The best Sicilian in the city!
OCT13. 121 Dyckman Street, Inwood, NYC.
Category: INTERNATIONAL FOOD
OLLANTAYTAMBO, PERU: COCAINE TEA!
Not really. It is Coca tea and the Coca Plant is a major cash crop for Peru. Through a complex chemical process, yes, we arrive at the euphoric creation of cocaine. Even though the coca plant itself is negligible for causing any major effects, it is still illegal in a lot of places. Don’t think of entering the U.S. with a bag of it in your backpack. It is common for Peruvians to chew it for a bit of a buzz and enhanced energy and clarity and it is also known to counter the effects of altitude sickness. Hallelujah!
17OCT12. Ollantaytambo, Peru. (iPAD, Instagram Lo-Fi Aspect)
CUSCO, PERU: PIZZA AT HIGH ALTITUDE
Funnily enough, as organized as I am in my daily life, I choose to travel the world on a wing and prayer. I rarely look too deeply into a place before I visit, instead, choosing to discover its nuances and learn its history, while there. Of course, in the broad sense, I have dreamt of visiting Machu Picchu for well over a decade, but as far as all of the bits in between, I didn’t really give much consideration to them. Fast forward to arriving in Cuzco wondering why I felt a tangible drop in my IQ, was yawning, couldn’t concentrate, and wanted to lie down in any vacant doorway and ‘just nap for awhile.’ What was going on? Oh, yeah. Altitude sickness for sure. I was in a town that registers over 11,000 feet above sea level. I never checked that out before I left Bogotá, so as I wished, I was left to discover this strange feeling while I was here. No preparation for it. I couldn’t even think about what to order to eat, so I stumbled into a nondescript, tiny restaurant and although a smaller pizza was an option, I just said ‘grande.’ I don’t know why. I couldn’t eat much of it, but it’s beautiful, isn’t it? It helped my, unbeknownst to me at the time, altitude sickness, slightly.
15OCT12. Cuzco, Peru. (iPAD Instagram Lo-Fi Aspect)
CUSCO, PERU (FOOD): BREKKIE AT JACK’S CAFE
Coming highly recommended from many guidebooks, I had to check out Jack’s Cafe, an almost decade-old institution in Cusco. Australian-owned, it boasts a menu for everyone from carnivores to hardcore veggie-heads. On my first morning, I had the Cinnamon French Toast with fresh bananas and strawberries, along with a flavorful cappuccino. On two other mornings, I also had their Huevos Rancheros and their Scrambled Eggs with roasted tomatoes, pesto, and parmesan, on toast. Muy delicioso! Highly recommend: Jack’s Cafe, Choquechaca 509.
16OCT12. Cusco, Peru. (iPAD, Instagram Lo-Fi Aspect)
CUSCO, PERU (FOOD): CEVICHE
Archaeological records show consumption of ceviche (or cebiche or seviche) as far back as 2,000 years ago! Thought to probably have been brought to Peru by Moorish women from Granada. It’s a raw fish dish made with lemon, onion, and chili pepper. Mine was cold, citrusy, with just the right mix of pepper to give it a zing…and served with two slices of sweet potato to counteract the ‘ceviche bite.’ A must-try on a visit to Peru. Highly recommend: Don Marcelo Restaurant, Portal Belen 115, Plaza de Armas. Cusco, Peru.
15OCT12. Cusco, Peru. (iPAD Instagram, Lo- Fi Aspect)
CUSCO, PERU: CUSQUEÑA, THE MOST FAMOUS BEER IN PERU
Taking after its namesake, Cusco, the former center of the Incan Empire, Cusqueña is certainly not the only national beer in Peru, but it is the most popular. It is unique in that it is made from pure barley, rather than the typical corn and barley. It’s light, refreshing, and crisp.
15OCT12. Cusco,Peru. (iPAD Instagram Lo-Fi Aspect)
HOI AN, VIETNAM: CAO LAU
Cao Lau, a regional dish only made in Hoi An, Vietnam. Legend says that it’s because it is made from special water from an ancient Cham well, and the well’s location has never been revealed. There’s no proof to this story. There is something special about this dish, though. FEB09. (Sony Camera & Lens)
HOI AN, VIETNAM: MAKING CAO LAU
An elderly woman with her granddaughter, making Cao Lau, a noodle dish only found in Hoi An, Vietnam. The Cao Lau noodle is thought to be derived from the Japanese soba noodle because the Japanese were there quite a bit in the 17th Century when they were trading. The noodle itself is called Cao Lau and it comes with pork, or without, chili peppers, lime…sublime. It puts the ‘my’ in yummy. FEB09. (Sony Camera & Lens)
KOBE, JAPAN: MY FAVORITE SUSHI
Seared salmon nigiri sushi. Kobe, Japan. JAN12. (Canon 550D, Canon EFS Lens 18-135mm)
SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA: EGGS BENEDICT at BLUE CAFE
Vegetarian eggs benedict with a fruit cup and a book. At Blue Cafe, near the Castro. San Francisco, CA. APRIL12. (Canon 550D, Canon EFS Lens18-135mm)