SUPPIN’ EURO-STYLE

THE DISCOVERER BLOG OFFERS “7 Delicious Culinary Cities in Europe.” Given that I’ve done my share of international travel, I glean tidbits of suppin’ Euro-style, in some instances even without leaving the Good Ol’ U.S.A. 

Krakow, Poland. “Meet the Polish pierogi,” says The Discoverer. “These little dumplings are served either boiled or fried and are made of unleavened dough with a range of fillings, from potatoes and cabbage to ground beef. Although you can order them all over Poland, the city of Krakow is one of the most characterful places to base yourself if you’re hoping to try this delicious dish.” 

Krakow, Poland. Image by TTstudio/Shutterstock via The Discoverer. 

The Discoverer gives me a new word, “pierogarnia,” as well as the Festiwal Pierogów each August. I offer a familial recommendation: Mrs. T’s Pierogies.  

That’s T as in Twardzik. Mom, R.I.P., was neé Twardzik, born and raised in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania, world headquarters for Mrs. T’s. Mary Twardzik’s son Ted established the firm. To mom, I believe he was Uncle Ted. 

Image from Mrs. T’s Pierogies.

London, England. “London’s cosmopolitan nature,” The Discoverer recounts, “brings people from across the world to live in its neighborhoods and open restaurants and cafés that remind them of home.” The website recommends Borough Market near London Bridge on the south side of the River Thames.

Borough Market, London. Image by Christian Mueller/Shutterstock.

I recommend the culinary treats surrounding Covent Garden, with a favorite Din Tai Fung among them.

A review cites longish queues, and wouldn’t you know, my local Din Tai Fung here at South Coast Plaza also has them (’Mericans call them “lines”). 

A few of my bag collection.

Avoiding the lines, I order take-out regularly and get multiple uses out of Din Tai Fung’s upmarket take-away bags. Their soup dumplings are legendary.

Lyon, France. The Discoverer notes, “The third-largest city in France has one of the highest concentrations of restaurants per capita in the country. It has long been dubbed France’s ‘capital of gastronomy.’

Lyon, France. Image by Anknet/iStock via The Discoverer.

The villages around Lyon ain’t bad either. About 20 miles south is Vienne, home of La Pyramide F. Point, a multi-visited favorite. Another was Alain Chapel’s three-star Michelin restaurant in nearby Mionnay.

A beautiful Mionnay setting. Alas, Hotel and Restaurant Alain Chapel closed its doors in 2012. 

Copenhagen, Denmark. The Discoverer describes, “Copenhagen is the epicenter of the New Nordic Cuisine movement and is an irresistible choice for those craving a culinary experience in Europe. Make a booking at historic Schønnemann, which first served herring and beer to hungry diners in 1877. These days, it’s in a class of its own when it comes to smørrebrød, the typical rye bread open sandwich topped with meat or fish.”

Copenhagen, Denmark. Image by Olga Gavrilova/Shutterstock via The Discoverer.

I’ve never been to historic Schønnemann’s, but in several visits to Copenhagen I’ve enjoyed Tivoli and various other funky neighborhoods. Fish at breakfast is one of Denmark’s culinary achievements shared with Japan, another of my favorite countries.

Bologna, Italy. The Discoverer nails it: “When a city’s nickname is La Grassa, which translates to ‘The Fat One,’ you know you’re onto a good thing when it comes to its food scene…. One of the best ways to sample some of Bologna’s culinary treats is to indulge in the passeggiata, Italy’s evening stroll, and finish up in one of the many downtown bars where you can sample the city’s answer to tapas accompanied by an Aperol Spritz, a citrusy Italian cocktail.”

Bologna, Italy. Image by Claudio Zaccherini/Shutterstock via The Discoverer. 

Modena is just up the road. I recall enjoying the Hotel Restaurant Fini there with R&T’s Bill Motta, who was a bit surprised when I used my 1913 Baedeker Northern Italy to locate the place.  And I suspect there’s not a bad restaurant throughout Reggio Emilia; at least not for long.

The Discoverer’s Other Two. The website also praises San Sebastián, Spain: “This is the place to try pinchos (don’t let the Basques hear you call them tapas).” And Istanbul, Turkey: “Istanbul straddles the border of Europe and Asia, so if you’re looking to add an eastern influence to your European culinary break, then this is the place to go.”

I’ve never been. But I do recall “We’ll Always Have Estoril” and nearby Cascais. Maybe so will Bernie Ecclestone, his wife at the time Slavica, and child Tamara. (Tamara is 40 now).  ds

© Dennis Simanaitis, SimanaitisSays.com, 2024