Travel - The Hungry Nomad

Iranian Cuisine at Shahrzad in Tehrangeles- Westwood (Los Angeles)

November 17, 2010 No Comments

Arriving in Los Angeles…first thing is first: I MUST get my kabob-fix. And not any kind of regular kabob but only the best kind- the ‘Persian’ kind. Where can you get Persian kabob’s in LA you ask? Well look no further than the unofficial ‘Iran-Village’ better known as Westwood. Westwood blvd is filled with Persian restaurants, book shops, grocery stores, art shops and last but definitely not less important on the Persian menu: waxing and threading shops. My personal favorite is Shahrzad. The ambiance is casual, the food is delicious and the price is not over the roof. PLUS they have their own ‘tanoor’ which is a brick oven where they make their own bread which goes really well with the long list of dips: my personal favorites: kashkeh badenjoon (eggplant dip with a Persian wonder known as kashk– In modern Iran, kashk is a thick whitish liquid similar to whey (a dairy product) similar to sour cream, used in traditional Persian/Iranian cooking) and another eggplant dip called Mirza Ghasemi (eggplants, tomatoes and lots of garlic). This is to be followed by the main course: a large plate of basmati rice topped with safron soaked rice and long skewer of any type of kabob you can wish for. The food was so delicious I managed to go back twice in a matter of three days. That’s some serious commitment to Kabobs.

kashk-eh badenjoon (eggplant dip)

Gourmand, Los Angeles, Sweets, Travel, USA

A Little of Bit of Pain Quotidien in Los Angeles (Los Angeles)

November 11, 2010 1 Comment

I was so pleasantly surprised to have literally stumbled into my favorite organic pastry/ brunch spot all the way here in Los Angeles. Turns out Pain Quotidien has locations all over the States and the world. Therefore- there goes my assumptions that Pain Quotidien was exclusively a European luxury. This was my weekly hangout in Paris and Geneva and well nothing could make me happier to learn that I don’t have to travel to Europe to enjoy some of PQ’s yummy delights. Beautiful and impeccably arranged pastries, breads and tarts wait behind glass cases, and it takes a considerable amount of self control not to order one of each.

This communal table, according to the restaurant’s website, has been a consistent and important feature of all Le Pain Quotidien sites since the first store opened in Brussels in 1990. Since then, it has “encouraged sharing of time and space” and has helped bring people together over food. An excuse to be brought together over food. I’m okay with that!!!

PQ- to me means one thing: delicious organic breads and a wide selection of spreads. Of course they offer so much more than that including wonderful tartines, salads, soups, etc. My personal favorite on a lazy Sunday morning is the basket of bread (including the croissant) and their to-die-for Belgian Praline spread. I wish I could put in words the amazingness of this praline spread but I don’t know how to describe it. I guess it can be compared to Nutella- except better. I know , I know, you’re thinking what can be better than Nutella? Well- come try this spread for yourself. In fact I am on my way to buy some to take home with me.

8607 Melrose Avenue, Melrose, West Hollywood/1st St and Beverly Blvd, 113 North Larchmont Boulevard/320 South Robertson Boulevard, Los Angeles

Mexico, Travel

Tulum, Mexico

November 4, 2010 No Comments

When you are ready to go another gear lower than Cancun and Playa del Carmen, get closer to nature and really chill out, then take a 50 minute bus ride farther south from Playa, to Tulum. Known for its Mayan ruins overlooking the ocean, Tulum has attracted backpackers for more than 15 years. Tourism has steadily grown with all budgets now catered for, while still retaining the low-key feeling of a relaxed town by the beach.

Essentially Tulum comes in two parts, the town with restaurants, grocery stores, the bus station and several hotels and the long stretch of beach 3km away. Lining the beach is a long, low key stretch of hotels and cabanas. North of those are the famous Tulum ruins with an incredible ocean backdrop. Working north to south the hotels go from backpacker to simple beach side cabanas, and then up to honeymoon retreats with full hotel service on offer.

Beyond that is the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (www.cesiak.org), a Unesco World Heritage Site and home to a rich collection of mangroves, reefs and rare sea turtles who come to lay their eggs on the beach. Both day trips and overnights are possible from Tulum, with hikes and kayaks available to observe the wildlife. But costs are higher than local prices and the official cabins are the only form of accommodation if you prefer to overnight it in the Reserve. With Tulum’s beach hotels sequestered to a single country road, Tulum is much more immersed in nature. There is one main grocery store but otherwise you are in the middle of nature, with the ocean on your left and jungle and the occasional house and restaurant on your right as you travel southward. The turquoise ocean and fine, white sand are out of the pages of a glossy brochure. In low season, from Mexican Independence Day (16 September) to early December, you could well score your very own piece of waterfront paradise. Low season also means low prices but some of the restaurants may have limited hours or be closed completely.

New Orleans, Travel, USA

Halloween in New Orleans

November 3, 2010 1 Comment

Halloween!!! My favorite holiday. An excuse to dress up, eat lots of candy and chocolate. A If you are into Halloween as much as I am… then you will definitely look into making New Orleans your next Halloween destination. I have never in my life seen such a big party. The entire town turns into a big party. First there is Voodoofest, the annual music festival that takes place in City Park. Then there is the french quarter. Almost EVERYONE is dressed up in the most amazing and creative costumes I have ever seen. For a real street/block party there is Frenchman’s street. It was truly the best street/dance party I have ever been to. And the best part is that everyone is having a good time. There is no pretentiousness about it. No entrance fee, no one is there to judge you. Everyone is there to have a good time.