Happy Easter!!!!...

Qatar International Food Festival 2013

For the fourth year the Qatar Tourism Authority and Qatar Airways are hosting the Qatar International Food Festival taking place until tomorrow in the MIA Park.

The entrance is free but be aware that if you are going better not to take your car since there is no parking available, so the solution will be to use the Park & Ride service that has been organized at Al Aqsa Street (adjacent to MOI on the corniche) and opposite Airport Marriott Hotel near Al Sharq Village and Spa. So park your car and catch the shuttle bus that leaves each 5 minutes to the venue.

At the Festival you will find a lot of gastronomic varieties, especially form the best Hotels in town were you can taste a five star cuisine from a all over the world and Qatari specialties as well.

Interesting and different dining experiences are available like the "Dinner in the Sky' staged at 40 metres in the air by W hotel and Residences and the Dining at the sea with the famous BBQ Donut crafts from the Diplomatic Club with some flaming barbecue menus.

To buy the food you need to buy vouchers been sold in one of the many small desks available in the venue and priced from 5 QR to 25 QR and be aware that when you buy a booklet a 10 QR fee will be charged, so plan in advance how much you are planning to spend or eat.

Also you will find a lot of entertainment available, there is a Cooking Theatre where some famous and awarded-wining celebrity TV chefs like Ramzi Choueiri, from Lebanons and Vinnet Bhatia, from India ( in the picture) are demonstrating some of their dishes. 

Concerts and other presentations also take place in the main stage and you will also see musicians and entertainers walking around the Festival. Even the famous Italian Chef Manolo Mosconi was showing around he's skills playing with the pizza dough.

Children are not forgotten, there is in the kids playground a place full of activities including face painting and games.

Its a good opportunity to enjoy your evening with your family or friends and indulge yourself with many gastronomic experiences in a beautiful setting...

Still Sunday to enjoy from 2pm till 10pm.

Photos:The blue chic

Halal Hal Qatar Festival 2013

In Qatar and until the end of this month you can still go to the Halal Hal Festival taking place at Katara Cultural Village.

This Festival provides you a insight to the forgotten animal (goats and sheep) trade and sheep breeding  typical from the Qatari culture and heritage.

Walking around the space you will find many activities and events, display handmade crafts, traditional food and diary products, popular games, artists, music, shepherds and even falconry shows.

Many stables with different kind kind of sheep and goats can be seen, some of them quite unusual for me, and here you can learn how animal are bred.

Also you will find a competition for the best livestock product and live auctions where you can learn about the different type of livestock present and how the Qatari do their trade.

You can find as well a traditional (old) Qatari house reflecting the way Qatari's lived, so this festival really gives you the opportunity to understand their culture, learn and experience how their ancestors lived and trade!

Until 31 March 2013 from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm

Photos: the blue chic

D.O.M. by Alex Atala - Sāo Paulo

Sāo Paulo is one of the biggest cities in the world, the biggest in Brazil, largest in South America and considered as a Alpha World City. It overwhelms not only by its size but also by the diversity of cultures and choices.

This modern and cosmopolitan city also known as “Sampa”or “Cidade da Garoa”(city of drizzle) has a lot to offer, culturally, artistically and off course perfect for gourmands with inspiring and outstanding’s cuisines.

Being in Sāo Paulo, I was dying to go to D.O.M., a Brazilian and contemporary cuisine Restaurant owned by Alex Atala who recently was awarded with the 4^th Best Restaurant in the world!

Fortunately a friend and me got a table for lunch…

Located in the Jardins, the most sophisticated neighborhood in town that allocates the best and most trendy restaurants and hotels in the city. One of the most famous street in this neighborhood is Oscar Freire, that is frequently compared to the Rodeo Drive in Berverly Hils, California.

Just next to Oscar Freire Street you find D.O.M. (Dominus Optimo Maximo), witch signifies the desire to have the “home” of the “best” “and greatest” cooking, the best restaurant in Brazil an one of the best in the world elected by The World's 50 Best Restaurants Award sponsored by San Pellegrino.

Arriving to the restaurant, the door suddenly opens and Alex Atala himself welcomes me and my friend….I have to admit I got a bit confused…even in doubt if it was really the Chef Alex Atala opening the door for me…

The Restaurant décor is very clean, elegant and spacious with dark wood creating an intimate environment. In the middle of the room you find a fabulous Philippe Starck chandelier hanging over a beautiful vintage table.

The chef Alex Atala is known for the use of native Brazilian ingredients, employing the most careful and innovative preparations in the execution of custom-designed contemporary dishes.

He’s cuisine is also inspired and influenced in dishes from all over the world but using mostly Brazilian ingredients like Tucupi juice, pirarucu, piraíba fishes, the herb jambu and the tapioca from manioc flour and many others. The result is absolutely majestic and divine.

We decided to try the tasting menu, and I have to say, from the bread, appetizers, main dishes to the desert...only one word comes to my mind...HEAVEN... I went to heaven all the way…and sadly had to come back when it ended…

After our stunning lunch he invited us also for a tour to his Kitchen, and what a cuisine…with many delicate and colorful food coming out, a true temptation for your palate… while showing us some of the dishes coming out.

If you plan to go, reserve it in advance, the restaurant has a small capacity and it is one of the most overbooked restaurants in town.

D.O.M. conquered my palate… I wish I could cook like this…

Photos: the blue chic

Earth Hour......

For a better planet.....join this cause....

Havaianas...

I guess everyone in the world knows the name Havaianas.  Though it is a cheap product it is most likely the Brazilian most Iconic fashion brand.

The worldwide famous Havaianas flip flops were created in 1962. Inspired from the traditional Japanese slippers made from rice straw called "Zori".

If you go to Sāo Paulo in Brazil, you have to go to the Havaianas Flagship Store and first store in Brazil to buy an authentic pair of these Iconic flip flops.

Located in one of the worlds most expensive streets in Rua Oscar Freire in Sāo Paulo the store was design by the architect  Isay Weinfield who filled the store with the freshness and casualness that the brand inspires.

The Store has a great and relaxed atmosphere, doesn't even look like a normal store since its a space fully opened onto the street like an extension of the side walk.

The space is just beautiful with great use of natural light just makes you feel so comfortable inside.

The open space store is divided by zones where you can find the traditional model, new and exclusive models, shoes and also some other new merchandise like towels, bags, socks etc...

Also you will find a lowered area for a customization of the flip flops, so you can have your own exclusive model.

A place to go, if you are in Sāo Paulo, Brazil....

Diane von Furstenberg for Roxy...

Summer is finally here...and the surfer chic brand Roxy in collaboration with the fashion designer Diane von Furstenberg just released a limited edition of beachwear for girls under the name 'DVF loves ROXY' and the mote 'follow your heart and dare'.

The concept behind is to motivate women to be more active and enjoy their time in summer on the beach and the sea.

The pieces are very fun! The 14 piece collection features Roxy's classic bikini styles also monokinis and board shorts, bags with the eye-catching graphic designs and prints of Diane von Furstenberg.

This limited edition will only be available in some Quiksilver and Roxy stores and also on Roxy's e-site.

Together with the campaign Roxy released a video for a first impression on the collection...take a look!

Photos: Roxy

Giolitti - Rome

The word Ice Cream always reminds me Italy... the best place on Earth to have an Ice Cream indulgence experience!

There is an Icon place in Rome for Ice cream lovers, with a huge variety of tastes, that place is called GIOLITTI!

Founded in 1890 by Giuseppe and Benardina Giolitti, this is probably the most famous for its Ice cream or gelato artigianale in Rome. Still owned by the same family, they received several times offers to sell the brand and recipes but they always refused.

Their gelato is produced according to secret recipes and come in dozen of different flavors, which include some unexpected ones like Champagne, Ricotta, Marsala custard, Rice and Cassata siciliana.

Well everyone goes to Giolitti for a reason....its a superb, delicious and authentic gelato experience!

Though the place is always crowded its worth the minutes you stay in the queue, the waiters and very friendly and the service great and efficient.

I just can't resist to a gelato in Italy, and this one is definitely amazing.... you should not loose the opportunity to try the pistachio flavor, famous in Italy and famous in Giolitti. 
Mine pistachio and...well... can't resist to chocolate too....

Photos: the blue chic