Sky yesterday morning on our beach
An easy and hard place to work.
I have spent a considerable amount of time over the last couple of days trying to figure out how to worm my way into the Conde-Nast Traveler meeting here in my hotel. I have not quite figured out how to do this. Where are my business cards? Home in New Jersey. Won’t make that mistake again.
I am currently reading Anthony Bourdain’s “A Cook’s Tour” – enthralled with his uber-earthy musings while on the road – I skipped the pages on the pig slaughter in Portugal (nope – not this brave or dedicated – never will be) and have spent many moments, over the years as I have learned about him, wondering how this man is still alive. In the past and now through reading this book, I am wondering – is it really possible for a human being to indulge in this much alcohol, this many cigarettes and other forms and methods of self-abuse over so many years and still walk the face of the earth in some functional state? Apparently so, as I just had it confirmed that he spoke to the Conde-Nast group last night. Now, that’s a serendipitous surprise…… Truth is, I’d love to have a chat with him and see what he’s really like – just one-on-one (if I see him I’m gonna go for it – snag him into a conversation – but I suspect he doesn’t get up before I’m about ready to leave the pool for the day.) I, for one, was not gifted with a constitution or psyche, capable of tolerating a life such as his – mine’s boring, narrow and way too literal and conventional in comparison with anything similar to Anthony Bourdain’s. In this regard, I don’t know if I’m lucky or not…….. Maybe a chat would convince me one way or the other…..
Last night I had half of a large and delicious Carribbean lobster at Aqua, a little walk away from our hotel. Sunday night I had a great Branzino dish at Ragazzi, a small, informal Italian Restaurant, down the road a bit, as well. It was pan-sauteed with a light sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, pignolis and herbs and served with stuffed artichoke hearts and tiny new potatoes. Yum – the freshest fish and a perfect light and complimentary pan sauce. I’m game for this any time!
Saturday night I had a great cervice at The Cracked Conch…. and so the story goes…..
I am here on Grand Cayman with my kids and husband enjoying a great quality week of “just the 4 of us” – something it is very hard to do more than a couple of times a year these days. I value these times more than anything, including food………
I suppose my very favorite dining experiences outside of my home involve finding places such as those mentioned above – out of the way, relatively nondescript from the outside and virtually unknown to the “outside” world – with stellar food. You really expect great food in the places which are lauded to the hilt – like Eric Ripert’s Blue, where we had a memorable dinner with very attentive service last year. It’s big bucks, big fanfare and big expectations. But, with no disrespect intended, somehow, it’s not what I come here for. (I’d greatly prefer a simple cookout with him on the beach – reminiscent of the pics in his book, Avec Eric, and the one I am going to miss in about 2 weeks about 100 feet from here.) I can appreciate all the work that goes into an endeavor such as Blue, and I adore Eric Ripert and his special passion for seafood. And, as much as dining at Blue was a very pleasant experience, I really get a bigger kick out of discovering the little and the unknown. We ate at Ragazzi, and Aqua last year and wanted to return. We are trying some new venues over the next few days and I will report back.
Being that I am where I am and there is such great fresh seafood, I decided to work on this for my 4th installment of 90 new entrees:
If, after reading below, you think this might be an advertisement for you to buy Laurent Tourendel’s book, Fresh from the Market, well, you can draw your own conclusions……… I just think his flavor-profiling is superb………
Yes, it is true I have been MIA from this venue for a few days – but I actually settled on seafood as my Day 4 topic while I was still home in the NJ Winter. My mood has greatly improved each day since I arrived here and I just love to see my two kids smiling and giggling- a direct result of the wonderful affects of massive amounts of Vitamin D and numerous killer card games with their Dad – truly, there is nothing more satisfying than this.
My offerings in the vein of fresh seafood as inspired by this vaca:
1. Crab Gratin
2. Eric Ripert’s Whole Roasted Snapper with Thai Spices and Coconut Rice
3. Todd English’s Pan Roasted Shrimp and White Beans
4. Pan-Seared East Coast Halibut with Caramelized Cauliflower and Hazelnuts – from Laurent Tourendel
5. Crispy Red Snapper with Braised Cabbage and Orange Polenta – Laurent Tourendel
6. Grilled Striped Bass with Smoky Tomato Butter- Laurent Tourendel
7. Spicy Maine Lobster with Ramps and Ginger – Laurent Tourendel
8. – 16. and to finish the list, no better than: .…. Simple Seafood Dishes from Eric Ripert
Sorry, but I am having problems with some linking, including to the Laurent Tourendel and Todd English recipes and will fix this when I get home……..hmmmm…..am I going to go home? Not if I can score some job over the next few days……. Au revoir…………..
Love these little guys:
” Hello, pet, you may call me Aunt Vickie!” A new friend comes to say hello next to my chair.
– one of my favorite lines from The Parent Trap….sorry, have had a little too much sun!