Le monde de Tokyobanhbao: Blog Mode gourmand

Some shopping…

Wed 6 Mar, 2013 · Fashion

This week, I went shopping (at the Bon Marché, amongst others) and here is what I brought back, with the upcoming sunny days in mind.

A Carven t-shirt: with a print of an old Paris map. I love the retro side of the print, and that way I’m also ensured I won’t get lost!

Map print tee shirt Carven

Silver Marc by Marc Jacobs sandals: I got the silver fever (and anyway, if you’ve been following me for a while, you know that I prefer silver over gold, the latter being sometimes too “bling” for my taste). They have 4cm high wedges yes, that’s right 4cm (and not 12!!) it’s such an impossible find on this earth that I didn’t even hesitate!

The Kavinsky CD: I had discovered him with the Drive soundrack. I persist with his new album that I love from the first track to the last.

Sandals Marc by Marc Jacobs
CD “Outrun” by Kavinsky

A pair of Maje shorts: (or should I say …. a Maje bag) for my motivation to head over to the Maje corner was this zebra shopping bag, that was offered for all purchases during the Fashion Week. I won’t say I bought these shorts with closed eyes, because I really like them too, but I like this tote-bag – that will probably be tagging along all summer – even more! Two birds, one stone! (English translation by Bleu Marine)

To a successful Dawson’s creek party…

Fri 22 Feb, 2013 · Illustration

A couple of weeks ago, my friend Lionel and I had the wonderful idea of organising a « Dawson’s creek Marathon » evening, this mushy series I believed to be alone in loving … but it seems not!

Everytime I talk about it to someone, the answer I get is that it was incredibly namby-pamby, and pure sentimental psychological torture (I will admit that the characters did have this annoying tendency of answering with endless tirades to someone simply saying « Hi, how’s it going? »).

But for my part, I was all over it every saturday afternoon, even if I hated Dawson’s character (=Team Pacey). So of course, when I found out that there was another person on planet Earth that was as passionate as I was about this series, the idea of a « Dawson’s creek marathon » came about instantly.

And who says « Dawson marathon » says sushis, sweets of all kinds (amongst which my host’s delicious home-made cookies), an almost shameful regression, a full blown nostalgia. I love it. (English translation by Bleu Marine)

Yummy Amsterdam !

Tue 29 Jan, 2013 · Food, Travel

Finally! I’m back with my favorite places in Amsterdam! Of course, in 3 days time, I didn’t get a chance to taste everything, but here is a small selection that I really enjoyed, and that I hope you will too, if you get the chance to spend a couple days in the city. Don’t hesitate to share your good spots to complete my list!

LANSKROON

(Singel 385, Amsterdam) it’s a must if you want a taste of delicious Holland waffles (or stroopwafel) or other various sweets to have with a delicious hot chocolate. If you could take only one thing there, it’d be those stroopwafel: they are crisp and yet very soft with a caramel center.

There are two flavors: honey caramel (my favorite) and coffee caramel. Just talking about it makes me regret I didn’t bring back more! The apple pie is very nice too, even if it may have lacked some binding for it to be perfect (the genoise was a tad dry) and after having tasted the waffles…everything seems bland, I must say!

The owner!

Apple pie with a generous serving of whipped cream

Spices and almond snack cakes

WINKEL

(Noordermarkt 43, Amsterdam) Here, apple pie is their specialty! That is THE reason why people go. It was also the case for me, for I braved a snowstorm with this sole objective in mind: go and taste this apple delicacy (recommended by a local in the tram: the Dutch are very friendly, I love it!) Inside, the atmosphere is very cozy, you can even have some salty snacks. But the best thing to have there is the apple pie!

I was just saying how the previous one lacked some “binding”, well here, the harmony is perfection : it’s delicately scented … perfect!

100% perfect apple pie

LA PERLA

(Tweede Tuindwarsstraat 14, Jordaan Quarter, Amsterdam) : Nothing to do with traditional Dutch cuisine, but this pizzeria was a real treat, I had to share! Pizzas are made and cooked before you. The dough is thin, crisp and the melted mozzarella di bufala on top is extraordinary. Stacks of fashion magazines are set on the tables: so you can daydream about the latest trends while eating!

Another owner checking to see if the job is well done

Stracchino , buffalo mozzarella & oregano pizza

“Calabrese di Spilinga” pizza with ‘ndjua (spicy salami), Buffalo mozzarella

ROB WIGBOLDUS VISHANDEL

(Zoutsteeg 6, Amsterdam): a hidden spot in the midst of all these tourist-trap restaurants on the Dam Square. One couldn’t have picked it from the other (Thank you Lonely Planet!). Here, you can have their specialty: the “Broodje haring” … a small bread with herring (you get to choose between different types of bread).

The owner (not a cat this time!) is extremely friendly and welcoming and knows how to advise you about his products. You can also choose to have your herring cut up in dices, with pickles and small onions (and never ever kiss anyone ever again afterwards). A real delight for fish lovers.

EICHHOLTZ DELICATESSEN

(Leidsestraat 48, Centrum quarter, Amsterdam) : a place that makes you want to buy a whole new suitcase just to bring all of it back. Once again, it’s not typically Dutch but you can find tons of english and american snacks: pretzel or peanut butter M&M’s, all kinds of breakfast cereal, chocolate bars to no end. No good when you’re dieting, but oh so exotic!