Discover
It's been shown that great food and wine can bring strangers together. Food gives us reasons to venture out and learn about cultures and cuisines, unlike the one you are accustomed. I've always enjoyed discovering a new restaurant, a dish, a bottle of wine, and the perfect vacation/holiday getaway. When I discover new places, I am eager to pass it on to others looking to explore all things food, wine, travel, and lifestyle. My goal is to bring you my absolute favorites from my trips, and I welcome any of your favorites as well. If you stumble upon something that you think this community would like, please do leave a comment and let's discover new things together. The above pasta dish was at Guido di Duomo restaurant in Munich, Germany. It is loaded with cream sauce and fresh shaved white truffles. This restaurant was a recommendation from a friend and business colleague that lives in Munich. If you are in the Munich area, you must add this restaurant to your list of places to try.
The Perfect Hotel in Paris, France
HOTEL D'AUBUSSON
I was very thrilled that we chose this hotel to stay at for my birthday week in Paris, France. My past visits to Paris, I did not like our hotels, but this one was in a great location in the St. Germain area, with excellent views at night. The hotel surrounded by five-star restaurants, bars, shops, and spas all which were in walking distant on Rue Dauphine St, made this easy to get around. I loved that they offered live jazz music, and excellent drink every night in the bar area. The rooms were immaculate, and the hotel staff was very attentive to our needs. I am looking forward to staying here again upon my next visit to Paris. If you would like to know more about this hotel, click here.
Solo Dining Out
Solo Dining isn't new for some of us! Have you ever been dying to try a new restaurant, but waiting for a friend or significant other to accompany you, but they can never find the time to join you? Well, its time to get comfortable in your skin and go out solo. Often I am asked, "how do you go out to eat on your own," followed by, " I could never go out on my own as it would feel awkward. For me, it is a natural thing to do one that I love doing as I get the opportunity to meet new people, explore the restaurant, and can leave when I am ready to leave. But I get it, dining out alone can be uncomfortable and intimidating for a lot of people. But for me, it is an art which I had like to help you discover and overcome. An October 2015 OpenTable study revealed that reservations for one had grown nationally by 62 percent over the past two years making them the fastest growing table party size. "As dining out has become one of our national pastimes, solo diners are taking every opportunity to visit top restaurants whenever they get the opportunity, much as they might attend a sporting event or show," said Caroline Potter, Chief Dining Officer at OpenTable. Most restaurants that cater to the solo diner will allow he or she to order food from the regular menu while sitting at the bar. This way, one does not have to feel awkward sitting at a four-top alone. Sometimes it is the most efficient way of securing a spot at a new restaurant in town. What I have learned about being a solo diner is the interaction I get to have with bartenders, servers, and other solo diners. Click here to learn more about solo dining out.
AGC TOP 5 TIPS on solo dining
Look ahead online or by calling for which restaurant has bar seating and review their menu online.
Upon arrival let host(s) know you would like to dine at the bar and request a full lunch or dinner menu.
Sit where you can scope out the entire room.
Bring a book, iPad, work, phone anything to put you at easy with dining solo.
Engage with the bartenders and other solo diners. Click here to learn more about solo dining out.
WHERE TO NEXT
montreal, canada
ASHEVILLE, NC
CHICAGO
Cayman Islands
Paris, France
amsterdam
hawaii
barcelona