Jessica Tarr: Memorable Meal

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Thursday, 23rd August
JESSICA TARR: Memorable Meals

LEFT TO RIGHT: MICHELANGELO DIONYSUS, PHOTO COURTESY OF JESSICA TAR

What has been your most memorable meal while traveling?
I’m such a foodie. It’s in my blood. There are meals that I had in India, Asia and Europe that came close, but I think that my most memorable meal goes back to my childhood. We were visiting my father’s friends in Rhodes, Greece. They took us all the way to the top of a mountain where, nestled in castle ruins and covered in creepers, there was an amazing candlelit restaurant with an open kitchen. There was no menu. The proprietor just brought every single dish to your table. You could accept or decline. Fantastic.

I guess this may remain a secret as I have no way of finding out where this restaurant was...

For me food is about the whole experience...it's the setting, surroundings, decor the service, and just great use of locally sourced ingredients. Most of my favorite spots have no way to contact them via Internet nor phone, but here are a few that you can get in touch with that are not to be missed.

Drakos Taverna on Mylopotas Beach in Greece, perched on the rocks by the sea, serves incredible seafood on traditional checkered tablecloths, with a view to die for. You have to try the stuffed courgette flowers and octopus in lemon and olive oil. They also have a stunning hotel.

Su Chili in Koh Tao, Thailand is a roadside eatery with an incredible tom yum with prawns. It's super cheap. Other great dishes are seafood Penang curry and the bamboo salad. They also offer cooking classes in the daytime.

Knappgarden nestled in the mountains in the fjalls in Sweden encompasses everything I look for in a restaurant. It's a hidden gem. It has the view, the great service, and incredible food. You can eat your dinner whilst watching a herd of reindeer stroll past the window. The kitchen uses locally sourced. Dishes such as reindeer and bear bitok with smashed lingonberries and wild mushroom sauce. Their breakfast spread is also a must, with whole hocks of Parma ham, several different breads freshly baked that morning and an array of homemade pickles, jams and chutneys.

July 2012