A Fun Beachside Bistro
St. Pete Beach, Florida USA
Cuisine Style: Cuban, bar comfort foods
Dined on Cinco de Mayo 2017
By Sean Overpeck (CFE)
The bongó is an Afro-Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of small open bottomed drums of different sizes. In Spanish the larger drum is called the hembra and the smaller the macho. Together with the conga or tumbadora, and the batá drum, bongos are the most widespread Cuban hand drums for use in playing Cuban Jazz. Bongos Bar and Grill takes themes of Cuban cuisine to pay homage to the bongo origins, mixed with American and Latin bar comfort foods. They are a beachside bar and bistro and part of the Grand Plaza Hotel, which has other two other bistro restaurants, Level 11 and Spinners Rooftop Revoling Bistro. With two separate bars, an outside patio dining area, lounge with fire-pits, and beach access, this is one of many places along Beach Drive to stop for a quick bite, drink, and to enjoy the sunsets.
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Main review:
Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration to commemorate the Mexican Army under the command of General Gnacio Zaragoza Seguín and their victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of General. In the United States it is often mistaken for the “Cry of Dolores” or Mexican Independence Day. Today, Mexico celebrates Cinco de Mayo with a military parade but not much more, whereas in the USA, it has become associated with the celebration of Mexican-American culture where the typical Gringo goes to a Mexican restaurant, eats, drinks, and maybe see’s a person blindfolded so they can burst open a piñata full of candy. The Mexican restaurant industry takes full advantage of this celebration to throw large parties and charge big prices for doing it.
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| A stormy night - Grand Plaza hotel with Bongos Grille |
Menu:
- Shareable's
- Flatbreads
- Salads
- Sandwiches
- Wraps and Tacos
- Dinner
- Kids
- Desserts
My wife, a few friends and I met up at Bongos for drinks, which we did on a regular basis. We would sit in the open dining area which is broken down into a multi-level deck with a bar, and as the sun would go down, gather at the fireside pit where deep cushioned sofas and chairs were available. They have live music every night, and it is a perfect area to dance, laugh, enjoy cocktails, and meet with friends.
The sharable from the menu have Caribbean and Latin influence with such items as the Jamaica jerk or mango glazed scallops, Cuban nachos, or coconut crusted shrimp. For piece of the Floridian like most restaurants you will find a smoked fish dip and a cuban sandwich which origins are from Tampa and the Columbia Restaurant, not Cuba.
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| Cuban pork nachos |
Another bonus is going up to Level 11, ordering food, and bringing it down to Bongos if your more in the mood for artisan bistro cuisine versus beach style. The hotel does discourage this, but you can get away with it from time to time. Try the fish tacos from the menu for a delicate and light lunch fare, while still enjoying the savory textures of the Caribbean and Central America.
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| Fish Tacos |
Other Noteworthy Beach Bar and Caribbean Favorites:
Dunes Beach Restaurant & Bar Eclectic Cape Malay cuisine w/sushi in Hout Bay, South Africa
Beachcomber Bar & Grill Comfort foods, drinks, at the Don CeSar, in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Regatta on Avon Bar, pub grub and New Zealand cuisine in Christchurch, New Zealand
The Dickens Inn 1800s warehouse dockside style British pub, in London, UK
Caribbean:
Columbia Restaurant Traditional Spanish & Cuban chain since 1905; reviewed in Sarasota Florida
El Jibarita Casual spot for traditional Puerto Rican cuisine, Old San Juan, Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, USA
The Salty Rim Grill Nautical themed American eats with Caribbean flair in St. Pete Beach, Florida
Other Pictures from Bongos
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| Bongos at sundown |
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| Quesadilla |
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| Live Music |
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| Dancing the night away |
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| Beach near sunset |
Final notes and observations:
What is a restaurant review? Is one better than the other? How does the rating system work? Most reviews you read online are subjective, depending on the writer; but they should also be responsibly, and respectfully written, upholding the truth, and accurately conveying the experience. My job is to put you at the table with me, and to try and be objective to the best of my ability. Being impeccable with my word, never taking anything that happens personally, being honest in the review, never making assumptions, and to always write to the best of my knowledge. My ratings are notated by the level of stars I award (from 0 to 5). The star rating is based on the calculation and point accumulation of six separate factors with nearly seventy questions broken down by my individual experience. This includes: wine and other beverage selections, plate presentation, customer service, restaurant or café ambiance, food quality, plus a bonus section I call wow factor. To see more details on how I do my ratings read this article:
Over all from this experience, and using my rating system linked above, I give Bongos a 1 out of 5 stars, meaning that they were an average dining experience similar to most restaurants, but above the average of a chain.
Review basics:
5 stars
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An Extraordinary Experience
Worthy of a Michelin rating
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94 - 100%
(105% with full bonuses added)
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4 Stars
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An Outstanding Experience
(Top of its class)
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87 - 93%
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3 Stars
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Exceeded All My Expectations
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80 - 86%
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2 Stars
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Far Above the Average Experience
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72 - 79%
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1 Star
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An Average Dining Experience
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66 - 71%
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0.5 Star
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The Restaurant is a very Basic Experience
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65 - 61%
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0 Stars
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ALERT: Poor, or Appalling Experience
(Do not waste your money or time)
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60% or below
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Overall Star Rating:
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1 of 5 Stars:
An AverageDining Experience
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Wine List:
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Corkage fee’s:
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This Restaurant does not allow outside bottle in
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Restaurant style:
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Casual
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Cuisine style:
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Bistro-Café, Lounge, Seafood, American, Bar & Grill, Caribbean, Beach Food
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Reservations:
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Not Required
Walk-Ins:
Accepted
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Dress code:
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Casual attire
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Child policy:
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The Restaurants reviewed on this site may have a child’s menu or cater to them; however for full enjoyment of food and wine, it is recommended for children not to be in attendance, unless they have been trained in proper etiquette. If not then
Hire a Babysitter!
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Experiences:
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Trendy, Hot spot, Great bar, Great outdoor dining, Good for special occasions, Scenic views, Tourist grabber, and a Neighborhood gem.
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Payments:
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Cash, Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express
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Parking:
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Hotel Parking
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Wifi
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The restaurants reviewed on this site may have Wi-Fi, but do not require you to go online, because the excitement of the food and wine alone will keep you too entertained instead of checking your social media and emails.
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Noise level:
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Medium to Loud
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Smoking:
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Nonsmoking restaurant, and nonsmoking patio
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Patio:
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Yes
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A few St. Pete Beach favorites on Wine, Dine, and Play:
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Cool cocktails and coastal eats
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Med-Latin & tapas café with 360 views
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Rooftop Artisan Fusion Bistro
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Table-side Hibachi with sushi bar
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Relaxed eatery for pizza and pasta
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Nautical themed American eats with Caribbean flair
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See the whole list by visiting “The Wine, Dine, and Play Article Glossary”
Other Florida Favorites:
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St. Petersburg
Rustic New American Fare
A top 100 on Wine, Dine, and Play
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New Smyrna Beach
Old-world classic Italian & Mediterranean
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Gulfport
Old School Rustic Tuscan
|
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Tampa
Native American Cuisine w/Barbacoa Grilling
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Ruskin
German Bites in Bavarian-style Tavern
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St. Petersburg
Contemporary Twist on American Eats
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Orlando
Upscale Pan Asian Fare w/sushi
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St. Pete Beach
Rooftop Artisan Fusion Bistro
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Key West
Landmark bar since 1851, where Jimmy Buffet got his start
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Brandon
Casual curries of North & South with Buffet
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Sarasota
Authentic & Traditional Peruvian Cuisine
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St. Augustine
Locally Sourced Café for Southern Grub
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Food Prices
(excluding, alcohol, taxes & gratuity)
$£€¥ - Under 50.00
$£€¥ x 2 - 51.00- 99.00
$£€¥ x 3 - Over 100.00
$£€¥ x 4 - Over 200.00
$£€¥ x 5 - Over 400.00
**Currencies chosen reflect the world’s major travelers and restaurant or wine connoisseur’s**
My food bill:
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Currency:
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Price chart:
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$27.00
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United States Dollar (USD)
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$$
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$36.00
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Australian Dollar (AUS)
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$$$
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£21.00
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Great Britain Pound Sterling (GBP)
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£££££
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$36.00
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Canadian Dollar (CAN)
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$$$
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¥183.00
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Chinese Yuan (CNY)
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¥¥¥¥¥
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€24.00
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European Union (EUR)
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€€€€€
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Currency rates as of June 2017
Alcohol Prices:
$13.00
Bongos Bar and Grille:
The Grand Plaza Hotel
5250 Gulf Blvd
St Pete Beach, Florida
33706
Contact Information:
Restaurant website:
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Maître d or host:
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+1 727-360-1811
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Serving hours:
Eastern Standard Time
(GMT, Zulu, or UTC - 5:00)
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Mon-Sun
11:00 am - 3:00 am
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Email Contact:
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Social Media
&
Accolades:
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****
The worlds best restaurants is a subjective list based on who is writing about them, and it changes on a regular basis. My list of best reviewed restaurants here on Wine, Dine, and Play is based on a rating number at 4 or 5 stars. From the 350 + published reviews as of summer 2017, less than 15% hold these prestigious rankings, meaning that the visit was an outstanding or extraordinary experience. I have dined at restaurants on five continents from cafés, chains, and fine dining spots including a few that are rated on the Michelin one to three scale. Below is a sampling of some from my list, which include mom and pops + holes in the wall. These places can be just as good, or if not better than a top ranked restaurant of the world in my opinion. To visit my full list of best places follow this link:
A few to tease you with…
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Rustic New American Fare
Saint Petersburg, Florida USA
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Elegant Modern Australian with Molecular Gastronomic dining
Melbourne, Australia
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Modern eclectic and Nouvelle Latin cuisine
Woodstock, South Africa
|
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High Rise Fine Global Dining, Highest Restaurant In The World
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
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Haute French Cuisine
Paris, France
|
Highly creative new American molecular gastronomy tasting menus
Chicago, Illinois, USA
|
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Impeccably prepared French fine dining
Dublin, Ireland
|
Acclaimed high-concept inspired Farm to Table tavern
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
Refined and elegant creole fare since 1880
New Orlean’s, Louisiana, USA
|
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French-American Fine Dining
Yountville, Napa, California, USA
|
Safari + Upscale African Cuisine
Sabi Sand Game Reserve, South Africa
|
Contemporary Japanese restaurant, sushi, & cocktail mixology
Dubai, UAE
|
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Fine Indian and Pakistani Cuisine
Burj Khalifa, Dubai, UAE
|
Contemporary, African-French Tasting Journey
Franschhoek, South Africa
|
Eclectic French-Asian Tasting Menu
Sydney, Australia
|
|
Top 10 American fine-dining ornate chophouse
Charleston, South Carolina, USA
|
Posh and artful French cuisine + culinary experimentalism
Festival City, Dubai, UAE
|
Haute Gastronomique French restaurant & bistro
Bordeaux, France
|
So many great wines in this world, here are a few boutiques, cult wines, and favorites:
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A 1756 Estate Famed Rubicon Blend
Stellenbosch, South Africa
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Big, Bold, Cult Cabernets
Oakville, California, USA
|
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Boutique Producers of Pinot Noir
Willamette, Oregon
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Agincourt, Waterloo, Salamanca
Yarra Valley, Australia
|
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A Cru Bourgeois Supérieur
Cussac-Fort-Médoc, Bordeaux, France
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Not Kehlsteinhaus, Exceptional Shiraz
Constantia, South Africa
|
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Screaming Eagles Sister
Santa Barbara, California, USA
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World Class Oregon Pinot Noir
Willamette, Oregon
|
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20+ Blue Ridge Handcrafted Wines
Asheville, North Carolina, USA
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Domaine Bertagna
13th Century Cistercian -1er Cru Les Cras
Vougeot, Burgundy, France
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Reviewed by:
Sean Overpeck (CFE)
Executive Chef
Father, Husband, Wine Drinker
Restaurant nut, History and
Star Trek lover
Picture below was taken La Colombe in
Constantia, South Africa 2013
About Sean:
I am based out of Florida working in food service for over twenty years, and am currently with the American Embassy as the Executive Chef. Formally I have worked with groups contracting in Afghanistan, and Antarctica, also working in restaurants in and around Atlanta, Georgia prior to the wars. I have also owned a catering company and served proudly in the United States Army Food Service Program. The idea for Wine, Dine, and Play started in late 2012 after a trip to Jordan, when I was asked by friends to write down my experiences from a few restaurants, wines I tasted, and unique locations such as Petra. Since that time, I have written over 350 articles, including fifteen from the worlds top 100 lists of San Pellegrino and the Elite Travelers Guide restaurants. I have articles on exotic world locations such as Victoria Falls, and South African Safari’s; food recipes & a Grand Food Dictionary; ethnic country cuisines such as Afghan, and Peruvian; tasting tours of world cities like Charleston, Cape Town, and Dubai; and of course wine from vineyards in California, Oregon, the Carolina’s, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, with much more to see and write.
Who is John Galt?
Other articles of interest on Wine, Dine, and Play:
The Complete A to Z Food and Beverage Grand Dictionary If you're looking for it, then you found it
Afghan Cuisine Recipes, culture, history of food, the future - A culinary tour of Afghanistan during the war
Burj Khalifa Tower Take a tour of the tallest building in the world, Dubai, UAE
Converting a recipe card from Imperial to Metric Cooking Conversions made easy
Fugitives Drift Lodge and Zulu Battlefields African Cuisine Buffet, Kwa-Zulu-Natal, South Africa
Thanksgiving in Antarctica An American tradition with turkey and football at the bottom of the world
Cowgirl Creamery Artisan cheese shop “aka” Cowgirl Cantina in Point Reyes Station, California
Tipping in Restaurants Etiquette, customs, cultures, and assumptions
(Articles coming soon)
Petra, Jordan
A Taste of Dubai
A Taste of South Africa (multiple volumes)
Wine, Dine, And Play’s “best of”
FOB Shank - Cooking with Incoming
“Culinary perfection consists not in doing extraordinary things,
But in doing ordinary things extraordinarily well.”
-Angelique Arnauld (1591-1661)
TTFN
