Last weekend I had the opportunity to talk travel and food with Mark DeCarlo in Bloomingdale, Ill., about 30 miles west of Chicago. Along with being an actor, producer and television host, DeCarlo is a travel and food expert.
SONY DSC
With his wife he wrote A Fork on the Road: 400 Cities, 1 Stomach, and together they host the A Fork on the Road show. Both projects give tourism tips, recipes, and fun travel and local stories. While the Fork series is lighthearted, DeCarlo is serious about food and travel.
DeCarlo talked about travel being the best way to educate yourself through talking to people of all walks of life. He said food is the number one question when you talk travel, and I couldn’t agree more. When I asked for his top American food cities, he listed New Orleans, Chicago and Miami — surprisingly edging out New York. He mentioned Miami for the variety, including South American, Caribbean, ribs and more.
For travel, he named the Jazz Fest in New Orleans as his favorite destination. He passionately talked about the food, the sights and people from all over coming together in the beautiful city.
DeCarlo’s time was limited, but I could have spent all day talking food and travel with him. His enthusiasm for both is palpable and contagious.
In the spirit of DeCarlo, I dined at the nearby Minami. While they have a full menu, we focused on and completely devoured several sushi rolls. If there were more of us, we would have ordered the Sushi Boat, which looked awesome. This was possibly the best sushi I have ever had.
Before leaving the area, I picked up some cannoli from Chicago Pastry. The secret to excellent cannoli is the cheese filling, and Chicago Pastry does it to perfection — I like to consider myself a cannoli elitist. It is worth the 30-mile drive from my home. Their other baked goods look great, but I never stray from their cannoli!
It was a fun day highlighted by my unexpected travel and food conversation with DeCarlo. Of course, the superb food also helped, but DeCarlo would have appreciated that!
— John Wroblewski, distribution specialist
Read This Next
Introducing
FX Excursions
FX Excursions offers the chance for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in destinations around the world.
#globility
Insta FeedDaily
Apr 26, 2024Book the Ultimate Summer Escape at Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen
Plan your 2024 summer vacation to Mexico. Grand Hyatt Playa del Carmen offers travelers special experiences this summer, as well as an all-inclusive offer. Whether you’re traveling with friends, family, your significant other or solo, this resort has something for everyone.
Sponsored Content
Share Your Travel Preferences with Global Traveler in a Short Survey & Win
Learning more about our readers’ travel habits and preferences ensures Global Traveler delivers the content you desire. As the travel industry has adapted and changed over the last few years, it’s more important than ever to connect. To best meet your short- and long-term travel content needs, please help us!
Daily
Apr 26, 2024Jamaica Gears Up for Summer with New Hotels and Experiences
Just in time for summer, Jamaica is easier to enjoy than ever thanks to new hotels and excursions. This Caribbean island has never been more alive than this year, and this summer is to be its best one yet.
Daily
Apr 25, 2024Former Massachusetts Glasses Factory Transforms into New Hotel
In the late 1800s, eyeglass manufacturer George Washington Wells became the founder and owner of the largest eyeglass company in the town by merging with several smaller lens manufacturers in Southbridge, Massachusetts. By the early 1900s, Wells was running the largest eyeglass manufacturing company in the world, owning several factories in Southbridge and occupying more than 80 acres on both sides of the Quinebaug River. It was called the American Optical Company, known locally in town as “AO.”
Daily
Apr 25, 2024This Travel Operator Brings You to an Active Icelandic Volcano
Recently, Iceland has gained the attention of several travel enthusiasts due to recent media coverage showcasing epic lava flows and bursts of white ash smoke. For those wishing to see this in person, Abercrombie & Kent released guided tours and itineraries to Beerenberg Volcano, one of the northernmost active volcanoes in the world.
Hôtel Royal Unveils evian SPA, the First in Europe
Daily
Apr 25, 2024Fairfield by Marriott Phnom Penh Review
eFlyer Reviews
Apr 24, 2024Wolf by Vanderpump Opens at Harveys Lake Tahoe
Daily
Apr 24, 2024Lufthansa’s Allegris Takes Off May 1
eFlyer News
Apr 24, 2024eFlyer News
Apr 24, 2024IHG Hotels & Resorts Introduces 12 New Properties to Vignette Collection in 2024
IHG Hotels & Resorts welcomes 12 new properties to its brand-new luxury and lifestyle brand, Vignette Collection. Vignette Collection is a curation of distinct, hand-picked hotels, each offering one-of-a-kind stays from beachfront resorts to boutique townhouses.
Sponsored Content
Revel in a European Summer with AmaWaterways
Pedal through sun-drenched vineyards, hike amidst blooming wildflowers and take a refreshing dip in your ship's sun-deck whirlpool. Indulge in the flavors of the region with delectable dishes featuring luscious Wachau Valley apricots and succulent Serbian plums. As night falls, watch as the cities along the rivers come alive, pulsating with an irresistible electric energy. The sun-soaked days and vibrant nights offer a compelling reason to embark on an AmaWaterways river cruise during the upcoming summer months.
eFlyer Deals
Apr 24, 2024Give the Gift of Travel This Mother’s Day at Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville
Give mom or the mother figure in your life the best gift for Mother’s Day with a stay at Hyatt Centric Downtown Nashville. This trendy hotel launched a special Mother’s Day offer to treat every mom to some much-needed relaxation and attention.
ShareThis