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Eating Gelati in Venice : Grom and Gelateria Nico

15 septembre 2015 § Poster un commentaire

I have eaten in 48hours more Gelati than I ever did before, because Italians do it better than anyone else. In the City on Water, gelaterias are everywhere and the majority of them are tourist traps. One place that stood out and was often mentioned in the city guides was Gelateria Nico.

Nico

Two options for this spot: take away or have a seat on their terrass overlooking the Gran Canal. You have to be warned that the seating menu is different with higher prices. We wanted to enjoy the sunny terrass and try gelati à la carte, which are not available for take away. Trying to be adventurous I randomly chose a cookie sandwich gelato. When the server brought it, it looked really good: thin biscuit with a scoop of creamy yet unknown gelato flavor. I was all wrong: it was plain ice « panna », whipped cream in ice version. It had no particular taste and was too rich for me. I just ate one bite, and was sadly unable to finish it.

For giving another chance to Nico and catch up, I chose two classic flavors and this time nothing exotic: pistaccio and tiramisu scoops. They were extremely flavorful, and helped me forget my previous order.

I returned there the next day before heading to the airport and tried a « Gianduiotto », as I saw the locals ordering it. Served in a more longer cup than the usual one, it looks like a dense cloud topped with a bloc of chocolate gelato. The « panna » seems to contain more eggs than the french version and is sugar free. The consistency and the taste are like stiffly beaten eggs white. I usually do not like Chantilly – the french version of whipped cream, the italian version did not convince me either. You have to give a try to Gianduiotto, to discover how the italian whipped cream tastes. Maybe you will appreciate it more than I did!

Grom

Grom should not be overlooked on your Gelato quest because it is a chain. The first Grom has opened in 2003 in Turin and has expanded worldwide since then. Their gelati can be appreciated in Paris, New York and Osaka.

Not only the price is lower in Italy (in Paris the medium pot is 4€70, here it was 3€20), they also have several addresses through Venice, perfect for satisfying a quality gelato in touristic areas.

Grom proposes gelati made « come una volta » – « like in the old days ». They have the particularity to melt fastly: it means that they are prepared with high quality fresh milk and most importantly that no thickener were added.

Where? Gelateria Nico: Fondamenta Zattere al Ponte Longo, 922 and for Grom, website with locations here.

Rose Bakery at La Maison Rouge – Paris

10 septembre 2015 § Poster un commentaire

The first Rose Bakery that has opened in the left Bank of Paris is at la Maison Rouge, a contemporary art gallery located near Quai de la Râpée in the 12th arrondissement. I already wrote an article about Rose Bakery last December, you can find it here. The particularity of this RB is the bright space and and the proximity with the art installations. You literally have the impression to eat inside the museum while playing table soccer. The decor of the restaurant changes three times per year, maybe it will be different to my pictures at your next visit!

For vegetarians, Rose Bakery is a top spot as many dishes on the menus are suitable for them. Contrary to the other addresses, it is very calm as few people know there is a RB here. Perfect for a quiet week end brunch on the rive droite if you want to avoid the crowd!

Where? 10 boulevard de la Bastille, 75012 Paris

Article written in collaboration with Museeum.Net

48h in London – Where to EAT ?

26 août 2015 § 5 Commentaires

If you have already done all the major tourists attraction in London, and want to discover London through food, this post is for you.

Breakfast

The Breakfast Club in Soho, Camden, Hoxton, Angel..

The first BC has opened in Soho in 2005. Very popular and full every day since its opening, BC has expanded with several branches across London. Expect at least 30mn queue, if not more on week ends. Thick and fluffy pancakes, avocado on toast or the traditional English Breakfast with Sausage, beans and portobello mushrooms are what awaits you for starting the day full and energized. Extremely friendly service despite the rush. Website here.

Duck & Waffle, 40th floor of Heron Tower in the City

If my friend did not motivate me to go there, I would certainly not have been there by myself. Having done many rooftops, I was expecting overpriced and average food only because of the view. Duck & Waffle is not just relying on this asset but food was a good surprise. They are famous for their waffle, and their reputation is completely deserved. Waffles are like crepes: very easy to cook but again not everyone does it well. The banana brûlé version with home made nutella topped with a strong flavored vanilla ice cream will stay in my memory for a long time. Read full article here.

Booking is strongly recommended and the best moment would be for sunrise, it is worth setting your alarm clock early! Service? Friendly and nice waiters, I miss London for that!

Where? Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

Burger Spots

Shake Shack

If you have not yet been in the US and want to finally taste the oh-so-incredible Shake Shack burgers that everyone has been talking about, this is the perfect spot if you are in Covent Garden area. Burgers taste exactly the same as across Atlantic.

Byron Burger

Or if you want to try a burger without the « fast food » atmosphere and you have plans to travel in the US in the near future, Byron is a safe bet : beef from Scotland and several branches across London. My friend liked Byron burger as she was able to choose her favorite blue cheese and felt the patty was very flavorful. The funny illustrations on the menu are by the French graphic designer Jean Jullien.

Both are chains, using quality ingredients (especially the meat) and I think it is just a matter of time before Shake Shack decides to open in Paris too.

Tea time

Sketch

Another classic in London dining repertoire. For the toilets, the interior design and the lovely tableware (by the artist David Shrigley) which will remind you of a Stanley Kubrick movie, Sketch is the perfect spot for a rest after a shopping session on Oxford Street. Often mentioned in the rankings of the best restaurants in the world, it is owned by the half french-algerian Mourad Mazouz, who is also behind 404 and le Derrière in Paris.

And others:

Beigel Bake

Hungry at 4am? Grab a bagel at Beigel Bake in Brick Lane, the oldest bagel shop in London, a place which has never slept since their opening in 1977. For night owls, breakfast, brunch, dinner, snack, whenever you want and also great for small budgets.

Where? 159 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB

Crosstown Doughnuts and Bread Ahead

For Doughnuts… mmh my all time favorites are Doughnut Plant in New York but London is trying to catch up with Crosstown Doughnuts and Bread Ahead. I would recommend to take the filled doughnuts as the others may taste a little dry in mouth. The orange nectarine – seasonal flavor only for summer, was the perfect treat after a long walk in Green Park.

For coffee shops, check my other posts in the London section. And you could not say you have been to London without a visit at Borough Market after an expo at the Tate modern..!

Duck and Waffle – London

24 août 2015 § 5 Commentaires

Finally trying a restaurant with a view in London! Thanks to my friend who suggested we had breakfast at Duck and Waffle, it was one of the best surprise of the week end. You will reach the heights after taking a glass lift which will bring you to the 40th floor of the Heron Tower in a flash. If you feel dizzy, close your eyes, but it would be a pity to miss the amazing view.

I did not have high expectations on the food served in this kind of places: usually overpriced and average quality justified by the view. At Duck and Waffle, the British chef Daniel Doherty has succeeded to propose simple dishes with quality ingredients. Their specialty as its name indicates: waffles ! I was not in the mood for eating duck at 8am, neither my friend, so we took a Banana Brûlé waffle, with a delicious home made nutella topped with vanilla ice cream. A real decadent breakfast of Champions !

They have a full brunch menu, with Mimosa, Bloody Marys and Eggs cooked the way you desire. Sometimes it is ok to forget preconceptions and leave them in your cupboard to give a try to places like this one. Definitely the best breakfast experience I had so far!

Where? Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY – Booking Strongly recommended. Best moment? For sunrise early in the morning, you will not regret it!

Tea time at The Peninsula – Paris

20 juillet 2015 § 2 Commentaires

The Peninsula Group opened last August their first European hotel in Paris after four years of careful restoration. It is located close by the Arc de Triomphe, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysees, a dream location for anyone visiting the City of Lights. My friend and I were talking about how impressive the palace looked like and we finally decided to book for the Afternoon Tea.

« Lire la suite »

Mori Yoshida – Paris

19 juillet 2015 § 3 Commentaires

After visiting Tokyo last year, I discovered a city which was mastering fine pastries as well as do the French. Many chefs study in France and return to Japan for opening their own shops. Among them some decide to stay in France, as it is the case for Mori Yoshida, who was trained by Philippe Conticini, the chef behind the worldwide renowned « Patisserie des rêves ». The only reference to his japanese roots relies in the Strawberry chiffon cake, otherwise it is a classic « french » pastry shop with viennoiseries, cakes, macarons and fine chocolates.

Mori Yoshida has chosen a calm residential area – far from the usual tourists spots, with local customers who are aware of the quality of the ingredients. I am quite sure he will not stay unknown for a long time as his pastries are true pieces of art. The classic Gateau au chocolat is exactly what you are expecting from it: moist, with a strong chocolate flavor. I also tried the Chocolate Eclair, which has an incredible filling. You will not be disappointed by the viennoiserie as well: I had a crush on the Banana chausson and the Hazelnut financier.

For me he does the best macarons. No fuss, just classic flavors such as Caramel, Chocolate, Vanilla with a really dense and rich filling between the two meringue parts.