travel

If you’re looking for a top-notch hotel in San Francisco/Sausalito we highly recommend The Inn Above Tide. This is a great place to stay when you’re planning on touring the nearby wine country. The scenic vineyards of Sonoma and Napa are just a short drive north. The management at Inn Above Tide go above and beyond the call of duty. We were greeted by generous, kind staff that were more than willing to attend to our needs. Once escorted to our luxurious room we were thrilled with the special tokens of appreciation there to greet us, such as the personalized welcome note and beautiful bottle of local wine. The view of the bay from our room was unparalleled. The cozy fireplace a welcome addition; they even built the fire for us.   The afternoon wine reception in the drawing room was delightful…

Father's Day was created to complement Mother's Day, and it is celebrated internationally throughout the year.  Here in the United States, Father's Day falls on the third Sunday in June.   The “Mother of Father's Day” in theUnited States was Sonora Smart Dodd, whose father raised her and her siblings after their mother died in childbirth.  She began trying to make it an official holiday back in 1909. It quickly caught on, and now fathers all over the world are honored for their contribution to families. Personally, we think that there is no better way to honor your father than by treating him to the delectable foods, wines, and beers we offer at our walking tours or our train tours.  After all, fatherhood is thirsty work! Brooke B., Cerevisaphile

Since Earth Day debuted on April 22nd,1970, it’s gone from fringe to mainstream as people all over the world began to realize that responsible stewardship of the earth is a matter of human survival. But it doesn’t need to be difficult. You can celebrate Earth Day with fun and in style. All you need is…

“Mr. and Mrs. Bliss, please follow me.” With that, we were welcomed into a palace. Paul Anthony, my partner in love and business, and I had a delightful Valentine’s dinner this year at the Addison Grand Del Mar. I’ve traveled all over the world and eaten many fine meals, but this was hands down the best meal I’ve ever had! The first thing I noticed and loved was the quiet of the place. The Addison is large and spacious, with fireplaces in each room, an open floor plan, and a huge, exquisite wine cellar. Despite the size of the place, we were seated in a luxurious private booth and treated as if we were the only people there. The wine director, Jesse Rodriguez, was brilliant, helping us choose our aperitif drinks and directing us through the menu. Because we felt…

One of my favorite dishes growing up was my grandmother’s beef stroganoff. Recently, someone offered me the challenge of re-creating this wholesome comfort dish… WITHOUT using dairy. Considering the main ingredients in a beef stroganoff include CREAM of mushroom soup and sour CREAM, it was quite the challenge. After some careful thought, I developed my…

This past week, I have been practicing my vegan dishes. It’s fun to find new and healthier ways to prepare some of your favorite meals. Ever try making a chocolate cake … using an avocado? I did! In order to prepare a vegan chocolate cake, you eliminate all ingredients that stem from animals. A healthy…

While out at Dave and Buster’s for a holiday party, I discovered that the tickets you earn playing silly games could actually amount to taking home some decent prizes. I’ve been wanting a crock-pot for some time and I was delighted to discover that with 2,500 tickets, I could earn a little, green crock-pot. So,…

In San Diego, Saturdays are always so nice and sunny. So, it’s hard to resist just grabbing the bikes and seeing where the road takes us! Last weekend, we discovered the Silver Strand bike path. It’s a beautiful, flat trail with the ocean on one side and San Diego Bay on the other. We left…

At 3pm on a Friday in La Jolla Village, what better way to spend your time than with your family and friends enjoying local craft beer and delicious food. Cheers to La Jolla and the fantastic food and beer it has to offer! Two sisters, Pam and Cindy along with their husbands, Steve and Larry…

With such a warm night, I decided to enjoy a delicious and healthy meal on the rooftop deck of my apartment building in Banker’s Hill. Tonight’s menu: Teriyaki stir-fry, sticky rice and dumplings. A quick stop at Ralph’s and I was loaded up with London Broil strips and vibrant colored bell peppers. Back home I…