Random Travel Thread

Just be deligent and track using Google Flights and Kayak. Setup email alerts.

Also https://scottscheapflights.com/...I've seen Costa Rica pop up on there before (even the free version)

So Korea is....uhh....different. 

I've been here 2.5 days and all I've done so far is sleep and work. The work culture is a complete 180 from what I'm used to. Very quiet office, almost too quiet. I'm the only non-Asian in the entire building of 8 floors. I get head turns everywhere I go. Everyone has been super nice though. We went to a bomb bulgogi place yesterday for lunch which has been the highlight so far. 

Jet lagged fucked me up the first day, didn't matter how much I slept, I was just a lethargic zombie. I hope to explore some tonight. I may go to an indoor climbing gym. Should be an experience. Asians dominate at every gym I've ever been to, so I'm expecting the same here.

I don't know where to put this post, so putting it here.

Had Wagyu beef (Kobe) tonight for the first time.  Wife and I went to a "farm to plate" restaurant in Indiana.  Un-freaking-believable.  Everything that we ate was incredible.  

posted by ernest_t_bass

Had Wagyu beef (Kobe) tonight for the first time.  Wife and I went to a "farm to plate" restaurant in Indiana. 

I have two questions.  First, how does a "farm to plate" place in Indiana serve Kobe beef?  I'm not sure of the rules for the claim, but I was unaware of any slant-eyed cows being raised in the US.  I'm being facetious - looks like a great meal.

Second, and I know this is rude but how much did you pay?  I had Kobe beef [appetizer] at Nobu about 10 years ago, and I would guess it was probably $200 per pound. Can't say I remember it being any better than prime aged angus I've had at top steakhouses (maybe $40 per pound, @ $40 prepared for a 5oz filet).  IMO, if you can get aged prime/choice angus, then you pretty much can cook a steak at home that rivals anything from a top restaurant....for $10.

https://www.howmuchisit.org/how-much-does-kobe-beef-cost/

On a related note, I once had an aged angus burger [or similar]....it was double the cost of a regular burger at a restaurant.  It was good, but I wouldn't have known the difference vs. quality ground chuck from your local grocer for 1/4 the price.  And that makes sense - grinding up high grade beef is a waste.

One thing I'd never experienced until this past January was how aging changes a steak.

I'm not sure I could trust myself to let a steak age long enough at home, but MAN is it worth it.

As for price, at that same meal in January, my CEO got the A5 steak.  It was $40 per ounce which, to me, was absurd.

But you don't say that to the guy signing your paycheck.

posted by gut

I have two questions.  First, how does a "farm to plate" place in Indiana serve Kobe beef?  I'm not sure of the rules for the claim, but I was unaware of any slant-eyed cows being raised in the US.  I'm being facetious - looks like a great meal.

Second, and I know this is rude but how much did you pay?  I had Kobe beef [appetizer] at Nobu about 10 years ago, and I would guess it was probably $200 per pound. Can't say I remember it being any better than prime aged angus I've had at top steakhouses (maybe $40 per pound, @ $40 prepared for a 5oz filet).  IMO, if you can get aged prime/choice angus, then you pretty much can cook a steak at home that rivals anything from a top restaurant....for $10.

1 - Kobe raised anywhere else beside Kobe is Wagyu.  Like Champagne and sparkling wine, bourbon and whiskey, etc.

2 - It was a 5 oz. 100% Wagyu, $85.  They also had F1 (I believe was the term) hybrid that was 50/50 w/ angus and F2 that was 75/20.  Not sure of their market price.

It was very good.  Everything was very good.  It was worth the premium just to say I had it.  They have a $25 Wagyu burger that I may try the next time, or one of the hybrids.

http://josephdecuis.com

posted by ernest_t_bass

5 oz. 100% Wagyu, $85.  They also had F1 (I believe was the term) hybrid that was 50/50 w/ angus and F2 that was 75/20.  Not sure of their market price....It was worth the premium just to say I had it. 

Very nice.  I was curious.  Sounds like a terrific night.

As for the burger, you only live once...But maybe I have an undefined palette....

posted by O-Trap

... It was $40 per ounce which, to me, was absurd.

Absolutely.  Like I said, if you can buy that cut it can be just as good at home.  Aged prime/choice is usually pretty hard to find retail.

And get yourself a good grill.  High temp + a little butter plus a little bleu cheeze and that's it.

I had A5 Waygu when I was in Japan and I am afraid no steak will ever be as good.  The Japanese love to take things that other countries love and make it better.  They currently have the #1 whisky in the world. 

Surprising my dad with a trip to Cooperstown, NY for the Baseball HoF. Making it a long weekend. Only my wife, mom, and sister knows.

I have gone to the baseball HoF once back in January 2002 so it has been a long time and my dad has never gone. For as big as a baseball fan as he is, he will really enjoy this trip.

Got the HoF tickets and hotel booked, now I just have to be able to keep my mouth shut until Sept 6th when we go.

Taking our kids/grandkids to Myrtle Beach late August, staying at a resort on the beach with water park, splash pad, etc.--it's something my wife and I have wanted to do for quite a while, and we were finally able to get everyone's schedule in sync with ours to be able to make it work..needless to say, very pumped!

Our Philly/NYC trip is coming up in about a month. Really looking forward to that. 

My mom wants to go white water rafting for her 60th birthday in September, so we're trying to plan that right now. 

Heading to Vegas in early October. 

Wife and I taking kids (6 and 2) to Hocking Hills for a long weekend first weekend of August - We are excited as neither of us have ever been.  Any tips?

My best friend and I may take a little road trip in a few weeks. Not sure of destination.

3 years ago we drove from Columbus (where he lives) to Niagara Falls, upstate New York, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine, Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, and across Pennsylvania from Sunday to Wednesday. It was a fun time. Looking at a very similar trip to see different sites.

Was thinking New Orleans, but with the flooding and such, not sure about it. Now thinking about Canada and some of the UP. Open to any ideas.

New Orleans escaped most of the damages from Barry. But, I wouldn't head down there soon as it is going to be insanely hot plus it is still hurricane season through September. 

I'd vote for the UP. It is awesome up there this time of year. 

Speaking of New Orleans, my wife and I are starting to plan our five year anniversary trip down there. We are thinking of being there over Christmas to New Years, with a quick stop in Baton Rouge. We got married down there, so there is always a reason to go back and visit. 

posted by ptown_trojans_1

New Orleans escaped most of the damages from Barry. But, I wouldn't head down there soon as it is going to be insanely hot plus it is still hurricane season through September. 

I'd vote for the UP. It is awesome up there this time of year. 

 

Speaking of New Orleans, my wife and I are starting to plan our five year anniversary trip down there. We are thinking of being there over Christmas to New Years, with a quick stop in Baton Rouge. We got married down there, so there is always a reason to go back and visit. 

Had my bachelor party there last year and it was a great time.  For whatever reason, it never crossed my mind NO is a great foodie until I got there.  I highly recommend going to Peche if you get the chance.

https://www.pecherestaurant.com/

posted by like_that

Had my bachelor party there last year and it was a great time.  For whatever reason, it never crossed my mind NO is a great foodie until I got there.  I highly recommend going to Peche if you get the chance.

https://www.pecherestaurant.com/

NO is one of the best food towns in the country. Peche is on our list. We have a running list of over 25 places we have visited at or have yet to visit. 

If you do New Orleans and don’t have dinner at Cochon did you even eat in New Orleans?

posted by like_that

I had A5 Waygu when I was in Japan and I am afraid no steak will ever be as good.  The Japanese love to take things that other countries love and make it better.  They currently have the #1 whisky in the world. 

Headed to New York City in less than a month.

I feel like I should be more excited for it than I am.  It's been ten years since I've been there, and I'm sure it'll be a good time.

One thing I do definitely want to find this time around, though, is a good cigar lounge.  It's NYC; it's got to have a decent array of them, particularly in Manhattan, where I'm staying.