Champagne!

As we are about to enter the party season, we are looking at the greatest party drink of them all – Champagne! It is very interesting how people’s perception of the French fizz has changed over the past 30 years. Once it was considered something only for special occasions like Christmas, birthdays and weddings. The reason for the change in attitude is that Champagne prices have barely increased in recent years, whereas increased wealth makes it relatively more affordable.
There is so much more to Champagne than the fact it is a fabulous drink. It has a whole mystique surrounding it, and it’s unique method of production, which has now been copied the world over in ”Method Champenois”, was originally invented by a Monk!
The absolute attention to detail of the Champagne maker maintains this art and the pursuit of quality. The Champenois have been very vigilant in protecting their product and its name. If it does not come from the Champagne region, then it is not Champagne. For example, Champagne will never be found made under licence in China!
This ethos runs throughout the whole district regardless of the price of the bottle. The real factors that affect the price tag are the quality of the fruit, the length of aging and to an extent, the brand name. The method however remains the same throughout.
For those of you who travel regularly, I would suggest stocking up outside of Romania, as local prices are very high for reasons I can only put down to excessive margins. It is not a question of duty. Ironically the cheapest place to buy Champagne in the EU, especially on the big brands, is in the UK! The UK is a very large Champagne consuming nation and all the Champagne houses are vying for market share. Christmas is when the war really starts, so now is a great time to shop.
What are you drinking this Christmas? Our cellar is now very well stocked with Taittinger which is a great favorite of mine. On a visit to the UK this week I was lucky enough to time my arrival with the first of the Christmas price wars in one of the large supermarket chains. Half price on 4 of the major brands, one of which was Taittinger, means we are now ready for the party. I’m really looking forward to Christmas this year!

If you’re looking for a place to drink a delicious cup of tea, we’ve just discovered the best place for it: the Bernschutz & Co. teahouses in Bucharest. There are two of them – one on Smardan St. and the other one on Eremia Grigorescu St. You can drink tea there or buy something for home – they have a wide selection of teas and all sorts of teapots. Check out pics from the two teahouses here. You can reach them by phone +40 21 310.47.88 (Smardan) and +40 372.790.723 (Icoanei).

Kumar’s Agra Palace
Address: Pipera – Tunari nr 47
Phone: +4 021 350 3114
Web: www.agrapalace.ro

This week we have been researching a British institution, the Indian Curry! Those raised or who have spent time in the UK will know how popular and influential this spicy Asian cuisine has become up and down the land. From a personal point of view, Indian food is something I never get tired of, so I am always in search of a good curry. In my younger days it was often associated with the perfect way to finish off a big Saturday night on the town. When the pubs closed at 11pm it was the chance to get another beer and eat great food.

When I first arrived in Bucharest, high on the priority list was to find a good curry house. After vigorous research in those early days I was beginning to lose hope.  Several very average experiences did not live up to my very high expectations. Then, by chance, perhaps even by the Grace of God,  one night I drove past Mr. Kumar’s Agra Palace in Pipera. At the time I made a mental note and thought this must be tried at some future date. Several weeks later, heading back into Bucharest at around 11pm, I decided to detour through Pipera just on the off chance the Palace was open.

As we approached the front door, it was opened and there was Mr. Kumar, dressed in his chef ‘s whites and a chef’s hat that was so tall it was hitting the top of the door frame.
I knew I had found my Indian restaurant Shangri-la in Bucharest. The location is great. If you happen to live in Pipera; otherwise it’s a drive or a cab ride from town but it’s absolutely worth the trip.
The restaurant is in a converted modern house divided into 3 floors, totally non smoking on the ground, smoking on the first floor and a very comfortable lounge on the top. There are also private rooms which can be booked for larger groups.

The restaurant also offers take away food and free delivery on orders over a certain minimum cost. Give them a call to see if they will deliver in your area.
The bench mark for an Indian restaurant in the UK has to be Brick Lane in London E1.  There are so many curry houses, somewhere in the region of 50 on the same street, that they are too numerous to count. The standards there are very high due to the intense competition but Mr. Kumar would compete with the best of them!

So in summary, if you like Indian food, or would like to give it a try, then do visit Mr. Kumar’s Agra Palace –It is excellent.

Recommended by many of our readers, a new personalized name labels producer – www.etichetexpress.ro -  prints and delivers name labels you can iron on your kids clothes, as well as waterproof stick-on labels and shoe labels. You can choose what to write on them and add funny designs of your choice.

You can pay cash upon delivery, and delivery is free of charge in Bucharest. Delivery outside Bucharest free for larger orders.

Check them out HERE.

Address: 70-72 Calea Floreasca
Phone: 0752148400
Web: www.fittocafe.ro

The Fitto Cafe is on Calea Floreasca at the corner of Ion Muntenescu St. A very modern design with lime green covers on stainless steel chairs, dark wooden table and funky lamp shades gives it a very clean fresh feel.
The friend who recommended this bar to me said you must order the Penne with Salmon! I did as instructed and also ordered one of the freshly squeezed juices to go with it. Both were excellent. After that I went a little beyond my original instruction and ordered the Chocolate Mousse. I couldn’t resist it.

My benchmark for Chocolate Mousse is the mother in law, and I have to say for now her crown is safe, but Fitto came a close run second.
This Cafe, with its relaxed atmosphere, makes a great place for breakfast. It is perfect for those weekend days when you have time to read the paper or just sit and chat.
The selection of breakfast items includes pasta, salads, sandwiches and desserts with a wide range of coffees and those freshly squeezed juices.
They have a terrace on the Calea Floreasca side which catches the afternoon sun, making it an ideal place to catch the last of the sun’s rays during the afternoon tea time.
Open from 8.30am until midnight, the daily serving of an all-day menu makes this a great find, and remember, Penne with Salmon (Chocolate Mousse optional!)

Photographer Eric Matson displays some very interesting photos of Romania and its “revolution” in 1989 and the early 1990′s on his website. Make sure you browse through it, as he has different categories of pictures about Romania!

Address: Str. George Calinescu 4A-Dorobanti area
Phone: 021 231 27 95
Web: www.whitehorse.ro

The White Horse is a very traditional style British pub in Dorobanti which started in 1997, one of the originals on the night life scene in Bucharest. As you walk in off the street past the red telephone box you enter the ground floor bar area which has a very solid dark wooden, island bar design in the middle of the floor. This is surrounded by bar stools, so suits those, perhaps especially Brits, who like to do their drinking and chatting at the bar, and with a dart board in the corner this pub is arguably the closest thing you will find to a British pub in town. They have a large pull down projector scene in the back area behind the bar which is used to show sports, mainly football. On the first floor there is an 80 seats-restaurant split into 2 separate sections for smokers and non smokers. The menu offers a wide selection of grilled meats, seafood and salads, no pizza/pasta, a refreshing change!

The prawns were excellent.  Another floor above the restaurant on the top of the building is a terrace, which at the moment is closed but which should reopen soon.The part of the White Horse I like best though has to be the ground floor bar, it feels very familiar, they offer Guinness, Leffe, Carlsberg, Tuborg, Becks and Stella on draught. You would say to yourself nothing exceptional in that, and you would be right, but you have to meet Nicolete Tanasie. Nicolete is a bartender of 3 years with the White Horse and this week won a prize awarded by Stella Artois as ‘Stella Draught Master’ for Romania and is going to compete in the grand final in London at the end of October. There is a lot more to pouring a Stella than most of us have imagined. The ’9 steps’, google it to find out more! After I learnt that, I have to say the beer somehow tasted better. Pay Nicolete a visit and try yourself. All in all I do like the White Horse and it comes into its own as a night time venue as it gives that cosy pub feel ing. Of which I’m sure many still miss and go in search of. Open daily from 11am until late.

If you are in for sweets and Moldovan wine, you should try out the Clipe and Bucuria store on  Calea Dorobantilor 107, opposite of La Perla.

It opened 8 months ago and their offers include Moldovan red and white wines, sparkling wine and ice wine. Most of the wines are from the famous Cricova estates, famous for their immense underground wine cellars.They also offer some great pralines and Moldovan Chocolates! E-mail contact:  asoimaru@yahoo.com.

Address: Piata Rosetti Nr 5
Phone: 0730 534 373
Web: www.legere.ro

Legere is a Cafe bar situated in Piata Rosetti just 2 minutes walk from Piata Universitatii, opened in May of this year by 4 local photographers in the fantastic old building which is connected to the Hotel Banat. The bar occupies a section of the ground floor with the old frontage still in tact.

The interior of the bar has a feel of the arts with posters on the walls and bouchers advertising theatre and events. During the week they have themed evenings, anything from a gathering of photographers to 70′s rock nights, check out their Facebook page Legere Cafe to see what’s coming up. They are also very open to requests so if you want a night taylor-made to your needs give a call as this is an ideal venue for a party. The floor space is good for numbers up to around 60.

The bar interior was created by Valeriu Virlan, who designed the now very well known Van Gogh Bar and cafe. The unique feature in the design at Legere is the long extension to the bar top, extending well beyond the needs of the bar tender and becoming a place for the drinker to sit or lean whilst enjoying the atmosphere.

The offering at the moment is drinks only but they are developing a food menu which will be coming soon. The drinks list consists of draught and bottled beers, a range of cocktails, and home made wines which have to be tried!
The bar is open from 9am week days and from midday on Saturday and Sunday, until the last man standing every night. Great place for a coffee during the day as the bar offers free WiFi and power points to plug in at every table.

In summary, Legere has a very open and friendly environment, a good place to stop for a coffee during the day or party at night. Do check out the events page as they offer events not found elsewhere.

Some have been knowing it for a long time, some discover it now upon their arrival- but almost everybody falls in love with this delicious Italian food offered at GRANO-ITALIAN FINE FOOD.
The friendly (and always busy) owner Giulio can help you find your favorite cheese, salami, burrata or homemade pasta! More info HERE!