Finding Culinary Bliss in Europe

By Danya Endburg, Travel Write, 2020

It’s the fuel for our adventures, and, for many of us, the sole motive for our travels. Cuisine is most captivating when it conjures a story; imparting a glimpse into another narrative entirely. The most inspiring dish is one that progresses beyond an investigation of its flavors to unearth the traditions that inspired it, appreciates the indigenous natural elements that birthed it, and witnesses the art of the process by the people who crafted it. From modern spotlight affairs of artful presentation to the simple beauty of authentic longstanding staples, here are four cities that exemplify this elegant intersection of cuisine and culture.

LONDON

Many travelers hold sacred the culinary philosophy that the best dining experiences are solely those authentic to the immediate destination. English food has its signature strokes—and they can be delightfully gluttonous in moderation—but the heavy pies, cream-based accompaniments, and butter-drenched morsels of traditional English cuisine comprise but a small wing in London’s larger gastronomic gallery; most works are international.

From the up-and-coming chefs hidden amongst the Borough Market food stalls to the friendly local restaurateur around the corner, you can taste flavors from the far reaches of the earth in a few short blocks. London is the living metaphor of contributions from previously colonized countries around the globe, and it’s these diverse fusions, adoptions, and collaborations that make the city’s food scene so unique. 

Indian flavors are so pervasive in the UK, you can visit an American fast-food chain and find the big-name menu item with a tikka masala twist. As tempting as that may be, we recommend the Michelin-starred Veeraswamy in Mayfair instead. A short walk from the theaters of the West End, London’s oldest Indian restaurant is awash with vibrant Maharajah-inspired décor, serving fine-tuned, innovative takes on traditional dishes.

PARIS

With restaurants boasting over 140 Michelin stars, living well is easy in the city of Paris, perhaps most notably at the establishments of Alain Ducasse. Among the most esteemed chefs in the world, Ducasse holds a total of 19 Michelin stars across 23 restaurants in seven countries. His flagship Parisian eatery, Restaurant le Meurice, is a beacon of epicurean fortitude, crafting unexpected combinations such as Brittany langoustine in lemon cream alongside golden Iranian caviar, Groix Island sole filets with héliantis roots and black truffle, and a dessert of Landes apricots with avocado and fresh almond tofu.

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The French tradition that inspired Julia Child and countless others is known for marrying opposing flavor profiles and textures — like the pairing of a salty Roquefort with a glass of sweet Sauternes or the brittle caramelized crust atop a smooth crème brûlée. Part of the beauty of the Parisian experience is that hints of this ubiquitous tradition show themselves in subtle ways, both in swanky restaurants and modest local cafes alike. Witness it firsthand with the obligatory visit to a local fromagerie like Androuet or Laurent Dubois. For dessert, be sure to grab a pastel-colored box of goodies from Ladurée.

Whether you speak the language or not, your best attempt at simple French pleasantries will go a long way in receiving stellar recommendations — and it’s often these authentic interactions that are most telling of the culture.

ROME

Some of the world’s most inventive and influential culinary techniques were born from hardship, as is the case for the most pristine expression of the Mediterranean diet: southern Italian cuisine. Lacking the metropolitan infrastructure of the north, southern Italians cooked with what was available. They substituted labor-intensive products like butter, cured meats, and other staples of the wealthy north with the south’s abundant seafood, fresh olive oil, and local produce. Today, northern Italians still love their rich cream sauces and stuffed meats, but it’s the minimalist southern approach that has informed the evolution of popular Italian gastronomy.

In Rome, these roots have long since advanced beyond their poverty-born beginnings at the city’s first and only three-star Michelin restaurant. Perched atop a panoramic rooftop garden, a table at La Pergola comes with a breathtaking view overlooking the Eternal City, about a mile from the Vatican itself. Try the licorice-crusted John Dory with black truffle and parsnip puree or the red shrimp with white melon, herb pesto, and hibiscus — both part of a tasting menu that is modern while still exemplifying the traditional Italian philosophy that the best flavors start with the highest quality ingredients. 

These quintessential Italian tastes aren’t limited to Michelin-rated restaurants, either. The city is just as easily appreciated from the patio of a humble neighborhood trattoria. And however touristy they may seem, don’t skip fundamental Italian fare: pizza, espresso, and gelato. For the latter, order the Nocciola (hazelnut) at Giolitti, Rome’s oldest gelateria just steps from the soaring columns of the Pantheon. With an Art-Nouveau style marked by emerald marble accents and retro mint-colored seating outside the blush stucco exterior, it’s just as charming as it is delicious.

BARCELONA

Inspired by its ample shoreline as much as its mountains and nearby fertile pastures, the gastronomy of Barcelona is a graceful expression of geographical biodiversity. Perhaps it was this exact combination that set the stage for the explosion of the tapas movement. These small plates have become Spain’s means of exhibiting their culinary aptitude in a course-by-course award ceremony showcasing the region’s ecological forte complemented with its most flattering flavor siblings and dished up like tiny works of art.

If you’re familiar with only one name in the Barcelona tapas scene, it is most likely Adrià. Brothers Ferran and Albert Adrià were responsible for the famed restaurant El Bulli, which closed in 2011 after having gained global recognition as one of the most influential restaurants in the world. Today, six restaurants bear the illustrious Adrià name. Crafting  everything from Nikkei cuisine at Pakta, the only restaurant in Barcelona serving this distinct Peruvian-Japanese fusion, to high-end tapas at the (literally) flashy epicurean amusement park Tickets, the brothers Adrià have forged a culinary empire.

The newest Adrià venture might be the most curious one yet. Already joining the Michelin ranks the year of its debut, Enigma stays true to its name, requiring patrons to enter a secret code to unlock the front door to the restaurant. What awaits (after agreeing to the strict photo policy, of course) is a dining experience shrouded in mystery, rumored to comprise of over 40 dishes on a dreamlike four-hour journey advancing through seven surreal chambers, each with its own distinct theme. For those who have experienced it, their reviews are incredible, but the details remain elusive.

To plan a culinary escape to Europe, contact your travel professional today. Rhonda Macier Lathen, Owner and Operator of Culinary Latitudes Travel, specializes in European tours and river cruises. Contact Rhonda at 303-919-8627 to start the process. Advisor rates are currently waived and you’ll be glad you called a professional.

November 24th - Promos and Incentives!

Here are this week’s great deals … some start today! Why book a cruise now? The prices are better than they have ever been and most cruise lines are allowing you to switch the dates of travel up to 48 hours prior to departure. ie. book a cruise today for September 1, 2021. You have until August 29th to move this trip to a future date or year. Great way to surprise your family this holiday!!

Royal Caribbean Cruises Offer valid November 24 - December 1, 2020 - Great choice for families!

photo credit: RCCL

CYBER WEEK SAVINGS BIGGER AND BOLDER — Your clients will save up to $550 when they book now. BETTER TOGETHER — They’ll also score 60% off their second guest. KIDS SAIL FREE — Children 12 and under go free all year long.* CRUISE WITH CONFIDENCE — Your clients can cancel their reservation up to 48 hours before they sail and receive a Future Cruise Credit. And they'll get our Best Price Guarantee.

“River cruises typically include accommodations, excursions & tours, fine dining, and drinks!”

Avalon Waterways - River Cruises with Globus

What’s your idea of the perfect day on your river cruise? Borrowing a bicycle from ship for a picnic on shore? Gliding through the Rhine Gorge in a kayak? Or imitating the brush strokes of Van Gogh in a little French village? Whichever way you wish to spend your day, you’ll find the Classic, Active, and Discovery excursions and activities that speak to you. So, go ahead, pick up a paintbrush, a paddle, or the perfect vintage. The possibilities are as wide open as the view.

photo credit: Avalon River Cruises

Upgrade to a Panorama Suite for FREE on Select 2021 Avalon Waterways Europe River Cruises*

Booking window: Now through January 4, 2021; Travel window: January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021

AMAWaterways River Cruises - Book 5 Cabins and one guests travels free! (this is unlimited)

photo credit: AmaWaterways, Canada

Fly free to Europe in 2021 and complimentary sailing for frontline heroes. Solo travel special 25% single supplement! Save 5% on early booking now. AmaWaterways includes all tours & drinks! Ask about the chef’s table experience.

*Azamara Club Cruises (tips and drinks…alcohol too…always included)

photo credit: Azamara Club Cruises

THE RICHEST SAVINGS & ONBOARD BENEFITS OF THE SEASON THANK YOU SALE - Up to $1000 OBC PLUS Double Upgrade on select sailings when booked between November 19-December 5, 2020.

*Culinary Latitudes is considering a group South Africa trip in 2022 if there is enough interest.

Sandals & Beaches - All-Inclusive Award Winning Resorts

photo credit: Sandals Resorts

Beaches is great for families; Sandals is a nice option for adults only. For a limited time, Travel protection (including medical) plan is included in your reservation!

Free gift of Waterford wine glasses. Free room upgrade … When you book between November 4th and December 11th, 2020 for travel December 25th, 2020 – January 4th, 2021.

Culinary Latitudes is a full service travel agency and offer escorted tours, river cruises, and ocean cruises, as well as resort stays for our clients.

Join S.A.L.T. for even more perks!

Call 303-919-8627 to book your trip today!

Sustainable and spiritual cuisine

Photo credit: Sunrise Ranch

Article written by Rhonda Macier Lathen, excerpts from SunriseRanch.org

If you find yourself dining on healthy ingredients that have been plucked from our earth by people who have a commitment to healthy living in mind and spirit, then it’s hard to deny that something bigger than ourselves plays a part in nourishing our bodies.  

Kimberly Foster, Global Community Marketer at Sunrise Ranch, recently moved to Loveland, Colorado after spending most of her life in California. She was kind enough to share a tour of the ranch with Culinary Latitudes Travel, including an unexpected and “beyond-organic” dining experience at their Pavilion. The 5-acre farm goes above and beyond USDA organic regulations. “The ranch is proud of the fact that since 1945 we have never used chemical fertilizers or pesticides.”

Photo credit: Sunrise Ranch, Celia feeding chickens

Ms. Foster introduced us to the Executive Chef Barret W. Barth , and we learned that his wife and 3 daughters live on the premises with him in exchange for his farm-to-table culinary creations. An off the cuff interview with their chef provided us with an inside look at dining experiences offered at Sunrise Ranch. “I don’t like to follow a recipe. I just use what ingredients are at hand and create something new every day” states Chef Barret. From large metal hooks for hanging aged-dried meats to a refrigerator bigger than most homeowner’s bedrooms, he has everything an experienced chef would wish for to run a full kitchen. 

Chef Barret shares a few tips with Culinary Latitudes, llc owner, Rhonda Macier Lathen

As a young boy, Barret would ask to be excused from the table at restaurants so he could spy on the kitchens and watch the chefs work. This fascination was just the beginning as 11-year old Barret requested an omelet pan for his birthday, not Legos or a skate-board as most boys his age would like. His family would awake to the smell of breakfast being prepared every morning. His first paying job in the food industry was bussing tables and doing food prep at age 12 in a Jersey Greek restaurant. At age 15 he and his father moved to the Mountainous region where they purchased and ran a place called the Stew Pot, currently the oldest restaurant in Snow Mass, Colorado. Under their management, this restaurant became the highest-grossing business per square foot in the Roaring Fork Valley.

At age 17 Barth’s he joined the U.S. Navy and was stationed in San Diego, California, aboard the USS Long Beach CGN-9. He cruised the Pacific for almost three years as a cook where he was allowed to pursue his love of the culinary arts. “My time in the Navy was where I got my culinary training” shared Chef Barret.

Back in Colorado he met his wife and they decided to move to Florida where he worked at Ophelia’s on the Bay. Sarasota was good to him and he was quickly noticed as one of the top 200 chefs in Florida while working at this award-winning restaurant. The chef's journey in the culinary world allowed him to consult for restaurants, work in hospitals including Meals on Wheels services, and brought him to his current position at Sunrise Ranch.

With his staff cut in half due to the pandemic, guests still claim one of their favorite parts of staying at the ranch is the food! When asked what the chef would like his guests to know about him he shares “My desire to serve and glorify God."  His experience at the ranch has been nothing but positive.

Travel to distant places is not on Chef Barret’s mind. Today he would just like to travel “anywhere in the U.S. …. maybe Hawaii”. His time in the Navy filled his need to explore further.

You might want to visit Sunrise Ranch or check out the Fort Collins or Loveland farmer’s market to purchase some of the same organic vegetables, grass-fed meats, and other pantry items the chef uses to prepare gourmet meals at Sunrise Ranch.

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If you are thinking about distant places and would like to chat about booking a 2021 experience, contact us with your information and we’d be happy to assist you!