Hi! Anyone think that there are some cuisines that are available in restaurants in America that aren't really talked about much?
I find that Thai seems to be steadily spreading across the nation. Are there others? If you're interested to try Thai and haven't yet, find out about it at http://www.foodvirgin.com/columns/Thai.htm
We're huge fans of thai foods. Last fall when we were in Sonoma Pual and I took a thai cooking class offered at Ramekins. It was by Kasma Loha-unchit who is originally from Thailand, now living in the east bay area. I learned more from that class than I have from other classes, reading, and lots of eating at Thai restaurants combined. I bought her cookbooks - they are great!
It's fun as in Milan Ethiopian restaurants are not really the most unusual thing... as there's a huge Ethiopian and Somalian community there! You made me think of Angera (white corn "crepes" and Zighiní (spicy beef stew with lots of veggies) ñam ñam ñam
Of course I will not mention any unusual restaurant in Urbino and surrounding area.... even getting a decent Chinese is a miracle!
Personally, I wish I had better access to and knew more about Korean and Vietnamese cuisine. I'd also like a Greek restaurant nearby and real Mexican, not just tacos and enchiladas, etc.
This one is easy for me. Spain. Spain, Spain, Spain. Amazing food, and nobody knows much about it, and authentic Spanish restaurants are really hard to find. Even in NYC, there are only a few. There are, however, plenty of places that put anything on a small plate and call it tapas.
A few years back, some of the food magazines were touting Spanish cuisine as the next really hot thing, but it hasn't really happened.
I would also say I long for a great Portuguese restaurant near me..though I think there are some in Jersey City (?).
I would also say I long for a great Portuguese restaurant near me..though I think there are some in Jersey City (?).
In Newark.
The Ironnbund district (so called because it is ringed by various rail lines) is chock full of Spanish and Portugese restaurants. I haven't been there is ages, so don't know what the food is like now.
We have a Vietnamese restaurant in Montclair that's supposed to be pretty good; haven't gotten there yet. Also an Ethiopian restaurant opened fairly recently. Years ago there was a Korean BBQ place, but I never tried that one. We've got various Greek restaurants, from diner type (but not diner food) to a Greek "restaurateur" whose gone a bit pretentious (IMHO), so his food is no longer Greek.
Me? I just had cereal for dinner (but with Greek yogurt instead of milk ).
Originally posted by stella: This one is easy for me. Spain. Spain, Spain, Spain.
I totally agree! I absolutely love Spanish cuisine. Here, in the American Southwest, Spanish restaurants are very scarce and the few that I’ve seen incorporate into their menu some of the familiar elements of the Mexican cuisine.
As a native of a former Spanish colony (Puerto Rico) I grew up eating a lot of Spanish dishes. My all time favorites are merluza (hake) a la vasca, chorizos al vino, arroz con calamares (rice with squid) and the famous Tortilla Española (Spanish omelet).
My paternal ancestry is Italian but at home we drank wine from the Rioja region. And the ham was always Serrano. I’m thrilled to have recently found at Trader Joe’s some Albariño wine at a great price (8.99). Great summer wine!
Originally posted by Franca_A: Hi! Anyone think that there are some cuisines that are available in restaurants in America that aren't really talked about much?
Today I tried Afgani food at the International Food Court section of our local farmer's market/saturday market. Not exactly a resturant, but I've never had that before. We also have an Anatolian resturant here that serves food that is somewhat Greek, somewhat Indian, and somewhat inbetween.
Posts: 60 | Location: Now in Eugene, Oregon | Registered: 15 September 2005
I second that about good Spanish food, too often restaurants lack the bravery to serve real Spanish fare, not some Latin-American, mediterranean hybrid in order to satisfy the American palates. It reminds me a bit of the plot from that film "Big Night", where the Italian restaurant that did Northern Italian specialties like risotto was failing miserably in comparison to the "spaghetti and meatballs" joint down the road.
How about Moroccan cuisine? I remember there was a good place in Colorado called Mataam Fez, I'm wondering if Moroccan has picked up anywhere else. Wonderful mix of spices, sweet and savory, and interesting combinations of meats with fruit and nuts.
I agree with the post about authentic mexican. I understand that 'ethnic' restaurants are a result of immigration patterns (hence we have very good Asian and southern Europen restaurants in the Toronto area). We don't have 'real' Mexican!
When we were in Sonoma last fall we went to a number of the restaurants that have popped up as a result of all of the winery/vineyeard workers - YUM
There is a wonderful Peruvian restaurant in Toronto - it is run by a Peruvian women's collective. They seat, great, serve. The men in the back to all the cooking and cleaning up. Food is amazing. Hmm . . . haven't been for a year or so, time to go back!
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Kim - the link above is for the Peruvian restaurant. The menus are linked down the side so you can see the sorts of foods there are. Perhaps it is time to plan a trip to Toronto! LOL
Jerry
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. ~G.K. Chesterton
Peruvian food!!! Ají de gallina is my very very favourite (shredded chicken in a hot (ají is a kind of chile) and nutty sauce, you can find a couple of recipes posted not long ago here)
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