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…

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 &…

Feed Me

Categories: Accommodations · Food · New York · USATags: · · ·

  Needless to say, I always look forward to the good food in New York. I half-jokingly said “How do I gain weight? Let me count the ways.” I went back to a few familiar favourite places and tried out some new ones as well. So let’s start the (calorie) counting… Just opened a few weeks ago is the Nordic-accented Great Northern Food Hall in the majestic Vanderbilt Hall at Grand Central Terminal. Opened by Claus Meyer, a partner in Noma, the food hall offers pastries, smorrebord open rye sandwiches, salads, smoothies, and more.   As I mentioned previously, it seems inevitable…

Tapas, Paella y mas

Categories: Accommodations · Barcelona · Food · Girona · Spain · TravelTags: · · ·

Eating is an extremely important social activity in Spain. Barcelona is known for both its traditional and inventive cuisine — with lunch “rush hour” at 2:00 pm and a chic dining hour at 10 pm. El Fornet is good spot for desayuno (breakfast) as it serves fresh baked goods and bocadillos. There are a number of El Fornet‘s in the city.   Known for its traditional Catalan cuisine is Freixa Tradicio located in the Gracia district. Awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, this restaurant has established itself as one of the city’s culinary institutions.   When I lived in Barcelona years ago, my…

Blimey!

Categories: Accommodations · England · Food · London · TravelTags: · · ·

British slang for My Goodness!             It goes without saying that London is one of the culinary capitals of the world and I enjoyed my meals tremendously (well, most of them). For a wonderful breakfast/brunch, I would highly recommend Paul Rhodes Bakery. With three Michelin stars under his belt, Paul Rhodes founded a bakery in 2003. One of these shops is located in Notting Hill.   Serving all day food is Caravan King’s Cross, located by Granary Square in King’s Cross. Set in a historical industrial building, they serve what they call “well traveled food”. Caravan is a busy…

Flemish Art, Food, Etc.

Categories: Accommodations · Art · Belgium · Bruges · Food · TravelTags: · · · · ·

Two museums in Bruges that house some of the world’s finest collection of Medieval and Flemish art are the Groeningemuseum and the Sint-Janshospital. Both museums contain an impressive collection of Hans Memling and Jan van Eyck.     For food lovers, there are quite a number of excellent restaurants in Bruges. Many serving Flemish cuisine. There are also tea rooms that dot the city, serving tea, coffee, pastries, and of course, Belgian waffles.       I stayed at the Grand Hotel Casselberg Brugge, consisting of a 19th century building and a new wing, with rooms that face the canal. The hotel…