OoLaLaLaaaa.......Paris

Well a couple of weekends ago I went to France for the very first time and of course our destination was Paris. This may be the most 'Romantic City' in the world to most but to us Foodies it is a virtual culinary Mecca. I was very excited to see all those spectacular sites, the Louvre, Arch de Triumph, Eiffel Tower and many more, but the food....oh the food.

     

We arrives via Eurostar into Gare du Nord, leaving from the new Saint Pancras station in London. Of course we had toexperience 'the longest Champagne Bar in Europe' with some bubbly and Canapes. Don't be fooled though it's not the actual bar that is so long but the length of all the seating. The actual bar where you can sit and sip is just of average size. Still the range and variety of Champagne is impressive. You can spend just a few quid on a glass or break the bank (Dom Perignon White Gold Jeroboam 1995 for 6500 pounds!).  Once we arrived in Paris we walked to our hotel and set off to see

the Louvre (just a hint Friday night it is opened till 10 pm). With no Que in site we entered and hit all the most sees and points of interest. Being done with our first bit of site seeing, it was getting late and man were we hungry. Like any good enthusiast i had done a fair amount of research on restaurants in Paris. This can be a bit of a daunting task given the insane amount of restaurants, cafes, bistros and brasseries there are to be found in the city. Luckily I had narrowed down the parameters of my search with a few websites, books and magazine articles. 

     

                                                    

My first taste of Paris I owe to a article in Conde Nast Traveller magazine (July 2008, Pg. 66 Food & Drink section). It had a great list of bistros to experience throughout the city that the locals frequent. So off we went in search of Le Timbre. Small and quaint can be used to describe this small bistro, the chef is within ear shot and gives a friendly smile and greeting to all who enter the door. This is a small operation with just one, very helpful, hostess/server, and the chef running the kitchen. Chris Wright is the man in the kitchen and has been serving up the locals and tourists alike (quite a few Brits and Americans were there that night). Now at seeing this name your first impression may be.... what a minute, that doesn't sound very French to me. Well you're right, Chris hails originally from England, but his cooking speaks otherwise. The menu is a small (compared to the one outside) chalkboard will all the daily offerings. You can order all 3 course- First, Main, Dessert or just go a la carte. we off course has all three and let me tell you, they were all marvelous!    

                          

To start, aperitifs of champagne were drunk and bread was brought to the table. Then came our first courses, which for the world of me I can't seem to recall. I'm going to blame it on the bliss from the first bite, being so incredible that it was a shock to me system causing partial amnesia. Luckily the for the mains I took pictures so no excuses there. I had the Roast Pork with tomatoes and whole mustard sauce and Shira had the Duck with peaches. Man! These dishes were so simple yet they absolutely exploded with flavor. Great combinations perfectly cooked with prime ingredients. All this was complemented by a nice bottle of Beaujolais. You really can't ask 

for more, but of course we did. Next dessert, Shira had the Cheese Plate and I had Panna cotta type dessert that looked like a ice cream cone in a puddle of Blackberry sauce. Yum is all I can say, tart sauce, crunchy cone and a heavenly rich cloud of deliciousness. Top it all off with some damn tasty coffee and we were completely satisfied and content. I can't think of any better way to end a day in Paris.

(to be continued.....)

Wild Alaskan Sockeye with Avocado Salsa

Here is a quick an easy way to enjoy the seasonal yumminess of Alaskan Sockeye Salmon. A little side note on one of the ingredients. What we commonly call Snow Peas back in the state is referred to Mange Tout. Strange name, but all well, 'When in Rome.....".

What you Need:

• Nonstick Skillet, Pot with Lid and Steamer, Spatula, Butter knife, Spoon, Small Mixing Bowl, and Something to Bake on

What's in It:

• 2 Fillets of Wild Alaskan Sockeye
• 1 Ripe Avocado
• 1 Small Shallot (Small Dice)
• 1 Clove Garlic (Minced)
• Juice of One Lime
• Bit of Chopped Cilantro
• 2 Cups of Mange Tout
• 2+ Tbsp Olive oil
• Salt & Pepper too Taste

What to do With it:

1. Preheat Oven to 450 degrees F
2. Season Sockeye with S & P
3. Heat Pan over High Heat with 1+ Tbsp of Oil
4. Sear both sides of the Salmon and Place on Baking Vessel, then n the oven for 5-7 minutes (this will vary depending on how thick your fillets are and how well you like you fish done - thicker and more well done means longer and vice versa)
5. Boil water in pot
6. Half Avo, remove the pit, then score the flesh in a crisscross pattern with the back of the butter knife (this is done so that you don't cut through the skin) and scoop out into your mixing bowl with your spoon
7. Add Shallot, Garlic, Lime juice, remaining Oil, Cilantro, and S & P too taste, then mix
8. Add Mange Tout to the Pot
9. Take Salmon from the oven and plate, top with the Avocado Salsa and add the Mange Tout to the side.
10. Enjoy!!!

Taste of London 2008

Couple weekends ago I went to the Taste of London 2008. I've never been to such a festival, which I find pretty amusing given my keen interest in all things food. The weather wasn't perfect but it was a day to remember. The festivities were located in London's Hyde Park. The basic setup was a series of tents and stalls set up with walkways taking you from one area to the next. Stalls of similar interests were grouped together so you would find restaurants side by side and vendors and shops next to one another. This was a foodies paradise, sample dishes from some of the top restaurants in the city were available for purchase (using the festivals food currency of Crowns, 1 Pound = 2 Crowns), samples of food products and beverages were being handed out at every turn, and kitchen gadgets galore to peruse through. And that's not all either, there were cooking classes, wine tasting, bars & pubs, produce stands, and top chefs giving demos to eager fans.

   

Now you only have 4 hours to soak up the experience since they have 2 sessions a day, so you really need to get there at the start if you hope to make a dent in all there is to see. Our strategy was to grab a few drinks, get acquainted with our surroundings and scout out our first snack. We first tasted from Tom's Kitchen and Kai (both restaurants we had been too but the dishes sounded too good to r

esist).  Seven hours braised Lamb with Balsamic Onions & mash, which were so ridiculously fluffy, from Tom's and Braised Brisket Beef and steamed Manta Buns. It was a great start to 

a filling day. Next was Seared Scallop, Black Quinoa with Olive emulsion from Club Gascon and Grilled Squid Roll with Herbs from Le Cercle (this tasty treat was like a spring roll but it was Calamari stuffed with herbs and veg, mmmmm...). And then...yes we had more,  

Courgette Flowers stuffed with Monte Enebro Goats' Cheese & drizzled with honey from Salt Yard and Tiramisu. Finally ,and this was 

only because I saw someone else walk by with this, was Sumosans Lamb Furikaki (Piece of lamb rack, deep fried in furiaki crust, served with mustard sauce). All of this plus some tasty Brasillian cocktails and other assorted beverages. Over 30 restaurants to try, you just can't lose.

     

Taste of London is a must do if you are in the neighborhood and if you aren't find a local food festival and give it a try. There is no better way to taste the local cuisine and test drive your tastebuds through the top restaurants of the area.