Jessica In Search Of...

Returning to Coppi's

2012-01-29T06:30:00.000-05:00

I remember going to to Coppi’s for pizza many years ago with my aunt and uncle on my first visit to Washington, DC. Cycling photographs and jerseys adorned the walls then as they do now. The atmosphere was warm and friendly - a great place to enjoy a meal with family or friends. And the pizza - cooked in a wood burning oven - was delicious.

Move forward an unmentionable number of years and now I live in Washington, DC. I am not sure why it took me a while to revisit Coppi’s Organic Restaurant, but I am glad I finally made it back...

After reading the menu, Jonathan and I decided to share a pizza. First we ordered two glasses of Nero d'Avola, I got a salad, and Jonathan got a appetizer portion of gnocchi alla Bolognese. My salad was fresh and good with greens, apples, and a light vinaigrette. But, the best part of the meal was the pizza! We ordered a pizza topped with shrimp, artichoke, ricotta, capers, parsley, and tomato sauce. The crust was perfect - thin and chewy. The toppings were fresh and complimented each other perfectly. Because the pizza was cooked in a wood burning oven, the shrimp had an excellent grilled flavor.

To end the meal, Jonathan ordered a latte and I finished my glass of wine. Coppi’s is still the comfy, local restaurant I remembered, a place to come and enjoy good food and wine with family or friends!

Remembering Winter in Massachusetts...

2012-01-25T06:30:00.000-05:00

It has been a very mild winter in Washington, DC this year and we have only seen a dusting or two of snow. So, I decided to post some winter photographs from when I lived in Boston, MA.

A back alley on Beacon Hill

The Longfellow Bridge spanning the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge

Now, while these images of piles of white snow are picturesque, I am by no means hoping for that amount of accumulation here in the District of Columbia! I'm okay with a mild winter this year (and next)...

Dinner at BlackSalt - Not to be Forgotten

2012-01-22T16:44:00.000-05:00

Sometimes life causes things to be brushed aside and forgotten, almost. In early fall my husband took me to dinner at BlackSalt. We had a fabulous evening and then the weeks that followed became hectic and I never got around to writing about the meal, until now.

Rain was pouring down when we arrived at the restaurant. We hurried inside and were led through the wine cellar to our table in the back dining. After walking through the wine cellar (nice sales tactic), we had to begin our meal by ordering a bottle of Burgundy, a recommendation from the sommelier.

We ordered the octopus appetizer to share, but did not read the menu well enough to notice that it contained sausage. So, unfortunately I was not able to eat it, but Jonathan enjoyed it very much. (But, I did enjoy my wine while waiting for the next course to arrive.)

For the main course I ordered the bouillabaisse and Jonathan got the Atlantic tuna with caramelized pork belly in a soy ginger broth. My soup was wonderful - the broth was fragrant and delicious and the seafood was fresh and perfectly cooked. Again, I was not able to try Jonathan’s food because of the presence of pork, but he said it was fantastic.

Lastly, we ended our meal with the butterscotch pot de crème. It was good, however I wish it had less elements. The vanilla whiskey milkshake layer was too sweet and contained too much alcohol for my preferences - I wish the dessert had focused just on the butterscotch and milk chocolate layers. That said, we did eat a good portion of it...

I would like to close this post by noting that the service at BlackSalt was exceptional - very attentive without being overbearing. The service in combination with the excellent seafood and good wine made this meal one I will not forget soon!

Local Transportation

2012-01-18T06:30:00.000-05:00

Montevideo, Uruguay

Thai Food in Las Vegas

2012-01-15T06:30:00.000-05:00

It is in a rundown strip mall. The parking lot is dimly light. Nearby is an acupuncture clinic, a karaoke bar, and a few other Asian restaurants. This is a long way from the neon lights and mirror glass of the rest of Sin City along Las Vegas Boulevard. But if you love to eat and you love Thai food, this is the place to be!

Las Vegas is not one of my favorite cities. I do not gamble. I prefer quiet wine bars and cozy local restaurants to flashy clubs and trendy dining establishments. But, my husband’s family lives in this crazy city so I end up here often. On our most recent trip to Sin City I finally found my reason to like this desert oasis - Lotus of Siam.

Before eating at this restaurant I had read several reviews and blogs about it - the majority of which agreed that this was the best Thai restaurant in North America, if not the western hemisphere. In addition, many of the reviews mentioned the restaurant’s extensive wine list which features top quality bottles from around the world.

One of two wine cellars at Lotus of Siam

We parked in the dimly light parking lot. Lotus of Siam is marked by a neon sign like everything else in Las Vegas. Inside the restaurant was brightly light and bustling with activity. After sitting down we began studying the menu and the wine list. Yes, both are very extensive and worthy of studying. The choices and more numerous than a standard Thai food menu and include many dishes from northern Thailand. Luckily, the servers were very knowledgeable about the menu, as well as food and wine pairings. After selecting our food, the waiter suggested one of the many German Rieslings on the menu to accompany our dishes.

Tod Mon Plar

We began our meal with Tod Mon Plar, a fried fish cake appetizer that was served with cucumber salad and chopped peanuts. The fish cakes contained curry paste and were slightly spicy. This flavor was perfectly complimented by the sweet chili sauce on the cucumber salad. While some of the flavors in the dish were familiar to me - like curry paste and sweet chili sauce - but combined they created a delicious new experience.

Khao Soi

Next our entrees arrived - Khao Soi (northern Thai egg noodles with curry) with shrimp for me and barbecued chicken for Jonathan. My curry arrived in a steaming bowl of creamy coconut curry broth with thin chewy egg noodles and shrimp garnished with cilantro and crunchy noodles. The broth was spicy, sweet, and absolutely wonderful! I ate everything I could scrape from the bowl. Jonathan enjoyed his chicken and several samples of my noodles.

Thai BBQ Chicken

Even though we were quite full from our meal, we ordered fried bananas for dessert. These were good and very similar to Filipino turon. They were served warm and crispy - a lovely ending to an amazing meal...

Fried Bananas

A few days later, before leaving Las Vegas, we returned to Lotus of Siam. On our second visit we ordered Tod Mon Plar (fish cakes) again. This time Jonathan ordered Khao Soi (the curry dish I had on our previous visit) with beef and I got Pad See Ew with shrimp. With our food we again took our waiter’s suggestion and ordered a German pinot noir. As with my noodles a few days earlier, my Pad See Ew was delicious. Actually, it was more than delcious - it was the best Pad See Ew I have ever eaten!

Pad See Ew

Next time we are back in the city of neon lights I know exactly where I want to eat - Lotus of Siam!

Dreaming of Travel in 2012...

2012-01-11T06:30:00.000-05:00

So, it is time for the monthly Travel Belles Across the Cafe Table blog chat. This month the question we are all thinking and blogging about is:

IN 2012, WHERE DO YOU MOST WANT TO GO BUT HAVEN'T YET, AND WHY?

I love the travel planning process and think it an essential part of travel. Before I go anywhere I immerse myself in travel books about my destination and learn as much as I can about the culture, food, and chocolate shops at my destination. For me planning, researching, and daydreaming is part of the travel experience. Today I actually want to talk about two destinations.

First I am currently planning a trip to northern Spain with my husband. I have been to Andalusia and Cadiz in southern Spain before, but neither of us have been to northern Spain. I have been reading articles and blogs and bookmarking websites. I have highlighting and making notes in my guidebooks for several months. And I have sketched out the beginnings of an itinerary - Madrid, Basque Country, Barcelona, and some small towns in between. The next step in my planning will be to decide when to go and then start booking tickets, hotels, and making any other necessary reservations.

Another destination I want to visit is Montreal. Recently I have been intrigued by the city - it's culture, food, and the fact that it is only takes about two hours to fly there from Washington, DC. I have begun reading articles and restaurant reviews about this city and hope to be able to go there sometime for a long weekend!

Where do you want to go in 2012?

At the Zoo...

2012-01-08T14:40:00.002-05:00

The Smithsonian Institute has some wonderful museums and attractions in Washington, DC for visitors and locals alike to enjoy. Located in Rock Creek Park the National Zoo is part of the Smithsonian Institute. In addition to having many varied exhibits, it is also just a pleasant way to walk through the park. I had not been to the zoo since moving to Washington, DC two years ago and did not realize what I had been missing! This weekend my husband and I took advantage of the unseasonably warm weather and went for a walk through the zoo. Here are some photographs from our walk through the zoo.

My favorite animal at the Smithsonian National Zoo - the Red Pandas.

One year old lions relaxing on a Sunday afternoon...

Leaving the National Zoo at sunset time...

A Church on a Rainy Hill

2012-01-04T10:07:00.000-05:00

Potrero Hill

San Francisco, California

Visiting My Favorite Places in San Francisco

2012-01-02T19:19:00.000-05:00

One of my favorite places to relax in San Francisco is Samovar Tea Lounge in the Castro neighborhood. (Yes, there are two other outposts of this cafe, but the one in Castro is my favorite.) On my recent trip to San Francisco I spent a sunny afternoon meandering through the Mission District visiting favorite shops, walking past parks I used to visit, and eventually ending up at Samovar’s for afternoon tea.

I sat at a table against the wall. The warm late autumn sun streamed in the windows and the smell of tea permeated the air. The staff works very hard to make the atmosphere here warm, relaxing, and comfortable. They make it easy to take a deep breath, stopping rushing through the day, and become rejuvenated. Of course, the lovely tea and food they have helps with that too! I ordered a pot of their black breakfast blend tea and some cherry oat scones with clotted cream and jam.

All of Samovar’s teas are delightful. The breakfast blend is a rich, malty black tea which pairs perfectly with milk. And it is a perfect tea to sip in the afternoon, as well as the morning. With my tea I enjoyed the lovely scones with clotted cream. (Personally, I think clotted cream is divine.) The scones were flaky and were just on the border between savory and sweet - a perfect little snack.

I remember sitting at Samovar’s to study when I was in graduate school. I remember bringing visiting friends and family here for a cup of tea. And the memories I treasure most at this tea house is coming with my husband to relax on weekends - both before and after we were married. Samovar Tea Lounge remains one of my favorite places in San Francisco and I am glad I was able to go back and enjoy some afternoon tea. Next time I am in the city by the bay I will be back for another cup of tea!

Another favorite place I visited during my recent trip to back to the bay area is Alegrias Food From Spain. This is a small family owned restaurant in the city’s Marina district that serves delicious, authentic Spanish tapas and paellas. The atmosphere in Alegrias is cozy with a dark wood bar, white table clothes, and posters about bull fights and the famous sights of Andalusia. It is a place that is both intimate and comfortable.

But the best part of Alegrias is their food! They the majority of the menu is tapas style, however you can also order paella and other Spanish specialities. Everything is delicious; some of my favorites are the tortilla (Spanish omelet), crispy potatoes with alioli, and spinach with pine nuts, raisins, and apples. The paella is also wonderful and fun to share. To drink, there is a lovely selection of Spanish wines and sangria that complement the food. And, for the most important course of the meal, they serve delightful flan!

It was lovely to be able to have dinner at my favorite restaurant, Alegrias Food from Spain, in San Francisco on recent visit to the city. I look forward to dining there again whenever I am back in the bay area!

Flowers and Food

2011-12-28T08:06:00.000-05:00

Rockridge Market Hall

Oakland, California

Christmas in the Nation's Capital

2011-12-24T19:02:00.000-05:00

In the spirit of the holidays I want this post to be about Christmas trees. When I was growing up, we always cut down our Christmas tree and decorated it on Christmas Eve Day. Now, here are some photographs and a short video from National Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony last year. Happy holidays and safe travels!

Washington, District of Columbia

Bikes by a Cafe

2011-12-21T06:00:00.000-05:00

College Avenue

Berkeley, California

Pizza East of the Bay Bridge

2011-12-18T17:32:00.000-05:00

I consider pizza the perfect food - it is simple, contains only a few ingredients, and can be eaten with your hands. So, what makes a perfect pizza? There is probably no right or wrong answer to this question; however, in my opinion thin crust, quality ingredients, and simplicity contribute to making a pizza superb. On my recent trip to the San Francisco bay area I visited my favorite pizza place in the east bay and discovered a new one.

On my first day on the east side of the bay bridge I met up with my friend at Oliveto Cafe in the Rockridge neighborhood of Oakland. Located in the Rockridge Market Hall (a collection of gourmet shops) this Italian cafe is downstairs to a more formal Oliveto Restaurant. The atmosphere of the cafe is neighborly and warm. We joined the other diners at a small table and ordered pizza with salt cod, tomato, and parmesan cheese. To accompany that we also got a green salad, and a roasted beet salad. The fresh greens were served with a simple vinaigrette and the beets were earthy and delicious. Then we moved onto the most important course of the meal - the pizza. The crust was made with whole wheat flour, giving it a rich nutty flavor. It was thin and chewy with crisp edges and I loved it. The salt cod, tomato, and parmesan were strong flavors but not overwhelming and perfectly balanced by the whole wheat crust. It was a perfect, delicious lunch! Eating at Oliveto had the feeling of a comfortable but fashionable cafe.

My favorite place to eat pizza in Berkeley, CA is less elegant, but equally delicious. It is Cheese Board Pizza Collective on Shattuck Street in the so called Gourmet Ghetto area of the city. This neighborhood is home to several wonderful restaurants, including Alice Water’s famed Chez Panisse. Across and about a block down the street from that acclaimed restaurant is Cheese Board Collective and it’s sister pizza shop. These shops began in 1967 as a small cheese shop and today they sell over 400 different varieties of cheese. The business is a worker owned cooperative and they make one kind of fabulous pizza everyday for lunch.

Yes, that is correct one kind of pizza per day. And each day brings a new round creation. Customers can purchase whole pies, half pies, or slices until they sell out. The toppings change daily, feature seasonal ingredients, include fantastic cheese from the shop next door, and are always vegetarian. Every time I had Cheese Board Pizza the toppings were fresh, creative, and delicious. On the day I visited Cheese Board the pizza of the day was zucchini, red onion, feta, mozzarella, and basil pesto with pine nuts. By the time my friend and I arrived the line for get today’s pies already stretched out of the restaurant and down the block. We joined the other hungry diners in line and awaited our turn to order.

When our opportunity arrived we ordered half a pizza and a salad to share. Pizza at Cheese Board is served on woven basket plates with brown paper on top and biodegradable spudware (utensils made from potatoes). The salads at Cheese Board are just as creative and delicious as the pizzas - our salad contained mixed greens, apples, and green olives with lemon vinaigrette. The pizza was fantastic! The crust was thin and chewy and the toppings had fresh and vibrant flavors. The salad was also very good - but lunch here is really all about the pizza and the fun atmosphere! While we were there the cafe was packed and there was a jazz band playing in the corner. It was a perfect Berkeley lunch - delicious pizza, good music, and a vibrant neighborhood atmosphere!

Across the Cafe Table - Traveling for the Holidays

2011-12-14T06:00:00.000-05:00

So, it’s time for another Across the Café Table, The Travel Belles monthly discussion. This month we are all talking about:

IF YOU HAD TO SPEND THE HOLIDAYS AWAY SOMEWHERE, WHERE WOULD YOU GO AND WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

For me travel and holidays go together. Growing up my family sometimes traveled for vacations over the holiday season. Then when I worked as a pilot I normally was scheduled to fly on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. It became interesting for me to see how different countries around the world decorate for and observe the holiday season.

Now my husband and I still often travel over the holidays. We both enjoy going to new places and discovering the local food, culture, history, and shopping. That experience is a wonderful gift to share together.

Last year traveled to London and Paris over the holiday season. We arrived in London on Christmas Eve and roamed the nearly vacant streets visiting the different historical sites while most Londoners were home enjoying Christmas dinner. The next day we joined the locals and headed to High Street for the Boxing Day sales. Later in the week went took the Eurostar train under the English Channel to Paris for a few days before returning to London to fly back to Washington, DC.

This year we will be staying home and enjoying a quiet holiday. I am looking forward to cooking, eating, drinking some mulled wine, and enjoying time with my husband and aunt. And what about next year? Europe? North America? Asia? South America? Who know – it depends on what destination is at the top of our travel wish list at the time!

Happy holidays and safe travels to all!

The Claremont and Breakfast in Berkeley

2011-12-11T14:40:00.001-05:00

The Claremont Resort and Spa is propped up on the hillside above Berkeley, CA as if placed there to be a safe distance from the hubbub of life in a university town. Opened in 1915, this hotel is a designated California Historic Landmark and continues to welcome guests. On my recent trip to the San Francisco bay a friend and I spent a few nights at this historic hotel.

Leaving San Francisco we drove across the bay bridge in the dark. Continuing through Berkeley, we soon arrived at the Claremont. Situated halfway up the hillside east of Berkeley, this grand old hotel is a reminiscent of a bygone era. Inside the hotel there is a grand lobby, spacious rooms, and lush carpets. It is the kind of place where I appreciated the luxury, but at the same time felt out of place. I normally prefer homey accommodations, so this was a bit over the top for me to feel at home.

The next morning I woke up early and walked down the hill to College Avenue. This street runs perpendicular to the hills through two trendy neighborhoods, Elmwood in Berkeley and Rockridge in Oakland. The street is lined with local shops and cafes for over a mile. It is an eclectic mix of clothing, books, food, antiques, and culture. But, before venturing too far, I needed some breakfast. I stopped in the Elmwood Cafe at the intersection of Russell Street and College Avenue. This relaxed neighborhood restaurant has a 90 year history. I ordered hot chocolate and a pastry and found a table by the window.

Soon I was eating a warm, flaky croissant, drinking a French bistro bowl of rich hot chocolate, and enjoying the neighborhood scene. People were walking to work, students were chatting over coffee before class, and locals were greeting each other as they began their day. I sat there with my breakfast and book and for a just little while became part of the neighborhood. This place felt comfortable and homey to me.

Fantastic Fungi

2011-12-07T06:00:00.000-05:00

Mushrooms at Far West Fungi in the Ferry Building Marketplace

San Francisco, California

Creative Ice Cream in San Francisco

2011-12-04T10:56:00.001-05:00

Chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry are the classic ice cream flavors. In San Francisco bay area those are often the last flavors you see on menus of local ice cream shops. When I still lived in San Francisco I wrote about Bi-Rite Creamery and Humphrey Slocombes - two innovative ice cream shops scooping up flavors like honey lavender, salted caramel, secret breakfast (corn flakes and bourbon), and Jesus juice (wine and cola). On my recent visit to the bay area I got to try two new ice cream shops that are continuing this creative trend.

Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous is located on Third Street in the Dogpatch neighborhood of San Francisco. This area of the city is in the middle of a slow revival (or gentrification). I remember when I lived in Potrero Hill (the neighborhood next door) new businesses were just beginning to open in Dogpatch. There was a cute organic wine bar, a small Italian cafe, a nail salon, and a coffee shop. Since then, more restaurants and cafes and shops have opened. And now there is a local wine shop, a butcher, and this unique new ice cream shop.

I went to Mr. and Mrs. Miscellaneous on the way to dinner with a friend. (When in doubt eat dessert first, right?) The shop has a modern industrial design, but somehow maintains a local, cozy feel. The day we visited there were several interesting sounding flavors including sweet potato, orange chipotle, and the one I tried - candied violet. The ice cream was creamy and not overly sweet with a delicate violet flavor (and was not overly floral). It was delicious and the perfect prequel to dinner!

Across the bay in the Gourmet Ghetto area of Berkeley is another creative shop selling frozen treats. Lush Gelato is located on Shattuck Avenue and sells gelato made from local ingredients. Located at the end of a small alley of food shops, this place offers a wide range of flavors. There was milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and Tahitian vanilla on the more traditional side - and marscopone balsamic with chocolate covered graham crackers or pumpkin with chocolate chunks for more adventurous customers. I elected to try dark chocolate and the marscopone balsamic gelato. Both were wonderful - very creamy gelato with delightful flavors!

While I do enjoy traditional ice cream and gelato flavors it is fun to go to a shop that pushes the envelope a bit like these creative ice cream shops in the San Francisco bay area. You might be surprised by what flavors are listed on the board - and how delicious they are!

A Bird on the Beach

2011-11-30T06:00:00.000-05:00

Ocean Beach

San Francisco, California

Playing Tourist in San Francisco

2011-11-27T06:00:00.001-05:00

Two years ago I moved from San Francisco to Washington, DC. Recently I returned to the city by the bay to visit a friend and some of my favorite places in the bay area.

Since I no longer live in San Francisco my visit gave my friend and I a license play tourist for a few days. At my friend's suggestion we participated in a Victorian homes walking tour led by local guide Jay Gifford. We met Jay Saturday morning at his prescribed meeting spot and headed off to explore history and Victorian architectural design in the Pacific Heights and Cow Hollow neighborhoods.

The tour was interesting and we saw some fabulous architecture. In addition, the weather was beautiful - a perfect day to be out enjoying the city!

After walking around for an hour and a half, our tour ended at the intersection of Union and Steiner Streets in Cow Hollow. We crossed the street to Rose's Cafe for lunch. This cafe is located in a yellow house at the corner and has tables wrapping around the sidewalk. Due to the fantastic weather there was a long wait for these outside tables, so we opted to sit inside. Soon we were sharing a salad and a pizza with cherry tomatoes, artichokes, and feta. The salad was good - fresh greens and a very light gorgonzola dressing. The pizza had a thin, crispy crust and was also very good.

Soon, we were back outside walking along Union Street. Before leaving the neighborhood we stopped in two of my favorite shops here - an accessories and home store called ATYS and clothing shop called Uko. Both have great designs and are uniquely San Francisco.

Walking around enjoying the city of San Francisco and the sunshine was the perfect start to my trip.

Back Roads Mexico

2011-11-23T14:04:00.000-05:00

Baja California Sur

Mexico

Traveling via Chocolate

2011-11-20T06:30:00.000-05:00

I think between the writings here on my blog and the articles I have written for The Travel Belles, my obsession for chocolate and travel has been well documented. And yes, while I do enjoy traveling to find chocolate, it is not my only motivation to explore. For me traveling is about seeing something new and having experiences that are unique to the destination. If that involves chocolate, it’s even better!

When I am unable to travel to get fabulous chocolate, I sometimes stop by Cocova (formally Biagio Fine Chocolates) here in Washington, DC. This shop sells a variety of artisan chocolate bars from all over the world. This is good, but it is not the same as discovering something new at a shop in some foreign city. For that, I have to wait until my next vacation - or relay on family and friends.

Recently, my friend (and author of the Good Global Citizen blog) Beth, has been traveling extensively for work - flying Germany, China, Kazakhstan, Australia, and more. I have followed her journeys and discoveries via her blog - and I have also been the lucky recipient of some interesting and delicious chocolate she found along the way.

The first time she sent me a package I opened it up to discover three items - a small bar of milk chocolate from Kazakhstan, some milk chocolate flavored with green tea, and a chocolate bar from Lauenstein Confiserie in Germany.

So what does chocolate from Kazakhstan taste like? It is just average chocolate. However I still think the fact that I got to try it - on the opposite side of the planet - is cool. The tea flavored chocolate was unique. The texture was a bit gritty, but the green tea flavor was delicate and grassy (in a good way). It was different than any chocolate I had tried previously and I enjoyed it very much. The last bar I tried was the German chocolate... This bar was fantastic - 67% cacao with pink peppercorns.

A little while after I finished enjoying the contents of the first package, a second arrived. This time it had a Kimberley Chocolates bar from Australia and cookies dipped in chocolate from Hawaii in it! The cookies were the perfect Hawaii treat and brought back memories of sandy beaches and warm breezes. The chocolate bar was dark chocolate with chili and was good. It was a tiny bit on the sweet side, however the spice balanced that out perfectly.

Of course, I hope to be able to travel to Almaty, Kazhakstan, Beijing, China, Koln, Germany, and back to Hawaii sometime, but experiencing them via chocolate is fun too! Thanks Beth!

Lost in Time

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-05:00

Montevideo, Uruguay

The City by the Bay

2011-11-13T06:00:00.000-05:00

Looking back at the city from Potrero Hill.

San Francisco, California

A Place to Reflect

2011-11-11T06:00:00.000-05:00

In October, I visited Arlington National Cemetery for the first time. It was not that I had been avoiding it, I had just never gone.

The day we went was beautiful - bright blue skies with puffy white clouds floating by. Even with a lot of people visiting, the cemetery was a very peaceful place.

Across the Cafe Table - A Coat from Hong Kong

2011-11-10T05:00:00.000-05:00

It is time again for The Travel Belles monthly discussion, Across the Café Table. This month we are all blogging about this question:

WHAT IS YOUR BEST SHOPPING FIND EVER FROM A VACATION?

As always, I can think of several different ways to answer this query. However, this month one item sticks out – a coat I purchased in Hong Kong three years ago.

In November and December 2008 my husband and I traveled to Hong Kong and the Philippines. It was my first trip to Asia. We spent a weekend in Hong Kong, a week in Manila, a week at the beach in Boracay, and finally another weekend in Hong Kong before flying home. I was overwhelmed, excited, and intrigued by the experience. The crowds in the cities and on the streets were nothing like I had experienced in the western world. The traffic was nuts. The food was both intimidating and delicious. And the shopping was amazing!

In Asia, customer service and appearance are extremely important. And in Hong Kong shopping seems to be a national pastime. The city is filled with high end international boutiques and sparkling local shops. There were so many clothes shops and styles that were not available in the United States and at the time the exchange rate was in my favor. On our last day in Hong Kong, we went shopping. I purchased gifts to bring home and clothing for work. Near the end of the day we were wandering around the shops in the Admiralty Building. I walked into one shop and found the perfect wool coat. It was black with three-quarter length bell sleeves and an A-line cut. It was adorable. I already had several bags – and probably already had depleted my allotted shopping budget – but I wanted it. I tried it on several times. I walked back and forth in front of the mirror. Finally as the dinner hour approached my husband insisted I buy the coat. I wore it out of the store and it has been my favorite coat ever since…