Honest Bao

My previous posts ( here ) showed I was feeling pretty good about the local grub – had some cracking seafood that promised good things. So, for my final hurrah, I thought, "Google Maps, you're the boss!" Found a highly-rated bistro called L'Oignon (The Onion). Reasonable prices, menu looked decent. I was genuinely looking forward to it. Don't get me wrong, the food wasn't inedible. It was... fine. The kind of fine you say when your Auntie asks how her slightly dry cake is. Average and basic are the best words I can muster. Average foie gras with toast The irony is not lost on me: this place is called L'Oignon, and the Onion Soup, which should be their signature dish, was just very average. It lacked that deep, soulful, slightly caramelised onion hug you expect.  Tender chicken but again over seasoned sauce The main offender across the board, though? The salt shaker was clearly working overtime. Everything felt over-seasoned. The chicken was still tender, y...

When the calendar flips to September, signaling the glorious return of oyster season! And where did I find myself celebrating this auspicious occasion? Alsace, France. A landlocked region famous for Riesling, half-timbered houses, and... absolutely no sea. It's a bit like looking for a decent curry in Antarctica. But where there is great wine, there is usually a desperate need for great food—and a surprising number of places happy to oblige with the fruits of the sea. After some serious digging, I found two spots that prove you don't need a salty breeze to enjoy a fresh oyster. Chère Amie: The Unexpected Speed Date Picture this: my dining buddy and I are aiming for a late dinner, but the pre-dinner hunger pangs were a real issue. So, we thought we'd try to squeeze in a 'quick' seafood hit beforehand. No reservation. No plan. Just sheer, unadulterated gluttony. We waltzed into Chère Amie in Strasbourg and, luckily snagged a spot. Fresh oyster in a reasonable price Th...