The best steak I’ve ever head….

Well, well I think this post will be the shortest one I’ve ever written…besides links…when comments are not necessary…

I love steak, very much..I tried in many places but the best I’ve ever head was in Hamburg at the Kempinski Hotel Atlantic (Atlantic Restaurant)

‘Filet of beef with herb crust, vegetables in a fond, oxen ravioli and a potato foam’. 

I had it well-done, the steak was thick and juicy..excellent, five stars! 

No more words…try it if you’re in Hamburg. 

http://www.kempinski.com/en/hamburg/hotel-atlantic/fine-dining/restaurants/atlantic-restaurant/

 

Breakfast at Granger & Co.

Granger & Co. is owned by the Australian chef Bill Granger. His one my favourite chef and finally I had the chance to visit one of his restaurant in Notting Hill. He has two other restaurants in Japan and Australia. 

 

I have to admit that I don’t like London anymore. Somehow it’s just too big and too crowded but every time I’m in London I always go to Notting Hill. I love the area…bookstores, spice shops, groceries…everything I need..not to mention the market. If you’re in London you must see the Portobello Road Market. But don’t go there with full stomach! The food is impeccable. Granger & Co. is a short walk from Notting Hill tube station. 

 

The restaurant is not huge but always busy. They don’t take bookings. When I was there in January, 2014, there was no queue. I’ve heard that evening can be more difficult but nobody had to wait more than twenty minutes which is not too bad. As soon as you enter you can feel the energy and everybody is very friendly. I sat down to the bar. There’re many papers you can read and wi-fi too, it’s a good place for business breakfast too! Days before I checked the menu and it was soooo hard to chose. I picked up Bill’s daily greens, ricotta hotcakes and cup of coffee. This might sound little but believe me it was more than enough for one person. The ricotta pancake was just perfect, no too sweet but soft and light.

Now, I must mention the coffee. I’m a coffee addict and really picky on coffees. Granger has one of the best coffee I’ve ever tried in the UK. They use All Press Espresso. The company was found in New Zealand and they’re roasting the coffee in a small roastery in Shoreditch in London. Stunning flavours, strong but not over roasted. After I finished I decided that I had to buy some from that coffee so I went to Shoreditch directly. It was worth the effort..:)

One of the waitress’, she was very nice and recommended more places where you can have very good coffee in London. I’ll post that list too later. 

This is how you should start your day. I’m really looking forward to returning back and try the lunch menu. 

http://www.grangerandco.com/#restaurant

http://nz.allpressespresso.com

 

DKA from Dominique Ansel

This recommendation has just come from the Maestro of DKA, Mr. Ansel personally. 

I wish I could have one now! 

http://www.foodandwine.com/chefs/dominique-ansel

Happy Christmas!

I wish Happy Christmas and New Year to All of You with this article: 

http://www.bonappetit.com/columns/consumed/slideshow/year-in-food-2013/?slide=1

 

Recently I have worked on the promotion and PR of a young Serbian-Hungarian guitarist called Csaba Tot-Bagi’s album. It’s my pleasure to announce that his concert with Al Di Meola and Fausto Beccalossi is featured at the 22nd issue of Guitar Interactive Magazine. 

The magazine is available online and it’s free and the concert can be streamed free as well! I truly recommend the magazine, so if you have a chance have a look at it and enjoy the concert. 

http://licklibrary.ceros.com/iguitarmag/issue22/page/1

The Forbes 2013 All-Star Eateries In New York

The Forbes 2013 All-Star Eateries In New York

http://www.forbes.com/sites/steveforbes/2013/11/27/the-forbes-2013-all-star-eateries-in-new-york/

My best goat cheese salad in London

Since I have been living in London I didn’t really tried salads. Don’t ask me why, it just didn’t happen. Until now when one afternoon I was walking in Fulham road and coincidentally I ended up in an Italian cafe called Delice. The main reason I went there to drink Illy café which is my favourite. The menu was so tempting so I thought hmm I need to try something out and I did. I picked up a warm goat cheese salad. Here it is:

 

 

It was one of the best goat cheese salad I have ever had. Warm, crunchy and tender with a balsamic glaze on the top. Fantastic!

By the way the area is a great place to buy French or Italian delicatessen. There are two very good shops around. Because Christmas is coming there are Panettone’s everywhere! 

 

Delice Cafe

154 Fulham Road

SW10 9PR

I Love New York – Ingredients and Recipes by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara

I don’t know if I love or hate New York. I have quite controversial feelings about NY.

When I first visited in March 2008 I hated it. It was too big and too dirty and I felt a stranger in between the skyscrapers. Then, my second visit was better and I must admit that by the time we were ready to move back to Europe I fell in love with it. But it was already too late, I could not enjoy the city more. Since then, of course I saw every movie played in there over and over again. Time has passed and five years later I ended up in NY again. I watched everything from a different but new perspective –  food :). Therefore I decided that today I would recommend a fantastic book called ‘I Love New York – Ingredients and Recipes by Daniel Humm and Will Guidara’. 

 

Not long ago I’ve read an interesting article about Eleven Madison Park Restaurant in NY. It’s run by Michelin star Daniel Humm and Restaurateur Will Guidara. Unfortunately I didn’t have a chance to visit the restaurant ‘yet’ but I managed to get their cookbook. It’s a massive book with beautiful illustrations and amazing recipes. When I’m abroad I have always been interested in trying local ingredients. That is why this book is so amazing. It’s organised by common NY State ingredients by alphabetical order. There’s a short story about the farm/farmer where that particular ingredient is grown or produced followed by a recipe. I must mention the glamorous pictures made by Francesco Tonelli. I think he’s a genius. The book is very well edited and the recipes are easy to follow though I haven’t tried it yet but I read through all of it. It’s a joy of reading and I can’t wait to go home and cook a meal from it. If you are interested in NY and its local food you must buy this book and I can promise that you’ll love it. 

 

 

More information

http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/chefsexperts/celebrity-chefs/daniel-humm-will-guidara-recipes-interview

The book is available at

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-New-York-Ingredients-Recipes/dp/1607744406/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385226323&sr=8-1&keywords=i+love+new+york+ingredients+and+recipes

 Madison Eleven Park Restaurant

http://elevenmadisonpark.com

Francesco Tonelli Photographer

http://francescotonelli.com

 

Cronut On!

Or shall we say ‘Hello New Yorkers! Who want’s Cronut?’ Cronut now is under a Trademark and called CRONUT™ 101. When I’ve first heard about this new ‘croissant-doughnut’ pastry created by Dominique Ansel I didn’t know that I would be in New York couple of weeks later. But there was one thing I was certain, I must try it. Of course, try it but how??It’s impossible unless you’re queuing at least 2 hours before opening which is 8am. No, no I’m to lazy to get up that early and travel and at least one hour to get it..sorry…:(

Anyway, I think by now everyone knows Cronut. Gastro writers and experts call it as a new invention. Ansel has created something which hasn’t existed before (though others claim that yes, there has been something similar before but called differently). So, I knew I had to organise a visit. Best decision ever!

Today is the 1st of October 2013!A new day with a new start!

Dear Everyone who’s out there,

I have been planning to re-start writing a blog for a while. Now it’s time to share my stories with You. I would like to dedicate this blog to the joy of music, food or shall we say gastronomy and all stories connecting to lifestyle (whatever might that be..). I would like You to share your stories too and be interactive so all of us can have fun! I will promise that you will more information about me in the ‘About’ section very soon…see you later!