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Catalina Island: A Pacific Playground

Merilee Kern — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 09:30:03 +0000

Courtesy of Catalina Chamber of Commerce

Just 22 miles off the Southern California coast, Catalina Island has long been regarded as a Pacific paradise where families, romantics, adventurers and business folk come to stay and play. The island’s idyllic small beach town charm is just a quick boat ride away from fast-paced city life. Whether venturing over for a day, a weekend, or longer, Catalina Island is teeming with leisure and adrenaline-pumping activities suitable for adults and children, alike.

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I recently jaunted over Catalina Island for a three-day family sabbatical where we enjoyed the perfect mix of lodging, lounging, learning, dining and entertainment. Below is a print-ready overview of our itinerary should you want to replicate the experience for your own unforgettable Catalina Island escape.

Day 1:

9:50 a.m.: Depart to Catalina Island from Dana Point on Catalina Express

Catalina Express whisks you off to Catalina Island in just a 60-minute journey from Dana Point among other ports of call that include San Pedro and Long Beach. The company’s fleet of modern, high-speed luxury catamarans and mono hull vessels offer a comfortable ride with airline-style seating both inside and out, large view windows where you can catch a glimpse of dolphins in their natural habitat, and light refreshments available for purchase. The upper deck features a premium-priced Commodore Lounge, offering upgraded leather-trimmed seats, overhead storage, priority boarding and complimentary beverage and snack service. The further upgraded Captain’s Lounge seats up to 8 passengers or it can be used as a hostess center for larger groups. This option also includes priority boarding, plush upgraded seating, and complimentary beverage.

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11:30 a.m.: Check-in for three nights at the Pavilion Hotel

Courtesy of Catalina Chamber of Commerce

Located just a five-minute walk or quick taxi ride from the dock where the Catalina Express disembarks, you will arrive at the newly renovated Pavilion Hotel. Its new design is now centered around the lush garden courtyard area that feature semi-private lanais for the ground-level rooms accessed through large French doors. There are also public lounge areas off the courtyard, including a large fire ring and both closed and open-air, ocean-view lounges adjacent to the front lobby.

The boutique property, perfectly situated on the main drag directly across from the beach and pier, has 71 rooms in all with two suite options—the accommodation of choice for my recent visit. All of the now upgraded rooms feature HD flat-screen televisions, iHome MP3 players, complimentary use of iPads and upgraded in-room coffee and tea service.The show stopper for the suites, however, is the incredibly large, French door-accessible balconies overlooking the garden and, beyond, a spectacular ocean view. What I particularly loved about this property is that every booking comes with complimentary daily Continental breakfasts well as a late afternoon wine and cheese event that is quite the draw.

1:30 p.m.: Play mini golf at Golf Gardens

Located just off of the Tour Plaza and a mere block off the waterfront, Golf Gardens is a great way to spend the afternoon. This appropriately challenging 18-hole mini golf course attracts players of all ages—it takes about an hour to play all of the holes. Immersed in plant life and with bubbling streams throughout, the course is very beautiful and serene. It is open every day, year round.

4:30 p.m.- 5:30 p.m.: Indulge in complimentary wine and cheese happy hour at the Pavilion Hotel

As mentioned above, this happy hour event takes place each evening at the open-air lounge and features an assortment of wine and cheese that can be enjoyed as dusk sets in. It’s a wonderful way to get the evening started and also enjoy the spirited and communal atmosphere among the guests this event fosters. Of course, there are also non-alcoholic beverage selections for the kids!

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6 p.m.: Enjoy casual dinner at The Lobster Trap
Located one block away from the Green Pier, The Lobster Trap is a casual eatery that features fresh seafood fare as well as appetizers, poultry and beef entrees, sandwiches and pasta. There is even a menu for the kiddos with all their favorites! During the summer, Friday and Saturday nights feature live music to accompany your meal.

Day 2:

8 a.m.: Take advantage of complimentary continental breakfast at the Pavilion Hotel

This Continental breakfast is decidedly well done with a surprisingly broad selection of fresh fare. Offerings include fresh pastries, muffins, and breads; hard boiled eggs; peanut butter; and exceedingly fresh fruit (the juiciest mangoes I’ve ever had) as well as fresh juices, Starbucks coffee, and milk. This is a great way to fill up and fuel up for a busy day around the Island!

11:00am: Catch Santa Catalina Island Company’s Undersea Expedition Semi-Sub Tour Expedition.

The tour leaves from the Green Pier and takes about 45 minutes. Kids and adults will love traveling five feet under water in this semi-submersible boat’s climate-controlled cabin with windows around the perimeter. Here passengers revel in the beauty of Catalina’s marine life. This undersea adventure reveals all kinds of ocean dwellers, including sharks and sea lions, and even comes with a colorful Fish Finder Guide to help accurately identify the various types of fish encountered. An informative guide also conveys interesting facts about Catalina and its ocean environment throughout the tour.

12:30pm: Treat yourself to ice cream and saltwater taffy at Lloyd’s of Avalon.

When it’s time for a little energy boost or just simple indulgence, head over to Lloyd’s of Avalon—a fixture on the island for decades. A big picture window provides a hypnotizing view of the taffy-making process in action, while the rest of shop is loaded wall-to-wall with all types of goodies, including a multitude of self-serve candy bins, an ice cream counter as well as caramel apples, chocolates, cinnamon rolls and much more.

2 p.m.: Experience the exhilarating East End Adventure

This two-hour tour provides an unprecedented view of the entire island, the ocean, and the surrounding facets of nature. You’ll climb into an open air H1 Hummer and wind your way up to 1,500 feet above sea level to enjoy spectacular views all the way back to the mainland. The tour also includes rugged interior

terrain and the opportunity to catch sight of local wildlife (like the majestic buffalo and mule eared deer seen during our tour) and stunning and fragrant trees, plants, and flowers of various types. You’ll even stop by the Island’s exciting Zip Line Eco Tour where brave souls propel down 5 separate zip lines dropping from 500 feet to 60 feet above sea level. Throughout the East End Adventure tour, a knowledgeable and engaging guide drops fascinating factoids about nearly everything in sight—from local businesses to bugs to the Island’s rich history with the Wrigley family—all along the way.

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4:30-5:30: Return for more nibbles at the Pavilion Hotel’s complimentary wine and cheese event

It’s time to get refreshed and shift gears for the evening’s activities, and starting with a lovely wine and cheese plate or two is a fabulous way to start…or to wind down after a busy day traversing the Island.

6 p.m.: Enjoy a casual dinner at Antonio’s Pizzeria & Cabaret

As a fixture on the Island for nearly two decades, this family-style restaurant offers all the Italian pizza and pasta favorites plus steak, seafood and chicken entrees, burgers, soups and salads not to mention a menu just for the kids. Then there is the assortment of tempting desserts. The waterfront restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating that’s a great place to eat, people watch, gaze at the boats and watch the sea lions swim about.

Day 3:

8 a.m.: Fill up on the complimentary Continental breakfast at the Pavilion Hotel

Get ready for the day with another delicious breakfast al fresco at the hotel as the island starts to stir.

12 noon: Enjoy lunch overlooking the ocean at the Descanso Beach Club

Located one cove past the landmark Casino Ballroom is the Descanso Beach Club, which is about a 15-minute seaside walk from the center of town. This ocean-based bar and restaurant offers casual beach fare like peel-and-eat-shrimp, salads, and burgers as well as signature tropical cocktails. The Descanso Beach Club is the perfect locale to sip a fruity libation, grab a bit to eat, and bask in the beautiful Avalon sun and scenery while enjoying Caribbean-style music.

2 p.m.: Go fishing off the Green Pleasure Pier

Located at the foot of Catalina Avenue is a 300-foot-long pier built all the way back in 1920.This is the perfect spot to enjoy fishing as gear is available for rent. Among other things, you can also rent paddle boats, outboard motor boats, and diving equipment as well as arrange other excursions like the Glass Bottom Boat Voyage from the pier.

4:30-5:30pm: Take in one more complimentary wine and cheese hour at the hotel

Time to enjoy one last go at all the delicious cheeses, wine, and drinks for the kiddos. Selections change nightly so the event remains interesting each and every time.

6 p.m.: Enjoy an upscale dinner at Avalon Grille

Conveniently located on Crescent Avenue at the foot of the Green Pier, this popular Avalon eatery features American regional dishes with a seasonal menu where everyone in the family is sure to find something they love. Pick your spot on the outdoor patio to enjoy the scenery, or sit indoors in the elegant yet cozy dining room as you recount the wonders your Catalina adventure.

On the evening of my family’s visit, our spectacular starters were the Roasted Brussels Sprouts with cranberries, almonds, pancetta and honey mustard; as well as the Black Mussels served with roasted garlic in a savory broth and served with grilled ciabatta bread. Our entrée selections consisted of the cooked-to-perfection Grilled Pacific Salmon plated with roasted fingerling potato and a fennel purée topped with an orange vinaigrette; amply portioned Shrimp and Mussels Scampi atop pasta tossed in a garlic-laden tomato sauce; and a to-die-for Scallop with Wild Mushroom Risotto. For dessert, the decadence continued as we sampled the Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake with Cabernet berries; Vanilla Bean Cheesecake served with a citrus syrup and raspberry coulis; Port Wine Poached Pear with Sable cookie and ricotta mousse; and the fabulous Caketini comprised of orange spongecake, poached black berries, and crème anglaise drizzled with chocolate sauce. It was sweet ending to the perfect weekend getaway!

Day 4:

9:45 a.m.: Depart from Avalon to Dana Point on Catalina Express

Settle in to a comfortable seat while the boat whisks you back to reality.

Even though our vacation was brief, this itinerary provided the perfect balance of relaxation and revelry. And, while much ground was covered relative to the Island’s family-friendly activity options, the destination offers so much more. There are a wide range of day and night tours and activities to suit everyone’s interests, including golf, the casino, copious expeditions, rock climbing and a wide selection of divine dining. No matter how you choose to spend your time on Catalina Island, it’s sure to be a retreat to remember.

~~~

“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

***Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above were provided at no cost to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.***

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5 Fine Living Questions with Supermodel Emme

Merilee Kern — Wed, 30 Jan 2013 18:28:39 +0000

Emme (photo credit: Nitsan)

Merilee Kern of The Luxe List asks author and plus size model, Emme, her tips on living fabulously

As a fitness, health, and self-esteem advocate for women of all ages, plus-size supermodel Emme is a true inspiration. Her conviction that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes is conveyed through her first book, True Beauty: Positive Attitudes and Practical Tips from the World’s Leading Plus-Size Model, as well as through her inspirational web site, EmmeNation.com—a multi-platform community designed to encourage wholeness amid women’s stressed and segmented lives.

While People magazine twice selected Emme as one of the “50 Most Beautiful People” of 1994 and 1999 and Glamour magazine has previously named her “Woman of the Year,” today Emme’s inner beauty radiates more brightly than ever.

Emme has enjoyed an extraordinary and enduring career in a glamorous industry. The Luxe List recently caught up with her to get her take on these 5 questions related to luxe living:

1. How do you define both basic and extreme luxury?

Basic Luxury: Coffee with steaming milk served to me in my fluffy and sumptuous bed with fluffy pillows and the New York Times Sunday paper—and the uninterrupted time to read it front to back.
Second basic luxury: Taking a very long and hot bath with tons of Epsom salts infused with frankincense, rose, and possible cedar. Pine if I’m training for sore muscles. Lavender if I need help to sleep and Orange and Rosemary if I need a jolt to get going! Ahhh.

Extreme Luxury: Vacationing in Vail each winter for cross-country and downhill skiing, snow shoeing, which is a must. No staying in a hotel. It’s about renting a home with a huge fireplace and kitchen for entertaining! For President’s holiday, cruise someplace warm or runaway to a low profile 5-star spa hideaway in Mexico. In the summer, skiing in Chile. For all levels, El Colorado is the place to go. I love the snow and lots of time at the great lodges around the Great Lakes.

I have four retreats a year with close girlfriends from each group I have in my life…at 5-star spa locations around the world.

“Glamping” with my family across America. - a dream and a bucket list item!

2. What items and/or experiences do you love to splurge on?

I love to eat well and work at finding the freshest most wholesome organic food I can. The cost is worth it upfront with fewer doctor visits in the end! I recently met a farmer from Early Girl Farms in Mooriches, Long Island. Her produce, no matter what it is, lasts in my fridge for two weeks without a wilt. So, whenever I make a visit, I load my car up, knowing we have our nutrients for a few weeks: kale, spinach, arugula, beets – whatever she has I buy and lots of it!

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I definitely splurge on my skin care regimen and recently learned about and started using LifeLine SkinCare Defensive Day Moisture Serum and Recovery Night Moisture Serum. They stand apart from other lines I’ve tried through the use of stem cells (non-embryonic) in their day and night cream. I see a difference with the fine lines slowly going away. For myself, I’m not an advocate for facial surgery but as a model and being in the public eye, I’m glad LifeLine has given me what I was looking for – a nice refreshed look naturally!

3. Where is the favorite place you have traveled to and why?

St. Barth’s is one of my favorite places. Once I land on the island (scary landing strip, but worth it), I can smell the scent of the island through the flowers, suntan lotions, French foods and ocean breeze, and immediately I relax. The trips I’ve made there were with friends and family filled with villas, mini car excursions, Shell Beach and a stop at BoBo’s, Nikki Beach for luxurious lunches and long swims. I had one of the clearest dives off the coast of St. Barth’s with my friend, Martha. We loved it so much we stayed down through two tanks because the conditions were so good! The music at every restaurant, outdoor lounge, or beach sways away your stress and don’t forget about the cuisine — divine at every turn. The island breaths sensuality and I recommend St. Barth’s for those who want to treat their senses to a vacation they will soon not forget!

4. Do you consider yourself a “foodie”? Why or why not?

Since my mom schooled in Switzerland and cooked with a French base, I was born a foodie. At every meal, not only was the food prepared well and oh those sauces, but our surroundings were also special with lit candles, proper culturally, and manners were a must at an early age. I learned how the art of civility around a meal only enhanced whatever we ate so when my mother went through hard times after the divorce from my father and had to work two jobs while living in NYC, we practiced fine dining no matter what was on our plates. I learned how to create something special out of nothing and still practice that skill, if needed.

Later on when tides turned, exposure to a variety of foods while living in Saudi Arabia as an elementary and middle age school child gave me the chance to travel around the world and eat from many cultures. This enhanced my palate beyond the typical hamburger and French fries consumed by my U.S. friends. But, don’t be fooled. Whenever I came back to NYC, I was on the hunt of the best burger in town. I actually performed a faux pas in India (Sri Lanka) when I asked for a hamburger at the Intercontinental resort where my family and I were staying. The look of horror and disgust on the servers face is something I will never forget. Little did I know eating a cow violated their religion!

Today, I make an effort to expose my 11-year old daughter and her friends and anyone I have over for dinner to our regular practice of fine dining with a nicely and thoughtfully set table with lit candles and everyday use of my sterling silver Christofle “Aria” cutlery (no sense in keeping it tucked away!) Recently, I brought out champignon (mushroom) pate to some young, curious souls. I’m not sure it went over so well, but at least they tried!

5. What is your favorite tip for “living fabulously”?

Drink lots of water
Limit caffeine and alcohol
Eat well and organic as much as you can
A cookie is just a cookie–get over it!
Cashmere is a girl’s best friend (Loro Piana – splurge; Brooks Brothers button up–great quality)
Luxury luggage and brief case: LV Damier lasts forever and makes a statement every trip
Clutches in every color – a women’s must-have accessory
Entertaining friends and family a must!
Plan vacations with family each year no matter what
Sleep 6-8 hours a night
Move it every day! Play+Sweat+Win frequently
Make love and forgive often
Listen more and say you’re sorry
Give back
And, last but not least, never give up.
Find sharp and talented people to work along with you to help bring your dreams to fruition!

Merilee Kern

Out and About
EmmeNation.com offers women the guidance and support to build a personal body, mind, and spirit connection through events, digital channels, and strategic business partnerships. Learn more online at: www.emmenation.com.

~~~

“The Luxe List” Executive Editor Merilee Kern scours the luxury marketplace for exemplary travel experiences, extraordinary events, and notable products and services. Submissions are accepted at www.LuxeListReviews.com. Follow her on Twitter here: http://twitter.com/LuxeListEditor and Facebook here: www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList.

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5 Questions With Bravo TV’s Housewives of NYC

Merilee Kern — Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:00:21 +0000

Ramona Singer

Bravo TV’s “Housewives” franchise is “hauteur” than ever, which is no surprise given the lush lifestyles these celeb-reality superstars are allowing us to view voyeuristically. To enlighten us even more, two lovely luxe lifers — Ramona Singer and Sonja Tremont-Morgan of Bravo’s “Real Housewives of New York City” — have graciously taken time out of their insanely busy social calendars to answer these 5 questions related to fine living.

WATCH: The Secret to Ramona Singer’s Glowing Skin

1. How do you define both basic and extreme luxury?

Ramona: Basic luxury to me is fresh flowers in my living room and bedroom. Flowers may be purchased at all different price points, and they just make you feel so great when you look at them. In my home in Southampton, N.Y., starting in the spring and through fall, I cut them from my own gardens. Extreme luxury to me, for example, is my custom curtains and furniture that was designed by me and specifically created for both my homes.

Sonja: Basic luxury is organic food, cashmere, and bubble baths. Extreme luxury is private jets and five-star chefs.

2. What item(s) and/or experience(s) do you love to splurge on?

Ramona: I love shoes, especially when high-heeled shoes can update an outfit from years ago immediately. They make me feel feminine and sexy at the same time. The best part is that they always fit and look great whether you gain five pounds or not. Also the experience of working out with my personal trainer twice a week. He pushes me to limits that, at times, brings a tear to my eye and makes me scream. The results from him that I see on my body are well worth it!

Sonja: Loro Piana cashmere-lined gloves, which I cut the fingers off and garden in because I love gardening so I want to be comfortable while doing it. Hermès scarves because they are timeless and a piece of art that one can wear anywhere in the world.

Sonja Morgan

Ramona: My favorite place I have traveled to is the San Pietro Hotel in Positano, Italy. It’s so romantic and very special. Mario, my husband, and I go almost every year and we fall in love all over again. The water is so warm and a special green/blue color. The views from there are breathtaking. Everything is set high on a cliff, overlooking the ocean and town of Positano. You think you died and went to heaven there.

Sonja: South of France because the water, the colors, the food, the language and everyone from around the world converges there and it is the ultimate in luxury.

4. Do you consider yourself a “foodie?” Why or why not?

Ramona: I am such a foodie. I have a superb sense of smell and taste. Food is all about the senses, including the presentation. I love to eat, but it has to be great for me to take in those calories (LOL).

Sonja: Yes, because I was a brand consultant to restaurateurs and hoteliers and designed menus and selected the wines, which earned me the title of “The Straw That Stirs the Drink” from John F. Mariani, author of Passport to New York Restaurants.

5. What is your favorite tip for “living fabulously?”

Ramona: Always purchase quality items and then they don’t need to be replaced and they make you feel special, i.e. something as simple as fluffy towels, sheets all cotton 500 thread count, and dishes. Also, Villeroy & Boch stemware. I use cloth napkins every day with our meals. To me, that’s the ultimate of living fab; no paper napkins for me! Even when we bring in food, we always dine off our china rather than the containers they came in.

Sonja: Epsom salt baths, fruit acid peel facials, work hard/play hard, spend time with nature, a good night’s sleep, family, friends, pets, regular exercise and sex.

Out and About

On television, we’ve seen that Ramona Singer is an astute businesswoman with a flair for fashion and a passion for being a wife and mother. Her current venture is Ramona Pinot Grigio, made in the Veneto region of Italy, and her Ramona Red Sangiovese Merlot blend. Ramona has also taken the beauty and accessory industries by storm with her Tru Renewal skincare line, her True Faith jewelry collection, and her Ramona Singer Jewelry on HSN. She also operates her Amazon store, Ramona Singer Collections. Ramona is also passionate about her charities. As a first-hand witness to her mother’s abuse as a child, Ramona is now involved with raising money for shelters and safe houses for women and children who are victims of domestic abuse.WATCH: Ramona Singer’s Pino Grigio Label, Red Wine in the Works

Stately, sexy, sassy and just plain entertaining, Sonja Tremont-Morgan shops for bargains, designs her own floral arrangements, and even gives her toaster oven cooking and red carpet ready in 20-minute demonstrations across the country. As a single mom with a taste for luxury that is balanced by her Berkshire sensibilities, she proves again and again that it’s not how much you spend, but what you select and how you use it that makes the difference. In addition to her post as fashion contributor to Star Magazine, Sonja has utilized her three decades of international entertaining experience to launch her catering, event planning, and entertainment company, Sonja in the City.

Learn more about both glam gals online at www.ramonasinger.com and www.sonjamorganonline.com.

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Foodies Are Cut From Same Tablecloth

Merilee Kern — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 10:07:48 +0000

Merilee Kern

Luxe List’s Merilee Kern: Chefs, caterers, gourmands convey similar sentiments around ‘foodie’

I was recently immersed in casual conversation at a social function and referred to myself as a “foodie.” The person I was speaking to looked at me quizzically, and asked “what makes someone a foodie…doesn’t everyone like food?”

To this, I replied with my own personal off-the-cuff definition of a foodie relative to why I consider myself one and what it generally means to me. My answer was this: “For a foodie, eating is more than an act … it’s an experience. Foodies don’t just eat a meal, they revel in it and regard all facets of the dish in the process: the ingredients used as well as how and where they were sourced, the preparation (and skill related thereto), taste, texture, smell and presentation.”

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I was not at all prepared to answer this question so specifically, but was relatively satisfied with my on-the-fly answer that duly conveyed how I personally identify with the word “foodie.” The question weighed on me however, as I later wondered if I had defined it correctly in a universal sense. Had I aptly conveyed the intended sentiments that most associate with the word “foodie” – a moniker I wear with much pride?

In pondering this, I decided to query applicable industry purveyors who would have an interesting and presumably on-point perspective of the word. Here are some of the easily digestible definitions and perceptions of the term “foodie” that I received:

Andrea Cutright

“Foodies are people that talk while they’re eating. Maybe not with their mouth full, but they talk about the experience of what they’re eating, how it’s cooked, who cooked it, the history of the dish, and more. Those things are all to be discussed, explored, and passed on as part of enjoying any meal. So the greater the diversity of what you eat, or the more fascinating the history – the more you have to talk about – and true Foodies seek that out more than others.” –Andrea Cutright, Foodily

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“A foodie is someone who delights in all things food related and seeks the high quality experience and taste. Today foodies unite for events, grub crawls, yelp reviews, and even persuade restaurant owners to change menu items.” –Brandon Sowers, BAMGAM.ORG

“A foodie is someone who seeks out experiences through flavor.” –Babette Pepaj, BakeSpace.com

Jill Nuissinow

“A foodie is a person who is concerned enough about what they eat to search out the “best” food, know its source or provenance, and cares about flavor, taste, texture, aroma more than how much they can eat and how much it costs. Foodies often also want to eat seasonal. locally and sustainably produced food, too.” –Jill Nussinow, The Veggie Queen

“The great differences between a foodie and person that just likes to eat, comes down to those who make it their mission to try every new restaurant and cuisine, those who spare no expense when it comes to eating out, and those who consider their free time to be a search for gastronomic delight; a foodie will go above and beyond, both budget and means, in an attempt to try the latest and greatest food around.” –Simon Joseph, BiteHunter, Inc.

“The defining principles between a foodie and a eater of food is that a foodie delves into the why’s, the flavors and the pairings of foods, always searching for defining moments, creating, and the uniqueness of the combinations. Although not an expert in the field as a chef, a foodie revels in the newness of it, almost like a child at Christmas.” –Chef Mary Beth Lawton Johnson, Executive Pastry Chef, Chef de Cuisine

WATCH: Where Does Chef José Andrés Find Culinary Inspiration?

“A foodie is a person who wants every bite to be an experience. Whether it’s simple comfort food or a complex dish, foodies want it fresh, carefully prepared and memorably seasoned. Foodies don’t drive thru, but they do walk up to trucks, trailers or stands.” –Chef Chic Henderson, Potato-Potahto

“A foodie is somebody who likes to eat, definitively, however also a person who knows about food, where it comes from, what is in season, proper cooking techniques, responsibility how it is caught (fish) or raised (cattle, chicken, etc.). Who never overeats, who is ready to accept that cooking sometimes takes longer than 20 minutes, somebody who can enjoy, a gourmet, somebody who likes a large plate with little food on it.” –Ula Robertson, At Your Service NY Catering

Chris Brugler

“A foodie is someone who is extremely passionate about food; it’s a way of life for them. They are in the know and want to be the first in their group to find out about the newest trends such as an up and coming chef, restaurant openings, restaurant pop ups and cannot miss the weekly local farmers market. Foodies are extremely knowledgeable about the food they are eating while someone who loves food may not know where the food came from but enjoys the dining experience. [A Quintessential] foodie dish: brown butter basted abalone with roatsed sweet corn speatzle and a Bordelaise jus.” –Chris Brugler, Chris Brugler Catering

“As a personal chef, I believe the difference is truly the appreciation of ingredients, subtle flavors and unique flavors. Someone who loves to eat will enjoy a good meal. A foodie will know that you used porcini mushrooms over generic, yuzu over lemon juice and champagne vinegar in their dressing. The foodie questions the ingredients, discusses the recipe. The lover just wants seconds. Lovers order what they know in a restaurant. Foodies order what’s different. Lovers shop one grocery store. Foodies will spend the day visiting specialty shops for ingredients. It is truly love vs. passion.” –Laura MacDougall, Home Plate Advantage

With these disparate foodies conveying remarkably similar sentiments, sensibility and outright emotion around the word in question, one thing is clear: foodies are cut from the same cloth – indubitably a tablecloth.

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