The quest to find the ultimate sandwich has resulted in a search through town for the best and tastiest. A few months back while walking back from the courthouse I discovered Hubbub Sandwiches: A small sandwich shop located conveniently for my sake across from the courthouse. It was love at first bite. Their sandwiches are each made with detail and love. You can feel it in every bite. I have only tried the turkey sausage and pulled pork which I love equally. However, the turkey sausage has carved a special place in my heart…or rather stomach. The sausage is made locally and tastes extremely fresh with the right amount of herbs and spices for that extra punch. The bread made in house is chewy and ever so delicious. Each sandwich comes with a long strip of onion and a delicious messy sauce. I am a big fan of adding chips to my sandwiches so you can imagine how delighted I was to find out that you have the option of ordering a side of house made chips, corn cob, quinoa salad or coleslaw.
Hubbub also makes delicious salads…although I am yet to try. I have gone in there with the intention of getting a salad but have succumbed to my stomach’s pressure and ordered their turkey sandwich on most occasions. In my humble opinion, Hubbub has created the perfect sandwich.
Savary Island Pie Company (West Vancouver, Canada)
For those of us growing up on the North Shore Savary Island is a household name. Sadly, I have long since moved downtown and on rare occasions travel back to West Vancouver. What occasion could be better than wedding dress shopping for a dear friend at Blush wedding store located a block away from the best Pie company in Vancouver?
We went on a rainy winter day and it seemed all of Vancouver had gathered in this small shop. I found that its hard to get around since the tables are overly large and chairs are spread all over making it hard to maneuver. The line up extended all the way to the entrance. To say the space is cramped is an understatement but I guess as long as they continue baking the best best breads and sweets in town than no one will complain.
We tried the blueberry pie and their breakfast wrap which were both delicious. I also bought some baked goods to take home with me including their olive oil infused bread…which I found to be too greasy- the oil leaked through the paper bag and covered my friend’s car’s leather seats. They do offer more healthy treats and if you do go don’t give up on the opportunity to try what they are best known for: their pie.
Slice of blueberry pie |
Mardi Gras- the Most Wonderful Time of the Year in New Orleans
If you looked at the tile of this post and thought that perhaps it was almost Christmas, you were wrong. Very wrong. For it is almost time for Mardi Gras, a time in New Orleans were magic happens. I mean who really looks forward to turkey dinner when you have the fabulous king cake to look foward to?
I will take a wild guess here and say that many of those reading this blog have never experienced carnival season or ‘mardi gras‘. Others don’t even know what it is. I had read about Mardi Gras in my high school french class and always wanted to come to New Orleans for Mardi Gras. Who knew that destiny would make New Orleans my home allowing me to experience this wonderful time of year first hand.
For many here, Mardi Gras season seems to be more important than any other holiday. That is because Mardi Gras brings with it weeks of music, parades, floats, parties, balls and playing dress up. (Any excuse will get your average N’awliner playing dress up). Many are part of ‘societies’ or ‘krewes’, have balls to prepare for, and most importantly ride in a ‘float’. Now not anyone can ride in a float…you have to earn your place in a krewe. The whole process and tradition is still a little cloudy to me but all in all in simple language modern day mardi gras season is an excuse to party day and night for one whole month (it seems like a month at least) leading up to fat tuesday and lent. Basically the average Christian is getting it all out of their system before lent. There are different parades everyday. And you have to attend all of them. Since each has its own creative theme and floats. Riding the floats are many in really beautiful outfits (other times not so much) throwing colorful beads and other goodies at those who yell loud enough and manage to make eye contact. I happen to have mastered the ‘googly eye’ and so was happy to have my neck full of beads by the end of each night (that and having a really tall fiance that can reach over everyone else). Everywhere you look you will see flashes of purple, green and gold. Purple being my favorite color you can imagine how happy this color scheme makes me.
The city shuts down for the duration of the mardi gras season. There are people running around the streets day and night in crazy costumes. And generally everyone is just happy. As happy as I have seen such a large group of people. I’ll be writing more about my mardi gras experience along with adding a bit of a historical context and explaining the traditions. I am also on a mission to eat my way through all the king cakes in town to find the best one. What is a king cake? A delicious treat to be found in most bakeries around this time of year. I’ve had many kingcakes in Europe although New Orleanians have added their own flare to it (as they do to all things) and splash it with purple, green and gold colored sugar and fill it up with delicious fillings including cream cheese, pralines, etc. Any suggestions as to the best King Cake in town? Do share your thoughts. (Also note: I collected the photos below from the wonderful world wide web. I will be adding my own collection shortly).
Phnom Penh 金邊小館 (Vancouver, Canada)
The name is Cambodian but the food a mix of Vietnamese, Chinese and Cambodia…did I mention authentic?
The Owners- the Huynh family are a blend of Vietnamese, Cambodian and Chinese. They have run Phnom Penh on East Georgia Street since 1985. I know its become popular amongst my friends in the past few years. And ever since I have never missed an opportunity to make a quick stop at PP for their chicken wings.
The butter beef and beef luc lac melt in your mouth, chicken wings to die for and perfectly crispy and the soups are ever so tasty. Their crab roll, wrapped in tofu paper, and stuffed with jicama, crab and pork with a hoisin chili sauce is a family creation. As I write this and stare down at tbeef luc lac, mouth watering up, I think I may just have to make a trip down there today. Will keep you posted if I try anything new but I tend to stay with their lotus root soup, the beef luc lac and chicken wings- always a winner combination.
Chicken Wings |
Spanish food at Cafe Granada (New Orleans, USA)
Cafe Grenada serves authentic Spanish tapas in the heart of New Orleans. You all know by now that I love tapas style cuisine since it allows me to taste as many possible flavors in one go. This restaurant is located on South Carrollton in one of my favorite neighbourhoods. Besides the amazing food, sangria, service and ambiance you also get to sit outside under the oak trees and watch the street cars go by and absorb some of that New Orleans charm. This restaurant is in my top 3 choices of places to dine in New Orleans. The food is always fresh and delicious and I just love the atmosphere. Once a month they also have flamenco nights where you can watch Spanish flamenco dancing while you dine. I highly recommend this restaurant.
Long Table Series at the Irish Heather (Vancouver, Canada)
I was invited to the Irish Heather’s Long Table Series a few months back. The concept is interesting: a long table of friends gathering for drinks and family style cooking. Although, technically we weren’t seated at a long table and were separated from our group by a wall. We were told they had no room for our whole party which begs the question what then is the purpose of the LTS if you can’t be seated with your entire party?
On this occasion, the special was sunday pot roast served with vegetables and Yorkshire pudding. I wasn’t expecting much given that I have never heard anything great about English food (although I do enjoy a good Shepards Pie). Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised when our food arrived. It was delicious, filling and ever so tasty. The meat- tender and juicy, and that Yorkshire pudding- who knew it would have tasted so good? I would go back just for that pudding which isn’t really a pudding but a baked puff like bread served with a special tangy sauce.
The entire meal and one pint of beer was $18. I liked it and think its a great idea for a large group of people…if you can actually be seated at their long table.
Soirette Macarons & Tea (Vancouver, Canada)
What could be more delightful than a shop dedicated to macarons and only macarons in every possible delicious flavour you can imagine?
Soirette Macarons and Tea has done just that! Located on West Pender street this new gem caters to all of those out there who are crazy about macarons. The design inside is very modern chic with a splash of colour here and there. There is a large glass display of colourful macarons set against a backdrop of cans of marked tea. On this occasion, we opted for the lavender tea latte- always a delicious option with a colourful choice of macarons including the Rocher (my personal favourite), Violetta, Matcha green tea and Coconut. The macarons were just perfect and one of the best I’ve tasted in Vancouver. Perfect texture, chewiness and flavour. I tasted a bit of condensed milk… don’t know if that is an ingredient in all of the macarons but since I drink condensed milk by the can (occasionally!!!) I didn’t mind the hint of flavour it added to the macarons.
The Hungry Nomad’s Guide to Paris, France
There’s more to Paris than haute couture. Paris is a city for lovers. Lovers of romance, food, wine, fashion, politics, and just about everything else. From luxury sweets to scavenging for vintage accessories, here are the Hungry Nomad’s picks for unmissable Parisian spots that are guaranteed to have you hitting the streets, day and night.
Sleep
While most of your time in Paris should be spent exploring all the wonders the city has to offer, there is nothing wrong with a little rest and relaxation as well. As accommodation goes, Paris has something for every price point and every aesthetic. For those with money to burn, Hotel Plaza Athénée is a showcase of French luxury (as seen in the final episodes of SATC). Every amber-scented room has a spectacular view of the city. Regency meets Art Deco in an elegant fusion of style that has attracted film stars, politicians, and the fashion elite for decades. Alan Ducasse runs his three-star restaurant from the hotel. The restaurant also oversees all hotel catering, even room service. With its prime location moments from the Champs-Elysées, rooms with private terraces, and 18th-century decor, the Four Seasons Hotel, George V takes luxury up a notch. The super chic Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme boasts an enviable location a short walk from the Louvre and the Opera and it also boasts an equally enviable guest list.
Dubbed the “Hotel of Kings” by those in the know, Le Meurice makes list for its bar, its food, and its past guests, including Salvador Dali and Saudi princes. I am sure most of you have in your lifetime listened to a Hotel Coste CD (similar to Buddha Bar CD mixes)- well the hotel is just as amazing as the music. No detail is too small for owner Jacques Garcia, a man who takes pride in excess, particularly when it comes to drinks, lounges, parties and the beautiful people attached to them.
Stunning views are not hard to come by at the Hotel du Louvre: all four sides face a Parisian landmark – the Louvre, the Opera Garnier, the Comédie Française (make sure you visit), and the Place du Palais Royal (one of my favorite places to hang out in Paris). The traditional atmosphere of the guest rooms does not prevent the hotel from providing every contemporary comfort. With only 43 rooms, Hotel Therese is a boutique hotel in Paris. The rooms are elegant and come equipped with all the comforts you’d expect from a cosmopolitan hotel in the centre of things.
Cheap, chic, and charmingly small, Hotel Le Petit Paris is the Latin Quarter’s little gem. This is personally my favorite part of the city so I would highly recommend staying in this area to get a taste of the Rive Gauche. During the reign of Louis XV, the hotel was a coaching inn, but in the 1970s even Jim Morrison couldn’t resist a stay. Its 18th Century facade conceals bold, themed interiors designed by Sybille de Margerie.
Fashion
The undisputed shrine of cool (and overpriced), Colette has a perfectly curated collection of fashion pieces, style must-haves, and design artifacts. It’s simply impossible to match. The absolute dictator in the reign of retail, it is the prototype for the ultimate shopping experience. It is more a fashion museum experience than a shopping experience for me. Although, when I lived in Paris I did frequent Colette often to do some crowd surfing- this is where the most stylish young clads of Paris hang out along with your wanna be parisian fashionista tourists. On my student budget it was pretty hard to afford anything here…even the water downstairs at the Cafe was overpriced.
Gallerie Lafayette is also a must for all tourists wanting to shop and not having time to hit all the boutiques around town (if you are there end of June/July you will also be able to take advantage of the summer sales). It’s a very glamorous version of a department store with every brand name you could ask for. Plus the inside of the Gallerie is so beautiful that it grants a visit just to see the cielings if not to shop. [note to shoppers: you can get your tax returns here]
One of my most cherished high end department stores which is tucked away from the tourist paths is Le Bon Marche located on 24 Rue de Sèvres in the 7eme arrondissement. This area in general has many great boutiques and shops so for those looking for great shopping you should definitely hit this side of town.
A Parisian must for every fashionista (and lover of random things like me), Le Marche Aux Puces is a deep ocean of merchandise treats. Often hit or miss, you can score anything from a rare, turn-of-the-century accessory to the odd, well-priced Givenchy vintage dress.
Noir Kennedy is a hipster’s dream: cool, vintage, cheap, and located in le Marais. The meticulous selection features pieces from underdog designers as well as rare garments collected in London, New York, and other vintage capitals of the world.
In terms of the best areas for shopping my personal favorites are: 1) Saint Germaine (6/7eme arrondissement), 2) le Marais, 3) Chatelet/Montorgeuil and 4) for window shopping I always make my way over to Rue St. Honore followed by a glass of wine at Place du Marche St. Honore).
Eat
Now on to my favorite hobby: eating. Dining in Paris is not simply a matter of a meal, it’s a total body experience – the food, people, decor, location, and more. Every meal is a precious opportunity to try something quintessentially Parisian so try not to squander a moment on something unworthy.
Lunch
Café de Flore is (still) the coolest lunch spot in town for a young, fashionable crowd (and the intellectual?). Many of my days as a Political Science student in Paris were spent here having deliciously overpriced hot chocolate…and hoping to run into the likes of Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir. Café au laits and Christian Louboutins (the shoes and the man himself) converge in harmony at this Paris staple.
Chez George is a classic and my personal allllll time favorite for its unpretentious, old-fashioned, bourgeois French cuisine, service, atmosphere, and décor.
An area which I only discovered a few years ago is Place du Marche Saint Honore- just off of Saint Honore street this square has many wonderful restaurants where many locals hang out. It quickly became my weekly lunch spot since it was just minutes away from my firm. To top that off, last I checked Marc Jacobs had its outlet store (same as the one in West Village, NYC) tucked away in a corner.
L’As du Fallafel is my favorite place to catch a quick bite in the Marais. The crowds flock to this traditional jewish fallafel place to experience their amazing fallafels. In my student days this was a place to get cheap quality food with the gang. Now it seems that tourists have taken over, with large line ups. However, quality remains the same.
Ma Bourgogne- 19, place des Vosges, tel: 01 42 78 44 64, (M: Bastille). Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner everyday, this is a great spot to sit under the arches of the gorgeous place des Vosges. Standard French fare (the fixed menu is your best bet), generous salads, and Berthillon ice cream. No reservations or credit cards.
For people watching and eclectic french fare snatch a coveted outside table at L’Avenue.
Docked between vintage shops and Sonia Rykiel, Le Bouledogue is a local den that’s cheap, fast, and fun. Expect nothing but the best Parisian joie de vie on the terrace. It’s a prime spot for day-drinking festivities.
Dinner
One of Francois Miterrand’s favourite spots, along with many intellectuals and artists, Brassiere Lipp breathes history from every inch of its original art deco walls. In short, as they put it themselves, it’s “chic, cheap, and hard to beat.” For the younger crowd, Chez Janou is a raucous bistro with a clubhouse vibe. The scene might be anything but simple, but the food is simply homey, excellent, and decently priced. Hipster headbands optional, but a spoonful of chocolate mousse is required. French critics and Parisians alike adore food expert Julien Fouin’s traditional French bistro Glou. The bistro boasts reasonable prices, an incredible wine list, and celeb patrons like Marion Cotillard and John Galliano. Neighbor to both Le Baron and Chez Regine, Le Comptoir du Relais is prime real estate for the hungry party crowd, but it’s the bellinis and caviar that really bring them in.
Le Fidélité was one of the trendiest spots in 2009 last when I was in Paris. It’s pretty easy to find close to gare de l’est. All the hipster/fashion’s avant-garde flock to this joint but the vibe is down-to-earth. Rosa Bonheur serves food, both small plates and simple plats du jour. But the reason the place is packed is because it is perched in a privileged spot at the top of the lush Parc des Buttes Chaumonts, with a sprawling terrace and a fine view. The mood goes from picnic to party as the day progresses. The trick is you have to make it inside the Buttes Chaumont gates before closing time at 8pm. The inexpensive tapas feed hipsters and fashionistas alike in a relaxed setting.
Le Relais de l’Entrecote is also a must. The restaurant serves just one dish: steak, fries and salad. So if you don’t eat meat you may want to stay away. There are several locations but I suggest hitting up the St. Germain location nestled in a cobbled stone street overlooking a beautiful church and steps away from the crowds on St. Germain.
Sweets
Parisians rightfully treat every meal as something special, including the little meals in between. My all time favorite pastry shop is on my all time favorite street [rue montorgeuil]: La maison Strohrer is one of Paris’ oldest and most revered bakeries. I once purchased every single pastry with a friend in order to try all of them, since often times I usually end up with a chocolat eclair or macaroons I thought it was an appropriate occasion and the right shop to taste every single french pastry. 10 pounds and 5 hours of ultimate sugar high later, I was happy to say that I loved every single one. Unfortunately, in those days photographing the experience was not a priority and thus I cannot support my memories with any photos.
One of the most famous cafes in the city, Angelina’s signature pastry is the Mont Blanc, a meringue base piled with chestnut purée and then filled with whipped cream. If possible, it is actually better than it sounds.
Fauchon chocolates are a bedside table must and they’re as good as it gets … well unless you also take their kinky chocolate body paint in consideration. For conservative types, their teas, coffees, and infusions will hit the spot too.
No Paris visit is complete without a stop at Ladurée. (You may have already read my post on Laduree so you may already know how I feel about this sweet little shop). Order a cup of hot chocolate and try not to exceed the human limit of macaroon consumption while you’re at it. There is another macaroon option as well. Better known as the “King of French Pastry,” or the “French Willy Wonka,”Pierre Hermé’s tiny boutique on Rue Bonaparte has a queue around the block. The man made it his life’s work to perfect the macaroon and succeeded. If there was ever a time to line up for pastry, this is it!
Drinks
Morning drinks, afternoon nibbles, and evening cocktails, Paris has the perfect place for them all. As the apéritif du jour, Café de Flore‘s evening crowd is trendy, famous, and rich. There’s no mistaking where these people come from and where they work (Paris, London and Prada) and no doubt where they’re going either: Le Montana. A see-and-be-seen spot for the “it” crowd, this is the last stop before pulling an all-nighter at a neighbouring spotlight joint. Castel is the Quartier Latin spot de rigeur.
Known for its cocktails, multi-coloured goblets, and bizarre glasses in a Neo Art Deco atmosphere, the Metropolitan Cocktail Bar in the Metropolitan Hotel is a solid drinking den for the smart rock n’ roll set. A bar worth the door hassle is Le Mathis (strongly recommend). Dubbed “le refuge chic” by insiders, if you can make it past the door, you’ll find yourself in one of the most exclusive addresses in town (I have to underline ‘exclusive’ since its practically impossible to get in unless you are a vogue supermodel or Parisian socialite). This is a very small bar draped in velvet looking more like a brothel than a club but the crowd is the cooler than cool. A bit too snobby for me… but well when in Paris do as the Parisians do… point your nose up and walk in like you own it.
A Paris cocktail joint with a splash of masculinity is Hemingway Bar at The Ritz Hotel. With leather armchairs, single-malt Scotch, and Spanish tapas, it’s Hemingway’s greatest legacy … well, that and his writing.
Conveniently located just steps from the Louvre, Le Fumoir is one my personal favorites (see my post dedicated to it). It attracts the kind of guy who loves a glass of scotch and a good cigar in hand or a gal like me who loves a glass of sancerre staring at the wonders of the Louvre glowing at night. Across the road from le Jardin de Tuileries, Le Meurice’s bar, 228, hosts the fashionable Parisians for after-work drinks. Think of it as the couture equivalent to your local British pub on a Thursday evening. Not much has changed since Picasso once frequented La Palette. Why change a formula that works so well? Expect classic drinks with a whirlwind of heavy-hitters mixing with the Parisian locals.
Every Friday night a sea of hipsters spills out on the streets outside La Perle. Featuring flamboyant fashion students and walking art manifestos in their late teens, this pre-gaming Le Marais haunt is heaven for the sartorial voyeur.
Clubs
An off-centre option, Chez Moune is the nightlife epicentre of Pigalle. Themed parties are the name of Moune’s game, but be sure to study up on them before attending as they tend to be very specific and targeted to a particular demographic.
A Studio 54 predecessor, Chez Regine has kept its owner, Régine Choukroun, partying since the 70s. Renovated and reopened only a couple of years ago, Chez Regine is operated by the collective behind Le Baron and Le Montana.
Andre’s pièce de la résistance is the toughest door in town, trumped only perhaps by that of its sister club, Le Montana. Le Baron’s tabletops have been graced with the moves of such names as Sofia Coppola and Bjork. On a good night, crowds of paparazzi wait patiently outside hoping to snap a shot of a celebrity (I can assure you my photo was never taken). Always booked solid for private soirees during Paris Fashion Week, Le Montana is the new joint for counter-cultural celebrities and the creative Parisian upper class. Models are the lowest common denominator in the boîte’s attendance hierarchy. Good DJs, monthly Friday night parties, and a host of other events have earned Maxim’s quite the reputation with the party crowd.
If you have any suggestions as to the new hip,trendy and delicious places to eat, shop, drink and be merry please let me know so I can include it in the guide.
Franco- German Cuisine at Chef John Besh’s Luke (New Orleans, USA)
Luke is another John Besh restaurant combining Franco-German food and decor to create another masterpiece. I’ve been here several times and each time its completely full. On this occasion we went on Christmas night expecting it to either be closed or empty and were surprised to find it so full that we were offered seats at the bar. Not that I mind… I enjoyed watching the oyster man hard at work cracking oyster shells and placing them neatly on ice trays. Who knew it was such hard work?
We started off with turtle soup (our favorite)…but weren’t too happy when it was served lukewarm. It was still tasty but less than what we expected at a John Besh restaurant. Next, for our main course we ordered the moules & frites and the Luke Burger. Both were very tasty. Having just arrived from Canada I was shocked at the large portion but was quick to adapt to the almost triple sized portions served in the States. The mussels were enough to feed a whole family!!! I highly recommend sharing…unless you got a really healthy appetite. Most people order their oysters…however not being a fan of raw oysters I am yet to try.
The burger was good…served along with their house made fries…salty but good! And of course we never leave without dessert: dark chocolate mousse served with orange marmalade.
Bucket of mussels |
Chocolate Mousse |
Dinner at Black + Blue (Vancouver, Canada)
Dinner at Black and Blue exceeded our expectations. Not one single empty seat in the house so we were offered to sit at the bar which turned out to be more pleasant anyway. Our bartender was very nice and attentive- he even brought over a sample of every beer until I found one that I liked. He then thoroughly went through the menu with us and taught us about all the different steaks. Who knew there were so many different types of meat?
On this particular evening, we went specifically for the steak and steak is what we had. The sides come separately to order and there were many to choose from. We ordered the stuffed baked potato which was incredibly amazing and really the best stuffed potato I’ve ever tasted. It was stuffed and gooing with sour cream, bacon and cheese. Oh My. Definitely not on the calorie friendly side but worth every bite. The steak fries were also good and baked and fried to perfection. The steak came with four different sauces to choose from but it was so delicious and tender that I didn’t want to take away from the taste by adding any sauce.
The ambiance of the restaurant also makes it a great spot for drinks. The decor…absolutely amazing! Highly recommend for a fun night out on the town.