Tag Archives: Food Trucks

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Seattle for Foodies

View of Seattle, USA

Seattle’s culinary scene is really thriving, making this a great city for avid foodies to visit. From food tours to food trucks, here are some of the highlights that Seattle has to offer for foodies.

Food Tours
A guided food tour is a great way to get an initial idea of Seattle’s culinary flavor, and will take you to some of the best foodie hot spots around town. Savor Seattle is a great company to look into, as they host a range of tasty food tours. Whether you want to be taken around Pike Place Market, which is the oldest continuously operating market in the country, or indulge in a chocolate tour that features this sweet treat in all of its many forms, taking a food tour is the perfect introduction to Seattle’s food scene.

Food Trucks
Food trucks have been rising in popularity all over the country, and Seattle is no exception. Food trucks are a great opportunity for up-and-coming chefs to build a customer base and showcase their skills, so several of the food trucks that you will find in Seattle really have a high standard when it comes to the food that they create. Where Ya At Matt is a truck that has been around since 2010, and is known for their Cajun and Creole dishes, while Marination Mobile is a Hawaiian-Korean infusion truck, and launched a successful group of restaurants too. For some of the best Mexican food in Seattle, head to El Camion, while those who would like a taste of authentic Taiwanese steamed buns should visit It’s Bao Time.

Pike Place Market in Seattle, USA

Checubus / Shutterstock.com

Pike Place Market
Pike Place Market is iconic, as it is one of the last few remaining authentic farmers markets in the country. There is so much food to be tried here, and it is always worth getting small portions at each place so that you have room for the next. Handmade Cheese is the spot to go if you are seeking out the best mac and cheese in the city, while City Fish Co is so experienced in fresh seafood. Piroshky Piroshky is another gem in the market and is a small Russian bakery that specializes in freshly baked piroshkis, which are small savory pies, although be prepared to wait around 20 minutes to be served here, as they are incredibly popular. Seatown Seabar is another great spot to try out some local seafood, and they also serve up The Seattle Co. cider, which is a semi-sweet hard apple cider that is well worth trying. Finally, head to Lowell’s, as this is where you will find one of the best views of the Puget Sound in the city, along with more tasty seafood eats.

Whether you are a fan of seafood, fusion food, or indulgent desserts, Seattle is a city that is bound to please. A food tour is always a great way to get started, as this will provide you with a foodie-oriented overview of the city, after which you can then decide which places you want to explore in more depth.

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Houston’s First Saturday Arts Market

Artist painting

A monthly art event that features the work of dozens of visual artists, Houston’s First Saturday Arts Market is now in its 13th year of operation. Located in the historic Houston Heights area, the market is where you will find everything from paintings to photography to jewellery to handcrafted goods, as well as live music and gourmet food trucks, making it well worth scheduling into your calender.

Featured Artists This Month
While the roster of artists selling their goods at the First Saturday Arts Market is constantly changing, there are a few featured artists this month that you should definitely keep an eye out for. Delton Gerdes will be on-site selling original art that features whimsical sea life, as well as watercolors that the artist will create from your photos. Jackie McClure, an abstract screenpainter, will also be in attendance, with vibrant prints on fabrics and other fibers, while Janice Jackson’s work is usually in acrylic, and focuses on a wide range of standout subjects. For those who are seeking out jewellery, Tic Jewelry Designs creates pieces using Swarovski crystals, while Tomboy Pretty produces everything from pearl pendants to metal earrings to glass bead jewellery.

Live Music
The live music that you will find being played at the First Saturday Arts Market is all about originality, with only local bands allowed to perform. All of the musicians here play their own music that they have written and have the full rights too, nurturing and encouraging local music talent.

Friends sharing food

Gourmet Food Trucks
The gourmet food trucks that park up at the First Saturday Arts Market are always a highlight for many, and while there are different trucks that make an appearance each month, there are some regulars that you should definitely swing by for a tasty sample. Good Dog Houston is always popular, as they serve up Texas-made franks in artisan buns, topped with handmade signature condiments, while Wokker TX Ranger serves up Asian dishes with a Southern Country flair, such as with their Spicy Tamarind Ribs, their Pork Belly Fried Rice and their Brisket Eggrolls. Savor the Bites is another truck that always has a line in front of it, as here you will find everything from exquisite sushi rolls to flavor-packed fish tacos.

The Market at Sawyer Yards
For those who miss the First Saturday Arts Market, the Market at Sawyer Yards is held every second Saturday, and features working artists from all over Texas. While the emphasis here is placed on folk art, you will still find such a huge diversity of pieces here, including several stalls selling artisan foods.

There is always a buzz surrounding Houston’s First Saturday Arts Market, and even if you do not intend on purchasing anything, there is still such a bustling atmosphere that is always a joy to soak up. From browsing the creativity on display to catching some live music while you snack on tasty street food dishes, make sure that you keep the first Saturday of each month free to spend some time at the market.

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Exploring “Rock City” Beaches

The tropical Caribbean island of St. Thomas, often referred to as Rock City, as it is made up of one big mountain, is the most developed of the US Virgin Islands, but still has a number of spectacular natural sights that are worth visiting. Among these are its beaches, with over 40 different stretches of sun-drenched sugary sand to choose from.

Magens Bay

Little Magens
Magens Bay is the most popular beach on St. Thomas, but it is also one of the busiest, which can often be frustrating for those seeking out some peace and tranquillity. Fortunately, along Magens Bay’s Peterborg Peninsula, there are a number of sandy coves to be found, with Little Magens being the largest of them all. With no road or parking available, Little Magens may be harder to access than Magens Bay, but the way in which it is so sparsely populated makes the effort worthwhile.

Vessup Bay
Vessup Bay is one of the island’s less developed stretches of coastline and features a long stretch of glimmering white sand, as well as calm waters that are ideal for swimming. Since this area is less developed, there is a great variety of local plants all along the shoreline, from cacti to sea grape trees, as well as plenty of sea grass that gets washed up onto the shore.

Bolongo Bay
A beautiful beach that is lined with coconut palm trees, Bolongo Bay is often quiet, meaning that you can enjoy a peaceful and relaxing day. Since there is a fantastic restaurant and bar located on the beach, it is quite easy to spend the whole day here, snacking away on local dishes and sipping on tropical cocktails. For those who want some more action, Bolongo Bay also has a watersports concession stand, where you can rent out water bikes, kayaks, and other equipment.

Brewer's Bay

Brewer’s Bay
Lying adjacent to the University of the Virgin Islands, Brewer’s Bay is an exceptionally clean beach, and this is largely down to the fact that it is regularly maintained by students of the university. The beach is filled with beautiful sea shells and other treasures, while the road in front of it is lined with food trucks that sell a range of local street snacks, from Johnny cakes to salted fish to burgers.

Secret Harbour
Secret Harbour is home to one of the best snorkeling spots on the island, with turquoise waters and a coral reef that are simply teeming with fish. There are palm trees scattered across the beach, giving it quite the tropical vibe, and a large floating raft anchored in the middle of the bay, which is perfect for soaking up the sun, and plenty of fun for children to play on. This is another beach that has a highly rated beach bar and restaurant, making it another popular spot for those who want to spend the day lounging on the pristine white sand.

The beaches around the Caribbean are known all over the world, and St. Thomas is home to several spectacular ones. From the intimacy of Little Magens to the tropical marine life in the Secret Harbour, these beaches are all worth exploring when visiting Rock City.

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Gourmet Food Trucks at Venice Beach

Food truck sign

The food truck scene has had a huge impact on LA, and there are now food trucks to be found throughout the city. Venice Beach is visited by a variety of different food trucks, from grilled cheese sandwiches to simple tacos to Indian street food snacks, but, if you want something slightly more sophisticated and indulgent, head on over to one of these unbeatable gourmet food trucks.

Komodo
Rated by many as being the top gourmet food truck in Los Angeles, one of Komodo’s food trucks is regularly parked up at Venice Beach. Komodo serves up gourmet pan-Asian cuisine, mixing the best of Modern Californian cuisine with Asian highlights to create fusion dishes that you will never forget. The ingredients used are always of the freshest quality, as well as 100% organic, resulting in restaurant quality dishes each and every time. From the spicy Singaporean-style shrimp to the Indonesian braised pork rendang, to the crab cakes with a curry aioli, these creations are ones that people keep returning back for time and time again.

Dogtown Dog
Dogtown Dog has been serving up gourmet hot dogs since 2009, and their success is largely due to the amazing flavors that they pair the humble hot dog with. Expect to see toppings such as crispy hardwood smoked bacon, basil aioli, crisp fennel slaw, and spicy salsa fresca, and any vegetarians out there will definitely appreciate that there is a Soy Dog option for the entire menu.

Koji Korean BBQ
Serving up gourmet Korean fusion dishes, the Koji Korean BBQ truck has won numerous awards, and is known for giving birth to the Korean taco movement. The flavors are bold, rich and well-balanced, and while there may be many Korean street food barbecue touches to the dishes, they are most definitely of a gourmet quality – something that many renowned critics would agree with. Some of the permanent fixtures on the menu include the Short Rib Taco, the Kogi Kimchi Quesadilla, and the Spicy Pork Burrito, but there are also delicious specials created every day, such as the Pork Belly Kimchi Fried Rice Cake served with an Egg Shisho Salad.

The Urban Oven
Specializing in gourmet wood-fired pizza, the Urban Oven’s truck contains its very own custom-made wood-fired oven, bringing authentic artisanal pizzas to Venice Beach and the rest of LA. Each pizza is made t Continue reading article →