Summer - The Hungry Nomad

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.

Athens, Europe, Greece, Greek food, Summer

A Culinary treat at the Galaxy Restaurant and Bar (Athens, Greece)

January 9, 2014 No Comments

During our short stay in Athens, we were invited to dine at the Galaxy Restaurant and Bar located on the top floor of the Hilton Athens. After 40 weeks of eating the local foods of Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece we were in the mood for something that would remind us a bit of home. The Galaxy Restaurant was the perfect choice as it had both international cuisine mixed with a touch of Greek.

Our hostess was so courteous and knowledgeable about the menu and ingredients. She spoiled us from the moment we sat down until the last second when we wobbled our over-filled stomaches to the elevator. We were seated in the outdoor patio overlooking the majestic Acropolis ruins. All this view under the Athenian stars sipping on Greek wine, listening to good music and watching a fashionable crowd could not be beat.

Our meal started with a salad tree resembling an enchanted forest of delicious treats. It consisted of crisp baby spinach leaves with prosciutto chips, walnuts, dried figs, local kalathaki cheese drizzled with a nutmeg vinaigrette. In the land of Greek salads, this salad was a nice change. After finishing the salad we were presented with a plate of the seared tuna starter set in a slate board. The sesame crusted tuna was served with snow peas, caviar, pickled pearl onions, black and yellow cherries and a truffle vinaigrette. It was the most perfect serving of seared tuna. Both in taste and presentation.

I thought we were done but it turns out that our meal was just getting started. Next we were served with another starter, the roasted fillet of grouper. It was artfully presented in a bed of squid ink couscous salad served with a vegetable pea puree and sun dried tomato olive oil. The combination of the couscous, its texture and colorful contrast with pieces of tender white grouper made for a visual and culinary treat.

The one page sushi options was the biggest welcoming surprise. There is nothing I crave more than a good serving of sushi, especially on a trip, and the Hilton Athens satisfied this craving. We were presented with a colorful array of sushi rolls. Options ranged from the crispy salmon roll to the classic spicy tuna roll. Sashimi and Nigiri were also available. The rolls were presented on a large slate board arranged beautifully with rose shaped salmon sashimi and wasabi cubes in the middle. It tasted quite authentic with the perfect portion of rice and fresh fish per roll. It was the perfect way to satisfy my cravings.

After finishing off the sushi plate we were too full for words. But our hosts insisted on serving us more of their wonderful culinary creations.

The Galaxy Roof hot stone is something that should not be missed. There are two options: the sea food platter or the surf and turf. We opted for the surf and turf which consisted of pieces of top quality beef tenderloin and lobster tail. The meat was served raw in a dish and presented alongside a sizzling hot stone. Our server placed the meat on the stone to cook to perfection. There were side order options to go along with the hot stone meal of which we had an eggplant melange and a bowl of local greens only grown in the hills and mountains of Greece.

For dessert we had a little bit of everything including the frozen mojito cream with crunchy mint jelly, lime syrup and lemon sorbet. A tart dish perfect for those who love a tangy dessert; the milk chocolate mousse bar with vanilla ice cream and berry coulis, great for us chocolate and berry lovers; the semifreddo amaretto with almond crocant and orange sauce; and a blueberry soup with lavender ice cream, meringues and strawberry froth. A colorful treat blasting with distinct flavors.

The meal at Galaxy restaurant far exceeded our highest expectations. The food was divine, the view was breathtaking, and the service was excellent. If you want a great meal served alongside a great view with a hip ambiance then don’t miss the Galaxy on your next trip.

Fast Food, Food, Philadelphia, Philadelphia Blogs, Summer

Top Five Cheesesteaks (Philadelphia, USA)

July 11, 2013 3 Comments

Although there are tons of great places to eat in Philadelphia that could satisfy any foodie, no food divides the people of this city more than the famous cheesesteak. Before I came to Philly, I liked cheesesteaks well enough; after I decided to study here, I became both passionate and knowledgeable about them. I now understand that the normal cheese for these subs is whiz, not provolone, and that the best cheesesteaks are minimal in the amount of extras they have. They might not be the fanciest of foods, but they are able to satisfy any homey, greasy craving. I’ve tried dozens of cheesesteak places by now, and here’s my list of some of the best ones.

1. Tony Luke’s

I love the food at Tony Luke’s. While the rest of the places I’ve listed below have great cheesesteaks, Tony Luke’s is my one of my absolute favorites. Although I will admit that my favorite thing at this restaurant is the signature roast pork with broccoli rabe, the cheesesteaks this family-owned business offer up are also fantastic. Right on Oregon Avenue in South Philly, this place is easy to get to, but also very busy. The ideal time to go to any cheesesteak place in Philly is during the off-peak hours because sometimes you can wait up to forty-five minutes for your meal. However, more often than not, it’s worth it if you’re craving one of these popular Philly foods. I plan on visiting Tony Luke’s for a long time to come, and I think it will be even easier since I recently found out a location will be opening up near Temple University. I couldn’t be more excited to have a Tony Luke’s up in North Philly, although I’m sure my waistline will soon be disagreeing with me.

2. Joe’s Steaks + Soda Shop

This restaurant is located in the Tacony/Wissinoming area and was formerly known as Chink’s Steaks. Tala wrote a great review on the restaurant, and it seemed to change her opinion about the Philly cheesesteak.

3. John’s Roast Pork

Another great place that serves both a great roast pork sandwich and cheesesteak. I do have to say that Tony Luke’s does beat this place out a bit in my opinion! Both are located in South Philly though, so you can always just check the two out…on the same day if you’re especially hungry.

4. Steve’s Prince of Steaks

Steve’s is a great place to get a cheesesteak if you’re not in South Philly. I always visit the one on 16th Street that isn’t too far away from Rittenhouse Square. The steak is tender and juicy. I would suggest getting the double meat cheesesteak in order to really treat yourself!

5. Jim’s Steaks

One other place to get a good cheesesteak in the city is right on South Street. Even though it has also been dubbed a tourist trap by some of the residents of Philadelphia, I think unlike Pat’s or Geno’s, Jim’s actually has a reason for being so popular. They are very quick about getting people in and out of here, but still serving up a quality cheesesteaks. One of the best things that Jim’s does is put the whiz on the bread, so it’s much easier to eat than some of the places that put the whiz right on top of the meat. The one suggestion I would make would be to ask for extra whiz because sometimes the subs can come out on the dry side. Here, I always get a steak with extra whiz and fried onions because a good cheesesteak really doesn’t need much else besides these three basics. I haven’t been to any of the Jim’s Steaks besides the South Philly location, but I’d imagine that the other restaurants also offer up great cheesesteaks and I wouldn’t hesitate to try them out sometime in the future.

While my list seems a bit heavy on South Philly, it is the area with some of the best cheesesteak joints. I’ve been to all of the places besides Joe’s Steak + Soda Shop, and I have to say I really enjoy them all. My Mom hasn’t had a real Philly cheesesteak yet, so maybe next time she comes up to Philly I’ll take her to one of these places so she can have the true cheesesteak experience. If not, I’m sure I won’t have a hard time convincing a friend to eat at one of these places with me!

Beach, Fish, Food, Oysters, Seafood, Summer, USA

Dinner at Big Fish Grill (Rehoboth Beach, USA)

July 7, 2013 2 Comments

One restaurant that my family always goes to when we’re down at the beach is Big Fish Grill. This restaurant is ideal for large groups due to its size, but there is always a wait after five p.m. The wait was particularly bad this past Friday when we went as we were told the wait was two hours to get a table, a number that I noticed led to several other parties leaving.

However, since it’s tradition we waited it out and eventually got seated an hour-and-a-half later. The restaurant certainly has the easy-going feel of a beach restaurant to it, so it’s not a place to go to if you’re looking for a nice, quiet atmosphere, but it is a nice place to eat if you want a large selection of pretty good seafood and quick service.

Since we were all pretty hungry, we ordered a few appetizers and drinks. One of the drink specials for the night was a Star Spangled Tini. This tasty drink was a mixture of Stoli Razz, Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, and grenadine. Only one person in our group ordered it, but it was definitely appreciated by the entire table for its festive presentation.

As we waited for our starters, our waiter brought out some crackers and a homemade smoked tuna dip, which is what they serve in place of bread and butter. We decided to start with the fried oysters, fried calamari, and garlic bread. I really enjoyed the fried oysters because they were crispy on the outside, but still retained the texture and flavor of the oyster on the inside. The fried calamari was also good, and my only complaint would be that I prefer it when restaurants serve the crispy tentacles in addition to the usual calamari rounds. The only appetizer I skipped out on was the garlic bread, but the rest of the group devoured the grilled bread, so it must have been delicious.

After we finished our appetizers, our group ordered dinner. Although we all ordered different meals, the one side that we all wanted was the Neva’s Potatoes. These potatoes almost make the long wait worth it and are a mouthwatering mixture of baked hash browns, onions, and cheddar cheese. In fact, we ordered so many of these potatoes that they accidently brought out an extra serving of them!

Of course, the main part of the meal is just as important as the sides. The main courses we ordered included Swordfish, Seafood Pasta, and Crab Cakes. The swordfish was encrusted in potato chips, but was a light balance to the rich Neva’s Potatoes. I particularly enjoyed the garlic cream sauce that topped it since it added a bit more flavor to the normally mild fish.

The pasta came with scallops, lobster, and some of the biggest shrimp I’ve ever eaten. The dish normally comes with linguini, but the kitchen was very accommodating and switched the linguini out for the penne my sister wanted. This seafood pasta came with a creamy tomato sauce, so the dish is best for people that can handle a rich dinner. Overall, I thought it was flavorful and came with a decent portion of seafood for the price it cost, and my sister could only praise it.

The crab cakes were another winner at our table. As a girl from Maryland, I love crabs and have tried crab cakes all over the east coast. Personally, I thought the crab cakes seemed to be a bit on the small side, but my grandmother enjoyed them. The most important thing in a good crab cake, though, is the filler to meat ratio. There was definitely more meat than filler in these particular cakes, so they certainly won points for that, and I’m sure someone else in my family will get them in the future.

While it took us a while to get seated, our meal at Big Fish Grill was enjoyable. In addition to the good food, this place has incredibly quick service and is an ideal place to go if you want a casual restaurant for a beach eat. My family and I will certainly be returning, although we will probably be avoiding this place on the weekends from now on….

Beach, Food, Seafood, Summer, USA

Dinner at Papa Grandes (Fenwick Island, USA)

July 4, 2013 No Comments

Papa Grandes is a new restaurant opened by Matt Haley, a man who has already opened several restaurants in the area, including some long-standing favorites with my family. Each of Haley’s restaurants have distinct feels to them and offer up completely different foods. When you first step into Papa Grandes it definitely has a very laid-back feel to it, as most places in near the beach do. The inside is decorated with various painting that remind me of the hand paintings you would imagine finding in caves. This atmosphere had us all ready to try the food as well.

To start my Mom, sister, and I got the seafood ceviche, queso fundido, and the shrimp and chorizo pincho. Before our starters came out, we were served complimentary tortilla chips with a red salsa that had a kick to it. It was a nice change from the bread normally served at other restaurants, but several of the chips were on the stale side. However, we didn’t have to wait long before the appetizers came out, so it didn’t damper our spirits too much.

The ceviche was good and came topped with a scoop of tasty avocado. While my sister and I both liked the avocado, we did agree that the ceviche didn’t really need it. Beneath this, the ceviche was made up of shrimp, octopus, and baby scallops, and it was a refreshing, tart starter for a hot summer night.

The queso fundido was the complete opposite as it was a heavy cheese dip accompanied by corn tortilla chips, but everyone at the table agreed that it was delicious. I think it was the overall winner for the night. The third appetizer received more mixed reviews. My sister enjoyed the entirety of the dish, but I thought the chorizo was a bit overdone. By the time we finished these, our main meals were already coming out from the kitchen.

As we were eating in a Mexican restaurant, the emphasis was definitely on tacos for the main course. We got both the duck tacos and the tacos al pastor, and in order to change it up a bit, my sister got the shrimp quesadillas. I didn’t taste the quesadillas, but my sister talked them up and particularly loved the ancho honey sauce that topped them. I did, however, try the pork in the tacos al pastor, and I wasn’t crazy about the taste as it was a bit on the dry side.

As a long-term San Diego resident, my mother has had these tacos a lot and said that the pork in the tacos at Papa Grandes was a bit different than what she was used to. According to her, the meat is slightly wetter than what she was served here. My duck was the complete opposite of the pork though, and the meat was nice and tender. My tacos came topped with a bit of guacamole, shaved radishes, and spicy pickled red onions. Despite the pork being a bit dry, everyone was pretty happy with their main courses.

Although we had quite a bit to eat, I am always one for dessert, and we decided to get the churros and the chocolate pot. The churros came with chocolate and were a delicious, sweet end to the meal. On the other hand, the chocolate pot was a dessert that was a bit more complex. It was a thick chocolate served chilled that was topped with whipped cream and chili powder. It definitely satisfied my sweet tooth, but it is probably best for the more adventurous chocolate-lovers out there.

Overall, the service was quick and friendly, and I felt comfortable at this restaurant. Even though a few of the dishes weren’t the best thing I’ve ever eaten, I was satisfied by the end of the meal, especially since it is one of the cheaper restaurants in the area. I enjoyed my first Mexican experience down at the beach, and considering the fact that Papa Grandes has only been open a couple of months, I was happy with this new place and hope to come back.

Gourmand, Ice Cream, New Orleans, Sno Cone, Summer

Hansen’s Sno-Bliz Shop- Uptown (New Orleans, USA)

July 6, 2012 No Comments

A sno cone is one of the top highlights of summers in New Orleans. In the midst of a hot, muggy and sweaty day you can look forward to cooling off with a sno cone from one of many great sno cone shops around town. Hansen’s Sno Bliz shop is a New Orleans tradition and I was told by many that I must try it out before leaving town. And so I found myself waiting in that long dreadful line on one of the hotter New Orleans days to get my hands on one of these famous sno cones.

An hour later… after getting to know my neighbors in line I finally made it to the the inside of the shop. Another fifteen minutes and I was at the front counter. The inside of the shop is…old. I am guessing that they are trying to maintain that old feel to the place so that it resembles what it looked like when it first opened up many years ago. You can look forward to taking a step back in time where life was simple and there was no AC.

Once you get to the counter you are greeted by the owner and her helpers. The owner is the granddaughter of the founders of Hansens. She is warm, friendly and dripping with perspiration from a hard days work. You order your size, flavor and add any extras. I went with the cream of nectar stuffed with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a drizzle of condensed milk. The Count ordered the limonade- he likes his sno cone tart and fresh.

And finally after an hour and twenty minutes (we timed it)- we got our hands on our very first Hansen’s Sno Bliz. The texture of the ‘sno’ was definitely superior to many I have had in the city. As someone put it- it is like biting on to pieces of a cloud. That’s how it feels. It is smooth, creamy, light and fluffy.

One thing I would like to share is the poor hygiene and sanitation of the place. The Count pointed out the fact that the ice was handled by a young man wearing no gloves and pushing the ice into the ‘sno’ machine. He was sweaty and itchy which resulted in him scratching himself all over and wiping off his sweat with his bare hands followed by handling the ice and pushing it in the machine. The counter was a mess and seemed like there was no real order. The staff had to run back and forth between the rooms to grab different flavors. I guess they are trying to change little but it seems that things would run more efficiently if small changes were made. I have been to other sno cone shops in the area which are cleaner and more sanitary. I guess people down here are so fond of their childhood memories of this place that they fail to notice these small details. Would I go back? Certainly? Is it worth taking the risk of getting sick? Completely!