Chez Leon – Mussels in Brussels

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Here’s a great restaurant located in the heart of the historic district of Brussels, Belgium.

A friend of mine recommended this restaurant to me and I’m glad that he did.  My experience at Chez Leon was wonderful.  They offer a nice selection of Belgium fare on their menu.  The mussels are especially good and you can have them prepared in a variety of ways.  I opted for the more traditional “Formule Léon” which is a bucket of Mussels with Pommes frites and a beer.  They were delicious!

Chez Leon has a vary diverse and interesting menu and offers everything from fresh mussels to filet steaks.  Their seafood is particularly good with fresh offerings of mussels, shrimps, oysters, and lobster.  Try the the “Le plateau Léon” for a nice mix of their fresh seafood.

I enjoyed my dinner there so much that I went back a second time during my visit.  I can highly recommend Chez Leon to visitors of Brussels, Belgium.

Check out their website for more information: http://www.chezleon.be/index.asp?intro

Chez Léon
rue des Bouchers 18
B-1000 Bruxelles
Telephone: 32 (0)2 511 14 15

 

Spring has arrived in Berlin, Germany

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Ital. Eis FaldonYou know that Spring has arrived in Berlin, Germany when Ital. Eis Faldon opens.  They took the paper off the windows yesterday and today they opened for business.  It’s a beautiful day to go for a walk around Krumme Lanke or Schlachtensee and then head back to Ital. Eis Faldon for a tasty and refreshing gelato treat.

If you enjoy gelato, you owe it to yourself to try one of their many homemade flavors of gelato in a cup or a cone.  As we say in German – lecker!

 
 
Ital. Eis Faldon
Fischerhüttenstraße 83 A
14163 Berlin-Zehlendorf
Telephone: 49 (0)30 744 9816

 

Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria

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When I’m in Niagara Falls, Canada I never miss the opportunity to eat at Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria.  The Pingue family prepares authentic Italian cuisine with lots of love and attention to detail.  Their homemade Gnocchi is out of this world!  It’s the best I’ve ever had (please forgive me Nonna!).  Try their Antipasta Mista platter with their specially cured meats.  Pasta, Risotto, Ravioli, Gnocchi – it’s all here at Napoli Ristorante and they are all delicious.

If you are hungry for a pizza – this is the place.  Their pizza is outstanding.

Ask your server about any daily specials.  The staff at Napoli Ristorante and Pizzeria are very friendly and will do everything possible to make your dining experience enjoyable.

I am very partial to their pasta dishes.  If they offer Lasagna on the menu – order it.  They make the best Lasagna.

I always have a hard time deciding what to order – because everything here is so good!

They offer a nice selection of Italian and Canadian wines to pair with your meal.  Canadian wines from the Niagara region of Ontario are excellent; so if you’re in the Niagara Falls area, be sure to try them.

Check their website for more information: http://www.napoliristorante.ca/

Napoli Ristorante e Pizzeria
5485 Ferry Street,
Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada
L2G1S3
Telephone: 905-356-3345

 

La Mano Verde

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Here’s an excellent vegan restaurant located in the Kempinksi Plaze just off the Ku’Damm north of U-Bahnhof Uhlandstrasse.  They offer a very creative menu filled with delicious appetizers, soups, salads, main courses and desserts.  The excellent wine list is filled with a great selection of organic wines that will surely please your palate.

I started my meal with the Lime-Almond-Gezpacho, followed by my main course of Capaletti filled with pine nuts and pumpkin with a salbei sauce.  Delicious!  I normally don’t take a dessert, but I was tempted by the Walnut-Caramel-Delice.  Wow, was that good.

If your looking for a vegan restaurant while your in Berlin, I highly recommend you visit La Mano Verde.  More information on their website: http://lamanoverdeberlin.com/

La Mano Verde
Kempinski Plaza
Uhlandstrasse 181-183
10623 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-82 70 31 20
 

Vino Nobile di Montepulciano

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A friend of mine gave me two bottles of this wine and they were excellent.  We enjoyed them with friends over a special pasta dinner that my wife prepared.

Specifically the wine was a Vino Nobile di Montepulciano Riserva 2006 DOCG from Vecchia Cantina di Montepulciano Soc.Agr.  It was outstanding.  Here’s a link to information about these types of wine:  http://bit.ly/Ym41u2

 

Trattoria Mineo

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Here’s a great little Italian restaurant near Berlin S-Bahnhof Halensee that offers authentic Sardinian-style cuisine.  A good friend of mine introduced me to this restaurant and I’ve been back several times.  Personalized service, Sardinian specialties (including wines from the region), and a cozy atmosphere make this a restaurant you’ll want to come back to many times.

I can recommend the Seafood Risotto as a starter.  It’s prepared perfectly!  My favorite main course is their Veal Saltimbocca.  Tender slices of veal wrapped in prosciutto in delightful sauce.  Molto buono!  For dessert, I have to recommend their Tiramisu.  It’s some of the best I’ve ever had.

If your visiting Berlin, Germany be sure to enjoy a nice dinner at Trattoria Mineo.  Reservations recommended.

Trattoria Mineo
Westfälische Strasse 51
10711 Berlin-Wilmersdorf
Telephone: +49 (0)30-89 04 37 86

 

Rasas – The Spirit of India

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The name says it all.  Rasas truly is the spirit of India in Berlin, Germany.  This was absolutely the best Indian food I’ve enjoyed so far.  If you’re in Berlin, and you’re looking for a great Indian restaurant, this is it.  They offer very authentic Indian cuisine that’s bursting with flavor and served by their very attentive staff in a very comfortable and relaxing atmosphere.  They have a superb variety of Indian appetizers, salads, main courses, and desserts.  I’m definitely going back again soon to try a few more!

As a main course, I had the Murgh Jhalfrezi (chicken breast fillet with vegetables and Indian spices in a special sauce).  It was wonderful.  It had a good “heat” to it, which I like; but the heat combined with the flavors was incredible.  The main dishes are served with Basmati rice.

Take a look at their website for more information.  http://bit.ly/jeZTnm

Rasas
Bayernallee 42a
(on the corner of Länderallee)
14052 Berlin
+49 (0)30 33 77 29 41

 

Osteria da Tano

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Excellent Italian cuisine served with warm and very friendly service in a local neighborhood (“Kiez” in German) just one block off the Ku’Damm in Berlin.  The fish is fresh and the pasta is cooked to perfection.  Summer is a great time to sit outside and enjoy the nice atmosphere at this local’s favorite while enjoying a nice glass of wine and some great Italian food.

One of my favorite starters is the Caprese Salad (Fresh sliced tomatoes, buffalo mozzarella, in olive oil and balsamic vinegar with a fresh basil garnish).  For a main course, try the fresh fish with fresh tomato sauce alla Siciliana.  The sauce is bursting with flavor and complements the fish perfectly.  Delizioso!

Osteria da Tano is one of my favorite restaurants in Berlin.  Give it a try and see for yourself.

Osteria da Tano
Joachim-Friedrich-Strasse 33
10711 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-8909 5369

 

Pastis – a great place for Flammkuchen in Berlin

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Saturday afternoon.  After walking around Rudesheimer Platz we decided to stop at Pastis for a bite to eat.  We ordered the Flammkuchen vegetarisch.  D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!   It was very well-prepared with lots of fresh vegetables and a delicious pesto sauce.   Pair this with a nice glass of wine on a beautiful day – bon appetit!   This is another good reason to visit this excellent French restaurant.

Cookies Cream

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Creative vegetarian cuisine, well-prepared and delicious; that’s the best way to describe Cookies Cream.  I am not a vegetarian; but I thoroughly enjoyed my meal here and I highly recommend this restaurant to anyone visiting Berlin.  Locate just of Friedrichstrasse in Berlin-Mitte this restaurant serves tasty and imaginative vegetarian dishes in an eclectic atmosphere.  I had no idea that vegetarian fare could combine so many interesting flavors together in such a palate pleasing way.  They also have a nice selection of wines to accompany your meal.

The link to their website is quite different from most other restaurants; however, I like the way they’ve used animation to show you the way to their door.  Cookies Cream is an epicurean adventure and one that I think you will enjoy.  http://www.cookiescream.com/

Cookies Cream
55 Behrenstraße
10117 Berlin
Telephone: 49 (0)30-27 49  29 40