Must have: Swiss fondue

by Annie Scott on


If you find yourself in Switzerland, you absolutely must treat yourself to some fondue. The Swiss are known for fondue because they invented it and they do it right. It’s tremendous.

Swiss fondue is served in earthenware pots with handles, none of that crazy stainless stuff you see nowadays. Traditional ingredients for melting include cheese (of course), cheese with truffle oil (pictured), cheese with tomato (see gallery), cheese with wine, peppers, mushrooms, and a number of other combinations. Usually, bread is dipped — first into a small container of a strong liqueur, if you’re into that, then into the cheese pot — but in some cases, boiled potatoes are also used. Chocolate is not a traditional fondue ingredient, and wasn’t really heard of until the 1960s. Meat fondue (where you dip raw meat in hot oil to cook it) developed a little earlier than that and is very similar to a Chinese hot pot, but Swiss fondue goes back to the 18th century (and some allege the original concept dates back as far as Homer’s Iliad).

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The cheeses are usually Emmentaler, which is what we think of as “Swiss cheese,” with the holes, Vacherin or Gruyere. The fondue should be warm enough to be smooth, but never burn. A perfectly served fondue forms a toasted crust at the bottom, which you can see once you’ve eaten it all. If you burn it, you should feel bad about yourself.

In Seelisberg, you can have fondue in a funicular, which is fun to say.

I tried my first Swiss fondue at Café du Grütli (above), a Montreux restaurant which specializes in fondue. The restaurant was charming in bright yellow with funny decor like garden gnomes, butterflies and soccer stats on the walls. The wine was local to the Swiss Riviera and perfectly paired with the cheeses. After dinner, traditional after-dinner drinks like flavored kirsch (like schnapps) were served. I indulged in 86 proof apricot kirsch — perhaps it has to be that strong to help you digest all the glorious cheese.

One last important thing: Don’t go for Swiss fondue alone. You may think you’d never eat an entire pot of cheese by yourself, but you totally will, and then you probably won’t feel very good. Ever again.

My trip to Switzerland was sponsored by Switzerland Tourism, but the ideas and opinions expressed in this article are 100 percent my own.

Daily Pampering: Indulge in Guacamology

by Annie Scott on


The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas has a new perk we never expected: a Guacamologist.

Every night at 6:00 PM in the hotel Lobby Lounge, guests can kiss their workday woes goodbye with a complimentary margarita tasting and fresh-made guacamole. Guests have already caught on, and gather daily around 5:45 to prepare themselves for the margaritas handcrafted by Chef Dean Fearing, and the guacamole — expertly concocted by a team consisting of the hotel’s Guacamologist and the designated Guest Guacamologist. The Guest? Well, that could be you.

“We are delighted to offer our new Guest Guacamologist role to guests and visitors of the hotel,” said Roberto van Geenen, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas. “There is no more delightful way to usher in the Dallas evening.”

Being a Guest Guacamologist is a complimentary learning experience and a gift which will keep on giving long after you leave. After all, being able to say “I learned to make Guacamole in Texas” is kinda badass. Just ask the hotel’s concierge to put you in touch with the public relations team, and they’ll be more than happy to set you up with your green dreams.

Or, you know, just keep in mind that there’s free guac and margaritas at the Ritz-Carlton next time you’re trying to decide where to stay in Dallas. Sometimes, the best things in life …

Want more? Get your daily dose of pampering right here.

Hampton Inns hands out free food on Thursday in NYC

by Melanie Nayer on

Hampton Inn is teaming up with Guy Fieri to hand out free waffles (and so much more) this Thursday in New York City. Show up at Herald Square park at 6am and register for a plethora of gifts and prizes! Don’t worry if you can’t drag yourself out of bed that early – the waffles will be free until noon.

Why waffles? Why not!

Actually, there is a legitimate reason for the free food. The Hampton Inn will introduce freshly-baked waffles to its nationwide hotels’ breakfast choices, and what better way to celebrate than with free food. These waffles come with a bit of celebrity action, too: Chef Guy Fieri and his son Hunter, will be passing out the waffles. Bonus: If you’re among the first 50 to show up and present the official Facebook invite you’ll get a prize pack including a waffle baker, waffle mix, Hampton apron and tote bag.

Details: Wake Up with Waffles
Date: June 17, 2010 Time: 6 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT
Place: Herald Square Park, Manhattan, New York City, NY
Price: Free to the public
RSVP: Facebook

Starbucks to offer free WI-Fi at all US locations starting July 1st!

by Scott Carmichael on

Starting July 1st, finding an online fix will be just as easy as finding your coffee fix. The official Starbucks Twitter account just announced that Wi-Fi will be free of charge at all their US locations. This instantly turns them into one of the largest operators of free Wi-Fi in the world.

Best of all, the Twitter announcement confirms that no registration will be required, and that connections will be “one-click”.

Even though 3G and 4G are becoming more popular (and available), finding a reliable connection isn’t always easy – and especially in large cities, Wi-Fi is often the only efficient way to do anything involving large files or video.

Shanghai Nights: 24 hours in the Expo City

by Melanie Nayer on


Shanghai is a city of complications and successes. It’s one of the most modern cities in China, yet still holds sacred its roots in China’s history. It’s lived in the shadows of Beijing and Hong Kong for centuries but today offers travelers a new experience, thanks in part to its hosting the World Expo Shanghai. Shanghai is a juxtaposition of old and new on every street. A five minute walk from the world’s largest Louis Vuitton store is one of Shanghai’s oldest parks, where locals converge to practice the art of Tai Chi and take part in morning dance rituals as a form of expression and exercise.

Imagine you have exactly 24 hours to explore one of the world’s most historical and modernized cities. What do you do first? Whether you’re heading to Shanghai as a stopover to somewhere else in China, or your spending your vacation in the Expo City, make sure to save a day for the following:

Early morning in Renmin Park 7 – 8 a.m.
Only a short walk from The Portman Ritz-Carlton at Shanghai Center (where I stayed during my trip to Shanghai), Renmin Park at People’s Square of Puxi offers a unique glance at the life of old Shanghainese. Early Sunday mornings are filled with generations of Shanghainese taking part in familiar rituals including Tai Chi and ‘disco’ – their version of what Americans would consider “line dancing.” Join the dance or just stop and take it all in. Everyone is wonderfully friendly in the park and welcome tourists to join the dance or take part in Tai Chi.

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Morning visit to the World Expo 9 a.m. – noon
No trip to Shanghai would be complete without a visit to the World Expo. The “Better Life, Better City” motto is felt through all the pavilions, but beware: you’ll stand in line for a while. Choose one or two pavilions you want to see before you go and head straight there. A few things to note before you arrive:

  • No outside food or drink will be permitted into the Expo
  • You can buy your tickets at any of the booths outside the Expo when you arrive, but you’ll save time if you buy ahead and pick up your tickets at one of the “will-call” windows
  • The Expo is mapped out by zones – A, B, C, D, and E. It’s wise to choose the pavilions you want to see in the same zone, but if you must travel to different zones there is a shuttle bus that will take you around.
  • Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll do a lot of walking at the World Expo, and a lot of standing around in line, so make sure you’re wearing comfortable shoes.
  • If you’re in Shanghai for longer than one day, buy a 7-day pass to the Expo and map out a few other pavilions you want to see during the remainder of your visit.
  • The China pavilion is the most popular pavilion, and unless you’ve got a VIP pass you’d better get in line early. Only 1000 passes are handed out on a first-come-first-service basis daily to the China pavilion.
  • Forget the gift shops and take photos instead. Cameras are allowed in each of the pavilions and you can take photos of any and all exhibits.

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Afternoon visit to Zhu Jia Jiao, renowned water village in Puxi 2 – 4 p.m.
Located about a 45-minute drive from Shanghai is Zhu Jia Jiao, the renowned water village in Puxi. The traditional water canal town dates back to the Ming and Qing dynasties and has some of the best market shopping and authentic Shanghai food in the city. Take a walk through the markets and purchase a few souvenirs before boarding a water taxi to visit the Taoist Temple, the great Qing Post Office and the old Chinese Pharmacy. The markets sell local produce and traditional Chinese gifts including jewelry, fans and silk.

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Candle lighting ceremony at The Portman Ritz-Carlton
The Portman Ritz-Carlton, Shanghai, was the first luxury hotel in Shanghai, but still retains the values of old Shanghai. After a day out exploring, spend a few moments in the lobby watching the traditional Chinese candle lighting ceremony. The ceremony takes place in the lobby and lasts only a few minutes, allowing plenty of time for you to relax in the lobby bar for a before heading out to the famous Bund for the evening.

Evening on the Bund 8 p.m.
Shanghai’s Bund is one of the most areas of the city. With spectacular views of the city and surrounded by restaurants and bars, the Bund is always lively on any night of the week. Start with a walk along the bridge by the river to capture photos of the city skyline on one side, and the old buildings on the other. Dine at Lost Heaven, a traditional Yunnan Chinese restaurant that serves family-style entrees for every taste and palette. After dinner, head to New Heights, located at Three on the Bund. The restaurant has an outdoor terrace that offers spectacular views of the Bund and the Shanghai skyline.

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It’s a packed day in Shanghai, but with a little planning and a lot of energy, you’ll see the beauty of old and new in 24 hours.


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*The Portman Ritz-Carlton sponsored my trip to Shanghai, but the opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.