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AROUND EUROPE

7 Bone Burger Co. - Bournemouth, UK

6/17/2019

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This is my favourite burger joint in the whole of the Uk (possibly in the whole of Europe too). 

They have a hefty menu with burgers, sandwiches, subs and a long list of sides. They cater for everyone's needs by offering vegan and vegetarian options. 

I suggest ordering sliders (small burgers) so that you can taste up to 3 different burgers. 

My all time favourite burger is Robert Johnson, a.k.a. aged beef patty, cheese, truffled garlic mushrooms and truffle mayonnaise. 

As a side I always go for seasoned fries with cheese sauce on the side. I've tried other sides but find them too heavy, especially when paired with a substantial burger (or burgers). 

7 Bone Burger Co. 
Average spend of £15 per person. ​
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Koh Thai Tapas - Bournemouth, UK

6/17/2019

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Koh Thai Tapas has many locations across the South West. The one I visited is in Bournemouth's town center. 

Koh Thai is very different during the day and during the evening. The only constant factor is the great food. 

If you're looking for a quiet, family friendly restaurant to eat some good Thai food then visit Koh Thai during the day (they also have a special set menu for just £12). On the other hand if you're looking for a dark restaurant, filled with young people, music, great cocktails and food then you must go during the evening, especially on Friday or Saturday. 

I highly recommend the Penang Curry with coconut rice. 

Koh Thai Tapas 
​Average spend of £12 (lunch) and £18 (dinner) 
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Café Boscanova - Bournemouth, UK

6/17/2019

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On Boscombe's high street is one of the South Coast Roast's three locations, Café Boscavona. 
South Coast Roast is an independent coffee roasting company which also has two brunch venues across the Bournemouth area. 

Café Boscanova serves all day breakfast, with
re-visited classics such as halloumi instead of bacon in the full English breakfast. The perfect place to visit if you're feeling like a nice brunch with a good cup of coffee or tea to go with it. 

I highly recommend the avocado toast with lime and a poached egg. 

Café Boscanova 
Average spend of £10 per person. 
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Bibo - Dani García - Madrid, Spain

6/17/2019

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I was told Bibo had the "best tuna tartare ever" - which was enough for me as an incentive to go eat there. 

Their menu is about 15 pages long, divided into many different sections, from tapas to oysters and everything in between, so choosing what to eat can be quite complicated. 

We started with avocado, pea, seeds and burrito cheese guacamole with nachos, followed by a "Mediterranean Crudo" consisting in fresh local fish, marinated with Rõtena stew with "papa arruga" and oregano mayo. 

We then had the famous red tuna tartare with fermented white soy and baby radish. AMAZING. And king prawns from Sanlúcar de Barrameda wrapped in basil leaves, fried Andalusian style. 

I highly recommend this beautifully decorated and delicious restaurant, it was an unforgettable experience. 

Bibo - Dani García 
Average spend of €35 per person. 
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La Matilde - Zaragoza, Spain

6/17/2019

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La Matilde Restaurante is one of the most welcoming and down to earth places I've ever been to. There was only one member of staff outside the kitchen, the waiter and sommelier, and he was lovely. 

He suggested we try the 'chef's special' menu, which was all a surprise, according to what the chef felt like cooking that day and what ingredients he had. First course was a fresh garden salad with caramelised onion sorbet, cheese from Aragon and foie gras. 

Followed by a trio consisting in frog legs with egg and dill 'coulis', Porcini mushrooms with quince mayonnaise and breaded Camembert cheese with tomato marmalade. 

The third course was white finned tuna, mussels and shrimps in fish and tomato cream with a drop of olive cream to 'play with the flavours'. 

Dessert was a base of caramel topped with kiwi and pineapple carpaccio, prunes dipped in Armagnac, chestnut cake, biscuit mousse and bourbon vanilla ice-cream.

Quirky, welcoming and unique, I recommend La Matilde to anyone passing by Zaragoza. 

La Matilde 
Average spend of €60 per person. 
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Villa Paramesa - Valladolid, Spain

6/16/2019

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Let me begin by saying that this was the best meal I've ever had in Spain.

Other than 3 dishes, we had never tasted the other plates on the menu, so the only reasonable thing we could do was to order everything. 

​The first tapas we received was a "camarón Mexicano" aka garlic crispy bread, shrimp tartare, lime, guacamole, fried prawns and chilli pepper, all served on a roof tile. This was one of my favourite tapas of the entire night.

We were then served a tapas of smoked baby squid with green asparagus and soft cheese, followed by crunchy paella with shrimp and puff pastry with sausage, honey, kumquat and Valendón cheese. 

We were then brought perhaps the strangest dish out of all the tapas, a Sardine ceviche with "kombo" seaweed and black garlic. It was all served on a base of rock salt, which was not to be eaten, it's purpose was to infuse the ceviche with flavour. 

Finally, with out stomachs exploding after all the amazing food (and wine) we had had, we ordered a "Secreto Ibérico" hamburger with onion, apple and mustard. 

The dinner was so unexpected and delicious, and had such an impact on my taste buds that if I close my eyes now, five months since I ate there, I can distinctly recall the delicate shrimp tartare. 
I highly suggest stopping in Valladolid to visit Villa Paramesa. 

Villa Paramesa 
Average spend of €20 per person. 
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La Mère Germaine - Villefranche-sur-mer, France

6/16/2019

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Situated on the Côte D'Azur, in a beautifully peaceful, protected bay, fitted in on a row of bistros and restaurants is La Mère Germaine, an elegant, traditional French restaurant. 

I ordered smoked salmon with chive butter and lemon and orange reductions, delicious. As a main I ordered grilled Sea Bass with buttered potato cream and a balsamic vinegar reduction. It was mind-blowing, I really recommend it. Dessert was chocolate soufflé, which in itself was worth the trip. 

La Mère Germaine is not a cheap restaurant, however the menu, service and location are definitely a good value for money. I recommend visiting the place for a special occasion and at lunchtime, so the view can be admired in all its beauty. 

La Mère Germaine 
Average spend of €50 per person. 
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Osteria La Pimpinella - Bra, Italy

12/5/2018

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This elegant, bright and delicious Osteria is a must in Bra. Although it has 'osteria' in the name it looks nothing like you imagine an osteria resembling. White tablecloths, proper linen napkins, and very professional waiters. 

The menu offers all the local traditions and (thankfully) some less local seafood dishes. Particularly exceptional are the prices. For excellent service, food and location you pay exactly the same as in every other restaurant in Bra. 

I recommend visiting La Pimpinella if you feel like something a bit more fancy and gourmet than the ample selection of more rustic restaurants. 

I had rotonda di vitello rosa, tuna, anchovies  and capers followed by spaghetti di Gragnano, burro d'alpeggio, gamberi rosa and lime. 

Osteria La Pimpinella 
Average spend of €25 per person (without wine). 
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Osteria Murivecchi - Bra, Italy

11/19/2018

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I was left enchanted by Murivecchi. The osteria resides on a quiet street and is barely visible from outside. You push an old door open and it feels like stepping into a different dimension. 

The dining room is dimly lit and very quaint, making guests feel intimate and cosy. The vast majority of the furniture is antique, from the taller than normal tables on which you eat to the mismatched chairs. 

The osteria offers a different menu each week, always centred around local cuisine but, unlike many other restaurants in the Langhe, they make less common dishes. 

Out of the three dishes I had my favourite was the risotto with salsiccia di Bra and Barolo, it was sublime! 

Osteria Murivecchi 
Average spend of €20 per person. 

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La Ciau del Tornavento - Alba, Italy

11/13/2018

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What a spectacular restaurant. 

La Ciau del Tornavento is one of my favourite gourmet restaurants in the Langhe. 

The location is breathtaking, floor to ceiling windows allow for a view of the hills covered with vines. The menu offers great insight into local cuisine and products, from white truffles to hazelnuts and great wines. 

Perhaps the most enchanting aspect of La Ciau is underground, the treasures which lie in the cellars and caveau. The cellars hold 2899 bottles from 13 different countries, and anyone who dines at the restaurant gets a guided tour. 

I really recommend visiting the restaurant, especially during the warmer months at lunch time or sunset, to fully appreciate the view. 

La Ciau del Tornavento 
Average spend of €50 per person. 
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