emma wong-stephens ↟ the weekend abroad

Have you ridden the one-of-a-kind Napa Valley Wine Train yet? This is such a special way to see wine country. The Afternoon Tea x Chandon experience takes you from Napa to St. Helena in the most beautiful floral car over the course of three hours. During your high tea experience, the staff does a fantastic job at telling you about the major sights along the way. Your experience comes with unlimited tea, a refreshing Chandon Garden Spritz, and there are multiple add-ons available. There are just a few weeks left to experience the Afternoon Tea x Chandon excursion on the Wine Train! In December, they will be launching Peppermint Tea (a similar experience, but holiday-themed). Plus, the Napa Valley Wine Train has a slew of other incredible wine and culinary experiences from morning until evening. Check their website for reservations, special offers, and all their fun seasonal experiences. They have family-friendly experiences too! The Napa Valley Wine Train is definitely one of the best things to do in Napa Valley wine country. — Follow @_emwong_ for more travel and California tips and recommendations #napavalley #visitnapavalley #californiawinecountry #visitcalifornia #californiatravelblog

Believe it or not, this was my very first Instagram account. The one I created back in my early university days, so I’ve known a lot of you for over a decade (some of you since elementary school). This isn’t some account that was created to make a go at becoming a content creator, which is very evident if you scroll all the way down to my older posts. Remember how we used to have filters up to 100%? This happens super organically and grew from a passion of wanting to share interesting stories, awesome local businesses, and things that excite me. As someone who has managed social media professionally, I’ve kind of always had a love hate relationship with the platform. I see a lot of things that have made me want to leave the interwebs altogether, and the focus on metrics and engagement is something I’ve never been a fan of. But I stay here because it’s been an amazing creative outlet, a way to share and learn, and I’ve also made some pretty great friends through the platform! Not to mention, it’s been a really wonderful way to keep in touch with people I’ve connected with in different parts of my life. So with that being said, I thought this would be a good time to reintroduce myself to those of you who happened upon this page over the past few years. So, nice to re-meet or meet you all ☺️ I’m curious to know if any of what I’ve shared here has surprised or resonated with you. Or if there’s anything else you’re curious about that I didn’t share here!

🆕 This was perhaps the most unique hotel I’ve stayed at to date. Treehouse Silicon Valley is just the third of its kind (and first location outside of the UK), following London and Manchester. This North American hotel is just as whimsical and quirky as its European counterparts, offering unbelievably cozy spaces and fun details in every nook. My hard-to-impress Interior Designer friend, Teresa, was even impressed with the pieces and fabrics they chose. In addition to the comfortable and playful rooms and pool area (lined with reservable cabanas), Treehouse Silicon Valley offers three incredible restaurants on site: 😋 Valley Goat: Led by James Beard nominated Chef Stephanie Izard (of Top Chef fame), this new food destination offers globally-inspired dishes using local Northern California ingredients. My favorite dishes were their ‘Spicy Handroll’ Dip, Disco Fries, and Skuna Bay Salmon. Open for brunch, lunch, and dinner (with indoor & outdoor seating). 😋 Beer Garden: Next to Valley Goat is Treehouse’s picturesque beer garden surrounded by their vegetable garden planters. This gathering spot offers local beers & wines, cocktails on tap, wood-fired pizzas, and more. 😋 Backyard Café: Your go-to coffee and breakfast spot! They have an incredible handful of frappés (I loved the ube one) and I particularly enjoyed their avocado toast. Treehouse is dog-friendly, family-friendly, offers a rec center/gym, and event space (known as their Event Barn) on-site. What else? The hotel is committed to being sustainable and eco-friendly. The property is sprawling with native biodiverse plants, features vintage and upcycled objects, and its mattresses are made from sustainable materials (including recycled water bottles). I can’t recommend Treehouse enough, whether it’s for a staycation, delicious meal, or that much needed getaway. Plus, it’s a great place to stay if you’re seeing a show at Shoreline Amphitheater. 📍 Treehouse Hotel Silicon Valley (1100 N Mathilda Ave, Sunnyvale) #treehousehotel #beautifulhotels #siliconvalleyhotel #bayareahotels #californiatravelblog

I’ve never seen a Thai-Lao spot quite like this! It’s a cozy and charming diner that transports you to Southeast Asia with its jovial homeland music ringing throughout the restaurant. Pakaoma opened a year ago on El Cerrito’s main street. I love that they have free parking in their lot out front. Their array of Thai and Lao dishes are so flavorful and vibrant. My favorite plates were their Fried Clear Rice Roll Wrap, Nam Kao Tod (crispy rice salad which is one of my favorite Thai dishes), Kao Poon (Lao-style soup noodles), and Crab Fried Rice. Don’t skip their Mango Sticky Rice. For drinks, we loved their Thai Iced Thea and Longa Iced Tea. So refreshing. They have a great Happy Hour Monday-Friday from 4:30-6:30pm. 📍 Pakaoma Thai-Lao Diner (El Cerrito, CA) #eateastbay #eastbayfoodie #bayareafoodie #bayarealaotianfood #berkeleyfoodie

I’ve never seen a spa quite like this before. When you get a treatment here, you get access to this unbelievably beautiful and luxurious “spa garden” equipped with multiple pools, hot tubs, lounge areas, and a sauna. This is truly the ultimate “treat yourself” experience in wine country. Before lounging in their garden, I received a super rejuvenating Collagen Infusion Cryo Sculpt Facial and enjoyed their indoor relaxation space overlooking the garden. The spa offers facials, body testaments, and massages (including couples massage and prenatal massage). The Spa is part of The Lodge at Sonoma (a luxury Autograph Collection hotel) located just outside the downtown Sonoma plaza. It has plenty of free parking out front. Shoutout to Sherry and Regina at the Spa! I cant recommend a getaway to this wine country spa enough. 📍 The Spa at The Lodge at Sonoma (Sonoma, CA) #sonomavalley #visitsonoma #sonomaspa #visitcalifornia #sonomatrip

My favorite Quince haul thus far. Which of these pieces would you add to cart? 🧡 100% Organic Cotton Poplin Tiered Maxi Skirt in Vermillion Red (it has pockets!) 🤎 100% Organic Cotton Oversized Cable Cardigan in Heather Brown ❤️ 100% European Linen Fit & Flare Midi Dress in Chile (has pockets and adjustable straps!) Still haven’t tried anything from sustainable San Francisco brand @onequince yet? Use promo code INFG-26EMWONG10 for 10% off your first purchase (or through my link in bio). — #quincepartner #springoutfits #bayareafashion #californiafashion #traveloutfits

Is this you? #bayareafoodie #bayareadesserts #berkeleyfoodie #dessertgram #dessertlovers

Have you been to a Persian steakhouse before? Husband-and-wife-owned Arya Steakhouse blends traditional Persian plates with high-end steakhouse dishes in a warm and upscale atmosphere (with multiple classy private dining rooms — see those at the end of the reel). This was the best overall meal I’d had in a long time. Everything was super flavorful and cooked to perfection. My favorite dishes were their Borani Bademjan, Sweet n Sour Shrimp, Lobster, and Baghali Polo (rice dish). Their desserts are also amazing and look like works of art (I love that their ice cream comes in a bowl made of ice!). They also have a full bar and offer a comprehensive drink menu. I had their signature mint mojito mocktail, which was delicious. Service was exactly what you’d expect at a steakhouse - super friendly, efficient, and upscale feeling. 📍 Arya Steakhouse (Downtown Palo Alto, CA) #paloaltofoodie #stanfordfoodie #bayareafoodie #sfpeninsula #siliconvalleyfoodies

Hands down the best mozzarella dish I’ve had. Brasswood’s $18 off-menu fresh hand-pulled mozzarella is a must if you’re in Napa Valley. And this is coming from someone who is lactose intolerant. The simple combination of mozzarella, olive oil drizzle, and fresh charred bread is delicious. The rosemary is the perfect final touch. And I love that they prepare it right at your table. After an afternoon of wine tasting in Napa Valley, we were thrilled to get a walk-in table on Brasswood’s heated patio. In addition to the incredible mozzarella, we also shared their fritto misto and wild mushroom pizza, which were delicious. I cannot recommend this beautiful wine country restaurant enough. Plenty of free parking in their lot out front too. 📍 Brasswood Bar + Kitchen (St. Helena, Napa Valley, California) #napafoodie #napavalleyrestaurant #sthelenafood #napavalleyfood #napavalleyeats

NEW $38 Business Set Lunches at Michelin-recommended Roka Akor, which was named the “Best Sushi Restaurant in the US” by Travel + Leisure. In addition to their acclaimed sushi, they specialize in high-end Japanese robata and are known for their open charcoal grill (featured prominently in the center of the restaurant). This new Set Lunch option allows you to choose one cold plate and one hot plate, which are served with miso soup and steamed rice. The options include some of their most popular lunch items, such as NY Strip Steak, Black Cod, Salmon Tataki, Yellowtail Sashimi, 4 Piece Sashimi, and more. In addition to the new Set Lunches, we also tried some of their other popular items such as their Grilled Pork Belly with Breakfast Radish, Spicy Fried Tofu, and Sweet Corn with Soy Garlic Butter. Our server told us he’d never been a fan of corn until this dish. I can also confidently say this is some of the best corn I’ve had. Check out Roka Akor’s new Business Set Lunch to try their signature dishes at a great price! 📍 Roka Akor (Jackson Square, San Francisco, CA) #bestfoodbayarea #sffoodie #sftravel #bayareafoodie #sfrestaurants

I spent less than 48 hours in NYC and here’s where I ate! Four mouthwatering and unforgettable meals in Manhattan over nourishing conversations with old friends. 🤤 Go to Bangkok Supper Club if you want a completely unique Thai culinary experience in an aesthetic date-night setting. 🤤 Go to KJUN if you want to experience the novel delicious fusion of Korean and Cajun in a fun, intimate space 🤤 Go to Dubuhaus if you love Korean food and tofu without the wait. 🤤 Go to Little BIG if you want a fresh, new bar experience that combines East European and Caribbean influencers (and to be wowed by the nicest owners). ✅ [Bookmark] this restaurant & bar list for your next trip to NYC! #nycfoodies #nycrestaurants #visitnyc #nyceats #eaterny

This stunning restaurant is situated in one of the World’s Top 500 Hotels (Travel + Leisure) and One of the Top Hotels in San Francisco (Condé Nast). The Beacon Grand is a majestic historic property that’s almost a century old. You can feel the 1920s glamor as soon as you walk through the front doors. It’s a special spot to take in a slice of San Francisco history. The Post Room definitely holds its own at the grand hotel. Named by Time Out as one of the top restaurants in San Francisco, the American French brasserie with high vaulted ceilings features a beautiful new design with calming blue interior adorned with vibrant, eclectic artwork. But they’ve still maintained its history in the “hidden library” whiskey lounge, where you’ll find the hotel’s preserved ornate ceiling from 1928! This speakeasy-type space is not to be missed. As for their new food & drink menu, I was really impressed. The Ahi Tuna Tartare is super refreshing and the Caviar Bites are a tiny burst of flavor. I particularly loved their big Raviolo, The Post Room Burger, and Bolognese Pasta. For dessert, their sorbet and champagne is really fun! It was my first time having a dessert floating in champagne. For cocktails, we had their Rainbow’s End and Anna “The Muse”. Both were delicious. The Post Room has Happy Hour Sunday-Thursday from 1:30-4pm. 📍 The Post Room (Inside @beacongrand , Union Square, San Francisco, CA) #onlyinsf #beacongrandpartner #thepostroom #sftravel #visitcalifornia