From the monthly archives:

June 2009

Deepest, Darkest Africa

2009.Jun.30 Tuesday

 Reminds me of my safari in Africa. Somebody forgot the corkscrew and for several days we had to live on nothing but food and water.” – W.C. Fields Buenos Aires – Over the past few months I’ve been hearing about “an African restaurant” that opened up over by Parque Centenario in Villa Crespo. No one [...]

Read the full article →

What Happened in 1893?

2009.Jun.28 Sunday

 There must be courage; there must be no awe. There must be criticism, for humor, to my mind, is encapsulated in criticism. There must be a disciplined eye and a wild mind.” – Dorothy Parker, author (born in 1893) Buenos Aires – It’s not that 1893 wasn’t an interesting year, plenty of stuff did happen. [...]

Read the full article →

Fun with Phở

2009.Jun.25 Thursday

 Because not much was written about the origin of phở until recently, its beginnings are a bit murky and mostly culled from oral histories. Still, the consensus among academics, diners and restaurateurs is that it originated about a century ago in northern Vietnam. It was originally sold by venders from large boxes, until the first [...]

Read the full article →

Gold of the Incas

2009.Jun.24 Wednesday

 Similar to a small mango in appearance, lucuma is green-skinned when young, ripening to a warm red. Round or oval in shape, the fruit has golden flesh and a distinct, fragrant flavour, said to be similar to that of maple syrup.” – from 1001 Foods You Must Try Before You Die Buenos Aires – The [...]

Read the full article →

The Original Heartthrob

2009.Jun.23 Tuesday

 It isn’t what they say about you, it’s what they whisper.” – Errol Flynn, actor Buenos Aires – Joining our various centenarians for their birthday celebrations, this last weekend saw our tribute to Errol Flynn, Hollywood’s original sex symbol. Born in Tasmania, and living out a good part of his adult life in Hollywood and [...]

Read the full article →

Steadfast a la parrilla

2009.Jun.21 Sunday

 Doubts and mistrust are the mere panic of timid imagination, which the steadfast heart will conquer, and the large mind transcend.” – Helen Keller Buenos Aires – There is a Constantín pizzeria in Pile, Italy, another in Menaggio on Lake Como, and a third in Brasov, Romania. There are likely others, and there’s certainly now [...]

Read the full article →

Presenting…

2009.Jun.18 Thursday

 I believe you eat with your eyes. It’s really heavy on presentation.” – Tom Welton, campus dining director Buenos Aires – As always, I’m constantly reading about food and its presentation, as well as watching shows. Recently I started working my way through downloaded series of Masterchef shows – in particular the Masterchef Professionals and [...]

Read the full article →

When Buffaloes Fly

2009.Jun.15 Monday

 Anybody can sell steak. But if you can sell odds and ends of one thing or another, then you’re doing something.” – Frank Bellissimo, Owner of Anchor Bar, where Buffalo Wings were ‘invented’ Buenos Aires – We all know from posts here and elsewhere that locals aren’t fond of spicy food, for the most part. [...]

Read the full article →

Inspired!

2009.Jun.15 Monday

 You can’t wait for inspiration. You have to go after it with a club.” – Jack London, author Buenos Aires – In the East Village, where I used to live, the late night pizza by the slice places all seem to offer up what they call a “lasagna pizza”. I’ve not seen it anywhere else. [...]

Read the full article →