LOS ANGELES – According to the dictionary, a foodie is “a person who has an ardent or refined interest in food; a gourmet.” Let me state upfront that this is not me.  I am not a foodie.  Yes, I do enjoy eating out, have done countless boring (and quickly forgotten) business dinners at this or that fancy restaurant, [...]

  NEW YORK – Head to the most northern point of Manhattan island and there you’ll find one of New York’s best-kept secrets, Fort Tryon Park.  A smaller version of Central Park (about one-tenth the size), Fort Tryon offers all the perks of its famous uptown sib – quaint, tree-lined paths, lovely gardens, a rich legacy, and top-notch artwork – [...]

  BANGKOK  – I always knew about it but never saw it; had no clue how amazing it was or what I was actually missing.  The Royal Barges National Museum, located along the banks of the Chao Phraya, ranks right up there with the magnificent Wat Praew Kaew.  A bit of a trek but, once you find it, you’ll be [...]

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON – I think the actual name of this place is The Light Restaurant and Bar, but no one I know calls it that – to us, it’s just “The Light”.   This is one of my recommended bars for folks finding themselves in Shoreditch or The City (which is nearby) looking for a good spot to [...]

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON – Borough Market is London’s oldest food market and, hands down, my absolute favorite part of London.  It’s called a “foodie’s paradise” because of its abundance of fresh and prepared food stalls, but wine, beer and merchandise are also on offer here.  This was always my go-to spot to pick up my paella ingredients, as [...]

  By MONICA BYERS LONDON – I absolutely adore whiling away a morning at the Tate Modern.  And I do mean morning – this is the best time to go to avoid the crowds, largely comprised during the week of tourists and school groups. I won’t make any attempt to discuss the merits of the collection – I would just [...]

BANGKOK – Chatuchak…the infamous weekend market.  Okay, not really a fave; actually a love-hate relationship.  For me, Chatuchak (or JJ as the locals call it) is one gigantic assault on the senses – the crowds, the chaos, the odors, the heat and the endless aisles of anything and everything.  But JJ is also about shopping and to a large extent [...]

  TOKYO – Of all of Japan’s many contributions, the ubiquitous and wonderful Japanese convenience store (the konbini) has got to be one of the best.  Known by various names – am pm, 7-Eleven, Lawsons, Family Mart – Japanese konbinis, set the standard for convenience stores everywhere.  Whether it’s magazines for every occasion; a huge selection of snacks; the latest [...]

  TOKYO – Having lived in what many consider to be one of the more expensive cities in the world, I often get asked where one can get decently priced food and drink in Tokyo and my answer is always the same, “just to go to any izakaya.”  Conceived to provide sake drinkers with a place where they could also [...]

  BANGKOK – The locals call it Khao Mang Gai but this Thai version of Singapore’s national chicken rice dish is a must for any Thai visitor.  Here’s what it is:  tender slices of steamed (or boiled) chicken topped with a spicy chili sauce, served with fragrant jasmine rice that’s been cooked in coconut milk and seasoned with bits of fresh [...]