Daughter of two professional chefs provides a young adult's perspective on food, restaurants, and eating!! follow us on facebook @Francis Xavier
New York City – where even the morning air is seasoned with something electric. Here waiting for the box office to open, surrounded by that special kind of anticipation only Broadway can stir. But even before the box office opens and the curtain even rises, […]
Tucked in the notes of Chef G, Ii came across a pearl. Weaving a bit of reference into a culinary narrative it is four deceptively simple steps that reveal the back bone of milling wheat. A closer look, and they unfold into a philosophy of […]
Summer has a way of collecting moments – art we chase, gardens we wander, meals we did not expect. On a recent trip, we went in search of color, controversy, and some how ended the day with the best burger that had a side of colorful roasted cauliflower. Todays color capture is Yellow.
It started with Blue Boy and Pink Lady – two vivid paintings that belonged together – long gazes at each other for perpetuity. We arrived eager to see them and as time allowed – the Huntington collection, knowing enough to appreciate their pop art presence, not quite enough to predict how the surrounding story would land.
Because there is a story. Pinky had been replaced. the original , a beloved fixture in the great hall – is moved to the entry hall., as if there had been silent disagreement and she walked out! controversial as the contemporary replacement contextually did not fit in the great hall. I am sure Mrs. Huntington stare could be felt by the curator during the exchange and as it is shown looking at her husband in the main entrance. To use Aunty’ s expression – Yowzers!
From there the day softened into beauty. The Chinese garden invited stillness – curved archways and bridges. Koi beneath the surface and rock pathways to slow ones step. And the Huntington rose garden, framed with lavender, color took over in a different register: Delicate, layered, fragrant. You loose time among roses. You want to.
We did not go looking for a really great burger. It found us.
It arrived with our fan fare. A simple plate, dark patty, golden bun. Besides it, roasted cauliflower- perfect with a bit of char. tender din the center and the star of the plate.. The burger? Rich, earthy spiced in a way that resisted identification and artistically presented. After all the surprise, delight and speculation, the day ended not with clarity, but with delight.
Travel does that. It throws unexpected contrasts – art and argument, gardens and really good burgers, traditions and invention. You follow the color of yellow today and if you are lucky – it leads somewhere delicious.
Some places are more than just a meal, they’re a slice of the region and the culture itself. The small town of Paxton Nebraska wears it’s heart on it’s sleeve in the shape of Ole’s Big Game Steakhouse. On the travel route lined with corn […]
Some places just settle into rhythm with out asking. City park tavern is on of those for me. I’ve been before, and i’ll go again – because every time, it delivers what i expect: Good breakfast, great views, and kind service that make you feel […]
A thoughtful nod to tradition.
Tucked in the heart of Louisville, casa Del Sol offers warm welcome and colorful plate. I stopped in and ordered the enchiladas – i dish i have come to judge with a cautious eye and hopeful palate.
Flavor wise, they hit a several right notes. The chicken was tender, and the overall profile was comforting. However, I could not help but wonder how this dish might sing if served a’la carte and baked in the traditional fashion. As it stood the filling had not seen the inside of a oven post assembly – missing the crucial step where protein meets sauce and fuse into something greater that the sum of their parts.
It’s in this detail that Casa Del Sol’s enchilada fall just shy of the gold standard. Diana Kennedy, in The Art of Mexican Cooking, reminds us that enchilada isn’t a vehicle for sauce – its a slow baked promise of depth and patience.
That said, what was served earned enough points to warrant a return. Next time I will continue working my way around the menu –
Notes from Chef G The name of Lebanese style cucumber salad – comes from thin skinned, crisp and sweet cucumbers. Profiles like lemon, garlic mint are across the cuisine. Some recipes come with history. Others come with a name – and let you wonder. This […]
From Louisville to the Midwest, One Lap at a Time Leaving Louisville, Kentucky, and driving west, I carry more than just road miles—I carry the rhythm of the water. Each pool I’ve swum in has left its mark, each stroke part of a larger journey. […]
Scotland
Prelude
It is a rainy day in Sioux City—a good day for reflection, with field coffee in hand. I stay somewhat dry as I stand in the rain, reminded that Scotland’s latitude is above Alaska’s. Long summer days, short winter nights. One does not go to Scotland for the weather; rather, one experiences all seasons in a single day. A good rule to follow in the old language: Ne’er cast a clout till May is out.
The Scottish story begins at a small farm in Cullerlie, its roots reaching back to the Picts. A small stone circle on the land intertwines history, myth, and landscape. This Bronze Age circle, thought to be a burial site, is one of many henges aligned with astronomical events. Scotland’s northeast is a land of magic, steeped in legend and folklore, where stone circles are often linked to fairy gatherings, ancient rites, and unseen energies—a timeless magic connected to something older than written history.
The Picts, known for their elaborate carvings and warrior culture, once ruled these lands. Their presence lingers in the landscape, in the old farmsteads, and in the folklore that still whispers through the hills. It was on this farm that Berta, the family matriarch, was raised.
Traveling to Scotland
Visiting Scotland is a journey to see family. The flights take about two days, landing in Aberdeen before heading south to Stonehaven.
The geographic center of our family’s connection is Stonehaven harbor. We stay at The Ship Inn, a cornerstone of the landscape, as much a part of the North Sea as the waves themselves. It becomes our home away from home, our refuge.
At the tavern, Guinness is poured to perfection—unbruised from its journey across the sea, unlike what is often served back in the States. I am convinced that transatlantic travel bruises the Guinness.
The local fare: The menu, displayed on a whiteboard above the fireplace, tempts us with smoked salmon, pickled beetroot, and goat cheese—a true delight. Fish and chips, a staple, become an obsession. By the trip’s end, I find myself preferring battered over breaded. And of course, greens are a necessity, even with fish and chips.
If you stay the night, have the full Scottish breakfast—but don’t ask what the black bits are.
The Tolbooth
The North Sea whispers against the harbor, the calm before Storm Eowyn’s arrival. A worn yet resilient path leads to the oldest building in Stonehaven. The salty breeze carries the voices of patrons inside the Tolbooth. We venture to the second floor and are delighted.
Ask for the table at the window.
This town has withstood time, tide, and storms, standing as a gathering place for centuries. The Tolbooth, once a storehouse for Dunnottar Castle, now serves treasures of a different kind—plates of fine Scottish seafood, perfected by skilled hands. A reminder that history is best served one bite at a time.
Dunnottar Castle
Just up the road from Stonehaven, a two-mile walking path leads to Dunnottar Castle. This dramatic clifftop ruin overlooks the North Sea, a paradise for history buffs and lovers of cinematic landscapes alike.
Dunnottar played a significant role in Scotland’s turbulent history, particularly during the Jacobite uprisings. One of its most famous moments occurred during Oliver Cromwell’s invasion when the Scottish crown jewels were hidden within the castle walls to keep them from English hands. After an eight-month siege, the castle fell, but locals smuggled the jewels out, preserving them for Scotland. Later, after the Jacobite rising, the British government destroyed the castle to prevent further rebellion. Dunnottar’s history is one of royalty, rebellion, and tragedy—a place we visit every time, always discovering something new.
Johnshaven & The Anchor Hotel
The Anchor Hotel in Johnshaven is worth the stop. Its menu reads like a love letter to Scotland’s coastal bounty. We’re on a quest for the perfect bowl of Cullen skink, although our waitress refuses to divulge its rating by the Cullen Skink Society. A bowl of creamy smoked haddock soup feels like a warm Scottish hug, each spoonful balanced by the earthiness of Scottish potatoes and the sweetness of leeks.
As you enter Johnshaven, pay attention to the local animal crossings.
Edinburgh
Returning to Stonehaven, one can take a direct train to Edinburgh—a two-hour journey along the coast, passing Montrose and Dundee before heading inland.
Edinburgh University was one of the schools our daughter toured. An international education would have led her down a distinctive path, and tuition was less than in-state college fees in Colorado. The university boasts grand stone buildings and hidden courtyards. Victoria Street, the inspiration for Diagon Alley in Harry Potter, is lined with quirky shops and bookstores.
While touring, Frances was invited to play a match of Muggle Quidditch—spectators included, with the opportunity to chase the golden snitch.
Ultimately, she chose a more exotic place for her studies: Omaha, Nebraska, at Creighton University. Nebraska is not for everyone, but it resonates for those who appreciate the unique.
Edinburgh’s Literary & Royal History
Robert Louis Stevenson was born in Edinburgh. His novel Jekyll and Hyde was inspired by the duality of the city and by William Brodie—a respected cabinet maker by day, a gambler and thief by night. The contrast between Edinburgh’s Old Town and New Town seems to mirror the struggle between good and evil, shadow and light.
Edinburgh also played a major role in the life of Mary, Queen of Scots—Scotland’s most famous and tragic monarch. In Edinburgh Castle, Mary gave birth to her son, James VI of Scotland, who later became James I of England, uniting the crowns of Scotland and England.
Stonehaven Boardwalk & Wild Swimming
Walking south along the Stonehaven boardwalk, one passes sweet shops and sandwich shoppes. Do stop for local flavors and great hospitality.
Wild swimming in the North Sea is a thing—a popular, albeit brief, activity before hypothermia sets in. I tried it at the local open-air swimming pool, where the water was a frigid 4°C. As an American, my participation became an international event, even documented on the Stonehaven Open Pool Cold Swim Facebook page.
Cold water immersion is not just for thrill-seekers; it is believed to have health benefits. For those who prefer contrast therapy, wood-fired hot tubs on the beach offer a warm reprieve.
Golf in Stonehaven
As family folklore goes, my father-in-law was once a caddie at the Stonehaven Golf Club. We played during the winter season and experienced all four seasons in a single round. Golf in Scotland is the holy grail.
Borrowing clubs from the establishment, we played the scenic, dramatic course perched on rugged clifftops overlooking the North Sea. The unpredictable winds were in full force—I hooked a shot, only for the wind to blow it straight back onto the green. Member’s luck.
During our round, we wore muck boots, and the course was reversed—adding to the links golf experience. Losing a ball to the North Sea is just part of the game.
A Proper Cuppa
For a true Scottish tea experience, visit the local tea shoppe across from the church. The aroma of fresh tea fills the air. Here, one does not ask for coffee—the process is almost reverential. Tradition dictates that milk is added first to the cup before the tea is poured, ensuring a smooth blend. A simple pleasure, steeped in tradition.
Other Sights for Next Time
But these require driving—on the wrong side of the road.
Walking through the historic district of Sioux City expecting a quiet stroll to take in the architecture- I was surprised and delighted at the discovery of Rebo Grill off 4th Street. What followed left a big impression. I found tacos, really good tacos. The mid […]