Let your taste buds lead you!

I did a little research before traveling to the island of Saint Lucia. I came across a local event called the Friday Night Fish Fry but now they have changed the name and now call it is the Friday Night Street Party. Whatever name you call it, I suggest you attend. 

When I arrived at 7 PM most cooks were just setting up and starting to prepare their menus. If you wait until 8 PM, the food could be slightly cold. But have no fear, the people of Saint Lucia are very friendly and don’t mind if you ask to have your food laid on the grill to warm it up a bit.

In Gros Islet on the northwest corner of the island on every Friday night several food vendors set up make shift kitchens to grill chicken and pork chops and of course fry fish. There was so much too choose from, it was difficult to find the one plate of food to satisfy. Instead I chose to nibble on a little here and a little there. This allowed me to taste a variety of things from many different food stalls. I quickly developed a few favorites, the King Fish, Macaroni Pie and the delicious bread Saint Lucians call Bake. These foods were requested everyday by me once I tried them.

Homemade bars were everywhere you looked. The spirits selection is similar to what you might expect from any island bar…lots of rums and cold beer. There is no island that I have visited that does not have a version of Rum Punch and Saint Lucia has one all of its own. So don’t pass on it, thinking that all Rum Punch is the same because it is not. A Saint Lucian Rum Punch is mixed with a few spices from the island, giving it a very unique flavor.

On several corners there were banks of speakers blurring out tunes in a kind of party mix, drawing the rum punch filled visitors to dance in the streets. The entire atmosphere had an old school block party feel but with a Caribbean twist. As the night grew older, more and more people filled the street. By the time I left the narrow streets were so crowded that it was difficult to walk back to my car. This party goes late into the night and every Friday on the calendar.

When you visit Saint Lucia plan to visit Gros Islet for the Friday Night Street Party, you will not be disappointed.

Norman L Payne/February 15, 2016/Up up up and Away

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We all like street food, we don't want to admit it but we crave the stuff. I am one for trying all types of street food from hot dogs on the corners of New York City to the parking lot barbecues in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Bangkok has so many street food stalls that you can't ignore their presences. Walking down any street or alleyway you will encounter food stalls. You could enjoy fresh cut fruit or a whole grilled fish along with many traditional Thai dishes like Boat Noodles and Chicken or Pork Satay. But it doesn't end there, fried crab and baby octopus can be found on some streets.

The foods they cook on the streets with mobile stove tops looks as if it came right from a restaurants kitchen. The presentation is also important to the Thai street chef. The foods are laid out in an inviting display. I was amazed at the artistry of these cooks. 

Outside of some of the biggest shopping malls are pop-up food courts complete with a variety of foods and community seating in the center of the food vendors tents. 

Once night has fell on the city, stretches of streets turn into make shift restaurants. Tables and chairs line the sidewalk with condiments and even table coverings. It was interesting to see what was once a lonely corner turn into a street restaurant with customers sitting enjoying full meals with main course, steamed rice, salad and sides of hot tea. 

Everyone can not eat Thai food let alone "Thai Street Food". So watch what you eat but I guarantee you will not be able to avoid these delicious foods that are cooked right on the streets in Bangkok. 

Chan Hew (I am hungry)

Norman L Payne/December 5, 2016/Up up up and Away!

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It is early morning and I am hungry and craving some good breakfast. So we hit the streets in search of some food.

I came across a little diner blocks away from the University of Minnesota in nearby Dinky Town. The place is called Tony's Diner. It is a small place that takes your orders when you arrive, there are no menus at the table. After you make your selection from a large board on the wall, you pay and find a seat wherever you like.

My wife and I had the Chicken Fajita Omelette with a side of Blueberry pancakes. The omelette was fluffy and full of chicken it laid beside a pile of hash browns and two pieces of toast. The pancakes were hot off the griddle and packed with blueberries. They too were fluffy and delicious.

The service was fast and the staff were nice and very attentive. For a small diner, they operated like a major chain when it came to customer service. This will become my "go to" breakfast spot while visiting the Twin Cities.

Norman L Payne/March 30, 2017/Up up up and Away!

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