I decided to shorten my posts, better than nothing. Plan was to have a little holiday story here. But this will anyway never happen. Here is saw hungry family having lunch, and I got hungry too. I shot probably 90% food related pics, and will upload soon some more.
I had Ruedi’s wonderful weblog on my link list for over 1 year now, and visited quite frequently. I dont know him but I love the wealth of recipes and stories about traditional Swiss (and other) food. Nice. The look and feel of the blog is just so Swiss, I love it. Now my little story and what gave me the inspiration… Ruedi’s blog was updated last year before Christmas with some festive kitsch, he didn’t remove that for at least 6 months. A few days back I checked the link out because I was searching for a recipe and just wondering what’s cooking in his pots and pans, and what I get is…404 Not Found!
404 of Ruedi's blog
…404 was followed by a mild shock. It’s all gone! He is disappeared, all the wealth of information….buff and gone in the universe of fiber glass cables? The link doesn’t exist anymore? What the hell.
I thought to myself – this Ruedi, not having removed the festive touch to the website for months, and now the the web link also doesn’t exist anymore, this Ruedi must have gone missing in action…
How sad, worst case scenarios shot through my mind. All the wealth of information and knowledge gone missing? How to recover? Where is he? Expatriated to a lonely Caribbean island?
Well, today I tried again and found his full name in the expired link, http://home.balcab.ch/r.l.sperandio/index.html and then googled and googled and guess what, he changed to his own web domain! Fantastic, only half as dramatic as I thought. What the hell!
Check it out, from Fondue to Hoernli Auflauf, you get it all. -
Great job Ruedi, well done, the name is perfect:
Our IT Manager is German and his name is Juergen A., von L.! A foodie interview has to follow immediately!! He has created a blog for our hotel on blogger! Check this out! I hope many people will contribute on it and wish you all the best of success with your first posts, and keep it going. http://iclpl.blogspot.com/
Thanks for tagging me!
Edited 22 March 2008: Well, the blog died on 9 May 2007 with some confused content and because some people are sleeping. Juergen is moving to Germany to oversee 2 hotels, Cologne and Dusseldorf and the foodie interivew has still not been completetd. I will follow up, lets see what happens. Bis bald, tschuess.
Un peu risqué,…this glamor Hello! celebrity mag worthy image was taken during the launch of CBC …Lola F. in Pucci and Graff, and Cliff Water-Ford straight from the pineapple factory in my 2 year old, severely abused, bruised and shiny Hugo Boss suite, but with fairly new Christian Lacroix tie which I wear on every special occasion and, of course, Kurt Geiger shoes (not visible on this shot but after 2 years in London even I become a “serious” fashionista)…what a glam shot, isn’t it?? More of this celebrity shots on flickr…Anyway, lets get to the essence of Lola F. with a further foodie interview:
Where do you live? Chelsea Harbour
What is your favourite neighbourhood restaurant that you would recommend to a friend?Aglio Olio on Fulham Road in Chelsea
And what is the best dish of them? Smoked mozzarella salad with rocket and parma ham. Pappardelle with grilled zucchini and chicken.
What do you have always in your fridge? Garlic and sparkling water
And what do you have in your fridge right now? Garlic, Limoncello, garlic, bagels, garlic, vino and, of course sparkling water!
What is your favourite cook book? Each cookbook I own has its own special recipes which is why I purchased them. I also love exchanging recipes with friends of mine who have a passion for cooking and simplicity.
What is your favourite dish? Just about anything Thai!
Will you share your favourite recipe with us? Grilled zucchini with ricotta cheese and truffle oil.
What do you never eat? Liver, organs of any kind!
What is your most important kitchen tool? Garlic press
What is your all time favourite drink? Vodka tonic
What inspires you? Unexpected kindness!
What do you cook for someone you like to impress? Pasta with one of my famous sauces
What would be your last meal? Lobster…with butter and lemon!
Edited: I will have to follow up with a fashion up my street and where to shop on Kings street interview, I am sure there are some great secrets to be revealed there… CW
I discovered Ganda’s blog eat drink one woman from NY half a year ago. For me Ganda is one of the sources for inspiration to blog, nothing alike out there. Here is the section I cant stop reading over and over again, it is to funny. Eat me!
I am together with Steffi since 6 years and there is no reason that I would have to make use of Ganda’s Eat me!, but I am sure some others out there can make use of it. An adaptation from where I am currently (London) is, see below. The questions are so damn good, and I use them without permission for now (03.03.07), probably the owner (not even knowing who I am) is going to get a IT geek to hijack my blog. Ganda: hope your cool with this.
Here we go: (any other places you can propose, let me know)
You’re going to dump your boyfriend/girlfriend: The Wholseley or Zuma.
You think you’re about to get dumped by your boyfriend/girlfriend: Umu. (the most expensive Japanese in London, it’s going to cost him / her a fortune, at least they don’t forget.)
You want to tell your friend that you’ve been secretly dating his ex- for the last three months: Try Le Gavroche. It’s so damn stiff that nobody one earth dares to make a scene.
Your parents are coming to town: Uli on All Saints Road or Royal China on Queensway. If you want to show something really London, try The Guinea Grill or Scott’s.
You have a secret date with your ex-, unbeknownst to your current partner: The only place for such a secret date is the Burger joint / Diner on Westbourne Park Villas, Lucky Seven. Afterwards if you have to show off go to the Westbourne across the street. (this is then not an option for me anymore)
You’re meeting a bunch of friends for dinner: Chinatown. Some might not like it but you always get a table and decent food somewhere.
You’re meeting your friend for brunch on Sunday morning but he’s a lazy bum who can’t get up before 11 on the weekend. Cookbook Cafe.
Your foodie friends are coming in from San Francisco. I have no Foodie Friends from SF but from elsewhere, it would probably have to be Theo Randall’s the food is amazing, the River Cafe if they are anyway coming from SF and Atellier of Joel Robuchon if they come from Switzerland.
Your fashiony friend is coming in from L.A.: ask Ganda, I have no fashion friends. (maybe Jenny is one? Don’t know where to take her, she is quite picky)
You got a little raise and you want to celebrate. Alone: Sushi bar in Nobu is the perfect option!
Today I had an unexpected visitor from Tokyo, Enrico Derflingher was visiting London and we had a lunch together. I haven’t seen him in a year, the last time we had dinner at Cippriani (and I saw Pamela Anderson…) Anyway, not so important, I wanted to know what’s in his fridge and where he would have his last meal. Therefore a foodie interview was just the right thing to do.
We had lunch in Theo Randall’s and then a good Illy espresso and interview at the Cookbook Cafe.
Enrico was born1962 Born in Varenna on the shores of Lake Como in northern Italy. At the age of 26, in 1988 he won a competition with 10,000 entrants to become the youngest executive chef to the British royal family. 1989-91 he travelled abroad in the company of Prince Charles and Princess Diana as their personal chef. From 1991-92 he served as executive chef to the White House at the request of former President George Bush Sr. and from 1992-94 he worked at prestigious hotels in the United States. Feted by Hollywood stars such as Tom Cruise and George Clooney as well as international celebrities, among whom he remains immensely popular. In1994-2003 he was executive chef of Rome’s famous Hotel Eden, he won “Best Restaurant Of The Year” and “World’s Best Chef” awards for 8 consecutive years. His main restaurant, “La Terrazza,” received a Michelin star. Enrico then moved to the prestigious Badrutt’s Palace in the resort town of St. Moritz where he was executive chef from 2003-2005 and in charge of 14 food & beverage outlets. From 2006 he launched expansion into Asia, focusing on Tokyo, and then opening his latest restaurant Officina di Enrico.
Why are you in London? After I opened Officina di Enrico in Tokyo last year I am looking for a venue to open in London. I would also like to open in Rome later this or next year. Currently I live in Tokyo.
What is your favorite neighbourhood restaurant you would recommend to a friend? In Tokyo I love going to Benoit, a restaurant by Alain Ducasse “un bistro chic méditerranéen”, one of my former chefs from Terrazza del Eden in Rome works here. When in London I go to Cipriani because the head chef Giuseppe is a good friend of mine, and I love the amazing scene there, you don’t go for the food. In Rome its La Pergola, for the simple reason that they serve the most amazing food, with 3 Michelin stars.
An the best dishes of the restaurants? Benoit: Foie Gras and Tongue Terrine. Cippriani: Tagliolini Gratinati. La Pergola: everything…
What do you always have in your fridge? A few bottles of Franciacorta Spumante (an Italian sparkling wine made in the same way as Champagne, which is called Metodo Classico in Italy), salumi Italiani and Formaggi Piedmonti, Milk and some meat from New Zealand.
What is your favorite cookbook? The first book that Marco Pierre White wrote and the Italian book Professione Cuoco.
What is your favorite dish? I live for Risotti, especially with Barolo. All home made Pasta and Ravioli.
and your favorite recipe? Turbot with Lemon and Capers. Filleto di Rombo con limoni e caperi di Pantelleria. (I know this dish from St.Moritz, it was my favorite for a long time too…a special post with the recipe is here)
What do you never eat? Cucumbers and raw peppers, I cant digest it.
What is your most important kitchen tool? A spoon.
Whats your all time favorite drink? As apperitivo I like a glass of Franciacorta Spumante and after dinner I drink Cuba Libres.
What inspires you? Blue skies, sunsets, fruit, fish and meat, all raw foods coming from good sources.
If you have to cook for someone you want to impress, what do you prepare? The Turbot with lemons and capers!
Where would you have your last meal? Probably at Enoteca Pinchiorri in Firenze!
Thank you!
Mauro Scomerza is an Italian bar tender in a new bar on Park Lane. Somehow a bit wired chap (look at his eyes…) and at times and reminds a bit of the Godfather, however, that’s what makes him a signature bartender, besides being brilliant and a real pro, knowing the drinks, all the guests preferences, always a lighter in the pocket and everything executed with real Italian charm.
I personally love bitters such as Punt e Mes, Unicum Zwack and if nothing else available I will also drink a Fernet Branca. He came up with this wonderful drink the other day and gave me to try, it’s something his “old man” as he calls his dad makes in Italy.
Scomerz aperitivo frizzante:
200ml Aperol
40ml Campari
100ml fresh orange or Blood Orange (better) juice
serve on the rocks in a long drink glass, top with Prosecco or Champagne
This is a realy good apertive, fresh with the orange, bitter with the bitters (…) and perfect to sip away before a great meal.
Since a few month, Sayoko is saving me from having a nervous break down, she is keeping agendas, to do lists and all important schedules and projects under control. Sayoko is the F&B Coordinator, a crazy German Japanese girl working with me since pre opening the hotel. The prefect combination is, and it seems to be like a recipe for a fabolous dish, German gens controlling deadlines of tasks, delivering on time, getting things done and keeping the rest of the team up to speed whilst the Japanese gens must be working for the perfection, tidiness, making things look pretty, finesse and other visual perfections. Sayoko is a Whiskey connoisseur, appreciates good food and has come around quite a few restaurants, a bit of a glamor girl whilst off duty probaly…
Here is the foodie interview, that’s what it’s all about here, in the end of the day, quite interesting…
Sayoko, why are you in London?
For fun.
What is your favorite neighborhood restaurant that you would recommend to a friend?
The Queens Arms, Greyhound Road, Hammersmith, London W6 8NL
What do you always have in your fridge?
Sambal oelek
…and what do you have in your fridge right now?
Sambal oelek, green curry paste, miso paste, potatoes, green beans, German brown bread and a bottle of white wine.
What is your favourite cook book?
Jamie Oliver’s the naked chef.
What is your favourite dish?
Ramen (Japanese noodle soup)
Share your favourite recipe with us?
Parsley pesto: 2 bunches of flat leaf parsley, 100 g Roasted cashew nuts, 3 cloves of garlic, Olive oil, 50 g grated Parmesan, Salt, Mince parsley, cashew nut and garlic, mix with olive oil so it gets a creamy consistence and add salt and Parmesan.
Japanese marinated meat: 500 g of beef, pork or chicken, 2 cloves of garlic, 3 table spoons of sugar, 4cl soya sauce, 1 table spoon fresh ginger, Mix everything and leave for 2 days in the fridge. Then use meat for stir-fry with vegetables or fondue.
What do you never eat?
Candied ginger and German „Harzer Kaese“
What is your most important kitchen tool?
A good knife (more…)
It all began with one of the first posts…and here we go, last weekend we flew to NYC to visit my dear friend Marco Burlimann for his thirstiest thirtiest birthday, the program was well planned and executed, a tough one, awesome and freaking expensive.
We started on day 1 with bagels cream cheese smoked salmon, then some culture at MoMa where I saw my favorite painting for the four seasons, also displayed at Tate Modern in London. This was followed by immense hunger sorted out in Chinatown for lunch, via Pastis for a few Bourbons on lots of rocks and watching beautiful people, then to Gin Lane which Robbie recommended for guess what, – not a GT but a bottle of Champagne.
For dinner we went to Tao, a huge buzzing and loud Asia Japan meets West food temple resembling a night club with the large Buddha statue and loud music. A power scene. Claudio passed out.
Dinner was followed by Pink Elephant Club for clubbing where Marco “in the know” organized a hard to get table (in the video below you see the two girls which passed out on our sofa and where just sleeping for an hour or so until security removed them…) Dom Perignon, a bottle of Belvedere Wodka, another bottle of Perrier Jouet Belle Epoque and lots of dancing! A gorgeous waitress and the quickest “private” waiter at the table for ice refills, fresh fruit, lighters, cigarettes, red bulls, you name it. The bill was quite steep to. (Thanks Marco-man, next time in London its on me, poor guy spent 1700$…)
That day and night it was so damn cold with polar wind gales hitting the pavement that our noses nearly froze. The weather channel was talking of snow! – which arrived on Sunday night only… 
Next day, Chicken Noodle soup and bagels in Carnegie Deli, then Greek Salad and Lamb Chops in Queens Astoria at Taverna Cyclades on Ditmars Boulvard and a visit to Marco’s flat, a local Greek Tavern, Schwarzwäldertorte in some neighbourhood cake shop and off we went for some shopping on 5th Avenue. Followed by drinks at Stone Rose bar at Time Warner building, Sushi in Wholefoods, then dinner at Gramercy Tavern followed by I don’t know anymore.
Sunday, the greatest 4 hour brunch I had in my life, (bagels before…) at Artisanal. Start with Bloody Marie, Cheese Platter with 4 different Swiss Cheese an amazing selection of Swiss Cheese in this place from Appenzeller, Stanser Fladen, Gruyere and Vacherin you name it, then Cheese Fondue and Snails in Garlic sauce to end before desserts, wine and lots of water to rehydrate the body from the nights before. Walk in Soho to Noho, back to the Columbus Circle, more drinks in Stone Rose followed by Sushi in Wholefoods (again) and run to the airport with a nearly heart attack. SNOW flakes in the sky!
Marco & Daniela, Peter, Claudio: Thanks to all of you for an AWESOME weekend and Marco especially for the whole organisation. See you shortly in St. Moritz for the last of 3 birthdays in a series!!!
Name? Claudio Dietrich
From? Sils-Maria, Switzerland
Currently living in? still in Sils-Maria
What did you eat yesterday? (more…)
Name? Paul Case
From? Girard, PA, USA
Currently living in? New York, NY
What did you eat yesterday? Fluke, soybeans, cold strawberried lamb… champagne and vino (for a birthday party)
What do you never eat? Internal organs, human flesh, onions
Tell me what your favourite food is? Thai, Indian, peanut butter
And your favourite restaurants? In nyc- tabla, butter, da silvano (more…)
Name? Kevin Weiner
From? Sils Maria/Engadin/Switzerland
Currently living in? Where the pure People live! Sils Maria
What did you eat yesterday? 2 Alcaselzer and 1 Aspirin. Couldn’t handle anything else after helping Thomas Stritmatter kill the towns Tequila reserves. (3Bottels)
What do you never eat? My own cat! The Rat at Sticky Fingers! And Anus Pinchos under a Tokyo Subway Bridge, even if my brother is hungry..:-)
Tell me what your favourite food is? Currently Tokyo Style Noodles Everything from my BBQ
And your favourite restaurants? Is this about Restaurants or about the most cosmopolitan Shmuck? Eat sh** and read this……
Fishmarket Tokyo – JP, Can Blau Palamos – ES, El Bully Costa Brava – ES,
Satsuma London – UK, Flanigers Steak House NYC – USA, Buba Gump Shrimp Co. NYC – USA, Front Porch Café South Beach/Miami – USA, Red Wood Room @ Ian Shragers Clift Hotel SF – USA, In&out Burger Santa Barbara – USA, Macaroni Grill Houston TX – USA, Das Lenbach Munich DE, Sticky Fingers Hong Kong!!!
You shouldn’t eat it, but you do anyway sometimes indulge in? As I am not such a Gourmet pig as you guys are I can eat what ever I like to. Always a six pack stud!!! 
What is always in your kitchen fridge and cupboard? Peanut butter, Pancakes and Maple Syrup
Where do you shop your food? At the newly opened 5000sq meter Food Planet, Volg Lädali Sils
Crucial kitchen items in your house: BBQ and Mixer for Milkshakes
Favourite drinks? Himbeer Sirup, Carrot/Apple juice, Rivella Rot, Bloody Marry and Braulio
Tomorrow is the last day of the world, the shop closes, what do you eat?
Breakfast: Fried Egg on a Role, Pancakes, Bagel with Lax and Cream Cheese, Toasted Zopf with Honey
Lunch: Homemade BBQ Hamburger, Cosher Cheescake,
Dinner: BBQ Mediterranean Dorade, Shoggi Soufflé Homemade Lemon Cake, Tiramisu, Affogato and lots of Braulio
Favourite cookbook? James Rizzi, New York Cookbook
Anything else you want to ad? - enough -
Thanks!
Name? Marco R. Burlimann
From? 7515 Sils-Baselgia, Switzerland
Currently living in? New York
What did you eat yesterday? Japanese-American fusion cuisine at Morimoto’s
What do you never eat? Monkey Brain – hard to get!
Tell me what your favourite food is? There is no favourite – all food that is prepared with passion, creativity and honesty makes my day
And your favourite restaurants? Pisces & Traiteur in Dubai / Tao, Morimoto, Café Gray, Gotham Bar & Grill, Quality Meats, Pain Quotidien for Breakfast (and many more..) in New York / Agnese & Da Enzo in Ticino / Joehri’s Talvo & Chesa Pirani in Engadine /
You shouldn’t eat it, but you do anyway sometimes indulge in? all food with more than 70calories (which still allows me an Amstel light for dinner)
What is always in your kitchen fridge and cupboard? Difficult to say – I still live in a Hotel apartment….will answer in a few month!
Where do you shop your food? Wholesome Foods @ Time Warner building – as soon as we move into our apartment
Crucial kitchen items in your house: Kitchen Aid, Stone Muddle, Sharp knifes and most importantly the Nespresso coffee machine (wouldn’t survive a day without good coffee in the morning)
Favourite drinks? Amstel Light during/after work then Wine, Wine, Wine and finally some Tanqueray 10 and tonics with 2 pieces of lime – I call this the perfect day and it happens a lot lately…..
Tomorrow is the last day of the world, the shop closes, what do you eat?” Wurst-Zwiebel-Chässalat” with aged Gruyere and Organic Onions – let the world end the same way as she was born: low profile but perfectly tasty!
Favourite cookbook? Eugen Pauli – reminds me of my great time during apprenticeship and on how it all began….
Anything else you want to ad? Now I’m hungry….!
Thanks!
Name? Steffi – Stefanie Fiedler
From? Nievenheim, Germany, close to Cologne
Currently living in? Notting Hill, London
What did you eat yesterday? Microwave reheated Spaghetti Bolognaise, then Mixed nuts coated with chocolate, Pint of beer then dinner at Via Condotti on Conduit Street, Tuscan Ham with Figs, Buffalo Mozzarella, Cherri tomatoes, Olive oil followed by Tortiglioni stuffed with Goat Cheese, Hazelnuts and Pesto, then Roasted Sea-bass with green peppers, a bottle of Barbaresco, 1 Bellini, a ½ bottle sweet wine passito cant remember the name, then passed out.
What do you never eat? Cuttlefish, bowels
Tell me what your favorite food is? Shredded spinach with boiled potatoes, tossed together, with boiled or fired egg. De Cecco Penne with hot tomato sauce made by Clifford and my special spaghetti made with Tomato concentrate flower and water…and a cube of soup stock.
And your favourite restaurants? 89 Moscow Road, (my home, cant tell about the chef, but it is Casa Weiner Fiedler. Chicken burger at Nandos, many restaurants are good but I don’t have a favourite one, to name a few: Guinea Grill on Bruton Street London, Schloss Friedestrom in Zons, (Germany), Walmer Castle Pub on Ledbury Road Thai Food.
You shouldn’t eat it, but you do anyway sometimes indulge in? Pizza from Dominos delivered home, Neds noodle bar Soba Noodles with green Thai Curry, Pret a Manger Sandwiches and a dessert after a 3 course menu.
What is always in your kitchen fridge and cupboard? Garlic, Beer, Milk (sometimes turned into yogurt or so), Tomato concentrate, Olive Oil, Aceto Balsamico, tinned tomato or pelatti, pack of Spaghetti, Pertwood Organic Muesli.
Where do you shop your food? Fresh & Wild, La Fromagerie, Selfridges, Tesco and Sainsburys.
Crucial kitchen items: Dishwasher (which I don’t have), Illy Espresso Machine.
Favourite drink? Ice cold Kölsch beer, Diet Coke, Red Bull and good red wine
Tomorrow is the last day of the world, the shop closes, what do you eat? Penne with spicy tomato sauce, Hühner Fricassee cooked by Mamma, Leberwurst Brötchen, Loup de Mer baked with Tomato, Capers, Olives. Lauwarmer Kartoffelsalat mit Sommertrüffel. Stachelbeer Sahne Torte from Oma Alice.
Thanks!
EDIT March 04, 2007: Casa Weiner Fiedler has moved from 89 Moscow Road W2 to Brook Green W14. So if you want to make a restaurant reservation, please drop us a line.
EDIT March 22, 2008: Steffi and I am getting married. She cant be without my cooking anymore
new post. for my friend the schmuck face Marco “the director of food & beverage” Burlimann International. Now in New York. To important to call or mail. On Blackberry. Adios Amigos. We must think about what we will do for the 30th birthdays coming up next year. You, Claudio, me. 90 years of intelligence or something like that….
My thought were to celebrate (…) 3 times. We do London as I am the first one to turn to this critical age. The New York if MB is not to busy…and the St. Moritz for full recovery and Claudio’s Birthday. Lets plan and get our act together. Any input from the world highly appreciated!
Ciao
