When it comes to enjoying life, sometimes the stomach knows best. I grew up hearing that the way to a man’s heart is through his belly. Luckily in this era of the gastronome, the saying also rings true for women as well. For all I know, there is no greater adventure than to take on life one plate at a time.
Since this is my first column for the new year, I just want to pause to wish you the very best of life’s blessings for 2014 and to thank you for your loyal readership for yet another year. This is the year to bite the bullet and have the food experiences that make life worth living. To make it easy for you, I have compiled a few items to get you going on the path of a life well lived. Let’s make fantastic food memories in 2014!
THINGS TO DO..
Grow your own veggies
This may seem a tad ambitious in the desert but I can assure you its feasible. Whether you have yard space or a balcony or are confined to a tinny kitchen window, there is something you can grow. You can start with hardy herbs like thyme and rosemary and branch off to others and even to vegetables like tomatoes and amaranth and okra, bindi. The more space you have the better, but don’t be daunted by that, as pots and good potting soil are just as effective. You would be surprised to see how much my mother grew in the month of September!
Bake homemade bread
There are few things as homely as waking up to the smell of bread baking in the oven. Perhaps the only thing that trumps making and baking fresh bread is actually eating it hot out of the oven. You need nothing more than jam, clotted cream and condiments like good butter, avocado and salsa for this treat!
Raise chickens for fresh eggs
If you have the space and the tolerance for the clucking, by all means go ahead. I had a large chicken coop pretty close to my bedroom window when I was younger and I didn’t relish it, though a few chickens on a smaller scale is a far more novel experience. Children love having chickens as pets (I did) and gathering fresh eggs for cooking and baking. Plus you can make them free range and feed them organic food so you know they are happy chickens!
Buy fresh catch and BBQ them
Head out to the seaside and buy the day’s catch when the boats come in and then head to the beach for a scrumptious barbecue. Take your grilling essentials with you when you go to buy the fish and a cold bag or igloo with ice for safe transport of your catch. Walk with salt, pepper, lemon and herbs and spices and a loaf of freshly made bread. Freshly caught seafood is guaranteed to make a lip smacking meal. Take along your favourite drink and share the experience with your friends or partner. You want to have a witness in years to come when you can say “Remember when we had that sensational seafood barbecue…”
Cook and bake with kids
Whether they are yours or borrowed, sharing the kitchen with children is an experience worth having. They are full of wit and charm and if you are not hung up on having to scrub your kitchen afterwards, you will actually enjoy it. Make something simple that they love to eat and they will love you for it. Plus you will always be part of their great food memories!
THINGS TO TRY..
Foie Gras
If you have never tried this French delicacy, you have not yet lived. Avoid the canned pate stuff. Get it cooked by chefs who know what they are doing. It’s pretty expensive but oh so worth it.
Beluga Caviar
Beluga Caviar is without a doubt the best caviar in the world. Buy the best quality you cannot afford. Make it a treat for your birthday so you do not have to share. The more salted ones are not as great quality but last longer and are cheaper. The higher up you go in price, the better the quality and the more perishable the caviar. Reach for the top tier stuff and you will never forget your birthday this year!
Blue Mountain Coffee
Arguably among the best brew in the world, as java lovers will note on the palate. This high mountain variety from the Blue Mountains in Jamaica makes all the misery of morning and day go away. Grab some whole beans and grind yourself and brew to perfection in a good espresso maker or machine.
Hunting, shooting, angling, foraging
You get the picture, go out and fetch your own food! If hunting and shooting are too much for you try line fishing. You can also go deep sea fishing as well. Also try foraging for produce in the wilderness when you are on vacation.
PLACES TO GO …
Tokyo
Every serious food lover worth his or her weight in Iranian saffron needs to visit Japan. Whether you are a sushi lover or not, Japanese cuisine is more than sushi. In fact sushi is only party of ‘modern’ Japanese cuisine, having been around for 100 years or so. Traditionally, Japanese every part of the fish and have some rather tasty dishes that involve very fresh produce that have been cooked to optimally preserve their nutritional attributes. You must also try the Way of Tea, which is the esteemed Japanese tea ceremony and taste the selection of teas available there.
New York
Manhattan is bustling with lots and lots of great restaurants from Harlem to The Village. Book a table at Red Rooster (Marcus Samuelson) or try your hand at Momofuku or Ma Peche (both by David Chang); Danel Daniel, Cafe Boulud, DB Bistro Moderne, Bar Boulud, DBGB Kitchen & Bar, and Boulud Sud (all by French chef Daniel Boulud), ; Eleven Madison Park (Daniel Humm), Per Se (Eli Khaimeh and Elwyn Boyles); Eric Ripert’s Le Benardin (Chris Muller) . While you are there, grab some Jamaican food in Harlem’s MoBay or Negril Village in Greenwich Village, some Chinese in Chinatown and an array of other cuisines in Queens.
California
French Laundry
A chef favourite, run by Chef Thomas Keller, the restaurant gets its name from an actual Laundromat that occupied the building in the 1920s. It is a recognised historic site so if you are a history buff you may also appreciate that element. This restaurant has three Michelin Stars, is on the World’s Best 50 Restaurants and was famously called “The best restaurant in the world by Anthony Bourdain.
Chez Panisse
Chef Alice Waters was a pioneer of farm-to-table local and organic produce in 1980 and is still widely respected for rustic down-to-earth cooking that makes your soul sing. Located in Berkely California, it is well work a trip.
Chicago
Alinea
Another Chef favourite, this restaurant is highly respected for its popular deconstruction of the classics. Chef Grant Achatz was awarded Three Michelin Stars for Alinea, which is also featured prominently annually on the World’s Best 50 Restaurant list.
Copenhagen
Noma
If you have always wanted a reason to visit Denmark, here’a compelling one. This three time number one on the list of the World’s best 50 is said to serve “Mould -breaking Nordic food that takes nature’s bounty to new levels.” While the restaurant was awarded second position in 2013, Chef Rene Redzepi maintains Three Michelin Stars-definitely worth the flight if you ask me.
Madrid or Barcelona
This is the height of social eating. The home of small plates serves alongside drinks, Spain is the hot spot for evening tapas when the market converts from offering regular produce during the daytime to a buzzing social tapas sensation when the sun goes down. From the classic El Vaso de Oro in Barcelona to the popular local haunt, Bomba Bar Cova Fumada, you will be sure to find your own favourite among the many eateries. The famous wrought iron San Miguel Market in Madrid is the meeting point for all food lovers in the know for evening tapas.
Lyon
Paris is for lovers but Lyon is for food lovers. Tour the gastronomic capital of France. It is the home of the most well known French chef, Paul Bocuse, famous local charcuterie, traditional bouchons, traditional restaurants serving traditional meaty Lyonnaise food and nearby regional wines) and tasty snacks historically associated with their silk workers. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site so there is a lot to see in between meals.
Singapore
Feast on all things Asian in Singapore. A must-have dish is the popular chicken rice. Head to the Maxwell Road Hawker Centre for the best Hainanese rice you will ever taste. For an exquisite fine dining experience, book a table in Andre Chiang’s small but amazing restaurant, Restaurant Andre.
Malyasia
Maylasia is the Melting Pot of Asian cuisines. With cultural influences from all over the Asia as well as tasty native Malay cuisine, this is the place to go to sample a little of everything and some superbly delicious fusion street food. This is Asian food maxed out.
Jamaica
Our little island paradise home is the home of jerk. Venture out to Boston, Portland (yes that sounds like two American cities but they are a village and a Parish in Jamaica). Boston Bay is famous with surfers for the waves brought by the easterly from the Atlantic and is the birthplace of both jerk marinade and technique. This is real street food served in a shed. Served with a variety of starchy sides, you will be smacking your lips then jumping into the ocean to cool off the spicy heat. Head to the Blue Mountains for a tour of a coffee plantation, Cafe Blue’s mountainside cafe and brunch at Strawberry Hill.
CLOSER TO HOME…
Ras Al Khaimah
The Lexington Grill, Waldorf Astoria
The drive to the Northern-most Emirate is by far one of the most pleasant of all road trips in the UAE. Just 40 minutes from the Dubai Airport, if you are a lover of steaks, The Lexington Grill is well worth the trip. Opened late last year, the first Waldorf Astoria in the UAE is already becoming popular for its flagship steakhouse restaurant. Arguably the best steak in the UAE. An experience truly worth having. The fact that the chef is my husband is merely coincidental. Don’t take my word for it. The National reportedly had “perfect steaks at Lexington Grill.”
Dubai
Reflets by Pierre Gregnaire
Reflets by Pierre Gregnaire at the Intercotinental is well worth a visit. Try to get a table when the Three Michelin Starred chef himself is in town for an experience you will not soon forget.
Le Petit Maison
A nice tucked away French Restaurant in Dubai. Brought to you buy the same restauranteurs that opened the very popular Zuma in Dubai. One of the best French Restaurants in Dubai. Serving simple but well-executed French food.
Bu Qtair
The closest thing to real street food in Dubai. If you shun the very thought of modest simplicity and actually talking with fellow diners, this may be a hard pill to swallow. Jump on it if you are looking for real adventure and some really tasty simple food by the beach in Jumeirah.
Baker & Spice
Hands down some of the best food in Dubai, Baker & Spice started the fresh, local and organic revolution in the UAE. Carefully sourced and divinely prepared local, organic and homemade food makes all the difference. With a Mediterranean slant, the cafe and bakery has fused Middle Eastern cuisine creating some of the “cleanest” dishes available in the city. From gorgeous salads to a variety of daily breads, they have got it all.
imagesbytdashfield says
I soooooooo want to go to Spain! I’ve cooked with my children and grandson and just cannot get into caviar! 🙂
Chef and Steward says
Well… you don’t have to get into it per se. At least you tried. But maybe it’s also how you have had it and the type you have had.
Chef and Steward says
And yes… Spain is just as delight!
thyworkingactor says
Oh my god. My mouth is watering. Spain is where my heart is. I haven’t been there yet but I know I must have love and died there in another lifetime. That is my foodie dream. Spain!!!
Chef and Steward says
If things go according to plan we will be heading there in the summer. Will bring back a piece for you. Ishallah
Steward's Big Bro says
So no shout out to Boston, Portland and the jerk pork?
Chef and Steward says
OK “Big [little] Bro.” Duly noted and adjusted as well as Blue Mountain Coffee. Thanks for your keen sensibilities. I think you got it from your sis.
chef mimi says
Nice! I almost went to Alinea, but opted for Charlie Trotter’s, which was one of my top ten dining experiences ever.
Chef and Steward says
Thanks for sharing that Mimi! Sounds spectacular.
Sandra Garth says
I was just thinking today that I am not willing to settle for ho-hum food anymore. My regular mealtime line up is getting pretty boring. What I eat from now on I want to be worth every calorie and leave me completely satisfied. Thank you for this list it is just perfect!
Chef and Steward says
Sandra, you know, we too found ourselves in a rut with the demands of parenthood, buying the same food and making the same dishes or just throwing things together. Yes, it is totally worth it to shake things up a bit!
Lucy says
Mouth watering at the prospect of some original jerk in Jamaica.Definitely looking forward to visiting and having that culinary experience first hand..Also great insight on what’s in our backyard..RAK it is one of these weekends.
Chef and Steward says
You know what they say about Jamaica …”Once you go, you know”
Toni Chin says
I see you forgot Italy! The freshness of Tuscan cuisine!