Travel Foodie...

Dear Folks,

it has been a while since my last Post and I do apologize, but you see I have been really busy lately…

You see I have been travelling to Paris, Sofia, Venice to name a few and I want to share some of the experiences with you.
In Paris, once again I have paid a visit to Willis Wine Bar in Rue des Petits Champs 13, a place that I know very well, as I have worked there back in 1997,98. I have missed Mark Williamson, still I have enjoyed a delicious meal an exquisite wine. The place is a bit different from my period, it is bigger now, still it was an emotional moment as I cherish my time and my youth passed there. I highly recommend it and also it is a good place for you to buy one of the famous Posters that they commission every year from different Artists, I actually ate under the very same poster that I have in my kitchen.

The other great place that we went out was Montmartre, for many it might look overcrowded and very touristic, well it is. Still, it is one of my favourite all time spots in Paris, as you can check good street Painters and also a few old places where famous use to hang out 100 years ago (Sisley, Degas, Cezane, Toulouse-Lautrec, Renoir, Monet, Van Gogh, etc).

I enjoy seating out at “ Le Consulat” and look at the walking crowds while drinking a vibrant Rose Wine.

Usually my wife and I have the “cliché” Moulle & Frittes, French Onion Soup and also the Escargots. A very French and Parisian night out.

In Venice we went out at one of my favourite places to eat real Venetian food, Trattoria Cà d’oro (La Vedova) at Calle del Pistor. A real delicious small trattoria where you can indulge yourself with real small traditional Venetian dishes, it is actually a place where real Venetians go to eat.

In Sofia you can enjoy wonderful traditional Bulgarian food at Chevermeto Restaurant in Bulgaria Boulevard, Sofia. Enjoy the greatness and particularity of a melting pot nation.

Well, it was not a Post dedicated to a single place but a testimony that the greatest thing that one can do is to travel, to enjoy new places, to discover different cultures and to taste exquisite food and dishes.

Bon Appetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Pleasant surprise in Milano

Dear Folks,

Saturday night I had the opportunity to receive here in Milano some friends and together with my family we went out for dinner.

Having a Gourmet Blog gives me a huge responsibility when choosing and/or proposing a Restaurant.

Well I’ve managed to do it again, the chosen Restaurant is a small pleasant surprise that I would like to share with all my readers.

It is called “28 posti” that is 28 places, the capacity of this small cute restaurant right in the heart of the trendy quartier of “Naviglio Grande”.

It is a minimalistic modern design restaurant with open view kitchen, as you not feel the pressure of prententious posh place you can relax and feel more at home.

The owners of the Restaurant are very concerned about many important issues such as Km0 (that is local suppliers to avoid pollution in the distribution process), Rehabilitation and Social issue: the furniture of the Restaurant was built by Prisoners from a nearby prison and also real prisoners’ are part of the Team of the Chef of the Restaurant, meaning that after work they have to return back to the prison.

The Menu is characterized by good quality fresh nature products, divided in a Fish Menu and a Vegetarian one.

We have decided to follow a “degustacion” Fish Menu that included also wines that were especially selected to each individual course because of taste, texture and flavours.

It was delicious and course after course (there are quite many little courses) one will find a pleasant delicious and fresh surprise.

Did I managed to arouse your curious you? Then pay a deserved visit to 28 Posti in Milano.

Bon Appetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Here's the contacts:

Ristorante 28 Posti

Via Corsico 1-3. Milano.

Tel. +39 02.8392377

Portuguese Wines celebrated with 23 medals at the Wine International Competition of Lyon

Dear Folks,

Once again, Portuguese wines are being awarded in main international competitions, this time in France.

Portugal was awarded with a total of 23 medals during the last International Lyon event, such competition in renowned for Gastronomy and good taste.

With a total of 9 gold medals and 14 silver ones, the wines are from different areas of Portugal, from Douro to Setubal and from Dao to Alentejo (to enumerate a few).

The Jury from the Competition awarded in its majority the Reds but there are also two Rosés and seven Whites. The most awarded wine was the Quinta Vale d’Aldeia (from the city of Guarda) with a total of four medals.

In one of the most prestigious wine competitions of the world, the Jury analysed more than 3.685 wines from 22 different countries.

Here’s my humble contribution for the Portuguese wine awareness in the world and as someone once said “the best wine kept secret of the world”.

If you have the opportunity pay a visit to my country and make a toast with a wonderful Portuguese wine.

Saùde…

Bon Appetit.

Chef Gourmet Du Art

I CAN "LONDON"

Dear Folks,

it has been a while since I Posted a so-called polemic text. Thus, I will just allow my fingers to click along the board and let’s see what we will get in the end…

I left my home town back in 1995 and moved to London, being raised and born in a small fishing Tourism Town, life was easy, relaxed and we could just enjoy long warm days most of the year. The arrival in London was a mix of excitement and a lasting nostalgia from home, in Portugal we call it “Saudade”.

London was the center of the world for someone like me. A huge city full of all the things that a Western Youngster longs for… freedom, trends, availability, discos, pubs, museums, shops, restaurants, music, education and millions of people living together.

Once a friend of mine that grew up in London told me, “You see, living in a big city can be good or bad, for example you can walk throughout the street completely face painted and no one will pay attention nor look at you. This sense of freedom can be exciting (if you come from a small city where everybody knows you) but at the same time can be very scary, meaning that the other face of the coin is that no one’s cares if something bad happens to you.”

I have really enjoyed my time in London to the max and now-a-days I consider it also as my city, it is part of who I am today, I have learn a lot by living there. I've earned a Master’s degree at the University of Westminster and also worked in Harrods to pay for my costs, thus I can say that I have experienced quite  a lot in my 3 year stay.

I know now most of the city, its Museums, Palaces, squares, parks, markets, cool areas, trendy places, restaurants, stadiums, etc…

London can give you so much, but beware it is a very expensive city.

I have managed to visit the Michelin Star awarded Restaurant at the Dorchester Hotel or the OXO Tower Restaurant, but  attention, both are ridiculously expensive.

Thank God that at least museums are free now, you can enjoy the wonderful British Museum, the amazing National History Museum, the thrilling Science Museum, the highly quoted National Gallery, the vibrant Tate Gallery, the glamour Victoria and Albert Museum, the Imperial War Museum and so many others.

I will never forget the street performers of Covent Garden and Leicester Square, the cool bars of Soho, the West end Musicals, the crazy trendy Camden Town market.

If you know London, you will probably tell me… you forgot Madame Tussauds, the War Cabinets, Big Ben, St Paul’s, Westminster Abbey, the Royal Palace, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge and the Parks…

No, I did not forget anything, I just believe that it is such a vibrant big city that one must live there in order to enjoy it to its most.

If you have the chance go to London (at least for a period) and become a Londoner.

Bon Appétit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Portugal wins two Gourmet “Oscars”

The Gourmet International Academy met last week in Paris for the Gourmet Oscars awards.

Such prestigious academy awarded  two Portuguese Chefs amongst the winners.

Armando Fernandes, author of the book "À Mesa em Mação - Carta Gastronómica", and David Jesus, chef of the Restaurant Belcanto, owned by José Avillez, where tow of the main Gourmet personalities that most emerged according to the Gourmet Academy.

One award goes to "À Mesa em Mação" winner of the Gourmet Literature ("Prix de la Littérature Gastronomique").

Also awarded was Chef David Jesus, that daily presents the most sophisticated and interesting Portuguese Cuisine at Restaurant Belcanto owned by Chef José Avillez", according to the Gourmet Academy, he was awarded as the Chef of the Future ("Chef de L' Avenir").

Once again Portuguese Cuisine is breaking both barriers and prejudice and more and more “connoisseurs” are falling in love by such particular cuisine.

Hope that you have the chance to pay a visit to the Country that most have influenced the world and its habits as we know it.

Congratulations to the winners.

Bon Appetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

I can “truthful Australia”

Dear Folks,

As you know I am also an enthusiast of History, and being Portuguese means that I was brought up with the idea that my small country discovered the all world and that we (as said in Portugal) gave new worlds to the world.

In past Post I have made some remarks about some facts that are not known to most of the public and that present Historians are not even trying to correct wrong information.

The other day I was watching a TV series in the National Geographic Channel (The history of Mankind) and that episode was about Captain Cook and when he arrived in Australia. In that episode, once again, he was presented as the discoverer of Australia.

In past Posts, I have explained how Cook used a Portuguese Map (Delphin Map) and also took with him Portuguese Translators, because Portuguese Navigators actually have sailed those seas centuries before him.

Well, last week I read a very interesting article, apparently in New York it will be sold in an Auction a Portuguese Document from the XVI century, where a Kangaroo is painted.

I leave all considerations and conclusions to all of you that are fun of world history and lovers of the truth.

Do not forget to pay a visit to Portugal, the land of the Discoveries. Go and walk through the streets of Lisbon filled with “Romanticism” and history. Enjoy the food and enjoy the kindness of its Folks.

Bon Appétit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

I can delicious Bulgarian fried mushrooms - "Gubi v Maslo"

Dear Folks,

I have just returned from my X.mas break in Bulgaria. In previous Posts I had the chance of praising and advertising a wonderful country, a melting pot of Folks, cultures and landscapes.

It is still a diamond in the rough, meaning that it has so many great potentialities still to be explored.

Today, I am going to share with you one of my favorite Bulgarian “Tapas”, it is a quick delicious dish to be enjoyed with friends and family.

Any typical Bulgarian Restaurant will have it in its Menù, so next time that you go there do not forget to ask for it.

You can have  it with a strong full bodied Bulgarian Red Wine, I recommend Black C.

Hope that you will enjoy it as much as my family and I does it.

Bon Appetit,

Chef Gourmet Du Art

Shopping List

1 large can of sliced Mushrooms

50g of Butter

Q.B. Garlic Cloves Q.B.

Q.B. Dill (fresh or dry)

Q.B. Black Pepper

Q.B. Salt

Q.B. Chili Powder

Q.B. Red Paprika

Preparation

Step 1) Open the can and rinse well the mushrooms under cold water, leave them in a strainer;

Step 2) In a large frying pan place the mushrooms and let the water evaporate;

Step 3) Add the butter, bit by bit and let it melt, continue mixing;

Step 4) Add the chili, pepper, salt and red paprika to your taste;

Step 5) Mix everything and add the dill (plenty of it);

Step 6) Finally add the chopped garlic, do not let it burn but it should fry sufficient to add flavor;

Step 7) Don’t allow the mushrooms to burn but they should be slightly fried;

Step 8) As this kind of tapas is supposed to be eaten with bread, make sure that you have enough sauce, add more butter if necessary;

Step 9) Serve the mushrooms in a large plate to be place at the center of table, guests can eat it together with small pieces of white bread;