When I traveled abroad this summer I was magically swept into a world of unbelievably good foods. I went all over London, Paris, Dublin, Galway, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome. I had the best time being able to dive into the culture and surround myself with new traditions, foods and places. However, I've been back in America for a little over a month and a half, and I already miss all the amazing foods I was able to try and consume during my four weeks in Europe.
I'll be the first to confess; I am a foodie. I love being able to try new foods, but most of all, I am always trying to find the best food in the area I am in. I'll get on Google, Trip Advisor or even Instagram, and I will find the go-to places. I feel like when you're abroad, it's mandatory to go to all the local places. If I'm here, I don't want to eat McDonalds or mainstream places, I want to find the places that have homecooked or traditional meals for the culture I am in.
First up is London. In London, I knew I had to try fish and chips. I highly recommend. I had Pret A Manger, a quick and easy "Panera meets Starbucks" type of place all the time. I had the best steak frites at a restaurant, and I came to find out there's only a couple of those restaurants in the entire world. I spent too much money at a restaurant with pink walls and artsy decor. I tried an Indian restaurant for the first time, and turns out I loved it. I had cheese pasta directly from a cheese wheel in Camden Market. I was living the dream, and probably consuming an absurd amount of calories in which I forced myself to walk EVERYWHERE.
Steak FritesPersonal Photo
Cheese Wheel Pasta: Camden MarketPersonal Photo
Fish & ChipsPersonal Photo
Seocnd is Paris. For breakfast I had coffee and croissants. Yum. I thought I had a good croissant until I came to Paris...American ones don't even stand a chance. I ate creme brulee and salami baguettes. I even ate a baguette sandwich under the Eiffel Tower. Goals. My friends indulged themselves on French macaroons, and I think French bakeries will forever have my heart and soul after that trip.
Chocolate CrepePersonal Photo
Baguette SandwichPersonal Photo
Coffee and CroissantsPersonal Photo
Third was Dublin and Galway. I tried bangers and mash because I knew it was a local food. I loved it. I had it twice while I was there, because it was so delicious. What's also great about Ireland is the bread they have. I know this sounds weird, but it's different than what we as Americans are used to. They dip the bread into a variety of different sauces and vinaigrettes. I also had this amazing donut from a local bakery. 10/10 recommend.
DoughnutsPersonal Photo
Bangers & MashPersonal Photo
Fourth was Italy, specifically Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome. Okay, let me clear up the waters on this one. Everyone who has been to Italy claims that the pasta is so good that once they get to America again they are let down. I would always be like "Yeah, okay, whatever you say" but then I came back to the exact same feeling. The pasta in Italy is UNREAL. I had salads, pizza, pasta, gelato and tiramisu. Every single meal there I had was outstanding and better than the first. The beauty of Italy is being able to go into any restaurant, without being picky, but still get homemade, fresh ingredients in anything.
LasagnaPersonal Photo
TiramisuPersonal Photo
GnocciPersonal Photo
Cacio e Pepe: Cheese and Pepper Pasta Personal Photo
SaladPersonal Photo
To all this food, I miss you. My body is probably relieved I'm on a better diet. To anyone that doesn't know me, I eat extremely well and usually pretty healthy. However, when abroad, you have to live in the moment and try it all. I totally did, and now sadly I miss it.
