Tacos & Tequila

I had heard different reviews from friends so I was pretty critical when we arrived and got seated outside in the long awaited sun. My friend and I started off with some beer and frozen margaritas. Beer - fine. Margaritas - divine. The server informed us that they still served lunch for 10 more minutes and I came up with the brilliant idea to have that as starters. We ordered the ceviche salmon with chipotle and roasted corn and a bit of each guac. I guess they made their own totopo chips because they were glowing of oil. Ceviche - fine, a bit forgettable because of what was yet to come. Guacs - outta they three there were two outstanding ones, Serrano, Chili & tomatillo and the Chipotle and roast almonds. The classic was pretty damn good too, but in the shade of the other ones. They.were.amazing. In their own ways. The chipotle one had a nice kick to it which was great for my beer thirst and the Tomatillo one was just splendid, so fresh and addictive. 

As the main course, even though we were stuffed, we ordered the Crispy pork-belly tacos with coriander aioli, jicama and red chili and Duck tacos with mole poblano and peanuts with a side of Triple fried new potatoes with corn, manchego and charred spring onion crema.  The duck was a bit like pulled pork with a sweet sauce and the crushed peanuts just made it more lovely. I mean, who doesn't love peanuts? (probably people who are deathly allergic to nuts...) The pork belly - I'm intensely fond of pork belly (I'm Korean) so the giant piece of layered pork with the fat so crispy I could hear the crunch even if I hadn't had a bite yet made me salivate immensely. The side order was just perfect. Swedish flavours like the fresh summer potaoes, deep fried (deep fried is a friend of mine) and served with the cheese and grey crema - just a great marriage. 

The thing that amazed me were the flavours. I'm not easily impressed, I want new things, I wanna be amazed, confused, dazzled - and I was. There were flavours I couldn't identify - which I loved. I don't want to be the one who seen it all, experienced it all - which is common in most restaurants I've been to. Therefore I loved everything with Tacos & Tequila. Just subtle things like the tomato salsa in the pork belly one, it was filled with flavours of vinegar, sweetness and perhaps herbs, who knows? 

The service was great in the beginning - then, I think they forgot us, very incohesive but eye contact worked. It was a 2 hour seating, which we weren't informed about, but we were pretty much done after lunch, dinner, serveral beers and margaritas.

Price, well not the friendliest taco price that I'm used to (a taco for a dollar). We had a lot of food, were completely and utterly stuffed - not in a disgusting way and had both beers and margaritas and payed 450 SEK each. So not poor student/minimum wage friendly, but for me worth it. I have to come back for the fried cod taco (I love fish tacos). And the grilled shrimp plato. And the pinapple bun dessert. 

Plus: the chipotle mayo (I assume it was) condiments and lime wedges. They also had 2 sauces and some spicy chili thing (I have no idea what it was, but it was a nice touch). Also, visit the loo upstairs if you dare.

Website: http://www.tacosandtequila.se/
Tredje Långgatan 9, Göteborg

+46 (0)31 – 309 52 20

My friend was a bit more prepared and took a photo of the tacos.

With the potential to be great

I've heard great things of Nonna. Friends have recommended it and the website look pretty sweet. 

It was time.

The environment was cosy and a bit loud. It was great for large parties, we were 6 people dinning. We had made reservation and was greeted and placed in the sofa-part of the restaurant. The only thing was that it was kinda hard to hear people sitting across from you. We sat in a C-shaped half circle. The menu is simple - which I love, not too many options with a nice price range. I ordered the spaghetti with tomatoes and crayfish. I'm not a huge fan of tomato sauce so I assumed that when it said tomatoes and not tomato sauce, which it did on other dishes, it would come with fresh chopped tomatoes. It didn't. Tomato sauce. Not entirely disappointing but not satisfying. Before our food arrived we got some focaccia and tapenade made with green olives, very addictive. I had a beer and some of my company had red wine which I take for granted it was good, because they never said anything to the contrary. The food arrived pretty quickly - great! and I saw the tomato sauce. Please surprise me. The first bite was amaze balls since the spaghetti was al dente, although shame on them if it weren't. Unfortunately I wasn't amazed by the tomato sauce, however it had shrimps in it, yay! The crayfish, 2 of them, were small and fairly seasoned.  I would have loved 2 more, since they were so small. The portions are large, I was more than full - not disgustingly full, just full enough to wait and order tiramisu. When you're more than 1 person ordering something it comes on a larger plate and you serve yourself - awesome, almost family style which is my fav. And we were two who ordered the tiramisu and I believe you get more then. I've never had any good experience with tiramisu so I wanted redemption. I got it. It was soft, smooth, very grown up. Not as wet as I expected and not as hard of a kick with liquor, I didn't taste any coffee which was forgettable, I didn't mid even though I like coffee. 

I should have asked it there were tomato sauce and not assume even though I blame it on the typo. I will come back for other pasta dishes, because I believe they are great. Didn't get a pic on the tiramisu or the food itself since I was too hungry to even bother to go through the hassle with taking my phone from my purse and do the whole composition. Just eat. 

Barabicu - Pan American Grill

I think that the problem with Gothenburg dining is that it's hella expensive for not so great food. I enjoy food. But I have to drag some politics into it. We don't farm, we don't grow, we don't produce. We need the heart, the passion in order to make great food.

We started of with sharing the Scalopbanger which was a sausage med from scallops served on smoked bean chili which was basically beans and canned tomatoes. together with chorizo, deep fried artichoke and artichoke purée. The scallop was dope, soft like a marshmallow, not too sweet with a hint of sea. I could live without the beans and canned tomateos, it did nothing it was just a waste of space. The double artichokes were pretty nice though, it was a nice marriage with the scallop. The chorizo was a bit over fried and hard but had a nice heat to it.

We moved on to the the New York Strip and the meat was great. Tender, almost silky soft and pleasant chewablity. It was served with red wine reduction, herb butter and spinach on top. The red wine reduction was a nice match with the steak but the butter was a bit too salty for me. Same goes with the spinach, it was like they wanted us to drink more. The meat was served with gratin almond potato purée. I love any kinds of potatoes and therefore I want my potato to taste like potatoes, however the purée was dominated by butter, cream and västerbotten cheese - it was where dairies come to die.

The service was okay, they took our order, gave us the food and explained what we had ordered because apparently we were illiterate and never came back. So it was great if you need some privacy.

Overall I would come back if I wanted to eat expensive food in a 30-something-hipster-or bank/financial dude-enviroment. And sometimes you're in the mood for that. I think I would give them a second chance if I'll get rich or something, Impress me, please.

Website

Danilo -- Dinner and a Movie -- Best Burger

In the US, dinner and a movie is a classic second date concept. In Sweden, well -- I can't say, since I've never been on a date here. But I'm not going to talk about my love life. What I am going to talk about is my love for "American" food, and I say that with the loosest quotation marks. I'm not the hugest fan of burgers. I'm more of a pizza-kind-of-gal. However, my friend made the decision for me to order top 5 best burgers in Gothenburg. I had the Burger of the Month which was a BBQ BACON BURGER with fries served on focaccia bread. Ketchup and a Rhode Island inspired dip came with it. 

The Burger? Oh the Burger! 

Medium Rare -- Pink and Perfect.

The Burger was... yeah, the best burger I had so far. Juicy, flavourful with a fitting combination with the crispy bacon, smoky bbq sauce and savoury cheddar cheese (I added the cheese when I ordered). Fociacca is one of my fav bread so I was pleased even though the bottom was soaked from the lettuce.

My friends ordered the Dynamite Jack Pizza and Scarface Cheese Burger. They were both stuffed and so happy.

My friend ordered the cross-thingy-fries. I would recommend them instead of the fries. Imma frie eating person and mine did nothing for me.

I've been to the café downstairs several times and it's nice and all, but it doesn't leave a huge impression. It's overall A-OK.

I will def. come back for the pizza! My mission is to have the Harpo Bacon, I've been longing for it for days now.

Website

YammyYammy -- not so Yummy Yummy

Since I just came back from Korea and cook Korean food myself I'm a bit picky. I think when it comes to Asian food in general, I'm very opinionated and think that the Swedish Asian restaurants do not hold up the standards to what I would classify as authentic Asian food. YammyYammy at Kungstorget did no do it for me at all.

I ordered the bibimbap 비빔밥 and was horrified that I had to pay extra if I wanted kimchi. You simply just don't pay extra for banchans in my world. Then when the I opened my box (takaway) the SMELL. *shrugging my head*

First of all, bibimbap is supposed to have gochujang sauce and I have no idea what I got. perhaps some kind of gochuhang mixed with water and soysauce? it was runny and gochujang is a paste. A PASTE!

Secondly, where was the egg? I don't count an omelette finely sliced as an egg. 

And the veggies?! Don't get me started about the veggies.

I'm going to talk about the veggies. or more the lack thereof. Bibimbap is just devine with bean sprots, kimchi, leftover banchans, a fried egg, a nice gnob of spicy gochujang and then mix insanely violently to a muddle so there is flavour everywhere. but this offered some sliced cucumber, yellow onion and leek (wtf?!)

The meat, I suppose it was bulgogi was over seasoned and too salty.

I'm very disappointed and heartbroken since I can't find a decent Korean restaurant.

Website

Red Lion -- Revisited

On a lazy Sunday my colleagues and I were miraculously off work on the same day, those things just don't happen. So what shall you do a fairly rainy sunday? You drink beer and eat bar food. So we went to Red Lion because I had recommended the ribs there, ironically none of us ordered them. I had the fish and chips since I had been curious about it ever since I saw the menu. The dish didn't disappoint me. Crispy deep fried batter with a lovely sea salt sprinkle on top. Smooth remulade sauce and of course, the fries/chips. The fish was tender moist and pretty awesomely cooked. It wasn't dry or felt like it had been lying in the freezer for 6 months and the just tossed in the deep frier with some mediocre batter. The only thing was that it was a large piece of fish, a thick one which is not my cup of tea. I prefer slim ones so I get more deep fried goodieness! kekekeke ^^

My colleague ordered the cheeseburger which I also had a try on. it was ok. not good, not bad. ok. the burger was a bit dry according to my colleague. I thought the meat was well seasoned yet, I'm not particulary of a large piece of patty.

 He also had complaints about the lack of fries.

My other colleague was a bit of a daredevil and ordered the Chef's inspiration from the sea which today was Mackerel in a foil pack, apperently. She was pleased. She enjoys food she can't cook at home, however she can't even boil potatoes so I'm not sure how much I trust her judgement, höhöhö.

There is always room for dessert. And we barely had, but yet we ordered the Crème brûlée. I'm not an expert (hence the title), but is it supposed to be cold and runny? 

I was too rapacious and eager that I totally forgot to take a pic before I started munching on it. The cracking of the sugery top was not as satisfiying as I've been told it's supposed to be, but perhaps it's because I find other things in life more exciting.

 It was still a pretty fine dessert with a special guest apperance of strawberries in passion fruit soup (?)

I had the Krusovice and my colleagues had something starting with an G and the other one and something starting with a S. and we liked it ^^

Over all, it's still a nice place for me to go to with my friends to enjoy bar food and beer. We'll be back.

Website

Red Lion -- ribs, ribs, ribs

I've been here before and I had a vague memory that the ribs were pretty awesome, they still were. HOWEVER, the SERVICE SUCKED. We sat down and it took 20 minutes for them to give us a fudging menu. I went inside to and said that we wanted to order drinks and food and I got a rushed "yeah" and then I never saw here again.

the FOOD, was almost worth it. The ribs were a bit spicy and the basket with fries was a joy. I mean, a basket of well deep fried fries -- who doesn't love that, I dare you. Hot and smokey baby back ribs, is what the dish is called. Hot -- fo sho, I can't handle spicy food, this however was ok. Smokey -- yeah, I guess you could say  that.

 

creamy coleslaw, almost too creamy -- but I solved it by dipping my fries in it. 

Fun Fact: according to my friend who's a regular at this joint the ribs used to be more tender and juicy before they switched owners/chef. apparently the meat just fell off the bone if you exhaled.

I could barely breathe after I finished my plate, so be hungry because you get a lot of food.

Alcohol: they had a nice beer selection, not impressive but a-ok.

The Red Lion -- the only English Pub in Majorna
Address: Mariagatan 11, 414 71 Göteborg
Website

Vegetable Soup and Salad

As a poor student, I often cooked lunch or dinner at home. Usually I invited my friend Bea to join me because of her company and also, it’s not that fun to cook by yourself. Food is the best if you enjoy it in good company. Something that I learned from Bea during my stay in Amsterdam was, well, first of all like Veronica she was also a vegetarian so all of the foods that we made had to be meat and fish free. Secondly, to buy seasonable veggies.

Something that we made frequently was soup and salad. Take your favorite veggies, boil it in water, pure some canned tomatoes in it and blend well.

The salad, is basically any kinds of leaves and veggies you like. Add some nuts and fruits. Olive oil, crème balsamic, salt and pepper – it doesn’t get easier than that.  

Bagels & Beans in Amsterdam

On one hungover morning we went the Bagels & Beans for some brekki.

I had the Parmabella with parma ham, mozzarella cheese, sun dried tomatoes, rocket, pine nuts and pesto. I simply can't start my morning without coffee and asked for soy milk. It's a thugs life, being lactose intolerant and all... The young and nervous waiter asked if I wanted it hot and in my fog of sleepiness, lack of caffeine I just grunted hmpf. A few minutes later he came running with some steamed soy milk and I was grateful as a… very grateful person.

The bagel was good. Because I was more into listening to the conversation about what had happened last night the food just slipped down without any complaints. 

Breakfast

Lunch

Fika 

Vegetarian options

Menu

Bazar in Amsterdam -- noisy but pretty nice

In de Pijp area on Albert Cuypstraat 182 is Bazar located. It's a restaurant with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influences. The restaurant is vibrant with a lot of people and noises. It gives a feel of Arabian Night meets a market place with people running around with big ass serving trays so be careful when you walk in there so you won’t get hit.

The ambiance is as said intense, perhaps because we were there during dinner hour on a Friday night, but it’s a part of the experience.

I had the Tavuk Sis Kebab which was tasty, nothing special. Plain ol’ good food. My friend had the Falafel and in retrospect that would have been my pick since it came with a giant bread basket for solely her. I mean, I like bread. And it was not only one type of bread; there were plenty to go around the table with different types of delicious carbs.

My friends falafel dish.

It’s a charming place where you can enjoy… or perhaps it’s more of an active experience since there are stuff happening, people running around, noises everywhere so if you’re looking for a quiet meal with a loved one to snuggle in enjoying a peaceful romantic dinner – this is not the place.

Vegetarian options
Dinner
Lunch

Menu

Zushi time

So last week, me and Veronica went to this sushi place, Zushi at Amstel 20. This place is what I believe heaven is like. Food circeling around and you can just grab a plate. Of course I had pick the most expensive plates. I had some tuna shashimi, the tempura shrimp maki and avocado salmon california roll. Veronica had some vegitarian sushi. Very Yummi. A bit expensive for poor students but I thought it was worth it, I've missed sushi a lot. Haven't found any nice place until now. I will definitly go back to heaven for seconds.

Amsterdam so Far

Since I've been in Amsterdam for almost two months (!) I thought my first post would be small collection of photos. Above is a picture from this awesome bakery (I think Bakken met Passie but I can't remember) my dad took me to. The heart shaped cookies were a soft shortbread filled with a raspberry compote. Think of those Knott's Berry Farm Raspberry cookies, but on crack. I also tried the pink version of the heart shaped cakes. Also amazing. It turned out to be a lemon pound cake, with raspberry jam in the middle, encased in a sweet raspberry marzipan (I think I might have a raspberry problem). There also may have been a chunk of rosemary focaccia and a berry meringue involved as well....
Here's a picture of my stir fry from Tasty Asia, near Rembrandtplein. It's with a green curry sauce and tofu, and it's crazy good.
This is a picture of the "American Dinner" my roommate and I hosted. We made hamburgers, veggie burgers, green beans with lemon and butter, and the worst macaroni and cheese I've ever made. My kitchen doesn't have an oven or microwave, so we tried to make stovetop mac and cheese. Here's a fun fact: even if the recipe says you should cook the noodles in the milk, don't. It can ruin mac and cheese for you!

My favorite I-don't-feel-like-cooking-tonight take out place, Wok to Walk. I usually get the rice noodles with tofu (and sometimes mushrooms) and chili sauce. I think Cecilia had shrimp in this photo.
This was probably the best meal I've had so far. It's from Bazaar, on Albert Cuypstraat. On the menu it's called the Mosàmma, and it's a vegetarian casserole. Filled with tofu, eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes, hazelnuts and covered in cheese, it's nothing but deliciousness. It also comes with some amazing basmati rice, olives, tzatziki, and a haydari pepper. So good!
Okay, I only put this picture up because I love carrot cake so much. We found a really cute cafe in the Jordaan that had homemade carrot cat and scones. The coffee was alright, but nothing can top carrot cake.