Cheers! This post comes to you while enjoying my Raspberry Sorbet Gin Sparkler as I read the following post shared with us by my friend Taryn of tripwishlist.com . She has visited 50+ countries and has all 50 U.S. states crossed off her list, Taryn’s wanderlust and wanderlist continues to grow! She loves historic places, off-the- beaten paths, and beautiful beaches.
​Enjoy!

While Washington, DC, is most known for national monuments, politics, and the seat of
the U.S. Government, it’s also a surprisingly great city for food, hosting a myriad of
restaurants that serve global and regional cuisines.
For foodies, DC is also the place to be!
Fine Dining:
Plume – Housed in the Jefferson Hotel, the décor of this elegant, Michelin-star
establishment sets the stage for an amazing dining experience. The restaurant’s seafood
dishes are an expression of creativity, and each dish is a work of art.
Fiola Mare – Situated on the Georgetown waterfront overlooking the river makes this
restaurant a great spot for romantic dinners. The menu offers a variety of dishes, from
chickpea tortellini to Adriatic brodetto. There’s even a sunset menu for those interested
in a culinary golden-hour experience.
Lafayette Restaurant – This upscale restaurant at the Mayfair Hotel seamlessly blends
European and American culinary influences in an elegant atmosphere. The Sunday
Brunch is a standout as are the views of the Washington Monument.
Casual Dining:
Zaytinya – With a name meaning “olive oil” in Turkish, you can’t go wrong ordering
anything from this hip restaurant. I frequently visit this quaint spot for its small-plate
offerings, which allow you to sample a variety of Mediterranean dishes.  And any time I
can eat grilled halloumi cheese, I'm totally there!
Rasika – Year after year, this Indian fusion restaurant racks up the accolades. With
specialties using a variety of cooking methods, including tandoor, tawa griddle, and sigri
barbecue, there's something for everyone. Its tandoor dishes are amazing, and don't
leave without trying the palak chaat!
Founding Farmers – This farm-to- table concept restaurant serves an extensive menu of
regional American dishes and has no microwave ovens or frozen foods, except for ice
cream. The devil-ish eggs, skillet corn bread, and fried green tomatoes are just a few of
the restaurant’s signature side dishes. The restaurant also offers its own cold-pressed
juice cleanse.
Specialty:
Ben’s Chili Bowl – A DC culinary landmark, this restaurant’s history is as rich as its
food. Offering an assortment of chilis, burgers, and hot dogs, this restaurant has long
been a favorite stop for many celebrities and dignitaries, from Miles Davis to President
Obama.
Georgetown Cupcake – The founders of this bakery definitely have the formula for some
of the best cupcakes on the planet and have even appeared on the TLC show, DC
Cupcakes. The seasonal cupcakes, such as the Cherry Blossom cupcake, are amazing, but
you can’t go wrong with the classic and special cupcakes, either.
DC-3 – This restaurant is not your ordinary hot dog stand and boasts creative
specialties, which include Tuscan Sonoran and Philly Cheesesteak-style beef hot dogs as
well as a collection of creative toppings, such as Chicago neon relish.
Newcomers:
Ivy City Smokehouse - Located in the up-and- coming Ivy City neighborhood, this
“tavern” is the place to try some of the best smoked seafood in DC. The restaurant also
sells fresh fish, offers weekly live music, and has a nice rooftop for summer gatherings,
making it a very hip and enjoyable place to hang out.
Maydan - Craving some North African and Middle Eastern cuisine? Maydan gives you a
taste from Tangier to Tehran. And its drinks are as appealing as its meals. For example,
the Quahwa coffee blends Jamaican rum with vermouth, Turkish coffee, honey, and
cardamom.
Have you visited DC? What were your favorite restaurants?

See more of my friend Taryn's posts  and great travel tips, please visit her website at tripwishlist.com  
​Face Book: The Trip Wist List 
​Twitter: @thetripwishlist
Instagram: @thetripwishlist
Pinterest: Thetripwishlist

Cheers to my Sippin Gypsy Team Gin! This post comes to you while enjoying my Taco Tuesday Gin and Tonic with New Orleans' own Euphrosine Gin #9.
If you love to eat and drink, and I mean really taste flavor and imbibe on quality cocktails, then New Orleans is your destination to tantalize your taste buds!  ​

1. Vessel
Set in an old church building, intact with dark wood details and a stunning window framing the bar and it's 'spiritual' offerings...Vessel is not only aesthetically beautiful, but is an absolute delight when it comes to her culinary and cocktail creations.  Each dish is artfully prepared and presented, and the cocktail menu is truly an expression of mixologists who take pride in their craft.  Vessel is not within walking distance of The French Quarter, but definitely worth the ride.  

2. Seaworthy
I am so excited to have found Seaworthy.  This charming spot in the Central Business District is refreshing break from the bar scene of Bourbon St.  With a delicious late night food menu and engaging craft cocktails, Seaworthy is a 'must do' when visiting New Orleans.  Since New Orleans is an open container city, I didn't mind the walk between The French Quarter and Seaworthy, I simply ordered a cocktail 'to go' and took my time sippin' and strollin' to and from this delightful gem.

3. The Vintage
The Vintage was a surprise find.  A late morning stroll through the Garden District was brought to an abrupt end with the onset of a torrential downpour.  Being wet and hungry, the Vintage welcomed us in with her beautiful ambiance, delicious food and cocktails all featuring wine.  It was obvious this was not only a local favorite, but the new must see hotspot for visitors enjoying Magazine Street.  A word of advice...try the biscuits.... they were warm and addictive.

4. Willa Jean
The Central Business District in New Orleans is quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with when it comes to the cocktail and cuisine scene.   Willa Jean has been a staple in that neighborhood for years and is no doubt helping to raise the bar for delicious food and creative cocktails throughout the CBD.  With some of the most delicious fresh baked breads, Willa Jean is a great spot to start your day in New Orleans.  And since you can, order that second (or third) cocktail to go as you stroll either towards your next destination.

5. Black Duck Bar
This bar hosts the largest rum collection I have ever seen.  The staff is well trained and knows how to make quality craft cocktails which was a welcomed break from the 'fish bowls' and 'hurricanes' on Bourbon St.  Located upstairs in the Palace Cafe, the environment was elegant but approachable and like almost all of the establishments in the Vieux Carre, casual attire is perfectly acceptable.

6. Court of the Two Sisters
Wow.  A New Orleans priority to visit for brunch with live jazz.  The setting is rustic elegant, with careful preservation of the original details with splashes of artifacts found in the attic of the building.  The food for brunch offered as a buffet was impeccable.  The flavors were well blended and offered a variety to satisfy the breakfast and lunch goers.  I enjoyed a bourbon cocktail with muddled blueberries.  I try not to repeat experiences when I return to cities, but this place will be on my go to for a brunch every time I visit New Orleans.

​7. Cafe Soule
Some of the best places are found when you simply wander.  Cafe Soule was one of those treasured finds while strolling the French Quarter.  Not only were we greeted with the charm and preservation of the original home, but the flavors were truly amazing.  I feel certain places can cook good food and some places exude passion in what they cook, Cafe Soule was the latter which made it all the more memorable.  The Bacon Mac and Cheese made my Sippin Gypsy "BEST I've Ever Had" list for Mac and Cheese.

​8. Creole House
I was so impressed with this restaurant when we found it for breakfast that we went back to try lunch. The flavors never failed to wow us.  As a lover of Bloody Mary's and all things creole and southern, every sip and bite was flavor packed and delivered that wow factor.  I will be returning for the Oysters with Bacon and Garlic, a Sipping Gypsy "BEST I've ever had" for oysters.

9. Muriel's
You know I love a good history story to accompany my sips and Muriel's comes complete with a resident ghost.  What better way to sip and dine than with a spirited presence!  The atmosphere boasts old New Orleans charm and the staff is pleasant and engaging and happy to tell you their encounter with Mr. Jourdan.  The food is delicious and the bar staff makes their craft cocktails well.  We enjoyed our food and beverage in the main dining area, then continued with a cocktail upstairs in Mr. Jourdan's lounge. ​

​10. Crescent City Brewhouse
This place surprised me.  I typically do not favor beers, therefore do not frequent brew houses, but I am glad our friends wanted a beer and plotted out this spot.  For not being a beer drinker I found their seasonal IPA to be very enjoyable, but what truly blew me away was the food.  The flavors were so well layered and the presentation was beautiful.  

​11. Bourbon O Bar
I love live music.  I love a great drink.  Put the two together and you have one very happy Sippin Gypsy.  The Bourbon O Bar has the best Ramos Gin Fizz ever.  They have this nifty little machine that shakes the drink for several minutes.  The wait is worth it.  These bar tenders love their craft and make beautiful cocktails.  The evenings offer live jazz, so save this spot for a pre dinner cocktail.

​12. Bacchanal Wine
Experience the local side of New Orleans.  Bacchanal Wine was one of the most enjoyable experiences we've had for music and dinner.  About a 15 minute car ride from the French Quarter, this spot is literally a backyard party in the heart of a local neighborhood.  The wine selection features smaller vineyards from around the world.  The food was amazing as well, with herbs grown on property.  Take time to visit this spot and indulge.

13.Tableau
Every city has her own local chef or restaurateur that has elevated the culinary scene in that city, and Dickie Brennan has done just that in New Orleans.  With a variety of delicious options throughout the city, The Brennan Family Restaurants sprinkle impeccable service and delightful cuisine and cocktail options in each establishment they own, but one of my favorite is Tableau.  Elegant but approachable, the staff at Tableau treats guests in shorts and flip flops with the same Southern hospitality as guests in cocktail dresses and heels.  The food at Tableau is fresh and artfully prepared, it has taken me several visits to put a dent into their offerings, but each time I visit the French Quarter, Tableau is always on my list.

14. The Carousel Bar
The iconic landmark in the French Quarter for cocktails and ambiance, The Carousel Bar is nestled inside the Monteleone Hotel and should be on your list of places to visit in The French Quarter.  The bar itself hosts a beautiful carousel that rotates very slowly as you enjoy classic cocktails such as the Sazerac.  Most evenings The Carousel Bar offers live jazz music, which brings the whole evening all together for a complete French Quarter experience.

Cheers Sippin Gypsy Team Gin! This post comes to you while enjoying my Gin and Lavender Lemonade inspired by this beautifully written blog by my travel friend Laura Sironi of Explore Like a Girl.  Thank you Laura! Cheers!

​Have you ever been to the Provence-Alpes- Côte d’Azur region in France? Well, if you
have you know how beautiful it is and there's always a reason to go back, but if you
haven't, be sure to plan your trip for next summer and you won't be disappointed!
In July last year I took a week long road trip with my mom through this wonderful part of
France and one of my dreams finally became true. I’ve been obsessed with lavender and
sunflower fields probably my whole life and I finally got to see them in all their beauty.

LAVENDER AND SUNFLOWER FIELDS FOR DAYS
They say the lavender fields are at their best between the end of June and the first two
weeks of July, so I recommend visiting during that time. It was a little after the middle of
July when I got there and some bushes had already been harvested, but we could still find
fields full of lavender while driving around the countryside, especially in the areas of Salt,
Banon and Simiane-la- Rotonde. But the most popular place where you can find gorgeous
lavender fields is right outside Valensole.
In Manosque, next to the freeway exit and a few minutes away from our bed&breakfast, we
were surprised to see the most beautiful sunflower field ever and of course I had to stop to take
pictures!

​ROUSSILLON: THE “GRAND CANYON OF FRANCE”
One of our next stops was the village of Roussillon: surrounded by one of the biggest ochre deposits
in the world and known as the “Grand Canyon of France”, it's a must see in Provence. Here
everything is a shade of red and I felt like in a fairytale!

​AVIGNON IS FOR ART LOVERS
After a quick stop in Gordes and at the close Senanque Abbey, you can't miss Avignon, a lively city
full of history and art. I ended up there during the Festival d'Avignon that takes place every year in
July, the oldest extant festival in France and one of the world’s greatest. You can see artists all over
the city and there are hundreds of shows every day. The city is famous for the Palais des Papes, that
stands out in one of the main squares and is one of the largest and most important medieval Gothic
buildings in Europe.

​THE FRENCH RIVIERA: A MIX OF RELAX AND FUN
Finally, if you're looking to get some relax time and you love the sea (who doesn't right?), head to
Port Grimaud. This little town on the very famous French Riviera is just what I needed after almost
a week on the road. I was able to chill at the beach and at the pool at the beautiful Villa les
Mésanges, where we rented a room for a couple of nights.
The Côte d’Azur landscapes are breathtaking and, even if I had been there a few times
before, it being so close to Italy where I am from, you just never get tired of it.
Port Grimaud is known as the “Venice of France”, with canals flowing among the cutest
colorful Provençal-style buildings. The village is full of restaurants, ice cream places and
little shops and you can easily explore it by foot or by boat. It’s a real gem you can’t miss if
you’re planning on visiting the French Riviera! And if you're in for some fun, the glamorous
Saint Tropez is 15 minutes away by car.
It's here that I was able to witness the most beautiful violet sunset I’ve ever seen!

​RECOMMENDATIONS

 Go visit Simiane-la- Rotonde. It's probably the cutest village of all the ones we
visited, even if they're all so pretty it's hard to pick a favorite. The view from the
terrace of one of its only two restaurants is so beautiful it looks like a painting!
 If you're looking for a place to stay in Manosque, I recommend the Chambres
d';hôtes  "Un Jardin en Ville". It's a few minutes away from the town center and it is
just everything you can dream of: lovely, quiet, with a super cute backyard and a
delicious breakfast! Plus the host Francette and her husband are wonderful and
very helpful!

To see more of my friend Laura Sironi's amazing travels, please visit her website Explore Like a Girl
Instagram: @explorelikeagirl
Facebook: @Explorelikeagirl
Pinterest: Explore like a Girl