Plant Food + Wine

It took me a while to get to Plant Food + Wine. The vegan/raw concept turned out to be a hard sale for my usual dining partners in crime. Finally, the right dining opportunity presented itself with the best companion I could have asked for, a long-time friend who happens to be a compassionate yogi. […]

Read More…

A HOPPY kind of Christmas

New year. New tradition. Last year, I wrote all about a holiday wine tasting party I had recently hosted. This year, for a change, I’m writing about “hoppy” kind of celebration. You guessed it, beer! Now I am not referring to just your everyday Miller Light and Budweiser. This casual tasting I hosted focused solely on elite craft beer. Luckily, I […]

Read More…

New kid on the block- SIENA TAVERN

I’ve been meaning to visit Chicago’s Siena Tavern for a while, but I’ve never gotten around to it.  Back home, for nostalgic reasons, the sight of the abandoned former China Grill space always saddened me. Luckily for me, I now get to enjoy Siena Tavern in my own backyard and see the 5th and Washington corner come […]

Read More…

The Happiest Place on Earth: Napa Valley

Contrary to popular belief, the happiest place on earth is NOT Disney World. Not even close. The happiest place on earth is Napa Valley. What’s not to love? The sum of perfect weather, food, and wine equals pure joy. Neatly nestled within acres of distinct wineries, Napa Valley is also home to some of the best restaurants nationwide. If you love to eat and drink to your heart’s desire, this is the perfect place to visit year round. A very HAPPY one at that.

Read More…

SOBEWFF: East ‘Meats’ West Dinner

Take a second and do this right now: go to your calendar, find October and jot down “Buy tickets for the 2015 SOBEWFF dinner at Bourbon Steak.” Then, find February 2015, and jot down “Send The Whet Palette a thank you note.” It’s no secret that I am a big fan of both Bourbon Steak […]

Read More…

South Florida Strip Mall Jewels: Part 2

I started The Whet Palette exactly one year ago today.  My first post on this blog highlighted ten wonderful restaurants with locations hidden inside your every day strip mall: restaurants that are anything but typical. It’s only fitting that I celebrate this special anniversary with a sequel post to the original. I present to you, […]

Read More…

The Whet Palette Turns One!

I can’t believe it has been a year already! Allow me to whet your appetite by taking a quick look back at the posts I shared with you this past year. South Florida Strip Mall Jewels: Part 1 “It is hard to have a day go by where we don’t visit a strip mall. You […]

Read More…

Wine, cheese, and holiday fun

The holidays are here again. They came abruptly as a reminder that the year, once again, has flown by. We find ourselves running around trying to tie up lose ends, buying that elusive last gift, and organizing everything for Christmas morning. By the time January 1st comes around, we will be exhausted. We will begin […]

Read More…

Parrot Cay, Secret Place of Bliss

Turks and Caicos is not a destination I had planned on visiting this year (or ever again). The last time I visited was over a decade ago. That first trip was a glamorous, work related one which involved working out, make up artists, hairdressers, professional calendar photo-shoots, and a lot of dancing. The previous year I had visited Jamaica for the same reason: “work.” I was so in love with Jamaica then that the thought of Turks and Caicos did not wow me as much.

Read More…