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Food & Drink

SkyMall Monday: Protein Ketchup

Nov 7th, 2011
by mike barish.
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gadling skymall monday protein ketchupThe other day, while relaxing in SkyMall Monday headquarters, I was about to enjoy a juicy hamburger with some french fries when an alarm went off in my brain. I realized that a burger and fries was not a very nutritious meal. Here I am, trying to get in shape for my wedding and I’m denying my body what it really needs. I immediately put the burger down and thought about what I could do differently to ensure that I was eating healthier. This hamburger situation was dire and needed to be corrected. I had to take better care of myself and treat my body with more respect. That’s when it hit me. I had to turn to some real nutrition experts to fix this mealtime dilemma. Surely SkyMall could teach me to eat better. And thanks to our favorite catalog, I ended up having a healthy meal. What did I eat? That very same hamburger and french fries…smothered in Protein Ketchup!

Read the entire SkyMall Monday post on Gadling.

Hotel Breakfast Buffets: An Exercise in Awesome

Feb 9th, 2011
by mike barish.
5 comments

breakfast buffet bacon sausage

I’ve been thinking a lot about hotel breakfast buffets lately. I plan to write an elaborate love letter to them in the near future, for they are glorious. In the interim, I just want to say that breakfast buffets are the best part of the hotel experience. No matter how ugly the bedspread is, how thin the walls are and how grimy the bathroom looks, all sins are forgiven when I enter the breakfast buffet. (more…)

Five Ways Travelers Can Make the Best of Winter

Jan 28th, 2011
by mike barish.
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whitehorse winter snow trees mountains yukon

The Northeast is (once again) blanketed in snow. In New York City, this has been one of the snowier winters in recent memory. Not surprisingly, my Twitter feed has been littered with 140 character complaints about the cold, the snow and the slush. Why does winter get a bum rap? It doesn’t take that much effort to enjoy this season. Here are five ways to make the best of winter. (more…)

Road Trip to Charleston

Jan 27th, 2011
by mike barish.
2 comments

I’m off to Charleston, SC to make my way to the 28th Annual Lowcountry Oyster Festival. It’s been more than 10 years since I was last in Charleston and I’m excited to see how it’s changed. Mostly, though, I’m excited for seafood. Coastal South Carolina is home to some of the best shellfish I’ve ever had and I’m craving all that shrimpy, oystery goodness.

I’m also excited to get back on the road for the longest road trip I’ve taken in a while. There are sure to be snacks, dirty bathroom breaks and butt cheeks falling asleep during all those hours on the road.

I’ll be making some stops along the way. Have any suggestions for things to see and do along I-95? Any restaurant recommendations in Charleston? Drop me a line in the comments. And if you live in or around Charleston, we should meet up! Send me a note and we can connect when I arrive.

Should You Eat At American Chain Restaurants When You Travel?

Jan 26th, 2011
by mike barish.
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denny's japan chainsFor people traveling the world in search of culture, adventure and, in a philosophical sense, themselves, it’s probably discouraging to see so many signs of American consumerism all across the globe. Virtually anywhere you go, you’re bound to see American restaurant chains serving variations on the “classics.” Is that a bad thing? Should we be avoiding these establishments in favor of eating only in local restaurants? I’ve been giving this topic a lot of thought lately and don’t profess to have the answers to all of these questions. Like most travel conundrums, this one comes down to personal preference. So, how do I feel about American chains overseas? My travel experiences will make that pretty clear.

Read the rest of Should You Eat At American Chains When You Travel? on Gadling.

Mike in the Middle: Cheesesteaks With a Side of Mike

Jan 26th, 2011
by mike barish.
7 comments

"philly cheesesteak" "cheesesteak" dalessandro's philadelphiaFood and travel are so tightly intertwined that it’s next to impossible to discuss one without mentioning the other. People take photos of their food on trips (I know I do), plan vacations around restaurants they want to visit and fall in love with places because of one amazing meal. So, on a recent trip to Philadelphia, I found the lure of the Philly cheesesteak simply too strong to resist. However, just eating a cheesesteak wasn’t enough for me. I wanted to know why the cheesesteak was such an integral part of Philly culture. I mean, it’s a sandwich. What’s the big deal, right? To try to understand why Philadelphia’s culinary legacy is tucked inside a roll, I worked the lunch rush at Dalassandro’s Steaks & Hoagies to learn about the city’s relationship with its eponymous sandwich. (more…)

Favorite Road Trip Foods

Jan 25th, 2011
by mike barish.
13 comments

"road trip" snacks "junk food" "fast food" travelI’m heading down to Charleston, SC later this week on a good ol’ fashioned road trip for a Cruze-arati shoot. It’s been a while since I did a multi-day road trip (I’ll be stopping along the way rather than plowing through to Charleston in one shot). Unlike trips involving flights, my road trip preparation is less about what to pack and more about what to eat. Road trip snacking is essential and one’s choice of foods-on-the-go is as personal as one’s preference in mates. (more…)

Garden Yeti + Edge Baking Pan = SkyMall Monday

Jul 5th, 2010
by mike barish.
4 comments

In a SkyMall Monday post over on Gadling last month, I asked readers to vote for the best baking pan in the SkyMall catalog. The Edge Baking Pan won in a landslide. I agreed to try it out, though I was skeptical. Well, as you can see from the video above, Calvin the Garden Yeti whipped up a mean batch of brownies* and convinced me that the Edge Baking Pan is one of the greatest inventions of out time (it’s better than a Banana Guard).

Enjoy the video, check out all of the photos from the baking session and please read the post on Gadling.

* Actually, my girlfriend, Jordana, was the master baker behind the amazing brownies.

An Open Love Letter to İskender Kebab

Jul 1st, 2010
by mike barish.
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Ever had İskender kebab? It’s a fabulous dish native to Bursa, Turkey, and I may just be in love with it. So much so, that I wrote it a letter. A love letter.

I know we only recently met, but, well, I love you. Whoa, whoa, don’t freak out. I’m sure you get this a lot. I mean, you’re pretty lovable. Turkish delight might be more famous (and have better PR people), but you’re my own personal Turkish treasure. Don’t get freaked out. I just really enjoyed our time together and wanted to let you know why I think you’re the best-tasting, least-known Turkish food out there.

Read the rest of my proclamation of love to that glistening meat on Gadling.

Travel Tip #78: See How Your Sausage Is Made

Apr 16th, 2010
by mike barish.
1 comment

Seeing where food comes from can be both an educational and harrowing experience. When you travel, tours of fish markets, breweries and other stops in the consumption chain make for amazing learning opportunities.

Tsukiji Fish Market was a highlight of my trip to Japan. Checking out Brooklyn Brewery just over the bridge from where I live was a great afternoon. Seeing how food and drink go from raw ingredients to our plates is not just great for travel memories, it’s also worth knowing for your own health.

What foods and drinks have you seen from beginning to end in your travels? Share your experiences in the comments.

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