tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-39519863634869020562024-03-06T13:48:39.820+08:00牛刀WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.comBlogger49125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-67452450639428929692011-12-05T23:39:00.001+08:002011-12-06T02:30:45.487+08:00PanoramasHere's a panoramic shot of Florence from the Piazzale Michelangelo. It was a pain in the nuts to stitch them together but here's the finished product.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmsxe9QCiGbQ-2CtRRbmKxcVp2-Nmnw-c1GsIxFbZZJnkg8DMUF7iKOfR-CTmKsQpCCyv3ovgRlE-DPv8bXUZmThp1h4CUQ9oZiVNWZ_YGDNjsdIYchJAZ-fpSvMY9wtBx1YW2ZMYG6E/s1600/Florence+Panorama+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[pano]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmsxe9QCiGbQ-2CtRRbmKxcVp2-Nmnw-c1GsIxFbZZJnkg8DMUF7iKOfR-CTmKsQpCCyv3ovgRlE-DPv8bXUZmThp1h4CUQ9oZiVNWZ_YGDNjsdIYchJAZ-fpSvMY9wtBx1YW2ZMYG6E/s400/Florence+Panorama+Blog.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This one is from the Cinque Terre at the town of Manarola.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtS5pHTbqVJ0hDjeWLWwho4tG4eLq3pgK79CSw3q2GqvuCFdt14IMc_STHqpXFytK7zrrq46govBCNgMwMsC7UoPqOBpVVpdDJPuJgeCUjej7HUq8p13wj8hoi5REG5hOqT3s8Eb7a0U/s1600/Stitched+Blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[pano]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwtS5pHTbqVJ0hDjeWLWwho4tG4eLq3pgK79CSw3q2GqvuCFdt14IMc_STHqpXFytK7zrrq46govBCNgMwMsC7UoPqOBpVVpdDJPuJgeCUjej7HUq8p13wj8hoi5REG5hOqT3s8Eb7a0U/s400/Stitched+Blog.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-7589169345569223462011-12-05T03:38:00.001+08:002011-12-05T03:43:32.078+08:00Eurotrip Pics Part 4<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Final part...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">Place des Quinconces, Bordeaux.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMDfYCaGX5GQDPcLEoMkj0fsO0-wj5ILaTReJnDawO5uHrJibby1s-VZCg8cImtvGvZKv-WaJgSi-0FNsXaUi-FSa3V8M287LsW7_AeRMks9xnOJ9XCZqy8qBnDjzD-bFQKT8vH8zubQ/s1600/PP+DSC_5322.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMDfYCaGX5GQDPcLEoMkj0fsO0-wj5ILaTReJnDawO5uHrJibby1s-VZCg8cImtvGvZKv-WaJgSi-0FNsXaUi-FSa3V8M287LsW7_AeRMks9xnOJ9XCZqy8qBnDjzD-bFQKT8vH8zubQ/s400/PP+DSC_5322.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdizdAghlLOS5YR_xXyOIvtWv1m_EZXjiDdc6cucKL0y_yS_qCqCTg6jFk32UmRETpIatom4UojaeitbsF13D12FUO-VhxATArMHdrN10em4JFddwKvlWbSbpsQvqcDQnpMhrU_YNC4qA/s1600/PP+DSC_5329.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdizdAghlLOS5YR_xXyOIvtWv1m_EZXjiDdc6cucKL0y_yS_qCqCTg6jFk32UmRETpIatom4UojaeitbsF13D12FUO-VhxATArMHdrN10em4JFddwKvlWbSbpsQvqcDQnpMhrU_YNC4qA/s400/PP+DSC_5329.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="302" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BCutvfhi4EocR5dlMIxbxAuY0XaqsDLrj4JqI-0pRiV2_TvllDj3BSa3H_JIH2UIfioX6fENYL2IyKvwnSuImz5Z-FM6AZw3cQta11paoDpA4bugSRA6URINeoEv7NK4Hfhj_ZomkAI/s1600/PP+DSC_5358.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BCutvfhi4EocR5dlMIxbxAuY0XaqsDLrj4JqI-0pRiV2_TvllDj3BSa3H_JIH2UIfioX6fENYL2IyKvwnSuImz5Z-FM6AZw3cQta11paoDpA4bugSRA6URINeoEv7NK4Hfhj_ZomkAI/s400/PP+DSC_5358.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Mont St. Michel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpjZrHGPCg_Odz8eBEk9qa5kGjFW4-X4aqhyyJCvAFpwTJ6r7rmSc2PwlkeAx6TQKSGLeNVMwDheWIwt7fjL0YeVxeNZqU0kHy9aKTQcKZ9VA_I1yld4E-gDa1DmNb7wO45zfl4_gpZY/s1600/PP+DSC_5444.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpjZrHGPCg_Odz8eBEk9qa5kGjFW4-X4aqhyyJCvAFpwTJ6r7rmSc2PwlkeAx6TQKSGLeNVMwDheWIwt7fjL0YeVxeNZqU0kHy9aKTQcKZ9VA_I1yld4E-gDa1DmNb7wO45zfl4_gpZY/s400/PP+DSC_5444.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqDchAYU-x167waMnVkpmkhzBPZ9xLCGd1TjCMTRsMvd9lF37BmyzVGUSib1uq4JqhCcPbMyoVXzPMoR-hyBE9hUaOgDclPR02Eu1Q5VofAedcsrS9nBQu7W2BKnN5UdhJE5t12hPt7U/s1600/PP+DSC_5458.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQqDchAYU-x167waMnVkpmkhzBPZ9xLCGd1TjCMTRsMvd9lF37BmyzVGUSib1uq4JqhCcPbMyoVXzPMoR-hyBE9hUaOgDclPR02Eu1Q5VofAedcsrS9nBQu7W2BKnN5UdhJE5t12hPt7U/s400/PP+DSC_5458.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Courtship along the Seine.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uhhdrr3ESLqa4DeHmqxuOGcPBkhOLWqlMcXulcPUa1v9KmBRs3AHy4H8WZwbPxcYJua3ZKMYDoCuDJrAD-y6AOuAWZh5swJmJUeRsZjp_ZmuR2Fj3lh-d2bQuwc7__XSIiW3e8gQocs/s1600/PP+DSC_5583.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0uhhdrr3ESLqa4DeHmqxuOGcPBkhOLWqlMcXulcPUa1v9KmBRs3AHy4H8WZwbPxcYJua3ZKMYDoCuDJrAD-y6AOuAWZh5swJmJUeRsZjp_ZmuR2Fj3lh-d2bQuwc7__XSIiW3e8gQocs/s400/PP+DSC_5583.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRygs9awR1_ftlHRdL5UxPbujMb3GKphIz5_DZRJ5jvi5NMOt83VAlt2eb3DzNdVDTIWEnBVPkDHMz50s64jKcWg9GpGAgtovzI6FiqRSt9BqhRW0BJLXlUmk7rxg4g3ns6N9YfTho3so/s1600/PP+DSC_5589.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRygs9awR1_ftlHRdL5UxPbujMb3GKphIz5_DZRJ5jvi5NMOt83VAlt2eb3DzNdVDTIWEnBVPkDHMz50s64jKcWg9GpGAgtovzI6FiqRSt9BqhRW0BJLXlUmk7rxg4g3ns6N9YfTho3so/s400/PP+DSC_5589.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Louvre, Paris.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug3kwgo2Nthl3C3Vd5du-QwHqjN12GqIFuNdCLoUPlO0koUebQHYtRUOTmQM1wO-zOLWKqsKluViZOib2hxoT8aaiocgdrdqf5kp8u5AiXHdHUyNrIXJ4wwOUvFTaPpu0kCcnOnIgLr0/s1600/PP+DSC_5606.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiug3kwgo2Nthl3C3Vd5du-QwHqjN12GqIFuNdCLoUPlO0koUebQHYtRUOTmQM1wO-zOLWKqsKluViZOib2hxoT8aaiocgdrdqf5kp8u5AiXHdHUyNrIXJ4wwOUvFTaPpu0kCcnOnIgLr0/s400/PP+DSC_5606.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Versailles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzajzJcjDcbYtD2CqLzO4cDzqdiCzZo3_DZHIi7sLsIHPKz8PUaGFRLcRiC1fPw1OEJCA_7gfouX9HjuI7j-dWhKjbEvsVl9-t2SM75zPTNzqm3ge3gFgFeRc3yCPCT3Fg9E2BW3h3bNY/s1600/PP+DSC_5852.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzajzJcjDcbYtD2CqLzO4cDzqdiCzZo3_DZHIi7sLsIHPKz8PUaGFRLcRiC1fPw1OEJCA_7gfouX9HjuI7j-dWhKjbEvsVl9-t2SM75zPTNzqm3ge3gFgFeRc3yCPCT3Fg9E2BW3h3bNY/s400/PP+DSC_5852.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="273" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXotgsIqD9RViJstrPzSS9XS1-EmtO1E8kYSDA2qhBNL4G9tzKRJXw6puayTHaBQdiEdKD3ofBlxPLoMo7I_SP6PkUH_LVIE3I7y4rY0FrxvpUN12p9i1vyFy0MASo7_zkqBz_jUDXpH8/s1600/PP+DSC_5868.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood4]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXotgsIqD9RViJstrPzSS9XS1-EmtO1E8kYSDA2qhBNL4G9tzKRJXw6puayTHaBQdiEdKD3ofBlxPLoMo7I_SP6PkUH_LVIE3I7y4rY0FrxvpUN12p9i1vyFy0MASo7_zkqBz_jUDXpH8/s400/PP+DSC_5868.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-44872702390677823302011-12-05T03:23:00.001+08:002011-12-05T04:02:27.053+08:00Eurotrip Pics Part 3<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Part 3...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Grand Canal, Venice.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bp9S6dg0_oCKV5h9JmUwt9euVBvkRTH3q2MlZDp7ruR_xmWCE1iNTdEVVlLHlKk0DDVM4FfZ16gNuLIfMLd8RcVThPjIVOypHHvOzfBm8iodCRuhvMoWMgXE8fsUMGvG-FfbZ_SbFMs/s1600/PP+DSC_4182.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Bp9S6dg0_oCKV5h9JmUwt9euVBvkRTH3q2MlZDp7ruR_xmWCE1iNTdEVVlLHlKk0DDVM4FfZ16gNuLIfMLd8RcVThPjIVOypHHvOzfBm8iodCRuhvMoWMgXE8fsUMGvG-FfbZ_SbFMs/s400/PP+DSC_4182.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3imzxNFgo-b4-YpAmuz5tG96I8-y1JP07s7YpmAzKII-4_oUI1OxvcqR6ML8nCNOkoLHwRmHPk_q0WdJ2bBKBbGtpWeFGbgX5_BF-DxiN4PcPMFO2LPpcW0T4IaKBZx1NHOo94E-rffk/s1600/PP+DSC_4192.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3imzxNFgo-b4-YpAmuz5tG96I8-y1JP07s7YpmAzKII-4_oUI1OxvcqR6ML8nCNOkoLHwRmHPk_q0WdJ2bBKBbGtpWeFGbgX5_BF-DxiN4PcPMFO2LPpcW0T4IaKBZx1NHOo94E-rffk/s400/PP+DSC_4192.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Colosseum, Rome.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmnRF6qaIlEKKiihPoiw8S6g_sEitIxSKlNbuBcopOlH9e09wEGXPScbWwDVAzLvhgaIXYW9YxSiovjjai3ryDNmwv2ltd2MXedG8MRWfUvWiw6vp7CexEW1jOQx20iOjN4lOXY2icQw/s1600/PP+DSC_4452.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqmnRF6qaIlEKKiihPoiw8S6g_sEitIxSKlNbuBcopOlH9e09wEGXPScbWwDVAzLvhgaIXYW9YxSiovjjai3ryDNmwv2ltd2MXedG8MRWfUvWiw6vp7CexEW1jOQx20iOjN4lOXY2icQw/s400/PP+DSC_4452.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji63cVvot2HYYZE_h3Aqk05hI16ay1xQpb8SYKdCr-Q9TGSywn_snMkjbN9D-Bdnl-EWwHnSddqJMqzLjyhSYlXU1bsiPOiieUTS8tgNdoJpI-6tbbEdiE0hfIqsZ5A-Arc-HfHwIKwHY/s1600/PP+DSC_4608.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji63cVvot2HYYZE_h3Aqk05hI16ay1xQpb8SYKdCr-Q9TGSywn_snMkjbN9D-Bdnl-EWwHnSddqJMqzLjyhSYlXU1bsiPOiieUTS8tgNdoJpI-6tbbEdiE0hfIqsZ5A-Arc-HfHwIKwHY/s400/PP+DSC_4608.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Sagrada Familia, Barcelona.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh5d3qdoS3K3kKA5nNkdmkad3Pgsjp_uDz2EdCJhutXYdeF6m8cQWOiBsncHLH1kAY6Rrsl7F8ap4AYFGtRxd-0Qp4RQlkvFyO0yKfcbO2-tQTlfSwr8eF2sMOvu1Cc-WvSsqqq6hP88/s1600/PP+DSC_4852.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwh5d3qdoS3K3kKA5nNkdmkad3Pgsjp_uDz2EdCJhutXYdeF6m8cQWOiBsncHLH1kAY6Rrsl7F8ap4AYFGtRxd-0Qp4RQlkvFyO0yKfcbO2-tQTlfSwr8eF2sMOvu1Cc-WvSsqqq6hP88/s400/PP+DSC_4852.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrZuRsfU8AZg5RETtKfCpNKoL_Wki4fGB_TrO3OT5B24f9QCpbUPRMOBN4mtQ5SqPqOL-_0xLxKtaMNvzDRgnpipsK63-wwBh2eNlEpBdcdneCSn7TWaXWfihD0iElyFCtuivgttosqg/s1600/PP+DSC_4907.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPrZuRsfU8AZg5RETtKfCpNKoL_Wki4fGB_TrO3OT5B24f9QCpbUPRMOBN4mtQ5SqPqOL-_0xLxKtaMNvzDRgnpipsK63-wwBh2eNlEpBdcdneCSn7TWaXWfihD0iElyFCtuivgttosqg/s400/PP+DSC_4907.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE3v-WGlL8ifinHNr3cYvJ-9y7AWh-LZXe9LykwfVC-jcvvzo7Lt7P487T8GoayRtopfllV_6s_y-aIiqhi5KPl7HgHx7W4ktZpdE1x_AxDW-zTVqA5hTWfcfV-zrAUToc6973phFA2g/s1600/PP+DSC_4872.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRE3v-WGlL8ifinHNr3cYvJ-9y7AWh-LZXe9LykwfVC-jcvvzo7Lt7P487T8GoayRtopfllV_6s_y-aIiqhi5KPl7HgHx7W4ktZpdE1x_AxDW-zTVqA5hTWfcfV-zrAUToc6973phFA2g/s400/PP+DSC_4872.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Magic Fountain of Montjuic, Barcelona.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSsOq5LT6Hk-LeKdTw5_0aViVjQ588sFHOHFQBy9rb_u3GSQJMn-YvLtkwwIvhYmDozCTdk75mBPDy68tr17bu27sH3H6y92G7YsWqRgxf7Ihdw_gM02KDUwkoQFbyUbYYAkFQ4lsmzw/s1600/PP+DSC_5025.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSsOq5LT6Hk-LeKdTw5_0aViVjQ588sFHOHFQBy9rb_u3GSQJMn-YvLtkwwIvhYmDozCTdk75mBPDy68tr17bu27sH3H6y92G7YsWqRgxf7Ihdw_gM02KDUwkoQFbyUbYYAkFQ4lsmzw/s400/PP+DSC_5025.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEqN0sYeRzWWm6ePYZx4ByvtYu2jB6OT0RV9LuDrS8rl9nWDqFJx0PB0SUUYVjjJjqyYd_G9J68kat5MaSG1AsxUlhUxe7tjvbsXkNHGkhaaBDLjDlJa1jRkspAXFszYU1d4oKj-mx0s/s1600/PP+DSC_5066.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaEqN0sYeRzWWm6ePYZx4ByvtYu2jB6OT0RV9LuDrS8rl9nWDqFJx0PB0SUUYVjjJjqyYd_G9J68kat5MaSG1AsxUlhUxe7tjvbsXkNHGkhaaBDLjDlJa1jRkspAXFszYU1d4oKj-mx0s/s400/PP+DSC_5066.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUOqkMeaaDhxDwORVZYsT5HhTxfeSnnEPEXE7Bo7r4rm9L1DnSqhUhajSPZXLGdI0-YTAeoNcdB0WzaSamVx1e3eKgDuYViffTptlQcNJuka3Iem7LGWe-jcnS4S4X6qBb6HI8Axt55U/s1600/PP+DSC_5074.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSUOqkMeaaDhxDwORVZYsT5HhTxfeSnnEPEXE7Bo7r4rm9L1DnSqhUhajSPZXLGdI0-YTAeoNcdB0WzaSamVx1e3eKgDuYViffTptlQcNJuka3Iem7LGWe-jcnS4S4X6qBb6HI8Axt55U/s400/PP+DSC_5074.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
The Wind Comb, San Sebastian.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbjlYHiG4Uk-1BUBwUAO38rdcAb4eqlxhl3V2cxZpeztx2FHUp15YFN_zwRRkKFx4EDNIAn0bPViud7LHYslKPUqZr76xD6tj8tSVbl3mELt07lE_rPr-mIVaKpcpDgHsYoXUkVe9pz0/s1600/PP+DSC_5243.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood3]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbjlYHiG4Uk-1BUBwUAO38rdcAb4eqlxhl3V2cxZpeztx2FHUp15YFN_zwRRkKFx4EDNIAn0bPViud7LHYslKPUqZr76xD6tj8tSVbl3mELt07lE_rPr-mIVaKpcpDgHsYoXUkVe9pz0/s400/PP+DSC_5243.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-70055030287675895642011-12-05T03:08:00.001+08:002011-12-06T00:12:30.741+08:00Eurotrip Pics Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Continued...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
View from l'Aiguille du Midi.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcqdFLQ-RWv1Q6-FZVpwqjiWcCAEXTcUkechA8a3YoueomicD-2FxIUJo52NuqmFNyRUY_cVMJ-0kVLH5dMa-zZIFPayzI3_0TLGEkKdYL8qzuzG409y0tn8dJJGee_kq5cu6eT_doe8/s1600/PP+DSC_2613.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKcqdFLQ-RWv1Q6-FZVpwqjiWcCAEXTcUkechA8a3YoueomicD-2FxIUJo52NuqmFNyRUY_cVMJ-0kVLH5dMa-zZIFPayzI3_0TLGEkKdYL8qzuzG409y0tn8dJJGee_kq5cu6eT_doe8/s400/PP+DSC_2613.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1ibbsYMvpKjc0CAs6ghc-_fki8vin0TNhWKGUl_VhlQagGJiImV5Hd4v_HQTjfX6uIPYcj3a9bfCMUpybL_ko3p7Y2x2NjE51Xw0usHiklrI_LqPs4zL9wTQDIRqCoOYD7EtKU1tEGY/s1600/PP+DSC_2618.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh1ibbsYMvpKjc0CAs6ghc-_fki8vin0TNhWKGUl_VhlQagGJiImV5Hd4v_HQTjfX6uIPYcj3a9bfCMUpybL_ko3p7Y2x2NjE51Xw0usHiklrI_LqPs4zL9wTQDIRqCoOYD7EtKU1tEGY/s400/PP+DSC_2618.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvHbpDxS2idW51vmbZ7tfOFSMiOJVIvafJpOIx87llAjURYNu2GtXfjxM3Ks9xi21G6TG5AsKi92hTVYu4tvOFfcaGmOZ1uiyRM58UX_VdBoEFmfg_uL6w7mdEldKosyQaV8uVpNALIo/s1600/PP+DSC_2738.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFvHbpDxS2idW51vmbZ7tfOFSMiOJVIvafJpOIx87llAjURYNu2GtXfjxM3Ks9xi21G6TG5AsKi92hTVYu4tvOFfcaGmOZ1uiyRM58UX_VdBoEFmfg_uL6w7mdEldKosyQaV8uVpNALIo/s400/PP+DSC_2738.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Lyon.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojYMfg33A-lOS4ryzILIUPFPdxsiQDj9nTydXMWFYzyAIZMT74Mobxzx8PkqWSQ4EBtPp2vT3I7_uMT6s8EM-vxdxViR58KvbVlpUEsoFdqnjjZ5INEk4DO3jZo9mXNXGMVwSl8Sx-AA/s1600/PP+DSC_3186.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojYMfg33A-lOS4ryzILIUPFPdxsiQDj9nTydXMWFYzyAIZMT74Mobxzx8PkqWSQ4EBtPp2vT3I7_uMT6s8EM-vxdxViR58KvbVlpUEsoFdqnjjZ5INEk4DO3jZo9mXNXGMVwSl8Sx-AA/s400/PP+DSC_3186.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Les Calanques de Marseilles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_uczRtQyS14v-VWzWTT-CS8-x16o9-9XHvS8V2jt2gdn39iILGPPsqeZHLBbpsIQzaNTQ8YIKsGsKFrbVBhc3tW6zsfUbixHclnsnMZ30RjTTcbbaltCpq5qlZfQsk4Cu2cpzFEHnzo/s1600/PP+DSC_3324.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha_uczRtQyS14v-VWzWTT-CS8-x16o9-9XHvS8V2jt2gdn39iILGPPsqeZHLBbpsIQzaNTQ8YIKsGsKFrbVBhc3tW6zsfUbixHclnsnMZ30RjTTcbbaltCpq5qlZfQsk4Cu2cpzFEHnzo/s400/PP+DSC_3324.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Marseilles.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLHjyAX_j_5bjLM_F4GE5a0qqzfZVU8UlxWoJ-e8p085B2zYbxtoEypkM73bLZQKogCSaz9nlziupMFrIGbGUca6buEsFYdBXSUbGpopyRLOGvhLFmQyZCWau1fIfuMHepGVKTYwVrGQ/s1600/PP+DSC_3342.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMLHjyAX_j_5bjLM_F4GE5a0qqzfZVU8UlxWoJ-e8p085B2zYbxtoEypkM73bLZQKogCSaz9nlziupMFrIGbGUca6buEsFYdBXSUbGpopyRLOGvhLFmQyZCWau1fIfuMHepGVKTYwVrGQ/s400/PP+DSC_3342.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="241" /></a></div>
<br />
Gare de Monaco.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyHMHw8AHhVPtDDLC_ezgCJ9vUIfjhHrV5LwcLCve4QgnNs3rJ2HQieUstwN_GyvfPdGgt1Y_Q3HBWnc6O7ccZMpYHJQv8vtGrhyphenhyphenPcnvqhcUtdr9SlnjoFaMSmkIIH-HrgUs9DD54New/s1600/PP+DSC_3443.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZyHMHw8AHhVPtDDLC_ezgCJ9vUIfjhHrV5LwcLCve4QgnNs3rJ2HQieUstwN_GyvfPdGgt1Y_Q3HBWnc6O7ccZMpYHJQv8vtGrhyphenhyphenPcnvqhcUtdr9SlnjoFaMSmkIIH-HrgUs9DD54New/s400/PP+DSC_3443.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Manarola, Cinque Terre.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGxp-RUso4WpGhjo5JgdR7nkuNvQ3jvEJaF6iGZsZIsagytuk7-gjWfgF1ChlxvicI_KVbQK8L9wod3EWUiDtNxA72NkatBggF0Z9VCRQMwU3d4qFPhP_kveAL8Rdf0mNs9vgQ-ObOyU/s1600/PP+DSC_3626.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYGxp-RUso4WpGhjo5JgdR7nkuNvQ3jvEJaF6iGZsZIsagytuk7-gjWfgF1ChlxvicI_KVbQK8L9wod3EWUiDtNxA72NkatBggF0Z9VCRQMwU3d4qFPhP_kveAL8Rdf0mNs9vgQ-ObOyU/s400/PP+DSC_3626.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXkNsdto3zlbL-4T7beXIlDjeTB0z52vNMoWyy-mqdVWqnQDocEcxt_dc6_tg3QFoUe4hHaMT7v6qLK4OdWgrfakenb8GJxd-hkpITB_wgV7eDZXGmnIH_ah991CJRTJe8G8oCAFpvKo/s1600/PP+DSC_3706.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBXkNsdto3zlbL-4T7beXIlDjeTB0z52vNMoWyy-mqdVWqnQDocEcxt_dc6_tg3QFoUe4hHaMT7v6qLK4OdWgrfakenb8GJxd-hkpITB_wgV7eDZXGmnIH_ah991CJRTJe8G8oCAFpvKo/s400/PP+DSC_3706.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
Vernazza, Cinque Terre. Sadly 2 months ago a terrible mudslide destroyed much of the town and rendered it a disaster zone. Find out more <a href="http://savevernazza.com/">here</a>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0gfxVG9kOul5bvCPAtLZiOsWTm_8G4qrYmVO861zuoNIocBYNO4rWMvxS1KEuTyHu08rk4sfTVyAaUZ5Tfmd7Y3HOU6ENAD-9-ZWS3ujDAMSep66OGqTpPeCbQByPjKk3ryXQLP8-QY/s1600/PP+DSC_3857.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN0gfxVG9kOul5bvCPAtLZiOsWTm_8G4qrYmVO861zuoNIocBYNO4rWMvxS1KEuTyHu08rk4sfTVyAaUZ5Tfmd7Y3HOU6ENAD-9-ZWS3ujDAMSep66OGqTpPeCbQByPjKk3ryXQLP8-QY/s400/PP+DSC_3857.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSJ72fMWlx31feb2_rmqCknbGL_Roebg8Gam2K1raM-HtSItN7ZTIHnjWWKyxm1ha2kK0-ONy-w7aPACf7E6RMPd9AAoCndMiOP95TWp0MBFj54QNXjEsH5Yo73B0ubRGtS2WMkekpPI/s1600/PP+DSC_3874.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivSJ72fMWlx31feb2_rmqCknbGL_Roebg8Gam2K1raM-HtSItN7ZTIHnjWWKyxm1ha2kK0-ONy-w7aPACf7E6RMPd9AAoCndMiOP95TWp0MBFj54QNXjEsH5Yo73B0ubRGtS2WMkekpPI/s400/PP+DSC_3874.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Piazzale Michelangelo, Florence.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKCZzoiSbvvTsQTEagVSI3ChPeot79O4pMNaGFB-ix26kj20og1Gtqo9DWQG18bMpyexZTluBqwQGbDOwBq7Rol34GHr_WZdOflBDRATHeLhViddn5jt7p_uOOZ3Rts9UrIydWXQ96Ks/s1600/PP+DSC_3895.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="251" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnKCZzoiSbvvTsQTEagVSI3ChPeot79O4pMNaGFB-ix26kj20og1Gtqo9DWQG18bMpyexZTluBqwQGbDOwBq7Rol34GHr_WZdOflBDRATHeLhViddn5jt7p_uOOZ3Rts9UrIydWXQ96Ks/s400/PP+DSC_3895.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-56468985097246531302011-12-05T02:56:00.001+08:002011-12-05T03:04:22.561+08:00Eurotrip Pics Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Here's a series of non-food pics to enjoy.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fireworks on our first night at UTT.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJM4rinMg3ImG0L3QwAGMU21IHQhlEdfC226qP8QfxxNw4Pss9S4sSnsLvcY3SlyVutY8pU42v8sUrK9dpKTXXu66jTPm-GmF1Xzay2jVxR80BSk97jvk0fzYhEkX9gRcbQNqA4qLX8/s1600/PP+DSC_0389.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiCJM4rinMg3ImG0L3QwAGMU21IHQhlEdfC226qP8QfxxNw4Pss9S4sSnsLvcY3SlyVutY8pU42v8sUrK9dpKTXXu66jTPm-GmF1Xzay2jVxR80BSk97jvk0fzYhEkX9gRcbQNqA4qLX8/s400/PP+DSC_0389.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGFmHSmwWCGTH6DIWZCXs9t0OoVQTpsrEl3nhwDGCyjAEBrQ4GUSAqZfZfNHH8U7KTtSgnB6at0owSCzsQyzbM9N2SQ2DEjfOLasj7wdcpTX83jp_hMF-C7Fmjme94jjHsFe3putdIJQ/s1600/PP+DSC_0445.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="375" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGFmHSmwWCGTH6DIWZCXs9t0OoVQTpsrEl3nhwDGCyjAEBrQ4GUSAqZfZfNHH8U7KTtSgnB6at0owSCzsQyzbM9N2SQ2DEjfOLasj7wdcpTX83jp_hMF-C7Fmjme94jjHsFe3putdIJQ/s400/PP+DSC_0445.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Troyes downtown.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b0lv_AOyd32Ip8aPpgTlmKPKFNDmx4fO4i-3FEyhzFW6zycJwEEPyYvfGXvT795AouPYkBCTx4IhJ1RMxMH9i0xSid_KqbqcG4W0rVZjYjVBxvKb4hAOXh8AIbrA6ylHsVFl9XfW0cs/s1600/PP+DSC_0594.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9b0lv_AOyd32Ip8aPpgTlmKPKFNDmx4fO4i-3FEyhzFW6zycJwEEPyYvfGXvT795AouPYkBCTx4IhJ1RMxMH9i0xSid_KqbqcG4W0rVZjYjVBxvKb4hAOXh8AIbrA6ylHsVFl9XfW0cs/s400/PP+DSC_0594.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="268" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vMzFVwgwE2rGWxwujScqQUxlaHqgKZFxPCt8pzgXO6lakRiGYD-v5nXXVr6yFB9tY5zIUMm4LCwo8OWNoc9vpRKrYCqCLyCdN3Dk2qYV-pnU-DmZgY1BRXAtCl2nHNmce6-SmBo9J6E/s1600/PP+DSC_0662.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1vMzFVwgwE2rGWxwujScqQUxlaHqgKZFxPCt8pzgXO6lakRiGYD-v5nXXVr6yFB9tY5zIUMm4LCwo8OWNoc9vpRKrYCqCLyCdN3Dk2qYV-pnU-DmZgY1BRXAtCl2nHNmce6-SmBo9J6E/s400/PP+DSC_0662.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Cathédrale Notre Dame de Paris.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3SzyMWFp3QaleipWi0yYjZenyfGHv4WqMGSwNiete90eQsWbtP9IISDEgZzGocETuca0iyBrBE8dZP2jZE5Nr5We5AYi-XlzVNK8CgeTC1MXxYPClrEi05suDVl0fh9H6nRhxSGYAOY/s1600/PP+DSC_0929.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiv3SzyMWFp3QaleipWi0yYjZenyfGHv4WqMGSwNiete90eQsWbtP9IISDEgZzGocETuca0iyBrBE8dZP2jZE5Nr5We5AYi-XlzVNK8CgeTC1MXxYPClrEi05suDVl0fh9H6nRhxSGYAOY/s400/PP+DSC_0929.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tyioLptzfRnN4s0JuEw2QShX-sNih0kr5Js3iDFbfCIuiRhCvvkfz4SEQpxdM_Hb2gLFuIS67e0unLDdaywTyhyyWJaHJvu90qW-izSOOuEJmzb3RGdc49J-P7_ml3tX1N2-fUdtPIg/s1600/PP+DSC_1008.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5tyioLptzfRnN4s0JuEw2QShX-sNih0kr5Js3iDFbfCIuiRhCvvkfz4SEQpxdM_Hb2gLFuIS67e0unLDdaywTyhyyWJaHJvu90qW-izSOOuEJmzb3RGdc49J-P7_ml3tX1N2-fUdtPIg/s400/PP+DSC_1008.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
La Tour Eiffel.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgck9gMIfg24bK4RzbdgcrJFBUjXHaQPb0pEd757SstPEn2QFLkUYAl4S5nkkl1OzAxcFVS_ZIEy13U_kzIlqsoV_Cq87s1XqvRU8d0d2yM7WkUz4MdjD3w9CGsVMopcDxGXmlTuRtWn5U/s1600/PP+DSC_1069.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgck9gMIfg24bK4RzbdgcrJFBUjXHaQPb0pEd757SstPEn2QFLkUYAl4S5nkkl1OzAxcFVS_ZIEy13U_kzIlqsoV_Cq87s1XqvRU8d0d2yM7WkUz4MdjD3w9CGsVMopcDxGXmlTuRtWn5U/s400/PP+DSC_1069.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="258" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0f24uUtr2YX3z34PUdIiCDF0tcOJRQN03yVE2zrGOz5D9GTS_8THaXaMs3bslfG05ODOUhzh6kafm0XXavJ9o8EEQTKEqhZgI2HpDJcNCvIBnjHfRCWDj0K-T62lhaX0mKnLqAvUaic/s1600/PP+DSC_1607.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb0f24uUtr2YX3z34PUdIiCDF0tcOJRQN03yVE2zrGOz5D9GTS_8THaXaMs3bslfG05ODOUhzh6kafm0XXavJ9o8EEQTKEqhZgI2HpDJcNCvIBnjHfRCWDj0K-T62lhaX0mKnLqAvUaic/s400/PP+DSC_1607.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iZfOQInVP4E_OSf8YK3-5n4mfsXafS_nT-H3T7ju3PH_BbafvjcLh0ndPjP_fhZfiJ27d0mmNa71NCOYGqU7iXxGPpmm-3aR4sUU8UylsOqxk5Zjs0L8_b7l4uAhgKchqTPDiCDOgI4/s1600/PP+DSC_1648.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1iZfOQInVP4E_OSf8YK3-5n4mfsXafS_nT-H3T7ju3PH_BbafvjcLh0ndPjP_fhZfiJ27d0mmNa71NCOYGqU7iXxGPpmm-3aR4sUU8UylsOqxk5Zjs0L8_b7l4uAhgKchqTPDiCDOgI4/s400/PP+DSC_1648.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Visit of champagne country.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD2LfnChxe6H0hCOugNwEkalSHdf36OeUd0VZFwGOjQUs80hz1SfPEyrdiuP6nn4hLnIM8YFgpKxkC6nDS3dXDRMyJCqnD8GLo4gqx_d8xjtZK0ps6WRxqEm1mZvVd8cNkVtE-s2hfVk/s1600/PP+DSC_2162.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[nonfood1]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimD2LfnChxe6H0hCOugNwEkalSHdf36OeUd0VZFwGOjQUs80hz1SfPEyrdiuP6nn4hLnIM8YFgpKxkC6nDS3dXDRMyJCqnD8GLo4gqx_d8xjtZK0ps6WRxqEm1mZvVd8cNkVtE-s2hfVk/s400/PP+DSC_2162.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="323" /></a></div>
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-44372515633998025452011-11-29T16:03:00.001+08:002011-12-05T03:57:35.606+08:00Spain: Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Final set of pictures from Spain.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Fried <i>bacalao</i> from Casa Labra at Madrid.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPrn2EoyI2Q5VdwZXmKEAZWRpbBp3pq2L84bY64I_aVRHipS5m3HbmIwgp9qu3tyJy4JfH5eOGDlx2FIjdS_G-4mVzozyIJQlyMkKuOXVQu_R4UZBCo3kS9i7Cmq2SqhwOOFzDyrQ1oE/s1600/Casa+Labra+Bacalao.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPrn2EoyI2Q5VdwZXmKEAZWRpbBp3pq2L84bY64I_aVRHipS5m3HbmIwgp9qu3tyJy4JfH5eOGDlx2FIjdS_G-4mVzozyIJQlyMkKuOXVQu_R4UZBCo3kS9i7Cmq2SqhwOOFzDyrQ1oE/s400/Casa+Labra+Bacalao.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="293" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We went to La Bouqueria right after we arrived in Barcelona...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BZNzFkCgsWKhgmz7PhSZ-63bvsCmNVlDCnRgvQ8T4G5DVNOvDDXX0VMgyeEx4HW8cW6ePCThETE34ScGk_WSttMaVnuKybU5rpl9vQweSf8fO7toma2QJpHlRWzA1axeAoOtcokVhVs/s1600/Boqueria.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5BZNzFkCgsWKhgmz7PhSZ-63bvsCmNVlDCnRgvQ8T4G5DVNOvDDXX0VMgyeEx4HW8cW6ePCThETE34ScGk_WSttMaVnuKybU5rpl9vQweSf8fO7toma2QJpHlRWzA1axeAoOtcokVhVs/s400/Boqueria.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
... and stumbled into El Quim. The wild mushroom were quite good.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8NcJgx3kH4609sLcQatgRxwDqnmdAqymWmr5P8tzhYoIYqy8Ptq9mELU7S7dDjW16GZElCrR0TXkYySHfZlbkWbKJ2ZpVGqPiNb6XFBa_rqWuihgU8iqhSVlOlVYy2oP_NfKRosdVZI/s1600/El+Quim+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8NcJgx3kH4609sLcQatgRxwDqnmdAqymWmr5P8tzhYoIYqy8Ptq9mELU7S7dDjW16GZElCrR0TXkYySHfZlbkWbKJ2ZpVGqPiNb6XFBa_rqWuihgU8iqhSVlOlVYy2oP_NfKRosdVZI/s400/El+Quim+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="290" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
However, what stole the show were the small <i>cigalas</i> which were still alive on display counter. These little briny jewels were flamed in brandy.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-AiHyjmAPFCiU3rypJHeJ04_Jgo0GVFc-6eoZUseILpYDjWLIafPA_5A7LfhhuTE595ubu5iz7wZg6MhlnwtdRvGLUFjrvm8uGfkrJ0Igb3Ra6vFeT69ixl9tN__MTRhu78UV8HbpcI/s1600/El+Quim+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-AiHyjmAPFCiU3rypJHeJ04_Jgo0GVFc-6eoZUseILpYDjWLIafPA_5A7LfhhuTE595ubu5iz7wZg6MhlnwtdRvGLUFjrvm8uGfkrJ0Igb3Ra6vFeT69ixl9tN__MTRhu78UV8HbpcI/s400/El+Quim+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="283" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhmUtY6fHJVLpmByM54oc2lMdsNkP3vY9cMxPKvqdn04qTA7Y_nIPdsL3rODYcXYKqZQq8axZHA4rRblUqguARk4uRbIBroYFj8PAI15N3vSGp2zkaVcBn3eytMSlRu23doMLCJ-uZa4/s1600/El+Quim+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJhmUtY6fHJVLpmByM54oc2lMdsNkP3vY9cMxPKvqdn04qTA7Y_nIPdsL3rODYcXYKqZQq8axZHA4rRblUqguARk4uRbIBroYFj8PAI15N3vSGp2zkaVcBn3eytMSlRu23doMLCJ-uZa4/s400/El+Quim+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Another notable meal in Barcelona was at Kaiku on the Barceloneta seafront. When in Spain one automatically craves for paella but the truth is that authentic paella is from Valencia and most of the examples you find elsewhere are but lame imitations. The rice dishes at Kaiku are technically <i>arroz</i> but they still did well to quell my paella craving.<br />
<br />
<i>Arroz Negro con Sepia</i> - the pearly smoked <i>bomba</i> rice cooked in squid ink is quite tasty.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyfa0viWIkXr_ZB4X8qlzpVBm1f4KFZ4chPqOWx7FCOu3H_FLjPrRUYTE_Jyd049iQ_seULifSqK-0-jPJv1cDYgbGHA8x3YYrASPEn_uwF7w2-K2Hr4_MmCnzbqt_WjCTFOS0tyJcME/s1600/Kaiku+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimyfa0viWIkXr_ZB4X8qlzpVBm1f4KFZ4chPqOWx7FCOu3H_FLjPrRUYTE_Jyd049iQ_seULifSqK-0-jPJv1cDYgbGHA8x3YYrASPEn_uwF7w2-K2Hr4_MmCnzbqt_WjCTFOS0tyJcME/s400/Kaiku+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Fideuà</i> - pasta stewed in stock on a paella pan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxyP0VhBvt9nhV_bf_a6LaTl29CgfDNty-BC213fgCafwXskQyBiGduRP5MKvt07QjvIsm7fSXM_x4BJbvMCvMTxBnQEHtJnTjDQ7Xta6XQkDzWudhCrIImK-69SHODlTr-oyaSiEpPw/s1600/Kaiku+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="252" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKxyP0VhBvt9nhV_bf_a6LaTl29CgfDNty-BC213fgCafwXskQyBiGduRP5MKvt07QjvIsm7fSXM_x4BJbvMCvMTxBnQEHtJnTjDQ7Xta6XQkDzWudhCrIImK-69SHODlTr-oyaSiEpPw/s400/Kaiku+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Buying <i>Jamón Ibérico</i> from the famed Jamonissimo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YKTWufdM3MrDFDz74FhoHGp8eEhCLQo4-DlSbxMCe-JwNNUtTfBMtE1I4Epqy5tmH_9z9S6A2mUyNLnibo5-PqvtAyZVxk45ySEHTFjNCJ-VIUNQ9kVG5GE7y9RH6DphhGpWTTgvR74/s1600/Jamonissimo.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="292" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1YKTWufdM3MrDFDz74FhoHGp8eEhCLQo4-DlSbxMCe-JwNNUtTfBMtE1I4Epqy5tmH_9z9S6A2mUyNLnibo5-PqvtAyZVxk45ySEHTFjNCJ-VIUNQ9kVG5GE7y9RH6DphhGpWTTgvR74/s400/Jamonissimo.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The next destination is the food paradise of San Sebastian/Donostia. In the first morning we visited the Mercado el Bretxa. Unfortunately we had neither the time nor the kitchen to cook in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTFK1vVS0Wq0MCqMh_tXGLCE8Qip2K2PjG_AVuSSMnJTDnDm_01lVGS_qGTXY30rt9Bd3Yp8SqaATw5twJWU-5r09FF0h_rGqjEwSyzRzqERoyvxvuSqgEB-vS9Hhc-Y3Peu_tDWpg9Q/s1600/Bretxa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTFK1vVS0Wq0MCqMh_tXGLCE8Qip2K2PjG_AVuSSMnJTDnDm_01lVGS_qGTXY30rt9Bd3Yp8SqaATw5twJWU-5r09FF0h_rGqjEwSyzRzqERoyvxvuSqgEB-vS9Hhc-Y3Peu_tDWpg9Q/s400/Bretxa+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Large <i>cigalas</i> are more pricy than lobsters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4noQDaASDvili8npmPZ7Werv3jkK19QamTu3ZmP7NY2MGi4iXMOPhHl84ID0ODWLiuQzP_YDm2EeDsRLMCciJSqAK4WphcxTloLRm-v7FCYj4G5CYSzWF9TE9tCJjSvw6DuTFnBiZ3A/s1600/Bretxa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj4noQDaASDvili8npmPZ7Werv3jkK19QamTu3ZmP7NY2MGi4iXMOPhHl84ID0ODWLiuQzP_YDm2EeDsRLMCciJSqAK4WphcxTloLRm-v7FCYj4G5CYSzWF9TE9tCJjSvw6DuTFnBiZ3A/s400/Bretxa+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="272" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mNm1yVuaz49esMm-rpJCK1wnNYTWkXKdoI4BZdjywwKU_Ghc89OmCWoOH-lzY7kR0pj6aTBCEtmwz81g8E2YLTjBMOe0rGZB2T47upVHQVPDQD9ET7YgJQ88myU0cWJxu8qmiCR6W_g/s1600/Bretxa+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4mNm1yVuaz49esMm-rpJCK1wnNYTWkXKdoI4BZdjywwKU_Ghc89OmCWoOH-lzY7kR0pj6aTBCEtmwz81g8E2YLTjBMOe0rGZB2T47upVHQVPDQD9ET7YgJQ88myU0cWJxu8qmiCR6W_g/s400/Bretxa+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="245" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Pintxos</i> at La Cuchara de San Telmo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORsAkZ9ljgm_xTbKnpDNoBQQwzhKkutcOKre0tB-0xegEv5UwW2w5t0EEZyyD2DHHuV8jedeh1yCZaHl2NblU-fee1hA9eZIIvcnWeoSZtL76TDt-h4zZMZkSCK_XKm7tflHFUhqui1E/s1600/La+Cuchara+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjORsAkZ9ljgm_xTbKnpDNoBQQwzhKkutcOKre0tB-0xegEv5UwW2w5t0EEZyyD2DHHuV8jedeh1yCZaHl2NblU-fee1hA9eZIIvcnWeoSZtL76TDt-h4zZMZkSCK_XKm7tflHFUhqui1E/s400/La+Cuchara+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Giant scallops with Iberian Bacon - cooked through but not tough at all. The texture of these scallops are markedly different from the Japanese scallops imported here - they were significantly more muscular and robust.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM-75SxS5eZsM3a_3Nd_aT9jEMRsTs9S4qvtxddGVSHiLkoiCjofWXKElSJLc_YCPTT9ld4FL-3YZxOSEFE4HdYQAfS517PDR5TKXORxCc7eiHqtgr0E82K4e9ntsviCQM3u5dDKNpFU/s1600/La+Cuchara+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIM-75SxS5eZsM3a_3Nd_aT9jEMRsTs9S4qvtxddGVSHiLkoiCjofWXKElSJLc_YCPTT9ld4FL-3YZxOSEFE4HdYQAfS517PDR5TKXORxCc7eiHqtgr0E82K4e9ntsviCQM3u5dDKNpFU/s400/La+Cuchara+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Kokotxas</i> or hake throats in <i>pil-pil</i> sauce might not be for everyone but is a definite winner for me. The sauce is full of natural gelatin.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhafpbYaBhvNb6EChwoC6gEuwJqyjPyY93k5NkxKlEeJSpKV-Qnuqt_0BhFkMBnTJR6syp2LSun_ekzK0SwSVLp0H-jZpvpadkDVpP9vj_t1iByMz8LqD_vkiUonv2GAJf3l-V1hew-U/s1600/La+Cuchara+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglhafpbYaBhvNb6EChwoC6gEuwJqyjPyY93k5NkxKlEeJSpKV-Qnuqt_0BhFkMBnTJR6syp2LSun_ekzK0SwSVLp0H-jZpvpadkDVpP9vj_t1iByMz8LqD_vkiUonv2GAJf3l-V1hew-U/s400/La+Cuchara+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
A massive lobe of foie gras on applesauce - nothing quite like pan fried fresh foie. I wish I had more!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWhsUEHir5Yu7S0b4LYywnxDLNelyvrgzuh-EFv4Y8elkuuqMGqnYF2n78aK6gn5fWG98BOVDcpk22MAIpO6OnFfjz9kmGhEWsNCJoh78Vs1_UcbTkIdObbluk_TWFoWABGrm9SzL6cs/s1600/La+Cuchara+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWhsUEHir5Yu7S0b4LYywnxDLNelyvrgzuh-EFv4Y8elkuuqMGqnYF2n78aK6gn5fWG98BOVDcpk22MAIpO6OnFfjz9kmGhEWsNCJoh78Vs1_UcbTkIdObbluk_TWFoWABGrm9SzL6cs/s400/La+Cuchara+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<i>Carrillera</i> (beef cheeks) stewed till fork tender in local Rioja. Yum!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT29gh81fHqM3TA2ICEodSOf8rurayHi200d9JAORvR15anzOsQwXXLk51Kq9jUk1DqSPRt5kzGHe967B3D7hhd9jSx9iORpJVeYLcnTXqd59dizCqIarf1Y45UVaglVa-v1GYbQiOJSg/s1600/La+Cuchara+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT29gh81fHqM3TA2ICEodSOf8rurayHi200d9JAORvR15anzOsQwXXLk51Kq9jUk1DqSPRt5kzGHe967B3D7hhd9jSx9iORpJVeYLcnTXqd59dizCqIarf1Y45UVaglVa-v1GYbQiOJSg/s400/La+Cuchara+5.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Arrive early if you want to beat the crowd!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoarN_QtPwoyWBW7mh0oP10aKWgdImlP1xbk6JngfgIMIeCdhBVLAzinAuAsg5zwGei3BT6dtqB_JP1Ey08LQIvjTEAESnz-mjKqdL0NPB79wK75qd8NDQ4mubrwGwEe_vL1cQzaavPM/s1600/La+Cuchara+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWoarN_QtPwoyWBW7mh0oP10aKWgdImlP1xbk6JngfgIMIeCdhBVLAzinAuAsg5zwGei3BT6dtqB_JP1Ey08LQIvjTEAESnz-mjKqdL0NPB79wK75qd8NDQ4mubrwGwEe_vL1cQzaavPM/s400/La+Cuchara+6.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="285" /></a></div>
<br />
Other <i>pintxos</i> at San Sebastian. This is from Bar Goiz Argui just outside the market.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzDwISAmnrmSilXJWZi_ziRlokDloL4yftpVLF8fKSEgA-x6mSwKsEjsd52Bquk8uyLmpfGHEOYqEny_FV1hP1WuscB5xrMJWjHOLpgoypxFzy3vWhahE9Bxvw5dFRHnylQBSPRUg-v0/s1600/Pintxo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrzDwISAmnrmSilXJWZi_ziRlokDloL4yftpVLF8fKSEgA-x6mSwKsEjsd52Bquk8uyLmpfGHEOYqEny_FV1hP1WuscB5xrMJWjHOLpgoypxFzy3vWhahE9Bxvw5dFRHnylQBSPRUg-v0/s400/Pintxo+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Dionne's breakfast on the left, mine on the right. Mine was a phenomenal combination of ham, hard-cooked egg, roasted pepper, crab in mayonnaise, an anchovy fillet and olive oil. It was the best pintxo bite I had.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW2bfS-AuLL_nZUy5i8yYIpMl0j5TmADk8LtMg6GJZp88ZHl8l844FfWAK8IfjaT1rbYk_7aTeNAeMBtf8fuu0-z7ym-s4MnRaAKC6XCA2n_bFbFJid7t20rigydgaWX43dxYdW0vah4/s1600/Pintxo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihW2bfS-AuLL_nZUy5i8yYIpMl0j5TmADk8LtMg6GJZp88ZHl8l844FfWAK8IfjaT1rbYk_7aTeNAeMBtf8fuu0-z7ym-s4MnRaAKC6XCA2n_bFbFJid7t20rigydgaWX43dxYdW0vah4/s400/Pintxo+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
I think these were from Bar Gandarias.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy9uVYcIt6rUri6CgdX0jbgR1VUp4AElpLXhyoVQeAhqWxhZ5oS2OhR8dX_iFHE5uO-td-8ZEBTFp56ph4JXHDGisBxZFHVqalYNU5Sv9mKKg2J_9lHPGKFm3Ek2gcP6ejhofFl9r8js/s1600/Pintxo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyy9uVYcIt6rUri6CgdX0jbgR1VUp4AElpLXhyoVQeAhqWxhZ5oS2OhR8dX_iFHE5uO-td-8ZEBTFp56ph4JXHDGisBxZFHVqalYNU5Sv9mKKg2J_9lHPGKFm3Ek2gcP6ejhofFl9r8js/s400/Pintxo+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib51qrKwnP50Z3svjkpA3WvhBVaPm-c-cyDNM1x1yyyHmgOdhBiCzah7tuUZHtkZ0fGBBdgHShLYsHLs-YXNmmMqoAX1Bf0k2RWomKp9bHxt5c4BrVKyg-Q1h8SagNXicYZReBPt9ZQo8/s1600/Pintxo+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib51qrKwnP50Z3svjkpA3WvhBVaPm-c-cyDNM1x1yyyHmgOdhBiCzah7tuUZHtkZ0fGBBdgHShLYsHLs-YXNmmMqoAX1Bf0k2RWomKp9bHxt5c4BrVKyg-Q1h8SagNXicYZReBPt9ZQo8/s400/Pintxo+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
And these from A Fuego Negro.<br />
<br />
Fried tomato 'soup'. I frankly don't get it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPGDNYcsSvuaP_N4k1BZgit28vMAIdVD3BEv5s2fbL9khz4QdBE-yupORdKFiDW5u7osqLbjGhRLPMxcTzCU7w64wdgfD5L1TbTmrAm8Ih050b7VFas4ZsiktTfKHx_cJu3bDfOPivhg/s1600/Pintxo+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPGDNYcsSvuaP_N4k1BZgit28vMAIdVD3BEv5s2fbL9khz4QdBE-yupORdKFiDW5u7osqLbjGhRLPMxcTzCU7w64wdgfD5L1TbTmrAm8Ih050b7VFas4ZsiktTfKHx_cJu3bDfOPivhg/s400/Pintxo+6.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
More <i>bacalao</i>.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCj1Cq83hNizgM98OM94-yorMTDqxr2QprOgTr9k_6iEaGenk9EKs5kPdtnaKX20ebScbE4Uw4zCIUp1LrGjqF6zNsfdsvBonPskyK-lZ2SJKEVeJycscq5Fie1SfJr8OzPSVxOsSkTw/s1600/Pintxo+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="258" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVCj1Cq83hNizgM98OM94-yorMTDqxr2QprOgTr9k_6iEaGenk9EKs5kPdtnaKX20ebScbE4Uw4zCIUp1LrGjqF6zNsfdsvBonPskyK-lZ2SJKEVeJycscq5Fie1SfJr8OzPSVxOsSkTw/s400/Pintxo+7.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm70hTFLo-is1fkiBuPK6iXEq6LFEb7clCeGjQTS48gF3QoX-21dPcx1zXlMGi1WkW1VEYQYjEyraIZDYirdvmDZWqJ3uftfcY5xWzFNqXAcOXmytQlzEoOydxC_b1UoD96dzonW54w48/s1600/Pintxo+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[spain]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm70hTFLo-is1fkiBuPK6iXEq6LFEb7clCeGjQTS48gF3QoX-21dPcx1zXlMGi1WkW1VEYQYjEyraIZDYirdvmDZWqJ3uftfcY5xWzFNqXAcOXmytQlzEoOydxC_b1UoD96dzonW54w48/s400/Pintxo+8.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-89584207131167121302011-11-29T01:40:00.001+08:002011-12-05T03:47:14.623+08:00Italy: Florence, Venice, Naples<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
More goodies now from Italy! Unlike many romanticized impressions of Italy, I found that good food isn't as universal as they would like you to think - especially when you are a tourist and not familiar with the language. Rome and Cinque Terre were especially disappointing. Research in advance or regret.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
I very much wanted to try a <i>lampredotto</i> (cow's stomach) sandwich from the market but I ended up with boiled brisket. Nevertheless, it is still scrumptious with the <i>piquante</i> sauce that is no slouch in the spice department!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFJjSCWB75A5ZaLxQsvwtvKO8jEKy1_2yv37A2dsHjpl-Q_exsQKHWJmGKBLKuVuMaaj4O1NyhHRDptyQofG-8obX3l7nQ_KHg25iiA0lFL3V5T-wp4lzJfwi7T8tqPLoUv6aXGPpDDM/s1600/Florence+Sandwich.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="333" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFJjSCWB75A5ZaLxQsvwtvKO8jEKy1_2yv37A2dsHjpl-Q_exsQKHWJmGKBLKuVuMaaj4O1NyhHRDptyQofG-8obX3l7nQ_KHg25iiA0lFL3V5T-wp4lzJfwi7T8tqPLoUv6aXGPpDDM/s400/Florence+Sandwich.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I wanted to try <i>Bistecca Fiorentina</i> so I selected Le Mossacce. I must say I was not too impressed with the steak but the chunky minestrone soup was a hit with Dionne.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ7_y83AINTIYwcfMXuHDu_IKLkYCcaql1W9H03t4XQ9BBQTTdOhhGSs0XZFjdeOl-YCn5e8OeU_xzSRukHIB9VUrgGxfobnPS-MP_p9BrjbYJ5agIlP-DHKdhiD42dvAKye3hrF-9rE/s1600/Mossacce+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcZ7_y83AINTIYwcfMXuHDu_IKLkYCcaql1W9H03t4XQ9BBQTTdOhhGSs0XZFjdeOl-YCn5e8OeU_xzSRukHIB9VUrgGxfobnPS-MP_p9BrjbYJ5agIlP-DHKdhiD42dvAKye3hrF-9rE/s400/Mossacce+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="326" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmE4hFezn4SUajneH4Rtfy-CC1G7Ltg2f05V4wHGjEiyTpK72f0hQf2ABNk1rETPeDb8U2xtt5gXRbKa9cxrRKwUQ_6ov7DNHFL4nhhAgKBnnhbIICawKrDAeTxg0YIrPjDpfSb-Ts30/s1600/Mossacce+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxmE4hFezn4SUajneH4Rtfy-CC1G7Ltg2f05V4wHGjEiyTpK72f0hQf2ABNk1rETPeDb8U2xtt5gXRbKa9cxrRKwUQ_6ov7DNHFL4nhhAgKBnnhbIICawKrDAeTxg0YIrPjDpfSb-Ts30/s400/Mossacce+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The trick in Venice is to venture far away from the well-trodden tourist hot spots. Ai 40 Ladroni is a 10 minutes walk from the main streets in the residential district of Canneregio. Their cuisine made every step of the walk worthwhile. These mussels were cooked to precise second. Reference material for any future mussels.</div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjti5Zn7Uh7ay71jqn-T0DXPiHgH9iXXFVd9pdCfTvuoHkzGo49K9KHJDaq9cWV-tlheSmz2q5Knokv5OQNLg8MBUD41ftIarA10AnBTSjAr7ctdZ2rEdshIKsdnFI1l0EikdTYzXCOaMw/s1600/Ladroni+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjti5Zn7Uh7ay71jqn-T0DXPiHgH9iXXFVd9pdCfTvuoHkzGo49K9KHJDaq9cWV-tlheSmz2q5Knokv5OQNLg8MBUD41ftIarA10AnBTSjAr7ctdZ2rEdshIKsdnFI1l0EikdTYzXCOaMw/s400/Ladroni+5.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqMxSGgaJhNRNkU8boRTDrEVznMoJu2ooUfNaaFpvte5qtNrSIs2hUXLo7qzk4nL2VLg0LcTUKgoTKy9wm0XQzgpreoc_f3GL-JwkyeOA586rJmDg4_jvyQWUqsvXeblKqF7wphKwb9I/s1600/Ladroni+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiqMxSGgaJhNRNkU8boRTDrEVznMoJu2ooUfNaaFpvte5qtNrSIs2hUXLo7qzk4nL2VLg0LcTUKgoTKy9wm0XQzgpreoc_f3GL-JwkyeOA586rJmDg4_jvyQWUqsvXeblKqF7wphKwb9I/s400/Ladroni+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The <i>Spaghetti al Nero di Seppia</i> is also a success. The pasta absorbed the tasty sauce which, despite its colour, was light on its feet and fresh-tasting. It looked like a crippling portion when it arrived but everyone polished off their plates.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsm8bDnlkfATxCzvgwHFrb25fd5Kqa4ZaXl4OodVZLC3VG7herlbAWBySnnVatF9zR1i-Q2FzPCH_4FhgIMPaETkhbFMjloTJddHijCvfqLmIKrRjr3o7p1KLQBS3Ethc0Km2JtvV9IM/s1600/Ladroni+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsm8bDnlkfATxCzvgwHFrb25fd5Kqa4ZaXl4OodVZLC3VG7herlbAWBySnnVatF9zR1i-Q2FzPCH_4FhgIMPaETkhbFMjloTJddHijCvfqLmIKrRjr3o7p1KLQBS3Ethc0Km2JtvV9IM/s400/Ladroni+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We liked Ai 40 Ladroni so much we returned for dinner the next day. This time I tried the <i>Spaghetti alla Vongole</i> which is also nice but not as sublime as the rendition in cuttlefish ink sauce. We shared a platter of expertly fried fish - prawns, baby squid, whitebait and sardines.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHgDbzgXFtddeHyTX7OgFuLvsa0CBM_vzTI0BT3AU-tNqnSIQvqpt99WJTkwBkgNydOlu-IG7g9KI87c5YaQzbU29087tEQfwSzCXJyVaGAzJayleFYw857Pou6PfvRWqtQrxD53806c/s1600/Ladroni+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvHgDbzgXFtddeHyTX7OgFuLvsa0CBM_vzTI0BT3AU-tNqnSIQvqpt99WJTkwBkgNydOlu-IG7g9KI87c5YaQzbU29087tEQfwSzCXJyVaGAzJayleFYw857Pou6PfvRWqtQrxD53806c/s400/Ladroni+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wp3zxUBaVihhlCufrN_dagpbpVmnPyqHPcYaLYKDXJAPtdWB2UIGMgdP2PoXMzVCv7IZtJRMvzyA13vDZX4DSWv9M_iN4FEtvVaCT95s1A-sPEuYvQqOyBkLf13XkmEmUrWLveKQ1A/s1600/Ladroni+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj12wp3zxUBaVihhlCufrN_dagpbpVmnPyqHPcYaLYKDXJAPtdWB2UIGMgdP2PoXMzVCv7IZtJRMvzyA13vDZX4DSWv9M_iN4FEtvVaCT95s1A-sPEuYvQqOyBkLf13XkmEmUrWLveKQ1A/s400/Ladroni+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In Venice we also tried their version of tapas called <i>cicchetti</i> at All'Arco.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGOAVw27WimljetSi2dHS352lRJ3x95qSKiYlvcfQD4ZEGse3sJIi5Oiby4D9K6-s9iip82xY6wZKvumdvWDBPjHhXi-pKvgFab3GF2Bh0bL0VAZgRKHtkfW2zbj7wNPNO37AVSnt5jA/s1600/All%2527Arco+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIGOAVw27WimljetSi2dHS352lRJ3x95qSKiYlvcfQD4ZEGse3sJIi5Oiby4D9K6-s9iip82xY6wZKvumdvWDBPjHhXi-pKvgFab3GF2Bh0bL0VAZgRKHtkfW2zbj7wNPNO37AVSnt5jA/s400/All%2527Arco+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Baby octopus stuffed with fish roe - this is really good!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfwVHkGyt2ZRVylOa2VgXQ_DB3IGVbv3NwOk2xKhjHjV9pvxmFt7GcZ7P_vsJOdRWR3RcOtRgac6iydJ3dBWMDCcrpU1busjRZsCQX5iKDJfTziehEa0t1_WmeRngRloZui7X89_8D14/s1600/All%2527Arco+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmfwVHkGyt2ZRVylOa2VgXQ_DB3IGVbv3NwOk2xKhjHjV9pvxmFt7GcZ7P_vsJOdRWR3RcOtRgac6iydJ3dBWMDCcrpU1busjRZsCQX5iKDJfTziehEa0t1_WmeRngRloZui7X89_8D14/s400/All%2527Arco+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I felt like I needed some vegetables in my system and these really hit the spot.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKqdPJYwOOBzAgBdx5BHuwPWG-IFyXsnjrCNwL8DOQ1WbP1AvrMYR-aE3LYC0k7cOtKkzZ2U1HHCU6Th2Z5Mv3o1A9fL-8fX03vGOss8sVPMjn-XucLi1J8jGUO_4BHXE26DnJ0Hkz6Y/s1600/All%2527Arco+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDKqdPJYwOOBzAgBdx5BHuwPWG-IFyXsnjrCNwL8DOQ1WbP1AvrMYR-aE3LYC0k7cOtKkzZ2U1HHCU6Th2Z5Mv3o1A9fL-8fX03vGOss8sVPMjn-XucLi1J8jGUO_4BHXE26DnJ0Hkz6Y/s400/All%2527Arco+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: justify;">
We took a day trip to Naples exclusively for pizza. The original plan was to visit Pompeii but it was so baking hot it would have been suicidal to be out in the open. We made it to Pizzeria Sorbillo just before closing. The Napoli pizza is very different from what we have here. It is cooked very rapidly in the intensely hot oven so the rims are nicely puffed and charred while the dough in the centre remains very soft and chewy. I requested for a <i>magherita </i>with buffalo mozzarella and was surprised at how resilient the cheese was. I would have liked to try more versions to confirm if that is a norm or an anomaly.</div>
</div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqkukMFtDm509av5XCjrnC5K7kcsXx5enVLRs-p2i6d80G6hVPobFUmwTaklIlVrDM-aecy5MTm0TllIofjaj3bVUq6-CyxJCsoE5BEcEV24vrd-VB1gDa3cCL2hEN7vf2A-hmBBieY0/s1600/El+Presidente+Oven.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxqkukMFtDm509av5XCjrnC5K7kcsXx5enVLRs-p2i6d80G6hVPobFUmwTaklIlVrDM-aecy5MTm0TllIofjaj3bVUq6-CyxJCsoE5BEcEV24vrd-VB1gDa3cCL2hEN7vf2A-hmBBieY0/s400/El+Presidente+Oven.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP62XJ7m1ImUaptZzIZsMLfD2CoY7lzgnaBnostHvNo4YDPOnmtCVLKXF2If0NwLwo-jst2YjQWAxpBiLO3qCvk1HGvf91hoSxLOSsqI5hEhqmaikbzQnvLkrKits-BW6DXAtRpfn5fK0/s1600/Sorbillo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="250" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP62XJ7m1ImUaptZzIZsMLfD2CoY7lzgnaBnostHvNo4YDPOnmtCVLKXF2If0NwLwo-jst2YjQWAxpBiLO3qCvk1HGvf91hoSxLOSsqI5hEhqmaikbzQnvLkrKits-BW6DXAtRpfn5fK0/s400/Sorbillo+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoP836VxLvl5QJfXaeql_4sZIeNDW9s8KD2spCk52pTxX-yfaJNromSkY7kdKANu_D5_sFsLXr2zDWpygtpuGQqSbLUESVvrbBk-g5MuBS3v6R__gsn5ekuSGaIKcNOY8VWpOfkmEwWc/s1600/Sorbillo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[italy]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivoP836VxLvl5QJfXaeql_4sZIeNDW9s8KD2spCk52pTxX-yfaJNromSkY7kdKANu_D5_sFsLXr2zDWpygtpuGQqSbLUESVvrbBk-g5MuBS3v6R__gsn5ekuSGaIKcNOY8VWpOfkmEwWc/s400/Sorbillo+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-72447151170377574262011-11-29T00:47:00.001+08:002011-12-05T03:49:47.799+08:00France: Nice, Bordeaux and Brittany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Here are some of food photos I collected in my magical summer around Europe.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Summer is the season for strawberries and these from Carrefour as as great as any.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oyzB14C5hs4LgGF4GK-ANJ6l5GKJd1Moa7coxX_EldVYkBwYANtaC-BVel53YwkP6H4Vi2Cmu0WaOz3dK_1Plnva1bWo6EAJ_5T-i1K-v1xEDrnXQIPaMY7h47UDlZML-Qn3dnJ5fEk/s1600/Troyes+Strawberries.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_oyzB14C5hs4LgGF4GK-ANJ6l5GKJd1Moa7coxX_EldVYkBwYANtaC-BVel53YwkP6H4Vi2Cmu0WaOz3dK_1Plnva1bWo6EAJ_5T-i1K-v1xEDrnXQIPaMY7h47UDlZML-Qn3dnJ5fEk/s400/Troyes+Strawberries.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Tomatoes from the Troyes Market - incredibly sweet, juicy and delicate. One of the best tasting things I ever put in my mouth.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Y1ukc1DZcnFuHkSEvJReDw48EGKJN5wjEXwSqN7hQyBUNoiOSOFr5iyCKxLlowt4vfq3rgHl8JjC0l4Kty1wTOmu03m_60y3KK8C15fpIHTlp1QGIraAtPYWR8m6Rt5iIZCeAIaC1c/s1600/Troyes+Tomatoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF7Y1ukc1DZcnFuHkSEvJReDw48EGKJN5wjEXwSqN7hQyBUNoiOSOFr5iyCKxLlowt4vfq3rgHl8JjC0l4Kty1wTOmu03m_60y3KK8C15fpIHTlp1QGIraAtPYWR8m6Rt5iIZCeAIaC1c/s400/Troyes+Tomatoes.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<i>Boudin Noir</i> also from the market. It looks quite scary but trust me it's delicious when fried crispy and accompanied with caramelized apples and mashed potatoes. Though I cannot imagine myself tucking into one that is boiled.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS0SuwG7vj6uTce9fBNXulA7lxSz-rPqtvvNxbzvTW6FHZP29LTF2pV2EVIvg2fmtVLsTQEdg_9Qx3G_cVXiI0ataypY3TFJLEg4KmTGou0uzWjdrZuaHi-3tm9QROzn7X_clURSdQ_Y/s1600/Troyes+Boundin+Noir.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyS0SuwG7vj6uTce9fBNXulA7lxSz-rPqtvvNxbzvTW6FHZP29LTF2pV2EVIvg2fmtVLsTQEdg_9Qx3G_cVXiI0ataypY3TFJLEg4KmTGou0uzWjdrZuaHi-3tm9QROzn7X_clURSdQ_Y/s400/Troyes+Boundin+Noir.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
We missed out on trying the <i>Soupe de Poission</i> in Marseilles so I followed a Chowhound recommendation to Chez Acchiardo in Nice. The fish soup was awesome - murky and deep brown but bursting with the essence of the sea. Rub a raw garlic over croutons and smear on some rouille and it all comes together vecry nicely.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa6uFTrPQurEbq191jRQT7Pp7dcIu7-M9277XHRHRv30kQ0MFh3Ucj2lhgxEdTdyPBa3_i0w-WIIWthn2qFGCaUDIIdTt3ELrD_EDKIHSpdtVINZ81p_vmCytkV8hFSrGI0CArDFW3co/s1600/Acchiardo+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEa6uFTrPQurEbq191jRQT7Pp7dcIu7-M9277XHRHRv30kQ0MFh3Ucj2lhgxEdTdyPBa3_i0w-WIIWthn2qFGCaUDIIdTt3ELrD_EDKIHSpdtVINZ81p_vmCytkV8hFSrGI0CArDFW3co/s400/Acchiardo+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiZ4CkOEca4OhnZ7H8HNrB3OVzLS6cQ2T7PumtQrT2kveKVd_AQYfPPvWf5Z7GWf3U7Rumcvr8kqjtF0KONwxD9mns0GLMiQx1w5IKakUmAvHvO8bZAyfX8ODWkmlG60TJ0l6cVpxuas/s1600/Acchiardo+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqiZ4CkOEca4OhnZ7H8HNrB3OVzLS6cQ2T7PumtQrT2kveKVd_AQYfPPvWf5Z7GWf3U7Rumcvr8kqjtF0KONwxD9mns0GLMiQx1w5IKakUmAvHvO8bZAyfX8ODWkmlG60TJ0l6cVpxuas/s400/Acchiardo+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Nice looked like a nice city to explore if the crowds thinned out a little. I would like to return in future.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
One city that I wouldn't return in Bordeaux. Yes, the Place des Quinconces was breathtakingly beautiful at sunset but rest of the city was mind-numbingly boring.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLGSzWSoaqznMoWzht-1qd_sLoIt58Vsae9dKw_SJzOf5dfKsAVSx6aH78t2YUq5rF-Dp6Cyfaj7f-reXbJ_TeSoBk4HqSk4lloo5yDvdcMgctDO430r2AbB71C6_fYiYqEOtsQ1Vbyk/s1600/Bordeaux.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLGSzWSoaqznMoWzht-1qd_sLoIt58Vsae9dKw_SJzOf5dfKsAVSx6aH78t2YUq5rF-Dp6Cyfaj7f-reXbJ_TeSoBk4HqSk4lloo5yDvdcMgctDO430r2AbB71C6_fYiYqEOtsQ1Vbyk/s400/Bordeaux.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Anyhow the other highlight of Bordeaux was the famous <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/L'Entrec%C3%B4te">l'Entrecôte</a> chain. My steak, requested <i>saignant</i>, was done perfectly rare and very tender. The lengendary sauce was addictive and the fries hot, crispy and free-flowing. This took care of my <i>steak-frites</i> craving. The picture below shows half of one's steak, the other half is kept warm on a heated platter.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOog4jS3HU8d1Hl8ZVCyNOL7Pf4cPRTBxVWH9RBeVXpd5puAvk3sYmD3FA5rE-nFSSEwhxwGv5nc29flRC5ejoZovius9qgfY3mtOEDBJ8jlgrmuQgLhKckb2iGGzloVcUcKUuhTLykHo/s1600/Entrecote.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOog4jS3HU8d1Hl8ZVCyNOL7Pf4cPRTBxVWH9RBeVXpd5puAvk3sYmD3FA5rE-nFSSEwhxwGv5nc29flRC5ejoZovius9qgfY3mtOEDBJ8jlgrmuQgLhKckb2iGGzloVcUcKUuhTLykHo/s400/Entrecote.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The final stop before returning to Paris is the picturesque coast of Brittany. We visited Saint-Malo, Mont Saint Michel and the fishing village of Cancale. We had the obligatory one dozen oysters at the market. They tasted fine but were a little flabby at this time of the year. Summer is not the time for oysters.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2sDmAtITpeam6_j5cGdOLHdRjGciC3tgvlp6ieEN2brtD9L1FrGHyrN8xjvFupQaWgC37zIX1qM_hv0cQyUJu-bd9n13IkoazUKwhDkRagSz8Ggma8Av9S6THT8SsCldaExKc40vY5M/s1600/Cancale+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg2sDmAtITpeam6_j5cGdOLHdRjGciC3tgvlp6ieEN2brtD9L1FrGHyrN8xjvFupQaWgC37zIX1qM_hv0cQyUJu-bd9n13IkoazUKwhDkRagSz8Ggma8Av9S6THT8SsCldaExKc40vY5M/s400/Cancale+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="305" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX70EbmSoUXReVucrw3UM5HywCoc2UTek1A-T6fPvF4zYycEOM9Vwmnee_eewUJAx0q-xP-c8KFY433FmbEkohHpPaNUYjgdJpFmUOk8PjHP1fxfFqDpV38fFCjlnjiMUkn8D2fEF-OI/s1600/Cancale+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNX70EbmSoUXReVucrw3UM5HywCoc2UTek1A-T6fPvF4zYycEOM9Vwmnee_eewUJAx0q-xP-c8KFY433FmbEkohHpPaNUYjgdJpFmUOk8PjHP1fxfFqDpV38fFCjlnjiMUkn8D2fEF-OI/s400/Cancale+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="257" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6v-xjVz9AW6uN0h0j5fYGuyIhYcEPDBf5_Wkr3JhbDtGhbKrH2ked5OiGBR6NIkJQuNqsEtfVRlQFcT8YQ9-sfLhxKO3WtuoCOj3KyfrKR71Jq2Ihbe2eO2jcsJvqWajxL1gOMNihow/s1600/Cancale+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6v-xjVz9AW6uN0h0j5fYGuyIhYcEPDBf5_Wkr3JhbDtGhbKrH2ked5OiGBR6NIkJQuNqsEtfVRlQFcT8YQ9-sfLhxKO3WtuoCOj3KyfrKR71Jq2Ihbe2eO2jcsJvqWajxL1gOMNihow/s400/Cancale+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While not the prime time for oysters, summer is definitely the prime time for lobsters! Not wanting to risk paying high prices to dine on inferior produce, I bought the lobster from <a href="http://www.viviers-de-cancale.com/">Vivers de Cancale</a> who supplies Roellinger's les Maison de Bricourt. At any rate, these lobsters are sweet sweet sweet! It needs no sauce for the tomalley (liver) is so creamy you use it as a dip. Just reminiscing it makes me salivate!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd5ABzI475dR05CEH4gchypqbLrAs14kF9D7EzeliMce12hJs3Et9LN9ji_tSNejlm9NxeSMr7ov2x0zQXoZ4PZMGcmbgchQsbe_kn12sl_uXM8YH4av9y5-FIDqoZNZsoEdJKLwbFQ8/s1600/Homard+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCd5ABzI475dR05CEH4gchypqbLrAs14kF9D7EzeliMce12hJs3Et9LN9ji_tSNejlm9NxeSMr7ov2x0zQXoZ4PZMGcmbgchQsbe_kn12sl_uXM8YH4av9y5-FIDqoZNZsoEdJKLwbFQ8/s400/Homard+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrdp59s0QixcA311sv5I4TwLRTs9CIrSxx8lxiW5Z-LwW2FKwWF5rh2UqWm_m1ak-VA86HYWJ7mx51DJZUIm8swe0vC3MT1JhXa2X-6K5I_W7WQWtNbeMCbNhbJxszTfAgKkpVfvOMs8/s1600/Homard+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[france]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRrdp59s0QixcA311sv5I4TwLRTs9CIrSxx8lxiW5Z-LwW2FKwWF5rh2UqWm_m1ak-VA86HYWJ7mx51DJZUIm8swe0vC3MT1JhXa2X-6K5I_W7WQWtNbeMCbNhbJxszTfAgKkpVfvOMs8/s400/Homard+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-81255859249658676092011-11-28T23:30:00.001+08:002011-11-29T16:01:23.810+08:00Paris: Chez l'Ami Jean - Round 2After my first meal at Chez l’Ami Jean <a href="http://gyuto.blogspot.com/2011/06/paris-chez-lami-jean.html">2 months earlier</a>
which left me pining for more, I returned for a second round on the last leg of
my epic trip before flying home. With Max and Jia Le held up at the airport,
our dining party was reduced to a man date between Desmond and me. C’est
dommage!<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This time, I was determined to have the complete Carte
Blanche instead of the reduced menu we had last time. Walking in for the dead
last seating at 9.30pm, and we were starving and ready.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-uVMA39ipE6-2AQNa1cgbHxsclZkzPOY8Slu8Gp78KPHWTulVr0RitHW0v0W7DB2fGXlzSL1PI5ZYmxdOWCR8PHLVh9IYrTCiAfplQ17_DLwe1rzZzav2lmG7TgQYIsZeo9oO62dxGc/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp-uVMA39ipE6-2AQNa1cgbHxsclZkzPOY8Slu8Gp78KPHWTulVr0RitHW0v0W7DB2fGXlzSL1PI5ZYmxdOWCR8PHLVh9IYrTCiAfplQ17_DLwe1rzZzav2lmG7TgQYIsZeo9oO62dxGc/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+8.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We began with a mushroom soup – an intense earthy stock was
enriched minimally with cream then frothed - quite similar in mouthfeel to the
fish bisque we had previously. Bits of crisp bacon and fresh peas provided
crunchiness and truffle oil upped the aroma factor, lifting an often abused classic
preparation to the echelons of fine dining.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp8feE-MkpAsaKYXJsKE-22f_KgqpJqCWpva3gmeUMDrDnfFvhOuLxhOLFq5KfdbZScZyhaVgp5zURmRP9LdbGG8TFQR7pHsjaaHCXxWTugqhWGLYIb8U5MPefjR6W97ERBrVGevMdl4/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmp8feE-MkpAsaKYXJsKE-22f_KgqpJqCWpva3gmeUMDrDnfFvhOuLxhOLFq5KfdbZScZyhaVgp5zURmRP9LdbGG8TFQR7pHsjaaHCXxWTugqhWGLYIb8U5MPefjR6W97ERBrVGevMdl4/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The next course was a repeat of the last meal – a clay crock
of baby scallops steamed in its own juices with butter and plenty of chives.
The scallops themselves were frankly quite bland and mild. The best part of
dish was the sweet broth collected at the bottom of the crock which I liberally
soaked up with bread. I was therefore quite mad when the crock was abruptly
removed while I was floundering in my head to find the French to ask the
waitress to leave it there!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaCOPC_IHGKVxcEjBkW0DjGdQh2c192F5UnFcpT2sW1XEzbfGDTAVYmE_F9YFybxbKkBGRppZ-H77KxJmLX-Y1TI7r4W2yv2o3CQQZvZ9-O9H1VRK9op2uXmTmekrxqtyy6xDIsiEaoU/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZaCOPC_IHGKVxcEjBkW0DjGdQh2c192F5UnFcpT2sW1XEzbfGDTAVYmE_F9YFybxbKkBGRppZ-H77KxJmLX-Y1TI7r4W2yv2o3CQQZvZ9-O9H1VRK9op2uXmTmekrxqtyy6xDIsiEaoU/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Any remnants of displeasure vanished when the second fish
course arrived. A whole tail of Brittany lobster braised in butter paired with a
wedge of caramelized peach. The firmness and sweetness of the blue Homard
lobster is far superior to the “live” lobsters we get imported here in
Singapore. The fruity peach and briny lobster would have been brilliantly
paired with a slice of foie gras. I would attempt that soon!<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZDRnhQJclrfYR4E_WeWOC0kuUvl5RJrnZrISg__C0N1Y3i6a9r7LU7vDcMhiptK7h-ZbGnqEW41fm9pflsayWVK8HguNGQ_LIdYJ8GItyVailkIsB6T74-hFoaSFtboHnSykD7MABTY/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCZDRnhQJclrfYR4E_WeWOC0kuUvl5RJrnZrISg__C0N1Y3i6a9r7LU7vDcMhiptK7h-ZbGnqEW41fm9pflsayWVK8HguNGQ_LIdYJ8GItyVailkIsB6T74-hFoaSFtboHnSykD7MABTY/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Through the night, we saw many tables end their savoury
courses with a generous but manageable half rack of lamb. We were expecting the
same as we watched the action in the kitchen when from the corner of my eye I
spotted a massive Cote de Boeuf being brought out. Instinctively, I craned by
neck to search for the lucky quartet it was heading for only to have my vision suddenly
all blocked out by a crusty slab of ribeye. Queried by our Audrey Tatou
lookalike waitress, “Ça va?”, we could only nod dumbly in speechless shock.
Yes, that 1 kilogramme Wagyu ribeye steak was for us to share. Quickly, it was
whisked away, carved and returned on a bed of sautéed Girolles and braised baby
turnips then sprinkled with parsley breadcrumbs. The steak was seared rare (we
were not asked for our preferences). It was quite tasty, almost bordering on
sweet and rich without being overly fatty - I guess that the beef came from a
hybrid Wagyu cow. The use of breadcrumbs here was a genius touch. When coupled
with the beef, it somehow gave the illusion of a more substantial and crunchy
outer crust. There was enough for 3 servings each as well as the bone in a
doggy bag. <br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCvaKxWTTLbQAKXLCS-F9-vzcpBvAQVf2HII4Qo9xEvPzJ1b3-XsMS3lJmuvXLzm-ce8SAkzqSW7nhcGvv1uSH-X4yNVI3K6sXdkmHtxVm11JzrhDPZicHWjHPzW1C8c2J2GNHpY45DU/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" cursor="url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixCvaKxWTTLbQAKXLCS-F9-vzcpBvAQVf2HII4Qo9xEvPzJ1b3-XsMS3lJmuvXLzm-ce8SAkzqSW7nhcGvv1uSH-X4yNVI3K6sXdkmHtxVm11JzrhDPZicHWjHPzW1C8c2J2GNHpY45DU/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+7.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobvGWjuD8pQjlRth4iv59_6W6ISm0uAVnmzw6Mw9zfHlQNTT329mq45aQLp4xnwocbWfECyukgj3B6ZOLZXifYmENpSVJ2spO0i0CHglOSHOVXtGQM3L_dT3JjzkBAc_ON7NB61KQzYU/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhobvGWjuD8pQjlRth4iv59_6W6ISm0uAVnmzw6Mw9zfHlQNTT329mq45aQLp4xnwocbWfECyukgj3B6ZOLZXifYmENpSVJ2spO0i0CHglOSHOVXtGQM3L_dT3JjzkBAc_ON7NB61KQzYU/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_y1o4bHndXtrZXcVE9vmQE1V-_KhD7-Wo8xOPAVVkIhyphenhyphenO1hknjL87qpXDu3p3K8lTeZ40N1XF8uanSv-Qrfc3WsoT6IeIo_6ZOmiu07e8xfYmlg3cRIfJ6DJjriNRdcZ3jIl-448F_s/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5_y1o4bHndXtrZXcVE9vmQE1V-_KhD7-Wo8xOPAVVkIhyphenhyphenO1hknjL87qpXDu3p3K8lTeZ40N1XF8uanSv-Qrfc3WsoT6IeIo_6ZOmiu07e8xfYmlg3cRIfJ6DJjriNRdcZ3jIl-448F_s/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+5.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
Just as we felt ready to die from a burst stomach, Chez
l’Ami Jean’s famous rice pudding was served. Much have been written on this
dessert and it was truly as good as people claim. To quote <a href="http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/category/restaurant-reviews/france/paris/chez-lami-jean/">FoodSnob</a>, “A big,
big bowl of pearly white rice pudding (also like grandmother made) with swirls
of <i>confiture de lait..</i>. The <i>riz </i>was velvety and smooth;
strong enough to hold a wooden spoon upright, but not sticky. The <i>bomba</i> rice
– a Valencian, premium-quality short grain, quite starchy and considered the
best sort for paella – was an inspired choice. The fat grains were firm and
distinct, but had just started to melt around the edges, exaggerating the <i>riz
au lait’s</i> creaminess… easily the best rice pudding I have ever eaten.”
We barely made a dent in the huge bowl.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We were also served 2 mini-desserts – a chocolate mousse
with cinnamon cracker as well as a bowl of marinated persimmons.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ukFAK2fOJzi-pzx_jpX6Xs9top7uxJm2VEAKEOzAah3FN7t4EWab3ZWBPQac7OSVpDgVnEqCPPqS4MrdiRPR0UdNiSZQeUjtXplNKKgPRJ_6SJJVvbOX3XtrdvdKYtbYM7d8ISdQnzg/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4ukFAK2fOJzi-pzx_jpX6Xs9top7uxJm2VEAKEOzAah3FN7t4EWab3ZWBPQac7OSVpDgVnEqCPPqS4MrdiRPR0UdNiSZQeUjtXplNKKgPRJ_6SJJVvbOX3XtrdvdKYtbYM7d8ISdQnzg/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+6.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="277" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72IOGa_FarNs5H2-sOhMT2UiTal1iQ3-mG7YivfjkwWt7_cNM2cFgISaxlAxG1csZP8Le_tMX7pXnbP3A_MoXhzXUAzzbL9enF8W5pcNNa1WWxkB1xACEYL-GKNJGQXl5iJQnUkA6xvo/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj72IOGa_FarNs5H2-sOhMT2UiTal1iQ3-mG7YivfjkwWt7_cNM2cFgISaxlAxG1csZP8Le_tMX7pXnbP3A_MoXhzXUAzzbL9enF8W5pcNNa1WWxkB1xACEYL-GKNJGQXl5iJQnUkA6xvo/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+9.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In all, the execution at Chez l’Ami Jean was flawless and
its serving more than generous but it would not be unfair to say that the Carte
Blanche was rather safe and conventional. Perhaps we arrived too late for
dinner and ingredients were running low and/or they deliberately do a less adventurous
menu for international tourists. To illustrate what Chef Jégo is capable of,
take a look at Barbara Austin’s review on her <a href="http://www.barbraaustin.com/2010/07/surf-n-turf-at-chez-lami-jean/">blog</a> – veal and salmon, foie gras
and cod, lobster and <i>boudin noir</i> etc.
When I return I have to find a way to convey my willingness to try their more
creative offerings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8r7UOEdkc75iNtnE9icc3vLXPjhfQR5GGGz4IQAryWIWPDzuRtv8U25peGtj5fmezoAuJTacdMYAiPiBmDks2pPWb_7eQJa07DH9Yk7IRBBuBDnQdd2I1a29NebgA4FjHzCReqMyeyE/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[clj2]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO8r7UOEdkc75iNtnE9icc3vLXPjhfQR5GGGz4IQAryWIWPDzuRtv8U25peGtj5fmezoAuJTacdMYAiPiBmDks2pPWb_7eQJa07DH9Yk7IRBBuBDnQdd2I1a29NebgA4FjHzCReqMyeyE/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2+10.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="260" /></a></div>
</div>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-9207245765511203032011-08-13T14:49:00.009+08:002011-11-29T16:01:46.616+08:00San Sebastian: Asador Etxebarri - Wood, Smoke and AshEtxebarri’s story has already been told and retold countless times. The restaurant is nestled in the rolling hills of the Axpe (with a population of 2 digits by my estimation) deep in Basque countryChef Victor Arguinzoniz practises unprecedented precision and finesse on the technique of grilling. His obsessions range from making his own charcoals in temperature–controlled ovens to manufacturing his specially-designed grills and grilling paraphernalia. For more on the restaurant and the man behind it, read this excellent article from <a href="http://www.foodandwine.com/articles/victor-arguinzoniz-the-grilling-genius-of-spain">Food and Wine</a>.<br />
<br />
On the morning of the meal I met with Aleta, whom I met on the TripAdvisor board, who has kindly volunteered to drive us to Axpe and join me for lunch. It would have otherwise been a 2 hour trip each way by bus! Thank you Aleta! After a missed exit and a couple of false turns, we made it to Axpe. Etxebarri lies in its central plaza.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRO9rV2QJ4A8ZdgXLdHIpMUeZIClz3HI4yl5W9c1-V5mI8EkA4WcLHmEHesnpw80tFF48LvKiTeuu8P8H-NoIp8YwzV5KvxlGV38Nqt_0lDuX6y1IXcjrfyVUD5ZoXt5oSDlGpyvnnGI/s1600/Etxebarri+0.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img 400"="" border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRO9rV2QJ4A8ZdgXLdHIpMUeZIClz3HI4yl5W9c1-V5mI8EkA4WcLHmEHesnpw80tFF48LvKiTeuu8P8H-NoIp8YwzV5KvxlGV38Nqt_0lDuX6y1IXcjrfyVUD5ZoXt5oSDlGpyvnnGI/s400/Etxebarri+0.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We settled down on a window side table looking out to countryside. The tasting menu looked terrific but I was also intrigued to try out their legendary house-made Chorizo. If both my wallet and my stomach were bottomless, I would have also gone for some clams, anchovies and a whole turbot. Alas, if only I had consecutive-day reservations!<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM7aeBr3vUqv1hU0TVzuZlO5OqKr54Zw8MuH8eb9PwSQDYHD5nQYIxsYUdhLUVtYKhOPQPAT7COZB5Byc8I1r7HuvObCNlsBuAsSQwnxgpKx2Ok524HYJnI7CykeLME3Qm1kcNwGBJbo/s1600/Etxebarri+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyM7aeBr3vUqv1hU0TVzuZlO5OqKr54Zw8MuH8eb9PwSQDYHD5nQYIxsYUdhLUVtYKhOPQPAT7COZB5Byc8I1r7HuvObCNlsBuAsSQwnxgpKx2Ok524HYJnI7CykeLME3Qm1kcNwGBJbo/s400/Etxebarri+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispN2WCyJ_lV4XVx_nuPRSVZn_PK8MzaCBgnnYIvXrmDbcrNTy6DRDsu7z99ikHu4-n6-wlqgW_owlsg7WtsDbywQ7R5CosxHUohi5ydFT5qIH7YBGS1r587TqmDDF5Fifq8JliwHM0xA/s1600/Etxebarri+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEispN2WCyJ_lV4XVx_nuPRSVZn_PK8MzaCBgnnYIvXrmDbcrNTy6DRDsu7z99ikHu4-n6-wlqgW_owlsg7WtsDbywQ7R5CosxHUohi5ydFT5qIH7YBGS1r587TqmDDF5Fifq8JliwHM0xA/s400/Etxebarri+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
After an amuse of cubed beets, French beans and crisped bacon, we began our main meal with some fundamentals – bread and butter. An unabashedly-thick slab of hand-churned goat butter rest atop a hunk of grilled country bread. The butter was quite light and airy which magically dissolved in the mouth without leaving a trace of oiliness. Flecks of ashed salt imparted appropriate seasoning.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm4G6xg2M3jd_DzTH62g9QvXVS3nM3GBBh6rpP7a0VrDsNLpCM-i4MLlDhhFYEjv5VnwOmglBk-LZjbAoLSTlOXzkq6FSy_J9QnaNk-WHwQdYmKMsxUYctS9TuemSlrd2_5XJrJStM7E/s1600/Etxebarri+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDm4G6xg2M3jd_DzTH62g9QvXVS3nM3GBBh6rpP7a0VrDsNLpCM-i4MLlDhhFYEjv5VnwOmglBk-LZjbAoLSTlOXzkq6FSy_J9QnaNk-WHwQdYmKMsxUYctS9TuemSlrd2_5XJrJStM7E/s400/Etxebarri+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIu4i1FXd658MvH7csq8AwdA4FwhjRzPDo9CRPmr3WGPSku8jVdfGbrAySPWETmYQvZzm9BfL5bXM4pp3EzFUUndhY9j7zIg11DnZP7EuiaRo0qy9DuKkh4G0W9DjVsHHTvnFtTDzIDw/s1600/Etxebarri+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkIu4i1FXd658MvH7csq8AwdA4FwhjRzPDo9CRPmr3WGPSku8jVdfGbrAySPWETmYQvZzm9BfL5bXM4pp3EzFUUndhY9j7zIg11DnZP7EuiaRo0qy9DuKkh4G0W9DjVsHHTvnFtTDzIDw/s400/Etxebarri+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="267" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
Next came an platter of Chorizo which we ordered a la carte. Perhaps dried charcuterie is just not my thing, but I found it rather unmemorable. Certainly, it was still much better than anything else I tried in Spain.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc2lM6cKZa8iO3NljYRfEenoz4xAWuFSqX-qpS9jho5Q94rfdGzqHIwQJr8zLfHKZ8YT9flmUkUMiwh3GgAEpK_DfG1VsFu0WyO-biT4fhz32IEk5F63RDbHVXeaUqbULAvExBpyOh-U/s1600/Etxebarri+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbc2lM6cKZa8iO3NljYRfEenoz4xAWuFSqX-qpS9jho5Q94rfdGzqHIwQJr8zLfHKZ8YT9flmUkUMiwh3GgAEpK_DfG1VsFu0WyO-biT4fhz32IEk5F63RDbHVXeaUqbULAvExBpyOh-U/s400/Etxebarri+5.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The tasting menu resumed with a massive oyster, shell intact. Underneath sits a plump oyster firmed gently on the hearth and branded with wisps of grill marks. It came with some smoked seaweed and its own juice. One typically characterizes oysters as salty, briny and soggy but Etxebarri’s interpretation, perhaps through a controlled dehydration on the grill, imbues a certain meatiness to the mollusk. Superb.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUtJ1p7Y2QWXtorUpmAad1ZgE-V960poybBeZAKQerGAKnho-g1_AH2yZKmHOHd9ZqlhW3WMEoZ1882jvUARP41Idi498bvhoins7xcR64cjVg_02elko6GrnFAmFxqtUuYKPg_-eonA/s1600/Etxebarri+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWUtJ1p7Y2QWXtorUpmAad1ZgE-V960poybBeZAKQerGAKnho-g1_AH2yZKmHOHd9ZqlhW3WMEoZ1882jvUARP41Idi498bvhoins7xcR64cjVg_02elko6GrnFAmFxqtUuYKPg_-eonA/s400/Etxebarri+6.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
I was quite excited to try Percebes (Goose Barnacles) at Etxebarri for here, I will be definitely encountering the best examples of this mysterious delicacy. They are harvested from the ocean-pounded rocks of Galicia often at extreme risk to the Percebes divers. Consequently, even at the market, Percebes go for a mind-boggling 120 Euros/kilo. Resembling the toes of some prehistoric reptile, they look extremely out of place on the dining plate. The soft outer casing is peeled off to reveal the edible interior with the texture somewhere between a squid and a clam. The grill treatment adds a gentle smoky dimension to the sweetness and brininess.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhZt7tW7CBdRmArGEht0u_zbuGlhwmqffaj1yrm_bYO9-atRqL9BDyonC6_ZKju9edpUn_CEp6H9FuWmcEcw2M_UAb1fiaowRdcFJ5QTRE89FdCYEsdRquCvidScVR9NTJ-wvIh0SxgU/s1600/Etxebarri+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkhZt7tW7CBdRmArGEht0u_zbuGlhwmqffaj1yrm_bYO9-atRqL9BDyonC6_ZKju9edpUn_CEp6H9FuWmcEcw2M_UAb1fiaowRdcFJ5QTRE89FdCYEsdRquCvidScVR9NTJ-wvIh0SxgU/s400/Etxebarri+7.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="303" /></a></div>
<br />
Again and again, diners have declared Etxebarri’s prawns to one of the very best they ever had. These Gambas de Palamos, caught along the Costa Brava, are not exactly local produce but it is certainly a worthwhile trip northwards for these crustaceans to land in the hands of Chef Arguizoniz . When cooked, the hues of red and orange were so bright they threatened to bleed into the air. Interestingly, the aroma of wood fire on this dish is quite evident, even though the prawns themselves look very gently heated. Instead of sucking on the heads like savages, I split them open lengthwise to extract every drop of that elixir. The flavour is unfathomably rich with a sweetness that reveals itself only later. Heaven.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkuexz3HPZGJxVZUKZphMDet0YCBtDT4X-lpanQUNoEIfV1dmlB_08hABvaSA2dzX6RHksPSgQaVwswlteNK53fkPKL-yxccvj5XdBIqUNbkGgR6Kged7VqeEiCdvn4jnWGj6dJo3TjY/s1600/Etxebarri+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJkuexz3HPZGJxVZUKZphMDet0YCBtDT4X-lpanQUNoEIfV1dmlB_08hABvaSA2dzX6RHksPSgQaVwswlteNK53fkPKL-yxccvj5XdBIqUNbkGgR6Kged7VqeEiCdvn4jnWGj6dJo3TjY/s400/Etxebarri+8.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
It is hard to follow up on the climax of the previous plate. Therefore, wisely so, the next dish of baby octopus and spinach played for me the part of a palate cleanser. The octopus is the most heavily charred and smoked item thus far (but still quite tender and mildly sweet) and when these characteristics are combined with the metallic spinach, it results in a refreshing bitterness.<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmAWaLdWvt5RFUWGNfSpxvbvAoJWJxTBrn3eHHOLyib5oQYpFt-EBwE0KVXSod3C1NMTVRzdfpbJZ-NHwj1lqANGPNQiMpj4bXsKcUuA0EmFVvVlcTIrqvs1xGH2sz-oXxt6IgfaSUUE/s1600/Etxebarri+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRmAWaLdWvt5RFUWGNfSpxvbvAoJWJxTBrn3eHHOLyib5oQYpFt-EBwE0KVXSod3C1NMTVRzdfpbJZ-NHwj1lqANGPNQiMpj4bXsKcUuA0EmFVvVlcTIrqvs1xGH2sz-oXxt6IgfaSUUE/s400/Etxebarri+9.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The final dish before the mains was a quartet of baby squids on my caramelized onions. They were grilled with their skin still intact and then stuffed with their own tentacles. Blistered over intense heat, they rode an impossible balance between springy, tender and even crispy on the edges. I never knew that it was possible for squid to be so delicate and flavourful. They were undoubtedly of impeccable provenance. Yet another reference point dish.
<br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bD0EXXzg3OTwdjkiaBmrjaur9H_W5Lsu5RXftuI8XHgXJ3f1g8ZJc_q5vu8z4SMS4fALn05T_VpVT-qB4Ph-jx5qqqJW202CH-9NZrWBS3ivRjuvrYdcwr_9_bzLtv5ABG5eDUxbgss/s1600/Etxebarri+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8bD0EXXzg3OTwdjkiaBmrjaur9H_W5Lsu5RXftuI8XHgXJ3f1g8ZJc_q5vu8z4SMS4fALn05T_VpVT-qB4Ph-jx5qqqJW202CH-9NZrWBS3ivRjuvrYdcwr_9_bzLtv5ABG5eDUxbgss/s400/Etxebarri+10.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
A simple plate composed of a piece of grouper and summer vegetables, all grilled. The precision of the grilling was commendable – the tasty skin was quite crisp while the firm white flesh yielded to squeaky and juicy flakes. Visually, the coagulated proteins on the grouper made for a messy presentation but provided evidence of its freshness. The fish was minimally seasoned and allowed to speak for itself. The grilled vegetables were all nicely done but I felt that they were overcame by the heavy application of the lemon-butter sauce.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1MMze8H0LP5p736iFhPbAtZ21POEsRR7Mz74OjZ76fT1anWcA918ExaoVo7IBS3P4BJgPuAOl1DaqN2QNB6tvUThmNXkASuaKZ5wA9caimSnNK7ZRrPEt1vKdiJPa03isoytPnQWgaQ/s1600/Etxebarri+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF1MMze8H0LP5p736iFhPbAtZ21POEsRR7Mz74OjZ76fT1anWcA918ExaoVo7IBS3P4BJgPuAOl1DaqN2QNB6tvUThmNXkASuaKZ5wA9caimSnNK7ZRrPEt1vKdiJPa03isoytPnQWgaQ/s400/Etxebarri+11.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The final savoury course was another all-time favourite of Etxebarri. They use beef from retired Galician dairy cows at least 5 years old. Their age, combined with their grazing diet, results in a deep beefy flavour. Being a table of 3, we received a massive dry-aged beef chop grilled on the bone, sliced and perked with sea salt. Because of its relative leanness, the cooked surface of the beef is rather woody but the rare insides is pleasantly supple and tender if you manage to avoid the sinews. This made the chewing experience a little tedious. The fat, tasting richly of butter and hazelnuts, was unfortunately trimmed off most parts of the steak. I also wish that they left the cap on, for that is my favourite cut of beef!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DjztMBhReW3WePN4YPlYSeeFWhO3eyMYHbqPHAwooAFoYK00IargkFg-jbz06yc7MdbeTdfljef4mwLhUI4qnZDA2OrgJzSmnzDxg1fmZzCy7OmQeCYnkfbSlZTpRHj5yHFur3Hudvc/s1600/Etxebarri+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="253" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4DjztMBhReW3WePN4YPlYSeeFWhO3eyMYHbqPHAwooAFoYK00IargkFg-jbz06yc7MdbeTdfljef4mwLhUI4qnZDA2OrgJzSmnzDxg1fmZzCy7OmQeCYnkfbSlZTpRHj5yHFur3Hudvc/s400/Etxebarri+12.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Next, a perfect quenelle of reduced milk ice cream in a pool of wild berry sauce. Some report that the milk has been smoked but I could not detect any hint of it. However, the ice cream is still quite unmatched in smoothness though I would have liked it better if served more chilled and firmed.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIc7AX0GI6xyXsp0Y5JrWWtI13Av4PXLy6-pYih5q7EBf4RCIWzw9Fsj1VvSoukeJVpEVbKeXuNOJtfOC6lDK0561RNjDlRFejETLVCDVKxlRRnyIftNJ43vRs3ADJbP8Os-aATsEj2c/s1600/Etxebarri+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="387" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzIc7AX0GI6xyXsp0Y5JrWWtI13Av4PXLy6-pYih5q7EBf4RCIWzw9Fsj1VvSoukeJVpEVbKeXuNOJtfOC6lDK0561RNjDlRFejETLVCDVKxlRRnyIftNJ43vRs3ADJbP8Os-aATsEj2c/s400/Etxebarri+13.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
The second desser was a wobbly cheese flan so delicate that its metal mould was only removed upon service. Even though ordinary in appearance, its depth of flavour blew the socks off the previous dessert. Creamy, cheesy and eggy, it was an ultimate comfort dessert.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4owvnP_GkKEVt7PkJLM6IsnqbUD34hQS05cePP2bTCNBuJEes8fVkt27gKmUg5DPGCkUUsRWjWjGETGu0p6bx89eGck3rujR5ym3kruJxx7wGc0cKUtRYP65dueuw2X8Yyn-J152U6c/s1600/Etxebarri+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd4owvnP_GkKEVt7PkJLM6IsnqbUD34hQS05cePP2bTCNBuJEes8fVkt27gKmUg5DPGCkUUsRWjWjGETGu0p6bx89eGck3rujR5ym3kruJxx7wGc0cKUtRYP65dueuw2X8Yyn-J152U6c/s400/Etxebarri+14.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<br /></div>
I will be back for more.
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuA8MmXqpnVowxmyit4BfZCvcnsuXW4Vh3eRThpHU2NUkvTSqIQjuTnvGyQDhiVFZfwbh8UoZScxAKIYpcREf_0BCp3EvIaBRC-KTeS831jpGEw9bk7wFL6Vl2R_EWFwTfIqmTQEXQ4OA/s1600/Etxebarri+1.jpg" rel="lightbox[etxebarri]" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4XujlvJRQiwLWwso84K21weq3nh1RGgvEAEHu3lS-z81Iee2-jQ-XsCu5Rz9VM1tAUEZkPxyt4R3qbvz2j0hYMIm82S0aNR3Oz8ITky6p7hjpeugHAKL0d344SZDkZpSQtDugm5JweEE/s400/Etxebarri+15.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;" width="266" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-46652216908299676632011-06-07T06:22:00.008+08:002011-11-29T16:01:35.054+08:00Paris: Chez l'Ami JeanHere's some pictures from Chez l'Ami Jean. It was an overall excellent experience with both the food and service. I am not going to write about it now as I am hoping for a second meal in July to make a better assessment.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHxFyBfEp4buscUBRn7XliLFNzTbC7FMFBJ4ZMioBGJ_rlkdx0LkikicSmK3Cd1v1Zhvv2moS7LLEASz20NsawoRm_bHDUzaBbOXTpl__w8tc0DKGjijXGrUsicSemaCv2KYhi3c2wFA/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+1.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630984130286216450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjHxFyBfEp4buscUBRn7XliLFNzTbC7FMFBJ4ZMioBGJ_rlkdx0LkikicSmK3Cd1v1Zhvv2moS7LLEASz20NsawoRm_bHDUzaBbOXTpl__w8tc0DKGjijXGrUsicSemaCv2KYhi3c2wFA/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+1.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 274px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcpDdtZY-VkW0XmhBeuKk_3O8sup_u-7C6MAoiVWIg8UvhnWan1ZfJ0rV64XKfYWnkuKZCtv4r0BxHnpsJBehI_00qAISx5DcK6-ofqOXtRpXEd2BFSskCMsot7xiyNk6fQldbapHw8/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630984121650391986" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafcpDdtZY-VkW0XmhBeuKk_3O8sup_u-7C6MAoiVWIg8UvhnWan1ZfJ0rV64XKfYWnkuKZCtv4r0BxHnpsJBehI_00qAISx5DcK6-ofqOXtRpXEd2BFSskCMsot7xiyNk6fQldbapHw8/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+2.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 296px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVrAljGeMQzKMcmh0Z1aImWEZFB8NrHLkr1jJtskm9hCj4FtcD0Vpvo4T4XqnkxZlQ1DeqY_2HMSV_bp9wo6tBr5MjxJ6PWf-tfAl5hNSCQSjbFIXjD1pK2LJwvZ4JDOpGmiZb-ETYAg/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+3.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630984117194590706" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWVrAljGeMQzKMcmh0Z1aImWEZFB8NrHLkr1jJtskm9hCj4FtcD0Vpvo4T4XqnkxZlQ1DeqY_2HMSV_bp9wo6tBr5MjxJ6PWf-tfAl5hNSCQSjbFIXjD1pK2LJwvZ4JDOpGmiZb-ETYAg/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+3.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 330px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DZcgQKFuxKKgZ3FnWrpELxcrQwyIYm5iMkkir7cPAUYOkvztvZAtc1qopg958dlt-NI3N0LJJWUhepi6UiLw1xJ8cmaUmPlrMS5ZKJhZHvh2O2F2iOED_6Wz0XrF_GDPoY4jOqkAIPg/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+4.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630987162567067090" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_DZcgQKFuxKKgZ3FnWrpELxcrQwyIYm5iMkkir7cPAUYOkvztvZAtc1qopg958dlt-NI3N0LJJWUhepi6UiLw1xJ8cmaUmPlrMS5ZKJhZHvh2O2F2iOED_6Wz0XrF_GDPoY4jOqkAIPg/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+4.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz8Xzvrcy0tlMg_-ZxsFDtpioCwlakDJ6Z2YXKVZpX5mqSKy9OZCiNH881AEIa-PWJDbWXMHbAc1pEQx1-OQBZbMhR7FizrNW0ve3Yg9Nrwv_bkLfG9hz5jHxmMdYY1EEU6C2Mm3sxBs/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+5.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630987150215440450" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgz8Xzvrcy0tlMg_-ZxsFDtpioCwlakDJ6Z2YXKVZpX5mqSKy9OZCiNH881AEIa-PWJDbWXMHbAc1pEQx1-OQBZbMhR7FizrNW0ve3Yg9Nrwv_bkLfG9hz5jHxmMdYY1EEU6C2Mm3sxBs/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+5.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissY_9e5aLL4yqx94Q3FKADsEHxjfYa1FEMB_ofTyq4ANTdwsvH1ZoPM1Z29WiknO2tSbcSSZoO_HfWi1sVUP7ro3E_8xf1zqaWou0MO3J0WdDOhA2_8QJPqR7gtWQhJp82HyVbQ8q8QY/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+6.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630988996420328978" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEissY_9e5aLL4yqx94Q3FKADsEHxjfYa1FEMB_ofTyq4ANTdwsvH1ZoPM1Z29WiknO2tSbcSSZoO_HfWi1sVUP7ro3E_8xf1zqaWou0MO3J0WdDOhA2_8QJPqR7gtWQhJp82HyVbQ8q8QY/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+6.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6p9OA_KTGbtAQdjXb9FADbX2rEVuN1ifZvM1raugmed-3J7AKhAzP-hplzfOa5ksM-pFJMyKHtJZ6Pbiiaq2mK1fxy6IZaE4KUwNhyphenhyphenFkd5jm9P20oGiztdb1jmJJVbkanhLvH9ZJIdw/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+7.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630987145147799186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha6p9OA_KTGbtAQdjXb9FADbX2rEVuN1ifZvM1raugmed-3J7AKhAzP-hplzfOa5ksM-pFJMyKHtJZ6Pbiiaq2mK1fxy6IZaE4KUwNhyphenhyphenFkd5jm9P20oGiztdb1jmJJVbkanhLvH9ZJIdw/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+7.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 249px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBBwdNI6hcQTTpSg_Oeqr5e4VEZigjrZUF6XliL9LVeuFRupr8zAHFMcA2wQHu-HToQFIi799SCiqt16Dtp_eqRP1sJQ14f2I5mYyAbvv1r-Fs5C3SF8YFO5VeWk_j2iHG38xD-8KyL8/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+8.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630984372012251218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTBBwdNI6hcQTTpSg_Oeqr5e4VEZigjrZUF6XliL9LVeuFRupr8zAHFMcA2wQHu-HToQFIi799SCiqt16Dtp_eqRP1sJQ14f2I5mYyAbvv1r-Fs5C3SF8YFO5VeWk_j2iHG38xD-8KyL8/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+8.jpg" style="cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 400px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 375px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9nAywaUPdL-6bWjW1TzLMApcrIc9cqDKnBd5wbbG-okT9JBBkN_FfQOSTl1iexBRkCZ_pS7bdUqPzwKwA9aLZj_T2omRIsMQ61ctz_8BS444aXuvtzgXIteOhuIXeBTUsae4hJqFW1Q/s1600/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+9.jpg" rel="lightbox[clj]"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5630987139669913330" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9nAywaUPdL-6bWjW1TzLMApcrIc9cqDKnBd5wbbG-okT9JBBkN_FfQOSTl1iexBRkCZ_pS7bdUqPzwKwA9aLZj_T2omRIsMQ61ctz_8BS444aXuvtzgXIteOhuIXeBTUsae4hJqFW1Q/s400/Chez+l%2527Ami+Jean+9.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in; display: block; height: 267px; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; width: 400px;" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-51215523487294571942011-03-26T03:25:00.003+08:002011-03-26T03:43:25.396+08:00A TeaserJust to torture some of my readers (you know who you are!). Here's a teaser of what to look out for in about 2.5 months during my trip:<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Asador Etxebarri</span> - Mecca of grilling perfection. My entire schedule was planned around this lunch. Read more at <a href="http://yaokui.blogspot.com/2009/03/asador-etxebarri.html">Yaokui</a>.<br /><span style="font-weight:bold;"><br />Chez l'Ami Jean</span> - Recommended by Gastroville as well. How can I go wrong? Read more at <a href="http://hungryinbangkok.blogspot.com/2010/04/chez-lami-jean-paris-france_23.html">Hungry in Bangkok</a>.<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">Pizzeria Sorbillo</span> - We only have time for one (or two if we rush) pizza in Naples. I hope this is a right choice. Read more at <a href="http://www.scattidigusto.it/2010/10/23/sorbillo-la-pizza-a-napoli-e-tutta-unaltra-storia/">Scattidigusto</a>. Use Google Translate!<br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">La Cuchera de San Telmo</span> - Best Pintxos on Earth? Read more at <a href="http://dudesonfoods.blogspot.com/2009/07/la-cuchara-de-san-telmo.html">Dudes on Food</a>.<br /><br />and many many more!WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-48801061178244494022011-03-25T23:33:00.006+08:002011-07-21T14:24:57.707+08:00Dusting Away the CobwebsAh I’ve been too busy to work on this blog on mine. Taking 3 Physics and 1 French module was a bad idea. Especially the French! Still, it’s not completely due to tedious academic work that I’ve been neglecting my virtual presence – I’m also hammering out my vacation details this summer. Yes, I am Europe bound!<br /><br />Anyway, it doesn’t mean that when my blogging stop, my cooking halts too. I always say I am a foodie first, then trailing far behind, a photographer and then a blogger. Here’s a duo of my effort in the past months. In case you are wondering why deep-fried themes seem to cluster together, it’s called oil recycling.<br /><br />I made a second attempt at fish and chips with some appreciable improvements. Instead of depending on an oil thermometer, I winged the oil temperature and did not too badly. I got the blanching of the fries spot on but I think my deep frying temperature was a tad too high. Still, I suspect that it’s not completely because of the temperature that my fries turned out more brunette than blond. I think that the residual sugar in the potato is browning prematurely. Perhaps they needed a more thorough rinsing. For the fish, I used the same batter but this time I employed the Japanese tempura trick of sprinkling more batter on the fish after dropping it in the oil.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[reblog]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIedUoRdNhiHt_radrGrlEmv9glPeDKShiSXbsu0-XToDotaXPI7Tfg0fXW5TSSR_dhWAZulzDZSvL951vlP01hL7qyECzTJGSFi7UsEFlyxzk2bDIRfRNFFS-YkLlD1SjJYK-QIzRmkg/s1600/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Round+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIedUoRdNhiHt_radrGrlEmv9glPeDKShiSXbsu0-XToDotaXPI7Tfg0fXW5TSSR_dhWAZulzDZSvL951vlP01hL7qyECzTJGSFi7UsEFlyxzk2bDIRfRNFFS-YkLlD1SjJYK-QIzRmkg/s400/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Round+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588044123968357714" /></a><br />The next preparation is unabashedly lifted from the menu of the Parisian 3-star restaurant Ledoyen. I read about it on <a href="http://www.gastromondiale.com/2009/01/ledoyen-tradition-and-modernity-reconciled.html">Gastroville</a> and <a href="http://foodsnobblog.wordpress.com/2009/01/08/ledoyen-paris/#more-1649">Food Snob</a> and even though it’s simple prawn ball, I am strangely attracted to it. And boy, when I tried to replicate it, I found that there’s nothing simple about it at all. First, I tried substituting the pastry with shredded wanton skins. Fail. Next, I used spring roll sheets. It was passable, but only just. I finally gave in and used phyllo pastry and shredded it filament thin. Success! The filling was a whole tiger prawn as well as some minced prawns to give it shape. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[reblog]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JAvk804eNpSrsAxQtWPQIQ44jhBQ-qPdb0czTz2hNHsK1ecbNnxG5xl6rNQPS1w8j0lFm2fgUVClwYaTbgFlgi7KzvCB6RVeiUGBTW86UIkwXkrzWsbg_CvrsypalAhjpqyRQhQDHJs/s1600/Prawn+Fritter+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JAvk804eNpSrsAxQtWPQIQ44jhBQ-qPdb0czTz2hNHsK1ecbNnxG5xl6rNQPS1w8j0lFm2fgUVClwYaTbgFlgi7KzvCB6RVeiUGBTW86UIkwXkrzWsbg_CvrsypalAhjpqyRQhQDHJs/s400/Prawn+Fritter+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588044119141440098" /></a><br />Though impressive looking, I found these prawns inferior in taste and texture to smaller deep sea prawns. It is ‘garnished’ with a grilled half of another prawn. The saucing component was what perplexed me. I thought it was some sort of foam that’s not accessible to a home kitchen until I chanced across <a href="http://www.larecettedujour.org/2009/04/lemon-and-olive-oil-mousse.php">La Recette du Jour</a> with its recipe for a Lemon and Olive Oil Mousse dessert. Obviously I couldn’t replicate exactly the recipe but only draw inspiration to come up with a savoury version of it. With all 3 elements in hand, the constellations aligned and there you have it, a 3-star dish.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[reblog]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuQZd4Rvx_MMxWvOWGxok-bGUzOQ75zMBSfya0jJmHReBvshqRTpV9TOi1-CgRgE1dSpJ4acaPXnw7j2h8ClNbW4qP6RAv-eJ7SP2_-dwJdnYWB1gKeGianUlzH83Ri3yUcS7YrwwXDo/s1600/Prawn+Fritter+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuQZd4Rvx_MMxWvOWGxok-bGUzOQ75zMBSfya0jJmHReBvshqRTpV9TOi1-CgRgE1dSpJ4acaPXnw7j2h8ClNbW4qP6RAv-eJ7SP2_-dwJdnYWB1gKeGianUlzH83Ri3yUcS7YrwwXDo/s400/Prawn+Fritter+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5588044118019752978" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-43927852592033516052011-01-18T20:08:00.008+08:002011-01-18T20:29:56.077+08:00A Birthday Gift to MyselfAfter a year and a half of resistance, I finally broke down and bought from <a href="http://www.korin.com">Korin.com</a> the Suisin Hayate Yanagi-ba on the final days of the Winter Sale. This knife was forged by Master Smith Keijiro Doi “under the lowest possible temperature so that there is minimal carbon migration from the hagane (cutting edge) to the jigane (cladding)”. It is said that the success rate of this type of forging is southwards of 20%. Such is the quality of his work that even partially successful blades, sold under the stamp of “Hayate Light”, still command over US$400. Doi-san has been forging knives since 1946. Here’s a mesmerizing video of his manufacturing process from Chef's Armoury:<br /><br /><DIV ALIGN=CENTER><object width="512" height="308"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/qABAEcmPvyg?fs=1&hl=en_GB"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/qABAEcmPvyg?fs=1&hl=en_GB" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="512" height="308"></embed></object></DIV><br />I was, in fact, yearning not only for the Hayate but the Shiro-Hayate. The difference being that the Hayate uses Hitachi Blue #2 steel – a tougher alloyed steel while the Shiro-Hayate employs the White #1 – a pure carbon steel that attains unparalleled sharpness. Sadly, Doi-san has stopped working with White #1 a few years back due to his declining eyesight.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZLv1hxybzjdchI0ITFK8jRUSbi5OaWMwskKDL9w-gkVZNbtEDLMlilb5EB7YQRI5RyTSU4XiVQPF6n7OtleQNhdylBqMx3yyTqqrki2kB-OUer2noHSclXfHwzRQ8Rt-UyiDTa-djM/s1600/IMG_9465.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXGZLv1hxybzjdchI0ITFK8jRUSbi5OaWMwskKDL9w-gkVZNbtEDLMlilb5EB7YQRI5RyTSU4XiVQPF6n7OtleQNhdylBqMx3yyTqqrki2kB-OUer2noHSclXfHwzRQ8Rt-UyiDTa-djM/s400/IMG_9465.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499050267660594" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4iCrz0He6U0rTHglaNM-b8Djxa6okWMnKoiBAn3fiNw8NUIlF6v5J6C9HTG2WsMfvFVCCZcNrQKqkAXdGVW2V3xZFvSw4SpS2ozrm42oopAD4D99xpSHfkT7WLHT4w1l2kwSPigzfMk/s1600/IMG_9474.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4iCrz0He6U0rTHglaNM-b8Djxa6okWMnKoiBAn3fiNw8NUIlF6v5J6C9HTG2WsMfvFVCCZcNrQKqkAXdGVW2V3xZFvSw4SpS2ozrm42oopAD4D99xpSHfkT7WLHT4w1l2kwSPigzfMk/s400/IMG_9474.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499054062961922" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEOHYbHz_ZifRFuVX7XJSHskfqPKdOmeNll7wc_rcu0gyLG4IJVxTldnb6zF5GsFb_GEIwS7XxFwVrxFYr7yrWyShwRxPcA5mkWNgdmiM4R4ZLQDYMKE8fIU6h50hkLTXo6JCzL4IB2c/s1600/IMG_9482.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEOHYbHz_ZifRFuVX7XJSHskfqPKdOmeNll7wc_rcu0gyLG4IJVxTldnb6zF5GsFb_GEIwS7XxFwVrxFYr7yrWyShwRxPcA5mkWNgdmiM4R4ZLQDYMKE8fIU6h50hkLTXo6JCzL4IB2c/s400/IMG_9482.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499063386886530" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3neF37f_J7wm-PYZpLfax8z1WDPTZJJq8F-Wy2XmtYP4oc9200V9Q0yMvkVQA0lctxPzcmgC6Enw4k3dPZXaainunuo3GQbIRdxOfg8jjRaGAQJHDk6uAemlo2B99Ged6GCcavmianY/s1600/IMG_9479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR3neF37f_J7wm-PYZpLfax8z1WDPTZJJq8F-Wy2XmtYP4oc9200V9Q0yMvkVQA0lctxPzcmgC6Enw4k3dPZXaainunuo3GQbIRdxOfg8jjRaGAQJHDk6uAemlo2B99Ged6GCcavmianY/s400/IMG_9479.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499059350846866" /></a><br />I had bought the knife without any intention of using it – at least until I have the skills to justify it. Right now, it will remain as a drawer queen. Here’s it with my other drawer queen, also from Suisin, a Gin #3 (stain-resistant) Damascus Funayuki.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPXRBL_lmwarHlyMcxilkAk9QC1zjDxdc9C59pB0FA5cA8KAoc8xE_XsewntQOKjvkvIbWOortRYs-XLvroQABi27N-8Tu4-4t54vE1xeKxb7gGAlI4-Ez-gBgB6As2vmDGH_-O1ftns/s1600/IMG_9486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikPXRBL_lmwarHlyMcxilkAk9QC1zjDxdc9C59pB0FA5cA8KAoc8xE_XsewntQOKjvkvIbWOortRYs-XLvroQABi27N-8Tu4-4t54vE1xeKxb7gGAlI4-Ez-gBgB6As2vmDGH_-O1ftns/s400/IMG_9486.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499067169991282" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[hayate]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxImAmRztxkGRGdP_GcDxllf6UKCFyxk-5Vk3keB8ur5IxeOtLlKLSPK122RMSRPlFzL693r8HVdbFT084B1pfNDS6Y3QIKXXGChg2U4mN_1SuV9obnMKt_cJNpYVUaU592HHBQ6UFnI/s1600/IMG_9488.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxImAmRztxkGRGdP_GcDxllf6UKCFyxk-5Vk3keB8ur5IxeOtLlKLSPK122RMSRPlFzL693r8HVdbFT084B1pfNDS6Y3QIKXXGChg2U4mN_1SuV9obnMKt_cJNpYVUaU592HHBQ6UFnI/s400/IMG_9488.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563499203164542338" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-88367715481528973732011-01-18T04:03:00.003+08:002011-07-21T14:21:26.979+08:00Taste Paradise @ Ion OrchardI don’t really enjoy writing negative reports, so I am going to be brief.<br /><br />Carrot Cake in XO sauce – Okay. Savoury but I prefer it when the shredded radish shows up ocassionally in the carrot cake.<br /><br />Peking Duck – Drowned in sweet sauce. Perhaps we should have wrapped the crêpes by ourselves.<br /><br />Shark’s Fin in Stone Pot – Flavourful chicken stock ruined by heavy-handedness with cornstarch. Generous with the fins, at least.<br /><br />Bamboo Clams – Scrawny.<br /><br />Eggplant in Claypot – Over salted.<br /><br />Braised Beehoon – Okay.<br /><br />Service – Disordered and rushed.<br /><br />Conclusion – For $65 a person, avoid!WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-17236647333462701442011-01-18T03:48:00.004+08:002011-01-18T04:03:22.229+08:00Sole Pomodoro – Wood-fired PizzasI read about Sole Pomodoro from <a href="http://ieatishootipost.sg/2010/12/sole-pomodoro-pizzeria-now-this-is-what.html">ieatishootipost</a> a couple of months back. That was close to the start of exams and immediately followed by the holiday season. So, for 2 whole months, I could only simmer in my anticipation for their pies. Therefore, it was only natural that on the first possible weekend, I headed straight there with the Sunday Brunch Club.<br /><br />Unlike other wood-fired pizzerias in Singapore which uses partially gas-powered ovens, Sole Pomodoro distinguishes itself by using a fully wood-fired oven. It’s actually possible to see the chef having to top up the fuel rather frequently – the wood burns itself out much quicker than charcoal.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[solepomodoro]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1G0LEmH4z3xKKybKFz_5rgvacbUtzHSR_JWyMQ6uxBDqsMM4o6kVJM_LB2APF5brCtoo_CmFJFE_4r1Ups2mC0ROZAw2T2fB93yW2JX8Y4C3OOveof-AvV_s5f1P1Tv-K0pFuhKJzE/s1600/Sole+Pomodoro+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfp1G0LEmH4z3xKKybKFz_5rgvacbUtzHSR_JWyMQ6uxBDqsMM4o6kVJM_LB2APF5brCtoo_CmFJFE_4r1Ups2mC0ROZAw2T2fB93yW2JX8Y4C3OOveof-AvV_s5f1P1Tv-K0pFuhKJzE/s400/Sole+Pomodoro+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563247749288254466" /></a><br />We shared 4 pizzas and most memorable were the Calzone Tradionalle and the Buffala. I thought the former would have been perfect as a hearty and satisfying breakfast pizza. I couldn’t recall what the exact toppings were but the egg inside, almost like a sauce, binded all the elements well. The top crust was charred but still tender, airy and aromatic – the Neapolitan style, according to literature. However, if I were to be picky about it, I would say that the crust on the underside was a touch too blonde for my liking.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[solepomodoro]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRY0t-YpwxQGem-Vw4FDvZhHMSAyoiWf65jtKssscq8mFs3qkpcbFktro55kriK1qE8xuPvb565_BmNb5uk8_p8Kb6RiSmKdhBn7EjIKDhKqqvaKjykaNzLuaT4PSGvtDP0wFdv2aaHQ/s1600/Sole+Pomodoro+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitRY0t-YpwxQGem-Vw4FDvZhHMSAyoiWf65jtKssscq8mFs3qkpcbFktro55kriK1qE8xuPvb565_BmNb5uk8_p8Kb6RiSmKdhBn7EjIKDhKqqvaKjykaNzLuaT4PSGvtDP0wFdv2aaHQ/s400/Sole+Pomodoro+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563246090893964930" /></a><br />Although I thought that the Margherita is supposed to be topped with buffalo mozzarella, Sole Pomodoro makes an apparent distinction between a Margherita (with basil) and a Buffala (without basil but with buffalo mozzarella). Presented with this difficult choice, I was keener to try out the latter. The buffalo mozzarella definitely set itself apart with a creamier texture and an almost yoghurt-like taste. It quite rightly demanded a solo performance on the pizza stage.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[solepomodoro]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvtxRsMPv76aNf3C1woNOsoPDaJEdZTvxfQ1bk-gwbD5nf_em92ynnw3XR5J00GARVnk0mIoz0BJ0nuUZTcQDJ7JACeZvCLUo6vCK5M1q8uLaSDfWG8tvM1hfOzPqvWy2t9tu4nQkGvA/s1600/Sole+Pomodoro+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjvtxRsMPv76aNf3C1woNOsoPDaJEdZTvxfQ1bk-gwbD5nf_em92ynnw3XR5J00GARVnk0mIoz0BJ0nuUZTcQDJ7JACeZvCLUo6vCK5M1q8uLaSDfWG8tvM1hfOzPqvWy2t9tu4nQkGvA/s400/Sole+Pomodoro+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563246088161022466" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[solepomodoro]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT1xZtpCCf20jouZPFzcPSGOUBP4b5cfwe3tbGMfJEUZZeoIx2kjqIK4ZRHkN-lPz-XUqv0JBANOB2aphMIrX85rOm2aXYrbiqcc42CziRqODlUADqoT09qASy1pVvESfHPEsQ1Q-cgQ/s1600/Sole+Pomodoro+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQT1xZtpCCf20jouZPFzcPSGOUBP4b5cfwe3tbGMfJEUZZeoIx2kjqIK4ZRHkN-lPz-XUqv0JBANOB2aphMIrX85rOm2aXYrbiqcc42CziRqODlUADqoT09qASy1pVvESfHPEsQ1Q-cgQ/s400/Sole+Pomodoro+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5563246084839815346" /></a><br />Towards the end, we were quite stuffed but still, we couldn’t resist a sampling of their Tiramisu. It was like eating a cloud.WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-88055047890628670772011-01-06T16:26:00.007+08:002011-07-21T14:21:47.406+08:00Serious Beef Cheek Ragù Bolognese<span style="font-style:italic;">"To most people outside Italy, Bolognese is lowly refectoire fare... But in Bologna, one of Italy's most prestigious cities for food, ragù bolognese is a legendary dish that is not only part, but defines the city's identity... Two legendary Bologna home chefs, sisters Margherita and Valeria Simili, have become the most respected authority on all things related to Bolognese pasta. In their book 'Sfida al Matterello', a manual in Italian to teach the principles of homemade pasta, la sfoglia bolognese, there is a whole chapter about making ragù. It is called 'His Majesty the Ragù'.”</span> – <a href="http://fxcuisine.com">FXcusine.com</a><br /><br />Here’s my take on the <a href="http://fxcuisine.com/default.asp?language=2&Display=150&resolution=high&page=1">recipe</a>. To take a step further, I’ve read that the original Bolognese contained shredded, not minced meat so I used cubes of beef cheeks. This kicks the ass of any meat sauce pasta I have ever eaten.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[ragu]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hLb88cuOZJK4WPQsnsjkJTqMs4cbWlorxGex3ECvem_a-lBf2N82oZ1yAt-qvxAmK8vheMybtBNAUBkrl4KSb0XGXoAPbgFbPSHAUaTTuRDEmTp5kKdEH-Mug6Q78PfXQTdNu84HsAI/s1600/Ragu+Bolognese.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-hLb88cuOZJK4WPQsnsjkJTqMs4cbWlorxGex3ECvem_a-lBf2N82oZ1yAt-qvxAmK8vheMybtBNAUBkrl4KSb0XGXoAPbgFbPSHAUaTTuRDEmTp5kKdEH-Mug6Q78PfXQTdNu84HsAI/s400/Ragu+Bolognese.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558991506076747778" /></a><br />(edit) Supplement photos:<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[ragu]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvK4bp3C6JOnWwDHtHj7KlK3uoWdFuF9ll1h9_PX9jEWuGxPcvbHMbHhX9TrSBdxD5T61V1bAbBUghqSrOwpaSWoE_rfe_I5Q6dKkJJiqHfJIWiZUw7ouEingUWo06786dF9-CNUHMUY/s1600/Ragu+Bolognese+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsvK4bp3C6JOnWwDHtHj7KlK3uoWdFuF9ll1h9_PX9jEWuGxPcvbHMbHhX9TrSBdxD5T61V1bAbBUghqSrOwpaSWoE_rfe_I5Q6dKkJJiqHfJIWiZUw7ouEingUWo06786dF9-CNUHMUY/s400/Ragu+Bolognese+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561371722724190946" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[ragu]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw4hb0qoCOFLs2neHQOrhliS33P40P0l7KQb3UNangKT2o3DnC_dkLw3qf6Rf3gH-rdo9pJpBbpqbqHxkCluf2oDeRs9HrLPapNzt-n4T1hx3XoUAG7Yxeg3O_I1lRSFs82uO-rxTjs0/s1600/Ragu+Bolognese+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguw4hb0qoCOFLs2neHQOrhliS33P40P0l7KQb3UNangKT2o3DnC_dkLw3qf6Rf3gH-rdo9pJpBbpqbqHxkCluf2oDeRs9HrLPapNzt-n4T1hx3XoUAG7Yxeg3O_I1lRSFs82uO-rxTjs0/s400/Ragu+Bolognese+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5561371719698465954" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-6356695123254990122011-01-06T15:55:00.005+08:002011-07-21T14:22:24.502+08:00Iron Chef Recipes – Cabbage, Scallops and Foie Gras RisottoIron Chef is the greatest culinary show ever produced. Even till this day, I can think of no cooking programme that approaches close to it the skills and techniques you can pick up by watching battles between real chefs using all the imaginable tricks up their sleeves to win. Unlike in scripted programmes where everything is nice and easy and the results are always perfect, Iron Chef is raw, every mistake and miscalculation is immediately apparent. Also to its benefit is that Iron Chef predates the age of avant garde molecular cuisine which I am apathetic towards. I first got interested in cuisine watching Iron Chef and I cannot imagine a better start. Visit <a href="http://ironcheffans.info/wordpress/">ironcheffans.info</a> to download episodes.<br /><br />Here is a rough recreation of Challenger Hiromi Yamada’s dish in <a href="http://filehouse.ironcheffans.info/index.php?act=view&id=110">Battle Cabbage (217)</a> – a Cabbage, Scallops and Foie Gras Risotto. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[CSF]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0kSMFJaBM1asi-crLVlWhm5NJPVM1mgyCKYfoE1TW8BHQIDr_ms8L9w9o3lqSl8CSk1QqVINU_u953m6-qJHEPKLBgbN0rGBhZxJncWIEX-Jf0MN90MAoez5oNuJ6VCCaZtCESOUQb4/s1600/Iron+Chef+Risotto+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX0kSMFJaBM1asi-crLVlWhm5NJPVM1mgyCKYfoE1TW8BHQIDr_ms8L9w9o3lqSl8CSk1QqVINU_u953m6-qJHEPKLBgbN0rGBhZxJncWIEX-Jf0MN90MAoez5oNuJ6VCCaZtCESOUQb4/s400/Iron+Chef+Risotto+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558979026775835170" /></a><br />The risotto I made this time is one of my best so far after many experiments. Here’s what I learnt:<br />1. Use more onions that you think you need, they add sweetness and lightness to the risotto.<br />2. Cook slowly on low heat and stir gently. To diffuse the heat evenly, the pot was placed over a thick carbon steel pan. Towards the end, check the doneness frequently and remove just before al dente.<br />3. Don’t be shy with the seasoning. Also, for risotto I tend to use white pepper instead of black.<br />4. For a wetter risotto, add more stock and then thicken with cream/mascarpone cheese. I find that the rice alone has insufficient starch to make a creamy but wet (as in the liquid to rice ratio) risotto.<br />With these tricks, combined with the basic techniques which are left as an exercise to the reader (inside joke, by the way) to discover, you can apply it to any variation of risotto dishes.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[CSF]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp52L5qCbGOOUGnUekay9GVOM-6IQnUvMrCKAIcG5QRd7gmG0DwmWkNOMpIoL8Zn6PS4UmKkD9jnpoWHW81xtzwsJKB128VoYxbDSaoNSwJeabb8blwY3bMR7gCEWPUT1zyiPdpZaXs50/s1600/Iron+Chef+Risotto+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp52L5qCbGOOUGnUekay9GVOM-6IQnUvMrCKAIcG5QRd7gmG0DwmWkNOMpIoL8Zn6PS4UmKkD9jnpoWHW81xtzwsJKB128VoYxbDSaoNSwJeabb8blwY3bMR7gCEWPUT1zyiPdpZaXs50/s400/Iron+Chef+Risotto+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558979020870985730" /></a><br />The scallops are large frozen Hokkaido ones which can be found at the more upscale supermarkets. They were done in a ghetto <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sous_vide">sous vide</a> (under vacuum) style. I never thought that I would have the need to sous vide anything until my repeated frustrations with controlling the doneness of scallops. The molluscs were bagged in a small ziplock and immersed in a large insulated mug of water at 56 ˚C (some people go as low as 50 ˚C ) for 30 minutes. Check out the results for yourself. <br /><br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[CSF]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIjqHhp6ZyiJagxq3E_qIlbJPqoB2QIhZ9-10C0fVaifSxqp8aOP-B3zjAE9n8_a6omhQ7LuI18BtrfDK8m9k3DECWSQD0kaK4SjkXpTej-JD14gH2YKujnkU2sy46piuKb272DHyaME/s1600/Iron+Chef+Risotto+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtIjqHhp6ZyiJagxq3E_qIlbJPqoB2QIhZ9-10C0fVaifSxqp8aOP-B3zjAE9n8_a6omhQ7LuI18BtrfDK8m9k3DECWSQD0kaK4SjkXpTej-JD14gH2YKujnkU2sy46piuKb272DHyaME/s400/Iron+Chef+Risotto+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558979020460057874" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-76931160978444264962011-01-05T17:40:00.005+08:002011-07-21T14:26:49.006+08:00Brocollini DuoHere's a duo of brocollini efforts. First up is a simple breakfast of lengths of brocollini and woodwillow mushrooms pan roasted with a soft boiled egg for dipping on the side.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[broc]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtD6WJFv2SZ8e9VR_81aKZ1Pr4D-jiexNhVD65PhLG3fOY_E-vuVxCu-OWqmof-OA_lHpD2mjIKSqd9Nhz5_lpEHIFmyESd0VcCc9VLWxuHzAC5k809TyGNIa7Hy4Vd0RvY7nLa10X8U/s1600/Brocollini+Breakfast.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGtD6WJFv2SZ8e9VR_81aKZ1Pr4D-jiexNhVD65PhLG3fOY_E-vuVxCu-OWqmof-OA_lHpD2mjIKSqd9Nhz5_lpEHIFmyESd0VcCc9VLWxuHzAC5k809TyGNIa7Hy4Vd0RvY7nLa10X8U/s400/Brocollini+Breakfast.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558638977747184786" /></a><br />The next day, I made a risotto with the the stem diced and mixed in the rice, the heads roasted and a few whittles of raw brocollini stem. For texture, there were parmesan chips and crisp pancetta.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[broc]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcd30LGSowcV3nZtJ7N32wX_ROZqLLbh4U6A4hQSX73fpXU3NYN-Z5jm7Yhz7b16jfI_CnKwVgzVLKkriG7eU5Tw8UmZmAN01wNVI1WQnHz1QfU9wWFrn_cwOlTCFrBSydo20lnw0ioE/s1600/Brocollini+Risotto+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHcd30LGSowcV3nZtJ7N32wX_ROZqLLbh4U6A4hQSX73fpXU3NYN-Z5jm7Yhz7b16jfI_CnKwVgzVLKkriG7eU5Tw8UmZmAN01wNVI1WQnHz1QfU9wWFrn_cwOlTCFrBSydo20lnw0ioE/s400/Brocollini+Risotto+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558638973734191522" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[broc]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq73urdDuE-8zrkqkI3TCLNjlQs_wlxdbihKscU8yTvv_Y0gpvbcHSOzU_8HjSSWWlaY2xfuDSYZErSouuRsezvNXbTBqAC8udvYdmXhZUG_YnD48RfCO2opPfHcU-XODruAoD_9N8eG0/s1600/Brocollini+Risotto+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq73urdDuE-8zrkqkI3TCLNjlQs_wlxdbihKscU8yTvv_Y0gpvbcHSOzU_8HjSSWWlaY2xfuDSYZErSouuRsezvNXbTBqAC8udvYdmXhZUG_YnD48RfCO2opPfHcU-XODruAoD_9N8eG0/s400/Brocollini+Risotto+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5558638973867542578" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-79386966072730066572010-12-29T02:21:00.006+08:002011-01-06T17:15:08.235+08:00"Sunday" Brunch - Lam's Abalone NoodlesMet with the Sunday Brunch Club again but this time on Christmas morning. We were wondering around pointlessly in the Balestier area when I recalled driving pass Lam’s Abalone Noodles (阿南鲍鱼面) all the time and being intrigued by their prominent soup urn or vat, if you find the former expression inappropriate.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCQzeN1tp0OG01jknihUmL7F0aAwmB-IVZT9GATiKHxSEs50gOiXi6RXe_8btBbcJz-z9UY0koVb0JanFKHnJ5DXjoIyqmKrf5THZn6D7i3GJIqKOFgUTPR-1wO9r4wUBMSaGG3m5xFA/s1600/Lam+-+Soup+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCQzeN1tp0OG01jknihUmL7F0aAwmB-IVZT9GATiKHxSEs50gOiXi6RXe_8btBbcJz-z9UY0koVb0JanFKHnJ5DXjoIyqmKrf5THZn6D7i3GJIqKOFgUTPR-1wO9r4wUBMSaGG3m5xFA/s400/Lam+-+Soup+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800981224481266" /></a><br />First up was a neatly presented plate of perfectly golden roast pork belly. I thought the skin was a wee bit soggy but still a competent offering overall. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAcNZDDaP4FTBtHvBAQspUYTEu0_5dwN7e_snLLsT5N1oGfNA4z7f8A0nbMmk8gMehIviETZAZ4hOfkaeNlxGe_bu4IZt6HiQVqw7aqhPS4qyBpl8nUKqPf4k8Y4ZGyu2vJTWO742Iak/s1600/Lam+-+Roast+Pork.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuAcNZDDaP4FTBtHvBAQspUYTEu0_5dwN7e_snLLsT5N1oGfNA4z7f8A0nbMmk8gMehIviETZAZ4hOfkaeNlxGe_bu4IZt6HiQVqw7aqhPS4qyBpl8nUKqPf4k8Y4ZGyu2vJTWO742Iak/s400/Lam+-+Roast+Pork.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800422097431026" /></a><br />Fishcake was, well, fishcake.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeHEsmeOsDGpw2U_a1_phhqGeJZ-iUf6yC_zC6jCPQ5onSGvtTKNEepziyYynasCarDFJIZyEZd1wRpzFrWrGGqLo5zEskWT6CGDzpNkof4ZWn_P3Ksw76qFEosHz0sPvzm1ExjhmWUk/s1600/Lam+-+Fishcake.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeHEsmeOsDGpw2U_a1_phhqGeJZ-iUf6yC_zC6jCPQ5onSGvtTKNEepziyYynasCarDFJIZyEZd1wRpzFrWrGGqLo5zEskWT6CGDzpNkof4ZWn_P3Ksw76qFEosHz0sPvzm1ExjhmWUk/s400/Lam+-+Fishcake.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800419586340290" /></a><br />And then the true star of the day was this little crock of abalone soup made from double boiling chicken, pork, abalone, dried scallops and fish maw and then topping off with a few ladles white Chinese stock (白汤) when ready to serve. The secret of the urn was finally revealed when the soup was brought to us. It is charcoal fired from the bottom and within the urn there are shelves where individual soup crocks, filled with the ingredients and a little water, are stacked. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1xnD_j46GSLSfbwJLQ_epTznsuFgyxEn_mFCEgWkYEZIPkGlcgFj_a6Y8Te8W2TSA__Pezd2PE_AtmWkp2BXNeY6M6sQbCvhBmqceNSq_ZcVS3vhyphenhyphenq1EidOcrtnkxSn7uPY-x6_o7Pc/s1600/Lam+-+Soup+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1xnD_j46GSLSfbwJLQ_epTznsuFgyxEn_mFCEgWkYEZIPkGlcgFj_a6Y8Te8W2TSA__Pezd2PE_AtmWkp2BXNeY6M6sQbCvhBmqceNSq_ZcVS3vhyphenhyphenq1EidOcrtnkxSn7uPY-x6_o7Pc/s400/Lam+-+Soup+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800977698506322" /></a><br />Anyone who says abalone is tasteless will be silenced by the umami that dominate the broth. The milky stock, already very tasty on its own, was able to stand its own ground against the abalone, resulting in a harmonious overlap. The scant abalone cubes in the soup were quite good, tasting almost sweet.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3xLfNw1R5q03a4sT7z3WXZ9xx8-drWOpGrEGQc5QtY0w6yZR42N7A78l2vulB-tby48259ZqK5SUiXkHstRuEDHMZfoNKcudBBdSvzHrdl7f9nyR2hkXz1rc8ETi2Yci1TxAoYQrEC0/s1600/Lam+-+Soup+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf3xLfNw1R5q03a4sT7z3WXZ9xx8-drWOpGrEGQc5QtY0w6yZR42N7A78l2vulB-tby48259ZqK5SUiXkHstRuEDHMZfoNKcudBBdSvzHrdl7f9nyR2hkXz1rc8ETi2Yci1TxAoYQrEC0/s400/Lam+-+Soup+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800971104979122" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicwxYf2t3-0Ya9K70xHUEZrgpxaKj4Dku0dJTddL9i77Kl4ZXM9qcNaix8nPDxwSKmJ9d-jpLHnw2M7Xkef0tBkwe60DESW1TJOtvMk0kd9U4S8wlWJ0D4rV_cGB-LA42R0VM_lzBav8/s1600/Lam+-+Soup+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgicwxYf2t3-0Ya9K70xHUEZrgpxaKj4Dku0dJTddL9i77Kl4ZXM9qcNaix8nPDxwSKmJ9d-jpLHnw2M7Xkef0tBkwe60DESW1TJOtvMk0kd9U4S8wlWJ0D4rV_cGB-LA42R0VM_lzBav8/s400/Lam+-+Soup+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800976464195058" /></a><br />Their noodles was no slouch too, especially their zingy chilli sauce and a liberal sprinkling of lard. The whole piece of dried fish was a unique touch. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[lam]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SOmryKOhjAjhl4qyNnR-beQsYJVrxsSs3Pl4tcxsnxCaSQTaimFNGEOBRb1ml2-2RVA2WLfTxOaQ7Q41dofbtl98n8x4C8dqb3GKqg-XzMM5JJPGK5-AU4ezkkQ9ljicmfJJ3kvXsJg/s1600/Lam+-+Noodles.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2SOmryKOhjAjhl4qyNnR-beQsYJVrxsSs3Pl4tcxsnxCaSQTaimFNGEOBRb1ml2-2RVA2WLfTxOaQ7Q41dofbtl98n8x4C8dqb3GKqg-XzMM5JJPGK5-AU4ezkkQ9ljicmfJJ3kvXsJg/s400/Lam+-+Noodles.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5555800420966183074" /></a><br />Ah Lam certainly warrants repeated visits.WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-61540552191013052822010-12-24T22:23:00.006+08:002011-07-21T14:25:06.987+08:00Fish and ChipsIf you love the feeling of sweating oil out of your pores even after 2 showers, try making Kilkenny-Battered Cod and Triple-Cooked Chips at home.<br /><br />Chips are a pain to do. After reading a few sources I settled on following the most tedious, that is, Heston Blumenthal’s recipe. (You can actually see the book in the background in the picture below.) There’s not a whole lot of choice when it comes to potatoes in Singapore so I went with the trusty old Russets.<br /><br />The general steps were to:<br />1. Peel, cut and rinse.<br />2. Steam until tender. <br />3. Dry.<br />4. Blanch in 130 °C oil.<br />5. Dry.<br />6. Fry in 190 °C oil.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[fish]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDwtjHkJBm2jrfls2taBSwmpImYtee_EBz04I_T1C5yKvyC4g3z0FkU3reeghndK1QpEkY36qgScYeCmE5ID_aXTR1qdTQ2uTi_woAzFROKAHqoK9RYnH_ipWJEmlBe6UCzcOkeLsOBM/s1600/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Drying.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKDwtjHkJBm2jrfls2taBSwmpImYtee_EBz04I_T1C5yKvyC4g3z0FkU3reeghndK1QpEkY36qgScYeCmE5ID_aXTR1qdTQ2uTi_woAzFROKAHqoK9RYnH_ipWJEmlBe6UCzcOkeLsOBM/s400/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Drying.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554255275452285970" /></a><br /><a rel="lightbox[fish]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqSX_VZByRDvbO-juYG9dQ_1klv4ot7jvs1F_Nd0H1czLOSaptv5SZjyh__p_v_Zh1Lu6nczdSs9n70Oi4TjC5CpbFyfcSVDR3Wf75CRSVeEEFKtSjUUhX3Mekew4UBTQyoKQhfk5bXE/s1600/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Blanching.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHqSX_VZByRDvbO-juYG9dQ_1klv4ot7jvs1F_Nd0H1czLOSaptv5SZjyh__p_v_Zh1Lu6nczdSs9n70Oi4TjC5CpbFyfcSVDR3Wf75CRSVeEEFKtSjUUhX3Mekew4UBTQyoKQhfk5bXE/s400/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Blanching.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554255264558352290" /></a><br />Controlling oil temperature is still a bit of a black art for me but I think my thermometer is reading 5-10 °C too low and my fries took on too much colour in the blanching process. You can see the test fries below, they were pretty good but not exactly mind blowing. The crust was crumbly and crunchy but the interior was too dry and lacked texture of fluffy potatoes I was hoping for. Still, not too bad for a first attempt. <br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[fish]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkRXVU-e5Z9eolyVlcVOOV8Q_29zGI8_y1X-g-Y9Gitd22NvezjJ91AvgBUc17w4sq34-cBi0qn6i5YN7hM5c18Oo57_vvbRtoQsO7uuaxhRVaUKfqelMm4M1J5WmovcqVnJ9hwDb3AY/s1600/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Test+Chips.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDkRXVU-e5Z9eolyVlcVOOV8Q_29zGI8_y1X-g-Y9Gitd22NvezjJ91AvgBUc17w4sq34-cBi0qn6i5YN7hM5c18Oo57_vvbRtoQsO7uuaxhRVaUKfqelMm4M1J5WmovcqVnJ9hwDb3AY/s400/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Test+Chips.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554255263025540242" /></a><br />The cod was done in the same batter prescribed in the tempura post a few months back. By the time I done mine (the cook eats last!), the beer has sort of fizzled out but the first few servings had much puffier coating. I was quite proud of my control of the cooking time. The fish came out yielding and moist. Then again, cod is a pretty forgivable fish to cook.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[fish]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoRyvxXN07UkxfpiIeXOx6uxRQGcksiC-ErU9k8ZV0EN0EQ8hP0vJJi989lQeeCDtJvbNJaq5klGurTRKBmXYI2av0MaKKQ6SJb3dI4EwFEdbGdFumQ_ToEWAqPzEvKIMBZJmbk9c_Fs/s1600/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Final.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoRyvxXN07UkxfpiIeXOx6uxRQGcksiC-ErU9k8ZV0EN0EQ8hP0vJJi989lQeeCDtJvbNJaq5klGurTRKBmXYI2av0MaKKQ6SJb3dI4EwFEdbGdFumQ_ToEWAqPzEvKIMBZJmbk9c_Fs/s400/Fish+%2526+Chips+-+Final.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5554255258390422098" /></a><br />Still, there’s lots of room for improvement so hang in there for Round 2...WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-20481029454330994792010-11-16T03:53:00.007+08:002011-01-06T17:39:23.672+08:00Sunday Brunch – Hoe Nam Prawn Noodles and Lao Zhong Zhong Ngoh HiangSunday brunch last week was the celebrated prawn noodles at Hoe Nam. One wonders what drives Hoe Nam to operate their long hours. Dedication to customers? Profit? Insomnia? Either way, the customers still throng in so I suppose it works for everyone. <br /><br />In what is almost a ritual when eating at Hoe Nam, I went across the street to get some Ngoh Hiang from Lao Zhong Zhong – there will be plenty of time to make the purchase and finish it before the noodles arrive. To quote a HGWer, Lao Zhong Zhong is an <span style="font-style:italic;">institution</span> for Ngoh Hiang. Rightly so, I felt. Arriving in the late morning, we perhaps even had the luxury of fresh oil in the wok and every item turned out light, crisp and not greasy at all. The prawn cracker is my perennial favourite – airy and crunchy. What could be a better starter before a prawn noodle? I also love a prawn cracker when having Hokkien Mee but that’s another story. Special mention also goes out to the Tau Kwa which tasted richly and properly of beans. Their chilli sauce was spot on too.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[prawn]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPIf4iz7mGJOC-E9BPAIwHirbQqIOLJlkycpPeoJSut3CvbKAnMKkkhHGqu2zpqLzW8IHF7qPRUU3hFse0DhLRmJ30iNFRZyUJS2PVFS-MfQhZrLJKrPq4OMkuGAT94ZuFQBgJ-iWHeE/s1600/Sunday+-+Lao+Zhong+Zhong.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiPIf4iz7mGJOC-E9BPAIwHirbQqIOLJlkycpPeoJSut3CvbKAnMKkkhHGqu2zpqLzW8IHF7qPRUU3hFse0DhLRmJ30iNFRZyUJS2PVFS-MfQhZrLJKrPq4OMkuGAT94ZuFQBgJ-iWHeE/s400/Sunday+-+Lao+Zhong+Zhong.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539867313427951890" /></a><br />Now the prawn noodles. Where do I start? The stock, silly! I thought that day’s soup was perfect. It’s not the strongest tasting prawn stock but it contained purely the sweet essence of prawns without its negative elements (i.e. bitter and muddy notes). The silky mouthfeel and big umami was definitely a result of the rapid boiling of gelatinous pork bones – giving the prawns a solid canvas on which to express themselves. A dash of chilli powder and some fresh chilli takes it lofty heights. My friends thought it was too subtle - different strokes. Noodles were excellent too. I always have Kuay Teow Mee as I find the yellow noodles itself to be too cloying. The prawns were a little better than average but still nothing to shout home about but I quite liked the tender pork ribs. Of course, no prawn noodle could go wrong with a sprinkling of fried onions and little flavour bombs of crispy lard on top.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[prawn]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XnRf8MJd49obFUmSbAvfUxQA1zjfk4U9qHVsyp364kOkHWJ0BDYm9zIFgZn9ysPEEima-XoUKYZ4XPvPZeA2qdvsPwzX6yfCxGxTlUpEvuwrJXi5x_Pn8bChHpktAwIfoLTvjZcaGlY/s1600/Sunday+-+Hoe+Nam.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8XnRf8MJd49obFUmSbAvfUxQA1zjfk4U9qHVsyp364kOkHWJ0BDYm9zIFgZn9ysPEEima-XoUKYZ4XPvPZeA2qdvsPwzX6yfCxGxTlUpEvuwrJXi5x_Pn8bChHpktAwIfoLTvjZcaGlY/s400/Sunday+-+Hoe+Nam.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539867310481355042" /></a><br />The Sunday Brunch club:<br /><br /><a href="http://takeko.blogspot.com/">Alexis</a><br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[brunch]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dtt7xU9ranInEORcpMbevVnupzPcRYOilwMKw3sR37rsFSBGMLYKCEqK1jhljeoSe3ScI2gKqL9x1IdwVUXMQr1R5_H7shZvavmtmoz_9drfafSIPjx-0wzYhzQt3e2-mSujgPmo-PI/s1600/Sunday+-+Alexis.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 344px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Dtt7xU9ranInEORcpMbevVnupzPcRYOilwMKw3sR37rsFSBGMLYKCEqK1jhljeoSe3ScI2gKqL9x1IdwVUXMQr1R5_H7shZvavmtmoz_9drfafSIPjx-0wzYhzQt3e2-mSujgPmo-PI/s400/Sunday+-+Alexis.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539870811598182370" /></a><br />Weixun<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[brunch]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzokzUYN759iZfIGzHJ_gNBd_FAVBDVhIUexshMXfUtzoRLNtKe3ORXeTRF1w0gKvkz6372ipCxkQQHmP6pxSWX20cqXKIuxxoeSRSGJSbM-8-JbBQ3pjNoNSjekaD9rKLdzj9htiFmKU/s1600/Sunday+-+Weixun.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzokzUYN759iZfIGzHJ_gNBd_FAVBDVhIUexshMXfUtzoRLNtKe3ORXeTRF1w0gKvkz6372ipCxkQQHmP6pxSWX20cqXKIuxxoeSRSGJSbM-8-JbBQ3pjNoNSjekaD9rKLdzj9htiFmKU/s400/Sunday+-+Weixun.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539870819077134226" /></a><br />Victor<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[brunch]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16-imYCO7TGNMZ52y7cpo1MsAKCjM6CTzCOAz3wE90-jVxcHP7KCoZRyN8gRpK9X8bQWuJKcdfd1KduMhkEh3unD_IusSDiGtU1MVN6d2LwbKZp8rCYLgt0TEqo1cfYmZGivDof4ejsw/s1600/Sunday+-+Victor.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi16-imYCO7TGNMZ52y7cpo1MsAKCjM6CTzCOAz3wE90-jVxcHP7KCoZRyN8gRpK9X8bQWuJKcdfd1KduMhkEh3unD_IusSDiGtU1MVN6d2LwbKZp8rCYLgt0TEqo1cfYmZGivDof4ejsw/s400/Sunday+-+Victor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539870813396774018" /></a><br /><br />And Your's Truly<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[brunch]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNAsGRczrSFu_rJ59qcizXhTLYZSIGhcYSfOXfzZiWw0ha3LHn2sDYRG230xkr3HeuEPCFEj0cMsxr9Tskn42SfXXze0TDbX0hCLuTSeZa5pYZTeWmI8KXQokcxSuzxCgSi9MFyXC2RU/s1600/Sunday+-+Me.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSNAsGRczrSFu_rJ59qcizXhTLYZSIGhcYSfOXfzZiWw0ha3LHn2sDYRG230xkr3HeuEPCFEj0cMsxr9Tskn42SfXXze0TDbX0hCLuTSeZa5pYZTeWmI8KXQokcxSuzxCgSi9MFyXC2RU/s400/Sunday+-+Me.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539870831719982530" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-80915176989784776222010-11-16T03:03:00.006+08:002011-07-21T14:22:38.670+08:00Imperial Treasure 'Super' Peking DuckMeh. It was underwhelming. Sure, the skin was shatteringly crispy and everyone promised it to be and delivers a rush of duck oil as fat melts in your mouth. The problem is the taste. I found it offensively gamey and livery, almost muttony, and I am one who loves my foie gras. It is definitely an issue with the quality of the duck rather than the technique. In fact, I thought that the cooking merited an almost perfect score. Perhaps I scored a dud with that particular duck.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[duck]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSMxe4qFUIpHbe4aqxiJZV3cNfASlb-7_taxncs6ggz60rDwnEuYpTWW_xxr_QUx3k_QI-CnSezRA5xa8FDb3jyslxuCztump40Me3ynpkAqrT2db7EY-MPTSlf5P8cdiwB5pnn2Fl5w/s1600/Peking+Duck.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDSMxe4qFUIpHbe4aqxiJZV3cNfASlb-7_taxncs6ggz60rDwnEuYpTWW_xxr_QUx3k_QI-CnSezRA5xa8FDb3jyslxuCztump40Me3ynpkAqrT2db7EY-MPTSlf5P8cdiwB5pnn2Fl5w/s400/Peking+Duck.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539855039595358082" /></a><br />We also had some dim sum. I won’t belabour with the details of it but I thought it was quite competitive in terms of pricing and quality. It’s definitely a notch above Crystal Jade but, of course, pales in comparison to specialists like Lei Garden (used to be).<br /><br />I would return to give the duck another chance, if not, it’s still a decent place to drop by for dim sum. Apologies for the lack of pictures – did not have my camera with me.WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-34925339258169346582010-11-15T02:54:00.007+08:002011-07-21T14:22:53.496+08:00A Modest GrillMy modest attempt at some yakitori after inspiration from Kushigin.<br /><br />Chicken wings turned out to be more satay-style bbq than yakitori. No idea why.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[yaki]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnizt8ysly8jZdrtxAWvfqeD_W9GcPS1gswVxKVBofkwQ6uNAk51j7vvvEmMAWg8NnnQCfy7wFyBr1FzWwVfk54jWaTOnXGjY-p403kDZmsMZrVNYSr3S6Ca63Yc2DOpBXHX8TvzM7K2c/s1600/Yaki+-+1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnizt8ysly8jZdrtxAWvfqeD_W9GcPS1gswVxKVBofkwQ6uNAk51j7vvvEmMAWg8NnnQCfy7wFyBr1FzWwVfk54jWaTOnXGjY-p403kDZmsMZrVNYSr3S6Ca63Yc2DOpBXHX8TvzM7K2c/s400/Yaki+-+1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539481570807683586" /></a><br />The <span style="font-style:italic;">yaki onigiri</span> turned out quite well - sticky but not mushy rice.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[yaki]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ETHQVBJ4m0z1trgMHTLUvRYf17eXuaOidjJi6vH17-SXLoFritbLnEhPn3daU2uENmGTzObmHlByPcow4tkSoye4aFgHS22414VPzwnJPxUtbKTEtrUU3NUZz5J8f5IEezPJG6JkVU/s1600/Yaki+-+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9ETHQVBJ4m0z1trgMHTLUvRYf17eXuaOidjJi6vH17-SXLoFritbLnEhPn3daU2uENmGTzObmHlByPcow4tkSoye4aFgHS22414VPzwnJPxUtbKTEtrUU3NUZz5J8f5IEezPJG6JkVU/s400/Yaki+-+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539481567787078674" /></a><br />Last up was a flash-grilled prawn in miso soup.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[yaki]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiaclQTy9i44JwVvzQ07PyIL7MqTZOq66-mprLeI1kUoTHsHQ7VbUlk6k08dlgFevCDMgh8si9ds021swHroY69ZPNT14nUZ2Ck0SFf6NTTrLUPpB2OP5b3KC9CIQ-8_VPJLtQq-IWNQ/s1600/Yaki+-+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKiaclQTy9i44JwVvzQ07PyIL7MqTZOq66-mprLeI1kUoTHsHQ7VbUlk6k08dlgFevCDMgh8si9ds021swHroY69ZPNT14nUZ2Ck0SFf6NTTrLUPpB2OP5b3KC9CIQ-8_VPJLtQq-IWNQ/s400/Yaki+-+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5539481547368518658" /></a>WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3951986363486902056.post-19807281293185932002010-11-02T16:24:00.006+08:002011-07-21T14:23:11.442+08:00Kushigin 串銀炭火燒Cuppage Plaza and the adjoining Orchard Plaza are veritable treasure troves of Japanese entertainment. The congregation of Japanese KTVs naturally drew the opening of several authentic restaurants to serve the homesick expats. I have only been and returned several times to Kushigin (串銀炭火燒) and am seldom disappointed with the food. The atmosphere is wonderful too, just last evening we were the only 4 of about 6 locals in a restaurant packed full of Japanese working men (exclusively men, somehow) looking to wind down... on a Monday night.<br /><br />Surprisingly, the <span style="font-style:italic;">tebasaki</span> (chicken wings) were the first to arrive. They usually take quite long but I guess these were already started before I placed my order. So what’s so special about them? These dainty little fellows are obviously not from the usual breed of chicken. They are devoid of the excess fat under the skin which lends to a satisfying crunch as you bite in and a burst of hot chicken juices and fat embedded between the skin and meat.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[kushigin]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkanSQES0nyv_0YhYC_w67eLGwrqjzozfB3QgBUlmzJYbT3qgHuNIqzVXsXrp7jylIGGcUuOKjU_BvCylOxs9YQQ4p6WWztY0VvXB4S2RckrwwCQYilHBEZsVt_wJ1AIQUAayIxBIcdQE/s1600/Kushigin+1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkanSQES0nyv_0YhYC_w67eLGwrqjzozfB3QgBUlmzJYbT3qgHuNIqzVXsXrp7jylIGGcUuOKjU_BvCylOxs9YQQ4p6WWztY0VvXB4S2RckrwwCQYilHBEZsVt_wJ1AIQUAayIxBIcdQE/s400/Kushigin+1.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534865542727689506" /></a><br />Not pictured were the grilled chicken skin and the liver. The liver can be a hit or miss affair. Today, I thought it spent a few seconds too many over the coals. However, when the chef gets the window just right, meltingly tender chicken liver is just as decadent as foie gras. Unfortunately, they ran out of <span style="font-style:italic;">bonjiri</span> (chicken arse) this time. I highly recommend that you abandon your inhibitions and give that arse a chance. <br /><br />The grilled <span style="font-style:italic;">negi</span> (leek) and <span style="font-style:italic;">negi</span> (eggplant) are also my perennial favourites but they fell somewhat short of their mark today. The leek was a little stringy and the pieces of eggplant were too small for sufficient impact. Still, they remained sweet and juicy. I quite like the balance of flavours by the sharp salty soy and stinging grated ginger.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[kushigin]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg385sRIQf7NSH7uYyjnPzLAb0YyMaj7x0WVmYBP1McoDa9uAoVYiDxRQfcuyJ_Z_n66QhWgEGF760jtWD7_76LnIlEr_KTJzPVUUFIaPZ3M4IzbxJEy2eKMUQq6qQZVnuB3jiTEgDxAXE/s1600/Kushigin+2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg385sRIQf7NSH7uYyjnPzLAb0YyMaj7x0WVmYBP1McoDa9uAoVYiDxRQfcuyJ_Z_n66QhWgEGF760jtWD7_76LnIlEr_KTJzPVUUFIaPZ3M4IzbxJEy2eKMUQq6qQZVnuB3jiTEgDxAXE/s400/Kushigin+2.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534865536793358306" /></a><br />Asparagus <span style="font-style:italic;">Maki</span> is somewhat of a misnomer, I feel. In this case, the asparagus clearly plays a supporting role behind the smoky and crispy pork belly. Full marks for the meat, but the young asparagus lacked definition.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[kushigin]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEEVLkioH1P0uesjs6yjmzIrPioTqO-kJe6hXC3F7YsGdVlE5PWCdLWEAfkCQNaeOTZ7AP4AnVuNa2-jQK7G3bhkifdJ5nUJhmNElBykhEDx91LziNpFLfeTkSn1Ahzr7-8kutX8icTk/s1600/Kushigin+3.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxEEVLkioH1P0uesjs6yjmzIrPioTqO-kJe6hXC3F7YsGdVlE5PWCdLWEAfkCQNaeOTZ7AP4AnVuNa2-jQK7G3bhkifdJ5nUJhmNElBykhEDx91LziNpFLfeTkSn1Ahzr7-8kutX8icTk/s400/Kushigin+3.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534865527924555810" /></a><br />I forgot to picture the Mini Tomato <span style="font-style:italic;">Maki</span>, scoffing down the little balls of fire as soon as they were set down on the table. Here’s my recommended eating method: pop in mouth and bite softly until the tomato juice just trickles out. Slowly savour until you can stand the heat then chew. Unlike the asparagus, the tomato is unmistakably the star here.<br /><br />The <span style="font-style:italic;">Shishamo</span> was Ivan’s order but I was surprised by how well it turned out. The last few times I have ordered any fish (an <span style="font-style:italic;">Ayu</span> and a <span style="font-style:italic;">Saba</span> comes to mind), they have been way overcooked for my taste. The <span style="font-style:italic;">Shishamo</span> stood well under the grill and the eggs were quite creamy.<br /><br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[kushigin]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExJElMPqfD3FtMjXSddHuMrV3Jbgg4uI4Nl61-1tlBgXRzY__WZJnpe_wO9siLdM6_CiyeY0v2MjCXsmD56rQ8G_PPCI_psAqv7r6NqDs_7hcp3X4Fnxb_nH6miLWJRMHxXbKwnvo8_8/s1600/Kushigin+4.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhExJElMPqfD3FtMjXSddHuMrV3Jbgg4uI4Nl61-1tlBgXRzY__WZJnpe_wO9siLdM6_CiyeY0v2MjCXsmD56rQ8G_PPCI_psAqv7r6NqDs_7hcp3X4Fnxb_nH6miLWJRMHxXbKwnvo8_8/s400/Kushigin+4.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534865524635463010" /></a><br />Last up was the slightly unusual but delicious Grilled Fried Tofu. The crunchy smoky crust gives way to smooth tofu. Again the combination of grated ginger and soy works well.<br /><br /><a rel="lightbox[kushigin]" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz4l5x3Pr1mLGApHIYGyxbAy0xevw4F_WVGQ46iQTai0KDwy5rB3CIWGrMItfY8ZP9TuFPWRgXHuuXAdpxJDvQYOEz4HNQCdWuLpXEQBqbSHei1RGVXFqaYbW-AXIzFE5t2GrEtfQrqg/s1600/Kushigin+5.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor: url('http://cowburn.info/files/magnify.cur'), -moz-zoom-in;width: 400px; height: 243px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHz4l5x3Pr1mLGApHIYGyxbAy0xevw4F_WVGQ46iQTai0KDwy5rB3CIWGrMItfY8ZP9TuFPWRgXHuuXAdpxJDvQYOEz4HNQCdWuLpXEQBqbSHei1RGVXFqaYbW-AXIzFE5t2GrEtfQrqg/s400/Kushigin+5.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5534865525431075010" /></a><br />The order in which in your dishes emerge can be hilariously random sometimes but in all, a great start to the week after a weekend struggling with quantum mechanics assignments.WPhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08083678460215252823noreply@blogger.com0