Summer Food Festivals for a European Vacation
Foodies planning a vacation in Great Britain this summer should check out the Taste Festivals in London, Birmingham and Edinburgh. Hundreds of exhibitors appear at these outdoor events (fingers crossed the British weather’s feeling kind) and you can rub shoulders with Michelin-starred chefs, winemakers, organic farmers, micro-brewers, chocolatiers and cookware vendors, among others. Continue reading Summer Food Festivals for a European Vacation
By Thrifty Gourmet on April 14, 2009 | 1
Champor-Champor – A Recession-Proof Deal in London
Has London become affordable again? Absolutely YES, when it comes to dining! The days when one British pound equaled $2.00 are gone. Well… For now at least. Add to that a struggling economy and restaurants that are lowering their prices to attract and sometimes just retain customers. What do you get? Delicious deals like the £15.00 Early Bird Dinner Special at Champor-Champor in London.
Champor –Champor is a Malay expression meaning “mix and match.” As you step through the door of the restaurant, you are transported into a world of Asian wonders where oriental artifacts tango with chef Adu Amran’s creative Malay-Asian cuisine. The atmosphere is “cozy, yet chic, with a hint of a bohemian flavor.” Champor-Champor is conveniently located near London’s Borough Market.
The food, which is Malay-inspired, incorporates a wide variety of southeast elements, reflecting the inherent concept of the restaurant. The menu is seasonal and usually includes exotic meats such as ostrich, soft-shell crab, crocodile and water buffalo. The presentation of the dishes, along with the décor of the room is nothing less than superb. The £15 Early Bird special includes a choice of a starter and a main course.
What we recommend:
Stir-fried frog legs with ginger, galangal and XO sauce (picture above)
Fish balls, silk tofu and okra soto; sweet and spicy soy (picture below)
Hibiscus tea and brown sugar granita
Roast fillet of ostrich; peanut & Szechuan peppercorn sauce; compressed rice
Make sure to try to the Singapore Sling, renowned for being one of the best in town. You also have a choice of unconventional wines from India, China, Uruguay and Georgia, all hand-selected to perfectly pair with the food.
Champor Champor
62-64 Weston Street
London SE1 3QJ
Telephone: +44 20-7403 4600
By Thrifty Gourmet on January 14, 2009 | 0
A Fuego Negro Takes Pintxos To A New Level
If you get the chance to visit San Sebastian, then it’s imperative that you swing by A Fuego Negro, a pintxo bar I stumbled upon while exploring the Parte Vieja (old town). Pintxos, also known as tapas in the rest of Spain are a very important part of San Sebastian’s food culture. A pintxo bar can nearly be found at just about any street corner. Continue reading A Fuego Negro Takes Pintxos To A New Level
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 31, 2008 | 0
Bar Central – The Alternative For Seafood Lovers on a Budget
Almost hidden in the back of the Boqueria Market, Bar Central is a place many foodies call one of Barcelona’s best-kept secrets. It also happens to be my favorite lunch spot in the city. In this tapas bar mainly frequented by locals, fresh seafood a la plancha is the highlight of any meal.
Open six days a week (Mon-Sat), Bar Central serves up a variety of fresh fish and seafood guaranteed to titillate your palate. The fish is grilled to perfection on a bed of coarse salt and finished with a drizzle of garlic and parsley infused olive oil. Every dish is made to order in an open kitchen environment.
What I love about Bar Central is that it is unpretentious and authentic. There is no paper menu. A modest chalkboard indicates the availability of the day, which typically includes: the popular dorada (sea brim), gambas (prawns), navallas (razor clams), cloisses (baby clams) and other creatures of the ocean. Most first-timers tend to go for the seafood platter: an assortment of dorada, prawns, razor clams and baby clams. This is the easiest option for most tourists since the place gets very busy and the staff has a limited knowledge of English.
The more regular and experienced patrons like myself prefer to order their seafood a la carte. My plate usually consists of the dorada, navallas, pulpito and gambas (all in half portions). Then, I wash my meal down with a glass of Clara, a refreshing mix of beer and lemon soda. If there is any room left for dessert, I go for the baked apple stuffed with crema catalana.
Since Bar Central has very limited seating, my advice would be to go there at noon or after 2:30pm in order to beat the crowd. That being said, don’t get discouraged if you arrive at a busy time. Be patient and stick around. Remember the old adage: good things come to those who wait. This is a gastronomic experience worth waiting for. Grab a glass of the homemade sangria, make new friends and wait for a seat to become available.
Location: Boqueria Market, Barcelona
Average check per person: 15 Euros
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 17, 2008 | 0
The Thrifty Gourmet’s Alternative to Mugaritz… Um Sorta
Normally, when I find a GREAT restaurant that is not mainstream, I want to keep it to myself. My reasoning is that a secret gem is hard to find these days. So, why ruin it for everyone else? Other times, I am so blown away that I want to let the entire world know how amazing the experience was, especially when the price beats all expectations. Continue reading The Thrifty Gourmet’s Alternative to Mugaritz… Um Sorta
By Thrifty Gourmet on December 17, 2008 | 0
