Travel Eats documents my food adventures while traveling.
Goat cheese pizza with red grapes and balsamic-honey sauce and ginger lemonade at LuLa am Markt
You might be expecting my post about Berlin to be all schnitzel and bratwurst, but it was actually a rather culinarily diverse trip. Things started off strong with a wood-fired pizza at LuLa in Friedenau (no relation to the beloved Lula Café in Chicago, but the vibe was in fact quite similar). The somewhat eclectic combination of goat cheese, red grapes, balsamic vinegar, and honey turned out to be a total hit, especially paired with mint-garnished ginger lemonade.
On the other side of the global spectrum, we dined at an Egyptian restaurant one evening, settling into plush floor-level couches and diving into colorful shared plates. My favorite dish was this tagine, a clay pot brimming with warm-spiced tomato sauce, potatoes, meatballs, and a soft-boiled egg.
Tagine “Marrakech” with meatballs, egg, and tomato sauce at BarakaCaramel, pistachio, and plum macarons at Du Bonheur
Berlin also had a few sweet surprises in store, most notably the best macarons I’ve had in years. The beautiful plum, pistachio, and caramel varieties all packed enormous flavor and really left me thinking I was in France instead of Germany. I also found Berlin’s coffee to be excellent across the board, all the way down to this cappuccino at a darling café right next to one of the S-Bahn stops.
Cappuccino at S-Café, next door to the S-Bahn train stationCurrywurst from a stall at the Arkonaplatz flea market
Of course, I had to try a little bit of traditional fare, and currywurst seemed like the right place to start (the memory of one at Dublin’s Oktoberfest was still fresh in my mind). This sliced sausage doused with smoky ketchup and curry powder served as a nice hearty snack while I strolled around the Arkonaplatz flea market.
And there was beer, too; don’t worry. I was excited to go local at what seemed to be Berlin’s premier craft brewery, Eschenbräu. I sampled both the Dunkler Bock and the Pils (dark and light, respectively), and found them to be more complex and nuanced than I expected. I hope the craft beer scene continues to grow in that city!
Dunkler Bock and Pils beers, both brewed at Eschenbräu
It was fun to try a traditional brunch buffet as well. Schwarze Pumpe’s version included a smattering of meats, cheeses, eggs, breads, and spreads, plus the ever-present yogurt, fruit, and muesli cereal. Small tastes of many things is exactly how I like to eat anyway, so it worked out well.
Brunch buffet with bread, cheeses, eggs, muesli, yogurt & more at Schwarze Pumpe
Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Butternut squash, quinoa, and sweet potato cakes with heritage carrot, avocado, and fennel salad, and beetroot tzatziki
The Avoca brand is beloved for both its fashionable shopping and its excellent gourmet food. I’ve visited three locations across Ireland, and each visit tends to include a little of both. The café on Suffolk Street in the Dublin city center has an especially lovely view, located several floors above street level. There are bright patterns and colors everywhere, and I was delighted to see that extend to the food itself. Every component of this vegetarian entree was vibrant, all the way to the garlicky beet sauce and similarly hued pomegranate seeds that bejeweled the nutty salad. The cakes had just the right texture, nicely paired with bites of avocado and carrot. It was the kind of satisfying, nutrient-rich lunch that puts you in a good mood for the rest of the day.
The details:Avoca, 11–13 Suffolk St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Pheasant breast with white pudding, roast parsnip, sprout tops, and pickled cranberry
Delahunt has only been open about a year, occupying an historic building on Camden Street. The interior was a pleasant mix of old and new: white marble-topped tables, modern lighting, and a classically ornate wooden bar. The menu was seasonal and focused, so my dining companion and I decided to try all three courses. I went with pheasant as my main, as I rarely see it offered. The meat was beautifully cooked, and paired nicely with mildly sweet parsnip and tart pickled cranberry. I also could easily have eaten another round or two of the house-made white pudding.
Dessert was the kind of chocolate-and-caramel concoction that I find irresistible (and admittedly have a hard time sharing). The salty ice cream and sauce mingled with the warm center of the chocolate fondant in the best of ways, interspersed with bites of the generous praline garnish. In a city of excellent cakes, this one was very much a standout.
Warm chocolate fondant with salt caramel ice cream and praline
My starter kept with the same theme as my main: game meat, but this time encased in a flaky crust and boosted by umami-rich chanterelle mushrooms and a chestnut sauce. It also went especially well with our wine selection of Monte Tondo soave, a clean and gently fruity Italian white. The whole meal felt cozy and wintry, making Delahunt a most pleasant January destination.
Game pasty with Jerusalem artichoke, chestnut, and pickled chanterelles
The details:Delahunt, 39 Camden Street Lower, Dublin 2, Ireland.
Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Sandwich with spicy slow-cooked beef brisket, avocado, tomato relish, coleslaw, and mixed baby leaves
I’ve been hearing rave reviews of Green Bench sandwiches for weeks now – the queue outside at lunchtime is supposedly one of the longest in the city. This week, I was fortunate enough to be included in a group order picked up by someone else, so my extraordinary lunch came queue-free. A generous pile of shredded beef brisket anchored the sandwich, with just a touch of heat in its marinade, and the coleslaw was a crunchy foil to the tender meat. Avocado and tomato relish are already two staples in my Irish diet, so they were welcome additions. I was prepared for the sandwich to be rather messy, but the well-toasted bread somehow held up to the all the fillings.
The details:Green Bench Café, 18 Montague St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
This year, I’ve chosen one best bite (or sip) per month that I didn’t have the chance to blog about in 2015. View year-end recaps from 2012, 2013, and 2014.
January
Beet and goat cheese toast at The Allis, Soho House
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This was a punchy (and classy) pre-dinner snack on a chilly January night.
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: These meaty, Italian-leaning tater tots sated our hunger on an impromptu Milwaukee Avenue bar crawl (sadly, Rocking Horse has since removed most of their tots options from the menu, including this one, but I trust the remaining varieties are still delicious).
The details:Rocking Horse, 2535 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.
March
DIY bloody Mary (with High Life pony) and bacon sweet corn waffle at Bub City
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: Bub City’s bloody Mary bar is over-the-top (mini grilled cheese with an American flag as a garnish!), but the outcome was undeniably excellent, especially paired with a sweet-and-savory waffle.
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This cinnamon-heavy Costa Rican shake is one of my go-to treats, especially in warm weather.
The details:Irazu, 1865 N. Milwaukee Ave., Chicago.
May
Pasta YiaYia with bucatini, cinnamon, feta, garlic, and brown butter at Lula Café
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: For some reason, I’d never ordered this Lula menu staple until this year, and now it’s tough to order anything else during evening hours – the combination of feta, cinnamon, brown butter,and garlic is the purest form of pasta magic. View all my previous Lula posts.
The details:Lula Café, 2537 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago.
June
Fried egg toast with house bacon, arugula, pickled cabbage, and sunny side egg at Same Day Café
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This café was a welcome addition to Logan Square this year, serving vibrant egg toast that tasted as good as it looked.
The details:Same Day Café, 2651 N. Kedzie Ave., Chicago.
July
Painted Lady with iced coffee, simple syrup, mint, and ginger lemonade at Big Shoulders Coffee
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: I have been frequenting Big Shoulders on my commute for a long time (for their Monday coffee discount and marshmallow lattes especially), but this was the most creative iced coffee drink I had all summer – who would have thought coffee and lemonade could work together?
Avec burger with chorizo and beef patty, bacon, date mostarda, and piquillo pepper aioli at Avec
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This decadent burger was a spin on Avec’s iconic stuffed dates, and the new format proved just as successful. Avec, 615 W. Randolph Ave., Chicago.
September
Pumpkin mojito with Havana 3-year rum, mint, lime Juice, ginger syrup soda water, and pumpkin puree – plus a city view
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This was a surprisingly brilliant autumnal combination: a mojito made with pumpkin purée (don’t knock it until you try it!), sipped on a rooftop with sweeping views of Dublin.
Cuban espresso with Havana 7-year rum, Guinness, espresso, PX sherry, caramel, vanilla, and bitters at The Dean lobby bar
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: Another great cocktail at a hotel bar – this time, one that combined Guinness (it’s Dublin, after all) with rum, sherry, and espresso to create a complex and memorable dessert drink.
Tagliatelle pasta with smoked chicken, butter beans, rocket, basil, fennel seed pistachio pesto cream sauce, parmesan, and brioche crumbs at Canal Bank Café
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: This tagliatelle pasta special at one of my go-to restaurants near the office brought together smoked chicken, pistachio, parmesan, and other spring-like flavors for a lovely result.
The details:Canal Bank Café, 146 Upper Leeson St., Dublin 4, Ireland.
December
Chocolate soufflé at Palo on the Disney Magic cruise ship
Why it’s another 2015 Best Bite: I had to include this outrageously good dessert from my December cruise on the Disney Magic. Pouring the two chocolate sauces over the top of the already silky soufflé was vacation dining at its finest.
Travel Eats documents my food adventures while traveling.
Burren smoked salmon salad with organic quinoa, soft boiled market egg, and pistachio and sumac dressing, plus side of Turkish baked beans, at Ard Bia
I recently took the train to Galway for the weekend, excited to see what Ireland’s western coast was like. The standout meal for me was a late brunch at Ard Bia, housed in a cozy stone building just past the Spanish Arch. The salad combined loads of local smoked salmon, hearty quinoa, a soft-boiled egg (which kept it in the brunch zone), seeds, greens, and a nutty dressing into what was by far the best salad I’ve eaten this year. The locally sourced ingredients, eclectic flavor combinations, and laidback-yet-stylish vibe reminded me a lot of Lula Café in Chicago, which made me feel even more at home.
I kept with the same theme during dinner at Kirwan’s, a tucked-away seafood bar that had come highly recommended. The cold seafood platter packed major variety: smoked mackerel, head-on prawns, shrimp in Marie Rose sauce, and a salty oyster, all atop a thick blanket of smoked salmon. It was straightforward enough that I could truly appreciate the freshness and character of each component.
Seafood platter with smoked salmon, fresh prawn, smoked mackerel, rock oyster, and brandy-scented Marie Rose sauce at Kirwan’sPlate of five cheeses, olives, crackers, and quince at Sheridans Cheesemongers
I was able to enjoy a sampler plate of five fine cheeses at Sheridans Cheesemongers, whose products I’d seen throughout Ireland. I also got into the holiday spirit at two locations of the Galway Christmas Market, one near the Spanish Arch and the other on Eyre Square. At one decked-out tent, I sipped my first mulled wine of the season; at the other, I went for a warm blend of Jägermeister, mulling spices, honey, and lemon. And of course, I tucked into a pint of Guinness, the only appropriate beverage for listening to some Irish trad music at Latin Quarter pub Tig Coili.
Mulled wine in a festive tent at the Galway Christmas MarketPint of Guinness while listening to live trad music at Tig Coili
Because I was staying in Salthill, a coastal area just outside Galway City, I kept to that area for breakfast. One morning, that meant walking down the Salthill Promenade for the Fisherman’s mini version of an Irish fry-up breakfast, which included especially good black pudding and sunny views of Galway Bay. Another morning, I grabbed takeaway pastries from Gourmet Tart Co, who especially excelled at chocolate croissants and fruit-almond tarts.
Mini fry (full Irish breakfast) in the sunshine at Fisherman along the Salthill PromenadeChocolate croissants and other assorted pastries at Gourmet Tart Co. in Salthill
Travel Eats documents my food adventures while traveling.
Crostini with mozzarella, tomato, and olive tapenade at Il Santini
After a weekend in Rome, it was off to Florence for a few days. My Airbnb host graciously offered a few restaurant recommendations, and I took her up on most of them. At the top of her list was Il Santo Bevitore, not too far from the Ponte Vecchio in the Oltrano (“Artisan Quarter,” an area that was more local than touristy). I first popped into the cozy wine bar next door, not immediately realizing that it was actually Il Santo’s sister restaurant, Il Santini. I lingered over a glass of wine and a couple of snacks, including a lovely crostini with fresh tomatoes, pulled mozzarella, salty olive tapenade, and chiffonade of basil.
I took a long walk around the area before returning to the same corner for dinner at buzzing Il Santo’s bar. During the meal, I was able to sample all the flavors of autumn in Italy: a rustic pumpkin soup with coffee oil followed by chestnut tagliatelle with oxtail ragu. I enjoyed the creativity of both dishes, but it was the simple dessert of strawberries and mascarpone cream that stuck with me the most.
Chestnut tagliatelle with oxtail and traditional dolceforte sauce at Il Santo BevitoreStrawberries with mascarpone cream for dessert at Il Santo Bevitore
My host had also recommended Perseus, calling it “the king of Florentine steak.” While I couldn’t order the famously enormous steak, suitable for 2–4 people, I did try a smaller portion of sliced steak with a sweet balsamic vinegar reduction, and it was still very good. Perseus was also where I sated an avocado craving that had been slowly building during the trip. The avocado and shrimp worked well together as a salad, even though it didn’t feel especially Italian.
Avocado and shrimp appetizer at Perseus
And of course there was gelato. Venchi is a well-known brand in Florence, and its dark chocolate gelato was certainly the most intense, rich variety I had all trip. This time, I was glad I stuck with a classic. However, I leaned a little more adventurous at Carapina, where I rewarded myself for climbing to the top of the Duomo at Santa Maria Del Fiore. The concord grape and strawberry had an unexpected seedy crunch, and the persimmon also had a thicker texture to match its unique flavor. My favorite was the creamy mint, a flavor I wish I’d noticed at more gelaterias.
Dark chocolate and dulce de leche gelato at VenchiPersimmon, mint, and concord-grape strawberry gelato at Carapina
Another main food and drink destination was the Mercato Centrale, a longstanding two-floor market. On the lower floor were the traditional vendors, slinging everything from pecorino to tripe to crunchy biscotti, the latter sold in an especially fantastic pistachio white chocolate variety. One afternoon, I bought a panino from the market and brought it back to my Airbnb to enjoy in the adorable backyard garden. The panino was named the Caprese VIP, because it contained truffle sauce in addition to the normal caprese ingredients. The pungent sauce really did transform the sandwich (and made me glad to be in Italy during truffle season).
An array of biscotti from Cantucci at Mercato CentraleCaprese VIP panino with mozzarella, tomato, and truffle sauce from Clara at Mercato Centrale, enjoyed in the garden at my AirBnb
On the upper floor of the Mercato Centrale was a newly renovated gourmet food hall with at least a dozen chef-branded stations – plus an Eataly pop-up shop and a cooking demonstration area. After surveying my options, I decided on the pizzeria, where I could see bubbling pies cooked to order in a stone oven. The pizza Napoli had punchy anchovies and capers in addition to the cheese and sauce, and the dough had just enough salt and char, so I can officially say it was the best pizza I had in Italy. I was intrigued by the contrast between the Mercato Centrale’s two floors, though, and wonder how the vendors downstairs perceive and interact with this new area that’s clearly designed to appeal to foodies from all over the world. Isn’t Italy food-focused by default? The whole setup of the upper floor is beautifully executed, but wouldn’t the original vendors be a more authentic culinary experience? A bit of a digression, but worth thinking about.
Beer and pizza Napoli with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil leaves, capers, dried oregano, and Spanish anchovies from Pizzeria Sud on the upper floor of Mercato Centrale
I wanted to see Tuscany, too, so I took a half-day tour to Siena that included tastings at two wineries. The first, Lornano, is known for its chianti classico, and I discovered that I happen to really like chianti classico. It was a privilege to tour the property and learn about the winemaking process in such a famous region. After a couple of touristy hours in the city of Siena, our final stop was Tenuta Torciano, which was both a winery and a wine school. We were educated on the proper way to hold the glass (by the base), smell, and taste as we tried more wines and paired them with a full dinner. Our host and sommelier poured white truffle extra virgin olive oil (again, it was truffle season) onto each slice of lasagna, a move that seemed lavish and excessive at first, but actually turned out to be perfect usage of that oil. At dessert, I learned about the tradition of dipping biscotti into vin sante (sweet wine) – a brilliant and authentically Italian combination.
Chianti classico tasting at Fattoria LornanoLasagna drizzled with truffle-infused extra virgin olive oil during wine tasting dinner at Tenuta Torciano
My last stop was Venice, where I had less than a full day to explore (and I’ll admit that I was mostly gawking at how the streets really were made of water). Caffe Florian claims to be the longest continuously operating coffee shop in the world at 290 years old, so it seemed worth a visit. While I don’t think that distinction merits the exorbitant prices they charged, I still loved sitting along the edge of bustling Piazza San Marco and listening to live classical music. The coffee I chose was a blend of espresso, chocolate, cream, and a few kinds of liqueur that lent pleasant licorice-y notes to the drink. The colorful trio of seafood toasts were a nice savory complement, especially the tuna. Next time, I’ll have to explore Venice a little longer!
Trio of Venetian toasts (tuna, salmon, and salt cod) and Caffé Anniversario Florian (to celebrate 290 years), with espresso, Aurum liqueur, Anisette Varnelli, chocolate, and cream
The details:Il Santo Bevitore and Il Santino, Via di Santo Spirito, 64/66 and 60, Florence; Venchi, Via dei Calzaiuoli, 65, Florence; Carapina, Via Lambertesca, 18, Florence; Clara, Cantucci, and Pizzeria Sud, all in Mercato Centrale, Via dell’Ariento, Florence; Fattoria Lornano, Loc. Lornano, 11, Monteriggioni, Siena; Tenuta Torciano, Via Crocetta, 18, Ulignano, Siena; Perseus, Viale Don Minzoni, 10, Florence; Caffe Florian, Piazza San Marco, 57, Venice.
Travel Eats documents my food adventures while traveling.
Eggplant parmesan, Sofia
Rome was the first stop on my recent vacation to Italy. I could hardly believe I was finally tasting Italian cuisine straight from the source! My most memorable Roman meal was at Sofia, a cozy café near the Trevi Fountain. Friends had recommended it as serving the very best eggplant parmesan, and they were absolutely right. I’m not sure whether it was the texture of the eggplant, or the gooey layers of mozzarella, or the bright tomato sauce, but if I could only pick one dish from Rome to eat again, that would be it. I was also wowed by my pasta dish: strozzapreti noodles cooked to perfect al dente, with umami-rich parmesan and pecorino cheeses underneath crispy slivers of bacon. This was another sauce that I could have eaten all by itself.
Strozzapreti with tomatoes, parmesan, pecorino, and bacon, Sofia
At this point, I might as well skip straight to the gelato, which certainly lived up to its lofty reputation. Giolitti is probably Rome’s most famous gelateria; it’s been in business for more than 100 years, and the lines are usually out the door. There, I went with a couple classic flavors (chocolate and pistachio), plus one that intrigued me (risa, or rice pudding), and also opted for the customary mound of panna (whipped cream) on top. The gelato was dense and incredibly smooth; you could definitely taste the rice and cinnamon in the risa variety. The whipped cream wasn’t overly sweet, so it mostly added a cloud of extra creaminess. My other favorite Roman gelato was from Gelateria del Teatro. It was an adorable shop, tucked along a bustling square, and it also boasted the most creative flavors of the trip. I went for fig-cheese-walnut, raspberry-sage, and pear-caramel, all three of which were delightful and unique.
Chocolate, pistachio, and risa (rice pudding) gelato plus panna (cream) from GiolittiGelato in pear-caramel, raspberry-sage, and fig-cheese-walnut from Gelateria Del Teatro
Another standout meal was at a traditional trattoria in the Trastevere neighborhood, La Tavernaccia, which I’d read about for its lasagna in particular. The lasagna was cooked in a wood-fired oven, so the cheese was toasted and bubbly all around the edges, yet extra melty in the middle. This was also where I got to have ultra-fresh appetizers of tomato bruschetta and buffalo mozzarella, the kind of simple Italian flavors that really needed no further accompaniment.
Wood-fired lasagna, La TavernacciaTomato bruschetta and mozzarella di bufala, La Tavernaccia
There were a few beverage highlights, too. At the top of Castle Sant’Angelo was an outdoor café with great views of the city, and I wanted to try some traditional amaro liqueur along with my espresso. The server recommended Averna, and it turned out to be a light, licorice-y pairing. For wine, I appreciated the custom of plentiful house wine at nearly every restaurant. Ordering a half-liter or liter carafe of an Italian red that was both tasty and reasonably priced made the wine decision much easier.
Pairing of espresso and Averna amaro liqueur, La Fraschetta di Castel Sant’AngeloMushroom pizza and house wine, Bella Napoli
I also had to experience a little Italian coffee culture: standing at the counter to order your cappuccino or Americano, and then staying there to drink it immediately. On my last morning in Rome, I walked just down the street from where I was staying and enjoyed a quick cappuccino and sugar-studded apricot pastry before it was time to catch the train.
Cappuccino and apricot pastry, La Pasticceria Siciliana
Dublin Dining chronicles my food & drink experiences during six months living in Dublin, Ireland.
Breakfast Caesar with charred Cos, crispy ham, eggs, pickled onion, and salad cream
I wasn’t sure if upscale brunch would be as popular in Ireland as it is in the States, but Super Miss Sue made it clear that Dublin takes the leisurely weekend meal just as seriously. And if I know anything about brunch, it’s that most of the best ones start with a great Bloody Mary. This one was exceptional: lots of peppery spice and savory worcestershire kick, plus brine from the pickle and char from the shrimp. It felt classic and fresh all at once.
Classic Bloody Mary with a prawn and pickle
My entree veered even further away from tradition. It was a breakfast version of a Caesar salad, so poached eggs landed atop croutons, dressing, and charred romaine leaves. Crispy ham and pickled onions rounded out all the different textures, and also added more color to an already beautiful plate. I wouldn’t normally choose a salad in the morning, but this one definitely satisfied. And closing out the meal with coffee and gelato is never a bad idea, especially when one of the trio of flavors tasted just like Ferrero Rocher.
Coffee, vanilla, and ferrero-rocher gelato with coffee
The details:Super Miss Sue, 2–3 Drury St., Dublin 2, Ireland.
Travel Eats documents my food adventures while traveling.
Foie gras crème brûlée, with pork crackling brioche and glass of rosé, Duck and Waffle
Before I go into any further detail about my weekend in London, I must explain this first photo. Duck & Waffle is a 40th-floor restaurant with panoramic views of London; it’s also open 24 hours a day. When I called to make a reservation, I was told that 12:45 was available. As in, 12:45 a.m., a reservation time that has never occurred to me as a possibility. But we took it, and were later whisked up 40 floors in a glass elevator for our late-night meal. A second revelation was soon to follow: this 24-hour menu listed foie gras crème brûlée as an actual dish you could order. My mind could barely conceive of this decadent combination, but there was no way I could pass it up. It had the texture and caramelized sugar shell of a crème brûlée, but the meatiness of foie. As strange as that sounds, it worked really well, and the brioche on the side even made it feel more like a appetizer. My glass of dry French rosé was much needed to cut through the richness. And of course, the lovely nighttime city views heightened the whole experience.
Rainbow of meringues, Meringue Girls at Broadway MarketChorizo scotch egg from Finest Fayre and Vietnamese iced coffee from Cà Phê VN, both at Broadway Market
On Saturday morning, we strolled through the Broadway Market and were able to sample several offerings from local vendors. I was greeted almost immediately by the most gorgeous, colorful display of meringues I had ever seen. I tried the watermelon variety, complete with decorative black sesame seeds, and the flavor was spot-on as well. Next, an array of scotch eggs appealed to my savory breakfast cravings. I opted for chorizo, which was just a little spicy and anchored by a perfectly soft-boiled egg. I got my caffeine fix from an excellent version of Vietnamese iced coffee, whose stall also had a nice seating area. I saw a display of Persian stuffed dates, and couldn’t help but try one – the orange mascarpone, burnt almond, and pistachio were such an unexpected treat together. I was also pleasantly surprised by our donut selection: I knew I’d appreciate the banana cream and the sea salt caramel, but the mild tang of the chocolate sourdough base made it much more interesting.
Persian dates with orange blossom mascarpone, burnt almond, and pistachio, Zardosht at Broadway MarketSea salt caramel and banana cream donut, Crosstown Donuts at Broadway Market
Sunday brunch was also quite special. Dishoom has a few locations in London, and serves cuisine inspired by the Irani cafés of Bombay, India. I was enticed by the dry-cured, cold-smoked bacon in the bacon and egg naan roll, and it was the perfect fusion of breakfast flavors: the classic bacon and egg alongside chili jam and cream cheese, all wrapped up in puffy naan bread. The side of masala beans were richly spiced and almost smoky. To drink, I had a bottomless cup of Dishoom’s incredible blend of house chai.
Bacon & egg naan roll with masala beans and bottomless house chai, Dishroom
I snagged some enormous figs at the fruit market on Brick Lane, also charmed by the adjacent sign that called pomegranates “pommys.” And I couldn’t leave London without a classic, fruit-filled Pimm’s cup. The version at Marksman Public House was just the refresher I needed after braving the crowds at the famous Columbia Road Flower Market.
Figs and “pommys” at Brick Lane Fruit MarketPimm’s cup, Marksman Public House
