Secret Closed Door Restaurant: Casa Felix In Buenos Aires
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
I heard about a secret closed door restaurant in Buenos Aires from a few of my ‘in the know peeps’. I had never heard of this concept – but, I knew I wanted in. Having a Jet Set Life to me is all about different, new and exciting things to do. Kim and I had our Buenos Aires contact, Fiorella, get us into Casa Felix on a Saturday night (which was a little like juggling flames). We really had no clue what to expect. All we knew was that the ‘restaurant’ was the house of professional Chef Diego Felix.
We jumped into a cab and headed to the comfy residential neighborhood of Chacarita (which is near Palermo). We pulled up to a beautiful building from the 1920′s, rang the bell and chef Diego Felix warmly greeted us. From the moment you step foot in his house you can feel the intense and creative vibe. Diego was kind enough to grant us special access to interview him about an hour before his guests arrived (see video below).
Then it was show time. 12 guests, who don’t know each other, ring the door bell and enter the world of Diego Felix. He greets them one by one and welcomes them back to his kitchen for an amazing cocktail (wish I could tell you what it was – all I know was that it was made of herbs from his garden and bordered on a lemoncello kind of taste – it was a triumph!).
Over cocktails, and in a rock star kind of way, he was fielding questions about who he is and what he does. Simultaneously, the rest of us were getting to know each other. Usually, the dining experience is held in his private open air courtyard by candlelight. However, because it was raining, we were then directed to what could probably be called his living room- turned dining room- to begin our culinary experience.
When seated we find a beautiful handwritten menu made of parchment at everyone’s place setting describing the five course menu. With a hat tip to the slow food movement the experience began. Diego personally brought out each course and explained why it was selected and gave us a brief description of its indigenous South American ingredients, which he scours the continent to find.
As I’m not a foodie – I won’t go into the description of each of the five courses. I’ll leave the details of that to Food and Wine magazine, which they have done brilliantly here. I’ll simply say the food was incredible! We met some really great people that night. We even wound up partying with a few of them, including Chef Felix, at a VIP table at Jet night club (which our contact Fiorella also arranged for us).
If you make it to Buenos Aires, and you should, make a stop at the (not so secret anymore) hidden restaurant of Casa Felix. I promise you’ll love it.
Robert Murgatroyd is the co-owner of Jet Set Life http://jetsetlife.tv/home.htm where he reports on where the Jet Set stay, eat and play around the world. For more reviews, photos and videos check out his blog http://www.jetsetlife.tv/robsblog/
Cyprus Island, History in the Mediterranean Sea
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
The third largest island in the heart of the pristine Mediterranean Sea, Cyprus, is full of rich history, splendors that dazzle the eye and incredible attractions making it one of the world’s most prominent tourist attractions. With its easy access form all corners of the earth; there is no reason to skip out on this alluring island paradise.
Cyprus has a culture rich with Western Europe. Greek mythology calls the island the birthplace of Aphrodite, the Goddess of Love and Beauty. It’s location being close to the shores of Africa and Asia it is riddled with touches of the East. Its rich, cultural tones, which creep throughout the island, are an excellent place to start your journey, immersing yourself in an ambience soaked in fascinating history.
The city of Limassol is the second largest city of Cyprus, which flourishes with ancient ruins and modern wonders. One of the first places to greet tourists like a stone monolith looming on the horizon is Kolossi Castle. The castle was said to be the marriage place of Richard the Lion Heart to Berengaria of Navarro after the returning form the Crusades. It was destroyed during the 15th century but was rebuilt on a smaller scale then left to ruin and eventually the British restored the castle in 1933.
Within the city limits of Limassol lies the ancient city of Kourion. Containing some of the most masterful ruins on Cyprus, this ancient city should not be overlooked. The ruins contain a Greco-Roman theatre, which is a breath-taking sight to behold. Other key attractions in Kourion are the House of Gladiators, the House of Achilles and several well-preserved mosaics. Another place of interest is the Cyprus Medieval Museum that is housed in the Limassol Castle. If able to do so, a whole day could easily be spent exploring what the past has to offer.
Nicosia, the capital of the island, is filled with museums and districts delivering information about the history, art, literature and culture have laid the foundation for the island’s colorful culture. Among them is the famous Byzantine Museum that contains historical artifacts ranging between the 9th and 18th centuries. Laiki Yitonia is an area filled with pedestrians that boasts restaurants, art galleries, and shopping. The architecture of this area pays homage to a forgotten era in the history of Cyprus.
In the capital city lie the ruins of the Kingdom of Idalion. The Ancient city is still in the process of being excavated but here this is the location with roots deep in mythological lore. This is the place where her jealous husband, through use of a wild boar, killed Aphrodite’s lover, Adonis. The ancient city can be seen on the outskirts of the village, Dhali.
Among the historical sights, Cyprus is also known for its glorious festivals that occur though out the year. In June, Kataklysmos, the Festival of the Flood, takes place in Limassol. On the Sunday after Pentecost and the Monday of the Holy Spirit, people gather on the near sea to douse each other in water from the sea in honor of Aphrodite and Adonis. Singing and dance contests last thought out the festival spreading jubilation to all who attend.
In late August and early September, tourists flock in great hordes to take part in the Limassol Wine Festival. It rivals the festivals held by the ancient Greeks honoring Dionysus, the God of Wine and Aphrodite. At this festival, the locals serve up mouth-watering dishes, a vast medley of wines and a heart-warming environment with local theatre, music and dancing. This festival is the perfect time to visit Cyprus and save money while doing it (the festival is free of charge).
Although it is hidden deep in the realm of the gorgeous blue Mediterranean, Cyprus offers quite the travel destination. With is fair climate year round, there isn’t a poor time to visit and get lost in culture far different from your own.
Nick Nikolis is working in Atlantica Hotels and Resorts as It manager in Rhodos. Atlantica Hotels and Resorts is a Europe Hotels chain currently offering lodging services in Cyprus Greece and Egypt. Check here Greece Hotels and Cyprus Hotels.
Eating Well on Your Camping Holiday in Burgundy
December 30, 2008 | Leave a Comment
Many people I meet are convinced that camping holidays are still hosted in rainy fields, where food is hard to cook as portable stoves fail to light in the damp weather. It’s a horrible image, but thankfully something that is now a thing of the past as many of Europe’s quality campsites boasts all kind of hotel style features from restaurants to bakeries to quality supermarkets on site. Nonetheless, if you’re still left worried about the quality of the food on your trip, then why not consider one of Burgundy’s campsites? This area of France is renowned for its high living and gourmet eating, so you are sure to be in for a culinary treat. Here are some of the appetising treats you can expect while camping in Burgundy.
The Meat
The main meat in the region is the Carollais beef cattle, and as such meat eaters are guaranteed large rich portions. Often this can be mixed with fine wines, like in the eponymous boeuf bourguignon, a traditional recipe of the region combining these two fine elements with baby onions, bacon and carrots. Coq au Vin follows a similar formula, only with chicken instead of beef. This style is repeated with many other dishes, and if your French isn’t that good, look out for the phrase “a la Bourguignonne”. There are bound to be some restaurants near your campsite in Burgundy serving this kind of food, given it’s such a popular local fare.
There are plenty of other meats if you’re not a chicken or beef eater, various hams, hare, calf head and even some river fish – usually poached in white wine, with bacon, onions, garlic and butter. Finally of course, there are the snails, and although many people will turn their noses up at them, the humble ‘escargots’ are delicious, served as they are stewed with Chablis, carrots, onions and shallots, then stuffed with garlic and parsley butter. If you consider yourself a connoisseur, you may wish to consider the black snails (the best of which are raised on grape leaves) which are considered amongst the best in France!
The Cheese
The cheeses are another fine part of the region’s cuisine, and a very nice gift to bring back from your holiday spent camping in Burgundy. The best ones are Chaource (creamy and white), St-Florentin, the orange skinned ?poisses and various types of goat’s cheese from Morvan.
The Sauces & Condiments
The region’s most famous condiment is the mustard. As well as being the birthplace of the Dijon variety, there are hundreds of other types available, ranging from the blisteringly hot to the pleasantly mild. The ingredients in each variety vary, and can include the likes of tarragon and honey. You may well end up looking to take these back as souvenirs from your time spent camping in Burgundy!
As well as the wine based ones mentioned above, cream based sauces are also common, sometimes mixed with the mustard like in andouillette de Macon, for example.
The Wine
The region’s wines are celebrated the world over for their high quality and delicate flavours, and it would be a crime not to enjoy a bottle or two over your time spent camping in Burgundy. As a general rule of thumb, the farther north the vineyard, the richer the flavour of the Burgundy wine. Here, the pinot noir grape gives a delicate combination of velvet textures and complex flavours. Towards the south of the red Burgundy region is Beaujolais where gamay grapes are used providing a more dry, fruity flavour, allowing them to compliment all kinds of food.
So worry not – your holiday spent camping in Burgundy should not involve trying to light a portable stove and open cans of beans. With many fine restaurants across the region, it’s all too easy to be having some truly outstanding gourmet food prepared for you by experts – you may want to “accidentally” leave the can opener at home…
Stephen Lane is the Marketing Director of Canvas Holidays, one of the leading European camping and mobile home holiday companies in the UK. With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer tailor made holidays to best campsites in Burgundy holidays, as well holidays to the rest of France and other countries such as Spain, Italy, Holland, Germany and other destinations across 9 European countries.