There is nothing more pleasant for a wine 'amateur' then to close ones eyes and judge a wine on its own merits without looking at what wine critics have to say about the wine or the price. Nothing beats a surprise. This can come in the form of a supposedly inferior wine surpassing ones expectations even when compared against a more expensive or prestigious wine. Or else it can come from discovering a new grape variety or a region which you have not heard much about. In today's globalised world where wines from pretty much everywhere can be bought locally, it is becoming harder to discover new wines when you travel to specific regions. Wine is not just about sharing a moment, it is also about breaking misconceptions or prejudices. Nothing is more true than for Ligurian wines. Look into any wine magazine or book, including renowned wine encyclopaedias and you will barely get a mention of Ligurian wines. It is as if this region in Italy has been completely overlooked. Surprising, given … [Read more...]
Archives for June 2014
Sestri Levante – a gem of a town in Liguria
Liguria has undoubtedly become one of our favourite regions if not the top destination. There is so much going for the region, it is by the sea, it has a stunning landscape, picturesque towns and seaside villages, fantastic cuisine and also hills and mountains in the backdrop which at times reach the sea making for a spectacular setting. Sestri Levante, formerly a fishing village just 50 kilometres away from Genova, is the holiday destination of the Milanesi. This town is both beautiful and full of life. It is a great place to laze about, walk up and down the carrugio or main street, sip an espresso in one of the many bars or relax with stunning sea views on the two sides of the town. The restaurants and bars are busy starting from the late afternoon serving aperitivi and nibbles, and the main street of Sestri is full of boutiques which remain open until late. Sestri Levante is a perfect base for discovering the wonders of Liguria. The most well known sites are the Cinque Terre … [Read more...]
Street food dishes in London – FT.com
Street food dishes in London - FT.com. If you are heading to London, here is a list of five street food dishes worth trying. … [Read more...]
Belgium day trips (1) – Domaine de Chevetogne
If you are looking for ideas on what to do on a day off in Belgium, then you should really consider the Domaine de Chevetogne in the Province of Namur. This is an enormous park just one hour drive away from Brussels. In the heart of the Ardennes, this park is a must not only for parents with children (though the number of activities which you can find here is enough to keep them busy for more than a day), but also for those who would like to be close to nature in a really calm and picturesque environment. Whether you want a place to cook outdoors (there are dedicated barbecue areas), just a walk in the countryside, bird watching, having lunch or dinner in an idyllic environment or else enjoying a day out with the kids, this is a park really worth visiting. In warm weather, if you are going with children, it's advisable to take a change of clothes or bathing costume given there is a playground with a sandy pool of shallow water which will keep them busy for quite a while. This … [Read more...]
Brussels – C’chicounou a little Syrian-Lebanese gem
C'chicounou just off Place Flagey is a gem of a place serving top quality Syrian-Lebanese food. Chef Georges Baghdi Sar is only 24 years old but definitely has a great future ahead of himself. Given he has been on a traineeship at the Brussels institution: Comme Chez Soi, you expect great things. And you will not be disappointed. The food served is of exceptional quality, the prices are incredibly reasonable, it is no wonder the place was packed the two times we visited in recent months. All dishes are given a special touch with a scattering of pomegranate seeds which adds freshness and colour. The interior decor is a bit quirky and might have to be avoided on a hot summer's day given it is completely wooden though it does give the restaurant a warm feeling. This is not your normal tapas place. The selection on the menu is great and there are also two menus which allow you to taste various dishes. There are traditional Middle Eastern staples like Hoummos, a chickpea dip … [Read more...]
Modena – a delightful city for the gourmet traveller
Eyebrows were raised when I told some Italian friends that we were travelling to Modena for a weekend trip. Although Modena is renowned in Italy for its liquid gold or Aceto Balsamico, Parmigiano Reggiano, salumi such as the culatello and freshly made pasta many would probably skip a visit to this buzzing city unless they are either Ferrari fans or else heading for a gastronomic experience at Massimo Bottura's Osteria Francescana (see review here) or his new casual brasserie Franceschetta58. Why, did they ask, are you heading to Modena, when you can visit other places like Bologna, Ferrara, Parma or Verona for example. Modena is a very welcoming city with a buzzing historical centre which turns to life in the evening as the streets are jam-packed with people or flocking the many bars and cafes that are dispersed around. On a warm evening, crowds spilled onto the streets drinking cooling drinks such as a glass of the regional Lambrusco, which tastes so much better on location. We … [Read more...]
Osteria Francescana – the pursuit of perfection
Italian chef Massimo Bottura is a genius who has brought Italian cuisine to a completely different level. If France is renowned for its obsession with classics and Spain is the culinary hub of innovation, Italy is steeped in tradition. It is a country which takes its critics seriously. I remember a football coach once saying that the country had 60 million football coaches. A chef, I am not sure if it was Bottura, once said that there are as many food critics. These food critics will obsess about whether any fish dish should be served with cheese (this is a taboo for many in Italy) and I can understand why. Italians shudder to think of mixing cheese with fish for example though there are some very minor exceptions. You can normally spot an authentic Italian pizzeria anywhere in the world by looking for their Pizza Marinara. If it has mozzarella, the chances are it is not run by Italians. Bottura, with his Osteria Francescana, however, plays in a different league. Having gone in … [Read more...]
Kokuban – a great Japanese place in Brussels
Brussels is not just the heart of Europe, it is also a place with many hidden culinary surprises. You just need to know what you are looking for. Japan has a special place in our hearts especially given the fact that my wife and I spent our honeymoon there and long to return back every time we remember that experience. So we are always on the lookout for Japanese places to eat. Sushi has become mainstream in most Western cities though I have only come across proper fare only on a handful of occasions outside of Japan. Two of them have been in Brussels. You head to Kokuban not to eat sushi. There is no sushi to be found on the menu and this is clearly written on the black wall of the restaurant which seems to indicate that they have been asked many times for sushi. The decor is bold - walls painted in brown and black. It is difficult to imagine but it does work. The place is buzzing at lunch time and in the evenings. It has an array of appetisers. Main courses include noodles, salads … [Read more...]
Jigger’s – one of Gent’s best kept secrets
We have been hearing about Jigger's - The Noble Drug Store for quite some time. So it was indeed great that I finally discovered one of Gent's best kept secrets last Wednesday. Without knowing this secret, you will walk past this splendid cocktail bar and not notice it. But if you look out for the stuffed fox which is the the window, then you are bound not to miss it. It opens early so if you are just visiting the city, then head there for an aperitif at around 5pm when it opens. Later, you need to make a reservation. You will have to ring the doorbell and then the cocktail barmen will come to open the door, take your jackets and give you a table or if you are lucky place you in front of the bar where you can watch the barmen making their splendid creations of cocktails. One of the owners of Jigger's was not there when I visited. It is, however, no wonder that he has won the "Best Cocktail Maker of the Benelux" for the second year in a row. The cocktails on the menu, which … [Read more...]
Rene Redzepi (Noma) – breaking new ground
36-year-old Rene Redzepi is on top of the culinary world again after regaining top spot for his restaurant Noma in the World's 50 best restaurants. Yesterday he was in Gent to present his new book A Work in Progress which is part journal, part recipe book and a flick book. He gave an inspirational talk while reading parts of his journal which recounts the day-to-day life at Noma. I went thanks to our dear friends from Gent, Anna and Marteen of Villa Bardon. The stress to get there was probably worse than manning a station on a busy evening in a restaurant. The traffic to get out of Brussels was horrendous. Redzepi is one of few chefs who have managed to take food to a level of creativity that can inspire people. These chefs, like Adria, Bottura, Blumenthal and the Roca brothers have broken away from traditions while at the same time going back to the roots. They break taboos or preconceived ideas and perceptions. As he himself says, it would have been unimaginable 10 or 20 … [Read more...]