food – Pura Vida Journeys

Chicago Dogs, Craft Beer, and Mid-West Hospitality

Featured by Jeff Amos, posted in Beer, culture, food, Social, travel

The notes for this story were gathered in September of 2019. A time that seems so long ago as the experiences and people met for this story were curated during a pre-pandemic world. But, I along with so many others had know idea just how much our world was about to change.

In an effort to do some housekeeping on all of the places I put notes and ideas for stories, I began sifting through a myriad of journals, scraps of paper, and electronic notes. In doing so I came across my musings about Chicago and decided to resurrect this story for you. I hope you enjoy.

I have had the privilege of visiting Chicago several times and let me say, every time I am completely blown away. This is an amazing city brimming with fantastic food, a great but somewhat hidden craft beer scene, fantastic bars, beautiful parks and literally some of the nicest people I have met while traveling in a large major US city.

For me, and perhaps many others, my perception of Chicago was hot dogs with bright green relish, deep dish pizzas, and the Ell. But let me tell you, this city has so much more to offer to someone who chooses to visit.

And while this city is chock full of amazing food (seriously need to try the Italian Hot Beef sandwich from Al’s), great beers, impressive museums, gorgeous parks, and wonderful public art, the one thing that stood out for me in what is one of the largest US cities, are the people. Everyone is genuinely friendly.

So it is this friendliness, coupled with some amazing beers and bacon that I want to share with you a place that I believe embodies all things Chicago.

The Centennial Bar is nestled just off the corner of North LaSalle Drive and Superior Street. This local establishment focuses its efforts on craft beer and high quality food. Having visited twice during our time in Chicago, the Centennial came to embody what is for me a complete representation of all the wonderful things that are Chicago. Great people, great beer, and great food. Like all good discoveries, we stumbled upon this place in the never-ending quest for new beers and unique foods.

The Centennial is carved into a beautiful 4 story building that dates back to 1888 and welcomes the thirsty visitor with an exposed wood, brick and metal design that perfectly complement each other to create a welcome and relaxing vibe in which to enjoy one of the many rotating craft beers on tap or in the bottle. And if you are hungry, the food is of exceptional quality and what one would expect of a gastropub all while not being pretentious, just delicious.

Chris, the bar manager of Centennial who is just as passionate about great beers as I am and is ready and willing to help take you on your journey into delicious beers. If you are new to craft beer, Chris has an ability to help you dial in your flavors and taste to help you choose the best beers to suit your palate.

While Nikki is the kind of great server that has the gift of making you feel comfortable and welcome. Within just a few moments of meeting her we were all talking like friends. Hailing from the west coast, she has made Chicago her home as she pursues her educational endeavors. Also, if she, or anyone suggest that you order the house smoked bacon, do yourself favor and order the bacon. It really is that good and is great as a side to some of the many delicious beers available.

The genuineness of both Chris and Nikki truly embody the spirit of Chicago. So the next time you find yourself in the windy city, stop by Centennial and have a pint or two. You never know, you might just make some new friends. At the least, you will have some great beer and delicious food.

Locals and visitors enjoying the good food and beers at the Centennial Bar

Our stories, and the experiences that write them would not be what they are without the people we meet on our journeys. These once strangers act as the all important thread that holds the tapestry of our experiences together. Without the people that we meet, our travel experiences seem to be more mundane. The great food is no longer an experience, just lunch. The amazing art and architecture, just a painting or mural that we barely notice in or on a building. You see it is the people that we meet that create the connection for us to these things and allow us to truly enjoy them.

Taps just waiting to be pulled to serve a thirsty patron

As I have procrastinated on releasing this story, I know that Chris has moved on professionally, yet continues to stay in touch with the good people of the Centennial. While on the other hand, I’m not sure if Nikki is still working there or not, but because they both were such an integral part in our experience I have left them in the narrative.

Until next time, wishing everyone peace and good vibes.

Cheers!

Costa Rica ~ 200 years and Still Not an Island

December 10, 2021December 10, 2021 by Jeff Amos, posted in Uncategorized

It is no secret that I love Costa Rica and because of this I get a lot of questions about the country. What are the people like? What kind of food is there? What is it like to drive there? But mostly, I get the question, why did I choose this as “the place” that I want to move to and live in as an ex-pat (which by the way I dislike the term ex-pat, but more on that later in another story)?

When I respond, I caution the listener that their question is a loaded one and will, on my part, elicit a very detailed response that has some facts but mostly my own opinions which have been formed after having lived in and spent time in Costa Rica, both as a child and now as an adult who owns a home here. Usually, after about 10 minutes the person is either ready to go and visit or they are now regretting their question as I wax poetically on and on about the marvels that are Costa Rica. So, in an effort to answer some questions and satiate the curiosity of a few, I am going to try and distill down the reasons why I love this country in its entirety.

People are the Patches that Make Up the Quilt of a Country

I suppose, for me anyway the people have to be one of my favorite reasons for loving a place. Getting to know “the locals” as I have heard it referred to many times is a great place to start, and I highly encourage travelers or those looking to move to Costa Rica to start by befriending the people that live in the area. When a person chooses to open themselves up and become vulnerable by allowing the people of the country to be a part of their life, then their experience completely changes. Soon you will find yourself learning the places to go for everything, from the best food to the best place to see the sunset, the “locals” will embrace you with open arms if you let them. Andrea and I have made so many friends in Jaco and truly our experience here would not be the same without these amazing people in our life. We have had the privilege to get to know many people and I could write about any of them, but the two that I want to introduce you to are Adrian and Geudy, these two truly embody the ideals and spirit of Costa Rica. We have known Adrian and Geudy for almost 2 years now and we would not have the local connections and feeling of home without them. They along with Luis Torres and Melanie McAlister, Laura, Sabrina and Jaz, Ozkar, Nahuel, and so many others have invited us into there world and community with open arms and Andrea and I are thankful everyday that they are our friends who have become like family.

Our dear friends Adrian and Geudy. You can’t help but smile and be in a good mood when you are around these two guys.

If People are the Patches, then the Food is the Insulation in the Quilt of the Country

The food in Costa Rica is amazing. From the traditional casados and gallo pinto to the fusion of flavors from the immigrants over the years, the food that makes up Costa Rica is absolutely worth experiencing. My favorite way to try new food places is to find where the locals congregate and simply walk in and sit down. Is it a bit daunting to do it this way? Yes. Do people stare at you and wonder what you are doing? Sometimes. But this formula has never failed me and I am always rewarded with the most delicious food. Case in point. Near our home we have a small soda, Soda Puntu. It is quintessentially local and serves traditional foods for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. On my latest visit, I decided that it was not worth buying groceries and cooking at home since I was only going to be there for a short time. Instead, I would patronize the restaurants, bars, and small groceries in my neighborhood, Quebrada Seca. Upon sitting down, it was pretty clear I was the only one NOT fluent in Spanish. But it didn’t stop me from ordering with a smile on my face. Soon, a gentleman sat down next to me and struck up a conversation about one of the local futbol teams. I explained to him that I could speak a little Spanish, but only if he could talk a bit slower for me. He agreed, and we spent the next hour and half talking the morning away. We learned about each other. We shared stories of family. I was invited to go fishing. In the space of 90 minutes, over food and coffee, I became just a little bit more a part of the community. For those wondering, my coffee and breakfast cost me 2500 colones, approximately $3.90 US.

From top left to right: Chifrijo, Ceviche, and on the bottom a typical breakfast of gallo pinto, eggs, cheese, coffee, and juice.

If People are the Patches and Food is the Insulation, Then the Culture is the Thread of the Quilt that Holds Everything Together

Culture can be a funny thing to understand. It can be strange and sometimes scary. Why does a group of people do things in a way that seem so different to you and I? And to be fair, the culture of Costa Rica cannot be explained in this one blog entry. What I can tell you is that to understand this culture, or any new culture you must first open your heart and mind to new things. Secondly, for Costa Rica, you must understand Pura Vida. And while this phrase has come to define the country and people, I ask you to look beyond the translation, and dig just a bit deeper. When you do this, you will slowly start to unpack what it means to be a part of this amazing country. You see, Pura Vida is more than a slogan on a t-shirt or sticker. It is saying hello and goodbye. It is a response to almost any question. It is a hug and a kiss on the cheek to say hello, you are welcome here. It is what is unique about Costa Rica. It is what makes the place a joy to visit, and for us, a place to call home. Consistently, Costa Rica gets voted one of the happiest places on earth to visit and live. There is a reason for this. The People, The Food, and The Culture are just small pieces in a bigger puzzle that makes up the country of Costa Rica. This is why I have incorporated the words into the name of my blog site and Instagram. I want to always be reminded that I can live Pura Vida anywhere and anytime. As for Andrea and myself, we look forward to getting to know our new home better every day. I invite you to come and see for yourself.

Final Thoughts

I know that this short entry is not near enough to tell you about the amazing country that is Costa Rica. But, I hope it has at least piqued your curiosity. So, if you have any questions about what it is like to live or visit here, please don’t hesitate to reach out through comments or email.

Also, if you are interested in knowing more about the process of owning property in Costa Rica, I invite you to reach out to my dear friend Melanie McAlister. She is a dual citizen of both Costa Rica and the US and is a real estate agent in the Puntarenas Province area. She can be contacted at jbrealestatecostarica@gmail.com.

As always, thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and opinions. I would love to hear your comments or answer questions about this story or any other stories in my blog.

Wishing everyone peace and good vibes. Pura Vida

Tapas…a love story.

June 27, 2019June 28, 2019 by Jeff Amos, posted in food, travel

Madrid is a city that provides the traveler every opportunity to immerse themselves in the culture. From paella to tapas and Flamenco to street markets, the opportunity to fall in love with this beautiful city and its people is abundant. Oh the things you will discover when you allow yourself to get lost on the side streets and off beaten paths of Madrid. The city will open up and share with the traveler her secrets and beauty.

It has been two days since arriving in Madrid. The jet lag is subsiding, and our bodies are becoming accustomed to a much different eating schedule. It is 10:30 pm and we are scheduled to meet a couple who has agreed to show us around the city, and give us the tapas experience that only locals can provide.

Tapas are quintessential Madrid and the tapas bars in this city are too numerous to count. We begin in an area within walking distance of the famous public square, Puerta del Sol. Like many cities, there are those places that cater to the visitor, and then there are those that are favored by the local. It is in these local bars that we were fortunate to find ourselves sharing plates of olives, jamon serrano, anchovies, gulas, shrimp, morcilla, and tortilla de patatas. Of course, we washed all of this wonderful food down with glasses of local beers.

How do small, shareable plates of food that are consumed late into the evening translate into an experience worth writing about? It is in the word shareable. During our time in Spain, we shared tapas with strangers who have now become friends. In so doing, we have made our world a smaller and friendlier place. You see, during those nights we didn’t just share food and drink. We shared with each other our cultures, languages, and even a few jokes. I truly believe that if you want to get to know a place and remove cultural barriers, simply begin by sharing a meal with someone. Now when we return to Spain, we will return knowing that we can reach out and connect with our new found friends for another round of tapas.

So you are ready to travel to Madrid and eat your way across the city. Los Gatos, Cervezas La Fabrica, and La Dolores are all great places to get started. All of these are located minutes from each other and make for a great evening of tapas and beer. Lastly, throw out your hesitations, and simply order what looks good, chances are it will be delicious. Salud to you all, and if you make it there, drop me a comment or a picture of you on your tapas crawl.

“Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one’s lifetime.”
Mark Twain

London – A Truly Remarkable City

June 18, 2019June 19, 2019 by Jeff Amos, posted in food, travel

First of all, London is one of those cities everyone should visit. It is a place that seamlessly combines the old and new. And like most metropolises it caries the grit and grime of a busy city, but London’s beauty is unequivocal. There are truly so many things to see and do, and I have always said that if there was a capital city for the world, London would be the one.

London is truly a remarkable city. I had the pleasure of visiting during the Christmas and New Year celebrations and I wanted to share a few things that I think a visitor might consider while visiting London.

First, when traveling, try and walk as many places as you can. And when you can’t walk, take the public transportation options. Generally they are easy to use, affordable, and offer so many new opportunities to explore a city. London is no exception, the tube and bus options are both easy to use. You can read more about how to get and use the #oystercard here. Lastly, don’t forget to #mindthegap and look #right then left before crossing.

Of course when you walk, you are naturally taking the slowest method of transportation. And it is when you walk, that you will truly discover some of the best places. For example, one evening while walking, my wife and I noticed quite a crowd outside a smallish size restaurant. Curiosity got the best of us and we discovered what was quite literally the best fish and chips we have ever had. If you visit London, you must visit the Mayfair Chippy. Get reservations, they are always packed, we just got lucky. 😉

Pubs and Beer, this may be a future post. But for now, pubs and beer in London. The Pub or Public House has been a fixture in London for nearly as long as people have inhabited the city. London offers a wide range of variety for the thirsty traveler. When you are ready for a pint you will find an opportunity on nearly every corner. These pubs vary in that some are definitely catering to the tourist, while others are most certainly local haunts. Pick one and pop in for a pint and possibly a meal. Three pubs that I really enjoyed while visiting London fell squarely in both categories. The first was a little pub tucked away named Victoria’s. This pub located in Paddington offered coziness and quintessential pub vibes. And while it had a mixture of locals and visitors, it truly was a comfortable place with a full selection of #fullerbeers and great food. If you find yourself in London, check out Victoria’s, you won’t be disappointed. The other pub I suggest for a pint is the Ye Olde Cheshire Cheese, check them out on #tripadvisor. Now due to the historical significance and cool factor, the Cheshire Cheese fits squarely into the touristy vibe I mentioned above. But, let me qualify by saying this, Charles Dickens was known to drink here. It can be tough to get in and get a seat in the original bar area (reservations can be had) as you walk in the front door, but the pub winds itself in and around and up and down, so be patient, find a seat and have a pint. You’ll be glad you did. Towards the end of our trip, we found ourselves exploring the area near and around Parliament. As hunger and thirst rapidly approached we found ourselves staring at the Red Lion Pub on Parliament Street. Now the Fuller’s Brewery owns the current establishment, but a pub has stood at this location since 1434. The food is great (see picture below) and the atmosphere is outstanding. And with the pub’s proximity to many of England’s government offices, you never know who you might be rubbing shoulders with that day.

Having been founded in 50 AD, London is truly a historical city. And as such, has many amazing things to see and explore. From palaces to pubs and churches to cathedrals, one will not be without an opportunity to experience the historical fabric of the city. And to make this history convenient and accessible, there are a plethora of museums to visit. The most obvious museum I would recommend is the British Museum. Not only is the museum affordable (entrance is free, but they do recommend a £5 donation) it truly gives the visitor an opportunity to explore so many wonderful artifacts from around the world. Checkout the museum’s website for suggestions on what to see based on the amount of time you have. Another recommendation for a visitor to London is to tour St. Paul’s Cathedral. It is truly magnificent. The most current building was consecrated in 1697, survived the Blitz of WWII and has been the site for many historical services (Prince Charles and Princess Diana were married here). Plus if you don’t have claustrophobia and can manage the climb up the 528 winding, sometimes narrow and low steps to the top of the dome, you will have access to some of the most amazing views of the city.

Waiting in line on a chilly London day to get in to the British Museum. Worth it.
View from the dome at St. Paul’s Cathedral

One of my favorite activities while travelling is shopping at street markets, bazaars, or local antique stores. These are great places to pick up little gifts for yourself, or those back home. And one of the best street markets that I have been to is Portobello Road. One can spend hours traversing this approximately 1000 meters of antique shops, street merchants, and clothing stores. And when you are tired, find one of the local pubs I mentioned above and pop in for a pint and a refresh.

If you have been to London, you know one blog story is simply not enough to speak to all of the amazing opportunities that London holds for her visitors. I know that I will be returning many more times to try and discover more amazing adventures in this remarkable city.

Remember, go travel and explore. Not only is it good for the soul, but you can truly grow as an individual when you experience other places and other cultures. Get outside of your comfort zone, for when you do, you will find that you grow stronger.

I hope you enjoyed this short write up on London. If so, please consider subscribing below. Cheers!