Planning Your Pacific Coast Adventure

Preparing properly is crucial when planning a journey to Mexico’s Pacific Coast to ensure a seamless and enjoyable experience. An often overlooked aspect of many travel itineraries is insurance. Securing comprehensive travel insurance in Mexico is essential, especially if you plan to engage in activities like surfing, which carry inherent risks. It covers medical emergencies and potential injuries and safeguards against unexpected trip interruptions or cancellations. Adequate travel insurance offers peace of mind, allowing you to embrace your adventure confidently.

Top Surf Spots to Explore

The allure of the Pacific Coast’s surf is undeniable, with its powerful breaks drawing surfers from around the globe. Here are some of the must-visit surf spots along this captivating coastline:

Sayulita: Located north of Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita is known for its laid-back vibe and an array of surf breaks suitable for all levels. The beach town thrives with bohemian charm, offering surf lessons for beginners and thrilling waves for the more experienced. After a day on the waves, enjoy a refreshing drink from one of the beachfront bars and watch the sun dip below the horizon.

Puerto Escondido: Home to the famous Mexican Pipeline, Puerto Escondido is a legendary surf destination that attracts wave chasers seeking adrenaline-pumping rides. Zicatela Beach is particularly famed for its formidable waves, making it ideal for seasoned surfers. For those less experienced, nearby beaches like Playa Carrizalillo offer gentler swells and stunning ocean views.

Mazatlán: Known for its golden sands and consistent waves, Mazatlán is a vibrant city combining cultural richness and thrilling surf opportunities. The local surf community is welcoming, and many surf schools are available for visitors wanting to learn or hone their skills.

Ixtapa: This surreal beach resort area lies next to the Pacific Ocean in the city of Zihuatanejo. From high-end golf courses to gorgeous beaches (perfect for surfing) to excellent restaurants, Ixtapa is downright dreamy. For the ultimate experience in Ixtapa book a room at the Cala de Mar Resort and Spa. Most rooms in this cliffside hotel have private patios with pools overlooking the ocean. The daily corona and guacamole drop-off for happy hour is a fun amenity, the spa is sublime, and the restaurants have great local dishes as well as American classics, all made with the freshest ingredients. You might also catch whales swimming by in the ocean during the day, and the sunset is beautiful every evening. If you need an activity in between all the relaxation, consider a sunset cruise or a surf lesson! 

Experiencing the Magic of Pacific Sunsets

After a day of surfing or exploring, there’s nothing quite like witnessing a Pacific Coast sunset. The skies transform into a canvas of vivid colors, making the evening the perfect time to relax and reflect on the day’s adventures. Here are some ideal spots to enjoy this daily spectacle:

Rincón de Guayabitos: This family-friendly beach destination offers calm waters during the day and puts on a mesmerizing sunset show in the evening. The sight of the sun slowly sinking into the ocean creates a serene atmosphere perfect for couples and families alike.

San Pancho (San Francisco): Just a short drive from Sayulita, San Pancho is a quieter alternative for those seeking tranquility. With its charming street markets and artisanal shops, this picturesque village is a splendid place to unwind and enjoy the stunning hues of a Pacific sunset.

Barra de Navidad: A lesser-known gem on the Pacific Coast, Barra de Navidad offers a peaceful escape with its serene beaches. The sunsets are an intimate experience, often viewed from a hammock on the beach or a cozy seaside café.

Cultural Enrichment and Local Cuisine

Mexico is a culinary hub in Latin America, and Mexico’s Pacific Coast is just as rich in culinary delights. Each town along the coast has its unique flavor, but they all share a common love for fresh seafood, vibrant salsas, and handcrafted tacos. Be sure to try the region’s specialties, such as grilled marlin and aguachile, a spicy seafood dish similar to ceviche.

Local festivals and markets provide insight into the traditions and craftsmanship of the region. Towns like Puerto Vallarta host lively celebrations highlighting the area’s music, dance, and artisan crafts. Immersing yourself in these cultural events is a rewarding way to understand the region’s rich heritage.

Mexico’s Pacific Coast: The Verdict

Mexico’s Pacific Coast is a treasure trove of natural beauty, adventure, and cultural richness. Its perfect blend of thrilling surf and tranquil sunsets promises an unforgettable experience for every traveler. By preparing with essentials like travel insurance, you can embark on your Pacific Coast journey with peace of mind, ready to embrace all this stunning region offers. Whether you’re riding the waves or savoring the colors of the sunset, the memories you create here will last a lifetime.

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The Food

The menu at Ceibo is small, but full of gems. Kick things off with the house-made bread and butter, and maybe the green herb salad. Salad is boring, you say? Not Ceibo’s–with pearl onions and shards of a gorgeous, fruity Venetian cheese called Ubriaco Rosso, dressed in a light sherry vinaigrette, this salad is perfect for wetting your palate without filling you up.

Next: plums served on a pillowy bed of creamy ricotta cheese, adorned with candied peanuts and honey to complement the plums. But the leek tart is the highlight of the menu. The buttery puff pastry cup, taleggio cheese, and delicate onion flavor of leeks make for a winning combination. Uruguayans are famous for their love of cheese, and chef Nacho Olivera is no exception. He proudly highlights the wide variety of cheeses that are popular in Uruguay.

Alongside your leek tart, be sure to sample the white asparagus. At Ceibo, the delicate spears are soaked in a velvety beurre blanc sauce, and topped with crispy breadcrumbs to add crunch. Craving more? Pickled eggplant in an eggplant ragu, hearty potato wedges, and oysters are also on the menu. But you may (must!) want to save room for dessert. The chocolate cake is a dream, with a generous pour of sweet dulce de leche sauce, as are the sweet and bright strawberries with lemon meringue. Don’t leave without ordering the Marti Fierro, a traditional Uruguayan dessert consisting of cheese topped with quince paste. Simple but delicious, the dish is named after Martín Fierro, who was an activist for gauchos, Uruguayan cowboys, as this was his favorite dessert.

The Drinks

If you fancy a cocktail, try the pomelo, gin, grapefruit, orange, and yerba mate beverage, which showcases the beloved South American tea. For wine, don’t pass over the Uruguay red wine, made with tannat, Uruguya’s national grape that oozes with spiciness and depth of flavor.

The Vibe at Ceibo

Ceibo is quiet, cozy, and intimate. It’s great for dinner with a date or a small group of friends. The staff is friendly and eager to share their tips on what to order. There’s nothing not to love!

The Verdict

Ceibo is a special addition to the Adams Morgan neighborhood and will quickly become a date night favorite!

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The Food at Aventino

Like all of Mike Friedman’s spots, the Italian fare at Aventino is hearty and mouth-watering. Kick off your meal with a traditional Roman flatbread called pizza rossa, simply topped with a jammy tomato conserva, sea salt and Sicilian oregano, and meaty artichokes smothered in buttery and crispy breadcrumbs and a lemony dressing, with elegant mint leaves as a garnish. From there, choose from a variety of pastas. For something decadent, try the cacio e pepe. Made with thick spaghetti strands called tonnarelli, the cheese and black pepper sauce is like a warm blanket that will wrap you up from the inside out. The ricotta-stuffed cappelletti is another great choice, with a creamy sunchoke-infused sauce and sunchoke chips for a crunchy note. Dessert options are equally as irresistible; the budino with dark chocolate ganache is decadent and luscious; the Amalfi lemon float is fun and unique with vanilla gelato and lemon granita doused in a juniper soda, and the apple cake comes with a gorgeous olive oil gelato that is just the right combination of sweet-salty-fruity-creamy.

The Drinks

Ranging from fun and unique to classic, there is a cocktail for everyone on this menu. For drinks on the lighter side, try the Sicilian spritz for something lesser known, made with Lambrusco and blood orange, or a classic Aperol spritz. For a boozier option, there is the pink lotus with Aperol, gin, lemon, egg white, and orange bitters, or a standard delicious negroni with gin, Campari, and vermouth.

The Vibe

The golden light fixtures, velvety bar stools surrounding the oval-shaped bar, and warm wooden floors are all recipes for an inviting dining experience. The staff is as warm and friendly as the décor, and the only issue will be getting a reservation at this already well-known spot.

The Verdict

This is already our new favorite spot in Bethesda! Aventino can get busy so make sure to reserve in advance. If you’re in Washington, D.C., check Mike Friedman’s other spots too. The Red Hen is also one of our favorites!

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Rangoon: Burmese Garlic Noodles

Located in Chelsea, Rangoon has a comfortable, inviting interior and sensational menu full of classic Burmese dishes, including crispy squash tempura, served alongside a garlicky tamarind sauce, and Burmese egg curry, where boiled eggs come swimming in a chunky tomato sauce. The real highlight on the menu, however, is the garlic noodles, called kyarsen si chet in Burmese. Made with light and fresh thin rice noodles, the dish is bursting with the flavor of garlic in every strand. Shards of stir-fried cabbage, a handful of chopped green onions, and a sprinkling of fried shallots bring color and texture to the dish, serving as just the right contrast to the silky noodles. Garlic lovers, this dish is calling your name.

Le Bernardin: French Truffle Pasta

The truffle pasta at Eric Ripert’s French Le Bernardin is nothing short of extraordinary. The house-made tagliatelle is infused with Perigord black truffle, cooked to perfection, and then swirled in the most sinfully creamy black truffle butter sauce. The noodles will literally melt in your mouth. Savor every single bite.

Soda Club: Italian Bucatini

Soda Club offers up a host of delicious pasta (insider tip: you can sample all of them if you do their six-course pasta tasting, which is $75 AND includes a bottle of wine!), but the most comforting of them all is their bucatini. The hollow noodles are smothered in a bold arrabbiata sauce and then topped with crispy breadcrumbs and shards of vegan parmesan cheese. It’s a classic comfort dish that never gets old.

Hao Noodle: Chinese Dan Dan Noodles

The sunlit, plant-filled dining room at Hao Noodle is the perfect spot for enjoying a bowl of dan dan noodles. The thin noodles are tossed in a gorgeous, heady sauce comprised of peanuts, sesame, chili oil, and scallions. Each bite is full of the nutty flavor of peanut and sesame, the spicy warmth of chili oil, and the chewy goodness of the noodles.

Suram: Japanese Impossible Tan Tan Ramen

There is nothing not to love about ramen, and the impossible ramen at Suram is particularly divine. The chewy, springy ramen noodles are soaked in a smooth miso broth and crowned with spicy impossible meat, meaty mushrooms, and crunchy bamboo shoots and scallions. It is so warm and flavorful that you will keep eating well beyond being full!

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There’s nothing like the sound of a Champagne bottle popping to signify a special occasion. In this day and age, restaurants and wine shops are full of a plethora of options of both Champagnes and sparkling wines from around the world, ranging from Spanish Cava to Italian Lambrusco to French Crémant, but there is something extra fun about visiting a bar that is specifically dedicated to bubbles. This Valentine’s Day, or the next time you have something to celebrate, or even for no reason at all, visit one of the Champagne bars in D.C. with your partner or bestie or to toast yourself.

For a French-themed fizz bar experience: Apero

If you want to feel like you are enjoying a glass of champagne in a Parisian café in France, Apero, located in Georgetown, is the place for you. This intimate wine and Champagne bar in D.C. offers a cozy and chic space to indulge in a glass or bottle of sparkling wine alongside classic French fare. The menu of champagnes and sparkling wines is extensive; feel free to ask your server for a recommendation, and they will be more than happy to guide you. Pair your beverage with crunchy potato chips served with French onion dip or decadent black truffle and Gruyère gougères, and you have the recipe for an extraordinary evening.

For a fizz bar experience with fizzy cocktails: Bar Jo

Located inside Josephine’s, a French brassiere in Alexandra, Bar Jo is a charming hidden bar within the restaurant that specializes in bubbles and fizzy cocktails. The bubbly cocktails include gems like Hemingway’s kir royal, a boozy twist on a Kir Royal where the sparkling wine and cassis are combined with absinthe, the pamplemousse spritz, with vodka, grapefruit, lime, and sparkling wine for those who love a bitter element, and the classic champagne cocktail, with sparkling wine, sugar, and bitters, for those who love a cocktail with a hint of sweetness. Feeling peckish? Sample one of the many items on the French-themed menu, including butternut squash soup, Marconi gratin, and a daily changing cheese plate.

For a fun and casual fizz bar experience: Pop

From the catchy pop tunes to the sound of bottles popping, you are immediately set up for a fun evening as soon as you walk through the door of Pop. This champagne bar in D.C. or “fizz bar” is located in Shaw, from the same folks who brought you Maxwell, one of the most popular wine bars in the city. Choose something from the extensive list of bubbles; there is champagne by the glass and half bottle, which allows you the opportunity to sample several different kinds of sparkling wine, and there is also a lengthy bottle list if you feel like splurging. The bar even has options for fizzy canned cocktails like a Negroni made with Lambrusco and a cucumber and lemon-lime hard seltzer. Lowbrow snacks eliminate any pretension that comes with the word champagne; indulge in fried pickles, truffle fries, and Detroit-style pizza, all of which pair surprisingly well with a glass of bubbly.

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THE WEST COAST OPTION: Ojo Santa Fe

The Resort: Ojo Santa Fe is a serene and scenic venue for a spa vacation. I went with my sister and one of my best friends from college and we got a two-bedroom casita, with a patio, fireplace, and small bar area, which was more than enough room for three people! The property is huge and I highly recommend spending some time strolling around and admiring the landscape.

The Spa: The spa itself offers massages, facials, and body treatments. The hot stone massage is especially wonderful, and for those who really need some healing, try the CBD massage. In addition to spa treatments, visitors get to enjoy gorgeous circular thermal pools that look over a small lake. The view from the pools is intoxicatingly dreamy! You also have the option to book private thermal pools and a saltwater pool for swimming.

Beyond the Spa: There is so much!

Visit the puppy patch: The most exciting part of this resort is that they host a small animal shelter for puppies on the property and every morning guests can go and play with the puppies! We had the most wonderful time with the little pups.

Hiking: The hotel offers guided hikes around Santa Fe. Our tour guide took us on a challenging hike on Atalaya Mountain Hiking Trail where had gorgeous views of Santa Fe and got to marvel at the southwestern flora and fauna.

Dining and Imbibing: The hotel has a charming restaurant with floor-to-ceiling windows called The Blue Heron, as well as a bar on site where you can order craft cocktails. Be sure to visit late at night where you can take your drink outside by the fire pit.

Yoga, Pilates, Archery & More: We were too lazy to do anything beyond yoga but for the more active they have a bunch of activities like archery and disc golf!

Santa Fe: Santa Fe has so much to offer. We jumped in an uber and went downtown for a self-guided walking tour and dinner plus drinks two different evenings. Here are a few recommendations:

Fiesta Oaxaca: Dynamite vegan Meixcan fare! We indulged in enchiladas with mole sauce, nachos, tacos, rice and beans – pretty much the whole menu.

El Callejon: Our favorites at this awesome taqueria included squash and poblano tacos, sprinkled with queso fresco, huge platters of nachos, a portabello mushroom torta, fajitas, and a cheesy chile relleno.

Gruet Winery: We loved our visit to the downtown wine tasting room. The Gruet family hails from Champagne, France, and opened a winery in New Mexico because they found the terroir to best match that of champagnes for their sparkling wine endeavors. The winery yields impeccable sparkling wine and at the tasting room, you can sample several different varieties via a sparkling wine flight or one of their fancy sparkling wine cocktails.

El Dorado’s Agave Lounge: This upscale cocktail bar in the El Dorado hotel has fantastic margaritas and a really unique heart of palm ceviche served with coconut cream and plantain chips.

THE EAST COAST OPTION: The Hershey Spa

The Resort: The Hershey Hotel has guestrooms, suites, and cottages depending on what you are looking for. I went with a girlfriend and we just got a guestroom which was perfect for a one-night getaway. It’s also a great spa vacation option for those living in Washington, DC or Philly as it is a relatively short drive.

The Spa: The Hershey Spa, appropriately referred to as the chocolate spa, is pretty luxurious. Treatments are super relaxing and there is a multitude of relaxation rooms, steam rooms, and a sauna. Complimentary coffee and water are offered, as well as however many Hershey kisses you can eat! The chocolate pedicure is pretty fun, and there is even a chocolate wrap and a chocolate facial.

Beyond the Spa:

Visit the Butterfly Atrium at the Hershey Gardens: The Hershey Gardens are beautifully maintained and the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll. The Butterfly Atrium is indoors and pays homage to Milton Hershey’s love of butterflies.

Physical Activities: You probably will want to burn some calories after consuming copious amounts of chocolate; luckily the resort offers workout classes, a pool with a private area for adults, and hiking trails.

Dining and Imbibing: Several restaurants are available on the property. I recommend Trevi 5 for delicious Italian food (the garden saffron pappardelle is buttery and perfect!) and the Iberian Lounge for cocktails before or after dinner. The menu includes a signature Hershey kiss martini which is all a part of the Hershey experience! For breakfast, visit the Harvest restaurant for a decadent buffet full of pancakes, fruit, pastries, and made-to-order omelets.

Hershey, PA: We went into town one day to visit the Hershey Museum which provided a really interesting history of the town and the founder of the Hershey company. Milton Hershey’s rags to riches story is truly heartwarming, especially considering all he has done for the town of Hershey.

THE INTERNATIONAL SPA VACATION OPTION: Chable Yucatan

The Resort: Chable Yucatan is absolutely breathtaking. Located in the Yucatan jungle the property is studded with impeccably maintained trees and flowers and gardens and plants. The casitas are surreal, with individual pools and outdoor rain showers. It is one of the most luxurious hotels I have ever stayed in.

The Spa: The Spa at Chable is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the world. Each individual spa hut features a balcony where you will overlook an untouched cenote while your feet are washed by your masseuse and you sip a cold cocoa beverage. Visitors to the spa also get access to a wellness swimming pool and a health food restaurant.

Beyond the Spa:

Biking: Your casita comes with your own bicycle so might as well bike around the property and enjoy the jungle!

Visit a Cenote: Cenotes are natural, cool water lagoons often located in caves. In chochola, where Chable is located, there is the San Ignacio cenote. You pay a small fee to descend down a rocky flight of stairs where you can swim in a real cenote. Don’t miss this experience! It’s a short bike ride away from Chable.

Cooking Classes: The Yucatan has a rich Mayan heritage and at Chable you can sign up for an authentic Mayan cooking class. The class takes place in a small hut, where the chefs show you how to make sikil pak, a pumpkin seed dip, fresh tortillas made from masa for tacos, pumpkins stuffed with mushrooms and cheese, and bunuelos drizzled with honey and sugar.

Dining and Imbibing: The hotel hosts a poolside restaurant where you can have fresh fruit and fruit juices, enfrijoladas, molletes, and other divine Mexican breakfast and lunch dishes. For dinner, I recommend I’Xim, Chable’s fine dining restaurant which has one of the largest tequila selections in the world. From charred cabbage cooked underground in the traditional Mayan style to roasted cauliflower doused in a spice sauce to burnt honey ice cream this is an experience of a lifetime.

Merida: Merida is the capital of the state of Yucatan in Mexico and it’s definitely worth a visit. We hired a driver through Chable, and went one afternoon for lunch to dine at the famous Nectar restaurant. Onions fries in a charcoal black tempura batter are one of the tastiest and interesting dishes I have ever sampled. Instead of serving the dipping mayonnaise on the side, it comes inside the crunchy shell! Kale and chaya patties are dense and delicious, and sweet potato served with a local peanut vinaigrette is surreal. This will be one of the best meals of your trip!

The Verdict

You need a spa vacation. We all need many spa vacations in our lives! Visit any one of these spots for the ultimate in relaxation and good food and drinks.

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BOOK YOUR OWN PRIVATE YURT

Fiola, and Fiola Mare, both owned and run by the famous Fabio Trabocchi, have set up yurts for reservation in their outdoor space. The yurts are well insulated and have heating installed, so no matter how cold you get, you will not feel the chill! I dined in one of the yurts at Fiola, and both service and food were exquisite. Waiters enter through a small zipped-up door, but you are very cozy and private for the most part. Food options include everything from rich, wintery squash soup, decadent risotto, and gorgeous foraged mushrooms. Extras like puff pastry breadsticks, palate cleansers, and coffee cake to go for breakfast the next day make the dining experience all the more special.

HAVE DRINKS IN AN IGLOO

Halfsmoke is a casual dining venue in Shaw, with classic American bar fare like tater tots, mac n cheese bites, and of course sausages (including a veggie option!). This winter, they took over a nearby lot and set up a winter wonderland, complete with igloos outfitted with heaters and speakers, which will connect to your phone so that you can play your favorite tunes. The vibe is perfect for outdoor dining in Washington, DC. Choose from a bevy of wintery cocktails, including hot toddies and spiked hot chocolate, and spend the evening listening to music and catching up with friends.

DINE IN A CHALET

Everything about H Street’s sweet dining venue Stable is perfect for winter. The cozy private chalets are one of the most popular outdoor dining options in Washington, DC. Complete with pillows and blankets, the food menu is full of winter delights like heady cheese fondue and an assortment of beverages to warm you up, including fragrant mulled wine. I had the most wonderful evening there stuffing myself with melted cheese and earthy wines.

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The Drinks

While we might not be on island time, the current weather is feeling just as hot and sticky in DC. We started off with a round of drinks to cool down immediately after arriving. The drink menu at Coconut Club DC boasts a number of fun, island-inspired cocktails as well as its namesake – a freshly cracked coconut.

The Food

When it comes to food, Coconut Club DC is all about sharing. The menu is made up of shareable, tapas-style plates – perfect for trying a variety of dishes. For a classic seafood start, try the fresh poke served with lotus root chips. We also got an order of the grilled baby bok choy, which we, unfortunately, found a bit bland and under-seasoned.

Spam lovers rejoice! An entire section of the menu is lovingly dedicated to the infamous canned meat, including an open-faced musubi, fried rice, and a patty melt. At the recommendation of our server, we went with the spam fried rice that came with a soft egg, crispy shallots, and sprinkles of furikake.

And for the grand finale: the kalua pork lazy susan! Served on a mini lazy susan, this big plate comes with warm King’s Hawaiian rolls, pickles, green onions, crispy shallots, and – of course – a big bowl of tender kalua pork. This might be my nostalgia for those sweet Hawaiian rolls talking, but it was definitely my favorite dish of the night. The pork was delicious and we all had a great time assembling our own mini sandwiches.

Coconut Club DC: The Verdict

Whether you’re looking for tasty small plates, tropical cocktails, or a trendy aesthetic, the island vibes are in full force at Coconut Club DC! Looking for an island brunch getaway instead? You’re in luck! Coconut Club just began rolling out its weekend brunch menu, featuring a much-anticipated loco moco plate.

Coconut Club DC, 540 Penn Street NE, Washington, DC 20002, Website

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To her, food and cooking are pretty essential ingredients in Asian culture – an idea that is also evident in the latest cultural, Hollywood hit Crazy Rich Asians. Drawing inspiration from the film, Chef Kathy Fang has cooked up her own decadent dishes, paying homage to the indulgent threads of the movie. As our latest Travel Influences spotlight, Fang takes us through her food and travel inspirations and journeys…

1. How does travel influence the menu at your restaurant?

My travels influence my menu a lot. I always come back with fresh ideas and inspiration from my travels on how to tweak traditional Chinese dishes and make it my own. New spices, new ingredients, new flavors, new ways of serving dishes. You can always expect a few new dishes to pop up off the menu when I come back from a trip.

2. How did you get inspired to make your “crazy rich” dishes?

[Crazy Rich Asians] got me hungry, especially watching the street food scenes. It made me think of comfort food, specifically noodles, which is one of my favorite things to eat whether done as an Asian dish or as an Italian dish. Nothing beats the perfect bowl of noodles and in true Crazy Rich Asian style, I spiffed up the dishes with some rich decadent ingredients like lobster, Uni, crab.

3. It’s obvious that cooking runs in the family. Between growing up in the kitchen of your family’s restaurant, House of Nanking, and then opening your own establishment with your father, Fang Restaurant, do you feel that food and cooking intertwine your family and culture?

Absolutely! Food is a such a big thing in Asian culture, especially in Chinese families. Every family gathering centers around eating. We don’t do anything else when we get together but cook and eat. My fondest memories growing up have all been centered around cooking with my parents and all my relatives. Wonton wrapping, egg roll wrapping, soups, clay pot rice – everyone has a task and we work as a team. We pay respect to each other by coming to lunches and dinners to share a meal and see each other. I wouldn’t be who I am without all those experiences. Family first always!

4. What was your inspiration behind branching out from the family business and opening up Fang Restaurant?

My inspiration came from all my travels and exposure to food in Asia. I always find new exciting ways of doing things there. Chinese food is constantly evolving there and that’s what I want Fang to be like. Chinese food that evolves over time, where we don’t serve the same dishes that everyone else serves and has been serving for the last 30 years. The food should reflect the chef’s personality and train of thought. As I grow and change over time, so does my food. The food at Fang should evolve over time as I do.

5. As a young adult, you originally pursued a corporate career after studying operations management and entrepreneurship at the University of Southern California. What led to you leaving this behind to enroll in culinary school a few years later?

I felt stifled and bored in the corporate world. I get excited by the thought of creating new things. And in the corporate world, I didn’t get to tap into this passion of mine, this spark and desire to create. I was just another cog in a machine asked to fulfill a responsibility. It was mind-numbing. When I realized that the monthly goodie bag of mislabeled beauty products was what I looked forward to the most when working at Neutrogena, I finally called it quits. I needed something that excites me.

I worked at my dad’s restaurant when I was young and loved it. I love food and I love to create, so it was a no-brainer. Culinary school was the most fun I’ve ever had in any school. It was like playtime every week for 8 hours straight.

6. What’s your top travel tip?

Top travel tip: try to find some kind of offer or activity that involves you experiencing the culture and food of the city through a local. I don’t mean through a tour guide. I mean through an actual local. I did this when I traveled to Vietnam and Italy and it allowed me to make this unforgettable connection to people outside of my race and my culture. It makes you realize how similar we all are at the end of the day and how beautiful our world is when it’s filled with some many different kinds of people, culture and food.

You can discover more about Chef Kathy’s journey by checking out her website, which offers insight and recipes inspired by her travels and culinary experience!

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America, The Beautiful

It doesn’t matter how many places you visit, and I must say, I try to get out as often as I can, there’s still a long list of places for me to see. The Grand Canyon, the vineyards of the Pacific Northwest, and an Alaskan summer are all among my dream list. Just putting that out there to the universe. However, I would like to pay homage to some of the beautiful places I have been able to cover on the Dining Traveler.

Washington, DC

Well yes, I have a bias! I get to live in the capital of the United States. I knew that when the time came to repatriate to the United States after living abroad, I was going to live here. The atmosphere is cultured, dynamic, and diverse. Driving along 14th Street and seeing the Washington Monument with Marine One flying over never gets old… Here’s how to spend one day in Washington, DC. 

New York City

Yes, New York City makes every list and understandably so. For me, it’s not about the sights-I must confess that I have never been to the Statue of Liberty! It’s about the people. They adapt and overcome the craziness that is NYC. They have lived, they are storytellers. You can meet someone from every corner of the world. There’s a beautiful anonymity that comes from walking the streets of New York City.  Never been to the big apple? Here are my tips on planning a trip to New York City. 

Santa Monica, California

Can’t believe it took me 37 years to go to Santa Monica. This sunny seaside town in Southern California embodies the classic American beach town. As the sun sets beyond the colorful Santa Monica Pier Ferris Wheel, you see the bohemians riding their bikes along the boardwalk.  Looking for where to stay in Santa Monica? I loved my stay at the Viceroy Santa Monica.

Phoenix, Arizona

Upon arriving in Phoenix a few years ago, I was enthralled by the saguaros. Some of these cacti are centuries old. They welcome you in along the hiking trails, at a mall parking lot, or at a pool side bar. It is  constant reminder that you are in the desert. My highlight of the trip was going on a hot air balloon ride and taking in the stunning desert landscape. Where to stay in Phoenix? The architectural masterpiece that is the Arizona Biltmore.

Savannah, Georgia

I still haven’t posted about Savannah, but it’s in the works. I recently spent two days in this beautiful southern town and was completely charmed by its beauty. The colorful row homes, the idyllic squares, and the decadent southern meals are a reason to return. It was our first road trip with la piccola which made the experience that much more memorable.

Dorchester County, Maryland

If you love good food, bird watching, and lighthouses, Dorchester County is the place for you. This region of Maryland is home to the Chesapeake Bay, blue crabs, and oysters. Take in the view of the many lighthouses with a local RAR craft beer. Spot a bald eagle as you kayak along the marshes leading to the bay. Here’s how to spend two days in Dorchester County, Maryland.

Virginia Wine Country

We’re fortunate to have a thriving wine country just an hour’s drive away from Washington, DC.  From Middleburg to Charlottesville, the region is lined with modern wineries. After all, legend has it that Thomas Jefferson was one of the first winemakers in the United States. One of my favorite wines is a Blanc de Blanc from Greenhill Winery, located in Middleburg, Virginia. This sparkling wine gives Champagne a run for its money. Here are five wineries in Loudoun County to check out.

Let’s Agree on the Beauty

The list can go on and on with the captivating, interesting, and gorgeous places that this country has to offer. From Miami to Colorado, it’s been great to look at all the fun memories I have shared here on The Dining Traveler. When we find ourselves in the rabbit hole of negativity, let’s meet in the middle and talk about how gorgeous our country is.

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