Paris, Je t'aime 2: Château Vaux-le-Vicomte

Day 2 in Paris 
Did you know that this smaller baroque style french mansion inspired the more famous, much grander Château de Versailles? 

The Story...

The chateau was constructed for Nicholas Fouquet, the finance minister of King Louis XIV, by three very talented men - legendary landscape architect Andre Le Nôtre, architect Louis Le Vau and the painter Charles Le Brun. These three men did such an amazing job at building this masterpiece, where Fouquet often threw the most lavish parties, that Louis XIV became immensely jealous he had Nicholas Fouquet arrested and exiled for embezzlement. Driven by his envy and his desire not to be outshined by anyone, he then brought together the very same team to build Versailles on a much grander scale to the southwest of Paris. 

Perfect Hangout and Good Grubs at Irie

Irie Gastropubliko is owned and operated by business partners, Lito Inso and Jan Rodriguez, who also happens to be the executive chef of both Ila Puti and Irie. The restaurant is named after Rodriguez's second son, Euan Irie. In Jamaica, Irie means "good vibes and feeling happy or cool".

David's Kitchen

It feels like the week stretches forever and the weekend seems so far. Thank goodness it's Friday, sooo looking forward to sleeping in tomorrow morning. Ahh the simple joys in life - good sleep and good food! This week has done me in. I've been feeling tired every day, too tired to stay up long enough to have a decent chat with the hubby. But it won't be long now when I can finally be with him to enjoy a three month long holiday. 

Happy Father's Day at Feria Radisson Blu

I have the best dad in the world who has given me everything I ever needed and the best life I can possibly have and I couldn't ask for anything more. Thank you for loving me in spite of all the wrong (and at times hurtful) things I've said and done, for all the sacrifices you've made for me and my brother, for your patience that never failed, for understanding and for always being there for us throughout all these years. I love you, dad.

Craving for Sweet And Salty: Salted Caramel Donut

There are just days when I crave for certain food and I get restless until I am able to satisfy my cravings. I'd hate to think what sort of things my mouth will be looking for when I do get a bun in the oven. I pity my husband. Hopefully not something you cannot find in the Netherlands in the middle of the night like shrimp paste or dried fish or green mangoes. I don't even know where these cravings come from. They come and go and change as they please.

Craving for Sweet and Salty: French Salted Caramel Ice Cream

FRENCH SALTED CARAMEL ICE CREAM

The salt-caramel craze have spread to the ice cream world. Nestle went beyond the usual standard chocolate, oreo, double dutch flavors and created a new flavor. One of its latest flavors (proudly bearing a picture of the French flag and The Eiffel Tower in the background) is French Salted Caramel -  salted caramel ice cream with ribbons of caramel ripple. But does it live up to what it promises?

Anzani : The New Mediterranean Cuisine

High-end restaurants with luxurious interiors like Anzani intimidate me. I've always thought I'd be too uncomfortable to eat to enjoy my food. I expect the crowd and the waiting staff to be snotty. 

But I was wrong about that. Anzani sets a very high standard for quality and service. It's definitely more than what I normally spend for and far above than what I'm used to but Anzani gave the best service I've experienced ever in any restaurant. You get nothing less than flawless customer service and amazing fine-dining quality food for the price that you pay for. This restaurant would score an A in my card. 

Tim Tam Slam Ice Cream: Do It Like the Aussies!

Finally, a recipe after what seemed like eternity! It's long overdue. I'd been stuffing my face and eating out more often than spending time in the kitchen and I apologize for that.

Ever heard of Tim Tam?  Tim Tam is only the world's most popular Australian biscuit! Think chocolate biscuits sandwiched with a chocolate creme in the middle and DOUBLE coated with milk chocolate. These Australian "bikkies" of Arnott's are seriously oh so good.

Mission Accomplished at Army Navy

I'm not a burger person. If I have a spread of buffet in front of me, the last thing I get would probably be a burger. But the past couple of weeks I'd been on this crazy craving mood for anything sweet and salty. (And no, I'm not pregnant.) It all started with KK's Salted Caramel Donuts which turned to craving for peanut butter ice cream which turned to burgers and fries. Why do all the bad things taste so good? I even tried Jollibee's amazing Aloha burger after seeing it on several blogs. It was incredibly disappointing. I could have spent half the price for a regular yum and bought my own can of sliced pineapples.