March 2009

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Best Seat In The House

March 18, 2009 in Spain by Plato Putas | 2 comments

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In our minds, there is only one situation when food quality doesn’t matter. And that’s when the view from your table is as spectacular as this. Sitting on a picnic table at Restaurante Asador Alaia overlooking San Sebastián was truly one of the most unintentionally romantic meals we’ve shared. To be honest, we can barely remember the food (some sort of fresh fish that was tasty but a bit oily) but we can remember how magical it felt to be looking down at this awe-inspiring part of the world.

San Sebastián is located in the Basque region of Spain and known for being one of the best food cities on earth. It has more Michelin stars per capita than any other city, even Paris. But that’s only one reason why you need to get your butt over there. We’ll leave you with another look at the real reason.

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Asador Alaia / Paseo de Igueldo, 225 (Parque de Atracciones), San Sebastian, Spain
943 223 662

Tags: michelin, San Sebastian, seafood

Seeking Comfort in Chicken Pot Pie

March 17, 2009 in Lunch by Plato Putas | 5 comments

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When I heard the best chicken pot pie in Toronto was at Arcadian Court, I was mildly interested. When I heard it was going for half price on the restaurant’s 80th birthday, I made a reservation. Accompanied by my cousin, I tested out this claim and y’know, this is one delicious cluck of a pie. The crust was substantial and crunchy, and it’s filled with potatos, onions, carrots, peas and chicken.

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There’s a hint of curry in the sauce which adds a subtle flavour that’s not at all overpowering. In fact, therein lies the beauty of this dish. No one taste stands out; all the ingredients work perfectly together.

Verdict: Comfort food at its best. Delicious for half-price, definitely worth the full-price. Just be forewarned, the ambiance is a little over the top, and the crowd is a tad, um, geriatric.

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Arcadian Court / 401 Bay St., Toronto
416-861-6611 / Open for lunch Mon-Fri 11:30-2:30

Tags: chicken, pie

Say it with me now: “Pintxos!”

March 17, 2009 in Spain by Plato Putas | No comments

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Pintxos (which we enthusiastically pronounce “PEEN-chos!”) became one of our favourite foods — and words — while in Spain. These are not considered tapas, instead they are a snack consisting of a mix of ingredients (meat, fish or veggies) piled on a small slice of bread and skewered together by a toothpick (which you don’t throw away, more on that later).

On our first day in Barcelona, we walked into Taverna Basca Irati just off Las Ramblas looking for a quick bite. We figured out the self-serve concept once we were each handed an empty plate, and began choosing from the 40 different types of pintxos. Making a meal out of appetizers is a talent of ours, so standing at the long bar sipping cider and popping pintxos came with great ease. When the jet lag started kicking in, we handed in our plates and watched as the toothpicks were counted to tally up our bill. The fact that we had enough toothpicks between the two of us to start a small fire really seems like a moot point now, right?

Taverna Basca Irati / Cardenal Casañas 17 (Gothic Quarter), Barcelona
(+34) 90 252 05 22 / Mon-Sun 11am-12:30am

Tags: Snack, tapas

Punch to Order

March 16, 2009 in Buenos Aires by Plato Putas | No comments

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There’s no two ways about it — the food in Buenos Aires was heavenly. But after having our fair share of empanadas, steak and more steak, our taste buds were craving something a little different. At the end of our two weeks there, we searched out Sudestada (Guatemala 5602, Palermo Hollywood), the first Thai restaurant in the city. The minimal black and white decor is clean and crisp and the over-sized windows make for great people watching.

The best part about Sudestada isn’t the food, but the unique ordering experience. (Note: this applies to the lunch menu only.) Upon arrival, each person receives a paper menu. Simply decide which entrada (appetizer), plato principal (main) and bebida (drink) you’d like and use the hole punch to mark your selections. At 23 Argentinian pesos (about $6.30 US), it was a steal. However, if you drink too many cervezas and get a little hole-punch-happy, there’s no way you can blame the waitstaff for getting your order wrong.

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Sudestada / 5602 Guatemala, Buenos Aires
4776 3777 / Mon-Sat noon-3:30pm, 8pm-midnight

Tags: Vietnamese

Sunday Tacos

March 15, 2009 in New York City by Plato Putas | 3 comments

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An afternoon stroll with girlfriends brought me to La Superior: A tiny no-frills Mexican restaurant located in Williamsburg known for cheap, authentic, street style Mexican food.

After much hype from friends, I was pretty psyched to give it a go. With the help of my waiter, I ordered an assortment of tacos (clockwise from top left): rajas, camarón al chipolte, and pescado zarandeado. The portions are small (tapas style) which is perfect since it allows you to be adventurous and order a wide variety of flavours. They are abundantly filled and flavourful. However, the heat factor is on the mild side but they more than make up for it with a selection of assorted salsas. I also nibbled on earthy flavoured gorditas, crispy homemade chips and fresh guacamole. Verdict: fun, cheap and oh so tasty!

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