Roman cuisine is basic, served by rightfully proud waiters. It is not mind-blowing and it is not rude. And it is definitely not Eat, Pray, Love, and even less Eat, Pay, Leave.
