When I was a child, my parents liked to haul the family across country to well-advertised beach vacation spots, and so I've seen the best of Florida and southern California, Hawaii and the French Riviera. My mother's travel plans, however, were always created on the premise that actual beach lounging wastes precious vacation time, so in between swimming with dolphins, souvenir shopping, dessert buffets, and posing for photos there was never a chance to do what I really wanted, which was to flop down onto the sand with a good book and extra sunblock and just be by my lazy self. Once I started traveling alone I could have taken things into my own hands, but somehow I always wound up landlocked—rather than the trusty trio of surf, sand, and sun, my trips seemed to involve nauseating bus rides at high velocity on the edges of precipitous cliffs and trekking through red dust to pick at palatial termite mounds. Exciting, yes, and edifying for the soul, but still no trip to the beach.
So going to a Dominican seaside resort for an extended weekend seemed like exactly the vacation I had, without realizing it, wanted and needed during the entirety of my adult life. I stepped onto a plane one morning out of the depths of a drizzly New York morning and a painless four hours later was discharged into a landscape brimming with glorious jungle greens, turquoise waters, and unclouded azure sky. I felt like a just-planted Dorothy in Oz, having left behind a dreary monochrome world of grey concrete and finding myself suddenly in front of a view so vibrantly hued I had the sensation of rediscovering the world in Technicolor. Read the full review and area guide »
Credit: Camille Bromley
Hybrid that it is, brunch is the perfect time to trot out dishes that straddle two meals: burgers with fried eggs, cheddar biscuit pot pies, bacon and egg calzones, and more. See the gallery of non-traditional brunch dishes »
Credit: Yossy Arefi
These brunch sides—from salads to buttermilk biscuits to country sausage—are the perfect accompaniment to a hearty plate of eggs. See the collection »
Credit: Todd Coleman
From strong coffee with brandy and spices to soothing mint tea, these are our favorite morning pick-me-ups, afternoon refreshers, and after-dinner treats. See the collection »
Credit: Maxime Iattoni
From SAVEUR Issue #156
Thick, tart, and creamy, this yogurt-like cheese, when eaten together with olive oil, pita bread, and za'atar spice, makes a typical Galilean breakfast. See the recipe »
Credit: Eilon Paz
In case you haven't noticed yet, this week is our third annual Brunch Week here at Saveur.com! Over the next five days we'll be running a slew of brunch-related stories, including some brand new recipes you'll be dying to try out on your next Sunday morning—or afternoon—get-together.
Credit: Yossy Arefi
Houston is the most dynamic culinary destination in the country. It's also a city that is close to my heart. It opens your mind, your thoughts and your soul—all through food. Many cultures thrive here: Vietnamese, Thai, Salvadorian, Nigerian, you name it. I am asked all the time, "Did you travel a lot?" And the answer is no—I got to experience global flavors by exploring the streets of my own city. Some of my best moments in Houston have happened when I got off of the beaten path and headed for family-run restaurants, where people were willing to show me what they know. Many of those places are listed here. I hope that you come and visit them, and enjoy seeing Houston the way I see it. See a dozen things to do in Houston
We're blown away by the talent, passion, and intelligence of this year's Best Food Blog Awards winners, and learning the stories behind their blogs—how they became interested in baking, travel, and craft beer; what inspires them to write, photograph, and create delicious original recipes—makes us appreciate their work that much more. Get to know Vanessa Rees of V.K. Rees Photography, the winner of Best Photography »
Credit: Vanessa Rees
Among the most classic of brunch offerings, omelettes, quiches, and frittatas are also some of the most versatile: Simple to make, satisfying to eat, and good at any time of the day. From a classic omelette served with just a bit of cheese and a sprinkle of chives, to frittatas filled with everything from roasted peppers to asparagus, these 12 recipes are eggs at their best. See a dozen omelette, quiche, and frittata recipes in the gallery »
Credit: Yossy Arefi
Sometimes you just need a little sugar to start the day. From sugar-dusted donuts to fruit-filled pancakes and Nutella buns, these sweet breakfast treats make ideal accompaniments for a morning cup of coffee. See the collection »
Credit: Yossy Arefi
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