Carole Terwilliger Meyers's Blog, page 76

Good Eats: Ventana Grill, Pismo Beach, California

Ventana Grill  2575 Price St., (805) 773-0000.  L M-Sat, D daily; $$$.  Reservations advised.  Diners come here for the extraordinary ocean view and gigantic portions—the burrito was described by a waitress as “the size of a small child,” though that is an unfortunate choice of wording and an exaggeration.  Particularly tasty items include fish tacos, sea scallop salad, and tortilla soup. 

Great Sleeps: Pismo Lighthouse Suites, Pismo Beach, California

Pismo Lighthouse Suites  2411 Price St., (800) 245-2411, (805) 773-2411.  70 rooms.  Some gas fireplaces.  Heated pool; hot tub; fitness room.  Afternoon cookies at check-in; continental breakfast.  Pets ok.  Built in 1994, this bluff-top property is positioned right off the freeway and features extraordinary views from some rooms.  It is a five-minute drive from downtown and the town’s

Sights to See: St. Thomas’ Church, Leipzig, Germany

St. Thomas’ Church/Thomaskirche  Thomaskirchhof 18.  Johann Sebastian Bach was organist and choirmaster for 27 years at this circa 1212 late Gothic Lutheran church.  He is buried here. 

More things to do in Germany.

image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers

Good Eats: Xi'an Famous Foods, NYC

Xi'an Famous Foods  67 Bayard St.  No reservations.  Cash only.  A proverbial hole in the wall, this cramped spot serves up tasty filling fare fast.  Everyone buses their own trash to help keep the prices rock-bottom.  Favorite dishes include:  chewy, cold A1. vegetarian liang pi cold skin noodles made entirely of plain wheat flour (the cubes are gluten, not tofu; stir-fried hot A2. liang pi

Things to Do: Mercado Libertad, Guadalajara, Mexico

Mercado Libertad (also known as San Juan market)  On Avenida Javier Mina/Calle Independencia.  Daily 6am-8pm.  This gigantic market—it is Latin America’s largest indoor market--features traditional handicrafts and flowers and more on the ground floor, and fruits and vegetables in fondas (food stalls) on the second floor.  You can buy everything from a taco or parakeet to fine silver jewelry

Great Sleeps: Hotel Nikko, Mexico City, Mexico

Hotel Nikko  Campos Eliseos 204, in Polanco, 5283 8700.  5 stars.  43 floors.  Indoor pool; fitness center, sauna, steam room, tennis courts.  Several restaurants; coffee house-bakery off lobby; 24-hr. room service.  A favorite with business people, the Nikko’s spacious open marble lobby displays contemporary art and opens into a huge central bar area where an artificial waterfall soothes. 

Good Eats: Klein’s, Mexico City, Mexico

Klein’s  Av. P. Masaryk 360 B-2, in Polanco, 5281-0862.  This well-established cafe is a great place to have a traditional breakfast of chilaquiles or molletes (like a melted cheese open-face sandwich), and maybe some fresh-squeezed mandarin orange juice.  The patio area fills with local in the morning, and usually someone is available to shine your shoes. 

More things to do in Polanco.

Things to Do: Odem Mountain Winery/Har Odem Winery, Odem Mountain, Israel

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Good Eats: Casey’s Cupcakes, Laguna Beach, California

Casey’s Cupcakes  303 Broadway St./Ocean Ave., (949) 715-8245.  Just another cupcake shop, but the Rockin’ Red Velvet, turquoise and chartreuse Beach Boy, and Grandma’s German Chocolate are not to be missed.  Decorate-your-own-cupcake parties are available. 

More things to do in Laguna Beach. 
 

image c2013 Carole Terwilliger Meyers 

Good Eats: El Bajio, Mexico City, Mexico

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