Let me just say it: if you only have one night in Salem, make a reservation at Settler Salem Restaurant. It’s not just good — it’s one of the top three meals I’ve ever had in my life (and I eat for a living, so that’s saying something). Before or after your meal at Settler, check out my Salem Day Trip from Boston guide for more can’t-miss food and history spots nearby.
The Settler is tucked just far enough off Salem’s busy streets that it feels like you’ve discovered a secret. Make a reservation early — seriously, this place books up — and pick your vibe. The outdoor patio is small and ridiculously charming, with twinkly string lights that basically say, “yes, you are about to have a magical night.” Inside is romantic and moody in the best way, with warm lighting and tables that just beg you to linger over a long meal.
The staff sets the tone from the second you walk in. Our server treated us like old friends, happily walking us through every dish on the menu like we were about to embark on a culinary quest (which, spoiler alert, we were). Even the manager came over, chatted with us for a bit, and shared where they source their farm-fresh ingredients. You can just feel how much the whole team loves working here — and it makes the experience even better.
Our food adventure kicked off with the homemade sourdough bread and oil pairing, and honestly, the first bite was when I knew this night was going to be special.
We went for the Chef’s Meze — a curated selection of small bites that night featuring their crispy herb falafel with mint and harissa aioli, plus two chef-selected surprises. One was homemade chips with a spicy, creamy, crunchy dip that dreams are made of (you know the kind you’re sad to see end). We also added a cucumber pomegranate salad made with cucumbers from a farm just a few towns over — super fresh, bright, and exactly what you want to start a meal like this.
Next came the whipped ricotta with grilled sourdough and vegetable crudité. The chili honey drizzle on top gives it just the right amount of sweetness, and the fact that the carrot and cucumber bowl came out with ice so every bite was crisp and cold? That’s the kind of detail that makes my Type-A heart so happy.
Then came the star of the show: the sumac roasted carrots. I never thought I’d dedicate an entire paragraph to carrots, but here we are. These were crunchy from the hazelnuts, tangy from the pickled golden raisins, balanced with tzatziki, and slightly charred on the edges — they were basically vegetable perfection. If someone had told me I’d be planning my return trip for a plate of carrots, I’d have laughed. And yet.
For mains, I went for the Niman Ranch NY strip cooked medium, served with grilled eggplant, olive vinaigrette, and the silkiest soubise sauce. The steak practically melted in my mouth. Brad ordered the pasta special with fresh lobster and burst tomatoes and immediately started guarding his plate like it was a national treasure — which, to be fair, it kind of was.
We couldn’t leave without ordering the crispy potatoes. Perfectly golden, topped with lemon aioli and finely shredded pecorino Romano, they were the side dish of my dreams.
At this point, I was stuffed, but when the server asked if we wanted dessert, of course I said yes. (Dessert is not optional here.) Get the pistachio gelato. It’s creamy, nutty, and so good I actually slowed down just to make it last longer — which, if you know me, is saying a lot. If you want to level it up, get it as an affogato and pour the espresso over top. That hot-and-cold contrast? Magic. We also had the chocolate torte, which was rich, decadent, and the perfect “I definitely didn’t need this but I have zero regrets” finale.
Settler is that rare unicorn of a restaurant that feels both special and approachable. The menu is elevated but not intimidating, the staff clearly loves what they do, and every plate that comes out feels like it’s been crafted just for you.
It’s the kind of place where you find yourself looking around the room halfway through your meal thinking, “Yep, everyone here is having the best night too.”
Everything about The Settler is dialed in — the food, the atmosphere, the service. Every dish is layered with flavor in a way that surprises you with every bite, and the whole experience feels like a special occasion even if you’re just there on a random Thursday night.
So yes, I’m putting this in writing: Settler isn’t just one of Salem’s best restaurants — it’s one of the best I’ve ever been to, anywhere. Make the reservation, clear some space on your phone for food photos, and prepare to have your taste buds ruined for all other meals. If you’re planning to stay overnight, my Perfect 3-Day Boston and Salem Itinerary includes Settler plus other must-try stops.
10 stops. One very full day. Zero regrets. Amsterdam has one of the best food scenes I’ve experienced anywhere in Europe, but the honest caveat is that some of the viral spots come with lines that will genuinely test your character. I skipped a few. I regret nothing.
Here’s what actually made the cut on my self-guided Amsterdam food tour:
Fresh stroopwafels at Hans Egstorf: made right in front of you, warm caramel, no line. This one won.
Lourens cookie croissant: flaky outside, gooey chocolate inside. Did not share.
Café Winkel 43 apple pie: one of the rare viral places that fully lives up to the hype.
Davie’s Amsterdam for the Lelie sandwich: pastrami, pickles, marbled bread. Deceptively simple. Absolutely excellent.
De Kaaskamer to end the day: 400+ cheeses, grilled cheese with what they call ketchup (it’s not ketchup, and it’s better), and bunker cheese aged in underground military bunkers.
The full route covers 10 stops through Jordaan, the 9 Streets, the canal district, and the flower market area with a Google Map included so you can just follow along.
Full guide with every stop, tips for beating the lines, and what I’d skip vs. do again | link in bio.
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #netherlands #travel #visitnetherlands #traveleurope
There’s a version of Gatlinburg that’s all fudge shops and tourist crowds, and then there’s the version that actually makes you want to come back.
Here’s everything worth doing downtown, in the order I’d do it: 🏔️
✨ Start at @gatlinburgskypark before the crowds hit
✨ Walk the strip mid-morning when it’s still manageable
✨ @googooclusters stop (see my post from Tuesday: don’t skip it)
✨ Dinner at one of the local spots off the main drag
✨ Wander back out at night when the lights are on and it gets actually pretty
This isn’t your overscheduled Smoky Mountain itinerary. It’s more of a “here’s what I’d actually do if I had one solid day” kind of list.
Full downtown Gatlinburg guide linked in bio. 🔗
If someone told me I’d spend five hours at SkyPark, I would not have believed them. And yet. 😅
Gatlinburg SkyPark sits above the strip and it’s one of those places that looks like a quick stop on paper and turns into most of your afternoon. The SkyBridge alone is worth it — longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America, and yes, you will look down.
✨ SkyBridge (longest pedestrian suspension bridge in North America)
✨ SkyLift ride up with views of the Smokies
✨ Walking trails with mountain views in every direction
✨ Way less crowded than downtown
Fair warning: if heights genuinely freak you out, the bridge might not be your thing. The rest of the park is still 100% worth it. Full guide with tickets, tips, and what to skip linked in bio. 🔗
I walked into Goo Goo Cluster in downtown Gatlinburg thinking I’d spend five minutes and leave with a small piece of candy. I was wrong on both counts. 😅
You build your own chocolate cluster at a kiosk: caramel, sea salt, pretzels, cocoa pebbles, you name it, and then watch them make it right in front of you. The whole thing takes about 15 minutes and costs $15.
The caveat? This is not a snack. This is a full-size brick of chocolate that I was still eating two days later.
If you’re already walking the Gatlinburg strip, this is an easy yes. Especially if you have absolutely no self-control around caramel. (Asking for a friend.) Full experience breakdown linked in bio. 🔗
Your Knoxville Airport survival guide, from someone who’s flown through TYS 100+ times is now up on my blog🛫
Parking, TSA wait times, where to grab food before your flight, rental cars, all of it, from someone who actually knows this airport. No guessing, no googling at the last minute.
TYS is small, easy to navigate, and honestly one of the less stressful airports I’ve been through. You just need to know a few things going in.
Full guide linked in bio. 🔗
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