LONDON calling: The Pantechnicon Rooms

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This is just a wee bit more than your typical pub. So we had a wee bit more than your typical lunch at Pantechnicon. With a pitcher of summery Pimms on deck, it was a veritable feast in celebration of our arrival in London after many years away and old friends.

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The starters were mixed: some stronger than others, some memorable and some lost. Four miniscule Scottish scallops were surrounded by wisps of fennel and peas and dribbles of chorizo dressing. It had a little bit of everything from spicy fatty chorizo to sweet earthy peas and tender scallops, just not enough. Fried calamari came in a basket, crisp, hot and fresh with just enough cooling lime dressing and spicy chilli sauce. It was typical, familiar and tasty. The sharing plate trio was much less appealing— the short rib pastrami was dry and burnt, the pulled pork croquette was flavorless, and the pork ribs were dull.

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What possessed me to get a salad is beyond me. Maybe it was that crispy duck egg that hypnotized me. Sometimes salads are your favorite, but this “salad” was missing what makes a salad. The base of the “salad” was a thick bed of chewy, stiff, dark wild rice, which was mostly inedible in my book. The crispy duck egg, figs, zucchini and almonds, however, were tasty on their own. There was so much crunch from the egg and a creaminess from its soft yolky center that added richness to the merlot dressing and summery ingredients. Good thing my friend and sister are much lighter eaters than I am.

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Both mains were hearty, not extremely creative nor memorable, but solid and satiating. The flanks of pork rib eye were tender and juicy, topped with a chunky apple chutney to complete the classic pair. The sweetness of the round sweet potato contrasted the earthy mushy peas, highlighting the salt of the meat and long crunchy chicarron. Even the spicy baby chicken was well executed but just chicken with a fat scoop of mashed potatoes. The bone marrow and Madeira jus and mushroom sauces added oomph but were unnecessary in the end.

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Yes, lunch was necessary and nourishing, but it was just a backdrop for memories, laughter, catching up and the essential Pimms. It was more than just a meal; it was the start of a great trip with great friends.

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DOUGHnut leave me this way: Dough

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After a lovely lunch, we headed to Dough to appease our (ok, my) sweet tooth. It was a kind of awkward hour, but there was still a lengthy line, filled seats at the harvest table, a lot of chatter and a ton of beautiful doughnuts. There were a bunch of flavors, all colorful with character. This made choosing one (or two) doughnut extremely difficult.

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In the end, I went with the passion fruit curd filled and the pumpkin varieties, while my friend ended up with a salted chocolate and a cinnamon sugar. Each doughnut base was delicious—fluffy, fried and fresh, but a few bites at a time were just enough. Though extremely tasty, the rounds were a little heavy and decadent.

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The details were what really set the doughnuts apart. The tangy passion fruit curd cut the fat and the lemon sugar really brightened the snack on the whole. Pumpkin and pretty pepitas made a Dough doughnut perfect for the season, sweet and a little spicy. The chocolate of my friend’s doughnut was very deep and rich and the pinch of salt added another layer, while the cinnamon sugar doughnut was classic and simple.

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Can not wait to try more flavors. Maybe next time I would just get one, maybe… (::winkwink::)

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DEJEUNER: L'Express

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The winter sun was shining and it was time for a lovely late lunch for a desperately needed catch-up and escape. We traveled across Park Avenue South and found ourselves in L’Express, a sweet little bistro that felt as if it was on an anonymous Parisian side street. The tables and chairs, the mirrors the colors, the tile, the menu, the everything… so French, so perfect for the midday rendez-vous.

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The house duck pâté appetizer came with country toast, a spicy mound of mustard, tart and tangy cornichons, briny black olives, fresh tomato swirls, and soggy dressed lettuce. The extremely large triangles of pâté were mildly intimidating, a generous portion of luscious decadence. Each accoutrement gave the silky, fatty pâté a unique flavor, making different elements shine while cutting the heaviness.

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Pretty onion soup garnished with a little green garnish was perfect to warm insides and make smiles. T he crouton dissolved in the small bowl, but the thick hot cheese stretched adding chew to the smooth broth that was studded with slinky onions.

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A gorgeous shallow bowl held more pumpkin ravioli than predicted with a light broth and sage. Each pocket was pleasantly plump and bursting with fresh feelings of fall. The filling was seriously pumpkin, with all those flavors of the season— spicy, sweet things. The herbal sage brought out the earthiness of the pumpkin and added distance between the filling and pumpkin pie.

The steak frites rounded out the bistro experience. Char and grill marks drastically contrasted the warm pink meat longing for salt. A tiny dressed salad brightened the heavy meat and perfectly soggy fries, balance.  

Despite its name and its hours, a lunch at L’Express could be leisurely. It was soulful and buttery, indulgent in a way that is almost effortless and quotidian—déjeuner.

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photo op: BAREBURGER

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Nothing like a big hunk of meat on a soft bun to solve all of your problems. Bareburger in Hoboken was the spot of choice to drown our sorrows and share our happiness over fat onion rings and spiced fries with a myriad of delicious sauces. The Grindhouse burger with an egg (extra) eased my pounding head and the Wiki Wiki tickled those sweet and spicy notes. The amazingly delicious and addictive Snickerdoodle Samme made all my problems go away. Bareburger ended up being the perfect place for a lunch date where we dished on life and observations. Gah, so yummy!

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See my past Bareburger experience here and here!  Don’t forget to follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, and yelp to keep up with all the food adventures.

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11.12.14

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BRIGHT and delicious : Zuni Cafe

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Zuni Cafe in San Francisco offers bright light and even brighter service. The glass façade let the light in, and it swelled brighter, freed by high ceilings. Though at some tables everything was washed under a golden yellow hue, immutable sunshine.

The menu is packed with fresh, classic and classy bites, reflecting the bright light strolling in. A wide range of delightful items erring on the side of heavy and savory, filled the page. Along with the refined flavors and seasonal favorites, Zuni infuses comfort and familiarity with wood-fired pizzas, grilled sausages and artisan burgers, fresh salads and hearty mains.

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Starting with salty prosciutto, tangy and creamy spreadable goat cheese and smoky charred grilled green padron peppers to mix and match, created a personalized kind of balance curated by the kitchen. Roasted heirloom tomato soup warmed with a sweet and tart resonance, cooled with yogurt drizzled in a “Z.” Sharing a Zuni pizza, thin and flat, light and bright with slivers of red onion, hunter green sorrel, thin pancetta and hot disks of pepper, made for buttery memories and a great pillow to appease.

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Continuing with linguine zinging with tart Meyer lemon, silky chanterelles, green chard and nutty parmesan satiated with a bright familiarity. The pasta swirled and twined in the sunlight, ushering in the season. For something heavier, a solitary sausage, tender flavorful and robust, served with round chickpeas and green greens. The beans were meaty and mealy, playing with the textures of the crumbling sausage and swaying greens. And for the lunch traditionalist, a fat house ground hamburger, capped with cheese, aioli, Zuni pickles and a grilled rosemary focaccia.

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Dessert can be a dark and dense chocolate Gateau Victoire, or a cheese plate with salty cheese and sweet juicy fruits. Or it can be a beautiful tower constructed of sticky meringue discs layered with fancy cream and served with dripping stewed figs and savory walnuts. Light as clouds and bright as the airy eatery…

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second YELPing...

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At Park & Sixth Restaurant and Bar, we witnessed soccer fans rooting as we chowed down on our ambitious “snack.” We were aiming for a little in between bite as breakfast’s pancakes were starting to fade and dinner was just a little too far away. We did not want to go all out, but there was no way not to. Everything sounded delicious, laden with creative combos and a touch of home. The Beast was most definitely a beast, with all burgers' favorites like bacon, fried onions, runny egg, and cheese, but the New Park & Sixth was kind of like this, with a little bit of meat and a lotta bit of grease. The place is like that “cool kid” neighborhood bar with comforting yumtastic eats. Feel all the feelings in my yelp review! 

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Would love if you all would follow on facebook, instagram, twitter, yelp, tumblr and pintrest. There is always something new to devour!

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6.10.14

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