Mobile phones, just for a change

I usually keep my posts restricted to cooking related stuff, but I couldn’t resist writing about this.

I just read the latest report from The Economist on emerging markets telecommunication, and it’s hard not to get excited about it. While the developed world consumer has already reached the stage of taking mobile telephony for granted, it is amazing how people in India, Africa and other emerging countries are using their phones in such a disruptive way no corporation could ever predict. From “phone ladies” reselling calls to fishermen tracking supply and demand, mobile phones for many is proving to be the true game changer. The first encounter with a worldwide web, even if that means a simple SMS (and not just another attractive iPhone app).

The article describes a few components of this revolution. I take my hat off (with no surprise) to Grameen Phone, another venture from – in my opinion – one of the most inspiring entrepreneurs, Muhammad Yunus.

This just proves to me KnowYourOnions is into something here, and this is just the beginning. Live long the mobile phone, simplicity and exciting disruptions.

L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon

Just a quick snapshot of my last Saturday lunch at L’Atelier de Joel Robuchon, London. Definitely worth the visit, the lunch menu offers good value for money, and the atmosphere is superb.

More pics at our Flickr.

Terres de Truffes

I need to register and share this. If you ever go to Nice (France), don’t, I really mean it, don’t miss Terres de Truffes, the beautifully crafted restaurant by the french chef Bruno Clément. Maybe that’s just me, but it really feels truffles is that one thing you simply cannot get enough of. I went for the tasting menu, starting with a nice goat cheese and (guess what?) truffles gratin, followed by a lovely truffles pasta and a truffle caramel. Kiki went for the overwhelming dish above: yes! Truffles + Mignon + Foie gras! I know, life doesn’t get better than this. Some more pictures at our Flickr.

Bruno has another restaurant in Paris. And lovely recipes at his website:
http://www.terresdetruffes.com

100 Most Creative

I ran into an interesting list on FastCompany Magazine (I know, quite an odd reference in a foodie website; I guess my business persona still shows through). Boring business talk aside, it was unexpected to run into two chefs. What’s even more curious is that I’d never heard of neither. Not that I’m the most knowledgeable guy on Earth, far from it. It was just weird to know around 30% of the names on the list (probably the obvious ones) and not the two names from a subject that interests me so much.

Jean-Georges Vongerichten (nº44) owns 18 restaurants around the world (his flagship, Jean Georges, in New York, has three Michelin stars). He just closed an “unprecedented partnership with Starwood Hotels has given the cuisinier license to unleash his creativity – and trademark Asian flavors – in 50 new restaurants over the next five years.”

Dan Barber (nº73) was called by New York Times “Manhattan’s answer to the Farmer in the Dell”. The guy is young – only 39 – but already runs two Blue Hill restaurants. A passionate advocate for regional farm networks (interesting to think about that after my previous post on Future of Food), Barber bets on it as a big answer to many of the economic and ecological abuses.

Interesting characters that bring distinct entrepreneurship to the world of food. I must say I’d put the latter higher on the list (without taking Jonathan Ive from the top, as my designer side still speaks louder).

Future of Food

Simply mind blowing. Future of Food, a BBC series, with George Alagiah (journalist and a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation), presents the not so tasty side of food. He “travels the world to reveal a growing global food crisis that could affect the planet in the years ahead.” It is the reality that we should acknowledge, and hopefully do something to change. The first episode focuses on climate change, amazing.

The series started this past Monday (17/08/09), and there’s still 2 to go. Get your Sky+ tuned in. For those in the UK, there’s still time to catch the first episode on iPlayer.

Eat Me Daily

Just a quick one to share with you guys one of my favourite current web readings:
Eat Me Daily.

Their articles are the perfect example of relevant mash-ups of ideas the internet should be stimulating. It is not about food, but “a critical (and cynical) take on food, media, and culture”. The post vary from artwork related to food to the latest marketing cases in the industry. The editors are Ed & Jane, and that’s pretty much all I know about them (even though I am super interested in contributing to their website).

I love the last bit of their mission statement:
“A secondary quick note: This is not a site for self-proposed “foodies,” and probably not a site for your mom (unless your mom is awesome).”

Food for Delightful Thoughts

I’m not much into coffee table books, but I confess I did buy this one with such intent. Beautiful photography, shiny cover, and (like the cherry on the cake) with an awesome portrait of Ferran Adrià by Matt “The Simpsons” Groening on the cover. To my surprise, the book is more than pretty pictures stitched together.

Food for Thought. Thought for Food: A Reflection on the Creative Universe of Ferran Adria(Actar, 2009) by artist Vicente Todolí and Tate Modern Director, Richard Hamilton, has a lot of similarities to the previous A Day at ElBulli, but definitely presents the magic of the Catalan chef with an extra nudge of… well, art. The chef that probably has brought Nicolas Bourriaud’s Relational Aesthetics to gastronomy is raised to a well deserved pedestal with this book. For all food and/or art lovers, this sure is a beautiful piece of reading.

I did manage to score seats at the Fat Duck once, but I guess El Bulli will remain on my coffee table, at least for quite a while.

Some pictures from the book:

100 easiest, fastest recipes. Ever

I’m all for easy recipes. It’s not about time (even though some special flavours do require that extra caring attention), and not necessarily about having super ingredients (more on that to be discussed in a future post). What makes dishes special is the right combination (that includes the ones you’re experience it with).

The article 100 easiest, fastest recipes. Ever by Rebecca Seal for the Observer, nails the issue. 100 recipes! That is a lot for you to cover, but at least they’re fast.

From classics like steak and mustard, by Mark Bittman, to refreshing courgette and pine nut salad, by Chef Bryn Williams (Odette’s), every taste is pretty much covered. I’m going for the sardines on toast, by Chef Tom Norrington Davies (Great Queen Street), as soon as I get my hands on good sardines.

When is the price right?

I’m usually one of the lasts to complain about price. It is as subjective as I love this football team or my fravourite meal is this or that. When it comes to restaurants, it just gets completely crazy. I’ve been to little hidden jewels that cost me near to nothing to eat the most delicious food, and paid big time for restaurants that claimed to be in the top and when home frustraited with my self and in monetary pain.

Fat Duck was probably one of the best investments I’ve done. The trip to Bray was lovely, the restaurant deco is fine-tuned cute and the staff super friendly. Cutting to the chase, the reason for the journey, the tasting menu of the ‘world’s number one’ (rounding up the constant fight with El Bulli), was flabergasting. I sat for over 4 hours, had the most amazing flavours and textures served to me and when home a happy – and broke – lad.

To be fair, I didn’t mind at all the price. I’ve been to more expensive and, as mentioned before, not nearly close to what Heston delivers. It is worth every dime. But last week I ran into an Evening Standard article saying the Fat Duck’s tasting menu was going to rise to £170. My initial reaction was shock: would an evening standard even be bothered? Jokes a part (since I am here pleading guilty for reading it anyway), it did get me thinking if I’d repeat the experience. The price, if you add drinks and all, would probably come to at least £300 per head. Hum…

It’s subjective. I’d go again (just need to sell some old stuff first). Pictures of my experience on Flickr.

Norfolk County Ice Cream

A delightful surprise after a day at Primrose Hill. We went for a lovely last minute planned late lunch at Antonio’s (not a restaurant, even though it does sound like one; simple Antonio’s house). Lunch was great, but the big surprise was dessert: Norfolk County Passion Fruit Ice Cream.

Amazing stuff, goes really well with a strong chocolate tart (our actual combination). I could see some cocktail potential for it as well; maybe mixing it with a frizzante. More flavours at their website. Antonio’s told me he bought his at Waitrose, if that helps your quest.