Traveling back to 2023
Oh, look! A time machine!
2023 had quite a number of “best” food experiences. It’s not just hard, it’s impossible, to pick just one.
House of Chimney Cakes Oreo Overload and Fashionista
In January, after an unexpected fate during what should have been a “magical” trip, my niece and I had to change course and find something else to keep us busy. Exploring the different areas of Anaheim, we stopped upon House of Chimney Cakes, where we indulged our sorrows in complete decadence. I enjoyed the oh-so fashionable “Fashionista” (chocolate ice cream, Cocoa pebbles cone, chocolate Poky sticks, chocolate sprinkles, chocolate on chocolate!) while my niece loaded up on “Oreo Overload” (Chocolate and vanilla bean swirled ice cream in an Oreo cone, Oreo pieces, Oreo wafer and topped with chocolate sauce!) The over-the-top goodness was just what we needed to boost our mood, but the overall richness made this pretty much a once-in-a-lifetime type of dessert. If you need a sugar boost: 8/10 recommend.
In May, we celebrated my birthday by going on a Farm Tour at the Hog Island Oyster Co. in Marshall, CA. Being a three hour drive from the South Bay, this California pearl (pun intended) is worth the trek. We were greeted with a cool breeze to the face and a clear beautiful sky, followed by learning all you ever need to know about oysters, California coast oysters, oyster reproduction, oyster farming, and the all-so-delicious, oyster shucking! Our tour guide was amazing, filled with knowledge and the passion for sharing it and the oysters couldn’t get any fresher! 10/10 Highly Recommend!
Bonus content! Check out this video from the day by DJ Kue
August had us visiting the Hawaiian Islands for my fourth time, but first time staying on Kaua’i, celebrating our amazing friends’ wedding in Lihu’e. As always, some of the very best food I have consumed in my entire life has been on one Hawaiian island or another. This trip was no different in that regard. The Roasted Tristan Lobster (twin tails) from Duke’s Kauai had every bite melting in my mouth. The fresh sushi from Kaua’i Sushi Station earned a 5-star review from me on my Google Local Guide account. But the real star of the trip, unexpectedly, was found on the side of the road as we walked from our resort to the local shops. The “Slow Island” from the Aloha Liege Waffles & Espresso food truck still has me dreaming of another bite, three years later. The Slow Island is a Belgian style Liege waffle topped with fresh whipped cream that is infused with coconut, POG (passionfruit, orange, guava) syrup, and topped with roasted coconut. 10/10 definitely will go back to Lihu’e, again!
Fall 2023 was a dream come-true as we took a first-time family trip to the East Coast. A full post dedicated to the delicacies of that trip forthcoming! There is one event I absolutely have to rave about. That is our private walking food tour by Cocktails and Cannoli. The owner, Pat, worked with me prior to our trip to set everything up, including working around our group’s few food restrictions. He picked out all of the spots, some of Boston’s best kept secrets and some more known spots. We ate, and ate, and ate, and drank, then ate some more. Every delicious bite and sip split between walking and learning all about the neighborhoods, the architecture, and the history of the area. This was definitely a highlight of this trip. 10/10 100% recommend!!!
