mmm... tapas!

Along the riverfront (Sisowath Quay) in Phnom Penh, there are numerous restaurants and bars to choose from. Coming back from wandering around in the heat at the Russian Market, my family and I decided to try a restaurant on wikitravel Phnom Penh that also had air conditioning. We stopped by the Foreign Correspondents' Club first. There were only ceiling fans. We then went next door to Pop Cafe, an Italian restaurant. It was long and narrow with dim lighting. My dad then spotted Pacharan Bodega at the end of the street. Air conditioning: check; second floor seating: check; delicious looking Spanish food: check!




View from the restaurant windows.

We ordered one set lunch to share. It was US$9. It included bread, a drink (sangria/soft drink), coffee/tea, and 2 tapas. We chose the mushrooms with garlic and calamari.



Separate order of warm goat cheese over salad. The vinaigrette dressing was delightful. I couldn't get enough of the cheese, either.

The seafood paella (technically serves 2 but I believe it's more like for 3) takes half an hour to make, and we ordered it after we had finished everything else. It was a looong wait, but definitely worth it! The rice was cooked perfectly, and there was a generous amount of clams in it. US$26.


For all of the food pictured above, as well as a lime soda, Sangria, and coffee (the latter two items included in the set), the total bill for 3 of us: US$41

Address: No. 389E1, Sisowath, entrance on Street 184.

Thai/Khmer Food Adventure

On our first night in Phnom Penh we wanted to try the local food in town. On wiki travel, I found a listing for Khmer Surin. The description reads: is a rather romantic restaurant that serves delicious Khmer and Thai food. The traditional Khmer seafood dish, amok, stands out. The waiters here were really friendly and helpful in suggesting dishes. We really enjoyed the food and returned a second time before our trip ended.

First floor of the restaurant includes some outdoor seating.

Second floor has floor seating. I don't think I'll ever be able to get used to this.

Third floor where we sat. All the sides are open so there's a nice breeze.

We started with coconuts! They weren't very sweet, but still very refreshing.

Grilled fish. Quite tasteless, but the sauce was superb! There was lime, chili, and slices of green mango in it.

Fresh spring rolls. Too much basil inside but still tasty otherwise.

Fried squid. Loved the sauce!

Fish Amok. Spicy but delicious. There were small pieces of fish and shrimp in the curry.





Address: #11 Street 57 (south of Sihanouk Boulevard)
The total meal for 3 of us including 3 coconuts, the dishes pictured above, and one serving of rice was US$23.10.

Phnom Penh Travels!

(Picture taken at the National Museum)

I just returned from a trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia, and after uploading my pictures, I discovered that out of 129 photos, 117 of them are of food! Now I have no excuse not to update. Overall, I LOVED the food we had during the trip. We had some local Khmer food (lots of spicy amok/curry), and more of their French and Spanish food. Western food is sooo much cheaper than in HK and portions in general are very generous.

I mostly relied on the list of restaurants found on wiki travel for Phnom Penh and I also sought out suggestions from our lovely concierge at the hotel.
Okay, enough talk-- enjoy the next few entries!

Strawberry Cream Cake, Patisserie Yamakawa

One of my dear friends brought this cake when I had her over for dinner a few weeks ago. It is a very light fresh cream cake with strawberries on top and in a few layers of the cake. The best thing about the it is that it isn't too sweet. Great news for my dad who has dangerously high blood sugar and for me, a likely diabetic in the future.

The cake is from Patisserie Yamakawa in City Super. HKD 250.

Locations:
Times Square Basement 1, Causeway Bay. (MTR Exit A)
Telephone: 2506-2888

IFC mall Level 1, Shops 1041-1049, Central. (MTR Exit A)
Telephone: 2734-7128

For the other locations, click here.

San Francisco Sourdough, Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe

One of my biggest complaints about food in Hong Kong is the lack of bread choices. It's hard to find good sourdough here. I visited Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe a few times while in SF a few months ago and am sharing these pictures of the delicious food there. The setting is casual and the prices are very reasonable. The cafe even offers refills of clam chowder in the bread bowls for a few dollars.



Chicken Pesto Pizza


Chicken Caesar Salad


Clam chowder in bread bowl


The bread is sooo good and fresh. They even sell sourdough in the shapes of turtles and crabs. So cute.

Boudin Sourdough Bakery & Cafe website: www.boudinbakery.com

I'm so happy it's summer. Although this time of year always makes me really wish I had a grill. I was reading this New York Times article that includes 101 recipes for grilling.

The recipes are quite simple but sound very flavorful. I would love to try these few specifically:
2. Best grilled artichokes: Cut artichokes in half, scoop out the choke, parboil until tender. Grill, cut-side down, until lightly browned; grill a couple of halved lemons, too. Combine the juice from the grilled lemons with melted butter and spoon over the artichokes. Finish with parsley.
9. Grilled guacamole: Halve and pit avocados; lightly char them, then scoop out the flesh. Grill halved red onion, too. Chop, combine, add tomatoes, lime, garlic and spices if you like.
22. Cut a slit in as many ripe figs as you like; stuff with herbed goat cheese (or cream cheese mixed with chopped nuts) and grill slowly. Appetizer or dessert? Your call.
23. Grill red, orange and/or yellow peppers; toss with olives, capers, balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
28. Six-minute steak (or maybe four): Salt skirt steak and grill it, quickly. Top with queso fresco, thinly sliced red onion (you could grill it first, if you like) and the juice of grilled lime.
42. Grill thick onion slices; purée in a blender with olive oil and lemon juice. Grill scallops for about four minutes; serve with the vinaigrette.
57. Grill wild salmon (preferably king or sockeye) until not-well-done. Toss diced cucumbers with fresh dill, olive oil and lemon juice. Serve salmon hot, slaw cold.