The Hangar – Taproom & Bottle Shop
The Hangar in South Lake Tahoe offers rotating craft beers and a relaxed outdoor space with games, food trucks, and seasonal heated domes
Food + Dining
Beloved’s Bakery and Cafe
Beloved’s Bakery & Cafe offers organic, handcrafted breads, pastries and more in Reno, Nevada
Hub Coffee Roasters – Riverside
Hub Coffee Roasters’ Riverside location pairs expertly crafted coffee with a beautiful riverside setting
Piñon Bottle Co – Midtown
Piñon Bottle Midtown in Reno is a dog-friendly craft beer bar with 36 taps, a wide bottle selection, expert staff, and a relaxed vibe
Centro Bar & Kitchen
Centro Bar & Kitchen in Reno, Nevada features a stylish setting with small plates, craft cocktails, and a lively, social atmosphere
Von Bismarck
Von Bismarck in Reno serves Eastern and Northern German fare in a beautiful, industrial-chic space
The Living Room
The Living Room at The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe offers flavorful American cuisine in an elegant setting featuring fireplaces and scenic slope views
Blairs – Silverlake
Blair’s in Silver Lake, California, is a cozy neighborhood Italian restaurant offering delicious house-made pastas and seasonal dishes
Amboy Quality Meats & Delicious Burgers
Amboy blends a retro butcher shop vibe with bold, flavorful burgers crafted from expertly aged beef
As a lifelong lover of travel, all things adventure and the brilliant beauty of Earth, I’ve always enjoyed sharing my experiences with friends. Here you’ll find a collection of my travels, thoughts and inspiration for a life well lived. I hope you enjoy your stay.
Sign Up
Press
Michelin Rated & Notable
Beckon
Beckon in Denver, Colorado, is an intimate, chef-driven restaurant offering a seasonal tasting menu that highlights meticulously crafted dishes.
Pasta Bar Los Angeles by Scratch Restaurants
Dinner at Pasta Bar Los Angeles by Scratch Restaurants was a creative, curious and - above all else - delicious affair in Encino, California
Jont DC
Dinner at Jont in Washington DC firmly placed the cuisine of the restaurant as one of my favorite dining experiences in the United States
Centurion New York
Towering over the Manhattan skyline, the Centurion New York showcases a menu of contemporary cuisine, expertly led by Chef Daniel Boulud
Per Se
Overlooking Central Park, Per Se in New York offers a luxurious culinary experience with artfully presented dishes that blend French technique with seasonal ingredients.
HA’ by Carlos Gaytan
Dinner at HA’ restaurant was the perfect way to celebrate my birthday at Hotel Xcaret México in Tulum, Mexico
Alinea
Alinea, a renowned culinary destination in Chicago, Illinois, offers a multi-sensory dining experience that challenges traditional food presentation with its innovative dishes.
n/naka
n/naka presents an exquisite kaiseki dining experience, where Chef Niki Nakayama masterfully blends traditional Japanese techniques with modern influences in a meticulously curated tasting menu
Gucci Osteria Beverly Hills
Gucci Osteria in Beverly Hills delivers an upscale dining experience - where Italian-inspired cuisine meets a chic ambiance and artful presentation
Citrin
A group dinner at Citrin for DineLA Restaurant Week was a great backdrop for conversation and delicious bites in Santa Monica
Citrin x Mélisse
Dinner at Citrin x Mélisse was a delicious experience of gastronomic pleasure, in Santa Monica, California
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants – Cedar Creek
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants in Cedar Creek outside of Austin is everything I love about omakase: decadence, deliciousness - and fun
Smyth
My dinner at Smyth was an incredible experience of relaxed culinary refinement through cuisine and service in Chicago, Illinois
Whiskey & Seaweed by Clare Smyth
Light bites and drinks at Whiskey & Seaweed, crafted by the kitchen of Core by Clare Smyth, served a delicious procession of pretty plates - in London, England
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Dining at Lost Spirits Distillery
Dinner at 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at Lost Spirits Distillery was - to get to the point - absolutely, deliciously, bat shit wild. Which is gloriously fitting for a dining experience in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The Duchess Restaurant at the W Hotel Amsterdam
Dinner at The Duchess restaurant at the W Hotel Amsterdam was a delicious, Michelin star delight - in Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Mizumi
Mizumi restaurant, in Wynn Las Vegas offers a decadent Japanese menu within a refined and beautiful environment in Las Vegas, Nevada
45 Grill & Health
Lunch at 45 Grill & Health offered me life giving views of Lake Geneva while enjoying mouth watering cuisine and wine of the region
Orsa & Winston
Dinner at Orsa & Winston is a delicious journey into the culinary mind of Chef Josef Centeno, pairing Italian and Japanese inspiration in DTLA
The Restaurant at Meadowood Napa Valley
Before it burned down, The Restaurant at Meadowood Napa Valley gave me an absolutely incredible, stunning night of service and food
Providence
Dinner at Providence was my first foray into the world of Michelin starred restaurants, in Los Angeles, California
SingleThread Restaurant
Dinner at SingleThread Restaurant was an experience in decadent perfection - from service to presentation to taste - in Healdsburg, California
Montreux Jazz Café
Dinner after listening to jazz at Montreux Jazz Café was the quintessential Montreux experience, in Montreux, Switzerland
La Paix
Having my birthday dinner at La Paix, a Michelin starred restaurant in Tokyo, Japan, was a bespoke experience in French and Japanese cuisine
Sushi by Scratch Restaurants – Los Angeles
Dinner at Sushi by Scratch Restaurants - Los Angeles proved to be - yet again - one of the best, unique and delicious omakase sushi experiences in Encino, California
The French Laundry
Dinner at The French Laundry. Table for one. Culinary Excellence.
Noma
Noma. Table of four. Casual perfection, defined.
kato restaurant
Kato in Los Angeles' Arts District offers a Michelin-starred Taiwanese-inspired tasting menu, blending Asian-American flavors in a sleek, minimalist space
Travels & Experiences
Nevada Museum of Art
The Nevada Museum of Art in Reno presents a compelling blend of art, science, and reflection within a striking, desert-inspired space
Funitel Gondola Ride at Palisades Tahoe Resort
Palisades Tahoe in Olympic Valley is Lake Tahoe’s largest ski resort, with 6,000 acres, a base-to-base gondola and a 1960 Winter Olympics history
In Conversation: Top Chef’s Kristen Kish and Alyse Whitney at Now Serving Bookstore
While promoting her book “Accidentally on Purpose”, Top Chef host Kristen Kish joined food writer Alyse Whitney at Los Angeles’ Now Serving bookstore for a candid conversation on identity, adoption, and self-discovery
Whitney Peak Hotel Reno, Tapestry Collection by Hilton
Whitney Peak Hotel in downtown Reno is a modern hotel featuring a climbing wall, live music venue, and scenic view rooms
The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe
Nestled in the Sierra Nevada, The Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe blends alpine luxury with direct ski access, serene spa experiences, and refined mountain lodging
Hotel Alpenrock Breckenridge, Curio Collection by Hilton
Hotel Alpenrock is a stylish, cozy retreat located at the base of Peak 9 in Breckenridge, Colorado
Travel Guides
Travel Guide: San Francisco & Northern California
Northern California is a captivating blend of breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and vibrant cultural diversity, offering something for every traveler
Travel Guide: Mammoth Lakes
Mammoth Mountain offers incredible snowboarding, stunning alpine scenery, and year-round outdoor adventure
Travel Guide: San Diego
San Diego’s stunning coastal views, breweries and great dining options create the perfect blend of relaxation and adventure
Travel Guide: Switzerland
Switzerland is a land of breathtaking alpine landscapes, medieval towns, and a unique blend of European cultures
Travel Guide: Toronto
Toronto is a vibrant, multicultural city with an iconic skyline, diverse neighborhoods, world-class museums, delicious international cuisine, and a thriving arts scene
Travel Guide: Colorado
Colorado provides a refined retreat where majestic mountain vistas, world-class skiing, and serene hot springs combine with a vibrant culinary scene to create the ultimate luxury escape
Travel Guide: Hudson Valley, the Adirondacks & Upstate New York
With its farm-to-table dining, local wineries, and outdoor adventures, exploring Upstate New York offers a refreshing change of pace from NYC
Travel Guide: Lisbon, Faro & Sintra
Portugal is a coastal gem in southwestern Europe. From the vibrant capital of Lisbon and the sunny Algarve coast, Portugal combines natural beauty with a warm, delicious food culture.
Travel Guide: Belgium
Belgium is a captivating blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy, where picturesque canals, grand Gothic architecture, and rich cultural history meet a thriving arts scene and cosmopolitan energy
Travel Guide: Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a tropical paradise of lush rainforests, stunning beaches, and rich biodiversity, renowned for its sustainability efforts and adventure-filled tourism
Travel Guide: Dubai & Maldives
Dubai’s ultra-modern opulence and the Maldives’ serene tropical beauty unite to offer the ultimate luxury escape, blending vibrant city experiences with tranquil island relaxation.
Travel Guide: Berlin
Berlin is a city of contrasts, where history—from the Berlin Wall to World War II—intersects with cutting-edge art, vibrant nightlife, and a modern energy that propels it into the future
Travel Guide: Texas
Texas, the second-largest U.S. state, boasts vast landscapes—from deserts and pine forests to Gulf Coast beaches—and a rich blend of cowboy heritage, vibrant cities, and world-renowned barbecue
Travel Guide: Copenhagen, Denmark
My time in Copenhagen was a journey through a vibrant blend of old-world charm, beautiful architecture and delicious cuisine.
Travel Guide: Hawaii
Hawaii presents an unparalleled escape, where pristine beaches and lush rainforests converge to create a tranquil haven
Travel Guide: British Columbia, Canada
British Columbia, Canada’s westernmost province, is renowned for its stunning landscapes—rugged coastlines, vibrant rainforests, and the majestic Rockies—alongside vibrant cities like Vancouver and Whistler.
Travel Guide: New York City
New York City is a dynamic, iconic metropolis known for its skyscrapers, cultural diversity, and vibrant energy, blending historic landmarks with a modern, global appeal.
Travel Guide: Paris
Paris is a city of timeless elegance, where iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and Notre-Dame stand as symbols of art, history, and romance
Travel Guide: London, England
London, England is city where historic landmarks merge with modern elegance to offer unparalleled sophistication through museums, delicious dining, and cultural experiences
Travel Guide: Amsterdam & Rotterdam
The Netherlands is a captivating blend of historic charm and modern innovation, known for its picturesque canals, vibrant cities, and progressive culture.
Travel Guide: Napa & Sonoma Valley
Napa and Sonoma Valleys are celebrated wine regions offering stunning landscapes, world-class wineries, and delicious culinary experiences
Travel Guide: Chicago
Chicago is a dynamic city known for its striking skyline, deep rooted culture and a renowned food scene
Travel Guide: Greece
Greece is a country rich in ancient history and stunning landscapes, from the iconic ruins of Athens to the sun-soaked islands of the Aegean Sea.
Travel Guide: Istanbul
Istanbul is a vibrant city where East meets West, blending rich history with modern energy along the banks of the Bosphorus.
Travel Guide: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka
From the tranquil temples of Kyoto to the bustling streets of Tokyo, Japan captivates visitors with its rich culture, natural beauty, and incredible cuisine.
Travel Guide: Italy and Sicily
Italy is a land of rich history, art, and cuisine, with cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice showcasing ancient ruins, Renaissance masterpieces, and romantic canals.
Travel Guide: Alberta, Canada
Alberta, Canada, boasts breathtaking Rocky Mountain landscapes, stunning national parks and of course - dinosaurs
Travel Guide: Washington DC, Delaware and Maryland
Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Delaware offer a rich mix of history, culture, and coastal beauty, from iconic monuments and museums to charming harbor towns and scenic beaches
Travel Guide: New Orleans
New Orleans is a vibrant city where French, Spanish, African, and Caribbean influences blend into a unique culture celebrated for its jazz, cuisine, and the spirited energy of Bourbon Street and Mardi Gras, pulsing with history, resilience, and joy
Travel Guide: Mexico
Tulum’s restaurants and Cancun’s vibrant resorts come together to offer an exquisite escape, seamlessly combining serene jungle tranquility by turquoise waters
Tours + Itineraries
EclecticKim is made with by Kimberly Kirven.
EclecticKim is an online resource created and curated to provide restaurant reviews, travel guides, inspiration and reflections on a life well lived.
© Copyright 2015 – 2025 by Kimberly Kirven – All rights reserved.
EclecticKim is an online resource created and curated to provide restaurant reviews, travel guides, inspiration and reflections on a life well lived.
© Copyright 2015 – 2025 by Kimberly Kirven – All rights reserved.