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Where To Dine In Naples, Italy

I hope you have enjoyed reading about my adventures in Italy learning all about San Marzano tomatoes (read all about it here and here). On this trip, our homebase was Naples, Italy and from there we made day trips to the region to learn about the coveted tomatoes as well as visit the Amalfi Coast and island of Capri.

Naples doesn’t always get rave reviews, but I’m here to tell you I had a great time and really appreciated the city after spending 10 days there. Many people call it the “smaller and grittier version of Rome” and while somewhat true, I’d say that is exactly what I appreciated about it too. I found Naples beautiful, and loved that it is situated on the water with views of Mt. Vesuvius.

And, as a vegetarian, you know Italy is like heaven with endless veggie food options. I joke that if you are vegetarian and hungry while in Italy, that’s your own fault. There is no shortage of pizza, pasta, gelato and pastries and it’s available on every corner. Seeing that I was traveling with a group of chefs and foodies, you know we ate at some spectacular places. Here are a few favorites:

Pizzium– What’s actually a chain throughout Italy, I loved not only the food at Pizzium, but the decor and fun ambiance. I sincerely enjoyed all the things we ate including the bruschetta, Caprese salad, margherita pizza and my favorite was the pizza made with San Marzano tomato sauce topped with little mozzarella balls and spheres of pesto. So good and something really unique!

Bruschetta Wtih San Marzano Tomatoes At Pizzium

Caprese Salad With San Marzano Tomatoes At Pizzium

Pizza With San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella And Pesto Spheres At Pizzium

Mimi alla Ferrovia– An established restaurant of Naples with a loyal crowd in a beautiful restaurant setting. You can tell the old world charm brings patrons who are regulars. My two favorite dishes were the ricotta topped with a tomato jam (seriously, the lightest and best ricotta I’ve ever had in my life!) and the pasta made with squash blossoms (a specialty of Italy). I actually ate here twice on my trip!

Fresh Ricotta With Tomato Jam- Mimi Alla Ferrovia — Fresh Ricotta With Tomato Jam- Mimi alla Ferrovia

Pasta Ai Fiori Di Zucca (Pasta With Zucchini Blossoms)

Gaetano Adamo– This casual spot near the train station is a great option if you are looking for something quick and chill. Fresh made pizzas straight from the oven are definitely their specialty as are the calzones. They were able to make a vegetarian calzone for me and it was delicious. I was so hungry that evening, I ate almost the entire thing! That’s when you know it is good.

Calzone At Gaetano Adamus Naples — Calzone At Gaetano Adamo Naples

Tiramisu At Gaetano Adamus — Tiramisu At Gaetano Adamo

Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria– Not only does this restaurant offer atleast five varieties of different pizza crust, there is a pizza lab underneath where they are always innovating new recipes and options. I loved the food here and some favorites included the appetizer of pizza crust tossed with sun-dried tomatoes,arugula, pesto and fresh shaved parmesan as well as the cacio e pepe pizza topped with a pistachio pesto. Don’t skip dessert either, we devoured that chocolate cherry mini cake. A must visit!

Pizza Crust Appetizer At Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria

Cacio e Pepe Pizza At Diego Vitagliano Pizzeria

Miranapoli– We stopped here midday during a tour of Naples and only had the chance to get a drink, so I can’t say anything about the food. BUT, Miranapoli is a must visit for the views alone. Situated overlooking the water with Mt. Vesuvius in the background, make sure to get an outdoor patio seat if the weather permits. I relished every sip of my Aperol Spritz and could not take my eyes off that spectacular view.

Chalet Ciro 1952– It was my very last night in Italy and I was tired after a full day on the island of Capri and I needed to get back to the hotel to pack before my 3:30am wakeup call to head to the airport. But, our gracious host insisted that I MUST visit the local hot spot Chalet Ciro for one last hurrah and to try some desserts. Mind you, we had just finsihed a multi-course dinner and I was not even hungry. But, of course I’m glad we went. We each got a delicious, fresh-squeezed tropical juice and then a local famous donut (not sure of the name, sorry!). That donut was hot and fresh and amazing! Ok, it was totally worth it for the lack of sleep before I came back home.

Selection of Mini Ice Cream Cones at Chalet Ciro

Tarralleria Napoletana– While shopping one day, we saw this adorable store serving these traditional snacks of Naples called tarralli. They are basically breadsticks served in a circular form, but almost look like little donuts. This particular shop had both savory and sweet flavors and were offering samples, so I was definitely intrigued to try a local staple. To note; I learned most tarralli are made with lard, but Tarralleria Napoletana has both vegetarian and vegan options. I loved the basil flavored one the most, but really all of the vegetarian savory options I tried were phenomenal. Highly recommend buying some tarralli from here!

Make Sure To Seek Out Vegetarian Tarralli; This One Has Olives In It!

I hope this is a helpful list for when you find yourself in Naples, Italy. Obviously there are so many great spots, but these were just a few of my favorites. Enjoy!

Please Note: While this post is in collaboration with Associazione Nazionale Industriali Conserve Alimentari Vegetali (Anicav), all opinions are my own.

A Visit To Italy To Learn About San Marzano Tomatoes

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The San Marzano tomato: I bet most people have heard the name and noticed them on restaurant menus or in grocery stores, but don’t really know much else about them (unless, of course, you have taken the time to learn about them). Well, not to worry, because prior to a few weeks ago, I didn’t know a whole lot about San Marzano tomatoes myself!

I was lucky enough to embark on an epic adventure to Italy and to the actual town called San Marzano, just to learn all about these tomatoes and what makes them truly special. And let me tell you, there is a whole lot of love and care that goes into cultivating these delicacies that has been perfected over generations. The San Marzano tomato really is one of the best tomatoes you will ever have.

The Cute Town of San Marzano, Italy. Notice the Statue of Tomatoes!

Truly Some of the Best Tomatoes In the World!

San Marzano tomatoes come from the region right outside of Naples, Italy surrounding the famous Mt. Vesuvius (you know, the one that erupted in 79 A.D. that destroyed and yet preserved the city of Pompeii). Due to the rich soil around the volcano and perfect climate conditions, the tomatoes thrive in this particular geographic area and are harvested each year from July through October.

Fields of San Marzano Tomatoes with Mt. Vesuvius in the Background!

Beautiful Fields of San Marzano Tomatoes

We had the opportunity to go into the tomato fields themselves as well as several canning facilities to learn about the entire process from field cultivation to seeing the final slats of packed cans being ready to ship around the globe. Here are some notable highlights I took away from the experience.

The tomatoes are hand-picked from the vines. In today’s modern world of automation, this crucial step of picking each tomato by hand allows the tomatoes to remain in the best possible wholesome state. It also comes with much less probability of being damaged during the process than if picked by machines. It’s truly a white glove service getting the tomatoes from the fields.

San Marzano Tomatoes Freshly Picked From the Vine

San Marzano Tomatoes Ready for the Distribution Center

I Really Enjoyed Visiting the San Marzano Tomato Fields! What a Cool Experience.

Each batch of tomatoes is labeled, sent to a distribution center and sent to a canning facility within hours of being picked. Basically, the tomatoes go from the vine and are in a can in a very short amount of time! You know this system has been perfected over time and is what also lends the tomatoes to remain the freshest and the best final product.

Labeled Batches of San Marzano Tomatoes Ready For the Cannery

San Marzano Tomatoes Loaded Up and Ready To Go!

A Quick Process from Field to Can For San Marzano Tomatoes

There are no additives or chemicals added to the tomato cans. The peeled tomatoes, some of their sauce, salt and a bit of citric acid are all that you will find in the canned version of the San Marzano tomatoes. The cans of tomatoes are truly just that and nothing else (sometimes basil may be added, but not always).

San Marzano Tomatoes Being Washed and Steamed to Remove Their Peels

A Very Hands-On Process To Ensure the Best Quality Product

I Really Enjoyed Visiting the Canning Facilities Too. It Was Fascinating!

The tomatoes really are special! They tend to have fewer seeds, taste slightly sweeter and less acidic as compared to traditional plum style tomatoes. Also, the skin on the San Marzano tomato is very thin and comes off much easier as compared to other tomatoes.

A Cut Open San Marzano Tomato- Notice Fewer Seeds

The Peel on San Marzano Tomatoes Is Very Thin, Can Scrape or Steam Them Right Off

San Marzano Tomatoes Are Slightly Sweeter

Beware, there are imposter San Marzano tomatoes out there. I was shocked when I found this out! The key to purchasing legit San Marzano tomatoes is to look for two particular symbols: the DOP (the product designation in Italy) seal as well as the San Marzano seal with serial number. When you see these two symbols on the can, you know you are purchasing authentic San Marzano tomatoes from Italy.

Look For These Two Symbols and Serial Number To Ensure Authenticity of San Marzano Tomatoes

I hope you found some of these facts both interesting and educational. I know I did! I had the honor to learn first hand from the most passionate and wonderful people who dedicate their lives to San Marzano tomatoes in Italy. And for that, I’m so incredibly grateful.

Stay tuned for my next post with probably THE most important aspect of the San Marzano tomato; the many ways to eat and enjoy them!

Please Note: While this post is in collaboration with Associazione Nazionale Industriali Conserve Alimentari Vegetali (Anicav), all opinions are my own.

A Stay At The Peninsula Paris

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I’m not sure there are enough or the correct words in any language to describe my dreamy visit to The Peninsula Paris, but I’ll do my best. All I’m really trying to convey is that you absolutely MUST experience this extraordinary Parisian gem for yourself.

After spending a week touring through adorable little towns, Medieval castles and vineyards of Burgundy, Ashley and I returned to Paris to spend two opulent days at The Peninsula Paris. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the lovely staff and given a brief tour before heading to our luxurious room.

To say the staff went above and beyond to show us the highest level of hospitality would be an understatement. I was absolutely blown away by the detail and thought that went in to make us feel special and welcome. Just take a look at what was waiting in our room, with the utmost care and consideration; rich, gold-dusted chocolate truffles with a purse made from chocolate, fresh-pressed juices, macarons, a bellman statue made from chocolate, a gorgeous flower bouquet and personalized, framed pictures of us that we had just posted on social media but a few days before. The Peninsula Paris’ next-level hospitality had me feeling like a queen.

Flower Bouquet, Macarons and Chocolate Statue

Personalized Photo Frame Courtesy of Peninsula Paris

Our spacious room would be considered a mansion in comparison to most Paris hotel rooms that can feel somewhat small and cramped. Our twin bed suite came complete with a massive bathroom with separate sinks, a lovely rain shower, relaxing bathtub and even a toilet with heated seat. Now that’s a first for me! In addition, we had a separate luggage and powder room where we stored our belongings and definitely made it look like we moved in. I loved having this extra space because it kept all of our personal things in one central location and not in our way in our actual room.

Twin Bedroom Suite at The Peninsula Paris

Very Spacious Bathroom at The Peninsula Paris

Beautiful In-Room Amenities at The Peninsula Paris

The property of The Peninsula Paris is absolutely breathtaking. From the welcoming lobby to the pristine hallways to each and every restaurant and bar, it’s truly a feast for the eyes and senses. Each one evokes a sense of grandeur and beauty that you must just take a moment to appreciate.

Outdoor Entrance To Le Lobby and Bar Kleber

Indoor Hallway Seating at The Peninsula Paris

Corridor to Suites at The Peninsula Paris

LiLi Cantonese Restaurant at The Peninsula Paris

Best Table In The House at L'Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris — Best Table In The House at L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris

Outdoor Seating at L'Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris — Outdoor Seating at L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris

Night Time View From Le Rooftop at The Peninsula Paris

We were so incredibly fortunate to have the opportunity to dine at each restaurant and I’m sharing just a few shots here of the lovely vegetarian options available. It can sometimes be difficult to dine in Paris as a vegetarian, but every single restaurant at The Peninsula Paris was able to accommodate any dietary restriction. And if you find yourself there may I suggest the following; Afternoon Tea and/or the famous Sunday Brunch at Le Lobby, early evening or late night drinks at Le Rooftop with a stunning view of the Eiffel Tower, Cantonese dinner at LiLi and of course a true French dinner at L’Oiseau Blanc also with views of the Eiffel Tower. I relished in each and every meal and took a moment at each to enjoy not only the delectable cuisine, but also the stunning surroundings. A feast for the stomach and the eyes.

Afternoon Tea at Le Lobby at The Peninsula Paris

Famous Sunday Brunch at Le Lobby at The Peninsula Paris

Pen Fizz Drink at Le Rooftop at The Peninsula Paris

Dinner at LiLi Cantonese Restaurant at The Peninsula Paris — *Lychee Martini at LiLi Cantonese Restaurant at The Peninsula Paris* photo: @mushroomstew

Dinner at L'Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris — Hummus and Focaccia at L’Oiseau Blanc at The Peninsula Paris

Our two nights at The Peninsula Paris were truly a dream come true and quite honestly, the nicest, most pristine hotel I’ve ever stayed at. I just don’t know how to capture my gratitude for such an unbelievable visit and how I’ll ever stay at another hotel again. I’ve been ruined! If you are visiting Paris, I absolutely recommend that you stay at The Peninsula Paris or at the minimum, make it a point to have a meal at one of the restaurants and indulge in a cocktail at Le Rooftop. I promise you will not regret it!

Please Note: While this post is in collaboration with The Peninsula Paris, all opinions are my own.

Incredible India!

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First of all, my sincerest apologies. I totally fell off the blog bandwagon and for some reason, I’ve had a bit of a hard time getting back on. But, I’m back, and promise not to be gone for so long again.

Part of the reason I was MIA was because I took an unbelievable trip to India for three weeks. It was one of the first times I can remember that it was truly just a trip to hang out and enjoy the Motherland. And, I have to say it was definitely the trip of a lifetime. I literally did not want to come back home. My trip ended up being the perfect mix of spending time with my parents at their new flat in Ahmedabad, visiting with extended family and traveling to Goa and a few cities in Rajasthan. I shopped, laughed, ate and continued to learn about my culture and heritage on this unbelievable trip.

I have SO much to share, so I thought I’d at least start with some of my favorite pictures from my trip. Most all of these have already been posted on Instagram (vegtourist), but I’ve thrown in a few others just to mix it up. Enjoy and stay tuned for so much more.