Northern Costa Ricas Sal & Fuego

Recently I spent a few days in Playas Del Coco in northern Costa Rica before entering Nicaragua. I found a room named ‘Casa Maria and Mario’ and was very happy I stayed there. Maria couldn’t have been a nicer lady and made sure I was comfortable there. Another discovery was an excellent restaurant in town called Sal & Fuego.

The town offers a number places to eat on the main street but what I discovered by walking up one of the side streets was a real find. Most folks are on the main strip so it gets quieter when you leave the main drag which was the case of this well put together restaurant I discovered. The sign in front read Sal & Fuego and the master chef, Arturo, and his helper, Sebastian, were warmly greeting guests, serving drinks and proudly displaying their tomahawk steaks.

Arturo is a native that learned BBQ techniques in a place known for great beef and meat cooking skills, Argentina, where he became an expert in South American meat cuts. He is now a youthful 50 years old, an awesome chef, restaurant owner and gracious host of a fine restaurant located a short walk up the hill.
Both Arturo and Sebastian are attentive and will make you feel right at home ensuring that you have everything you need.

If you find yourself in Playas Del Coco and are looking for an excellent dinner with a group of friends then you will need to wander up one of the side streets in Playas del Coco to discover the best steakhouse around, Sal & Fuego.

Gracias Arturo y Sebastian. Pura Vida.

Find them on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/people/Steak-House-Sal-y-Fuego-la-Aut%C3%A9ntica-Parrilla/100083568422156/

or on Instagram @salyfuegocr

The Dude of Food has a favorite Vietnamese restaurant.

Sadly, Hue House has closed.

The Hue House, was located in Munchen, Germany, and was the best Vietnamese food the Dude of Food has ever tasted. It came recommended from 3 of my 5 friends in Munich and the Hue House menu was found in 2 of their kitchens! My first trip there was with a party of 4 and everyone asked for something different.

Arriving at the table before the main courses were served were the best spring rolls the Dude of Food has ever had the pleasure of eating. These things were hot but not oily. Slightly crispy and full of vegetables and light. These springs rolls were a delicious food conundrum dancing delicately between the tastes of awesome and unreal.

Then the Hue House laid out 4 main courses in front of us. All of the dishes were incredible and we couldn’t decide which dish was the best. They were fresh and incredibly delicious.

Thank you for all the great tastes Hue House. You are missed.

Le Ferrare – Bar / Brasserie

Le Ferrare

23 Rue de France

77300 Fontainebleau

tel: 01 60 72 37 04

After visiting Fountainebleau castle, Napolean Bonaparte’s home, I treated myself to a meal fit for royalty. I found a nice restaurant and walked in for lunch. The menu was in french so I guessed at a couple items that sounded good. The warm potato and salami salad was delicious as were the mashed potatoes, mushrooms and meat that followed. Good food served by good people is what you’ll find at Le Ferrare. Merci Le Ferrare staff.

Malbec – Bodega ELENA de Mendoza 2011

Bodega ELENA de Mendoza 2011

Vinted and bottled by B.E.D.M. Wines

Imported by Wine Brokers Unlimited, Hayward, CA

Product of Argentina

This is the Dudes favorite Malbec yet! This is the first of the bottles that I have opened that came with a real cork. Good 1st impression. Upon tasting this wine, I was immediately aware that the taste game had changed.

The bar had been raised. This is serious wine. This full bodied wine smoothly drifts over your taste buds, dangling flavors of blackberries and plums, leaving a rejoicing smile and desire for more.

There was no crazy tinny aftertaste. This was immediately my new favorite Malbec.

If it is a dollar more than the other Malbec’s in this price range, pay it! Get this Malbec!

(Note) April 2013 issue of Bon Appetite magazine includes McCormick gourmet selection recommending this wine also.

Albacado

When the newest thing in my neighborhood was the sushi bar, MISO FISHY, the sushi chef Steve, took an avocado and filled it with spicy albacore tuna.

He then decorated it up and served it like this.

It was incredible and is one of my new favorite things.

Drunken Pork Loin

Rum garlic plantain pork loin. — Rum garlic pork loin.

Looking for a different way to enjoy pork?

Try pork loin marinated in smokey rum, molasses and garlic. I just threw this stuff together and baked it. When it came out of the oven, everything seemed to be good in the world. Served with rice and everything was good in the world as the flavors danced across my tongue.