Tag Archives: drinking in Europe

Lines of London

by Wendy

Part of a trip is often deciding where you want to wait in line.

I think my Disney-loving family would agree, and I’ve marveled at their strategic planning of activities and rides, considering newness, popularity, and Fast Pass options. But this applies to any destination with beloved tourist attractions, as well as any big city.

You can avoid some lines by going off the beaten track, visiting during an off-peak season, or booking in advance. A few years ago, Jack, my parents and I strolled right past a long line for the London Eye because we bought tickets in advance. This method is effective but since it holds you accountable to a schedule, requires careful consideration. You don’t want to lose your timed spot because of travel delays, or feel like you’re rushing through your vacation. Continue reading →

Dickens Bar

by Wendy

We randomly chose to visit Cocteleria Dickens in San Sebastián in 2015, and deliberately in 2019. The bar feels vaguely 70s, with dark glossy wood, shiny brass, magenta walls, mirrors and candy-color cocktails with umbrellas and pineapple. It is known for serving some of the best, if not the best, gin and tonics. There is a collection of trophies and framed photos of famous people breezing by for a famous drink. Prices are high and thus the topic of scathing internet reviews, but we find the legendary Gin y Tonic Donosti soothes sticker shock. We perch on barstools and admire their creation, a strong and beautifully blended beverage to fortify weak Spanish skills for a chat with the genial bartender about the rare bourbon on display. We sip and accept snacks and briefly talk with the older gentleman presiding over bottles at the counter; he grins and points to a page in the extensive menu listing his awards. A woman rushes in with important information for him about a Woody Allen movie scheduled to shoot in a few days. He seems nonchalant, he’s no stranger to celebrities and he’s one himself, a renowned mixologist. We do not learn if Dickens Bar will be featured in the film, but its slightly mysterious, unapologetic worn glamour and proud alcoholic pedigree provides an interesting scenic backdrop, for locals or Hollywood or those on holiday.

In Defense of Aperol Spritz

by Wendy

The recent debate whether Aperol Spritz is a good cocktail is a pointless and stupid one, which makes participation nearly irresistible. This combination of sparkling wine or champagne mixed with Aperol bitter orange liquor (a little lighter than Campari) over ice has been popular for a few years, around the time when trendsetters feel the need to take it down a peg. Sure, the drink can be saccharine if made poorly, or if you knock back too many in a row. But why the disdain? Why the controversy? Aperol Spritz can be wonderfully refreshing and delicious, and it looks so pretty in a glass. As my husband Jack said, Aperol is said and done, we love this drink. Continue reading →

Americans Drinking in Paris Part Two: Harry’s New York Bar

by Wendy
Bar Hemingway at the Ritz was brilliant, but it was not our favorite bar of this recent visit to Paris. Harry’s New York Bar has its own illustrious past and list of notable patrons, including Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, George Gershwin, Rita Hayworth, and even James Bond. Continue reading →

Americans Drinking in Paris Part One: Bar Hemingway

by Wendy
The weather is cool as Jack and I walk from our hotel to Place Vendome, a large fashionable square particularly striking as its lights glow against the evening sky. My heels click on the cobblestones and I pull on my trench coat, trying to channel a chic Parisienne. We are going to Bar Hemingway in the legendary Paris Ritz, one of the top luxury hotels in the world.

This well-known bar is on the Paris itinerary of many fans of both Ernest Hemingway’s brilliant writing and the drinks he loved. I know from research that it’s perfectly fine to visit the bar without staying overnight here, but am still impressed by the hotel staff’s cordial welcome as we enter through the revolving door. Continue reading →

Spain Wine Country

By Jack
In March of last year I was treated to an extensive trip through several of the wine producing regions of Spain. Few things are as impactful when trying to communicate the character of a wine as a hands-on visit to the source, so it’s common for producers to sponsor travel to their vineyards for those of us who work in the industry.

The trip really opened my eyes to the diversity of Spain’s geography, and their wine culture. For nine days we travelled almost 3000 miles by bus and plane (mostly bus) from the arid southern Mediterranean coast of Jerez to the cool verdant hills of Galicia. I was struck by the variety and scale of the viticulture and the country, from the venerable traditionalists of Rioja and Jerez, to the innovators of Toro and Soria. Continue reading →

Favorite Dive Bars

by Wendy
What constitutes a great dive bar? I’ve read articles and watched television shows dedicated to the topic. Does a dive bar by definition have to be at least 10 years old? Can a dive bar serve delicious food? Is a dive bar allowed to remodel anything? What if it gets “discovered” – still a dive bar? Who knew it could be so controversial.

I’m no expert. The older I get, the more I gravitate to places not too crowded but lively, not too expensive but with a decent menu, not overly-stylized but with clean facilities. Yet I can think of a few dive bars that have been special to me in the past. Continue reading →

Madrid Restaurants, Rooftops and Ordering Rueda

by Wendy
Spending an evening in Madrid? Lucky you. Jack and I would prefer at least one date night here every week. Here are some of our recent finds.

Sidreria El Escarpin– We enjoyed a drink here during a previous stay in Madrid and made the right call to order dinner this time. This restaurant features cuisine from the Asturias region in the north of Spain, including the refreshing fizzy cider (sidra). We discovered the appetizer of our dreams: fries topped with chorizo and fried eggs. This beauty pictured above, along with hearty entrees (fish for me, oxtail for Jack) and two bottles of sidra were perfect and also reasonably priced at around $70. Continue reading →

Dinner in San Sebastian: Part One

by Wendy
It’s evening in San Sebastian/Donostia and we are going for a walk. We join locals and fellow visitors strolling the long stretch of boardwalk that follows the curve of the beautiful coastline. We’re on our way to have dinner in Old Town. Continue reading →