revisited/swedish: i still strongly recommend FLAVORS

FLAVORS
No. 13, Alley 26, Lane 300, RenAi Rd, Sec. 4
(02) 2709-6525

website: flavors.com.tw

hours: Closed Mondays; Tue - Fri: 6PM - 10:30PM
Weekday lunch by advance reservation only
Sat/Sun 12PM - 2:30PM & 6PM- 10:30PM

$$-$$$

Kid friendliness: no kids allowed

Visit reviewed:
Previous visit reviewed: 5/1/2009

My friend mentioned to another friend about how she had heard about an unusual restaurant in Taipei... Swedish, was it? And of course, I had to pop in and ask, do you mean Flavors? So another lunch date was made with a group of friends to introduce a new restaurant to.

I had fond memories of my first visit and visits after that went unblogged, but since we had made advance lunch reservations, the natural lighting for the pictures made for a perfect opportunity (since Flavors typically has the romantic mood lighting at night, terrible for food photos).

The menu has slightly changed since I last reviewed it- the meatballs are no longer available as an entree (boo hoo), the lunch menu sets are the same as the dinner menu sets, priced at around NT$890 and up, but apple cake is part of the set for every meal.

Everyone enjoyed our meals, shared bites of our main entrees, raved over the swedish meatballs and bread and delighted in noisy conversation which was okay since we had the restaurant all to ourselves at lunch.

Housemade bread is on the sweet side and served with olive tapenade and a pea spread. Resist the urge to fill up on this or sneak some to take home to eat.

The soup choices that day were cauliflower which was a nice creamy puree with a chopped parsley,

or a cold tomato soup.

Amuse bouche was watermelon infused with balsamic and mint, though mine tasted just like a cube of watermelon.

I savored the meatballs & new potato with brown sauce and ligonberry (NT$220) as I really wanted the whole plate of 12 that I had the last time, but until Chef Ola brings it back as an option, it's only an appetizer.  The meatballs are fluffy and the sauces are sweet, but I like it that way.

A warm mango and mozzarella dish (NT$250)  my friend ordered.

The main dishes at Flavors include veal, lamb, beef, salmon, venison, halibut, pork chop and what I ordered, the black cod. What was neat to observe was that each of the potato sides on the entrees had a different preparation/presentation.

Organic sous vide pork chop with caraway potato and blue cheese sauce (NT$1080)

Sous vide lamb chop and Flavors potato with marinated wine sauce (NT$1280/set)

Beef fillet with hasselback potato & cafe de Paris and garlic butter (NT$1280/set) is probably my favorite out of all the entrees I've tried and what I would probably recommend one to order.

Aside from the few bones in my first two bites of fish, I liked the black cod with potato gratin and caviar sauce (NT$1280/set).

With a thin layer of caviar spread atop of the cod, as well as plenty mixed into the sweet sauce, it provided a contrast of textures to the flaky fish. My friend noted that many of Flavors' sauces do lean towards the sweet side, even for the savory entrees, so if you're not a fan of mixing the two, you might want to let the chef know.

And finally, the apple cake which is more like an apple crumble island in a sea of vanilla cream sauce.

For chocolate lovers, the hot Death by Chocolate (NT$180) is a must try.

Quite a few readers have told me about how they loved discovering Flavors after I wrote about it last time and many also about how they found Chef Ola and his wife Stephanie to be so warm and integral to the experience of dining there. You might spot him in the semi-open kitchen, or if he's not too busy, you might be able to catch a conversation with him and let him know what you thought about your meal.

Hotel More, Dubrovnik

Hotel More is a small, newly built luxury hotel located in the Bay of Lapad directly on the sea and only 4 kilometres from the walled Old City of Dubrovnik. Even though the hotel is completely new it is almost unbelievable just how much charm and tradition the Hotel More has. A part of this charm is certainly due to the design of the building but also a large part is down to the high quality service from the experienced staff. The majority of the staff in the hotel worked in other, more established hotels before coming to work for Hotel More.

Hotel More has 34 luxury double rooms and twin rooms and 3 apartments, of which the majority have a view of the sea and a balcony. Every room has satellite TV, PAY TV, mini-bar, telephone, safe, air conditioning, hair dryer and bathroom with bath and massage shower.

In the hotel's a la carte restaurant guests can enjoy a wide selection of local and international cuisines. The kitchen is arranged in such a way that a section is situated in the dining area and therefore gives guests the opportunity to observe their dishes being prepared. Apart from the inside part of the restaurant Hotel More also has a lovely terrace with views over the Bay of Lapad and the Adriatic Sea.
Hotel More is the ideal destination for relaxation as it offers an outside pool, wellness centre, fitness centre, sauna, massage and Katharsy cabin.

Hotel More has its own garage as well as parking spaces.

Hotel Palace, Dubrovnik

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace has an enviable position on the peninsular of Lapad just 4.5 kilometres from the walls of the Old City of Dubrovnik. Its unique cascading architecture offers all 308 rooms and apartments on ten floors spectacular views of the sea from private balconies.

Every room has a flat screen TV, wireless Internet connection, en-suite bathroom with massage shower, Gharani Strok bath gel, mini-bar, air conditioning, safe and pay TV with the latest films. Along with the hotel's beach and three outside pools guests also have at their disposal an indoor pool, fitness club, tennis court and a spa and beauty centre. During their stay guests can enjoy a drink at one of the four bars, dance the night away in "Orlandinjo" night club or taste the fine cuisines from one of the four restaurants. Apart from the Elafiti restaurant, there is the fine dining restaurant Lenga, the tavern Maslina and the exclusive sushi bar Satu.

The conference facilities of the hotel are second to none and include; nine rooms for meeting for 30 to 1000 participants, salons with terraces and views over the nearby Elaphite islands, modern business centre and various locations ideal for cocktails and entertainment.

Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is situated at the foot of the Petka hill and there are numerous walks available through the forested countryside. The historic Old City of Dubrovnik is only a five minute taxi ride away or a ten minute journey on one of the local buses. Comfort and style, a crystal clear sea and views over local islands are reasons enough to choose this extra special hotel.

Hotel Excelsior, Dubrovnik

Hotel Excelsior is located directly on the sea, just a few minutes walk from the heart of the Old City of Dubrovnik. It is made up two buildings, a modern and older one, both of which were fully renovated in 2007 and 2008.

Hotel Excelsior has around 150 rooms and 18 apartments. The hotel's facilities are truly impressive, a large wellness centre with inside pools, stone beaches, a restaurant with a terrace and view of the Old City, fully equipped conference halls and many other amenities that make the hotel an ideal choice for business guests and leisure guests alike.

All areas and spaces in the hotel have a feel of luxury and taste and the service of Hotel Excelsior is famous for its care and professionalism.

Hotel Excelsior is part of the ALH group, in the same group as Hotel Bellevue and Dubrovnik Palace, and the whole group is renowned for its high standards. One could conclude from observing the interior that the hotel is modern yet not avant-garde. The goal of the designer was to create relaxed Mediterranean surroundings using natural materials wherever possible.

Even though most of the guests to the hotel are foreign, Hotel Excelsior is often used by people from Dubrovnik, especially for weddings and other special occasions and the hotels Palm Terrace is ideal for such events.

Grand Villa Argentina, Dubrovnik

Grand Villa Argentina is a Dubrovnik hotel complex which combines the highest standards of elegance and comfort. The business politics and work ethic of "Argentina" have for a long time been a traditional bench mark for excellence in Dubrovnik. Hotel Argentina is famous for the attention to detail shown to every guest as well as the unrivalled hospitality which makes visitors feel special, comfortable and relaxed. Apart from holidays, Grand Villa Argentina is the ideal choice for meetings, congresses and other business presentations due to the various possibilities available in the hotel.

Even though the Grand Villa Argentina was completely renovated in 2002 the whole building has retained its spirit and the entire new interior as well as the gardens have kept their architectural beauty, perhaps even more shiningly beautiful than ever before. Grand Villa Argentina is made up of five separate objects: Villa Argentina, Villa Orsula, Villa Glavic, Villa Sheherezade and Hotel Argentina.

All of the 162 rooms of Grand Hotel Villa Argentina are furnished and equipped with stylish furniture which, along with all the other details, gives you the feeling of a combination of the modern and the traditional. The hotel also has 7 apartments and 9 deluxe rooms which can satisfy the requirements of the most demanding business and leisure guests.

The advantages of the complex Hotel Villa Argentina are many and varied. A private beach offering glorious views over the Old City of Dubrovnik, inside and outdoor pools, a mere 5 minute stroll from the heart of the Old City, free valet garage parking are just the tip of the iceberg. The restaurant and bar complex offers various cuisines from international to local, and the ambience of the Mediterranean gardens and terraces with views towards the Old City compliment every meal perfectly.

Hotel in Dubrovnik Croatia

 Dubrovnik is a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast positioned at the terminal end of the Isthmus of Dubrovnik. It is one of the most prominent tourist destinations on the Adriatic, a seaport and the centre of Dubrovnik-Neretva county.

Its population was 43,770 in 2001 down from 49,728 in 1991. In 1979, the city of Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites.

The prosperity of the city of Dubrovnik has always been based on maritime trade. In the Middle Ages, as the Republic of Ragusa, also known as a Maritime Republic (together with Amalfi, Pisa, Genoa, Venice and other Italian cities), it became the only eastern Adriatic city-state to rival Venice. Supported by its wealth and skilled diplomacy, the city achieved a remarkable level of development, particularly during the 15th and 16th centuries.

Although demilitarised in the 1970s with the intent of forever protecting it from war devastation, in 1991, after the breakup of Yugoslavia, it was besieged by Serb-Montenegrin forces for 7 months and heavily damaged by shelling.

Morganfield's

Calling itself the "Home of Sticky Bones," Morganfield's aims to please everyone who has ever lamented that Tony Roma's remains pork-free in Malaysia.

The main attraction: hickory wood-smoked pork ribs. This version basted with BBQ sauce is the signature selection _ one fine meaty mess that made us lick our lips & fingers. The best in town? Probably not, but it'll still give a place like Vintry a run for its money.

Another rib recipe: a Tuscan-inspired variety, oven-roasted with spicy tomato sauce & served with red-skin mashed potatoes. Tender and hearty, though much of the flavor in Morganfield's ribs emanate from the sauces, not the flesh. Prices: half a slab costs around RM40, while a full one is north of RM70 once the service charge & government tax kick in.

Pork burgers also abound, with no fewer than five types. We chose this one topped with blackened cheese & sauteed onions, which proved more than worthwhile. The patty was fascinating; it featured a surprisingly delicate flavor & an almost melt-in-the-mouth mushiness that set it apart from other pork burgers in KL.

Caesar salad, also a piggy pleasure, with bacon bits as a savory substitute for smoked chicken. Housekeeping notes: Morganfield's is spacious enough that a Saturday night crowd easily fit inside without knocking elbows. Also, the service crew deserves praise for its smooth efficiency.

Of course, pork can't hog the whole menu. The Pacific Blue Marlin with Merlot garlic butter sounded tempting, but it turned out terrible _ shockingly drier and chewier than a tough steak (no exaggeration). Accompanied by an irredeemable C-grade version of pilaf rice.

Too much food for two, but we persevered. The sirloin steak was comparatively better, but nevertheless several notches below succulent. The verdict: for now, it seems like pork is the only food to pursue at Morganfield's.

An apple a day keep the doctor away: Apple Strawberry Mojito & Appletini. Cocktails here are pleasurably potent.

Who needs dessert when there's a dessert cocktail: Wafer Martini (frangelico, campari, banana liquor, pineapple juice).

Paiara Rosso IGT, Puglia, Italy. A small selection of wine is available at reasonable rates by both the bottle and the glass.

Morganfield's @ Pavilion,

Level 4, Pavilion, Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur.

Tel: 03-2141-3192

Ochado

True confession: we've never tried Chatime, Gong Cha or the other milk tea specialists, but Ochado's Japanese-inspired beverages have made believers out of us.

QQ Pop Eggs Milk Tea, an absolute delight, containing plenty of explode-in-your-mouth pellets reminiscent of salmon roe or molecular cuisine (!), alongside Okinawa Matcha Milk Tea with Azuki Beans, thick and richly flavored without being unbearably saccharine. More please!

Ochado Malaysia,

Tokyo Street, Level 6, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

The Best Way To Book A Hotel In Malaga, Spain

If you are traveling to the Costa del Sol region, you find several Malaga hotel options ranging from luxury, five star hotels to smaller more reasonably priced hotels. Malaga is beautifully situated along Spain's southern coastline and has accommodations for every traveler. You will, definitely, be able to find the perfect hotel or accommodation to meet your vacation needs.

Choices in Malaga hotels include traditional luxury hotels, old castles and basic, quality hotels. There are a few five star hotels in Malaga, offering amenities such as private beaches, pools health clubs, tennis courts, salons, saunas and spacious rooms. Some even have a casino on premises such as the Hotel Torrequebrada, for example, and many have a restaurant and bar on premises as well. The larger luxury hotels may even offer babysitting, twenty-four hour room service and laundry services. As expected, these five star rated luxury hotels are the more expensive accommodations for travelers to the Costa del Sol region.

You may want to spend your vacation in an old restored castle. A few have been turned into hotels and have become popular for weddings and other larger group conferences. This is definitely a way to experience the area's history. If you love historic places and castles, this is definitely an option you may want to consider.

There are several hotels in the area which are more reasonably priced and still provide quality accommodations. Many are located in the center of Malaga and, therefore, conveniently located close to public transportation. Some of these hotels date back to the eighteenth center and have been restored and decorated to reflect that time period when they were originally built. These hotels, of course, are less expensive than the luxury hotels described earlier as they offer the essential services but no additional amenities. These hotels are clean and comfortable and, particularly, suitable if you to not plan to spend a lot of time in your hotel but rather enjoying the town and attractions. Remember, the less you spend on accommodations the more money you have to enjoy the attractions and local fun.

When looking for a hotel, consider your needs and the services and amenities you do want in your hotel. Also consider you budget and how much you are comfortably able to spend on accommodations. How long you are staying should be a factor in this decision. If you are staying less than one week, you may choose to spend more on your accommodations. If you are staying longer than a week, you may want to choose a more reasonably priced hotel to avoid the high per night rate of luxury hotels. Finally, read hotel reviews to get an idea of the hotel's quality. Some online travel sites offer reviews written by former guests providing the perspective of those who have already stayed at the hotel. This is a good source of information. A little research spent in the beginning will help ensure you have a great vacation experience in Malaga and its Costa del Sol region

Mochi Sweets

We've never been major fans of mochi, but the delicate rice cakes at this new kiosk in Pavilion's Tokyo Street bowled us over. Could this be KL's best mochi?

Try all 12 flavors, for glutinous goodness' sake: sakura, black chocolate, cream chocolate, yam, red bean, caramel macchiato, chestnut cream, green tea, peach cream, mango yogurt, strawberry & blueberry cream. Ingredients are flown in from Japan.

Eaten chilled for a refreshing dessert that features lovely flavors laced with a subtle sweetness. The skin is like a petal-soft coat, swaddling a gooey paste that could be a compromise between caramel & ice cream. Impatience prevented us from letting these thaw a little longer.

Will mochi be this year's macarons? Probably not, but the ones here are certainly worth the calories. An elegantly packaged gift set comprising the complete dozen costs RM44.50.

Mochi Sweets,

Tokyo Street, Level 6, Pavilion, Kuala Lumpur.

The icon of Rome (& Italy)- the ancient Colosseum

Location: Colosseum, Rome, Italy (41° 53′ 24.61″ N, 12° 29′ 32.17″ E)
Date: 3 April 2005; 8.20 pm
Camera: Canon 300D with kit lens

The Colesseum is one of the most recognisable building of Italy and apparently the top tourist attraction in Rome. It is not difficult to understand as there are so many stories and legends abound about the Colosseum, not least movies and TV series about gladiatorial duels held in the Colosseum during the Roman Empire. It attained further notoriety associated with the martyrdom of Christians in the Colosseum by crucifixion and then fame as the starting point of every year’s Good Friday torchlit procession by the Pope.

The Colosseum is actually not that big; I guess is is the same imagery everyone have of well-known places and reaction when in its presence. In fact it is in a state of ruin and quite meaningless if one visits the place without a proper guide.

Food and Crafts at Treriefe House

Get inspired this August at....

www.trereifeparkfoodandcrafts.co.uk

Just a 5 minute drive from us here at The Artist Residence! 

Treriefe House is a beautiful 18th Century family owned Estate, with adjoining wall gardens and stables

... with some amazing flora and fauna to see wondering around the gardens this time of year...like this  beautiful Budlia!

...plenty of interesting stalls

selling some yummy local Cornish produce!!

and some great hand made arts and crafts by local artists

jewellery by Nina Sheer...

...and sea glass jewellery by Kate Pears

There are loads more events happening throughout the year at Treriefe House so check click below to check out their website!

www.trereifepark.co.uk