Chinese takeout in London means a variety of dim sum samplers to choose from. I wish San Jose’s Chinese delivery restaurants would take note.

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Takeout, Travels by Courtney

I had passed by this place multiple times thinking it looked very nice inside, but since it was right on Trafalgar Square, it might be a bit of a touristy trap let down. I was wrong about that last part. We started with cocktails, expertly made, then moved onto dinner, starting with haggis, which was out-of-this-world tasty. For the main course, venison medallions showered with parsnip crisps atop a red cabbage. I finished with a bit of apple crumble that was warm and crumbly, just as it should be. My husband went the liquid route, (more…)

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Dinner, Travels by Courtney

Of course we couldn’t pass up a chance to try Monty Pythons Holy Ail while seeing Spam a lot. Both the beer and the musical come highly recommended.

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Beer makes me cheer, Drink time, Travels by Courtney

On my last day in Munich I decided I must try the Munich sausages before I left. The night before, the bartender was explaining the proper way to eat the sausages. On my cut off a small piece, slice it in two, then pull the casing off before dipping in the sweet mustard and eating. I couldn’t fathom why one must cut off the casing until the next morning, when I realized the sausages are boiled, not grilled. So the casing becomes very rubbery instead of having that nice crispness to it. It is served in a bowl of hot water to keep it warm until you are ready to eat it.

The sausage itself is, like other sausages I experienced this trip, mildly spiced – this one with onion or garlic, and parsley. The sausage is white, as it is made from minced veal and pork back bacon, and it doesn’t contain any preservatives and isn’t smoked. So this sausage is traditionally eaten before mid-day. As for the taste? Perfectly heavenly, with or without the sweet mustard.

At Platzl Hotel, Munich.

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Breakfast, Travels by Courtney

Since I was so impressed with the veal meatballs at the Spaten Haus, I felt I had to go back and try some of the other dishes I had spied on their menu. Specifically, I had seen venison medallions and saddle of hare, and I’ve been sorely missing my game meats. So back to Spaten Haus we went. (more…)

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Dinner, Travels by Courtney