Hi there! Pickle Deli Square is a collection of my experiences living, eating, and traveling the world. Currently an expat based in Valencia, on the Mediterranean coast of Spain.
Omicron-era Trip Report: UA5499 SFO-SAN United First Class Embraer 175 (Skywest)
A short, thankfully delayed flight (so that I could make the connection).
Omicron-era Trip Report: United Club in the SFO Rotunda
A big upgrade in food offerings compared to pre-COVID times, with substantial, fresh choices. Very welcome after cutbacks in onboard catering.
Omicron-era Trip Report: UA858 PVG-ICN-SFO United Polaris Business Class, Boeing 777-300ER
A kind flight attendant showed pictures of each of the meal choices, but what to order when the choices are hard to get excited about?
Omicron-era Trip Report: United Check-in and Air China First Class Lounge at PVG
With the flight delayed about 3 hours 10 minutes, I had plenty of time to sample the food at the Air China First Class lounge.
Trying a Pizza Hut pizza designed by a 2-Michelin Star restaurant
The finale of the Yum China premium proposition trilogy: abalone-flavor Wagyu beef pizza, anyone?
Yum China's Ultra-Premium Experiment: Atto Primo Shanghai
Could one of these menu items eventually trickle down to Pizza Hut?
Yum China's Premium Experiment: Les Élites by Pizza Hut Shanghai
Truffles, wagyu steak, and misnardise at a Pizza Hut offshoot?
They Survived! Finding My Favorite Wonton and Scallion Pancake Shops after Redevelopment
Not one, but two discoveries that made me overjoyed!
An Ode to Shouning Road 寿宁路: One of Shanghai's Fallen Old Streets
Once a bustling street of old Shanghaiese snacks, Shouning Street is now all boarded up.
My favorite scallion pancake (葱油饼 congyoubing) in all of Shanghai
A crunch and savoriness that satisfied every time.
My favorite wonton in all of Shanghai
The one dish I craved from Shanghai, when I was in the US for almost all of 2020.
COVID-times Trip Report: Air China PEK Business Class Lounge
Sparsely populated and sparse food offerings: a stark contrast to my last visit in 2019. PLUS, a big lesson in how to better take advantage of Priority Pass!
COVID-times Trip Report: Shuttling between SHA and PEK on Air China, 4 flights and 4 meal formats
Flying Air China in Economy Class back and forth between Shanghai Hongqiao (SHA) and Beijing Capitol Airport (PEK) over the course of a month, the lack of standardization of meals was fascinating!
Plant-based Lunch at Duli, a Second Time
Once again, a winning meal!
Jean-Georges's Mercato, on the Shanghai Bund
A splurge by the Bund. Glad to try it once, but…
Afternoon Tea at the St. Regis Shanghai
A real treat on a drizzly day.
Shanghai Eats: Dinner at The Commune Social
A bright upturn of the day following lunch at Together, with an imaginative menu, excellent quality, and smooth service.
Shanghai Eats: Lunch at Together
A cute space and nice location, let down by lengthy waits for so-so food.
Yummi Dumplings: Frozen Xiaolongbao and Wontons Delivered
Perhaps the first meal we had that wasn’t cooked from scratch, in half a year: a delivery of dumplings from Orange County. Perfect for pandemic times!