Caribbean cuisine evolved from native crops, spices and culinary techniques married with imports that came in with the Spanish and Africans. The Spaniards brought with them goats, citrus fruits, ginger, and bananas. Africans came to these islands as slaves and brought with them okra, peanuts and a variety of beans and peas, all of which are considered staples in today's Caribbean cuisine.
Now that I have had the chance to visit both Paasha and Punjab Grill multiple times, my considered view is they are both a tie for the best kabab place in town. Of course, this isn't really an apples to apples comparison. Paasha is a fancy upscale lounge and restaurant located at the newly re-branded JW Marriott hotel, while Punjab Grill is located within the Phoenix Market City shopping mall. Though Punjab Grill is by no means down-market, Paasha is clearly the more fancier and the more expensive one.
I was back at Ame after a while. It was a Saturday evening but I was able to get a table without too much trouble even without a reservation. I stayed with the basics and was rewarded by the same satisfaction I got when I dined here last. The sake menu and the service continues to remain top-notch too.
Downtown San Francisco is an ideal place for the travelling foodie. I have been returning here every month during the past two years, but have yet to run out of interesting new places to try. This time was no different.
La Boulange has been a favourite of mine for a while. I guess I am not alone; its rising popularity in the Bay Area recently led Starbucks to buy this boutique bakery that has outlets all over Silicon Valley and San Francisco. While its French pastries, breads and sandwiches are excellent, it is their French Toast I find truly outstanding.
While I haven't been a serious art collector, I am fascinated by the variety of ancient art forms that have been passed through generations of skilled artists and craftsmen and kept alive in our towns and villages. During our recent trip to Chennai, we re-discovered several examples of traditional artisanship that have been native to the Coromandel region and fine-tuned overs the years.
