Food has always been at the forefront of humanity; after all, we need it to survive. But as people and trade developed, food has become so much more than survival. It has become an art in itself. Some areas hold onto tradition and nostalgia while incorporating new ideas and other cultural influences. If one truly wishes to experience the culture, there's no better way to dive right in than over a meal.
Allegretto, Paso Robles, California
Tucked into the rolling hills of Paso Robles, California, sits the Allegretto Winery and Resort. A unique hotel curated to showcase art worldwide and give visitors a relaxing, spiritual stay.
The Cello Restaurant & Bar is open all day for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Lunch menu highlights were the Muffuletta sandwich, Tuscan style, served with sun-dried tomato hummus, pistachio mortadella, salami Toscana, mozzarella cheese, roasted tomatoes, baby arugula, cello olive tapenade, and a house-made ciabatta roll.
For dinner, plates of miso-crusted bay salmon served with ginger butter as well as their 8-ounce certified black Angus filet mignon, oak pit grilled, seasonal vegetables, dauphinoise potato, red wine Demi-glaze with a horseradish mascarpone.
Ending the night with dessert, a "triple chocolate bomb," a chocolate soufflé cake, raspberry dark chocolate mousse, framboise scented ganache, toasted almonds, fresh raspberries, and white chocolate curls.
Aruba
Manchebo Beach Resort & Spa, located at Eagle Beach, boasts the biggest private beach on the island. Here, there are four different restaurants on the property, each cultivating unique aspects of Aruba’s culture, encompassed by their famous Aruban hospitality.
Ike’s Bistro
Ike’s Bistro, open for breakfast and dinner, is an open-air location boasting a huge Mediterranean-inspired menu.
Menu highlights feature their homemade chia pudding made with coconut milk, chia seeds, agave, homemade granola, and berries, and a variety of smoothie bowls featuring the açaí peanut butter bowl - made with açaí smoothie, freshly sliced banana, granola, seasonal berries, and peanut butter.
For dinner, some of our favorite highlights were the Filet Mignon, 6-ounces of beef served with mashed potatoes, vegetables, porcini mushroom sauce, and homemade chimichurri, and the Vegan Steak and Shrimp, which was made out of lentil steak with grilled New Wave shrimp served with potato wedges, steamed broccoli, and sesame-ginger glaze.
The Chophouse
While the atmosphere on Manchebo creates a feel of casual relaxation, for those looking for a more elegant evening, there is The Chophouse.
The star of The Chophouse and our favorite server was Harold Rasmijn, who received the Caribbean Employee of the Year Award in 2018.
Menu highlights were the lamb chops, marinated with garlic and herbs from Manchebo’s herb garden, and the Almond Grouper - a pan-seared grouper served with potato puree, green beans, and coconut white wine sauce.
Harold completes the experience by serving a special dessert of banana foster which he makes table-side for a spectacular end-of-the-night show.
Venice
Venetian cuisine is characterized by its fresh seafood; however, Venetian people take pride in making food with fresh meats, fish, fruit, and locally sourced vegetables.
San Clemente Palace Kempinski, Venice Italy
San Clemente Palace Kempinski, located on a private island, is the perfect getaway experience just off the coast of Venice and minutes from Piazza San Marco. Several restaurants and lounges are available throughout the day for your eating and drinking pleasures. The most important meal of the day is served at the Insieme Restaurant, open from 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. An open breakfast buffet surrounded by the church courtyard on the island, the buffet offers a wide variety of fresh vegetables, bread, cheeses, meats, and fruit; this fresh start to your day will leave you energized as you explore Venezia.
Chris Fulcher and Savannah Woods are travel writers and photographers, having worked all around the world with various hotels in the Americas, Europe, and the Mediterranean. They are based out of Las Vegas, Nevada.