Wednesday, March 27, 2019

FOODIE’S CORNER .... TOP 5 - UPCOMING GOURMET DESTINATIONS


TOP 5 - UPCOMING GOURMET DESTINATIONS

Your next food pilgrimage cities….

GOTHENBURG
This gorgeous Swedish city is easy to reach from most major European cities. Best to travel during summer owing to its all green look or even in the winter for it is replete with gastronomic delights including 5 Michelin star restaurants. Da Matteo is the best place to pop in for a ‘Fika’ (coffee break), the cinnamon buns are divine! ‘Feskekôrka’, a fish market housed in building that looks like an old church is a must visit to see how Seafood is a lifestyle here. The shrimp sandwiches at Heaven 23 are an absolute must try as are the Swedish Meat Balls at the Clarion Post.

BAHRAIN
It is rather enthralling that this lovely island country has so much going on in terms of chic world flavours and yet, even with a vast expat population, flourishes to keep its traditional food culture alive especially at Breakfast. Go for the Set menus at Saffron by Jenna or just order A La Carte at Haji’s or Alrayyan café. Recommendations go all out for the Balaleet which is sweetened vermicelli noodles topped with a savoury omelette. The eggs and tomato, mashed kidney beans, potatoes, spiced baked beans and a basket of bread with khuboos and buns slathered with a sweet and spicy preserve should definitely be ordered. For an introduction to Traditional Bahraini cuisine there is no better place than Albaraaj.

AUCKLAND
The food is surely something to write home about with exciting coffee places like Millers, gourmet stores like Sabato with a special emphasis on their cheese and waterside restaurants like Oyster & Chop offering the best oysters as the name suggests in town. Giapo has dazed off the limits of traditional gelato-making. He's undeniably flourished there - ice cream in Auckland has never been the same since Giapo opened its doors. Another place where food is given pride of place is Culprit on Wyndham street.?The strength of the chef duo is their pivotal pairing of surprising ingredients, which works best with modest dishes. For example the juicy and meaty turbot fish inspiration served with a chicken jus is spectacular ringing up the roast comfort flavours.

MARRAKECH
Start with a visit to the Spice market and lunch at the famed Le Terrasse a nice rooftop escape from the eventful souk alleys. Go for old-style Moroccan food; the chicken skewers, a tagine and some mint tea. Within seconds of entering Jemma el Fna, expect your senses to be overwhelmed. It is an exhilarating and charming place to see at night more so as the square is packed with entertainers and folks vending goods and food ranging the gamut from steamed snails, to various kinds of grilled meat and lots of fresh orange juice. Highly recommend to try the traditional menu offerings from filling-dips, filo pastry stuffed pies; stir fried prawns, Harissa and pickled olives trailed by the main course at La Mamounia’s Le Moracain.

COPENHAGEN
Whatever you try do not miss the ‘smorrebrod’ at Told & Snaps (open faced sandwiches served on buttered rye bread) topped with some of the best fresh produce that Denmark has to offer in terms of ingredients. Norrebro is a big tourist and locals alike attraction; a pretty street, perfect for food lovers with a charming centre complete with quaint little shops running the gamut from coffee, candy to even special ceramic ware. Relae and Manfreds here are definitely worth a try. Torvehallerne a buoyant market offers native Danish treats as well as unique items like rhubarb juice, Stone Age food etc. Concepts like community dining in a glass house on a rooftop terrace, dining with the locals and restaurants like 108, Geranium are simply stellar. And then there is Rene Redzepi’s Noma 2.0 who is the undeniable king of ‘New Nordic’ cuisine and has put Denmark on the culinary map!

Rupali Dean is a Delhi based food writer
ETTR28FEB19


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