When I was 8-10 years old going out to eat was very rare unless we were on the road, then it was HoJo’s. There was a little German place up in the hills called Schnitzelbank and I think I tried everything but the liver. Perhaps Sauerbraten wasn’t my thing then either.
Binghamton NY, another German place where I had sauerbraten with red cabbage and apples. I was on a business trip with a colleague and made him go there and he was satisfied with a wonderful German meal.
Smoked meat at Ben’s in Montreal, Canada. See my recent article on lunch favorites.
The Black Forest in Germany, fresh trout. Freshest fish I’ve ever had and a remarkable flavor experience. This may not qualify as “out” but the guys went fishing in the Adirondacks for trout, caught some and I’d cleverly brought a few utensils, some butter, spices and flour for our cabin with its kitchen water pump, and I cooked us up a fantastic breakfast to mimic the trout I’d had in Germany.
Cheese fondue and rosti in Zurich. Dairy and starch, two of my favorite things!
The meal my sister and I had in Athens for my 25th birthday, we were shocked and appalled that it cost $7.50 per person! And a grand feast of meze (appetizers) for my dad’s birthday docked off the island of Rhodes, supposedly the home of Odysseus whose voyage we traced.
The first time I had chianina beef from Tuscany, bistecca alla Fiorentina. Two KG of beef served rare (for two or more people), with just olive oil, salt and pepper. Incredible.
At Fagiole in Florence, Italy, the fagioli a’l ucelletto (beans with birds) that is white beans, probably solferini, with a tomato sauce. Also in Florence I Ce Ce Ce (excuse the spelling) for salmon and frites. Yes, their fries are done in olive oil, so tasty!
Mussels at the Mussel Inn in Glasgow, Scotland. Also the pizza in Scotland is first-rate, just don’t try the burgers!
Steak tartare at the Russian Tea Room in NYC. First and last time I’ve had that dish. Eggs Benedict at The Plaza, Hungarian Goulash at The Algonquin, bagel and smoked salmon on a job interview at the Carlyle. What was I thinking? Onion and capers? Yes I got the job and hated it.
Uncle Bobby’s Texas brisket and ribs. He babysits those briskets for 13 hours in his own custom smoker. Can’t beat that.
Lest I forget, memorable meals at Aunt L and J’s and all the catering they did. Meatballs, Roquefort dip, and many tastes I would not have initially liked if I knew what they were. They and my mother helped build my palate over the years. What you see on this list is mostly surprises, things I wasn’t used to and got to taste the best the first time.
Thanks, folks I met many years ago and who are retired now, and those still in the business of creating great meals. I salute you. Cheers, Dee
Cooking with Dee 