No travel memory is complete without recalling a fantastic meal. In fact, a Travelocity.ca survey revealed that 75 per cent of Canadians believe food is important when choosing a travel destination. With this in mind, Travelocity.ca and global food trendologist, Christine Couvelier have teamed up to inspire Canadians to travel and taste by identifying the top five culinary destinations and the hottest trends to hit the plate.
1. Los Angeles, California
Farmer’s markets in Los Angeles are bursting with gorgeous produce year round and menus reflect this. Celebrate the cuisines and culture of L.A. by heading to the Grand Central Market; open since 1917 the market allows you to taste your way from through a multitude of specialties. Start at ‘Eggslut’ for breakfast, this former food truck moved into the market and has become one of L.A.’s ‘must-taste- breakfast spots.
Regional Culinary Trends to Watch:
Communal dining
One of the biggest trends this year is communal dining. Sharing a large table with a group of friends and strangers envelops you in a warm sense of community while you enjoy some good conversation. Best place to try this in L.A. is Farmshop, a restaurant and specialty gourmet store in one. Their large wooden communal table welcomes diners to sit at any time of day and be treated to creations from their talented kitchen while the shelves are full of the “best of” from farmers and artisanal food producers.
2. Montreal, Quebec
Montreal is a gastronomic paradise.
New culinary stars are emerging, and Joe Beef Restaurant is one of them; the only Canadian restaurant on the 2015 list of “100 Best Restaurants in the World.”
Regional Culinary Trends to Watch
Tradition and pride of culinary tastes
This year, Montreal is focusing on the pride of sharing tastes & traditions. What’s more Montreal than smoked meat? Since 1928, Schwartz’s has been one of the best ways to enjoy this very-Montreal specialty. Check out more classic Montreal fare by wandering the Atwater Market; be sure to stop into La Fromagerie Atwater, where they have over 800 cheeses to taste. Bagels are another must-try while in Montreal, hand –rolled, dipped in honey water and baked in a wood fired oven – St. Viateur has been in the business of making bagels since 1957.
3. Chicago, Illinois
Dining in Chicago is a marathon, not a sprint. This city is serious about food! From deep dish pizzas to gourmet donuts, Chicago has it all. For the best Cajun outside of New Orleans eat at Heaven on Seven, located on the seventh floor of the Garland building. Maybe you’re a more adventurous taster – how about calamari bruschetta, award-winning chef Stephanie Izard will have great tastes for you to experience at Girl and the Goat and Little Goat Diner or fried chicken with lemon honey butter at Taus Authentic.
Regional Culinary Trends to Watch
Sweet and heat
Chicago is taking this year’s trend seriously! Restaurants like Frontera Grill or Topolobampo, headed by the leading Mexican Chef in North America, Rick Bayless, are serving up dishes like achiote-marinated suckling pig in banana leaves or poached papaya with olive oil crisped crumbs.
4. London, England
London is one of the gastronomic capitals of the world; it’s no surprise it made its way to our top five culinary destinations list. Ethnically diverse, London plays host to various Indian cuisine and aromatic Moroccan tagines and couscous that tempt as you walk down a narrow street towards restaurants like Momo Restaurant. For a more traditional take, Chef Heston Blumenthal’s new restaurant, Dinner, must be experienced. He created a menu focused on past British dishes, now with modern tastes, like saffron risotto with veal.
Regional Culinary Trends to Watch
Vegetables as the star of the plate
Combining flavours and texture to keep all eyes on the vegetables is gaining popularity. London-based Chef Yotam Ottolenghi has a passion for Mediterranean inspired cuisine and he creates wonderful dishes that showcase vegetables at his five London restaurants or learn for yourself by reading one of his several inspiring cookbooks.
5. Lima, Peru
This is a culinary destination to really explore. In Lima, ceviche is a must and you can experience it in a relaxed setting with accompanying colourful and fresh seafood at La Mar. Explore like the locals at Surquillo Market, home to an incredible selection of fruits, vegetables and meats – just imagine over 3000 varieties of potatoes! To get a sense of Peruvian cuisine best, eat at Central; recently named fourth best restaurant in the world, Chef Martinez creates a magical tasting of flavours from the mountain, sea, desert and jungle of Peru.
Regional Culinary Trends to Watch
The origin and terroir of chocolate
The best kind of culinary tour you can take in Lima is a chocolate one! Visiting a chocolate museum or one of the many chocolate boutiques will also do. During your visit to one (or all) of these chocolate boutiques will leave you drooling over the endless combinations: chocolate with Pisco or passion fruit for example.
Watch Christine Couvelier’s Interview on What She Said!