Macaron

My daughter loves this chic looking cookie, and she cannot have enough, can even eat whole box of macaron if I let her!! When I introduced to macaron many years ago at one of popular local pastry in DC, I became an instant fan! So once in a while, macarons become something whole family looked forward to eat! Even yesterday, when I was on Skype with my parents, my dad asked my son what he wants from him, and without an hesitation my son said 'macaron, grandpa!!' I was in shock, where did it come from?? Is it something he loves so much, or what!!!!

I was so into it, I even searched internet and found out macaron's history! I know, I sound kind a weird here, but I did!!! Not much of a surprise, the Macaron cookie was born in Italy, introduced by the chef of Catherine de Medicis in 1533, who married the Duc d'Orleans who became king of France in 1547 as Henry II.  The term "macaron" has the same origin as that the word "macaroni" -- both mean "fine dough".  Interesting enough,  first Macarons were simple cookies, made of almond powder, sugar and egg whites.  Beginning of the 20th century the Macaron become a "double-decker" affair.  Pierre Desfontaines, the grandson of Louis Ernest Laduree (Laduree pastry and salon de the rue Royale in Paris) had the idea to fill them with a "chocolate panache" and to stick them together.  Since that day, French Macaron has been nationally acclaimed in France and remains the best-selling cookie in pastry in all over the world. And I totally agree!

After moving here, I stopped by each and every pastry, (not many options here...)and see if they sell macaron. Honestly not for myself, but for my daughter!!! And when I dined at Lucca, something in the pastry corner was just calling me!! And there I saw these lovely cookies, and without an hesitation I got a box of it and took it home. My children would probably be never happy for something else, trust me, not even for a Barbie doll!!!

Luckily, it was a Macaron Day At Kempinski and they offered freshly baked and creatively made macarons at K Lounge. Obviously, The Chef was very busy in the kitchen, making these tasty and palatable cookies, coming with all different flavors, pistachio, lemon, strawberry, chocolate and much more. If you ever be around Kempinski, worth to stop by, everybody needs a little mindless self indulgence now and then:) As a warning, macarons are highly addictive! One is certainly not enough!

 

A gem, Lucca @ Kempinski Villa Rosa

Is it only me or do you also love to indulge yourself with nicely cooked and well served food? One of my hobby is finding out new restaurants and trying their food (ok, I am not so adventures, I have my expectations and standards:)), as soon as I hear there is a new restaurant in the market, I find an excuse to go there:) I should have been a restaurant/food critic!

Speaking of food and indulging your-self in enchanting meals, we can all admit that world’s most popular cuisine comes from the Italian kitchen.  Here is the thing, since some of you live in Africa like myself, obviously we cannot go to Italy! but Italy comes to us at Villa Rosa Kempinski!

Few weeks back, I dined at Lucca with my mom for lunch. Honestly, it was a delightful surprise for me to walk into the newly opened Lucca. Big windows, chic woodwork and pictures on the walls were so welcoming and so is the attentive local friendly staff. Lucca serves great food in an upscale yet casual atmosphere.  Waiters are so friendly and always smiling, happy to make recommendations.

Sizzling aroma of the food is impeccable, captures the entire atmosphere. The menu is the most complete Italian course oriented without the fuzz.  It offers something for everyone including an impressive range of freshly made pasta, risotto, meat or delicious oven baked pizza. Your sweet tooth will be satisfied with a rich classic tiramisu or vanilla pana cotta. The wine menu is very rich with a wide variety that suits everyone’s palate as well as budget, covers all the regions from Europe to Africa.

What I loved about about Lucca, it is simple, welcomes you with an Italian warm and comfortable colour scheme, and artistic pieces to add the final touches.  There is also a communal table for 10, which I love since the first day I saw one in NY many years back. A great spot meeting new people and sharing central plates of food. One of the greatest things dining at Lucca, there is no rush, no last call, just eating drinking and enjoying every bit of it.

Wonderful freshly cooked meals including seafood, meat, pastas, Italian specialities and pizzas are what will make Lucca a tradition in Nairobi trendsetter’s months ahead.

Proud mom:)

We had another cross country race this week. Students from five different schools, ageing 7-11, pushed their limits and run 3-5kms! My little girl, who has not turned 8 yet, run 3 km! And I am one proud mother:) Not only she was in the school team but also she finished without giving it up even though it was such a long distance and huge commitment for her age...As a mother, I was concerned little bit, but tried not to show it to her. Like most of the kids in her age, she is kind a competitive:), which is good thing as long as it is not destructive. I always tell her, surely winning is a great feeling, but also being part of an activity and happy, and to be able to finish what you start as important as winning.
Like all the school activities I was there to cheer for her, along with her brother:) While she was running for 'finish' line, I saw her face in full red (and I thought "is her face too red or what???" ok, it was when my motherly instinct came alive again:)), and she was running with such an excitement along with her friends. Right after she finished, she went to see her teachers to ask how she did:).

It was a wonderful day at outside, running under the big trees, weather was kinda warm for this time of the year, but it was lovely.