The first time I tried halloumi cheese was at a restaurant called Lola in downtown Seattle. I was there for brunch and ordered Halloumi Cheese Kebabs with Kalamata figs. I had no idea what halloumi was but I love cheese and it came with figs so I ordered it.  

The kebabs came and they looked crazy with squares of cheese that hadn't melted and dried figs all lined up on a skewer. I was worried about what I ordered. It almost looked like marshmallows and mushrooms! Alas it was a wonderful breakfast and I was amazed by this cheese that a) paired well with figs and b) didn't melt when cooked!

That began my love affair with halloumi cheese. Let's figure out just what in the world this odd cheese is and exactly how to cook and eat it. 

Earlier this year I launched Figs and Flights {events}. They're an in person celebration of life fueled by food and travel. They are an extension of the Figs and Flights blog and brand. The {events} take place in Seattle and focus on another place, it's culture, and cuisine. 

The first {event} was Neapolitan Pizza in April. The second {event} was Irish Hospitality in May. The third Figs and Flights {event} was a redo of the first one, Neapolitan Pizza Part II, this time taking place in August. 

Let's recap the third {event}, shall we?

Today is the first day to get your tickets to the Portuguese Wine Flights & Pastel de Nata {event}.

I went to Portugal just last year. In last week's Portugal - Fav 5 {Travel Guide} I told you about the Douro Valley, the gorgeous wine region of Portugal, and the best sweet bite Portugal has to offer: the pastel de nata. I learned about and fell in love with Portuguese wine and pasteis (the plural of pastel). This {event} will bring that experience directly to you, here in Seattle!

The {event} is at Luso Food & Wine in Greenwood and we'll begin at 7:00 pm. We'll try six different wines including Portugal's ​vihno verde, green wine, and port wines. There will be a little snack of olives. The last two wines are dessert wines and that's when we'll get into the pasteis de nata. This sweet treat is going to rock your world if you haven't had it. If you have, you'll be momentarily transported back to Portugal! 

Fav 5 Travel Guides are a short list of the best things I've found to do, see, eat, or drink in a particular location. This guide is for Portugal. 

​This guide is timed just right in anticipation for the Portuguese Wine Flights and Pastel de Nata {event} on Saturday, September 21 in Seattle, WA. Tickets for the {event} will launch next week!

Look no further for more on International Travel or Fav 5 Travel Guides within the US.

Portugal is a feast for the senses. The food and wine are delicious, the colors will amaze you, and there's art everywhere, including under your feet.

My Fav 5 {Travel Guide} for Portugal includes:

1. ​The Colors
2. Hand Painted Tiles and Limestone Sidewalks
3. The Douro Valley
4. The Seafood
5. Pastel de Nata

It's finally time for another Figs and Flights {event}.

The Neapolitan Pizza {event} in April was so great that we're doing it again in August! My parents will be in town and it's now fig season so we're heading back to Tutta Bella for Part II. It's the same format and menu although this time we're doing an early (4 pm) dinner on a Sunday.

Tickets are on sale now through next Friday, August 2 at 10 pm. It's $38 per person and that includes your salad, pizza, and dessert, plus tax and gratuity. If you'd like some adult beverages, just start a tab with our server or at the bar.

Get your ticket now!