peterpumkino

Pretentious? Moi?

For heaven's sake don't tell Plotinski!

That was a great post Zeb. My thanks to you and your wife.

So sorry: I meant left (north) is Set Porte and right (south) is the end of Las Ramblas.

Okay, imagine walking out of the restaurant - you would walk directly onto a piazza, if you kept walking you would walk into the water! Alternatively if you kept walking across the piazza but turned north you would see Set Porte on your right and if you turned south (left) you would come to the end of Las Ramblas where the big column is. You are so right, we should all remember the names of these 'finds' but this was before Egullet and the 2 bottles of '73 Rioja didn't help my memory either! And, much as I LOVE Italy, I really agree that Barcelona takes some beating - could it be the best city in the World? Don't forget I am taking everything into consideration here: eating, drinking, weather, lifestyle, beaches etc (and there's even skiing nearby), only thing that's a bit negative is accessability but that will change (and could ruin the city?) when the TGV goes to Barcelona and the AVA come from Madrid. Maybe this would be a good question on a different track - after all Gulletiers are always interested in good living!

Does Zumas let you BYOB? If so it has a great buzz (especially when Russell Crowe is there!) and the cod is actually better than Nobu (IMHO).

Sorry Anul, I just don't remember the name - but I could go again as it's definately through a dingy doorway on a piazza left of Las Ramblas - not far from Sette Porte (or something like that!) on opposite side of course.

I went to an unbelievable restaurant in Barcelona that served these eels. I can't remember the name but you go down Las Ramblas to the end, turn left, and there's a small doorway on the Piazza on the left. Go through it and you walk into the restaurant. Talk about hole in the wall!! But great food and I had a 1973 Rioja there which was, for me, the best wine I have ever drank! They have a great set meal where the food just comes and comes - you don't have to order anything! In fact I spotted the eels on another table and I really thought it was pasta - until I noticed the eye! My friends were a bit squeamish but, like you Jaybee, I couldn't get enough of them.

Yes, you're so right. Pizza Metro is wonderful but, strangely enough, I've never had their pizza! This is due to the fact that I ask Alberto to "rustle me up something good" (a very successful modus operandi in Italy) and he comes up with really magic food, very Italian! Another thing is they serve Pizza long and square. I don't particularly like this (fussy, fussy) but I am told that this is 'typical' of Napoli. However I have been to Napoli many times and, whilst the pizza's are amazing there, I've never seen square pizza! One interesting piece of trivia: in some of the backstreet Pizzarias they serve only beer and no wine! This is because the Italians drink beer with their pizza - when they laugh at me drinking wine I always ask them what do they drink with bread, cheese and tomatoes, this stumps them as the answer is, obviously, red wine! - and what is bread, cheese and tomatoes......... but a pizza! (they still insist on drinking beer 'though).

Sad, I guess that you didn't get it then. Often people eat authentic Alsacien cook and don't like it because they are expecting some type of Americanised version. Hey, I didn't get it and I appreciate it's my loss (unlike some other people with Italian food as served in Italy, on this site who 'don't get it' and are not willing to admit that it's their loss!). The one thing I don't admit too however was that I was expecting 'Americanized' food. Heaven forbid. But you are so right, it's a shame I didn't get it!

Yes, but they import real italian spaghetti to the UK and the restaurants are owned and cheffed (?) by real Italians but the food is still nowhere as good as in Italy. From what Argentinians have told me I think it's exactly the same analogy. Having said that I'm going to Metro Pizza as a birthday treat so I can't wait. Hey I do like a good Steak Diane or Au Poivre occassionaly (but NOT in the US)

This is so true. Even in crappy little places the steaks tend to be far superior to Europe (pity about the sauces though). BTW eating Argentina steaks in London is the same as eating Italian in London (ask any Italian, not from Brooklyn, or any Argie).

To hear gems from you, oraklet, of course Seriously I do not have to like or agree with or want to hear from an individual to enjoy the conversation on Egullet and, in my own humble way, I DO contribute (I know that from private emails from people who have been to restaurants that I have reccommended and enjoyed the experience).

There you go again Mr Plotinski. No, it's not a matter of expertise, it's a matter of personal opinion. Are you familiar with that democratic principle? It means that I love pasta, you don't. It's got nothing to do with expertise (what's that anyway?). I do not need to look to others to tell me what is good and what is not. I simply use my own preference.

Mr Plotnicki, I am dreadfully sorry if I go to so many restaurants that I cannot remember the name of some of them. As I mentioned I had a marvelllous steak on a hill outside of Florence but I just don't remember the name. Again I'm dreadfully sorry. Also could you direct me to the specific area where I said I was an 'expert on Italian food'. I like Italian food as cooked in Italy! That does not make me an expert however it does confirm that I know what I like. I do not really care what other people like including you Mr. Plotnicki. Plus, unlike you, I have met someone who sang the praises of Argentinian beef over the US (not just Bernes) and her name is Sylvana Dass - and she does not consider herself an expert in Argentian food either. Maybe it's a matter of opinion again, Mr Plotnicki?

Wow, what a challenge! Having lived in the US and in Italy and having had a girlfriend in Buenos Aires (who said that the steaks at Bernes were terrible!) I have more than a passing interest on this challenge. Personally I think that Argentina will win, but who knows? Very interesting, let us know. BTW I ate a fantastic steak at an area known for the best steaks in Buenos Aires. Unfortunately I don't remember the name of the area but I do remember that it was on the Plate and there were quite a few steak restaurants and all seemed unbelievable and VERY cheap. ps I had a great bistecca on the top of a hill just outside of Florence but, again, I can't remember the name, sorry.

It's very slightly better than Applebees (but not much) and it's a restaurant/boozer rather than what is traditionally known as a 'pub'. I was being a bit facetious about Kammerszell (but not much). Again it's my opinion only.

Peter, we definately agree here. I have been to Erbusco (twice) and Abbietegrasso and feel that this is bad French rather than spectacular Italian but, apart from you, nobody seems to agree with me!

As far as I am concerned train is the only way to go (on the way from Paris you can stop at La Tupina in Bordeaux! - +33 56915637). San Sebastian and Santander are wonderful place swith great food. Yes, I've been to Arzak and, even Italian-loving as I am. I felt it was one of the best meals I have had - ever. Plus it's a lovely location. You must go.

There you go again. Why not? Because they love food that's why not. They don't want to open an import/export business, they want to cook food. Money isnt everything in life Mr. Polinski.

Well I'm back after two and a half days in Strasbourg. My restaurant comments as follows: La Cloche a Fromage: Absolutely amazing selection of cheeses. To sample some of it you order a platter (from a selection of 4 platters) on which there are twenty (albeit small) pieces of cheese (including two types of Stilton - I didn't think the French acknowledged we had cheeses in the UK!). Incredible. I really tasted some wonderful cheese that I have never tasted. Sue had a different platter so we a choice of 40 cheeses between us. I'm sure there are many restaurants like this throughout France but this was my first and I loved it (sorry Margraet I just didn't have time to go to Vieux-Ferrette, next time). Chez Yvonne: Very nice. Had Quenelles di Foi. Good. Nice place also. Winstubs: Frankly I was not impressed by 'traditional Alsace cuisine'. I know, I know I'm a philistine but that's the way it is (sort of like Polinski with his Pasta - but at least I admit it's me and not the food!). Choucroute, schweinhaxxen, baeckeoffe - pah. I didn't even think the local Gewurtztraminer wine was that great either - although I like the local Tokay. Must be me. The Pate Foie Gras was great though. Maison Kammerszell: It's a wonderful looking place, stunning. BUT on inspecting the menu it looked like an up-market French Weatherspoon's! For the one and only time I agree with Polinski. Sis the touristy canal cruise which was lovely.

Thanks to Adam Baltic, Peter Rodger, Magnolia, Jaybee, menton1, margaret pilgrim, yes and even Mr Polinski for warning me about Kammerszell. Look forward to it and thanks again,

I would definately not take it from you Mr Plotniski, we have different taste buds. Furthermore I would never order the ubiquitious pasta in France, they have no idea how to cook it the Italian way.

Thanks Adam for your advice. The translation is the automatic one that the site does. It IS better in French! Sorry about the anti but someone who describes the pasta course as being 'ubiquitious' needs to be told. It's like reviewng a typical British Sunday lunch and saying the 'ubiquitious roast potatoes and gravy'!

First of all Steve Plotnicki need not answer this one. After reading his very boring tomb on Piemonte I really do not think he understands. I mean hoiw can anyone critique Italian food and talk about the Pasta course as 'ubiquitous '!!! That IS Italian food Mr. Plotnicki, if you don't like it - fine, I have no problem with that, but this does prove you are in no position to comment on Italian food the way you are doing. Secondly I am off to Strasbourg this weekend (after China it will be a relief!) so I would welcome some interesting suggestions. I would like to eat at a typical French restaurant (regional?) serving nice food, however not the twenty-five star Michelin starred please, it's not my style. Thanks for your help.