After starting my travels at 2 am Mountain time, I finally arrived home nearly 20 hours later. A comedy of misfortune made the day extra long: a late departure from Heathrow, a super strong jet stream that added around 2 extra hours of flying time, and a delayed plane in Chicago. It could've been worse I suppose, considering there was a 80% chance of snow in Chicago that morning. Regardless, I'm elated to be home in the US of A.
Also, I have tons of Egypt pictures and stories to post, but you know what? I'm on vacation. The only thing I'm worried about is finding a 2000 calorie burrito and getting presents. Plus, sitting in Dan and Lauren's living room playing guitar hero on 52 inches of 1080p glory may consume my entire life while I'm here.
What I'm Reading...
Friday, December 19, 2008
Sunday, December 7, 2008
My favorite places
This being Lori's last weekend in London (next weekend we'll be in a little place called Cairo, not sure if you're familiar with it) we decided we should celebrate. We started off at Gaucho, an Argentinian temple of meat located in Kensington, on Friday night with friends. The food was incredible, one of the top 5 steaks I've had (if you're wondering #1: Ray's the Steaks in Arlington, VA, not least of all because the name is a triple entandra). Which got me thinking that I've been meaning to post a list of my favorite places here in London for quite awhile. It's actually a good thing I waited since one or two of them has since closed. Not sure what that says about my tastes, but without further ado...
5. Zizzi [Italian]: I'm not super crazy for Italian food, on any given day I could go either way with it. But one night we decided to try something new and ended up here, and I was quite surprised. The pasta dishes have great flavor (or should I say flavour?) and the portions are American-esque. And aside from the leaky ceiling one rainy night, the inside is quite cozy and inviting.
I recommend: The calzone. You won't be able to eat anything else.
4. Mucho Mas [Mexican]: One of the things I have miss most about America is getting my daily calorie intake in burrito form at Chipotle. So when I heard there was a place that claimed to be just as good, my heart skipped a beat, which was likely due to all the aforementioned burritos. Unfortunately it's located in Angel, which is not convenient from Kensington. But I can't let such a lofty claim go untested, so we finally headed up a few weekends ago. Sadly, there was a mis-communication and instead of gut busting large burrito I received a child size small burrito. But, the flavor was quite good. And their guacamole was actually chunky and had spices, not like the mashed up plastic packages you find in most places here. The salsa needs some work, but it beats anything I've seen anywhere else in this town. All in all, worth a visit if you feel need to slip into a food comma.
I recommend: Chicken burrito with guacamole. I'm a simple man.
3. Giraffe [Fusion]: I hate calling a place fusion, but there really is no other word to describe. There is a definite spanish flare to their menu, but it's incredibly diverse. I initially was not very keen on the place: it's got a weird decore and my first glance of the menu made me think the food was too fancy (which is ironic, because we're fancy people). But Lori convinced me to try it, and I haven't looked back since. Everytime we go I try something new, which is rare for me: once I find a dish I like, I tend to stick with it for awhile. And I'm never let down. But what probably sealed their position for me is their banana and blueberry pancakes. Yeah, they're the real deal people. I have spent 8 months craving pancakes and syrup, and making them at home without my griddle and giant man spatula just isn't the same. If you're an American in London, or a Londoner who is curious, do yourself a favor and go try their pancakes.
I recommend: The pancakes of course with a noisette (espresso with hazelnut syrup and steamed milk).
2. Masala Zone [Indian]: I lived in D.C. for almost 2 years and was never interested in the incredible variety of ethnic foods there. And honestly, I am not sure what triggered me to start all of a sudden. Maybe it's because every corner has a kebab or curry house. But what makes Masala Zone so special? For starters, the service is the best this side of the Thames (considering this is the UK, getting a refill or having the menu explained to you is the exception, not the rule) and the place is always clean. But the best part, obviously, is the food. For the newbies, they offer several large platters (called "thalis") that expose you to a wide range Indian foods. And for the seasoned veterans, they offer over a dozen different curries, ranging from "did someone leave a window open" to "slap your momma".
I recommend: Start with some chutney and pappadoms followed by chicken mangalore with naan.
1. Yas [Persian]: Who knew three letters could be so tasty. My landlord recommended this to us as the best Persian food in London, and apparently the rest of the city felt the same way and awarded it that exact title. Three years in a row. It's a tiny joint located near Kensington Olympia tube station, very plain and simple, but inside awaits a culinary journey of a lifetime. Ok, maybe I am building it up, but we take all our visitors there and all have been pleased. The main courses are some permutation of safron rice with chicken or lamb, marinated in something that only God himself could have concocted and grilled over a coal pit. Unlike Indian or Moroccon food, there's not a lot of spice, but there's plenty of flavor. What I enjoy the most, however, is the appetizers. They have a cucumber, tomato, and mint salad that I could eat for breakast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime snack. Mind you, I hate all 3 of those things by themselves; but when combined and topped with the secret sauce (literally, I have no idea what it is, but it's important because we can't seem to reproduce it at home) it's a little bowl of heaven. Served with Persian bread and yogurt-shallot dip and you've got yourself the holy trinity of food.
I recommend: Just say #7, #9, #14, and #22 and you can't go wrong.
Runners up:
Hummingbird Bakery: I've mentioned them before but I just wanted to let you know they're still the best.
Kappa: Great sushi place at Earl's Court, with one of the most reasonable menus I've found.
In case you ever want to try some of these places, I've started keeping a Google map of my favorite spots here.
5. Zizzi [Italian]: I'm not super crazy for Italian food, on any given day I could go either way with it. But one night we decided to try something new and ended up here, and I was quite surprised. The pasta dishes have great flavor (or should I say flavour?) and the portions are American-esque. And aside from the leaky ceiling one rainy night, the inside is quite cozy and inviting.
I recommend: The calzone. You won't be able to eat anything else.
4. Mucho Mas [Mexican]: One of the things I have miss most about America is getting my daily calorie intake in burrito form at Chipotle. So when I heard there was a place that claimed to be just as good, my heart skipped a beat, which was likely due to all the aforementioned burritos. Unfortunately it's located in Angel, which is not convenient from Kensington. But I can't let such a lofty claim go untested, so we finally headed up a few weekends ago. Sadly, there was a mis-communication and instead of gut busting large burrito I received a child size small burrito. But, the flavor was quite good. And their guacamole was actually chunky and had spices, not like the mashed up plastic packages you find in most places here. The salsa needs some work, but it beats anything I've seen anywhere else in this town. All in all, worth a visit if you feel need to slip into a food comma.
I recommend: Chicken burrito with guacamole. I'm a simple man.
3. Giraffe [Fusion]: I hate calling a place fusion, but there really is no other word to describe. There is a definite spanish flare to their menu, but it's incredibly diverse. I initially was not very keen on the place: it's got a weird decore and my first glance of the menu made me think the food was too fancy (which is ironic, because we're fancy people). But Lori convinced me to try it, and I haven't looked back since. Everytime we go I try something new, which is rare for me: once I find a dish I like, I tend to stick with it for awhile. And I'm never let down. But what probably sealed their position for me is their banana and blueberry pancakes. Yeah, they're the real deal people. I have spent 8 months craving pancakes and syrup, and making them at home without my griddle and giant man spatula just isn't the same. If you're an American in London, or a Londoner who is curious, do yourself a favor and go try their pancakes.
I recommend: The pancakes of course with a noisette (espresso with hazelnut syrup and steamed milk).
2. Masala Zone [Indian]: I lived in D.C. for almost 2 years and was never interested in the incredible variety of ethnic foods there. And honestly, I am not sure what triggered me to start all of a sudden. Maybe it's because every corner has a kebab or curry house. But what makes Masala Zone so special? For starters, the service is the best this side of the Thames (considering this is the UK, getting a refill or having the menu explained to you is the exception, not the rule) and the place is always clean. But the best part, obviously, is the food. For the newbies, they offer several large platters (called "thalis") that expose you to a wide range Indian foods. And for the seasoned veterans, they offer over a dozen different curries, ranging from "did someone leave a window open" to "slap your momma".
I recommend: Start with some chutney and pappadoms followed by chicken mangalore with naan.
1. Yas [Persian]: Who knew three letters could be so tasty. My landlord recommended this to us as the best Persian food in London, and apparently the rest of the city felt the same way and awarded it that exact title. Three years in a row. It's a tiny joint located near Kensington Olympia tube station, very plain and simple, but inside awaits a culinary journey of a lifetime. Ok, maybe I am building it up, but we take all our visitors there and all have been pleased. The main courses are some permutation of safron rice with chicken or lamb, marinated in something that only God himself could have concocted and grilled over a coal pit. Unlike Indian or Moroccon food, there's not a lot of spice, but there's plenty of flavor. What I enjoy the most, however, is the appetizers. They have a cucumber, tomato, and mint salad that I could eat for breakast, lunch, dinner, and bedtime snack. Mind you, I hate all 3 of those things by themselves; but when combined and topped with the secret sauce (literally, I have no idea what it is, but it's important because we can't seem to reproduce it at home) it's a little bowl of heaven. Served with Persian bread and yogurt-shallot dip and you've got yourself the holy trinity of food.
I recommend: Just say #7, #9, #14, and #22 and you can't go wrong.
Runners up:
Hummingbird Bakery: I've mentioned them before but I just wanted to let you know they're still the best.
Kappa: Great sushi place at Earl's Court, with one of the most reasonable menus I've found.
In case you ever want to try some of these places, I've started keeping a Google map of my favorite spots here.
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