Ahhh, Nicoise

Posted on June 17, 2015 by melsmosaic

One of my favorite salads is a Salade Nicoise. And oddly, it was not that easy to find in France. Come on, that’s where it’s from! But on my last night in Bordeaux, I checked out the menu at a place that had caught my eye because of the cool decor around it — all sorts of neat animals — Michel’s. They don’t have a website so the best you can do google them at Michel’s, Bordeaux to get additional info. You can find lots of stuff.

I obviously checked it out/decided to eat there since I am writing this post, because they had a great Nicoise on the menu. Absolutely perfect! Could not have asked for better.

Some steak tartare was also enjoyed at the table, which also wasn’t seen all that much.

Wine was consumed as well, but there was various glasses so I could not easily snap of shot of the label. They were packed and short staffed so could not easily ask to see the label proper.

Great way to wrap that part of the trip.

Jameson Distillery

Posted on June 17, 2015 by melsmosaic

Not only is Ireland known for beer, but one must also consider the whiskey. So while there, the Jameson Distillery was high on my list of places to visit. I wanted to get the full tour of how this drink happens, from start to finish (aka drinking). So, scheduled a tour for the distillery in New Midleton. This provides for 1.5+ hours of very educational background on the whiskey, working through the 3 steps it goes through and then sampling of 3 whiskeys. One from the US, Scotland and Ireland. Very unique tastes to each. And you get a certificate at the end that you’re an Official Jameson Irish Whiskey Taster. How can you go wrong with that?

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Allergy, Intolerance, other…covered

Posted on June 7, 2015 by melsmosaic

When visiting Ireland, it was amazing to see how attentive they were to people’s food allergies, intolerances, or anything else. This is one menu I really noticed. Others would have labels and legends for what each item on the menu contained (dairy, gluten, soy, nuts, etc). And if somebody wasn’t sure, they would immediately go to the kitchen to find out. They would go out of their way to make the dish work for you and if they couldn’t, they’d suggest the best alternative. Why can’t all our places be so good?

Guinness Factory

Posted on June 7, 2015 by melsmosaic

Of course when one travels to Ireland for the first time it’s almost a given/requirement to visit the Guinness factory. While planning the visit, I luckily received tips to purchase tickets in advance to avoid long lines once arriving.

Unlike most brewery tours it was self-guided and you could read through everything and go at your own pace. You get all information from history to brewing process to marketing and more.

With the tour you received a (free) pint of the stout. Now, one could go to the 6th floor of the building and have it poured for them, or you could stop by the 4th floor and learn how to pour it properly. Hello, that’s a given! So much fun to pour your own brew.

Very fun part of Dublin, Ireland. Cheers!

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Sangria…en France

Posted on June 5, 2015 by melsmosaic

France doesn’t have to mean just (straight) wine. When you’re in SW France you can mix some stuff in it. When in Dax, since it’s so close to Spain, I saw a good amount of sangria on menus. So, of course had to give it a try. Stopped by Cafe de Bordeaux.

Ahh…delicious.

What was even better? The price! Think a very healthy half bottle of wine.

While sipping the sangria, enjoyed looking at this great fountain. Later touched the water…naturally very warm. Pretty interesting.

Thomas Read, Dublin

Posted on June 4, 2015 by melsmosaic

While enjoying many local brews in Ireland I wanted to give something else a try. Stopped by a nice bar, Thomas Read, in Dublin one day and asked the bartender if he had any suggestions.

He asked he could whip up a concoction of his own. How could I turn that down?

It all started with some Jameson, some Ginger Syrup (similar to simple syrup but he doesn’t use heat to make it) and bitters.

Of course some rocks were added.

Stirred carefully.

And then he took so much time and care with the lemon rind I can not even begin to explain it! This drink was good.

Dax Farmer’s Market

Posted on June 4, 2015 by melsmosaic

I have been off the blogging scene recently because of an oh-so-rough trip to Ireland and France. I am now starting to recap said vacation…

One of the best parts of the trip was why I went — for a friend’s wedding in SW France, in a small town named Dax. It’s about a 90 minute drive from Bordeaux.

My friend’s fiance had told me about the must-do the morning of the wedding, the local farmer’s market. It ended up being about 2 blocks from the hotel. WOW. The place was making Pike Place look weak on some levels. Some 3+ hours later we returned to the hotel with lunch to enjoy outside. I grabbed Paella, as this town is close to Spain so they get some of their influence. Others grabbed cheese and sausage, bread, veggies, some had nice flatbread-like pizza. And, of course, wine!

Almost too good to be true.

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Sugo

Posted on May 11, 2015 by melsmosaic

Revisited a restaurant recently that I hadn’t been to for a few years — Sugo in Potomac, MD (a suburb of DC), an Italian Osteria and Pizzeria.

The best thing this place has to offer is their Sangria, and they also have other phenomenal dishes.

After browsing the menu for awhile decided on the Brussels sprouts to start with, served with crispy pancetta & caper aioli sherry vinaigrette. The Brussels sprouts were so perfectly crisp. And, I don’t like aioli, but let me tell you, there wasn’t quite enough in the bowl. I don’t know what they put in there besides what the menu states…

Next I ordered the squid. Or properly said, charred octopus with potato, ‏ capers and pickled radish. Let me tell you, there was so much seafood on that plate, it was awesome! And, so perfectly cooked, just moist when you bite into it with amazing flavor.

Great place to check out if you need something new.

New Brews

Posted on May 10, 2015 by melsmosaic

Had the chance to sip some new brews this weekend. Love veering from wine from time-to-time.

First was Flying Dog’s Single Hop HBC-431 Imperial IPA. You could sip this beer all day. And, if you did you would be in extreme trouble, both physically and financially… It’s 10% ABV and runs about $15/6-pack. I’d never had a single hop beer. You could taste some orange, apricot and it was a tiny bit thick. So good and worth the money.

Also had Blue Moon’s First Peach Ale. I love the majority of their stuff so had to try this. Could be a pro or con depending on your palate. It tasted just like peach iced tea. I am not an iced tea fan, let alone peach tea. So, I would much prefer just a traditional Blue Moon. But for some, this Seasonal could be a winner.

Have you tried either of these and have any feedback?

Roasted Citrus and Avocado Salad

Posted on May 7, 2015 by melsmosaic

Keep finding recipes I have to try. This one was from the January issue of Bon Appetit but was far too perfect for May — Roasted Citrus and Avocado Salad. Some sweet, some sour, some heavenly avocado…

Ingredients

1 blood or Valencia orange, sliced 1/8″ thick, seeds removed (I can never find either of these…went with Navel)
1 Meyer or regular lemon, sliced 1/8″ thick, seeds removed
4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
Kosher salt, freshly ground pepper
1/4 small red onion, thinly sliced
2 tablespoons fresh Meyer or regular lemon juice (I went with bottled)
1 bunch watercress or arugula, thick stems trimmed (love arugula!!!!)
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves
1 avocado, cut into wedges

Preparation

Preheat oven to 425°. Toss orange and lemon slices with 1 tablespoon oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt and pepper.

Roast citrus, tossing occasionally, until lightly charred in spots and starting to caramelize, 10-15 minutes. This makes the citrus flavor more complex. Let cool.

Meanwhile, combine onion and lemon juice in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper and let sit 5 minutes (onion will soften a bit and get slightly sweeter and less harsh).

Add roasted citrus to bowl with onion along with arugula and mint. Drizzle remaining 3 tablespoons oil over; season with salt and pepper and toss everything to combine and coat.
Add avocado and very gently toss until lightly dressed (you don’t want to crush the avocado). I cut my avocado into a bit more of cubes vs. slices…

This was delicious! I didn’t even add that much olive oil at the end because it was so moist. I served it with some seared sea bass and a nice Sauvignon Blanc. It’s definitely at the top of my list.