Located in Catalonia, El Bulli is owned and run by legendary chef Ferran Adria, and employs a total of 42 expert chefs. While meals at El Bulli cost an average of €250, or about $375, the restaurant has run at a loss for the past several years. Their main source of profit is book sales (cookbooks and guides) and lectures from head chef Ferran Adria.

El Bulli is known not only for its delicous food, but its odd combinations of flavors. For instance, El Bulli has been known to serve pine nut marshmallows, melon with ham, and other extremely different combinations. While these meals may not sound good, there is rarely an unsatisfied customer at El Bulli. And, for people who prefer not to be adventurous when it comes to food, there are other more “normal” foods offered regularly.

The bad news is that it is extremely hard to get a reservation at El Bulli. Since it is widely considered the best restaurant in the world, there are always people wanting to get in. The restaurant is only open from April to October, and only during certain hours. There are about 8000 spots to get during the year at El Bulli, and generally about 1-2 million people compete for those spots. Yes, you read right – 2 million people. In fact, when reservations open for the following year, which happens on the last day of the season, it would not be odd if they sold out in a day. So, if you want to visit what might well be the best restaurant in the world, be sure to make reservations early – about a year early!

Located in the fairly quaint town of Yountvile, the French Laundry is quite secluded and private. Many fine diners enjoy this change of pace, as most quality restaurants are located in large, densely populated towns. The building itself is also something to be admired. Originally built as a saloon in the early 1900’s, this all-stone building is extremely beautiful, and has not seen any major renovations, so its originality is intact.

As far as food goes, the French Laundry usually offers a prix fixe, or fixed-price, meal, as well as a tasting menu. These fixed-price meals usually include several courses and offer quite a variety of different tastes and cooking styles. There are also seasonal meals available at certain times of the year, as well as the occasional chef’s special. All of the food is absolutely delicious, and many critics enjoy the variety of foods and the fun multi-course meals offered.

For people planning parties, business conferences, wedding receptions, etc., the French Laundry does offer private dining. For a price, you can rent out the entire restaurant for your own use. There is an in-house planning team as well that will help you plan every aspect of your get-together, from the food and wine, all the way down to the placemats. If you don’t want to reserve the whole restaurant, you can rent a private room, which can comfortably seat up to 10 guests. If you’re planning an event at a different location, the French Laundry team can bring the fine dining experience to you with their catering service.

Wharfside Eatery It might have a touristy impression because of its location at the inner harbor but they serve the greatest local food you can find in B.C. You will love their Oysters Rockefeller sinfully sautéed in garlic, spinach and Italian bacon. Another don’t-miss-this-dish is the Alaskan Jumbo Scallops which are hugged by tasty bacon with a dash of sauce made with tomato and cream.

Add to your favorite list Wharfside Eatery’s calamari reaching your table in an edible rice bowl while the squids are covered with cracked wheat. Another classic on their menu is the salmon wrapped together with mango chutney served with a plate of sweet potato fries.

You will also enjoy the food on the dock while watching the sunset. You can find Wharfside Eatery at 1208 Wharf Street.

Chandlers Seafood
Locals salute Chandlers for having the best seafood in Victoria. The restaurant is quaintly located a few blocks from the harbor. Most of its loyal customers are locals with some cruise ship tourists flocking the place to ask for their favorites.
There are no seats outside this resto but you will find the maritime decors and dark wood setup very amusing as if dining with sailors and their captain. They always serve fresh seafood and often loves plating local fares like halibut, Coho Salmon, and the Alberta Steaks.

If you are passing by for a quick meal, try their seafood chowder made from a mix of spring salmon, shellfish, and halibut. Another good appetizer is their mushrooms stuffed with shrimps.

Couples or family can go for a Menu Tour which will get you the stuffed mushrooms, garlic prawns, halibut filet, lobster tails, and fillet of spring salmon. You can also ask for the King Crab Feast and they will bring out a one pounder king crab on your table with salmon fillet and the stuffed mushrooms. They serve this with Caesar Salad, baked potato, organic rice, and freshly baked bread with olive tapenade.

Follow your nostrils and satisfy your taste buds at Chandlers Seafood located at 1250 Wharf Street.

Roger’s Chocolates
What will be a great will without a great dessert to top it off? They have been serving these chocolate wonders since 1891 and they only get better and better every year. They also operate a soda shop just across Fairmont Express where you can try some unique ice cream flavors.

When people think of Hawaii, they often think of the beautiful beaches, the great landscape, and the fantastic people. However, central to Hawaiian culture is cuisine. The people of Hawaii love food, whether it’s a simple plate lunch or an extravagant luau. They have created many delicious dishes that they can truly call their own, like poke, a raw dish featuring cubed tuna, and lau lau, a pork and butterfish creation steamed in taro leaf. While you’re in Hawaii, you’d be doing yourself a disservice not checking out your fantastic food options. While you’re in Hawaii, here’s some places you should check out, both large and small, fine dining and not.

Waiola’s – A must go to location; practically a destination. Get shave ice (do not say shaved ice unless you want to be berated senselessly) with ice cream on the bottom after you’ve spent a day out on the beach or hiking Diamond Head and are really hot. They also serve beer, if shave ice and beer is your thing.

Dukes – Popular place right on Waikiki beach for breakfast. Very relaxed and laid back, the definition of Hawaii. Goes well with a hangover.

Ryan’s Bar and Grill – This is a great casual spot for appetizers and drinks as a way to start your night. The crab artichoke dip is delicious, but incredibly rich; it feels like it must take a year off your life (but so worth it). Ryan’s Bar and Grill is located in Ward Center.

Tokkuri-Tei or Izakaya Nonbei – Fantastic local izakaya’s that are really showing off some of Hawaii’s rich heritage through delicious Japanese small dishes. Izakaya is traditionally a Japanese afterwork spot for drinking and eating, so these are good places to load up on the sake and beer while you pick at some really tasty and traditional Japanese food.

Kaka’ako Kitchen – Casual gourmet type of place, serving actual quality dishes in fast food format. Also located in Ward Center.

Mai Tai Bar in Ala Moana Shopping Center – You’ll find a surprising amount of locals here at night, and it gets way crowded. Live Hawaiian or Reggae music, pretty cheap drinks, and you can go there immediately after shopping.

Of course, if you must…

Luau – You will need to do this one night, just to get the full Hawaiian experience. Various hotels have them – it’s a big Hawaiian banquet, typically with a hula show. Typically a must do at least once for a traveler, you’ll never find a local at one of these. Except, that is, to work them.

One of the most common digestive problems being diagnosed today is that of gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat and grains. It is found in practically every loaf of bread and every grain of flour. Actually the entire population to some extent is gluten intolerant; however here are some unfortunate people that have serious reactions to it in any sort of substantial portion. Common symptoms of gluten toxin are headaches, abdominal pain, diarrhea or other flu-like symptoms. There’s actually a quite serious condition known in America as Celiac disease that actually causes the body to temporarily lower its immunity to several viruses.

Living on a gluten free diet can either be one of the hardest and most frustrating regimes to stick with or it can be an exciting adventure into a largely undiscovered culinary world. However even veteran Gluten-free dieters can have a nightmare of a time trying to eat while on the go or traveling. Luckily with a little effort, planning and homework you don’t have to give up travel to stick t your diet and enjoy traveling to the fullest. Here are some quick tips to help you maintain a gluten free diet while traveling.  

Before leaving on your trip try posting in a gluten free message board there are dozens available online that could really help you not only with your travel problems, but can give you a lot of useful tricks and tips for maintaining and actually enjoying your gluten free diet.

You should try to call the airport or train depot you’ll be traveling and simply ask them if you can bring your gluten free snacks on your luggage with you. Some will allow it and others wont. You’ll never know unless you ask. Heck even if they say no it’s unlikely they’ll take it away if sneak a few crackers on the plane! If however you are traveling aboard make sure to check the local import laws to make sure you aren’t violating any rules by bringing foreign foods into the country.

One great way to avoid any dietary problems is to find a hotel that offers kitchenettes in the rooms. This way in a pinch you can always fix yourself something gluten free and tasty, without the hassle of finding vending machine that with gluten free options.

Following your gluten free required diet while on the go doesn’t have to be frustrating or difficult. After the first few trips, you’ll begin to get the hang of the preparation and planning and might even find a few hidden secrets to eating good and gluten free as well.

Over many long years, La Manga has developed into a bustling, widely diverse society made up of a wide variety of cultures from just about every ethnic background. Because of its vast diversity, La Manga calls home to more of a variety of goods than one will find in most areas of the Mediterranean. In La Manga, it’s just as likely to hear dickering over prices in English as in Swedish, German, Russian and French, among a long list of other languages. The result of this ethnic melting pot is also heavily reflected in the area’s food.

If you take a brief shopping trip to nearby Cabo de Palos, an impressive local market sells up a wide variety of produce, meats and fish. You can even find local homemade gifts and crafts that you just can’t find anywhere else. The food market is a go-to destination for travelers from the surrounding areas, including those from La Manga. After shopping, take a small walk down to the harbor, snack on some tapas and take in the beautiful scenery.

The large cultural influence on La Manga from various other cultures is evident particularly in the cuisine of the area. In the past, only a “barra” variety of bread was available ion most of Spain, but ever since German and Belgian bakers have speckled the countryside with their shops; there are countless varieties of breads available in the country now. La Manga is definitely no exception. The selection of homemade breads and pastries on the market here would make any Atkin’s dieter’s head spin!

La Manga is a true food lover’s paradise. As mentioned above, the area’s cuisine is a melting pot of ethnic backgrounds offering visitors and locals alike a wide variety of choices. At the majority of La Manga’s good restaurants, you’ll taste the very best of true Mediterranean cuisine, including paella, beautiful fresh fish, sizzling grilled meats and handmade salads with some of the world’s most beautifully fresh produce.

Whether it’s an authentic Mediterranean meal you’re looking for or something a little more on the wild side, La Manga has something to eat for you. Even if you tend to stay with more familiar foods when traveling, La Manga will still have something to make your mouth water. With the proliferation of ethic restaurants available in the area, everyone’s tastes can be met. Whatever you are in the mood for, this culinary Spanish gem can provide.

When you think about food and travel we hope you don’t have disturbing memories of reheated frozen airline meals. To some travelers, food is much more than just a means to an end or a simple meal. In fact some people even plan entire vacations around eating alone. There are a variety of choices available to travelers whose love of exciting far off destinations is equaled only by their love of food. You could travel to an exotic city like Paris and take gourmet cooking courses taught by true French chefs. You could also take a tasting tour where you visit a particular region and sample their best cuisine-without the hassle of trying to pick a place to eat. If either of these activities sounds fun here’s some more information you’ll need before buying your ticket.

If you really enjoy pushing your limits as a home cook then a trip to a foreign cooking school might be one of the most fun trips you could ever take. There are many all-inclusive packages offered by a variety of travel agencies which include airfare, accommodations and all of your classes combined into one price. The groups for these classes are typically small. Sometimes there might even be 1 on 1 classes available for you to take. These courses could last an afternoon or several weeks with a formal ceremony at the end. You should be able to get more information from a gourmet food cooking school directly, simply ask them what travel agency they are working with and see if there are any special deals that you might be able to take advantage of.

However if you’d prefer to leave the cooking up to the experts and heck lets be honest, who wants to cook on their vacation, then a guided culinary tour might be exactly what you’re looking for. These types of tours will highlight the best eateries and destinations of each region or area you are in and with the help of a local guide will help you discover many eateries and attractions that are a little off the beaten path.

Trinidad and Tobago are renowned for their vast variety of exotic foods. Travelers should go out of their way to make sure that they give these 3 classics a go. You’ll be glad that you did.

Doubles is a sandwich with Eastern Indian descent. It is made with two flat fried flour flat breads, called “Bairai”, filled with curried peas and other vegetables. It is topped with a very spicy chile sauce and if you are feeling adventurous, you can add some chopped jalapeños. Doubles is actually considered a breakfast food and can typically be purchased from street vendors in the morning. It is also a very popular “after bar” food. There’s nothing quite like ea Doubles at 3am after a long night of drinking! Remember to always keep an eye out for the cart that has the longest line. This will be the best and probably safest place to find a Doubles.  

Roti, also of East Indian influence, is a wonderful alternative to convenience foods like burgers and fries. Roti is an Indian made tortilla wrap that has curried chickpeas, goat and several different types of cabbages and greens. It is usually served with chopped peppers with a variety of sauces. The traditional condiment for this dish is usually Siracha (a Vietnamese chile and garlic paste sauce)

Shark Bake, this is a Trinidad invention by a local called Richard Papaya. If you could tell by the name, Shark Bake is a sandwich made of a grilled bun and deep fried shark in the middle. The best place to get a Shark Bake is at Maracas Bay There are several vendors selling this traditional dish in this market. The best stalls will always have the longest lines and will have a wide variety of toppings and fillings to choose from. Although it may seem unappetizing, Shark is actually quite a subtle flavor and is very tasty.

Have you been searching for a great authentic Mexican meal in Santa Barbara that won’t break the bank? You’ve come to the right place. We’ve compiled a list of the best restaurants in the city. We’ve focused our rankings on taste, décor, service and overall experience

• La Superica – 600 N. Milpas St. Even though La Superica is pretty much nothing more than a taco stand with some plastic tables out front, it has become renowned all across the west coast for having the some of the best tacos you can buy. Sometimes this small gem can be hard to spot from the street since the dilapidated sign is pretty tough to read. However if you’re in the area just look for a really long line of hungry people, that will be La Superica.   
• Rose’s Cafe – Two locations: On Cota St. and on Cliff Drive on the Mesa. Rose’s has a really great menu that is very inexpensive. The Enchiladas at Rose’s are simply to die for. This rapidly expanding café is combining excellent food with a very friendly environment and has quickly become a rising star in inexpensive and authentic Mexican food in Santa Barbara.   
• Los Arroyos – Two locations: downtown on State St. and in Monetcito on Coast Village Rd. Los Arroyos is what we guess can be referred to as “gourmet Mexican” Los Arroyos has a wide variety of gourmet dishes that is mixing quality Mexican flavors with classical fine dining culinary techniques and preparations. If you are looking for something a little bit off the beaten path and are in the mood for a real Mexican delicacy then Los Arroyos is for you.
• Carlitos – Across from the Arlington Theatre on State St. Carlitos is a bit pricey, but it is definitely worth it. Be sure to check out their changing menu specials, since there’s always something authentic and tasty on there. Carlitos isn’t as fine dining as say Los Arroyos but the portions at this little establishment are giant sized. Their fish tacos are especially good at Carlitos.  

Everyone has seen familiar faces of smiling chefs on food network and in your favorite magazines such as food and wine. However, the pinnacle of recognition for any chef is to be awarded one or more Michelin stars from the worldwide Michelin Guide and restaurant review.

The Michelin Red Guide is a comprehensive collection of annual guidebooks that focuses on European –and recently American – food and lodging establishments in various cities. Being the longest running review handbook in the world its recognition and star of approval have been what hospitality professional’s dream of. Michelin also produces an annual travel and tourism guide as well.

The Michelin guide has more information packed in it than any other guidebook in the world. It utilizes a comprehensive collection of icons and pictures to depict various classifications and properties of each establishment.

Someone f the best features of the guide is the fact that Michelin does not and will not accept donations or charge for admittance to their guide. Far too many travel guides are unfairly biased into giving good reviews by rewarding hotels and restaurants. However Michelin strives to maintain neutrality and honesty in all their reviews. One of the best things about the Michelin guide is that it’s updated. If Theresa good review from Michelin about a restaurant and it suddenly turns downhill, that restaurant inst going to continue to get recognition from them fro long, in fact Michelin guarantees that their representatives personally and anonymously visit every establishment in their guide at least once every 18 months to ensure that their rating is accurate and up to date.

The type of rating that an establishment will receive is based on a variety of factors:

The quality of the raw products
Overall quality of culinary techniques and flavor
The originality of the cuisine being offered
The overall theme of the restaurant
consistency between reviews
Bang for the buck – is the meal worth the price?

The Michelin ranking system is broken down into three categories

(One Star): A one star Michelin restaurant doesn’t mean they come in last place! Remember, having just 1 Michelin star rating is something that 90% of all restaurants couldnt even hope to achieve. 1 Michelin star usually means you’ll be getting a very nice meal for a reasonable price.

(Two Stars): Two star restaurants are some of the places you will see TV celebrity Chefs, highly polished and inspired dishes, and lot of originality. These are typically restaurants that are worth a detour while traveling

(Three Stars): Simply put, three star Michelin restaurants are the finest ding establishments in the world hands down. Typically you could be looking at well over $200 per person for a meal, and it’s almost always more than with the high price. These restaurants are run by chefs that are redefining cuisine in their areas and are the mentors of even the most popular chefs you see on TV. If you go to a three sat Michelin restaurant be prepared for a one of the most awe-inspiring culinary experiences of your life.