Our travel correspondent, Marsh Mallow (aka marsh-n-mallow), has had the exquisite luxury of enjoying edible yummies all over the planet. She is particularly seduced by appearances. While she could be accused of being superficial, her underlying demand for high quality is ever-present in her cuisine and beverage critiques. Asked about her most memorable meal? Hmmm...was it the lobster-filled tortellini in Eze Village, the succulent goulash served at the foot of Bierstadt mountain, or the blackberry cobbler with handpicked berries from the Scottish Highlands? Ahhh...it was her first night in Shenzhen and the hosts were taking her party out for an authentic Chinese welcome dinner. The chickens passed on the way in appeared later on her plate, heads and all. Juices were oozing out of the select meats, swirling in broths, vegetables of all sorts spun around the middle of the circular table, and light beer never tasted so refreshing. Shrimp eyes stared up blankly like peppercorns. Did this qualify as yummy? No, but certainly unforgettable. And a drink to remember? (Or was it so good that it brought upon the state of being forgotten.) It was a hot chocolate with Bailey's, found in an anonymous cafe in Edinburgh during the Fringe festival. The creaminess, the smoothness, the melt down your mouth full, rich, flavor screamed OH YES MY GOD MARSH MY MALLOW with every sip. Now who it was shared with is a different story...

Recent Articles by marsh-n-mallow:

• Fondue at the Swiss Haven Restaurant 1.8.08
  

  In recent years, chocolate fondue has emerged as a popular dessert item or party feature. I have often been unimpressed by the whole chocolate fondue experience. The chocolate is usually too weak, the utensils are inadequately sized, and/or the dipping items are unappealing (e.g., boring canned fruit, overly dried morsels of cake, or [...]

• Dutch mint tea 1.7.08
  

  Ever wonder what it would be like to sip tea steeped straight from the leaves?

  In Amsterdam they only serve you mint tea with fresh leaves, sugar optional on the side.  The leaves steep for a few minutes in boiling water.  I recommend leaving them in for the whole sipping experience, although you might find it [...]

• Santa cookies 1.1.08
  

  A family tradition.  If you feel like spending thirty minutes per cookie and seeing it eaten in three quick bites, this one is for you.

  Seriously, who can resist the coconut beard, raisin eyes, and rosy cheeks?  Take it as a compliment when you see your guests chomping into these santa heads.  But do be forewarned [...]