Category Archives: Featured

Foods of Spain

Recently I traveled to Spain for a two-week vacation. My three traveling companions and I were in agreement that the main objective of the trip would be to eat and drink our way through the country. We visited three main regions: Madrid/Toledo, San Sebastian and Barcelona. With its cheap wine and beer and a wide variety of snacks and meals to fit every budget, Spain is an ideal food-lovers destination. Please enjoy the following photo tour!

COMMON FOODS

Snacks comprised of olives, pickled vegetables and fish are heavily featured throughout Spain. The trays shown above were in the Mercado de San Miguel in Madrid.

Padrón peppers, also quite popular, are commonly served fried and coated with olive oil and course sea salt. On the spicy scale they are mostly mild-to-medium, although every once in a while you’ll find one in the bunch that is tongue-numbingly hot.

Fried potatoes are also a common dish. The patatas bravas variety comes slathered in a spicy tomato sauce and served with garlic aioli for dipping. The dish pictured above was topped with chorizo “chili” and fried egg.

One of the best late night snacks in Spain: churros dipped in hot chocolate. It’s important to note that this is not the kind of hot chocolate you find here in the States. Hot chocolate in Spain (and indeed, in many other European countries) is deliciously rich and thick, with a consistency that is less watery and more like fondue.

Next up, a Spanish classic: paella. This creamy risotto-esque dish flavored with saffron and meat/seafood is another staple you see everywhere in Spain, although you’ll find the best paella in its originating city, Valencia (which we did not visit). Fun fact: authentic Valencian Paella is made with rabbit and snails. Other common types are paella de marisco (seafood, pictured above) and paella mixta (mixed paella, usually with chicken and seafood).

FOR THE LOVE OF PIG

The most prevalent food throughout Spain is undoubtedly jamon: dry cured Spanish ham. To be more specific, Jamón ibérico, from the black Iberian pig found throughout southern Spain and Portugal. You know jamon is big when it gets its own Pringles flavor…

Keeping with the piggy theme, in Madrid, we ate at Restaurante Botin – the oldest continuously operating restaurant in the world, according to the Guinness World Records. Sucking pig happens to be their specialty and it didn’t disappoint, with crisp, crackling skin crunching with each bite.

PINTXOS/BAR SNACKS

In the Basque country, in particular San Sebastian, almost every bar top is covered in platters of pintxos: bite-sized bar snacks usually skewered by a toothpick onto a piece of bread. They can be very basic or incredibly fancy. Some places charge you based on the number of toothpicks left on your plate after you finish; others make you pay up front after you load up your plate. Prices generally range from 1-3 euros per pintxo.

The highlight of our pintxo experience was probably Bar Zeruko in San Sebastian. The pintxos here were the most creative, going above and beyond the simple toothpick-and-bread variety.

MOLECULAR GASTRONOMY

Spain has a large quantity of restaurants which feature experimental cuisine. The term “molecular gastronomy” best describes the food and cooking techniques at these places, where dishes are transformed, deconstructed, and more or less are not what they seem. I was lucky enough to visit two such restaurants: Akelaŕe in San Sebastian, and Tickets in Barcelona. The former boasts three Michelin stars and the latter is run by the Adrià brothers of the famed (though now closed) elBulli. Our dining experiences were entertaining and delicious, although definitely a splurge in both cases. Check out this sampling of photos of things that were as fun to stare at as they were to eat (hover over each picture to see a description).

I Want to Go to There: A history nerd’s look at London museums

Top 5 Austin Food Trucks

When it comes to the cuisine in Austin, Texas, many travel advertisements for this great metropolis proudly tout the abundance and high quality of Tex-Mex and Barbecue (BBQ). The recent hardships many are suffering due to our compromised economy have led chefs to create food trailers in order to keep their businesses afloat; thus, it is not uncommon to see many promos for BBQ and Tex-Mex food trucks in Austin.

While I have family and friends from out-of-town who “hyperfocus” on these genres of food during their stay here, I am of a different variety—I flock to this cosmopolitan to venture into more “exotic” fare. Yes, as a native Texan, I will always have a place in my heart for Tex-Mex and BBQ (they’re my soul foods), but there is also room for tastes from Spain, England, and Germany, to name a few. That being said, here is a list of food carts you must try while in Austin. And, yes, I would be criminally insane if I didn’t throw in a taco trailer or two…

LATASCA
415 Jessie Street
(512) 426-5841

Wow. Just, wow! I am a proud American of Spanish descent (three cheers for Spaniards!), and we need more eateries of our culture in the USA, especially ones serving lip-smackingly good food. Enter Latasca, a dark, sexy, Spanish tapas truck inspired by eco-friendly Texas ingredients. Tapas can be ordered temperature hot or cold; I strongly prefer the former. For a whirlwind of tastes across the Spanish peninsula, combine albóndigas (organic grass-fed beef meatballs, olives, and red wine sauce) with champiñones al ajillo (vegan, garlic mushrooms) and patatas bravas (griddled potatoes with caramelized onions in a spiced tomato sauce). Everything is served with warm pan de horno real (oven-baked Spanish bread). BYOB, and cash only.

IZZOZ TACOS
1503 S. 1^st Street
(512) 916-4996

First of all, for all you non-Spanish speakers out there, this business is pronounced “E-zoes,” but don’t fret too much about the pronunciation; fret about whether or not you will have a big enough appetite to down the delicious offerings. Health-conscious advocates will enjoy the Del Mar Taco (blackened tilapia, slaw, pickled red onion, and chipotle aioli), but the best-tasting tacos are—of course—unhealthier: the Padre Taco (braised carnitas, avocado, pineapple, and tomatillo salsa) and the Slowrider Taco (braised machaca beef, caramelized onion, cotija cheese, and cilantro). No trip to a taco cart would be complete without washing everything down with Topo Chico (Mexican mineral water) or Jarritos (Mexican soda). BYOB.

BITS & DRUTHERS
1001 E. 6^th Street
(361) 850-0645

God shouldn’t just bless the Queen, God should also bless the creator of fish & chips. Who would have thought that slathering haddock fillets in a beer batter, deep frying them to a crisp, and serving them with French fries would result in groans of culinary appreciation? The British, that’s who! If you are blessed with a superhuman stomach as I am, then the Fish Supper is for you (said fish, said fries, tartar sauce, cole slaw, and a cornichon pickle). Cheers! Cash only.

ONETACO
6^th Street & Nueces
(512) 539-7561

No, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Usually a trip to 6^th Street means bar/club hopping until 3a followed by a haphazard excursion to a crowded 24-hour fast food joint somewhere else. I’m here to assure you that those days are over (well, at least those Saturday nights)! OneTaco is the satellite taco trailer that forms a symbiotic relationship with the bar Little Woodrow’s. Although they are two independent businesses, you can order from OneTaco, take your number to Little Woodrow’s, and the servers will bring your food to you. The Al Pastor taco (spicy marinated pork with onions, pineapple, and cilantro within flour or corn tortillas) pairs perfectly with a side order of their guacamole and Austin’s own Citrus Green Sweet Leaf Tea.

TREY’S CUISINE
600 S. Lamar Boulevard
(512) 234-2103

Compared to the majority of the food trailers on this list, this truck is not flashy at all—by all means, no. Fortunately, it’s not the décor that brings people here; it’s the food—by all means, yes! World dishes are Trey’s specialty, with kabobs (skewers of meat and/or veggies), croquettes (small fried rolls with various fillings), and pierogi (unleavened dough dumplings). Don’t overlook the chef-recommended daily specials! On one visit, the lamb Salisbury Steak (with spinach, mushroom, spätzle, and grilled bread) proved exemplary.

Know of any other food trucks in Austin that Freddie should try? Let us know in the comments sections or hit him up at freddie_obregon_iii@yahoo.com. Don’t forget to add us on Facebook and Twitter, too!

Top 5 Valentine’s Day Restaurants in SF

Leave a reply

Yes, yes, there’s no question that Valentine’s Day is a much maligned holiday, with adjectives like “consumerist” and “cheesy” thrown around left and right. I understand that, and if you’re of that mindset, this list is not for you. But, if you are one of the people who likes – or even, loves – this day, and likes the idea that there’s nothing wrong with celebrating love and the closest people in your life, please read on. These are my picks for restaurants to spend Valentine’s Day…

FIREFLY
Located on the quiet side of 24th Street in Noe Valley, Firefly has a rustic chic vibe, with a billowing, fabric roof, Mason jar candle holders, and reserved elegance. For Valentine’s Day, they’re going to be serving their regular a la carte menu, but with some special items from both their chef and pastry chef. Also, since Valentine’s Day falls on a Tuesday this year, my guess is they’ll be serving up their incredible fried chicken (only served on Tuesdays) – which magically manages to be light while being , you know, fried chicken.

FIFTH FLOOR
For those who want all the bells and whistles, Fifth Floor – aptly named for being on the fifth floor of Hotel Palomar – is offering some major decadence. Starting last week, the restaurant is serving a seven-course menu, which includes dishes like Foie Gras Torchon, Celery Root Agnolotti and Poached Maine Lobster. For the special day itself, Fifth Floor is bumping up their menu to a nine-course tasting menu, giving you and your honey plenty of time to spoil yourselves.

L’ARDOISE
If you’re looking for something more understated, try L’Ardoise (the French word for chalkboard). Sitting quaintly on Noe and Henry, this beautiful and intimate restaurant combines neighborhood charm with heightened ambiance, packaging these traits together with authentic French food. For Valentine’s Day, they are serving a special three-course menu, which includes such options as Tiger Prawn Raviole, Braised Venison Shoulder, Caramelized Tarte Tatin… I’m going to stop because it’s making my mouth water!

FRASCATI
The charm of Frascati begins at its location. Perched on the leafy corner of Hyde and Green, where cable cars rumble past, this restaurant feels like quintessential San Francisco. And since San Francisco is the most romantic city in the world (it is), this is a great beginning to a dining experience. Add to that, delicious Mediterranean-inspired dishes, an extensive wine list (hello, champagne!) and a menu that says, “Cell phones in use will be confiscated and made into soup,” and you are guaranteed a romantic dining experience.

BI-RITE MARKET
Okay, no, this is not a restaurant. But, for those who believe that nothing is more romantic than a home-cooked meal, Bi-Rite Market is a perfect place to buy the goods. With its high-quality meat, cheese, fish, ice cream and prepared foods (if you want to cheat), Bi-Rite Market will start you on your path to creating a special meal for the evening. Don’t forget to buy a pretty bouquet of flowers on your way out.

While the above are my picks for romantic meals, here are a couple of runner-ups for other kinds of Valentine’s Days…

VELVET CANTINA
This is my pick if you’re celebrating Valentine’s Day with girlfriends – or, as Leslie Knope calls it, “Gal-entine’s Day.” With pitchers of delicious margaritas, a fun atmosphere, and tasty Mexican food, you’re guaranteed an excellent night out with your friends, who, of course, are your other loved ones. (Men, you are also free to take this suggestion!)

PIZZERIA DELFINA
My choice if you have children in tow. Pizzeria Delfina delivers the best of all worlds: delicious pizza, a good selection of wine, and a casual, yet graceful, atmosphere. And since it has two locations (one in the Mission and one in Pacific Heights), you have two shots at celebrating your family with style and fresh mozzarella. (A bit cheesy? Sorry. I can’t stop…)

15 ROMOLO
No, you’re right. This is mainly a bar. But, it’s a very good bar, which is why it’s my pick for the place to go if you’ve recently gone through a break-up. You won’t care about cute couples when you’re sipping on 15 Romolo’s Pimm’s Cups. Also, they do have a small but excellent bar menu in case you need to eat something.

I hope that one of the above restaurants suits your Valentine’s Day needs. And if they are already booked up (as these wonderful restaurants are sure to be in demand), they’ll serve wonderfully any other day of the week!

What do you think of Alexa’s recommendations? Let us know in the comments sections or via our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

Photos courtesy of Firefly and L’Ardoise.

Sonoita: Arizona’s Hidden Wine Country

Leave a reply

When one thinks of wine and where it’s made here in the United States, the popular valleys of California and the Pacific Northwest may tend to come to mind first. However, to many, the last place one might consider the climate and geology to be well-suited for grape-growing and winemaking would be hidden in one of the country’s driest, desert states: Arizona.

(Photo of vineyards around Sonoita thanks to Phillip Capper.)

Surrounded by three substantial Southern Arizona mountain ranges–the Huachuca, Santa Rita and Whetstone Mountains–the Sonoita Valley was found to be a geological sweet spot that has proven to be especially conducive for growing grapes. Moreover, the area’s Mediterranean climate, in addition to being good for winemaking, has proven to be a welcome meteorological shift for most Arizona residents and tourists who are used to the scorching heat and dryness of the state’s sprawling desert regions. As a matter of fact, the difference in climate can be felt almost immediately when traveling the short distance to and from Sonoita and its closest metropolitan neighbor, Tucson viagra achat belgique.

(Harvesting grapes at Sonoita Vineyards.)

The area’s potential for wine-making was first discovered in the early 1970s when Dr. Gordon Dutt and Blake Brophy established an experimental vineyard to study how grapes would grow in the Southern Arizona climate. Expecting the generally harsh heat and sunlight to render the grapes useless, Dr. Dutt was pleasantly surprised when the soil, combined with the elevation and its relatively temperate climate, ended up creating a rare trifecta for Arizona grape-growing.

In 1979, Dr. Dutt (left) established Arizona’s first commercial vineyard within the Southern Arizona valley of Sonoita, which was then fittingly named Sonoita Vineyards when its winery opened for business in the early 1980s. The winery saw almost immediate success, with many visitors surprised by the quality of wine that could be produced in a state that was never really known for its agricultural potential–much less for its relevance to the world of winemaking. Sonoita Vineyards, and to a certain extent, the whole of Sonoita Wine Country owes much to Dr. Gordon Dutt for his scientific findings and for bringing the gift of wine and grape growing to Southern Arizona.

Although Sonoita Vineyards still stands as the area’s premier vineyard and winery attraction, several other wineries have been vying for that position in the Sonoita Valley for the last several decades. As in most cases, some of the region’s wineries do better than others, and wine tasting continues to make up a large percentage of the sales these businesses make throughout the year. In fact, the number of wineries in the Sonoita/Elgin region remains small enough that you can make a complete tour of the area–with wine tastings and all–within a very reasonable amount of time, and with limited damage to the wallet (that is, unless you are persuaded to buy several bottles of wine, which in many cases, may become simply irresistible).

If I had to choose my two personal favorite Sonoita winery experiences, in addition to Sonoita Vineyards, I would have to choose the spectacular views of the valley and the delicious wines offered by Lightning Ridge Cellars, and the absolute creativity and festiveness of rising star in the wine world, Karel Wilhelm and the Wilhelm Family Vineyards.

Located 5100 feet (1554 meters) above sea level, Lightning Ridge Cellars offers one of the best views in all of Sonoita, coupled with an ideal climate that has boded extremely well for the quality of grapes grown on its extensive vineyard. Founded in 2005 by Ron and Ann Roncone, Lightning Ridge Cellars specializes in producing wines of the Italian variety in a way that reflects its owners pride in the homeland of their forebears. One gets the sense, when tasting the paradoxically simple yet complex flavors of Lightning Ridge’s Primitivo, for example, that great care and attention to detail is paid to each variety of wine. At Lightning Ridge, it’s evident that making and selling wine is not merely a business exercise, but a lifelong pursuit at understanding how to craft one of the most culturally (and gastronomically) ubiquitous aspects of its owners’ heritage: the perfect glass of Italian wine. Also, did I mention the view? Visitors will find it hard not to be mesmerized by the rolling hills, colorful skies and mountain ranges presented when looking out the window of the winery, or better yet, while standing (or sitting) outside with a nice, soothing glass of Lightning Ridge wine.

As you’re looping around on the quiet, country roads that connect many of the wineries in the Sonoita/Elgin area, you’re eventually bound to come across the Wilhelm Family Vineyards. The location (pictured below from the road) is relatively nondescript, tending to blend in with the other homes in the area–a feature which only adds to the casual, home-like ambiance the winery has to offer.

Upon entering the winery, visitors are greeted with a small, but cozy tasting room where the charismatic owner, Karyl Wilhelm, can regularly be seen chatting and sharing her extensive knowledge of winemaking. Wilhelm clearly has a sturdy foundation when it comes to understanding wine and how it’s made, having studied the process at one of the country’s most renowned schools for wine-making at UC Davis. This allows her to be a bit more creative than the average winemaker, and she often showcases her own unique oenological inventions, as well as those of her husband Kevin. Although the selection of wine at Wilhelm Family Vineyards presents a veritable cornucopia of flavor and variety, for the more conservative wine connoisseur, there is indeed a fine selection of more traditional wines crafted by the Wilhelms to near perfection. With a bit of an open mind and a taste for adventure, one surely cannot go wrong at Wilhelm Family Vineyards.

(Sunset at the Sonoita Vineyards winery.)

Despite the area’s potential for becoming one of the better getaway locations in the Southwest, Sonoita and its sister town Elgin still manage to hold onto their slow-paced, tucked-away charm. Thanks to Dr. Gordon Dutt and his invaluable geological research, Sonoita and its environs managed to avoid the bleak fate of residential and commercial development on a scale that would be disastrous to the area’s natural geological splendor. As such, it would seem that drawing crowds and tourists on the scale of world-renowned locations such as the Napa Valley is far from the minds and desires of the residents and wine producers of the Sonoita/Elgin areas. Yet, those who are lucky enough to stumble upon this Southern Arizona wine paradise can expect to have one of the most personable, scenic and delicious wine experiences the state has to offer.

Are you a fan of these vineyards? Have any other attraction suggestions in the Sonoita/Elgin area? Let us know in the comments section, or via our Facebook and Twitter accounts!

cityseeker

A journey begins with a single step…