Gluten Free Discovery

I've been gone for a while since I recently found out that I have to start a gluten free diet for health reasons. I know, I know! I've probably consumed too many croissants, pizzas and local beers and that has put me over the edge. Well, I've done a lot of research and even though I can't just walk into any patisserie for the moment while strolling in Paris, my Dr. has told me that I should only have to do this for about a year.

My favorite haunt in Rome informed me that the dieta senza glutine is very popular in Italy and is mostly requested for the benefit of children suffering for gluten sensitivity. In most restaurants in Rome it is common to ask for gluten free bread and pasta. So I'm learning the ropes and will be back to you soon with a new find that will be food friendly for everyone, including our gluten free friends. I promise not to disappoint.

The Best Taco Stand EVER~!

The best taco stand EVER! can be found on the corner of Articulo 123 and Balderas streets near the Reforma area of Mexico City! I always indulge in the 6 pesos Chile Rellenos Tacos which are usually sold out by 11am every day. This stand is open 7 days a week, 24 hours a day and please don't let its street food scene scare you! The tacos here are divine! I about had a conniption fit on my last visit at 10 am when they told me they were not making the Chile relleno tacos that day! So I survived on a boiled egg taco instead. Not as tasty and original but filled me up nonetheless. Here you will also find an array of choices that range from Tongue ( lengua ) to (Chicarrone = Pig Fat ) as well us other 'meats' so you can't be shy. Note: The salsa is so incredible that once the guy working there filled a plastic bag with the stuff and sent me on my way! All the locals stare at me when I eat here especially when I smother my taco with the salsa ranchera in question. It is best to eat these tacos like the locals with chopped onion, cilantro and of course the red magic salsa! Please visit!

La Opera - Ciudad de Mexico D.F.

La Opera Bar and Restaurant, was highly recommended to me by a very good friend and his suggestions are always right on! In the center of Mexico City between the Reforma area and Zocalo, I was pleasantly greeted into this historically intriguing eatery. (see the link above)

I ordered the Carne Asada Tampinquena and was completely satisfied. The meat was perfectly medium and the accompanying side dishes made for a delicious meal. I created my own tacos amidst the varied selection of ingredients on my plate: fresh made tortillas, nopalitos, guacamole with cotijo cheese, mole sauce (that smothered a side enchilada), marinated onions, jalapenos, verde salsa and limes. Don't forget the Indio beer for refreshment.

Satiated, I rolled out of the decorative and calming ambiance into the festive 80+ degree streets of la Ciudad de Mexico, ignoring the protesting groups marching to loud speakers, by the omni-present machine gun clad guards, drooling past the window displays of the multiple pastelerias and back to the comfort of my layover hotel to rest before my 4 am wake up call and another 14 hour duty day in the sky.

Pleasant Ridge Reserve Deliciousness!

My dreams of retiring into cheese making ways were once again inspired this past week with a delightful discovery of the delectable cheese: Pleasant Ridge Reserve.

Described as: Semi-hard non-pasteurized cow milk cheese made from a single herd in Wisconsin; I was lucky enough to consume this at McCrady's in Charleston, SC last Monday evening. When I saw their artisanal cheese and extensive wine selection, I knew I'd be pleased. I was.

Not quite on the economic side price-wise but you really get a whole lot of bang for your buck with this one!

Tangy, salty goodness with a sweet caramelly after taste that leaves you begging for more!!!

The cheese was very well paired with the Tempranillo, Seis de Luberri, Rioja 2007 that I was sipping along with the savory treat....this will be my next big splurge. Instead of a candle, give me cheese! (and wine! possibly more costly than the candles I love!)

Happy Hour Milano Style - Pasticceria Clivati

One of my favorite places for Happy Hour in Milan is definitely Pasticceria Clivati on Via Coni Zugna, 57. This quaint and delightful mom and pop pastry stop is a must on the walk along the tramway towards the Zona Navigli area of Milan.

Happy Hours in Milan are varied and popular but this one takes the 'cake'!

I was able to share my favorite pre dinner drink, the Spritz, with 6 of my fellow ( or women ) crewmembers and an large assortment of nibbly treats! Since the owners recognize me there I always ask them to bring out something special! We were sampling peperoncino savory shortbread ( click link for recipe! ), marcona almonds, tuna cream toasts and fresh foccacias and puff pastries filled with olives and ham. Many other appetizers adorned the bar such as nuts, chips and olives and the price is definitely right: 5 € for each drink with the yummies included! Not to be missed!

Snow in Rome!

For the first time in 25 years, snow fell on Rome. I only captured this image on the way to the city center from the airport. I had hoped to capture images of snow on the palm trees but we arrived once this fleeting experience was melting away...I can't help but turn this into an instant metaphor of how I need to remind myself to enjoy the 'now'.

I have a small child and she changes so very quickly that sometimes I can't keep up with the progress! Since I travel out of the country every week, I miss her day to day developments as I'm sure many parents also do by working a day job. Kids change so rapidly, as does life itself. One moment can make a difference and change a life for better or for worse.

I sometimes have to remind myself to remain present in the moment since my life is always moving, literally.

I'm on a perpetual ''round-trip". Yet every time I return, something has changed, if ever so slightly. I embrace change yet I cherish something constant and solid. That is why I enjoy cuddling up with my favorite cushion and blanket on the couch and sitting in the same comfortable spot after lighting a favorite candle in order to signal the end of a very long day.

I realize it is ok to order the same carbonara 50 times in a row at the same restaurant and request the same table because that may be the only thing that stays the constant in my ever changing life.

Sometimes the predictablity is the comfort itself while I appreciate the differences I experience every day!

Beer Fix in Roma

Another weekend with beer on the brain and surprisingly this time, I was in Rome! Open Balandin is a new bar/restaurant featuring 38! micro brews on tap and 100+ in bottles! The beers definitely rival those of microbreweries that I frequented in my college days. I tried a great Pale Ale and was very pleased. I literally ran into this place while galavanting around the Campo di Fiori area. I'd been wanting to check it out and was glad that I did. The people that work there are lovely, the ambiance is fun and modern and for a kitschy feel go upstairs to the rooms decorated like the homes of Romanian gypsies, interesting fun and so euro-rustique ( new word? ). Yes I did continue the evening with a lovely glass of red wine in a small quaint bar before my habit of thin pizza consumption, yet it is fun to think outside the box now and again and try something new. I think the Italians know what quality means when it comes to literally everything and now I can add beer to that list. Stop by on your next trip to Rome and coming soon to 57th street in the N.Y.C. in June 2010.

(Recently visited in November of 2010 and the "birrificio" is on Via degli Specchi, although the website will guide you to Piazza Luglio which is frequently missed on a map...)