Traditional Eating in Bologna / Gubbio / Modena

Thanks for your thoughts Allende. We are heading out of the city towards Gubbio, so looks like Savigno may be slightly in the wrong direct, particularly as in a campervan so not the lightest on its feet! Any suggestions heading south though appreciated

As for booking my other suggestions in the city, is email acceptable or are they more likely to work on phone bookings? If the latter, how good are they with english, my Itialian is zero

Thanks

stanleyk in Italy

Traditional Eating in Bologna / Gubbio / Modena

Hi Barberinbee,

Thanks again for your valued input. I shall indeed look to book up the restaurants I mentioned. To be fair (and possibly my ignorance) the trip is to sample all things Bologna has to offer, so not specific on Ragu etc, so Serghei's could still be a good option I hope.

as for Markets being shut, maybe postpone my lunch at All'Osteria Bottega to the Sunday if they are open.

If ER wine is pretty available everywhere then I will see what I am offered at the various stops I have planned and see how I go

stanleyk in Italy

Traditional Eating in Bologna / Gubbio / Modena

Many thanks to all thus far, have enjoyed looking through the suggestions and trying to narrow it down, so far I have

Bologna

Serghei - Dinner on the Friday (still shut sat/sun?) - Ragu
Osteria Botega - Saturday/Sunday Lunch - Meats
Anna Maria - Saturday Dinner - Stuffed Pastas/Brodo
Sat/Sun Lunch - Market Purchases for eating

Is it possible to book any of the above?

I would also like to sample ER wines if possible, so a recommendation or two for Enoteca would be great, so far I have found Devinis, Solferino and Enoteca Italiana

I am taking the plunge with Oseria Francescana in Modena, unlikely I will be over this way again anytime soon so would be keen to try some of the more modern takes on traditional cooking.

stanleyk in Italy

Traditional Eating in Bologna / Gubbio / Modena

Hi David,

Apologies for not using the search, I had done previously and found bits and bobs, I will endeavour to do a bit more research and add in some potential venues, experiences etc, then ask for comments

Steve,

Will definitely have a look at Drogheria, sounds fantastic, just the kind of suggestion was hoping for, particularly at that price!

stanleyk in Italy

Traditional Eating in Bologna / Gubbio / Modena

Hi,

I am visiting Italy for the first time in June, for which i am very excited, having never been before i am keen to eat as much of the more traditional fare as possible.

My journey takes me to Bologna (two nights) then down to near Gubbio (4 nights) up to Modena for the day (Osteria Francescana) back to Bologna for the night.

I understand Bologna is meant to be an excellent place for produce and for tortellini in broth, is there anything or anywhere I should be trying? At present my only reference/starting place is this

http://www.guardian.co.uk/travel/2011/nov/22/10-best-budget-eats-bologna

Any recommendation for Gubbio area? We are staying with friends so am hoping to make the most of the produce and eat at home, drink some wine etc

is Osteria worth the trip? have eaten in a fare few good restaurants and am keen to try here (maybe chasing the stars a little!). Of the three menus am thinking the classics looks to be of preference.

Thanks for any help

stanleyk in Italy

Montiel vs Gelonch

Ate lunch at Gelonch this week and was very impressed, good clean flavours, a really excellent beef and aubergine dish and excellent wine too. If was returning too Barcelona anytime soon would definitely try Gelonch for tasting menu

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Barcelona Report (inc El Celler C R)

Quick bit of research, prawn was from Palamos and the Syrah was this

http://www.altaalella.com/en/content/s-xtrem

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Barcelona Report (inc El Celler C R)

Despite the two failed attempts for a walk in table at Tickets I can safely say that my trip to Barcelona left me a happy man when it comes to eating and drinking.

The original reason for the visit was to get to El Celler for a christmas present feed, however I also had high hopes for the restaurants an bars in the city too.

It would take me a long time to write up all my thoughts on each place, if someone wants anything more specific I will happily add to it in a lower post. Overall I thought that restaurant feeds were the better option, or certainly prefereable for me, than the tapas I ate. Possibly my expectations were too high but I felt that the tapas was often merely passable than anything interesting or particularly stand out.

The wine on the other hand was really excellent and far exceeded any expectaions, both in terms of price and quality. We drank a lot of cava and were very impressed by the quality of it, having drnunk too much cheap stuff in the uk I am certainly going to start hunting out more quality product. Whites and reds also impressed, with wines by the glass absolute bargains compared to what one would pay here in England, stand outs were the La Bota range of sherries and some of the white/red varieties coming out of Penedes and other local areas, a particularly good Syrah from near Barcelona at Gelonch (all white pepper,similar to Hawkes Bay in NZ, if only I had noted its name!).

Restaurants

Allium - Good simple dishes, menu del dias good, very nice calcots off alc and interesting artesan beer (if a little pricey)
Gelonch - An excellent little restaurant, food was top class, clear flavours and very good value, an amazingly good piece of beef with smoked aubergine being a stand out
Coure - Opted for tapas to try and get the really good stuff I was after and didn't disappoint. Very good Jamon and an excellent dish of pomme puree with fried egg and sobrasada (one I may try and recreate at home).
El Celler - Well this certainly lived up to my expectations (which were very high). Some amazingly good eating, highlights being (all 10/10 fo rme) canapes from around the world (small bite sized, explosive flavours of the brothers influences), a prawn dish which featured a local prawn, simply barbecued (one of the best things i have ever eaten), the sous vide red mullet and sauce. All incredible, backed up by some very strong supporting dishes. Desserts were intricate, interesting and incredibly well prepared, if not always to my taste. The wine was again of top quality and good value. All in all I thin kI went 8.5/10 for the restaurant, same as I gave Fat Duck from memory, so joint highest score I have given (possibly deserves higher but I can't regradde FD, so it remains tied).

Bars (I probably won't remember them all)

Cercecira Catalan - Good tapas and wine, a very good dish of jamon and oyster mushrooms, excellent value wine, shame the beer was not as varied as had hoped
El Xampanyet - Favourite of the bars, could so easily be too touristy based on its location, very nice cava (not convinced by the xampanyet), some tasty boquerones and some excellent lomo
Vila Viniteca - Only drank here, again excellent value and good range
Sagardi Euskal - Disappointing pintxos, all a bit standard, cheap and quite a nice bar, but food not interesting me at all
Ale and Hop - Amazing selection of world craft beers, well worth hunting out if you like your ale. Lots of Mikkeler (a real treat), some good local artesan beer (i very much enjoyed my Mistral)
la Cerveteca - Good bar, excellent beer selection, very pleasant local IPA (again can't rememeber its name)
Monvinic - Once we had got in (annoyingy automatic doors with limited sensor range) we had some excellent wine by the small glass, very good value and again things we would unlikely easily get in UK, so good we returned before we left to kill an hour or so before flights

There were more, I will add to this as I rememeber them, suffice to say, thanks to all who helped contrbitue in the first place, PBSF, Canager, Aleta etc. I had a great time in the city and ate and drank very well indeed. The three lunches I had at ECCR, Coure and Gelonch really were excellent in their own way and a real highlight to me of what Spain is doing so well with regard food at the moment. I look forward to returning, trying some more bars (away from El Born/BG area this time) and seeing what other treats the city and the country have for me.

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Agriturismo Gubbio Area - Dinner Only

Many thanks on your thoughts on this, and I agree with regards visitors wanting to do something for their hosts, I have similar here when people arrive, I am more than happy with a pint at the local rather than a slap up feed.

stanleyk in Italy

Getting to Celler can Roca from Train Station?

Many thanks PBSF, depending on waht time we get to Girona am thinking taxi may be the sensible option, maybe a pop to the tourist office prior to pick up map for walking off the lunch later on.

assuming there is still room inside me, anywhere else of merit worth venturing to in the evening if we stick around, the old family restaurant is there too am I right in thinking? Any good tapas or more traditional drining/eating holes?

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Getting to Celler can Roca from Train Station?

Hi,

I have a booking next week for lunch at ECdCR, I am getting the train to Girona from Barcelona and was wondering how far from station in Girona to the restaurant, is it walkable or does it need a taxi?

Thanks for any help

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Agriturismo Gubbio Area - Dinner Only

I am visiting the area in and around Gubbio in June with family and staying with friends. To thank them for putting us up we would like to take them to an agriturismo for dinner, are there any recommended places in the area that offer dinner only (ie not stayinig with them too).

By nature they obviously concentrate on local and seasonal produce, but any preparing particularly local delicacies would be greatly appreciated

thanks for any help

stanleyk in Italy

Good Drinking Pub/Bar near Paddington [London]

Thanks PB, may take a look. Happy with bottled beer too, good excuse to hit up some of the great beers coming in from US and Europe that way, aiming to be there by4 or so, so hopefully seating will oblige me

stanleyk in U.K./Ireland

Good Drinking Pub/Bar near Paddington [London]

Excellent, many thanks, looks like great location for what I need. Not usaully the biggest Fullers fan but enjoyed a properly kept pint of London Pride pre christmas, so will give it a go. Hoping to get my craft beer hit at Euston Tap earlier in day if timings allow

stanleyk in U.K./Ireland

Good Drinking Pub/Bar near Paddington [London]

Hi all,

Am meeting a couple of friends next week and am after a good real ale or craft beer pub/bar near Paddington, do such establishments exist? If they happen to do some good eating too then all the better, but the main is quality of beer

Thanks for any help

stanleyk in U.K./Ireland

Where to try Canadian wine in central Vancouver?

Perfect, thanks. All being well we'll be in Vancouver on a saturday too so may be able to taste before I buy.

Good to hear local restaurants supporting the wines too, can't wait to try them with some BC cooking

stanleyk in B.C. (including Vancouver)

Where to try Canadian wine in central Vancouver?

Hi,

I am visiting Vancouver from the UK in the summer and am keen (as I know very little about it) to try plenty of Canadian wine. Was hoping for some top tips on either bottle shops that may have tastings on, restaurants that have good wine lists (ideally by the glass) or bars that offer wine flights. If they happen to fall within Happy Hours then all the better.

I will likely be staying in either Downtown/Kitsilano or possibly further souh in Riley Park/Little Mountain, depending on where I finally decide upon for accommodation.

Thanks for any thoughts

stanleyk in B.C. (including Vancouver)

"Best" Set Lunch(Fixe Prix) and other questions

Excellent, many thanks.

In addition then, travelling from England for four days, budget would need to be relatively low for meals, ie under 30pp on average. Would suggest are adventerous but was hoping to organise them a NY type food tour so suggestions of cheesecake and cookies etc is great

stanleyk in Manhattan

"Best" Set Lunch(Fixe Prix) and other questions

Hi all,

I have a friend travelling to Manhattan in April and I was hoping to put them together a gourmet tour map as a birthday gift, I was therefore hoping for some thoughts on the below having scoured through some of the back postings

Set Menu Lunch (Fixe Prix)
Cocktail Bar (Classy/traditional) - Pegu or Raines
Hotdog - Grays
Pizza - Co. or Motorino
Deli Sandwich - Katz Pastrami and Russ & Daughters
Dessert - Momofuku Milk

Any other thoughts on must trys for first time visitors much appreciated

Thanks

stanleyk in Manhattan

Quimet i Quimet - Easter Monday Opening? Other Top Tapas Tips

Thanks Caganer, Allium looks great, from what I could decipher on their website, translate in Google Chrome can only do so much! That is the kind of place I am looking forward to trying, especially like the talk of Catalan microbrews, apologies on the football/city mix up.

Any wine 'bars' of particular merit? I know very little on Spanish wine and would love to try some local wines if possible

Thanks again for all your help

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Quimet i Quimet - Easter Monday Opening? Other Top Tapas Tips

Many thanks both

I have indeed trawled through a fair number and specifically enjoyed both of your postings, a few of those mentioned in posts will make it on to my list, noted on QiQ, I guess the reason I know abot it is because of uk press, so guilty as charged. If any undiscovered gems out there then please let me know, I tend to be guilty of chasing the stars a little, hence my trip to Barca at all, for Celler Roca, but would love to eat with the locals if possible, and if they can understand my attempt at Spanish, or pointing.

Keen to try Tickets or 41 if can get booking, but simple fare would be equally pleasing, alongside some good spanish wine ideally, any cava places of particular merit?

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Quimet i Quimet - Easter Monday Opening? Other Top Tapas Tips

Hi all,

Arriving in Barcelona early on Easter Monday for a few days eating. Having a look around the boards/online etc it seems that Q i Q is a must, however I was wondering whether it would be open Easter Monday, or for that matter if many places would be?

In addition am looking for some top tips for more traditional Catalan eating, be it tapas or more full meals, men del dias are good for me, happy to do eating at lunch, will be based in the Born area hopefully but happy to travel within the city. Any other gastronomic thoughts welcome too (particular areas for tapas/bars, markets etc).

Am travelling up to Girona for my hit of the stars and the new (is it stil new?) wave of Spanish cooking, but if something worth a double hit of this style of cooking then am all ears.

Will try and get posts up on feedback on my return

Thanks

stanleyk in Spain/Portugal

Winchester

I would personally opt for the Black Rat ahead of the Chesil, got its Star (if important to you) this year and is much more interesting than the Chesil. Rectory is nice but personally prefer the Rat, also next door is their pub, Black Boy, with some good local ales on.

http://theblackrat.co.uk/

stanleyk in U.K./Ireland

Best drinking (beer) in London (Soho/Camden)

Am heading up to London tomorrow evening and am after some good drinking, relatively central early on, or Camden area later. Am interested in a good selection of beers, be it local or foreign. Am at the roundhouse for a gig later in the evening and am mighty tempted by Made in Camden due to their excellent selection of IPA style beers, both from US and Australia, however at £4-5 a bottle I wasn't sure how long my wallet was last, is anyone doing similar, slightly cheaper (or lots), around the centre of town, likely to be Frith St for Koya and then Tapped and Packed for the coffee.

Thanks in advance

stanleyk in U.K./Ireland

Burgers Beer and Breakfast - South Beach / Miami

My thoughts on the eating and drinking I partook in while in Miami

Burger and Beer Joint - Possibly the greatest invention in the entire world is a place that serves this good a burger, sides and beer selection, wow! Loved it, so much so went twice (once a specific journey back from airport while on stopover for it) if only the UK did something like this, I would be a happy man. Absolutely loved the burgers, the sides were incredible mac cheese with truffle oil and duck fat ships with chipotle ketchup standing out, and the beer was fantastic. I returned from Australia in awe of their beers and singing their praises to the naysayers in the uk, I am now doing the same with US micros, amazing!

Speaking of which, Abbey brewery. What a fantastic little place that was, Ray was great on my second visit, had a chat, talked beer and wine and generally shot the proverbial. Loved their IPA and stout, the option of having Brooklyn beer from a tap is a delight and the old feather flighted darts just finished it off.

Michael's was a very good brunch, possibly not the cheapest (and the coffee is pretty bad, as expected in Miami, sorry!) but certainly a great spot for people watching and trying the local produce. highlights here were the beer (again) the kimchee pork belly and the doughnuts.

Bernies was very cute, much smaller than I expected, and more fast foody too, but the food was very good and did what it needed to, soaked up some of that Abbey stout from the night before!

I enjoyed shake shack, maybe expecting a bit too much, and was first stop after a very long flight, also think that BnBJ eclipsed it in my memory somewhat, very tasty maltedd shake though.

Finally, and on aslightly bum note, 11th st diner was a disappointment, didn't quite deliver what I was hoping for, but then you can't win them all.

All in all I loved Miami (South Beach really) and would definitely venture back, if BnBJ is no longer open though, for whatever reason, I may have to reconsider

stanleyk in Miami - Ft. Lauderdale

Grand Cayman - Eating/drinking top tips

Apologies for the delay in my write up of trip, I have been too busy trying to ascertain how my tan has faded so quickly and my bank balance has been so slow to recover.

Overall I thought the food on the island to be very good, it is certainly catering towards the tourist trade, but when all your money come from that I can see why. Hopefully they may catch up with serving some better beers soon, cold, fizzy and tasteless may work in the heat, but as far as enjoyment goes......

We had a good mix of local dishes and more traditional european fare, my thoughts on favourite places are as follows

Yoshi (Sushi) - A very cool place indeed, full of hipsters and attractive wait staff and the sushi certainly backs it up, the standard sushi is of very good quality and well made, the stand out though was the special of White Tuna, a particular variety it would seem, but it was amazing, almost as good as the medium fatty tuna at Tokyo fish marrket (and that ranks in my top three eats of all time).

Cimboco - Couple of trips here, catering in local (ish) food and done very well indeed, friends jerk chicken sandwich was excellent and my fried fish wrap and chilli sauce was very good too. The coconut bread with the pork sandwich was very tasty, not sure how they made it, maybe replaced water with coconut juice?

Over the edge - worth it for the fried bread and the views alone

Kaibo - A very good feed here, an evening sat on the beach drinking one of the best mojitos I have ever had and an excellent interpretation of ceviche, joyous!

Chicken chicken - Good chicken, as I hoped, little let down by the sides, interesting cornbread too

Sunshine Grill - Excellent fish tacos and lemonade

I didn't partake in turtle, not sure I could, and was a little disappointed that when I entered more local places I was given the tourist menu without knowing of the more traditional stuff, but I know that for next time now and will amend accordingly on my return visit.

stanleyk in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Burgers Beer and Breakfast - South Beach / Miami

I don't have a landline (mobile/cell) only and uk to them on that may be a bit pricey, no worries if I can't change it, just trying to leave optimum time between there and the next feed.

On a side note, am also looking for good drinking, any top tips? Form a quick Google the likes of The Room, Deuce and a Abbey came up in terms of 'dive' bar, I don't think we have anything very similar over here so keen to try something akin to them

stanleyk in Miami - Ft. Lauderdale

Grand Cayman - Eating/drinking top tips

Thanks all this is great, will try and get a report up as soon as back, assuming the rum doesn't blur my memory too much

stanleyk in South & Central America & the Caribbean

Burgers Beer and Breakfast - South Beach / Miami

Does anyone have an email contact for Michaels Genuine? Was hoping to try and change my brunch reservation for earlier in the day but couldn't see any obvious way to contact them on their website

Thanks

stanleyk in Miami - Ft. Lauderdale