The Last Supper

As promised, waffles!

Supper, breakfast, it's always a good time for waffles

And not just any waffles, Belgium Waffles! Belgium is most famous for the following foods: waffles (duh!), french fries*, chocolate, speculoos, and in some places, such as Brussels (where we were), Mussels. The diet has been described as combining the heartiness of German cuisine with the attention to detail afforded by the French. Being situated between the two nations, this most certainly makes sense, and for the most part I would have to agree. So which food was my favorite? Keep reading to find out...

Walk a Bit Further

                                  

                                               You never know what you'll find 

While Amsterdam might be better known for its other kind of edibles (also delicious!) I was fortunate to find a quiet place on a quiet street (a real rarity in Amsterdam) that served up some delicious homemade hot chocolate. As is the case in much of Europe, The Netherlands is known for their chocolate. However, if your looking for a hot cuppa coco in the city center, most shops will serve you an instant-nesquik-like powder mixed with boiling water. That will be 4 € please.

Fortunately that wasn't my experience. With a little bit of searching, Brian and I managed to find a real gem and paid less then we would at any tourist trap. See, walking is good for you! 

                                     

When we walked into Black Gold (specialty coffee & vinyl shop) we were greeted warmly by the gentleman behind the counter (sorry I wrote down his name but have now misplaced it, sorry nice man who makes amazing hot chocolate!!!) we ordered two cocoas to go for our canal tour and were pleasantly surprised to find someone who actually took the time and effort to melt down real chocolate! Sure it took a bit longer, but in the mean time we made chit chat, learned about the neighborhood, and exchanged foodie talk.

The cherry on top, well actually the cream, was that our freshly frothed cocoa was smothered in it; chemical free, hand-whipped cream that is. There were no swirly hearts or fancy designs as you can see in the photo above, but both Brian and I agreed it was the best hot chocolate we tasted throughout our travels.

 We were freezing our buns off in front of our hostel, "The Clink", but that didn't deter us from our mission.

Rather than a sit down dinner, we walked and walked and walked and eventually stumbled upon several foodie finds that proved to be satisfying, usually in more ways than one. 

 Nutella covered waffle and jelly donut. #DeliciousLunch.

    

   Rainbow Space Cakes. Enough said.

     And finally later that evening After 45 minutes of walking... dinner at Jacketz! where you can enjoy 

    a massive baked potato stuffed with a filling of your choice. On the left: sweet and tangy pulled pork

    in whisky maple sauce. On the right: Beet root with an ensemble of mixed nuts.

    

 

   A close up of my grub, which was locally produced without pesticides or hormones.

   This photo is of me trying to look like a serious journalist in front of tantalizing chocolate. Well I tried.

Overall I was delighted with all the "edibles" we discovered while in Amsterdam, many of which, we would have never found if not for a desire and willingness to literally go that extra mile and explore our surroundings. Our long walks led us to some delicious encounters, not to mention helping us burn off the extra calories (nutella waffles aren't exactly "diet" food). I'm so glad we decided to put forth some effort and not simply settle for overpriced, underwhelming tourist traps; our tastebuds were too!

Next meal? Belgian waffles...

    Brussels here we come!

    

Eternal Tourist of the American Mind: A Year in Paris

    

      

Ponies, Puppies, Paris. What more could an American gal ask for? How about a year of ponies, puppies and Paris, or maybe just Paris and the chance to travel around Europe for months at a time? Well, unfortunately for this Heather I'm limited to weeks, but such is not the case for Heather Dornblum. In fact this has been her reality for the last ten months. The ponies and puppies, however, were reserved special for me.

Heather, a friend and fellow classmate of mine from Hunter College, will have spent an entire year in Europe by the time she heads home this coming January. I caught up with her on Sunday and gathered some precious details about her experience living abroad. Our conversation covered everything from her initial shock of moving all the way to the challenge of enduring heartbreak alone. Sound amazing? 

In Search of Lost Time, In Search of Tomorrow: Paris and Myself in theHere and Now

Cette matin I went to my first open- air market in Paris, Marche Biologic des Batignolles (see photos below). A mere fifteen minute walk from my apartment and I found myself immersed by the scents, sounds, and sights of a glorious culmination of all things culinary, as well as hand made soaps, perfumes, oils, shoes, and much more. Making my way through the hustle and bustle of the folks trying to find the freshest biologic nourriture*, I couldn't help but wonder if this is how it always was.

                         

 

Beneath white tents and swaying trees, leaves already painted by l'automne swirled to the ground where I stood waiting and watching the man shucking sea shells at le poissonnerie. The unmistakable odor of fresh scallops and sea salt wafted through the air as I awaited my turn to order. How lovely, how joyfully simple I thought, we are all here, strangers, but fellow humans sifting through the earth's bounty beneath the shelter of her very own trees. Magnifique!

Time for Some Really Stinky Cheese...

Vivre la vie de fromage !

Labyrinthe Alimentaire à Paris

It all started when I stepped inside Marché-couvert-Batignolles located a few blocks from my apartment in the 17th arrondissement of Paris. Being my first time in a French Marche couvert, I wasn't sure what to expect. I realized that everything I knew about grocery shopping had to be abandoned, and quickly.

Seeing the World Through a Cricket's Eye

     "One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things." - Henry Miller

Falling for Something New

What is it about the fall season that inspires us to take chances and try something new? Perhaps it’s the faint scent of burning wood that fills the air, or the maroon and honey colored leaves preparing for their final glorious flight. Even the autumn winds that whisper through the trees bring forth mystery and excitement. Whatever the reason, the fall feels both new and familiar: a paradoxical spark of magic. It speaks to each of us at our deepest level letting us know that it’s time for change.

Get ready for more falling leaves!