Fabulous Food in Fabulously Diverse Places

So tonight I am chilling in Lava Hot Springs, Idaho. I know - WHERE? But it's a glorious place, specifically my hotel, The Lava Hot Springs Inn. If you are ever anywhere near Salt Lake City, stay here. It's only two hours north, and it's worth it. Lovely old rooms, natural hot springs, breakfast... What more can a girl ask for?

Also, an piece of advice was proven again tonight. When you're in a new place, ask a local where to eat. Now, when my mom and I were in Spearfish, South Dakota this meant circumventing the hotel guy's advice and eating at the "strange vegetarian place where they serve spinach and stuff." (It ended up having glorious steak - The Bay Leaf Cafe, check it out). Here, it meant following the owner's advice. I had two choices - the Thai place or the Riverside. As with the last time I came, the Thai place was closed. So I went to the Riverside.

A gorgeous steak, complete with all the fixings - potato, asparagus, soup and a dinner roll. It was cooked perfectly, revealing that - in America - the correct way to order beef is "medium rare." Add to that a new and delicious wine? (Sawtooth's Skyline Red - a local Idaho winery) and I am a very happy bunny.

What does this say? Well, when you're undertaking a road trip NEVER settle for Subway or McDonalds. There is ALWAYS a better and a locally-owned option. If you just take the time to ask...

Cheap Wine Recommendations...

Check it out: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/09/19/dining/reviews/19wine.html

First Tracks: Back in the Bozone

Hello! After spending the year in the culinarily challenged land of England, I'm back in Montana and ready to grill. Quite seriously, grilling may be the activity I missed the most. A grand summer night, cold beer by my side, a couple of marinated steaks sizzling on the Weber? Does it get better than that?

That said, London was by no means an epicurean bust. I found my favorite foodie place in the world: Borough Market. I sort of want to live there. Seriously, pitch a tent and chill all day amongst the fresh veggies, gorgeous flowers, delicious cheeses, fine wines and fascinating offerings like Ostrich meat. Anyone on their way to London: Go there. It's open all year, Thursdays - Saturdays.

This blog will be a catch-all, with reviews, recipes, recommendations, (probably some rants against movements like "Raw Food") and general yummy goodness. I do hope you enjoy :)

Cheers!