Travel and Eat

What’s up guys! Coming to you from sultry Miami, Florida U.S.A. When people think of Miami, they think of sun, parties, energy, beauty, music festivals, outdoor water sports or leisure activities and lavish living. And yes, it’s all of that! But there’s one category I don’t want you to overlook when you think of visiting this colorful city – the rich culinary arts! With influences from Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Jamaica and Colombia in this American city, you can imagine the culinary creations and expertise on display here for your tasting pleasure. At this point of my visit, I found myself at breakfast at the sophisticated Bar Centro by iconic Spanish-American chef Jose Andres. The menu was inviting. I had the SLS Eggs Benedict – poached eggs softly placed over an English muffin with lemon butter air seeming to hover over it. All with choice pieces of salmon surrounding the muffin like fish around a boat before being caught. My friend had the Eggs with Avocado accompanied with ‘Torrijas’; The French Toast – Spanish Connection. This delicious dish presents eggs cooked over medium and pieces of avocado with crispy slices of sweet plantains on top; on the side, Sweet Spanish toast, seasonal fruit, and ‘Garden of Ian’ honey. It goes without saying that it was one of the best breakfasts I’ve ever had.

Miami really has anything your taste buds can think of from great places that serve alligator and conch (mmmm one of my favorites!) to creative burgers with toppings like big cheese stuffed Portobello mushrooms. Only question is: when are we going back?!!

When people think about once in a life time trips, they undoubtedly think about Machu Picchu in Peru, South America. Not only is Peru home to Machu Picchu, one of the Seven Wonders of the World, but this beautiful country is ripe with historical sites, breath taking views, and plenty of great outdoor activities. Also, what many people don’t know, and I didn’t know until I went myself, is that Peru is recognized as one of the world’s best culinary destinations. Whether dining on freshly made ceviche at a quint café in the small historical town of Ollantaytambo or resting from a hike with sandwiches made by our tour guide for the day, my taste buds welcomed the fresh and unique flavors. Yes, even those sandwiches! Haha 😊 I’ve heard friends back home lament the lack of variety of things to eat, granted some of that may be from their unwillingness to get out of a certain comfort zone, but nevertheless I understand what they mean. Well that’s nothing that a trip to Peru can’t solve!

Here we are at the base of Machu Picchu in the town of Aguas Calientes at the restaurant La Lena. After some great Pisco Sours, it was time for dinner with the guys. Good times! Now, although we had just finished some Pisco Sours, we’re on vacation so a round of Cusquenas was in order! Cerveza Cusquena, an American style lager that’s all malt with a pale straw color, has been a popular beer in Peru for years. With the quietest train I’ve ever heard occasionally creeping past this pretty setting, we settled down for dinner. I went with the Beefsteak Montado: medium cooked Alpaca over steak fries with an egg served over medium, quinoa, and avocado or a light salad on the side. This meal was perfect for the hike I was doing up Machu Picchu Mountain the next day. I needed those carbs and protein! There are a few reasons why the food here is amazing, and why chefs in Lima are considered some of the best in the world. It comes from a combination of cultures that arrived in Peru over the past 500 years. It began with the pre-Hispanic cuisine that gave Peru cooking methods like pachamanca and dishes like cuy chactado. Cuy is one of those exotic dishes for us in the States but very traditional to the Peruvian; it’s Guinea Pig (cuy). I didn’t get a chance to try it while I was there (haha) but I’ve promised myself that I will get it on the next trip, no doubt. Promise. Next came the Moorish influences in the 16^th century when the Spanish colonized some of the region. Chinese immigrants arrived in the 19^th century and created Chifa which is a meld of traditional Peruvian dishes and Chinese cuisine. Other big influences have been African, Italian, and Japanese.

When you’re making your travel list, don’t forget to include Peru and don’t forget to think about the food while you’re there! Sure, you may find a good Peruvian place you like in the States or Asia or Africa or Europe, but I promise you nothing beats being in the country itself while dining. All the historical sites and Machu Picchu are incredible!

For great Peru tours, check out: www.discoverincaplanet.com

There are few things I enjoy more than an easy afternoon or evening with amazing food and drinks. Bring along a friend or two that appreciate the same and you have the makings of something special. On this particular Saturday evening, we found ourselves walking into Andina in the Pearl District of Portland, Oregon U.S.A. Portland has always impressed me with its endless selection of classy places for great food. Quaint, posh, and sophisticated yet comfortable and humbly traditional, Andina is an exquisite Peruvian restaurant in Portland that uniquely manages to capture the Peru’s welcoming spirit in its staff, its soft festive colors in the décor and plating, its mysterious sites and historic people in the plethora of tastes from carefully constructed beautiful dishes, and its pure fun in the crafted cocktails that all fantastically sum up Peru. Peru is a magical country and Andina seems to capture it perfectly.

After a little socializing our entrees arrived. The plating of the entrees was spectacular. You can literally see and feel the thoughtfulness poured into each dish. My friend had the Humitas De Queso – traditional Peruvian corn tamale stuffed with Aji Amarillo, mozzarella, and cotija cheese. The tamales are carefully wrapped with vegetables on the side – beautiful and tasty. I went with the Lamb Shank – an old family recipe. Lamb shank – slow-cooked in the Northern Peruvian style, in a rich cilantro-black beer sauce, served with a classic guiso de frijoles, garlic rice and salsa criolla. This is a hearty meal plated wonderfully. The Lamb falls off the bone with flavor. The beans and rice nicely compliment the lamb. It goes without saying that conversation died down a bit as we happily filled our faces with food and drink. Just the other day I read on social media the lamenting that there seems to not be much variety in food these days. That food seems to taste the same wherever you go around town. Well I can confidently say that a visit to Andina will be a new experience your taste buds will carry away as a lasting memory.

Dinner was everything I hoped it would be – great food, great drinks, and great conversation. If you want a small taste of Peru, don’t hesitate to visit Andina in Portland, Oregon. I guarantee you won’t be disappointed. In taste, color, and spirit, Andina embodies this beautiful country.