Hello Reader!

It has been a busy few weeks since my trip back-to-back trips last month.

I feel like I have barely stopped moving (or eating) since I got back.

Costa Rica

I finally finished my Costa Rica article and videos. If you are planning a trip or just want to escape the cold virtually, you can check out the entire road trip itinerary with all the activities, restaurants, and hotels I visited right here.

If you don't feel like reading, the post includes my full travel videos too. You'll want to watch what it's like to Tarzan Swing in the Cloud Forest (my first time doing something like that - it is as it sounds)! It was also my first time coffee picking in a coffee plantation!

For culinary, one thing that blew my mind is that Costa Rica's gastronomy is defined by its microclimates. Volcanic mountain ranges split the Caribbean and Pacific coasts which creates distinct agricultural pockets. This allows for an array of fresh produce year-round and fuels a really authentic farm-to-table scene.

From the volcanic soil coffee in the highlands to the tropical fruits of the lowlands, the ingredients are hyper-local. I got to meet a lot of chefs there, and interestingly enough, a few I met were also in Milan for The Best Chef Awards. Small world.

Toronto

Back home, the event season has been in full swing.

The biggest news was Air Canada's Best New Restaurants 2025 Reveal Event. It is always an exciting time of year for chefs and food lovers.

I got to reunite with friends and try food at stations set up by each of the top 10 restaurants. My personal top 3 were from Akin, Nero Tondo, and Le Violon.

It was also cool to see Halifax and Nova Scotia representing with Mystic nabbing the number 1 title. It was the only Nova Scotia restaurant in the top 10!

Here is the full list if you want to add them to your bucket list:

1. Mystic (Halifax, NS)
2. Le Violon (Montreal, QC)
3. aKin (Toronto, ON)
4. Sushi Hyun Omakase (Vancouver, BC)
5. Maven (Toronto, ON)
6. Nero Tondo (Vancouver, BC)
7. Yan Dining Room (Toronto, ON)
8. Sumibiyaki Arashi (Vancouver, BC)
9. Pasta Pooks (Montreal, QC)
10. Niwa (Vancouver, BC)

I also popped by a few other events recently.

I went to the Visit Acapulco Breakfast Presentation. I have seen Acapulco in movies so it was nice to see them promoting the destination in Toronto. They showed a clip of the La Quebrada Cliff Divers and it looks crazy.

I attended a Rakuten event with a panel discussion on the holiday shopping mindset especially with Black Friday comin up. I have been using Rakuten forever, even back when they used to be called eBates Canada.

The Atout France Media Tour was great for learning about future happenings like the Tour de France 2026 and the Rugby World Cup Sevens. Representatives at the event were Reunion Island, St. Martin, Guadeloupe Islands, Antibes, Western Corsica, and more. And, I got to meet a couple of them.

Finally, I went to the Queens Harbour White Garden Launch. They transformed the space into a winter wonderland with hanging trees. The craft cocktails were so good and the food was delicious.

Outside of events, here are a few spots I have enjoyed eating at lately:

• Danish Pastry House: I enjoyed the Høj Snegl, Viking Slice, and Smørhorn Ham & Cheese.
• Pears Restaurant: The Smoked Peking Duck was so good.
• Casa Manila: The sisig is always a winner and the adobo is delicious.
• Jin Sushi: My quick pick-me-up neighborhood sushi spot.
• The Fry: Their soy garlic KFC is delish.

Check out some of these happenings on my Instagram Stories.

Black Friday Shopping

With Black Friday and the holidays around the corner, here are a few gift ideas and inspo.

For my Pixel 10 Pro, I am loving the Magflex Phone Photography Stand. It is super useful and so thin it doesn't feel intrusive. I also use the MagGlow Phone Fill Light for low light content and the CapLock Magnetic Smartphone Neck Mount Max for POV and unboxing videos.

For my Insta360 X4, I use the Camera Cage for protection and the cold-shoe utility. The CapLock Action Camera Suction Cup Mount is great for car shots.

If you are looking for cookbooks, these ones sent to me by Appetite were interesting: Tiffy Cooks: 88 Easy Asian Recipes from My Family to Yours. I enjoy her TikTok content a lot. I also like My Best Friend Is Gluten-Free by Jannell Lo. It is very useful because I rarely see Asian cookbooks focused on GF recipes.

I updated my list of my Content Creation Gear in time for shopping. A lot of these items are on Black Friday deals right now!

Make A Meal (Without Holiday Turkey)

• Appetizer: Bajan Fish Cakes​
• Main Dish: Roast Chicken: Rotisserie-Style by Cafe Boulud​
• Air Fryer: Garlic Bread​
• Ninja Speedi: Mashed Potatoes​
• Instant Pot: Albondigas Soup (Mexican Meatball Stew)​
• Drink: Banana Espresso Tonic​

Travel Food News

In industry news, the Michelin Guide American South debuted. This marks the inaugural lists for Alabama, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, and the pre-existing Atlanta guide.

Also, the Michelin Guide Northeast Cities debuted which marks the lists for Boston and Philadelphia alongside NYC, DC, and Chicago.

What I'm Watching

• KPop Demon Hunters: I finally watched this out of curiosity after hearing about it at the Consul General of Korea lunch last month. It turns out the viral songs I have been hearing like Golden and Soda Pop are from the movie. I loved it. It made me want to share my HUNTR/X moment!
• The Celebrity Traitors: It ended and was one of my favorite Traitors season. The UK celebrities played the game as intended with no crazy drama or clout chasing.
• The Traitors Canada Season 3: Such an amazing season. The twists are so refreshing.
• Amazing Race Season 38: Still fun. I love seeing the dynamics and how anything can happen.
• The Morning Show: After flailing around throughout the season, it came out strong with the finale in my opinion.
• Ghosts Season 5: Still funny. I like that they brought back some characters from past seasons.
• Matlock Season 2: Keeps you excited to watch.
• George and Mandy Season 2: We are getting some progression in the story even with Mandy's annoying brother.
• Abbott Elementary Season 5: I finally caught up. The no phone episode was a hoot.
• The Roses (Movie): The poster image caught me because of the ensemble cast shown, but it was a little misleading as most were extras. Still, it was interesting to watch, especially the restaurant world aspect on Ivy's side.

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Thank you for being part of my journey! Stay tuned for more adventures and delicious discoveries.

Now, I'd love for you to share your experiences, be it a memorable trip, meal or movie/show you had recently. Just reply to this email.

As always, happy travels and eating!​

Cheers,

Raymond Cua​
​Travelling Foodie & Journey Traveler​

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** Ever wonder how I make my content? Here's everything I use!