Peruvian Delights—a Culinary Heaven—Mérito
Lima is shining as one of the world’s brightest gastronomic destinations. “So why not join the crowd?” I asked myself. Especially right after being at my godson’s marriage to his enchanting new Belgian wife in a river ceremony deep in the Peruvian Amazon jungle. (caminoverde. org)
After the wedding, I traveled to the bohemian Barranco neighborhood of Lima to begin my…
Peruvian Delights—a Culinary Heaven—Awicha
I arrived in the hipster Barranco neighborhood of Lima to begin my dining odyssey in a state of bliss. As a small family group of wedding stragglers, we’d surfaced from another worldly celebration at the river-jungle Wasai Tambopata Lodge in a spellbound state. (https://www.wasai.com/)
In that dazed condition, we were lucky that reservations were not essential at Awicha, which serves modern…
Exotic Peruvian Journeys: From the Amazon Jungle to Lima
After a destination wedding, I traveled from one oasis, an ecolodge in the Amazon jungle, to another unexpected one, in the sprawling city of Lima. My godson celebrated his marriage on a remote riverbank. Well, who wouldn’t? A nice beach, no bugs, at least none you can see, guests from around the world. But this isn’t a “destination wedding.” He’s…
Meet Me at Lil’s Cafe
A lightly frosted cruller at Lil’s Cafe in downtown Kittery was the most-dreamy deep-fried sweet dough experience of my life. It’s curled into a fluted donut shape but is not at all like a cakey donut, thank heavens. This cruller is light, fluffy with an eggy flavor that melts in your mouth. It’s made in the French style with a…
I Discovered a Pearl: Atlantic Cod in South Carolina
Snowy white cod flakes star in the low country fish and chips offered at the Pearlz Oyster Bar in downtown Columbia—a recommendation by an old friend from my alma mater USC. If you find yourself in the South Carolina capital, as I did over the holidays, and need a cod fix, swing by this oyster bar. It’s a lucky find…
Fish’n Chips in Paris
‘Fish’n Chips de Cabillaud’ is on the menu at the fifth-floor cafeteria of BHV. Lunch at one of the major department stores in Paris is almost always a treat, especially because of the city view and reasonable prices. And I’m always in pursuit of cod. A hefty plateful of French fries and a couple of fresh deep-fried cod filets looks…
Belle Maison, Paris
The first bite is exquisite. On a narrow side street, the plat du jour (23 euros) at Belle Maison, seems like a good price for a two-course lunch. This is my lunch-time version of dinner. The yellow French café table in the 9th arrondissement right across the street from my apartment is wedged into a corner of the terrace. What’s…