This blog might very well be turning into a food and restaurant review blog, but that's fine. I want to write and share my thoughts and reviews with friends and family so they don't make the same mistakes I've made! Though this Peruvian restaurant, Paila, wasn't a mistake at all.
Located in a dingy corner near the airport, you probably would overlook it if you weren't hunting for it! This restaurant was recently opened in Austin by a Peruvian family. The menu is a great mix of vegetarian and meat dishes. Everything looked so good in the menu, that we ended up ordering almost the entire menu! The ceviche held a place of it's own in the medley we'd ordered. It was a very light tilapia marinated in lime juice with a lot of onions and yuccas. Also worth mentioning is the hen aji, a shredded chicken dish in mayo served with rice. Even the dessert was a caramel flan with a little coconut flavor- Overall, the food was fabulous!
The only problem was the service, especially for vegetarian dishes. Our vegetarian friends were starving while we were gorging on the meat :) So, if you are a vegetarian, bring along a computer! They have free Wi-fi :)
Sunday, August 05, 2007
Orange counties poles apart
One of my latest assignments has been in Orange county. You may think it's home for me, but before you jump to conclusions, look around..about a 1000 miles on the map- I'm in Orange County, TX!
Whats up ya'lllllllllllll and the drawl never stops! I'm in no mood to beat this town down, cause the people here are just wonderful gems! Really warm and loving, these people have a character of their own!
Let's talk about food- The best place to eat in town is a place called Spanky's ;) No- it's not a strip club..It's a restaurant which serves very healthy food- A lot of fried Gator meat, a little salad with TONS of cheese, fried cheesesticks loaded with butter, fried catfish, fried chicken ..Oh wait- after all this, how can you say no to Dessert? It's fried Twinkies you know!! Man, I've put on at least 10 lbs on this project just thinking about all this food.
I once wore my high heels and a skirt to work - I was ogled at as if I were from VENUS! Ever since I made sure I had my overalls and safety shoes with a helmet on- even then, I was the best dressed in town :)
Ohh wait- once when we were in a restaurant, my entire team happened to be non American- we had me, an Indian, a Brit, an Australian, a Dutch and a Ghanian. The waitress came up to us and said "Awwww- you all look so different- are you related??!!"
Poles apart as they are, I found Orange County, TX much warmer (both mercury and hospitality wise) and genuine than my own county!
Whats up ya'lllllllllllll and the drawl never stops! I'm in no mood to beat this town down, cause the people here are just wonderful gems! Really warm and loving, these people have a character of their own!
Let's talk about food- The best place to eat in town is a place called Spanky's ;) No- it's not a strip club..It's a restaurant which serves very healthy food- A lot of fried Gator meat, a little salad with TONS of cheese, fried cheesesticks loaded with butter, fried catfish, fried chicken ..Oh wait- after all this, how can you say no to Dessert? It's fried Twinkies you know!! Man, I've put on at least 10 lbs on this project just thinking about all this food.
I once wore my high heels and a skirt to work - I was ogled at as if I were from VENUS! Ever since I made sure I had my overalls and safety shoes with a helmet on- even then, I was the best dressed in town :)
Ohh wait- once when we were in a restaurant, my entire team happened to be non American- we had me, an Indian, a Brit, an Australian, a Dutch and a Ghanian. The waitress came up to us and said "Awwww- you all look so different- are you related??!!"
Poles apart as they are, I found Orange County, TX much warmer (both mercury and hospitality wise) and genuine than my own county!
Saucy Salsa
I've never comprehended the Indian need to be 'hep' or different by naming their kids with names even they can't understand.
Once, while still in India, I was visiting an aunt, who had a few guests over. The center of attraction of the crowd was this beautiful green eyed baby girl, called 'Salsa'! I was so intrigued by the name, that I dared to ask her mom, "So, what does the word 'Salsa' mean to you?" She replied, "Oh, it's a name of a dance and there's also a Mexican sauce by the name"... Like I didn't know!
I was appalled! If this trend of naming your kid with 'cool' names continues, this poor little girl will grow up into a beautiful young woman called 'Salsa', and would be wooed by many a guys probably called 'Picante' or 'Guacamole'!
Funny eh..
Once, while still in India, I was visiting an aunt, who had a few guests over. The center of attraction of the crowd was this beautiful green eyed baby girl, called 'Salsa'! I was so intrigued by the name, that I dared to ask her mom, "So, what does the word 'Salsa' mean to you?" She replied, "Oh, it's a name of a dance and there's also a Mexican sauce by the name"... Like I didn't know!
I was appalled! If this trend of naming your kid with 'cool' names continues, this poor little girl will grow up into a beautiful young woman called 'Salsa', and would be wooed by many a guys probably called 'Picante' or 'Guacamole'!
Funny eh..
Monday, February 19, 2007
Grand Sushi
My Japanese teammate swears by this restaurant. According to him, this sushi is even better than the one served in Japan. The team was in this hotel, called the Grand in Minneapolis. We used to frequent their sushi restaurant as our local hang out. Coincidentally, their sushi restaurant happened to be the best in the city. Our connesiuers vouch for the 'Aji sushi' served there. If you're looking for a special sushi date, the Grand it is. Well, mind you, everything comes with a price, and this sushi, migh burn a little hole in your pocket- so, I would recommed it only for a special night with your special someone.
Tapas in Solera
I was pleasantly surprised by eateries in Minneapolis. Of all the places in the world, Minneapolis downtown has a great array of restaurants, bars and clubs. In the summer months these restaurants and cafes set up tables on the sidewalk. The pleasant atmosphere attracts many downtowners for evening office get togethers and happy hours.
One such restaurant that attracted us was Solera- their menu offers an assortment of tapas- the chef experiments and offers new tapas every season. The winner on the menu is the deviled eggs with blue crab and cumin. Every tapa has a very distinct and lasting taste. If you happen to be in Minneapolis, http://www.solera.com/ is a must east!
What appeals to me in Tapas is not just the spices but the tiny portions. I think that allows you to taste multiple dishes without being over full. Check out Solera if you happen to be in the twin cities area. A definite 4.5 star recommendation from moi!
One such restaurant that attracted us was Solera- their menu offers an assortment of tapas- the chef experiments and offers new tapas every season. The winner on the menu is the deviled eggs with blue crab and cumin. Every tapa has a very distinct and lasting taste. If you happen to be in Minneapolis, http://www.solera.com/ is a must east!
What appeals to me in Tapas is not just the spices but the tiny portions. I think that allows you to taste multiple dishes without being over full. Check out Solera if you happen to be in the twin cities area. A definite 4.5 star recommendation from moi!
San Diego
Hectic client engagements make you forget that you work in beautiful cities worth vacations. One such client made my drive to San Diego from Orange county. That is a beautiful, scenic drive alongside the ocean. Not that I minded the drive, I wasn't so sure I wanted to work crazy hours, and as usual end up not enjoying the city.
However, I was surprised to check into my hotel. It was a gorgeous hotel, overlooking the harbor and the ocean. I went up to my room only to see this breathtaking view. I am a patient of acute Thalassophobia (phobia of the sea) and I did not have the nerves to look out of my window at night. This picture was taken in bright light with a few overcast clouds. But just imagine how pretty it would've been at night!
However, I was surprised to check into my hotel. It was a gorgeous hotel, overlooking the harbor and the ocean. I went up to my room only to see this breathtaking view. I am a patient of acute Thalassophobia (phobia of the sea) and I did not have the nerves to look out of my window at night. This picture was taken in bright light with a few overcast clouds. But just imagine how pretty it would've been at night!
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