On our way to the Coffee Crawl

It all started with a Coffee Crawl in Seattle. Earlier this year I had the opportunity to visit my daughter in Seattle. As I was perusing websites trying to find some different things to do, I stumbled upon a website called “Seattle by Foot”. They offer a variety of walking tours, but being the foodie that I am, the “Coffee Crawl” really intrigued me and then I was hooked!

I am sure you have heard of a pub crawl, it is the same thing but with coffee as the main ingredient. What  “it all started” was a participation in Food (Foodie) Tours in various cities in the USA.  They are a lot of fun and each on is different in their own unique way.   It is also a chance to learn about local flavors, ingredients and local history.  Not to mention meeting new people.

I have listed the different tours I participated in last year.  A little tip – bring an empty stomach, being as you won’t leave hungry.  For the walking tours, wear comfortable shoes and dress for the weather.

Seattle by Foot (Coffee Crawl)

Seattle, Washington –

You visit about 5-6 different “Coffee Cafes” trying coffee at each venue.  You get to see a demonstration on “Latte Art”, which is really cool and learn a little history of Seattle and see some landmarks around town.  (Side note – after the tour visit the Crumpet Shop near Pike’s Place Market, soooooo good!)  (Walking Tour)

Some of the stops were – Seattle’s Best, Caffe Vita & Caffe Umbria

Caffe Umbria

Latte Art!

Caffe Umbria

Charleston Dine Around 

Charleston, SC

This tour was really fun and unique.  Learned a lot about the history of Charleston.  You visit 3 different places, one for an appetizer, entree and then dessert.  We started with a She Crab Soup, hush puppies & champagne at Amen Street!  Next we visited 82 Queen for the entree.  We were given a custom menu with several choices.  I chose the Grilled Barbeque  Shrimp & Grits.  Shrimp & grits you ask???  Yeah, I thought the same thing, those things do not sound like they should be paired together at all!  Well, surprise, surprise the entree was delicious.  Then we were off to the East Bay Meeting House for dessert.  I chose a beautiful slice of coconut cake.  The portion size was huge!!!  It was so big, I ended up bring more that half it back to the hotel.  It was DELICIOUS by the way!  (Walking Tour)

Coconut Cake!!!

Grilled Barbeque Shrimp & Grits

Special Menu from 82 Queen

Culinary Tours of Charleston

Charleston, SC

Savor the Flavors Tour

Yup!  We took 2 Food Tours in while we were in Charleston.  This one brought us around to different establishments where we tried grits, benne wafers, pralines, fried green tomatoes and collard greens.  (Walking Tour)

Some of the places we visited were – Dixie Supply Bakery & Cafe (This place was featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives), Noisy Oyster & Spice & Tea Exchange.

Market Street Sweets!

Local Roots Food Tours

Market-to-Plate Executive Chefs Tour

Sacramento, CA

This was a really fun tour.  We started at the Sacramento Farmers’s Market and shopped.  Then we headed over to the Sheraton Grand Hotel’s restaurant Morgan’s, where Chef Russell Michel had a 3 course lunch for us.  Some of us shared our goods from the market and asked questions of the Chef.  And the food was outstanding!

Here is a description of the tour from the Local Roots Food Tours website –

“Our tour continues with a 3 course exclusive lunch prepared by Executive Chef Michel at Morgan’s Restaurant (a four star, hidden gem restaurant serving farm-to-table ingredients). Lunch will be prepared using fresh local seasonal ingredients. Chef Michel will educate participants on how to use the produce they purchased at the morning market and share his culinary wisdom and passion for fresh, local ingredients. Definitely an up close dining experience! Lunch will be paired with a selected local wine.”

This particular tour is currently not being offered, Local Roots Food Tours does offer 3 other food tours that sound wonderful. (Walking Tour)

Ground Cherries

Heirloom Tomato Soup

Chef Russell Michel

Gourmet Walks

Gourmet Napa Walking Tour

Napa, CA

It was a cold day in Napa when we participated in this tour.  So, if you go in the winter or  fall, bundle up.  I have included the tasting notes from the Gourmet Walks website.  If you are ever in the Bay Area and are a Foodie, check out their website.  They offer 5 different tours and I am sure one of them will strike your fancy.  Here is the description from their website about the Napa tour and it is accurate –

• “A sublime, seasonal selection of the best California artisan cheeses

• Breakfast tacos from an innovative and sustainable tacqueria
• Artisan salumi from the “first couple of charcuterie” and organic bread

• Sought after tastes from a historic multi-winery downtown tasting room
• Award-winning California extra-virgin olive oil

• Local microbrew tasting and sustainable seafood on the Napa riverfront
• Wine infused chocolates, brittle and ice cream from local brother/sister chocolatiers”

Some of the places included – The Fatted Calf, Fish Story and Anette’s Chocolates. (Walking Tour)

Breakfast Taco

Cheese Tasting

Charcuterie from Fatted Calf

Historic Texas Tours

The Flavors of San Antonio

San Antonio, TX

For this tour we were picked up from our hotel in a large passenger van and were driven to each location.

We started off with a tasting at a barbecue joint, which was followed by a bakery/cafe and then to a place that was featured on Diners, Drive Ins & Dives for their empanadas.

We tried dishes I had never heard of before, such as King Ranch Chicken and Red Top Stew, which is stew topped with chili.

We ended the tour a a cupcake bakery and got to enjoy a sweet treat before we dropped off at our respective hotels.

Some of the places we visited were – Luther’s Cafe, Beto’s and Frosted Delights by Joyce.

King Ranch Chicken

As you can see each tour was very different, each one tried to show you a bit of the surrounding areas and history along with a culinary flair.  So, when you are out and about traveling check out to see if the town you are visiting offers local food tours and get a glimpse of the local community and their favorite places to eat!

Have you participated in a Food (Foodie) Tour?  How was it and where were you?  I would love to hear about it!

Here is a link to a partial list of food tours around the USA and beyond.

http://www.santacruzfoodtour.com/food.tour.directory.html