Here's just one more reason I love living in Southern California: sunsets at the beach. Could it get any prettier? This was taken from the balcony of Bungalow 8 at the lovely La Valencia Hotel in La Jolla, overlooking the palm trees of La Jolla Cove. I love this old hotel as much as I love the sunset. The hotel is about to embark on a major renovation, most of which should be completed by the start of summer. Can't wait to see the upgrades. Stay tuned. 

Crispy Italian flatbread with local San Diego honey at Davanti (Brad A. Johnson)

When I lived and worked as a critic in Chicago, I always loved Mia Francesca’s, an always reliable neighborhood Italian joint. At the time, there was only one location, but it has since blossomed into a successful chain. So I was really excited when Francesca's chef/owner Scott Harris recently opened Davanti in San Diego's Little Italy. The pizzas are excellent. The pork belly, truly massive. The brussels sprouts, a revelation. But the best of all? An incredible crispy flatbread smeared with local honey. Here’s a quick look around... 

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The Grand Del Mar, San Diego (Brad A. Johnson)

When the Grand Del Mar opened in San Diego a few years ago, I didn’t love it. I thought everything felt too contrived, too set-designed, too gold-plated. Too much luxury, everywhere, over-the-top. However now that the resort has had some time to settle in and mature, I love it! Everything now makes sense.

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Damn, I wish I had thought of this first! You must watch this extraordinary journey around the world (11 countries, a terabyte of video footage) spliced into 60 one-second clips and reassembled as a truly inspirational short film that is certain to stir your wanderlust. 

 

Eastern & Orient Express (Brad A. Johnson)

The best way to experience the true soul of a place is to arrive by train. I’m reminded of this after spending several days aboard the Eastern & Oriental Express and disembarking my posh Pullman car at the dirty, chaotic platform of downtown Bangkok’s Hua Lamphong station at the height of rush hour. My senses are instantly thrust into overload. Train whistles are blowing at nearly all the 20 or so platforms. People are shouting, laughing, scrambling for luggage, rushing to climb aboard one train or another. Cars waiting in the street are honking incessantly. A chicken runs underfoot, feathers flying. A dozen young monks in bright orange robes shuffle through the station in a parallel but silent world. “Where is my valet,” I’m wondering?

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1. Pop-up restaurants are so last year. Up now: pop-up hotels! (Terminal U)
2. What really happened on Air France flight 447. (Popular Mechanics)
3. Changing trains at 200 mph without even slowing down? (Been Seen)
4. Hold on! This new plane will fly 4x faster than the Concorde! (Terminal U)

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Hanoi, Vietnam (Brad A. Johnson)

This photo of mine was originally published a couple months ago in the debut issue of Montage magazine, for which I was selected to write the back page article called Wanderlust. I shot this in an alley behind the Hilton after spending half the day being wheeled around the city in a rickshaw. Here's more or less what I wrote about this photo and why I travel: 

My rickshaw driver is peddling fast. The wind feels cool upon my face in the sweltering heat of Hanoi. In the breeze, I smell what can only be fatty pork sausages smoldering atop a charcoal fire. “Slow down a second,” I say, perking up from a half-slumber.

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Coral Grill at Viceroy Riviera Maya (Brad A. Johnson)

Truly great Mexican food is oddly difficult to find in Playa del Carmen, the hub of Mexico’s beautiful Riviera Maya. You can find a great (or at least very good) Italian restaurant on nearly every corner and inside most hotels (a story on that coming soon). But Mexican? The good stuff’s here, but the best places aren’t so obvious. These are the Top 10.

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Afternoon tea at Hong Kong's Landmark Mandarin Oriental (Brad A. Johnson)

There are two ways to take afternoon tea in Hong Kong—both revered, both steeped in tradition, but with a different culture and practice. And while one is flourishing, the other is fading. 

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Medium-rare filet mignon and whipped potatoes on Singapore Airlines (Brad A. Johnson)

I eat a lot of meals on airplanes, and while some airlines get worse and worse, others just keep getting better. The food on Cathay Pacific was always excellent this year (especially the duck noodle soup in the middle of the night). As were a couple of meals aboard Iberia, where the Spanish wine and cheese service was truly outstanding. But the best of the best for 2011 goes to... Singapore Airlines. It was like dining in a restaurant. 

Hong Kong, Los Angeles, Madrid, Singapore, Hangzhou, Playa del Carmen... a world of amazing meals. And here are the 20 best dishes of the year...

Tuna crudo with tomato granita at Cocina de Autor, Playa del Carmen (Brad A. Johnson)

1. Cocina de Autor, Playa del Carmen
Albacore tuna crudo with tomato granita, soy sponge, guacamole, cactus and cucumber. Grand Velas Resort. Carretera Cancun 62, Playa del Carmen, Mexico (866) 230-7221

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Clockwise from top left: The Eveleigh, Baco Mercat, Lukshon, Next Door by Josie

Wow, what a year! Japanese kaiseke, American gastropubs, Southeast Asian flair, smart molecular gastronomy, a kick-ass brunch and a fabulous return to glamour—2011 proved to be a terrific year for new restaurants in Los Angeles. Rising stars like The Spice Table's Bryant Ng and Night + Market's Kris Yenbamroong went head-to-head with seasoned heavyweights such as Wolfgang Puck and Josie Le Balch. With so many outstanding choices this year, narrowing the year's best new restaurants to a list of merely 20 was difficult. But here it is. 

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Rome, Italy (Brad A. Johnson)

I was walking down the street in Rome, Italy, when I saw this scene. I laughed outloud.The people looked like giants next to the tiny car. And the car's been through hell and back, as if it were a toy Matchbox car. I also love the way the sky was reflecting off the blue paint. Sigh. I love Rome.

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Torta de carnitas at Takoba (Brad A. Johnson)

Austin is probably the most interesting dining city in Texas right now, and here are my 10 favorite places to eat for everything from old-school barbecue brisket and Tex-Mex to new-style, slow-roasted goat, sublime sushi and, well, the fine art of porch sitting. 

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Fairmont Mayakoba (Brad A. Johnson)

Mayakoba Resort near Playa del Carmen in Mexico’s Riviera Maya has just won two of the world’s most prestigious honors for its commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism. 

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