Serge the Concierge

Las Vegas 'Lotus of Siam' chef Saipin Chutima treats NY to 'Saipin's Siam Supper' on May 1st

Las Vegas Lotus of Siam chef Saipin Chutima treats New Yorkers to 'Saipin's Siam Supper' on May 1st for New York installment of Lucky Rice 2013 with 2 seatings, one at 6 pm, second at 9 pm, both sold out.

On the menu (according to 'Lucky Rice program)

FIRST COURSE Tom Kha Khai: Mushroom Soup

SECOND COURSE Mango Salad 

THIRD COURSE Tuna Tartare 

FOURTH COURSE Short Rib Khao Soi 

FIFTH COURSE Northern Larb 

DESSERT Mango and Sweet Sticky Rice

Tickets are still available for Grand Feast at Mandarin Oriental on May 3rd (7 to 10 PM) for $150 a piece and for Dim Sum Mahjong Bloody Mary Brunch on May 5th for more plebeian $88. Price for both includes food and drinks.

I wonder what Fuchsia Dunlop thinks of events like Lucky Rice.

('Eat, Drink, Get Lucky image from 'Lucky Rice' Facebook page).

Chill our White Bordeaux Gently, Chateau Carbonnieux Request

Americans tend to chill their white wines too much, hence the request from Chateau Carbonnieux to serve his white Bordeaux 'slightly chilled', accent on slightly.

Photo taken at Bordeaux tasting in January 2011.

Dropping Corporate Law to Make Bread, Patrick Ryan of Firehouse Bakery and Bread School, Ireland

The Cake and Bake Show 2013 is coming to Manchester from April 5 to April 7.

One of the featured bakers is Patrick Ryan who decided to drop corporate law in favor of making bread.

You can find him most days making dough at Firehouse Bakery and Bread School in Skibbereen on Heir Island, Cork County, Ireland.

(* Photo from Firehouse Facebook page)

Do you have to Preorder? 30 Minute Lunch Guaranteed at CinCin in Vancouver, Weekdays Only

As long as your office or workplace is around the corner with offers like that made by CinCin Restaurant in Vancouver of a 30 Minute Lunch Guaranteed (weekdays only) you might be able to take a 30 (35) minutes lunch break away from your desk.

Do you need to pre-order your meal and make a time specific reservation to make this work?

It would have been nice if their introduction of 30 Minute Lunch was accompanied by a menu.

Is tab kept under $30 per person?

Scrambling for Meatless Recipe, Asparagus Scrambled Eggs by David Tanis

I am going all the way back to 2010 for this 'new' recipe excerpted from Heart of the Artichoke by David Tanis (Artisan Books, 2010).

Asparagus-Scrambled Eggs 

The French often begin a meal with soft scrambled eggs, oeufs brouillés. (In its ultimate rendition, the eggs are scrambled with black truffles.) But I actually discovered this dish in Spain, where it was made with wild asparagus. I love the combination of a bite of asparagus with the soft egg. Use skinny asparagus, or wild if you can find them. Cook this just before you sit down to eat: it’ll be ready in minutes. 

2 pounds asparagus

4 tablespoons butter

1 garlic clove, finely chopped

Salt and pepper

8 eggs beaten

Several sprigs of mint and basil, leaves chopped 

Snap off the rough ends of the asparagus. Cut the stalks into 1-inch lengths; if your asparagus are thick, halve the stalks lengthwise before cutting them. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the butter over medium heat. Add the asparagus and chopped garlic, season with salt and pepper, and cook until just done, about 2 minutes. 

Remove the asparagus from the skillet and set aside. Heat the remaining butter in the same pan. Season the eggs with salt and pepper and add them to the pan. Stir gently until the eggs are barely set. 

Fold in the asparagus, the spoon onto a warmed platter. Scatter chopped mint and basil on top. 

(* Recipe excerpted from Heart of the Artichoke by David Tanis -Artisan Books, 2010- Photographs by Christopher Hirsheimer.)

Burgundy Wines Pair Up with Greek, Indian, Japanese and Italian Menus, NY, April 18

Burgundy wines pair up with Greek, Indian, Japanese and Italian menus in New York on April 18, 2013.

Even though this initiative from BIVB (Bureau Interprofessionel des Vins de Bourgogne, Burgundy Wine Board) is limited to a few food, wine and lifestyle scribes, I find it stimulating for palate and imagination.

I wonder which Burgundy wine they would pair with Skewered Pumpkin Recipe from India Cookbook or Namasu, Sweet Vinegared Daikon and Carrots from Japanese Farm Food to name two.

If you are keen on exploring the region's producers, Bergman's Bourgogne is one of the avenues I recommend.

I discovered newcomers Domaine La Croix Montjoie from Vezelay and its Voluptueuse (above) via Bergman's Bourgogne.

Key West is Not Alcohol The Theme Park, Enjoy Mornings Too, Justin and Norman Van Aken '10 Do's and Don'ts' of Key West

Reading My Key West Kitchen (Kyle Books, 2012) by father and son team, Norman Van Aken and Justin Van Aken, you cannot help but feel their passion for the place.

With that in mind, it was only natural that I would ask them to share their personal recommendations on the place. Some of you might even be there for Spring Break.

Justin sticks to advice on enjoying the real Key West while Norman covers mostly food places, bars and history.

Here's Justin and Norman Van Aken 10 do's and don'ts of Key West.

Justin

DON'T Bother with any chain restaurants or bars. Can't anybody buy that garbage off any interstate in America?

DO Support our local businesses, please. We have many establishments around town serving great local fare unique to our little island. Sure, you've heard of Conch Chowder, but, a Mollete? 

DON'T Forget that you're in one of the oldest cities in the country, not Alcohol: The Theme Park.

DO Take in some culture! Museums, cabarets, various tours, rides, or walks; water-based un like snorkeling, paddleboarding, kayaking, and fishing; or just hang out and drink Buchis with the Bubbas! (You might have to visit to find out what that means!) 

DON'T Stay out for the late nights and sleep until noon each day, even if you're on vacation!

DO Get out and enjoy some of the mornings, too. The gentle sunlight, idyllic pace, and perfect temperatures of most mornings in Key West create the perfect setting for a long easy stroll around before the midday heat sets in, requiring (possibly sudsy) liquid refreshment -- and plenty of it.

Norman on eating out and getting around

Dress Code: Shorts are fine everywhere. 

More Casual: 

Hogfish Bar and Grill: It is not on Key West but on Stock Island. Hard to find place but it is like the original classic joints of Key West back in the day. Their “specials” are a good bet.

5 Brothers Grocery: 930 Southard Street. Food to Go. Breakfast on the bench outside. Bollos. 

Sandy’s Café: Food to go at a laundromat. 1026 White St. Midnight Sandwich. Café con Leche.

Blue Heaven: Petronia and Thomas Streets. Drinks or Breakfast is my preference. Crowds. 

Bad Boy Burrito: Chris Otten’s little spot on Simonton. Fish is fresh and local. 

The Half Shell Raw Bar: New owner is said to be bringing back the old FUNK. 

La Crêperie: Charming place run by 2 French women. (Across from Blue Heaven). Go.

Pepé’s: 806 Caroline St. Tiny and laid back local hangout. 

El Siboney: 900 Catherine. Cuban family place with authentic fare. Breakfast/Lunch.

The Banana Café: On the “upper end” of Duval. Breakfast. Charming ambience. 

The Elk’s Club. Barbeque on the sidewalk each Saturday around Noon. 1107 Whitehead St.

A Bit More Upscale (for KW):

Café Marquesa: Simonton and Fleming Sts. Chef Susan Ferry, (Great small/historic Hotel). 

Azur: Has some promise. In the Eden House Hotel. 

Antonia’s on Duval, (It has an Italian/American style and has been there 20 years). 

Louie’s Backyard: 700 Waddell. Afternoons on The Afterdeck Bar for a Cocktail.

Bars:

The Green Parrot Bar: 601 Whitehead Street. Our Favorite Bar. Great live music scene.

Little Room Jazz Bar. 800 block of Duval. New. Live Music every night at 8.

Vinos: Small wine bar at 810 Duval. Good vibe. 

If you’re into Craft Beers try “The Porch” across from The Bull off Duval. Up the stairs. 

Tourist Attractions I recommend:

The Conch Train: History and a great sense of the layout of the town. 

The Lighthouse on Whitehead: What a view!

The Hemingway House 

Sharon Wells of Island City Strolls, (305) 294-8380, publishes the free "Walking and Biking Guide to Historic Key West" and gives personalized walking and biking tours of the island's gardens, architecture, history, or whatever you're interested in.

The Historic Florida Keys Preservation Board, (305) 292-6718, publishes a free pamphlet and map to several historic walking tours and leads tours of the cemetery Tuesday and Thursday at 9:30.

Writers' Walk is a one-hour guided tour on weekends of the residences of prominent Key West authors, including Hemingway, Frost, and Williams. It's sponsored by the Key West Literary Seminar, (305) 293-9291).

The Old Island Restoration Foundation publishes Pelican Path a free walking guide to Old Town's history and architecture.

Thanks to Norman and Justin Van Aken for sharing their slice of heaven.

Previously:

Climb 550 Steps To Fourviere Basilica, Don't Visit on Monday, Lucy's 10 Dos and Don’t’s of Lyon

Will Have to Pass on Happiness on my Plate and Invitation to Omnivore Paris 2013, March 17-19

I will have to pass on invitation i received to attend Omnivore Paris from March 17 to March 19, 2013 at Palais de la Mutualite.

I would have definitely signed up for Masterclass Sucre with Belgian born chocolatier Pierre Marcolini. All attendees will create chocolate from scratch and (re) discover where ubiquitous chocolate comes from.

Also present and coming all the way from Hobart, Tasmania (17,270 kms from Paris), chef Luke Burgess of Garagistes restaurant who is one of the 5 chefs featured in Happiness is on the Plate a documentary by Philippe Allante and Sophie Brissaud for Arte.

You can still purchase 3 day pass (Pass 3 Jours) for Festival @ Mutualite for 99 Euros or Daily Pass for Sunday, Monday or Tuesday for 39 Euros per day.

Interested visit Online Reservation Page...

I could not just drop clients work, hop on plane from New York and go.

Nice to receive such invites though.

Merci Omnivore!

Degustation is Safe in Caves of J'Go Drouot, Paris

Before my return to the U.S last September, I made a stop at J'Go Drouot in Paris.

As you can see your degustation is safe.

There's atmosphere thanks to the dimly lit rooms, no catacombes.

I did not have time to visit nearby auction houses.

Lee Bros One Night Stand Cooking at Fast and French, Charleston, Monday March 11

I could go for that.

Lee Bros have a one night stand cooking at Fast and French (aka Gaulart and Maliclet) on Monday, March 11, 2013.

Menu consist of small plates ranging from $6 to $22 and I guess will feature dishes from Charleston Kitchen (Clarkson Potter, February 2013), their latest book.