Indescribable in Words - Wine Tour and "Delights" [Chianti Region, Tuscany...Italia]

Continuing the Italian theme (and the fact that I couldn't not mention this), while we were staying in Chianti, we - obviously - had to do a wine tour. We chose the option to do a wine tour beginning at 11:30 am followed by a wine tasting (none for me!) and gastronomical delights, which as you will see was MUCH more than just some delights! We drove about 45 minutes from our villa to the site of the tour and reached just in time...oops.. Yup! That's me on the left!

The tour began with a brief description of several types of wine, a view of the lovely region and was followed by a journey through the winery where we could see huge barrels and even old & dusty wine bottles. Sure, the tour was great, but to be honest, I was just looking forward to the food (I mean.. seriously!). Before I proceed, the name of the place was Castello di Verrazzano. It was an out-of-this world experience and a must if you are the region.. and I'm saying not just any old wine tour - one at Castello di Verrazzano (see picture).

The wine tasting platter included five different types of wine (the four pictured in the center in the picture plus a dessert wine that was served in a shot glass). Unfortunately, I don't remember any of the wines that my parents tasted, but rest assured they loved ALL of them. Moving on to the star of the show:

I hope the picture spoke for itself. The ingredients were absolutely fresh, delicious and outright amazing. My mom even opted for the vegetarian platter and it was equally, if not more, fabulous. Starting with the bruschetta, you're supposed to maker your way around the plate (counter clockwise). So here goes: bruschetta, several types of melt-in-the-mouth deli meats, tuscan bread with absolutely fantastic olive oil, pecorino cheese, goats cheese with honey and in the center - cabbage with that same to-die-for olive oil. Just delights, they say...

The strong, but sweet dessert wine was served with the best almond biscotti I have ever tried in my life. At this point, I don't know if I will ever come across better.

All said and done, this was the highlight of my trip. It. Was. Amazing.

P.S. Sorry for the lack of recipes. It's hard when I'm all over the world! Don't worry, my own recipes will be coming soon once we're all settled in London (by the end of August!).

Coffee. Cream. COFFEE CREAM ~~~~ Italy.

Since I last posted in London, I have been globe trotting around the world.. Ok, maybe not globe trotting exactly, but I have been traveling - A LOT! I began in Singapore, stayed in London for a week, then went on a family trip to Italy. This first stint in Italy included a one day stop in Pisa to see the Leaning Tower, a two day adventure in the Tuscan highlands of Chianti, a two day historical experience in Florence and ended with the touristy water city, Venice. The trip was hectic, crazy but absolutely amazing! We ate delicious food (another post to come on this later!) and enjoyed every single bit. From there I ventured to New York and then found myself in Italy (Rome!) again. I'm back in London now, but am going to Mumbai for a couple of days soon followed by Singapore and will finally be back in London for good in the middle of August. However, the focus of this post is something as insignificant as coffee cream - but really it's not insignificant at all!

The first time I came across coffee cream was in some random cafe in Venice where my dad stopped to get his evening cafe latte (NOT just a latte - that simply means hot milk in Italy!). I saw a couple of people drinking coffee cream in a small cup, but shrugged it off and opted for some rich gelato instead. A week later, I was in a cafe in Rome and my mom and uncle were having a cappucino in the afternoon. The heat was killer so I was honestly hoping to get something cool when my cousin asked to try the coffee cream. She gave me a try of her try (!) and I was hooked at once. We were on the run, so I got it in a takeaway cup topped with cocoa powder.

Coffee, cream, sweet, cold, delicious, light.. the PERFECT cool down. Mmmmm...

Two days later, we were back at the same cafe for breakfast and I ordered a strawberry tart accompanied by coffee cream topped with freshly whipped panna (cream) and let me tell you... it was significantly better than the first time and that's saying a lot. It's funny how the most quaint and unassuming things are the little tidbits that make our life.. That was what this coffee cream was to my trip! Don't skip it if you are in Italy and would love a sweet coffee flavor. Beats a Starbucks frappucino any day (in Italy, that is). 

Guilty Pleasure: Wafflemeister in London, UK

Belgian waffles topped with rich gelato ice cream, chocolate sauce and juicy, sweet red strawberries. I'm not sure if anything could sound yummier during this summer season... Sitting outside with the hint of a gentle, cool breeze and that delightful summer sunshine you can only wish for in your dreams. 

Just imagine it. Freshly warmed belgian waffles with slightly sweet, crispy, sugary coating on the outside. But wait, then comes the luscious scoop of creamy, dreamy gelato...And yet, there's more. Bite sized pieces of seasonal summer strawberries are put alongside the ice cream all waiting to be drizzled with rich melted chocolate. 

Wafflemeister is THE ultimate place to go. Even though I only have two photos, they sum it all up. I don't think any more words are needed. Highly recommended!

Chilli Crab... and Reverse Bungy!

If you've been reading any of my past posts, I'm sure you know by that I am leaving Singapore... which means... I've made a summer list (NOT bucket list - that connotes death!) of things I want to do before I leave Singapore this Sunday. On this list, unsurprisingly, includes a long list of restaurants but also a few other tidbits. The most important thing I promised myself I would do is the GMAX Reverse Bungy located in one of Singapore's most happening nightlife spots - Clarke Quay! Well anyways... I DID THE BUNGY NOT ONCE, BUT TWICE! It was such a blast! Here's photos of both the times I went (note how I did one during daylight hours and one at night to get the full experience!)

Anyways, I got a bit carried away up there.. but this bungy is amazing: thrilling, fun, you even get a good view! 

But back to what this post is supposed to be about: CHILLI CRAB. If you come to Singapore and don't eat chilli crab, I would suggest you take a flight back down here just to get a taste of this local dish with the most mouth watering flavors and crab.. yum. Fresh mud crabs are cooked and placed in a chilli- and tomato-based gravy. Corn flour and beaten eggs help to thicken and flavor the gravy. You MUST be prepared to get down and messy to enjoy the whole experience. The crab is served completely with its shell on and the dish has to be eaten with one's hands. Don't worry, restaurants provide plenty of washing bowls and wet towels as well as clampers to crack the crab shell and long picks to help get the flesh out. Oh and one more thing... DEEP FRIED BUNS. Yum-my! They have a slightly sweet flavor and are best used to dip into the gravy!