Susan Manlin Katzman | Sweet Leisure

Author Archives Susan Manlin Katzman

Mandarin Oriental Paris

Today is my birthday. I wish I were in Paris. More precisely, I wish I were in Paris staying at the Mandarin Oriental Paris—a celebration hotel if ever there was one. Unlike other Paris five stars, which can be elegant to the point of stuffy, the Mandarin creates an atmosphere of luxury gift wrapped with […]

TRAVEL TIPS FROM DEBBI KICKHAM

Debbi Karpowicz Kickham knows all about the good and beautiful life. As a travel journalist she crisscrosses the globe writing about fabulous places for top-drawer publications. Debbi racks up more credits than most accomplished women, but not content to rest on her list of achievements, she keeps adding to the mix. For example, she founded […]

¶ Posted 04 September 2013 § AIRLINES § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: Debbi Kickham, Tips for Travel

WEDGE SALAD FROM FLEMINGS STEAKHOUSE AND WINE BAR

This is not an advertisement. Or maybe it sort of is. I just had a wonderful prime rib Sunday night supper at Flemings Steakhouse and Wine Bar in St. Louis—taking advantage of a summer promotion that offered three courses (plus a side dish rich enough to feed a family of four) for $29. My […]

¶ Posted 23 August 2013 § RESTAURANTS § SALADS ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: Blue Cheese Dressing, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, Wedge Salad

BEST LITTLE ROCK RESTAURANTS

One of Kat Robinson’s business cards states that she is a writer, storyteller and idea generator. Another says that she serves as Communications Manager of Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism. I am sure Kat owns even more cards, because it’s hard to sum up the career of this creative, talented woman on two […]

¶ Posted 16 August 2013 § ARKANSAS § BOOKS § DESSERTS § LITTLE ROCK § RESTAURANTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off °

Ten Secrets to Enjoying Secrets Huatulco

Brochures tout the suites, pools, restaurants, beach and spa of Secrets Huatulco, an all-inclusive resort in Huatulco, Mexico, but previews don’t/can’t paint the whole picture. As we’ve happily been there, done that, we are supplementing the marketing information with our own ten little secrets to getting the most from a Secrets vacation. Read on: 1. […]

¶ Posted 05 August 2013 § ACCOMMODATIONS § HUATULCO § MEXICO § RESORTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: Amstar, Apple Vacations, Camaron Gigante, chapulines, CHOCOLATE, Conejos Bay, El Sabor de Oaxaca, Huatulco, Las Crucesitas, Mezcal, Oaxaca, Pluma Hidalgo, Secrets, Tangolunda Bay

PINEAPPLE SHRIMP FROM EL CAMARON GIGANTE

Take a poll and most people familiar with Mexico’s Bahías de Huatulco (a tourist development on the Pacific Coast of the state of Oaxaca) will say Maguey Bay sports the most popular beach. On weekends, particularly, the beach fills with playful locals as well as vacationers who to come to swim, sun, snorkel, relax and […]

¶ Posted 31 July 2013 § HUATULCO § MEXICO § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS ‡ Comments Off ° Tagged: Bahias de Huatulco, El Camaron Gigante, Maguey Bay, Mexico, Oaxaca, Santa Cruz Bay, shrimp

World’s Best Carrot Cake

“Sweet” is not an adjective I would apply to Dolores Roux. “Energetic,” “outspoken,” “generous” seem more fitting descriptors. Yet, sweet is a word inseparable from Dolores as she owns and runs the well-loved Dolores’ Sweet Shoppe in Apalachicola, Florida. Located in the heart of downtown, the shop occupies a white frame house that was built […]

¶ Posted 18 July 2013 § APALACHICOLA § DESSERTS § FLORIDA § RECIPES § RESTAURANTS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off °

SPA, BELGIUM

WHAT TO DO In the beginning (in a wooded valley of the Ardennes mountain chain in what is today eastern Belgium) water sprang forth from the earth. The water produced in the cluster of springs was far from ordinary. People believed it to be imbued with healing powers. Soon a village formed around the […]

¶ Posted 12 July 2013 § ACCOMMODATIONS § BELGIUM § RESTAURANTS § SPA § SPAS § TRAVEL ‡ Comments Off °

RED WINE SANGRIA

One sip is worth a thousand words. Nothing more to say. SWEET LEISURE SANGRIA Yield: 4 to 6 servings. 1 large orange, sliced 1 large lemon, sliced 1/4 to 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water 750ml bottle or about 4 cups dry red wine (“value” wine will do—no need for the big-buck stuff) […]

¶ Posted 02 July 2013 § BEVERAGES § COCKTAILS § RECIPES ‡ Comments Off °

SAXON HOTEL and recipes for MUSHROOM SAUCE, AVOCADO SALSA AND TOMATO GINGER CHUTNEY

What do Bill Clinton, Justin Bieber, Oprah Winfrey and Mick Jager have in common? All stayed at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg and for good reason. The one-of-a-kind property epitomizes luxury, security, service and quite pizzazzy comfort. The Saxon claims a pedigreed location, sequestered in the city’s upscale Sandhurst neighborhood. Grand estates, each and every […]