By Scott Shephard

Years ago, as a committed frugal traveler, I tended to avoid "fancy" food. It was more expensive, after all, and for me, food was about getting enough calories. It wasn't about the experience and pleasure of good food.

My wife Deb has changed my thinking. And I'm grateful for that. We are still frugal travelers and while we still focus on the the history, art and architecture of the places we visit, I am a much more willing participant in the gastronomical part of travel. Food, after all, is an important part of the culture of the places we visit.

The wonderful desert you are looking at here was served at the small restaurant that was part of the hotel we stayed in while visiting Rothenburg, Germany. I'm guessing it was expensive by our standards ($8.00?). But we allow ourselves to splurge once and a while. And in this case, I'm glad we did.

The desert was so beautifully presented it was almost criminal to eat it. But I gladly committed the crime. But not before I photographed it.

Canon 5DII 1/30s f/5.0 ISO800 47mm