Food Porn Friday

So I skipped breakfast today so I could have a few more winks of sleep. Now I’ve got desayuno on the brain and am craving something classic and delicious. Time for two eggs, sunny side up, with a side of buttered toast. Nothing beats the greasy breakfast at Bob & Edith’s, a diner in my hometown founded in 1969 … So today’s post is perhaps a little more nostalgic than originally thought. And keeping with the DC / Northern Virginia homage, what goes better with eggs than hot sauce? Did you know that the gents behind Ya Ya Bean’s La Boca Roja are from the DC area too? It must be why they’re so damn good looking (Fact: DC people are hotter than you). For more info on hot sauce in BA, check out my other post.

Photo Credit: Flavors of Brazil, Ya Ya Beans

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America in a Cast Iron Skillet

We all know the value of a good cast iron skillet (NOLAChef especially). Treat them right and they’ll last a lifetime while helping you create some amazing stuff in your kitchen. When I stumbled upon these awesome skillets shaped like the United States of America, I died and exploded with envy. They’re custom-made and I will be saving up for ages to be able to afford one (they run between $300 and $400, yikes). I think it would be a clever and useful housewarming gift for a friend, or perhaps for a homesick expat in need of a boost. As a geography nerd, all of this pleases me greatly. Imagine if you were from Texas – your pancakes would be huge! California is so big it gets two handles. Rhode Island is remains the tiniest and will probably only allow you to whip up miniature things like cherry tomatoes or Brussels sprouts. Michigan is a badass and gets two pans. Visit this website for more photos and information.

7 Spots for Ethnic Fast Food in BA

Good morning and who’s hungry for lunch? Just me? Ok fine. I’m loving Planeta Joy more than usual lately, thanks to the upcoming Buenos Aires Market and the classic “Best Places in BA for _____.” It never fails me.

So imagine my happy surprise this morning when I saw some new-to-me options for a quick and “exotic” (in Porteño terms, of course) lunch in la Ciudad de la Furia. I just tried one of them last week and was really impressed.

Head over to the website for the complete list but here’s a quick rundown if you’re busy checking out whatshouldwecallme (I know you are).

Arabic: Hola! Sinor Shawarma – Honduras 5328
Thai/Asian: Thaisu – Paraguay 406
Venezuelan: Arepera Buenos Aires – Estado de Israel 4316
Frenchish: Mineral – Reconquista 757
Mexican: La Fábrica del Taco – Gorriti 5062
Chinese: Ambiente Wok – Marcelo T. Alvear 997
Japonese: Sushi Roll – Paraguay 508

Last week I tried Thaisu and was impressed, to be honest. Authentic, nice portions, affordable (with Club La Nación to boot) – definitely a place to check out for a downtown lunch. I like Fábrica del Taco but think it’s a bit pricey, though the hot sauces are delicious. Sushi Roll is closeby so I will be checking it out in the next few weeks.

What about you? Rants, raves? Something that Planeta Joy forgot to put on their list?

Photo Credit: Planeta Joy

Poor Photo Documentation

Remember how I said I’m not a fancy expat with an iPhone? Well my Argentine better half is, so I realized that we had some proof of our delicious endeavors of late. The really crappy shot of the Chinese chef with the duck is obviously of my own doing, thanks to the trusty Blackberry that I’ve had for like 49 years. Bon apetit, Enjoy, Chau chau

Razor clams at La Locanda.

Grilled octopus tentacle at El Muelle

Trio of seafood delight at El Muelle – Grilled prawns, scallops, and tentacle

Peking Duck at Shi Yuan

 

Back in Action

Le sigh. I’ve been neglecting you, yes I have. But not because I want to, you see. The past few weeks have been more than hectic as I was tying up loose ends and starting a new job (which also signaled the end of my “I can be in pj’s all day until heading to work at 4pm” reign, and oh how glorious that was). I disappeared like a hermit and ignored the 5 people who read this blog. Sorry about that.

I’ve had some great meals lately, but they’ve all been very spontaneous and failed to be photographed as a result. I am not one of those fancy expats who has an iPhone, so sorry I’m not sorry about that. For one, I went back to Shi Yuan in Barrio Norte for a Chinese feast of the senses. Definitely recommended to go with a big group to order a ton of stuff (they also have a dim sum menu if you can read Chinese) and Peking duck, which must be ordered a day ahead. Portions are huge and the prices affordable.

Just around the corner from Shi Yuan is another little gem, located where Olinda bistro used to be. La Locanda offers up crazy fresh, homemade Sicilian food. Run by Daniel and his family, this spot serves up food that is so simple, so fresh, and so utterly delicious. The menu changes daily – isn’t even written down on a blackboard or anything – and the dishes are all excellent. We had some incredible razor clams and homemade fettuccine with shellfish. What I didn’t love? The price. No menu = no chance to gauge how much things cost. I would definitely recommend it, but be prepared to drop a pretty penny on those delicias Sardas.

Last night, to celebrate my surviving the first week at work, we returned to my all-time favorite place in Buenos Aires. Having dinner at Bengal is like having dinner at home for me, where all the waiters know us and don’t even need to give us the menu. The owner is always there and manages to fill us in on who’s-who at the other tables (Ricardo Alfonsín, Carlos Bianchi, Vice-President Amado Boudou perhaps…). The food is perfection and it’s always such a pleasant experience. If you haven’t been, put it at the top of your list of restaurants to visit – or I will cut you.

Now let’s do a little roundup of linkage since you’ve probably already lost interest in my recounting my last few meals without any photos.

–Where to eat the best thin-crust pizza in BA, courtesy of Planeta Joy. I know El Cuartito is supposed to be the ultimate in BA pizza, but I need thin crust and I need it now.

-Next weekend (which is extra-long thanks to Labor Day), head to San Telmo and check out Buenos Aires Market, which will offer organic & healthy goodies from over 50 local businesses. The best part – it’s on one of my favorite streets in town, Avenida Caseros, between Defensa and Bolívar. Saturday & Sunday, 10am – 6pm. Click here for more info on what to expect this weekend.

-Live vicariously through The Lost Asian on her recent trip up to Salta. I only wish I could save up enough moola to recreate a culinary odyssey such as that one … Le sigh.

-Great little article from Saveur about a sixth generation Las Vegas family. Best part: recipes for cilantro rice, black beans, and grilled fish tacos

-Looking for a place where you can share reviews, comments, and more about your food, drink & cultural experiences in Buenos Aires? Check out Kekanto, a Yelp-esque community that will definitely give you some great tips on new places to check out