Mitzie Mee - Food & Travel Blog

New York: Le Petit Village – French Restaurant in West Village

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Disclaimer: I was invited to dine at Le Petit Village, but as always, this post reflects my own experience and honest opinion.

Le Petit Village is a cozy French restaurant tucked away in a charming old building in the West Village. You’ll find outdoor tables lining the sidewalk, perfect for a summer evening, but when Steve and I visited, it was so hot we quickly retreated indoors and honestly, I’m glad we did. The inside has that quiet, classic bistro vibe that makes you want to order a bottle of wine and stay for hours.

The menu has all the French favorites such as French onion soup and Moules Marinières, but also a few more modern, creative dishes. We started with the onion soup, which happens to be one of my all-time favorite comfort foods. I basically lived on it when we were in Paris earlier this year, and the version at Le Petit Village really held its ground. Plenty of sweet, caramelized onions and a deep, flavorful broth. We cleaned the bowl completely.

Next came the beet salad, beautifully presented with the colorful root vegetables layered over whipped goat cheese. It tasted as fresh as it looked, with just the right balance of sweet and tangy.

We also had Wagyu Steak Tartare, which turned out to be another highlight of the evening. I’m a big tartare fans, and this one was right up my alley. Instead of loading it up with cornichons, capers and mustard, they kept it super simple: just really good beef, a quail egg yolk, and a touch of salt and pepper. The meat was tender and flavorful enough to carry the dish all on its own. We loved it.

For the main course, we had the Pappardelle with mushroom sauce. I always forget how rich and umami-packed mushrooms can be until I have a dish like this. The pasta dish was hearty and comforting without being too heavy, and the sauce had that deep, delicious flavor that makes you want to lick the plate.

We had originally planned to share the baked camembert or the crème brûlée for dessert, but we were too full to even think about sweets. So instead, we wandered through the streets of the Village and talked about how good everything had been. I already know I’ll be back, and next time, I’m saving room for dessert.

Le Petit Village, 173 7th Ave S, New York, NY 10014, United States

July 7, 2025 0 comments

New York City: Soufflé Pancakes at Fluffy Fluffy

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

Disclaimer: I was invited to visit Fluffy Fluffy, but as always, this post reflects my own experience and honest opinion.

The first time I tried soufflé pancakes was in Tokyo back in 2017. It was the hot new thing at the time, and I was convinced those jiggly clouds of pancake joy were about to take over both the US and Europe. But even though they’re still hugely popular in Asia, soufflé pancakes remain surprisingly under-the-radar in the rest of the world, which is a bit of a mystery considering how incredibly good they are.

Soufflé pancakes aren’t just a fancy version of American pancakes. Thanks to whipped egg whites, the texture is soft, airy, and almost foam-like—think edible clouds, but make it brunch. And yes, they taste just as good as they look.

So when I saw that Fluffy Fluffy had opened in New York last month, I was obviously very excited. Fluffy Fluffy is a chain that specializes in Japanese-style soufflé pancakes, just like the ones in Tokyo, and they’re doing a great job.

We asked the staff for their favorites, and there was general consensus that the Tiramisu Pancakes and the Blueberry Cheese Pancakes were the top picks. We ordered both, but quickly agreed that the Blueberry Cheese Pancakes were the clear winner. The blueberry sauce together with the cold ice cream, and those fluffy pancakes? Such a great combo, and yes, they taste exactly as good as they look in the photos.

Steve had a hazelnut espresso, which had a nice nutty flavor without being too sweet. I went for the Strawberry Latte, which honestly tasted more like a strawberry milkshake than a coffee drink (I’m not even sure it had any coffee in it), but it actually paired really well with the pancakes.

If you’re curious about soufflé pancakes and want to try the real deal in New York, Fluffy Fluffy is definitely worth a visit.

Fluffy Fluffy, 153 1st Ave, New York, NY 10003

July 2, 2025 0 comments

SAS: Upgraded – Good morning from seat 2F

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

My flight from Stavanger left at 6:25am, and since I had checked baggage, I needed to be at the airport at least an hour before departure. The hotel breakfast didn’t open until 5, so there was only time for a soft-boiled egg and a tiny smoothie before I had to rush out the door.

I had my hopes up for breakfast in the lounge, but I’d completely forgotten that the SAS lounge in Stavanger is for international flights only, and I was just flying to Oslo. So no lounge, no croissants, and no extra coffee for me that morning, or so I thought.

Then it happened. I got upgraded! And as a little extra treat, they handed out breakfast boxes on board. Nothing fancy, but exactly what I needed: a salami and brie sandwich, yogurt with granola, and another little smoothie.

So even though the day started way too early and with a touch of hanger, it actually turned into a really nice beginning to both the day and the trip.

I know some of you are probably wondering how to score an upgrade, and while there are plenty of tips floating around—from dressing nicely to casually trying to bribe the gate agent—my experience is that it all comes down to one thing: your frequent flyer status.

I’ve been KLM Gold for a little over a year, and now that SAS is part of SkyTeam, it means my loyalty points with KLM also carry some weight when it comes to SAS upgrades.

July 1, 2025 0 comments

Seattle: Inside Passage – Amazing Cocktails

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

When Steve and I were in Seattle, we met up with Sylvan (an old friend from Sweden) and his girlfriend for drinks at Inside Passage which is a tiny bar tucked inside another bar called Rumba.

The name, Inside Passage, refers to the famous waterway that runs between Washington and Alaska, winding through islands and icy blue inlets. Fitting, because stepping into the bar feels like diving into a surreal, underwater world. There’s a giant octopus figure hanging from the ceiling, and the whole place is dark, cozy, and wonderfully weird.

The bar isn’t very big, and getting a table can be tricky, especially on weekends, but thankfully, Sylvan had booked in advance. We were only planning to have one drink, but the menu was just too tempting, so one quickly turned into two… and then three, for some of us.

Cocktails are around $22 each, and they’re worth every dollar. One came disguised as an Amazon package, another was served in a mini rice cooker, and dry ice and LED lights seemed to be recurring themes. Inside Passage has become something of an influencer magnet (the underwater octopus ceiling kind of guarantees that), but the bar also draws a crowd of serious cocktail connoisseurs—and rightfully so, because the drinks are surprisingly good. There’s definitely substance behind the spectacle, and Inside Passage is a great place for cocktails in Seattle.

Inside Passage, 1108 Pike St, Seattle, WA 98101, United States

June 25, 2025 0 comments

Norway: An Evening in Farsund – Scallops and White Wine

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

The other evening, AC and Kristian had me over for scallops and white wine. They live right down by the fjord, so Kristian just threw on his wetsuit and picked the scallops straight out of the water. He had also caught a small turbot with his bare hands (!), so dinner that night was pasta with scallops, turbot, and shrimp.

I watched as he cleaned the fish and shucked the scallops, and I don’t think more than 20 minutes passed from sea to skillet. Kristian had made a savory sabayon, which he poured over the pasta before topping it with the seafood. It tasted so fresh and delicious. We had a glass of Sancerre on the side, which paired perfectly with the dish. Such an amazing dinner. It still blows my mind that they have access to all that incredible seafood, right outside their front door. Just a quick dive and dinner’s sorted.

My mom collects seashells, so the first thing she said when she saw the photos I sent her was to bring some shells home.I washed and cleaned 6 shells and left them to dry on the terrace. Forgot to take them home the following day, so I guess I have to visit soon again:)

June 21, 2025 0 comments

New York City: Ghost Tour in Greenwich Village

by Mitzie Mee - Sanne

New York: Ghost Stories in Greenwich Village

Disclaimer: I was invited to join the tour by New York Ghosts.

There was rain in the air and the kind of heavy clouds that seem to hang just a little too low, as Steve and I made our way to Washington Square Park one evening in New York. We were about to join a ghost-themed walking tour through Greenwich Village, and honestly, the weather couldn’t have been more on-brand.

The tour started at 8pm under the arch at the park entrance, and just minutes in, we were already knee-deep in eerie tales about the area’s haunted past. I’ve been to Washington Square Park countless times, but I had no idea that the whole place used to be a burial ground. Over 20,000 people are supposedly buried underneath. Needless to say, it set the tone. Our guide told us that in addition to being a tour guide, she’s also a professional actor, and she was fantastic. She had a way of telling the stories that pulled you in, and made it all feel very real.

We wandered quietly through the Village, stopping in front of buildings you’d probably never notice otherwise. Places you might pass by on your way to brunch, without knowing what’s (allegedly) lurking behind closed doors. One stop was a house where Mark Twain once lived, and which many believe is still haunted. That kind of story sticks, and I know I’ll never walk by without glancing up at the windows again.

The creepiest spot on the tour? Jefferson Market Library. I’ve always thought it was such a beautiful building, but now it comes with an entirely different vibe. The story we heard there was genuinely spooky, and I don’t think I’ll ever look at that tower the same way again.

The tour lasted about an hour, which felt just right. Long enough to get a good feel for the neighborhood and hear plenty of chilling stories, but not so long that it started to drag. A lot of walking tours live or die by the guide, and ours absolutely made the experience. She was prepared, passionate, and just the right amount of theatrical. Steve and I were completely tuned in the entire time.

The tour we joined was called Hauntings & Ghouls of Greenwich Village, organized by New York Ghosts, who run ghost tours in more than 50 cities across the U.S. They offer several different routes in New York, but the Greenwich Village tour is the original and most popular—and it makes sense. The Village is steeped in history and has the perfect atmosphere for this kind of storytelling. Even if you’ve been to New York before, this is a fun and different way to see a part of the city that still manages to surprise you.

Read about the time a ghost moved into my friend Rikke’s kitchen >>

Tips if you’re thinking of booking a ghost tour in NYC

Wear good shoes
It’s not a long walk, but parts of the route are cobblestoned and the sidewalks can be uneven. Sneakers or flats are your best bet.

Check the weather
The tour is outdoors, rain or shine, so plan accordingly. If rain is in the forecast, bring an umbrella and dress a little warmer than you think you need to.

Make a dinner reservation
The tour ends right in the middle of Greenwich Village, so it’s the perfect excuse to grab a bite afterward. There are tons of great restaurants nearby, but it’s a popular area, so book ahead if you can.

Don’t forget to tip your guide
If you had a good experience, it’s customary to tip at the end of the tour. Bring cash.

My guide to Things to do in New York City >>

New York Ghost Tour - US Ghost Adventures

Thinking about going on a ghost tour in New York? Use the code MITZIE10 for 10% off when you book through New York Ghosts. A ghost tour is a fun and different way to experience the city, especially if you’re curious about the darker chapters of its history.