Out and About in Sofia, part 2

I dusted off my little blog, and I think it's time for an updated list of Out and About in Sofia (you can view part 1 here)! Here are my current recommendations:

One More Bar: it has a nice terrasse, and it's open day and night. Therefore you can go in the afternoon for coffee and croissant, or at night for spicy Bloody Marys or glühwein when the weather is cold! They also have really good bruschetta and salads.
http://www.facebook.com/OneMoreBar

Lavanda: it's a very cute restaurant in the same house as One More Bar, but on the second floor. The menu varies but it is always delicious.
http://www.facebook.com/lavandarestaurant

Outside Lavanda

Boom! Burgers: a personal favorite as I am a sucker for good burgers! Here you can find the best burgers in town, as well as the most decadent, creamiest, tastiest (you get it) milkshakes ever! Try the Oreo one!
http://www.facebook.com/BoomBurgersAndSteaks

Yummy! They also have homemade fries and onion rings...

Rakia Bar Raketa: Rakia is the national alcohol! This restaurant has a bit of a communist feel to it and features a menu with local specialities. What sets it appart though, is its impressive rakia selection, ranging from the regular kinds (grape, plum, etc) to more unusual kinds (rose, cherry, quince). It's definetly worth trying!
http://www.facebook.com/RaketaRakiaBar

Russian astronaut menu and (almost empty) glass of rakia

Kanaal: where the hipsters go for Belgian beer! It is a tiny spot, a few minutes away from Rakia Bar Raketa. It is especially nice to have a beer and chill out in the backyard when the weather is warm.

http://www.facebook.com/kanaal.bg

I'm not a big clubber, so I hang out mainly at bars. I would recommend to walk on Shishman street, and find refuge in a cozy bar along the way. Bilkova is a nice local spot especially in the summer, as it has a terrasse, it is unpretentious, and prices are more than reasonable. If you are looking for something fancier, the Beach Bar is also a nice location in the summer. During hot summer nights, most locals just hang out in the park by the National Theater, and bring their own drinks. It's a very relaxed and friendly atmosphere, and I am very much looking forward to it!

Rainy days

Today is one of those days: cold, dark, and rainy. The kind of day where all you want to do is curl up under a warm fluffy blanket, watch movies, drink warm tea, and eat comfort foods. Comfort foods include but are not limited to: soup, cupcakes, cookies, and hmm- any baked goods actually. I wish I could take a rain check on my work!

Mmm lentil soup at Supa Star

Cupcake and rain boots (getting to wear rain boots is one of the few positive things about rainy days!)

Après-ski and drinks of the week

Since I didn't post a drink of the week for last week, I will post two this week! Both are typical après-ski drinks, which I had the pleasure to enjoy a few days ago on my first ski trip ever. It was an amazing trip and the weather was very spring-like and just perfect: sunny and warm all day long! I also finally learnt how to turn (with a snowboard). Yay! I'm getting there!

Here are my drinks of choice:
1. Mulled wine! It is warm and delicious, perfect for a mid-day break. Even more comforting when the weather is actually cold.
2. Rakia. What is it, you may ask? It is the bulgarian version of the italian grappa. Rakia is a very strong alcohol but it also has a nice aroma. In some circles, it is tradition to have a small glass of rakia at the end of a ski/snowboarding day, right after your last slope. And well, traditions must be respected...

So much snow!

Drink of the week

I decided to start a weekly post that will feature the drink of the week! To inaugurate this new tradition, this week's drink is rum and tea. This has been my drink of choice this winter, perfect for warming up cold dark evenings. My best combination of rum and tea yet: spiced rum with Harney & Sons Bangkok tea- a blend of green tea with coconut, lemongrass, ginger, and vanilla. Can you say delicious?

All signs point to...

heart-shaped melted spot in the snow

heart-shaped rock in the pavement

heart-shaped leaf

 ... <3

Latest guilty pleasure

Last week, I came across wasabi flavored chips at the supermarket and decided to give them a try. Best. Chips. Ever. I absolutely love them! They are so spicy but I just can't stop eating them! And I think they would go so nicely with a beer....mmm

wasabi goodness in a chip. what's not to love?

Random things I like about Montreal

Montreal: where urban life and the wildlife can coexist peacefully. Just by moving a few blocks away from the busy downtown area, you will come across squirrels, raccoons, and skunks... they're almost considered as regular pets here ;)

Montreal does not only have a diverse fauna, it is also a very culturally diverse city. Part of the beauty of it is discovered through food! There are countless restaurants with cuisine from every part of the globe, and the best part is that you can easily find ethnic foods and specific ingredients in shops- if you want to recreate some recipes at home. But among all these tempting and exotic choices, there is one recurring choice- the timeless, satisfyingly filling, favorite 3AM snack, Quebec's national dish: the poutine! It consists of french fries in a gravy sauce, topped with curdle (fresh) cheese. Yummy! Many variations of the original recipe exist from the common chopped wiener addition, to a fancier one with lobster. Even McDonald's has adapted its local menu to include its take on the poutine. You can also refer to it as a 'pout' (read poot). Order yours in French or English, people here are bilingual!

Montreal, the city is hockey. It used to be one of the slogans for the city's team Les Canadiens or as commonly called in English: the Habs. And it's true. The team could very well be the heart and soul of the city. Especially when/if they're winning... And Montrealers do not like The Maple Leafs, Toronto's team. No worries, it's only friendly rivalry ;)

Cool fact about this city: John Lennon and Yoko Ono had their 'Bed-In' here, in the Queen Elizabeth hotel.

Hello, poutine! As my amazing friend discovered, poutine goes perfectly with tzatziki!

General fight during a Habs game

'dude, I found some good stuff over here!'

Chinatown