March 30, 2011

Nadi, Viti Levu, Fiji: Restaurant 88; restaurant review

Restaurant 88  

672-7799. L-D daily; $.

interior of Restaurant 88 in Fiji
interior of Restaurant 88 in Fiji


Whod’a thunk it? Superb Chinese food in Fiji? Maybe even better than the best in San Francisco. Operating in a former garment factory, the simple Restaurant 88 features a gigantic open room with a view of the kitchen. The menu is Hong Kong-style dim sum, Singaporean- and Malayasian-style seafood, and superb Chinese cuisine. Don’t miss the sweet corn and chicken soup, kung pao chicken, salt and pepper prawns with onion, and fried rice.

March 28, 2011

Brentwood, California: Coral Tree Cafe; restaurant review

11645 San Vicente Blvd./Darlington Ave., (310) 979-8733. B-L-D daily; $$.

The popular Coral Tree Cafe features tasty organic fare with many vegetarian options: panini, salads, pastas. Breakfast selections are plentiful and creative: Egg in a Hole (two organic eggs nestled in the middle of toasted kalamata olive bread), chocolate chip buttermilk pancakes. More favored items include Chinese chicken salad, rosemary chicken sandwich, macaroni and cheese, and veggie wrap with housemade hummus. Order at the counter; take a number, and select a seat on the inviting outdoor patio or buzzing airy interior.



More things to do in Brentwood.

More ideas for exploring the U.S.


March 25, 2011

NYC: Joe's Pizza; restaurant review

Joe’s Pizza  

7 Carmine St./Bleecker St., (212) 366-1182.

This grab and go is where to get the quintessential New York street-pizza slice. Pizza bakes in a gas oven and is not greasy. In business more than 30 years, Joe’s Pizza had to move from its corner location on the same block after appearing in “Spiderman 2,” after which the rent was raised “8,000 slices a month.” If the inside is crowded, take your pizza across the street to Father Demo Square, where there are plenty of benches.

Do you wonder who is taking that pizza's temperature in the background in the video?  Meet Scott.
 






video c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 23, 2011

Chiang Mai, Thailand: Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort; hotel review

33 Chang Klan Rd., Amphur Muang, +66 (0) 5399-9333. 4 stories; 75 rooms. Pool; children’s pool; hot tub. Restaurant.

Set on the banks of the Mae Ping River, across river from Wat Chedi Liem, all rooms at the Ratilanna Riverside Spa Resort have private balconies. The public spaces bow to the Lanna history yet are comfortable and stylish, and the infinity pool is stunningly beautiful. A dinner out under the stars at the riverside Mira Terrace restaurant is a memory-making must.


More things to see and do in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

More ideas for exploring Asia and the South Pacific.


March 12, 2011

Jacksonville, Oregon: Drive the Applegate Valley Wine Trail + Troon Vineyard; thing to do

Drive the Applegate Valley Wine Trail

The sun is said to shine here 300 days each year.

Troon Vineyard 

1475 Kubli Rd., in Grants Pass, 541-846-9900.

view from tasting room at Troon Vineyard in Jacksonville, Oregon
view from tasting room at Troon Vineyard in Jacksonville, Oregon


Zins and Cabs love the weather here and thrive at Oregon’s seventh-oldest winery. Your first taste is free.



More things to do in Jacksonville, Oregon.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 9, 2011

Takuapa Town, Thailand: Visit a cashew factory; things to do

Visit a cashew factory near Phuket, Thailand


I was amazed by this cashew factory near Phuket in Thailand. Workers here remove the cashew nuts from their messy shells with this old-fashioned lever machine that operates like a Mexican citrus juicer. The fresh-roasted nuts are worth going all the way here to buy.






March 7, 2011

Jacksonville, Oregon Jacksonville Inn; hotel review + restaurant review

Jacksonville Inn  

175 E. California St., 800-321-9344, 541-899-1900. 8 rooms + 4 cottages. Some fireplaces. Full breakfast.

exterior of Jacksonville Inn in Jacksonville, Oregon
exterior of Jacksonville Inn in Jacksonville, Oregon


Three of the past five presidents (George H., George W., and Barack Obama when he was campaigning) have stayed and eaten here at the Jacksonville Inn, and you can too! Built in 1861 of locally quarried sandstone--specks of gold are visible in the mortar—this old-timer provides luxurious accommodations and acclaimed dining. Rooms vary from historic with 19th-century charm in the hotel (with rustic vintage brick walls, floral wallpaper, and lace curtains) to spacious detached cabins a few blocks away (with a king size canopy bed, a fireplace, and a Jacuzzi for two). Choose the Presidential Cottage and you can sleep in the same bed as George W. Hotel room #5--an airy high-ceilinged corner room overlooking the main street—has two natural brick walls. A vanity sink is in the room—sort of a modern version of the 1800s pitcher and bowl—and the toilet and shower are in a small enclosed space. The merely functional linens don’t have high thread counts and the dated bedspread screams to be replaced with a fluffy comforter, but oak antiques add to the vintage ambiance and books galore and a flat-screen TV provide diversion. The check-in area doubles as a wine shop, dispensing everything from an inexpensive cold bottle of spring water or a $3 bottle of wine up to a collector’s wine costing thousands of dollars.  Bicycles can be borrowed June through September. You can order the included breakfast from a full menu featuring an omelette and scramble of the day as well as eggs Benedict.

The inn’s basement Dinner House (B-L-D daily) has several cozy brick-walled interior rooms as well as a large outdoor patio that is delightful in good weather. The kitchen uses fresh herbs and spices grown organically in the inn garden and is known for its fresh seafood, stuffed hazelnut chicken, rack of lamb, lentil soup, and a delicious house salad dressing. Desserts are noteworthy, especially the signature Hazelnut Meringue Torte—a heavenly concoction of hazelnut meringue, whipped cream, and fresh raspberries. The wine cellar holds more than 2,000 bottles, and picnic baskets can be packed to go.



More things to do in Jacksonville, Oregon.

More things to do along Highway 5 in Oregon.


image c2011 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

March 2, 2011

The difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England

The difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England


This video promises to explain the difference between the United Kingdom, Great Britain, and England, which it does, but the question is, can you or I comprehend it? And it didn't explain why I saw The Queen on the paper money in Fiji a few weeks ago.




More things to do in England.

More ideas for exploring Europe.


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