MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Lucky Cat Ramen

71 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope y’all are doing great!

Here we go again folks – I am back with my sightseeing antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints! *woot woot*
Well, when you are restricted to the confines of your own town (thanks to my Huz’s busy work schedule), and an “enjoyable-extended vacation” seems like a far sight, you make the best of what you’ve got by canvassing the city, “hunting” down the “popular” places to eat – one at time! *a foodie’s gotta do what she gotta do*

Our exploration of the town got us to a “small wonder” called – Lucky Cat Ramen – one of the best “ramen” spots here in Memphis!
Brain-child of Zach Nicholson and Sarah Pardee, the success of Lucky Cat can be doubtlessly credited to the delectable ramen bowls that range from traditional to creative – Tan Tan, Miso Pork, Yuzu Veggie. Starting just as a humble food truck initially, to graduating to a regular “pop-up” at City & State, Lucky Cat got so famous with time, that the owners eventually decided to go all “brick and mortar! “(News flash – Their new permanent “upscale” restaurant is coming up in Crosstown Concourse building, soonish!)
Currently functioning out of 247 Cooper Street, Memphis, this was a discovery that me and my Huz would return back to time and again! *slurp*

Food/Drinks ordered – 2 bowls of YUZU VEGGIE  and  2 fully loaded VEGGIE BAO BUNS.

iScriblr_luckyCatRamen
VEGGIE BAO BUNS
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Last Burger On Earth!

82 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend?

It’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Ah, the scorching summers!!! *huffs and puffs*
Well thankfully the “Weather Gods” took some mercy and it rained this weekend, instilling in us a desire to step out of our homes and spend some quality time canvassing the city, which obviously included FOOD! And look what we found – a place called – LBOE aka Last Burger On Earth!

WINNER (in the burger category) at the World Food Championships in Orange Beach, Alabama, with competitors from 43 states and 14 countries competing in the various categories – LBOE was for sure, on top of our “to-visit” list and I am glad that we were able to witness the “deliciousness” first hand!
Home of the best burgers in Memphis, LBOE is known to serve up burgers the old-fashioned way – using fresh, never frozen ground beef and turkey, and the highest quality veggie patties and infusing a modern twist with some great flavor combos.  Hand made to order, the super succulent burgers at LOBE are indeed one of the yummiest burgers that we’ve ever had! *slurps*

Food/Drinks ordered – EL DIABLO BURGER (spicy as hell!), MUSHROOM MELT BURGER with FRIES, a pack of LOCAL CHIPS and ICED TEA.

iScriblr_lboe
EL DIABLO BURGER – Pepper​ Jack cheese, sauteed habanero, Serrano and Jalapeno peppers, avocado ranch, lettuce and tomato.
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PHOTO GALLERY

Sunday Stills : Tourist

79 Comments

Hey Everyone! I hope y’all are doing wonderful!

Welcome to Terri’s Photo Challenge : Sunday Stills. Yet another day and another exciting prompt. Thank God for this, I miss WPC a little less!

This week’s theme is “TOURIST” and in all honesty, I have been guilty of being a “perfect” tourist all my life! Yes, I have been one of the exasperating ones, who’ll click pictures wherever and whenever – not wanting to miss a “photogenic” opportunity! (Sadly, this involves my Huz too, who doesn’t have much of a choice left!) *hides face* Presenting to you all some “photographic memories” of US being “touristy” from our trip to Chicago. Also, please know that this post will be an overload of pictures – you now know why!

iScriblr_chicago
THE GENTLEMEN STATUES IN CHICAGO – a series of installed statues created by renowned Taiwanese sculptor Ju Ming and purchased by Great Eagle Holdings, the parent company of Langham Hospitality Group. The original artwork, prominently displayed as a permanent fixture on the AMA Plaza, is part of Ju’s “Living World Series,” featuring eleven bronze plated figures draped in trench jackets and holding umbrellas.
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

U2 eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour 2018

73 Comments

Hey Everyone! I hope y’all had a wonderful weekend! Well, mine was super “BOMB!” *woot woot*

So, what do you do when you get a chance to meet your GODS – You know, the kind of deities that you have worshiped, celebrated and idolized all your lives? For starters, you jump right at the opportunity, even if it means that you have to drive down 211.9 miles (341 km) to a different town, postponing your RCT (Root Canal Treatment) for another day! Well who’d said attaining “NIRVANA” will be an easy task! “Moksha” – is all about penance, hard work and fortitude, right? *so-hum*

For the ones who don’t know what I am talking about and are finding my “reference to the Gods” a little too much crazy – I met my GODS! Yes, I sure did! Keeping all my pain and agony aside (tooth aches can be vicious!) – I finally fulfilled my forever dream of experiencing U2 in action! Thanks to the last-minute “seats availability”, which was surprising since all their others shows were sold out and my Huz’s extravagant heart – I was happily swaying and humming at the U2 eXPERIENCE + iNNOCENCE Tour 2018 at Nashville, Tennessee. (God’s work, me thinks!)

Here’s my experience of “meeting my idols” – as raw, as wild, as unadulterated as it could be! *happy tears*

iScriblr_u2_live
Bedazzled!
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Date At Babalu

38 Comments

Hey everyone! I hope y’all have had a wonderful weekend?

It’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Thanks to the weather and the “allergies” and the “allergens” – it’s been pretty “sickly” this side! *coughs and sneezes*
And then thankfully, The Mother’s Day hype happened! (We had to find a reason to break away from the hypersensitivity mode!) For foodies like us (Me and my Huz) it was a perfect day to overlook the “flurry of pollen”, ignore the malady, dress up and celebrate!

Being vegetarians (periodic Pescatarians) it’s kind of tough to find out an eating place that caters to our ways in Memphis specially since it is known as “The Barbecued Pork Capital of the World!” and hence, we are always coursing around, looking for a joint that suits our taste.
Known for it’s GUACAMOLE that is made right at your table side (talk about freshness!), yummiest tacos, creative tapas and abundant veggie options – Babalu Tapas & Tacos seemed just right to be at and explore!

Babalu is the brainchild of successful restaurateurs Bill Latham and Al Roberts. Their latest concept – upscale Latin-inspired cuisine, was born out of the love and respect for food and for music genres such as the guaracha, cha-cha, and Latin jazz. Understanding that music unites and energizes people and is a common inspirational thread, they quickly realized they were on to something. They named their new restaurant concept Babalu, in honor of composer and singer Miguelito Valdes, a.k.a. “Mr. Babalu” and after the signature song of the television character Ricky Ricardo, played by Desi Arnaz in the television comedy series I Love Lucy and the rest as they say, is a “delicious” history!
With a slogan that goes like – “Yours. Mine. Ours. Food Worth Sharing®” – This place is all about sharing of great food, sharing of great service, and sharing of great times!

Food/Drinks ordered – GUACAMOLE , BLACKENED SCOTTISH SALMON TAPAS which are “Chef-Inspired Small Plates” , VEGETAL TACOS , a BLACK BEAN BURGER, washed down with a few glasses of MOJITOS!

iScriblr_babaluTapas
Gucamole – Hass avocado, sun-dried tomato, red & green onion, kosher salt, cilantro, lime juice & served with their house chips.
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Hungry In The Smokies

52 Comments

Hey Everyone! Happy happy Wednesday!

Continuing with the shenanigans of my “Visit to The Smokies” here comes my second update. Yes, as promised, I am back with more of appealing moments and exciting times from my recent trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.

For the one’s who’ve missed on to my photographic memoir of the Smokies, you may read it all here. Trust me, it’s panoramic-ally fun!

iScriblr_gatlinburg
A day in the Smokies!

In addition to the city’s fascinating scenic beauty, breathtaking trails n’ trekking opportunities and all things “natural”, this place also boasts about delectable Southern cuisine, locally owned restaurants serving sumptuous food and mouth-watering ethnic menu! From appetizing pancakes and crepes, heavenly hand-cut steaks to devine pizza, sandwiches, and salads – your taste-buds are in for a treat here! Best part – With hundreds of eateries to choose from, you could spend the whole year dining out in the Smokies and not eat at the same place twice! Here’s the list of our favorite 5 –

Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES

Things To Do In Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge

46 Comments

Hey Everyone! It’s time for some travelling updates and stories of my voyaging! Hope you all are as excited about it, as me?

Well, finally the “dry travelling spell” broke! Thanks to the weather Gods, we (Me and my Huz) were able to spread our wings and go for the much-anticipated extended weekend trip to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. Yay!

One of the most popular tourist destinations, much-publicized for the “colors of the fall”, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge boasts of – fascinating scenic beauty, locally owned restaurants serving scrumptious food, Dollywood theme park and the Stampede theater (both owned by country music superstar Dolly Parton), Ober Gatlinburg (which is the only ski resort in Tennessee!), Ripley’s Aquarium of the Smokies, Gatlinburg Sky Lift, Ripley’s Haunted Adventure, Hollywood Star Cars Museum and Anakeesta (one of the best amusement parks in Gatlinburg) to name a few, not forgetting the breathtaking trails and trekking opportunities!
Indeed a traveler’s paradise, Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge sure do have so much history, fun, treks n’ trails and food to offer and LOVE!

Well, it took us 6 h 50 min to reach our destination (Pigeon Forge) from Memphis, Tennessee (Distance covered – 425.5 mi/684.7 km) via I-40 and I-40 E. With some exaggerated bends and picture-perfect scenic views – the drive gets better by the hour.

iScriblr_gatlinburg
Welcome to Gatlinburg!
Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES, PERSONAL STORIES

Tsunami In Memphis

10 Comments

Hey Everyone! Happy FRIYAY!

Well, it’s been a while that I have written about my travel antics and reviews on restaurants and eating joints. Thanks to the “not-so friendly weather” and “busy work-life balance” I have been all in-doorsy and hibernating, saving up on much-needed body warmth and eagerness! But when it is your 2nd Marriage Anniversary, you dress up, look your dapper best and step-out! And where do you go? Somewhere fancy! Someplace alluring! (Hint! Hint!)

Best Seafood, Most Creative Menu, Best Chef, Best Restaurant! Yes, that is Tsunami for you and that’s where we went to commemorate our wedding anniversary! (Oh yes, when your hubby takes you out for dinner at one of the best restaurants in town, you FLAUNT!)

Continue Reading

MY TRAVEL DIARIES

Trip To Chattanooga

6 Comments

Chattanooga, Tennessee is a “traveler’s nirvana!” Known for its various tourist attractions like – The Incline Railway, Rock City, Ruby Falls, Tennessee River-walk, Tennessee Aquarium and The Lookout Mountains to name a few, Chattanooga is an excellent vacation stop for tourists. The city lies 120 miles (190 km) north-west of Atlanta, Georgia, 120 miles (190 km) south-west of Knoxville, Tennessee, 135 miles (217 km) south-east of Nashville, Tennessee, 120 miles (190 km) north-east of Huntsville, Alabama, and 148 miles (238 km) north-east of Birmingham, Alabama. It is a growing, vibrant city which is refreshingly unique in its own ways. Tucked between the mountains of Southeast Tennessee, along the beautiful Tennessee River, Chattanooga, undoubtedly is one of America’s most breathtaking cities. Made famous by the 1941 song “Chattanooga Choo Choo,” the city brims with history, culture, new businesses, beautiful outdoor attractions and flavorful FOOD!

Since we both (Me and my Huz) are high on “travel-adrenaline” – Chattanooga was our next destination on the “travel-goals-checklist!” It took us 4 h 53 min to reach our destination from Memphis, Tennessee (Distance covered – 337.0 mi/542.3 km) via I-40 and I-24 E. With some exaggerated bends and picture-perfect scenic views – the drive gets better by the hour. Aptly called the “Scenic City,” the city has so much to offer and sight-see!

Continue Reading