HOG PENNY

When I visited Bermuda recently, I made sure to try some or all of Rachael Ray's recommendations from her $40-a-Day Bermuda show.  (I posted about it before.  Click here to read.)  And I have to say her Hog Penny recommendation was spot on!!!  In fact it was awesome, and one of my favorite meals that I had while I was in Bermuda.

When Rachael went she had the Chicken Bhuna Masala which is made with garlic, cardamom, green chilies, turmeric, tomato, coriander and chicken and is slow cooked for hours.  We tried it and I'll tell you there wasn't a bite left.  The chicken had just the right amount of spices which was served with a mango chutney...which paired so well with it.

I washed it down with a Rum Swizzle (one of Bermuda's classic cocktails).  I tried a Rum Swizzle at every restaurant I ate at while on the island, and I have to say that Hog Penny had my favorite by far!  It was sweet and refreshing with just enough of an alcoholic kick.

We also ordered their onion ring tower (since when you are in Bermuda, one of the things you must eat is Bermuda onions).  Of course it was good!  But, again what is deep fried and not good, right?!?

I highly recommend a visit to Hog Penny if you are in Bermuda! Rachael Ray got it right for sure!

RESTAURANT REVIEW: LA CASITA BLANCA

Most descriptions you will read about this restaurant (including a spot on both Rachael Ray's $40 a Day Travel Channel show and Food Network's Have Fork Will Travel show) make you feel like this is a restaurant to check out if you jet set to Puerto Rico.  La Casita Blanca (which means "the little white house") has been around for more than 80 years, it serves authentic Puerto Rican cuisine, and is really inexpensive.  Some of the drawbacks: its located in a not so nice area of Santurce (just outside of San Juan- so you have to cab it there and back), and you'll be dining on plastic chairs and tables.  Things like that don't deter me from trying a place if it has a been around for more than 80 years, and if its been featured on two Travel Channel shows, so I decided to check it out for myself the last time I jet setted to Puerto Rico.  

Arroz Con Pollo

Pernil

 Fricassee de Pollo 

I ordered Arroz con Pollo (rice with chicken), my husband had Pernil (pork), and my dad had Fricassee de Pollo (chicken stew)- three typical Puerto Rican dishes.  I have to say that all three were pretty disappointing.  My dish had very little chicken and the rice was rubbery (as though t was cooked days before and microwaved), my hubby's was mostly all fatty which I know he likes, but I didn't think was right.  My dad's chicken was mostly pink inside and not fully cooked.  In addition, the plastic tables and chairs were covered with some pretty dingy and dirty tablecloths that are enough to turn off your appetite if you look at them too long, and the bathroom was disgusting.  We also drove to the restaurant and had to find on-street parking which made for a pretty harrowing two block walk to the place (and we're not locals, but we are Puerto Rican).  Believe you me, I don't like giving bad reviews to a restaurant in my homeland because lets face it, it's probably owned by a hardworking family, but I just have to be honest and say that I'm surprised that (1) it was featured on two Travel Channel shows, and (2) it's been around for so long.  I do hope things improve at this place now that it's getting the press it is.

RACHAEL RAY'S $40 A DAY: BERMUDA

I'm always curious to find out which spots celebrity chefs chose to dine at when they jet set.  Most of the time when I check out the places they suggest I am pleasantly surprised, but sometimes I am very disappointed (example: La Casita Blanca in Puerto Rico- Rachael Ray recommendation which I will post about at some point).  Anyhow, the following places are the eateries Rachael Ray says to check out on the island of Bermuda.  When I jet set there again, I might have to see some or all of them for myself...heck, it'll only cost $40 to do so! ;)

 Rachael starts her day with breakfast at Aggie's Garden Waterfront Cafe.  This little piece of heaven was built in 1780, but it's only been a restaurant since 2003.  Aggie's serves up organic produce and homemade pastries.  Rachael tries one of their orange coconut scones fresh out of the oven topped with Bermuda honey and an organic french pressed coffee for a total of $4.  Next, she stops into one of her all time favorite restaurants on the island Fresco's Restaurant and Wine Bar (a place she says she visits each time she is in Bermuda).

 She tries a bowl of their Bermuda Fish Chowder (laced with sherry peppers & Bermuda Black Rum)- a Bermuda favorite!  It is made with onions, diced chili peppers, tomato paste, grouper, tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, red peppers, chili pepper flakes, tomato juice, water, worcestershire sauce and hot sauce.  This soup costs $6.25.  Afterwards she heads to the Swizzle In, where the motto is "Swizzle In and Swagger Out."

 This place has been around for more than 70 years, and is THE place to have a Rum Swizzle or a Dark and Stormy.  She orders a Rum Swizzle which is made from a blend of Bermuda and Black Seal rums, Falernum (a unique Caribbean syrup made from sugar and ginger), triple sec, pineapple juice, orange juice, lemon juice, a dash of bitters and is served icy cold.  This drink costs $5.75.  For dinner she goes to the Hog Penny Restaurant & Pub for dinner.

 The Hog Penny is one of Bermuda's oldest and most authentic pubs.  She is craving Indian curry and orders the Chicken Bhuna Masala for $18.95.  It is made with garlic, finer, cardamom, green chilies, turmeric, tomato, coriander and chicken and is slow cooked for hours.  She drinks water with every meal, but she does stay under budget!