Jewelry To Take With You While Traveling

Venice - photo taken during the starter marriage honeymoon

It seems like everyone I know is traveling right now. I am leaving the husb and little one at home and heading on a two-week Mediterranean cruise with one of my BFF's later this June. This is the exact honeymoon cruise I took with my first husband. I like to call that my starter marriage.

I am dreading packing for the trip. Think about it: fitting two weeks worth of clothing into my Bric's trolley suitcase that will need to fit into our 222-square foot cruise ship cabin. A cabin, mind you, that will be holding two women with lots of beauty products and shoes, size 11's no less.

Pack the Basics, Focus on Accessories
One solution I have found is to focus on accessories. My packing philosophy for long trips is to bring basics: shorts, a pair of jeans, a skirt or two, some simple blouses and one or two dresses. I mix up my looks with accessories like jewelry and scarves, which are easy to roll up in your luggage.

If you choose wisely, jewelry takes up no room. As much as I want to, I won't be bringing any Hermes XL bangles with me. Instead it will be stylish, delicate pieces that can fit into one travel roll I carry in my purse.

California-based jewelry designer gorjana makes jewelry that fits the bill perfectly for travel as well as every day living. The designs are on-trend yet have a timeless quality about them that endure.  Double bonus, the pieces are packable and versatile.

Scroll through to browse jewelry perfect for a trip or every day.

As for actually packing the pieces, a good jewelry roll can be your saving grace. I put my pieces in a freebie jewelry roll (similar here) I have had for years. It's about the size of a deck of cards with separate compartments for bracelets, rings, earrings and necklaces. Pack your earrings with your earrings, bracelets with your bracelets and so on.

Remember
NEVER pack your jewelry in your luggage. ALWAYS carry it with you. You don't want to risk it getting lost with your checked baggage.

The Takeaway
Smart accessories help you get multiple uses out of the same clothing on a trip.  Wear different accessories with the same dress and you have a different look without adding unnecessary bulk to your luggage.

How Women are Changing the Travel Game

Love this story in Forbes about the influence women yield when it comes to travel decisions.  

Casa Batllo in Barcelona

"Women are fueling an explosive growth, making 80% of decisions and expected to spend more than $125 billion this year," writes author Cecilia Rodriguez

This reflects the norm in my life and in all the relationships I have had.  I have always been the one longing to get the heck out of dodge.  

Warwick Castle in Warwickshire, England

What's also interesting is that the "average adventure traveler is not 28 and male but 47 and female, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. 

Why is that?  Is it because these women are facing an empty nest and experiencing an "Eat, Pray, Love" epiphany?  Perhaps.  

Whatever the reason, do it.  Travel is one of the few things that costs money but makes you richer.  And don't be afraid to do it alone.  I have done Barcelona, Paris, Israel and many domestic trips solo.  Sure, there are certain safety issues you must consider but the joys of solo travel range from self-discovery to being able to tell some great stories down the road.

Jerusalem's Old City

Travel Tips for the Single Gal on the Go
Read this for my travel trips for single women. 

So if you're on the fence about planning that trip this year, don't be.  Do it.  Life is too short not explore this wonderful world and experience the best of it. 

The Most Fattening Food Around the World

Part of the fun of travel is eating.  I believe that you can learn so much about a foreign culture by simply popping into bar, ordering a local drink and appetizers and chatting up the bartender and patrons next to you.  Those are truly some of my best memories.

Banana Nutella Crepes/image via Wikimedia

Some of those memories are made with some of the world's most fattening foods.  I would live on Nutella and banana crepes if I could.  This is a calorie nightmare though: Two tablespoons of Nutella is 200 calories (110 calories from fat), the crepe itself is fry-cooked batter and usually topped with whipped cream.  At least there's some fruit, right?  I'm going with that.

Paris, 2010

Not a sweet fan?  Try gruyere crepes like the ones I had in Montmartre one night.  I died and went to food heaven.

Other fattening travel foodgasms I've had?  The expected, like a typical breakfast of Churros dunked in jello-thick chocolate in Spain.  The most random?  A cheese-wrapped hot dog (or polser as they're called in Denmark) stuffed in a bun from a street vendor in Copenhagen.  Don't judge.  It was fabulous.

Smarter Travel lists 10 of the most fattening foods around the world.  It's such food porn, it's worth discussing. Breakfast Churros dipped in chocolate and Nutella crepes are both on the list.

Georgian Khachapuri/Image via Wikimedia

How about Khachapuri from Georgia?  It's a bowl of bread stuffed with melted cheese, topped with an egg and a large pat of butter.  It actually looks pretty good.

Aligot/Image via Wikimedia

If you're in France, you MUST try Aligot.  It's a mashed potato dish with butter, cream, garlic and melted cheese whipped together in gorgeous thick dish.  Don't ask about the calories.  Just don't.

Jalebi/Image via Wikimedia

Jalebi - this is a deep-fried dough that is soaked in a sugary syrup.  Eh, not so much.

Deep Fried Mars Bar/Image via Wikimedia

Perhaps the lamest one on the list?  A Deep-Fried Mars Bar from Scotland.  Please....that's just an appetizer at the State Fair of Texas.

Read the complete list here.

What About You?
Share your favorite travel memory in the comments section!

A Brilliant App to Help Plan Your Trip to Paris

The New York Times briefly mentioned this app produced by Le Pavillon des Lettres in Sunday's Travel section.  I was immediately interested.  I know the hotel well and thought it would do a good job with a digital offering.

I had no idea how thorough it would be.  I have paid for Parisian guide apps that aren't nearly as extensive.

The app has the obligatory hotel information and the weather.  Let's be honest, at the end of the day, it's a marketing tool.

It also had timely suggestions for events going on in the city.  This past Sunday it featured Chinese New Year's celebrations.

It offers fun itineraries for Paris with children featuring various shows and parks like Le Jardin d'Acclimation.  Here are my two cents on what to do in Paris with children.

It also suggested a Golden Age itinerary that can have you experiencing Parisian life like Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald did in the 1920's.

This isn't necessarily groundbreaking stuff but it's packaged well, offers a quality offline map and features stunning photography.

If anything, it's a great diversion for times when you're craving a trip across the pond.  Which for me right now, is about once a day.

What to Do in New Orleans This Weekend for the Cowboys Game

Jackson Square, March 2013

New Orleans is usually a good idea.

During the summer when it's 98 degrees with 100% humidity?  Not so much.

During football season?  Always.

Visiting New Orleans for a Saints game is a blast.  The city is always alive but the spirit is even livelier when the Saints are playing.  

When they play the Cowboys this weekend it will be electric.  Because of New Orleans' proximity to Dallas/Fort Worth, you will see Cowboys fans throughout the city.  

In fact, some Cowboys employees will fly commercially to New Orleans so the team charter can accommodate the sponsors who will be making the trip.


I will be there with my family and friends celebrating my husband's birthday.  A friend who works for the Cowboys asked me about taking my daughter, Jordan, to New Orleans.  He wondered how the city is for kids.

In a word: FABULOUS.

This will be Jordan's second trip to New Orleans.  We were there in March and had the best time.

Storyland/Courtesy: NewOrleansCityPark.com

New Orleans for Families
What do you do with a kid in New Orleans?  The same things you do without a kid.  She didn't impact our trip one bit.  She enhanced it.  New Orleans is a great city for families.  Here are some ideas:

• Explore the French Quarter, Frenchman Art Market and the Garden District. 
• Take the trolley from the French Quarter or Central Business District to Audubon Park.  Explore everything in and around the park.  The homes surrounding the park are gorgeous. 
• Visit the beautifully landscaped City Park to explore the Sculpture Garden, Carousel Gardens Amusement Park, Storyland and more. 
• If you're in City Park, take some time to visit the gorgeous New Orleans Museum of Art. 

Granted, we're not out hanging from balconies in the French Quarter until 4am with a toddler.  We will still visit our favorite restaurants, watering holes and shops, though.  Here are suggestions I share with friends any time they visit the city. 

Hotels - if you don't have a room, you will find the availability sparse and the prices high this weekend:

• Ritz Carlton Hotel - great location on the edge of the Quarter on Canal.  This is one of the most affordable in the Ritz chain.  My go-to.
• Marriott on Canal - nice Marriott with a Starbucks in the lobby.  I stayed here during the NBA All-Star Game where I stalked Mark Cuban for an interview outside a men's restroom following the Jason Kidd trade. 
• International House - great boutique hotel located in the Central Business District.  We stayed here during Mardi Gras.  Very chic.  
• W Hotel - there is one in the Quarter & one near Harrah's Casino.  Both are "W-esque" but the Quarter location has more charm.  I have stayed at both but prefer the one in the Quarter. 
• The Saint Hotel - a gorgeous, Marriott-owned boutique offering next to the Ritz.  
• The Windsor Court - near the casino.  Many NBA teams stay here. 

Restaurants - if you have a bad meal in this city, it's your own fault:

• Antoine's - claims to be the oldest restaurant in America.  Gorgeous building in the Quarter  that is full of history.  Go, if only to check out the building & see if you can get a tour of the wine cellar.
• Pelican Club - serves delicious local cuisine, nestled in Exchange Place.
• GW Fins - popular, local seafood spot in the Quarter which is consistently voted one of the best.
• Bayona - a foodie fave that is worth the wait, price and more. Located in the Quarter.
• Nola - in the Quarter near Jackson Square, one of Emeril's more casual spots.
• Emeril's - popular but good.
• Gautreau's - located in Uptown.  Great seafood.
• Vizard's - in Uptown on Magazine, good local cuisine. 
• Herbsaint - in the Central Business district, serves French-inspired cuisine.
• Domenica - in the Roosevelt hotel, great pizza & roasted cauliflower.

A classic Pimm's Cup at the Napolean House/Courtesy GoNola.com

Watering Holes - I'm not a bar person anymore but I definitely have some NOLA faves:  

• Napoleon House - for a Pimm's Cup or Dixie to go.  The bartender, Mario, is quite salty but nice once he knows you. 
• Bombay Club  - a martini spot in the Quarter that is full of character.  It reminds me of a British smoking club. 
• Pat O'Brien's - a legend with a legendary patio, piano bar and signature Hurricane cocktail.  Go. If anything just to say you went.  
• Carousel Bar - in the hotel Monteleone.  The name speaks for itself.
• Bulldog's - sports bar with an awesome, dog-friendly patio on Magazine.  Get a spicy bloody Mary to go and continue strolling the shops on Magazine. 
• Lafitte's Blacksmith Shop - in the Quarter.  Is it haunted?  You tell me. 
• Old Absinthe House - on Bourbon street, see if you can find my business card on the wall.
• The Sazerac Bar - good cocktails in the Roosevelt Hotel.
• Bar in the Ritz Carlton - more than anything it's a good scene. 

Pirate's Alley

Lagniappe - a little something extra: 

• Shopping on Magazine - head Uptown and check out the fun shops along Magazine.  I like Hazelnut (great home stuff), Storyville (cute t-shirts),  Probst decorating (LOVE her fabrics) as well as the slew of antique shops.
• Saturday Morning at the Frenchmen Art Market - just off the Quarter, fun Farmer's Market vibe. 
• Antique shopping on Royal Street
• Cemetery Tours or French Quarter Walking Tour- these are popular.  I have never done one. 
• Pirate's Alley - the inspiration for 1,000's of street artists.  

These suggestions barely scratch the surface.  Writer Rudy Maxa created an enlightening New Orleans walking tour on iTunes.  It takes you past Jackson Square, Truman Capote's old home and more.  Definitely worth a download. 

If you will be there this weekend, get lost in the French Quarter, have fun, stay safe and don't drive! Taxis are your friend. 

How To Rent A Great Apartment In Paris

Image via Guest Apartment Servies

Renting an apartment in Paris is a smart if you will be there for an extended period of time or want the flexibility of cooking your own meals and doing laundry. You can usually get more space for a better price than you would pay for a hotel room.

Finding a vacation rental apartment in Paris is not easy. I have stayed in gorgeous ones and ones that are great in photos, awful in person. Here are a few questions you should ask an apartment service before committing to a rental:

• What is your cancellation policy?
• Do you charge for electricity? 
• Do you offer maid services? 
• Do you have air conditioning?  Many don't.  If it's a hot summer, you will suffer.
• What time can I get into the apartment?
• What happens if I lose the keys? 
• Do you have an emergency service if something breaks?
• Do you allow children?  Some don't.
• Will you offer an apartment walk thru to show me how to use the unfamiliar Parisian appliances?
• Will you provide concierge services: help with side trips, reservations, etc?
• Are the photos online a fair representation of the apartment? (During our November 2014 stay the photos did not accurately represent the apartment. It was awful).
• When were the photos taken. 

We decided to go the rental route for our 10-day Paris trip in June 2013.  I am an avowed hotel lover.  I love the romance, nostalgia and luxury of a classic hotel.  That luxury doesn't come cheaply, particularly in Paris, so we opted for the space and practicality of an apartment.

I ask friends who had rented apartments in Paris.  They suggested all the usual suspects: VRBO, AirBNB, Homeaway, Haven in Paris, etc.  I consulted Travel and Leisure magazine's awards issue and saw they suggested Guest Apartment Services for Paris apartments.

After much research, wrangling and debate, we decided to go with Guest Apartment Services. I like the gorgeous and hip options Haven in Paris offered but Guest Apartment Services fit our location and pricing needs better.

We settled on their Narcisse apartment, a classic 700-square foot beauty on the Ile St. Louis. A great location, a gorgeous space at about $250, give or take, a night for a 10-day trip.  Done!

Approximately two weeks before our trip, we received an email from Christophe, one of Guest Apartment Services owners, who informed us that there would be renovation work on the building during our stay.  There would be scaffolding surrounding the structure and noise from 8am until 5pm every day.  Not great if you have a baby.

View of Snowdrops entry and dining room. It REALLY does look like this!/Image via Guest Apartment Services

He offered us an "upgrade" to Snowdrop, a sleek, contemporary 754-square foot unit right across from Notre Dame, located in an apartment building at 19 Quai de Montebello. We hemmed and hawed.  We didn't know the neighborhood as well and, according to the map, it looked to be right on a busy street overlooking the Seine River.  We worried about the noise keeping us awake at night.

We stuck with it because, as I learned, summertime apartments in Paris are a tough get.

So how was it?

Wondering about day trips from Paris? How does Champagne sound? Here's how to get to Champagne.

Paris With Toddlers: Tips For Parents and Kids To Enjoy Their Trip

When anyone asks why I would take my 20-month old daughter to Paris, I counter with "Why not?"

Paris is an outstanding city for babies and kids.  We went for the first time with Jordan when she was 13 months old in November 2012 and again this past June when she was 20-months.

Visiting the city with a child is magical.  The pictures alone make it worthwhile.

More than anything, a well-behaved child speaks a universal language.  That baby's smile can melt any cold-hearted Parisian's heart like butter on a warm baguette.  The French LOVE babies and kids.

Here are a few tips for enjoying the city with your little one:

Jordan with a new friend at Luxembourg Gardens

Parks parks parks galore. 

The Parisian parks are wonderful.  Families don't have huge yards, so the parks are a big deal. Between 3-4pm is the witching hour when the parks fill up with either families or nannies and their charges.  The parks will be packed.

Luxembourg Gardens, Parc Monceau, the park next to Les Halles, Places des Vosges, the Palais Royal promenade, Parc de Bercy.  Any of them are great. They are also opportunities for your little one to connect with other French kiddos. You will find the language barrier to be nonexistent. Kids have their own language - fun.

The Tuileries is the park in front of the Louvre.  We didn't hit any museums while we were there. Instead, we opted to take in the city itself as one big museum.  The green space in front of the Louvre is outstanding.  It fills with people who like to enjoy the extended summer daylight hours well into the evenings. We ended up running into people we had met a few times.  Be careful, though, some of those street vendors use the labyrinth hedges as urinals.  Keep to the open space.

Carousels

You must take your little one for a carousel ride while you're in Paris. We ride carousel at the Trocadero (in front of the Eiffel Tower) & Parc Monceau. Here is a complete guide to Paris carousels.

Palais Royal

Palais Royal is a great spot to visit for both parents and kids.  Located in the 1st, it offers a slew of restaurants (we visited Muscade a few times).  It not only has long shopping corridors where you can stroll and let your kids can run, there is also a huge green space.  While you are eating (and drinking) lunch, your kids, again, can play and burn off some energy.

Eating

Jordan at Maxim's

Make sure they eat well - a breeze in Paris.  Restaurant owners and chefs delight in watching a child eat.  At Maxim's they treated Jordan like a queen.   Sure, we paid the price for it but it was an experience we'll never forget.

Get that bread!  We broke a few of our diet rules while on the trip.  We let Jordan snack and eat a lot of bread.  It worked for us if she was hungry and cranky and couldn't find anything on a menu to eat.

We love Le Poilane and Eric Kayser.  Although, the worst bread in Paris is better than many of the best bakeries in Texas.

RELATED: 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant Review

Visit the farmers markets.  Every neighborhood has one.  Stock up on produce.  You won't be disappointed.

Our standby, kid-approved dining options: Cafe Breizh, L'Eboulliant, the bar at La Duree on the Champs Elysèes and  the food hall at Le Bon Marche (good for picnics items). 

A Few Other Details

The view from our apartment across from Notre Dame!

Consider renting an apartment.  We had a spot across from Notre Dame and it was perfect.  It was less expensive and much larger than any hotel option we could find.  We could eat a quality breakfast in the morning.  Jordan could watch Dora before we went out the door for the day.  We had space for all of our stuff.  It was perfect.  We used Guest Apartment Services.  They were wonderful.

RELATED: How To Rent A Great Apartment In Paris

The Paris zoo.  My husband took Jordan here while I was exploring Bercy Village.  She loved it. 

If your child is young enough, use that stroller!  We took Jordan everywhere in our stroller.  She was able to sleep in it while we were walking.  It was compact enough to fit in restaurants and nestle under tables.  We would typically arrive to lunch around 1pm while she was sleeping.  We would slip the stroller under the table just like a chair.  It worked in just about every spot.

RELATED: The stroller that saved our lives in Paris.

Practice circus contortionist-like flexibility.  Your itineraries will probably change based on your little one's temperament.  Embrace it.  It's part of the adventure.  You never know who you might meet or where a day in Paris will take you. 

The New York Times recently offered some suggestions for Paris with Kids.  It has solid, highbrow ideas like kid-friendly museums to visit.  It's a good read.

Visit the Paris Section of My Blog

Why Traveling to Paris with a Baby is Just Like Getting a Full-Frontal Neck Tattoo

"You're doing what!?!?!"

I imagine that's how my boss would respond if I told her I was shaving my head, getting a full frontal neck tattoo and going on TV sporting the new look.

That's also the response both friends and strangers give me when I tell them my husband and I are taking our 20-month old daughter to Paris on Sunday.  It's actually the second time we have taken her across the pond.  While it's a challenge, the joy of spending time with her far outweighs the stress of the plane ride and unexpected "surprises" we might encounter along the way.

Jordan on the carousel at the Trocadero

There are a few reasons she's going with us:

• I rarely get to spend time with her so when I am not working, caring for her is fun and actually feels like a holiday. 
• A cute bébé is a wonderful conversation starter.  Last time we were there Jordan charmed the gruffest Parisians, which is a bit of an unfair stereotype.  (More on that here)
• She travels for free in our lap until she's two.  Okay, she only travels free domestically, we pay taxes on international travel, but it's still a pretty good deal.  We're taking advantage of this as long as we can. 

All that aside, having THE screaming baby on a plane can be an arse-whip of epic proportions.  Her first flight was to Cabo San Lucas which she handled like a champ.  She's also done LA twice and New Orleans.  Here are a few tips to handle travel with a little one.   

Sleep
We place a premium on sleep above all else.  Jordan was sleeping through the night at six weeks old and hasn't wavered from that.  A well-rested baby produces a happy baby and sane parents.

Jordan asleep on the plane

When traveling to a different time zone, we start adjusting her sleep schedule about a week prior.  For example, when Jordan went to LA, we started keeping her up about 30 minutes later each night a week out until she was on the Pacific time zone.  Ultimately, two days before we left for LA, she was going to bed at 10pm and waking up at 10am.  This was a tough adjustment for us but saved us during the trip.  Coming back to Dallas, she had an easier time falling asleep at her normal 8pm. 

As we prepare for Paris, which is currently seven hours ahead of us, she is going to sleep earlier.  This week, we have been putting her down between 6:30-8pm.   This is a little more difficult as the sun is still setting but the process of "winding down" earlier is effective.

On the Plane
No real secrets here: plenty of diapers, a change of clothes and a good attitude.  She has been a good flyer in the past but I know she's going to cry.  She is done using a pacifier but we are debating bringing it for the airplane ride.   We will also bring an iPad loaded with plenty of games, Dora the Explorer and Bubble Guppies episodes.  

We also have this little survival kit that includes meals for the plane and lavender oil which we will rub on her feet to help her sleep.

Once There
A good stroller is key.  We like the Joovy Groove Umbrella stroller because it's mobile and easily collapsible.  It's also one in which she can nap when we recline it.  This is huge.  We found out while we were out exploring the city, she would take her naps in the stroller.  We would simply put a rain cover over it and she was good to catch a few ZZZZ's. 

Jordan napping in her stroller at the Louvre

While Jordan pretty much eats when we eat, we were flexible with her meals.  We dreamed of lavish lunches and dinners in bistros and brasseries but we usually ended up eating lunch in the park which was fine.  It was just easier.  Having picnics turned out to be fun and a change from our typical routine. 

Picnic in the park

Most restaurants didn't even high chairs but, again, patience and a smile went a long way.  If she went crazy during a meal, we took her out of the establishment and tried to calm her down.  She's a bit more cantankerous now, so undoubtedly, this will be a test. 

Charming the owner of L'Epigramme on the Left Bank

The Takeaway
It won't be perfect and there will be meltdowns.   Mentally preparing for that is half the battle.

Breaking the perfume bottle!

There is no real formula for success for the unpredictable adventure of traveling with a little one.  Part of the joy is changing diapers in the park, breaking a perfume bottle at Hermes, making new friends at a playground and charming the elderly French nounou who has seen it all.  All things we did, btw.

Making friends at the park

Preparation, flexibility and a good attitude WILL help you and the family enjoy the trip and come away from it with memories that will last a lifetime. 

Find More Stories About Paris on TheGinaMiller.com:

• 5 Observations About Paris
• My Paris Travel Tips Video
• 58 Tour Eiffel Restaurant Review
• How To Rent A Great Apartment In Paris
• The Best Paris Restaurants Right Now (4/2015)
• Paris Travel Tips
• Paris Travel Tips | VIDEO
• French women DO get fat.  Just not many of them....
• Here are the details on the stroller that saved our lives as well as an account of our first family trip to Paris.
• Think Parisians are rude?  I disagree.  They're actually extremely polite. Read this.  

Why Quality Counts: A Lesson From a Louis Vuitton Tote

"In this world, you get what you pay for."
Kurt Vonnegut, Cat's Cradle 

"Cheap is cheap."
Inez's mother, "Midnight in Paris"

You get the idea.  I am a believer in investment purchases but I hate paying the full retail price for them.  Whether it be a better price on a Gucci bamboo shopper tote, Louboutins for less or Prada for pennies, I've blogged about my love of discounted designer goodies.  But after this weekend, I might just be changing my philosophy on certain items.

Inspired by the Rangers Road Trip to Seattle? Here are Great Places to Eat, Stay, Play and More!

It is one of the most beautiful, delectable and exciting U.S. cities you can visit.  If you have the chance to visit Seattle, do it.  It's a trip you will always recall fondly.  Plus, if you're a Gen-X Pearl Jam lover like me, it will help you re-live your early 90's grunge spirit.

View of Pike Place from Matt's in the Market

I have been there twice for Rangers baseball coverage, twice for Cowboys games, twice on my own for vacation and once as a pit stop en route to the beautiful San Juan Islands.

Driftwood on Orcas Island

If you're heading that way for a baseball or football game, stay downtown.  Both Safeco Field and Century Link Field are within walking distance of most downtown hotels.  You could easily take a cab if it's too far for you.  It shouldn't cost more than 10 bucks.

Here are some of my recommended spots and activities gathered over a decade of visits.

Where to Eat and Drink in San Antonio

Mavs/Spurs Circa 2010

I always seem to be in San Antonio for one reason or another: a Mavs/Spurs playoff series, Cowboys training camp or, most recently, Rangers spring training.  I have spent the better portion of a decade visiting the Alamo City at least once a year.

With Rangers third base coach Gary Pettis at the Alamodome

Eating well on the road is a sport, won at which I've won and lost.  While I was pregnant, covering the Mavs championship run (ah memories!) in 2011, I searched in vain for fresh, non-fried vegetables in downtown Oklahoma City.  I failed.  Trust me, this is a sport.

Fresh off a quick weekend in San Antonio, here are some can’t miss spots to try near downtown: 

  

The interior at Feast

Feast – a modern, eclectic tapas spot in the beautiful King Williams Historic District.  My photographer had lamb kebabs and corn fritters while I had mussels and brussel sprouts.  We enjoyed it on the uber-hip patio.  All of it was outstanding.  

Patio at Feast

It’s a good mix of families, the San Antonio gay fab crowd and husbands trotting out their second or third trophy wives.  Great food, great people watching, a definite must-try.

Patio at Mad Hatters

Mad Hatters Tea House & Cafe – a funky tea room in the King Williams Historic District.  A perfect breakfast or lunch spot.  I ate two meals a day here during Cowboys Camp 2011.  They do wonderful whole grain pancakes and omelets for breakfast and outstanding salads at lunch.  They also have a lovely hot and iced tea selection. This is a girlie spot that can satisfy a guys appetite with hearty sandwich offerings.  Bonus: free WiFi!

On The River Walk
I think eating on the River Walk can, at times, be a losing effort.  Most of the restaurants offer bad, overly seasoned food that have you regretting it the next day.  These, though, are some quality choices:

Wavy Gaudi iron entrance to Las Ramblas

Las Ramblas in the Hotel Contessa - hotel food in a gorgeous setting.  If you’re dying for a Catalan vibe without the trip to Spain, this is a good option.  You can find jamon serrano, paella and shellfish stew.  The décor is inspired by famed Barcelona architect Antoni Gaudi.  Worth it if only for the trippy Gaudi vibe.

Exactly what you would expect at Biga on the Banks

Biga on the Banks - nothing too terribly innovative.  You will find typical spinach salads, cheese plates, steaks and fish.  It works because it doesn't suck.

Boudros

Boudros - a "Texas bistro on the Riverwalk" in a pretty setting.   A menu heavy on Gulf shellfish, quail, garlic mashed potatoes, all the stuff you would expect.  Again, a good choice because it doesn't suck. 

Starbucks - really.  I can't count the number of meals at the Riverwalk Starbucks I have eaten over the years.  Seriously, they have some healthy options: oatmeal, spinach/feta/egg white wrap, protein box, decent sandwiches, fruit and veggies boxes.  Gotta love free WiFi. 

Lagniappe

The Quarry Market is a solid retail and restaurant space north six miles of downtown that features a Whole Foods, My Fit Foods, Canyon Cafe, Piatti Italian Restaurant and much more. 

Mi Tierra Restaurant and Bakery is the popular, open-all-hours Mexican spot.  The food is fine.  The real reason to go: you never know who you will run into there at 2am.  

Menger Bar

For cocktails, one of my favorite spots is the Menger Bar in the Menger Hotel.  It's "an exact replica of London’s House of Lord’s Pub. "  Teddy Roosevelt recruited his Rough Riders here.  It's a fabulous bar, full of history and interesting characters. 

The Vbar

The Vbar in the Hotel Valencia is very hip.  It's the equivalent of the Menger hotel's hot, younger daughter who just got a boob job.  It has won a couple of "Best of...." awards.

Bar Rojo the new-ish Grand Hyatt isn't bad.  

SWIG Martini Bar on the Riverwalk was a favorite spot for postgame cocktails following a Mavs/Spurs playoff game.  A tad cheesy but popular and filled with tacky tourists like yours truly. 

Hitting the Bayou City?  Check out my recent must-hit list for places to visit in Houston. 
Interested in Austin?  We just had a fabulous visit to the state capitol.