Exploring Food Around the World
I have set out on an inspiring global journey to explore the vibrant world of food, beverage, and culture. Driven by a deep passion for discovering authentic flavors and connecting with local traditions, I have traveled from bustling street markets in Southeast Asia to quiet vineyard towns in Europe. Along the way, I immersed myself in regional cooking styles, time-honored recipes, and conversations with the people who bring each dish to life. My goal is not only to taste the world’s cuisine but to understand the stories at each of the locations, meal, local beverage, and share them with fellow travelers and food lovers.
Some of my favorite stops include savoring fresh pasta and cheeses in the hills of Tuscany, enjoying aromatic tagines in the heart of Morocco, sampling sushi at sunrise in Tokyo’s famed fish market, and sipping coffee with cardamom in the souks of Tunisia. Whether it is a recommended food experience or a hidden neighborhood gem, I believe that every meal and beverage is a doorway to connection and cultural appreciation. My goal is to make every journey a celebration of flavor, people, and the universal joy of good food.
Turkish Flavors: Spices, Stories, and Savory Bites at Truva in Atlanta’s Virginia Highlands
Entering Truva, you’re greeted by the glow of spices in the air. Olive oil glazes mezze plates waiting to be served. Virginia Highlands is known for its charm, but Truva adds a touch of Istanbul, where meals are celebrated, not just eaten.
Chef Sehmus Gultekin is at the center of what makes this restaurant special. As soon as the appetizer arrived, I could tell he cares about mixing traditional Turkish recipes with flavors from around the world. He uses fresh ingredients and spices like sumac, cumin, and saffron. The dishes combine the rich flavors of Turkish cooking with the brightness of Mediterranean cuisine.
I’ll share more about my meal at Truva in Virginia Highlands soon.
A Sweet Pilgrimage: Journeying Through Belgium’s World of Chocolate
Iconic Flavors: What Chocolate Is Belgium Most Famous For?
Ask any chocolate lover, and they’ll tell you the praline is Belgium’s crowning jewel. Smooth, crisp on the outside, and meltingly soft inside, pralines can hold anything from silky hazelnut paste to raspberry coulis or fine liqueur. Neuhaus still reigns as the birthplace of this decadent invention, but Leonidas makes it accessible to all, offering pralines at every train station and corner shop.
Then there’s Côte d’Or, whose robust chocolate bars are a staple in Belgian households. Founded in 1883, the brand’s iconic elephant logo nods to its early supply routes through Africa, where some of the world’s finest cocoa is still sourced.
And, of course, no mention of Belgian chocolate is complete without Godiva. Though now a global brand, its roots run deep in Brussels, where in 1926, Joseph Draps opened his first boutique, naming it after Lady Godiva—a symbol of luxury and indulgence.
A Taste of Culture: Chocolate Beyond the Shop Window
Belgian chocolate is an integral part of daily life. Locals gift pralines to mark birthdays, business deals, and reunions. Many families keep boxes tucked away for unexpected guests, as in Belgium, sharing chocolate is a way of showing comfort.
Every spring, Brussels hosts Salon du Chocolat, a festival dedicated entirely to cocoa. Here, master chocolatiers mingle with wide-eyed visitors, demonstrating tempering techniques, unveiling new flavors, and serving up steaming cups of hot chocolate so rich it borders on dessert.
Garozzo's Downtown
Kansas City MO, USA
Italian Restaurant
$$
Street Parking
Accepting Credit Cards
Vegetarian Friendly
526 Harrison Street
Kansas City, MO 64106, USA
Phone: +1 816 221 2455 www.garozzos.com
Garozzo’s Downtown is Italy in Kansas City. The atmosphere is of a very classy Italian style, with an amazing family and guest photo collection along the walls of this Italian experience. The staff is very knowledgeable and friendly. The kind of service we all love to experience. The food is absolutely amazing, and the wine list very impressive. You will find wine of numerous price levels, which is another top reason to have dinner at the restaurant.
Caffe A. Nannini
Sienna, Italy
Cafe & Bar
$$ - $$$
Street Parking
Credit Cards
Breakfast, Lunch, Pastries, Ice Cream
Via Banchi di Sopra 24
53100 Sienna, Italy
Phone: +39 0577 236009
www.en.nanninidolciecaffe.com
The Cafe Nannini is located in Siena, Italy. Specifically, it is situated on Piazza Matteotti 32, 53100 Siena, Italy. Additionally, there's another Nannini location at Via Banchi di Sopra 24, 53100 Siena, Italy. The Via Banchi di Sopra location is on the main street leading to the Piazza del Campo, making it a popular spot for visitors.
Blue Sushi & Sake Grill
Kansas City, MO USA
Sushi & Sake
$$ - $$$
Street Parking
Credit Cards
Modern, trendy restaurant featuring sushi & Japanese tapas, plus fancy mixed drinks.
101 E 14th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 345-2583
www.bluesushisakegrill.com
Blue Sushi & Sake Grill in Kansas City’s Power & Light District offers a trendy, casual dining atmosphere with vibrant lantern-lit décor and various seating options, including a sushi bar and patio. Their menu fuses creative sushi rolls, vegan-friendly maki, and shared grill plates alongside an extensive sake, sake‑cocktail, beer, and wine lis, all under $30 per person with daily happy hour specials. Guests consistently praise the friendly service and upbeat vibes, making it a go‑to spot for both happy hour and full‑dining experiences .
Arthur Bryant's BBQ
Kansas City, MO USA
BBQ Restaurant
$ - $$
Street Parking
Credit Cards
Celebrated spot for smoked meats served
1727 Brooklyn Ave.
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 231-1123
www.arthurbryantsbbq.com
Arthur Bryant’s Barbeque, located at 1727 Brooklyn Avenue in Kansas City, Missouri, is a legendary BBQ institution that traces its roots back to 1908 under the tutelage of “father of KC barbecue” Henry Perry. Today, it’s celebrated for its slow-smoked brisket, iconic burnt ends—reportedly born from scraps shared with waiting patrons—and a distinctive tomato‑and‑molasses‑based sauce that sets it apart in the city’s rich BBQ landscape. With a no‑frills dining room featuring Formica tables, fluorescent lighting, and walls filled with photos of visiting presidents and celebrities like Truman, Carter, Spielberg, and Obama, Arthur Bryant’s remains a must‑visit for anyone seeking authentic Kansas City style barbecue
Zum Loewen
Giessen, Germany
Italian Restaurant
$$ - $$$
Street Parking
Limited Credit Cards
Vegetarian Friendly
Neuen Weg 8
35390 Giessen, Germany
Phone: +49 641 73932
www.zum-loewen-giessen.de
The restaurant Zum Löwen is a moderate Italian restaurant in downtown Giessen. They offer an good menu selection, including home made pasta, fish, and meats. The wine selection is decent, some higher priced Italian and German wines. I personally prefer the local beers. Very tasty tiramisu and panna cotta. The outside tables are a great extra.
Restaurant Sternbräu
Salzburg, Austria
Traditional Austrian
$$
Parking Nearby
Credit Cards
Lunch, Dinner, Kids Menu
Griesgasse 23
5020 Salzburg, Austria
Phone: +43 662 842140
www.sternbrau.com
Restaurant Sternbräu in Salzburg is a grand historic restaurant nestled in the heart of the Altstadt, with origins dating back to at least 1542 and a beautifully restored interior that blends medieval architecture with contemporary design. It offers classic Austrian dishes crafted under the guidance of chef Michael Pratter.
Q39 - BBQ Midtown
Kansas City, MO USA
BBQ Restaurant
$$
Street Parking
Credit Cards
BBQ loction with beamed ceilings & exposed brick serving smoked excellent
BBQ.
1000 W 39th Street
Kansas City, MO 64106
Phone: (816) 255-3753
www.q39kc.com
Q39 Midtown in Kansas City is a modern, rustic-urban barbecue restaurant located on vibrant 39th Street near Westport, offering free parking and a friendly full-service bar. It’s known for award-winning meats like burnt ends, ribs, pork belly, brisket, and chicken wings, with many praising its “best wings on the planet” and competition-style smoked chicken. The restaurant features cloth napkins, scratch sides, craft cocktails, and draws both locals and visitors as a go-to BBQ destination.
Gasthaus Tirol
Cumming, GA USA
German Restaurant
$ - $$
Parking at Location
Credit Cards
Serving authentic German cuisine
310 Atlanta Road
Cumming, GA 30040
Phone: (770) 844-7244
www.gasthaus-cumming.com
Gasthaus Tirol is a cozy, small, German-Austrian restaurant in Cumming, Georgia, known for its charming indoor dining space and a relaxing Biergarten in the back. Their most popular dishes include a variety of Schnitzels (such as Wiener Schnitzel and Jägerschnitzel), Roulade, Beef Goulash Soup, and creamy Beef Stroganoff, all deliciously authentic and full of Central European flavors. The menu also features classic sides, such as potato pancakes and dumplings, that beautifully complement the hearty mains. To wash it all down, Gasthaus Tirol offers a well-chosen selection of traditional German and Austrian draft beers, think Märzen-style lagers, wheat beers, and seasonal Märzen or Zwickl, as well as warming Glühwein on cooler evenings. The overall atmosphere is warm, unpretentious, and decidedly European: comfortable tables, friendly staff, and a beer garden that evokes a true Tyrolean feel even in Georgia.