Bâlehoo http://www.balehoo.com No tomfoolery. All Bâlehoo. Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:11:23 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.2 en Wines without Borders http://www.balehoo.com/2008/08/31/wines-without-borders/ http://www.balehoo.com/2008/08/31/wines-without-borders/#comments Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:06:36 +0000 Swiss Miss Bâlehoo http://www.balehoo.com/2008/08/31/wines-without-borders/ wine degustha basel

For those of us who like French wines, cheese and other specialties, don’t miss the final day (Monday, September 1) of the Degustha 2008.

Held just over the border in Hagenthal, France, from August 28-September 1, this interactive expo features hundreds of winemakers from around France, who have their cellar’s best wines available for the tasting and buying. Taste the latest vintage of your favorite chablis and burgundy or try something new - a deep, berry-colored Cahor or, perhaps, a flavorful Chinon.

When you’ve had your fill of wine, you can soak up some of the champagne you just drank by sampling many other French gastronomic specialities on offer, including fois gras, rillette and other charcuterie, as well as cheeses, preserves and my favorite – “ravioles”. These ravioli-like pastas stuffed with goat cheese are a specialty from the Lyon area.

If you prefer not to snack on vendor offerings, there are approximately 30 restaurants and bistros that have set up camp at the Degustha, offering seafood, tarte flambé and everything in between. And don’t forget to browse the spice, fabric, soaps and ceramics stalls to pick up a few nice gift items. (See some great photos of the degustha here.)

There really is something for everyone at the Degustha, so designate a driver, hop in the car, and go!

HA/DEGUSTHA/MAIRIE
BP 01 HK - F68220 Hagenthal (Haut-Rhin)
Tél : 03 89 68 11 12
www.degustha.fr

]]> http://www.balehoo.com/2008/08/31/wines-without-borders/feed/ DON’T GO CHANGE-ING http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/dont-go-change-ing/ http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/dont-go-change-ing/#comments Sat, 14 Jun 2008 17:28:09 +0000 Swiss Miss Bâlehoo http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/dont-go-change-ing/ change basel.jpg
It has come to this: I am paying for my San Pelligrino six-packs with 20-rappen coins (that’s 36 coins for those of you playing the game at home). Why you might ask? Because they are there. In fact, they are everywhere. Under the sofa cushion, in a coat pocket, by the bowlful on the bookshelf – I even found one in my boot the other day.

Soon, however, my days of plastic coin baggies at the local Migros will be over. Because I just confirmed that Basler Kantonalbank has an automatic coin counting machine available free of charge (up to 1,000 CHF) to its customers.* Just bring your coins, dump them in the machine and take your receipt to a bank teller to get the money deposited into your account. If you don’t have an account there, no worries, just find a friend who does – it’ll take two of you to carry all those coins anyway.

*UBS  accepts coins from its customers but they charge a fee and will credit your account after they verify the amount.

]]> http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/dont-go-change-ing/feed/ (NOT) TO THE MANOR BORN http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/not-to-the-manor-born/ http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/not-to-the-manor-born/#comments Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:45:16 +0000 Swiss Miss Bâlehoo http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/not-to-the-manor-born/ Manor Focaccia Basel.jpg

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again… the Manor Super Markt (in Klein Basel) really is super. It is home to several of my favorite 5 CHF lunches.

The best of the bunch, in my opinion is the focaccia. They look and taste like a lighter version of Sicilian pizza. Offered with rotating toppings including mozzarella and tomato, olive, bell pepper, ham, mushrooms and more, a six-in hunk of these tasty and satisfying morsels will run you approximately 3.70. Add in a bottle of San Pelligrino for 1 CHF and you’ve got a great lunch with change to spare. (To find out what to do with that change, read this.)

Get a larger piece of focaccia (they cut to order from giant 3-foot long pie, see below) to serve at your next apero for a yummy and inexpensive treat.

big pie manor basel.jpg

]]> http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/not-to-the-manor-born/feed/ Mandir Madness http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/mandir-madness/ http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/mandir-madness/#comments Sat, 14 Jun 2008 11:41:01 +0000 Swiss Miss Bâlehoo http://www.balehoo.com/2008/06/14/mandir-madness/ Naan.gif

From the moment I entered the Basel expat community, I found there were a few things that were sacred: football, beer and the search for the Perfect Curry. There are special Curry nights and even a Curry Club, but this Monty Python-esque quest reaches its peak in the hotly debated curry threads on the expat online boards.

For me the quest stops at Mandir Restaurant. With great flavors including fresh-tasting raitas, juicy Tandoori, tasty fish dishes and the spicy goodness of their Chicken Tikka Masala (my standard), Mandir is like “naan” other (sorry - pun editor). Add in its nice atmosphere and its reasonable prices and you’ve got one of the best bites in Basel.

Others apparently agree because Mandir books up early (that translates as “call for reservations”). Can’t get in for a table? No worries. You can get delivery from Mandir through Cuisine Express (which is sadly closed through July 1 - what up with that?). Or browse Mandir’s online recipes and whip up some curry madness of your own.

Mandir Restaurant
Spalenvorstadt 9
4051 Basel
Tel.: +41 (0)61 261 99 93
www.mandirbasel.com

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