But you get my point.
Eating is a socializing activity, from planning the menu, to getting the ingredients, to preparing the meal and finally sit down and chow down! And so, to do it while travelling only makes it better! During my travels, I try as much as possible to sample the local food and thus learn about the culinary culture.
To date, my top 3 favorite food city/ country are (not in order of preference):
San Francisco
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| SF/Korean version of a poutine? |
When I landed in San Francisco, I was pleasantly surprised at how the food scene was so divers and good! Granted, I made the mistake of going to some bogus tourist trap of a restaurant on my first day, but I quickly made up for it on the following days. Everything taste and is made fresh, probably because farmer's markets are really big in SF. I had the most memorable brunch at this restaurant. While eating from the delicious soul food-inspired menu, there was a gospel choir setting the tone for a happy (Easter) day! I had met the chef the day before, and after sampling some of his food, I told him that I wanted to come to try the full menu. He chuckled and said: 'Good luck getting a reservation on such short notice!' Not only did I get a table, I didn't even have to make a reservation (he obviously didn't know me...)!
Note: if you like mimosa, do yourself a favor and order the bottomless pomosas...they will keep filling you glass until you tell them to stop...but why would you do that?!
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| I still dream about this brunch! |
Lebanon
As I have mentioned in my post on Lebanon, I was fortunate enough to grow up around this culture and its food. So to be in the homeland where all the delicious goodness is created and made, I was like kid in a candy store! And those people love to stuff you! You never eat enough and if you say you're full, they'll give you a blank stare and just keep on pilling the food in your plate! They really don't want their guest to go hungry...
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| Can you get a healthier dessert?! |
Note: if you're not a huge fan of pistachios in you food, be warned: there's pistachios in practically every dish (not a complete exaggeration!).
Buenos Aires
Steak, empanadas and wine...tantas cosas buenas! What more would you need to be complete? I know! Having dulce de leche as its own food group! And even better, dulce de leche flavored ice cream! Heaven on Earth! There is also a super yummy, hearty stew called locro, which is perfect to have on a cold day and/or if you're sick (which I had because it was cold and I was sick!)
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| Locro |
But my personal favorite in Buenos Aires were the facturas, a term to collectively define baked goods! More specifically, the medialunas (literally 'half moons'.or croissants for the less romantics!) were heaven! I tried to find them in Montreal, but so far, no luck!
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| Best merienda. Ever! |
Honorable mention: Beijing and New York City. Both have a very diverse culinary scene, it would be a shame to overlook them!
And this is my top 3 countries /cities that I want to visit for their culinary appeal:
Chicago - I have a feeling that I will be pleasantly surprised, just like in San Fransisco!
Greece - phyllo, tzatziki, and possibly the freshest Greek salad I'll ever eat
Singapore - Two words: street food!
Honorable mention: Italy, Thailand and Singapore. Who can resist pizza and gelato in one and spicy (and flavorful) food in the other Not me!
Ok. Now I'm hungry!