Alyssa Holder

New York, United States

Contributing Editor at Honest Cooking

Social @ExposeTobacco | ✍🏾 🥘 🧳 @HonestCooking | Public Health Comms and Sometimes Travel and Food Writing

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Articles

Boston Food Guide: 4 Must-Try Restaurants for a Weekend Trip

1 week ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

Getting off at the Amtrak at South Station, I immediately felt the shift that Boston has its own distinct vibe compared to my home city of New York. It’s not as loud or sprawling as the Big Apple, but it hums with its own character. One that’s charming, has narrow and cleaner streets filled with dogs owners, where shiny towers of a moderate height, sit beside historic landmarks, and the Freedom Trail winds through clusters of tourists and locals alike.
Where to Eat in Boston Right Now: 4 Restaurants Worth Checking Out

1 week ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

Getting off at the Amtrak at South Station, I immediately felt the shift that Boston has its own distinct vibe compared to my home city of New York. It’s not as loud or sprawling as the Big Apple, but it hums with its own character. One that’s charming, has narrow and cleaner streets filled with dogs owners, where shiny towers of a moderate height, sit beside historic landmarks, and the Freedom Trail winds through clusters of tourists and locals alike.
Steamed Halibut with Butternut Squash Purée

1 month ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

What does spring on a plate look like? If you ask the culinary team at The Merrion in Dublin—an elegant five-star hotel known for its art-filled Georgian townhouses and commitment to refined Irish cuisine—it might look a lot like this: perfectly steamed halibut resting on a bed of silky butternut squash purée, topped with charred scallions, toasted hazelnuts, and a tangy-sweet pomegranate reduction.
Classic Australian Hot Cross Buns

1 month ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

QT Gold Coast Hotel in Surfer’s Paradise Australia, isn’t exactly known for doing things by the book — and that’s the point. From the retro-glam design to the cheeky menus, the hotel brings personality to everything it does, including its take on one of Easter’s most iconic bakes: the hot cross bun. These buns are everything they should be — soft, spiced, and packed with juicy sultanas — but with that QT spin.
White Asparagus with Fjord Shrimps and Hollandaise Sauce

1 month ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

At Hotel d’Angleterre—arguably the most iconic luxury hotel in Copenhagen, with a legacy stretching back to 1755—food has always played a leading role. It began as a restaurant, not a hotel, opened by Maria Coppy and Jean Marchal, and today, that spirit lives on in its Michelin-starred restaurant, Marchal.
Meet the Chefs Redefining Scottsdale’s Food Scene

2 months ago | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

Scottsdale, Arizona, has evolved from its historical roots in copper, cattle, and cotton into a culinary hotspot known for innovative dining. It didn’t get there by chance but thanks to a new generation of chefs has emerged, skillfully blending local ingredients—like the hundreds of native food plants, including edible cacti and mesquite flour—with global flavors to redefine Southwest cuisine.
The Top 4 Luxury Hotels in Scottsdale, AZ

Feb 25, 2025 | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

Scottsdale has a way of drawing me back time and again. From my very first visit, I was hooked. Floating in a hot air balloon over the vast Sonoran Desert, watching jackrabbits dart across the rugged landscape, all bathed in a warm, burnt orange glow—it was pure magic. Dining at Charleen Badman’s acclaimed FnB Restaurant was another unforgettable experience—her vegetarian momo dumplings still linger in my dreams.
Plantain Crusted Snapper with Sauce Encocado

Jan 28, 2025 | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

Inspired by the flavors of his Ecuadorian heritage, Chef Freddy Vargas of Aitana in New York City shares the recipe for his Plantain-Crusted Snapper For the Plantain Crusted Snapper: 2 snappers (about 6 oz each), skin removed 1 plantain, peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise 1 tbsp egg white powder 2 tbsp canola oil 2 tbsp unsalted butter 2 garlic cloves, crushed 2 sprigs of thyme Salt, to taste For the Bok Choy: 4 baby bok choy, halved Salt, for blanching water 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1...
10 Scottsdale Restaurants You'll Love

Jan 16, 2025 | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

La Bomba. That Skinny B**** Burrito. Frybread. Good Wine and Drinks. Scottsdale is having a major foodie moment, with restaurants so good you’ll want to keep them to yourself. But in the spirit of sharing, here’s my not-so-secret list of must-visit spots in the Copper State—places you’ll find yourself returning to again and again. From comfort food done right to dishes with deep roots in the region’s heritage, Scottsdale’s food scene has something for every craving.
Inside the Amelia Island Cookout

Jan 10, 2025 | honestcooking.com | Alyssa Holder

The Amelia Island Cookout at The Ritz-Carlton brings together top chefs, sommeliers, and mixologists for a weekend of open-fire cooking, unexpected pairings, and regional flavors. Florida isn’t often considered a top-tier food destination, but the Amelia Island Cookout at The Ritz-Carlton is making a case for change.