Monthly Archives: November 2011
Half way to Agadir
"Say cheeeese...just another 400km to go"
This Saturday we spent the entire day driving through the desert passing dunes, camels, dunes and more camels. Finally, after 11 hrs (phew) we reached Agadir. More updates to follow.
Mundo – in its own culinary stratosphere
Mundo restaurant is located in the middle of Playa del Ingles (Gran Canaria, Spain). It is a well known hang out famous for its original design and mouth-watering cuisine. One waiter usually services all 20 tables and does so with flair. He is exceptionally helpful, happy to point out the best wine that goes with your order and in doing so does not necessarily peddle the most expensive stuff at the bottom of the wine list. The food is mainly Mediterranean with some oriental notes and a few delights added that are hard to classify. Try their fantastic starters like fish cakes or grilled shrimps with mint sauce. Our two favorite main courses are the spaghetti with meatballs (in a spicy and really yummy tomato sauce) and seared tuna with Thai noodles and some sweet chili. And if you are ready for a dessert treat that would not be out of place in the best Vienna coffee shop, indulge yourself in the strawberry meringue.
A three course meal with house wine is very much affordable. Enjoy!
Avd.de Tirajana. Aptos. tenesor.
Playa del Ingles
+34 928 937 850
Avalon – discover Goteborg under water
A cool gem in Goteborg (Sweden), Avalon Hotel**** can dazzle and disappoint, all depending on your room. The first time we stayed there, ours was slightly bigger than a shoe box and the bed, way too small for two people, was not exactly living up to what the hotel officially is claiming to be - Feng Shui. Even the fantastic smorgasbord offered in the morning couldn’t put us in a good mood after sleeping so badly. The next time we came back we were (for the same price) offered palatial accommodations with a terrace that could comfortably accommodate a squash court (not really but it sounds good anyway) and provided a panoramic view of the city. Bottom line, if your sleeping quarters are up to standards, then you hit jackpot. The restaurant menu is fun, a mix of traditional Swedish cuisine (you have to try the herring in numerous sauces) and the usual suspects: seafood, salads, pasta. The bar is usually full in the evening, especially during the summer months. The outdoor pool on the rooftop is small, we mean really small but it has one peculiarity, it extends a bit outside so you can see the pedestrians on the street through the glass bottom (hey, wait…) and yes, they can see you of course. The location is smack downtown with plenty of opportunities around the corner. Avalon is a member of Design Hotels (the interior is rather avant-garde) and although it is a four and not a five star, it’s a sophisticated joint to hang around for a couple of days if you ever end up in Goteborg. In 2011, Avalon received the TripAdvisor’s “Certificate of Excellence.”
Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Today Sam got a very special treat from Michael Jordan’s Steak House in NYC.
This morning we went for a long walk with Sam. We even managed to run for a while! Later on we prepared a tasty Sunday brunch with a new addition – Autumn desert salad.
(psst, the secret ingredient is tangerine flavored olive oil).
Autumn desert salad
- Photo: samandthedunes
2 servings
Ingredients
1 head of romaine lettuce
1 carrot
½ cup mini-onions in vinegar
½ red onion
1 pepper
1 lime
Dressing
3 tbsp. tangerine flavored olive oil
1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
1 tsp. oregano
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 clove of garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
Separate romaine leaves and chop the carrots, onion and pepper. Combine everything in a big serving bowl. Add mini-onions. Pour dressing over salad before serving. Top of with freshly pressed lime juice.
Treat yourself at Home
Home Restaurant in Pristina (Kosovo) is especially popular with the expats who have descended on this city in the zillions working for numerous international organizations. It is a very charming place with a garden that welcomes you during the hot summer months and is suitable for contemplating life in the shadow with a glass of wine from Orahovac. In the winter you can cozy up next to the fire place inside and savor some locally produced Rakia.
But before you get too tipsy, don’t forget to check out the selection of food. They have an extensive menu offering everything imaginable. The mozzarella and cheese is a good starter and on offer is a vast selection of salads, pasta, oriental dishes and – here comes our favorite – a big juicy hamburger with homemade fries (definitely best in town). The hearty meals make Home stand out among the many food outlets you find in Pristina. And as the name suggests, you can’t beat this place when it comes to ambiance.
Located next to the old OSCE building
Pristina
+381 044 336 336
Pjata Restaurant
- Fried brie with honey and nuts. Photo: Pjata
Nicely designed and with impeccable service, Pjata definitely qualifies as one of the classier places in Pristina (Kosovo). Here you have local politicians, foreign ambassadors and journalists rubbing shoulders. Of course, they are not the only ones who frequent this restaurant and among the clientele one can often find colleagues out for a business-get-together and couples who are looking for a more romantic setting. This is also the venue of choice for a lazy, boozy Saturday. The tables are quite close to each other, but if you are not too fussy about overhearing other people’s conversations, you are in for a treat. The wine list is impressive and offers one of the biggest selections of vintages in town. The starters will not disappoint you, our favorites are the grilled mushrooms with blue cheese and the fried brie with honey and nuts. For the main course the tagliatelle with baby shrimps and the grilled salmon come highly recommended. Now, make sure you save some space for dessert. You don’t want to miss on the super-duper chocolate ganache with a creamy, dark texture that propels you into culinary heaven.
If you are visiting Pristina for the first time (if you have been here before, you already know what we are talking about) it’s a must to try out this gastronomic landmark.
Rruga “Gazmend” Zajmi” Nr. 1
+381 38 220 739
Aaaww...
You can tell its November because nights are really getting colder. Tonight we were spending the entire evening on the roof-top terrace of our apartment, wrapped in a blanket with a nice glass of wine and candles all around us. It definitely made us feel much warmer. Evenings like this are really special. Bonne Nuit from the desert.
Bar Mut in business
Photo: samandthedunes
If you go to Barcelona (Spain), don’t miss Bar Mut. It’s an awesome tapas bar located right in the business district close to Avenida Diagonal. The prices are certainly on the expensive side but the food is on the other hand impeccable.
Here you can enjoy a wide selection of traditional tapas with a contemporary twist in a friendly and modern atmosphere.
The restaurant kitchen is small but has an open design and displays its delicious seafood at the front of the bar. We strongly recommend you to book table - its a busy place!
Carrer de Pau Claris, 192
+34 93 217 4338
Meet Alex, Hanna and Sam - bloggers, world travelers and connoisseurs of better things in life. Tune in for latest updates, hotel and restaurant reviews and a few laughs along the way. 
