A real life Sweeney Todd situation?

A news story came to my attention this morning about a restaurant in Nigeria that has been accused of serving human flesh to its customers. Naturally, the first connection that came to my mind was the musical Sweeney Todd, the story of the barber who sold meat pies made from the remains of his victims. Secondly, I started thinking back on tidbits shared with me by some of my friends from Somalia, Ethiopia, Malawi and yes, Nigeria. When I had asked about diet in Africa, I had been told that meat was a rarity and that the majority of the diet was plant and grain based. So is a story like this merely shocking because of it’s reference to human cannibalism? Or is it more shocking because it references a deeper problem of availability of fresh meat? In the story below, a priest is shocked not only that he consumed human meat, but at the price in which he did so. Sometimes the surface story is only a tip off to a larger, more problematic story that we are not always interested in hearing the details of, without the added sensationalism that has been added here. The original story is included below for your consideration. 

"A restaurant in the Nigerian state of Anambra has been shut down after the authorities reportedly found it has been selling dishes made of human meat. The police recovered at least two fresh human heads when they arrested 11 people from the restaurant including the owner, six women and four men, following a tip-off. The blood-soaked heads were found wrapped in cellophane sheets. Officials have also seized two AK-47 rifles, other weapons, dozens of rounds of ammunitions and several mobile phones during the raid.

“Each time I came to market, because the hotel is very close to the market, I always noticed funny movements in and out of the hotel; dirty people with dirty characters always come into the hotel. So, I was not surprised when the police made this discovery in the early hours of yesterday,” a local resident told the Osun Defender. A pastor, who was shocked to know that what he had eaten was human meat, complained to the police.“I went to the hotel early this year, after eating, I was told that a lump of meat was being sold at N700 (£2.5), I was surprised. So I did not know it was human meat that I ate at such expensive price,” the unidentified pastor said. Reports of cannibalism sometimes emerge in Nigeria, but this is the first time a restaurant has been booked for selling human meat dishes."

Source: HTTP://GRAPHIC.COM.GH/INTERNATIONAL/AFRICA/17204-NIGERIA-RESTAURANT-SHUT-DOWN-FOR-SERVING-HUMAN-MEAT.HTML

Something old and something new

Throughout our lives, there will be some events, places and times that will link us to other people in some inexplicable way. For me, it is the time that I spent working at the now closed, Goodwin Hotel in downtown Hartford. The showy red brick building, was the former personal apartment building of financier, J. P. Morgan. 

During my time there, I worked at the front desk, as a valet, and in the banquets department. I sent faxes for Spike Lee, bought batteries for Serge from System of a Down, located a NY Times in a snowstorm for John Lithgow (who is just as hilarious in person) and went to a concert and after party with Joe Strummer (former front man of the punk band, the Clash, who passed away in 2002) and his new band, the Mescaleros in a very sketchy back room at the Webster Theatre. Man, those were the days. There was a tremendous sense of pride in the employees that we were part of something historic, something important. Banquets were an all out affair, and I have not seen their equal anywhere. We wore white gloves. We stood at attention in the grandious marble hall, silently greeting our guests. We loved that place. 

It was this shared experience that brought me to a Sheraton Hotel last night to catch up with my former manager and friend, Miki. While normally I do not make a practice of writing about anything corporate, it was our shared love of hospitality done the right way that impressed me and made me want to blog about. Miki is on the forefront of something new and what he is involved with at the Sheraton (previously a Marriott), will probably become a model for others to follow. Years ago, I had actually visited the restaurant with some other former Goodwin employees as we had a mini reunion over brunch there. Aside from the company, the rest of the dining experience had been unmemorable to say the least. My last impression had been of a cold, corporate, and uninspiring atmosphere. Now? It was plush, warm, and dimly lit. 

With a glass of chianti in hand, I was introduced to the head chef. I think it always says something good about a new place, when existing staff members are interested in staying on. So the star of the evening.. the food. Despite arriving on time for happy hour, sadly I didn’t partake, but I plan on going back next week for sampling that, and a full dinner. 

The deal is that with the purchase of a drink, you can enjoy complimentary mini versions of items from the dinner entree menu that change daily. A quick glance at the neatly lined plates was all I needed to dash a text off to my friend informing her of our plans for next week. I love discovering things like this. So what did I actually get to sample at the Common House Restaurant, and can we talk about that name? 

Apparently, Miki and I both seem to share a love of ordering a bunch of appetizers and pretending it’s a bunch of tapas. So we did just that. First up came the BBQ shrimp. Spicy little morsels coated with BBQ and blue cheese sauce. Then the plates just kept coming. 

Adorable candied beet sliders with goat cheese and micro greens (very appealing to a vegetable lover such as myself), sweet potato fries and fingerling potatoes wrapped in bacon appeared in front of me. Then the calamari, which one of my seafood loving friends first got me turned on to as I made my slow break away from strict vegetarianism. 

Despite my initial reluctance to this dish because of the visible tentacles, it has now become one of my favorites. This calamari was so fresh, and tossed in a light vinaigrette with arugula, tomatoes, and capers. I almost could pretend that I was back at one of the lovely cafes on the streets of Barcelona that I miss so much! Lastly, we tried the fish tacos. 

They arrived on an artist palate type of plate. Grilled pieces of grouper fish were topped with cilantro, salsa, sour cream and pepper aioli inside of the lettuce leaves to make mini wraps. A really good, light and healthy option (if you skip the sour cream!) Word to the wise, the pepper sauce is not for the faint of heart. There is some real heat to it, so stay clear if you don’t enjoy spicy. And back to that name. From what Miki explained to me, a common house is a concept that originated before inns and taverns. It was essentially a place where travelers could communally share a meal, and even a bed as they moved across the country. Cool, huh?

and now for the details:
Common House Restaurant is located at:
The Sheraton Hotel, 100 Capital Blvd, Rocky Hill, CT
(860) 257-6000 

Event: Craft Sippin' in New Britain

"Hartford Distributers and the New Britain Museum of American Art have been hard at work lining up the finest local craft beer vendors for the first ever Craft Sippin' in New Britain. Approximately 15 beer vendors will be joined by some of our favorite local restaurants for a night of blues, brews, and activities. Participating restaurants include East Side Restaurant, Sliders Grill & Bar, Nora Cupcake, and Jordan Caterers. Beer tastings include samples from Back East, Cambridge House, Thomas Hooker, Charter Oak, Long Trail, Dogfish Head, Founder's, Arch, and Sliders Grill & Bar’s very own Flippin Bird Ale. Don’t stop at food and drink, join others in creating your own drink coasters. Live blues will be performed throughout the night by Bob Orsi & Joel Blumert as you sip those blues away! Ticket includes all you can sample beer, bite-sized samples from the above restaurants, light snacks provided by the NBMAA, music, and activities."

The details:
Friday, February 21st, 2014  6-10pm
$30 Members/$35 non-Members/$40 at the door
Tickets available at:  http://www.nbmaa.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=190

Event: "A Taste of African-American Culture through Food"

 Each year during Black History Month, the New Britain Museum of American Art presents varied programs that reflect on how the past has shaped today’s society and continues to shape the future. The discussion this year will focus on cuisine—a ubiquitous and accessible component of all cultures—and its importance within the African-American culture. Changes in techniques, dishes, and ingredients will all be explored in order to illuminate the evolution of African-American cuisine. Our four panelists will shed light on their personal experiences, the role that cuisine plays in their lives, explore the use of food as a means to bring family and friends together and the dishes still served which can likely be traced back multiple generations. A food tasting will follow the panel discussion. A Taste of African-American Culture through Food receives support from Connecticut Humanities.Free with Museum Admission


Feb. 23, 2014, 2-4 p.m.
New Britain Museum of Art:
56 Lexington Street, New Britain, CT 06052
p: 860.229.0257

Moderated by Paulette Fox, a former NBMAA board member
Panelists Gerri Brown-Springer, Charlene Tate Nichols, Morita Riley, and Pansy Kennedy

Foodie Event: Screening of "A Place At The Table"

A good friend of mine is involved in the free screening of a film that I thought would be of interest to Hartford Foodie fans.... so here's the info!

Where: United Churches of Durham, 228 Main St, Durham, CT 06422
When: Sunday, April 6th
Time: 4:30-7:30 pm

"This event aims to bring awareness to the link between hunger and obesity, both nationally and in our local community. Join us for a special screening of the documentary film A Place At The Table, which shows us how hunger and obesity pose serious economic, social and cultural implications for our nation and the issues around food access. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m. for a pre-screening reception and informal discussion. Screening at 5 p.m. (90 minutes) followed by a panel discussion with representatives from community organizations. Panel participants will be announced soon. Free admission, though we ask you bring a non perishable item for donation to a local food pantry." 

You know its a good place when its hard to find.

Before even landing in Colombia, I had already read a selection of posts by other travelers who were raving about the restaurant called "La Mulata", so I was thrilled when I found out one day that we were going there for lunch. It is located with the walled city, and was just a short walk from where we were staying. You might have to ask someone to point it out, as most people its location, despite there being no sign. It might help to know that it is located under the Defensoría del Pueblo.

Sometimes you just walk into a place and know you are going to love it. Oh, what an adorable place! White washed walls, covered with art and words which I recognized from the menu, checkerboard floors, and brightly colored and playfully mismatched chairs. Even the menu looks like a piece of art with its splashily decorated boxes and a collaged effect of people, foods, and words absorbed my attention as orders were taken. 

La Mulata has three rooms for diners, including a back garden, so even if there is a wait, it is probably relatively short. Another plus? Fixed price menu of the day! In Cartagena, which can be very pricey, this is a great feature. And an additional reason to return again, which we ultimately ended up doing ourselves. 

Lunch starts with a bowl of soup. In the U.S., you rarely see diners interested in having hot soup in the summer. However, I can tell you that every time I have traveled to the Caribbean or Latin America, there is a hot soup served. So whether you decided to start with the fixed price one that is a lentil and chicken soup…or you order one as your main course (see picture below), soup is assuredly the way to start a meal here. 

This seafood soup was served with fried green plantains, and a side of coconut rice. I was informed this soup is good for “stamina” and we left it at that! Also, you might notice on your table that there are fresh lime wedges strewn in the metal napkin holders. Those are for squeezing into your soup. 

If you want to add a little heat, simply ask for “picante” at the server will bring over some hot sauce for you to sprinkle in the soup, which I highly suggest trying! Now you might be getting full from the soup, and from sipping your “Limonadas de Coco, a signature drink in the city, made of coconut milk and freshly squeezed lime juice, but try to save room…cause here comes the main course! 

It was seafood, and more seafood with us. From an early age, my father, a genuine seafood connoisseur, taught me that you should never eat seafood that you can smell. While I didn’t always love seafood, despite his persistence, his wisdom finally rubbed off on me. 

This seafood had ZERO fishy smell. It could have been pulled out of the ocean depths in the morning, and on my plate by noon. All three dishes were deliciously fresh and paired with either coconut rice (which I could not get enough of…even when my stomach was bursting!) or lightly sautéed vegetables, and strips of crispy plantains. 

For being considered a “bargain luncheonette”, this place is ridiculously hip with amazingly prepared, fresh food under $10 per person. During my trip, we also went to other more expensive restaurants, and when all was said and done, I would give my vote hands down to the food and staff at La Mulata. Now, next project… how can I make this food at home???

I discovered that the restaurant keeps a blog too, which does have a little mention of the menu, actual address, etc: http://lamulatacartagena.blogspot.com 

Ices on the streets of Cartagena

There are so many ways that a foodie can find to keep themselves cool and entertained in Cartagena. Vendors can be found throughout the city selling coconut water, freshly squeezed orange or lime juice, freshly cut strips of salted mango, or cups of chopped watermelon and papaya. Or if you are lucky, you will find yourself one of the vendors who will make you a freshly grated ice. To my great pleasure, my friends and I were able to stop and get ices from this vendor quite frequently on our walks into the centro. It is a real treat to watch the block of ice get shaved, select your flavor (mine was always tamarind!!), and add the optional sweetened chantilly cream on top. Then its time to enjoy the sensation of sipping and crunching those little sweet pieces before they disappear all too quickly in the heat.