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France, French Food, Paris, restaurant

Le Petit Troquet, Paris France

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A very small and romantic bistro off the beaten path Le Petit Troquet.

The most difficult part of the evening will be finding it. Rue Expostion is a small alleyway off the Rue Saint-Dominique adjacent to Les Fables de La Fontaine. Rue Saint-Dominque is the home of Christian Constant’s empire.. Upon arrival you will be greeted by the Chef/Owner’s girlfriend that is the manager and server in the dining room. The ownership has changed this year and if you have been there in the past you may be pleasantly surprised by the new owner. The menu changes daily and has something to please everyone. The food is prepared with a french flair including quality ingredients. I enjoyed the scallops that where seared to perfection. Save room for desert they are all made in the house. I would not recommend the place for children or large parties. This is great for date night or perhaps two couples.

 

 

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Japan, Japanese Food, Washington DC

Sushi Taro, Washington DC

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I’ve been a Sushi fan for many years and have eaten it all over the world including Japan. Sushi Taro is on par with the finest!! There are very few Sushi places in the US on this level. Most places in NYC are not even close to the quality of the product that Sushi Taro serves. Let’s speak a minute about WASABI most people in the US have never had Wasabi, they have eaten a green clay like substance that most Japanese restaurants call wasabi but it is not!!  Taro serves real wasabi and thats just one of the reasons it is so far beyond the rest of the pack. I have been to Taro a few times besides the sushi, I recommend the 10 hour cooked pork belly and the house red bean made ice cream.

Expensive YES worth it Without Question!

1503 17th Street Northwest
Washington, DC 20036

(202) 328-3756

 

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France, French Food, Paris, Uncategorized

Les Cocottes, Paris, France

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This is another great establishment owned by Chef Christian Constant. Les Cocottes is the french equivalent of eating at a causal diner. Seating is either at the counter or at counter height communal tables. There are very nice daily specials as well as the standard menu both are reasonably priced. I have returned to Les Cocottes several times some of the dishes that I enjoyed the most were: Arugula salad with bacon and a poached egg drizzled with balsamic sauce, Lamb parts and potatoes stuffed with pigs feet are both great choices for the main. DO NOT PASS on the Waffle with caramel for desert!!

I’m getting hungry just thinking about this place !!!

 

Les Cocottes
135, rue Saint-Dominique, 7th

The restaurant Les Cocottes is open
every day from noon till 3:00pm
and 7:00-10:30pm

http://www.maisonconstant.com/eng_cocottes.htm

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Gelato, Italian, Italy

Pluripremiata Gelato “World Champs”, San Gimignano, Italy

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In the heart of San Gimignano lies this wonderful Gelato shop, it’s the one with the line in front of it. WAIT do not go to the other shops without a line!!

This is homemade Gelato that is truly “World Class”. It’s not the best Gelato I’ve eaten but very close.

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Emilia–Romagna, Italian, Italy, Uncategorized

Cum Quibus, San Gimignano, Italy

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Probably the finest traditional Tuscan meal we’ve eaten.

We walked into a packed restaurant without a confirmed reservation. There was one table for two or deuce for those in the business available. We were told that it was previously reserved however they have not arrived yet,  they were 20 minutes late. I started a conversation with the restaurant staff and convinced them to give us the table.
BTW: they never showed however there was a never ending stream of walk-ins turned away.

Primi:  The most delicious poppardelle with a wild boar ragu imaginable. The wild boar was so soft it melted like butter in my mouth. The tagliolini with white truffle was excellent with a very delicate flavor of truffle.

Secondi: I decided to try the Tripe stuffed with sausage. Tripe has a bad rap at times of being rubbery. This tripe however was anything but it cut with a fork and melted like butter. In fact I even applied the tripe like butter to the bread.
Lori had the Florentine steak for two. It was cooked to perfection and  possibly the most tender meat, we have consumed. BTW: we let them serve it as it should be without issuing any temperature preference.
This was better than a Peter Luger’s steak and we consider that to be the best porterhouse in NYC.

I noticed the table of local next to us all ordering the Cantuccini so we followed their lead. The Cantuccini was hard like a rock however it absorbed the vin santo like a sponge and was special.

Needless to summarize we love this place and will return.

Com Quibus

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Emilia–Romagna, Italian, Italy

Trattoria del Tribunale, Parma, Italy

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Trattoria del Tribunale offers excellent fresh cooked local specialties at a very reasonable price.

We started with the Torta Fritta and Parma Ham. When in Rome as they say!  The dough was light and airy and the Ham as expected wonderful.

Primi:  The Tortelli di Zucca(Pumpkin Ravioli) was so good my wife almost chopped my finger off when I went to taste a piece. The pumpkin filling was flavored with Amaretto, a really nice touch. I had the Tortelli al radicchio rosso e noci (ravioli with chicory and walnuts) it too was excellent however the Tortelli di zucca was special and I highly recommend it.

For the Secondi:  We both had the Parmigiana di Melanzane (eggplant parmigiana).  At first the portion size looked small however it was extremely rich with an amazing depth of flavors. We both were pleasantly surprised by a real eggplant parm… it was great !!!  The contorni we had was Spinaci bolliti o saltati alla parmigiana it was cooked to perfect with just the right amount of cheese. “This was the best Spinaci I have ever eaten.”

Dessert is mandatory!  You must try the SBRISOLONA, it is this light and delicious almond crumble. We both agree that we would fly to Italy from Florida just to have another one !! The Torta di Chocolate was also outstanding.

When in Parma do not pass by Trattoria del Tribunale…  its worth the trip!!
<a href=”http://www.trattoriadeltribunale.it/” rel=”nofollow”>www.trattoriadeltribunale.it/</a>

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France, Gelato, Paris

Amorino Glace, Paris

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This is perhaps the best Gelato product,  I’ve had outside of Italy. It has the light yet creamy texture of an Italian Gelato and very strong flavor of the ingredient. They also deserve extra credit for their great presentation.

They have about a dozen shops around the world.

Amorino

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France, French Food, Paris, Uncategorized

Agape Substance, Paris

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Highest quality ingredients, prepared perfectly and elegantly plated. I’m usually not a fan of the tasting menu fearing that after eating 10 tiny plates, I’ll leave hungry and seek out the nearest Pizza I can find.  This was not the case at Agape Substance the tasting menu included several substantial courses that met your visual needs as well as fill your stomach. The plates were all painstaking prepared by the chef owner David Toutain. David actually personally handles every plate that leaves the kitchen for the tables.this is quite a feat considering the huge number of plates.

The service was excellent yet not stuffy and I really enjoyed the whole experience. The prices of the meals are very reasonable especially at lunch. This is a real value in a city were a fine dining dinner can set you back a thousand dollars.  I highly recommend you visit Agape Substance and see what surprises David and Laurent have in store for you.

Agape Substance

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Washington DC

Alero Mexican, Washington D.C.

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Simple and fresh TEX MEX at a very reasonable price.

This is not gourmet dining however the service was excellent . The food was several steps above your local Taco Bell however it was not the finest TEX MEX either. I would recommend it for something fast and cheap around Washington DC.

ALERO MEXICAN WEBSITE

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Gelato, Washington DC

Pitango Gelato, Washington D.C.

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I have decide to change my rating system for Gelato and rate Italian Gelato in a separate category because to compare it to anything else is unfair and places most US products in the poor category.

Fine Italian Gelato the homemade kind found in the small family run shops is beyond compare, it simply puts all others to shame . It possess a creamy yet not thick texture with flavors at explode in your mouth. I have yet to experience this in the US. I have come very close and the establishment that came close has even  flown in a Gelato consultant from Italy to assist them. I believe the next time I return they will have their product at a level of a descent  Italian product.

Pitango Gelato uses all mostly locally scoured and  all organic ingredients.
They charge a premium price for these ingredients, is it worth it. Well if you desire to eat an organic diet it is to others it may not be.  At 5.60 a scoop it very expensive snack for a family.

My verdict; I tasted about six flavors. They where very eager for me to try the nut flavors. The nut flavors or shall I say lack of flavor where very disappointing. The Chocolate Noir was good and I even ate more than one spoonful which is saying a lot because I usual taste a spoonful and throw the rest out because I’m so disappointed.

Rating: US/Fair-Good

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France, French Food, Paris

Le Florimond, Paris

 

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We have lost count as to how many times we have dined at Le Florimond. Lori and I  bring our family to Le Florimond when we are in Paris. This restaurant features home style french food.  It’s like eating at your French Grandma’s house. Our favorites included Grandma’s stuffed cabbage and the mille-feuille. Rather than try to choose a wine let Laurent do it for you. Laurent is the manager of the dining room and our friend. I have reservations about revealing Le Florimond to the masses, I don’t want it to get so crowded by tourists that it looses it’s charm. Send our regards to Laurent and enjoy an authentic French dinner.

 

Le Florimond

19, Avenue de la Motte-Picquet
75007 Paris

Tél. : 01 45 55 40 38

 

 

 

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Florida, Italian

Sea Salt, Naples, Florida

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We stopped in for light lunch in Naples Florida today revisiting a favorite from last year. We are happy to report that the food is better than ever and all is going well at Sea Salt.

This visit we where lucky enough to have a long chat with the Chef/Owner Fabrizio Aielli. He was a most pleasant Italian gentlemen that was passionate about the quality of the ingredients he serves. He proudly explained how he is getting fresh ingredients flown in several times a week and some of his fish from Italy is fresher than that of some of the local fish served elsewhere.  Tomatoes are another passion of the Chef’s he loves to serve them with just a bit of fine olive oil and salt.

We are looking forward to returning shortly to have the fresh Gelato the chef promised us and to visit his new venue opening in the fall. We highly recommend that when in Naples Florida, you dine like your in Naples Italy at Sea Salt.

Sea Salt
1186 3rd Street South
Naples, FL 34102-7055
(239) 434-7258

http://www.seasaltnaples.com/

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Uncategorized

Botin, Madrid, Spain

 

 

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I picked up a trip to Madrid. Being a fan of the Travel Channel, I remembered Andrew Zimmern eating at Botin.

I love roast pig! and the Baby roast suckling pig was amazing.

 

This is the oldest restaurant in the world and THE place for Baby roast suckling pig in Madrid.

 

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Florida, Miami

Micheal’s Genuine Food

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Great conceptual menu and great service. The ingredients were excellent however the preparation was poor. The steak was cooked to the wrong temperature and salad soaked in oil. Pizza dough was tasteless and undercooked. To the staff’s credit they did remove it from the bill.
Unfortunately there was a fatal flaw in the Men’s room: it was dirty and paper towels where overflowing the basket. I’d expect better than this in a fast food establishment.  Michael needs to get off TV and back in his restaurants !!

Miami Design District.

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Palm Beach, restaurant

Cafe Boulud, Palm Beach, Florida

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On a lazy Florida summer morning, I decided there has to be something to eat in this state. I went to my computer and signed in to my Zagat.com subscription. I started searching for places to dine in Palm Beach county.  I noticed that Danial Boulud had a Cafe in Palm Beach.  We have been to a couple of his places in NYC and enjoyed them as well as meeting him during lunch at DBGB. I made a reservation for lunch.

Cafe Boulud in Palm Beach has an amazing 3 course lunch for 20 dollars. I’d pay the 20 dollars of the dessert alone it was so good. The service team was highly professional lead by  the manager Andrew.  As one would expect from one of Chef Daniel’s establishments everything is beyond first class.  As you can see from the photos we have returned several times and have been delighted each time

 

http://www.danielnyc.com/cafebouludPB.html

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Uncategorized

Prosperity Dumpling, NYC

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Low budget dive called Prosperity??.. Dumpling Shop in NYC. They have managed to get a “A” grade from the NYC Health department so they must be clean.  The Dumplings are 5 for a dollar which explains the line that is always in front of the place.  The dumpling are pretty good and for a dollar who can complain.  Cheap snack after a night out on the Lower East Side.….

 

Prosperity Dumpling

46 Eldridge Street NY NY

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Uncategorized

Cafe Nero, Edinburgh and several other locations…

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I have discovered this Italian style Coffee shop in Edinburgh. Their coffee is great.  It’s much better than the American brand X.  They also have a great Hot Chocolate Milano which is worth every delicious calorie it contains.

 

Cafe Nero

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NYC eats

Barrio Chino, NYC

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Hidden in an unmarked store front near the corner of  Broome and Orchard streets is this jewel of a Mexican restaurant.  This is not Tex-Mex but rather the real deal. They produce some of the freshest most authentic Mexican food, I’ve had outside of Mexico.  Remember I’ve been to Mexico many times.; they don’t call me Juanpilot for nothing.  The kitchen is tiny so the menu is limited but whatever is on it is great.  I have introduced my friend Anatoli to this place and it has become his place of choice for lunch.

 

Barrio Chino

253 Broome Street

New York NY

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Edinburgh Scotland

The Worlds End Pub, Edinburgh

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After a wee bit of sightseeing, I decided it was time to introduce Lori to Haggis. I have been to the Worlds End a few times and have enjoyed the Haggis which is local from Macsween. They are most well know for their huge Fish and Chips which is not only huge but quite good as well.

The Worlds End

4 High Street, Edinburgh,

City of Edinburgh EH1 1TB,

United Kingdom +44 131 556 3628 ‎

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