Top 10 chomps of 2011

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2011 has been a year of some delicious and some not so delicious chomps.  From tapas in Spain to roasted guinea pig in Peru to Korean burritos.  I've had some spectacular tasting meals at Joel Robuchon and Arzak.  I got to get close to El Bulli greatness at Tickets as well as reminisce with some nostalgic childhood chomps.

Here are my 2011 Top 10 Chomps (in no particular order):

Braised Duck Leg with "thick"egg noodles (dry) at Hai Ky Mi Gia (San Francisco, California).  So familiar to my Chinese roots, but still so different.  Simplistic, but satisfying.

Check out the original post on Hai Ky Mi Gia ( HERE)

Roasted Lamb at El Albergue (Ollytantambo, Peru).  I came to Peru excited to try alpaca, but came back wowed by this lamb dish.  Totally knocked Evvia's lamb off its pedestal in my eyes.

 Check out the original post on El Albergue ( HERE)

Cinnamon sugar cookie at Anthony's Cookies (San Francisco, California).  As a closet cookie monster, my matter-a-factly, no hestitation, without a blink of an eye cookie order is almost always a chocolate cookie.  Even now,this cinnamon sugar cookie makes my mouth water just thinking about it.  A box of these is a favorite gift of mine to give.

 Check out the original post on Anthony's Cookies ( HERE)

Fried chicken at Addendum (Yountville, California).  After years of dreaming of Keller Fried Chicken and a first time disappointment, I've finally got to experience real KFC.  Perfectly crispy batter with the most tender juicy meat.

  Check out the original post on Addendum ( HERE)

Mixed chicken and lamb platter at the 53rd and 6th cart (New York, New York).  Is it the rice?  Is it the chicken?  Is it the white sauce? The red sauce?  Whatever it is, the taste of it is worth the aftermath of the morning after.

  Check out the original post on 53rd and 6th Halal cart ( HERE)

The cheese plate at Quimet i Quimet (Barcelona, Spain).  A little bit of cheese, a little bit of jelly, then another bite of another cheese.  I've never been one to be in awe of a cheese plate, but this one puts all the any starred restaurant's cheese plates I've had put together to shame.  In other words, eat your heart out Gary Danko.

  Check out the original post on Quimet i Quimet ( HERE)

 

The bread cart at Joel Robuchon (Las Vegas, Nevada).  Nothing could have prepared me for the pure excitement I felt when this beautiful bread cart rolled right up to my table.  Like a giddy schoolgirl, I squealed with delight each time I picked out a piece of bread.

  Check out the original post on Joel Robuchon ( HERE)

Chicken Tikka Masala (CTM) burrito at Curry Up Now (San Mateo, California).  Two of my food loves all rolled into one tasty package.  One of the few acceptable fusion items in my book.  For some reason, it just works.   So good, I went back two weeks in a row to eat it.

  Check out the original post on Curry Up Now ( HERE)

Baked scallop topped with breadcrumbs at Paco Meraglo (Barcelona, Spain).

  Check out the original post on Paco Mergalo ( HERE)

Grilled baby squid with runny egg at El Quim (Barcelona, Spain).   A little luck and patience will get you a seat in the hottest spot in La Boqueria.  THE signature dish, this baby squid is fried up in their own ink served up with a side of  runny eggs.

  Check out the original post on El Quim ( HERE)



Wishing you many chomps
and a
Happy New Year!

El Albergue - dinner

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My last night in the Sacred Valley I just felt like staying in.  A slight power outage at El Albergue left the whole facility in darkness as I was ordering my dinner in my room.  Not to worry, the staff pleasantly surprised me by knocking on my door and completing my order with a pen and paper.  Fifteen minutes later, the MOST amazing lamb I have ever tasted in my life as well as a plateful of fresh fruit, and some candles arrived straight to my room.  Did I mention how much I love this place?  Food and serivce at El Albergue is just beyond any 5 star place I have been to. 

El Albergue - breakfast

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My train for Machu Picchu left at 6:00A.  Thank goodness breakfast at El Albergue started at 5:30!  Breakfast was included with the room so I was expecting something simple like a continental breakfast with some fruit and some pastries.  I was not expecting a choice of scrambled eggs, fried eggs, or pancakes to be made upon order!

Although I didn't experience any altitude sickness, I still ordered a cup of coca tea just to try.  Coca tea, also called mate de coca, is brewed with leaves from the coca plant.  Drinking it as a tea or chewing the leaves are supposed to alleviate some altitude sickness.  It is commonly found in the Andes region of Peru, such as the Sacred Valley and Cuzco, where the elevation is much higher.  The smell is very fresh and woodsy and the taste is very mild.  It's not the best tasting tea, but its tolerable.

Freshly scrambled eggs!  The eggs were fluffy and light.  I always notice a different taste and texture to eggs found outside America.  I find that the eggs are more creamy and almost buttery tasting. 

 Freshly made pancakes topped with fresh banana slices.  I'm not a huge pancake fan, but I did manage a couple bites.  They were light and fluffy.

Fried eggs

Address:                  El Albergue

                                          Ollantaytambo train station

                                          Ollantaytambo, Peru

         

Type:                            breakfast, American

Chomp worthy:   eggs

El Albergue (Ollantaytambo, Peru)

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After catching an early flight from Lima to Cuzco and some sightseeing at Moray, I finally reached my home for the next couple days in the Sacred Valley.  I opted to acclimate in Ollantaytambo hoping I would avoid the altitude sickness with the gradual altitude (Ollantaytambo = approx. 2,700 meters above sea level; Machu Picchu = 2,430 meters; Cuzco = 3,400 meters).  Thank goodness I never experienced much altitude sickness the whole trip besides a faint shortness of breath at times.  I chose the El Albergue in Ollantaytambo at my central point for this leg of my trip.  I HIGHLY recommend this bed & breakfast/hostel.

A refreshing lemonade made with fresh squeezed lemons and a bottle of sparking water.

El Albergue is home to a small family of friendly cats. A couple of them decided to invite themselves to lunch.

A popular Peruvian dish called chicharron de pollo served with "mote", potatoes and an onion and mint salad.

Alpaca, which is similar to a llama, was something I had to eat in Peru.  It is a popular dish served in the Sacred Valley.  El Albergue's preparation was a steak cut with an elderberry sauce and Huacatay potato puree.  Alpaca had a beef and lamb taste and texture.  The meat was tender and juicy, but not gamey at all. 

 Address:                       El Albergue

                                              Ollantaytambo train station

                                              Ollantaytambo, Peru

Type:                                Peruvian
                                              casual

Chomp worthy:      Everything is delicious here!  Alpaca is a must try since it is indigenous to the area.  The
                                              lamb here is also some of the best lamb I've ever had.