The Flavours of the Algarve: Portuguese food in the Algarve is more than just grilled sardines and grilled chicken. To get away from the stereo-type touristy food, and for a taste of the true flavours of the Algarve, have a dinner at a cataplana restaurant. Cataplana - The Utensil The cataplana is a wok-shape hammered copper pan with a hinged domed lid. It was introduced to the southern Portugal region during the Moorish occupation in the 8th century AD. The cataplana is meant to be a … [Read more...]
Algarve sweets at Faro's best coffee shop
October 13, 2009 by
Portuguese love their Sweets and Cakes: The Portuguese we are told are sweet-toothed and have a great love of cakes. This we find out for ourselves to be absolutely true as everywhere we go, there are pastelarias and cafes with counters that are stocked full with all kinds of sweet delights. Our Portuguese tour director, a man who confesses to a love of food and cooking, gives great tips on what to try at each morning and afternoon stop. For those of us with a sweet-tooth and not much in … [Read more...]
Pigging out on Porcini – Eating out in Rome
October 11, 2009 by
In pursuit of Funghi Porcini: Porcini Arrosto at La CarbonaraOn our first night in Rome, we race off to our favourite restaurant on Campo dei Fiori. After a few weeks on the road, a fix of good Italian food is much needed and at La Carbonara, we know that we'll have a good meal. I eagerly ask the waiter if they have funghi porcini and he points to the next table saying that the last serve has just gone to the people at that table. What a tragedy - they didn't even have a few slivers of … [Read more...]
Angelina Has The Best Hot Chocolate in Paris…
September 2, 2009 by
Angelina Has A reputation for the Best Hot Chocolate in Paris: Here’s a little secret for lovers of hot chocolate. If you’re wondering around the Jardin de Tuileries or visiting the Louvre, plan on a visit to Angelina whose legendary hot chocolate has made this place so famous with locals and visitors over the years. Hot chocolate connoisseurs say that you will be hard pressed to find a hot chocolate anywhere near as good as Angelina’s anywhere else. Although Angelina is known as … [Read more...]
La Maison Stohrer – A Patisserie Rich with History
August 20, 2009 by
La Maison Stohrer - A Patisserie Whose History is as rich as its Desserts: The French are famous as pastry chefs and if you have a sweet tooth and a love of history, you’ll want to make tracks for La Maison Stohrer on your Paris holiday. Situated at 51, rue Montorgueil in Paris' 2nd arrondissement, La Maison Stohrer is one of Paris’ oldest and most revered patissiers and caterers. The elaborate frescoes and carvings of the storefront and interior are impressive and the shop is now … [Read more...]
A Passion for Porcini
August 14, 2009 by
Food in Rome: Hooked on Porcini: Reading a recipe in the papers this morning reminds me that the Porcini season is here. Once you've had a taste of fresh porcini mushrooms, it stays with you forever and just the mention of it is enough to send a thousand thrills to your taste buds. Porcini mushrooms are found in many regions of Italy. Among the most famous areas are the hills that straddle Emilia-Romagna (from Parma to La Spezia), Piedmont, the Alto Adige near Austria, Tuscany … [Read more...]
Great British Beer Festival | London Events
August 4, 2009 by
Britain's biggest beer festival The Great British Beer Festival (GBBF in short) is an annual beer festival organised by the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA). Breweries from around the country showcase their best and newest beers at this festival. At the Bières Sans Frontières (BSF) bars, the best beers from around the world are showcased, including Belgian beers, Dutch beers, German and Czech beers, beers from the USA and many others. Visitors to the festival can sample hundreds of real … [Read more...]
Cream Teas – 10 Best Tea Rooms
July 22, 2009 by
Cream tea is to Devon what Cornish Pastie is to Cornwall: Devonshire cream teas are a specialty of Devon, however this dish is world-famous, especially in the Commonwealth countries. With their delicious scones thickly spread with fresh butter, fruity strawberry jam and topped with thick Devon clotted cream, the best are still to be found in the south-west of England. So, on any holiday in Devon and Cornwall, one of the must-do's is to indulge in some Devonshire cream teas. Be warned … [Read more...]
Pubs in Devon | Devon holiday
July 9, 2009 by
Where to Eat and Drink on your Devon holiday: When it comes to favourite drinking holes, everyone has their own preferences. Serious drinkers would say that only the ale counts, others might set their criteria based on the ambience in the pub, the location and setting or, in my case, it's got to have good food! It's great that pubs these days have their own website so you can always check it out before making your way there. So if you are looking for a place to eat and drink during your … [Read more...]