When we got here, a newly-made friend described our future life as a "never ending BBQ". I would tend to correct him and say it is a "never ending food tasting event"... Nothing to complain about!
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Showing posts with label food. Show all posts
Friday, May 31, 2013
Petites Madeleines
Some of us are born bakers, while others chefs. I love being invited to my friends E, she makes these amazing petites madeleines, a treat that is absolutely impossible to find here.
When we got here, a newly-made friend described our future life as a "never ending BBQ". I would tend to correct him and say it is a "never ending food tasting event"... Nothing to complain about!
When we got here, a newly-made friend described our future life as a "never ending BBQ". I would tend to correct him and say it is a "never ending food tasting event"... Nothing to complain about!
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Food Obession
I always loved cooking. I can't recall when I cooked my first meal. But I remember regularly assisting at night my mom as she was busy with work. And I remember as teenager cooking at a friend's house with a bunch of my girlfriends, and my friend's mom noticing a certain ease and ability maneuvering a dish.
Cooking, but also eating, has always been an important part of my life. My husband sometimes finds that with my family devotes too much time talking about the next meal, preparing it, eating it, and cleaning up afterward. As I grew up like this, to me this is "good living" and I don't see any problem obsessing about the next meal...
I also read a lot of cooking books. I have a number of favorite cooking websites, look here here or here or here again. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, it is a relaxing time for me, even when I have guests. I remember after my assignment in Congo, where I did not have access to the kitchen (a rule of a shared house with cook), I landed in Paris at my friend's, and just invaded her already tiny kitchen, cooking four or five course meals, and gorging myself on fresh berries and other goodies unavailable in Africa. Bliss.
Recently a friend showed me this book from Ottolenghi. He is a well-known Israeli chef in London. I could not resist, I ordered it.
His approach to food is completely different than what I have seen before. His recipes are always fresh, amazingly tasty. They are mostly simple and easy to make, but they use a number of ingredients that are often mis-loved or harder to find. Think quinoa, eggplant, tahini, za'atar and other middle eastern goodies. Yet is food cannot simply be described as "Middle Eastern". It is more than that. More subtle and researched (Middle Easterner, please don't get offended, I love your food).
After trying several of his recipes, I realized that the selection was entirely vegetarian. I mean, this book is about vegetarian cooking, and I did not get that right away! What a feat!
It is something important to note, actually. I have to confess slowly de-vegetarianazing my dear husband. I love my meat, so I should not have minded, getting more on my plate that way. But to be clear, it was by shear laziness. Yes, I always found vegetarian dishes to be more complicated to make, and taking much longer to complete. A big piece of meat get slapped with a bit of mustard or something, and stuck in the over, et voilà! Dinner is ready. Can't do that with a bunch of lentils, right? Well, wrong. Wrong, since I have my slow cooker. And wrong, says Ottolenghi. And wrong, says me, more and more convinced that not only there is an easy way to be eating less meat, but also that less meat is more healthy.
Cooking, but also eating, has always been an important part of my life. My husband sometimes finds that with my family devotes too much time talking about the next meal, preparing it, eating it, and cleaning up afterward. As I grew up like this, to me this is "good living" and I don't see any problem obsessing about the next meal...
I also read a lot of cooking books. I have a number of favorite cooking websites, look here here or here or here again. I spend a lot of time in my kitchen, it is a relaxing time for me, even when I have guests. I remember after my assignment in Congo, where I did not have access to the kitchen (a rule of a shared house with cook), I landed in Paris at my friend's, and just invaded her already tiny kitchen, cooking four or five course meals, and gorging myself on fresh berries and other goodies unavailable in Africa. Bliss.
Recently a friend showed me this book from Ottolenghi. He is a well-known Israeli chef in London. I could not resist, I ordered it.
His approach to food is completely different than what I have seen before. His recipes are always fresh, amazingly tasty. They are mostly simple and easy to make, but they use a number of ingredients that are often mis-loved or harder to find. Think quinoa, eggplant, tahini, za'atar and other middle eastern goodies. Yet is food cannot simply be described as "Middle Eastern". It is more than that. More subtle and researched (Middle Easterner, please don't get offended, I love your food).
After trying several of his recipes, I realized that the selection was entirely vegetarian. I mean, this book is about vegetarian cooking, and I did not get that right away! What a feat!
It is something important to note, actually. I have to confess slowly de-vegetarianazing my dear husband. I love my meat, so I should not have minded, getting more on my plate that way. But to be clear, it was by shear laziness. Yes, I always found vegetarian dishes to be more complicated to make, and taking much longer to complete. A big piece of meat get slapped with a bit of mustard or something, and stuck in the over, et voilà! Dinner is ready. Can't do that with a bunch of lentils, right? Well, wrong. Wrong, since I have my slow cooker. And wrong, says Ottolenghi. And wrong, says me, more and more convinced that not only there is an easy way to be eating less meat, but also that less meat is more healthy.
Sunday, April 28, 2013
Shopping Habits
Similarly to when I lived in other emerging (or depressed) economies, supply chains in Brazil do not always equal demand. In other words, you might find a lot of an item one day and never see it again later. For example these large jars of sun-dried tomatoes in oil that were available in Carrefour in the fall, and completely disappeared since. Or I might never find a specific item, until I stumble on it in a very unusual store - recently here I found blueberries, fresh. Or at times some items are getting the exotic tax (so the blueberries are US$30). The taxation has a lot to do with this unreliable supply of goods. Who would pay for US$10 for asparagus or 15 for endives - apart from me?
In terms of shopping habits, it means that if I see something I might eventually need later, I buy it now, and usually in quantity. Or I might not remember exactly where that specific store was in the row of these very nondescript facades. Or some items are so hard to come by I might as well buy a collection of them, for the future. Or just because I hate waiting in line for these things I need week after week. Any of these are essentially a good excuse for really bad shopping habits, and make it difficult to achieve my ideals of simple living.
In practice, for us expats, it also means using our visitors as mule. Our friend D came one time with a delivery of cereal and mac&cheese boxes. My dad carried kids underwear, cereals and French language exercise books, all for the kids. Another friend lugged gin bottles. My husband shrugs to the idea of going to the US, as the terms "mission" aptly applies. The kids are always thrilled when we have visitors, except when they carry alcohol.
It also means that when I travel, I already have a list of items to purchase, mostly food items. This latest trip to Tel Aviv was a special stocking moment, an unique occasion to fill my pantry with fresh spices, sun-dried tomatoes, cheeses, olive oil, yogurt, typical israeli snacks, bread, what not. I came back with 35 kilos of goodies. I just could not help myself.
As I am writing this post I realized that you might find me slightly neurotic. Until you come over for dinner.
Friday, April 19, 2013
Stomach Talk
If there is a thing that makes me really really really ecstatic about Israel, it is the food. It is the land of the fresh, plenty, delicious. The variety of the dishes is rich, as rich as the multitude of origins of those who call themselves today Israelis. And in all the restaurants we go, little mezzes (small dishes and salads) are served until the real meal is brought, a joy for the hungry stomachs like mine.
Now that we live in Brasilia, where the market selection is often limited, where the prices are crazy, and where the variety is limited, going back to Tel Aviv is like a gourmet tour, whether at our family gathering, our tour of the grocery store, at our friends' table or at the restaurant next door.
Have a look!
I returned with 35 extra kilos (in my suitcase!) Now you know why.
Now that we live in Brasilia, where the market selection is often limited, where the prices are crazy, and where the variety is limited, going back to Tel Aviv is like a gourmet tour, whether at our family gathering, our tour of the grocery store, at our friends' table or at the restaurant next door.
Have a look!
I returned with 35 extra kilos (in my suitcase!) Now you know why.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
The Mercado Municipal
One spot on the W3 is quite special: the Mercado Municipal. We took my dad and June there just before their departure. The Mercado is a market, with fresh fruits and vegetables, fresh bread, fresh fish, import products like olives, cheese and wine. It is also a restaurant and a pub. And the decor is a collection of vintage elements; tiles, posters, stain glass, tables, all sorts of details with history, all brought from Sao Paolo, Rio and Manaus. This place is an oddity in this city. Indeed, a new kind of history was made by creating the city itself, leaving the country's colonial heritage away, making room for this new "brazilian modernism".
So, in the end, the Mercado is a cosy spot. Old things are comfortable. And on Saturdays, it has a great ambiance, with a group playing live samba at one table. (yes they are so laid back that they play sitting at the table!) They also serve a buffet of feijoada, this dish made of beans. This is typical brazilian food, and most people cannot live without it. It comes in a variety - brown, black, white, or red - with different meats added to it - sausages, pork neck, pork feet, pork skin, or whatever pork. The buffet has a selections of an incredible number of them.
The good thing at the Mercado is that it is possible to select a fish and get it prepared. Or it is possible to have something from the menu, which is also delicious. And with the music, it is even more delightful.
So, in the end, the Mercado is a cosy spot. Old things are comfortable. And on Saturdays, it has a great ambiance, with a group playing live samba at one table. (yes they are so laid back that they play sitting at the table!) They also serve a buffet of feijoada, this dish made of beans. This is typical brazilian food, and most people cannot live without it. It comes in a variety - brown, black, white, or red - with different meats added to it - sausages, pork neck, pork feet, pork skin, or whatever pork. The buffet has a selections of an incredible number of them.
The good thing at the Mercado is that it is possible to select a fish and get it prepared. Or it is possible to have something from the menu, which is also delicious. And with the music, it is even more delightful.
Thursday, April 4, 2013
More Japanese Food
It is probably not a well-known fact, but Brazil is home to the largest community of Japanese outside Japan. Yet the first Japanese immigrant only arrived in 1908 (thank you Wiki). Most of the descendants today do not master the Japanese language properly and are fully integrated in the Brazilian culture. The owners of the Nippo restaurant, both of third generation Japanese descent, returned to Japan to take proper cooking training before opening their little restaurant. Despite its cafeteria looks and its neon ambiance, the food is really what one would hope for in a Japanese restaurant! The kids love it, as you see!
PS: my kids are usually (force) fed three times a day.
PS: my kids are usually (force) fed three times a day.
Monday, March 25, 2013
A special lunch
I invited my girlfriends around this afternoon to surprise and celebrate together the birthday of one of us. It is always a good excuse to cook, eat loads and to drink wine before dinner time.
It was specially nice that what started as a lunch ended up transforming itself into a gathering where friends fluctuated in and out, returning after an errand, or with their kids just released from school. A vibration of happiness radiating in our home.
It was specially nice that what started as a lunch ended up transforming itself into a gathering where friends fluctuated in and out, returning after an errand, or with their kids just released from school. A vibration of happiness radiating in our home.
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Another Sushi Night
I have previously posted about the intricacies of being a multicultural family, a multilingual one and of dual religious roots. Often as parents it is difficult to know what is best for our kids, yet it is also possible to use our instinct to determine what are our priorities.
So far in terms of religion, I assumed the awareness of both religions' holidays and traditions would be important for them, so that they can feel at home and comfortable in both world, in both cultures. I have also made the effort to connect them to the judaic traditions, as it they are more complex and certainly less mainstream than the christian ones. I guess I measured my success when around Christmas time, while walking in a mall, Noam asked me why there was a baby lying under a decorated tree. I had obviously some explaining to do to catch up on that other end.
But if these questions arose, it is mainly because Brazil is a very religious country. Faith is present in a large number of churches of all denominations, Christian being the main one. Saints are given holidays and festivals, street and city's names. In our travels, we have encountered and visited numbers of chapels, churches and altars. And the language includes numerous reference to god.
Despite the importance of Christianity, the Brazilian Jewish history started with the portuguese inquisition in the 16th century. And Sao Paolo is home to the largest Jewish community in the country. But Brasilia is home to a rather a small one, and the young rabbi and his wife hold the services in their house. For Purim, they had organized the traditional torah reading along with a great sushi buffet. We joined our Israeli friends, who promised us better sushi. In fact, it was not only the food which was good, but the welcome and the ambiance, more relaxed and casual than other communities.
So far in terms of religion, I assumed the awareness of both religions' holidays and traditions would be important for them, so that they can feel at home and comfortable in both world, in both cultures. I have also made the effort to connect them to the judaic traditions, as it they are more complex and certainly less mainstream than the christian ones. I guess I measured my success when around Christmas time, while walking in a mall, Noam asked me why there was a baby lying under a decorated tree. I had obviously some explaining to do to catch up on that other end.
But if these questions arose, it is mainly because Brazil is a very religious country. Faith is present in a large number of churches of all denominations, Christian being the main one. Saints are given holidays and festivals, street and city's names. In our travels, we have encountered and visited numbers of chapels, churches and altars. And the language includes numerous reference to god.
Despite the importance of Christianity, the Brazilian Jewish history started with the portuguese inquisition in the 16th century. And Sao Paolo is home to the largest Jewish community in the country. But Brasilia is home to a rather a small one, and the young rabbi and his wife hold the services in their house. For Purim, they had organized the traditional torah reading along with a great sushi buffet. We joined our Israeli friends, who promised us better sushi. In fact, it was not only the food which was good, but the welcome and the ambiance, more relaxed and casual than other communities.
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Night Out
Despite having a very amazing babysitting, we are not going out enough. Most of the time, we tour our friends places for more BBQ and social evenings. Not doubt, they are always enjoyable. Consequently, when we drive "to town" for a nice meal just for the two of us, it is quite special. Last night we felt like sushi. (Asia saudade?) And since we could not recall where was the good sushi in town, we landed on a random one. And consequently were disappointed. I mean, sashimi should not try to become ceviche, and cream cheese should stay at the breakfast table.
It is almost unmistakable, our random restaurants trials are usually a fail. If that would be only that, we could keep on trying until success, but the price tags are often Ritziesque. In most cases, the meals are overcooked, meat well overdone, full of creamy sauce, with few overcooked greens. Whether it is a typical Brazilian dish, or a French or an Italian one. Or even a Chinese one. The most practical and safe way to eat out is the buffet by the weight. But for dinner, I can't resolve myself to the cafeteria ambiance. Yeap, call me snob just for that.
It is not only the way the food is prepared that is sad, it is often the lack of imagination in the types of produces used and dishes made. Despite all the goodies this country produces, it is often surprising that people have not developed a more evolved taste buds. Our gardener needs to have his feijao (beans) and rice, she cooks him that daily. Maybe this situation is similar to the Quebecers' in the fifties. It must be just a matter of time to see some evolution.
For us, our excuse for being "food snob" is this common love of food we share. I am pretty sure my cooking skills helped sealing our deal. Further, for my Israeli husband good food means mezzes and fresh produces and a gazzilions of different traditional ethnic dishes of several origins. For me, it is translated by a family affair with food, where meals are often homegrown, discussed and prepared together. And Beijing was for both of us a smorgasbord of flavors and produces far superior to any other places we lived in before. Chinese food is by far more varied than one could ever imagine. And the vibrant Beijing food scene is home to some of the best tables of Asia. And while we tested some (most) of them, we also loved the little unknown corner stall, where we would discover some amazing specialities.
That said, to be fair, we have discovered a few yummy addresses in Brasilia. I will report, I promise. I guess I just miss the infinite freedom of amazing food choices we had in our Beijing alleys.
For those readers who love typical Brazilian food, I would assume you either have Brazilian blood, or were raised here. And if it is not the case, I am ready to offer you a home cooked meal in lieu of apologies. Just email me.
It is almost unmistakable, our random restaurants trials are usually a fail. If that would be only that, we could keep on trying until success, but the price tags are often Ritziesque. In most cases, the meals are overcooked, meat well overdone, full of creamy sauce, with few overcooked greens. Whether it is a typical Brazilian dish, or a French or an Italian one. Or even a Chinese one. The most practical and safe way to eat out is the buffet by the weight. But for dinner, I can't resolve myself to the cafeteria ambiance. Yeap, call me snob just for that.
It is not only the way the food is prepared that is sad, it is often the lack of imagination in the types of produces used and dishes made. Despite all the goodies this country produces, it is often surprising that people have not developed a more evolved taste buds. Our gardener needs to have his feijao (beans) and rice, she cooks him that daily. Maybe this situation is similar to the Quebecers' in the fifties. It must be just a matter of time to see some evolution.
For us, our excuse for being "food snob" is this common love of food we share. I am pretty sure my cooking skills helped sealing our deal. Further, for my Israeli husband good food means mezzes and fresh produces and a gazzilions of different traditional ethnic dishes of several origins. For me, it is translated by a family affair with food, where meals are often homegrown, discussed and prepared together. And Beijing was for both of us a smorgasbord of flavors and produces far superior to any other places we lived in before. Chinese food is by far more varied than one could ever imagine. And the vibrant Beijing food scene is home to some of the best tables of Asia. And while we tested some (most) of them, we also loved the little unknown corner stall, where we would discover some amazing specialities.
That said, to be fair, we have discovered a few yummy addresses in Brasilia. I will report, I promise. I guess I just miss the infinite freedom of amazing food choices we had in our Beijing alleys.
For those readers who love typical Brazilian food, I would assume you either have Brazilian blood, or were raised here. And if it is not the case, I am ready to offer you a home cooked meal in lieu of apologies. Just email me.
It is All in the Icing
We are just returning from another birthday party. Again. This one, thrown by an expat mom, was low-key with a nice gathering of select parents and kids (as opposed to the entire class).
The memorable moment was the cake. The bakery forgot to make the poor kid's cake and the parents had to rush over there to collect something. They came back with some superb tier cake, with the theme of jungle animals. Very cute. When the cake was finally cut, the crowd realized that a huge portion, a entire tier of it, was fake. It was styrofoam covered in icing.
It kind of left me thinking: an amazing look, yet so hollow. I hope that this cake is not the metaphor of our brazilian connections.
People are often so unnaturally nice here. They get out of their way to help us. They are always pleasant when you talk to them. They are nice and patients in ways that feel sometimes totally unreal. I mean, in Israel, someone (or many) would loose patience after waiting 30 min in the fast lane at the grocery store because the lady is chatting away. I mean, in Canada, someone would get fired for incompetence.
This cake made me wonder about what is a facade here. We have fences in front of our houses, and secret ones in front of our hearts. Are the fences of the brazilian their niceness? Will I get to know them better? To really meet them? For who they are, without the fluff and the frizz?
The memorable moment was the cake. The bakery forgot to make the poor kid's cake and the parents had to rush over there to collect something. They came back with some superb tier cake, with the theme of jungle animals. Very cute. When the cake was finally cut, the crowd realized that a huge portion, a entire tier of it, was fake. It was styrofoam covered in icing.
It kind of left me thinking: an amazing look, yet so hollow. I hope that this cake is not the metaphor of our brazilian connections.
People are often so unnaturally nice here. They get out of their way to help us. They are always pleasant when you talk to them. They are nice and patients in ways that feel sometimes totally unreal. I mean, in Israel, someone (or many) would loose patience after waiting 30 min in the fast lane at the grocery store because the lady is chatting away. I mean, in Canada, someone would get fired for incompetence.
This cake made me wonder about what is a facade here. We have fences in front of our houses, and secret ones in front of our hearts. Are the fences of the brazilian their niceness? Will I get to know them better? To really meet them? For who they are, without the fluff and the frizz?
Friday, November 23, 2012
Warming It Up
I have given our installation process a huge push. I spent the last two weeks running errants right and left to try to get things in place, spending hours in lines at cashiers, driving miles to reach to the place that has the right hook/tool/gizmo for the job. I am so ready move on to a new phase of my life not related to this installation. This process has been taking much time, so much longer than I had anticipated. In fact the process of our installation, if we take it from the moment we learned we were arriving in Brazil, in July 1st, to today, has been painfully long. And today with only a few weeks away from Christmas, despite my efforts, I have the feeling some things will not be fully settled until we are returning from our holidays.
Deep breathing.
Since the day the movers left our house, I spent time moving things around and trying to fit them in "their" place. I am the type of person who feels at ease in order, light, clean spaces; I feel it helps my head clears up. I fact I have memories of myself playing at ordering the play kitchen of the kindergarden. Maybe it was a sign of my own destiny?! In any cases, with this existential nesting angst as a motivator, I feel good in action, doing the actual organizing, the process helping me anchoring myself in this new place. Despite the miles and the lines, I have been enjoying the process of making a house our home.
To add juice and speed to my organizing schedule, I thought of inviting a few friends over on Friday. I got carried away and ended up with a list of 25 guests. And I figured that good things should not be celebrated alone, and purchased a cake to celebrate Paul's new 35.
In the morning, I invested my kitchen to the dismay of my staff (Brazilian ladies don't cook here, only their maids) and started making dips and salads and meat skewers with asian and mediterranean flavors. The excitement carried me away to what was a full table later in the evening, to the pleasure of my guests. And I spent the afternoon still drilling holes and hanging pictures.
In the end, it was such a lovely evening! I was glad to have made friends with so many interesting people so easily! And I was happy to hear the conversations and feel the happiness flow. Our place was all warmed up by the music, the conversations and the warm lights just installed. My heart was filled with gratitude, and how appropriately! What best for us to celebrate our arrival in the city than to do it around friends, and moreover during Thanksgiving season?! And in some strange ways, despite (or maybe because of) the effort needed, I felt relieved. Like if having friends around was a way for me to close the chapter of "installation" and moving in to the chapter of "living" in this new place.
Cheers to that my friends, and happy birthday to my love!
(Sorry I was holding the cake so I could not take a picture of it, neither of the surprised face of my darling!!)
Deep breathing.
Since the day the movers left our house, I spent time moving things around and trying to fit them in "their" place. I am the type of person who feels at ease in order, light, clean spaces; I feel it helps my head clears up. I fact I have memories of myself playing at ordering the play kitchen of the kindergarden. Maybe it was a sign of my own destiny?! In any cases, with this existential nesting angst as a motivator, I feel good in action, doing the actual organizing, the process helping me anchoring myself in this new place. Despite the miles and the lines, I have been enjoying the process of making a house our home.
To add juice and speed to my organizing schedule, I thought of inviting a few friends over on Friday. I got carried away and ended up with a list of 25 guests. And I figured that good things should not be celebrated alone, and purchased a cake to celebrate Paul's new 35.
In the morning, I invested my kitchen to the dismay of my staff (Brazilian ladies don't cook here, only their maids) and started making dips and salads and meat skewers with asian and mediterranean flavors. The excitement carried me away to what was a full table later in the evening, to the pleasure of my guests. And I spent the afternoon still drilling holes and hanging pictures.
In the end, it was such a lovely evening! I was glad to have made friends with so many interesting people so easily! And I was happy to hear the conversations and feel the happiness flow. Our place was all warmed up by the music, the conversations and the warm lights just installed. My heart was filled with gratitude, and how appropriately! What best for us to celebrate our arrival in the city than to do it around friends, and moreover during Thanksgiving season?! And in some strange ways, despite (or maybe because of) the effort needed, I felt relieved. Like if having friends around was a way for me to close the chapter of "installation" and moving in to the chapter of "living" in this new place.
Cheers to that my friends, and happy birthday to my love!
(Sorry I was holding the cake so I could not take a picture of it, neither of the surprised face of my darling!!)
Friday, August 17, 2012
Necessities
One of the other really important thing to do when arriving in a new land is to spot the grocery store. So we did walk out of our flat, and headed out.
After walking the small strip behind our place we found, a little further, after a park-like green space and another small commercial street, a Comper, a large supermarket.
As a place where most people go, a grocery store can be an interesting place were to start learning about a new culture.
So here are a few notes I took while doing my first basic grocery shopping:
- you can get tires and tooth brushes in the same aisle
- little vegetable variety - no more 50 different mushrooms kinds like in China
- but cucumbers have variety - they come either as french, english or very small and very prickly
- cheese can be green
- coliflowers purple
- watch for prices; same brand different smell cost 3 times more
- sugar appears as a food group of its own here
- milk does not come fresh, only in boxes (yes it is true - at Comper)
- proscuitto will never get in our cart, at 25 dollars for 5 slices
- large meat section. need to learn portuguese to buy the right cuts.
As a complement to our shopping the boys found a surveillance video camera where they could unleash some of their wild energies and entertain themselves.
After walking the small strip behind our place we found, a little further, after a park-like green space and another small commercial street, a Comper, a large supermarket.
As a place where most people go, a grocery store can be an interesting place were to start learning about a new culture.
So here are a few notes I took while doing my first basic grocery shopping:
- you can get tires and tooth brushes in the same aisle
- little vegetable variety - no more 50 different mushrooms kinds like in China
- but cucumbers have variety - they come either as french, english or very small and very prickly
- cheese can be green
- coliflowers purple
- watch for prices; same brand different smell cost 3 times more
- sugar appears as a food group of its own here
- milk does not come fresh, only in boxes (yes it is true - at Comper)
- proscuitto will never get in our cart, at 25 dollars for 5 slices
- large meat section. need to learn portuguese to buy the right cuts.
As a complement to our shopping the boys found a surveillance video camera where they could unleash some of their wild energies and entertain themselves.
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
The Simpsons are in Brasilia
On our first morning in the city, during our quest for groceries, we walked by a restaurant called "The Simpsons", in reference to the infamous cartoon characters. In spite of any other choices - the street we were walking on specializes in fabrics - we walked in with our hungry children. Expecting the worst of junk food galore, we were pleasantly surprised to find a buffet of fresh foods, and some barbecued meat. Similarly to other buffet here, everything is weighted at the cash, which is great when eating out with small ones. We pay for what we eat. It is not China cheap, but really reasonable.
The Simpsons will later become a landmark for our family, as we will drive by it every day, on our way back from school.
We also learned later that the amazing buffet is not available at night, and that the whole neighborhood comes by to have a drink and a bit, customers filling the place, and spilling on the sidewalk and grazed area on the side of the restaurant. A very popular hangout.
The Simpsons will later become a landmark for our family, as we will drive by it every day, on our way back from school.
We also learned later that the amazing buffet is not available at night, and that the whole neighborhood comes by to have a drink and a bit, customers filling the place, and spilling on the sidewalk and grazed area on the side of the restaurant. A very popular hangout.
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