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Posted by Jacqueline Church Jun 11, 2007 |
The US Passport service is experiencing huge delays so if you're traveling this summer jump on that passport renewal early! If armchair travel is your style, I've got lots of links in the new post, too.
Thinking about Father's Day? So am I, in addition to sharing some thoughts on what my father taught me about food, I share some restaurant tips in case you're thinking about taking Pops out for dinner.
Here's a list of some of the new restaurants I've been hearing about:
- Chispa Restaurant & Bar - Doral, Florida - Chispa is Spanish for spark, this new spot is bringing world class tapas and cazuelitas to west Miami.
- Colborne Lane, Toronto, Canada - Chef Claudio Aprile brings "unorthodox and enormously appealing approach to food." One diner notes the chef's enthusiasm adds to the sublime experience of hoisin-glazed 36 hour braised pork belly.
- Habitat, Toronto, Canada - Chef Scot Woods got great review in Toronto Life for skillfully blending elements of a wide range of cuisines a trend that sometimes results in unappealing mash-ups. I'm impressed by a skilled, experienced chef who still apprentices for free to learn from old world masters.
- Neil Vines of Bloomberg.com reviews three Bangkok steakhouses: The New York Steakhouse in the JW Marriott Hotel wins.
and some old standbys passed on by noted gourmet journalist, R.W. Apple, Jr. before his death last fall, via the Dallas Morning News.
- Fleurie, France: Auberge du Cep - "love and skill are lavished on the simplest dishes."
- Sant'agata Suite Due Golfi, Italy: Don Alfonso - "fresh understated, umistakably Italian"
- San Sebastian, Spain: Arzak - "modern and entertaining" food that is "often witty, never overwrought" served in a 110 year old roadside tavern.
- Brussells, Belgium: Comme Chez Soi - "originality, even alchemy...but no trickery"
- Gothenburg, Sweden: Sjomagasinet - Chef-owner Leif Mannerstrom "turns out a definative version of Jansson's Temptation" a scallopped potato dish that is close to a national treasure. Oh and the chef adorns a national postage stamp. (I remember a delicious version served by my sister-in-law Chrissy's uncle - divine!)
And my poll on global cuisines shows folks are interested in Australia -here's one for you:
- Sydney, Australia: Billy Kwong. Prawn won tons "little flavor bombs bursting with tastes of shellfish, black vinegar and chili oil."
His description of these and other dishes makes it apparent why Mr Apple was so adored in his lifetime of food writing and restaurant reviews.
Where have I been dining?
- Washington, D.C.'s landmark Old Ebbitt Grill - How can you go wrong when Teddy Roosevelt's hunting trophies supervise the bar, gas lights it, and Maryland Blue Crab adorns the benedict? The bartenders really did know patrons by name.
- Taberna de Haro in Brookline, MA - brings authentic Madrid charm and cuisine to Boston. Arroz negro, a paella style rice dish colored with squid ink was rich and flavorful and worth the trip in and of itself. Gambas al ajillo, stuffed squid, patata bravas. Delicioso!
- O-Sushi, South End outpost of established sushi masters, brings Manhattan style (and prices!) as well as Tokyo-quality sushi to Boston. Save a few bucks somewhere else, it's worth the splurge here.
Don't forget Farmers' Markets are open now. Baby greens, asparagus, first peas, butter lettuce, chard, chive blossoms, all in now in the Northeast. Tonight my dinner starte included basil from my garden and locally made fresh mozzarella along with the first heirloom green zebra tomato of the season.