Best Foodie Tour in New Orleans + Cafe Du Monde Secrets from a Local

Our fabulous tour guide Elizabeth in front of Saint Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square during our foodie walking tour in the French Quarter.

On our first full day in New Orleans, our Destination Kitchen walking foodie tour of the French Quarter was the best part. Here is where we stopped along our tour:

Praline Cookies
We ate the most delicious praline cookies made of shortbread called Odi's Praline in a Cookie, and sipped chicory coffee.

Dane and his gumbo and muffaletta in the French Market.

French Market
We walked by Cafe Du Monde, but it was too busy for the whole group to stop and enjoy, so we headed to the French Market for gumbo and a muffaletta sandwich and some shopping. The gumbo was spicy and the sandwich was yummy, served cold, not hot.

As Elizabeth lovingly called this statue of Joan Arc - Joanie on a pony. She hangs out right by the French Market.

New Orleans History
Our tour guide Elizabeth stopped us periodically along the sidewalk to share tips and history of New Orleans. She described the Vieux Carre's historic preservation guidelines that has maintained the charm of the Mediterranean- and French-style buildings.

Pimms Cup
We enjoyed a beef po boy sandwich and refreshing cucumber mint cocktail called a Pimms Cup at the second-oldest bar in New Orleans, Tujague's.

A bartender preparing the Pimm's Cup cocktails at Tujague's, the second-oldest bar in New Orleans.

Praline
The pralines kept flowing when we got to taste another one at the Southern Candymakers. This one was so buttery and rich. Elizabeth said she likes to buy one or two and wrap them up for her purse for a snack later.

Macaroons
Our final stop was Sucre for gelato, macaroons and a bit of chocolate. This cute little sweet shop had a fun, French atmosphere.

A bite of chocolate and a strawberry macaroon for each of us at Sucre by Jackson Square.

Major kudos to Elizabeth and Destination Kitchen for cooking up such a delicious tour for us. We walked for about three hours and ate so many delicious things. This tour is not for folks who can't be on their feet for a couple of hours and it is for 21+.

Biggest disappointment of the day
I had read about this Backstage Pass to meet penguins at the Audubon Nature Institute in New Orleans. Dane and I walked over to go meet them and we learned you have to make a reservation AND it's $150 per person (including tax). We said no thanks and walked away.

After walking the riverfront and NOT seeing the penguins, we enjoyed pool time at the hotel and made a dinner decision. What THE BOOK called the best pizza in the city was at Domenica couple of blocks from the hotel, so away we went.

We did actually get to witness a second line right before our tour started! Look at this guy's brilliant costume!

Domenica
OK, the hostess was the rudest we encountered during our trip, but our waitress was lovely and the atmosphere and meal were memorable. We scored a window table where we watched the street traffic during our dinner. Darling Husband had a beer and the Smoked Pork pizza. I had a cocktail and the Calabrese pizza. It wasn't too spicy. The crust was rustic and delicious.

Domenica's had the most delicious, rustic pizza right in the Business District.

Bourbon Street
After dinner, Darling Husband wanted to walk Bourbon Street and I obliged him. Honestly, I'm OK never walking Bourbon Street again. It was a Friday at 8 p.m. and had loud music, pushy club promoters trying to coax women inside their businesses, drunk, stumbling people and at one point I legitimately thought I was going to get puked on.

Order a little black decaf coffee with your order of beignets at Cafe Du Monde. I especially liked them dunked right in the coffee.

Cafe Du Monde
Tour guide Elizabeth said the biggest mistake made at Cafe Du Monde is people wait in line for a table. Don't. Just walk in, locate an open table and sit down. The wait staff members are actually contractors. They come by, clean off the table and take your order. They buy the beignets from Cafe Du Monde and then charge you. The prices are listed so there's no funny business and honestly you would never know. Darling Husband and I enjoyed three beignets paired with a cup of decaf black coffee for me and a decaf cafe au lait for him.

I didn't get any powdered sugar on my black shirt. I may have on my skirt, but it was white so I couldn't tell!

Our waiter was fabulous in terms of service and I tipped him generously. He brought us two Cafe Du Monde paper hats that now adorn a shelf in our living room. Oh and don't wear black pants or skirt. I saw a couple ladies walk out with laps covered in powdered sugar. I wore a white lace skirt (similar).

Verdict: Do not miss: Foodie tour, Domenica pizza and Cafe Du Monde. Skip: $150 penguins and Bourbon Street.

I loved how these shutters were all crooked. The imperfect nature was refreshing.

Don't you wish you lived here?

Hotel selfie!

Check out the jasmine blooming on this garden gate in the French Quarter.

Darling Husband indulged in the little cup of gelato on our tour at Sucre.

We stopped in Saint Louis Cathedral. WOW. No detail was spared.

A couple's getaway to New Orleans, Louisiana + Best Cajun Crawfish

We snagged a Groupon discount to stay at Le Pavillon in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of US Travel News.

For more than one year, New Orleans has been on my list. You know, the list you keep in your head that details IF you got to travel, where you would go. Honestly, Las Vegas and Disney World used to be on top. But, about a year ago New Orleans made its way up there.

I read fantastic guide books and did tons of research about where to stay and where to eat during our trip.

I REALLY wanted to stay at Hotel Monteleone. But, when I looked online what that would cost us, I decided to seek a cheaper option. I'm so glad I did!

Here's the hotel bar. No expense was spared in the details and decorating of this hotel.

I booked Darling Husband and I four nights at Le Pavillon, a hotel with a smokin' Groupon deal. The hotel is in the Business District, and was a 10-minute walk to the heart of the French Quarter and two blocks to the St. Charles Streetcar that took us to the Garden District.

After walking by Hotel Monteleone in the French Quarter, I WAS SO HAPPY we weren't staying in that rowdy, bustling part of the city. I don't think I would have slept a wink!

We flew into New Orleans at 2 p.m. on a Thursday and took an Uber from the airport to Le Pavillon, about a 20-minute drive. The entrance to the hotel is stately and impressive. Inside the entry, every nook and cranny is decorated with fresh flowers and landscapes and portraits in huge gilded frames. The staff's hospitality was incredible. We felt welcome from the moment we arrived to when we departed.

We enjoyed a glass of wine after dinner at the hotel pool one night. Can you see the full moon between the skyscrapers?

Our room wasn't huge, but was a good size for two. We were on the fourth floor and had only a view of the street below. BUT, this is the best hotel because of the rooftop pool. This moderate-sized pool was a highlight for us every day to soak our sore walking feet and cool off before dinner.

The bed in our room was softer than I prefer and the pillows were those terrible down pillows that immediately smoosh flat as soon as you rest your head. After two nights on those pillows, we requested new ones and slept much better.

Definitely head to the lobby at 10 p.m. for a full PB&J bar as a late-night snack. Milk and cocoa help you wash it down.

Last word of warning about the hotel (and New Orleans in general) - beware of the bachelor parties. We saw some bachelorette parties too, to be fair. But we encountered two groups at the rooftop pool on different days and these folks are in town to party.

First dinner was at Bon Ton Cafe in the Business District. The cafe says it is the oldest Cajun restaurant in New Orleans. Photo courtesy of New Orleans News Online.

Best Crawfish

During our trip, we only ate from restaurants with high ratings in our "Eat Dat" book. The best Cajun food was at Bon Ton Cafe in the Business District, so after we landed we made a dinner reservation. Bon Ton Cafe claims to be the oldest Cajun restaurant in New Orleans, originally opening in the 1900s. It has a tight schedule, so check the website before you go. We enjoyed a catfish appetizer and crawfish jambalaya. Darling Husband had the crawfish dinner.

The spice was mild and not hot, but dishes were still flavorful. Nothing was overcooked and the service was impeccable. We did sit by a family with a couple of kids, but there was also another couple on a romantic date. It's a fine setting for both. This was our most expensive dinner we ate in NOLA, so pay attention to pricing too if that's a concern.

Verdict: Search Groupon for great deals on fabulous hotels in New Orleans and do your research to eat at the best New Orleans restaurants. There is a lot of cuisine and some can be touristy and not good quality food. Bon Ton Cafe is a memorable, classic New Orleans spot if you can get in during its tight schedule.

The crawfish was delicious at Bon Ton Cafe, but we also loved the fried catfish appetizer.

Day Trip to the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival - Roozengarde

Acres of tulips on a cool, cloudy morning in Skagit Valley, Washington.

It was not easy to talk my husband into driving two hours to see some tulips.

I had been reading about the beautiful flowers for months. Then, before I knew it, it is April and it is time for the Skagit Valley Tulip Festival. 

I tried to get Darling Husband to the festival the first weekend in April, but we honestly had too much going on. The second Sunday arrived and it was our time.

We left the house at 8 a.m. to make our way up north. It was about a 2 hour, 15 minute drive. The traffic wasn't bad that early in the day. We took the exit the blinking WSDOT sign recommended and somehow ended up winding our way through the valley to Roozengarde.

Owners ask that you stay out of the tulip rows and please leave your puppy pals at home to protect the flowers.

We knew we had made it to the right place by the hoard of cars turning into the parking lot. There were plenty of parking attendants, so it was pretty painless.

When visiting the tulip fields, bring your patience and remember cash is king. Cash gets you in quicker and moves you quicker through the checkout process for your fresh cut flowers and kettle corn made on site.

Once you are in, the photo opportunities are endless. Beautiful tulips greet you everywhere you look. If you have strollers or family members with mobility challenges, enjoy the gardens in the front. The trip is still worth it. 

Port-o-potties and hand washing stations were easily accessible in the parking area and in Roozengarde.

Here was our favorite - the Miranda. We're planning to plant them in our front garden bed next fall.

If you plan on walking out into the fields, wear your tennis shoes or rain boots because the fields are uneven, rutted and muddy. The temperature was cool when we went, about 50 degrees, so layer up and wear a rain coat (I love this one in yellow). It was really windy the day we went and I wish I had brought a hair tie and a scarf with me.

We left Ralphie at home because dogs are not allowed on site. The owners also don't want people walking in between rows in the fields because the flowers may get trampled. You can still get beautiful photos from the walkways.

We walked out to the fields, took some photos, watched people and mothers trying relentlessly to get their children to stop wiggling and pose for photos, and headed back to get kettle corn and some fresh cut tulips.

I can't eve wrap my mind around how much work goes into planning and planting the stunning gardens.

Darling Husband waited in the lengthy food line while I purchased the tulips. We had picked our favorite type of tulip, a bold red Miranda, but they didn't have any of those bulbs in stock to take home. I grabbed a bunch of red and pink multi and a bunch of light pink fresh cut tulips to brighten our home and rejoined him in the food line.

After about 1.5 hours, the droves of people were getting larger. We wound our way back toward the exit and through the gardens. I can't bear the thought that we almost missed them. There are more tulips of bold, breathtaking color than the eye can handle. Dane and I talked about arrangements we liked, already planning our garden beds in our heads. 

We slowly made our way out of Roozengarde and 1.5 hours was enough.

Verdict: You should see the tulips once. I don’t think we’ll go next year, but make our own mini Roozengarde in our flower beds at home instead. But, the fields and gardens were beautiful and inspiring. Arrive as early as humanly possible to enjoy smaller crowds and less traffic. And bring your patience. There are many screaming kids and yelling parents so leave your judgement at home. Or, just silently people watch. It’s good for that, too.

Those with strollers or mobility challenges can stay in the front gardens on flat paths and still enjoy the flowers.

Review: Boeing Future of Flight Tour - Mukilteo, Wash.

Photo courtesy of Puget Exposure.

My Darling Husband picked this week's adventure! And it was a great one.

The Boeing Future of Flight tour in Mukilteo, Wash., was selected by Darling Husband as our before-cruise adventure. 

We totally recommend this tour that is $16 per person. We learned a lot and felt like exclusive VIPs. 

Get lost

The Google maps on my phone did not take us to the right location. They recommend you arrive 30 minutes before your scheduled tour and I think this rule is because people like us get lost in the huge airport and Boeing complex. Thankfully, I called the tour's phone number and the gal was able to get us to the right spot on time.

No cameras

The tour starts with a quick 6-minute video and an introduction from the tour guide. Our guide was Amanda and she was very serious about cell phones and cameras. Purses, phones, cameras and other bags must all be left in the car. They won't turn a blind eye if they see these. They will take them. Next, you hop a bus to see the facility where they build the Boeing 747.

Tunnels

Off the bus and through the doors, the tour takes you underneath the facility in a long concrete tunnel. Your guide leads you about one third of a mile and into a large service elevator that feels like a Star Wars scene. The doors open and you get to see the huge facility and all of the shiny planes in progress. The Boeing building is the largest in the world. Those planes are huge!

Photo courtesy of Northwestmilitary.com

Mostly dudes

As we headed to the next area, again by bus, I realized that there were a lot of dudes on the tour. No little kids, as you must be 4 feet tall to participate. I think this is because the railings are really tall and kids wouldn't be able to safely see what was happening on the floor below. 

New shinys

We next got to see where they manufacture the 777s. They have a new Dreamliner and a plane large enough to hold completed plane parts flown from all over the world. They make plane parts in Japan, Italy, Russia and and South Carolina and fly them to the Washington facility for completion.

Favorite parts

My favorite parts: the moving assembly line, the clouds that used to form and rain in these buildings because they are so big, learning about the different engines and our tour guide. I'm an anxious flier and this tour actually made me feel a little bit safer - a little. Don't miss going up to the roof of the Future of Flight building to watch the planes take off and land.

Verdict: Plane enthusiast? Don't miss this! Curious? You won't regret it. A unique, fun  couple adventure.

Pet-Friendly Couple's Getaway to Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Wash.

Happy New Year from the Salish Lodge & Spa!

Happy New Year! Darling Husband, my beloved volunteer firefighter, was on shift at the fire station New Year's Eve. So, we rang in the New Year two days later with a Ralphie vacation at Salish Lodge & Spa in Snoqualmie, Wash.

Loved the Snoqualmie Falls, but it was busy!

A hike

We arrived in Snoqualmie on a sunny day a little before our check-in time to hike the falls trail before the sun went down. This was a great decision. The trail was clear and busy with sightseers. I was glad I wore my snow boots because the grade is very steep and it was icy in places. It was neat to see the falls from different viewpoints and the turbines and tubing were huge and thought provoking. Going back up the trail was tough. Definitely not good for family members with mobility issues.

When we turned the corner, these huge tubes of water were unexpected and way cool.

The falls

I know people who have gotten engaged at the falls and the site and lodge are ranked as one of the best places to kiss in the northwest. It was still school winter break when we were there and it was pretty packed with tourists. I didn't feel quite comfortable getting too cozy with my husband with all those kids and grammies around. So the romance was turned down a notch, but the falls were still gorgeous.

Ralphie loved the lodge's 4-star pup treatment, including his own blanket to take home and this delicious cookie.

Dog friendly

Ralphie was more than welcome at the lodge after our little hike. In the lobby he was a celebrity with a group of kids. In our room he received a Salish blanket, dog cookie and special note from our housekeeper. He enjoyed the four-star treatment. The only spot of grass by the lodge was about 2 minutes away on the falls trail, so the walk out to go potty was a little out of the way. This was only an issue because it was chilly outside!

Our River View King Room.

Accommodations

Our room had beautiful high ceilings, rustic lodge decor and the biggest, fanciest spa bathtub I have ever seen. We had a river view king room and the river view was OK. I wish it had been a view of the falls. The bed was pretty soft, so hard mattress lovers be warned! Darling Husband liked that he could make us an actual fire in the fireplace. It wasn’t just a gas fireplace.

The view from our room.

Dinner

Based on a recommendation from my parents, we had dinner at The Attic. We went right at 5 p.m. to beat the rush. They don't take reservations. When we arrived, it was already rowdy in the small dining area. We enjoyed the house-made chips, a margherita pizza and the Philly cheesesteak sandwich. I drank the Salish Lodge & Spa Red Blend wine and Dane enjoyed the Pike Hive Five Salish Lodge & Spa Hopped Honey Ale. Yum!

Brunch

Before our trip, I made brunch reservations for 9 a.m. Sunday. Even though the Dining Room wasn't full yet, we still didn't get a table with a view. The lack of falls view from inside the lodge is my only gripe about the whole experience. Show me the falls! I had the Eggs Benedict with crab and Dane had an all-meat omelet. His plate came with a biscuit and the waitress did the Honey From Heaven tradition. The lodge has an onsite apiary with bees and produces its own honey. The waitress dipped her spoon in the honey pot and held it high above the table letting it fall onto his biscuit. It was a unique tradition and a must-see.

Verdict: Our visit to the lodge with a pup was spendy. $$$$ for sure. This is perfect for a special occasion like New Year's or an anniversary. It was very quiet in the lodge (other than The Attic) and it was a perfect place to recharge after enjoying too much family togetherness during Christmas. It is great for couples with pets and after the craziness of the children's museum during Winter Break, I was happy that there were not tons of kids running around and screaming. 

Have a happy New Year everyone! Many blessings for you and your families in 2016!

Santa was still on site!

Ralphie enjoying the view of the falls.

Happy New Year from the Henzes!

A Day Trip to Seabrook, Wash.

When there's a break in the rain, head to the Washington Coast! Check out this gorgeous view from our table at the Ocean Crest Restaurant.

My, my. Seabrook is growing!

In an effort to escape the house during a break in the rain this winter, darling husband, the in-laws and I drove up the coast to the Pacific Beach, Wash., little gem of a seaside community called Seabrook. 

Seabrook was started in 2004. I visited often when I lived in the area and stayed for a girls weekend with my mom and sister in 2010. This adorable collection of Cape Cod-style homes has really developed since then.

Here were our favorites last weekend:

Salty Dog

What a cute dog shop! I wanted to buy Ralphie about 19 collars. Lots of toys, clothes, dog dishes - wow! Seattle prices, so you’d have to consider it an investment for the pooch you love.

How cute is this Town Hall in Seabrook?

Crafty Christine

This little retro camper was cold inside in the winter, but I had to snag a Sasquatch magnet for Darling Husband.

Fun photos

Standup "put your face here" boards have been added. I got Darling Husband and the in-laws in the Sasquatch family photo. Dane and I were photographed as the vintage beach couple.

Seaworthy Home

A gorgeous nautical/beach you home store. Gorgeous items. Perfect place to find a hostess gift.

The Stowaway wine bar was cozy and chic. A great place to hang out at Seabrook.

The Stowaway

I won't lie. We spent the most of our time at this little wine bar. Cozy inside, Betsy the owner was very hospitable. We tried four wines, whites and reds, from California, Washington and one Italian import. I walked away with a bottle of Ramsey Cabernet Sauvignon from the North Coast of California. Note: No dogs or minors allowed inside.

Be a looky-loo

My mother-in-law and I love to look at houses. Seabrook does not disappoint in charm. Homes have cute names on placards, big front porches and general salty style. Loved all of it.

A beautiful glass light fixture in the Ocean Crest Resort Restaurant.

On the way home

On the way back to Aberdeen, Wash., where we were staying for the holidays, we had lunch at the Ocean Crest Resort Restaurant in Moclips, Wash. I hadn't eaten there since before it burned down a few years ago. It reopened in July 2014. The view is still gorgeous and the food is still great. Diane loved the clam chowder. I had the Turkey Blogger sandwich that was delicious with turkey and cranberry chutney on good bread. The lunch was very slow. It took an hour to get our food and it was not busy. But! We shared a bottle of L'Ecole No. 41 Walla Walla wine and chatted.

Verdict: I'm so impressed by the added shops and activities for the whole family at Seabrook. Couples will love the wine bar or taking the dog for a walk around town and on the beach. Families will love the beach, huge parks and ceramics painting shop. 

Happy New Year, everyone!

What to Eat + Do in Leavenworth, Wash. AND How to Survive the Crowds

Bring a sled for some free fun on the little hill in town center of Leavenworth.

I really loved that Darling Husband and I booked our second December trip to Leavenworth,Wash. After being novices the first year, we had much more insight into what we wanted to do and where we wanted to eat.

On Saturdays and Sundays during the holidays, tour buses bring THOUSANDS of cheerful Christmas lovers into the tiny town. Saturday is especially busy because of the Christmas Tree Lighting at 4:30 p.m. Streets are closed so there is enough room for everyone to walk. Store lines for the cash register wind throughout and the wait for lunch takes an hour or more. Bring your patience and these tips.

Friday is your new favorite day

Both years, Dane and I stayed in Leavenworth Friday-Sunday. In 2014, we tried to do lunch and shopping on Saturday. This was a mistake. This year, we knew that our high priority spots to visit and eat needed to be visited Friday night when there are FAR fewer people in town. Planning this way saved us a lot of wait time and stress in 2015.

Have a refuge

In 2014 the weather was clear and freezing. This year we had a damp, cold, rain-snow mix. The effect the rain-snow had was amazing. All of the thousands of people bussed in had nowhere to get out of the rain. They huddled under overhangs and spent mindless hours looking at Christmas ornaments to stay dry. Dane and I headed back to our room at the Bavarian Lodge to watch a Christmas movie or do puzzles. This was definitely an advantage.

Bring a sled

Wake up early in the morning and bring your sled to Town Square. I love sledding and getting there before all of the kids made me feel safe (I’m not one who wants to run over kids). The hill is small enough for wimps like me. And even when there was no snow in 2014, they trucked snow in for the sledding hill. FREE!

Make reservations, and do so early

Thankfully, I love dinner reservations and tend to make them rather than not. We enjoyed Italian dinner at Visconti’s in 2014 and at Watershed Café in 2015. The line for a table at Visconti’s that night was insane. I felt terrible for the hungry families that waited for hours. Watershed in 2015 said it only took dinner reservations at 6 and 8 p.m. It was far more mellow than Visconti’s, but not as family friendly. Definitely perfect for a romantic date. Visconti’s food was good, but they definitely hustled us out. Watershed had a great menu, but was pricey and only had one waitress for the entire dining room. She did her best, but service was very slow. $$$$

Don't miss the Priebe Porter and pretzel at Icicle Brewing Company.

BEST Friday night grub

No dinner reservation needed Friday evening. At 4 p.m., go to Icicle Brewing Company and order a pint of their Priebe Porter and a soft pretzel with real butter, salt and Beecher’s cheese. Then walk over to Munchen House and sit at a fire table while enjoying German sausage, chili and more beer, of course! $

Lunch - skip it

We had lunch at Bavarian Bistro & Bar in 2014 and at Andreas Keller Restaurant in 2015. Skip Bavarian Bistro & Bar. We waited an hour or more. Andreas Keller was timed perfectly – 11:30 a.m. – food was great (Schnitzel cordon bleu), but EXPENSIVE!!! Pack some sandwiches and eat in your room. Save your money for dinner. $$$-$$$$

Set a budget for Kris Kringl

My most favorite shop in Leavenworth is Kris Kringl. It has every Christmas ornament, decoration and trinket you never knew you needed! In 2014 I went a little crazy and we ended up buying three Snow Village houses, characters for those houses, and a Christmas ornament for everyone in my family. This year, Darling Husband and I took inventory of what we needed and purchased one Snow Village house and one character. Phew. $$-$$$$

Two glasses of joy and some wine tasting at IRW Uptown.

For when you’re feeling classy

My most favorite Saturday after-lunch refuge in 2015 was the Icicle Ridge Winery tasting room (called IRW Uptown). OMG. The décor – cushy white banquettes, huge antler chandeliers, white, black and gold everywhere AND good wine! Dane and I spent a couple of hours trying the wine flights (red for me, white for him) and followed that up with a glass of their sparkling JOY. We brought home the Christmas Cab, which was delicious. And their Riesling was the best I have ever tasted. $$$$

The most swanky tasting room I have ever been in. I'm in love!

For when you’re feeling brave

Head out of town five miles to the Lt. Michael Adams Tubing Hill. $18 will get you a pass to tube as much as you want down a death-defying, steep hill on tubes that they wax. Dane enjoyed himself. I was a wimp who enjoyed watching him almost toss his cookies. $

Watch your loved ones fly down an icy hill! They do let you try it for free once to see if you like it. I didn't even get that far. 

Verdict: The second December trip to Leavenworth was a success. We stood in line and waited far less than in 2014. We did not renew the second year because we feel like we’ve done it. On to somewhere new! But, I highly recommend a weekend trip for Christmas-loving couples. It’s very expensive, so set a budget, do as much on Friday as possible and enjoy!

What to eat + drink in Ashland, Oregon

There is still so much I didn't get to experience in regard to food and wine in Ashland. Check out my favorites below.

I ate and drank some delicious things in Ashland, Ore., earlier this month. Here are some recommendations for lunches and dinners solo or with your bestie girlfriend.

Larks restaurant is in this lovely old hotel downtown.

1) Treat yourself to a solo lunch at Larks: Perfect mezzanine table, friendly staff, a divine glass of local Tempranillo and the turkey melt sandwich special. And definitely accept the lavender bread while you wait.

2) Sushi dinner at Kobe: Ask to sit outside on the river. Many of the roll selections had spicy ingredients like jalapeño. This place is definitely doing sushi with a twist. Our rolls, Duma and West, were fresh and devoured quickly. We washed them down with cocktails, a St. Germain cocktail for me and a Kobe drop with lychee for Marcia. Plus! When I left my watch in the Kobe restroom Friday night we called Saturday and they had found it! Major points!

3) Cocktails at Liquid Assets: Peach Stone cocktail with peach Makers Mark for Marcia and La Luz, a tequila, lime and sparkling wine cocktail for me. We shared tiramisu that didn't quite live up to expectations. Pass on dessert and just go for the booze. Liquid assets had a cool vibe that also would be great for a date.

The view is one of the best parts of Weisinger Family Winery. It reminded me of the rolling hills of Napa Valley.

4) Weisinger Family Winery: Not a tourist attraction for the tasting room itself, but the wine was great. It was close to downtown. This was my first solo wine taste and the gal behind the bar could have been more warm and welcoming. Weisinger had a healthy selection of whites and reds to choose from, the viognier grape being the specialty grape of the region. I learned a lot and brought home three bottles of wine for my Thanksgiving table.

Be warned - there is not a lot of signage for the tasting room. I actually drove by it at first!

5) Have fun and beer at Caldera Brewing: It’s not right in town but wow! Fun atmosphere and tons of creative beers to try. One group on a beer tour showed up in lederhosen and really didn’t seem out of place! Do not drink wine here. Try the Mowgli, hibiscus ginger or vanilla wheat. Amber is also always a favorite! 

6) The final indulgence: Get a facial at The Blue Giraffe Spa & Salon. I booked an essential oil tub and that was frankly boring and hot. I'm not a tub person. But the facialist was great and my skin glowed for a week after!

Verdict: I was impressed by the culinary options in Ashland. It is a perfect adventure for foodies. I will be returning soon so I can visit more wineries and breweries.

More gorgeous views at Weisinger.