World Market's Chili Chocolate

Have you tried it? I'd heard a lot about the chocolate-chili combo, especially served in upscale Mexican restaurants, so I did not expect to find it packaged up in my local World Market. World Market's Chili Chipotle Chocolate Bar is simply divine. Love how the hotness kicks in after allowing you to enjoy the luscious and spicy 64% cacao. I envisage it going really well with a full-bodied red, what are your thoughts? I'd post a picture, but I devoured it in minutes.

World Market Brand - Chipotle Chocolate Bar - $1.99

Some Thai recommendations

The above picture is courtesy of Kate R on Yelp - the appetizer 'Dancing Prawns'

I would like to rave about two places in particular. One is situated in Redwood City, sandwiched between generic shops in a rather nondescript mall. But gems are usually hidden like this, and all thanks to Yelp for pointing this one out. Although it does not look like much from the exterior, Karakade, as this restaurant is called, is very cute inside, attracting a smart and young clientele in the know. Bright colors and tasteful decor increase your appetite once you walk in. Karakade also provides take out, which I have been taking out at least once a month, and they never fail to disappoint.

The portions and the quality of the food are both highly commendable. Classics like red and green curry prevail and are delicious, but try the spicy eggplant with tofu. Or chicken basil noodles, or the amazingly aromatic garlic prawns. The food is amazingly cheap given its quality, and if you live in the San Mateo County area, you certainly want to give this a try.

The above picture is courtesy of Amy L on Yelp - Siam Thai restaurant in hotel Parc 55

My second recommendation is 'Siam Thai' restaurant in downtown San Francisco. Like Karakade, it's a 'hole in the wall' kinda place, and is not in the least bit fancy. However, it is (at least structurally) part of the pretty smart Parc 55 hotel, and as a result, attracts plenty of tourists who want to eat well on a budget. Service is fast and courteous, and the dishes are really tasty. The prices are unbelievable as well.

Minutes from Union Square, this is the perfect place to have a hearty lunch or dinner before you embark on numerous city tours.

Karakade
Siam Thai - 55 Cyril Magnin St (inside Parc 55) between Eddy and Ellis, (415) 362-7456

Whole foods delight

Thanksgiving came and went.  We went to a neighbor's potluck, which turned out to be one of the most delicious nights of the holiday season.  I made a 'Potato Savoyard' gratin (more about this delectable recipe later), which took hours of prep time, but was completely worth it.  The effort made by our other neighbors was equally commendable.  Apart from the staples of green beans, carrots, creamed corn, succulent ham and of course, turkey, there was stuffing souffle with pecans, gourmet sweet pumpkin pie, spiced apple cider, coffee, and Veuve Clicquot Champagne.  

My rate of consumption of such holiday treats is showing no signs of deceleration.  Having recently discovered the 'Whole Foods' deli section, we spend most Saturday lunchtimes at our local Whole Foods, mulling over the mouthwatering options. Lamb shanks with rosemary potatoes and shiitake mushrooms, or turkey quiche with mashed potatoes and herbs, teriyaki chicken, the choices just go on.  The food from the deli counter in my opinion is sublime, filling, and satiates you like grandma's hearty cooking.

Of course, the strategically placed cake and pastry counter next to the hot deli counter ensures that you are bound to come back.  We are absolutely hooked on the 'Mixed Berry Cake' that WF sell in three convenient sizes.  Just try it, and I guarantee you will never ever buy any other cake again.  Garnished with fresh berries and icing to kill for, this moist and stupendously delightful cake cheers your tongue up.  Try it! The only caveat that not all WF stores carry identical cakes to each other, so if you don't find it at your local one, get them to find out your nearest store which does stock it.  

Do you have any Whole Foods favorites? Especially for the holidays? Do you think that food there is overrated and too expensive? Or would you rather pay extra for the quality? Let us know...

Top Hot Dogs in Berkeley, CA

I found this photo on a blog called ZeroDivide, and this summed up Top Dog for me.

I first went to Top Dog as a summer school student at Berkeley in 2003.  A cheep and cheerful place with dogs to satisfy both poverty-stricken students and those with a bit more cash to spare. My second visit was in Oct 2008, and coincidentally, on a football game day at Berkeley (Cal v UCLA!).  Berkeley was buzzing, and although the Bears won, Top Dog was bursting at the seams with fans from both sides.

There is no line here.  There are two guys behind the grill, one minding all the meat, and one taking all the orders and miraculously remembering them in order.  There are even veggie and healthier meat options.  It's fast, economical, and delicious.  What more do you need?

Top Dog also have a branch in Oakland, CA.  Check out their website below.  Have you been to Top Dog? What's your experience been like?

Top Dog

A savvy scallop entree

Just finished cooking this unbelievably delicious dish. I call this my 'Hot Dill Scallop Salad'. I love scallops for a number of reasons: they're easy to cut, marinade, cook, are good for you, and have such a wonderful texture. Not to mention how tasty they are. This is all I did:

• I mixed several garlic cloves, half an onion, multicolored peppers, and one bunch of roughly cut dill in olive oil, and garlic salt. I then roasted this mixture in an oven at 380 F for 20 minutes.

• I mixed olive oil, grated garlic, dried red chillies, grated ginger and hot sauce (to taste) in a bowl, and marinaded about 1.5 lbs scallops in it for 10 minutes.

• I cooked the scallop mixture in a hot pan for about 3 minutes, mixing and turning carefully.

• I added the other half of an onion and one bunch of green onions, and cooked the mixture for another 3 minutes.

• I added the roasted vegetables to this mix, turned the heat off, mixed everything and ...voila!

Try it and see if you like it. It is wonderful! I look forward to creating some more savvy scallop recipes in the future...

Lime restaurant in San Francisco

Hidden among bookstores with outrageous shopfronts, quirky delis and ethnic restaurants on Market Street in Castro is the cute Austin Powers-esque restaurant 'Lime'. A hit with the locals, this late night (well for SF standards anyway) serves tapas sized portions of delectable goodies. Try the amazingly popular deviled eggs, or the shitake mushrooms dripping in melted parmesan.
The halibut fish tacos are amazing too. The menu allows you to order $5 - $11 plates, so giving you an idea of the portion size. It's pretty cleverly done, because the plates usually have an odd number of bites, so you do end up ordering two plates if you want to have an equal amount of food shared within your group. Portions are tasty but tiny, so you will end up ordering more than you thought you would. But it tastes and looks good, so who cares?

Low lighting, pumping house music, and cozy booths set the scene here. Given it's in Castro, you have to be comfortable with the pretty boy, and slightly overtly gay crowd. But everyone is friendly and just out to have a good time. I was once here in 2006, and back last week for the second time, and glad to see that it was still pretty rocking in two years. Lime do a Sunday brunch with all 'All you Can Drink' mimosas for $6. Their mojitos are great by the way. Drop me a line if you've tried their brunch. Oh, and they have bar seating as well.

All in all, a cool local SF nightspot, whether you want to just grab a drink or a bite, well hidden from the tourists.

Lime

Raving about truffles...

Chocolate truffles aren't as rare a treat as they used to be. Available in all shapes, sizes, colors and flavors these days, the likes of Godiva or Lindt continue to tempt us with their imaginative and delicious creations. The most popular alcohol or liquor-laced truffles appear to be of the champagne or Grand-Marnier variety. However, on my last visit to the Harrods chocolate/candy section in London this June, I became totally hooked on a special kind of 'Port and Cranberry' truffles.

These devilishly creamy dark chocolate truffles are created by none other than one of London's legendary chocolatiers, Charbonnel et Walker. Packed in a ruby red box of 6, this will cost you around $20, but if you're lucky, you may be there during sale time and get it for $10 as I did. These are pricey pieces of candy, but taste one, and you'll know why. Bat your eyelids, or smile that smile at the serving attendant, and you might even get a free taste!

There is a Charbonnel et Walker store in Bond Street in London, but visit the Harrods Food Hall if you can, and find your way to the candy section. It is mesmerizing and tantalizing. Apart from C et W, you will be introduced to some of the world's finest brands of candy, amidst excited cacophony, luring aromas, and luxurious ambiance.

I just went to their website, and it turns out that you can get C et W candy in San Francisco and Palo Alto. How cool is that! They even have a Cafe Charbonnel in NYC! As evident from the picture, I am down to my last one. Where is that Palo Alto store again?

Charbonnel et Walker

A simple yet savvy starter

If you're having a cozy dinner party, this is a wonderful little appetizer you can serve by itself, or with a green salad.

Get the biggest shrimp you can find, and make sure it's cleaned beforehand. In a hot skillet, warm some olive oil. Once hot, lower hear, and add a little chili powder (to taste), salt and pepper, and two teaspoons of lemon juice, and mix well. Now all you have to do is add the shrimp, one at a time. Leave on each side for about 4 minutes till it turns a lovely pink. Repeat for each shrimp individually, and replenish the mixture if needed.

Voila! To serve it attractively, you might want to try individual sushi plates, like the one in the picture. Since this cooked in the shell, guests might find it helpful to have both a fork and perhaps a steak knife to eat it. I have also served it with a dollop of coriander chutney, which might be easier to find in an ethnic/South Asian grocery or a World Market. You should also be able to find a recipe online. Otherwise just use your imagination.

America's oldest Pizzeria

If you are in New York City, do not miss the opportunity of tasting some of the tastiest pizza ever made. Head straight for the intersection of Spring and Mott in Little Italy, to savor the deliciousness at Lombardi's. They have a huge sign outside declaring themselves as 'America's Oldest Pizzeria', but you won't care about the authenticity of that declaration after you've tasted their pizzas.

The picture was taken on the 31st of December 2007, and just look at the line! Although the wait was long (50 minutes!), it was well worth it. Lombardi's has tons of atmosphere and it was good to see the locals clamoring for a place in line with bright-eyed tourists, such as ourselves. Nestled amongst gritty tenements , this is a part town which is refreshingly New York compared to the touristy madness of Midtown, so if you've never been down here, make the trip.

Coming back to Lombardi's, we were ushered down to the basement dining room which was a quirky little room, walls adorned with old black and white family photos, classic film posters, or celebrity fans of the establishment. Two of the four walls carry wines to satisfy all tastes. Shirley Bassey and Frank Sinatra blared alternately from the speakers around, their loud booming voices barely audible underneath the crowd who were enjoying themselves tremendously.

Between the two of us, we managed to wolf down a 18" large pepperoni pizza in 25 minutes. Brooklyn Ale added to the wonderful experience. The exquisitely sweet and tangy mozzarella and tomato sauce was like nothing else I'd tasted before. I could never go back to Domino's ever again.

Lombardi's is at 32 Spring St, New York, NY 10012.

A savvy soup recipe...

This soup recipe has got to be one of the fastest, tastiest, healthiest and simplest ones around. What I'm posting here is a variation of one I read a while ago in a magazine; it is guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. Perfect as a starter for an intimate dinner party, or on a cold evening, or just something nutritious for the kids.

Homemade Tomato and Celery Soup

What you need:

• 1 to 2 tbsp olive oil
  
• 1 lb tomatoes (halved)
  
• 3 medium-sized celery sticks (coarsely sliced),
• 1 clove garlic (thinly sliced)
• 1 onion (coarsely chopped)
• 1 fresh green chili pepper and 1 dried red chili pepper (this is optional, but it really enhances the flavor this is recipe without adding heat)
• 500ml or 18 fl oz vegetable stock
• 2 oz spaghetti (uncooked)
  
• Freshly ground pepper
• Fresh or dried parsley.

Serves 4.

1. In a large saucepan, add the tomatoes, garlic, chillies and celery to the hot olive oil.
2. Cover and cook on low for 45 minutes, periodically shaking the saucepan to mix the ingredients.
3. Once the mixture is pulpy, puree it in a food processor till it is fairly smooth in consistency. Should appear pumpkin/orange in color.
4. Pour the pureed mixture into the same pan or a clean medium-sized pot.
5. Add the stock and bring to the boil.
6. Add the spaghetti, bring back to the boil and cook (uncovered) until the spaghetti is 'al dente'.
   
7. Remove from the heat and ladle in to four individual soup bowls.
8. Season with the freshly ground pepper (there should be no need to add salt as the stock contains a lot of it)
9. Garnish with fresh or sprinkle dried parsley and serve.

This soup has a bisque-like quality to it, and is incredibly tasty. Not how I did not add any extra salt to the recipe, making it healthier without compromising taste, since the stock cubes have such a high sodium content. Try it and tell me what you think.

A bite by the Mississippi and a ski lodge...

You're probably picturing New Orleans at the mention of the mighty river in the title, but I am indeed talking about the Mississippi in the Midwest, in Galena, northwestern Illinois to be exact.

I will be totally honest and say that it's not exactly a picturesque drive towards Galena on the I-90W and the US-20, staring from the northwestern Chicago 'burbs. However, en route to the city of Galena, take the left at the junction of US-20 and IL-84 towards Hanover and then towards Winston, to get to the Chestnut Mountain Resort.

This resort looks like your typical cheesy replica of a Swiss chalet resort, but it's cute enough. It is quite popular with single travelers, couples and families especially during the skiing season, as its perched high enough to make some decent skiing possible. Lodging is available and packages are offered on the website. Lessons are available too. There is a shop and rental facilities in case you forgot your gear.

We were there during early Fall, and there still seemed to be a number of people around. Starving after a long drive, the casual lunchtime menu was just what we needed. And voila, there it was. The restaurant at the inn is by no means a classy joint. In fact, it was very reminiscent of a dark 70's style hunter's lodge, with outdated wooden furniture and fixtures. But the tables by the window had the most beautiful view of the Mississippi. That alone was worth the journey.

The menu features burgers, fries, chicken wings etcetera, and it all really hit the spot. Loved the spicy chicken wings with the ranch dressing. But you have to try the Blue Moon Ale (Bavarian white ale), which was light, punchy and delicious.

Service was swift and amiable. After satiating our appetites, we walked out and around the Inn, to get a better view of the river. The undulating green fields around us would become ski slopes in a few months time. An alpine slide activity was in operation at the time, as was a Mississippi river cruise, but we didn't have the time. Perhaps you took it. Drop me a line if you've been there and have any comments about the place.

Mouth-watering confectionery in Wisconsin....

Yesterday being such a fabulous day, we decided to hop into the convertible, top down, and drive up to Lake Geneva in Wisconsin.

Apart from the beautiful lake which I'll blog about later, we discovered a cute and extremely busy little confectionery shop on the main street called Kilwins. Decorated in a style evocative of the 1940s, the brand was actually founded in North Michigan by a couple during the late 1940s.

Their selection of home-style fudge is overwhelming: dark german, maple walnut, chocolate pecan to name but a few. Beautifully wrapped chocolate gift boxes adorn one of the walls. Raspberry creams, cherry cordials, almond toffee crunch...the list goes on. Then there's the ice-cream corner. Rum-raisin, Lake Geneva mud, pumpkin seem to be some of the most requested flavors while we were there. It was very busy indeed.

A pound of fudge costs about $13 but is totally worth it. The attendant packed in a couple of knives for us to cut the fudge with.

We bagged a bench with a view and like children, opened the box as fast as we could. And savored the soft and sweet fudge as we gazed at the lake....

Maybe you know of similarly original and quality confectioners across the country that you have fallen in love with? Drop in a comment and let me know.

Kilwins.com will give you more information about stores nationwide.

Berkeley dining

There are two places I spent a lot of time in during my stay and can recommend:

(1) Plearn Thai: Within walking distance of the university campus, this is a budget eaterie with traditional and clean decor, but with exceptional food. Tasty, and plentiful, it has always satisfied.
2050 University Ave, Berkeley, CA(510) 841-2148


(2) Yogurt Park: It is safe to say that everyone at and associated with Berkeley has sampled frozen yogurt at this institution. It is always busy, and their unique creations are mouth-watering. They do great business, being opposite to student housing, and just minutes away from the Bancroft Way entrance of the university. See picture above.

2433 Durant Ave # A, Berkeley, CA (510) 549-0570

Chicken heaven in London

Everyone who isn't from London is always complaining about how bad or expensive the food is blah blah blah. But if you know who to ask and where to look, nothing could be further from the truth.

Nando's is a chain, but a pretty good one. Food is good and inexpensive. They are all over the city and country; just check out the website below. Chicken is grilled in lime & herb, hot, or extra hot sauces, whatever takes your fancy. Peri Peri chips, spicy rice or corn on the cob are just some of the sides that come with it. You can choose from a range of different portions: 1/ 4 chicken, 1/2 chicken, full chicken, salads, burgers etc. At this point you're probably thinking , "what is she rambling on about? Sounds like Steak n Shake to me." Well, trust me, it is not your average fast food eatery. It's all about the marinade here. As far as I am concerned, Nando's have perfected the art of commercially available spicy multi-toned marinade. It is simply delicious and healthy too. Add to that the inevitable cheery environment, Portuguese music in the background, and delicious drink and dessert (love the rum and raisin ice cream, and the sangria, of course) menu, and you have a winner.

I had my first Nando's in 1999, and they are still opening up all over the United Kingdom. Abhijit and I had our first meal together at a Nando's in London, when we first met. It was love and chicken at first sight! I was mortified when I found out that there were no restaurants here in the US. Finding the sauces in the local supermarket was hardly any consolation. I got to the point of desperation of mailing their PR department about any restaurants opening here, and was told that one was due to open in the DC area in November. I wait with bated breath (and appetite). No better reason to use those air miles....

Check out: www.nandos.co.uk and www.nandosusa.com

Superb Iranian food in Central London

My first choice is Bosphorous Kebab on Old Brompton Road, a short walk from South Kensington tube station. Again, a staple favorite of all IC (Imperial College) students, especially after a wild night out, their kebabs are juicy, spicy, wholesome and filling.

Bosphorous Kebab: 59 Old Bromptom Raod, London, SW7 3JS

Patogh's was a place I found in the 'Time Out London' magazine a good few years ago, and I've recommended it to everyone since. It is tiny, shabby and nondescript from the outside. The food, however, will blow you away. This is fine Iranian cuisine. I remember the taste of succulent lamb kebabs on a bed of fragrant Iranian rice laced with saffron as if it were yesterday. The highlight is the amazing hand made bread that they make for you front of your eyes. It is huge, and I mean huge. And so tasty! You can have a fabulously satisfying meal at a very reasonable price, and in the heart of London. Try it.

Patogh: 8 Crawford Place, London, W1H 5NE