Sawadee

Categories: Accommodations · Bangkok · Food · Thailand · TravelTags: · ·

สวัสดี (Welcome)! My last visit to the Land of Thousand Smiles was in 2013 for a day – as a transit stop on my way to Bhutan. I am back in the city for a reunion with old University friends. Bangkok is an exhilarating attack on the senses – the intense humidity, fast moving tuk-tuks, aromatic spices, gleaming skyscrapers, and the seemingly peaceful boats gliding along the Chao Phraya River. Be it street Food or Michelin restaurants, Bangkok has a lot to offer. Bombyx is one of the restaurants by Jim Thompson (purveyor of silk products) that serves flavourful Thai…

Antipasto, Primo, Secondo

Categories: Accommodations · Food · Italy · Rome · VeniceTags: · · · ·

Dining in Italy can be a drawn out affair, especially during dinners. Staring with the Antipasto (appetizer), followed by Primo (first course), Secondo (main course), and a Dolce (dessert). Be it in a Ristorante, a Trattoria, an Osteria, a Tavola Calda or a Pizza Rustica (selling pizza by the slice), there are tons of eating choices. Rome is famous for its thin-crust pizzas and Emma is both an excellent pizzeria and restaurant that serves classic dishes like carbonara, amatriciana and cacio e pepe. When I was in Rome three years ago, a friend from back home recommended Roscioli Salumeria con…

AMS Eats

Categories: Accommodations · Amsterdam · Europe · Food · Netherlands · The JordaanTags: · ·

On my third trip to this beautiful city, I went back to a few of the memorable eats I had five years ago and at the same time, tried out a couple of new ones. My first stop was the The Cafe at the Rijksmuseum. A few notable items on the menu are by Chef Joris Bijdendijk of the RIJKS restaurant. I recall a few of my favourites during my one-month stay in this city five years ago. Pancakes Amsterdam has several locations (I go to the one on Negen Straatjes) and is my favourite go-to spot for traditional Dutch…

Ikel u lukandi f’Malta

Categories: Accommodations · Europe · Food · MaltaTags: · ·

Maltese for “Food and Hotel in Malta” Malta became independent in 1964 from British rule and thankfully shaken off the British culinary legacy as it has varied restaurants. Maltese cuisine is a sizzling array of flavours, with an exotic mix of Italian, French, British and Arabic influences and fresh seafood plucked from the sea. Maltese food typical includes rabbit: rabbit liver, rabbit ragu, confit of rabbit, rabbit stew, braised rabbit….   Save the best for last: the best meal I had was at Guze, located in one of Valetta’s oldest houses, serving delicious mediterranean food. La Falconeria Hotel in Valetta…

Peruvian Delights

Categories: Accommodations · Cusco · Food · Lima · PeruTags: · · · · · 1 Comment

The Peruvian capital of Lima has been the epicenter of an increasingly acclaimed culinary renaissance. The source of her gastronomic excellence is the melting pot of flavours from every corner of the globe: Spain, Italy, France, China and Japan. In addition to the influences of Afro-Peruvian community and the indigenous cultures. Several of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants (2017) can be found in Peru. Amaz is one such restaurant that I enjoyed a lot. It is the first and only restaurant of its kind presenting Amazonian cuisine with urban vibes. Another Top 50 restaurant which has been on the forefront of Peru’s…

Dormir et Manger

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Europe · Food · France · Loire Valley · ParisTags: · · · ·

I saw Fontevraud L’Hotel featured in an architectural design magazine a couple of years ago and I placed a sticky note on it as a reminder that I should visit it one day. Fast forward and here I am at Fontevraud L’Hotel  which forms part of the Fontevraud Abbaye Royale – and it definitely did not disappoint. The setting is idyllic and in a sense, spiritual. Service was warm, the rooms were simple and modern, and it is the common areas and the grounds that make it extra special.                     I usually stay in the 6th…

Comendo e Dormindo

Categories: Accommodations · Food · Lisbon · Porto · Portugal · SintraTags: · · · ·

  Plenty of good food options in Portugal, particularly for fish and shellfish. Menus in top restaurants are on par with other major European cities, where one will encounter Portuguese cooking mixed with continental classics. Moreover, prices are quite reasonable compared to other major cities. In Porto, the first restaurant I tried, which was simply delicious, was Terreiro. Excellent seafood and friendly service.   Also in Porto, the charming Belle Epoque Majestic Cafe is considered the oldest cafe in the city (circa 1921).  Lots of tourists come to take photos of the place. I would not recommend dining here though, as…

Spis og sov

Categories: Accommodations · Copenhagen · Denmark · Food · TravelTags: · · ·

Danish for “Eat and Sleep“. Copenhagen has a food scene that is among the world’s most distinct and innovative. And true to its reputation – the city has several Michelin-starred restaurants and be forewarned, even those that are considered “good value” gets a little expensive. Many of Copenhagen’s restaurants go for an organic menu. One that I tried out is BOB – Biomio Organic Bistro. Situated in Vesterbro (Meatpacking District), the food is delicious.     For dinner, I tried out one of the 10 restaurants in the city that were awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand for 2017. Marv &…

Vamos a Comer

Categories: Accommodations · Food · Granada · Madrid · Spain · TravelTags: ·

Let’s eat! Here are some food places I tried (and the hotels I stayed at) that were good and worth a visit (except maybe for one)! Arriving in Granada after a trans-Atlantic and a connecting flight, I was famished. Queried the hotel concierge for a restaurant and I was directed towards Pinot Noir. With the name alone, I should have known that this will not be a traditional Spanish restaurant that I would have preferred. Serving pastas and pseudo Japanese fusion food.   After being dropped off from touring the Alhambra, I came across Casa Colon, which served really wonderful tapas….

Au Revoir

Categories: Accommodations · Architecture · Food · France · Paris · TravelTags: · · 4 Comments

Au Revoir, Paris. Until the next time.                             I promised to try new restaurants and patisseries during this visit to Paris. While walking, I came across a tiny cafe that serves excellent espresso – Terres de Cafe. One restaurant I really enjoyed both the meal and the vibe is Cafe Trama in the Saint Placide area. Traditional french cuisine in a casual but modern style, with a good wine selection.     A couple of blocks away from the hotel I stayed at is  Patisserie Thevenin, where I would…