Meet the Food Writer: Matt Rodbard

Hometown: Brooklyn, NY.

Occupation: Contributing Editor at Food Republic.

Favorite destinations: Saigon, Los Angeles, Melbourne, Paris, and Madison, WI.

Dying to visit: Argentina, Malaysia, and Israel.

Bizarre travel rituals: OCD-style cleaning the night before leaving, buying Maxim magazine, and a McDonald's Extra Value Meal breakfast for flights before 8 a.m.

In-flight relaxation regime: Window seat, three newspapers, and headphones even without sound (for the potentially chatty neighbor). Air and Charlotte Gainsbourg albums on repeat.

Always in carry-on: Ibuprofen.

Concierge or DIY? DIY (it's sort of my job).

See it all or take it easy? See it all and then some. Beaches make me nervous.

Drive or be driven? Drive, unless in Japan, Australia, or other countries where they do it on the wrong side.

Travel hero: Writer David Farley, for his Spartan packing philosophy.

Weirdest thing seen on travels: The offal for sale at Ben Thanh Market.

Best hotel amenity: I still dream about the shower at c/o The Maidstone in East Hampton.

I dream about my meal at Vue de Monde in Melbourne, Australia.

Everywhere I go, I check out the local supermarket and cocktail bars.

When I arrive in a new place, I learn the lay of the land by talking to the cab drivers and sending out an S.O.S. on Facebook.

I always bring home a bottle of something, a new jacket, and a stuffed animal "friend" for my wife.

If I never return to French Lick, Indiana it'll be too soon because, it was the only family vacation we ever took that was cut short due to shittiness.

I travel for the five meals/day.