Category Archives: DESSERTS

THE SPA AT GRAND VELAS RIVIERA MAYA, MEXICO AND SPA RECIPES

Drum roll please. And the grandest of them all—the winner—the best of the best resort spa in all of Mexico is…ta-da…Grand Velas Riviera Maya Spa.
Not that I’ve been to all the pampering places (unfortunately, something I must correct), but have been to enough to know that this one would be really hard to beat.

GEAR TO GO

Of all the travel products and paraphernalia that Sweet Leisure sampled and scrutinized lately, two rise to the surface like cream. Take one to the beach, the other on the road. But before I tell you about these useful products, I have to add a disclaimer. These are not ads. I am not paid (Damn!). […]

10 THINGS TO LOVE ABOUT LONDON IN DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS DECOR. HERE. THERE. EVERYWHERE.     WARMING AND LINGERING AT LONDON’S TOP INDOOR ATTRACTIONS           THEATRE   AFTERNOON TEA WITH A HOLIDAY THEME   ONE-STOP CHRISTMAS SHOPPING   PUBS, PUB GRUB AND HAPPY PEOPLE    FULL ENGLISH BREAKFAST   POP UP ICE RINKS AND MERRY GO ROUNDS   COSY HOTEL […]

BEST FROZEN CUSTARD IN ST. LOUIS

Seemed like a great idea. Justify an overload of indulgent frozen custard gorging, by calling it a scientific experiment. We had four days, five researchers of varying ages and were in St. Louis—America’s ultimate frozen custard city, so we conducted a study following the classic six-step scientific method. 1. INITIAL OBSERVATIONS St. Louis has a […]

MAMMOTH EATING IN MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIFORNIA

Mammoth Lakes offers vast opportunities for outdoor activities. The Sierra Nevada Mountains provide a winter wonderland for skiing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling. The Lake Basin supplies majestic lakes for fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking and swimming. And the entire region is a scenic playground for hiking, biking, camping, photography and exploring nature. But […]

SOUR CREAM COFFEE CAKE FROM ZINGERMAN’S BAKEHOUSE

For many years I’ve been trying to score the recipe for Zingerman’s best selling Sour Cream Coffee Cake. I’ve flashed my press credentials and requested the recipe at both Zingerman’s Deli  and Zingerman’s Bakeshop in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with no luck. (Well that’s not exactly true. I did feel extremely lucky that Zingerman’s shared a […]

LUSCIOUS RECIPES FROM THE BEST OF THE BEST KITCHENS

The very best (no fooling), the most divine (really) recipes from people and places (all totally superlative) to make for gift giving. (Marvelous to the max!) COFFEE RUB SEASONING MIX A coffee and spice and everything nice recipe from Jim Leonardo, chef of Vinology, the spiffy wine-bar and restaurant in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  Recipe HERE.   […]

ABSOLUTELY AMAZING APPLE MUFFINS

AUTUMN. APPLES. ABUNDANCE. ACTION PLAN: Make ABSOLUTELY AMAZING  (gluten-free, low-calorie, nutrient rich, healthful and wholesome)  APPLE MUFFINS.     ABSOLUTELY AMAZING APPLE MUFFINS Yield: 12 muffins. 1/2 cup and 1/3 cup gluten-free oats 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoons cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon allspice Big pinch nutmeg Big pinch cloves 2 eggs 2 […]

PETIT TROIS IN LOS ANGELES AND FABULOUS CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

Oh man, I’m hungry. All I can think about is the original Petit Trois in Los Angeles. This restaurant proves the proverb that good things come in small packages. Really good things. Really small packages. Located in a strip mall on Highland just off Melrose, the narrow French-focused bistro seats only 21 lucky folks on […]

ASIA AT AMERISTAR CASINO AND HONEY WALNUT SHRIMP

One can gamble on any restaurant that is run by Don Yamauchi being terrific and Asia, at Ameristar Casino in St. Charles, Missouri, is a sure winner. Chicago born Yamauchi grew up with a love of fusion food fed by his second-generation Japanese-American father and Filipina mother. After attending culinary school, he worked in a variety of […]