Bites of Boston: The Sweet & Savory South End Walking Food Tour

Over the course of our 3-hour guided tour, you’ll sample scrumptious food from neighborhood restaurants, cafes and specialty food stores while learning about the foods you are tasting and the people who make them. You’ll also experience the local culture as we stroll the neighborhood streets, visiting sites of historical and architectural interest. The casual pace makes this walking food tour appropriate for all ages and fitness levels.

Delicious Food Tastings – The Sweet and Savory South End Walking Food Tour takes place in Boston’s historic South End neighborhood. You’ll taste local favorites from 6 South End eateries including award-winning pizza, a creatively concocted cookie, and the iconic New England fried clam, to name a few. You’ll also learn how these local establishments came to be, who owns them and some fun and interesting stories they have to share. The food sampled on the tour is included in the price of your ticket and is enough for a satisfying lunch. Tasting Locations are listed and described below.

Neighborhood Nourishment – On top of delicious food tastings, you’ll also enjoy a hearty helping of historical, architectural and cultural information about the South End neighborhood.  You’ll see some beautifully planned Victorian bowfront communities, learn about the cultural development of the area, and hear some fascinating facts about some of the South End’s sites and famous residents. Our Sweet & Savory South End Walking Food Tour is full of food, facts, and fun!

Delicious food specialties are served on the South End Food Tour (subject to change):

• Parish Cafe American restaurant featuring sandwiches created by renowned Boston chefs (Est. 1992)
• Orinoco Kitchen A Latin kitchen inspired by family-run Venezuelan eateries (Est. 2003)
• Flour Bakery Popular local bakery and cafe with mouth-watering pastries and delicious sandwiches (Est. 2000)
• Morse Fish Company Boston’s oldest fish market (Est. 1903)
• South End Formaggio Purveyor of fine meats, cheeses, wines and specialty products (Est. 1999)
• The Upper Crust Pizzeria Award-winning pizzeria serving gourmet thin-crust pizza (Est. 2001)

When: Wednesday/Thursday – Sunday, April through November
Time: Tours depart daily at 12noon and last 3 hours
Price: $48 Adult | $35 Child (Ages 12 and under) +tax

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Tour de Food: Davidson, North Carolina

Take a tour of Davidson. A quaint little town full of history and rich in flavor. We will start our tour at the Old Cotton Mill now known as The Brick House Tavern found at 209 Delburg St. From there we will wind our way through historical Davidson down Main St, stopping at 6-7 different restaurants from upscale dining to the soda shop along the way. We will sample some of the finest culinary delights these establishments have to offer paired with dynamic beer and wines at a few stops. You will get to meet the owners and chefs for a very personal experience unlike any other.

Come see how innovative these independently owned restaurants can turn farm fresh food into the most delectable dishes. Eat Drink Walk with us through Davidson.

Our participating establishments:

Davidson Beverage Company

Brickhouse Tavern

Flatiron Kitchen & Taphouse

Toast

Restaurant X

Soda Shop

Campania

More info and reservations

Miami Culinary Tours: South Beach Food Tour

 

Experience a Fun and Engaging Architectural, Historical & Culinary Walking Tour – With a Pronounced Cultural Aspect. From five-star gourmet to hole-in-the-wall delicious, if you really want to get a taste of Miami’s melting-pot with its predominate Latin and European influences, join us as we’ll uncover the hotspots for Ceviche, authentic Empanadas, true French Lobster Bisque, the classic Cuban sandwich, Pisco Sour and so much more.

We bring together people from all over the world to bond in the common interest of great culinary findings. This tour is a “melting pot of cultures” and we’ll be sitting down at half of the restaurants we visit – and savor different bites standing and on the go. At the South Beach Food Tour, we will show you the hidden treasures inside the beating heart of the beach.

FOOD STOPS

• ARTISANAL COLOMBIAN CUISINE: Savor a golden corn crust filled with bold Columbian flavors in a unique handmade empanada. Feast on tender slow-cooked meat bursting with tradition and perched above a crunchy plantain. A cooling Columbian beer cocktail enhances the experience at a local gem labelled ‘Best Colombian Restaurant in Miami Beach’ by the Sun Post
• A DISTINGUISHED FRENCH CLASSIC: Indulge in a demi-tasse of decadent lobster bisque executed by one of the few true French born and trained chefs in South Beach, while surrounded by a dazzling decor depicting a scene from the famed movie The Birdcage.
• A STAPLE OF ARGENTINA: A third-generation bakery crafts a delicate pillow of shredded chicken with spices folded into the family’s famous buttery, flaky dough. Variations include fish, chorizo and vegetarian (lunch tour).
• TRADITIONAL AND ELEVATED PERUVIAN: Experience a refreshing, piquant ceviche, balancing our bounty of local seafood with exotic Peruvian ingredients, followed with the Asian-Peruvian fusion that is chaufa. Sit back and sip on a lip-tingling pisco sour partnered with a refined causa crowned with sauteed shrimp by acclaimed chef Diego Pilares.
• A TASTE OF OLD HAVANA: Take comfort from Food Network’s Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarin’s exquisite twist on the Cuban medianoche. (lunch tour). Enjoy the local ambiance, relaxing in a beloved South Beach institution, while devouring a classic Cuban sandwich (dinner tour). Perk up with a Miami staple, the cafe Cubano, brewed the traditional way at this ventanita for thirty-four years.
• A JEWISH INSPIRED TREAT: A delectable and dainty sweet from a historic delicatessen that is a must-visit for any foodie on the Beach.
• AUTHENTIC ITALIAN: The finest Italian ingredients melt languidly in the mouth with award-winning gelato – rightfully winning title of “Best Gelato in Miami” by The New Times.

PRICE: $59 per person (includes all food and beverages)
LUNCH TOUR: Daily at 12:00 pm  Book Now
DINNER TOUR: Daily at 6:00 pm  Book Now
FOOD STOPS: 7-8  food stops with tastings at each location.
MEETING POINT: South Beach (two blocks from Ocean Drive, exact location disclosed with ticket purchase).
DURATION: 2 1/2 hours
WALKING DISTANCE: One mile of leisurely strolling with plenty of seated restaurant breaks and stops covering the unique history and fun local facts.
WHO: all ages and fitness level.
DRESS: wear comfortable shoes and elastic pants (just kidding)

More info and reservations

 

Eating Ashville: Downtown Walking Food Tour

Hungry for a taste of Asheville, but don’t know where to start? Join our Asheville Tour as we explore downtown’s culinary scene. Eating Asheville’s walking food tour leads you through an orchestration of the finest and most delicious sights and tastes that the city has to offer. Join us for an Asheville tour of the city’s unique food culture. You’ll visit 5 to 7 restaraunts, enough for lunch. We support independently owned restaurants. All of our partner restaurants implement a “farm to table” concept, supporting our local family farms, thus keeping the food fresh, amazing, and local! See examples of restaurants visited here.

What to Expect: Our 2.5 hour guided food tasting and cultural tour combines delicious food and drink tastings with some serious fun in historic Downtown Asheville. Our tours are truly educational and delectable! Our tours run several days a week from 2-4:30. Advanced tickets are required. Eating Asheville tours serves enough food for most guests, lunch afterwards is not necessary. You can expect numerous small offerings at 6-9 stops.

Price: The ticket cost of $47 is all inclusive.

More info and reservations

Yummy Walks: Boston North End Little Italy Food Tour

In the North End, the streets are narrow and compact, and there is history – Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house, burial grounds – seemingly around every corner. The neighborhood is packed with restaurants, virtually all of them Italian, and the locals carefully maintain their deeply-rooted ties to Italian culture.

This is the oldest urban neighborhood in America. The air is fragrant with the fresh ocean breeze and scents of coffee houses, bakeries, and restaurants, as we wind our way through the scenic narrow streets.

Our friendly and engaging guides will take you to several North End venues where you will have an opportunity to sample delectable foods and meet those who craft these culinary delights. Along the way, you will learn about the colorful history of the North End.

We visit food shops, restaurants and bakers. Best of all you’ll meet the people whose families have traded in the area for generations and still produce wonderful food. And we also meet those bringing new international tastes and food ideas to the table.

Our gentle stroll has lots of stops with frequent, generous tastings along the way. We point out good places for lunch or dinner, though after all the tastings it’s very unlikely you’ll need lunch.

Soak in the history and culture of the North End and enjoy delicious foods in this historic neighborhood while on our Food Tours in Boston!

Even if you think you know Boston, our Food Tours in Boston will show you food establishments you’ve never noticed before.

Yummy Walks’ North End Little Italy Food Tour is a leisurely-paced walking tour that carves a path through the streets of the charming North End.

In the North End, the streets are narrow and compact, and there is history – Old North Church, Paul Revere’s house, burial grounds – seemingly around every corner. The neighborhood is packed with restaurants, virtually all of them Italian, and the locals carefully maintain their deeply-rooted ties to Italian culture.

On this tour, you will:

• Visit several shops in the North End.
  
• Sample delectable foods from food shops, restaurants and bakeries.
• Go behind the scenes and meet the bakers, chefs, and families who have worked in the area for generations and still produce wonderful food!
• Visit newer establishments and meet those who are bringing new international tastes and food ideas to the table.
• Learn about the colorful history of the North End from our friendly and engaging guides.

Boston’s North End is the oldest urban neighborhood in America. As we wind our way through the scenic narrow streets, you’ll find the air is fragrant with the fresh ocean breeze and scents of coffee houses, bakeries, and restaurants.

Our gentle stroll has lots of stops with frequent, generous servings of food along the way. We point out good places for lunch or dinner, though after the tour, it’s very unlikely you’ll be hungry.

Some of the foods you may enjoy include:

• Pastas
• Cheeses
• Italian meats
• Brick-oven pizza
• Freshly made cannolis

Soak in the history and culture of the North End and enjoy delicious foods in this historic neighborhood while on our Food Tour in Boston!

Meeting Location

North End/Little Italy (Boston, MA) (Exact meeting location details will be provided immediately upon purchase of tickets.)

 More info and reservations

Yummy Walks: Foods of the Freedom Trail Tour – Boston

Nothing tops the Boston Freedom Trail as an introduction to the history and popular sites of Boston. This walk will take you past 14 significant landmarks, every one an authentic American treasure. You will see churches, cemeteries and meeting halls while getting to know about the Boston Common, the North End and other unique neighborhoods. So put on your walking shoes and explore Boston’s past. Its fun and entertaining- its American history but not the same old story….

Our Foods of the Freedom Trail Yummy Walk will explore the Freedom Trail sites from the Boston Common to the Old North Church and taste typical New England cuisine as its been revolutionized for today’s Bostons food scene.

A Brief Culinary History of Boston

You are probably aware of the nickname “Beantown”, because from the earliest days Boston has been awash in molasses to convert to rum as a result of the triangular trade route between the West Indies, Boston, and West Africa. They cooked the beans in molasses and this important staple was sold by the bite, or number of spoonfuls of beans available.

Its only fitting that one of the nations most historic towns would possess an intriguing food history. At the beginning of the 18th century, Boston didn’t have a central marketplace, so vendors pushed carts through town selling local fare such as seafood, wild game, fowl, apples, nuts, berries, and onions. Cooking traditions were based on those of English and Irish immigrants, featuring plenty of stews, roasts, preserved meats, biscuits, and puddings. North American regional foods such as corn, squash, beans, and potatoes were introduced to the local cuisine.

Faneuil Hall, built in 1742, served as a marketplace for fresh goods as well as an area for public congregation. The region became important for trading, farming, and fishing. By the 19th century, traditional Bostonian dishes such as baked beans slow-cooked with molasses, deep-fried batter-dipped clams, and creamy clam chowder (which got its start as a working-class, one-pot meal for New England fishermen) began to appear on dinner tables.

During your 3-hour Food Tour you will learn about the history and culture of the neighborhood while tasting delicious food specialties representative of the area.  We’ll take you past 14 significant landmarks on this tour including:

• The Boston Common – America’s oldest public park
• Massachusetts State House
• Granary Burial Ground
• Kings Chapel
• Old South Meeting House
• The “Old” State House
• Quincy Market and Faneuil Hall
• The North End
• Paul Revere House
• Old North Church

As we follow the Freedom Trail to the Old North Church, we visit several restaurants & shops and serve generous portions of foods that are iconic in Boston. Our gentle stroll has lots of stops with frequent, servings of food along the way. We point out good places for lunch or dinner, though after the tour, it’s very unlikely you’ll be hungry. Some of the foods you may enjoy include:

• Lobster Bisque
• Boston Baked Beans
• Boston Cream Pie cupcakes
• Other delicious foods reflecting the Italian heritage of the North End

So put on your walking shoes, loosen your belt, and explore Boston’s past and its tastes! It’s fun and entertaining…it’s American history but not the same old story….

Duration: 3 hours

Cost: $55

More info and reservations

Local Roots Food Tours: Origins of Sacramento Food Tour

The Origins of Sacramento Walking Food and Cultural Tour is our newest addition.  This tour explores the very beginnings of Sacramento,  from Sutter’s colony Nueva Helvecia to the Fabulous Forties, with tastings of the best dishes the immigrants brought with them.  You’ll learn about how the many diverse groups forged our great city and created its agricultural dominance.

Participants enjoy a 3  hour, 2.5 mile flat walking route past historical national landmarks, gorgeous mission style churches and famed architecture throughout period neighborhoods.  Liberally sprinkled among these sites are ethnic eateries that echo the region’s diversity.  Come taste Sacramento’s amazing authentic foods hailing from far flung lands such as Spain, Czechoslovakia, Turkey, and China’s Szechuan province.

Our Origins of Sacramento Food Tour finds us meandering through two very historical but popular neighborhoods; Midtown’s Sutter District and East Sacramento’s Fabulous Forties.  Stroll under tree-lined streets while you explore hidden gem eateries.  Meet the talented and passionate chefs while sampling their creations….a foodie’s dream come true!  Local Roots Food Tours limits each group to 16 individuals to keep the experience small and intimate; each tour is narrated by our trained guides.  Special dietary needs can be met with prior notice.  Private group tours are available by reservation.

Typical tastings on our tour:

• Grilled Polenta Triangle w/ fresh basil marinara sauce
• Handmade Shrimp and Shitake Dumplings
• Orange Blossom Cocktail
• Baby spinach, artichokes, chicken & feta cheese pizza
• Refreshing Pilsner Urquell from Czech Republic
• Stuffed Date w/ goat cheese and pancetta
• Dungeness crab cakes w/cayenne pepper aoili & red pepper sauce
• Death by Chocolate Cupcake

More info

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Culinary Escapes: True Downtown Dining, Detroit, MI

Indulge yourself in the flavors and history of Detroit’s downtown. Experience and rediscover the foods and restaurants of the renaissance city. Featuring:

An Eclectic Irish Pub

An old school smokehouse

Soulfood with a twist

Small bites, big flavor

Steeped in traditions of Italy

Celebrate authentic Cuban cuisine

A taste of Americana

Price: $47 per person

Dates: Alternating Saturdays

More info and reservations

Local Roots Food Tours: City of Trees Food Tour, Sacramento, CA

Join us on a 3 hour guided culinary walking adventure (90% in the shade with air conditioned stops) that walks you through one of Northern California’s most popular destinations. Learn what continues to make Sacramento a unique and delicious city, one taste at a time.

Explore tree-lined side streets, Italianate mansions, historical neighborhood districts and great restaurants all set within a beautiful Northern Sierras backdrop. Our three-hour City of Trees Capitol Culinary & Cultural Walking Tour will let you see California’s State Capitol city in a whole new light. Get an insiders look at the can’t-miss eateries and restaurants that only the locals are lucky enough to know about — until now.

By touring the city on foot, whether a visitor or a resident of Sacramento, uncover the hidden gem restaurants and establishments that you just don’t see driving by. Get tidbits of Sacramento’s history while tasting the scrumptious foods that make Sacramento’s culinary scene a regional treasure. Our walking tour led by our culinary tour guides, City of Trees, takes you into the heart of Sacramento’s historical neighborhoods and past our beautiful State Capitol. You’ll learn where our state politicians and local foodies dine, taste farm fresh ingredients that inspire local chefs, and explore beautiful mansions and their architectural history. This tour takes you on a gastronomic adventure off the beaten path.

Typical tastings on our tour:

• Fresh farm raised fish taco with tomatillo salsa paired with local wine
• Authentic Mexican meatball soup with fresh corn tortillas
• Organic, fresh fruit smoothie loaded with vitamins and antioxidants
• French Toast Sandwich with Maple Creme Filling
• Handmade butternut squash ravioli with marsala cream sauce and balsamic glaze
• Locally made Italian Gelato……Honey lavender or nutella white chocolate!
• Cappuccino brownie with cinnamon cream cheese filling

Price: $50.00 – $58.00

More info and reservations

Gianni’s Italy: Food Adventure in Emilia Romagna

Every year, Gianni takes a food pilgrimage to Italy. In the past, he’s met up with groups of friends and led them on culinary adventures through various regions, opening  up local worlds of Italian culture that are often unavailable to the common tourist.

This year, he’s inviting you to join him. In partnership with Vanessa DellaPasqua, an Italian native living in California, he’s designed an 8-day trip to the culinary heart of Italy that includes all lodging and in-country transportation, plus hands-on cooking instruction, and cultural exploration to activate all your senses.

It’s limited to 20 people to keep it intimate. Some of the things you’ll experience during your voyage:

• Learn pasta-making from a real Sfoglina, a dying breed of dedicated pasta wizards.
• Hunt wild mushrooms in the Apennine mountains.
• Witness the creation of oils, cheeses, and balsamic vinegars at their sources.
• Explore medieval villages and lesser-known food markets for vegetables, meats, and fish.

Day-by-Day Itinerary, 2011 Tour

Sunday, September 25 – Arrival

Gianni and Vanessa will pick you up at Bologna International Airport at 5 p.m. Our luxury bus will take us to our first stop, Cesenatico, on the Adriatic Coast of Emilia-Romagna.

Cesenatico is a quaint but prosperous town frequented primarily by Italians, Europeans, and lovers of gastronomic delights. It was born as a harbor, with a centrally located canal designed by Leonardo Da Vinci in 1502.

You’ll stay at Hotel Sirena, a family-run 4-star hotel where you’ll be welcomed as family. Enjoy a traditional Italian fish dinner and meet your fellow tour members.

Monday, September 26 – Pasta Making

After breakfast we will head to Villa Delle Rose, the renovated traditional farmhouse where we will be taking our first cooking class, making homemade pasta from scratch the traditional Romagna way.

We’ll learn about Tortellini, Lasagne, and Strozzapreti from the family’s Sfoglina, the pasta dough maker. This is a traditional Romagna job role, and the Sfoglina does nothing but make pasta for the family. (It is said the person needs the arm of a bodybuilder in order to handle the rolling pin properly.) The fact that in Romagna there is a special word to describe the person carrying out this activity indicates that this job is crucial. But, sadly, it is also disappearing, so this is a true treat.

Lunch will be served during the class and consist of the pasta we prepare together.

Later, we head to Forlimpopoli to explore a culinary compass of Italy’s epicurean traditions – Casa Artusi, home of the museum of Italian home cooking.

In 1891, Pellegrino Artusi, a native of Romagna, wrote the very first comprehensive Italian cookbook, Science in the Kitchen and the Art of Eating Well.  Artusi’s book dignified home cooking and promoted the importance of local food resources. The museum has a restaurant where we will enjoy a typical Romagna dinner.

Tuesday September 27 – Fish and Cheese

Morning starts in Cesenatico’s fish market, along the Leonardo Da Vinci-designed harbor. We’ll explore the fish selection, the fish auction, and the Conserve – the ice pits used for fish preservation before the advent of modern refrigeration. Afterwards, Chef Roberto shares his secrets and we’ll lunch on the fish he prepares.

Later in the afternoon we visit Sogliano al Rubicone, the homeland of formaggio di fossa, a local sheep cheese left to season in pits dug out of the soil. We’ll tour Santarcangelo di Romagna, a beautiful medieval town.

We dine at the renowned La Sangiovesa restaurant, a true Romagna Osteria housed in the stables of an ancient noble palace. Fellini designed their logo. We start with piadina, a local flatbread served with salumi, and move on to more Romagna specialties.

Wednesday September 28 – Mushroom Hunting and the Apennines

We’re up early, and head to Portico di Romagna for a mushroom excursion in the Apennines. We’ll hunt for porcini mushrooms, the prized Italian varietal – hiking will be involved. Enjoy your picnic lunch al fresco before heading back to Portico for a leisurely afternoon exploring this small medieval town and its charming stoned pathways and ancient bridge. Later we will enjoy the expertise of the family of Signora Marisa and prepare a mushroom-based dinner that we will enjoy together in the beautiful arched dining room of Il Vecchio Convento.

Thursday September 29 – Olive Oil

After breakfast we head to Brisighella, just a few miles North of Portico at the Apennine foothills. Brisighella is a medieval town famous in Italy for its high quality extra virgin olive oil production.  We experience an olive oil tasting (and shopping), and then we’ll have lunch in the town center. After lunch we will make our way toward Bologna, Italy’s good food capital.

Friday September 30 – Parmigiano and Balsamic Vinegar

We take off bright and early and head to Parma for a tour of an artisanal Parmesan cheese producer and see a wheel of Parmigiano cheese being made. We lunch in the center of Parma.

On our way back to Bologna we stop in Modena and tour Acetaia Malpighi, a traditional balsamic vinegar producer. We learn all the rules for making a great traditional balsamic vinegar.

Saturday October 1 – Market and Bologna

For our final full day of activities we explore Bologna: From the markets in the heart of old downtown, to lunch at Tamburini with Mortadella and crescente, we will experience food in ways that you might have thought had disappeared! You’ll get some time to shop around town before our cooking class in the afternoon preparing traditional dishes and enjoying dinner with a typical Bologna feast!

Sunday October 2 – Departures

After breakfast, the shuttle will take you to the Bologna International Airport for your return flight.

More info and reservations