1. Lunch @ Toro (Boston)

    Started with some house sangria

    Queso Mahon (Marinated Cow’s Milk Cheese from Menorca)

    Pan con Tomate (Toasted Bread with Tomato, Garlic, Spanish Olive Oil, Sea Salt)

    Mejillones Escabeche (Marinated Mussel Toast with Garlic Puree, Fennel and Meyer Lemon) - MY FAVORITE

    Serrano Bocadillo (Serrano ham, manchego, tomato tapenade)

    Maiz Asado con Alioli y Queso Cotija (Grilled Corn with Alioli, Lime, Espelette Pepper and Aged Cheese) - A favorite amongst previous visitors, but wasn’t much different than those I’ve had in other restaurants.

    Pimientos del Padron (Hot green peppers with sea salt)

    Anna’s Empanadas (Chicken and Potato Empanadas with Salsa Rioja and Alioli) - I don’t usually like empanadas, but these were exceptional. The crisp exterior contrasted with the softer insides really made the dish, and the salsa rioja was a perfect complement.

    Churros con Chocolate

  2. The “Broken Heart” at Lolita (Boston)

    Gran Centenario Rosangel, St. Germain, Patron Citronge, White Grapes and Fresh Raspberries

  3. Cakeology (Boston)

    Yum!

    Red Velvet, Salted Caramel, Blueberries and Creme, German Chocolate, Chocolate, Vanilla, Boston Creme Pie, Carrot Cake, Funfetti

  4. Trying Some Beers with All Star Pizza Bar’s “The Red Head” Pizza (Cambridge, MA)

  5. Zortziko (Bilbao)

    Local Wine

    Sardine Toast

    OYSTERS. wrapped in spinach, orange flavored breadcrumbs, mashed potato

    APPLE RAVIOLI. Foie, Norway lobster, cava, poppy seed 

    WHITE ASPARAGUS.

    BLACKENED COD. Red Shrimp Emulsion, Pineapple Ice Cream, Cucumbers

    ROASTED LAMB. with greens

    VEAL.

    Cheese Board

    Gran Marnier Flamed “Souffle” with Chilled Orange Sauce

    Bonbons

  6. Lunch at Bistro Guggenheim Bilbao

    Olives for the Table

    Oxtail boned and roasted with caramelized onion and its juice

    Light citrus cream , frozen yogurt and elderberry cake

    Toast dipped in egg yolks and cream, caramelized in the pan with coffee ice cream

  7. Breakfast at the Silken Gran Domine Bilbao Hotel

    View from the Restaurant:

  8. Martin Berasategui’s Doma (Bilbao)

    The best meal eaten in Bilbao…on the roof the the Silken Gran Domine Bilbao hotel


    Bread and Cava to Start



    Melon gazpacho


    Foie Gras Terrine with Warm Jelly


    Fennel Pearls, Green, in Risotto and Emulsified


    Black Ravioli of Fruit de Mer with Mocha Foam Juice, Pepper, and Curry


    Warm Foie Gras with a Light Tender Bean and Spring Onion Cream


    Roasted Sea Bass, Chili “bonbon,” Wild Mushroom Parmentier


    Lamb Shoulder, Garlic Cream, Roasted Red Pepper “Rollers”


    Cold Coffee Cream, Chestnut and Chocolate “Unctuous,” Whisky Frost


    Warm Toasted Almond Cake with Honey Sorbet


    An extra dessert added by the Chef:

  9. River Cafe (London)

    Ricotta, Spinach and Mushroom Ravioli

    Scallops and Chickpeas

    Veal Shin with Peas and Prosciutto

    Chocolate “Nemesis”

    Chocolate Mousse with Chocolate Chips and Almond Gelati

  10. Quince Jam!

    Quince Jam!