Warning: The following post is more about the Show rather than Tell. There are a handful of very strong candidates to write the first post about after this adventure, but I cant think of anything more deserving. Its a rare Location Location Location situation, and not so much about the food. Although there was nothing really wrong with the food. We just didnt give it much of a chance to prove itself beyond the one wonderful course that we thoroughly enjoyed. It could have been the meal of a century, if not perhaps for a group of 40 German tourists occupying the place before us. Leaving us just enough time for a short meal before rushing for another highlight, the famous Zadar sunset.
The owner of Konoba Pece has two hobbies… grilling and stone work. They go hand in hand here, as in order to enjoy this one properly, one needs to create a fine looking deck. I rarely look for dining options with a view, but sometimes you find places that just grab you like nothing else. There are stars you put on the map, some of which are “would like to”, while some are “just in case we are in the area”, and some you arrange the entire day around. Its the type of place that wants you be a better photographer. Or a photographer
Our meal included a perfectly grilled octopus stuffed with Pag Cheese and Prosciutto which added much delectable richness. There was the option of having the Octopus stuffed with nothing, which seemed rather boring in this foreign country, compared to the alternative. How often do we get to eat Cheese from the island of Pag inside of an octopus. And then there was what became a semi obsession in Croatia, Scampi in Buzaru sauce. This is a down and dirty dish, not for the faint of clean shirt. In Dubrovnik they gave us a bib for a saucy pasta roughly 100 times safer. Buzaru is a simple sauce of tomato, garlic, herbs and wine, making those sweet scampi (Langoustine) most succulent.
The drive alone to Vinjerac from Zadar is part of the experience. And yet there’s another reason to head there, the red bridge, Maslenicki Most. This little Most is like the Hostess with the Mostess. Just cross it and park on the left for some spectacular shots. Then take the highway back if you are driving to Zadar, or drive to the restaurant (10 minutes away).
The latest issue of W42st has a proud theme. Inside there’s a mini zine where you’ll find 5 Asian dishes I’m mostly proud of
They recycle their own sluts! I’m not quite sure what it means, but that is according to a sign inside. Either they employ people with extremely low standards or they are referring to their Eggslut sandwich, which is excellent. Either way, to my knowledge they are the first slut recyclers in the industry.
Unlike big brother Chef’s Club where you got a fuller assortment of famous chef’s recipes including guest appearances, the counter is all about a few rotating recipes available for lunch and breakfast. Every three months or so they will change entirely. So anything you eat now, say goodbye to it immediately, or take a few more months to enjoy. While they are preparing your slut, the rest of the team is hard at work trying to figure out its replacement. All enjoyed in a very comfortable, cafeteria like fast food setting. Order at the cashier, and wait for it.
We are well into Falafel season in New York City (April – March). I will make this one nice and painless, almost W42st pick-5 style. When I want a good Falafel these are the only places I consider. They are fairly spread out, so helps with your sightseeing, quick bite needs. I cant think of a better, more affordable snack in town other than a well crafted Falafel. For most of you EWZ old timers, other than one place perhaps (Ba’al) this wont offer anything new.
Its fun to watch the hype machine in play in NYC, and see how things develop. While I read all the Hot and Buzz lists out there as everyone else, I learned over time sometimes the hard way, that things are not always what they seem. A name and/or a little bit of money, at minimum $3000 is needed to market yourself as such. An alum of something good in the world… Noma, EMP, Contra, tickles your interest, with a picture of something beautiful that is cooked for two weeks straight, seals the deal. “Brian is a recent graduate of Betty’s school of Hospitality and Accounting” is not gonna be nearly as sexy.
A slight variation to my usual best soups of Hell’s Kitchen post. This month its part of the food issue on W42st. Mooncake Foods and their sick Wonton soup is sadly no more, so needed to replace it with Pam which made the list twice in a row. The only news here to veteran readers is the inclusion of Chong Quing Xiao Mian Noodles. Try saying it just once. As usual you will find Ziggy’s EatList at the small Zine inside the magazine distributed all over the neighborhood. This month’s issue matched my couch perfectly so we may keep it as furniture for a little longer this time.
Bagel at the Delta Terminal JFK before departure. Ok, it wasnt the bagel, nor it was even in Denver. But while standing in line for the bagels, and then waiting for the bagels to come out, the entire time (around 30-40 minutes or so) I was talking to Jeremy Roenick who stood on line behind me. Only the very few of you know about my other obsessions, one of which is Hockey (Or Ice Hockey for some of you foreigners). Turns out he is a big foodie and we actually discussed very little Hockey. We talked about food tours, his food adventures in NYC, Turks and Caicos, my food tours, and a bunch of other stuff. I didnt even mind one bit that they forgot about my order the entire time. Well until he got his at least and left, then I got furious
Eating With Ziggy 