Twelve Things: Food in Europe

Let's be honest, loads of our favorite memories are directly related to food and alcohol. So who am I to skip that list?

Beer in a German beerhall (1)

If you haven't consumed a liter of beer, you haven't really been to Germany.

Whisky and music in a Scottish pub (2)

You don't like whisky? Fine. More for me.

Tapas in Madrid (3)

Tapas are just so much fun: small plates, lots to try, plenty of jamon.

Pasta in Italy (4)

This one is controversial, because our Milanese and Roman friends may start a rumble over which precise region of Italy offers the best pasta. So I shall be diplomatic and simply claim that all of Italy offers superior pasta.

Pizza in Rome (5)

Okay, diplomacy is over. Pizza in Rome = the best.

Wine in a vineyard (6) 

Somehow exploring the area and following the process from vine to bottle makes the wine taste better, no matter which region you choose to visit. (Although we heartily endorse the Côtes du Rhône.)

Champagne (7)

And while we're on the subject of wine, we had zero appreciation for champagne until we figured out that France was keeping all the best (and cheap!) stuff for itself.

Brat and gluhwein at German winter market (8)

Holy crap, am I still going on about winter markets? Yes. Yes, I am. Now go find one with a nice brat and proper gluhwein (preferably with amaretto).

 

Skyr in all its forms in Iceland (9)

When I was at Whole Foods ordering our Thanksgiving turkey, I interrogated multiple employees to see if anyone could procure me skyr. They could not. Maybe Siggi's ships to San Francisco?

Pierogi in Krakow (10)

So, pierogi don't photograph so well, but there's no beating an awesome batch on a cold Krakow day.

Restaurants where you have to earn it (11)

We've discovered a few restaurants where you have to be in the know to get yourself a seat. For example, Cal Pep required a strategically early arrival; Da Francesco required bringing Romans with us for negotiating purposes; Chez Agnes required showering a puppy with loads of attention so Agnes would give us a table and end up showing us her 1948 wedding album.

Greek salad in the Greek Islands (12)

I don't really care for tomatoes; cucumbers are kinda boring; feta is annoyingly crumbly. But throw those things together with some olive oil, onion, and olives on a hot Mediterranean afternoon? And I'm completely sold.