Kicking the cold at Kampa – Prague Part 3
January 26, 2012
More from Donna D…
Having gone to school in upstate New York and growing up in Massachusetts cold temperatures had always been a way of life for me. So when I saw that it was 23 degrees outside I figured NBD. But after about 15 minutes of being outside without any gloves I quickly remembered how much I disliked winter so I opted to spend the day “site-seeing” from a heated interior, Kampa Park. The restaurant is located on Kampa Island and overlooks Certovka canal, the Vltava River and Charles Bridge. I spent hours staring outside watching the city go by while feasting on Rudolf I mean reindeer, halibut (best I’ve ever had and cooked absolutely perfectly), and chocolate fondant. The food was pricey but nonetheless amazing and the view was magical.
Saddle of reindeer with pumpkin soufflé, topinambur, cranberries and cardamom sauce
Marek Raditsch - Executive Chef of entire Kampa Group
Reindeer
Vltava River
Olive oil poached halibut with black truffles, crispy bacon, potato mash with French mustard, and vegetable foam
Charles Bridge
Pumpkin soufflé
Chocolate fondant with beetroot sorbet, dark bread ice cream, and toffee espuma
Foie Gras & Floyd – Prague Part 2
January 25, 2012
More lovely photos from Donna D’s travels..
It has been said that Prague’s lifeblood is not beer, but music, which is why I traveled across the Atlantic to see the Australian Pink Floyd band perform at the Tesla Arena. Well not exactly. Those of you who know me know I’m less of an English Rock and more of a Hip Hop type of gal. But my trip to Prague was all about doing things I wouldn’t normally do like eating foie gras and rocking out to the The Piper at the Gates of Dawn. In order to fully embrace Prague’s music scene I headed over to the music themed Hotel Aria, which I think is the only hotel in the world with a musical director, to dine at Coda. The food was flawless and the service was unreal. I felt like music royalty. My waiter, George, even brought out his camera and a surplus of lenses for me to use. Coda truly delivered on its name as it was the perfect meal to conclude the day.
Smooth Cream of Fennel with Roasted Pancetta and Milk Foam
Tuna Tartar seasoned with Lemon Rind and served with fresh Ginger Salad
Velvety Foie Gras Terrine with home-made Apple & Ginger Chutney
Seared Scallops served with Mango & Thai Basil Salad and home-made Chilli jam
Molten Valrhona Chocolate Cake with Liquid Centre topped with a home-made vanilla bean ice cream and berry coulis
Donna D. A Vegetarian No More – Prague Part 1
January 24, 2012
Another feature story from Donna D. Read about her week of travels as she ate her way through Prague…
After 15 years of vegetarianism I decided to relinquish my duties as a plant eater and jump face first into the land of Beer and Meat – Prague. I started my journey at Lokál for some traditional Czech cuisine and made on-site beer. The interior was reminiscent of the 80’s, long wooden cafeteria benches and child-like doodles sketched onto the walls. The food and unpasteurized beer was tasty, filling, and cheap. It was the perfect spot to kick-off my 5 day meat eating and beer drinking gluttonousness adventure in Prague.
Prazdroj Beer
Homemade Bread & Wall Art
Goulash from Beef Cheeks
Prague Ham
Lokál
All You Can Eat Potato Dumplings
Saint Vitus Cathedral
Special "Talián" Sausage by the Dolejší Family, Horseradish, and Mustard
Bleu Evolution
January 15, 2012
I ventured uptown to the neighborhood I explored last summer, but have yet to familiarize myself with all the hidden gems, like Bleu Evolution. An eccentric restaurant tucked into Manhattan’s Washington Heights, it has great brunches without the typical Saturday crowds and lines found further downtown. We were able to relax with some great tunes and enjoy hearty omelettes, duck and potatoes.
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Duck confit with potatoes, peppers and poached eggs
Broccoli and feta omelette and a Bloody Mary
Bacon and cheddar omelette
Tacombi at Fonda Nolita
January 10, 2012
My friend and I recently checked out the Carsten Holler exhibit at the New Museum (which I recommend), and finished off our afternoon with tacos from the nearby Tacombi at Fonda Nolita. This city loves its food trucks, but even more when it’s a vintage Volkswagon parked inside an industrial garage, with decor to make you feel as though your someplace much more tropical than Manhattan. Still in the brunch hour, I opted for the chorizo and egg breakfast taco, and my friend went with Mexico City’s favorite– the Al Pastor, marinated pork with roasted pineapple.
Al Pastor- Mexico City's favorite taco with marinated pork and roast pineapple
Huevos Con Chorizo Breakfast taco with homemade chorizo, potatoes, eggs and avocado
Homestyle beans flavored with epazote
A side of chips
Land & Flowers
January 8, 2012
My friends and I took advantage of the unseasonably 60 degree sunny January day, and threw a little afternoon roof gathering with some of my favorite Thai food from Land and beautiful floral arrangements done by my friend, Jess. Using an old Pantone book and library books as inspiration, we shot Atlantic baked salmon with bean paste, napa cabbage, snow pea, carrot and caramel soy sauce, caramelized chicken curry puffs, root vegetable egg rolls and satay beef and chicken skewers before chowing down and catching those summer-like sun rays.
Chicken Satay Skewer and Baked Salmon
Baked Salmon
Vegetable Egg roll
Vegetable Egg Rolls
Floral Arrangements
Salmon & Chicken Curry Puffs
Chicken Curry Puffs
Beef & Chicken satay skewers and Vegetable egg roll
Olives Eatery
December 29, 2011
A perfect way to spend a lazy winter afternoon while on holiday is at Olives Eatery in Baldwinsville, NY with good company. The welcoming front porch of an old home is enough to draw you in, but then the aroma of the eatery and the beautiful selection of Mackenzie-Childs homegoods in the giftshop makes it that much better. We had multiple courses starting with spinach artichoke and chicken dip, followed by soups, salads and ending with delicious paninis. Unfortunately too full for dessert, we’ll have to save that for the next visit.
French Onion Soup
Tomato cannelini bean soup with kale
The dining area
Smoked turkey, swiss, bacon, spinach and mayo panini with a side of orzo du jour
Greens, oranges, walnuts, cranberries and feta salad
Spinach artichoke dip and hot shredded chicken dip with chips and toasted bread
Tomato cannelini bean soup with kale
Greens, oranges, walnuts, cranberries and feta salad
‘Tis the Season
December 24, 2011
I’ve been meaning to share these delicious looking brunch shots from a Sunday afternoon spent at Tipsy Parson recently. Tucked in a bay window seat on a cold but sunny Sunday afternoon, a friend and I enjoyed their comfort American menu with a southern flair. If you happen to be around New York for the holidays, I highly recommend stopping in. Closed for the weekend, they re-open on Monday.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy holiday, and I look forward to bringing you some festive feasts I’ll be partaking in throughout the week in Syracuse!
Flaxseed & nut granola, berry compote, berries
Pigs in a Poke-- stone ground grits, andouille sausage, poached eggs, toast soldiers
Side of eggs
Donna D Goes to Seattle
December 16, 2011
For Donna’s second featured post, she took us to Seattle. Here’s what she has to say…
“I hadn’t been back to Seattle since I was in the fourth grade, so needless to say I jumped at the opportunity to go visit my cousin, her fiance and their oh-so stinkin’ cute daughter. My cousin and I are huge fans of oysters, so naturally our first stop was to Pike’s Place Market to find the freshest, fattiest, most juiciest oyster shooters around. We ended up getting a bit side tracked en route and sampled delicious crepes from Crepe De France, one of Nicki’s favorites. We also hit up Piroshky-Piroshky, a Russian bakery; however, the piéce de résistance of the market (besides the oysters) had to have been Daily Dozen Doughnut Company. Pure heaven. These donuts were warm and fluffy but had a marvelous crunch on the outside. I was eating them like popcorn– by the handful. Maybe that’s why I wore sweatpants on the remainder of my trip?
Spinach, Goat Cheese and Tomato Crepe at Crepe De France
Donuts being fried to golden perfection
The smell of donuts permeates the air
Russian pastries from Piroshky-Piroshky
Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie
December 13, 2011
Following the signs in Red Hook, I made my way through some quiet industrial streets before finally landing upon the lively spot of Steve’s Authentic Key Lime Pie. The sounds of the crowd told us we arrived, and upon ordering our pie were also kindly invited to join in the opening party celebration for the Mexican Folk Art gallery next door, Manos De Mexicanos. What a good time to come by. The party went on, as the view of the sun setting over the Verrazano bridge provided the perfect backdrop. And the best of all was a taste of some of the most delicious key lime pie I’ve ever had.
4" Tart
Key Lime Pie
Inside the party
a camera in the kitchen 