Archive for the ‘Chef's Notes’ Category

08-21-2009

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Barcelona Restaurants – La Paradeta, the Cheap Seafood Alternative

By Andrea Vian

“Barcelona restaurants are expensive”: if you have heard something like this, keep reading this article. I will not say you that it’s not totally true, some restaurants in Barcelona are really expensive, some others offer you great quality food and you pay for that. What is important is that there are great alternatives that allow you to save money, cheap Barcelona restaurants that will add more value to your stay.

Eating seafood is usually the type of meal that can cost you quite a lot. So, especially if you are a seafood lover and your available budget is limited, here is the tip that will change your next trip to Barcelona. Can you believe that with only 10-15 euro you can eat great fresh seafood, drinks included? When they told me I had many doubts. I know that quality fish is expensive simply because it cost, it has a market price quite high comparing with other type of food.

But.. What if you take a seafood restaurant and you take off all the waiters and you turn it in a self service place, you place a fishmonger’s shop right inside and you allow people to choose what they want to eat and the way they want it cooked? Well, you will have La Paradeta, this great seafood cheap restaurant that I am suggesting you for your Barcelona stay.

Here is how it works:

• enter and check the fresh seafood;

• choose what you want and the quantity;

• order your drinks and pay, receiving a number;

• sit down and wait just for a few minutes for the call: when your seafood will be cooked they will shout your number.;

• serve yourself and have your great seafood.

In this way you will pay 10-15 euro sharing with friends, a bit more if you choose something more expensive but trust me, really less than what you will pay for the same quality level in a restaurant. Order also their salads, a great option to go with their seafood. As this restaurant is unfortunately no more a secret, sometimes you have to wait quite a lot, half an hour or sometimes more at weekend. Try to go when it opens or one hour before closing time. In every case it really deserves a visit.

The first Paradeta restaurant in Barcelona got really a huge success so that the owners decided to open another one, giving more possibilities to everyone to have cheap seafood (a sort of ’seafood democracy’). Today you can find La Paradeta here: in the Borne district, Carre Commercial 7; close to Sagrada Fanilia, Passatge Simon 8; in Sants, Calle Riego, 27; Meridiana, Calle Pacific 74; in Sitges (outside Barcelona), Sant Pere 24 – 26. Closed on Monday, opened from Tuesday to Thursday, 20 – 23.30, Friday and Saturday 20 – 24, Saturday and Sunday 13 – 16.

Choose your favourite Paradeta restaurant in Barcelona and try it, you won’t be disappointed.

Do you like this travel tip? If you want more information about La Paradeta, other restaurants in Barcelona and the city, just click here.
Planning your Barcelona trip and need accommodation? Check this available Barcelona apartments deals.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Vian

Popularity: 7%

08-14-2009

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Barbados’ Top-Rated Restaurants According to Zagat

By Jane Shattuck

For its Barbados restaurant rankings, Zagat compiled input from 1,520 diners to judge. The following are tops in Barbados, according to Zagat. Are they really the very, very best? Here’s what a serious foodie … with a restaurant tab to prove it … who’s eaten at these places many times has to say.

Champers: Visitors and locals alike love Champers Wine Bar & Restaurant, which is why it was named Zagat’s “Most Popular” culinary experience in Barbados. It is, too. You know how the most popular kid in school is remembered forever? Well, I have friends who hadn’t been to Barbados in six years get off their plane from England and say, “Let’s go to Champers tonight.” Consistently terrific seafood and service at the water’s edge on the south coast of the island. Christ Church, Rockley

The Tides: Fabulous seafood in a pretty blue décor that beautifully complements the seaside location. Great service, “consistently excellent,” says Zagat’s of this west coast, chef-owned restaurant. I’ve never been let down here; The Tides is always fabulous. It’s also quite formal (for goodness’ sake, no flip flops). Be sure to check out the wonderful art gallery there, too. St. James, Holetown

The Cliff: Popular for its romantic torch-lit cliff-side location and “truly special” food, The Cliff won Zagat’s top score for décor and noted that its service matches its inventive eclectic fare. Yes, The Cliff is outstanding. What Zagat doesn’t mention is that this is one of the very most expensive restaurants on the island; if you’re price-sensitive, go to Champers instead.  St. James, Derricks

Zen: Go early and take a sunset walk on the award-winning pink-sand beach at the Crane Resort where Zen is located on the southeast of Barbados. That’s unfortunately all you’ll see of the ocean because it’s not visible from most tables inside the restaurant. This is what holds me back from dining more frequently at this otherwise excellent restaurant. Zen received Zagat’s top score in Barbados for food thanks to “simply awesome” Japanese-Thai cuisine, including amazing sushi. St. Philip, Crane Beach Hotel

Pisces: On the sea and revered for its “wonderful menu using the best local fish” and offered at “what can be considered reasonable prices for Barbados.” I agree: Pisces is terrific for other reasons as well: It has an appealing casualness; it’s within walking distance of many holiday rentals on the south coast; and, because it’s in the heart of the lively St. Lawrence Gap, you can choose from a number of other wonderful restaurants in the immediate area as well. My only complaint is that I’ve experienced very slow service at Pisces. But then we’re in the Caribbean …  Christ Church

With choices like these, any foodie visiting the island will go home happily sated … with a restaurant tab to prove it.

Barbados isn’t just a pretty face; she cooks up amazing food, too, and offers it in settings that, until you visited the island, you only saw in glossy brochures. Great food, kind service, and an over-the-top romantic settings make for memorable experiences to take home from Barbados. So promises the famous Zagat guide, whose 1500-plus diners recommend the following:

L’Azure: At the Crane Resort on the southeast “corner” of Barbados, this cliff-side bright and airy restaurant is the place to go for an “incredible Sunday gospel brunch,” although it offers “fabulous Caribbean” seafood any day of the week. Go early to walk the award-winning pink-sand beach that you’ll be perched above when you dine. St. Philip, Crane Beach Hotel

Café Luna: Perched on an intimate rooftop of the boutique-y Little Arches Hotel, the “gourmet” eclectic/Mediterranean creations wow as much as the moon reflecting off the waters of Oistins Bay. Christ Church, Little Arches Hotel

Lone Star: This chi-chi west coast restaurant is a “fantastic seaside” place where you may encounter one of the many “celebs” who visit the island and are in the mood for really good eclectic-Mediterranean steak and fish dishes – and, of course, to be seen. Also, a very small, exclusive hotel of the same name promises quite special accommodations. St James, Lone Star Hotel

Josef’s: Request a table by the sea for one of the most romantic settings on the island. The “inventive” menu is often “brilliant,” whether you choose the “unique, delicious” sushi or “tasty” eclectic eats. Christ Church, in the heart of St. Lawrence Gap

Fish Pot: “Worth the drive,” Zagat says, to the far northwest coast — but remember, Barbados is only 14 by 21 miles large anyway. You’ll long remember your wonderful, fresh seafood meal and wonderful service at Fish Pot, as you look over a “sparkling” Caribbean Sea. St. Peter, Little Good Harbour

Every one of these restaurants sits at the sea’s edge, so remember to call ahead and request a table as close to the water as possible. After all, your holiday won’t last forever, so grab every bit of island beauty you possibly can. And take home some wonderful dining memories from the Caribbean island known as “The Jewel of the Caribbean.”

About the Author

Jane Shattuck invites you to learn more about Barbados here: http://OneLoveBarbados.com

For reasonably priced beachfront Barbados vacation rentals, please check her site, http://BarbadosBeachVacationRentals.com

Ms. Shattuck is an American living in Barbados, married to a Barbadian, and building a vacation rental business and a life in her new home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jane_Shattuck

Popularity: 8%

06-09-2009

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Profile: Chef Melissa Craig serves up Gold Medal Plates

In an industry traditionally dominated by men, it’s a tasty find to discover that one of the country’s hottest chefs is breaking the mold.  Melissa Craig, Executive Chef of Whistler’s renowned Bearfoot Bistro, is just such a discovery.  Not only is she inventive, driven and a natural leader, but she’s got a whole lotta hardware to back it up.  Indeed, Craig has had her spatula in the national spotlight since the inception of her career.  Following her education at the renowned Culinary Arts Program of Malaspina University College in British Columbia, Craig went on to win the annual National Apprentice Competition – no small task, considering she was just 20 years old at the time (Craig’s win also marked the first time the title was awarded to a female chef).  Fast forward a few years and a few apprenticeships later, and Chef Craig added another first to her recipe book, this time when she snatched gold at the 2008 Gold Medal Plates Canadian Culinary Championships in Toronto.  Noted as the most prestigious culinary event in Canada, this gruelling three-day contest included a black box competition, a mystery wine pairing, and a grand finale wine-pairing event. Today, Craig commands a team of 20 in the open and electrifying show kitchen of the Bearfoot Bistro, creating thoroughly modern Canadian menus with west coast flair.  And with a kitchen set right in the heart of Whistler, a host site for the 2010 Winter Games, Chef Craig is poised to serve up a bounty of medal-worthy dishes, sure to tempt powderhounds and celebrities alike.  www.bearfootbistro.com

For more destination story ideas related to the 2010 Winter Games, visit www.destination2010.ca or to read more story ideas from the Vancouver, Coast & Mountains region, visit www.hellobc.com/vcmbcmedia.

Popularity: 5%

02-26-2009

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3 Great Seafood Restaurants in Boracay

By Christine Powell

Boracay is a place where you can find many kinds of delicious food. Restaurants each have their own specialty and type of cuisine. Being surrounded by sea, Boracay is home to many seafood restaurants, all offering scrumptious and tasty meals fresh from the seas. To help you decide where to go, here are the top Boracay seafood restaurants:

3. O’ Banza

O’ Banza is ranked third in our list of top Boracay seafood restaurant. Located along White Beach, O’ Banza serves Portuguese cuisine but it is a favorite among other establishments because of its grilled dishes and seafood. A must-try is the prawn cocktail, giving customers a completely different gastronomic experience.

Combining meat and seafood, Cataplana is another popular dish in the restaurant guaranteed to make your mouth water. Don’t forget to order their onion soup and the bacalhau food varieties. The restaurant’s specialty, Arroz de Marisco is an appetizing combination of seafood and rice, good for 2 persons.

Beer and wine are available at the restaurant. Ask for a bottle that will go well with your dish. The prices are affordable and the restaurant’s interiors are unique and intriguing for its decorations.

2. Kaeseke

After trying Portuguese, go for Japanese cuisine. The Japanese seem to know how to make good seafood themselves. Kaeseke Boracay restaurant adds to the variety of food served in Boracay and comes in second on our list of top Boracay seafood restaurants.

The dish that most customers love is Kaeseke’s Prawns and Baked Stuffed Squid, but you should also try the special Lobster Sachimi served with miso soup, which is addicting and will make you want more.

Kaeseke also serves more familiar dishes like sashimi, maki, sushi, and of course, the scrumptious tempura. Kaeseke restaurant is located in D*Mall area within La Rotunda. The price list may seem high but the food plus great service from the crew is worth it.

1. Paradiso

The honor of being the best Boracay seafood restaurant belongs to Paradiso Grill. Located between Le Soleil and D*Mall in Station 2, Paradiso is a popular spot for grilled seafood.

Paradiso offers its diners native Filipino cuisine. Most barbecued delicacies preserve the distinctive Filipino taste. You’ll be amazed at their fresh crabs, prawns, squids, snappers, lobsters, and lapu-lapu (a type of fish). In Paradiso, you have the chance to pick what you would like to eat. The food is then weighed and priced according to weight before being cooked, thus assuring that you only eat what’s fresh out of the sea.

The price is average, around Php 700 or USD 15 per meal. Their specialty is the Mixed Seafood Kebab, a must for every customer who eats there. In keeping with the festive spirit of the Philippines, the atmosphere is enjoyable and very friendly. The rustic interiors complement the truly Filipino feast that will surely satisfy your appetite and leave you wanting for more Boracay seafood.

Christine Powell is a native of Boracay Island, Philippines. She has watched the island transform from a hidden gem into an idyllic retreat for foreigners and locals alike. Besides it’s year-round warm tropical water, the powdery white sand continues to mesmerize her. While not exploring, kite surfing, scuba diving, or sharing her insights about Boracay with travelers, she can be found at http://www.boracaynation.com, her online Boracay home.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Christine_Powell

Popularity: 8%

02-25-2009

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Vau Restaurant Berlin – Michelin Star Excellence

By Nigel Milsom

Vau restaurant scores well from the moment you walk in. Very modern and sleek in appearance it is very comfortable and undeniably up market! Superb evocative artwork by the multi-prize winning Cologne artist Oliver Jordan adorn the walls. A nice touch were the glossy catalogues of his work which we all enjoyed looking through. The architecture is exciting and thought provoking and over all it has a lovely atmosphere.

We were there for lunch with no time pressures and were very relaxed. A very good Saar riesling priced at 30 euros got the ball rolling. Not over alcoholic it was dry but with lovely pristine fruit, very easy drinking and would never give you heartburn and we stayed on it through out the meal. After considerable debate we all chose different things off the menu to get a good idea of what was on offer.

I had a homemade tagliatelle with venison ragout followed by roast halibut with cabbage and caraway. The venison ragout was the highlight for me but everyone’s dishes challenged the taste buds and sensibilities. The presentation of the food was very imaginative and they are seriously trying here. The service was efficient, charming and friendly and we all thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The portions are tiny which did not matter as we had eaten late the night before, had breakfast and were after being tempted by food rather than stoking up. But if you were in the mood to just normally eat then you would have to eat 4 courses plus the appetisers to fill up which would not be a cheap experience. The lunch for four cost 400 euros for two courses each, with 3 bottles of wine with a tip. We would all go back and felt that is was worthy of its michelin star.

Restaurant VAU
Jägerstraße 54/55
10117 Berlin

For more information on short breaks and holidays in England and Scotland http://www.tuftonarmshotel.co.uk/Dining.html
http://www.royalhotel.co.uk/Dining.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Nigel_Milsom

Popularity: 6%

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