Take pictures of your food – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Dining out during vacation is an experience you want to remember — just like sightseeing! after all, with only a little work, you’ll get to try something that’s a specialty for that region.

My mouth still waters when I review the pictures of the ahi poke I had from Hawaii, barramundi fish in Australia, and the poisson cru in Tahiti. So go ahead and take a photo (or two… or ten!) of the lovely presentation. No need to be embarrassed as taking a picture of the food is a high compliment to the chef.

Collect take-out menus when dining out – Souvenir tip

by Gadling Staff on

One of the best parts of traveling is the different types of food you get the chance to try.

When dining out, consider photographing the restaurant and your meal. If the meal was memorable, request a copy of the menu and make a note while it’s still fresh in your mind what you ate — to go with your corresponding picture. Upon your return home, your menus may help you seek out restaurants in your area that serve the same dishes… or even allow you to give them ideas for new ones.

Bonus: if you have friends visiting the same destination, you can share your menus with them and help them to have a wonderful meal. Consider giving them a travel debit card before they leave town, so they can enjoy dinner out on you.

Dine OUT! – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

You’ve spent so much money on just getting to Hawaii, why pay more to sit inside a restaurant? Weather permitting, you should be outside on the grass! Or on the sand. Or at a picnic table.

Borrow a sheet from your hotel to sit on or use as a table cloth, as well as glasses and silverware. Chose the most appropriate place from your “sights to see” list and make a lunch or dinner out of it by ordering take-out from one of the local eateries.

Having a picnic outside near a fun destination will give you an “insider’s view” of both that sight and the local culture.

Eat at the public market – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Public markets are great places to find fresh, local food. From farmer’s markets in California to public markets in Chile, you can find food booths dishing up vibrant local fare. It’s one of the best ways to soak up the culture and tradition of any city or town while traveling.

It also gives you the opportunity to indulge in unusual local dishes that you may not find in restaurants. Eating at the public market is a good way to stretch your food budget, as booth food is usually extremely cheap.

Bonus: it’s usually prepared on the spot, so you’re bound to get something super-fresh!

Avoid eating cold dishes (especially in developing nations) – Dining out tip

by Gadling Staff on

Having visited India several times in my life, I can confidently say that eating a cold dish is a one-way trip to the hospital. It’s because food handling standards in some countries are not quite the same as in developed nations.

Foods to avoid include chilled sauces and desserts. It’s actually a pretty easy tip to follow because most food is made hot and fresh. However, chilled foods are a problem because bacteria is permitted to develop and the food may be several days old.