The Minho Region of northern Portugal is famous for Vinho Verde. Translated to “Green Wine” the name doesn’t refer to the color of the grapes, but instead the age of the wine as Vinho Verde is typically aged only 6 to 9 months. Vinho Verde origin story Photo: Brent Petersen) 2,000 years ago, the Romans…

Brent is in Andalusia, Spain and the town of Jerez de la Frontera to try the treat the city is famous for. Plus, a cookie made with cola and a visit to the Cathedral of Jerez. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpOxgZdqy1c Mercado Central de Abastos https://mercadocentralcadiz.com/ [0% Gluten] Jerez https://www.0x100gluten.com/es/0-glut… Cathedral of Jerez de la Frontera https://www.catedraldejerez.es/ Los Reyes…

Without a doubt, the Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus / Mount of Santa Luzia (Santuário do Sagrado Coração de Jesus / Monte de Santa Luzia) is the top attraction in Viana do Castelo. Towering above the city, the church commands incredible views of the Lima River, the city of Viana do Castelo, the…

Brent visits Jerez, Spain, a city famous for the production of the fortified wine called Sherry. He samples different kinds of sherry at characteristic bars and checks out the thousand year old Alacazar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gmbs2D15n9E Alcázar of Jerez de la Frontera https://www.jerez.es/webs-municipales… El Gallo Azul https://elgalloazuljerez.com/ Tabanco San Pablo   / tabanco-san-pablo-100047635758191   Moscatel video    • Trying Moscatel, Portugal’s other for…   About the Author…

In Viana do Castelo there’s a special sweet that supposedly looks like a vase of basil. Manjericos de Viana at Zé Natário (photo: Brent Petersen) Manjericos de Viana origin story Many Portuguese pastries and sweets date back hundreds of years to the days when convents and monasteries created new delicacies. That’s not the case with…

Brent is in the exciting city of Jerez in Andalusia, visiting the characteristic Tabanco bars where sherry reigns supreme and flamenco adds spice to the experience! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nOCTzBw8YIM Support Destination Eat Drink https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinat… Sherry video https://youtu.be/Gmbs2D15n9E Tabanco La Pandilla https://tabanco-la-pandilla.negocio.s… Tabanco El Pasaje https://tabancoelpasaje.com/ Bar Juanito https://www.bar-juanito.com/ Tabanco El Anticuario https://www.tabancoanticuario.com/ Tabanco Plateros https://www.facebook.com/tabanco.plat… About the…

A Portuguese pastry named for their resemblance to religious vestments. Various Jésuitas at Leitaria Do Carmo (photo: Brent Petersen) Jésuita origin story Similar to the French pastry Jésuite, which originated in Bordeaux, the Portuguese version is called Jésuita. The story goes that Confeitaria Moura, a bakery in the town of Santo Tirso, about 15 miles…

Brent is in Viana do Castelo, Portugal to try the local treat, Torta de Viana. Plus, he tries a giant marshmallow cake and a pastry named after religious clothing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CA0N0xb0r3Q Support Destination Eat Drink https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinat… Elevador de Santa Luzia https://www.cm-viana-castelo.pt/visit… Sanctuary of the Sacred Heart of Jesus https://templosantaluzia.org/ Manuel Natário https://www.pastelariaconfeitariamanu… Zé Natário http://www.zenatario.com/ Leitaria…

The cake named for a city in Northern Portugal came out of nearby Convent. Torta de Viana from Pastelaria Dantas (photo: Brent Petersen) Torta de Viana origin story Nearly every city and town in Portugal has it’s own unique pastry. In Viana do Castelo, that pastry is the Torta de Viana. The pastry can trace…

Brent is in Viana do Castelo in the North region of Portugal to try some of the best food there including some great Punjabi food and delicious Vinho Verde wine. Plus, he learns about Valentine’s Scarves and the traditional folk costumes of the region along with the magnificent gold jewelry worn with them. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rQgPHGiL8Kk Foz…

Traditional outfits of the Minho region are still worn once year. Villagers in characteristic clothing (image: Museu do Traje) In northern Portugal, Viana do Castelo and the surrounding villages are famous for their traditional folk costumes worn during the 18th and 19th centuries. The outfits are different depending of the village the woman was from…

Brent is in Lisbon and Setubal, talking about some of the Pros and Cons of living in Portugal. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFR1HuO7htg About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the novel “Truffle Hunt” (Eckhartz Press) and the short story collection “That Bird.” He’s also…

Embroidered scarves in rural Portugal were a sort of love letter from young women to the objects of their affection. Lencos dos Namorados (Valentine’s Scarves) for sale (photo: Brent Petersen) In the 19th century, local women in and around the small northern Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo began the custom of embroidering kerchiefs called…

Brent tries his hand at preserving olives at home. He tries several different methods of curing and brining and one definitely comes out on top! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYdMyiE8RQA Support Destination Eat Drink https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinat… Alegre-me https://alegre-me.com/ About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal, Portugal. Brent has written the…

Portugal’s famous donut got its start in Germany. Ich bin ein Berliner There’s an oft-repeated story that President John F. Kennedy, when giving a speech in Berlin in 1963, said “Ich bin ein Berliner,” which translates to “I am a Berliner,” showing his solidarity with the people Germany in general and Berlin specifically during the…

Brent is in Beja, Portugal to try the local Bambina, Azevias, and Tosquiados treats! Plus, he visit a Roman museum and stumbles upon some street art with an important message. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DqndqsPXVHE&t=9s Support Destination Eat Drink https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinat… Casa de Chá Maltesinhas https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?… Bordalo II https://www.bordaloii.com/ Luiz da Rocha https://www.luizdarocha.com/ About the Author Brent Petersen is the…

Some states’ official state beverage seem exotic, like ‘Awa in Hawaii. Others couldn’t be more plain. Water in Indiana? Really? Water? Little Rhode Island has what I think is one of the most unusual and interesting state drinks. Coffee Milk. Sampling Coffee Milk in Providence, RI (photo: Brent Petersen) Coffee Milk origin story You might…

I’ve read a lot of so-called “plane etiquette” articles complaining about people who stand up as soon as the plane reaches the gate and the seat belt sign is turned off. Allow me to make a counter-point. Photo: Brent Petersen It happens every time. Your plane lands and taxis to the arrival gate. Once the…

Brent visits Cuba, Portugal where some people think Columbus was born. He enjoys wine served in a tiny cup made in giant clay casks and gets shuttled out the back door of a restaurant. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8HUYo-L8BM Buy Me a Coffee https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinationeatdrink Adega do Canena http://www.quintadapigarca.pt/ Casa de Monte Pedral https://www.facebook.com/casamontepedralcuba/?locale=pt_PT About the Author Brent Petersen is…

Brent is in the Alentejo region of Portugal to visit the small city of Beja. He enjoys some local wine, a typical dish of the region and some great vegan food. Plus, he climbs to the top of a Medieval tower and enjoys some surrealist art. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egem3O1Owyk&t=876s Support Destination Eat Drink https://www.buymeacoffee.com/destinat… Dom Dinas   / restauranteddinis  …

Café com Cheirinho is a Portuguese coffee with a kick! Pouring aguardente into the coffee (photo: Brent Petersen) Coffee served with alcohol certainly isn’t an idea that originated in Portugal. You can get similar drinks all over Europe. A shot of grappa in your espresso in Italy, Rakija added in Croatia, Irish Coffee on the…

Brent visits some stunningly beautiful spots including Watch Hill and Narragansett, Rhode Island while talking about the surprises of visiting the U.S. after 2 years away. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UrnZXowFAdU&t=14s Watch Hill Inn https://www.watchhillinn.com/ Watch Hill Lighthouse https://www.watchhilllighthousekeeper… Crazy Burger https://crazyburger.com/ About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal,…

Brent visit’s Providence, Rhode Island’s “Little Italy,” Federal Hill for a delicious Zeppole pastry with some wine, eggplant roll ups smothered in gravy, and an espresso with Sambuca. Plus, he visits a notorious spot on “The Hill” and indulges in a Rhode Island classic, Fries and Gravy! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eWcuQnwZIw Venda Ravioli https://vendaraviolistore.com/ Narragansett Creamery http://www.richeeses.com/ Tony’s…

While the island nation and this small town in Portugal have little in common, they do have a tenuous link with Christopher Columbus. Columbus statue in Cuba, Portugal (photo: Brent Petersen) Cuba Cuba is a small town of less than 5,000 people in the Alentejo region. This is a rural, agricultural area where grapes and…

Brent visits Rhode Island for some classic Ocean State drinks. He may or may not add a little something extra to make them even better! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w-xShohHA2U Del’s Lemonade https://dels.com/ Newport Creamery https://www.newportcreamery.com/ Dave’s Coffee https://www.davescoffee.com/ Coffee Syrup https://shoprhody.com/products/autocr… About the Author Brent Petersen is the Editor-in-Chief of Destination Eat Drink. He currently resides in Setubal,…

Tosquiados are a cookie from the Alentego region of Portugal. Specifically, they are from the small city of Beja, not far from Évora. Sampling a Tosquiado (photo: Karen L. Campopiano) No one is sure where the Tosquiado originated, but they likely got their start in one of Beja’s convents which is where many of the…

Brent visits Newport, Rhode Island and samples some cocktails including one with ties to a painful past. He also checks out the stunning views along the Cliff Walk, and tries a drink that almost breaks the bank! https://youtu.be/lOZV-ilMB6U O’Brien’s Pub https://www.theobrienspub.net/The Black Pearl https://www.blackpearlnewport.com/Sprout and Lentil https://www.sproutandlentil.com/Clarke Cooke House https://www.clarkecooke.com/ About the Author Brent Petersen…

Housed in a 16th century (or earlier) building, Os Infantes is a terrific place to get a glass of wine in the most charming setting in Beja. Sampling wine from Alentejo (photo: Karen L. Campopiano) Wine in Alentejo Alentejo (the region where Beja is located) is the third biggest producer of wine in Portugal after…

Brent travels to Rhode Island for some classic and unusual Rhode Island dishes like Pizza Strips, & Johnnycakes. Plus, a visit to a gorgeous spot with a stunning lighthouse. And, he snacks on a German Chocolate Cake made in a whole new way! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRrWpwKeirw D. Palmieri’s Bakery http://www.dpalmierisbakery.com/ A & J Bakery https://www.aandjbakery.net/ Plant City…

The Banco de Materiais is helping keep alive Porto’s heritage of Azulejo tiles. Azulejo mural at Igreja do Carmo, Porto (photo: Brent Petersen) Azulejo Tile origin story Azulejos are painted glazed ceramic tiles. They’re traditionally blue and white, though they can be painted any color. The earliest version of the tiles first came to the…