Sprinkles Cupcakes Dallas Texas

Sprinkles Cupcakes
4020 Villanova Drive
Plaza at Preston Center
214.369.0004
http://www.sprinkles.com

Are they good?  Yes, they are~

Flavors to try:
Coconut
*Dark Chocolate
Key Lime
Strawberry
Peanut Butter
Red Velvet

*(you will love this if you are a chocolate fan)

Toulouse Café and Bar | Dallas, Texas

Toulouse Café and Bar 
3314 Knox Street (Next to the Katy Trail)
Dallas, Texas 75205
Phone: (214) 520-8999
http://www.toulousecafeandbar.com

I was in Dallas-- I was hungry and I was lost.  My original plan was just to stop in at La Madeline, even though I am not a chain fan.  The one that I was near looked like a ghost town-- so I kept moving.  Next up was Javier's-- looked closed too-- kept driving.  That's when I saw her-- ohhh I saw her, she walked in through the out door.  Ok, I am sidetracking-- but that is really when I saw Toulouse.  The place was bustling from the inside out -- U turn, were there.  Toulouse definitely tipped toward the trendy side, so I was a tinge worried about the food.  The plates steadily streaming from the kitchen did look good, maybe this place is ok.  No, really it was better than ok.  The waitstaff was more courteous than in really any dining establishment I have been to. I mean they were just plain nice and took punctual, polished and somewhat lavish care of us.  Service with a smile was not the only high point of this hip french cafe-- there was food.  The food was wonderful.  It was simple, fresh, and scrumptious.  Velvety lobster bisque, drizzled with goat cheese then topped with fresh herbs, crusty buttered bread, crab Florentine with layers of decadence, and a rustic salmon Caesar to order again.  Will I come back here, Yes-- over and over.

McConnells Ice Cream Santa Barbara California

McConnell's Ice Cream of Santa Barbara
201 W Mission St
Santa Barbara, CA 93105
(805) 569 2323
www.mcconnellsonmission.com

McConnell's Ice Cream in Santa Barbara make all their frozen treats homemade, and locally.  All of their ice cream is all natural and free of any processed or synthetic fillers. If you have the hankering for some old fashioned cold sweets, stop in and get a cone.  If you get a Sunday you may want to split it because it's huge! McConnell's was also featured on the Food Network for one of Giada's weekend getaways.

Crossing Condotti Rome Italy

Crossing Condotti

Via Mario de' Fiori 28, 187 Rome, Italy

+39 0669920633
http://www.crossingcondotti.com/

On our trip to Rome we stayed at Crossing Condotti and loved it. It was centrally located, with tons of eateries right down any given street nearby. If you are in Rome for site seeing, like we were, this is the perfect place. It is not a typical hotel in that it has no restaurant, or spa but who needs that when everything is so close. I really don't think we could have picked anywhere that was better for our time in Rome. All the staff was super nice. One caveat-- there are no irons allowed in rooms in Italy-- I hung my clothes in the bathroom while showering and it seemed to take most of the wrinkles out :)

They do have Wifi and a little fridge with beverages.

*Eat Spaghetti Carbonara in Roma

La Minerva Capri Italy Great Small Hotel

 

La Minerva 

Via Occhio Marino 8, 80073 Capri, Island of Capri, Italy

www.laminervacapri.com/

 

We stayed at Lam Minerva on our trip to Capri Italy. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay. In particular we especially liked Kamal. He was always ready to help us - with a smile. The rooms were beautifully done warm not overly fussy way. The whole hotel was laid back and extremely comfortable. I loved the modern pool with a view of the ocean. I would recommend La Minerva to anyone planning a trip to Capri. Don't forget to eat the Gelato from all the Gelatorias :)

Longboards on Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf

Longboard's Grill  

210 Stearns Wharf, Santa Barbara
805-963-3311

 Should you eat at Longboard's in Santa Barbara? Yes!  Are you going to get gourmet food, probably not.  What you will get is food that is actually quite good, and a great fun lively atmosphere.  I can say their sweet potato fries are the best I have had. The fish from the fish and chips was a Mahi, and was tasty as well.  I ordered a wedge salad, and it was just that-- a wedge salad. 

Be sure you grab a all the nuts you can from the bar, and drop a few to the mass of pigeons that will squawk at your feet. 

Try a Mojito-- they are good there.

Sweet Potato fries, this should have been the first thing.

Get a bottle of their hot sauce to go-- a tip from my sister

Enjoy the view!

Upham Hotel Santa Barbara

The Upham Hotel

1404 De la Vina Street, Santa Barbara, CA
1.800.727.0876

The Upham in Santa Barbara sits in a quiet neighborhood on De la Vina street. It was listed on a few sites as a hotel, but I would consider it more of a bed and breakfast.  This in fact is a good thing.  The breakfast that came every day was bountiful.  First a plate of pastries and juice arrives, followed by the breakfast you ordered the night before.  Usual selections were homemade oatmeal with raisins, crust less quiche and crepes.  Should the raspberry crepes present themselves during your stay, it would be a wise wise choice to get them. 

If a quiet auberge away from the hustle and bustle is your style, then the Upham is your place.  It consists of a main house and a country cottage just a few steps away.  We stayed in the penthouse suite, on the third floor of the country place, which had a large luxurious bathroom and cozy living area. The best part of the room was a balcony with spectacular views of the area.  


The Upham is not located on the beach, but it is within walking distance of State Street and the trolley that runs back and forth to the beach.  We were able to walk our way anywhere we needed. The best thing about this place was the pricing.  You are able to get a lot for your money here.  Santa Barbara is pricey and regular single rooms at decent hotels can cost $350 and up.  We were able to book the Penthouse, usually $475 a night for $356 due to last minute booking.  They also have a special where you can call the day you are going and book a room for $185 and they will bump you up to the nicest room available at that time.  Call and talk to Elizabeth and see what she can do for you.  

Things to Do in Santa Barbara

 List from Abid

Santa Barabara Diving around the Channel Islands (which are big and beautiful and you cant miss them driving up to SB):

http://www.scubadiving.com/travel/2006/10/santa-barbara-island

Breakfast:
1. Sambos - near the beach, lots of food, old nostalgia place
http://www.sambosrestaurant.com/

2. Tuplolo junction - fancy breakfast food
http://www.tupelojunction.com/


Lunch:
1. Super Rica - greasy mexican food, but a local favorite.  Expect an hour wait if you go during peak time.
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=super+rica+santa+barbara&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=4350562262764240028  Eat Here!

2. Longboards - on the pier bar that is the best place for a cocktail during the day
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=long+boards+santa+barbara&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=12011660321078861297  Best Sweet Potato Fries ever


Dinner:
1. Pascucci - great italian food that will not break the bank (whatsoever)
http://www.pascuccirestaurant.com/

2. The Palace - cajun food, a local favorite but does not take reservations - worth the wait Shaz and my favorite!

http://palacegrill.com/

3. Beachside Grill - in Goleta, which is about 10 to 15 minutes north and you have to drive.  This place is right on the water and one of Lori and I's favorite splurge places (little pricy, I recomend the halibut but everything is good)
http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=beachside+grill+santa+barbara&fb=1&split=1&gl=us&view=text&latlng=17873089851480819562




Things to do:
0. Walk around state street - shopping

1. Rent bike mobiles on cabrillo street (you know the ones that are cars that you peddle)
http://www.santabarbara.com/Activities/wheel_fun/

2. See the mission

3. Walk up to the top of the santa barbara courthouse - good view, historic building, where I proposed to Lori
http://www.santabarbaracourthouse.org/sbch/

4. Hiking the santa barbara hills - I don't know the ones I have been on, but there are good views

5. Santa Barabara bowl concert - pretty cool venue if there is something good playing
http://sbbowl.com/

6. Thousand steps beach - good romantic walk beach - have to drive to it
http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.aspx?trailid=XTR001-031

7. Butterfly beach - monticito beach


Places to stay: Near state street or the wharf (cabrillo street) are the best places, below are recommendations

There is a holiday in express that is right next to state street that is affordable
http://www.hotelvirginia.com/


Fess Parker double tree is nice, but further from state street


Canary Hotel - Pricey, but good location
http://www.canarysantabarbara.com/


Biltmore - expensive, but nice 

www.fourseasons.com/santabarbara

Upham Hotel-  Super Nice bed and Breakfast ( Not near the beach-- but lovely)

www.uphamhotel.com/

La Super-Rica Taqueria - Santa Barbara, CA

La Super-Rica Taqueria

622 N Milpas St
Santa Barbara, CA 93103 34.4278 -119.6872

I found THE taco stand in Santa Barbara.  Are you surprised?  When I went online to look up the reviews for La Super Rica Taqueria, I read that it had been a favorite of Julia Childs.  Good enough provocation for me I tell you.  I am a taco stand snob, if there is such a paradoxical thing.   I like good tacos, hole in the wall-y, grandma making, fresh masa tacos.  I was not disappointed.  There was a pretty long line when we arrived, and it was around 2:00pm.  By 3:00 we had our food, and a table.  I would not advise going here at lunch time unless you like punishment akin to steak waving in front of a hungry dog.  Go around 3ish when the line thins a bit.  The tacos were worth the wait, but what pushed this place to greatness was the tamale.  The tamale, vegetable filled and topped with cream sauce, was hands down the best tamale I have eaten.  It was a heroin tamale. Yes, that's what it was.   Full on fantastic.  If you are in Santa Barbara and you do not stop here, you either do not care about food, or you have just escaped a mental ward.