Enjoy - Food & Travel

Marrakech: Hey - we are certainly not in Kansas anymore!

2010-02-09T08:00:00.009+01:00

You do not have to stick you feet into a pair of ruby slippers and be taken by a twister to leave your Kansas. Marrakech, by the foot of the Atlas mountains, is definitely not my Kansas. It resembles nothing I have seen until now. It is an intriguing, chaotic mix of the orient and Africa and very far away from Europe.

I do not recall what I expected by this Moroccan city, as all the impressions left in my inner eye have obliterated all the notions of what I thought I would see.

Unlike Istanbul, it is definitely not Europe. Even though the Turkish metropolis is a part of the Islamic world, I still felt that I was on my own continent.

Read more stories Istanbul on Enjoy Food & Travel

Marrakech, however, is the town of Berber nomads, jugglers, snake charmers, elaborate hand crafts, with an air perfumed by scents of strangely spiced foods. All this left me as mesmerized as Dorothy was when she met the Land of Oz!

I will write stories from Marrakech in the year to come. Still I have to land, emotionally and spiritually, and get a little distance to reflect on what I have seen. Here are, however, stories to come on Enjoy Food & Travel.

Bars and restaurants:

Al Fassia Restaurant
Café Glacier
Café Jardin de Majorrelle
Café Olive
Chez Bahia
Chez Ghegrouni
El Waha Café & Restaurant
Le Fes
Le Foundouk
Le Toque
Les Terraces de l'Alhambra
Snack Bar Reda

Hotels:

Eden Andalou Spa & Resort
Riyad Moulay Siad

Shopping:

Au Fil d'Or
Ensemble Artisanale
Gift shop, Jardin de Majorelle
Herboriste El Andalouss
Magic Gift
Shopping spices
Soukhs

Sights:

Almoravid Qoubba
Baadi Palace
Bab Aganou
Bab Nkob
Djemaa el Fna
Jardin de Koutoubia
Jardin de Majorelle
Madrasa ben Youssef
Mellah quarter
Mosque Ben Youssef
Mosque Der Bab Ali
Mosque el Mansour
Mosque de Koutoubia
Saadian Tombs
Sidi Ali Bel Kacem Cemetery
Soukhs
Yves Saint-Laurent memorial

Travel

Marrakech Menara Airport
Rating the Norwegian Air Shuttle experience

See location of all bars, hotels, restaurants, sights and shops on this map of Marrakech

View Marrakech A-Z 2010 in a larger map

Wine, beer, and liquor on Enjoy Food & Travel 2010

2010-02-06T08:00:00.000+01:00

To make it easier for you, I have compiled all the wine, beer and liquor stories on Enjoy Food & Travel for the year 2010 on this page. Enjoy!!

Wine:

Chateau Lafite Rotschild 1999 (France - Pauillac)
Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2008 (South Africa - Western Cape)

Beer:

Wendelinus Biere d'Abbaye (France)

Croque at Le Cirio in Brussels

2010-02-05T08:00:00.000+01:00

As we arrived in Brussels, I do as I usually do - I take a late night snack at Le Cirio. This time I traveled with friends and we planned to meet at this charming old Tavern by Brussels Stock Exchange, and I knew what I would order - a Croque Cirio.

Le Cirio is one of my favourite hangouts in the Belgian capital. They serve the most refreshing traditional Belgian beer "au fut", on tap. I chose a cold Leffe Blonde.

Le Cirio offers a menu consisting of a few traditional warm specialties, salads, cold cuts, and Croques - delicious toasts.

You may choose from a traditional Croque Monsieur, Madame ( served with a fried egg or poached egg), or a Croque Cannibale - with raw ground meat.

I ordered the delicious Croque Cirio, the house specialty, a toast with cheese, tomato sauce and pancetta, served with salad home mayonnaise and conichons.

A delicious evening snack, when you're not in the mood for a large meal. If you arrive in Brussels on an evening flight, this is definitely something to try.

NEW on Enjoy Food & Travel - Paris

2010-02-04T08:00:00.002+01:00

View Paris on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2009 in a larger map

I have not been in Paris for several years, but I have been there many times and know the city well. I, and others, have during these last years written quite a few stories from the French capital. I have made a referring list and plotted them onto a map. So, who knows, perhaps I'll travel to Paris in 2010?

Hotels:

Full-screen
Ermitage Hôtel
Hotel used by my friends John and Øystein, when in Paris.

Fleche d'Or Hotel
Decent, budget hotel by Gare Saint Lazare.
Hotel de Lille
The first hotel I stayed in Paris, way back in 1984. Then a very "rustic" place with few mod-con's
Hotel Nicolo
Hotel Nicolo is a hidden gem. It is quiet and charming with a tiny but lovely garden and newly redecorated rooms and very helpful and accommodating staff.

Restaurants

Auberge Nicolas Flamel
One of the places that I dream to dine, is in Paris. In Rue de Montmorency in the Marais district you may eat in a house that once belonged to one of the greatest alchemists in the world - Nicolas Flamel.Read full story here
COMING: Le Florimond
Orestias
Orestias is my favorite restaurant in Paris. It is messy and noisy and the waiters are real characters. They offer a small menu of inexpensive, seasonal Greek dishes.
Read full story here

Sights:

Full-screen
Basilique du Sacré Coeur
The basilica of the Sacred Heart is one of my favorite places in Paris. In spite of the thousands of visitors every day, it is a quiet place where you can be soothed by the sound of rattling rosaries and the smell of burning candles.
Read full story here
Centre Pompidou
Closer to Centre Pompidou you find the Paris gay community. And Place des Vosges closer to Place de la Bastille, is maybe one of the most beautiful squares in Paris dating back to 1605.
Read full story here

Le Marais
The Marais area has many old houses and its narrow streets is a melting pot. In Rue des Rosiers, you find the Jewish community side by side with immigrants from Nortern Africa.
Read full story here
Musé Max Fournet de’l Art Naïf et Primitif
In Halle St Pierre in Montmartre, at the foot of the hill which is crowned by the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, le Sacré Coeur, is an extraordinary museum, Musé Max Fournet de’l Art Naïf et Primitif.
Read full story here
Place de Vosges
Closer to Centre Pompidou you find the Paris gay community. And Place des Vosges closer to Place de la Bastille, is maybe one of the most beautiful squares in Paris dating back to 1605.
Read full story here

A New Years dinner at Le Florimond in Paris

2010-02-03T08:00:00.002+01:00

I got this mail from my good friend John Wroughton. He and his partner, Øystein, had been to Paris over the New Year. Theu had their New Year's dinner ar Le Florimond. Here is his account of their meal.

By John Wroughton

This past New Years Eve (2009), we booked a table at Le Florimond in Paris based on its excellent rating with Trip Advisor.

Unlike a more typical night at the restaurant, they had two table settings (kl. 19:00 and 21:30) with the following fixed menu:

Pumpkin / squash soup served in its own little pumpkin (not officially on the menu)
Fried scallops in a morel (mushroom) sauce
House’s own homemade duck fois gras
Main course with veal
Cheese dish consisting of two layers of brie de meaux with a paprika flavored cream cheese-like layer in the middle
Mousse dessert with a nutty caramelized lattice decoration.

Each course was tastefully presented and “delicious” - and we did eat heartily. But I can’t recall any one of the courses as standing out as exceptional / memorable / unique - taste wise.

The pumpkin / squash soup was actually a surprise opening ‘welcome course’. Serving this soup in its own little pumpkin was a brilliant idea – and it was most definitely tasty. And it set the whole meal off on a good note. I’ll let the pictures can do some of the “telling”.

I think we received a very decent value for money - although the drinks we ordered (a glass of champagne each, a bottle of Cahors red wine, and coffee added another 50 euros to the bill – gulp!) But, hey, it was New Years Eve! (The ‘picher’ of water was free, though.)

Le Florimond’s interior is cheerfully trendy without being ‘fancy’ or ‘posh’. The tables were arranged fairly close to one another. The head waiter and assisting waiter(s) were friendly and communicative and the chef, Pascal Guillaumin, came out towards the end of the meal to greet the guests. Putting on and executing a six-course meal must require plenty of thought, planning, preparation and culinary experience.

We most certainly enjoyed the experience, before going out for the New Years “countdown” around the Eiffel Towel, Champs Elysees and finally up at Montmartre near our hotel, L’Ermitage. If I lived in Paris, I would want to go back and try a few of their every-day specialties.

More stories from John Wroughton

Impressions of Italy - the Amalfi Coast

Hotel Principe Eugenio - Rome

Address:
Le Florimond
19, Avenue de la Motte-Picquet
75007 Paris
Reservation: 01 45 55 40 38
Official website

Location of Le Florimond - see this new map of Paris

Vis Paris on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2009 i et større kart

The runic stones of Sigtuna

2010-02-02T08:00:00.003+01:00

Sigtuna is the oldest, still populated settlement in Sweden. The long dramatic history spans over 1000 years, and has left a rich heritage of historic monuments. Some of the most interesting are the great number inscriptions on stones written in the old Norse Runic alphabet. Here a a few stones found in the centre of the town.

Stone by St. Lars Church Ruin

Translated text: Anund erected this stone in menory of himself, while still alive.

This stone was found by the north east corner of St. Lars Church Ruin in 1956, where it had been laid down as a corner stone of an old wall.

This means that the stone had been placed into the church wall around 50 years after the constructed in the middle of the 11th century. The stone, predating this old church, may be at least 1000 years old.

This stone may be a result of vanity, as Anund erected it in memory of himself, wile still being alive. A very human trait, bringing the voice of an individual to us through history.

Runic stone from St. Pers Church ruin (11th century)

Original inscription: T(horbiorn r)æsti (s)tæin thennsi æftir Æsbiorn, brodur sinn. Their eru synir dyrvis i(........)

Translated: Torbriørn erected this stone in memory of Esbjørn, his brother. They are sons of Dyrvis at (.......)

This runic stone dates back at least 900 years. It was mentioned in historic records first in 1612, as stone threshold at St. Pers Church. Some of the inscription was lost, when adjusted to the adjacent stones in the church floor.

It was drawn and the registered over 300 years ago. The text in the brackets refers to the text visible when it was registered for the first time in the 17th century.

Fragment of three rune stones from Mariakyrkan (11th century)

Deciphered text:

Rune-stone 1: ......Åsbjørn and kus did......
Rune-stone 2: .....God help the spirit.......
Rune-stone 3: ........after Orm.......

The Church dedicated to Saint Mary, is the only Medieval church still standing in Sigtuna. Here you find three rune stones with inscriptions.

Stone number 1 is located by the main entrance of the church, number 2 is a part of the eastern wall of the Gernerska Mausoleum by the church, whereas number three is found on the mausoleum's northern wall.

Runic stone (11th century)

Translated text: Gillug and Usi had this stone erected in memory of ...... Arne's son...

This stone commemorates son of Arne, and was erected by a man, Gillug and usi, possibly a man's name, maybe her husband? It was found in a cellar wall of a building close to St. Lars Church ruin.

We do not know exact location of this stone, and it is now standing by a building in one of the city streets.

146 rune stones are found within Sigtuna town

These are just four out of 146 runic inscriptions found within the city borders of the town of Sigtuna. They are some of the earliest written messages left by the Vikings to be read by us, and stones like these mark the start of the written history of the Scandinavian countries.

The runic alphabet was not unique for the Scandinavian countries. The oldest date back to 150 AD, but they are in use as a parallel set of letters to the Latin from the 6th century. In Scandinavia they were in use from the 8-9th century to the 15th century.

More on Sigtuna

See map over Sigtuna and surrounding area

Story - Sigtuna - the city by the water

Two gluten free recipes

2010-02-01T08:00:00.005+01:00

More and more people are tested to discover the they either suffer from Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance. Erica E. Brady, my American cousin sent these two gluten-free recipes that she'd got from Rita Evans, a friend. The first substitute quinoa with ordinary flour, the other use rice flour, one of the most common flour substitutes for sale in ordinary supermarkets.

Quinoa Veggie Burgers

3 cups (70 cl) cooked, cooled Quinoa – make sure all water is absorbed and consistency is fluffy when measuring.
4 oz (100 grams) extra firm tofu
½ rice French roll processed to bread crumbs or 1/2 cup (15 cl) gluten free bread crumbs
1/3 (5 cl) cup black beans
1 med yellow onion – finely chopped
¾ lb (320 grams) Portobello mushrooms – sliced
1-2 tsp chopped garlic
1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tsp kosher salt
1 tsp cummin
Splash of Sherry wine

Sauté onion, mushroom (cook all water out of mushrooms) add garlic and Sherry at very end, lower heat and cook most of liquid out– let mixture cool slightly.

Combine all ingredients in large bowl and hand mix, being sure to well incorporate tofu into as small pieces as possible.

Add entire mixture to food processor and pulse until smooth but still with some texture.

Test a small portion either raw or cooked and correct seasoning if necessary

Chill for approx 30 min and form into patties – can be formed, separate with parchment paper and frozen.

Cook on flat top – if using sauté pan, do not cover.

Gluten-Free Corn Bread

Ingredients:

1 cup (23 cl) white rice flour (or other gluten free flour)
3/4 (18 cl) cup stone-ground cornmeal
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon xanthan gum
3 tbsp sugar
1 tbsp honey
2 beaten eggs
¾ (18 cl) cup corn niblets
1 (23 cl) cup milk
1/4 (6 cl) cup melted butter

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees (200 C). Mix the dry ingredients (flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and xanthan gum) together in a medium bowl and set aside.

In a food processor combine milk, sugar and corn niblets – pulse for 10 seconds. Add eggs and process for 30 seconds.

Add this mixture all at once to the flour mixture and stir until just moistened. Add melted butter and stir until just combined.

Pour batter into the hot buttered cast iron skillet or baking pan. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean.

Serve warm.

Other Gluten-free stories on Enjoy Food & Travel

Enjoy Food & Travel on YouTube

2010-01-31T08:00:00.008+01:00

As I have traveled around the world, I have taken many videos with my camera. They have, until know, only been available to me in my own library. I have embedded a few, in my stories on Enjoy Food & Travel. Now I have started to make all films available to you on YouTube.

There are 80 films available on YouTube, from different destinations in Europe, Africa, and the US. You can find films from different locations here. I plan to make all my videos available for you to enjoy on my site.

See all my videos on YouTube

New hotels at Oslo Airport in 2010

2010-01-30T08:00:00.011+01:00

View Oslo airport Gardermoen in a larger map

Three new hotels will be opened close to Oslo Airport 2010, making it easier to find affordable accommodation close to Norway's largest airport.

Comfort Hotel RunWay

Comfort Hotel RunWay is the first hotel to open at Oslo Airport in the new year. You could book a room here from January 8th 2010.

It is located by the western runway of the airport.

Comfort Hotel RunWay has 303 double rooms, 15 conference rooms and Norway’s first restaurant open 24/7.

Rooms vary in price from NOK 795,- to NOK 1795,- depending on type of room and weekday.

Foie Gras from Eduard Arzner - Strasbourg

2010-01-29T08:00:00.008+01:00

I have vivid memories of my first time in Strasbourg, when entering the exclusive world of Edouard Arzner, producer of quality food, and in particular the Foie Gras made from goose or duck liver. When shopping at duty free in Brussels airport, I could not resist this package of duck liver with Muscat wine from Alsace.

As I am no connoisseur of these products, I do not taste much difference between foie gras made from duck or goose, so I most often choose duck, being the less expensive of the two.

This package contained two separately packed pieces of foie gras of 50 grams / 2 oz.

A product like this must be served with care. The strange thing with foie gras is that its strong taste meets its match in sweet, and slightly bitter aromas.

As I served them both during a dinner party, I chose a crunchy piece of toast as a base, and topped it with cranberry jelly. Even more sweetness was provided the wine that followed this little treat.

More stories on Goose or Duck on Foie Gras

Eduard Arzner, Master of Delicacies!

Pintxos with foie-gras and blackcurrant jelly

Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2008 - awesome!!

I have expanded my knowledge of wines recently to Late Harvest wines. When serving foie gras, I used to buy expensive wines from the Sauternes district, but has found that even this region is getting fierce competition from the rest of the world.

Late Harvest wines are often expensive, but I know of one exception. The Nederburg Noble Late Harvest is an excellent product, a real bargain for half the price of many other wines. In Norway you'll get at 375 ml bottle for 105 NOK (12,80 EUR), and it is as good as many of its competitors.

The Nederburg winery was established in 1791 and provides and grapes for this wine come from vineyards in the Paarl and Stellenbosch regions.

Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2008 is a blend between Chenin Blanc (78%) and Muscatel (22%) grapes, produced by the renowned Nederburg estate in Paarl on the Western Cape. It is recommended to cheese, fruit, and desserts.

Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2008 has a beautiful deep orange colour, and intense aromas of peach, honey and citrus, and even marmalade, and the intense taste fades out elegantly. It is a superior wine, even to similar German and French wines.

More on Sauternes and similar wines

Donnafugata Ben Ryé Passito di Pantelleria 2006

Villa Puccini Vin Santo

Château Haut-Claverie 2001

Château Gravas 2003

Another wine from Nederburg

More on Nederburg Western Cape Baronne Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2005

Photo: Paarl Mountain, the second largest granite outcrop in the world by Magnus Manske

News - Norwegian Air Shuttle flights

2010-01-28T08:00:00.023+01:00

Norwegian's flights Trondheim - London move to Gatwick

Norwegian Air Shuttle will move all flights Trondheim - London from London Stanstead to London Gatwick Airport. Distance and better transportation to the British capital are the main reasons.

The non stop flights from Trondheim to London will be the last to leave London Stanstead. From March 28th all Norwegian Air Shuttle flights will land at Gatwick, providing travelers with shorter travel time to the city centre.

The British capital has several options for travelers, when taking a flight. Whereas Heathrow, Gatwick, and London City are located within the London Metropolitan Area, Luton and Stanstead are further away from London.

See all non-stop flights from Trondheim Airport Værnes here

See map of bars, hotels, restaurants and sights in the Trondheim area here

Photo: Gatwick South Terminal Zone K check-in concourse by Dbx54

Non-stop flight Tromsø - London may be closed down

View International non-stop flights from Tromsø Airport Langnes - status January 2010 in a larger map

The non-stop flights from Tromsø, the capital of Northern Norway, to London Gatwick have been a fiasco for Norwegian Air Shuttle. The airline is, according to boarding.no, now considering closing it down.

This will mean that there may be no non-stop flight from destinations in Western Europe to Northern Norway, leaving travelers to Tromsø to change to domestic flights at Oslo Airport in the future.

Rating Les Crustacés - Brussels

2010-01-27T08:00:00.006+01:00

Place Saint Catherine in Brussels used to be the place to enjoy seafood in the Belgian capital. When looking for a place for lunch, we passed a couple of seafood restaurants before choosing Les Crustacés. It was a decent experience, but after three meals here earlier I find that the food is not what it used to be. I am afraid that the square is slowly turning into a tourist trap.

Location: BBBBB-

Les Crustacés occupies two floors in an old Flemish style, red brick building located on Place Saint-Cathérine, a beautiful square. To get there take subway 1a/1b to the Place Saint Cathérine, or walk down - it only takes 10 minutes from Grand Place.

Place Saint-Cathérine is located in one of the most original areas of old Brussels with many old houses and much of the original character that is rapidly disappearing elsewhere.

In summer you may sit outside and enjoy your meal with a view to Église Saint Cathérine. We visited late fall and had to sit inside.

Service: BBBB-

Mixed service. Professional, but rather impersonal staff.

We were led to a table immediately. We ordered wine before we chose our fixed lunch menu. We did, however, have to wait a little too long to be served the first out of our three course lunch.

Interior & Atmosphere: BBBB

We were seated in the ground floor room at Les Crustacés.

A pleasant traditional interior in yellow and cream colours. Oak coloured wooden details, chairs and tables.

Nicely set tables with napkins, glass, china and cutlery. I found too many tables and chairs, in the room and it felt too overcrowded.

Food: BBBB

I chose three courses from the lunch menu priced at €23 This is what I was served.

Les Moules Grillées au Beurre d’ail (Mussels baked in garlic butter)

I chose seafood as an entree and main course. I chose mussels, a Brussels speciality, but here baked with garlic and parsley butter, not Moules Frites, steamed and with fries, as is the rule in Belgium.

The mussels were served sizzling hot, directly from the oven, presented in a steel bowl.

Fresh and well prepared, not overcooked, but tender and moist. Delicious garlic and parsley butter.

Le Loup de Mer Sauce Homardine (Seawolf with lobster Sauce)

I love seawolf, and served with lobster sauce, it was irresistible. I was, however, slightly disappointed.

The fish was not served properly heated, and the sauce had started to cool down and thicken.

The fillet was a little under cooked, but I do prefer that, too over cooked fish. One, nice, waxy potato.

The sauce, that provided most of the flavour, did not tickle my pallet. It was a little bland, with not enough salinity, too much sweetness and low in acidity. This was the contrast to the lobster bisque served earlier at another restaurant in the area, that was too salty and over powering.

L’Assiette de Fromages (Cheese platter)

I was served three cheeses, one firm cheese, one Brie / Camembert variety and a blue cheese, accompanied by leaf salad and vinaigrette.

I prefer cheese served with jam and other stronger contrasting tastes, than provided by the slightly bitter dressing.

Medium matured cheese, sadly served too cold. With this in mind, I would recommend a dessert, rather than this classic end to the meal.

Wine: BBBB

We decided to order the white wine of the house, as we all ordered a fish menu. We served a bottle full bodied, medium dry white wine, at a decent price. Wine of the house is arecommended choice, if choosing a full seafood menu.

Rating Les Crustacés experience: BBBB (4,03 points)

A reasonably priced seafood lunch. Quality a little uneven. Hot food partly served cooled, cheese served cold. Delicious entree, but main course low in flavour, but well prepared.

Address:
Les Crustacés
Quai aux Briques 8
1000 Bruxelles (Ville)
Phone: 02.511.56.44
E-mail: fb457160@skynet.be
Website: www.crustaces.be
Review of Les Crustacés on TripAdvisor

See location on Brussels map

Vis Brussels on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2009 i et større kart

Parc Cinquantanaire and the Arche de Triomphe

2010-01-26T08:00:00.012+01:00

Close to the headquarters of The European Union, you'll find the Parc Cinquantanaire and the Arch de Triomphe that King Leopold II of Belgium erected at the 50th Anniversary of the formation of the Belgian state.

The area between the Schuman and Merode subway stations, in a densely developed city area you suddenly find a large green lung. The centerpiece of this park is this triumphant monument built by a brutal colonialist that ran what is known today as the Democratic Republic of Congo (prev. Zaire) as his personal property.

An all year retreat

This park was in my neighborhood when I lived in Brussels. My apartment block in Avenue de la Renaissance (right), is located adjacent to the park, and evey day I went to work I crossed into the park, on my way to my office in Rue de Treves.

Park Cinquantanaire is beautiful in winter, as in summer. All year the lawns are beautifully green, lined with evergreen shrubbery. During summer, large trees provide shade from the summer sun under their large canopy.

Built through a battle of power

The curved buildings on each side of the arch was commissioned by the king and built to a National Exhibition in 1880.

These two buildings house the Royal Museum of the Armed Forces and of Military History, an art museum Cinquantenaire Museum and AutoWorld (museum).

The Arch was meant to be the centerpiece, when the buildings were opened in 1880.

Due to an ongoing battle between the king and the Belgian Parliament it was completed much later. This as the Parliament did not want to spend money on the project. It was completed with private funding, just in time for Belgium's 75th anniversary as a state.

The Great Mosque of Brussels

The Great Mosque of Brussels is also found in the park. In 1967, King Baudouin gave a building built in 1880 to King Faisal ibn Abd al-Aziz of Saudi Arabia, on an official visit to Belgium, so that it might be turned into a place of worship for the Muslim community of Belgium. It was inaugurated in 1978.

More Brussels stories

Brussels - the warm heart of Europe

A tale of a cat

More on the area by Park Cinquantenaire - see this map

View Brussels on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2009 in a larger map

UPDATED - Brussels 2006-2009

2010-01-26T06:00:00.005+01:00

I have returned from a great weekend in Brussels, the Capital of Belgium and the centre of the European Union. So stay tuned for more stories of sights, bars and restaurants, food and travel stories from the warm heart of Europe.

Here are a list of what has been published from Brussels on Enjoy Food & Travel and stories to be published.

Hotels:

Bars and restaurants

NEW: Café Metropole
NEW: Haagen-Dasz
NEW: La Brouette
NEW: La Chalopue d'Or
NEW: La Cremerie de la Vache
L'Amadeus
Le Cirio
Le Falstaff
L'Huitriere
Les Crustacés
NEW: Menelas
NEW: O'Farrells Irish Pub
Restaurant La Quincaillerie
T'Kelderke

Sights:

Arche de Triomphe - Parc Cinquantanaire
Autoworld
NEW: Berlaymont Building
NEW: Charlemagne Building
NEW: Église Saint Cathérine
NEW: Église Saint Nicholas
NEW: European Parliament
NEW: Galerie Ravenstein
NEW: Galerie Royal St. Hubert
Grand Place
Great Mosque of Brussels
NEW: Justus Lipsius Building
L'Hôtel de la ville de Coutrai
Museum of Ancient Art
NEW: Palais de Justice
NEW: Palais Royal
Royal Military Museum
NEW: Tour Noire

Map of Brussels

View Brussels on Enjoy Food & Travel 2006-2009 in a larger map

Free city guide to Brussels - download it here

Delicious Tiramisu - mousse

2010-01-25T08:00:00.003+01:00

I am no good at preparing desserts and pastries. I therefore gladly use a packed, if good. At New Years Eve, I used a package of Tiramisu mousse from Freia. With a little extra brandy, it turned out a delicious treat

I looked around for something to prepare for my friends Ketil and Astrid. I wanted something easy, and I tend to choose a chocolate mousse mix, but I was intrigued by a new product - a Tiramisu mousse from Freia.

Instead of struggling with a process melting chocolate, adding egg yolks, whipped cream and beaten egg whites, you just add 5 cl milk, and use a whisk to blend it well. And 5 cl brandy, to enhance the taste further.

Then I poured the mix into a sparkling crystal bowl, allowing it to rest in the refrigerator before serving. It was a delicious creamy, tasty experience, recommended if you'd like delicious for dessert.

Other desserts on Enjoy Food & Travel

Trifle in a glass

Chocolate Mousse - see recipe here

Cup Cakes from Heaven - see recipe here

Photo: Tiramisu mousse mix: Matvareguiden)

Norwegian Air in U-turn

2010-01-24T08:00:00.015+01:00

- after public rage over new fee

(Source: Aftenposten, January 20th 2010) Norwegian Air Shuttle experienced a humiliating U-turn this week, as the budget air carrier canceled, after a public outcry, its plans to introduce a compulsory fee to reserve seats on their flights.

Whereas Scandinavian Airlines market themselves as a non-nonsense, all-inclusive airline, Norwegian Air Shuttle has introduced a wide range of different fees. They argue that they provide low priced tickets and that travelers may choose to save money on services other airlines charge for.

If you choose to reserve seats, when booking on the net, you will have to pay a fee to get that special place to sit. Until now, you could pick your own seat, at check-in, at no cost, and passengers with no preference, will be seated by the airline.

Until now, as the company planned to introduce a fee for every travelers that wants a particular seat. Anne-Sissel Skånvik, Norwegian's Director of Communication, did even claim that most travelers would regard this as an advantage, as e.g. families that check-in late, would be guaranteed a favourable seating by the airline.

Most travelers did not agree with here, but regarded this as another way to squeeze more money out of the passengers. The new fee resulted in a public outcry from those that declared their resistance to the company policy, saying that the new fee would be another nail in the famous coffin. A frustrated passenger, Jan Krøgenes, had the following message to the company through Aftenposten (translated):

This is the last straw. I will not choose to fly Norwegian after its last stunt. The company introduce too many fees, and only its Irish competitor (read;Ryanair) is worse. In addition to this, Norwegian experience many delays, so the choice from now is simple - SAS, here I come again!

Norwegian Air Shuttle did, in all decency, drop the new fee after just one week, and the company management admitted that the passenger's reactions was the main reason for the change of policy. This should serve as a lesson for the airline that there are limits to what passengers will conform to, and that decisions like this may undermine their position as a major player in the Scandinavian travel market. It also confirms that travelers have power and that it pays to react to unreasonable fees.

(Photo: Norwegian Air Shuttle Boeing 737-300 (LN-KKO) taxis to the runway at Birmingham International Airport, England by Arpingstone)

More stories on unreasonable fees

Ryanair: Toilet fee still an option

There is no such thing as a free lunch - or ticket............?

How to avoid Traveler's diarrhea

2010-01-24T08:00:00.014+01:00

Getting travellers diahrrea or even worse, a serious food born disease, may ruin that dream holiday. This may be avoided easily by some prophylactic measures before you leave, and avoiding some easily contaminated foods when on travel.

Most common food born illnesses

Infections caused by salmonella or campylobacter bacteria are the most common food born diseases, that may ruin your vacation. There are, however, many other less known bugs that may cause digestive problems for travelers.

If you suspect you have contracted a food born illness, during or after your travel, do take contact with medical staff to get proper treatment.

Travellers Diarrhea

Each year 20%–50% of international travelers, an estimated 10 million people, develop diarrhea. Travellers diahrrea is also known to mountaineers, as it can occur in camps due to poor sanitary conditions.

This may simply be caused by the traveller meeting a bacterial flora not known to him, or by other bothering, but less harmful germs.

These infections may, in 85% of the cases, be avoided by taking a vaccine as Dukoral, or by boosting your own digestive system with probiotic products, as e.g. Activia and Actimel.

What (not) to eat on vacation:

There are some very easy advice that may significantly reduce the chance of travellers diahrrea or food born illnesses. These are:

Avoid:

Non-disinfected water. Drink bottled water!
Ice cubes

Be cautions when offered the following foods

cold sauces
unpasteurized dairy products
food prepared from raw eggs (e.g. mayonnaise and desserts)
salads
raw seafood
partly roasted or raw meat or meat products
food served luke warm

Safely eat:

warm, cooked or fried foods
fruits and vegetables peeled by yourself
freshly made tea/coffee
properly sealed, bottled water

Brush your teeth with bottled water and avoid swallowing water when taking a shower or a swim.

More travel health advice

Medication on your travel

COMING: Eden Andalou Spa & Resort, Marrakech

2010-01-23T08:00:00.007+01:00

After a long complicated evaluation of hotels in Marrakech, we finally chose to book one week at Eden Andalou Spa & Resort. When browsing the hotel website, I cannot wait to get there.

Finding a hotel in Marrakech was a struggle. We scrutinized a dozen hotels with the help of reviews given at TripAdvisor. We discovered that even 5 star hotels had mixed reception, and tried to find the best bargain for money.

We finally decided to book a room at Eden Andalou Spa & Resort. Over 70% of those that had visited had recommended the hotel, and there were very few dissatisfied guests.

Spacious rooms with a view

Eden Andalou Spa & Resort is located within walking distance of the Medina, the old part of the city.

The website promises large, spacious room from 4o square meters (430 square feet) in size, and up, some with their own terrace. We booked a junior suit, with a separate seating area, providing us more comfort during or vacation.

Gardens and amenities

Eden Andalou Spa & Resort is built in Andalusian style, set in a beautiful garden area with view to the snow capped Atlas Mountains. It has two outdoors and one indoor swimming pools, exercise room, spa and Hammam.

Eden Andalou Spa & Resort has three restaurants serving Mediterranean and traditional cuisine. You may enjoy a drink before dinner in three bars with different characters.

- A real bargain!

We got a bargain price of NOK 4700,- (€ 573) on air fare and 7 nights in a hotel, including breakfast. We waited one day too long, to find that the price had risen NOK 1000 (€ 120) for the package.

Learn from this! When finding a bargain, grab it without delay, as you may experience that you loose that once-in-a-lifetime bargain if you wait.

But even though we lost that best price, I am happy to say that we are leaving for Marrakech to relax far away from the Norwegian winter and to enjoy the exotic atmosphere of the Medina of the old walled city. We cannot wait.

(Photos: Hotel website)

Video presentation of Eden Andalou Resort & Spa

This is the way the hotel presents itself on YouTube. Enjoy! I bet you are a little bit jealous!

Italian Pancetta

2010-01-22T08:00:00.007+01:00

As I left after a day in Copenhagen last spring, I had done my fair share of grocery shopping. Among delicacies I placed in my trolley, were two packages of pancetta, high quality Italian bacon.

I often experience, when buying bacon, that what is supposed to be properly cured and salted meat leaks water, when you prepare it. You really have to struggle to get that delicious crunch. When shopping, I therefore try to find bacon clearly marked as cured and dry salted.

Italian pancetta is among the best of high quality processed bacon with rich flavours reminding you of Parma ham. I found this package of thinly sliced Pancetta in the food hall at Illum's.

I used the packages to prepare two equally delicious dishes. First, I made a delicious entree, green asparagus baked with pancetta in the oven. The other package provided moisture to a roasted Guinea Fowl.

When visiting an Italian grocer, do try to substitute your streaky bacon with thinly sliced pancetta, e.g. at breakfast, or in your Pasta alla Carbonara. It is a completely different experience from the often cheap stuff you find in your supermarket shelves.

What to make from Pancetta

Asparagus with Italian pancetta - see recipe here

Guinea fowl with Italian pancetta and shitake mushrooms

More stories from Copenhagen

Shopping in Copenhagen

A Danish shopping bag - poultry

Hotel + flights by Norwegian Air Shuttle

2010-01-21T08:00:00.010+01:00

I am an experienced internet user, and use different booking sites to get reasonably priced hotels and air fare. Recently, I discovered the hotel+air fare package offered by Norwegian Air Shuttle, as we booked our trip to Marrakech.

At www.norwegian.no you may book your plane tickets, and the best way to get cheap fare, is to look for their special offers, or browse the low price calender to find the cheapest tickets.

I have been aware that you may book fare+hotel on the site. As we found a special offer on round trip air tickets with Norwegian Air Shuttle to Marrakech, we decided to check what a package for two might cost. We were highly surprised.

- Nice price for package

Packages at Norwegian Air Shuttle is a joint venture between the air carrier providing tickets and Travellink that will get you that special price on accommodation.

This service seem to be available only on for Norwegian, Swedish, and Danish customers.

We decided to book flight & Hotel for a week. The price seemed to good to be true.

We knew that there was a special offer on flights for the week we booked, so the air fare should be pretty low. We found that the price for the cheapest accommodation + flight started at NOK 2500 (EUR 306) per person, including round trip ticket and 7 nights in a double room.

Do proper research to avoid surprises

There were a large number of hotels to choose from. Be aware that the cheapest accommodation may have a serious flaws.

We found, through reviews on TripAdvisor that they were either located far out of the city, dirty, or offered their customers bad service. You are strongly recommended to do some important research if before you consider to book the cheapest accommodation. It often pays to upgrade a little.

Another challenge when booking in Marrakech was that it was difficult to pin-point the exact location on the hotels we were considering. We tried to cross check the location shown map on the site with that on Google maps, and found that we either did not find the hotel, or that it had several locations. So do your homework on location, as you may be in for a surprise when you arrive.

Do not wait - book that bargain immediately!

Another piece of advise is to book immediately if you are faced with that special offer. Discount air fare are often offered only a limited time. We learnt that through experience.

Prices had risen 1000 NOK just two days after we spotted that special bargain. We went for an exclusive choice of hotel and found that the price had had risen to 4500 NOK (552 EUR) per person when we booked, but that is hardly a price to loose a night's sleep over, if you ask me.

So if you book your flight through Norwegians website, do consider the flight+hotel, as an option if you are in need of a hotel room as well. You may be in for a surprisingly inexpensive package.

More on booking travel on the net

Windsor Garden - Playa del Ingles

2010-01-20T08:00:00.005+01:00

Calling an outdoor restaurant at the Yumbo Centre Windsor Garden is a mystery to me. Neither is the menu typically British, nor the interior. We "enjoyed" another uninspired pizza here, with a pint of German beer. Hardly haute cuisine (as the rest of restaurants at the centre).

Location: BBB

Windsor Garden is found on the top level of Yumbo centre, one out of four large centres at Playa del Ingles.

It is located on the western part of the centre , and is is a little closed in. It is hardly the most charming or romantic place to dine, but the location is good – at the heart of the resort.

Service: BBBB

Decent service. We could choose from a menu in many languages. We were served without delay.

Interior & Atmosphere: BBB

It was an open, outdoors restaurant, with a sort of Canarian, Spanish interior details. Oak-coloured chairs and tables. Red curtains. Brightly coloured canvas roof that could be folded up if nice weather. Large ferns hanging in baskets.

Food: BBBB-

We ordered pizza with ham, pineapple, and white asparagus. It looked great. Brightly coloured ingredients on a thin, Italian style pizza crust.

Crust deliciously thin, but the cheese a little undercooked and stringy. Very little contrasting tastes except the sweet pineapple that was a little overpowering.

The pizza at Windsor Garden was boring, the ham did not provide enough salt to make it a too interesting experience.

Beverage: BBBB

I ordered a pint of Erdinger Weissbier. This under fermented amber coloured beer is slightly opaque, and is very rich, with sweet fruity aromas. A delicious and refreshing drink in the heat.

Erdinger was hardly the best choice to the pizza at Windsor Garden. It overpowered the under seasoned pizza. A lager would have been a much better choice.

Rating the Windsor Garden experience: BBBB- (3,62 points)

Windsor Garden is a place not to try pizza. It has few big assets, all in all. Decent location, and reasonable prices are a few. The rest is best described as mediochre.

Windsor is OK for a snack for those of you with low expectations, except satisfy primary hunger.

More on Gran Canaria on Enjoy Food & Travel

See page on Gran Canaria from A-Z

Other restaurants close to Windsor Garden see this map

Vis Gran Canaria from A-Z 2009 i et større kart

Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon - Osiris' Eyes

2010-01-19T08:00:00.010+01:00

At Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon, they have an impressive collection of Egyptian artifacts. I was captured by the mysterious eyes of Osiris, reminding us of our Mortality. As the God of Death he was revered until the dawn of Christianity.

Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon is located in a huge building, housing sculptures, paintings and artifacts spanning thousands of years. This sculpture is made from sycamore (fig) tree and dates back to the 25th Dynasty (712-664 BC).

Net for mummification

Net like these were used during mummification. This net originates from the 30th Dynasty, dating from 380-343 BC.

Nets like these were used during mummification. It is made from enameled pearls or beads, and in the middle a Scarab medallion, based on the Dung beetle so revered by the Egyptians.

Gate to Ptolemaeus IV' Temple

This impressive gate comes from a Temple dedicated Ptolemy IV Philopator (Greek: Πτολεμαῖος Φιλοπάτωρ, Ptolemaĩos Philopátōr, that reigned 221-205 BC)

The Ptolemeic Dynasty came from Greece and ruled Egypt into the dawn of the Christian era, from 305 BC to 30 BC.

See more on YouTube

See my video of the gate to Ptolemaeus IV' Temple - Musée des beaux-arts de Lyon on YouTube

More sights in Lyon - see map of the city centre

View Enjoy Food & Travel in Lyon, May 2008 in a larger map

A grand dinner

2010-01-18T20:00:00.009+01:00

January 16th I had a grand dinner for friends. The menu was extensive, and the guests brought wines for the occasion. I served a menu degustation of one amueuse-geule, two starters, one main course, cheese and dessert. Here is what I served.

MENU:

Prunes in Pancetta
Dry Martini
***
Foie Gras from Eduard Arzner in Strasbourg served on toast with cranberry jelly
Nederburg Noble Late Harvest 2008
****
Shot of creamed asparges og prawn soup, enriched with coconut milk and chili.
Gentil Hugel 2007/2008
***
Classic duck confit with rösti potatoes and grilled asparagus. Stew of forest mushrooms scented with black truffle oil from Puglia
Allesverloren Tinta Barocca 2007
***
Cheese platter
Accordini Valpolicella Classico 2008
****
Chocolate mousse with strawberries
Bache Gabrielsen XO

I had taken out all my china and stretched my stock of cutlery, as I wanted one set per person per dish. I solved my logistical challenges by serving the soup in coffee cups, and the mousse in small edible serving cups made from dark Belgian chocolate.

The menu was not completely new for me. The prunes have been served in tapas buffets before.

I had picked up to slices of duck foie gras on duty free on Brussels airport. Delicious when served on toast with sweet, slightly bitter cranberry sauce, and the most delicious late harvest wine from South Africa.

The soup made from shellfish stock and pureed canned asparagus, tuned into tropical fusion when sweetened with chili and coconut sauce and coconut milk.

The duck confit was prepared with olive oil, salt, pepper, herbs de Provence and two cloves of garlic per thigh. They were baked for 10 hours in a Schlemmertopf, and were mouthwateringly tender and succulent. They were served with a forest mushroom stew scented with truffle oil. A very rich experience.

Four cheeses. Double Gloucester, Gorgonzola dolce, a Brie de Meaux and a cream cheese with walnuts. I strongly recommended them to try the remaining late harvest wine to the gorgonzola.

I added Kahlua, coffee liquor, to the rich chocolate mousse and served it in dinky cups made from dark Belgian chocolate.

I am satisfied with the meal, as all worked. Administration, as well as food (both quantity and quality) and the wines that followed each dish, and the company, of course.

I am pleased to say that the last guest left 2.50 AM.

(Photo: KAHLÚA baby bottle (200 ml) by Qurren)

Stress-free home made duck confit

2010-01-18T08:00:00.007+01:00

Stuck with two duck thighs, that had to be used immediately, I was tempted to use the afternoon to make duck confit. It is probably one of the easiest ways to prepare duck thighs, and while they are in the oven, you may use the time to pamper yourself. This is a non-stress recipe, and even if it is not very healthy for your body, it is pure bliss for your mind. Eat your heart out, Nigella Lawson!!

For two you'll need:
2 duck thighs with skin and bone
Seasoning
Olive oil
1/2 small onion, finely diced

First seasoning. Many options are open, always use salt and pepper. One great idea is to use lemon or lime juice to cut the richness of the duck fat. I used a Montreal chicken mix from McCormick, with a whole range of different spices.

Make incisions into the skin in order to release the fat from the duck. Rub both sides with a liberal amount of spices.

Sprinkle onion in an oven proof tray. Place duck breasts skin up, on top of onions. Sprinkle as much olive oil you want over the duck.

Place tray in a low oven (100C / 210F) for 6 hours. Serve immediately as a dinner dish or cold on hot toast.

NEW: February 2010 - Marrakech, Morocco

2010-01-17T20:00:00.008+01:00

As we left Istanbul December 27th it was 16C (61F) and sunny. We landed in a winter wonderland. At Oslo Airport we met white fluffy snow and -6C (21F). As the winter has progressed we have experienced the big chill with temperatures down to -20 below zero on the Celsius scale (-4F). January 8th we had come to the end of our rope.

That Friday we decided to find a warmer place to escape to, and we are both traveling to Marrakech by the foot of the Atlas Mountains in February 2010.

Marrakech is one the old imperial cities of Morocco and has a long and distinguished history going back to 1070 when the Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar started constructions in what was to become the new capital of his kingdom. The city has a long list of historic sights and several souks where you can do serious shopping. It has a population of 340 000, and is served by Marrakech-Menara Airport.

The city enjoys a mild climate with average high temperatures ranging from 18,4 (64F) degrees Celsius in January to 36,8 degrees Celsius (97F) in July.

I am traveling with my good friend Susanne, equally impatient to escape the bitterly cold freeze that has haunted Scandinavia from mid December. We will fly directly with Norwegian Air Shuttle and the flying time is 4 hours and 45 minutes.

We are staying at the Eden Andalou Spa And Resort. A full review will come here on Enjoy Food & Travel.

More on Marrakech?

See this clip Highlights of Marrakech with Les Borjs de la Kasbah on YouTube

Map of the city

Vis Marrakech A-Z 2010 i et større kart

(Photo: top: Pavillion in den Menaragärten, dahinter das Atlasgebirge by Acp
Middle: Ben youssef Madrassa by GingerBeast)