Aurore Sebastian, a good friend and frequent contributor to Ñam Ñam, has been recently eating in Reykjavik (Iceland) and this is what she has brought to us. Enjoy!

Earl Grey & Strawberry Jam Biscuit at Costa Cafe. Heathrow Airport, London

By the sea, already in Iceland. Seafood Soup & Warm Roll

Stinky & Rotten Shark

Brennivin to wash down the rotten shark. Iceland schnapps are also called Black Death

Food & Wine in Hot Stream

Assorted Carpaccios: Lamb, Dry Whale & Sheep Testicles. Icelandic Thyme as decoration

Getting the soup ready…

If you place the raw fish at the bottom of the cup, the hot soup will cook it

Iceland, by a Hot Stream

Icelandic Breakfast: Roasted Potatoes, Fish Noodles, Rice, Sausages, sort of Scrambled Eggs, Granary Bread, Butter, Cheese & Apple Juice.

Chocolate Cake

Fresh Salmon, Boiled Egg & Pepper Sandwich

Another Icelandic Breakfast. This time with a view of Reykjavik Bay.

Broccoli Soup, Grated Carrots with Seeds & Yogurt Sauce, Selection of Local Breads, Butter

Fish, Rice, Bread, Cheese & Longberry Cake

Hotel top roof where breakfast was served

Waffle with Maple Syrup, Strawberry Jam & Longberry Jam

Lamb with Roasted Peppers & Jacked Potato

Seafood Pasta

Selection of Fish & Vegetables on the skewer at The Sea Baron, Reykjavik Harbour

The Sea Baron

White Wine, Water & Viking Beer

Green Booster & Red Slush at the Blue Lagoon

Hummus, Date & Lettuce Sandwich. Vanilla Skyr. Icelandic Doughnut called Kleinur. Butter Biscuit layered with Prune Jam. Icelandair, Reykjavik-London.

Bambu Clam in Soy Sauce and Lemongrass. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Beef Curry and Biryani. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Beef Korean BBQ with Vegetables. Vientiane, Laos.

Beef Red Curry. Vientiane, Laos.

Bulgogui, Bibimbap, Kimchi and some side dishes. Vientiane, Laos.

Chicken with Basil and Rice. Bangkok, Thailand.

Fish BBQ, Bali.

Fried Noodles with Chicken. Bangkok, Thailand.

Gado-Gado and Mee Goreng, Bali.

Gado-Gado, Bali.

Fish with Ginger & Garlic. Vientiane, Laos.

Grilled Calamari & Meatballs. Koh Phangan, Thailand.

Hijiki and Niguiri. Bangkok, Thailand.

Local food. Luang Prabang, Laos.

Makis, Yakitori and Miso Udon Soup. Vientiane, Laos.

Meat & Herbs Soup. Luang Prabang, Laos.

Nasi Campur, Bali.

Noodle Soup. Hangzhou, China.

Pork Laap, Fried Mulberry Leaves and Yellow Curry. Vang Vieng, Laos.

Pork with Morning Glory, Herbs & Chili. Bangkok, Thailand.

Rice & Vegetables. Vang Vieng, Laos.

Roti Canal, Masala Dosa & Chicken Tandoori. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Spicy Chicken Bento Box, Egi Temaki. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Spicy Glass Noodles Salad. Koh Phangan. Thailand.

Spicy Papaya Salad and Sticky Rice. Luang Prabang, Laos.

Stir Fried Bamboo Shoots. Luang Prabang, Laos.

Stir Fried Vegetables with Pork. Vang Vieng, Laos.

Vegetable Mock Meat with Rice. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Georgia is a small beautiful country located on the Eastern shore of the Black Sea.  Its food is famous and appreciated all along the former USSR, but quite unknown pretty much anywhere else. If visiting Georgia, make sure to get acquainted to some Georgian people, as their hospitability is more than amazing, and everything this country has to offer (which is a lot) is best enjoyed in the pleasant company of locals, who will treat you as a family member, and a loved one.

Restaurant in Signagi, with a view to the Caucasus Mountains

The highlight of Georgian cuisine is, of course, wine. Some sheer archeological fact: Georgia has been producing wine for the last 7000 years, while the oldest remains related to wine making anywhere else are “only” 4000 years old. They have a variety of local vine stocks, like Rkatsiteli  and Mtsvane, being Tsinandali the most known and appreciated white wine made with them. It is soft and delicious and you will find everywhere in Georgia. The traditional wine making process involves huge barrels shaped like amphoras that are buried in the ground of wine cellars, and used to let wine age properly.

Tsinandali Wine Cellar

Tsinandali Wine

The climate of Georgia is varied, ranging from a somewhat Mediterranean feel in the coast to the colder one of the Caucasus mountain range in the east. In its long history, Georgia has undergone a number of foreign invasions (Russia, Turkey and Persia among others). As a result of those facts, Georgian cuisine is rich and varied. Nobody should miss their delicious bread, baked in Tandoori style ovens. With it they create delicious khachapuri, a sort of Georgian pizza which comes mainly in two varieties: imeruli khachapuri (bread stuffed with sheep cheese) and adjaruli khachapuri (with an egg on top, be sure to have huge amounts of bread for dipping).

Bread Bakery

Imeruli Khachapuri

Adjaruli Khachapuri

The other star of Georgian gastronomy is khinkali, which reminded me of a huge dim sun, a steam cooked dumpling stuffed with spiced meat with onions and garlic. The meat juices trapped inside the dumpling must be sucked when taking the first bite or they will end up on your clothes; it does need some training to do it properly (or a Georgian passport) but it is well worth the effort, as the taste is unique.

Khinkali

At some point you will find as well nadughi (a soft sheep cheese) and ispanakhi, a dish made of spinach with walnuts and spices. And of course shashlik (barbecued meat) is worth a try too.

Nadughi & Ispanakhi

Shashlik

Beef Kakheti Style

Every proper Georgian meal (which may last a few hours) involves a tamada or toastmaster, usually the older man in the house or the host. He (as far as I know the tamada is usually a male) is in charge of toasts, which will take place every second minute. Everybody should stand up and listen to the toast, as long as it might be, while holding glasses full of delicious white wine. And whenever the tamada finishes talking (if he ever does), bottoms up!

As a guest, you could be invited to make your own toast, but don’t worry: just be creative and try to include some anti-Russian remark, and they will love you! And don’t be scared if they make you drink out of a bull’s horn, or if they throw a bullet in your glass, it’s quite normal in Georgia and a sign of appreciation to your company. So everyone star dieting for a while and then head to Georgia!

The one and only Mónica Escudero, editor in chief of Madriz & Barcelonés magazines, is on holidays, and that already would deserve a post on itself because she is one of the hardest working persons I’ve ever met, but she is finding time to send all these marvellous pics to ñam ñam.

In the first pic you can see, err yes, churros. It seems that the owner of this place went on holidays once to Spain, fell in love with churros (I can understand) and decided to bring them to his country. What a wonderful idea. He started selling them in festivals and concerts and now has a stall at Beijing’s Hutongs. Chinese people like them with chocolate, cream, ice cream or with fruit in syrup.

Next stop, Huajiayiyuan restaurant, in Beijing. In this pic crayfish cooked in Sechuan pepper & chili. Sucking the heads was amazing and suicidal at the same time. The drink is yellow melon juice.

The main dishes were delicious aubergines with abalone sauce, pork & crab meatball in soup, and Beijing typical noodles.

Now, ladies an gentlemen, the best Beijing Roast Duck ever: the Dadong Roast Duck.

Now, still in Dadong, this is what ñam ñam calls a feast. Hundred-year eggs, Boiled Duck Liver, Tofu stuffed with paprika and broccoli, Rice with Mushrooms, Cabbage with Chestnuts and Spanish Saffron, and a Lychee Mojito.

I’ve just received these beautiful photos from Dushan Roura, and couldn’t wait to post and share them with you, ñams. This cosy place is Trattoria Sostanza, and you can find it in Via Porcellana 25r, in Firenze (Italy). Investigating a bit about it, as I haven’t had the chance yet to enjoy it personally, I’ve learnt that this is a must go place if you are in Firenze, that it is also known as Il Troia, and that the recipes are basic and delicious and at very good prices. Of course, I can’t wait to visit it myself.

Trattoria Sostanza’s Chef

Artichoke omelette

Bisteca a la Fiorentina. The making of.

Petti di Pollo al Burro & G. Menabrea beer

Ah! London.  Definitely, one of my favourite cities. Forget about the topic of England meaning bad food, it is not true. Amazing street markets, superb restaurants, nice cheap places where you can eat almost 24 hours a day. There are some bad places, of course, and I’ll show it to you. Welcome to London.

First stop, The Pavilion Cafe. It is located in Victoria Park, Corner old Ford Rd & Grove Rd. Go there in a nice sunny day, if possible, and enjoy the view and the food. Affordable & healthy dishes, with the option of all day breakfast.

Carrot Cake & Chocobanana Cake

Earl Grey & Chocobanana cake

Lamb Kofta with flatbread, hommous, tabbouleh, carrot & cumin salad

Poached Eggs & Sausage

Pavilion Breakfast

Now, we’ve had a good breakfast, let’s go to my favourite London Market. Of course, I’m talking about Borough Market . Everytime I visit London, I go there at least once or twice. Just to stroll around is a pleasure, I recommend the area closer to the River as it is not so packed. This time I went there just to pay a visit to the lovely Esmeralda and her amazing chocolate stall from L’Artisan du Chocolat. Go there and buy everything you can, it is so good!

Esmeralda

Feeling like a Beigel now? Let’s go to Bricklane then. I love them all, and they are so cheap!

Chopped Herring

Salmon & Cream Cheese

Hot Salt Beef

Staying in and having a cup of tea while cooking some baked mushrooms is also a good idea. This was cooked at Avelina’s place, in Bethnal Green.

Baked Mushrooms stuffed with Bacon, Onion, Tomato, Garlic, Basil and Parmigiano

How fantastic is to be invited to have lunch at a good friend’s place and drink bottle after bottle of wine and chat and laugh and eat? The super sweet Jenny Jenny invited us for lunch and we had a lovely time. Jenny, apart from being a brilliant hostess, is the maker of this beautiful jewels collection, have a look at Jenny Jenny

Now, back to Bricklane, to Fika, a Swedish restaurant that is in 161A Bricklane. I am certainly disappointed with the food in this place, and I can’t understand how do they cook it so badly. The only reason to go there is that the place is very cute and cozy, that they have a very good wine selection and that the chocolate cake is delicious. But that’s it.

Reindeer

Herrings

Traditional Plankstek

Reindeer Sausages

Köttbullar

Kladdkaka deluxe & Ginger wine

Well, well, well, and now one of my favourite places in London. Time for Tea. Good teas, yummy cakes, vintage decoration, and very good service. You can find this surprising little place in 110 Shoreditch High Street.

Feeling like a Bloody Mary and some French Fries? The Diner has 5 restaurants in London, my favourite one is in Shoreditch.

A visit to London without eating a pizza at the Story Deli is always incomplete. The best pizzas I’ve ever had, at least outside of Italy. Story Deli is at Old Truman Brewery, 3 Dray Walk, Bricklane. 

What about some sushi? This restaurant was a very nice surprise. Good food, good sake, good cocktails and not pricey at all. Amberjack, 37 Hoxton Square, Shoreditch. We were four people having dinner, and I think we asked for almost everything that was in the menu, I can’t remember the names of the plates, but everything was delicious!

Let’s end the visit with a  cocktail at the St. Martin’s Lane Hotel, 45 St. Martin’s Lane.

Strawberry Martini, Rhubarb & Vanilla Martini

Recently, I’ve been on holiday in Kenya, more specifically to the Northern parts, the so-called Laikipia area in the Rift Valley. We did some crazy horse riding (they were ex-polo and racing horses and speedy as hell), wild animal spotting and lots of eating, of course. We stayed at an amazing place called the Borana Lodge, way up in the mountains where the air was so dry that it took a day or two to get used to it. Here are some snapshots from our trip, enjoy!

First lunch at the lodge. Homebaked focaccia bread with olives, homegrown avocado salad, caramelized onion chutney, french fries and some white grilled fish. A glass of rose wine and some candles in the 30 degree sunshine and there you go… delicious!

Strawberry ice-cream on a puffy pastry cracker with a honey-tasting pringle-like crisp. Don’t forget the mint leaf on top.

Ok, I have to include the view from the pool. You could see all the elephants and buffalos wander up and down the hills during the day.

Afternoon tea with an almond and lemon cake. Yum!

Pre-breakfast breakfast. Tea, fresh fruit, cookies and toast.

Our hut-like house

An elephant family out on a stroll

A female cheetah looking for food

A variant of toast and scrambled eggs breakfast, just add some avocado, a lot more fun!

Breakfast in the bush

Toast, scrambled eggs and grilled tomatoes. Mind the Bovril and Marmite  they brought all the way out to the Elephant’s domicile somewhere in the middle of nowhere. Not sure if that is service of stupidity.

Where you order your Pimm’s. The minibar at the lodge.

Reading Wetlands by Charlotte Roche and having a fruity snack in the hammock.

Breakfast deluxe, corn frittata with egg, tomato salsa and cheese on top. Bacon on the side.

The Queen of the jungle. A wild lionesse right in front of us!

This time, ñam ñam correspondent is Eva López, also known as Eva Galáctica. Bienvenue à Paris!

It’s obvious that Parisians know how to sell themselves and that they care about aesthetics. I love to see so many delicious and colourful things together.

Most of the shop windows are a pleasure for your eyes. A clear example of this fact is Ladurée. This patisserie exists since 1871 and their speciality are macarons; a delicacy that, if I’m not wrong, the Queen of England orders daily to accompany her five o’clock tea. It was totally worth it to wait the huge cue at their Champs Elysées shop (75, avenue des Champs Elysées) to taste and enjoy some amazing pastries. I had a “chasson aux pommes” and a “mini pain tout chocolat” that cost 2,10 € and 1,15 € respectively, and that’s not expensive at all because each bite is a delight, and the place is so beautiful. Of course, I followed the tradition of buying a little box of macarons, I opted for the Loboutin limited edition box that had 6 different flavours, you can choose between vanilla, coffee, chocolate, pistachio, lemon, caramel, strawberry, liquorice, etc. The colours are so amazing that you don’t believe they are real, but of course they are, and so yummy!

Another place that captured my attention was Café Blanc Courrèges (40 Rue François). André Courrèges is my favourite designer and I couldn’t leave Paris without paying a visit to his shop. The shop has a Café-Restaurant, decorated following the Courrèges style. It has two floors, where the walls, seats, floor and even the spiral staircase are completely white. The food is not especially good, but it’s not expensive and I liked it. There’s not a wide range of choices, and they serve it on a plastic plate, because most of the people buy here for take-away. A Ravioli with cheese salad, plus a soft drink, bread and a chocolate and pear muffin cost me 11,40 €.

A place where I enjoyed the food a lot was the restaurant of the Jacquemart-André Museum (158, Boulevard Haussmann). This museum was created to exhibit the private collection that the Jacquemart-Andrés reunited during their years together. They donated their mansion, built during the 19th century, alongside with their private collection. The Café is located at the mansion and is considered one of the most beautiful Parisian cafés. For 16,50 € I had a mozzarella and tomato quiche with side salad, and a delicious dessert made with yoghourt, raspberry and mint. I was with 3 more friends and each of us ordered a different dessert. We had a cookies and blueberries cake, apple cake and, of course, chocolate cake.
Bon Appétit!

Marta Hurtado de Mendoza is the Editor in-chief of Vanidad magazine, and she knows how to enjoy food: not only from a good restaurant but also from her favourite fast-food chains. During her last stay in New York, she visited a few restaurants and food shops and now she tells us about it. Pay attention, not all of them are advisable.

Così. This is the first place where we had breakfast in NYC. Così is a chain, now we regret choosing it, but it was our first day, and we were disorientated and very hungry. Here I had a rectangular bagel stuffed with an extra dense 3-eggs-omelette, bacon and cheddar. The triangular sweet is a raisins scone, and in the plastic glass there’s a fruit salad absolutely tasteless but so colourful that it made me think I was eating something healthy, while I was munching my 3-eggs-omelette with bacon.
www.getcosi.com

Guy & Gallard. It is also a chain, but it has nothing to do with the previous one. At least in the one where we had breakfast 10 days in a row, the service was very good, reading the breakfast menu was a totally enjoyable experience and during the rest of the day we were daydreaming about what were we going to order the next morning.

Breakfast, beyond the “Most Important Meal of the Day” motto, means the dreamt meal to me. It mixes sweet and savoury, and it is acceptable to eat considerable amounts of food. Restaurants should be serving it during the whole day. At Guy & Gallard we tasted many different things from its menu and the most remarkable of them were: french toast, pancakes with banana and the burrito breakfast.

French Toast is a marvellous thing: pancake meets toast meets “torrija” (Torrija is the most similar thing to French Toast that we have in Spain; it can be soaked in milk, wine, etc). It was sweetened with another amazing invention: the butterscotch sauce. Pancakes usually were served with maple syrup, that, in my opinion, doesn’t go well with them at all, so every time I was asking for pancakes with banana, I also had to ask for that delicious butterscotch sauce. And burrito breakfast… A fantastic crazy creation that featured the classic Mexican tortilla wrapping the classic American breakfast (scrambled eggs, bacon and cheddar) served with delicious red potatoes.
Guy & Gallard www.guyngallard.com

Balthazar is a beautiful, posh, mythical and out-of-date place with very attentive service. It has a very well-structured and useful system of menus and prices. For instance, beyond breakfast time there is a time slot till 5 p.m. with prices more or less restrained. Balthazar welcomes its customers with a fantastic assorted breads basket, with butter and salt, that helps you go through the waiting for your order. We asked for two sandwiches: the classic BLT (grilled chicken, bacon, lettuce and tomato) served with a delicious mustard sauce, and the roasted eggplant sandwich (with peperonata, arugala and shaved Parmesan on ciabatta).
Balthazar www.balthazarny.com

We had the Sunday brunch at Cafeteria, in Chelsea ( 119 Seventh Ave.). The typical modern, white, aseptic place with cool waiters and good looking people. Despite all these facts, that could make you feel terrified, the food was quite good. We asked for Benedict eggs (the menu offered to change the ham for salmon, but we opted for the classic version) and a huge omelette with bacon, caramelized onion and Jack cheese. We chose to drink the Inferno Bloody Mary. Inferno was a name that totally suited it; the tabasco must have been poured by some Satan employee and it also had a jalapeño as long as the glass, and I would swear there were some lost chillies as well. Its high content in vodka prevented us from taking more photos.
www.cafeteriagroup.com

One day we decided to have our Central Park picnic, and we chose for this experience some Dean & DeLuca food, that probably is a franchise of Heaven on Earth. Inside the shop we explored every corner, thinking about what menus would we prepare with all those amazing breads, cheeses, fruits and wines. It is quite pricey though… Finally we took a ciabatta, some assorted cheeses, grapes, figs bread, California rolls, macaroni with Parmesan, sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and pesto, and also thai chicken with vegetables, cheese snacks, melon and water.
www.deandeluca.com