Berlin is for (asian) lovers.

Continued from the previous berlining  post

Our first night in Berlin we decided to eat at a famous- although hidden- place, named Pan Asia, at Rosenthaler Str. 38. For the girls who do not easily try other countries' cuisine was a challenge. For me, an asian dinner and some fresh sushi, was just heaven.  

Shrimp dumplings, chicken satay with peanut sauce and cucumber salad,  maki sushi, fried rice and hot curry noodles and (although they still do not know that they have eaten) me-kong duck, delicious and soft. 

 ps. Minimal style, young customers, good quality of food- an absolute value for money. I will return for sure. A litlle slow motion service, but gentle and polite. If you are a late-at-night-eater, reservations won't be needed.

Berliners.

Few months ago I visited Germany for the very first time.  It was a long weekend to Berlin with my beloved erasmus roomates, two beautiful sicilian ladies, Federica and Serena. Little did we knew about the city, I tried to "spot the hot" while on the flight concentraning to my Time Out guide.

We had major problems because of the really bad weather Europe was facing, flights were three hours delayed, temperature at - 5 C and a really rude girl at the reception of our hostel. However, we had the time of our lives, laughed a lot, danced at the street, made snow angels, drunk hyper cocteils, sang live at Sony Center with a great audience, took milliards of photos, walked till dawn,  and of course ate some awesome food, which I still find hard to believe.

This post is for my friends, sere y fede, las amigas italianas de Espana and pretzels that we mostly enjoyed.

Next, some posts about Berlin's eat about. 

To be continued...

Eat your design.

"Listen to food. Have you ever chatted with a carrot? or even a tomato? Just do it once. They have so much to say. If you pay attention, the ingredients will finally tell you what you should do."
Jose Andres, chef.

Spain is my great love, a country I respect, my Mecca. So, when combined to food and drink, makes  the Holy Trinity. Last week I was invited at the opening of an interesting exhibition. A bunch of fresh Spanish designers inspired from contemporary Gastronomy, have created everyday's utensils and fine art de la table. The curator Martin Azua and co-curator Sergi Vich, whom I met and I am happy about it, have placed all these objects on a long dinner table, like the ones that held family events.

The name of the exhibition is Foodjects and it is being held in the "Athens School of Fine Arts" in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy and it will last till the 18th of February. These are some pieces which I would like to have in my kitchen, as a single girl. Como una soltera.

Nobu. That simple.

My taste spectrum has expanded enough through the years. When it comes to f-o-o-d, like when it comes to love, I taste- try everything. From this huge list of savor, few things are excluded- sushi was one, until some years before. But, as it seemed, it was the absolute outsider that won the battle. Thanks to Nobu Matsuhisa. 

Nobu’s restaurants are that famous worldwide, as the sushi itself. Quality materials,  exquisite service, great atmosphere, a place to be. Pure and simple. So, with every chance, I am there. And this is the ultimate dessert, mochi. At Matsuhisa Athens. That simple.

 

 ps. The chef patissier is called Marinos and something tells me that we will be listening at his name a lot in the short future.

When friends come to visit ...

A week before X-mas, we decided to decorate our home with the tree and the lights and some snowmen and reindeer and bells and red fruit candles! Our closest friends came to help and I prepared some hot pots with potato gratin and a large raclette to party on. Red wine, Christmas songs, a big family hug and cheers to all!

Μόλις μια εβδομάδα πριν τα Χριστούγεννα, είπαμε να στολίσουμε το σπιτάκι και να βάλουμε το δέντρο, φωτάκια, χιονανθρώπους, τάρανδους, καμπανάκια και κεριά που μυρίζουν κόκκινα φρούτα! Οι καλοί μας φίλοι ήρθαν να μας βοηθήσουν και να χαζολογήσουμε, κι έτσι ετοίμασα πατάτες γκατέν μέσα σε κόκκινα κεραμικά, μια σταλιά, και στη μέση έβαλα ένα λαχταριστό λιωμένο τυρί ρακλέτ για να μασουλήσουμε. Κόκκινο κρασάκι, χριστουγεννιάτικα τραγούδια, και μια αγκαλιά όλοι μαζί, στην υγειά σας!

Sunday's Rosemary/ Κυριακάτικο αρισμαρί

If I enjoyed one and only type of baking, definately that would be making tarts- salty or sweet doesn't matter at all. Last Sunday I started my day with some blue cheese tarts, with bechamel and later on I continued by making a quince tart, in family size. Unfortunately, I did took picture only from the salty ones...
It's Friday already and I have no idea what this week-end tarts will taste like. Dear bloggers, help!

Αν έπρεπε να διαλέξω ένα μόνο φαγάκι για να μαγειρεύω, αυτό θα ήταν οι τάρτες- αλμυρές ή γλυκές, το ίδιο κάνει. Την περασμένη Κυριακή ξεκίνησα τη μέρα μου φτιάχνοντας μικρές ατομικές τάρτες με μπεσαμέλ και ροκφόρ και λίγο αργότερα συνέχισα ψήνοντας μια γλυκιά τάρτα με κυδώνια, σε οικογενειακό μέγεθος, Δυστυχώς, φωτογράφισα μόνο την αλμυρή.
Είναι κιόλας Παρασκευή και αναρωτιέμαι τί τάρτα να φτιάξω, αυτό το σαββατοκύριακο. Αγαπητοί μου μπλογκομάγειρες, θέλω προτάσεις...

Mom's Surprise Birthday Party/ Πάρτυ Έκπληξη

Black Forest is mum's favorite cake, so for her birthday I couldn't help form making one, for her and our friends who attended the surprise party I organised for her.
Fresh creme, sour cherries and three layers of chocolate sponge cake.
Made with true love.
Happy Birthday Mum.

H τούρτα Μπλακ Φόρεστ είναι η αγαπημένη της μαμάς, και δεν μπορούσα να κάνω αλλιώς παρά να της φτιάξω μια για τα γενέθλιά της και για τους καλεσμένους της στο πάρτυ έκπληξη.
Φρέσκια κρέμα, βύσσινα και τρια στρώματα σοκολατένιο παντεσπάνι.
Φτιαγμένο με αγάπη.
Χαρούμενα Γενέθλια Μανούλα.

Fantasy Palette

Like a palette of colors with which children paint in white paper. Those colorful sticks derive from fantasy and creativity, exactly as kid's paints do- except for they're actually chocolate.

Designed and firmed by Sadaharu Aoki, a prosperous Chef patissier from Tokyo, this artistic item is named Bonbon Maquillage.  A box with twelve little bars, that hide inside tasteful surprises, such as yuzu cream, caramel toffe and matcha tea. I was the lucky and daring one to taste the light green- which was wasabi. 
Mr. Aoki, congratulations.

Σαν μια παλέτα από τέμπερες σαν αυτές που μπογιατίζουν τα πιτσιρίκια τα λευκά χαρτιά. Αυτά τα χρωματιστά "ξυλαράκια" είναι προϊόντα φαντασίας και δημιουργικότητας, ακριβώς όπως και οι παιδικές ζωγραφιές που λέγαμε πριν- μόνο που τα συγκεκριμένα είναι σοκολατένια.

Σχεδιασμένα, με την υπογραφή του  Sadaharu Aoki, ενός πολλά υποσχόμενου σεφ πατισσιέ
 από το Τόκιο, αυτό το καλλιτέχνημα έχει ονομαστεί Bonbon Maquillage. Ένα κουτί με δώδεκα μικρές σοκολατένιες πλάκες, που κρύβουν μέσα τους ευχάριστες εκπλήξεις, όπως κρέμα από γιούζου, καραμέλα και τσάι Μάτσα. Ήμουν τυχερή και αρκετά τολμηρή δοκιμάζοντας αυτό που είχε ανοιχτό πράσινο χρώμα- δηλαδή γέμιση wasabi.

 

Ε λοιπόν, κύριε Αόκι συγχαρητήρια.