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West Australian
a day ago
- West Australian
Hidden food gems in the US you have have to try
Nothing quite beats finding your own little gem of culinary pleasure. The US may have a reputation for fast food, doughnuts and bad coffee, but a recent trip showed this is undeserved. We took to the side streets, as we have done in London and Italy, hoping to stumble upon a local cafe, bar or market that made the adventure worth it — and we were rewarded handsomely. I love the thrill of discovering an unassuming diner with incredible food, a hidden treasure that becomes the highlight of your trip. If you're ever in these parts of America, do yourself a favour — pull up a seat, and grab a menu. 604, E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, Utah A local corner diner serving up homestyle breakfasts across the road from Liberty Park. All the American classics are here, some with a twist. They have pancakes (of course) but in this part of the world they come in the form of a sandwich, with eggs and bacon as the filling. Omelettes are a main attraction, with nine variations to choose from. But my pick on the menu is the corned beef hash. It's slow-roasted in-house, grilled with onion, mushroom, green peppers and potatoes, topped off with two eggs — $US11.50 ($17.85). We shared this breakfast, but came back the next day and had one each it was so good. 329 Donelson Pike #201, Nashville, Tennessee Located in Nashville's Donelson neighbourhood, this is a big, modern-looking space with a great outdoor dining deck. The menu draws inspiration from the dining traditions of the south and takes you on a delicious trip through Tennessee and Mississippi. The meals are big (we are in America after all) so you can easily share these meals. Some of the standouts are the breakfast casserole, country fried steak biscuit, fried catfish sandwich, and sweet potato pancakes. However, I couldn't look past the shrimp and grits — Gulf shrimp sauteed in garlic butter with bacon, slow-cooked okra and tomatoes over grits, plus a biscuit — $US18. Grits is basically a porridge made from ground dried corn, and if you've never had it before (or even if you have) you need to try this version. 416 Broadway, Nashville, Tennessee After a night of bar-hopping and live music along Nashville's Broadway, there's nothing better than a feast of meat. Most of the bars along this strip offer the same fare, but for a more authentic and unique southern experience, head to Jack's Bar-B-Que. This canteen-style servery carves up Tennessee pork shoulder, beef brisket, turkey, ribs, smoked sausage and smoked chicken for your late-night cravings. There's always a line, but it moves quickly. You choose your meat. My choice was the two-meat combo — St Louis-style ribs and Texas beef brisket — and they cut it in front of you. You then move on down the line to choose from an array of traditional sides including baked beans, green beans, corn, baked apples, coleslaw and potato salad, and crowd favourite mac and cheese. It's carnivore heaven! The two-meat combo plus two sides and bread costs $US24.20, and you can easily share it between two people. 613 Royal Street, New Orleans, Louisiana When you take your seat in the vine-covered courtyard in this legendary New Orleans restaurant, you feel like you've been transported back in time. They have daily jazz brunches headlined by a buffet of Creole classics such as southern corn grits, chicken & sausage gumbo, turtle soup, fried catfish, shrimp etouffee, red beans & rice, stewed okra, creamed spinach, and biscuits and cornbread. For dessert you can't go past the bananas Foster and vanilla ice-cream, or pecan pie and homemade whipped cream. For me, the turtle soup was a standout and worth the visit alone. The soup itself is more like a stew with gravy-like consistency, and the turtle meat actually tastes like beef — it was delicious. Jazz brunch buffet — $US36 (don't eat beforehand). 200 Fifth Avenue, Midtown, New York OK, so I know there are thousands of great places to eat in New York, many of them very well known, but I hadn't heard of this vibrant Italian marketplace before. We stumbled on it while walking just off Broadway near the Flatiron Building. It's like walking into an episode of Stanley Tucci: Searching For Italy. Comprising a variety of restaurants and food counters (Roma-style pizzas, rotisserie meats, focaccia and panini) plus market-style counters (seafood, butcher, pasta, fruit and vegetables), it also has a genuine Italian espresso bar, bakery and retail items. There's something here for everyone's taste. It's the American/Italian version of Borough Market in London. Prosciutto crudo panino 'Emiliano' — $US19.90 (these are big enough to share between two). 179 E Houston Street, New York Just down the street from Katz's Deli (another must-visit New York destination) this Jewish institution has been appetising New York since 1914. Used as a noun, 'appetising' is most easily understood as 'the foods one eats with bagels'. The menu is pretty straightforward — bagels. But you do have a big choice of what you have with it. You choose either salmon (six versions), cured salmon (four versions), smoked fish (eight versions) or herring (nine versions), plus your choice of spreads and sides. The bagels, freshly baked in-house, were the best I tried in New York. Like a lot of places in New York there can be a line-up around breakfast and lunchtime, but there are as many servers behind the deli counter as patrons ordering, so it was a fairly quick experience. A classic bagel and lox (salmon) bagel — $US17 (do not share — have it all to yourself).
Herald Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Herald Sun
Ellen DeGeneres takes $47m US home off market amid UK move
Ellen DeGeneres takes $47m US home off market amid UK move. Picture: Getty; Realtor Ellen DeGeneres has taken one of her last remaining US properties off the market just months after she and wife Portia de Rossi relocated to the UK. The comedian, who is currently living in an $US18 million ($A28 million) farmhouse in the Cotswolds, about two hours outside of London, listed the sprawling house for sale in January with an asking price of $US29.99 million ($A47.8 million). It was the second time that the funnywoman had attempted to offload the estate and was originally put on the market in March 2024 with a much higher asking price of $US33.9 million ($A53.9 million), Realtor reports. However, after going three months without finding a buyer, the home was delisted — only to appear again with a discounted price less than a year later. It's believed that the property is one of the last remaining homes DeGeneres and de Rossi currently own in the US. RELATED: 'Get the hell out': Ellen's sad goodbye 'Toxic' Ellen's final $8m insult to US exposed Ellen DeGeneres' $6m loss in Trump flee fail Ellen DeGeneres has taken one of her last remaining US homes off the market, four months after listing it for $US29.99 million. Picture: Realtor The comedian and her wife, Portia de Rossi, purchased the dwelling in 2022 for $US29 million. Picture: Realtor They originally put it on the market in 2024 with a much higher asking price of $US33.9 million. Picture: Realtor The couple have been selling several properties over the past year since moving to the British countryside. The duo recently sold a two-bedroom in Montecito for $US5.2 million ($A8.2 million), more than $US200,000 ($A312,000) over its $US4.995 million ($A7.9 million) asking price. The property flew off the market less than two weeks after it was listed in March this year, around four months after DeGeneres and de Rossi moved to the UK. However, the success they had with that home has not translated to the Neutra property, which sat on the market for 109 days before its listing was removed. A sale would mark only the fourth time the property has changed hands since it was built in 1955 by famous Austrian-American architect Richard Neutra, having been owned by the same family for 40 years until finally being sold for the first time in 1994. That owner, who purchased the modernist home for the bargain price of just $US1.42 million, held onto the property for a further 25 years before putting it on the market in 2019, when it sold for $US20 million. The five-bedroom home was designed by famed architect Richard Neutra. Picture: Realtor It's unclear whether the couple plan to hold on to the property and use it as their Los Angeles base, having relocated to the U.K. in late 2024. Picture: Realtor Three years later, DeGeneres and de Rossi added the five-bedroom pad to their already-impressive property portfolio, paying out $US29 million for the dwelling. They have since renovated the home extensively, helping to restore Neutra's 'pioneering vision,' while also adding a host of modern-day amenities. Per the listing description, the home, which is widely known as 'The Brown House,' has plenty to offer a potential buyer, not least the architectural caché that comes from owning a Neutra design. 'Originally crafted in 1955 by the renowned Richard Neutra, [the house] stands as a quintessential architectural masterpiece nestled in the prestigious enclave of Bel Air,' the listing states. 'One of the most iconic homes to be built, it has undergone a meticulous restoration, thoughtfully revering Neutra's pioneering vision while integrating modern luxuries. A true encapsulation of living in a work of art.' The home also offers sweeping views of the Los Angeles skyline, as well as two 'state-of-the-art' kitchens and a sizeable living area. 'This is a rare opportunity to acquire a piece of architectural heritage, offering a lifestyle marked by grandeur and exclusivity in one of the most coveted locations,' the listing concludes. The couple have since moved to an $18 million farmhouse in the British countryside. Picture: ellendegeneres/Instagram They have shared several glimpses of the property on social media. Picture: ellendegeneres/Instagram Their struggle to find a buyer for the property has not held the couple back from investing in new real estate in the UK, where they are understood to have snapped up an $US18 million ($A28 million) farmhouse in 2024, according to People magazine. Since then, the couple — who made a second career out of flipping homes in and around California while they were living in Montecito — have been carrying out extensive renovations to the abode, which have landed them in some hot water with their neighbours. According to the Daily Mail, DeGeneres found herself 'in peril of getting on the wrong side' of a high-profile member of her new neighbourhood after she 'committed a 'technical breach'' during the build of a single-story extension at her new home. The outlet described it as a 'planning clash.' Several neighbours voiced their objections to the couple's plans. Despite the protests, a spokesperson for West Oxfordshire Direct Council insisted that the work was 'completed to a high standard,' according to the New York Post. 'The works at the property involved a single-story extension and garden landscaping,' the spokesperson said. 'Although the extension technically breached permitted development rights, it was considered acceptable in planning terms. 'As the works were completed to a high standard with no impact on surrounding amenities or other planning concerns, no further enforcement action was necessary, and the case has been closed.' Parts of this story first appeared in Realtor and was republished with permission. Sign up to the Herald Sun Weekly Real Estate Update. Click here to get the latest Victorian property market news delivered direct to your inbox. MORE: 'Outrageous' Pope move slammed in US DiCaprio exposed as $4.6m fortune blown Rory McIlroy to ditch US mansion and move to UK full time
News.com.au
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Rural hideout celebrities are flocking to
Celebrities have been ditching city life and flocking to the Cotswolds — a picturesque region in the English countryside that offers unparalleled luxury and privacy. Ellen DeGeneres and her wife, Portia de Rossi, recently set up camp in the ritzy neighbourhood, which is a known favourite among the Hollywood elite. The former talk show host, 67, and 'Arrested Development' alum left Los Angeles five months ago after buying a sprawling farmhouse in the area in South West England, nearly two hours from London, the New York Post reports. The couple forked over an eye-popping $US18 million ($A28 million) — some $US3 million ($A4.7 million) over the asking price for the stunning property. TMZ reported that while the duo had purchased their UK home in June, months before Donald Trump's second presidential win, their decision to 'get the hell out' of America was cemented by his victory. DeGeneres was an outspoken supporter of Harris during the 2024 presidential election, publicly endorsing her in a post shared on Instagram. While it's not clear exactly why the pair decided on the Cotswolds, the region is a picturesque and wealthy part of England. Celebrities who call the Cotswolds home DeGeneres' star-studded list of neighbours includes David and Victoria Beckham, Kate Moss, Elizabeth Hurley, Hugh Grant and Jeremy Clarkson, who owns a successful farm shop and pub in the area. Other known residents include Scottish DJ Calvin Harris, singer Lily Allen and artist Damien Hirst. The location is also home to royalty, as King Charles and Queen Camilla own Highgrove House in Gloucestershire. According to the Daily Mail, Beyoncé and her husband, Jay-Z, are looking to follow suit and snap up a property in the swanky neighbourhood. Properties aside, the area sees large amounts of celebrities come and go each month thanks to the several luxurious hotels that are peppered around the region. 'Get the hell out': Ellen's sad goodbye Lucknam Park This includes Lucknam Park, a five-star oasis located in the luscious area of Chippenham. The hotel, which is set in 500 acres of listed parkland, has recently welcomed a host of famous faces, including Donatella Versace, Kylie Minogue and Jerry Hall, The Post revealed. The main house, which dates back to the 17th century, sits atop a mile-long driveway, which is lined with 200-year-old lime and beech trees, and is located just 30 minutes away from the picturesque city of Bath. The estate also offers Michelin-starred dining at Restaurant Hywel Jones, which is often frequented by A-listers. The restaurant recently celebrated its 20th consecutive year holding a Michelin star. The grand property had been previously passed down through several families before opening its doors as a hotel. Its current owners snapped it up in 1994, but preserved the historic elements of the estate where possible. The Lygon Arms Those wanting a more central location often stay at the Lygon Arms — a historic 4-star hotel that boasts close proximity to cinematic landmarks, such as 'Downton Abbey' and 'Bridget Jones's Diary' filming locations. The hotel is set in Broadway — a stunning village in the Cotswolds that offers wisteria-adorned stone cottages and Disney-like buildings surrounding it. Beyond famous film sets, guests can feel like an A-lister through the hotel's partnership with Cotswold Tours & Travel, which offers an array of sightseeing trips in and around the area. These include — but aren't limited to — the ultimate set-jetting experience, which includes a tour of the nearby Blenheim Palace and a chance to uncover the area's hidden gems. The hotel proudly dates back to the 14th century. Over the years, its hosted some famous historical figures and celebrities, including Oliver Cromwell, King Charles I, Prince Phillip, Richard Burton, Elizabeth Taylor and Cary Grant. More recently, the hotel has been frequented by James Bond alum Pierce Brosnan, Renée Zellweger, Grant and Sophia Loren, The Post revealed. The sprawling lodge offers guests 86 individually designed rooms to choose from, and boasts two restaurants helmed by British chef supremo James Martin.
Sydney Morning Herald
27-04-2025
- Sydney Morning Herald
Seven sneaky ways America squeezes tourists for every cent
Few things divide us from our American cousins like tipping. Like many of the big debates in life, it boils down to a fundamentally different moral outlook: they see tipping as basic fairness, whereas we tend to see it as an optional generosity. Naturally, the whole American payment infrastructure is built around tipping. Order a single drink in a bar and you'll be handed a credit card receipt with a space for you to sign and add the amount of your tip, sometimes with a suggested amount. What if you leave it blank, you ask? Well, you're perfectly entitled to do that, just as American tourists in London are entitled to stand on the left-hand side of the escalator or snap their fingers to attract a waiter. It's legal by all means, but will be seen as deeply rude. As a rule of thumb, 20 per cent is seen as the expected minimum when it comes to tipping in restaurants. If that seems steep, remember that America has a lower minimum wage for tipped employees, which can be as low as $US2.13 ($A3.33) an hour. Of course, it isn't just restaurant servers who you're expected to tip. Hotel housekeepers, bellhops, valet attendants and even the staff who bring your room service orders are all tipped employees – and will expect to be treated as such. ATM fees Is there anything more annoying than having to pay to access your own money? Usually, the only way to withdraw cash for free is to be a customer of the bank that owns the machine: something that is by definition going to rule out the vast majority of visitors. Paying a fee is inevitable then, but that doesn't mean that you have to accept the first one you find. If you can find one that charges less than $US4 per withdrawal, you know you've done well. Loading Parking fees At busy attractions in big cities, paying to park is perfectly understandable. But when you're at a resort hotel or attraction sitting in the middle of nowhere? Not so much. Unfortunately, this is another one being pushed by some of the big hotel chains. At a swanky resort in Sedona, I was surprised to find that all guests were expected to pay $US18 per day purely for the privilege of parking their vehicle. As with the resort fees, the fact that you happen to be a guest of the hotel is irrelevant. If you want to park, you have to pay. Sales taxes For all the fuss about the cost of living, Australia will always have one thing in its favour. We know that the price we see on the shelf will be the one we pay when we get to the checkout. Not so in the US, where 45 of the 50 states impose a sales tax. Something that many tourists only find out when they reach the counter. While it's rarely more than 10 per cent, it can still be a nasty surprise. Are there any advantages to adding the tax at the point of sale? A Republican friend of mine argues that it makes people more aware of the tax they're paying and thus more likely to vote for low-tax politicians. Expensive water When the waiter offered to bring water, I thought nothing of it. Sure, it was a smart-looking restaurant in a fashionable part of Arizona, but just how expensive could it possibly be? Loading It turns out my naivety was a costly mistake. Checking the bill later, I noticed that the two bottles of water had cost $US12 each – and that's before the tip. Why the hefty charge? It turns out this wasn't just any water but Fiji Water – the fashionable hydration brand favoured by celebrities and increasingly by hotels and restaurants too. The American 'pint' Yes, we all know that Americans use different measurements. But while we don't begrudge them using liquid ounces and the like, there's something irritating about them pinching foreign labels and changing them. A case in point is the American 'pint', which is increasingly becoming the measure of choice in fashionable craft beer bars. Any thirsty Aussies who order one will be surprised when they find out it's 473ml – almost 20 per cent smaller than in Australia, where pints are 570ml.
The Age
27-04-2025
- The Age
Seven sneaky ways America squeezes tourists for every cent
Few things divide us from our American cousins like tipping. Like many of the big debates in life, it boils down to a fundamentally different moral outlook: they see tipping as basic fairness, whereas we tend to see it as an optional generosity. Naturally, the whole American payment infrastructure is built around tipping. Order a single drink in a bar and you'll be handed a credit card receipt with a space for you to sign and add the amount of your tip, sometimes with a suggested amount. What if you leave it blank, you ask? Well, you're perfectly entitled to do that, just as American tourists in London are entitled to stand on the left-hand side of the escalator or snap their fingers to attract a waiter. It's legal by all means, but will be seen as deeply rude. As a rule of thumb, 20 per cent is seen as the expected minimum when it comes to tipping in restaurants. If that seems steep, remember that America has a lower minimum wage for tipped employees, which can be as low as $US2.13 ($A3.33) an hour. Of course, it isn't just restaurant servers who you're expected to tip. Hotel housekeepers, bellhops, valet attendants and even the staff who bring your room service orders are all tipped employees – and will expect to be treated as such. ATM fees Is there anything more annoying than having to pay to access your own money? Usually, the only way to withdraw cash for free is to be a customer of the bank that owns the machine: something that is by definition going to rule out the vast majority of visitors. Paying a fee is inevitable then, but that doesn't mean that you have to accept the first one you find. If you can find one that charges less than $US4 per withdrawal, you know you've done well. Loading Parking fees At busy attractions in big cities, paying to park is perfectly understandable. But when you're at a resort hotel or attraction sitting in the middle of nowhere? Not so much. Unfortunately, this is another one being pushed by some of the big hotel chains. At a swanky resort in Sedona, I was surprised to find that all guests were expected to pay $US18 per day purely for the privilege of parking their vehicle. As with the resort fees, the fact that you happen to be a guest of the hotel is irrelevant. If you want to park, you have to pay. Sales taxes For all the fuss about the cost of living, Australia will always have one thing in its favour. We know that the price we see on the shelf will be the one we pay when we get to the checkout. Not so in the US, where 45 of the 50 states impose a sales tax. Something that many tourists only find out when they reach the counter. While it's rarely more than 10 per cent, it can still be a nasty surprise. Are there any advantages to adding the tax at the point of sale? A Republican friend of mine argues that it makes people more aware of the tax they're paying and thus more likely to vote for low-tax politicians. Expensive water When the waiter offered to bring water, I thought nothing of it. Sure, it was a smart-looking restaurant in a fashionable part of Arizona, but just how expensive could it possibly be? Loading It turns out my naivety was a costly mistake. Checking the bill later, I noticed that the two bottles of water had cost $US12 each – and that's before the tip. Why the hefty charge? It turns out this wasn't just any water but Fiji Water – the fashionable hydration brand favoured by celebrities and increasingly by hotels and restaurants too. The American 'pint' Yes, we all know that Americans use different measurements. But while we don't begrudge them using liquid ounces and the like, there's something irritating about them pinching foreign labels and changing them. A case in point is the American 'pint', which is increasingly becoming the measure of choice in fashionable craft beer bars. Any thirsty Aussies who order one will be surprised when they find out it's 473ml – almost 20 per cent smaller than in Australia, where pints are 570ml.
