Food - The Hungry Nomad

A New Type of Rotisserie at Narcissa- East Village (NYC)

July 16, 2014 No Comments

Narcissa is the newest addition to the New York dining scene opening up months ago in André Balaz’s newly renovated Standard hotel on Cooper Square. The restaurant is split into two sections: one space boasts rows of farm-style wooden tables facing the open kitchen bordered by a wraparound chef counter, the other is the louder larger restaurant and courtyard. Fun fact: the restaurant is named after a dairy cow at Andre Balazs’ Hudson Valley farm which supplies organically-grown vegetables, herbs and eggs to the restaurant year round.

The menu features various unique twists on your classic vegetables featured as shared plates and a range of meats and seafood cooked rotisserie style for the carnivores.

Talented chef, John Fraser has a way in creating new flavors with classical dishes such as the Baby Chicken Rotisserie which is a melting pot of flavors. It consists of juicy chopped pieces of rotisserie chicken mixed in a bowl with broccoli rage, spiced sausage and brood ($30). Appetizers will leave the vegetarians extremely happy having a large choice ranging from Rotisserie Crisped Beets served with a bulgur salad, apples and creamed horseradish ($15) to the English Pea Tortellini in a mushroom bullion topped with opal basil ($16).

The Mission Figs served in a bed of homemade ricotta cheese and topped with mangalitsa ham and sunflower seeds ($16) was full of competing flavors and was devoured by our party within seconds.

Each of us ordered a different main dish and I can honestly say that all of them were equally delicious, flavorful and unique. However, the Baby Chicken Rotisserie and Maine Scallops were the most popular.
The dessert options were just as good as dinner with a range of plates to choose from all priced at $9. Our table opted for the Bittersweet Chocolate Tart served with a curry-roasted banana and espresso ice cream and a bowl of fruit sorbets.

The only downside of our dining experience at Narcissa was the service. While the hostess was pleasant and seated us promptly, our female server was impatient, rude and a bit abrasive. Not sure if she was just having a bad night or if this reflects other service staff at the restaurant but it put a slight damper on our experience.

Breakfast, Brunch, Food, New York, Spanish, Tapas, USA

Brunch at Estela- Nolita (NYC)

July 3, 2014 No Comments

I don’t know how I learned about this restaurant but somehow I did and it made my list of new place to try in New York. Estela is located on an lonely strip of East Houston bordering Nolita. It is a beverage-driven restaurant from former Blue Hill at Stone Barns beverage director Thomas Carter and James Beard Award-nominated chef Ignacio Mattos. The walk- up bar-restaurant’s decor seems typical of what I’ve seen multiply not only around New York but around the country: exposed brick, wood floors and marble bar and wood tables. It’s sleek and sophisticated.

The brunch menu was limited with only a handful of plates to choose from. I would encourage sharing plates as you won’t fill up on one. It is definitely not meant for those of us with healthy appetites.

First up was the Endive with walnuts, anchovy, and ubriaco rosso ($14). A small plate of fresh and crispy endives laying on top of a bed of walnuts, anchovies and ubriaco rosso cheese (italian for drunken sunset). The mix of flavors and textures was perfect and left me wanting more.

Next came the Burrata with salsa verde and charred bread ($15), a serving of rich and creamy bur rata cheese on top of charred bed in a bed of tangy salsa verde. Verdict: amazing, unique and delicious.

The Cod with peas, spigarello, and aïoli ($24) was a healthy, flavorful and unique.

However, my favorite was the Celery with grapefruit, pecorino, and hazelnuts ($12) dish. It was such a different mix of ingredients and flavors yet so simple. The flavors and textures complimented each other in the best way possible. So good indeed that later on in the week I attempted to re-create the dish at home (didn’t turn out quite the same).

The avocado, pancetta, and egg on Danish pastry ($14) was good but didn’t warrant the $14 price tag.

Overall, our experience at Estela was pretty fabulous. I would definitely return to try their small plate style dinner and drinks. For brunch however, I prefer something a bit more filling and hearty.

Breakfast, Brunch, Food, New York, USA, Waffles

Brunch at Jack’s Wife Freda-Soho (NYC)

July 1, 2014 No Comments

The name is catchy, the place is always packed and everyone raves about it. Of course I had to check it out. Jack’s Wife Freda is a new-ish addition to the Soho neighborhood where husband and wife bring together their experience and backgrounds to create a new and unique menu and flavors. Dean is from South Africa and Maya is from Israel which makes complete sense with one glance at the menu.

Arriving early on a Saturday there were only a few tables left and we were seated outside. The menu/placemat was simple with limited options. Two dishes were ordered: the Mediterranean breakfast and the Rosewater waffles.

The poached eggs came with a side of sliced avocados, labne, pita and salad which resembled and tasted identical to the traditional persian salad (salad shirazi) consisting of chopped cucumbers, tomatoes and onions. It was healthy, fresh and satisfying.

I had really high expectations for the rosewater waffles being from a country where rosewater originated and is used liberally on many sweet dishes. This waffle barely tasted like rosewater and was really not that special. There was nothing that made it stand out from any other restaurant waffle except the use of yogurt as opposed to whipping cream.

Based on the two dishes we tried, we both agreed that there was too much hype around this place. Yes the name is catchy, the location is cool and the clientele is young and stylish, but there was nothing about the food itself that stood out. So if its ambiance you are after then sure this is the place for it, but if you just want really good food there are plenty of options in the neighborhood with less of a line up.

Food

Pizza Domenica- Uptown (New Orleans)

June 1, 2014 No Comments

New Orleans is buzzing with energy and new developments on all ends, especially in the dining scene where it seems that new restaurants are opening monthly if not weekly. The latest exciting restaurant opening is Pizza Domenica the newest addition to the Besh Restaurant Group led by the talented Alon Shaya of Domenica Restaurant and named as one of Travel and Leisure’s Hottest New Restaurants in the USA.

Pizza Domenica is located Uptown and takes a more casual approach to Italian dining. The counter-service layout is interesting to say the least if not a bit confusing. Diners line up and choose their order from a large chalk written menu on the wall. They then pay at the counter and are given a number cleverly placed on a bottle of olive oil. They then wait for a table to become available. Once one is available you are quickly escorted to the table and a server then comes to bring your order. If you want to add to the order you can do so at the table. Which begs one to ask, why then does one have to order at the counter? The entire process was a bit confusing and frustrating to say the least. Many diners have since complained of this aspect of the restaurant but on the numerous occasions I’ve visited since it’s opening, we found it to be straight forward and efficient.

The food on the other hand is outstanding as can only be expected from Alon Shaya and his team. First up was the garlic knots with a side of whipped provolone cheese dripped in olive oil. This little piece of heaven was so good that I could go back only to have a bite of this. A warm, gooey twisted dough tossed in garlic butter served with an airy, light and creamy dip made with provolone cheese.

As for the pizza there are 19 to choose from and really you can’t go wrong. My favorites so far have been the ‘Basil Pesto’ and the ‘Calabrese’. I have yet to taste the other 15 unique pizzas offered on the menu. As for the actual pizza itself, the dough is baked to a perfect crisp on the outside and chewy on the inside. The toppings are generous and fresh with a ham slicer in the open-concept kitchen to slice the proscuitto and other toppings on the spot. It can’t get better than that!

Overall, Pizza Domenica is yet another great addition to the New Orleans dining scene. So good that since it’s opening I have driven from Lafayette to New Orleans just to get another bite out of their pies.

Food, New Orleans, USA

Lunch at SoBou- French Quarter (New Orleans, USA)

May 4, 2014 No Comments

While staying in the French Quarter we decided to check out some of the new restaurants that have opened in New Orleans since we moved away to Philadelphia last summer. Our list included SoBou, the new contemporary restaurant located in the W Hotel by the same family as Commander’s Palace (a personal favorite).

This ‘South of Bourbon‘ restaurant focuses on tapas style small plates and modern twists on Southern classics. Led by chef Juan Carlos Gonzalez the food proved to be fresh, innovative and exciting. The decor is modern, elegant and trendy. Many tables have beer taps built in for easy access.

We went for lunch around 1 pm and the restaurant was winding down with less than 3 tables. However, it took a very long time to get anything on our table. And while our server was knowledgeable and attentive, it did not take away from the fact that we waited for what seemed like 30 minutes to get our first order served.

The Yellowfin tuna cones were served in a small tomato infused cone filled with a pineapple ceviche, tuna, topped with basil and avocado ice cream. It was small enough to eat in one bite. However, I was not a big fan of the ice-cream/fish combination. I’m a firm believer that fish and dairy should not be mixed at a meal let alone in one dish.

Next came the Butternut Squach Beignets, large deep fried balls of dough mixed with duck debris and squash drizzled with a sweet foie gras fondue sauce and chicory coffee ganache. The Count loved the mix of sweet and savory flavors of this dish but for me it was too much fried dough.

For our main entrees we had the SoBou Burger and Rosemary Crusted Oyster Salad. The burger was plain and simply delicious. Grilled to perfection giving it that smokey grilled flavor that many burgers these days lack.

The oyster salad was a great light lunch option. The oysters were lightly crusted in a rosemary breading cooked just right, set on top of a bed of tossed greens in a light sauce.

We also ordered a side of fries and were surprised to note that we were charged that extra dollar for ketchup. It threw us off a bit given that you really don’t expect to be charged for ketchup in an upscale restaurant such as SoBou. And while we may be spoiled up east in Philadelphia and New York with the special attention we’ve been given by chefs and wait staff, small details such as this really do take away from the experience.

Andalusia, Food, Seville, Spain, Tapas, Travel, Wine Bar

Tapas in Seville (Sevilla, Spain)

April 7, 2014 No Comments

After our three days of adventures in Madrid we packed our bags hopped on the train and made our way south to Sevilla.

Sevilla was all that I imagined it to be and more: bursting with color and antique charm, beautiful historic buildings, endless rays of sun and flamenco. The Alcazar Palace Complex is a stunning collage of architectural styles and beautiful green gardens took our breathe away and the Cathedral was impressive you with its beauty and its status as the burial site of Christopher Columbus. We spent our days touring the town on foot and nights eating tapas in only a few of the more than 4000 tapas bars in town. On the first day that we visited the town we ended our walk at the Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza. Around the corner from the Plaza de Toros we found a restaurant called Baratillo dedicated to the art of bull fighting and decided to give it a try.

Bull heads lined the walls and locals and tourists alike crowded the room. As a newbie to the art of tapas we werent too sure of our selections but there was one thing that I discovered while in Sevilla which was so delicious that I ended up having three servings per day.I wish I remembered the name but only have the photos to remind me of the taste. Fries served with a meat stew and gravy. Very simple but simply delicious.

The dish called Broken Egg or Huevos Rotos is quite popular all around Spain consists of fried eggs, fried potatoes and pieces of Iberico ham. It is simply delicious and made it to our list of orders on every occasion.

The house special- the Berenjenas Baratillo was to die for. Not sure what the sauce that covered the thinly sliced eggplant dish consisted of but whatever it was- it was so delicious we had to order more.

Baratillo restaurant is located at: Calle Adriano, 20, 41001 Seville, Spain, El Arenal

Asian, Food, Japan, Ramen, Vancouver

Addicted to Gyoza King since 2003 (Vancouver, Canada)

February 27, 2014 No Comments

It seems that the majority of my time was spent eating in the West End where there is a densely packed number of Korean, Japanese, Malaysian and other Asian restaurants. Gyoza King is no new addition! It has been around for over a decade. The tiny Japanese restaurants specializes in handmade gyozas with different fillings including the pork, prawn and chives, prawns and pork and chives. They also serve pages and pages of other Japanese delicacies typically found in Izakayas.

As a regular, I have the menu memorized and always order two servings of the pork, prawn and chives and pork and chive gyozas. You just can’t go wrong with these pan-fried dumplings. They are as good as it gets and you would do yourself a huge injustice if you went to the restaurant and failed to get the dumplings.

Next, I always order the Agadeshi Tofu. Pieces of skilen firm tofu are cut into cubes, lightly dusted with potato starch and deed fried to a golden crisp. They are then served in a bed of hottentsuu borth made of dashi, mirin and sho-yu (Japanese soy sauce) and topped with finely chopped spring onions, grated daikon and dried bonito flakes which dance in the heat to give this dish the ultimate visual appearance. The agadeshi tofu at Gyoza King is the best I’ve ever had through my trips around the world.

An order of kimchi Udon is only one of many servings of udon offered at Gyoza King. Udon served without the broth is what I would explain to those who have never tasted it as the Japanese version of spaghetti. Instead of meatballs and tomato sauce the Japanese have come up with their own concoction of tasty sauces to blend the udon with making it a hit at the dinner table each and every time. All this food would not be complete had it not been for the bottle of unfiltered sake which made everything taste even more delicious but yet filled us up too quickly. I was sad that I was too full to eat all my other favorites on their menu like the Chicken Karagge (Japanese fried chicken), ebi mayo (fried shrimp with mayonnaise) and tuna tataki.

Food, Hotel, Istanbul, Summer, Travel, Turkey, Turkish

Neorion Hotel (Istanbul, Turkey)

February 3, 2014 No Comments

Our last stop this summer in Europe was Istanbul. We started at the tip of the continent in Portugal and ended in Turkey where Europe meets Asia.

Istanbul. You have won my heart. Your beauty, charm, history and friendly welcoming people. A first trip to Istanbul, I was not sure what to expect. Where to stay. What to see and eat. We ended up staying in the Sirkegi district at the Neorion Hotel, neighboring the historical Sultanahmet district where most of the historical sites are situated. The hotel is constantly rated No. 1 hotel in Istanbul by TripAdvisor, which also awarded it the Travelers’ Choice® 2013 Award: one of the top 25 hotels in Turkey, and one of the top 25 hotels in the entire world! Based on these great reviews we had to stay at the Neorion hotel and experience the greatness for ourselves.

Upon arriving through the mazed streets of the neighborhood I really was not sure what to expect. An unassuming street with a more unassuming outside appearance. Once we walked inside all worries were put to rest.

Location:

Neorion hotel is located in the heart of Istanbul’s history, culture, food and nightlife. Only minutes walk from the Topkapi palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and everything else that you want to see in a short stay.

Rooms & Decor:

The hotel, opened in 2011, was conceived and designed to honor and reflect all of the cultures that have enriched the city and its empires.The rooms are spotlessly clean each room decorated with a large colorful historical painting of Istanbul. A welcome letter from the owners and a gift were waiting for us. The rooms were quiet even though they were facing the front street.

Dining:

The complimentary breakfast was a combination of eastern and western options. A wall of honeycomb slowly drizzling down is a hit with hotel guests.

Amenities:

Neorion hotel offers a health club with small pool, jacuzzi, sauna and two hamams. But for me the best part of the hotel was the rooftop terrace which offers free complimentary drinks at happy hour overlooking the mystical city. Perhaps the most memorable moment of our stay occurred on the rooftop while sipping on a glass of wine, watching the sun slowly descend into hues of pink and red between the minarets of the Suleymaniye Mosque while listening to the evening prayers. And who can complain of the complimentary early-evening meze buffet with delicious Turkish treats to go along with your glass of wine (or tea).

Service:

The staff were waiting to welcome us with a serving of tea. We were given a brief about the hotel and neighborhood and walked to our room. Perhaps what makes Neorion hotel so special is the friendly service and humble staff. Throughout our stay they went out of their way to make us feel at home. When you arrive at the hotel after a long flight or day of sightseeing, you are offered with a complimentary meal: a bowl of soup, a sandwich, stuffed peppers, salads, a slice of cake and a cup of coffee or tea, or other light dishes. What’s more? If you arrive early in the day like we did, you will be allowed to have complimentary breakfast and check in extra early if the rooms are ready. Really, it is this kind of service and thoughtfulness that makes the hotel so special and constantly rated number 1 on tripadvisor.

Food, Istanbul, Travel, Turkey, Turkish

Istanbul, My Heart is Forever Yours!

January 17, 2014 No Comments

Landing in Istanbul and walking through the airport was quite a dramatic change from the rest of our European destinations. The mix of cultures, religions, languages and history was evident as early as the customs line up where women covered in the Islamic hijab stood in line next to girls in short skirts. I was already in awe and felt envious. In my motherland of Iran, such freedoms are not granted and it surprised me to see how harmonious the blend of individual choices and freedoms can be in a predominantly muslim country.

The taxi ride to the Neorion Hotel was like no other. While most airports are in a dreadful neighborhood outside of town where getting to the center requires looking out at the freeway and other not so pretty scenes, the ride to the center of Istanbul was the most breathtaking airport ride of my life. We were driven right next to the Marmara, with a view onto the Bosphorus. I was surprised by the overwhelming green space and lush gardens that covered most of Istanbul. It was love at first sight. And while my love for Paris will never be replaced Istanbul rose quickly to the top as my favorite destination. Maybe it was the melancholic reminder of memories of my childhood in Iran and the similarities or maybe it was the history, the people and beauty of Istanbul that made me fall in love. I’m still not sure. All I know is I have never been so sad to leave a city behind. I am left wanting more and planning my next destination to Turkey.

Of all the amazing things that Istanbul had to offer, the hospitality, generosity and warmth of the Turkish people was what left the biggest mark on us. This post is dedicated to the Turkish people and features mostly photos of the generous people of Istanbul. From the fig stand man from whom I wanted to purchase one fig from, who gave me 3 for free and insisted on not accepting my money because he only sold by the kilo to our hotel manager who personally rode the train with the Count to the other side of town late one night to pick up medication. And so the stories and myths of turkish rip-offs all turned out to be just that: myths and tales from an angry tourists past.

Istanbul, a universal beauty where poet and archeologist, diplomat and merchant, princess and sailor, northerner and westerner screams with same admiration. The whole world thinks that this city is the most beautiful place on earth.
Edmondo De Amicis

Athens, Food, Greece, Greek food, Travel

Hilton Hotel (Athens, Greece)

December 22, 2013 1 Comment

We arrived on a hot day in August appearing out of the subway station into a hazy fog and scorching sun that can bring anyone to their knees. Our hotel of choice was the Hilton Athens situated in the Kolonaki district.

Location:

The hotel is very central within walking distance to the upscale shops, bars and restaurants of the Kolonaki neighborhood. The Evangelismos metro station is situated across from the hotel allowing for easy access to the major tourist destinations.

Rooms:

The hotel itself is everything you would expect from an upscale hilton. Great, friendly service with top notch facilities. We were generously given an executive suite overlooking the Acropolis from our room and access to the elegant Executive Lounge, with private check-in/out, in addition happy hour drinks and snacks available until late evening.

The bathroom was extremely clean and crisp with white and grey marble lining the counters and walls. Local Greek wine and a basket of fruits were waiting for us on our arrival. A top to bottom window opened up to a balcony overlooking the Acropolis in the distance. In the evening, the view turned magical with the golden lights of the acropolis reflecting from the distance.

Facilities:

In the heat of the summer, guests can also relax by the outdoor pool before freshening up and heading to the penthouse for drinks at the ever so fashionable Galaxy Restaurant and Bar.
Dining:

The rooftop Galaxy Restaurant and Bar at the Hilton Hotel is a must for anyone who is staying at the hotel and all others who are looking for a night out on the town eating haute international cuisine. The indoor-outdoor bar/restaurant is split into two sections: the bar and on one end the restaurant. We opted to dine at the Galaxy Restaurant during our short trip in Athens and were not let down. In fact, it was one of the best meals we had during our trip in Europe. Wining and dining under the Athenian stars with a view to kill, things could not get better. (See Review on Galaxy Restaurant).

The next morning we enjoyed complimentary continental breakfast enjoyed in the large Byzantino restaurant. It was one of the largest breakfasts we had and featured both local greek flavours and international food. Service was as always immaculate and friendly.