Wednesday, June 8, 2016

Naschmarkt,The "Belly Of Vienna" - Where Life Tastes Good



Oh dear, I missed you all and I missed blogging.
During my time off, your comments and kind words, support and likes on FB and Instagram meant the world to me!
Now I'm back and it feels wonderful and strange at once writing my first post after a long time.
As you know, I live a life between two worlds, Austria and Peru and there are always new sights,flavours and experiences on these travels which I love to share with you.
This time I would like to take you along on a visit to the Naschmarkt, one of the most beautiful open air markets in the world.
Over 120 stalls  sell their products here and the real challenge is NOT to find, what you are looking for.
Founded in 1774, the Naschmarkt has an extension of 2,3 Hektars and has been planned by the famous Viennes Art Nouveau architect Otto Wagner.
http://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/otto-wagner-vienna-austria-modernism-architecture-blog
There you will discover many hidden culinary gems much beyond Sachertorte and Apfelstrudel.
The place is a true encounter of cultures where Occident meets Orient, enriched as well with Asian and African influences.
It's an adventure for all senses, the colors, textures and aromas are amazing.
In the neighborhood of the market many small eateries have settled and offer drinks, coffee and food to the hungry visitors.
The number of trendy cafes,bars and restaurants in the area has exploded in the past years and it has become "The Place" to see and be seen.
Families, the young and the beautiful, trendsetters and foreign visitors are sitting side by side enjoying peacefully the delicatessen the place has to offer.
One of my favorites for a fabulous brunch is the restaurant "Orient Occident"
http://www.orientoccident.at/
A stroll through this incredible open air market is highly recommended whether you are a foodie, architecure lover or just a visitor interested to explore "the belly of Vienna" and truly get to know the tastes, sights and sounds of the city.

Wild mushrooms, fresh Chicoree, horse radish and gorgeous tomatoes making PR for fresh veggies.
 

Variations of hand made Pasta and Gnocci


Turkish sweets


All kind of nuts- roasted, Wasabi coated or sweeetned with wild honey


Olives from all over the world in different colours and shapes


Fresh herbs for the health conscious



 Your future fruit salad on display


 I don't know what she has seen - was it the price?

 For the ones with a sweet tooth - candied fruits


 Vitamines the whole year long - dried berries and fruits


So many legumes


For tea lovers


All stuffed: tomatoes,mini pumkins,dates, pepperonies,bell pepper

 Even the Austrian National costume is present - Dirndl for children


Early visitors


Serving local specialities in style


 Arriving early for breakfast



And many beautiful sights in the neighbourhood. This is the code of arms of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. The curious thing is that the city of Lima,capital of Peru has a very similar code of arms, due to Charles V, emperor of the Holy Roman Empire and of the Vicekingdom of Peru! 


Tip: The Naschmarkt is open from Monday through Friday from 6.30 to 19h,
Saturdays from 6.30 to 18h. Closed on Sunday. Best day to go is on Saturday.
More info about how to get there on public transport and other useful orientation at:
 https://www.wien.gv.at/freizeit/einkaufen/maerkte/lebensmittel/naschmarkt/
https://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/markets/naschmarkt


 



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Friday, February 12, 2016

A Temporary Farewell And Some Sweet Valentine's Inspiration


 Dear all,
you might have wondered why there has been not quite the ususal frequent posting here at
"The Ambassador's Table".
My life has been a bit complicated lately due to several reasons,the strongest of them were some health issues I had to deal with.
Thanks God, things ar slowly improving but it hastaken a lot of energy and time to get back on the road.
Now I think it's time to take a ( hopefully creative ) break from blogging, spending more time with my family and concentrating on photography.
For the time being, you will find my news on Instagram and FB.
However I will keep in touch with you my friends and fellow bloggers.
Your support and inspiration mean the world to me so I will continue to read your posts and occasionally comment.
Hopefully," The Ambassador's Table" will be back by June.
But that's not all of course.Valentine's celebrations are ante portas and I would like to present you some sweet inspirations from previuos posts for this special day.
Have a happy Valentine!
Hugs and until then
Daniela

  Decadent Chocolate-Merengue Semifreddo With Caramelized Orangesauce





Subtle French Temptation: Creme Brulée with Blueberries and My First Blogging Annniversary      




 A Delicate Pleasure:Sweet Omlette Soufflé
 



Pears go glamour: poached with spices and served with orange butter


Sweet Tropical Temptation: Passion Fruit Cheesecake




 Sweet Valentine with delicate Crepes Suzette

 Enjoy!
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Monday, January 18, 2016

Hidden Treasures, Culinary Highlights and Natural Wonders-The Splendor of Peru's Southern Coast






The Paracas, Ica and Nazca region is probably one of the most exciting regions in the south of Peru.
A remarkable geography, tons of sunshine, stunning history and an exciting fauna and flora are the highlights of a visit here. 
And of course not to forget the outstanding gastronomy, regional, fresh and with surprising creations.
Nature has been generous providing the area with permanent sunshine, fertile soil and a sea rich in fish and seafood.
Asparagus, grapes and avocados earned here are top quality, so are the wines and Piscos
(The original Peruvian Pisco is a colorless, very aromatic brandy, made from grapes and can be consumed pure or in cocktails such as Pisco sour or Chilcano).
The recipe for a delicious Pisco Sour cocktail you will find here : Delicious Pisco Sour And A Very Special Father's Day Celebration
The finest textiles, produced by the Paracas culture and the until now mysterious Nazca lines are the object of investigation by archeologists worldwide.
These lines were scratched on the dessert surface of the ground between 500B.C and A.D.500 and have the incredible extension of about 450km.
The geoglyphis picture animals, plants and imaginary beings and are, due to their quantity, nature and size among history's greatest enigmas.
Most of them are several kilometers long and can be appreciated in their full context only when seen from a plane. How to explain this?
All Indiana Jones like hobby archeologists are challenged!
After all the adventure we had a wonderful stay at the Hacienda Vinas Queirolo, beautifully designed and decorated and surrounded by sheer endless vineyards producing a huge variety of grapes transformed later to wines and Piscos.
On our way home we stopped at the most incredible eatery, located at a gas station, recommended by friends.
First I was really suspicious cause of the unimpressive look and unusual location of the restaurant.
But of course, adventurous foodies as we are wanted to try the food and it was - delicious.
Later I did a little research on the Internet and to my surprise the place was highly recommended by Trip Adviser!
Life is full of surprises.
On our way back we encountered a strike of cotton workers, several police checkpoints,and took a not yet opened part of the new highway to avoid the strike.
Of course there were gravel roads, unfinished bridges (we had to go underneath them, thank heavens this is the dry season so no problem) and enjoyed our undertaking enormously.

 Starting our journey enjoying the view at the summer resort of Pucusana



Trying to get a snapshot of the famous pink flamingos at the National Reserve Paracas.
Imposible to get closer than that, they are clever birds! 



Fisherman at sunset


A visit to an asparagus plantation in Ica. Did you know that there are male and female asparagus plants?  Here you can see a male plant (The female plants produce red berries) 


The spears start to show and grow incredibly fast. These are ready to be harvested.


A visit to a vineyard, growing table grapes.

A lonley Baobab tree (Remember the little prince?) ,originally from Africa, growing splendidly in Ica. How did it come to Peru? A mystery.
 

Paracas textiles on display at the National Museum of Archeology
 http://connuestroperu.com/images/stories/arte/arqueologia/peru/Paracas/detalle_tejido_paracas.jpg

One of the most famous pictures of the Nazca lines: The hummingbird
 http://www.cultura.gob.pe/sites/default/files/noticia/2015/09/nasca_0.png?slideshow=true&slideshowAuto=true&slideshowSpeed=4000&speed=350&transition=elastic

View from the hacienda's terrace over the vineyards


Rooms


Trying to identify the different fruit and spice flavors at the wine tasting


  So many flavors, so many wines, so little time


 
      
A special thanks to our very knowledgable guide and sommelier Fiorella

Enjoying sunset with a glass of sparkling wine

On the way home we stopped at the most incredible eatery, located at a gas station, recommended by friends.


Tacutacu (a kind of omlett made of beans, eggs and rice), fish and seafood salsa served with a purple corn refreshment

 Crisp fried potato balls filled with cheese

A national culinary treasure: Causa Limena, a kind of flavored, spicy mashed potatoe roll filled with chicken and mayonnaise

Cheers to you, my friends!
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