Tag: Food

Venice with a Touch of Florence

Venice with a Touch of Florence

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today, we began another day of adventure!

We woke up, got ready, and checked out of the hotel. We then made our way to the train station, put our bags in storage, and headed into the main city again.

After a night of rain and a particularly high tide, the streets were flooded! Luckily,pumping efforts were underway and raised platform walkways had been placed out. Unfortunately, San Marco's square was completely underwater by the time we got there, so we had to take a lunch break while the square was drained…

Luckily, a short while later, it was drained and all was well! We adventured through the square, saw gondolas and more glass shops, and even had some more gelato! (I can almost hear the gasps of surprise at that last one…)

Eventually, we made our way back to the train station, had some coffee at a nearby cafe, and boarded the train to Florence. In Florence, we set up base at the hotel, I ate some amazing gnocchi (with Gorgonzola cheese and pine nuts) and sausage pizza, we walked to the riverbank, and I even got a tiny cannoli to sweeten my taste buds.

 

Tomorrow is another day of adventure! Pictures below!

Starting the day

 

The flooded streets

 

 

 

Travel-buddies!

Caitlin on a bridge

 

Myself on a bridge!

 

Venice Canal. Beautiful.

 

Gimme PIZZA.

 

Gorgeous Glass

 

San Marco's Square

 

Me in the Square

 

Gondolas

 

Gondolas

Tracey on the Bridge

Gelato…

 

 

Gnocchi in Florence

 

More P.I.Z.Z.A.! Let's get carried away!

Cute Canoli

 

Florence Bridge

Florence at Night!

 

Italy- the Ad-Ven(ice)-Tures of our first day.

Italy- the Ad-Ven(ice)-Tures of our first day.

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

It has been a pretty crazy day.

We left the flat at two in the morning, hopped on a bus to Liverpool Street, hopped on another bus to Stansted Airport, made it through security and massive lines, and got on the flight.

 

A few hours later, we landed and walked off the plane into Venice. A short bus ride took us to a station near our hotel and we trekked over to the hotel. We checked in, and the owner gave us a ton of information on how to get into the main, most interesting parts of Venice. After checking in, we took a much needed nap.

 

Post-nap, we set out on our adventures in Venice. It was a drizzly day that devolved into a downpour, which was a bit of a letdown weather wise, but we had a great time anyway. We had some authentic (and amazing) Italian espresso, freshly brewed and with a bit of decadent frothed cream.

My Magnificent Caffè Macchiato

We continued to walks around, exploring Venice. We found countless amazing pieces of glasswork from Murano and other small amazing things. We scurried from shop to shop, flitting between the awnings as the rain poured down.

 

Eventually, we found a really reasonable and tasty restaurant to eat a late lunch/early dinner. I ordered some Gnocchi alla Bolognese and we also shared some pizza. Both were absolutely heavenly. The pizza was delicate, with thin crust, a subtle tomato sauce, and a crispy-but-not-burnt crust. The gnocchi were so freshly made and were complemented by the small amount of meat in the sauce. One thing that really struck us was the portion sizes and the style of cooking. The portions were just big enough and the flavoring was just enough to add a subtle note to each dish. Truly great cooking involves taking the simplest ingredients and letting them shine. I love the Italian style of cooking for its focus on this simplicity and on the love of food inherent in the culture.

 

P-I-Z-Z-A

 

Nom-Nom Gnocchi

 

Post- dinner, we were all hit by a sweet tooth craving and elected to find a gelato stand. Luckily, the Italians love their gelato and this stand looked pretty awesome. We tried a few flavors, I finally opted to get a small with chocolate chip as one flavor and tiramisu as the other. It was amazing.

Gelato Generates Good Feelings

 

After gelato, we continued to shop, it continued to rain, but we decided to enjoy it! We walked through the streets, and saw all sorts of amazing people along the way. Everything went off without a hitch. The adventure continues tomorrow. Half in Venice, and then moving onto Florence.

Stay tuned, and enjoy some pictures.

 

 

 

My Fellow Travelers: (L->R) Tracey, Caitlin, Kate

 

Evans and Peel Detective Agency and more…

Evans and Peel Detective Agency and more…

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

It was a dark and (slightly) stormy night…

This is London, after all. A little rain comes with the territory. Tonight, we made our way down to the Evans and Peel Detective Agency, a speakeasy-style novelty bar. I had found out about it via some sleuthing online, and it sounded like my kind of place.

This is an establishment that takes its persona very seriously, and to great effect. We found the nondescript door in an alley off of a main street and pressed the intercom buzzer. After a brief exchange where we confirmed our “appointment” with the detective, we were let in and led to a small office. The office looked straight out of the 1920’s, lit with candlelight and complete with an old telephone and typewriter. The detective, in character, asked us about our case. We said we were looking for “a six-fingered swordsman who had killed my father many years ago in Spain.” (Princess Bride, anyone?) The detective said he’d look into it, then swung open a hidden door built into the bookcase and led us inside.

Inside, we found a dark, mysterious dining room, and were led to a table. The menus were wonderful, typewritten on old paper and attached to a filing envelope. The attention to detail was so impressive, and we were having a blast. We ordered some mysterious, old fashioned drinks and a few small appetizers recommended by our waitress, and then reveled in the atmosphere. We felt so classy and like members of a secret club. It was well worth the effort and price.

After stealthily exiting the detective agency, we decided to get some dinner at a nearby pub, the Churchill Arms, a combination English pub/Thai restaurant. After enjoying a pint while we waited, we were finally seated and could enjoy supper. I got the Pad Kee Mao, an extremely spicy and delicious noodle dish with shrimp, chicken, and beef. It was phenomenal.

All in all, another good night. Case closed.

Tower Bridge, Markets, Indian Food, & Bollywood-Style Shakespeare

Tower Bridge, Markets, Indian Food, & Bollywood-Style Shakespeare

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

If the title didn't give it away already, I've had a fairly intensive and interesting day!

It began this morning with an informative tour of the Tower Bridge area. We explored the areas we had talked about in class, and it was easier to see how crime would have flourished in this area early on in London's history… The boats, morning fog, shipyards, narrow and winding streets, the flurrying populace, and the ever-present River Thames would have made this a criminal's paradise. On a related note, We also walked through Jack the Ripper's stomping grounds and sat in the courtyard where his last victim was found. Slightly creepy, but it was also historically thrilling to be sitting in the exact spot where history happened, walking the same stones as people in the 1800s did.

Post-tour, I hit the gym again and then went home to make a lunch of yogurt with a super wrap: pan-fried salmon filet with a few chorizo slivers, a touch of Brie, and half a bag of spinach (heat-wilted in the pan). It didn't last long.

In the afternoon, we toured a set of market areas (Petticoat Lane, Spittlefields, Bricklane) I've come to know and love for my Cultures of Empire class. It was really interesting to hear and see the layers of history that lay under the structures of today. This was especially interesting in the Petticoat Lane and Bricklane areas, where the early structures and markets were created by the Jewish population in London and today is dominated by African & Asian vendors and Indian, Bengali, and Muslim populations respectively. It is always interesting to consider what all of the areas will look like in fifty-plus years as the city continues to layer histories and cultures over time.

After the tour, I went to an Indian restaurant called Sweet and Spicy, which came highly recommended as a place for locals who want authentic food without fuss. It was amazing, definitely some of the best Indian food I've ever had, and was quite reasonable price-wise as well. I got a samosa, Sikh kebab, cauliflower curry, and two puris for under five pounds. I also snagged a medium chicken curry and a naan for an additional few pounds. I left the restaurant full and happy, with the soul-filling feeling only Indian food can deliver.

As if that wasn't enough for one day, I also made my way down to see a production of Much Ado About Nothing by the Royal Shakespeare Company. It was Bollywood-style, which was a phenomenal treat and matched my dinner quite well. It had the actors in full Indian costume and featured a few dance numbers. All in all, a wonderful show that was the perfect way to top off the evening.

 

Pictures below, per usual. Enjoy!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lunchtime Experiment: Success!

Lunchtime Experiment: Success!

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

Today I panfried salmon for the first time on my own. I seasoned it with chili powder, pepper, garlic and rosemary. The spice combination really infused into the fish and made it extra-delicious! I read about five different articles on how best to cook the fish and good ways to serve it. With that bit of preparation done, I began to craft my lunch.

 

I started by seasoning the fish and letting the spices set while I cooked up some couscous with cilantro and chickpeas and a bit of crumbly English cheese. With the couscous done in its pot and the frying pan ready for the salmon, I lowered the fillet in gently and let the heat work its magic. At the proper point, I flipped the fish and removed the skin off of the back of the fish. I then let the fish cook nicely until it was ready, then plated it. A final touch saw me tossing some spinach into the already hot pan to wilt it and infuse it with the taste of the salmon itself. The salmon and its two sides made a healthful, delicious lunch.

 

Fish and Chips at The Fryer’s Delight

Fish and Chips at The Fryer’s Delight

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Yet another contender has emerged for the crown for London's best fish and chips!

Today, to celebrate Sara's last day here, we went out to the Fryer's Delight. It's a hole-in-the-wall little restaurant that I pass on the bus every day on the way to school. I've been dying to try it. Something about it just screamed authentic, awesome fish and chips. A little research yielded that this little restaurant is a local favorite and often a contender on best fish and chips lists. Needless to say, I was excited to try it!

 

We arrived right as the Fryer's Delight was opening. As soon as we placed our order, we heard the splash and sizzle that meant our fish and chips were being fried. A few minutes later, a plate of hot-from-the-fryer fish and chips were sitting in front of us. I opted to add some mushy peas on the side, as well as some tartar sauce. After thoroughly dousing the fish with malt vinegar and a slight sprinkling of salt, I dug in!

 

The fish was out of this world. The breading was wonderfully crisp and held a deep crunch with a simultaneous light crispness. The fish itself was stark white and flaky. Chips were crisp and seemed extremely fresh, without extra seasoning. Mushy peas were standard, but quite a perfect accompanying dish to the meal.

Overall, the meal was a total delight. The small “hidden-treasure” find was an awesome feeling. The overall fish and chips experience felt perfect and super-local. However, the superb mushy peas and even better fish of the Golden Hind still keep it as the leader of the pack. Stay tuned for more fish and chips adventures!

 

 

 

On Food

On Food

by ericmistry ♥ 1 Comment

Food is, as should be evident, one of my chief passions in life. I love exploring different flavors and experimenting with common meals or ingredients to create something totally new. Food is an outlandishly fun medium to work with, as it allows immense freedom and expression, yet time constrains its beauty to such a short period. Thrust into England, a new culinary adventure, I have been exploring two amazing paths, restaurant exploration and home cooking. The first will be addressed at a later point (or search for the Fish and Chips Quest in the sidebar), but doing large amounts of cooking was a new experience for me. At home, usually I am either in my beloved Dining Hall, being spoiled by my parents' or grandparents' cooking, or cooking solely for myself.

 

Here, however, I am the Head Chef of our flat. (My flatmates and I worked out a mutually-beneficial deal: I cook the meals, they do the dishes that ensue.) Learning to cook for four people (and the occasional guest) each night has been a great deal of fun. Although our tools are limited, we have an amazing selection of ingredients between the various open-air markets and a large Sainsburys (grocery store) fairly nearby.

 

We take turns doing the shopping, or go in a large group together, but its always an adventure. One thing we noticed quickly was the lack of preservatives, especially in the produce. This means we have to shop close to daily for some produce, but it does mean we are eating amazingly fresh food all the time. I love doing the shopping, seeing all the fresh and varied food all around, and finding new inspiration for dishes. For example, this week, a major promotion dropped the price of Brie and Spanish chorizo a ton, so we picked up some to add to our garlic basil pesto Mac and Cheese. It was a delicious success, as the picture below may show.

 

I've also found it enjoyable to start writing out weekly menus. It helps us ensure variety and also buy just what we need to avoid wasting food. It also brings back memories of the Dining Hall, and my favorite study break of looking up the week's menu to see what foods I would be able to combine. This is one of our menus from a week ago:

Weekly Menu:

Monday: extra cheesy spinach, pesto, and chicken Mac with sliced oranges, strawberries, and avocado

Tuesday: oven pesto chicken spinach sandwiches with pasta salad(?)

Wednesday: Oven baked Parmesan chicken breast with pilaf and caprese salad (tomato, Mozzerella slices, fresh basil) and fresh bread

Thursday: Pizza! (Sausage with assorted veggies), bruschetta (as appetizer), classy cocktails (vodka sunrise- vodka, orange juice, cranberry juice)

Friday: Fried rice with large fried shrimp

 

Cooking is simultaneously exhilarating and relaxing for me. Though the sizzle of the oil and the ending rush to make sure everything is ready at the same time raise the excitement level, there is something so rhythmic and soothing about the various routines that surround my cooking; the reassuring thunk of the knife on the cutting board, the gentle murmuring of the boiling water on the stove, and the swirls of the soup as I stir put me in a relaxed state of mind. The routine clears away my day, and the meal nourishes my tired body. I'm not just learning to cook on this adventure, I'm learning about myself, and what simple things, like cooking, hold great significance in my life.

At the Store, Buying Chorizo

Buying Italian Cheese from a Market Vendor

 

Making Pizzas (P-I-Z-Z-A!)

 

Making the Mac

 

The Fabled Garlic Basil Pesto Spinach Mac & Cheese with Spanish Chorizo, Fresh Mozzarella, and French Brie

 

Family and Chinatown Lunch

Family and Chinatown Lunch

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Today was another fun day! I woke up, caught the tube to my Aunt Ruksh's hotel, picked her up, and we made our way to my cousin Alyssa's apartment. She is studying to be a pastry specialist at the Cordon Bleu. (Which sounds absolutely incredible!) She has a wonderful apartment in Notting Hill, which is just a short tube ride away. It will be so much fun to be able to visit often, as usually we are separated by a few oceans! (She being from Mumbai, and me being from Iowa.)

 

In any case, after enjoying Alyssa's apartment a little, we made our way down to the Chinatown area for a lovely lunch with Hufriz, one of Ruksh's and (Uncle) Doj's friends. We ate at a lovely and amazing Chinese restaurant known as Joy King Lau. It was so delicious. We shared some delectable dim sum, superb hot and sour soup, and some stupendous stir-fry dishes with roast duck and pork.

 

It was so enjoyable to get to eat with my family. It felt so nice and relaxed and so much fun. Ruksh and Doj always take such good care of me. I'm looking forward to hanging out with Alyssa in London and enjoying the adventures to come!

(L->R) Hufriz, Me, Aunt Ruksh, Alyssa, Uncle Doj

 

Hot and Sour Soup

Chinatown

 

London Adventuring!

London Adventuring!

by ericmistry ♥ 2 Comments

Today was an adventure-filled day!

After class, Grace and I decided to make the most of her last day and see lots of London.

The highlights?

We ate some awesome Indian food, explored a bit of the Tate Modern Art Museum, and climbed the over 300 steps to the top of the Monument to the Great Fire.

We ate Lamb Kalia (lamb and potatoes), Chicken tikka, Stuffed paratha, Papadum, and more at a small restaurant on Bricklane. It was amazing and so delicious! We also picked up some little desserts from a local Indian bakery, and they were another amazing taste of home.

After filling our bellies full of scrumptious food, we proceeded to the Tate Modern to explore a few exhibits. The building was massive and so impressive. It's amazing to see how much art is available to see free in this city. I love just being able to walk ten minutes and see some world-class art for free.

Post-post-modern art experience, we decided to go traditional touristy and climb to the top of the Monument. Over 300 steps later up a spiral staircase, we emerged onto the observation deck and were greeted to an amazing 360 degree view of London. It was absolutely gorgeous and totally worth the arduous climb.

We finally made it home, where I made Parmesan Chicken and some Caprese Salad. Dinner was enjoyed by all. Pictures below, per usual!

 

 

 

 

 

It's a Long Way Up…

…And Down

 

 

 

 

 

Beautiful Bruges (Day 1)

Beautiful Bruges (Day 1)

by ericmistry ♥ 0 Leave a Comment

We arrived in Bruges, Belgium today after a wonderfully smooth train voyage from London. It was so incredible going underneath the English Channel and popping up in another country completely. We spent the day touring the city as a class and walking around on our own. Predictably, I managed to get ahold of some very fine chocolate. It was delightful. It's a good thing I do not live here, or I would probably eat the chocolate all day long.

 

Tomorrow involves more touring and looking at various art pieces throughout the city. I am excited to start my day with an early morning run around the city and along the river and then shop at a market nearby. Then I will meet up with the rest of the group for breakfast in our hostel's morning room. Exciting!

 

 

 

 

Even the Bricks are Beautiful

 

 

Belgian Fries

I Marked Grinnell With Scarlet and Black