What has the world become? Who buys this s****? were only some of the questions that formet in Trendengel’s head after seeing this on the shelfs of a Brazilian supermarket a few days ago…
Category Archives: Food
Coffee Lab – Coffee is a Science in Sao Paulo
People in Sao Paulo take their coffee very seriously. The best of the mall is the Coffee Lab created by Isabella Raposeiras.
The cafe is split up into indoor and outdoor seating. Towards the back of the cafe is an open kitchen furnished with an espresso bar, tools of the trade, and minimal kitchen appliances with staff dressed in mechanic inspired onesies working away. The front of the cafe is equipped with the industry’s best Diedrich coffee roasters since Coffee Lab roasts its own beans and creates its very own unique blends. Beans are also sold for retail in individual packages in store.
The menu is essentially an educational coffee booklet consisting of a variety of in house coffee blends with four main brewing methods including aeropress, pour over, french press and clever. Hot and cold espresso beverages, food, and desserts are also available. The most interesting part of the menu is the “Coffee Rituals” which pretty much schools you in coffee. Each ritual is essentially a lesson on coffee such as “compare the coffee Brazilians drink every day with one of our specialty coffees” or “enjoy the same coffee prepared with an Aeropress and a French Press.”
For a short course on coffee, order Ritual 13, a “Rare Brazilian micro-lot tasting” which involves an in depth tasting and analysis of coffee served in wine glasses perfect for coffee nerds.
Taglio – A Great Concept in Milano
Taglio is located in Milan, at number 10 via Vigevano. On the ground floor of a typically Milanese block of flats with communal balconies, it is just a few feet away from the Navigli canals. The idea was to create a multifunctional space where a restaurant, a food shop, a bar and a café could coexist – a place designed to be bustling all day long, where customers could indulge in the ritual of coffee drinking or enjoying gourmet food.
A patchwork of blackboards covers the entire counter. From a long, cedar-wood bar the staff can be seen at work in the kitchen. The opposite wall is decorated with drawings by the food illustrator Gianluca Biscalchin. Globe light-bulbs attached to a dense network of copper tubes illuminate the rooms.
The food is divine and the concept genius. Why can’t we all have a Taglio in our neighborhood.
Madero Burger – The Best In the World
It’s always more than a little suspicious when a company claims they do produce the best in the world. It is one thing if it’s a New York deli saying it has the best coffee in the world. The credibility of that claim is pretty low. But if a commercial franchise chain with the ambition to conquer the world says it has the best burger in the world and makes it part of the companies promise – this is pretty bold. Well, Madero does exactly this. 
The brasilian burger chain with outlets as far away as Miami is bold. Super bold. But surprise surprise – they deliver. As Trendengel’s favourite In N out Burger Madero promises not to use anything out of a can. They bothe have a few things in common. But it stops with the meat, The Madero meat is out of this world. This is what flame grilled should taste like (sorry Burger King). The bun is the other surprise. What looks like a dry roll is the perfect alternative to the brioche or the old school hamburger bun. Well, what can I sa: last it if you have the chance.
Sushi Tetsu – Definetely the Best Sushi on the Planet
Yesterday TrendEngel gave asked the question if Kinoshita is the best sushi on the plantet. The answer is: Close but not quiet. The best is Tetsu sues in London – Promise. Size isn’t everything when it comes to sushi restaurants: even the smallest venues can have big reputations. Since opening in July 2012, this seven-seat sushi bar in Clerkenwell has proved so popular that finding a perch is nigh-on impossible. Try your luck, though, as chef Toru Takahashi offers one of the most authentic Japanese sushi experiences in London. Opt for the omakase (chef’s choice) if your budget can stretch to it (up to £70 per head), then sit back and let the artfully crafted pieces keep on coming
Chef Toru Takahashi (ex-Nobu) is centre-stage behind the imposing pale wood counter, where he carefully compacts glistening grains of rice into plump pellets before topping them with shimmering slivers of fish. Each nigiri is inspected with a contemplative look and finished with a dab of soy, sprinkling of sea salt or lick of flame from a blowtorch before being placed on a glossy bamboo leaf in front of the diner. Each piece arrives individually to be eaten by hand.
For the full experience, go for the omakase menu, and let the chef choose what’s freshest that day. Just say when you’ve had enough – be warned though, the bill can add up.
Kinoshita – Possibly the Best Sushi Ever
Sao Paulo is not only the biggest city on earth it is also the home to the most Japanese outside of Japan – more than 1.5 million… This makes the more than 1000 Japanese restaurants easier to comprehend. Kinoshita has won numerous Brazilian accolades and operates at the very highest level.
If you want a benchmark, think Nobu, and were this restaurant in Europe it would certainly be Michelin starred. The more cutting edge dishes – like seared foie gras – are underpinned by ultra-fresh, ultra-traditional nigiri sushi and whisper-thin crisp tempura. The presentation is elegant in the extreme – for once you really do get a “picture on each plate”. The master himself is behind the sushi bar and will strike a conversation with everyone around him. Worth the trip!
Tim Raue – Two Stars Well Deserved
Tim Raue is the best cook in Berlin and possibly in Germany. His restaurant just a stone throw from legendary checkpoint charly takes asian cooking and mixes it with German precision. His most famous dish is peking duck in 3 variations. I can and will show you a picture – but unless you try it it is hard to descibe – OK let me try it – AMAZING.
Cream in Shoreditch – This is London Coolness
London has the coolest coffee shops – hands down. Conceived, designed and built by Magnus Reid, the CREAM space is true to the industrial nature of the building, whilst creating an open and welcoming environment through the layout of simple, natural furnishing and fittings. This combination is reflected in the choice of materials – indoor plants surrounding the space soften the concrete counter & floors, the steel structured chairs paired with handwoven seats, and the custom made cement lampshades diffuse soft lighting.
A Hamburger That Thinks He’s a Hot Dog – Freddar Dog
The UK hamburger chain Byron Burger has a new thing: The Freddar Dawg, is a hamburger that thinks it’s a hot dog – a 6oz hamburger in a hot dog roll. Along with streaky bacon, pickles and onion, it stars one very special ingredient you won’t find anywhere else – Freddar cheese, our head chef Fred’s take on American cheese. Freddar has all the melting goodness of classic American cheese, but with a serious flavour punch thanks to Fred’s unique blend of Grana Padano, mature Cheddar and Red Leicester. Grana Padano, mature Cheddar and Red Leicester. Pretty funny and pretty delicious
Dig Inn – Real Good Food For Everybody
This is what Dig Inn – a new fast food chain that follows the trend of farm to counter set out to do and they do it well: We believe everyone deserves to eat well, even on a budget. So we’re democratizing the farm-to-table movement by offering ridiculously good food at a reasonable price.
That means sourcing local, seasonal ingredients – not just because they are ‘local’ – but because fresh, healthy ingredients taste best. That means you’ll find grills, flames, and all the other good stuff people use to cook real food behind our counters. If there’s a steak on your salad, we’re grilling it ourselves, on the spot.