Los Angeles Confidential Magazine: Cobb Salad

LA lays claim to few original dishes - kimchi tacos, hamachi and jalapenos...and the Cobb Salad, that all-American melange of chopped veggies, meats and cheeses that has stuck around for well over 70 years at this point.

First invented at the Brown Derby, the Cobb Salad has become a culinary institution in its own right, though you can still find interesting variations all over LA. It's the original "have it your way" dish.

Want to learn more about how the humble Cobb came about as well as where the best versions in LA are served? Read my LA Confidential feature here.

The Points Guy: Destination of the Week Auckland New Zealand

For today's Destination of the Week post on The Points Guy, I covered one of my specialties, New Zealand, with a visit to its largest city, Auckland.

While there aren't a ton of points hotels in the city, there are still plenty of ways to use your points and miles to get here and stay here, not to mention lots of great things to see, fabulous restaurants, fun shopping, and even wine-tasting nearby.

To read more about this dynamic destination, check out my post here.

The Points Guy: Wine Wednesday The Danube Valley Austria

For my next Wine Wednesday post on The Points Guy, I decided to cover an oft-overlooked little region in the heart of Europe: Austria's Danube Valley.

You might have seen (or tried) wines from here including crisp Gruner Veltliners and seductive yet tart Rieslings, but maybe you didn't know that it's just an hour's drive from Vienna and is a land rich with history - not to mention tons of medieval fortresses, ornate abbeys and some of the best food in Central Europe.

In this quick post I cover some of my favorite wineries over there, plus suggestions on where to stay, what to eat, and a special hike to where Richard the Lionheart was once imprisoned on his way back from the Crusades.

Sound interesting? It is! Read my post to find out more.

The Points Guy: Flying Around Argentina

Since I started as the Managing Editor of The Points Guy back in 2011, I've gone through a rigorous and constant education on how to maximize frequent flier miles, and I brought that knowledge to bear during my recent trip to Argentina by using a few stray Delta miles I had floating around to book flights on Delta's new SkyTeam partner Aerolineas Argentinas.

I had to get from Buenos Aires to Mendoza and then Salta for wine-tasting - preferably without having to transit through Buenos Aires in the middle there. Flights were going for over $1,000 on individual itineraries between the cities let alone one that included all three, so if I was going to make it happen, it had to be on miles.

Luckily, Delta had already partnered with Aerolineas by the time I was booking, and I was able put my miles to use for a stellar redemption that would get me all around the country to the wine regions I needed to visit.

To read more about how exactly I was able to do this as well as some helpful tips on how to leverage your miles while in South America, read my post here.

The Points Guy: Trip Report on Iguazu Falls

Have you seen Pixar's movie, Up? Well, I have a feeling it's based on Iguazu Falls, a breathtaking natural wonder at the convergence of the Parana River on the border of Argentina and Brazil.

I wasn't really planning on a visit during my month in Argentina, but everyone told me I absolutely had to go, so I did. I even used British Airways miles to book a LAN ticket there rather than paying $500, and then stayed at a Sheraton so I could earn Starwood points during my stay.

Half-touristy and half-breathtaking, I do think it's worth a visit, though don't expect an amazing cultural experience or great hospitality. Instead, enjoy the splendor of the falls and then head to your next destination.

To read about how I used miles to get here and suggestions on what to do during your stay, read my post here.

The Points Guy: Wine Wednesday Porto

For today's Wine Wednesday post on The Points Guy, I decided to cover one of Europe's most fabled and specialized wine regions: Porto and the Douro Valley. Though you might have noticed more and more table wines coming from this region, it is, of course, known much more for the fortified wines it has produced for centuries as well as the UNESCO World Heritage-listed city from which it derives its name, Porto.

This is truly one of Europe's most beautiful wine regions thanks to dramatic scenery, delicious cuisine and hospitable people, not to mention budget-friendly wines that are still in a world-class category.

If your next jaunt to Europe takes you to its western reaches or anywhere near Portugal, I'd highly suggest a visit.

In the meantime, read all about what you should to and taste in my post.

NY Post: Luxury Safaris

If you've been following me for a while now you know that one of my travel writing specialties is that luxury market niche of "glamping," or glamorous camping.

I've covered glamping experiences far and wide, from Africa and Australia to Chile, Finland and Montana in series for HotelChatter, JustLuxe and other outlets.

After my recent trip to South Africa where I stayed at Savanna Lodge in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve, a colleague of mine at the New York Post asked me to write a roundup of some of the most interesting glamping experiences in Africa that won't necessarily break the bank - though the term moderately priced is relative when it comes to safari, since even the baseline is expensive!

With a bit of research and an eye for anything new and interesting, I made up a list of five great camps that let visitors do everything from hanging with highland gorillas to tracking elephants in the Namibian desert, with a lot of lion-watching and giraffe-spotting thrown in.

I'll let you read the details in my NY Post piece on luxury safaris, titled "Animal House."

The Points Guy: Wine Wednesday Colchagua Valley Chile

For today's Wine Wednesday post on The Points Guy, we shifted not only back to the New World but also the Southern Hemisphere to visit one of South America's most famous wine regions: Chile's Colchagua Valley.

I had a great trip here back in May of 2011, visiting tons of wineries, checking out delightful wine country towns and just getting a sense of Chile's dynamic and ever-evolving wine scene.

Though the tourism infrastructure here is still developing, it's still easy to plan a trip here, especially since it's just a two-hour drive south of Santiago and there are more great hotels and inns than ever, not to mention world-class wineries and some fantastic fine-dining opportunities.

To read more about what you should taste and do in Colchagua, read my post here.

JustLuxe: Wine Tasting in France's Loire Valley

For my next JustLuxe article, I decided it was time to do another wine-tasting piece - this time on France's Loire Valley.

You might have noticed Loire wines showing up more and more on restaurant wine lists - though you'll probably seem them named by their specific region such as Sancerre, Vouvray, Chinon and Bourgueil...among many others.

Not only is this one of France's premier wine-producing areas, but it's also rich with history and home to the country's most famous chateaux. Take the TGV and make Tours your base like I did, and then head out to visit the castles and taste the wines from this wonderful region.

Read more about what I saw, did and tasted here.

The Points Guy, Wine Wednesday: Yarra Valley

If you've followed me for a while now, you know that I specialize in travel to Australia and have spent about three months there total in the last three years exploring cities, wildlife and wine regions all over the continent. In fact, the only Australian state I haven't visited is Tasmania.

My second trip to the land down under began in Melbourne and included a day spent out in the nearby countryside tasting wines from some of Australia's most well-respected wineries in a region that most Americans still don't seem to be too familiar with: the Yarra Valley.

Here you'll find all manner of cool-climate wines including award-winning Pinot Noirs and Chardonnays - so take that, Shiraz! (Though you'll find plenty of that, too).

Find out more about where to go and what to drink in my Wine Wednesday post on the Yarra Valley.

The Points Guy: Wine Wednesday, Champagne

For today's Wine Wednesday post on The Points Guy, I head back to one of my all-time favorite wine regions: Champagne.

Renowned the world over for the sparkling wines produced here by big names like Veuve Clicquot, Taittinger and Moet & Chandon, Champagne has become synonymous with luxury, taste and the finer things in life.

I've been to the region three times myself now, and the more I go, the more I realize there is to see, do and, most importantly, taste!

Find out all my favorites and get my suggestions on what to do on your next trip to Champagne here.

JustLuxe: Welcome Back To Waikiki at the Modern Honolulu

The more I travel to Hawaii, the more I love it. Although I hadn't been to the islands much since I was a little kid, in the past year or so, I've gotten to visit Maui, the Big Island and now Oahu with a quick trip to Honolulu a few weeks ago.

I went to experience the Modern Honolulu, which you might better remember as the Edition Waikiki, a short-lived joint project from Ian Schrager and Marriott that, after some rather turbulent events in its opening months, is now humming along under new management.

Not only has the hotel injected a much-needed dose of casual cool to the otherwise touristy Waikiki, but it really is emblematic of some major changes going on in the area that include huge new projects, deluxe renovations to historic properties like the Royal Hawaiian and Moana Surfrider, a spate of exciting restaurant openings, all-new luxury flagship stores along Kalakaua Avenue, and a renewed interest in Hawaii's rich history.

I personally got to visit the Iolani Palace, hike the hills east of the city, go outrigger canoeing and paddleboarding, take not one but two surfing lessons, and ate more seafood than I can remember.

For my next Hawaii trip, I'm looking forward to visiting Kauai, but for now, read about all there is to see and do in Waikiki and why I enjoyed my stay at the Modern in my JustLuxe piece.

Los Angeles Confidential Magazine: Bestia

For my latest restaurant piece in LA Confidential, I cover one of Downtown LA's hottest new tables, Bestia, which opened in a historic building on a long-forgotten block in the far eastern edge of the city. I got lost a few times getting there, but the circuitous route was worth it for dishes like cocoa-infused braised short-rib agnolotti and spiced chestnut zepolotti for dessert.

Read about the Israeli-born chef, his pastry chef wife, and all the interesting offal dishes they're serving (plus the meat-hook chandelier!) in my full review here.

The Points Guy, Wine Wednesday: Waiheke Island, New Zealand

For the third installment of The Points Guy's new Wine Wednesday series, we head to one of my all-time favorite destinations, New Zealand, for a quick visit to a lesser-known wine region just a quick ferry ride from downtown Auckland called Waiheke Island.

Most folks tend to think about larger regions like Marlborough or Central Otago - and granted, we see a lot more of those wines here in the US - when talking about New Zealand wines, but if your visit to the country is too quick to make stops in either of those, this is a great option for a daytrip while you're transiting through Auckland.

To find out more, read my Wine Wednesday post.

JustLuxe: Valentine's Day Dining in Los Angeles Part 2

Turns out a lot of restaurants are offering special Valentine's Day dinners this year, so I decided to write a second roundup of some of the most delicious-sounding ones.

This time the list includes some favorites like AOC (in its new location!), Hungry Cat for a truly aphrodisiacal seafood feast, a seaside supper at Catch at the Casa Del Mar, some down-home comfort food at Post & Beam, and dinner and a show at Rockwell with For The Record.

Still looking for something special to do with your sweetheart on Thursday? Well look no further, there are plenty of ideas here for you, so read my roundup and make your reservations!