Tag Archives: vegetarian

Mementos Udaipur: Utopia in Rajasthan

If I could bottle up a dream vacation and relive it over and over, my stay at Mementos Udaipur would be it. This wasn’t just a getaway—it was a journey into unparalleled luxury, where every moment felt straight out of a fairytale. From the moment we arrived, we were treated like absolute royalty, with every detail of our stay meticulously crafted to perfection.

Located about 45 minutes outside of Udaipur city, Mementos Udaipur offers a tranquil retreat away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The serene setting allows you to fully immerse yourself in relaxation and luxury, surrounded by the natural beauty of the Aravalli Hills of Rajasthan.

The Villa: A Private Slice of Paradise

Our home for this unforgettable escape was a sprawling, ultra-luxurious villa complete with a private garden and infinity pool. Mementos Udaipur delivered everything I could have dreamed of and more—imagine a spacious, exquisitely designed haven featuring the largest bathroom I’ve ever had in my life! Each morning, waking up to the peaceful sounds of nature and stepping straight into our private garden by the pool felt like absolute magic. It was truly a space fit for a queen.

But what really set it apart was the thoughtful personalization. Upon arrival, we were welcomed with beautifully displayed snacks and treats, along with a few framed photos of me set up in the room—such an incredibly sweet touch!

Culinary Heaven at Every Turn

Every meal at Mementos Udaipur was a masterpiece. From indulgent breakfasts to decadent dinners, each bite was bursting with flavor and authenticity, prepared with the finest ingredients.

Whether it was a multi-course vegetarian thali feast at Royal Vega, rich North Indian flavors at Kebab & Curries, or the best South Indian dishes I’ve ever had at Udai Pavilion, the culinary team went above and beyond to create unforgettable dining experiences.

I’ve stayed at many incredible properties around the world, but I can confidently say this was the first time I truly loved every single restaurant and every single meal. Mementos Udaipur is known for its exceptional culinary offerings, and it shows. I’ll be dreaming about these meals forever!

Magical Experiences

Our stay was filled with extraordinary moments, each more memorable than the last. At Mementos Udaipur, the focus isn’t just on luxury—it’s on creating truly immersive and unforgettable experiences. Every detail is thoughtfully designed to make guests feel special, and we were fortunate to enjoy some of the most incredible ones.

We started with a magnificent Afternoon Tea poolside in our private garden—a picture-perfect setup featuring specialty mocktails made just for us, delicate pastries, and savory treats. Sipping masala chai as we watched the sunset over the Aravalli Hills felt surreal.

Then the next day we experienced the floating breakfast in the main infinity pool—one of those bucket-list experiences I had always dreamed of. Seeing a beautifully arranged tray of breakfast delicacies floating in the water was an Instagram-worthy moment for sure, but more importantly, it was a moment that truly made my heart sing. Something I will never forget.

And then… there was THE picnic.

Nothing—absolutely nothing—could have prepared us for the “magic forest” picnic that the team arranged. Picture this: a breathtaking setup under a canopy of palm trees by the water, complete with colorful cushions, elegant rugs, fresh flowers, and a feast fit for royalty. It was so beyond stunning that I was literally rendered speechless. I joke that my expectations for all future picnics have now been completely skewed—because how can anything top this?!

Picnic at the Magic Forest at Mementos Udaipur

The Mementos Difference

What sets Mementos Udaipur apart isn’t just its luxurious accommodations or world-class cuisine—it’s the attention to detail and the warmth of the staff. The team showered us with thoughtful gifts throughout our stay, every request was met with a smile, and they anticipated our needs before we even realized them ourselves. From the moment we arrived, we felt like family.

One person who truly made our stay extraordinary was our butler, Tulika. She kept us on track with our daily activities, adjusted plans seamlessly when needed, and went above and beyond to ensure we had the best experience. She was with us from check-in to check-out, and by the end of our stay, she felt like part of our family. There were so many times I just wanted to invite her to join us because that’s how incredible she was. The level of service here wasn’t just excellent—it was deeply personal.

Final Thoughts

If you’re considering a trip to Udaipur, do yourself a favor and book a stay at Mementos Udaipur. This is more than just a luxury resort—it’s an experience that will stay with you long after you’ve returned home.

Our time there was truly the trip of a lifetime, and I’m already dreaming of when I can return. Until then, I’ll be living vicariously through my photos and the unforgettable memories we created in this slice of paradise.

See you soon, Mementos Udaipur!

Please Note: While this post is in partnership with Mementos Udaipur, all opinions are my own.

Where To Dine In Naples, Italy

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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 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.

Being Vegetarian In Yellowstone Country

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Yeah, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect either. I mean, when I think of Montana and Wyoming, fresh vegetables aren’t the first thing that pop to my mind. So, as a vegetarian, what could there possibly be for me to eat when I finally head to Yellowstone Country? The answer is A LOT!!!

Honestly, I was blown away by not only all the options available, but the blossoming culinary scene in places like Bozeman. I had so much great food on my entire trip and if you are considering traveling to this area and have a dietary restriction, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. With full disclosure, it is definitely easier to find more options in bigger cities like Bozeman, but it’s not to say that you won’t be able to find anything in smaller towns. Hopefully I can help steer you in the right direction if you happen to stop in the same places I visited. Here’s just a highlight of some of the awesome things I ate and drank while visiting Yellowstone Country: