Sherman's Travel

Charleston is not all about fancy plantation homes and spooky ghost tours, y’all. This city is serious when it comes to food and has earned cult status as a culinary destination for foodies. It would take weeks to chow your way though this charming destination, but here are three must-stops to get you started. Read more

If you opened this post in disbelief, grumbling that “Spells to Make Kids Behave in Restaurants” would be a more plausible headline, you’re not alone.

When my kids have managed to behave in restaurants over the years, I’ve always assumed there’s been magic or luck at work. But wouldn’t you know it, as with most other aspects of parenting, eliciting good behavior from your children in restaurants takes a little training and practice – for everyone.

If you’re on the road with young kids, especially in destinations where you may wind up seeing the same travelers and servers day after day – hotel restaurants, cruise ship dining rooms, or towns that you’d like to revisit without shame – here are some things you might want to try.

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It’s 4pm aboard the just-launched Carnival Breeze and while the bars are humming, this too-late-for-lunch-too-early-for-dinner hour tends to be a bad time for anyone looking for food, which would be me. But just when I’m thinking that my choices will be limited to ice cream (not enough) or a sandwich (boring), I turn a corner and find myself staring straight at a guy hand-making pizzas.

I’d read about Pizza Pirate in my cabin, but assumed, I suppose because of the name, that it would be more of a kid-centric Chuck E. Cheese-type place. Instead, I found a tiny pizzeria turning out plate-sized made-to-order pies. Eight minutes after placing my order for a margherita pizza, (four cheese, mushroom, and pepperoni are also on the menu), I found myself biting into a hot, blistered crust topped with fresh-tasting sauce and even buffalo mozzarella. And the best part? It was free.

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When it comes to dining trends, there’s retro and then there’s really retro – we’re talking recipes inspired by ancient Roman banquets and even by the Bible, and perhaps not surprisingly, we’re talking about Israel. If anything, it’s the creative “New Israeli” style of cooking that has grabbed headlines in the international culinary press in the past few years, but some of the hottest tables in the Holy Land are actually drawing on the gastronomic charms of a very distant yesteryear to keep things fresh.

Case in point, the bold new ancient menu at Helena, a seaside restaurant that’s not in trendy Tel Aviv or storied Jerusalem but actually inside Israel’s Caesarea National Park. There is an ancient Roman amphitheater here and ruins aplenty, but don’t be content to play the part of the dutiful tourist because to do so might mean missing out on young chef Amos Sion’s adventurous undertaking. Much like Material Girl Madonna consulted ancient scriptures to plug into the mysteries of Kabbalah, Sion (pictured) dipped into recipe books older than the Wailing Wall to concoct dishes that could well be the most memorable thing about your trip to these parts.

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Marc Forgione is an Iron Chef, restaurateur, and New Yorker, which by definition makes him intense three times over. But like most New Yorkers (and many chefs) he’s introspective if you slow him down for a minute, which I did earlier this month at American Cut, Forgione’s steakhouse at Atlantic City’s Revel resort.

While traveling I feel like there’s an enormous amount of pressure to eat food that’s memorable and local. What kinds of foods would you recommend to someone going to New York City?

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The Dilemma: You’ve spent the day admiring the bright lights, soaring billboards, and glittery marquees of Times Square. After spending most of your budget on a Broadway show, you emerge from the dark theater only to be surrounded by a throng of hungry tourists. There is nothing but lackluster restaurants and overpriced bars in sight. Where do you go to get away from the herd and enjoy a soothing drink or delicious meal without breaking the bank?

The Solution: Wander west to nearby Hell’s Kitchen, where you’ll find a lively young neighborhood with unpretentious nightlife and hundreds of affordable, quality restaurants. Here’s our shortlist of the Hell’s Kitchen hotspots where you’ll get the best bang for your buck. Read more

As tour guides are apt to tell you, St. Croix has been owned by no less than seven different countries since Europeans first landed on its sandy shores. This historical diversity – combined with a melting pot of incoming jobseekers, first at the sugar cane plantations and later the island’s oil refinery – manifests itself in many aspects of Cruzan culture, and food is no exception. From international fine dining to traditional dishes to a burgeoning health food scene, St. Croix is a foodie’s paradise.

Fine Dining:
Those expecting generic resort restaurants might be surprised by the multitude of delightful fine dining options on the island. Tutto Bene’s gut-busting portions of southern Italian fare are just what you need after a day spent paddle-boarding or snorkeling at Buck Island. You can’t go wrong with the pastas, from traditional spaghetti Bolognese to seafood with capellini in a white wine herb broth to fresh veggies and penne with pesto cream sauce.

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Looking for a weekend break with lots to do and within driving distance from the Northeast? Take a look at a recent AAA Four Diamond award winner, Mount Airy Casino Resort in Pennsylvania. Located about an hour west of New York City by car, this recently renovated resort has a lot to offer, including a full casino with 72 table games, an 18-hole golf course, five restaurants (two of which are fine dining), and a full service spa.

A perfect spot for couples, adults groups, or those just looking to get away, Mount Airy Casino is set in the secluded Pocono Mountains that make it easy for guests to escape from their busy schedules. Guests can try their luck at the full service casino, which includes video poker, blackjack, and roulette games. For the poker lovers, there’s a completely separate Poker Room, overlooking the lake and the entire casino floor below.

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Something tasty this way comes: Whether you’re an avid fan of Top Chef or looking for a unique night out, former Butt magazine mustached gay pinup and celebuchef Ty-Lör Boring is popping up shop in NYC’s Nolita neighborhood with T.B.D. Restaurant. The dinners-only engagement will last for just six nights next week, February 6–11, in City Grit, an industrial antiques store by day and pop-up restaurant by night, housed in the old St. Patrick’s Elementary building (Martin Scorsese’s alma mater!). Read more

Beaver Creek’s slopes may be the star attraction at this sister resort to Vail in Colorado, but they have some competition from an increasingly delectable culinary scene. The latest manifestation of this new foodie fervor is the first annual Beaver Creek Food & Wine Weekend, held January 26-28.

Events range from casual après-ski noshes to semi-formal multi-course dinners with wine pairings. You’ll also find cooking demonstrations, wine seminars, and a meet-and-greet with the chefs. Throughout the three days, event-goers will sample exquisite culinary creations from visiting celebrity chefs – like Tim Love, John Besh, and Stephanie Izard – as well as local talent from area restaurants.

You’ll have to act fast to score tickets, as some programs are already sold out. Tickets start at $75, and all events are for ages 21 and up.

Planning to make a weekend of it? Beaver Creek has lodging packages on offer starting from $425 per person, per night that bundle accommodations, multi-day lift passes, and select event tickets. Click here for more information.

For general trip-planning information, see our Vail and Beaver Creek Travel Guide.