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Great Eat: Barley’s Taproom; Asheville, NC

Posted on January 4, 2011 by Admin of TBJ

As you make your way through the mountains of North Carolina, a stop in Asheville, NC is a definite must; it’s a charming Southern city with strong traces of mindful living buried in the town’s quirky fabric. Barley’s Taproom, located in the historic downtown area of Asheville is a great place to relax after a long drive or a day of shopping in Asheville’s boutique stores. Barley’s doesn’t have your average brews on tap – everything is either local microbrews or distinctive world brews. Barley’s isn’t for the anti-carb brigade; the hops in the beers are loaded with heady punches, and the sourdough pizzas and calzones are stout. Start your adventure into the one-meal-a-day plan with the restaurant’s fabulous black bean hummus, which boasts just the right of peppery kick. Sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, and Andouille sausage are among some of the restaurant’s more adventurous pizza toppings, but the pizzas are huge, so plan accordingly. The jerk chicken and vegetable lasagna are great menu items, but if you stick with the pizza you’ll be definitely wowed. Couple the great food with a laid back atmosphere (a revamped early 1900s building, complete with high ceilings and exposed timber beams), alongside a little stage for live evening entertainment (bluegrass, folksy stuff that won’t intrude on your meal) makes Barley’s Taproom a welcome stop as you wind your way through the Blue Ridge.

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St. Patrick’s Day Parade, Chicago, IL

Posted on November 23, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

There’s far too much of Chicago to condense in a short travel entry, and I haven’t been to the city enough to feel confident in giving it a thorough review. But Chicago is great; the muscular, midwestern attitude begets a friendly atmosphere, and the public transportation system rivals NYC’s in terms of expedience and character. However, if you get by the Second City, the Windy City, the City of Big Shoulders, a visit during the annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will surely give you a good taste of the city. You might spend your time taking in comedy the night before at Second City, or roaming around the lobby of the Palmer House, but the better part of your next day will be spent shlepping in the rain during the city’s boisterous festivities. Be sure to wear your green, just so you blend in, and admire the breadth of Chicago’s police force, which are out on foot, on horse, by car and by boat (just like in the Blues Brothers movie!). Get to the Chicago River early, ducking into the local coffee shops and hotel bars to keep warm and use the loos; the dyeing of the river is quick, but the energy of the crowd is wonderful; if they had a song to go with it, I’d be permanently hooked. Try to get on the east side of the Colombus Bridge, and do *not* try to cross it during the dyeing. After seeing the river turn green, immediately head south toward Millenium Park, where you can watch wee girls in curls dancing under ponchos tap down the street, and earnest Irish families with home-made floats waving their way down South Colombus Street. You can pub it up afterward, if you’re not drenched to the bone, and you’ll see remnants of the parade as you roam around the city the next day, checking out the Art Institute and the Picasso in Daly plaza. Grab a beer and a deep dish (who cares if it’s touristy – it’s unique! Try Giordano’s!) with the new friends you’ve met in Chicago, and don’t forget to take a deep pull of your green beer and offer a Céad Míle Fáilte to your new friends – or a simple sláinte will do; enjoy the deep-rooted Irish heritage in Chicago – even if some of the locals roll their eyes, they’re still happy to have you in sweet home Chicago.

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Tavernier, FL

Posted on November 11, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

When I stayed at my friend’s house in Tavernier, FL, we gave manatees fresh water out of a hose. Manatees like fresh water, and, though it’s illegal to touch them, you can reach out and pet their rubbery, nubby skin. Tavernier is one of the most relaxing places I’ve ever been to; there’s a laid-back attitude that’s hard to beat. Tavernier is part of the Florida Keys, so you’re surrounded by sun and sea, so get yourself ready for some serious hammock time. You don’t have to spend much cash to have a good time here; check out the Florida Keys Wild Bird Rehabilitation Center in Tavernier, which runs entirely on donations, or you can just take a swim. Divers will rejoice in the plethora of opportunities in the area (the better diving spots, from what I’ve heard, are technically in nearby Islamorada), and the Island Grill is a fun spot to people watch, grub up, and tuck in a divine slice of Key Lime Pie. Dillon’s Pub and Grill is also a leisurely spot to soak up the insouciant Keys vibe without putting a big hole in your wallet, and check around the area for various activities involving Wetland Rehabilitation and, on another end of the spectrum, live music. Don’t blame me if you suddenly find the urge to strum a guitar and drink your dinner; you’re in Tavernier, and you deserve to relax and enjoy it!

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Savannah, GA

Posted on September 8, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

I’ve always preferred Savannah, GA over Charleston, SC – not that these two coastal southern towns really invite comparison, but it always seems that some people prefer one over the other.  I think it had to do, in my case, with exposure: Charleston in August is an oven of unhappy compared to Savannah in October.  Savannah maintains an overall spooky, haunted, ethereal vibe. Perhaps it’s due to the Spanish moss hanging eerily on the giant oaks lining Savannah’s main thoroughfares.  Perhaps this is because of the city’s seeming “division” between historic district and the rest of the town, so that teetering down the cobblestones of River Street and talking to Gullah folk artists is literally removed from the bustle of the city center. The Savannah College of Art and Design not only begets Savannah an eclectic mixture of young and hip art students, but it also has helped the city restore its natural architecture along with a constant pursuit of mixed media arts; SCAD ushers all sorts of film, sculpture, print, music, theater, and “traditional” arts (think painting) into the fold of Savannah’s city limits. Of course, the looming shadow of Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil hangs over Forsyth Park and the cities countless cemeteries, as well as the numerous historical squares and round-a-bouts that litter the city; those who are round-about challenged would do best to walk.  Fresh seafood meals by the river are always a treat, but don’t miss the Byrd Cookie Company as well as a quiet rest at The Book Lady, one of the best bookstores I’ve had the pleasure to camp out in. You can find happiness just strolling down River Street with a River Street homemade piece of fudge or listening to a groovy band in one of Savannah’s many rollicking-character dives (Pinkie Masters is one of the most popular); it’s worth your time to take a trip to sunny, spooky and seductive Savannah.

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Charlotte, NC

Posted on August 12, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

Growing up outside of Charlotte, NC meant that I got to watch it grow…and grow and grow. The Charlotte Hornets, nee Bobcats, came in ’87, and the building of the Panthers’ stadium (along with two new basketball arenas) drew some angry responses from the Charlotte folk. As far as sports goes, there’s NBA and NFL, but hockey people might want to check out the Checkers and baseball lovers may enjoy the Knights. Aside from sports, Charlotte hosts all sorts of great opera, ballets, and Broadway acts at the Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in downtown Charlotte, which is a bit of a banker-y area but also home to boutique restaurants and shops. Downtown Charlotte does have the awesome Discovery Place (laser shows at night in their Imax theater!) and the Mint Museum (bigger branch off of Randolph Rd, not far from downtown – free on Thursdays!). Ri-Ra’s is a local favorite bar, but go down N. Davidson (NoDa) for more funky eats, treats, and fun including gallery crawls, drum circles, live bands, the Charlotte Comedy Theater improv – formerly the Legally Dead Parrots – and the Penguin Drive-In. The Manor Theater is a great spot to catch movies that Charlotte’s bigger multiplexes won’t show, and around that theater is Dickadee’s Deli, my favorite spot for NYC-style (kosher!) food (they have veggie stuff too) – but they’re only open for lunch last time I checked. The Dilworth area is arty and pretty and near an upscale Mexican hotspot, La Paz (my personal fav).  Go down South Blvd. and check out Manifest for music – it’s a huge independent music store – vinyl! Try the Little Professor Book Shop (I think it’s now Park Rd. books, on Park Rd.) for intimate book-luva time and great author appearances. Charlotte’s a sprawled out city, so don’t be afraid to explore it and get lost, but traffic is pretty obnoxious – try to get off the roads, esp. I-485 and the Billy Graham Parkway, during morning and afternoon rush, and *stay away* from northeast Charlotte (WT Harris blvd, 49, and 85 north) during race day at the Charlotte Motor Speedway unless you want to spend all your time in your car:) Final thought: get a Creative Loafing magazine (free) to check out the best of Charlotte, or the Charlotte Observer’s Friday weekend-edition.

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JR: Vina del Mar, Chile

Posted on August 4, 2010 by Admin of TBJ

Vina del Mar (aka. Vina) is a short bus ride away from Santiago and right next door to Valparaiso. It’s amazing in the warmer months when the beaches are rocking. the beaches can get really crowded, though, on good days, so beware. also, it’s good to know that not many Chileans go swimming in the oceans. The surf there is generally rougher, the break points usually a bit farther out, and the water temp a bit cooler. At 6’2″ 185lbs (back then, ahem), I was tossed around like a rag doll a couple of times. Fair warning. If you take in too much saltwater, there are plenty of bars up and down the beach that will set you straight.

In the spring, Vina plays host to the Festival de Vina del Mar. It’s an extended concert that’s televised nationally throughout Chile, and it gives you a chance to see popular Chilean music acts/bands perform live. Personally speaking, that wasn’t really my type of music, but being in a concert environment in South America was pretty crazy regardless.

Juror #14

Filed under: Latin America, South America | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

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