Best of the Web: A carnival of food and travel

Welcome to the first installment of my new-style Best of the Web feature. Thanks to everyone who provided feedback when I ran my poll. I’ve decided to keep the format going as an occasional feature but to focus on themes. This first one is on the intersection of food and travel – something I suspect will be a regular topic for me given that my blog covers both food and travel. However, I may explore other themes such as the environment, travel photography, adventure travel, specific destinations and so on.

Markets

Israel. Anja from Ever the Nomad takes us to the markets of Israel – with photographs from markets in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. The tables are piled high with fruit and vegetables, and bagels and other breads, and fresh fish.

Guatemala. Guatemalan fairs are full of good things to eat, according to this post by Marina on Travel Experta. I wish the photos were captioned though – the corn/maize is about the only thing I can name with certainty.

Hawaii. Pam from Nerd’s Eye View gets up really early to visit a fish market in Honululu. As you do.

Barcelona. Nanette from Gourmet Worrier checks out the wonderful food in Barcelona – at the famous market Mercat de la Boqueria, and also at various restaurants and bars around the city.

Morocco. Browners from Around Britain with a Paunch takes us on a culinary journey to the Essaourira night market in Morocco.

Finland. Amanda Kendle writes about the Helsinki Market Hall replete with sweets and reindeer treats for Europe a la Carte.

London. Susan Smillie for  Word of Mouth on the reorganisation of the stalls at London’s Borough Market.

Drinks

Italy. Venice is known for two drinks – the spritz and the bellini. Angela from The Gypsy’s Guide gives us the lowdown on both.

France. Robin from My Melange on five drinks to try in France (besides Champagne).

Airlines. Matador’s Candice Walsh makes the case for keeping booze on flights in response to the CNN article arguing that airlines should stop serving alcohol.

Costa Rica. Cate from the Caffeinated Traveller on visiting La Finca Doka, a large coffee farm in Costa Rica.

Seattle. Starbucks is now ubiquitous and global but you can see where it all began at the original Starbucks cafe in Seattle’s Pike Market. Read Sheila’s piece on the Perceptive Travel Blog.

Restaurants

Madrid – tapas. The New York Times reviews a tapas bar called Estado Puro in Madrid – it’s in a touristy location but the food is very good.

Bay Area – sushi. A bit closer to home (for me), the San Francisco Chronicle reviews Tsukiji Sushi, a new sushi place in Mill Valley in the San Francisco Bay Area.

New Zealand – Burmese. Minh from EatShow&Tell on the Bodhi Tree, a Burmese restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand.

Chicago – steak. Krista from Londonelicious reviews Gibson’s in Chicago for steak. Food was good but it sounds like it was a little too efficient.

Oklahoma – burger. Sheila at Family Travel Logue indulges in an onion burger at Johnnie’s Grill, a Route 66 landmark in Okalahoma.

Culinary travel

Korea. Lauren Girardin writes about eating live animals in Korea for Matador.

Britain. Also on Matador, Natasha Young argues that British food is not as bad as you might think.

Pennyslvania – wine. There are 123 wineries in Pennysylvania. Who knew? Emily King checks out one of the state’s 11 wine trails for Intelligent Travel.

Istanbul. Ansel and Yigal from Istanbul Eats guest post on World Foodie Guide about the best restaurants and other food in Istanbul. Definitely one to bookmark for a trip to the Turkish capital.

Cookery

Tuscan cooking school. Barbara Fallon writes for Intelligent Travel about a cooking school in a farmhouse in Tuscany. Sounds like a dream holiday to me!

Japanese cooking school. Helen from World Foodie Guide learns how to make soba noodles – and checks out the gorgeous snow monkeys – at Yamanouchi in the Japanese Alps. I’ve changed my mind – forget Tuscany, this sounds like a dream holiday to me!

Sichuan recipes. Helen from Food Stories explores the flavours of Sichuan province in China, trying ‘Man and Wife Meat Slices’ from Fuchsia Dunlop’s Sichuan Cookery. (Buy a copy of Sichuan Cookery on Amazon – paperbacks available).

Scandinavian recipes. Helen from World Foodie Guide reviews The Scandinavian Cookbook by Danish TV chef and food writer Trina Hahnemann. (Buy a copy of The Scandinavian Cookbook onAmazon now for a 34% discount).

General

Helen from World Foodie Guide shares her favourite destinations for great food and travel content.

And finally…

Halloween might be over but I still enjoyed this cool cultural mashup – an image of a Halloween-themed Bento box on World Hum.