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In 1991 Billy and Akaisha Kaderli retired at the age of 38. Now, into their 4th decade of this financially independent lifestyle, they invite you to take advantage of their wisdom and experience.

Fine Dining around the World

Billy and Akaisha Kaderli

Since Billy is a trained French Chef, eating in fine dining establishments is one of our passions. We continue to learn about different foods, presentations and the sauces, herbs and spices which make eating a meal an event.

Billy always says "The eyes are the first to feast" therefore, a beautiful or unique presentation is paramount.

 

Colombia

Inside restaurant Alyzia in Hotel Movich, Cartagena, Colombia Lunch at Exquisite Hotel Movich Cartagena de Indias Cartagena, Colombia

We were running out of days on our visit to Cartagena, and we still wanted to have a fine dining lunch experience before we left. Let me just say, that with Billy being a trained French Chef, we are accustomed to eating well at home. If we go out and spend "good money" on a meal, we want it to be unique, or at least memorable. What were we going to do? Where should we go?

 

Italy

Restaurante Turcotto, Anzio, Italy

Anzio is increasingly becoming an important gastronomic destination, and the Garzia Family laid the roots of the important Portadanese culinary tradition. "Portodanzese" cuisine is choosing fish directly from the boxes of fishermen at the port. It couldn't be fresher that that! Apparently, the Garzia family know everything about fish - absolutely everything - and we were about to be "Wow'd".

Le Quattro Specierie Gourmet Restaurant and Roof Garden - Lecce, Italy

As you know, Billy is a trained French Chef, so part of our traveling adventures focuses on cuisine in the local countries that we visit. Billy found this restaurant listed in Lecce, and we were eager to try it out. Le Quattro Spezierie offers Italian cuisine and garden views. We even met the Chef!

Inside shot of the cave restaurant Soul Kitchen, Matera, Italy Soul Kitchen (Cave) Restaurant Matera, Italy

As you know, Billy and I are Foodies. Billy being a trained French Chef and our having owned a restaurant in California for a decade, we mix our version of "Cuisine Travel" into being on the road. Walking distance from our apartment and the cliff view of The Sassi is Soul Kitchen, touted as one of Matera's most elegant restaurants. Owned by two brothers, Mimmo and Pietro, between them they have 40 years of experience in the restaurant sector. Let's take a look.

Mexico

Salmon with orange sauce, restaurant Letra CH, Chapala, Mexico Letra CH Restaurant on Lake Chapala, Mexico

A restaurant with a strange name (there's gotta be a story there...) Letra CH is one of the best kept secrets at Lake Chapala, Mexico. Serving a mixture of fresh seafood and fusion cuisine, this charming place has a lake view, a full bar, and pricing comes in various ranges.

Fine cut of beef at Res Publica Restaurant, Guadalajara, Mexico  

Res Publica Restaurante Guadalajara, Mexico

Often, we will take the bus to Chacala beach in Nayarit, Mexico. Coming back to Chapala in Jalisco - as a reward to ourselves for this long winding road trip - we will treat ourselves to this particular steak house in Guadalajara. Serving fine cuts of imported beef (along with pastas and other selections) we take the afternoon and drink some wine, having a beautiful steak dinner. Come with us to Res Publica.

A bottle of Malbec, Los Chavales, Oaxaca, Mexico Los Chavales de la Barrida (The Kids of the Neighborhood) Oaxaca, Mexico

The Colonial City of Oaxaca, Mexico is a serious international cuisine contender. With our restaurant and food background (Billy is a trained French Chef, after all), one of the things we enjoy doing is frequenting restaurants and tasting street food. Los Chavales in the upscale neighborhood of Reforma was a restaurant that was recommended to us by someone who lived in that neighborhood. So... Off we went!

 Waiter is splitting a pepper for the salsa, Casa Oaxaca, Mexico Casa Oaxaca Reforma Oaxaca, Mexico

The Mexican Colonial City of Oaxaca is known for its cuisine. Restaurants abound and food choices run from fusion to indigenous. We read about Casa Oaxaca located in the pleasant neighborhood of Reforma, about a 22 minute walk from our hotel. The online menu looked very attractive, so we wanted to try it out.

 Duck at Origen Restaurant, Oaxaca, Mexico Origen Restaurant Oaxaca, Mexico

One of our favorite places in Mexico to visit, is Oaxaca, Mexico. Known for its cuisine, history and architectural beauty, Oaxaca is a must-see. We had been hearing about Origen, a restaurant which had delectable food and a creative flair, so we wanted to check it out for ourselves.

Vanilla cake with raspberry and chocolate, Bistro Chez Julien, Queretaro, Mexico Bistro Chez Julien

Billy and I were in the Spanish Colonial city of Queretaro, Mexico. We met up with friends, and since we are known for wanting to frequent fine eateries, our friends suggested this little French Bistro.

 

 

 

 

 
White fish with clams, Fiume 37, Queretaro, Mexico Restaurant Fiume 37 Queretaro, Mexico

A fine Colonial city, Queretaro is, with an international restaurant presence. Oooooh. We like that. We had just joined friends for an early dinner the other night at European and French style Bistro Chez Julien and it was lovely. Today, they were taking us to Fiume 37, a restaurant with an Italian and Mediterranean flare. With great reviews and an extensive menu, we looked forward to it!

Borrachitos with glazed fruit Hacienda La Laborcilla, Queretaro City, Mexico Hacienda la Laborcilla Restaurant Extraordinaire Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico

Rated as #1 out of 844 reviewed restaurants in Queretaro City and having received the Traveler's Choice Award, we couldn't wait to see what the hoopla was all about.

Vacio on the plate, La Bocha, Queretaro, Mexico La Bocha Queretaro, Mexico

So there we were, strolling through a neighborhood park where a man was walking his duck. We came upon a Father and his young daughter and struck up a conversation with them. Billy likes to speak with locals, probing why they like where they live, and then asking them if they know any good restaurants that we should try. Without hesitation, this Father said "La Bocha."

Pear, Prociutto, Gorganzola salad, Rucula, Queretaro City, Mexico Rucula Santiago de Queretaro, Mexico

Rucula offers brochettes, a must-have cut of meat called Vacio, baby pig called Lechon, chicken, goat, various other prime cuts of beef, salads and pasta. Main courses of meats run from $13USD for brochettes to $73USD for a kilo Porter House steak.

Sicily

Fresh, raw salmon on a bed of lettuce at Ponticello Taverna, Palermo, Sicily Taverna Ponticello, Palermo, Sicily

We had no idea this taverna was here... until we did. Walking past this corner eatery often, tucked in an alley that led directly to our apartment, we overlooked this place because it didn't really have a street presence. We simply got lost in the chaos that is Palermo and just didn't notice this gem. Until... one day we thought we might take this little alleyway at the left of our apartment and find out where it led. Well, it brought us to one of the best restaurants we experienced in Palermo!

waiter pouring wine at Ragnordoro Restaurant and Pizzeria, Cefalu, Sicily Ragno D'oro Restaurante and Pizzeria Cefalu, Sicily

Just an hour out of Palermo by train, is Sicily's best beach, the town of Cefalu. Cefalu boasts a dramatic backdrop with the Rocca di Cefalu towering over the long crescent beach, and the crystal-clear turquoise waters and golden sands create a picture-perfect scene. We had to go.

2 men in front of the Faraglioni formation, Le Muse Ristorante, Pizzeria, Aci Trezza, Sicily Le Muse Ristorante Pizzeria Acitrezza, Sicily

Taking a "hop-on, hop-off tour bus" from the city of Catania, we proceeded up the Cyclops Riviera but stopped at Aci Castello. This charming town guarded a hidden gem – an 11th-century Norman Castle - but we had more important things to do - like have some delicious Ionian seafood for lunch. Our pick was Le Muse Ristorante Pizzeria in Aci Trezza, the next town up.

 

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About the Authors

 
Billy and Akaisha Kaderli are recognized retirement experts and internationally published authors on topics of finance, medical tourism and world travel. With the wealth of information they share on their award winning website RetireEarlyLifestyle.com, they have been helping people achieve their own retirement dreams since 1991. They wrote the popular books, The Adventurer’s Guide to Early Retirement and Your Retirement Dream IS Possible available on their website bookstore or on Amazon.com.

 

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