Such is the maxim of any true farmer, not to mention the HomePage spread of my new, neighborhood favorite, Blooming Hill Farm.
Sunday, October 04, 2009
Don't Buy Food from Strangers
Such is the maxim of any true farmer, not to mention the HomePage spread of my new, neighborhood favorite, Blooming Hill Farm.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
The Welcome Home BBQ
I was the hit of the party, or so they had me believe. The Actual Armstrong here: Grandma's twist on homemade arepas.
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Adieu, Adieu... to you and you and you
From Paris to Austria, thank you little ones Von Trapp.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Eden in an Electrolux Box
Like many others, I was doubtful that the curators of Palais de Tokyo, one of Paris' ingenious modern art museums, would ever be able to fill the void per the June displacement of beloved Hotel Everland.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Countdown to New York
The last week of August, otherwise known to Parisians as the bitter-sweet last licks of vacation. “Le Grand Rentré” strikes in September.
Just off of Rue Gravillers (Metro: Arts de Metier), enter through the intimate, cobblestone terrace and ogle all the pretty people, dressed precisely to evoke your overt ogle. Or, better yet, sneer at the undeserving folk who were able to snag your courtyard seat. But, ahh, sigh of relief as you’re lead to your table in the front dining room, overlooking the terrace, the lounge/bar area, the centrally placed ping-pong table, and the more private, diagonally-back dining room,...hidden just under and to the left of the wooden stair case which escorts you to the various bedrooms of the second floor. Phew.
Take a moment to think aloud enthusiastically, “How cool!”. It’s just what I would want for one of my future restaurants, or even one of my future homes: playful colors and original artwork scattered throughout; vintage bookshelves lined with reading material; mismatched, retro tables and chairs to dine upon; and plush, upstairs bedrooms for sipping after-dinner cocktails.
I'll admit my weakness for cool concept restos, but I can simultaneously acknowledge failed menus in spite my affection for the spaces themselves... however unwillingly. (Think Mama Shelter, as much as it still stings...)
Well well, Lookie lookie, Lucky little duck me. The menu was fantastic and I already have seconds reserved for this coming Friday.
Hold on, I shan't get ahead of myself. The veggie apps were nothing to go crazy over. At the very least, they were fresh , beautifully plated, and seated alongside want-to-be creative dips. But the main courses were ever so exciting!
Me : the most succulent of cuts, beef cheek or 'joue de boeuf", prepared as a stew in a fabulous, rich-but-not-too-rich, tomato based sauce, served with baby potatoes and chopped carrots floating around for good measure.
My poor, vegetarian neighbor: a gazpacho, though she swears it was a toothsome gazpacho at that.
Diner # 3: baked turbot, served over a fabulous pesto-sauce, plated along beautifully roasted veggies. It was gorgeous just to look at.
And Diner #4: thinly-cut lamb, hiding underneath a bed of sauteed wild mushrooms. Me-oh-my, how jealous I was of that particular choice.
Sadly, we hadn't time for dessert, per the ever-so-Parisian, "one hour late to join the unfortunate friend".
Huff...
...until this Friiiiiiday!!!
And yes, A Wonderful last 10 day they will be.
Monday, August 24, 2009
A UNESCO marvel
Agreed, we all know that beloved France is, in its entirety, a gastro capital and a picture-perfect phenomenon. But i'm still on a Dordogne-specific kick...
What's the frill in Dordogne when measured against the astounding beaches of the French Riviera or the infamous vineyards of Burgundy and Champagne? Well, unbeknownst it to many, including myself until only a few months ago, Dordogne is also a historical jewel, an outdoor adventurer's chocolate elixir, and an artist's Camille Claudel.
The area's roughly 60 prehistoric sites are, indeed, registered by UNESCO. The most notable MUST SEE's would certainly be the many caves of the province, home to the relatively recently discovered (20th C) Cro Magnum cave drawings, some dating back to 14 AD. Perhaps a pony sketch doesn't do it for you...well, take a moment to rethink. Those rhinoceros, mammoth and deer drawings date far back beyond even the Taj or the pyramids, realized in incredibly inhospitable, cold, black caves, by artisans who crafted their own tools out of animal furs and oils, and nevertheless painted with such impeccable accuracy and mastery. That's Not Nothing.
I was most inspired by Le Cave de Rouffignac and Font de Gaume, both offering fantastic tour guides who know their shnizzle. Font de Gaum provides more intimate tours of 15-20 max, thus enabling a more personal experience as well as dynamic dialogue with individual guides. Ours did a wonderful job explaining the various hypotheses as to why these non-cave dwellers chose these particular caves for their chef d'oeuvres, as did he also explain the intricacies of various drawings, such as how the Cro Magnums used the natural curvatures of the cave to enhance the credibility of various paintings. Rumor has it that some of these drawings later became the inspiration to loads of Renaissance masters. I, myself, can't draw to save my life, but You should nonetheless be sure to check these caves out, and be more certain to reserve in advance.
Adventuring onward, Dordogne also proposes fabulous day-trips and activities. My favorites:
canoeing down the Dordogne amongst the most gorgeous valleys and centerfold French villages ...
trekking way up, up, up until reaching the Chateau de Beynac, a bold, medieval chateaux from the 100 Years' War, overlooking a beauteous Beynac below...
hikking alongside a mini-waterfall in Carennac, yet another charming village... (And also take a peek at neighbors, Loubressac and Autoire).
And you already know that I'm keen on the menus of the region, but for other hands-on, foodie adventures:
Toss some baguette and hazelnuts to a wild boar or two at a local rilette farm. Or, if you can handle it, visit a Fois Gras farm and watch how the geese are fed and fois gras hence cultivated. It's important to see it if you're going to later eat it. Or, if you can't swallow either of the above, a leisurely afternoon of wine tasting certainly never offended anyone...
That's all for me. Off you go...
Le Périgord Noir
One of my absolute favorite cultural differences:
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Terrazzo Magnifico!
Santa Lucia, a traditional, Neapolitan song per Wiki.
Ruins to Rooftops
Scale your way up the ivy clad walls of the city and behold the stealthy treasure of Roman rooftops.
Saturday, August 22, 2009
Another quick Salut to London town...
All hail Liberty, the incredibly cool and cultivated Tutor home (or homes, rather) turned luxury concept store. With designers ranging from A.P.C to YSL, a medley of beauty products, a fine selection of home decor, furnishings and eccentric knickknacks, and a whole other slew of nifty gifts for him or her, the establishment is an absolute wonderland to the shopping connoisseur. And for those whom hedge the fence on the ole', inconspicuous price-tag flip...the plump L never stopped anyone from sampling the splendor of a host of delicately curved and surprisingly comfortable steel armchairs, vintage bobbin chairs, or postmodern plastic stools.
Friday, August 21, 2009
Lost and Found
I shudder to stutter...a-a-a-bsent a-a-again.
94-96 Commercial Street
London E1 6LZ
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Saturday, April 11, 2009
before that baguette goes stale, Quick! P & J or good old bread and butter?!?!