The Malaysian Insider :: Food
The Malaysian Insider :: Food |
| Mamma mia! Europeans prefer Italian cuisine Posted: 21 Nov 2012 04:57 PM PST  A new TripAdvisor poll found that Europeans prefer Italian cuisine over everything else. — AFP-Relaxnews pic In a new TripAdvisor survey that polled 7,665 Europeans, Italian food was ranked the overall favourite, with 62 per cent of Spaniards particularly enamoured by the country's cuisine. The same was true for 55 per cent of German respondents, 52 per cent of Brits, and 48 per cent of Italians. Perhaps most striking, the French – for whom good food and gastronomy is a birthright – likewise rated Italian fare better than their own, with 40 per cent of respondents saying they preferred the Mediterranean cuisine, followed by 38 per cent identifying their own cuisine. Thai food was the third favourite for 27 per cent of French respondents. Meanwhile, French cuisine is sliding in popularity among Europeans, most significantly among Italians, with only 16 per cent naming French cuisine as their favourite. In rankings, that put French gastronomy in eighth place among Italians. Countries polled included the UK, Germany, Italy, Spain and France. The latest survey confirms the findings of another worldwide poll conducted earlier this year by accommodation site Hotels.com, which also found that of the 27,000 people polled, Italian fare emerged the favorite, at 32 per cent. That was followed by French and Japanese cuisine. — AFP-Relaxnews |
| Posted: 21 Nov 2012 03:51 PM PST  The NOSH philosophy, by way of Virginia Woolf. – Pictures by CK Lim We are all amateur food critics at heart, offering our opinions about how pasta at the latest trattoria in town isn't quite al dente or how the fries at another Elvis-style diner is tastier because it's deep-fried in beef tallow. And so on. New restaurants have been opening all over town since Ramadan but most have been lacklustre at best and dismal at worst. One friend complained about the broken eggshell she found in the banana bread she had at a new café. Another was astonished when he asked for more cream and jam for his scones (as what was given barely covered a single scone) and was charged extra for his trouble. We are always on the lookout for something new or better. It can be quite exhausting and I've all but given up on this search. I simply want to eat decent, good food.  Mains: Spaghetti aglio olio with smoked duck & gorgonzola (left) & slow cooked beef cheeks braised in a coffee infused sauce (right). Honestly there is no excuse for food and service at an F&B outlet to be below par, even for a new kid on the block, but we bow to Reality here. Forewarned is forearmed. So it's a pleasant surprise when we drop by NOSH with no further expectations than "Well, we've run out of things to try …" and are welcomed not only by its cheerful white-and-orange palette but also its attentive, warm and very polite wait staff. When someone greets you with a "Welcome to …" and the smile on their face reaches their eyes, why, you can't help but smile back too.  Desserts: Rich chocolate sundae (left) & vanilla bean panna cotta with cherry jubilee and warm Valrhona chocolate sauce (right). Our shared starter of Salmon Mango Rhapsody soon arrives after we place our orders. A simple salad of salmon and mango tossed in mixed leaves dressed in a citrus sauce, light and appetite-whetting. My partner's Spaghetti Aglio Olio with Smoked Duck & Gorgonzola is a success with the nuttiness of pan-fried garlic slices dancing nicely against the sharp cheese and flavourful duck. He whispers to me, "Guess what? The pasta's al dente!" Similarly, I've little to complain about my Braised Beef Cheeks which is melt-in-the-mouth tender and given a bit of a kick from its coffee-infused sauce. The sides of creamy mash and vegetables mean I won't be hankering for a Ramlee Burger afterwards, the way we sometimes get after too dainty a portion at other dining establishments.  Brunch: Peanut butter French toast served with banana (left) & The Noshling (right). My partner rescues me from this conundrum by ordering the Rich Chocolate Sundae and promises he'll finish it on his own; I am free to have a couple of guilt-free nibbles. When the sundae arrives though, filled to the brim with nuggets of Valrhona chocolate brownie, chocolate crumble & house-made chocolate ice cream topped with berries and, you guessed it, more chocolate sauce, it's hard to resist only having just a spoonful. Definitely not for the faint of heart; chocolate lovers, however, rejoice. Our subsequent visits reveal more delights. Fish is certainly a favourite of the chef here, with perfectly grilled salmon accompanied by a zesty lemon caper sauce to generous slices of seared ahi tuna encrusted with black sesame seeds, given a nice bite with a wasabi lime sauce. Those who are faithful followers of brunch joints may want to drop by during the weekends. All manner of egg-and-bread concoctions are served, including their signature brunch dish, The Noshling, featuring toasted multigrain bread topped with smoked salmon and poached eggs in hollandaise sauce.  Good advice: NOSH it down! To her credit, instead of slapping me, she gives me a most beatific smile instead. Dining in KL can be a bit of a hit and miss, but those with patience and an unrelenting and adventurous palate will be rewarded. Last month, a magazine editor asked me for my favourite new places and food finds of 2012. Was it a bit too early for "best of" lists? We certainly didn't think so. Guess we were both wrong and I for one could not be gladder. Playful but serious about food, NOSH is a good reminder for foodies never to lose hope and give up the search for decent, fuss-free grub. NOSH 7, Jalan Telawi 3, Bangsar Baru, 59100 Kuala Lumpur. Tel: 03 2201 3548. Open Tue-Fri 11:30am to 11:00pm; Sat & Sun 9:30am to 11:00pm; closed Mondays. Website: http://www.nosh.my * Kenny is mesmerised by thousands of tiny orange tiles. More edible adventures at http://lifeforbeginners.com |
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NEW YORK, Nov 21 — Online reference tool Dictionary.com has picked "bluster" as 2012 Word of the Year for its applicability to events in the political, economic and meteorological spheres.