Argentinean restaurant Casa Malevo in London’s Connaught Village since 22nd October 2010

New London restaurant Casa Malevo opening later this month

by Newsdesk – Monday October 11, 2010 11:59 am

The restaurant is a joint venture between renowned chef Diego Jacquet and restauranteur Alberto Abbate which aims to showcase Argentina’s food and culture.

Apparently the aim of new London restaurant Casa Malevo is to “offer honest and truthful cocina Argentina (Argentinean cuisine) while exploring the different regions of the country, from Patagonia to Salta, the Pampas to Mendoza.”

The menu is set to include empanadas, mollejas al verdeo (grilled sweetbreads with spring onions, bacon and lemon), fabulous Argentine beef and for dessert, dulce de leche crème brulée with “banana Split” ice cream.

Between them Alberto Abbate and chef Diego Jacquet have plenty of experience under their belts; Jacquet has worked at Ferran Adria’s El Bulli, Aquavit in New York and most recently, The Trafalgar and Zetter hotels in London, whilst Abbate has almost 30 years experience in the hospitality industry and is also the man behind Santa Maria del Sur, runner up for best local restaurant in Gordon Ramsay’s The F word.

Jacquet appears to be beside himself with excitement over Casa Malevo, saying “I have spent the past 15 years cooking at some of the most exciting restaurants in the world with some fantastic chefs – but I do miss the food of my homeland. It has always been my dream to open an authentic Argentine restaurant and when this opportunity arose I had to jump at it.”

Expect to get an authentic taste of Argentinean food, wine and culture when this new london restaurant opens in 2010!

www.casamalevo.com

How to travel with friends (and not want to kill them)

Jun 22, 2011 10:45:36 AM

How to travel with friends (and not want to kill them)

• Leif Pettersen
• Lonely Planet Author

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I have two permanent, oddly positioned bald spots on my head. Though my mother claims they’re from a scalp thing I had as a kid, I have it on good authority from my oracle that they’re probably where the Martians attached the electrodes.

However, spontaneous balding frequently has nothing to do with alien abduction. I’ve encountered many wretched travelers with unexplained bald spots formed during particularly challenging trips with incompatible friends. Whether they yanked that hair out during angry sleep or they were shaved by their vindictive companions is extraneous. What’s important is this hair-loss could have been easily avoided if these people had honestly communicated their travel styles and priorities during the trip planning stages.

Even your closest friend of 20 years, who saved your dog with mouth-to-mouth and donated a kidney to your sister (or vice-versa), can sometimes drive you to a stuttering rage while on the road. The divergent day-to-day circumstances of travel can expose and magnify irritations and disparities you never knew existed. And that’s if you’re compatible. If you’re not compatible, sooner or later that corkscrew you packed may be used for removing things its designers never intended.

Countless tent-pole duels to the death might have been prevented with pre-trip contemplation and dialogues. Some of the more pertinent criteria to consider in advance include:

1. Natural selection

Spontaneity during travel is great, but not so much when selecting a travel companion. Pick a friend whose company you consistently enjoy in a variety of situations. More often than not, blasting off with someone you don’t already know well is going result in trip-curdling disharmony. That includes your drinking buddy, that smokin’ hot babe you’ve dated for two weeks, and even the achingly attractive, witty, travel writer you met in the hostel’s breakfast room.

2. Setting expectations

Discuss your general vision of the trip. Vacation? Work trip? Urban exploration? Beaches? If one person is a go-go-go, see-see-see type and the other is a chill-at-sidewalk-cafes type, friction will quickly arise. And have you ever seen control freaks travel together? Messy. Carefully consider what you’d like to accomplish on your trip and communicate this with your prospective co-pilot.

3. Budgets

The last straw for many strong relationships has occurred while standing on a busy street in pouring rain, two miles from the hostel, when one person would rather walk, saving the €1.50 bus fare, and the other just wants to be dry. Ditto for the salivating foodie whose friend can only afford self-catered bread and jam dinners. Before you start planning, establish each other’s comfort preferences and available funds for things like accommodation, food and transport.

4. Divide and conquer

It’s perfectly fine to split up when you’d each prefer to do other things. Resentment grows quickly when one person is made to feel like they are catering to the other person’s itinerary too frequently. Equally, splitting up, whether it’s for three hours or three days, will soothe mounting frustrations. It’s not a sign of trouble or failure, it’s just good policy. Additionally, you’ll have copious stories to share when you reunite.

5. Night and day

A discussion about daily routines is a good idea. An incurable night owl is going to wear down a morning person in a hurry.

6. Be considerate

After you’ve found the right companion, a little on-the-road finesse is essential. Be conscience of your companion’s mood and fatigue. Balance each other’s needs. Be neat. Don’t hog the bathroom. And for the love of Buddha, don’t bogart the wine.

Have you used any clever strategies to maintain friendship harmony while traveling?

Buenos Aires y la actual gestión del Gobierno de la Ciudad, planteando su visión de Bs As como “La capital cultural de Latinoamérica”

Entrevista a Toni Puig en Barcelona “La marca Ciudad”

Entrevistamos a Toni Puig en una mesa a la calle del mítico Café Zurich de Barcelona. Uno de los máximos exponentes mundiales del “citimarketing” y quién nos brindará una conferencia magistral el próximo 26 de Agosto en el Hotel Conrad de Punta del Este se refirió a la marca “Barcelona”y a casos de ciudades como Berlín, Shanghai o Medellín.

Toni opinó además sin tapujos sobre . Duración 18 min. 5 de Julio de 2011

ReporteInmobiliario.com ®

Naples Tango – News!!!

Naples Tango
Master the art of “Permission Seduction™”!

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Hola, Nancy!

At last Thursday’s Practilonga I announced Jeremias and Mariela’s workshop next Thursday. Our usual Sunday Tango Brunch with them is suspended for June and July.

* * * * *

Before I tell you about the workshop, I have other great news for everyone in the SWFL tango community!:

We’re starting a Monday night Guided Practica, next Monday, July 11, from 7:30 to 10:00 PM. This will be in addition to the Thursday Practilonga.  Monday’s encounter will be a no-frills, working practica (no wine, no buffet, but spring water on the house).  I will be available to answer any questions about your tango, to help you with any issues, or to let you practice freely if you don’t want help.

Each Monday session will start with 30 minutes (7:30-8) of unstructured warm-up time, followed by 30 minutes (8-8:30) in which I’ll review a figure with you, or we’ll practice an exercise together, or learn a milonga step.  Then you’ll still have 90 minutes to practice freely, and ask for help if you like. Sound good?

- The price of the 2.5-hour Monday Guided Practica is $20*/person.
Or if you combine it with the Practilonga (normally $10), it’s $25 for both evenings (requires Monday payment).

Introductory offer (July and August 2011):
- Prepay both Practica and Practilonga for a month (July 11-August 5, August 8-Setp. 1) and pay $75 – get one week free.  Couples $130 (life partners OR practice partners).

- Prepay the Guided Practica only – $60/month.

* Note: For students enrolled in private and semi-private lessons as of July 1, the Guided Practica in addition to your program package is $15, or $45 for the month.

Contact me with questions or to enroll at 239-776-6535 or helaine@naplestango.com.

* * * * *

Jeremias and Mariela return!!

Thursday, July 7, 2011
6:00-7:30 PM
Intermediate Tango Workshop
with Jeremias Massera & Mariela Barufaldi
Register by Wed. 7/6 and save!

Followed by our regular Practilonga, 8:00-10:30 PM
News!  Jeremias will be our musicalizador (dj) this Thursday!
(While, tangueros, you can invite Mariela to dance!)

Location:
The Naples Tango Club
5650 Yahl St. (off Pine Ridge), Naples, 34109

- Practilonga – $10 (Free to my students currently enrolled in lesson programs, and to curious new observers after 8PM)
- Workshop (Intermediate/Pre-intermediate level) $30 at the door.
- Workshop with pre-registration/advance payment by Wednesday July 6: $25
Some advanced beginners may attend, with advance permission.

Please pre-register online or in-person for the workshop (you’ll pay $5 less)!   Contact me with questions at 239-776-6535 or helaine@naplestango.com.

Register directly at http://naplestango.com.
Scroll down to “Thursday Workshop and Practilonga”.

* * * * *
Looking forward to seeing you Thursday night with Jeremias and Mariela!  Remember too: Jeremias is putting on the music at the Practilonga!

Abrazos,

Helaine

P.S.  Intermediates (Advanced friends welcome too) remember to enroll early for your workshop with J&M, to save $5!  Wednesday’s the deadline for the discount.
P.P.S. Do take advantage of the new, 2.5 hour no-frills Monday practica.  You’ll get some serious practicing done, and can ask me for help!

–
Master the art of “Permission Seduction™”!

http://NaplesTango.com

The Naples Tango Club, 5650 Yahl St. #2, Naples, FL 34109
239-776-6535  239-236-0984 (fax)

Download Helaine’s FREE Report: “Permission Seduction™ Secret #1″ at: http://NaplesTango.com

TANGUEROS!  To watch the “Permission Seduction™” VIDEO and receive FREE 1-month e-course:  “9 Surprising Tango Tips for Men” sign up at http://permissionseduction.com.

- “Una Noche de Tango”, Practilonga every Thursday night at The Naples Tango Club
- Sunday Tango Brunch, third Sunday of every month!
Check http://NaplesTango.com for details and directions.

Schedule your lesson appointments with Helaine online at http://naplestango.genbook.com.

Watch the 6-minute video on Helaine and her tango school in Italy, UmbriaTango:

LUXURY MERCEDES BENZ, LUXURY CHOFER!, GREAT PRICES!

Our chofer Jorge Rodriguez will welcome you at the  airport.
You will be able to organize your shopping direct from leather factories  with Jorge,a Buenos Aires born that spend 30 years cooking in  NY top restaurants.
Lunch and diner at the best kept secret places for  porteños,not known by tourist,guided by New York Chef Jorge Rodiguez,actually working as a food consulting in BA.

Mercedes Benz with a bilingual  chofer,well known New York Chef and an Expert in Buenos Aires,

You can’t ask for a better welcome to  buenos aires

PRICES :
FROM AND TO AIRPORT : 70 USD
VISITS PER HOUR : 25 USD

10 ways not to be a travel writer by Lonely Planet

Straight from the keyboards of the Lonely Planet team

---

10 ways not to be a travel writer

Vivek WagleLonely Planet author

It’s the dream: travelling around the world and getting paid for it. Every day, thousands of aspiring travel journalists start up blogs, pitch pieces to editors and put pen to paper (at least metaphorically) in the hopes of making travel a full-time job.

Image by swimparallel, Flickr

 

The good news is that it’s achievable. While only a select few attain the high life of sipping margaritas by the pool while churning out leisurely prose on their Macbooks, travel writing for a living is a real possibility for those who have the talent and are willing to put in some really, really hard work.

However, we’ve noticed that there is a subclass of potential travel writers, photographers and video journalists who don’t really seem to have their heart in it. For some reason, they do their best to sabotage any chance of success. We believe you can learn a lot from them, so we’ve put together a list of their most common traits. Engage in these behaviours and you’re pretty much guaranteed to lock yourself out of a career in travel journalism.

10. Be sloppy

Whether you’re pitching a 500-word essay to the New Yorker or dashing off a quick blog entry, you’re presenting your professional face to the world. Is it the best face possible?

No one is perfect, and everyone except the stodgiest subeditor will forgive the occasional typo. But when you’re an aspiring content creator, any form of communication you produce becomes part of your portfolio. If your work is amateurish in quality, don’t expect to be paid for it.

9. Treat your pieces as personal journals

If you’ve started up a blog to keep your friends and family informed about your travels, go crazy! But all too often, we see works that are all about the creator and not at all about providing real value to the audience. They have the stink of those WhatWeDidOnOurFamilyVacation slideshows that everyone used to dread.

Use Facebook or personal blogs to reassure your mother and make your friends jealous. Use the avenue from which you hope to derive income to inform, educate, entertain or otherwise improve the lives of your audience.

8. Be flaky

Have you promised an editor that you’ll have that sample in for next week? Have you told your blogging audience, ‘Stay tuned for a big post tomorrow?’ Then please deliver. Nothing alienates people more than broken promises. Editors have tight, busy schedules and they are primarily concerned with getting great content out on time. Your audience has a ton of options vying for their attention, and if you fail to earn their trust they will go elsewhere.

7. Act like a jerk

You’d think this one would be obvious. But we’re constantly surprised by content creators who appear to lack any respect for those who are there to help them.

Here are a few simple tips:

• Don’t call your editors names or make bombastic demands from them. (Any reasonable editor will listen to calm, professionally delivered opinion, but no one wants to be yelled at.)
• Don’t belittle the people who comment on your website.
• Don’t be rude in any form of communication with anyone who might have anything to do with your getting your work published. These people are here to help you live your dream. Don’t ruin it for yourself.

6. Stay shallow and general rather than building expertise

Bill Bryson may be able to say anything he likes about whatever he likes (no matter how general), but you can’t just go out and make observations about ‘stuff’. Build your niche and establish your credibility in it – this is crucial to earning trust. Are you THE authority on hiking in northern Spain? Are you an incredible wildlife photographer? Are your videos mordantly funny? Figure out what it is you’re amazing at, and go after that. Once you’ve established your area of expertise, you can begin branching out. But start focused.

5. Demand respect without earning it

Not too long ago, having your words on a printed page provided an instant credibility boost. But nowadays, anyone can self-publish – to the web, to ebook readers and even to print-on-demand machines. What this means is that you need to provide better evidence for your claims to expertise than being a published writer. Have you won any credible awards? Can you demonstrate having a large following? Have you produced something truly meaningful? If you can answer ‘yes’ to these questions, then let people know! And if you can’t, get to work on it. We’d all love to be paid $5 per word, but before you get there you need to demonstrate your value for more realistic returns.

4. Lack voice and personality

Most travel writing is insanely boring. If you can make someone smile, cry or act, you’re well ahead of the game. Gimmicks and tricks can help, but it will come down to how authentic you are. If you don’t put enough of yourself in your work, your travel content will be as woeful as the rest of the dross that pollutes the travel-blogging universe, and even the Travel Literature section of your local bookstore. Please be interesting.

3. Act without integrity

Trading unverified links with others to bolster your search-engine juice? Made deals with the devil (eg sketchy ‘advertisers’ who put malware on people’s machines)? Lied about your accomplishments – such as where you’ve been? Making promises you can’t keep to your editors and audience?

Sorry – there’s just no room in the travel-content community for you. Get out.

2. Ignore or disrespect your audience

Your audience is by far the most important factor in your success as a travel journalist. And yet we so often come across people who have no idea whom they’re writing, photographing or making videos for. If you don’t know who is going to consume your content, you haven’t targeted it appropriately. And you’ve demonstrated that your priorities are all wrong.

If you’re pitching or creating a piece, make sure you know exactly whom it’s intended for. (Case in point: if you’ve read this far down this list, then this list is DEFINITELY intended for you.)

1. Never try

Of all the mistakes aspiring travel writers make, none is more catastrophic than failing to enter the game.

It’s not an easy life. It requires a lot of talent, determination, perseverance and resilience. But the world is full of people who turn their travels into a living – through blogging, professional writing, video journalism and beyond. There are more resources than ever available to those who wish to travel for a living. If it’s what you want to do, then go for it.

What do you think?

Naples Tango News of the Week By Helaine !

Friday, May 13, 2011

Three days ago my brother left Naples to go abroad for an undetermined amount of time for his work and to reconnect with friends and colleagues.  He’s gone to an environment very different from that of SW Florida.  I miss him already, but I feel excited for him, and I can already imagine the “vibrational effervescence” (I made that up) that can fill one’s life when traveling and when living in another country.

A new vibrational effervescence can occur when one goes away on vacation or on a business trip, which is why traveling can be so exciting and stimulating. But what I’m calling “vibrational effervescence” (what would YOU call it?) can take on even greater meaning when we are not a tourist, a short-term house guest, or a hotel guest on business, but when we  become a temporary or occasional resident who seeks to integrate into the everyday life of the place.  When we take an apartment in another country with its different language, customs, and products, where the air in the street smells different, where the people have a different way of composing their facial muscles when at rest or when they talk, where they keep a different degree of closeness or distance when they speak with each other, where idioms in their everyday talk reveal the deep values of a people  . . . in our experience changing location for an extended period of time, for us, whether we’re a newcomer to the place or one who returns, the new quotidian can either be exotic or a familiar recollection brought back to life.

I wanted to share with you my excitement for the creative opportunities opening up to my brother now just because he got up and moved to another part of the world for a while.

It dawned on me as I was writing this message that I am particularly excited about my brother’s decision to relocate and integrate into a different culture for a chunk of time because it foreshadows my own establishing a seasonal residence in Buenos Aires at the end of the year!  And it reminds me of the creative life that this will make possible for me, and for some of my now and future North American students.  I chose to work with Nancy Landi, a porteña – a Buenos Aires native, to help me and later my students with the logistics of living in Buenos Aires, and thereby minimize the touristic aspect of the experience and maximize the vibrational effervescence that will come from our authentically participating in another culture, specifically the culture that over 100 years ago gave birth to Tango.

Nancy wrote me in an email this week:
“. . .  you must know and live the road and the motor of Buenos Aires if you are dancing tango. Same for your pupils. To be in contact with the real culture (kind of glasses, plates, services at the apartments, maid service, neighbors, door man: all of them from BA) is not to be in an American hotel where everything (employees too) are Americans.  So, for sure I recomend an apartment to drink the culture and show it in your dance because the culture is in your skin . . . ”

Nancy, for starters I’d like a sunny kitchen and a balcony with a view, please, close to a great produce market.

I just found this delightful blog by a young Asian, relocated to Buenos Aires, who calls herself “Buenos Aires Foodie”, and shares her discoveries of the culinary world of this city.  If you’re wondering about life in BsAs and want to see gorgeous photos of mouth-watering foods, accompanied by witty comments, please go here:  http://aayudame.wordpress.com/category/the-piglet-oinking/eating-out/.  I suggest you visit all the sections of her blog.

* * * * *

To go directly to today’s feature article,  “The Second Tango Sin . . . and its antidote”, please scroll down toward the bottom of this page!

For my readers who are fascinated by tango but don’t have patience to scroll down to read the “Second Sin” article, here’s the video I chose as today’s example:

Have fun, but to find out who they are, you’ll have to scroll down to the article.
I also give our men a fun assignment.

* * * * *

Naples Tango News of the Week

New elite study programs with Helaine in Naples/Buenos Aires
Starting June 2011

As you surely know by now, in my new Naples/Buenos Aires VIP program, I will teach  my entire 9-module “Permission Seduction™ Tango Learning System”, normally a 2- or 3-year course of study, in just 6-8 months, with the final month in Buenos Aires!  You can read more about it at http://naplesbavipprogram.blogspot.com/

This program is for people who would like to visit Buenos Aires and participate in its authentic tango world, not as a tourist or a shy beginner, but as a competent dancer of social tango who will feel comfortable on the dance floor in the midst of the locals.  I’m sure you’ve had some experiences of visiting a city as a tourist, and other experiences of visiting a place as guests of a local person or family who led you to experience the best of their town as only an “insider” can do.  I’m offering the latter kind of experience, including some intimate dinners and other private time with my own friends and teachers who are world class tango artists.

Nancy Landi, http://www.nancylandi.com/, a native of Buenos Aires who lives in Naples and specializes in Buenos Aires apartments, is helping me put together a special infrastructure in Buenos Aires to support every aspect of the local travel and daily living needs of my VIP students.

To learn even more about what this unique program can do for you, please go to http://naplestango.genbook.com,  or click on the “Book now” button anywhere on my website, to set up a free, 15-20 minute telephone or in-person session with me, to discuss your needs and desires, and get answers to all your questions about how my program can help you fulfill them!  I can only accept up to three individuals or couples this year for my intensive VIP Program, but I have decided to also offer the month in Buenos Aires to 3 more from my Diamond Accelerated Program, which is somewhat less intensive than the VIP program.

If this program is not for you, but you know someone who may be interested, you may enjoy a generous Referral Reward as my thanks for your helping me find one of the right people or couples for this very special program!  To make a referral or to find out more about how the Referral Rewards program works, please go to  contact me at 239-776-6535 or at helaine@naplestango.com.

* * * * *
PLEASE VOTE FOR THE NAPLES TANGO CLUB

as your favorite dance studio!

Southwest Florida’s Choice Awards 2011:

http://www.naplesnews.com/choice-awards/

You can only vote once on that page.  Please spread the word.  Wouldn’t it be cool if we won?  Thank you!!

* * * * *
                                                                   Buenos Aires – Palermo – Dancing in the night!

Great blog about BUENOS AIRES by FrancesRenHuang

THANK YOU!!!

A Lost Asian in Buenos Aires

The Piglet Oinking
Drink n Sip & Lick
I’m a Newbie
Disappearing

Al Zein buenos aires, buenos aires babaghanoush, buenos aires hummus, middle eastern cuisine buenos aires, middle eastern food buenos aires, shawarma buenos aires
No Alcohol Allowed

Starters

bread basket

shawarma set

Al Zein

Arce 488, Las Cañitas, Buenos Aires 4775 1402

(http://www.alzein.info)

I’m delighted to discover in BA a local joint serving up cheap middle eastern dishes alongside the familiar quick service and their fascinating traditions- no alcohol. Really? (sigh) Don’t get me wrong; I do enjoy the once in a while good fancy middle eastern-inspired meal, but after a long day’s work during the week, there is no place better than a no frill service, throwing down good ole’ cheap Middle Eastern food.

Restaurant Critic: The aroma of the roasting meat from the counter fills up the whole restaurant along with a display of take-it-to-go appetizers and sweet baklava. The restaurant is simple, airy, with an outdoor seating, and the strong presence of the Middle Eastern tradition.

Food Critic: Their babaganoush (eggplant salad) was delicious, with a good hint of smokey flavor. My other half agreed-the best he had so far. Surprisingly stated when he had his fair share of it when living in Kuwait. I love the thin tortilla-like naan, soft and light, allowing more room to enjoy the dishes; accompanying the delicious shawarma was the creamy rich yogurt, and pickled onion. Cheap and good: appetizers 17 pesos ($4) each and mains about 22 pesos ($5.25).

Pros

overall a delicious meal
quick service
love the babaganoush (eggplant salad)
thin-like naan
creamy thick yogurt
cheap

Cons

meat a bit dry
hummus was not the best we have had
too much lettuce in the tabouleh

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authentic japanese buenos aires, Japanese buenos aires, japanese restaurant buenos aires, sushi buenos aires
A Well Kept Secret
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on April 7, 2011 at 4:02 pm

Pan Fried Gyoza

Japanese Salad

Buckroot Salad

Grilled rice ball

Japanese Omelette

Sushi

Green tea mousse

Niji

Iberá 2424, Belgrano, Buenos Aires 4544 1850 (only with reservation)

This article inspired today’s post: Japanese food. If you understand Japanese’s cuisine outside of the sushi realm, then this is heaven for you- as it was for me: grilled rice, buckroot salad, gyoza, Japanese omelette, etc.

Restaurant Critc: This place is run by a Japanese mom with her daughters; the service is intimate, family-friendly, and full of smiles. Their location is a bit out of my ordinary areas, but once walking into the zen tranquility and Japanese setting, it takes me back to the time I was in Japan; my growing excitement at seeing dishes coming out of the kitchen, made with precision, love and care.

Food Critic: Looking at the menu, I fully understand why the cliental are Japanese; besides the standard sushi, the menu caters to other important parts of Japanese cuisine- bar food, street food, and home cooked food. The impressive menu did promise a good meal; the quality of each dish were excellent, the flavors were authentic, and each dish was abundant. Their dishes range from 30-100 pesos, sushi are in the 100′s and all others within the 30′s range; with a few glasses of their Japanese plum wine, delicious sakes, and over 9 dishes, we spent about 200 pesos each. Every penny was worth it.

Pros

the variety of Japanese dishes
good quality and taste on par with the prices
seclusive environment
family-style
love the gyozas, buckroot salad, green tea mousse, salads, grilled goods- all good.

Cons

they should eliminate the cream cheese from one of their rolls
don’t order the japanese omelette if you don’t like mayo

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buenos aires korean food, chef mun buenos aires, chef mun korean, flores korean, ha na jung korean, korean food buenos aires
Chef Mun
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on March 30, 2011 at 2:01 pm

Tentacles

Complimentary Platters

Korean food

Ha Na Jung

Bacacay 3195, Flores, Buenos Aires 4613 0705

I’m dedicating this post to Chef Mun: the chef behind the current talked up closed-door restaurant, Casa Mun; without his help, my friend Mary and I would never have stumbled upon this restaurant-satiating us some ghetto Korean cravings. If down and dirty is not your style, Casa Mun’s food is the perfect reedition of Korean food with the hint of Japanese and Chinese fusion.

Restaurant Critic: The restaurant reminds me of my korean friends’ big old living room space, with scrumptious food cooked by moms and grandmas. The unrecognizable sign, suspicious dark streets, cafeteria-style environment, and koreans gathering around the table is a delight to anyone who grew up in third world countries.

Food Critic: Complimentary side dishes of korean sushi, kimchee, salads, noodles, with what seems like the endless array of grilled rib-eye, octopus, and sweet-marinated beef just kept us going for the whole night. Surprisingly by then end, the 6 of us inhaled the whole table, downed it with a few bottles of soujiu and beer- all for 70 pesos ($18) each.

Pros

family-style service: quick and friendly
do-it-yourself grilling: tender octopus, slabs of rib-eyes, my personal favorite is the fatty pork and sweet-marinated beef
unlimited complimentary side dishes: my favorite is their green bean noodle salad
korean whole grain rice served with dishes

Cons

need to polish up Korean to order (or like me, steal the list from Chef Mun)
Kimchee fried rice was clump up, taste was good, but texture wasn’t what I anticipated

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Buenos Aires, entrana, parilla buenos aires, parilla san telmo, restaurant el maipu, San Telmo Buenos Aires, Skirt steak
Entraña
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on March 11, 2011 at 12:18 am

Menu

See that sugar on top?

Restaurant El Maipú

Av. San Juan 451, San Telmo, Buenos Aires 4361 4289

Someone very cool introduced me to her favorite cut of meat: entraña, aka skirt steak; since then, I had my shares of entrañas. Though most of them come tougher then tender, I never can resist trying it when I see it on the menu. This time around, I hit the jackpot and found the place that grills up the perfect skirt steak.

Restaurant Critic: I adore the simplicity of the decore: some old photos hanging, an antique radio lingering on top of an antique cabinet; old-style counter being manned by a old man which can very well be the owner of the restaurant. It’s quiet, simple, and clean. A nice change from the meat-intense, busy-buzz of parilla restaurants I’ve been so far. I like it.

Food Critic: Other than my favorite tender piece of meat, the empanada was delicious; the sprinkle of sugar on top is incomprehensible but once I bit into it- Mmm. Okay, I might get why they do that. Very affordable: two pieces of steak (1/2 orders), fries, empanada round up to around 70 pesos ($18).

Pros

service
empanada and entraña
quiet clean ambiance suitable for friends, family and dates

Cons

bife de chorizo was okay.

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cafe san juan buenos aires, favorite restaurant buenos aires, leandro cristobal buenos aires
Hi Leandro!
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on March 6, 2011 at 5:42 pm

You are awesome

Leandro Cristóbal, I adore your cooking, your spunk, your restaurant and your reality TV Show: Cafe San Juan; that is why I’m writing about your food…again. (See previous post: La Cocina Porteña)

Heaven-like dessert

This time for your amazing dessert: Terrina de chocolate con Nougatine de Almendras (die-for-chocolate-mousse with almond nuggets). Gracias.

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Buenos Aires, buenos aires good burger, buenos aires northamerican cuisine, Hamburger, The Office Buenos Aires
Finding California Burger
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on March 2, 2011 at 8:26 pm

Spicy Wings

Fresh Guac

Look at that burger

The Office

Arévalo 3031, Las Cañitas, Buenos Aires 2050 3942

(http://theofficebaires.wordpress.com/)

One of my many missions is to find delicious North American grub without subduing to chain restaurants like Kansas Bar & Grill and TGI Fridays. As I’m biting into this burger, it’s a great feeling knowing I’m supporting expats in BA: like me, building a business from passion and heart. And as I chewed and chewed, I realized this is one of the damned best burger I had so far in BA.

Restaurant Critic: The white cold-like appearance from the outside may seem standoffish but once walking in, the warm wooden interior of the restaurant was a great welcome. The gem of this place is the spacious wooden terrace upstairs. This is where all the fun is: a big wall to screen movies from the projector. After eating there and distractingly watching Madonna’s performance, I’m now inspired to go to her concert.

Food Critic: Spectacular. The crunchy sweet-chili spicy wings were superb as well as the guacamole and salsa verde for the chips. The burger was the best burger we’ve tried so far in Buenos Aires. I’m also impressed by the options: California Burger (with Avocado), BBQ Bacon, Chicken and Vegetarian. The patty had a nice grilled-smoky flavor, and the bun was the perfect bite. Good short menu with wings, nachos, salads and burgers. 28~33 pesos for dishes ($~7). Very affordable. *Ask for their condiments to go with the burger. My favorite: honey-mustard and ranch.

Pros

great food, and service: awesome burger and appetizers
affordable
condiments are a great touch
passion fruit caprihina is a must try
superb hangout place

Cons

beer selections limited
could do better with the french fries
chicken burger was okay

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buenos aires pizza, buenos aires thin crust pizza, Caesar salad, lo de nacho, lo de nacho buenos aires, nachos, Pizza, Salads, san isidro thin crust pizza
Parilla Pizza
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on February 15, 2011 at 6:35 pm

Ambiance

Nacho

Rucula y Jamon Crudo

Lo de Nacho

Roque Saenz Peña 1061, San Isidro, Buenos Aires 4747 6058

I’ve finally gotten around to check out our famous local pizza joint, known for their parilla grilled thin-crust pizza and hip environment. One of the uniqueness is the location of this place, immersed within a residential neighborhood, some scattered bars, and a few other restaurants. Very impressed by the laid back atmosphere, wonderful outdoor seating, crunchlicious nachos and great pizzas. With beers, nachos, two big pizzas, and a caesar salad: 40 pesos/person ($10). Solid.

Restaurant Critic: A scenic atmosphere, with tables and chair scattered onto the sidewalk and lawn, a few trees here and there, lights hanging from the branches, colorful glass pane windows and attentive service. Perfect place to bring family, dates, or catching up with friends.

Food Critic: A favorite of mine is the crispy whole leaves caesar salad with the perfect amount of decorations and a good thick dressing. Fresh is key here. Another favorite is the rucula and prosciutto pizza. Nachos also are muy bueno, crispy with a big slab of creamy sour cream, green onions, cheese and tomatoes.

Pros

an authentic feel to the place
parilla grilled thin-crust pizza, accompanying a smokey flavor
fresh ingredients
crispy nacho
great service
generous portion

Cons

pizza: recommend a tomato base for the pizza, and to cut down the amount of cheese

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Belgrano C, blegrano restaurants, Buenos Aires, puratierra buenos aires, puratierra restaurant
A Date
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on January 31, 2011 at 4:45 pm

Interior

Three Cheeses

Duck

Pura Tierra- Beautiful Place

3 de Febrero 1167, Belgrano C, Buenos Aires 4899 2007

(http://www.puratierra.com.ar/)

I’ve always liked Belgrano C, the area reminds me of a beautiful suburb right in the city, and this restaurant fits right into the quiet beautiful neighborhood. Decent food with a good price- an overall good experience.

Restaurant Critic: High-vaulted ceiling, cement floor, dark wood, black leather chairs sets the theme for this low-key restaurant. A gorgeous place.

Food Critic: The menu is beautifully displayed, an anticipation for the night to come. A rare find to see salads made from herbs and flowers, and mains from quail to rabbit. In the end, the food was decent, and even though the flavors and creativity may not match up to Cafe San Juan, the ambiance and the effort sure made up for it. The two cocktails, wines, cheese, mains all came down to 300 pesos ($75).

Pros

impressive ambiance
good price
overall decent food
wine menu and cocktail choices
service

Cons

not notable flavors: okay duck and rabbit dish
complimentary bread dip was bland

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Bereber Restaurant, Buenos Aires, Moroccan buenos aires, moroccan food buenos aires, palermo moroccan food, palermo restaurant
Moroccan and Cocktails
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on January 19, 2011 at 6:47 pm

The Ambiance

Glurplicious

Mmm

Bereber- Moroccan Oasis

Armenia 1880, Palermo, Buenos Aires 4833 5622

(http://www.bereber-resto.com.ar/)

What does a spoiled asian girl got to do to have her dirt-cheap pho and red curry re-locate to Buenos Aires? My stubbornness of not wanting to pay for a 12 dollar bland curry, nor eating a tasteless chowmien has reduced down to me cooking a lot in my kitchen.

Today is no different. It is a special day and I am sick of having to choose between meat, cheese and carbs, and I refuse to cook..again. Of course-Moroccan food. There are lots of Armenian and middle-eastern food options in Buenos Aires, and I have been dying to check out this place. The verdict? I will come back again, though in terms of flavors, dip options and fresh warm bread-my vote may just lean towards El Manto.

Restaurant Critic: Walking into this quiet intimate candle-lit restaurant, I was giving the options of floor seatings, table seatings, and roof-top seatings. The subtle middle-eastern wall drawings and decorations sets off the mood perfectly for a different food experience.

Food Critic: The pastilla is tastlicious. The layers of phyllo pastry wrapped around chicken, almonds, raisins and then sprinkled with powdered sugar is to die for. The fruity cocktails are a must-order – lots of flavor, lots of fruits and not too sugary. Overall, a good experience. The price is surprisingly affordable, especially in a city of expensive ethnic options. Two starters, one entree, two drinks: 149 pesos ($38).

Pros

delicious pastilla
service and ambiance
olives with cumin spice
good combination of flavors

Cons

bread basket: lack of good pita breads, or thin pita chips
the missing flavor and juiciness of the meat

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App Store, Buenos Aires, buenos aires restaurant iphone app, buenos aires restaurant review, GPS, guía epicúreo, guía epicúreo buenos aires, IPhone, iphone app, Restaurant, Yelp
I Heart iPhone
In Eating Out, The Piglet Oinking on January 15, 2011 at 12:12 am

Guía Epicureo

Guía Epicúreo App- The Equivalent of Yelp

Yes. I am a sucker for any tech that begins with an ‘i’ or has an image of an apple. We all know, the apps are the funnest part of owning this phone, and just recently I stumbled upon the app that is equivalent of the Yelp back home.

App Critic: Highly recommended for low-blood sugar foodies who turn into a monster if not fed at the right time. That’s Me. This app is categorized into: neighborhood search, cuisine search, and nearest restaurants with GPS, reviews, ratings and price range. Haven’t tried it yet-there is a button to call the restaurant for reservations as well as a button to call taxi. How awesome.

Pros

a decent list of restaurants
good for last minute hunger, searching for the closest food
user-friendly: love the navigations and the map
good reviews to go by: food, price and ambiance
restaurants listed has complete info: opening time, payment options, smoking etc

Cons

all in spanish
no search button for specific restaurants
not a whole lot of restaurants listed (maybe because it is free)

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Author’s Note

Welcome to my personal blog.
I hope you enjoy it as much as I am enjoying writing it.
This blog is focused primarily on my comical perspective as an asian acupuncturist and yoga instructor living in Buenos Aires. My day to day is spent exploring and experiencing ways to live healthier and happier, and through these writings- cooking, eating, reflecting, laughing- I hope to inspire anyone who is reading, to enjoy life to its fullest. Interested in Chinese Medicine? Visit my other blog at www.francesren.com/blog.
Find Me
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VIP Program – Naples Tango VIP Program in Buenos Aires with Helaine

April 30, 2011

Helaine Treitman talks about her new Naples/Buenos Aires VIP program

The new Naples Tango VIP Program (for individuals or couples) is
comprised of 150 hours of private tango study with me, roughly six
months in Naples, followed by one month with me in Buenos Aires, with
the option of extending your stay or further traveling in Argentina.
This is surely the most exciting and enriching program I’ve ever
offered in more than 10 years of teaching tango!   I will only accept
3 individuals or couples to this “VIP” program, which should ideally
begin for each one by the first week of June.

This is truly an accelerated program, for those who choose to waste no
time in fulfilling their dream of going to Buenos Aires and dancing
with and among the locals!  I first fulfilled that dream in 1998 after
3 years of study and practice, and I did so without the benefit of the
meticulous training that I am offering you today.

I will commit to thoroughly preparing you for this exhilarating dance
experience, regardless of your current level of dance skills, even if
you have never danced at all.  After your program, you will have the
skills to enjoy tango for the rest of your life!

Since I will only accept 3 individuals or couples to this intensive,
accelerated program, I have the luxury of customizing the program to
each VIP students’ needs and preferences.

Nancy Landi, of Nancy Landi International Properties
http://www.nancylandi.com/, a native of Buenos Aires who lives in
Naples and specializes in Buenos Aires apartments, is helping me put
together a special infrastructure in Buenos Aires to support every
aspect of the local travel and daily living needs of my VIP students.

The Buenos Aires part of my VIP program will include completing your
program lessons with me over several weeks, during which I will also
introduce you to various Argentine maestros that I recommend, so you
have the option of taking additional private or group lessons with
them.  I will customize this part of the program to support your needs
and preferences.  Together we will enjoy occasional intimate, private
dinners or other social encounters with renowned Argentine tango
professionals – my own friends and teachers!

I will also accompany you to milongas (tango dance venues) for your
first week, after which you may very well choose to be autonomous in
attending milongas and visiting the city. However, should you continue
to prefer to have a tango guide, I will arrange for another expert to
be your milonga host. In module 9 of my “Permission Seduction™ Tango
Learning System” you will learn how to thrive in any milonga,
including mastering Buenos Aires milonga etiquette!

Additional options in the Naples phase of the VIP program include
Spanish language lessons at your home in or near Naples by my own
Argentine teacher, another native of Buenos Aries.

If you would like to learn more about the program, please schedule a
phone conversation with me, or a meeting at my studio on Yahl Street.
You can phone me for an appointment at 239-776-6535, or click the
“book now” button at http://naplestango.com, to schedule your
appointment on-line.

If this program is not for you, but you know someone who may be
interested, you may enjoy a generous Referral Reward (to you or to
your favorite charity) as my thanks for your helping me find one of
the 3 right people or couples for this very special program!

I am very excited about this new life-enhancing experience we can do
together, and I hope you are too!

Helaine
–
Master the art of “Permission Seduction™”!

http://NaplesTango.com

The Naples Tango Club, 5650 Yahl St. #2, Naples, FL 34109
239-776-6535  239-236-0984 (fax)

Download Helaine’s FREE Report: “Permission Seduction™ Secret #1″ at:

http://www.NaplesTango.com

The best countries for food by Lonely Planet

Tips & articles

The best countries for food

 

Food and travel go together like planes and airports. No matter where you go you’ll have little trouble finding at least one culinary experience that will help you understand the local culture. In some countries the food is the highlight, drawing many a foodie to its borders, like a moth to a flame. Here are 11 countries (in no particular order) that your taste buds will thank you for visiting.

1. Thailand

Image by jaaron

Standing at the crossroads of India, China and Oceania, Thai cuisine is like a best-of of all three’s techniques and ingredients. Dishes generally go in hard with garlic and chillies (especially the phrik khii nuu variety, which literally translates as ‘mouseshit peppers’). Other signature ingredients include lime juice, coriander and lemon grass, which give the cuisine its characteristic tang. Legendary fish sauce or shrimp paste looks after the salt.

2. Greece

Image by Klearchos Kapoutsis

From olives to octopus, the true taste of Greece depends on fresh, unadulterated staples. Masking or complicating original flavours is not the done thing, especially when you’re dealing with oven-fresh bread, rosy tomatoes and fish fresh from the Mediterranean. The midday meal is the main event with a procession of goodies brought to the table as they’re ready. With Wednesday and Friday traditionally reserved as fast days (ie no-meat days), vegetarians are also looked after.

3. China

From back-alley dumpling shops to four-star banquet halls, China has one of the world’s finest palates. Cultural precepts of Yin and Yang (balance and harmony) are evident in the bowl: with food for the day including cooling foods such as vegetables and fruit to counter warming spices and meat. The Chinese revere rice but also choose noodles, with either almost always accompanying a meal. A range of regional specialities exist, variously influenced by geography and history.

4. France

Image by Sunfox

From cheese and champagne to snails and baguettes, the French are famous for their foodstuffs. French cuisine has long distinguished itself for dallying with a great variety of foods. Each region’s distinct climate and geography have influenced the array of regional specialities. Many in France consider lunch as the day’s main meal, though the two hour marathon meal is increasingly rare. The crowning meal is a fully fledged home-cooked dinner comprising six distinct plats (courses).

5. Spain

Image by scaredy_kat

Best in Barcelona, Catalan cooking is racking up the accolades from gourmands around the globe. Like other regional Spanish cuisines, Catalan cooking favours spices such as saffron and cumin, as well as honeyed sweets. A mixture of ingredients and traditions adds flair to Barcelona’s fare: using seafood and meats in a rich array of sauces. Dinner is the main event, but never before 9pm.

6. Mexico

Image by chargrillkiller

Would you like some magic-realism with that enchilada? The Mexican sensibility for enchanting influences is also brought to the table in its food, particularly during celebrations. Mexican cuisine has an overriding Spanish influence, with a twist of French and African thanks to its history. Corn and bean-based dishes are prominent – prepared in a multitude of world renowned ways including tacos, enchiladas and quesadillas. And who could forget the worm that waits at the bottom of a bottle of Mezcal?

7. Italy

Image by Allerina and Glen MacLarty

Its food is arguably Italy‘s most famous export, and it’s with good reason that the world wants it. Despite all the variations that exist between regions, some common staples bind the country’s culinary creations. Think thin-crust pizza and al dente pastas and risottos. And to drink? One word: coffee. The Italians do it best – from perfecting a distinguished roast to the gentle extraction of its essence into the cup. Perfecto!

8. India

Image by maintenancepic

India’s protean gastronomy changes shape as you move between neighbourhoods, towns and states. The basis of all meals is rice in the south, and roti in the north. These are generally partnered with dhal, vegetables and chutney. Fish or meat may also be added. Whatever the ingredients: the dish usually contains a heady cast of exotic spices that make the taste buds stand up and take notice.

9. Japan

Image by jetalone

If you can wrap your tongue around pronouncing the menu, Japan’s cuisine is a most rewarding mouthful. Most Japanese restaurants concentrate on a specialty cuisine, such as yakitori (skewers of grilled chicken or veg), sushi and sashimi (raw fish), tempura (lightly battered and fried ingredients) and ramen noodle bars. The pinnacle of Japanese cooking, kaiseki (derived as an adjunct to the tea ceremony), combines ingredients, preparation, setting and ceremony over several small courses to distinguish the gentle art of eating.

10. Indonesia & Malaysia

Image by paularps

Indonesian and Malaysian cuisines are one big food swap: Chinese, Portuguese, Indian, colonists and traders have all influenced their ingredients and culinary concepts. They are nations well represented by their food. The abundance of rice is characteristic of the region’s fertile terraced landscape, the spices are reminiscent of a time of trade and invasion (the Spice Islands), and fiery chilli echoes the people’s passion. Indonesian and Malaysian cooking is not complex, and tastes here stay separate, simple and substantial.