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Dina Toukan creator of the food blog Two Can Dine.

This week we meet the food blogger and creator of Two Can Dine, Dina Toukan

Dina is a foodie and a travel enthusiast based in Amman, Jordan. She shares in her blog and Instagram account all of her dining escapades and travels. A user of Grabbd app. we chat with her to know more about things she love and how Grabbd is making it fun and easy to share her dining experience with her followers.

1. What’s Your Favorite City?

So far London tops my list. I’m a winter person, so the combination of its gloomy weather, the infinite number of good restaurants, and the style of living nominate it to be my favorite city.

2. Your Favorite Cuisine?

Ha Ha Ha, You can’t actually ask that question to a Food blogger. I’m a hardcore burger fanatic, that’s why I created a personalized hashtag on my Instagram called ‘Burger Wednesday’, posting pictures of juicy burgers from different cities (including Amman) every Wednesday.

I also love Japanese cuisines, where you always find room for innovative sushi rolls, for example, leaving you in awe of what have you just eaten!

3. Is your blog and Instagram account focused to Amman or does it include other cities?

When I started, I wanted my blog to be people's guide in dining anywhere in the world, that’s why you’ll find pictures taken in Amman, London, Dubai, Barcelona, etc. But I’ve received many comments on how these pictures are so mouthwatering that whenever my followers click on the location to go try the mentioned place, they get disappointed it’s outside Amman. So I decided to focus more on Amman for one sole reason: people have this misconception that Amman barely has good places to dine in; I want to prove this otherwise.

Of course, if I decide to travel, I make an announcement that I’m on new dining experience, that keeps my followers eager to know where.

4. Since you officially started blogging, do you feel you've become more critical of food in restaurants?

Besides always concerned with ‘is there something stuck on my teeth', of course I did. After transitioning to a food blogger, my taste in food changed drastically. I used to order the same plates wherever I go. Right now, I’m more keen on trying new dishes, new items on the menu or even asking about signature and/or best selling plates. I also think visual now prior to ordering (don’t judge me)! I mean the presentation of any plate is very important to me because now I keep thinking “is this attractive enough to be on my Instagram?”

5. Do you have a rating or a certain system that you go by? decor vs. food vs.service?

I started focusing on the full picture of a dining experience starting from the personal greeting to the service to the decor and even to presentation of food.

I will start applying this feature soon, by adding a rating under each article I write about. I’m going to cover pricing per person, service, ambience and food of course.

6. What do you look for in a restaurant and what’s on your Grabbd list?

I usually look for new concepts/dining experiences in restaurants like for example Cereal Killer in Shoreditch, who would have known I ended up eating cereal outside my own kitchen in one of London’s most hipster areas!

Currently, I’ve got a list of newly Grabbd restaurants I referred to in London during my last visit. It was of much ease going back and forth to that list!

7.How are you using the App? And How are you finding it handy?

I love it! If I could grab my life decisions using this app I would!

I use Grabbd to both plan and share:

-Planning ahead of a trip places I want to try and

-Sharing my dining experience with friends/blog followers.

I’m also loving the Instagram import. Where now anything tagged would be imported and photos automatically added. It makes updating my lists a lot faster and smoother just by a press of a button.

8.What’s your ideal escape/trip?

New York is next on my bucket list. I need to make sure I starve myself before heading there because I know it’s like heaven for food bloggers.

A Peek at Dina’s list on Grabbd:

Sally’s, Amman

Brisket, Amman

Chestnut, Amman

La Tasca, London

Hakkasan, London

Download and follow Dina to see more of her recommendations.

-Photos are by Dina Toukan @twocandine

#foodblogger foodie restaurants grabbdapp blogger

This week we meet Minna Herranen the creater of the blog Naked Plate Where she shares healthy homemade recipes that are easy to prepare.

From Finland and living in Dubai, she shares with us a bit about her interest and experience in food and generously shares with us her Mom’s super delicious Berry pie recipe. A Staple Finnish dish found in every Finnish household…but this recipe is apparently the real deal!

You can check it out Here in her Blog.

Also a user of Grabbd app, we chat with her to learn more about her and places on her list Grabbd list.

-What's your ideal escape? City?

It will be our summer cottage in the Finnish countryside near a small city called Kuopio. It is a modest place which used to be a little farm of my grandparents. It reminds me of all the time from where I am and who I am. I live in Dubai now and this is total opposite to that escape, in Dubai the ideal escape is a walk at the beach just after sunrise when most of the city is sleeping still.

-What's your favorite cuisine?

I am able to find my favorites in any cuisine and I’m lucky enough to live in multi-cultural Dubai having access to all kind of cuisines.

-How did you come across Grabbd App and how are you finding it useful?

I saw it on my friend’s phone, and got to try it. I always make a mental note to myself of nice places to visit when I read about them in magazines or see them on internet but tend to forget. It's easy to mark places to try in cities where I plan to go. I can also leave trail of places where I went and liked. It seems I am focused on Helsinki and Dubai.

-What do you look for In a restaurant and what's on your list?

My list have mainly places where you could have lunch in or a quick coffee break. Cafe's with nice atmosphere and special coffees, some fresh healthy food options. Hidden gems, which you would not go, because they are not listed in favorite tourist magazines. I mark in Helsinki and Dubai places where I would go and take my friends or family.

A peek at Minna’s list:

Tamba, Abu Dhabi

Comptoir 102, Dubai

Haltialan tila, Helsinki

The Sum of Us, Dubai

Kappeli, Helsinki

-Last memorable dining experience?

Those times when my husband was baking Egyptian bread and we cooked together Egyptian food to make him feel home in Finland. I had no clue how to make Egyptian dishes, but I have developed from there. But the very last one is Tresind Restaurant in Dubai, It's modern Indian cuisine with a touch of molecular gastronomy. It was chef's 9 course taste menu, with beautiful preparation and presentation.

-What is the "Essential Kitchen Tools" in your blog?

I am giving my blog readers idea's on how to add vegetables to daily meals. Anyone can download it.

-What's the staple dish in Finland?

It has to be blueberry or lingonberry pie with mashed potatos and Finnish meatballs and gravlax with mustard sauce and always rye bread with butter spread on it.

-What would a typical Finnish restaurant offer? Food/drink.

Our kitchen is modern fusion today, but if you go to an authentic traditional Finnish restaurant, the menu would have dishes made from fish from our thousands of lakes, root vegetables and potatos and definitely dessert would be on of our forest berries, such as bilberry, lingonberry, cloudberry and cranberry.

-Why the "Naked Plate"? (Reason behind the name).

Yes, I am the girl who clears the plate, the naked plate because the food is delicious, simple and made from scratch…Made to be completely wiped.

install Grabbd and Follow Minna to see more of her recommendations.

-Minna’s Photo by Paivi Arvonen

-Food Photos by Minna I instagram @minnahe

#foodie foodblogger blogger grabbdapp

This week we meet Sarah Dandashy founder of askaconcierge.tv

Sarah Dandashy is recognized as one of the leading concierge in the world.

We consider her the queen of everything L.A.

Planning a trip to Los Angeles and wondering what you could do, where to go and what to eat? She’s your go to Fabulous Concierge. (There for you in fluent English, French and Arabic)!

In early 2015, Les Clefs d'Or named her "The World's Most Up and Coming Concierge" after competing for the title against colleagues from around the globe. The gold keys she wears on her lapels guarantee her exclusive international access to little known treasures in cities worldwide. Hence As we mentioned –the to go to- Concierge in LA.

Her Blog and Short Videos Askaconcierge.tv is a great site with fun short, spot on, videos that would inspire you to visit LA and do all that Sarah suggests.

Take a look for yourself. (link)

Sarah has worked at some of the most prestigious hotels, including The London Hotel, Four Seasons Washington DC, and The Peninsula and L’Ermitage in Beverly Hills. She is also a contributing columnist for LA Travel Magazine, NY Travel Magazine, and DiscoverLosAngeles.com for the Los Angeles Tourism and Convention Board.

A User of Grabbd app we chat with her to see what she’s up to these days and what’s on her Grabbd list.

1.What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever been asked as a concierge?

Oh, where to begin?! There have been so many over the years. But one that is a stand out was a guest who would sleep on the floor of her room and she would request to have a few extra blankets in the room to sleep on. Not in the bed, but on the floor. She also refused to use the AC and needed a room that had windows that opened up at least 6 inches so she could get a breeze. When she traveled, we had to make sure that any hotel we sent her to met these specifications. There was another guest who always seemed to lose his Louis Vuitton sunglasses. We literally bought him nearly 15 pairs of the same glasses over the course of a few months… at $900 a pair! I could go on, but needless to say, weird requests are a concierge’s specialty.

2. When you stay in hotels, are you critical of the concierge? :)

Actually, not at all! I love to introduce myself to concierge at hotels in cities around the world. Our professional is rather unique; so the concierge community is quite close. There’s an unspoken bond, a level of understanding, and, I think, because of our nature, a desire to extend our hospitality. After all, we often service some of the same guests. So we really are far more connected than one might imagine.

3. We love your videos. How did the lovely idea start?

Thank you for the kind words! It actually started from a writing class I was taking. Our instructor assigned us to start a vlog, a video-blog. For the life of me, I could not decide what to focus on. I was stumped. Then I thought maybe I'll talk about things I share with guests at the hotel. After all, I answer many of the same questions every day. So I created my first video, and the response was so positive, I decided to keep at it. It has since spiraled into a whole brand!

4. Do you shoot videos based on frequent questions/request, or is there a certain trend/theme that you plan?

I put a lot of thought into planning my videos. I first start with a calendar to visualize the coming months. I notate holidays, special events, and any large openings. I want me content to be relevant and exciting. And then of course, if I notice a theme of questions that are common around that season, then I certainly include them in the mix.

5. What’s the significance of the Clefs d’Or for a concierge and for you personally?

Les Clefs d’Or (translates to “keys of gold” in French) is the highest regarded professional organization of hotel concierge. It is a worldwide organization, a network really, uniting the top concierge from around the globe. Our motto is “In Service Through Friendship,” which clearly highlights the camaraderie we have across cities, countries, and hotel brands.

For me personally, Les Clefs d’Or is my family—a work family that extends around the world. Just thinking about it makes me smile. The opportunities I have had, the experiences, the graciousness I have witnessed, these are all things that I am thankful for, honored to be a part of, and most importantly, I am proud to call all of these talented individuals my friends.

As you can see, Les Clefs d’Or is so much more than just a professional network. We share heart and soul and passion.

With that being said, the next time you go to a hotel that has a concierge with gold keys on their lapels, say hi! You will be certainly guided in the right direction for your stay.

6. Your favorite city?

Well, I just came back from Dubai… and I am in LOVE with it! So currently, Dubai is my favorite city. Well, behind Los Angeles, after all, I do live in LA!

7. What item do you always travel with?

I always travel with my navy pashmina. Scarves are just too handy to travel with, and I love navy as it tend to go with jeans, dresses, and better than the traditional black!

8. Favorite cuisine?

I love Thai food! It’s so spicy and fresh, and I could sample dipping sauces for days!

9. Last memorable dining experience.

Maude’s in Beverly Hills was an incredible dining experience. Reservations are tough to get. In fact, they have moved over to a ticket system for reservations. But if you can snag a rezzie, it is so worth it! Curtis Stone is a genius with food!

10. What do you look for in a restaurant? And what is on your Grabbd list?

First of all, I am a vegetarian, so I always look for vegetarian items on the menu. But I love food, so I really like when chefs get creative with their menu offerings. Some favorites on my Grabbd list are Gracias Madre, Koi, Estrella, Eveleigh, and Crossroads Kitchen.

11. How are you using Grabbd App. And how are you finding it handy?

I love Grabbd because it’s my way of keeping track of where I go! Also, so many of my friends always ask me what I like. Now, they don’t have to ask me directly, they can just look at my list!

A peek at Sarah’s list:

Estrella, Beverly Hills

Koi, Beverly Hills

Maude, Los Angeles

Night + Market, Beverly Hills

Install Grabbd and Follow Sarah to see more of her recommendations.

-Sarah’s Photo by David Hoff.

This week we meet the Power Couple Alissar Caracalla & Nael Chehab.

Alissar Caracalla-Chehab, is a Lebanese choreographer raised in London UK, and studied in Los Angeles California. She is the founder and director of the Caracalla School of Dance in Beirut, today the artistic home to over 2000 students. She is the daughter of Abdul-Halim Caracalla, the founder of the Lebanese and World-Renowned company Caracalla Dance Theatre. Alissar is also a Yogi, an athlete and lover of life. She was the Judge on the show “So you Think You Can Dance" and the choreographer and dance instructor in the show in the hit reality TV show Star Academy season 1 through 9. Her career spans with the development of Caracalla Dance Theatre where she works closely with her father and choreographs shows that are traveling the world, an artistic message from the Middle East all the way to Europe, Asia and the United states, performing at the world’s leading theaters.

Nael Chehab is an Aerospace Engineer and Owner and CEO of PrivaSky which is a corporate private charter service recognized for its first class international standards for VIP business travel charters servicing top VIPs and corporations in the Middle East, Europe, Asia and the Americas.

Both Alissar and Nael are avid sports enthusiasts, gurus of all fitness related activities be it yoga, cycling to the highest peak around the world, running, HIIT training and cross country skiing. You name it they’ve done it. They love nature, animals, traveling, good food, new experiences and are always up for a good challenge. And that’s why we would like to know more about their lifestyle and of course their Grabbd list.

1.What’s your ideal Escape/Trip? New York City believe it or not, as its a city that encompasses all, when we are in this city we hear and feel the heartbeat of the world!

2.Alissar: Teaching Yoga or Teaching Dance? I love to teach everything as teaching is about inspiring others, adding something that you know, love, and understand to someone else’s life, teaching is love!

3.Nael: Of all the fitness related activities that you are into, which is the most challenging to you? Road cycling is by far my biggest love and challenge because it makes you find your limits and go beyond suffering to a stage of exhilaration.

4.Favorite Cuisine? Breakfast of champions, eggs and everything that comes with it.

5.Favorite City? The Big Apple comes in first, but we also love Los Angeles and London, they are all unique and have so much to offer when it comes to food, fitness, art, and living!

6.What do you look for in a Restaurant and What’s on your Grabbd list? A creative menu, unique flavors, cleanliness, a good vibe, and a memorable experience that makes you want to come back.

A peek at Alissar’s list:

Piccola Cucina, New York

Locanda Verde, New York

Marinella, Beirut

Gjelina, Los Angeles

A peek at Nael’s list:

Two Hands, New York

Gato, New York

Bond St., New York

7.How are you using the App? And How are you finding it handy? The app is becoming our personal diary, as sometimes we go somewhere around the world, we love a dining experience yet we forget to write down the name of the restaurant or the really quaint coffee shop we fall on, so Grabbd helps us keep record of everything we love so we can experience it again, and share it with our friends! Share the care!

8.Are you Planners (dining out-wise) or you like playing things by ear? (Alissar) plans everything, she researches with detail, plans her work-out and where to eat after the workout, plans dinner and what to do before and after.

Nael plays it by ear as he knows Alissar has it all down to the T!

9.What was your latest memorable dining experience? Yesterday, breakfast at Two Hands! (New York) We are going back today after a nice sweaty ride at Soulcycle!

Install and get Grabbing

This week we meet Alexa & Hala founders of the AaHa Restart Cleanse Program.

The AaHa Restart Cleanse is a practical program that is essentially an elimination diet which can be applied regardless of your location. Anyone can participate in the program at any time - even when traveling. Alexa & Hala will guide you to make smart meal choices. If you will be dining out, they will look up the menu online and pick out some good choices for you to order, to stick with the AaHa eliminations.

1.Do you need to be a group to sign up? No, you don’t have to be a group necessarily. You can sign up individually were then we assign you to a group. Or of course you have the option to sign up as a group of friends. Some find it more fun and encouraging!

2.Which eliminations tend to be the most challenging for your clients? Most people start very worried about eliminating sugar and gluten. However with all the healthy alternatives that we highlight they quickly get over missing those foods, and really end up missing coffee and alcohol the most.

3.You now offer Family Focus on Nutrition program and you are a promoter of eating at home and creating clean meals, but you still enjoy dining out given the many great options out there. What’s on your Grabbd list? Both of us put our families at the very top of our priority list, and keeping them healthy and happy is vital. We feel that learning to dine together as a family is an imperative way to get our children to naturally develop a healthy approach to food. Children eventually tend to naturally mimic their parents’ habits, so seeing us eat nutritious wholesome meals is a great way to steer them in the right direction. There’s a lot of restaurants that we love and of course new ones that we want to try:

A peek at Hala’s list:

Bamboo, Greenwich CT Doppio, Greenwich CT Harlan Social, Stamford CT Ilili, New York CIty Freds at Barneys, New York CIty

A peek at Alexa’s list:

Terra, Greenwich CT Tarry Lodge, Greenwich CT Kawa Ni, Westport CT Morandi, New York City The Plaza Todd English food hall, NYC

Follow them to access their Grabbs (Restaurant Recommendations) and be up-to-date with their healthy picks.

4.The What’s App chat is popular in your model! How is that? The chat group we form has been the most popular and loved feature of the AaHa program so far. Our clients are very happy to receive support from us, as well as from the entire team that is participating that particular week. They use the chat to share photos of beautiful healthy meals they are having. Also while food shopping they can quickly snap a photo of a product label and ask us if this is O.K for them to eat during the cleanse, they get a quick answer and the whole group then can benefit from as well.

5.What are some of the good feedback you got? We have had clients literally tell us that we have changed their lives by making them aware of all the various wonderful healthy options out there that are delicious and make them feel fantastic. Most people tell us that they gain habits that really stick with them after completing their AaHa week, and that they are able to maintain this healthy way of eating well beyond their AaHa week.

6.Lastly, Do you have a customized hashtag for your Aaha tribe on Grabbd App? Yes! Look for the #AaHaApproved hashtags to help spot out restaurants with great healthy options like; Meli Melo and Organic Pharmer.

For upcoming cleanse schedule check http://www.aaharestart.com/

Install and get Grabbing

Happy Easter and blossoms

#nyc #easter #highline #downtown #spring #trees #nature

delta-breezes

Benedicte | @kardemomme1

delta-breezes

Janske Photography | @janske

fattributes

Lemon Poppyseed Crepes with Lemon Curd

loves829

restauranting-in-nyc

My attempt at filet mignon! Used a Sauvignon reduction and topped it off with enoki mushrooms paired with green beans and mashed potatoes.

ctrestaurantweek

Crispy Salt & Pepper Crusted Calamari with Three Dipping Sauces (Chipotle Mayo, Lemon Caper Aioli & Marinara) from @littlebarnwestport in Westport. Regram from @asiangirleats #CTRW (at Little Barn)