Restaurants Worldwide JourneyWomen Love
Picture this. You're traveling in cities like Montreal, Beijing, Chicago, Orlando or Sydney. It's time to eat. Out come the guidebooks and local tourist magazines. You make your choice and more often than not you find yourself seated beside other travellers. Wouldn't you rather be eating with the locals? Here are some of the latest neighbourhood food finds submitted by our Journeywoman readers worldwide.
Blossoming Lotus in Kaua'i, Hawaii...
The Blossoming Lotus is a fabulous 
Vegan Restaurant in Kapa'a, on the Hawaiian Island of Kaua'i. Don't let the 'vegan thing' fool you. The food is fantastic. Selections include an enchilada casserole to die for, german chocolate cake that is out of this world, soups, salads, paté with flax seed crackers (much better than it sounds) all in generous portions and beautifully presented. Many raw food and 'live food' (nothing heated above 116 degrees farenheit) options to tantalize the health minded diner. The consciousness that goes into the selection of ingredients and preparation of dishes greatly enhances this eatery's offerings. Organically grown and with absolutely no animal products, the food is surprisingly rich and satisfying. Good for you and good for the planet. Check out their cookbook online.
Tel: 1-888-44-LOTUS Website: http://www.veganfusion.com
Sharon, Kapa'a, Hawaii
Chocolate Buffet in Vancouver, Canada...
The restaurant I would like to
suggest for women is the Fleuri Restaurant in the Sutton Hotel at 845 Burrard Street in downtown Vancouver. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday they have a chocolate buffet that can't be missed. There are two sittings each 2-1/2 hours long. The pastry chef prepares all manner of chocolate delights -- some examples are his Chocolate truffle cake, and chocolate pecan pie. Attentive waiters and soft piano music add to the pleasurable experience.
Carol, Port Moody, Canada
Burgoo in Vancouver, Canada...
I live in Vancouver B.C. and when I am in the mood for a delicious, comforting meal in a cozy atmosphere, I head down to Burgoo on West 10th. West 10th is a great little neighbourhood with some funky shops and is close to the University of British Columbia, the beaches, and Pacific Spirit Park (which has great trails to explore). Burgoo (meaning a thick spicy stew) has a very "local" feel to it: something I always like to experience when I travel abroad. It is also well-priced and the meal portions are very generous, to say the least. The decor is casual with wooden tables and chairs, tiled floor, a fireplace and vintage posters of faraway places on the walls. Outside there is a small patio for summer lunches. Burgoo has both a Summer and Winter menu offering imaginative and fusion inpired soups, salads and delicious stews. Meals are served in huge bowls, on wooden platters and include Ecco el Pane bread (a Vancouver bakery favourite). I'm a hearty eater and I find the small size portion is plenty. The beef bourguignon is divine, especially with a glass of wine. Desserts are good too, but I rarely have room for one. Travellers will appreciate this local haunt for families, yuppies and students alike, especially with an appetite after a day exploring the wonderful neighbourhoods in the area. It's friendly, reasonably priced, and lively. I may just go there tonight after writing this recommendation! Hours: 11am - 10pm. Address: 4434 West Tenth Avenue Tel: 604.221.7839 Website: http://www.burgoo.ca
Justine, Vancouver, Canada
Trattoria in Alexandria, Virginia, USA...
I live in the Del Ray section of Alexandria, Virginia just outside of Washington DC and recommend Monroe's American Trattoria to all women travelers. The restaurant and decor is warm, friendly, and comfortable. The staff is outgoing and knowledgeable. The food (Italian-American) is always excellent. The house wine is delicious (and inexpensive). Everyone makes you feel at home in this restaurant, whether it's your first or fortieth time there. It's located at 1603 Commonwealth Avenue. Tel: 703-548-5792.
Tara, Alexandria, USA
Fine Restaurant in Temagami, Ontario...
In Temagami, Ontario, we boast one of the finest restaurants in Ontario, if not Canada. The Copenhagen, run by a Scandinavian couple (in their seventies!) is fine dining at its best. Vagn, the proprietor will greet you with a hand shake, hang your coat and deliver you to your table. He continues to serve you from filling your glass with water, to presenting the wine for tasting, to delivering your piping hot dinner to the table. There is no wait staff other than Vagn. His delightful, petite wife , EIse, works very hard in the kitchen, by herself, preparing fresh hot rolls which melt in your mouth, to serving up scrumptious appetizers, with a taste of sorbet to cleanse your palette before serving a piping hot dinner. This couple works six days a week serving lunches of homemade soups and other mouthwatering treats, and serving fine dining in the evening. Oh, did I forget the mouthwatering dessert menu? The dinner menu is always the same but never fails to delight the diner. This is a rare restaurant experience in our small vacation town well worth a visit. Their ad reads "For out of town call collect". Imagine in this day and age! Address: Highway 11, Temagami, Ontario. Tel: 705-569-2912
Faye, Temagami, Canada