Around The World

Taste of the Town

At restaurants in Atlanta, diners have long understood the meaning of the phrase “meat ’n’ three.” It refers to a main course of meat, plus three side dishes, such as mashed potatoes, fried okra, or butter beans. But until recently, many of those same people wouldn’t have known Singaporean food if someone dumped a pot of chap huay tng (a seafood and vegetable stew) over their heads.

For the introduction of Singaporean cuisine to an audience accustomed to traditional Southern fare, Atlantans can thank Bay Area chef Chris Yeo, who opened a local outpost of his famed Straits restaurant this past April. “Everywhere we go, we are exposing people to something new,” says Yeo, whose business has grown to include five restaurants since he opened his first near San Francisco in 1987.

Straits is one of several newcomers to the Atlanta food scene, which has been growing faster than kudzu the past few years thanks in part to the spectacular Taste of Atlanta (October 11–12). The brainchild of events planner Dale DeSena, the annual food festival started seven years ago with a small group of chefs showcasing their wares at a local mall.

Now set in the Atlantic Station neighborhood, a sprawling new residential and commercial development downtown, Taste of Atlanta 2008 will feature the culinary creations of more than 70 Atlanta restaurants, plus other events including an appearance by country music star — and cookbook author — Trisha Yearwood and a wine tasting with Georg Riedel of Riedel Crystal. One section of the festival grounds, Local Sustainable Country Road, will feature chefs preparing dishes alongside their Atlanta-area suppliers, supporting the indigenous-ingredients trend.

“Our restaurant scene is like no other city’s,” says DeSena. “Diversity is its strength.”

Yeo says he’s proud to add to that diversity — and looking forward to Taste of Atlanta. “This event is big-time for us. There are a lot of great restaurants here, and we want to do all we can to support the local scene.” — Joe Bargmann

A Cut Above

The pickup service is the first clue that AlphaMale, in downtown San Diego, isn’t your typical barbershop. Inside, the mod oblong light fixtures hanging from the high ceiling confirm it. Customers can enjoy a hand-rolled cigar and a drink from the complimentary bar while waiting their turn on a black leather chair. There are nine grooming stations — each with a $7,000 chair and personal HDTV. But while the décor and ethos of the salon are decidedly of-the-moment, the services tend toward retro. Patrons can get a hot-lather shave with a straightedge razor, a shoeshine, and even a manicure. All that’s missing is a quartet singing “Sweet Adeline.” alphamalebarberia.com — Andrew Eitelbach

Southern Comfort

If you assume quilting is for little old ladies who don’t get out much, you may be in for a surprise. Enthusiasts from around the world are ready to converge en masse on the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. The International Quilt Festival/Houston, taking place October 30–November 2, is the largest annual fabric arts event in the world; last year’s show attracted more than 50,000 attendees. More than 2,000 pieces will be on display, with many available for sale, and classes, workshops, and lectures will cover topics ranging from new techniques to quilt history. Of particular note are 20 pre-19th-century quilts on loan from the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington D.C. This collection includes a quilt made by Mary Tayloe Lloyd Key (wife of Francis Scott Key), which provides the logo for this year’s show. quilts.com — A.E.

Smells Delicious

Parisian perfumer Blaise Mautin toiled for the better part of a year to mix just the right scent for the Park Hyatt Zurich, one that captured the vibrancy of the Swiss city and the contemporary design of the hotel. His perfume — a blend of bergamot, lemon, and grapefruit, with notes of ylang-ylang, Chinese geranium, thyme, and patchouli — went through more than 40 iterations on its way to perfection. The fragrance, which is used in the hotel’s soaps, shampoos, and scented candles, dances seductively through the hotel’s lobby, hallways, and guest rooms. The delicious, citrusy scent even inspired the chef of the hotel’s fine restaurant, Parkhuus, where a lemon essence infuses the whipped cream of certain desserts. zurich.park.hyatt.com — Courtney Lyons

Mixing Things Up

When a politician used the term cocktail in an 1806 letter to a New York newspaper attempting to explain, in part, what lost him the election, he helped to place a term into the American consciousness that’s held its place there ever since. Few inventions are so thoroughly American (or have been as heartily embraced) as the cocktail. And the Museum of the American Cocktail, which this summer moved to its new permanent home in New Orleans, lovingly exhibits artifacts that pay homage to all forms of the concoction. Two hundred years of cocktail history are presented here, displayed in vintage shakers and glassware, Prohibition-era literature, rare spirits, and recorded lore. And for studious tipplers looking to learn from the best, some of the world’s most accomplished mixologists conduct lectures and seminars each month, teaching new techniques and time-tested recipes. On November 3, museum co-founder Dale DeGroff, the self-proclaimed King of Cocktails, teaches new twists on old favorites. His version of a Sazerac may not get him elected to office, but it gets our vote. museumoftheamericancocktail.org — Alana Levinson

The Grape State of Virginia

October is Virginia Wine Month, when the Old Dominion celebrates its annual harvest. Oenophiles can enjoy events at many wineries within a couple hours of Richmond, especially in Powhatan, where the Festival of the Grape takes place October 25. The festival includes live music and plenty of food to pair with wines from more than 20 participating wineries and vineyards. A few days later, on Halloween, the James River Cellars Winery, located just outside Richmond, will hold its second annual Monster Mash. Ghoulish guests can take a haunted tour of the area or compete in a best-costume contest with vampires, superheroes, and the occasional Elvis while enjoying “treats” summoned from the crypts, er, wine cellars. powhatanchamberofcommerce.org/grape.htm, jamesrivercellars.com — Joe Tauke

A Shell of a Place

A sea turtle adorns Grand Cayman’s flag, official seal, and currency — and for good reason. For centuries the creatures were an important part of the island’s economy. But over time, habitat encroachment and aggressive hunting depleted their number. In 1968, the Cayman Turtle Farm was established to help replenish the turtle population and promote responsible harvesting practices. Open to the public, the farm now boasts more than 10,000 turtles and has become one of Grand Cayman’s most popular tourist attractions. Visitors can watch shellbacks weighing up to 575 pounds glide gently through massive tanks and dig in the sand to make their nests. Lucky visitors in October who are willing to shell out a small donation can help release some of the farm’s year-old hatchlings into the sea, where the little reptiles will go on to take their place in the local ecosystem. — C.L.

La Vida Musica

It will be a fiesta of musical proportions when the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony relocates to Houston. The November 13 event, taking place this year at the Toyota Center, typically draws some of the biggest names in music. In addition to Latin stars like Ricky Martin and Shakira, past nominees and performers have included Christina Aguilera and Houston’s own Beyoncé Knowles and La Mafia. The ceremony, which will be broadcast live on Univision at 8 p.m. Eastern time, is preceded by a series of events in Houston, including the Houston es Música Festival on November 2 at Reliant Park. If you can’t get into the Toyota Center, the Cumbia Rock Latin Pop Revue, featuring local bands, will take place on Discovery Green the same night as the ceremony. Continental is an official sponsor of Houston es Música, the Official Host Committee of the 9th Annual Latin Grammy. grammy.com/latin — Martin Lieberman

The Original Fight Club

While many luxury hotels promise such amenities as in-room spa treatments, five-star dining, and on-site child care, few offer the unique experience of time travel. The Rome Cavalieri Hilton Hotel provides just that, however, transporting guests back 2,000 years to ancient Rome through its Gladiator Training Program. Dressed in traditional tunic, Roman sandals, belt, and protective gloves, you can channel your inner Spartacus by participating in the ultimate gladiator fantasy camp, learning the art of hand-to-hand combat from instructors who specialize in the reenactment of early Roman life. Tiros (beginning gladiators) start with wooden swords, but students can advance to full body armor and any number of iron weapons, including Roman short swords and tridents. Classes take place in the hotel’s 15-acre private park overlooking the city and last up to two hours. Chariots, lions, and Julius Caesar not included. rome.hilton.com — Dave Baldwin

Getting There: All the destinations covered in “Go Explore” can be reached by flying Continental Airlines. To book your trip, visit covacations.com.