Five Star Dining at Madera Restaurant

Nestled among the hills of Menlo Park, lies a gastronomic gem within the luxurious Rosewood Sand Hill Resort. With an upscale chalet vibe and roaring fireplaces, Madera restaurant fully embodies all that you’ve come to expect from California’s robust culinary scene. From farm-to-table delicacies to an unfathomable wine list, this spot is as popular for a business lunch as it is for a 5-course sit down dinner.

A large patio with sweeping views of the Santa Cruz mountains provides the perfect backdrop for an indulgent and inventive meal inspired by the history and culture of the local region. For the first course opt for a fresh heirloom tomato salad picked daily from nearby farms, or try their incredibly decadent cured sockeye salmon with yuzo mayo and fennel blossoms. All dishes are perfectly balanced playing with a multitude of flavor and texture. 

Whether you are staying in the area or are looking for a culinary escape just outside of San Francisco, this incredible destination truly delivers on all accounts. 

Healthy Lunch Spot in Boracay

As Boracay is a party island, it should come as no surprise that there are burger joints, pizza places, and junk food options-a-plenty to cure any hangover spell from a long night out. I however, was on a hunt for the opposite. I was craving fresh green juice, yogurt and granola, and the Philippines infamously sweet and juicy mango. 

In the bustling outdoor mall (D Mall) along the beach in Station Two, sits a small cafe with clean white settings, touches of greenery, and an extremely healthy menu. Lemon Cafe is the perfect place to grab a late breakfast or lunch before soaking up the rays on the beach. They have plenty of vegan, gluten free, and vegetarian options should this be your MO. 

We ordered the eggs benedict, tropical fruit plate, scrambled eggs, and mango yogurt parfait. We also split a green juice and banana, peanut butter smoothie that was absolutely to die for. While prices for this small cafe are definitely closer to that in the states then on the islands, this spot is an absolute go-to when craving heathy snacks, or a fresh juice before a day at the beach. 

Lunch at Edible Canada

After a long weekend spent skiing the sunny slopes of Whistler... I had a full day to explore Vancouver before my flight back to NYC. I ventured over to Granville Island, which was a short "Aqua Bus" ride away from our apartment in Yaletown. Here we strolled the aisles of produce and products at the public market and pondered the arts and crafts of many small local shops along the water. 

After working up an appetite, my girlfriend and I took the recommendation of a good friend and pulled up a barstool to the open-kitchen dining at Edible Canada. 

This incredibly inviting and lively bistro serves up authentic Canadian classics, infused with modern and ethnic influences. From Oxtail Poutine to Yukon Arctic Char, Edible Canada focuses on local, sustainable, and seasonal ingredients that showcase all that Canada's diverse cultures, farmers, and artisans have to offer. 

Edible Canada opened its doors six years ago and operates as a full service bistro, an artisanal retail and online store, as well as a tours/events company. 

The store, located near the back of the restaurant, is a foodie haven that offers the highest quality Canadian-made gourmet items that are handpicked by Eric Pateman (the founder) and his retail team. Products range from maple syrup and smoked salmon, to more exclusive products like Amola's bacon or truffle salts as well as custom gift baskets. 

They also offer food tours in and around Vancouver including: Granville Island Market Tour, Worlds Best Food Truck Tour, as well as a Guilty Pleasures Gourmet Tour. In addition to these walking/guided tours, Edible Canada also offers monthly market dinners from cultures and chefs around the world including: Lebanon, China, Japan, and Peru as well as a Canadian dinner series serving local wines and fare. 
 
For my lunch at the bistro, I started off with a glass of Pinot Gris from Naramata (as per the servers recommendation). I scanned the mouthwatering menu and stopped at the Northern Alberta Elk Tartare. 

Now I'm not a huge meat person, let alone a raw red meat person... But once my interest was peaked I asked the server what was the most unique and daring choice, and she led me straight back to the Elk Tartare. 

So naturally I went for it. 

It consisted of hand-chopped raw elk, a truffle aioli, Biota mustard, and grilled bread. The meat was fresh, lean, and delicious. The combination of the truffle aioli, mustard, and quail egg on top created an explosion of flavors and textures with every bite.

After all that meat, I opted for a light salad that consisted of smoked sturgeon & salmon, a soft boiled egg, citrus, mint, sprouted pulses, grilled greens, spiced seeds, with a white miso vinaigrette. 

I was so impressed by the food, atmosphere, and concept of this company that I absolutely had to write about it. Whether or not you are a foodie... The Granville Island market and Edible Canada is an amazing way to spend an afternoon discovering all that Vancouver and Canada as a whole have to offer.