If these past few months have taught us anything, it’s that with a little creativity and a lot of pent-up energy, even the smallest of journeys can be thrilling. Biking one neighborhood over can be a revelation. Even a day hike promises new sights and sounds. Our backyards and balconies, tired as we may be of them, present new possibilities in the light of summer—from barbecuing to creating a beach day away from the crowds. Over the coming months, we’ll likely inch a little further afield, too, as some forms of entertainment and escape are back on the table, from drive-ins to private cabins in secluded destinations, and more.

Below, our editors on how we’ll travel this summer—and why we’re looking forward to it.

We’re investing in bikes

After years of living in Brooklyn and fantasizing about owning a bike, it only took a global pandemic to shock me into buying one. I have not looked back. With strict lockdown rules still in place and public transport off the table for non-essential workers, bikes have become both a source of exercise and the only real means of getting around. Finally, weekend activities are no longer confined to walking distance.

It’s no wonder, then, that cities around the world are considering expanding their bike lanes—an efficient way to simultaneously cut down on pollution and create more outdoor space for social distancing as the world begins to reopen. Milan, for example, is looking to introduce 22 miles of bike lanes this summer; Paris’s mayor Anne Hidalgo has proposed introducing bike paths that connect the center of the capital to the suburbs to help residents avoid riding the Metro. In the U.S., cities like Oakland and New York are temporarily closing streets to traffic, opening up previously busy roads to cyclists and pedestrians—just last week, the latter promised to add another 12 miles of open streets and introduce an additional 9 miles of bike lanes.

And while my own bike purchase felt a little quarantine-impulsive at the time, it seems I wasn’t the only person to make the leap. According to Bloomberg, bike shops across the U.S. have seen an overwhelming surge in demand, with some reporting as much as 300 percent growth since the pandemic began. Here’s hoping our newfound cycling obsession continues long after life returns to normal. —Lale Arikoglu

The return of the drive-in

By some estimates, there are just over 300 drive-in theaters left in the United States—a fraction of the thousands in operation in the 1950s. But if the past few weeks are any indication, 2020 is set to be the summer of the drive-in. From California to Texas to the tristate area, drive-in theaters have been selling out since many reopened this month. And no wonder: Standard movie theaters remain closed in many states, but drive-ins have been among the first businesses to open back up, drawing those looking to get out of the house while maintaining distance from others. In the privacy of your own car, the drive-in theater promises just that—plus a little (distanced) human interaction.

Some of these drive-ins are old classics, like Warwick Drive-Ins in New York, which has been in business since the ‘50s and just reopened with three screens and nightly showings (barbecues are also allowed). Newer, now-open theaters include Coyote Drive-In in Fort Worth, Texas (founded in 2011), and Mission Tiki in Montclair, California (founded in 1956, but fully refurbished in ‘06). There’s way more to the experience than popcorn and a show: Coyote has a dinner menu and full bar; Mission Tiki serves meals like carne asada nachos at its nightly showings. Other theaters, like the drive-in recently sprouted in the parking lot of Bel Aire Diner in Queens, New York, are operated as pop-ups—something we can no doubt expect to see more of this season. There will likely be a repurposing of the drive-in model for other types of events, like music festivals; its cousin, the drive-through, has also become a means of entertainment during the pandemic, for everything from Portland’s strip clubs to Six Flags’ safari attractions.

You’ll have to keep your mask on and social distance in line for the bathroom, but after months of streaming at home, the idea of sitting outside in the hot summer air, barbecue smoke floating past, is a whiff of normalcy we can all look forward to. Just prepare to book those movie nights well in advance—you won’t be the only one planning on it. —Megan Spurrell

Even small trips will feel like an adventure

Car trips are as low-risk as it gets for our return to travel. A drive to take a nearby hiking trail, for instance, feels feasible if you can avoid tight paths that require bypassing others. And weekend trips to see nearby friends and family will, slowly, start to make sense as small groups are able to gather again.

“More and more, people are deciding to get back in their cars and go places,” says Matt Clement of Arrivalist, a location data company that provides insights to the travel industry. “The trends are very clear.” Arrivalist’s Daily Travel Index measures automobile trips that exceed 50 miles or more. Nationwide, they’ve seen a 48.2 percent increase since early April.

The post How We’ll Travel This Summer appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

Cyprus

Cyprus is a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea which you’ll find towards the East of Europe. Around the island you’ll find white sandy beaches and turquoise seas. The Island isn’t that big and consists of two parts, the North and the South, and popular holiday spots include Paphos, Kyrenia, Larnaca, Limassol and Ayia Napa.

Average temperatures from June-August: 22-28°C

Malta

Malta is another island in the Mediterranean Sea. The country consists of various small Islands and is famous for it’s past and historic sites. A few things you should see and do during your visit include exploring the fortifications of Valletta, swimming in the stunning blue lagoon, and visiting the very cool Popeye Village.

Average temperatures from June-August: 23-27°C

Barcelona, Spain

Barcelona is packed with things to see and is a must-visit destination in Europe. When visiting be sure to explore the architecture designed by Antoni Gaudí, such as Park Güell, Casa Batlló and the Sagrada Família, shop along the famous La Rambla highstreet, and enjoy lots of delicious Spanish Cuisine such as Tapas and Paella. The city also has an amazing nightlife with bars throughout the city, and a must do when visiting is to lounge on Barceloneta beach, maybe with a couple of cold beers.

Average temperatures from June-August: 20-24°C

Greek Islands

Greece includes an incredible 6000 Islands of different sizes, and some of them are perfect to visit during the summer. Some of the popular islands include Santorini, Mykonos, Zakynthos, Crete and Rhodes. When visiting relax on the beautiful beaches, go for boat cruises on vibrant blue seas, and enjoy delicious Greek cuisine such as Souvlaki, Baklava and Dolma.

Average temperatures from June-August: 22-28°C

Vienna, Austria

Vienna although a landlocked country is still a fantastic Europe destination for the summer. In the city you’ll you’ll find a large variety of summer things to do, from sightseeing, hiking, lounging at deck chairs along the canal, swimming in the outdoor pools, the beaches and much more. As well as this you’ll find gelato stores everywhere and the gelato you get in Vienna is next level delicious. Another benefit of visiting Vienna in the summer is that you may get to enjoy the Donauinselfest which is one of the largest open-air festivals in Europe.

Average temperatures from June-August: 18-19°C

Dubrovnik, Croatia

Dubrovnik is a top summer destination with some beautiful beaches, an amazing restaurant atmosphere and historic old town. When visiting jump on a boat and cruise around the local islands, walk the Old Town Walls, or head up the gondola for stunning views over the city and the Adriatic Sea.

Average temperatures from June-August: 22-25°C

Kotor, Montenegro

Not far from Dubrovnik and also worth visiting is Kotor in Montenegro. This city is within the Bay of Kotor and you’ll find beaches, mountains, historic architecture, and delicious seafood restaurants. It’s worth visiting both Kotor and Dubrovnik during the same trip as they are around two hours drive away, and as Kotor isn’t quite as busy as Dubrovnik it sometimes feels like a peaceful escape.

Average temperatures from June-August: 23-26°C

Ibiza, Spain

For those that like to party as well as relax then Ibiza has you covered. This beautiful Balearic Island in the Mediterranean Sea has some of the best nightclubs in the world. Ibiza isn’t just a party destination, you can also visit to just enjoy the stunning beaches, explore the landscape, or visit the historic Ibiza Town.

Average temperatures from June-August: 22-26°C

Albanian Coast

Albania is a lesser known tourist destination that is waiting to be explored. Here you’ll find lots of beautiful and quieter beaches along the coast with crystal clear turquoise water. A few of the best spots include Ksamil, Borsh, Jala and Dhermi.

Average temperatures from June-August: Approx 22-25°C

London, UK

The UK is famously known for being a cloudy, overcast destination, but if you visit in the summer you will be more likely to see some blue in the skies. When visiting London in the summer you’ll have longer days to see the sites while it’s light, and even if it’s not pure sun you should still have much better weather.

While there if you wanted to get away and see one of the UK’s beaches then why not jump on a train to Brighton. This city is South of the country and only around one hour by train.

Average temperatures from June-August: 16-19°C

Algarve, Portugal

The Algarve is located in the south of Portugal and is one of the sunniest places in Europe with over 3000 hours of sun a year. Along the coast you’ll find approx 200km of stunning beaches perfect for your summer holiday. Golf is popular here with a large number of scenic courses available, and the region is often voted as one of the best golfing destinations in the world. Also in this region of Portugal you’ll find water parks, cities including Faro, and pretty towns such as Tavira.

Average temperatures from June-August: 21-24°C

Sardinia, Italy

Sardinia is a large island off the west coast of mainland Italy and is an autonomous region of the country. Around the island you’ll find around 800 cultural spots, including historic buildings, museums, monuments, parks, churches and other sites. When visiting be sure to spend time relaxing on the beautiful beaches such as Porto Giunco, Cala Mariolu and Spiaggia Tuerredda.

Average temperatures from June-August:  21-25°C

Summary

As well as having a large choice of destinations that are perfect for the summer, Europe is also easily accessible and often affordable due to lots of fantastic transport connections, such as from easyJet, Ryanair and Flixbus.

Note: Average temperatures obtained from holiday-weather.com. Facts obtained from official sites. All content believed to be accurate at the time of writing.

Source: Travel and Destinations

The post Best Places To Travel In Europe 2020 appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

The Four Pillars of the Russian Cuisine

Vegetables. Abundance of vegetables is one of the distinctive features of the Russian cuisine. Vegetables were pickled and preserved otherwise to supply vitamins for long winters. Cheap, easy to grow and able to be stored for a long time varieties was preferred, such as onion, cabbage, carrot, turnips, and radish. Russians also liked potatoes brought by Peter I at the beginning of the 18th century. Vegetables make the base of rich and nourishing soups, spicy appetizers and are amply added into meat and poultry dishes.

Fish. Russian rivers and lakes have always been rich in fish (perch, roach, pike, ruff, sturgeon), that is why it has an important place in the menu. Besides fish was caught in the winter season as well (the famous “subglacial fishing”), and rich and nourishing fish dishes could be served all year round. Those include soups, roasted and stewed dishes as well as baked food.

Baked Foods. “Bread is the staff of life”, says an old Russian proverb. No meal either at a rich or a poor house can do without bread. There are many kinds of bread with considerably different flavors. However, Russian people have baked, not only bread: Russian cuisine is full of appetizing recipes of baked and roasted dishes of dough. What can be more nourishing and tastier during a long and cold winter? Baked food has always been a distinctive feature of Russian holiday feasts and accompanied many religious and ritual celebrations. Pan fried blini and oladi, famous pies with dozens of various fillings — every housewife has her personal signature recipe.

Cereals. Grains in Russia were used not only for making bread. People have liked to process grains and eat them. Hot and rich Russian porridges are made of a variety of cereals (barley, wheat, buckwheat, semolina), each of which has its own unique taste. Porridge becomes even tastier with various additives: berries, mushrooms or stewed meat or chicken, and roasted onions.

Traditional Russian Dishes

Blini (pancakes). Thin roasted scones of plain dough made from flour, eggs and milk are one of the most beloved by Russian people’s dishes. A bit sweet or meagre, golden brown, hot and well-oiled, they are an essential attribute of any holiday. Blini are always served with various additives — from rich (e.g. Meat, salted fish, caviar) to sweet ones (e.g. Berries, honey, jam), so they can be either a main dish or a dessert. In the second half of February or early March Russian people celebrate Maslenita — a holiday when blini are cooked at every home. Making blini very thin, even and lacy is a matter of honor for every Russian housewife.

Oladi is another dish from dough cooked in a frying pan. Oladi is similar to blini, but they are thicker and have porous structure. They are served with Smetana (sour cream).

Borsch. This is a soup based on beet-root and cabbage with pulpy pieces of vegetables that has nice vinous colour and sweet and savory vegetable taste. Borsch is a dish that exists in many varieties: it can be nourishing, with pieces of meat or very light, based on vegetables only. Depending on the region of Russia borsch is cooked with tomatoes, sometimes mushrooms or even apples.

Shchi. It is a light transparent soup of boiled cabbage with pieces of vegetables. It is a very light and useful dish for all seasons. In spring it is cooked with new cabbage and has fresh and delicate flavor. The winter dish is the so-called “sour shchi” based on pickled cabbage. Sour shchi has very bright and nice pickle flavor. However the smell of sour shchi is not very pleasant (due to pickled cabbage) but real gourmands simply disregard it.

Pirogi or pirozhki are baked food with various fillings. It is difficult to find a more diverse dish of the Russian cuisine! Pirozhki can be filled with meat, chicken, fish or mushrooms, boiled eggs, vegetables, fruits, berries or jam. The contrast of golden brown dough and delicate hot filling inside is very tasteful. Pirozhki is very popular “fast food”, they are often taken by people going on a long journey. Cooking of pirozhki at home is a real fun for the whole family, as even a child can easily make them. The most pleasant and unusual taste belongs to pies with mushroom (or potato and mushroom), apple or cherry filling.

Ukha is a transparent soup made from fresh fish, potatoes and carrots. Ukha is cooked from various kinds of fishes, mainly white ones. The sterlet ukha is a speciality, but ukha made from small river fishes is also very tasty (folks especially like ruffe ukha). Instead of bread ukha is often served with a traditional fish pie called rasstegai.

Buckwheat porridge is a nourishing dish from boiled buckwheat grains that has been anciently beloved by Russian people. Its taste and appearance resemble brown rice. The classical buckwheat dish is crumby, it shall be boiled so that all the grains keep apart. Quite often buckwheat is cooked with meat or other (usually not sweet) ingredients to make its mild taste more piquant. One of the popular dishes called “Grechka po-kupecheski” (Merchant-Style Buckwheat) is cooked with roasted mushrooms and onions.

Pickled products have been part of the traditional Russian cuisine since ancient times as they gave the opportunity to add vegetables to the diet during the long winter. Especially popular are pickled cucumbers because they stay as crunchy as fresh ones, but get savory salt and sweet taste. Common people also like sauerkraut made of chopped and pickled cabbage leaves. After pickling they become crunchy and semi-transparent. The taste of sauerkraut varies from sour to sweet and sour, it is a great appetizer and a freshening side dish. Pickled mushrooms are a haute Russian specialty. Milk mushrooms (Lactarius resimus and Lactarius turpis) have an especially delicate taste and elastic body. They are pickled and served with onions or mashed potatoes. Brines for pickling are made with various herbs and spices able to add new interesting tints to dishes.

Pelmeni. Their recipe was brought to Russia from China but has been considerably changed under the influence of Russian culinary tradition. Dough for Russian pelmeni is made of wheat flour and is rather hard. The filling is minced meat. Pelmeni are most often boiled, sometimes roasted and served with Smetana. Pelmeni is a very substantial dish, so it is better to eat them separately.

Stroganina is a dish of the Russian North cuisine. It is really thin slices of frozen fish or meat that are dipped into a mixture of salt and pepper. Stroganina is a very unusual crispy appetizer.

Okroshka is freshening cold soup with pieces of fresh vegetables. Okroshka is made with traditional Russian beverages — kvass or kefir. It is a very tasty and light summer dish that feels good in hot weather. Usually okroshka is served with Smetana.

Russian Drinks

Kvass is a traditional summer beverage made of rye bread or flour and malt. Kvass has rye, sour, and freshening taste. It perfectly quenches thirst, but may seem too poignant to some people. In summer time you can find iron barrels, selling cold kvass in the streets of Russian cities. However, when eating at a restaurant it is advisable to order kvass made in wooden barrels. Kvass contains a bit of alcohol (up to 3%), that is why it is not recommended to drink it before driving!

Medovukha is a light honey based alcoholic drink with added grasses and berries. Medovukha is served hot and consumed slowly. It usually has a pleasant sweet taste.

Sbiten is a drink similar to medovukha but having less distinct sweet taste. Sbiten is often cooked with various herbs and serves a perfect prevention against colds. To some extent it resembles herbal tea with honey.

Mors is a drink based on water diluted berry juice (the most popular kind is cranberry mors). Usually it has nice red or ruby color and fresh, slightly acid taste. The history of mors counts several centuries. Cold mors perfectly quenches thirst and helps to clean taste receptors.

Russian exotic — the most authentic dishes and drinks

Borodinsky bread is made of rye flour. It has dark brown color, nice piquant flavor and thick body. Its taste is difficult to describe: it is spicy, sweet and sour with a tint of fermentation. Borodinsky bread is covered with spices, usually coriander seeds. Brown bread perfectly complements most dishes of the Russian cuisine. It is very tasty when cut into thin pieces and slightly dredged with salt.

Kholodets. This dish is probably for the bravest and persistent followers of the Russian cuisine. It is cold jelly made of rich bone broth with pieces of meat and vegetables. Kholodets is dressed with cold sauce of grated horseradish. Kholodets has an impressive look — through transparent jellied broth one can see nice circles of carrots and potatoes. However, this dish is far from being popular even among Russians.

Kefir. A drink made by fermented milk having thick consistence and unique sour and creamy taste. The closest analogue is natural yoghurt. Kefir appeases hunger, perfectly refreshes in hot weather, and is very useful for digestion. However, many people who try it for the first time point out that its taste is unusual.

Vodka. This is one of the most popular among foreigners, Russian words and the main strong national drink in Russia. When choosing vodka it is better to give preference to well-distilled spirit. Pickled products and brown bread are traditional vodka chasers.

What is the right way of drinking vodka?

According to the Russian tradition a shot of cold vodka should be drunk at a gulp, then smell a piece of dark bread and only after that have a bite.

To some people Russian cuisine may seem too exotic; however, those who are open to new tastes would like it. First of all, this is home and not restaurant cuisine, so if you get a chance to try Russian dishes made by not a professional cook but a housewife do not miss it! However, one should take into account that a table fully covered with dishes is the standard of Russian hospitality.

Source: Russia

The post Traditional Dishes – Russian Cuisine appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

Russian cuisine is famous for its festive dishes such as smoked sturgeon balyk, sturgeon with horseradish, slightly salted salmon, red, black and pink caviar, pickled and salted mushrooms. But this is, of course, only a small part of Russian national cuisine. Other popular and traditional dishes include kasha, a mixture of cereals and porridge, soups such as borsch, pancakes, pirogi pies with different salty fillings, and many dough based dishes. Poultry dishes are considered festive in Russian cuisine. Stews, meat and cabbage are popular daily foods, as well as goulash, an old traditional meat dish.

Bread and other wheat products are also an essential part in the food culture, especially brown bread. Other popular breads include olad’i, which resembles a pancake, shan’gi, white bread rolls, pyshki, tiny doughnuts dating back from Soviet times, baranki, and bubliki, similar to bagels, and kalachi, white baked bread. Russian bread products have a long history along with vodka, which first emerged in the late 1400s.

Vegetable and meat salads are also very popular. Salads are usually heavier than in Western countries, and consisting of potato, carrots, beetroot, mayonnaise etc. The most famous salad in Moscow is the Olivie, which was named after its inventor, a French chef of the Hermitage restaurant in the 1860s. It is made mainly of vegetables mixed with mayonnaise, and boiled meat or chicken. Everyone has their own variation of the salad.

History and the orthodox religion have also had a significant effect on Russian food culture. Soviet snacks and dishes still remain popular and Orthodox culture has had a big influence on which dishes are eaten at which time of the year. There are still special restrictions concerning the food during Lent, during which meat, poultry, and dairy products are not allowed, and so vegetables are used, for example the form of stews and soups. Fish is also used as a replacement for meat.

This can be seen also in Russian restaurants: during lent you might be offered dishes without meat, eggs and butter. However, they will have traditional fish, vegetable and mushroom dishes on offer.

Russian desserts

Kissels are popular desserts consisting of sweetened juice thickened with flour.

A kissel can be made from berries or other fruit. It can be made thick and jelly-like to be eaten with a spoon or it can be drinkable. It can be served both hot and cold, for example on pancakes or with ice cream.

Dishes containing curd, which was mistaken for cheese before, are a very popular part of the food culture. One special dish is oladyi, more commonly known as syrkini – cheese cakes, which are made of curd with eggs and flour and then fried in oil.

Pancakes have a special spot in the Russian food culture as they are a very old tradition. Pancakes were considered ritual food, representing the sun in the old pagan traditions.

The pancake week, Maslenitsa, is organised every spring to celebrate the sun and the end of winter.

Vodka is one of the most popular drinks in Russia, mainly because it is cheap. It is usually drunk very cold, and generally with food or some snacks.

Tea, surprisingly, is a very popular drink in Russia. Tea is drunk traditionally from the Russian Samovar, which is a heated metal container used for boiling water. Other popular drinks include Sbiten, a spicy hot drink flavoured with wine or honey, and Kvass, a drink usually made from black rye or rye bread.

Russians also drink Mors, which is made of berry juice and water, and birch tree juice, using extracts from the trees.
Home-made mint Kvass: Kvass is a Russian bread-based drink and an ingredient in many soups (light kind).

Source: Expatica

The post A Guide To Russian Cuisine appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

The post Grilled Pork Tenderloin appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

The post Best Concept Bars In Lisbon appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

Basically, boozehounds will be well looked after with some beautiful bars to kick off the evening.

Here are the seven very best bars in Madrid. We’ll cheers to that!

1. 1862 Dry Bar

1862 Dry Bar is perhaps Madrid’s most well-known bar, and for good reason. This bar has a very old-school feel to it that attracts nostalgic-bar patrons in search of great atmosphere and the best cocktails in Madrid.

Since you’re at a bar that embraces tradition, get yourself an Old Fashioned here.

2. Salmon Guru

Salmon Guru is another bar in Madrid that has its own fantastically different and trendy character. The bar is adorned with bright neon lights, hipster furniture, and cocktails that look more like pieces of art than drinks.

Immerse yourself in the Madrid bar scene and get the rum-base cocktail with ginger beer and kombucha, called ¿Porqué te ríes? (Why are you laughing?)

3. Vinoteca Vides

Vinoteca Vides is an unpretentious wine bar that has no frills, just great wines. With a vast list of wines to choose from (over 100 different bottles), you should have no problems finding a glass or bottle of wine to your liking.

Try one of their 70+ Spanish wines or ask the sommeliers to help make a recommendation for you.

4. Del Diego Cocktail Bar

Del Diego Cocktail Bar is an upscale bar that attracts Madrid’s thirsty business-people and curious tourists. The decor is bright and modern, and the bartenders here concoct some of the best cocktails in Madrid.

Swing by this classy bar for a glass of Spanish wine or a Martini.

5. La Venencia

La Venencia is an institution in Madrid bars and has been in business for nearly 100 years. There is a vintage vibe to this bar and rumour has it, Ernest Hemingway was a frequent guest here during his heyday.

Their featured drink here is local Sherry and there are a few different kinds you can try here along with some great tapas.

6. Sala Equis

Sala Equis used to be a cinema that has now been converted to a bar. With remnants of the cinema still here with the large cinematic screen now surrounded by cinema seating, it is absolutely one of Madrid’s hippest bars.

Grab a cocktail and walk around the different rooms in this cinema turned bar and even catch an old movie in the last screening room available at Sala Equis.

7. Café Berlín

Cafe Berlin is one of Madrid’s best bars if you want to have a drink and listen to some great live music. Come before midnight and be treated to a live music performance. After 1a.m. is when the DJ takes the stage and party goers hit the dance floor.

If you’re here before midnight, sit back with a Gin and Tonic or a glass of wine, sit back and enjoy some music.

Source: 7 Travel

The post 7 Of The Best Bars In Madrid appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

1. Brettos

If you only go to one bar in Athens, make sure you come to Brettos. Brettos is Athens’ oldest bar but you wouldn’t notice that once you step inside.

When you walk in, you will notice the brightly-lit, giant wall that is filled with colourful glass bottles and wooden barrels. Truly an amazing sight, with great drinks to match.

While you’re at Brettos, you must try their ouzo, Greece’s national aperitif.

2. 360 Cocktail Bar

360 Cocktail Bar has one of the best panoramic views of Athens on this rooftop bar. This place is great for a coffee in the morning or afternoon to soak up the heat and then a drink or two in the evening as the sun goes down.

Try one of their signature cocktails, the Fragola Spitz and enjoy views of the Acropolis lit up at night.

3. The Clumsies

The Clumsies has consistently been rated as one of the world’s best bars. People keep flocking to this bar because of the world-class service and interesting presentation of their drinks.

Order The Gatherers while you’re here. A drink that features rye whiskey and is served in a clay pot. Nice to look at, and even nicer to drink.

4. Drunk Sinatra

Drunk Sinatra is a classic gem of a bar with an obvious vintage feel to the place. It’s been a hot spot for locals and tourists alike since it opened because of its genuinely unique theme.

The drinks menu is inspired by the 60’s and cocktails can be enjoyed indoors or outdoors on their mini-patio area. Come here for the great vintage vibes.

5. Baba Au Rum

Another vintage-themed bar in Athens, this is known as one of the world’s best rum bars is Baba Au Rum. You guessed right if you thought they probably specialise in rum-based drinks. They do them amazing here, and add their own homemade syrups to their rum cocktails.

Get the 5-Star Zombie here, a drink that includes five finely-aged rums.

6. Couleur Locale

Another one of Athens best bars is the rooftop bar at Couleur Locale. This place is hip and trendy and is really popular among the locals. With amazing views of the Acropolis as the sun sets, enjoy live music bands and DJs playing on the weekends.

Come here for a beer and some classic bar food and just soak up the great ambience.

7. Six d.o.g.s

Bordering between a bar and a nightclub, Six d.o.g.s is a popular spot for thumping, loud music and great drinks. The space here huge, with lots of outdoor seating where you can enjoy your drinks and meet new people.

Come to Six d.o.g.s if you’re looking for the perfect spot to hang out with great drinks and a cool vibe.

Source: Big Seven Travel

The post Best Bars In Athens appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

Nice is a melting pot of locals and travellers all wanting something different from their bar options. The good news is that the city caters to all, from alcohol aficionados to music lovers. Head to the Old Port to find wine bars and pubs the locals frequent and then to the bars and clubs of the Old Town to party into the early hours.

The post The 10 Best Bars in Nice, France appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .

There are good restaurants, and then there are great ones. The good ones offer a pleasing experience and a tasty meal. However, just once in a while, you come across a restaurant which blows you away. You may not go there often, the last time you visited may be months back, but you will always end up raving about it to others in conversations about food.

In a country like India where we love our food and restauranteurs keep upping the game in the culinary arena, it is difficult to come up with a ranking of best restaurants. However, as they say – ‘Consumer is king’. The diner is the best critic and an amalgamation of these diner based reviews weeds out biases.

Here are the winners of TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Awards for India’s 10 Best Fine-Dining Restaurants according to consumer reviews. How many have you eaten at?

1. Indian Accent, New Delhi

Indian Accent is pure magic and we can never get enough of it. Arguably one of the only 2 restaurants in India that come close to international standards of Progressive Indian food, Indian Accent is in a league of its own. The centrepiece of a quiet boutique hotel in South Delhi, The Manor, it doesn’t attract walk ins due to its location. However, its popularity crosses borders and reservations are highly recommended if you would like to experience a meal here. The food celebrates regional dishes from across the country and presents them in unique ways, playing with flavour combinations and textures.

Location:  The Manor, 77, Friends Colony, New Delhi
Meal for 2: Rs.5000
Our Favourites: The tasting menu
Recommended for: A special occasion, birthday or anniversary.

2. Peshawri, Mumbai

It comes a bit of a surprise that Peshawri beat Bukhara in this list as it is popularly known as Mumbai’s Bukhara. The detailing is where the restaurant scores. The menu is printed on wooden blocks, the crockery is earthy and the décor reminiscent of the rugged northwest frontier. Diners do find the wooden stools a tad uncomfortable for languid meals though.

Location: ITC Maratha Hotel, Sahar Road, Andheri East | Andheri East, Mumbai
Meal for 2: Rs.5000
Our Favourites: Sikandari Raan and Dal Bukhara
Recommended for: For your fix of great North-Indian food in a city where it’s fairly elusive

3. Villa Maya, Trivandrum

One look at this place and you will want to book the next flight over. Villa Maya is something that dreams are made of. Set in a painstakingly restored 18th century Dutch manor, the ambience speaks of timeless elegance. A variety of dining spaces are spread all over the bungalow, spilling into the picture perfect courtyard. The food however, is as contemporary as the ambience in nostalgic. The menu pays homage to countries that were involved in spice trade with Kerala like Morocco and Italy.

Location: Near Muthoot Sky Chef, Enjakkal, 120, Palayam Airport Rd, Vallakkadavu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala
Meal for 2: Rs.4000
Our Favourites: Kerala Special and Fish Tikka
Recommended for: Calm and peace and leaving the chaos of the world outside

4. Bukhara, New Delhi

The name is iconic and it is doubtful that any foodie in the country would not have heard of this restaurant. The more popular cousin of Dum Pukht which sits in the same hotel as Bukhara, a meal at Bukhara is all about the experience. One does not feel like you are out only for a meal, you are treated like a king and for just a little while, this is your kingdom.

Location: Hotel ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg, Diplomatic Enclave, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi
Meal for 2: Rs.7000
Our Favourites: Dal Bukhara is legendary (albeit creamy and heavy).
Recommended for: Taking your International clients for an Indian meal

5. Agashiye, Ahmedabad

This one deserves its slot in the Top 10 and how. A little known jewel hidden across the Sabarmati River in Old Ahmedabad, it is set in a quaint haveli called ‘The House of MG’. If you’re in town and not staying at the haveli, you must make time to visit the restaurant for dinner. Though there is indoor seating, choose the terrace and sit back as you are served in traditional Gujarati style. The food is authentic and delicious. There is no a-la-carte menu, each guest is served an array of dishes from the region.

Location: The House of MG, Opp. Sidi Saiyad Jali, Lal Darwaja, Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Meal for 2: Rs.1700
Our Favourites: Khichdi kadi
Recommended for: A romantic evening

6. Khyber, Mumbai

A huge space that drips with old-world charm, it has Afghani tones to the décor and a laid-back ambience. The food too, is influenced by the cuisines of the North-West Frontier. A trip all the way to South Mumbai is recommended, so you can experience a meal here.

Location: 145, MG Road, Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai
Meal for 2: Rs.2700
Our Favourites: Achari Tikka and Keema Naan
Recommended for: Quiet dinner with the family

7. Malaka Spice, Pune

If you were wondering why only metros dominate these lists, here’s a breath of fresh air. Certainly the best South-East Asian food in the city, head here is you love seafood. The dishes are authentic and flavourful. The restaurant is divided into various seating options. Malaka Art is about dining in the middle of a carefully curated art gallery. Malaka Classic is perfect for enjoying Pune’s weather in alfresco seating and Malka Street is the more informal space.

Location: Opp. Oxford Properties, Lane Number 5, Koregaon Park, Pune, Maharashtra
Meal for 2: Rs.2000
Our Favourites: Three Aunties & Three Grandmothers, Duck Dumplings
Recommended for: An evening out with friends over great food and a lovely ambience

8. Gulati, New Delhi

Nothing beats good ol’ hearty North Indian food when it comes to indulgence. Not one for the faint hearted, the food at Gulati is delicious and sinful. They do not spare the cream or the ghee and thus the curries and daals are heavy, though delectable. It’s usually overflowing with people and getting a table can take some time if you don’t reserve in advance.

Location: Pandara Road Market, New Delhi
Meal for 2: Rs.1900
Our Favourites: Paneer Lababdar and Kakori Kebabs
Recommended for: kitty parties or large groups

9. Pinch of Spice, Agra

A trip to the Taj Mahal may leave you in awe of the monument but there is another legend in town that you must not miss. Seeing this name in a list which has missed many iconic restaurants across the country like Masala Library, Dum Pukht, Indigo, Sevilla, etc., is a bit of a surprise. However, it’s always nice when the smaller towns start rubbing shoulders with their bigger cousins in terms of food excellence.

Location: 23/453, Mahatma Gandhi Rd, Wazirpura Road, Opp. Sanjay Cinema, Sanjay Palace, Agra
Meal for 2: Rs.1300
Our Favourites: Punjabi meat
Recommended for: A quick meal when in town

10. Tuscany Gardens, Candolim, Goa

Another surprise, we were half expecting to see Koi from Goa on this list here. Tuscany Gardens is a relaxed space serving non-fussy Italian food, much in line with the vibe of Goa itself. The food is authentic and simple, but then it is the simple things in life that often give us the most pleasure. You may sit indoor or enjoy the lovely alfresco seating area. The food is delicious and flavours, clean.

Location: Main Road, Near Kingfisher Villa, Sinquirim, Candolim, Goa
Meal for 2: Rs.1000
Our Favourites: Thin crust pizzas
Recommended for:  A quiet evening when you’re done with the party scene in Goa

Source: NDTV Food

The post Top 10 Fine-Dining Restaurants in India appeared first on The Fine Food Magazine .