Amateur Gastronomy

When you watch certain reality shows they make the contestants carry out some crazy tasks. Sometimes we have to look away in disgust because the things they are forced to do for a few points is horrible. Is there anything in particular that makes you squirm even through you’re not the one doing anything? If you ask most people they will probably tell you it’s when someone is made to eat or drink the most repulsive things known to man.

You think what they are eating is akin to torture, but there are some countries in the world where the things people put in their mouth are actually a delicacy. A huge percentage of the population might think nothing of it and they will stuff their face with these rancid treats on a daily basis. I don’t know which ones frighten you the most, but we can find out right now because we will take a look at some of the most weird and wonderful food and drink from around the world.

Balut

Instead of just eating a normal egg like everyone else, people from the Philippines decide to let a fertilized egg develop until it turns into an embryo. It’s then boiled in a nice pot along with all the other dead embryos and served with chili vinegar. The trick is to crack the egg so you can sip the delicious liquid from the shell. You then put the embryo in your mouth and start eating while making sure you crunch hard to break all the bones. Now just throw the shell away.

Braised dog

This one throws up a lot of moral issues. Would you really eat man’s best friend? I’m sure the people who have a pet dog would probably be sick at the mere thought of putting ‘Buster’ inside their mouth. In some countries they do eat dog because it’s part of their diet. One disgusting thing I’m sure everyone would disagree with is when the chefs beat the dogs before killing them. They think the added adrenaline inside the meat will give virility to anyone who eats it.

Kopi Luwak

Have you even eaten poo before? Of course you’ve not and there is no way you would put any inside your mouth in a million years, unless of course you decide to try kopi luwak. The Asian palm civet eats coffee beans which pass through its digestive tract. Once it relieves itself, someone has to dig through its feces to pick out the beans. They are then used to brew coffee which happens to be the most expensive on earth.

Cane rat

When you’re walking down the street and you see a rat rummaging through a bag of rubbish does it make your belly rumble? Do you want to pick it up and start eating it? Some people might have to eat cane rat because they don’t have access to anything else, but that doesn’t mean to say it tastes good. It tastes the exact same as you would expect a rat to taste like. You can try it out for yourself if you’re ever in China.

Hakarl

Once upon a time there was a man who lived in Iceland. One day he thought it would be a good idea to bury a basking shark inside a gravel pit for 3 months. He still wasn’t hungry once he dug it out, so he decided to hang it and let it dry out for another 2 months. He finally decided to eat it and he was nearly sick, but he didn’t want people to think he was crazy so he said it tasted great. It soon became popular and everyone now eats it with a smile on their face as they tried to hold in their vomit.

Phil Hughes is a food lover and regularly visits the seafood restaurants in Nashville, TN. He often travels around the world and likes to try out various dishes and so has listed some of the most weird ones in today’s post.

Gin is making a comeback in a big way thanks in part to the Spanish love for this summer time favorite and the opening of gin bars in Barcelona and Madrid that are offering all the familiar makers along with some you may have never heard of.

UK

The trend is also catching on in the United Kingdom where drinking “mothers ruin” does not have the reputation it once had the first time this drink was at fever pitch when during the 1700’s in the seedy slums of Georgian London, gin was the Heroin of the poor.

For a few pennies people could escape from their miserable lives and all the problems they had to contend with, which led to Lord Hervey calling the streets of London full of drunken people from morning until nighttime.

Gin was to blame for an increase in crime, prostitution and just about anything bad that people needed something to blame for.

It was also the opening of gin palaces that for the first time allowed woman to drink alongside men while abandoning their children at home that coined the phrase that gin was “mothers ruin.”

A public outcry led to the Gin Act of 1736 putting a tax on a gallon of gin, and also forcing establishments that sold gin to pay a one off £50 licensing fee.

Eventually  bad grain harvests put the cost of gin up, and the craze died out until a year ago when people started to favor the juniper berried drink once again.

Distilleries 

New micro distilleries have sprung up in England and Scotland wanting to get in on the new fad, one of whom is Langton’s of Skidaw in England’s Lake District who describe their Langton’s #1 as being the purest of gins thanks to the regions slate filtered water.

The crave has not been lost on the big boys in the world of spirits with companies like drinks giant Diageo owners of both Gordon’s and Tanqueray brands who are resurrecting forgotten brands like Tanqueray Malacca and bringing them back as a limited edition.

Gordon’s are also preparing to launch a range of new flavored gins with names like “Crisp Cucumber” that they are backing with a million pound advertising campaign.

France

With summer only just around the corner why not visit a local cocktail bar or a gin bar if you are lucky enough to have one near where you live and rather than just stick to the old favorite gin and tonic or martini try a cocktail comprising of a gin you have never tried before, like the French 75 named after a French First World War artillery piece that just like the drink had a heavy kick to it.

The French 75 was said to have been invented at the New York bar in Paris by Harry MacElhone for returning fighter pilots and is simple to make at home by first chilling a champagne flute, and then over crushed ice in a cocktail shaker add:

• Half an ounce of lemon juice
• One ounce of gin
• Half an ounce of Cointreau (orange liqueur)

Enjoy

Shake well straining into the chilled champagne flute filling halfway full, and then very carefully top up the glass with your favorite champagne.

While this drink is undeniably good if you have one too many you will realize the next day why it was named after a cannon.

This post was written by Steve Long. Steve has teamed up with www.forevercrystal.co.uk to bring you a post on the history of Gin through the ages. Steve has lived in London his whole life, and started in the pub trade at the age of 17. Steve is a die hard Chelsea football fan and enjoys spending time with his children.

London.  Not only a capital city, but one of the world’s elite when it comes to opportunities for eating, drinking and being merry.  For anyone seeking a slice of the London action, here are ten of the capital’s hottest and most exquisite bars to be seen in.

Crazy Bear, Fitzrovia

This ambient lounge bar oozes style and class, from the cool basement decor to the impressive list of mouth-watering cocktails.  Expect to find London’s trendiest wining and dining in the intimate, red leather booths.

Ninetyeight Bar and Lounge, Liverpool Street

City types and Shoreditch fans will flock to this basement bar for a little taste of elegance and eclectic appeal.  Its cool, trendy and distinctive style makes this a favourite for those looking for a weekday night escape or a weekend hotspot for listening to funky music.

Long Bar, Sanderson Hotel, Soho

This central London hotspot not only claims to be one of the best drinking establishments in London, but even one of the best in the world.  The 80-foot long bar creates a focal point, with a distinctive style that smacks of urban spa.  Long Bar also has an adjoining courtyard, considered a hidden oasis in the heart of the busy metropolis.

Golden Bee, Shoreditch

Another Shoreditch favourite, the Golden Bee bar is one of the most talked-about bars in London.  Situated on a roof terrace, it makes a great venue for sipping cocktails on a summer’s evening, whilst soaking up the ambient and stylish atmosphere.

Graphic Bar, Soho

Graphic Bar is a must-visit haunt of London’s creative and media types, with the interior decor portraying a visually-pleasing mix of graphical works of art.  Boasting the widest range of gin-inspired drinks, and an impressive cocktail menu to match, the Graphic Bar is the place to be seen in.

34, Mayfair

This sleek Mayfair bar has all the essential ingredients for a classy night on the town, sipping divine drinks in the ultimate, luxury surroundings.  With unique art deco interiors and impeccable service, it’s the kind of place you won’t forget in a hurry when it comes to exquisite wining and dining.

1707, Fortnum and Mason, Piccadilly

The prestige Fortnum and Mason brand has extended its offering to allow discerning Londoners to enjoy fine wine in outstanding surroundings.  The bar, named after the year the Fortnum and Mason store was founded, has won awards for its design, and is a great way to mix shopping and relaxing over a drink.

Mahiki, Mayfair

Popular with celebs, this contemporary, tiki-inspired bar has bags of character and an inspiring cocktail menu to match.  You’ll need to look the part to get into this joint, as the door policy is pretty strict, but it’s worth a shot if you fancy rubbing shoulders with the A-listers.

Sketch, Mayfair

Another Mayfair favourite and haunt of the glamorous is Sketch bar.  Unique interiors with a theatrical feel, create an interesting sense of space.  With an extensive cocktail list, it’s the kind of place you’ll want to head to, to hobnob with the super-stylish.

Beach Blanket Babylon, Notting Hill

This decadent, decidedly grand bar is situated in an old Georgian house in trendy Notting Hill.  Over-the-top chandeliers, opulent architecture and velvet sofas offer a truly eclectic setting.  The fabulous ballroom makes an ideal venue if you fancy splashing the cash and hosting a grand banquet for friends.

Written by Crispin Jones for Restaurant Choice