There’s something comforting about the dependable, the quotidian, the downright normal. Roman pasta is just that. Amatriciana, carbonara, gricia and cacio e pepe are the main pastas of Rome, and most restaurants have at least two of them on the menu at any given time. They are, by and large, the things Romans love about their food. […]
behind the bite
All About The Iconic San Sebastian Cheesecake (+ Recipe)
The beauty of the legendary San Sebastian cheesecake is its simplicity. It doesn’t even have a crust, unlike its New Yorker cousin, and the list of ingredients is shorter than you’d think. The key factor is the perfect baking time—or rather, underbaking. The cake has to be taken out of the oven when it’s still […]
Cozido, Uncovered: All About the Tasty Tradition of Portuguese Stew
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Portuguese stew is much more than meat and potatoes. Learn why it’s a staple of the country’s cuisine, and where to get the best cozido in Lisbon. There’s something about stew that never ceases […]
Piri Piri Grilled Chicken: The Non-Native Dish that Became a Comfort Food Staple in Lisbon
Once Portugal embarked on the Age of Discoveries from the 15th–17th centuries, local cuisine would never be the same again. We couldn’t think of a better example of that change than piri piri grilled chicken. Preferably grilled on charcoal, marinated the day before, juicy and with crispy skin, the sauce—secret or not—is what makes this […]
Behind the Bite: Madeleine
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. The beautifully ornate pâtisserie lined up in Paris’ pastry shops will definitely catch your eye. But it’s none other than the humble madeleine which has become one of France’s favorite sweet treats. The simple […]
Cassoulet: The Rags to Riches Story of Southern France’s Most Famous Dish
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Battles have been won—literally—on the shoulders of cassoulet, a hearty ragout from southwestern France. And to be honest, we can understand why. Nothing hits the spot quite like a hearty serving of cassoulet, especially […]
Behind the Bite: Prosecco
Prosciutto. Parmigiano. Prosecco. There are certain words that just recall Italy. But when it comes to the last one, the love for it is often coupled with a justified confusion. Say “Prosecco” to someone, and the image that will come to their mind is a chalice of golden, bubbly liquid, sipped on a terrace in […]
Where to Find the Best Crema Catalana in Barcelona
Everyone’s heard of crème brûlée—but what if we told you the Catalans were making a version of the famous dessert centuries before the French dreamed up theirs? Crema catalana is a staple on dessert menus throughout Spain. But in its home region of Catalonia, the obsession for this tasty treat runs deep. It’s not just […]
Behind the Bite: Idiazabal Cheese
This post is part of our Behind the Bite series: deep dives into the dishes that we can’t stop thinking about. Drive from San Sebastian out to the idyllic Basque countryside beyond city limits, and suddenly you’ll find yourself in another world. As the landscape gets even more lush and green and the sounds of Spanish […]
Pizza alla Romana: Everything You Need to Know
Pizza is the stuff of legends, literally. Many trace its origins back to Roman times due to an episode in the ancient poem the Aeneid, written by the poet Virgil in the 1st century BC, which seems to describe the dish. It’s certain that people in Italy and indeed the whole of the Mediterranean have […]