I ♥ FOOD

Remember when I told you I love food? Here is why.

To me, food is more than a biological and physical necessity, it means culture, history and family. Thanks to NY, I understood the deep love I felt for food. It also made me realize: what most people miss when they’re far from home (apart from their loved ones) is their local food. Take me for example: I would have given everything to drink lulo (Fruit) juice without having to ride a train for 2 hours. (my Colombian friends, I feel you).

Being in this chaotic city, which at the end of the day you learn to love, gave me the opportunity to learn from cultures I never thought to learn from, and mostly I did it through their cuisines. It was a process that took me out of my comfort zone, but also showed me how lucky I was to come from a culture where good food isn’t a luxury.

All this, to let you know that after receiving messages from people in Australia, Mexico and even friends from the USA, I’ve decided to create my own restaurant list. Each week I’ll post a name of a restaurant that made my life happier while in the US and other countries I’ve visited.

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HI THERE

Bâtard

It is indeed my favorite kitchen and I must say my home in NYC. I had the chance to be a customer of this amazing restaurant and I'm in love with the food, the people working there, the wine and the cheese. John Winterman and Markus Glocker make Tribeca a culinary heaven.

Here you find a very classic space with beautiful flower arrangements and modern European food. The duck breast is to die for and let John guide you through the process of cheese selections, YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS. They follow Leonardo da Vinci's thoughts "Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication".

Furthermore, Markus, John and Drew Nieporent, celebrated Bâtard’s 5th anniversary in cooperation with City Harvest (food rescue organization), a wonderful opportunity to look beyond the Michelin stars, the beautiful and delicious plates that are being served in this restaurant, and notice the good people behind it all.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY YOU GUYS, I LOVE YOU ♥

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Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia

La Plaza de Mercado La Perseverancia, it’s a farmers market with a food court, filled with small kitchens that offer the best of Colombia. These kitchens represent different regions, and include in their menu the most representative dishes from each one. You can find arepas boyacenses, empanadas, morcillas (blood sausage), Mojarra frita (fry fish), bandeja paisa, Ajiaco and more. It’s an environment so diverse, and sometimes a little chaotic, that increases one’s curiosity to learn from each dish and region.

If you want to try new flavors and buy vegetables and fruits (maybe some unknown to you like Lulo), then, this is the place to visit. It’s cheap, it’s delicious and it could be the perfect way to finish or start your trip to La Candelaria (Colonial and first neighborhood in Bogota).

EXPERIENCE OUR HERITAGE AND CULTURE THROUGH A GASTRONOMIC TOUR AROUND THE MARKET.

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Lysverket

I must confess that not even in my wildest dreams did I imagine I was going to come this far from home. Lysverket was the end of a MAGICAL experience. After an entire day of train and bus rides enjoying the fjord tour, I ended up having my first “Neo-Fjordic” cuisine experience, thanks to Christopher Haatuft, chef and owner of this place.

Lysverket is a celebration, a tribute to what Norway has to offer (NOT ONLY SALMON). It's located in the heart of Bergen, with an incredible view and a very simple but elegant décor. I have to say the grilled pork was one of my favourites, BEST GRILLING EVER, which is very surprising, because as Christopher admitted, it is hard to find meat with great quality, but somehow, he managed to do it. Furthermore, the octopus and the brown cheese chocolate truffles were also a great and tasty surprise, and for that I’m grateful.

THANK YOU SO MUCH, not only for the food but the laughs and the tour in the kitchen.

TAKE A LOOK

Darjeeling Express

Some of you, may be fans of a show called Chef’s Table, and therefore, you know this is a very special place. On the other hand, if you have no idea what I’m talking about, BUCKLE UP.

Darjeeling Express is an Indian restaurant, located on the top floor of Kinlgy Court, London. Once you get into this place, you immediately feel like you are at home, it doesn’t matter where are you from. That’s the beauty of it, the people, the layout and the open kitchen create a perfect space to enjoy what it feels like a homemade meal. As I’ve said before on my Instagram posts, I don’t do well with spicy food, mostly because I’m not used to it, but here, I would eat the Tangra Chilli Garlic Prawns and the Prawn Malaikari with a smile on my face, not to mention the Masala Chai, IT’S MAGICAL.

Furthermore, Asma, founder of Darjeeling Express, is an immigrant who has a clear understanding of what it feels like to miss your loved ones, your culture and how hard can it be to adjust to a foreign country; That’s why the food here is SIMPLY DELICIOUS, because it’s made with love and passion. Darjeeling Express is the result of a group of women, all immigrants, willing to bring joy to others, through their recipes and cooking skills. Someone may say this is a refuge for those who feel homesick, I know I like to think about it that way.

THANK YOU FOR THE LOVE AND THE HUGS!! I LOVE YOU!!

TAKE A LOOK!!

LEO

This is a very important restaurant, not only because it was the first Colombian restaurant to be part of the 50 World Best Restaurant list ( CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL ), but because of what this place represents. LEO’s kitchen is “a manifestation of the life of the mountain, woods, moor, valley, sea, island, tropical jungle and river” (LEO). Leonor Espinosa, Chef/owner of this place (and Misia), was able to shape LEO into a tribute to Colombian Cuisine. The ingredients you find in the menu are from all over Colombia, from the Amazonas region to La Guajira, some of them, not even locals are familiar with. Also, the beverages are an entire journey, fermented master pieces that are meant to be the perfect accompaniment for your meal. Not to mention the wine list, It’s great.

The restaurant it’s in El Centro Internacional in Bogota, it’s a beautiful house with a picturesque front. Once you get inside, you find a very simple but elegant space, visible wine cellar and stunning art on the wall. VERY ROMANTIC. The staff is welcoming, and they are more than qualified to explain to you, what’s being served, where are the ingredients from and the process to achieve the flavors.

Additionally, there is an amazing cause behind this restaurant. As many of the chefs I personally admire the most, there is a greater motive than cooking, it is also to help others, to take care of our culture, our richness and breathtaking culinary heritage. Leo has a foundation called FUNLEO, they aimed to preserve tradition, to create a sustainable environment for fishing practices in the pacific and more.

I’M HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO SEE COLOMBIA AND WOMEN SHINE, IN SUCH A GLOBAL SCALE.

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Misia