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Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Irish Daily Mirror
We struck Gold on this visit to US state – and you should too
It has been 25 years since I visited the States and the last time I was in America, I was getting a selfie with Minnie Mouse at Disney World in Florida. So what better way to reintroduce America to me as an adult than to head for California's Tuolumne County – the heart of Gold Country where thriving Gold Rush towns put the region on the map. Here, you'll meet real life cowboys and cattle ranchers. Sadly, none I could take home to mum. After 10 hours on an Aer Lingus flight direct from Dublin to San Francisco, we travel around three hours to Sonora, the largest town in Tuolumne County. This quaint town offers a glimpse into the past with their preserved saloons, historic buildings and museums. Our first stop is bedtime. We arrived at The Inn on Knowles Hill, a gorgeous boutique bed and breakfast hotel overlooking the town of Sonora. It's been 14 hours since I last saw Ireland and I was looking forward to my bed. We were immediately greeted by owner Rhonda Buess, who runs this charming hotel with her vintage car obsessed husband couple have been married since 1992 and have spent over $1M renovating The Inn on Knowles Hill - and boy, does it show. The Inn is 12,500 square feet of home away from home. I've never slept in a bed with the softest of pillows and the most comfortable mattress. It was so big, I joked I'd need a ladder to climb in. After a peaceful night's sleep, it was time for breakfast. But this was no grab and go situation – I was in America now. For every guest, Rhona prepares a two-course breakfast that sets you up for the day. For our first course, Rhonda served us organic bosc pear poached in cardamom spice, filled with vanilla bean creme with raspberry coulis and toasted almonds. Our second course arrives – Aebleskivers (Danish pancakes) served traditionally with raspberry jam and Chantilly cream. The dish was accompanied with Knowles Hill eggs florentine, a recipe designed at The Inn and some turkey bacon. The food isn't the only thing that kept us talking on our trip – The Inn is steeped in history. Rhonda tells me: "The house was built in 1927 for a Swedish man called Charles Segerstrom. He had stock in the West in a lumber company. He was president of Royal Bank. He had hotels in San Francisco, but his primary money making was from mining.' Rhonda explains that each of the eight rooms at The Inn are all named after the famous people who have stayed there, including President Herbert Hoover, Supreme Court Justice, Earl Warren, Helen Keller, Ruth Bryan Owen and Melvin Belli. 'We've even had Motley Crew," she boasted. Most people who buy a hotel nowadays want to modernise it – but Rhonda and Fred wanted to restore it back to the roaring 20s. They are the third owners and bought the house in 2005. The previous owners had decorated it hot pink. "We opened in 2012. It took about seven years to get ourselves established.' Guests are not only treated to Rhonda's excellent cooking skills but they will also be accompanied by Fred downtown in one of his vintage cars. He owns several vintage Rolls Royce's which he proudly shows off out the front of this charming must stay hotel. After a peaceful night's sleep, we took a trip to Railtown 1897 State Historic Park where we met train enthusiast Daniel train station welcomed the first steam train back in 1897 to crowds of 5,000 and is a hit with fourth graders on school tours. From April until October, the train station runs excursion train rides as well as The Polar Express, which runs in November and December and "always sells out," said Daniel. The station was also home to some of Hollywood's 200 famous films, including High Noon, Back To The Future III and Petticoat Junction. 'Locomotive No.3 is by far the most famous here. She's been in more movies and TV shows than in Hollywood. Hollywood loved it. It has a classic style and it's cute. Sonora is also home to Columbia's State Historic Park, which is another hit with kids. But for the adults too, the western themed town features plenty of restaurants and bars to keep cool from the Californian sun. After digging for some gold at Columbia, thirsty travellers can head to Indigeny Reserve to sample some cider from the local sits on a stunning 160-acre preserve and apple orchard and is a hit with locals, especially on Valentine's Day. Our tour guide Cassandra takes us through the fruits of their labour from this family run business, which employs just 12 people, and was started by retired couple Jay and Judy Watson. Cassandra brings us through the process of harvesting the apples from their 30,000 trees. 'When we are harvesting our apples, we are harvesting over 52 varieties. 'Each year is different, depending on the seasons, whether we get a lot of water, whether our blossoms did great that year, we can range about 300,000 pounds of apples to a million pounds of apples. And so when we're harvesting, we harvest everything, even the imperfectly, perfect apples. This whole entire range here we have about 30,000 trees.' As well as feeding the cider thirsty customers, Indigeny feeds a plethora of wildlife from harvested apples that hit the orchard a day of tours, we head downtown – courtesy of Fred in the Rolls Royce – and arrive in style at a local dive bar, where my colleague hustles a few unsuspecting locals in a game of pool. The next day, we leave Sonora and head to Yosemite National Park for two days hiking. Yosemite is well worth a visit for any traveller who loves the outdoors. It's an hour and a half from Sonora and the views are breathtaking along the way. The side of the park we're exploring is the road less travelled. We met our tour guide Gabriel for a two-hour hike to Hetch Hetchy – an hour and a half from the popular Yosemite Valley. Hetch Hetchy, whose reservoir supplies the water for all of San Francisco, is a hidden treasure that lies in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park. It's a jaw-dropping trail, way less crowded than other areas of the park, and is a perfect weekend backpacking trip for any level of experience. It sees fewer than 100 visitors a day, compared to the 19,000 day tourists to Yosemite Valley. And to rest your tired legs after, there's Rush Creek's Lodge and Spa. The hotel is the newest Yosemite spa resort, featuring incredible indoor and outdoor spa elements inspired by the natural beauty and power of Yosemite. But for those who prefer to sleep under the stars – Evergreen Lodge Yosemite is the perfect spot and just 20 minutes from Hetch Hetchy. Pick from family cabins, glamping tents or couples cabins – but be warned those who glamp need to remember the dress for the elements for bed. It gets very cold at night in Yosemite. Evergreen Lodge also offers all guests complimentary smores for that real American experience as well as heated saltwater pool and hot tub amongst the pines. The next day, we headed for the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias for a blissful two-hour hike amongst the two dozen mature giant sequoias. This strenuous walk is worthwhile when you come across these giants in the middle of the forest. After our hike, we head for a quick lunch stop at Around The Horn for a tasty American Hot Dog. And to quench your thirst, this bar offers a beer flight so customers can explore all the bar's different craft beers on offer. We head back on the road to shake our tail feathers on the last stop of the trip – The Chicken Ranch Casino. This casino underwent a massive $400 million renovation and caters to all your entertainment needs. It's non-smoking and its general manager Todd DeRemer spent 14 years of his working life managing a casino in Las Vegas, so he decided to bring his 33 years' experience in the gaming industry back to North America. The Chicken Ranch Casino also features a 209 Sports bar with 3D video aspect all around – it is the only one in North America as well as a Wahlburger – the second one in California and sales are eighth in the entire nation. Forget heading to Vegas, this hotel, which opened in July 2024, has 197 eggceptional rooms with 22 suites – including one called The Mother Pucker that features a golden chicken that players rub for good luck before heading downstairs to gamble. 'About 70 percent of people who stay at the hotel are players,' says Todd as he reveals the casino had two massive wins in March. One jackpot was $863,000 and the other for $823,000. The Chicken Ranch Casino also has a stunning Fine Dining restaurant called Perch Rooftop Dining and also has a shallow pool, which will host major parties in the future. For my first time back to America in 25 years, this was the perfect reintroduction as an adult exploring. Yosemite was definitely a highlight of the trip, and I look forward to returning again.
Press and Journal
30-05-2025
- Business
- Press and Journal
Unsold: Ex-RGU union will go back up for auction after top bid of £513k
The former RGU students' union located on Schoolhill will go back under the hammer after it received a top price of a tenth of what it last sold for. In December 2014, the B-listed ex-student hub and the Clarke Building on Harriet Street were sold by the university for £5 million. It was bought by Malmaison/Hotel du Vin Group, who were expected to make it into a 255-bedroom boutique hotel and restaurant. The project received planning permission in 2015, but the oil and gas downturn saw this vision scrapped. Up for online auction yesterday by Future Property Auctions, it received a top bid of £513,500 after 17 bids were submitted for the property. The lot, which has been described as a 'fantastic development opportunity' by auctioneers Future Property Auctions, includes 54-70 Schoolhill. The university's former building on Harriet Street will also be included in the sale. As well as the buildings, which measure 88,794 square feet, it includes a central courtyard. It was in use by the Robert Gordon University until 2013. Its closure meant that despite Aberdeen being home to two universities and a college, the city centre has no students' union. Despite a revival of the hotel plans coming back on the table three years ago, it never took off. Architects Halliday Fraser Munro said the two buildings have enough space for about 85 flats and a retail space. Also, if it did become housing, it would be eligible for Aberdeen City Council's affordable housing waiver. This would make it exempt from the requirement to include affordable homes. It will be back up for auction on June 12. Inn at the Park, which is located in Ferryhill, will also go back up for auction on June 12. It comes after it received a high bid of £435k. A total of 31 bids were submitted for the property at yesterday's auction. The bidding opened at £405k despite a guide price of £450k. This did not meet the seller's demand, and the lot will go back up for sale for a third time. On May 15, an online auction conducted by Future Property Auctions saw a high bid of £502k after receiving a total of eight bids for the 11-bedroom hotel. The property also includes a bar, lounge, restaurant, function room and two beer gardens. The next day, it was confirmed that the price failed to meet the expectations of the owners of the hotel. Before going up for auction, Inn at the Park was last up on the market in late 2016. At that time offers in excess of £550k were being sought for the Deemount Terrace hotel.
Eater
27-05-2025
- General
- Eater
A New Taiwanese Restaurant Spotlights Pig-Ear Chips and Tomato Granita. It's a Must-Try.
New York's destination dining scene now has Taiwanese flair: JaBä at 230 East 58th Street, between Second and Third avenues in Midtown East. It comes from Tony Inn, a Taiwan-born Queens kid with a 25-year career, mostly in high-end Japanese restaurants like Morimoto and Masa. Had it not been for the pandemic, he'd be helping run Suzuki, the namesake restaurant of New York sushi legend — and his mentor — Toshio Suzuki. (The restaurant closed during the pandemic.) Instead, he's fired up his own spot, which marries refined techniques with the Taiwanese dishes he grew up eating at home — cooked for him through generations by his great-grandma down to his mom. 'I want to bring Taiwanese food to a higher standard of what I think it should be from a chef perspective,' said Inn. It plays out in the food, with techniques like a Chinese medicinal version of sachet d'épices and high-quality ingredients, such as heritage pork for the sausage he makes in the restaurant. As for decor, the 55-seat dining room is outfitted with leather chairs, ceramic plateware, and linen napkins. 'I put in half a mil in here just for decoration,' he said. The food menu features a mix of 21 small and large shareable plates. Many dishes are excellent, so here's how to order them by occasion. Dining solo The iconic Taiwanese beef noodle soup ($25) is a full meal: vegetables, beef, carbs, and broth. That broth — from roasted bones and herbs — contains so much collagen, any leftovers gel in the fridge so you can definitely skip your collagen powder for the day. Big chunks of tender, marbled beef are nestled inside the tangle of chewy noodles. Anyone who's usually left wanting more tendon after finishing a beef noodle soup won't here. Plus, the tendon pieces are very soft. Vegetables like bok choy, pickled mustard greens, and carrots balance things out. JaBä is still waiting on its liquor license, but it offers refreshing beverages like sarsaparilla soda (it's like a clean, herbal Dr. Pepper) and wintermelon spritz. Dinner for two Rich and stewy with minced fatty pork, the lo ba beng ($18) — braised pork over rice — balances well with the garlic cucumbers ($14) so this pairing is a must. Spice-infused lard slicks up the rice and adds notes of licorice and cinnamon. The fried tofu and jammy egg add savoriness while the pickled red cucumbers and yellow daikon add some fresh crunch and tanginess — along with that cold cucumber salad. Imagine pig-ear potato chips. While the draw to pig ears is often their chewiness, Inn has dialed up the crispiness of the pig ears ($17) so much they crack into little pieces — they're so thinly sliced. The shiso-flavored cucumber provides a nice counterpoint. For dessert, order the sweet and savory tomato granita ($14). 'Yes, tomato is a dessert,' Inn states in his menu. (Koreans look at it this way, too; I grew up on sugar-dusted tomatoes plucked from my family garden.) The taste evolves in your mouth: shreds of ginger; sweet, tangy pops of plum; light, savory soy sauce-laced broth. Three- four- or more-tops The sausage ($15) Inn makes at the restaurant is densely meaty, sweetly lacquered, and nicely charred. The raw garlic slices give a nice, sharp kick. If you're a fan of mochi textures and bamboo flavors, get the bawan ($12). Known as a crystal meatball, it's served as flat slivers of jiggly, translucent starch studded with mushrooms, pork, pickled bamboo, and a sweet orange-hued chile sauce in a bowl. Move on to the seafood portion of the menu. The cured whole mackerel ($44) is delightfully soft yet meaty, salty but not briny; he employs Japanese techniques to minimize fishy flavors. Pockets of miso mayo are subtly threaded into the mackerel. The grilled lemon is a nice touch, complementing it with a smoky tanginess. Big, meaty, and firm with clean flavor, razor clams stand in for the clams with basil dish ($36). The cooks then do almost all of the work of separating the meat from the shell so you don't have to wrestle with it. Slices of red chiles punctuate the dish with spicy notes that build as you go through the dish. For dessert, the Taiwanese shaved ice ($16) is very sweet and decadent, owing to the condensed milk, a quenelle of mascarpone cream, and what looks like oozing strings of dulce de leche. Grapes add pops of freshness. Sign up for our newsletter.
Yahoo
30-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Hemlock Quietly Announces Opening Date and Launches Reservations, Marking a Bold New Chapter in Boise's Steakhouse Culture
Opening May 6, 2025, Hemlock promises inventive cuisine, a dynamic ambiance, and a Prime Boise perspective on steakhouse traditions BOISE, Idaho, April 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boise's culinary scene is about to welcome an exciting new chapter with the arrival of Hemlock, a boutique fine-dining steakhouse set to open on May 6, 2025 at the Inn at 500 Capitol. This highly anticipated venture is led by Scott Slater and Boise native Todd Ketlinski, the creative forces behind Spitfire Tacos + Tequila. With their proven expertise and innovative vision, Hemlock is poised to redefine the steakhouse experience with an unapologetically bold approach, offering a fresh take on this timeless fine-dining tradition. "As a Boise native, I've watched this city grow into a vibrant culinary hub, and it's an honor to contribute to that evolution with Hemlock," said Todd Ketlinski, Co-Founder of Hemlock. "This isn't just about opening a new restaurant — it's about reimagining what a steakhouse can be while continuing the legacy of this iconic space." A Menu That Marries Tradition and Innovation Guests can expect a refined, elevated menu anchored by premium cuts sourced from esteemed ranches, including Riverbend Ranch in Idaho Falls and Snake River Farms in Eastern Idaho. Highlights include: 14-ounce American Wagyu New York Strip 40-ounce Prime Porterhouse for Two 8-ounce Wagyu Skirt and 8-ounce Wagyu Denver Complementing the steaks are inventive starters like the Table-Side Baked Potato for Two — Giant Spud with Irresponsible Additions and the Brontosaurus Bone — a 10-inch sous vide beef rib, dry-rubbed and hasselback'd. Check out the full breakfast, lunch and dinner menus here. Elevated Mixology Meets Playful Innovation Hemlock's bar program will feature a curated selection of craft cocktails. Signature drinks include: Sage Grouse: The Famous Grouse blended malt Scotch, elderflower, vanilla, lemon, passionfruit, cucumber, and a touch of absinthe. Ponderosa Sour: Old Forester 1920, Disaronno, almond, and egg white, offering a nutty twist on a classic sour. Honoring Legacy While Embracing the Future Beyond its dining offerings, Hemlock will serve as the exclusive caterer for all events at the Inn at 500 Capitol, providing exceptional culinary experiences for private gatherings, weddings, and corporate events. The restaurant will also offer room service to hotel guests. For more information and reservations, visit Follow @hemlockboise on Instagram. Media Contact: Vince DiNatale760-214-0984vince@ View original content: SOURCE Hemlock
News18
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Why This Woman's Photo Displayed Next To Vegetable Cart Is Going Viral
Last Updated: A hilarious no-context image of a woman's angry face inside a Bengaluru market caught the internet's attention with funny reactions. A regular stall in Bengaluru's Kathriguppe market has become the centre of attention after a strange image of a woman caught everyone's eyes on social media. An unexpected picture of this woman inside the Bengaluru market grabbed fame after followers on X observed her furious expression. The picture is from 2024 and was seen casually hanging beside a cart of tomatoes, papayas and watermelons at a neighbourhood market in the south Indian city. The picture offers no text, no name and no explanation, just the woman's wide-eyed glare staring at those inside the market. Apart from the visitors passing by, the woman's snap stunned those on Twitter also with a plethora of reactions following, including hilarious jokes. 'My manager, when I ask for a hike,' an X user joked before another commented: 'How is one supposed to sleep after seeing this?' The sleep reference reached people's doctors, too, with a user saying, 'My doctor is going to reach out to you for my lack of sleep in the next couple of days. Thanks.' A photograph of an unknown woman has gone viral after being spotted at a vegetable stall in Bengaluru's Kathriguppe area in image, showing a mix of disbelief and anger, was displayed next to a cart of tomatoes, watermelons, and papayas with no explanation. Social… — Daily Updates (@dailyupdates04) April 25, 2025 The jokes kept flooding in after the picture went viral. One Twitter user called the woman the first-ever CCTV. 'CCTV before CCTV was invented.' Some joined in the fun with sarcasm and romance, asking why someone wouldn't fall in love if looked at like this. 'It's hard not to fall in love when someone looks at you like that,' a user wrote. That wasn't all. Some even made the local market reference. 'Ok, ok, jeez, tomato is not a vegetable,' tweeted a user, before someone remembered their teacher's remarks through the image. 'I hope you have learnt your lesson now,' the Twitter user wrote. The mischief reached even Bollywood music as one user recalled the famous 'Inn aankhon ki masti ke…' in their comment. The picture placed adjacent to the vegetable cart only paved the way for more market jokes as someone mentioned her photograph was a perfect means to keep the bargainers at bay. Another user funnily said he would be obliged to purchase more vegetables if looked at with such anger. 'I'll buy five dozen for twice the price– please don't look at me like that.' First Published: April 26, 2025, 10:51 IST
