ChikaLicious

We walked by this place many times.  We never knew what it was.  It didn't look inviting from outside until we saw ChikaLicious on TV.  Yes, I admit it, I saw it on TV, but even after watching on TV, we still didn't put it together, until we walked by again.  It's right by our favorite restaurants - Curry Ya and Rai Rai Ken.

ChikaLicious is a dessert bar.  They offer 3 course menu or you can order a la carte.  You can also pair your dessert with wine.  Cheese cake, which looks like a white dome above is my favorite thing on the menu.

Also the chef prepares everything right in front of you, which is exciting to watch.
ChikaLicious also has a smaller and cheaper version right across street for quick bites. 

ChikaLicious
203 East 10th Street  New York, NY 10009

(212) 475-0929

www.chikalicious.com/

US swimmer Nyad begins swim across Florida Straits

This Olympic swimmer is swimming from Cuba to Florida. 103-mile (166-kilometer), which is supposed to take 60 hours. This sounds crazy to me.

I just started swimming from the fall last year. I started with a beginners class.
I was always swimming when I was little but never learned it properly, so I thought better late than never. I just finished my last class. Even though I won't be able to take a class starting this fall, I will still be swimming once or twice a week.

So this story of a 61 year old woman swimming for 60 hours is absolutely inspiring. Even though, that's not my goal - is that even humanly possible??? - it would be nice to have a goal. Once I graduate next year, I would like to take a scuba diving class. This is a huge goal for a girl who freaked out with a scuba gear in a 2 feet deep water. Let's see... Maybe after scuba lesson, I may have a reason to go to Australia!!! Now that's a goal!!!


Here is more story.

Kimchi Chronicles

Those of you who follow my blog or know me at all know that I am far from typical Korean; however, as far as food is concerned, I can't stay away from Korean food too long. I love all different cuisines, but Korean food is still my comfort food. So when I heard that one of my favorite chefs, Jean-Georges' wife has a TV show and book about Korean food, I was very much interested. TV show is on PBS. I was lucky enough to catch end of one episode last Sunday. Look for your local listing.

Today, I went to her book signing event and cooking demo. I was very inspired. I was hoping to meet her husband as well but he wasn't present.

I am happy to see that Korean food is finally getting the attention it deserves. Even though I am still a traditionalist as far as my Korean food is concerned, but I am happy to see more people are adventurous, like David Chang and food truck like Korilla that serves Korean tacos.

Yes, I am inspired and I will try my best to update my blog more often. I still owe you updates from Spain and Puerto Rico (we were just in Puerto Rico a few weeks ago - our lazy vacation).

del Posto Prix Fixe lunch for $29

Those of you who follow this blog know how much I love Mario Batali, especially del Posto.
So as soon as I found out that del Posto has Prix Fixe lunch for $29, I had to go. Right after I came back from Spain, I still had a few days off from work, so Chris and I went for lunch (early lunch at noon, because it's still hard to get a reservation).

It's a three course menu, even though some of the dishes have extra charge, most of the courses don't. Plus it was good to know that you still get bread & lardo (my favorite). Portions were good enough for lunch and dessert was good size too.

Apparently, the lunch menu started to get people in and hope they would come back for more expensive dinner. But you know I would go back to del Posto any time.

http://www.delposto.com/menu.cfm?restaurantid=1&id=4

***UPDATE***  Price has gone up to $39.  But it's still a great deal!  (update: 9/1/12)

Pinotxo Bar

Michelle's friend recommended Pinotxo Bar, so we had to check it out. It's right inside of Boqueria market. We were lucky enough to grab two seats, because after us sitting down, people were waiting.

They have small dishes that they serve. It's perfect before/after shopping. We were there for later breakfast.



Address : La Rambla, 91
Zip code : 08001
City : Barcelona - Spain
Area : Ciutat Vella
Opening hours : 6am-4pm Monday to Saturday
Prices : From 3 to 10€
Phone : +34 93 317 17 31
Metro/Bus : Ramblas

La Boqueria Market

Since I wanted to go to Spain for food, we couldn't miss La Boqueria Market. And it was definitely more than my eye can handle. We were surrounded by meat, vegetable, and seafood and the color and smell were incredible. Photos don't do any justice, so I won't even bother posting more photos than three. You just have to see and smell it yourself. I just wanted to pick up a leg of jamon and a case of tomatoes and get on a plane.




http://www.boqueria.info/index.php

Ohla - Gastonomic

Michelle and I both had a list of restaurants to check out but Barcelona turned out to be (as you would expect) a kind of city that you can just walk into any place and have an incredible meal.

Ohla hotel was one of places. Ohla hotel's restaurant on ground floor was not too far from our hotel (walking distance). So one day we were walking by and said we would come back for dinner.

Our Venezuelan waiter with American accent was very helpful and food was fantastic.
We ended up going back for second time.

Iberco ham and sardine

The most amazing shrimp I have ever had. I can't remember the name now, but they were from local bay

Dublin Bay shrimp - it looked more like spiny lobster to me and this was the reason why we went back the second time because first time we went there, they didn't have this

Ohla Hotel, Barcelona

Via Laietana, 49 - 08003 Barcelona - Spain

Phone: (+34) 933 415 050

Jamonisimo

Jamonisimo - was on my list. My search online made me believe that Jamonisimo was a restaurant with selling jamon on the side. Boy, was I surprised. It was actually the opposite. It was s jamon shop with two tables in the back.

And there was only one lady who was working there and she didn't speak any English. Because we were not having any issues with not speaking Spanish, we didn't have a phrase book with us either. Don't ask me how and why. We waited a while but got to sit down and had some salad and some jamon.

The lady cut jamons right at the spot - just with knife, no machine.
If you are in Barcelona, it's a stop you must make, but don't expect a good service, just stop by for some unbelievable meat that you come to Spain for.





http://www.jamonisimo.com/
Provenza, 85
Barcelona

Cava Sangria

I like the idea of drinking sangria, but most of the time, it's made of red wine. Since I don't really drink red wine (don't ask me why), I always have to find something else to drink. I know there is white wine sangria, but not that many places to make that.

So when I saw cava sangria on the menu at this restaurant, I couldn't wait to try. Sorry, I can't find the name of the restaurant. It was part of a hotel... I will keep trying to go through my receipts.

It was so refreshing and a perfect glass for a perfect afternoon. I was looking online for recipe online and it seems like everyone knew about cava sangria except for me. So if you can't find a restaurant or bar that make it, you can make it yourself!!!

Cervecería Catalana

One restaurant that was recommended to us was: Cervecería Catalana. It's a tapas bar but also with outdoor tables. It was known was one of the best tapas place and it definitely didn't disappoint.

Here are just a few photos and every dish we ordered was delicious. I still dream about them.... especially cuttlefish...




Cervecería Catalana
Address: Carrer de Mallorca, 236 (Barcelona)
Between Rambla de Catalunya and Balmes.

Danish Open-Face Sandwich

NPR website has recipes online. Making me hungry...
(I didn't make them. Picture is from NPR)