Singapore Food Trail
Thumbs up for the recommendations in “Singapore’s Best Restaurants” [October]. Singapore has some unique restaurants, but authentic street food is the best way to experience the country. I, too, visited the Singapore Food Trail hawker center, where the owners have created an authentic 1960’s street-dining concept. Many of the vendors have been in business for years and have become famous. My favorites are the handmade fish balls with noodles, the fried oyster omelette, and an ice-ball dessert that can’t be found anywhere else. — Travelandleisure.com member astralis
Roman Holiday
I loved the pace of Justin Davidson’s “Roma Sparita, Then and Now” [October] and its elegant prose. It’s gratifying to read an American author who obviously knows Rome intimately—an exceptional thing. Too bad I never ran into Giustino [Justin] in the glory days of the city’s Primavalle quarter. — Travelandleisure.com member er_pantera
Going Global
I was entranced by Guy Trebay’s “Why We Travel” [October], which instantly took me back to my first class trip to France, when I was 13. I remember two things the most: the smell of Paris, and my mother’s mission to find me the “essential” airplane accessory—an Eastern Airlines flight bag. My 16-year-old daughter traveled to Spoleto, Italy, this summer, and has similarly vivid memories of Ersilio, the 75-year-old fruit vendor whom she visited daily. I’m thrilled to be passing the “Global Nomad” baton on to my daughter. — Tal Mangum, Raleigh, N.C.
A Plug for Innovation
The mention of inventor Ross Gardner in “World’s Most Important Travel Innovations” [October] brought a tear to my eye. He and I were friends when we worked at Cabot Corporation, and Ross actually invented the earplug while trying to develop a material to fill in potholes—just one example of his ability to think outside the box. Next time you enjoy a flight in peace and quiet, order a Rusty Nail, Ross’s drink of choice. — Rick Brown, Indianapolis, Ind.
They’ll Always Have Paris
I returned from my mailbox with a big smile when I saw your October issue cover featuring the Eiffel Tower. I just took my two grown daughters to Paris—which was a great bonding experience—but the best part was hearing my girls talk about doing it with their own children someday. — Eileen Kelly, Lake Mary, Fla.
Hot Topic: L.A. Food Fight
City of Angels supporters had a hard time swallowing Los Angeles’s No. 12 ranking on “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” (online, September), while others were fully sated by the results.
Ranking behind Savannah, Charleston, Portland, and Honolulu? That’s laughable. None of those towns can hold a candle to L.A.’s diversity, creativity, and upscale, discerning clientele. — Travelandleisure.com member HungryMan
I don’t give a rip about the hype of Los Angeles. I care about excellent food being made by people who love it. Providence has that in spades. — Travelandleisure.com member Cilian
I’ve eaten in every city listed in “America’s Best Cities for Foodies” except for Charleston, and L.A. does food better than any of them. As I understand it, the food trucks and tamale carts that this article raves about were invented in L.A. and still exist there in far greater numbers than in any other place in the country. — Travelandleisure.com member mightymex