What do we talk about with friends when the subject turns to our most recent vacation?
It depends on where we’ve been, of course, but the topics may include the gorgeous scenery, the serenity (if a tropical island) or breakneck pace of life (if a big city), shopping, tourist attractions visited, tacky tourist traps avoided and cab drivers. (It seems as if no matter where we go, we can find a gift shop hawking t-shirts with the inscription, “I survived a [fill in the name of the city] cab ride.”)
There’s one other topic that’s likely to come up. In fact, it’s probably the most common topic of all in vacation summary discussions: food.
When we’re away from home, by necessity and by definition, we’re always eating out. And because the restaurants are new to us (assuming we avoid the Waffle House, Dennys and Olive Garden), chances are some of the dishes we choose also will be unfamiliar…and, hopefully, memorable. In a good way.
It’s no coincidence that one of the most popular programs on the Travel Channel is “Man V. Food”, hosted by Adam Richman. Other food-oriented programs on the network include Anthony Bourdain’s “No Reservations”, Andrew Zimmern’s “Bizarre Foods”, and George Motz’s “Made in America”, which often includes food among its featured American-made products.
Likewise, the Food Network gets out of the kitchen quite often, bringing us such travel-focused programs as Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives”, “Rachael’s Vacation” with Rachael Ray, and “All-American Festivals”.
There can be no doubt that some of our best vacation memories evolve over plates of food—whether it’s an all-you-can-stuff-into-your-mouth buffet in Las Vegas (where some resorts are now selling all-day buffet noshing for a single price), or a romantic dinner for two on a secluded desert island.
This thought was further cemented when the May issues of two popular magazines arrived in the mail. (More on that in tomorrow’s blog.)
Meanwhile, we’d love to hear about your food adventures while on vacation. Is there a particular meal you will always remember? Tell us about it in the comments box below.
