Bookstore for adventurers/adventures for bookworms

November 1st, 2008 § 1

The Libreria de Montana is a book store in Madrid that specializes in mountaineering and adventure books. I stumbled onto it by chance, but ended up spending a while looking through their large collection of beautiful picture books, topographic maps and travel guides. There are many English and foreign language books as well. The rustic interior makes me think that this bookstore hasn’t changed much over the years. Check out the panoramic 360º view of the first floor on their website.

Libreria de Montana
Plaza Matute 6
28012 Madrid
Spain

Ola!

October 16th, 2008 § 0

A couple weeks before I arrived in Korea, I began stuffing my face at American and European restaurants because everyone knows that western cuisine just isn’t the same in Asia. As it turns out, Koreans do Italian pretty well. Like at the restaurant, Ola, which sounds more Spanish than Italian and boasts 5 locations in Seoul. Beware of “spaghetti soup” (Koreans like their spaghetti soupy, with a lot of seafood bobbing around). To play it safe, you can order baked spaghetti, which comes baked in a bread crust. Their antipasti platter (pictured above) is probably half traditional antipasti and half “western,” with its mango custard caviar and creamy potato and mushroom casserole.

I love how ceremoniously they cut open and serve the baked spaghetti!

How do you say délicieux in Spanish?

October 2nd, 2008 § 0

Brothers Rafael, Duke of Feria, and Luis Medina are two people I’d like to get to know. I mean, they just look like such nice, genuine individuals…two genuine individuals who just happen to be handsome, royal, rich, fabulously trim and well-traveled, that is. And I’m pretty sure that, together, they satisfy every fantasy known to women…

Source: Vanity Fair: The International Best-Dressed List 2008

The best non-essential purchase of your life

September 29th, 2008 § 0

Some people thought that I was crazy for buying a huge mango wood table when I first moved to New York City. I agree that it was a bit excessive – too big, too heavy and too expensive (especially for a recent college graduate) – but all I could think about was all the glorious dinner parties and multifunctional work space it could accommodate. So many of my favorite memories revolve around good food and good company and an open kitchen and a big table makes it all possible. My table from Crate & Barrel (pictured above) seats 8 or more comfortably. The key element is the bench, which allows people to spread out or squeeze in. To complete the set, I found low bar stools from Pottery Barn with the same color, grain and exposed knots.

Basque dining table (small) – Crate & Barrel
Basque bench (small) – Crate & Barrel
Tibetan bar stool – Pottery Barn (this isn’t the same bar stool I bought, but it’s in the same style)

A castella a day

September 29th, 2008 § 0

I can’t get enough of the spongy goodness that is the castella. This smooth and fluffy bread was supposedy introduced in Japan by Portuguese merchants in the 16th century (the name comes from Pão de Castela, or bread from Castile). For some reason, it’s not as prevalent in Europe/US, but it should be – it’s a thousand times better and less artificial tasting than the common angel cake or sponge cake. Castellas are sold in almost every chain or independent bakery in Korea for under $1, unless you buy a specialty kind like the green tea Castella pictured below. Click the thumbnails for some sexy texture close-ups.

Ina Garten’s tomato feta salad

August 20th, 2008 § 0

If you ask me to name three people, dead or alive, with whom I want to have dinner, Ina Garten would be right up there next to Jesus and Paul Newman, circa 1955. There’s just something so soothing about her voice, kind yet sharp about her demeanor and eloquent in the way she folds heavy cream into a batter. I really think that we could be really good friends. Oh well, restraining orders can wait; the appetite cannot!
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A picture is worth a thousand words

August 18th, 2008 § 0

But let me just add that like all good things in life, these giant chock-full cookies are overpriced ($4 a pop) and better when served warm.

Levain Bakery (open seasonally)
354 Montauk Hwy
Wainscott, NY
(631) 537-8570

The Lobster Roll

July 6th, 2008 § 0

For a casual restaurant, The Lobster Roll isn’t exactly cheap (about $13 for lobster roll, $18 for fish and chips), but then again this is the Hamptons where real estate agents list tool shacks at $500K and insist that it’s a single family home. Try the lobster roll and split the fish and chips.

The Lobster Roll
1980 Montauk Highway
Amagansett, New York
(631) 267-3740

Casa de MaDreams

July 3rd, 2008 § 0

Housed in an unmarked, converted 18-century mansion in Madrid’s elegant Place de Opera, this high-end, boutique hotel is easy to miss unless you pore over guide books and websites like I did. Casa de Madrid was probably one of my biggest splurges during a recent trip to Spain, but definitely worth the euros. I stayed in the spacious and tastefully-decorated Quarto Indio, or the Indian Room. It was sun-drenched and bright, smelled heavenly and had clean floors with carpeting that didn’t make me think twice about walking barefoot on it. I only saw one other guest during my one-day stay and found the other rooms equally charming and eclectic. Don’t miss the light breakfast which is included in your stay – warm buttery croissants and crisp toast served with homemade marmalade.

Casa de Madrid
Arrieta 2
Madrid 28013
Spain

Tip: I received a 15% discount off my stay through a coincidental summer promotion. In 2007, this promotion ended on June 30, but I’m not sure when it started. Check out the reviews on tripadvisor.com before you book so you’re aware of the nitpickiness, like the extra surcharge for breakfast served before 8:30 am.

French Onion Search: Tartine, New York

June 12th, 2008 § 0

Price: $7 (cash or traveler’s cheques only)
Wait Time: literally 3 minutes
Rating: 2/5

This tiny BYO corner bistro in the West Village is one of my favorite places to grab a bite when it’s not too crowded. I’ve had the FOS here before and it was tasty, but tonight it was a bit off. Maybe it was because the soup came out literally 2-3 minutes after I placed the order, which is a bit telling about the process and preparation. The broth was decent, but the Swiss cheese was strangely fluid and soft. The slices of bread inside tasted like they had been soaking for days. No fun at all.

Tartine
253 W. 11th St
New York City
(212) 229-2611

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