Can Majo

Address: Almirall Aixada 23, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Phone: 93-221-5455

Why we dined here: Can Majo came up consistently in our Google search for the best paella in Barcelona.

In a Nutshell: Delicious paella!

We went to Can Majo as a last day stop in search for Barcelona's best paella after scouring the web for reviews and recommendations. We couldn't leave Spain without having an authentic paella experience. The restaurant was located in the harbor are but right at the waterfront so you have to navigate some small streets to find it. We arrived there very late (near 11pm) but it was still bustling with patrons. The paella was the best I've had - very flavorful and the rice had good texture. This was the only paella I had in Spain though. All my other paella experiences were from Canada or the Philippines.

I docked one point off my review for the price and the service. I found the service to be spotty. Sometimes, you'd have to wait a while to get service and the servers weren't as friendly as in other restaurants in Barcelona.

Olives, bread and Rose wine

Seafood soup

Paella

Creme brulee

Montiel Restaurante

Address: C/ Flassaders 19, 08003 Barcelona, Spain

Phone: +34 932 683 729

Why we dined here: At our time of travel, Montiel was the #1 rated restaurant in TripAdvisor.

In a Nutshell: Montiel is a top-notch restaurant and the suckling pig is definitely a must-try!

I visited Montiel after researching online and seeing its rank and positive reviews on TripAdvisor. Despite my high expectations, it managed to exceed it. When we visited, there was a football (soccer, for US and Canada) game going on so it was not very busy. But this did not affect the quality of food and service we received. The waiters were very friendly, attentive and knowledgeable about the menu they offer. The food was impeccable - especially the suckling pig! Very crispy skin and the meat is tender, juicy and flavorful. We also ordered duck and ravioli, both of which were also superb. I am typically a picky foodie but I have nothing to complain about with this restaurant. The food and service is top notch and definitely up to par to high-end fine dining.

Rice crisps provided at the end of meal

Olives and olive oil provided with bread

Wild mushroom ravioli

Suckling pig leg

Lacquered pigeon with creamy rice

Warm chocolate melting cake with mango ice cream

About Thyme

Address: 3457 King Street, Vineland, Ontario L0R 2C0, Canada

Phone: 905 562 3457

Why we dined here: We needed a lunch spot before journeying to Balls Falls, so we rounded up the best rated restaurants around the area and ended up with About Thyme.

In a Nutshell: The Bistro Poutine da bomb - hands down the best poutine I've ever tasted! 

We decided to visit About Thyme after seeing its ranking in TripAdvisor and the glowing reviews. This was a spectacular find and definitely exceeded our already high expectations. Our party of three shared the following dishes:

1.) Mussels of the Day (small) - I definitely agree with the reviewer that the mussels & fries here can beat out the ones in Belgium. In fact, I much preferred it over the ones I had in Chez Leon in Brussels. The mussels were very fresh and juicy. The cream of leek and smoked bacon sauce was flavorful. Also, the small is actually quite big in size and would be enough for 2 to 3 people for sharing as an appetizer.

2.) Charcuterie Plate - If you love meat, you will enjoy this plate. You get a good variety and quantity of cured meats.

3.) Pork & Beans - The pork belly was very tender and melt-in-your-mouth. The only complaint we have is the fattiness of the pork belly.

4.) Bistro Poutine - The most memorable dish of our meal, hands down! This is different from the regular poutine in that it uses foie gras sauce instead of gravy, aged cheddar instead of cheese curds and it's topped with duck confit. Yes, it is a poutine fitting for royalty. That dish is worth the trek to About Thyme from Toronto any day. It's the best poutine we've ever had and we've had our fair share, even journeying to Quebec where the dish originated.

If you're within the area or within driving distance of Lincoln, this bistro should be in your To-Eat list. The closest comparison to a Toronto establishment that comes to mind is The Black Hoof. I enjoyed the dining experience at About Thyme more since the ambiance was more laid-back, less cramped, and the service was more attentive.

Specials of the Day board

Chips and Mayo that came with the mussels

Mussels of the Day (cream of leek and smoked bacon sauce)

Pork & Beans

Charcuterie Plate

Bistro Poutine (drooooool!)

Mary Chocolatier

Address: 73 rue Royale, Brussels 1000, Belgium

Phone: +32 02 217 45 00

Why we went here: We were still craving for Belgian chocolates and wanted to try specialty chocolatiers that were only available in Belgium.

In a Nutshell: Delicious chocolates but pricey and I still prefer Dumon.

Mary Chocolatier offered good chocolates - very smooth and creamy. It was a bit pricey but compared to Neuhaus, I much preferred the chocolates here so I was willing to pay the difference. However, I enjoyed the chocolates from Dumon Chocolatier in Brugge much much better so I would recommend buying from Dumon if you are making a trip to Brugge. If you're only visiting in Brussels, you can't go wrong with Mary. 

Window of Mary chocolatier

Assortment of chocolates

Dumon Chocolatier

Address: Eirmarket 6, Bruges 8000, Belgium

Phone: +32 50 34 62 82

Why we went here: Belgian chocolates were in our To-Eat list for Belgium. Dumon was the first specialty chocolatier we saw in Bruges.

In a Nutshell: Best Belgian chocolates (and chocolates, in general) that I've ever had!

Smooth, creamy, melt in your mouth, not too sweet and flavorful! Yum! Dumon chocolates are the best I've ever sampled. Period. Well worth the money.

I tried Mary Chocolatier and Neuhaus in Brussels and both were subpar compared to Dumon. I regret not buying more since we went here during our last day in Brugge and during closing time too! They didn't have a store in Brussels so I wasn't able to buy more to bring home :(

Window of Dumon Chocolatier

Assortment of chocolates

Restaurant Schoennemann

Address: Hauser Plads 16, Copenhagen 1127, Denmark

Phone: +45 33 12 07 85

Why we dined here: We wanted to try the best smørrebrød in Copenhagen. Restaurant Schoennemann kept on popping up in our Google searches.

In a Nutshell: Delicious smørrebrød, but too pricey for what you get!

The smørrebrød (open-faced sandwich) was in my Eat list when I visited Copenhagen and after some Googling, I stumbled upon Restaurant Schoennemann as the place to go for the best smørrebrød. So I called in a week in advance to make reservations. The restaurant itself has a cozy, old home ambiance but with fancy plates and silverware.

I cannot attest to whether Schoennemann does offer the best smørrebrød, since this was my one and only smørrebrød experience. However, they do offer a wide selection so there should at least be one type that will suit each person in your party. We enjoyed the smørrebrøds we ordered, at least while they lasted. The portion is small (by North American standards at least). It is not enough to qualify for a meal. The prices are steep, considering the amount of food you get. Also, despite how good the smørrebrød may be, it is still just a sandwich.

Greenland shrimps in pyramide

Simon's Favorite - smoked salmon with creamed spinach and poached egg

Linie Aquavit Herring

Manfred's & Vin

Address: Jaegersborggade 40, Copenhagen, Denmark

Phone: (+45) 3696 6593

Why we dined here: The chef and owner of Manfred's & Vin, Christian Puglisi, did internships at El Bulli (former World's Best #1 restaurant) and Noma (current World's Best #1 restaurant).

In a Nutshell: Well-executed food at reasonable price!

We came here with high expectations, well-aware that the chef/owner of Manfreds used to work at Noma. The menu is very limited, especially for non-veggie eaters. So all 3 people in our party ended up ordering the only meat dish that night which was pork belly. The pork belly was roasted perfectly - golden brown skin and well-marinated, juicy meat. The desert and cheese we ordered were good but plain. The price is actually quite reasonable for the amount and quality of food you get and considering the high cost of living in Denmark.

To sum up, Manfreds offers standard honest-to-goodness food at an affordable price. Nothing ground-breaking but still thoroughly enjoyable.

Beer

Roasted pork belly

Cheese and dessert

Dos Palilos

Address: Elisabets 9, 08002 Barcelona, Spain

Phone: 933040513

Why we dined here: Albert Raurich, the chef and owner of Dos Palillos, was a chef de cuisine at El Bulli (which garnered the #1 World's Best restaurant award consistently before it closed down).

In a Nutshell: Great (but not spectacular) Asian fusion food

We went for the lunch menu so we got 4 small courses for a more reasonable price than their a la carte menu. The tuna sushi was the best of the meal and it was one of the best sushi I've ever had. That's a high compliment since I eat a lot of Japanese food and it's one of my favorite cuisines. The rest of the meal - wonton, yakitori and others were not very memorable. They taste similar to what you'd get in an authentic Asian restaurant. The portions were small since the dishes are tapas, so it is a bit pricey for the amount of food you get. Overall, the experience was still great so I'm happy I tried it; but it's not special enough for me to return to when I go visit Barcelona again.

open-concept kitchen

crispy fried meat-filled wonton

tuna sushi

free range chicken yakitori

fluffy almond sponge cake with yuzu marmalade

Falmouth Raw Bar

Address: 56 Scranton Ave, Falmouth, MA 02540-3541

Phone: 508-548-7729

Why we dined here: The receptionist at Briarwood resort (who is a Massachusetts native) recommended this spot as having the best monster lobster roll in the area.

In a Nutshell: Best monstah lobster roll and clam chowder we tasted in the New England area!

I had my best lobster roll and clam chowder experience at Falmouth Raw Bar! We tried the lobster roll and clam chowder at other restaurants in Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard, but nothing else comes close. The lobster roll here was massive and had overflowing fresh lobster meat. The bun of the roll was not great, but you'll be so stuffed with the lobster that you won't be able to finish the bun anyway. The clam chowder was very creamy and had a strong essence of clam and seafood. After having the clam chowder and lobster roll here, it was hard for us to enjoy the ones from other restaurants since we kept on comparing them with the ones we had here.

The stuffed scallop and stuffed quahog were just meh, so I deducted a point for that. Stick to their specialties - the monster lobster roll and New England clam chowder!

Falmouth Raw Bar menu

Stuffed quahog

Stuffed scallop

Monster lobstah roll!!!

New England clam chowder

Ethiopiques Restaurant

Address: 227 Chruch Street, Toronto, Ontario M5B 1Y7, Canada

Phone: 416-363-0884

Website: http://www.ethiopiques.ca/

Why we dined here: WagJag had a voucher promotion for Ethiopiques and we were curious to try out Ethiopian food.

In a Nutshell: A unique dining experience, especially the coffee ceremony!

Ethiopiques was a very welcome surprise for us. We would never have stumbled upon this place on our own. The reason for our visit was really just to use up the WagJag voucher we bought ($20 for $50 worth of food). We ordered a Meat Platter, Gored Gored (Tender beef fillet) and Goden Tibs (Lamb short ribs). The meal was more than enough for 3 starving yuppies. We still had a bag of take-out after we stuffed ourselves to the brim. It was our first time eating Ethiopian cuisine. We liked the exotic flavor from the variety of spices. Some dishes had a spicy kick to them so have your water handy. The food is served with injera (similar to rolls of airy crepe/pancake). You use the injera to eat the foods with your hands, without the use of the spoon or fork. So that was also fun!

We also requested the coffee ceremony after reading the reviews in Yelp and Googling about the ceremony. Apparently, coffee originated from Ethiopia. They bring out the roasting pan when they're roasting the beans and shake the pan in front of you so you can whiff the intense aroma of freshly roasted coffee beans. The host will bring the jebena (clay coffee pot) to your table. Then, she will slowly pour the coffee to the small porcelain cups. Sugar is provided for you to sweeten the coffee to your taste, but not milk. The coffee is meant to be drank black. A basket of popcorn is also included for you to munch with your coffee. It was definitely a memorable experience and great way to cap off the night :)

Meat Platter + Goden Tibs + Gored Gored

Coffee Ceremony

Eat List: Belgium

Some of the popular snacks and food in Belgium that you shouldn't miss!

1.  Belgian beer

You can't really visit Belgium and not try their beer. There is an abundant variety of local beers and the prices are dirt cheap. During our trip, we ordered beer at every restaurant we dined at. Gave us every reason to be cheerful and bubbly when we toured Bruges and Brussels.

Bier Leon (house beer at Chez Leon)

Trappistes beer (made by Trappist monks)

2.  Belgian chocolate

We sampled three different brands of Belgian chocolate during our trip: Dumon Chocolatier in Bruges (they don't have a branch in Brussels), Mary Chocolatier and Neuhaus both in Brussels. Since these are specialty chocolate shops, the prices are steep. I enjoyed Dumon the best, Mary follows closely and then Neuhaus is far behind.

Leonidas is probably the cheapest specialty store they have but they are mainstream now and have branches in Canada and even in the Philippines; I wanted to try something exclusive to Belgium. There are also souvenir stores that sell Belgian chocolate boxes at low prices but I don't know if they are good quality.

Dumon Chocolatier

Mary Chocolatier

Neuhaus

3.  Belgian waffles

We went to Biscuiterie Dandoy, a pastry specialty shop and tea room, to sample Belgian waffles. They offered two types of waffles - Liege and Brussels. I personally preferred the Brussels waffle, which are the more common kind of waffles available in North America. They are crunchy outside and fluffy on the inside. The Liege waffle is thicker and has a chewier texture and I found it to be sweeter.

Liege waffle

Brussels waffle

4.  Belgian fries

The world is familiar with French fries, but this well-loved snack traces its origin to Belgium. If you love fries, you should try the frites in Belgium and pay homage to the country that made it all possible.

Frites with spicy mayo

5.  Moules-Frites (Mussels and fries)

Moules-Frites is probably the most popular dish in Belgian restaurants. It was in the menu of all local restaurants we went to. Chez Leon is the most popular Mussels and Fries restaurant in Brussels. We ate at Chez Leon and found it to be just average. We had a better Mussels and Fries experience in one of the bistros at the Markt center of Bruges. The mussels there were bigger, juicier and the sauce was more flavorful.

Mussels and Fries from Chez Leon

6.  Waterzooi

Waterzooi is a kind of seafood stew that originated from Ghent, Belgium. The soup is creamy and reminds me of the New England clam chowder.

Seafood Waterzooi from Chez Leon

7.  Speculoos

The speculoos is a gingerbread-type biscuit that is popular in Belgium. It has a strong distinct taste because of the spices used - cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger and others. In the picture below, the Dandoy biscuit is a speculoos.

Speculoos gelato and biscuit

Eat List: Barcelona, Spain

Here's a list of what kind of food to look for while touring Barcelona, Spain.

1.  Tapas  

It will be next to impossible to avoid tapas when you visit Barcelona. Most restaurants offer specials and a great selection of tapas.These small courses go well with sangria, wine, beer or <insert favorite alcoholic drink here>.

Assorted cold tapas

Chopitos (Fried tiny squid)

Chicharron (fried pork rinds)

2. Cava

Wine in Barcelona was so much cheaper than in Toronto and I know that this area of Spain is famous for their wineries. So definitely try some of their local wines. Our hotel offered us Cava (sparkling wine) upon check-in to welcome us into Barcelona so we were off to a great start in our trip. Cava is to Spain what Champagne is to France. Drink, be merry and you'll have an even more pleasant vacation :)

Privat Cava 2009

 3.  Cochinillo (Suckling Pig)

I'm a huge pork eater since I originally hailed from the Philippines which was a Spanish colony for 333 years. So a lot of our food actually has Spanish influences. We do have amazing cochinillo in Manila too. Try Casa Armas if you ever visit Manila but you'd have to call a day in advance so they can prepare the whole pig.

During our trip, El Celler de Can Roca had roasted suckling pig in the tasting menu. We also ordered suckling pig at Montiel since this was their specialty and had glowing reviews from TripAdvisor members. Both were incredible - crispy golden brown skin and tender melt-in-your-mouth meat.

from El Celler de Can Roca

from Montiel Restaurante

 4.  Churros (Con Chocolate)

Churros has always been one of my favorite desserts. In the Philippines, Dulcinea served decent churros con chocolate. In Toronto, Pancho's Bakery in Kensington Market sells freshly fried churros with a variety of fillings to choose from. Of course, I've never had authentic churros so I couldn't vouch for their authenticity.

So, during our trip to Barcelona, we had to put churros into our eat list. After some Googling, we found Barcelona Food Girl's blog pointing us on where to find churros and chocolate walking distance from our hotel. The Xurreria fried a new batch of xurros/churros when we ordered them so it was fresh and hot! We headed to La Granja which was nearby for the thick Spanish chocolate to dip our churros with. Fried dough dipped in chocolate is always a great treat - yum!

from Xurreria

Chocolate from La Granja

 5. Paella and fresh seafood near the pier

For our last supper in Barcelona, we opted to have fresh paella near the pier to cap our memorable 3-day trip. There was a whole slew of restaurants lined near the pier. We had to walk through some smaller streets and further off the pier to find Can Majo. Definitely worth the trek for avid foodies!

Paella from Can Majo

Seafood soup from Can Majo