certifiedfoodie

I won’t get into why I haven’t blogged since forever. Had something to do with a certain virus, a lockdown, and people saying that it is insensitive to be posting about going out and eating amidst all the suffering. I get that, so I stopped my silly blogging.

“We either live with it, or die of it” — Fauci did not say that, I did. So this is me, getting back to do what I’ve always been doing: embarking on food adventures, this time as safely as I possibly can. Life is too short to be feeling bad and eating bad food. Also, I’m not really that important to get “cancelled”.

This “crawl” is divided into three categories: Old Reliables, Great Finds, Influencers Choice.

Old Reliables – these are well-established restaurants in the area, consistent in quality and service.

Il Vilagio Osteria – this is in Hotel Terra. As you can see, I am off to a good start in celebrating my 50th with a 20 year old Latour. We brought the bottle. As opposed to Texas, Wyoming does not have insane corkage regulations.

Meatballs! the hand pulled mozarella is a great touch

Have I mentioned that Bourdeaux pairs really well with pizza? Il Fico – dried fig, cognac-caramelized apple and several yummy cheeses.

Every self-respecting Italian restaurant has great Tiramisu on its menu

Westbank Grill – this wonderful restaurant is tucked in the heart of Four Seasons – a hotel that really lives up to its name because with any location you go, at any point of the pandemic, they are there — open and welcoming, ready to give you the best experience (for the right price, of course).

Oh look! Steak, I wonder who ordered this? Haha

Crispy Brussel Sprouts with Boar Bacon – in the design world, this would be a shabby-chic kind of deal

Another 50th celebration. Yey!!! This is a pear donut with verjus glaze.

Handle Bar – also in Four Seasons but more of an apres ski kind of vibe

Handle bar mustach-shaped pretzel! Brushed with beer cheese

Duck Fat Wedges – sounds so unhealthy, because it probably is. It’s really good though

2. Great Finds

Old Yellowstone Garage – don’t let the name fool you. It looks nothing like a garage (not my garage, for sure). It’s artfully decorated, very modern and relaxing, right on the slope of Bridger Gondola, inside Caldera House. We ate here twice (and you know how I feel about going to the same place twice–so this is pretty good).

Pappardele Elk Bolognese – they claim that they have the best in town and I concur

Wagyu Zabuton aka little pillow. This is more like little throw pillows because it came cut, but the tenderness is definitely there!

Bin 22 – accidentally discovered as we were walking around trying to find the town square. It is a wine store slash restaurant kind of deal. Absolutely amazing food in a very non-Jackson Hole price range. We ate here twice, ON THE SAME DAY. So I cannot stress enough how good this place is. I am not featuring any of the wines because I wasn’t able to take pics of the bottles; we did have Priorat, Spanish Vermouth and a really nice and bubbly Cava

This is their food specialty – hand pulled Mozzarella with wild mushrooms

For round two we had baked brie and paella

Local Restaurant and Bar – for a name that doesn’t exactly scream wildy imaginative, this is an amazing restaurant conveniently located next to the town square. We stumbled on this gem as we ran fleeing from the restaurant that I will feature next.

Bar is on point. I had a Matilda which is a local vodka, curacao and some cardamom bitters. D had a Nebbiolo

Love, love, love this herb crusted bone marrow

3. Influencers Choice – these are restaurants that come up with every travel blog. Not to bash these bloggers-for-a-living lot, but they DO have to push places to “earn their keep”. Take with a grain of salt when reading these travel blogs as some places are just too hyped up.

Million Dollar Cowboy Bar – the good thing is, nothing in the menu cost even close to a million dollars. Otherwise, the food is unimaginative, the service is tired.

The only saving grace is the cute saddle they have as barstools. People who have never rode a horse may disagree; while very Instagramable, it is very uncomfortable

2. Mangy Moose – too bad because this is really close to where we were staying. Menu is kinda generic and don’t let me get started with the service…. There are a lot more pleasing apres-ski areas in Teton Village

And just like that….I’m back (although I was never really gone).

I’m too old for Dublin. The pubs, the nightlife, the dancing, the music, are things I would have enjoyed immensely 15-20 years ago. But back then, I was trying to raise a tiny human being. So I spent my hard-earned travel dollar on Disney trips instead. Was it worth sacrificing all that fun for the obligatory pilgrimage to Mickey Mouse mecca? I will not know until my kid picks a nursing home for me. Stay tuned.