2024-04-13 18:55
All Bets Are Off: Mai Tai Tom’s 66 Hours In Las Vegas
Chapter Three: Sunken Treasures To Neon Pleasures
Day Three: We’re Off The Hook, On A Roll, Somber Reminders, The Unsinkable… Read More
Blog Directory > Food & Drink Blogs > Travels with Mai Tai Tom food-and-drink Blog >
2024-03-23 18:26
Fluffy Delight
Pistachio Marshmallow Salad
Sweet Side or Dessert
From my vintage recipe archives… here is a recipe from my Aunt Ann which I have not made in years and I don’t kn… Read More
2024-03-15 15:14
When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Potatoes
Lemon Mashed Potatoes
Side
Lemon mashed potatoes where have you been all my life? Wow! We were blown away by the citrusy deliciousness of these mash… Read More
2024-03-06 20:48
All Bets Are Off: Mai Tai Tom’s 66 Hours In Las Vegas
Chapter Two: Don’t You Step On My Blue Suede Shoes
Day Two: Hey It’s Worked For the Last 24 Years, Don’t Be Like… Read More
2024-02-22 22:23
All Bets Are Off: Mai Tai Tom’s 66 Hours In Las Vegas
Chapter One: A Mob (Museum) Scene & Lost In Venice
Day One: Is There A Sporting Event Coming Up?, Must Be A Sign, Pinball Wiza… Read More
2024-01-27 17:10
If You Knew Sushi Like I Know Sushi
Sushi Bake Casserole
Main or Starter
I love a good California roll so when I saw this recipe in the New York Times described as a deconstructed California… Read More
2024-01-22 22:55
Stunning Centro Histórico Dining
Azul Histórico – Mexico City
April 2023
One of the best things about our marvelous Mexico City trip included the number of fantastic dini… Read More
2024-01-18 21:39
Revisiting An Old Favorite
Norton Simon Museum – Pasadena, CA
Last Visited: August 2023 & January 2024
It had been some time since Tracy and I had visited one of our favorite local… Read More
2023-12-13 17:48
Oh, Oh, Oh, Au Gratin!
Three Cheese Potatoes Au Gratin with Leeks, Fennel and Bacon
Side
This recipe is upscaled from an ad for Wolf Gourmet that I saw in Fine Cooking many years ago. The fi… Read More
2023-12-07 17:16
Morning In The Mercado
Mercado González – Costa Mesa, CA
Visited: December 2023
Tracy and I have had Mexico City on our brains since our incredible April 2023 trip, so when Trac… Read More
2023-11-03 17:15
Flavorful & Full of Fiber Chili
Pumpkin Chicken Chili
Main
I like pumpkin but I am not one of those people who stands in line the first day Starbucks rolls out its Pumpkin Spice Latte (t… Read More
2023-10-19 19:49
A Delicious (Apple) Slice Of Life
Caramel Apple Spice Dump Cake
Dessert
October is my favorite month and autumn is my favorite time of the year. After a long, hot summer it is so nice to hav… Read More
2023-09-20 23:46
The Light Of Learning!
Los Angeles Central Library – Los Angeles
Visited: June & September 2023
Seven years ago I was quite blown away by a visit to the library, the Los Angeles… Read More
2023-08-31 17:21
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Epilogue – Marvelous, Magnificent & Memorable Mexico City
I wouldn’t say it was a surprise we had suc… Read More
2023-08-19 17:19
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Nine: Conchas, Churros, Crisscrossing & (Near) Catastrophe
Days Nine & Ten: Thanks Eva, Exploring Rom… Read More
2023-08-08 17:58
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Eight – Chapultepec Castle & It’s Another Tequila Sunset
Day Eight – Where’s That… Read More
2023-07-27 17:00
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Seven: Exploring Chapultepec Park & Museo Nacional de Antropología
Day Seven: Charming Boutique Ho… Read More
2023-07-10 22:40
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Six – “Russian” To See Coyoacán’s Museums & Music To My Ears
Day Six &ndas&hell…Read More
2023-07-10 19:32
Fresh From The Sea
Mariscos del Patio – Mexico City
Seafood – April 2023
We had many excellent meals in Mexico City, but one of our best (if not the best) took place at a family… Read More
2023-07-01 16:49
Easiest Cheesiest Potatoes!
Tom’s Twice-Baked Potato Casserole
Side (or for Tom … Main)
We love potatoes at the Casa de Mai Tai. For Thanksgiving we always make Tom’s Mom… Read More
2023-06-28 20:48
Give This Lisbon Gem A Shot!
Taberna Moderna – Lisbon, Portugal
Portuguese (with a modern twist) – September 2022
Before leaving for Lisbon on our 2022 fall Portugal trip, I had… Read More
2023-06-21 18:08
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Five: Diego Rivera Mural Day
Day Five: Passports Please, No Dark Glasses, The History of Mexico In One Hour… Read More
2023-06-15 20:55
Whisk It Good!
Make-Ahead Zabaglione with Mixed Berries and Amaretti Topping
Every vacation Tom falls in love with a new dessert. One year it was panna cotta, the next year tarte tatin… Read More
2023-06-10 18:05
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Four: Pyramid Scheme & The Miracle Cloak
Day Four: Heading To The Pyramids, Drinking & Shopping, Ther… Read More
2023-06-01 01:08
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To México City
Chapter Three: Exploring Centro Histórico & Los Tres Grandes
Day Three: A Gran Tiffany Stained-Glass Ceili… Read More
2023-05-20 00:21
Historical & Hip: Mai Tai Tomás Travels To Mexico City
Prologue:
“You’re going to Mexico City? Aren’t you worried?” This was the response from many when I… Read More
2023-05-09 18:13
Still The Best Museum You’ve Never Heard Of!
The Nethercutt Collection – Sylmar
Last Visited: March 2023
Who knew that because so many women use a certain cosmetic product line t… Read More
2023-04-29 23:43
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Epilogue: Final Thoughts About Portugal
I began planning for an autumn 2020 trip to Portugal in 2019. Little did I know that it… Read More
2023-04-10 19:18
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Nineteen: O Sé Can You See & Farewell Portugal
Day Twenty-One: Up On The Hill, Porto’s Cathedral, Nap T… Read More
2023-04-02 22:47
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Eighteen: Seeing Red & Taking In More Of Porto’s Sights
Day Twenty: Hello Lello, The Broken Nose, Seeing Red… Read More
2023-03-25 16:25
Getting Tracy Off The TSA Watch List
Annoyed by Secondary Screening? You May Need a Redress Number
(Report by Tracy … March 2023) – I have had a Known Traveler Number through Gl… Read More
2023-03-21 23:34
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Seventeen: Porto Palace & A Stroll Across The River
Day Nineteen: Ooh It’s A Holiday, On Track For Even More A… Read More
2023-03-13 16:09
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Sixteen: Enjoying Energizing Porto
Day Eighteen: You Don’t Bring Me Flowers, It’s Almost Like I Know You, G… Read More
2023-03-10 16:57
Irish Whiskey Dessert Takes The Cake!
Chocolate Irish Whiskey Cake
Dessert
BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE EVER! And so easy. A friend served this for dessert (and breakfast the next day) and it could b… Read More
2023-03-02 01:32
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Fifteen: Rolling On The Douro
Day Sixteen: To Everything Turn Turn Turn, Any Port In A Heatwave, Glorious Gardens, Casa… Read More
2023-02-20 01:43
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Fourteen: Viseu, Lamego & On To The Douro
Day Fourteen: A Stop In A Medieval City, Is That An Orange Julius?, Stairw… Read More
2023-02-11 01:09
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Thirteen: Combing Coimbra
Day Thirteen: Agile Breakfast Servers, That First Step Is A Doozy, Big John, What Tour?, Booki… Read More
2023-02-05 00:34
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Twelve: Tomar To Coimbra
Day Twelve: Arch Supports, Skipping “Our Lady,” Massive Magnificent Monastery, In S… Read More
2023-02-03 17:37
A Cultured Dish
Tom Sez “Wow” Yogurt Marinated Chicken
Main
Here is a recipe we have been making in Mai Tai Tracy’s Kitchen since 2010. The first time I told Tom we would b… Read More
2023-01-28 01:05
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Eleven: Traversing Templar Tomar
Day Eleven: Hanging With The Templars, Barely Beating The Crowd, Window of Opportunity… Read More
2023-01-19 22:35
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Ten – Two UNESCO World Heritage Sites On The Way To Tomar
Day Ten – Two Towers Are Better Than One, Where Di… Read More
2023-01-14 19:10
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Nine: Magical, Mystical Monserrate
Day Nine: The Early Birds, A Lovely Walk, Stunning Palace, Less Is Moor, The First La… Read More
2023-01-08 19:01
Eye-Catching Chicano Art at “The Cheech!”
Cheech Marin Center for Chicano Art & Culture of the Riverside Art Museum – Riverside
Visited: December 2022
Tracy and I have… Read More
2023-01-04 20:42
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Eight: Quinta da Regaleira and Palácio da Pena
Day Eight: Early Birds, All’s Well, Dante’s Inferno, M… Read More
2022-12-29 21:14
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Seven: Sintra … Colorful City of Palaces
Day Seven: Beautiful Residence, The Three-Year Deposit, High Chair, Isa… Read More
2022-12-20 18:55
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Six: Final Day In Lisbon
Day Six: We Won’t Be Taking Our Luggage, “Portuguese Versailles”, No Crowds… Read More
2022-12-18 17:09
Windows Of Opportunity
Cathedral Window Candy
Dessert
Here’s a blast of nostalgia that arrived in my in-box recently, Cathedral Windows. The last time I had one of these chocolate mars… Read More
2022-12-13 01:39
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Five: Tell ‘Em We Love Belém!
Day Five: Manuel Labor, Get Here Early!, Boy Are They Strict, Tower Of Power… Read More
2022-12-10 17:53
Swedish Sensation
Swedish Saffron Cake (Saffronskaka)
Dessert
Here is a moist, delicious cake I came across in an Eating Well article on saffron. The cake originated in Sweden where it is ca… Read More
2022-12-06 20:20
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Four: Crisscrossing Lisbon
Day Four: Justa Wrong Way To Go, Escalators To Heaven, Carmelite Treasure, Don’t Judge… Read More
2022-11-29 20:12
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Three: Fall Comes Three Days Early In Lisbon
Day Three: That’s The Ticket (Finally), Underground Transportation, W… Read More
2022-11-23 21:43
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom “Trip” Report
Chapter Two: Exploring Lisbon
Day Two: Out Of Order, Early Birds, By Jorge, When You Gotta Go, Tombs Tiles And Tales, Portugal&r&hell…Read More
2022-11-17 00:38
Falling For Portugal: A Mai Tai Tom (Trip) Report
Chapter One: Finally Lisbon!
Prologue: The Third Time Really Is The Charm
After having to postpone Portugal twice due to Covid, we (Tracy an… Read More
2022-11-11 18:05
Overnight Sensation
Make-Ahead Tom’s Gruyère Mac and Cheese
Main
We’ve hosted Thanksgiving almost every year since 1990. (I can’t remember ever being that YOUNG!!)
I… Read More
2022-10-28 22:12
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE: Glasgow … Art, History & Dead People
Days Twenty One & Twenty Two: T… Read More
2022-10-20 16:57
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER TWENTY: On To Glasgow
Day Twenty One: Missed View, Conan Not The Barbarian, A Hidd… Read More
2022-10-04 22:40
The post Chapter 1 Coming Soon appeared first on Read More
2022-09-14 17:43
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER NINETEEN: Oban, Inveraray & In-Between
Day Nineteen: Sleeping In, No Whisky For You, Julie… Read More
2022-09-08 16:40
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN: Killin To Oban … Spectacular Scottish Scenery
Day Eighteen: It’s A Loch… Read More
2022-09-08 00:11
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN: Horsing Around From Edinburgh To Killin
Day Seventeen: Decision, Shut Out Agai… Read More
2022-09-02 20:59
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER SIXTEEN: Hooray For Holyrood
Day Sixteen: Playing The Palace, There’s Something About (Qu… Read More
2022-08-29 19:09
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER FIFTEEN: A Royal Time In Edinburgh
Day Fifteen: Yacht See, Would You Like A Pint?, Exceeding Ex… Read More
2022-08-26 18:38
Roman Influenced Dinner In L.A.
Bacetti – Echo Park (L.A.), CA
Last Visited: August 2022
Every so often, I turn to a website called The Infatuation to get some ideas of places to dine… Read More
2022-08-23 20:01
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER FOURTEEN: Edinburgh/Dean Village
Day Fourteen: Another Great Scott, Where’s Anne?… Read More
2022-08-16 00:26
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER THIRTEEN: Mai Tai Tom and The Holy Grail (and Exploring Edinburgh)
Day Thirteen: Where’s… Read More
2022-08-10 18:26
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER TWELVE: The Scottish Borders
Day Twelve: Kath’s Cookies, Fleurs At Floors, Scotland&rsquo&hell…Read More
2022-08-06 23:50
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER ELEVEN: Bamburgh Castle & Holy Island
Day Eleven: What The “H”, Another Visit W… Read More
2022-07-30 18:18
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER TEN: Trying Not To Get Poisoned In Alnwick
Day Ten: Parking Problems, Please Don’t Eat Th… Read More
2022-07-28 14:10
Bamburgh & Warenford RestaurantsDining In Northumberland, England
We stayed in Bamburgh for three nights on our England/Scotland trip, and each evening we had a great dinner at three sep… Read More
2022-07-26 20:36
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER NINE: Enjoying The Northumberland Countryside
Day Nine: Mirror Image, Going Back To The Seventh… Read More
2022-07-21 18:55
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER EIGHT: An Unusual Day In Durham
Day Eight: “Excuse Me My Husband Is Lost”, Is That… Read More
2022-07-18 19:08
Rice With A Little Crunch
Crispy Saffron Rice with Chicken and Lemon Zest
Main
The gift that keeps on giving! Amazingly, I still have some saffron my friend, Joanne, brought from the Spice S… Read More
2022-07-16 16:52
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER SEVEN: An Abbey For The Ages & On To Durham
Day Seven: Home On The Grange, Dear Abbey, Stud… Read More
2022-07-12 18:09
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER SIX: Final Day In York – Minster, Merchant & Mansion
Day Six: Phew!, I Fo… Read More
2022-07-09 19:32
Très Magnifique!
Rustique – York, England
French • May 2022
Danny at our York B&B, St. Raphael Guesthouse, recommended Rustique near Clifford’s Tower for classic… Read More
2022-07-07 20:18
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER FIVE: An Incident In York & Hitting The Walls
Day Five: Five-Star Garden, High Chairs, No M… Read More
2022-07-04 18:31
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER FOUR: Stepping It Up In York
Day Four: Where’s Boris Johnson?, An Explosive Pub, My Life… Read More
2022-07-04 16:04
So Good We Ate Here Twice!
Lucia York – York, England
Italian – May 2022
We hit it out of the ballpark on restaurants in York on our 2022 England/Scotland journey (link to trip r… Read More
2022-06-30 20:16
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER THREE: Greenwich … It’s About Time & Dinner With The Churchills
Day Three: The… Read More
2022-06-27 20:05
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: 2022 England & Scotland
CHAPTER TWO: A Whale Of A Day In London
Day Two: Tap and Pay, St. Paul’s, No Whispering, The Real… Read More
2022-06-23 22:41
Surviving Mai Tai Tom’s “Royal” Blunder: England & Scotland 2022
CHAPTER ONE: Somehow, We Make It To London
Prologue: Cancer, Covid & Calamities Nearly Derail The… Read More
2022-06-18 17:46
Remi’s Ojai Outdoor Outing
Ojai Deer Lodge & Ojai Olive Oil Company – Ojai
Since losing Frankie to cancer in October, we try to do something exciting with Remi every weekend… Read More
2022-06-10 22:50
Slices Of Heaven
Ina’s Filet of Beef Carpaccio
Starter
Here’s one for the meat lovers in your family.
Before I met Tom, my favorite cut of beef was the end cut of the prime rib… Read More
2022-05-10 19:37
Caloric Burger Quest
Mai Tai Tom & Tracy’s Best Burgers: 2021/2022
May is National Hamburger Month and, just for our loyal subscribers and readers, Tracy and I have consumed quite… Read More
2022-05-02 17:35
Anytime Frittatas
Mini Frittatas with Roasted Red Peppers, Spinach & Prosciutto
Breakfast
Here is a recipe that I made for Easter brunch, but it would be perfect for Mother’s Day… Read More
2022-04-14 19:06
“It’s A Beautiful Day For A Ball Game”
Dodger Stadium Tour – Los Angeles
Visited: April 2022
Although I unwisely became a San Diego Padres fan while in college at San… Read More
2022-04-04 17:24
Sumptuous, Sweet, Citrusy Sensation
Meyer Lemon Panna Cotta
Dessert
Every vacation Tom falls madly in love with a dessert which he orders the entire trip. Recently, friend Mary made this Lem… Read More
2022-03-24 15:30
Inviting Italian In “The City”
Fino Ristorante – San Francisco, California
Visited: February 2022 • Italian
San Francisco definitely does not have a shortage of very g… Read More
2022-03-12 16:52
Irish Eyes Will Be Smiling
Irish Stout Cake with Irish Cream & Espresso Buttercream Frosting
Dessert
When Cooking Light magazine briefly went out of business, they sent me Eating Well in… Read More
2022-03-09 19:25
“The Pride Of The Pacific”
Fort Point National Historic Site – San Francisco
Visited: February 2022
So you say you didn’t know there was a fortress constructed in the… Read More
2022-02-17 17:15
Healthy and Delicious
Red Lentil Soup with Saffron
Soup
After opening the tin of saffron that my friend Joanne brought back from Dubai to make the Roasted Carrot and Saffron Risotto, I need… Read More
2022-02-11 19:10
Legendary Burger & Coastal Seal Sanctuary Hike
The Spot & Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve – Carpinteria
Visited: February 2022
Very early on a recent Saturday morning, Tracy… Read More
2022-02-04 20:58
I Never Met A Park I Didn’t Like!
Will Rogers State Historic Park & Ranch – Pacific Palisades
Visited: December 2021
It’s hard to believe as a native Angelino, I had ne… Read More
2022-01-26 19:39
Starchy Saffron Sensation
Roasted Carrot and Saffron Risotto
Main, Starter or Side
My good friend Joanne brought me a tin of saffron from the Spice Souk in Dubai. The saffron was a deep, ri… Read More
2022-01-21 20:00
Don’t Judge A Restaurant By Its Cover
The Cave – Ventura, CA
New American – Last Visit: November 2021
Following is the true tale of discovering a very good restaurant than… Read More
2022-01-12 20:13
A Walk Through Prehistoric Times
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County – Los Angeles
Tracy and I were in the mood for dinosaurs (despite Tracy being married to one), and with J… Read More
2021-12-29 17:13
Parisian Perfect For A Winter Evening
Boeuf Bourguignon (Beef Stew with Red Wine Sauce)
When our menu is French, Ina Garten’s Barefoot in Paris is my go-to cookbook! Ina’s Boeuf… Read More
2021-12-15 17:51
A Dip To Celebrate The Holidays
Baked Fennel, Pancetta and Blue Cheese Dip
Starter
Here is a recipe from Better Home & Gardens that I have been making since 2004. I recall tearing this… Read More
2021-12-06 18:02
Comfort Soup
Barefoot Contessa’s Chicken Pot Pie Soup
Soup and Salad
This soup recipe from the Barefoot Contessa’s latest cookbook, Modern Comfort Food, is silky, creamy deliciou… Read More
2021-11-21 17:55
A Cavalcade of Colors
Lightscape – Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Visited: November 2021
Whenever I hear there’s going to be an event that includes more tha… Read More
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