Home In Other News – 19 August, 2014

In Other News – 19 August, 2014

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I had intended for this week’s Tasty Tuesday to centre on the epicurean delights we encountered in Cologne while we were at Gamescom. A bit of a food diary. Truth is, beyond the beer and the occasionally excellent brezel, the food there is rather bland, uninteresting and awful. You can only eat so many currywurst or bratwurst before you start wanting to eat your own arms. And then it all changed.

We were invited one evening to a birthday dinner by one of the publishers, and frankly jumped at the chance to have a meal that didn’t cost us the earth. It was, frankly, a fantastic decision. We ended up at a little family-owned restaurant in Cologne called Ristorante Etrusca and the entire experience was akin to having angels orgasm in one’s mouth.

We didn’t even get a look at the menus, with the manager instead asking us what sort of things we’d like to eat. When he started rattling off the starters, my ears focused on scallops – a perpetual favourite of mine – and i was unable to even hear anything else he had to say.

Etrusca (1)

Lightly grilled scallops, on a bed of beluga lentils, with light cream sauce, to be more precise. It was, frankly, magnificent. The scallops had a light outside crust, but were buttery soft on the inside, offering my knife zero resistance. Conversation came to halt, replaced instead by an echo of ooohs, ahhs and mmmms from the around the table. Everyone else was apparently enjoying their entrees as much as I was.

Etrusca (14)

Before the main course arrived, we were treated to an amuse bouche; a small sample of a freshly made egg pasta in a garlic parmesan sauce, dusted with shaved truffles. What made this beyond magical is that it was prepared tableside, with the parmesan coming from a lightly hollowed wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano. Hot pasta and cream met in the concave indentation, slowly infusing them with the cheese’s unrepentant umami flavour. It was, frankly, heavenly – and one of the nicest things that I’ve ever put in my mouth. Given the option, I’d spend the remainder of my days gorging on the stuff, eating my way to an early grave. I’d not regret a thing.

Etrusca (7)

My main course was a lightly crusted rack of lamb, lovingly nestled in a bed of wilted spinach, and accompanied by a rosemary infused jus. Perfectly rosé, succulent and juicy – with the rosemary never overpowering. It was perfect.

Though already stuffed, in situations such as these you have to try the dessert – which we all did, of course. I couldn’t decide between the panna cotta, or the crème brulee; two of my very favourite desserts. Luckily, I didn’t have to choose, with NAG’s Miklos and I opting to share, like a cosy set of lovebirds. Each was exquisite. The panna cotta was wibbly and wobbly, as it should be; subtly flavoured and speckled with vanilla. What stood out most about it though was how rich and flavourful the cream that went it to it was.

Etrusca (16)

The brulee, likewise was delightful. A problem I often have with them is that the layer caramel a top the dessert is too thick, but that wasn’t a problem here. I wafer thin layer of burnt sugar topped a light custard base that could make angels sing. It made up for every other middling meal we had – and was, quite probably, the highlight of my entire Gamescom trip.

What was it we were talking about? Oh yes. Here’s the new we didn’t post today because goddamit I’m now starving.

In Other News: Ubisoft abandons Wii U’s mature audience (all two of them), Project Cars gets screened, Hotline Miami’s getting a bit leaky, and Gang Beasts are Double fine.

News

Double Fine is publishing multiplayer brawler Gang Beasts
New Project Cars screens want to take you for a ride
Don’t expect to see Assassin’s Creed on PS3 and Xbox 360 next year
Rollercoaster Tycoon screaming onto PC in 2015
Samus gets a new outfit in Super Smash Bros and oh boy
Ubisoft CEO says that Wii U owners don’t buy Assassin’s Creed
Take to the skies with the latest GTA Online update
Hotline Miami 2 footage leaks

Stuff

Which Diablo class is the best?
Performance Analysis – Metro Redux
Goldeneye glitches you may not know about

Videos

Ghost Of A Tale – Gamescom trailer
Mad Bullets – Launch trailer
NHL 15 – Gameplay trailer

What’s on at The Movies

Sharlto Copley and Michelle Forbes to leas the cast of Powers
You can’t get rid of this trailer for the Babadook
Animated short Henchmen to become a  feature film
Director Patrick Hughes talks The Raid remake
Don’t expect Dr Strange to be an origin story
This trailer for Open Windows will do anything you ask
We Review Sex Tape – A “Raunchy Comedy” that skimps on the raunchiness and comedy

Header: Matthew’s mouth-watering mozzarella

Last Updated: August 19, 2014

67 Comments

  1. Mossel

    August 19, 2014 at 16:01

    Now I can’t wait for summer!
    http://hugelolcdn.com/i/303895.gif

    Reply

    • ToshZA

      August 19, 2014 at 16:05

      Totally something I’d do. But then, I already have a gf. 😀

      Reply

      • Spaffy

        August 19, 2014 at 16:08

        I do that to my “gf” on a regular basis…

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          August 19, 2014 at 16:11

          Freak her out so that she slowly backs away from you? It’s a wonder you still HAVE a gf. 😉

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 16:12

            HAHAHAHA

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:14

            Well, truth be told she doesn’t know she’s my gf. Yet.

          • ToshZA

            August 19, 2014 at 16:16

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 16:17

            Well it also depends if you packed enough rope and roofies

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 16:18

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:19

            Tried to make her smell my handkerchief one day. She ran away screaming and got a restraining order against me.
            Do you think I approached her wrong?

          • ToshZA

            August 19, 2014 at 16:20

            Yeah, try from behind next time. Works like a charm. All the ladies fall for you that way. 😉

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 16:20

            Heh, “fall”

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 16:22

            Try opening with smell my finger, work your way up from there .

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:23

            Well I’m seeing her tonight, so maybe. That depends on if she sees me first.

          • ToshZA

            August 19, 2014 at 16:24

          • Alien Emperor Trevor

            August 19, 2014 at 16:16

            WIN!

      • Alien Emperor Trevor

        August 19, 2014 at 16:09

        WHY would you wear a speedo to the beach?

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          August 19, 2014 at 16:11

          For teh lulz

          Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 19, 2014 at 16:12

      BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

      Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 19, 2014 at 16:12

      That has to be one of the funniest gif’s I’ve seen!

      Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 19, 2014 at 16:16

      There has to be a better way to ask for a sandwich

      Reply

  2. Spathi

    August 19, 2014 at 16:03

    Damn the food looks amazing! I live to eat and one of the main attractions about a holiday is the food and drink.

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 19, 2014 at 16:05

      I will dream of this food. I too, live to eat…as discussed before, food is my /other/ passion. Wanted to become a chef, actually – way before all of this new foodie culture nonsense.

      If you ever do find yourself in Cologne though, give the place a go. As is the norm for the region, service is slow – and you could wait forever (which is the only reason this place doesnt have a Michelin star, I reckon)

      Reply

  3. Alien Emperor Trevor

    August 19, 2014 at 16:06

    Enough with the food Zoe, you’re such a hipster! Oh…. it was… it was you Geoff. O_o

    Reply

    • Spaffy

      August 19, 2014 at 16:07

      You’re right o_0

      Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 19, 2014 at 16:08

      Food is life, bro, 😛

      Reply

      • Spaffy

        August 19, 2014 at 16:08

        And that food looks amazing OMG

        Reply

    • Jac7

      August 19, 2014 at 16:31

      And quoting what he said, “one of the nicest things that I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

      Reply

  4. Anon A Mouse

    August 19, 2014 at 16:10

    As if I wasn’t hungry enough. Bastard Geoff is Bastardly…

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 19, 2014 at 16:18

      I hope this doesn’t become a regular feature

      Reply

  5. Admiral Chief Assassin

    August 19, 2014 at 16:11

    CURSES!!!

    Reply

    • Admiral Chief Assassin

      August 19, 2014 at 16:11

      DOUBLE CURSES!!!!!!!

      Reply

      • hairyknees

        August 19, 2014 at 16:12

        T-T-T-TRIPLE CURSES!

        Reply

        • Admiral Chief Assassin

          August 19, 2014 at 16:12

          ALL THE CURSES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

          Reply

          • hairyknees

            August 19, 2014 at 16:12

            *courses 😀

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 16:13

            Aye, don’t remind me

  6. hairyknees

    August 19, 2014 at 16:11

    I don’t want to look at these pictures 🙁 they remind me of a time when the world wasn’t filled with filth such as McDonalds, and everything other than what is pictured above :'(

    Reply

    • Alien Emperor Trevor

      August 19, 2014 at 16:14

      There, there…have some cabbage bredie. All better…

      Reply

      • hairyknees

        August 19, 2014 at 16:14

        *Sob* thank you kind sir!

        Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 16:16

        Give it to him RAW

        Reply

        • Alien Emperor Trevor

          August 19, 2014 at 19:09

          Are we still talking about the bredie? O_o

          Reply

      • ToshZA

        August 19, 2014 at 16:16

        Wait, isn’t that cannibalism?

        Reply

  7. Admiral Chief Assassin

    August 19, 2014 at 16:16

    “one of the nicest things I’ve put in my mouth”

    All kinds of wrong with that Geoff!

    Reply

    • Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim

      August 19, 2014 at 16:17

      All kinds of right.

      Reply

      • Admiral Chief Assassin

        August 19, 2014 at 16:17

        Riiiight

        😛

        Reply

        • ToshZA

          August 19, 2014 at 16:17

          As it turns out, only one kind of “right”. That one. 😀

          Reply

        • Spaffy

          August 19, 2014 at 16:20

          B=====D

          Reply

          • Admiral Chief Assassin

            August 19, 2014 at 16:21

            Ag nee sies man spaffy

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:24

            lol

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 16:32

            I don’t believe that melts at all 0_o

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:33

            I wouldn’t know o_0

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 16:37

            Still a virgin eh? Don’t worry you will find the right person 😛

          • Spaffy

            August 19, 2014 at 16:41

            Do you really think so?
            Maybe the restraining order is a misunderstanding 🙂 Yea, that’s it 🙂

          • Hammersteyn

            August 19, 2014 at 16:42

            LOL!

    • Anon A Mouse

      August 19, 2014 at 16:24

      Immediately went to “That’s what she said” after reading that.

      Reply

  8. Hammersteyn

    August 19, 2014 at 16:36

    I know there are issues with how women are portrayed in games but really, some things are just going to far. I mean look what they are doing to Samus. Where’s her space suit???
    http://cdn.destructoid.com//ul/279828-smash%20copy.jpg

    Reply

    • Kensei Seraph

      August 20, 2014 at 07:33

      The aliens don’t always wait for you to suit up before attacking, especially if they’re led by a crazed intelligent lunatic.
      Incidentally I recently came to control a small interstellar armada and was wondering where to invade next, any advice?

      Reply

  9. Weanerdog's phone

    August 19, 2014 at 17:13

    Is that Parma Ham on that ball of mozzarella in the header

    Reply

  10. Sir Rants A Lot: On Pandora

    August 19, 2014 at 17:41

    Ok, now I’m hungry

    Reply

  11. Her Highness the Hipster

    August 19, 2014 at 17:45

    i’ve never had scallops as amazing as that. Also, following the awesome pasta, i gorged on swordfish and tiramisu. both were perfect in every way.

    Reply

  12. Maxiviper117

    August 19, 2014 at 18:00

    I’d rather go to Spur on a monday and go for their double burger special for 50 rands

    Reply

  13. Brian Murphy

    August 19, 2014 at 18:43

  14. Kensei Seraph

    August 20, 2014 at 07:31

    Since I haven’t eaten breakfast yet and the canteen isn’t going to open for at least another 30 minutes, Geoff you are an evil bastard and I hope that when you eat your arm you choke on it.

    Reply

  15. Admiral Chief Assassin

    August 20, 2014 at 07:53

    Looks pretty…generic

    Reply

    • Hammersteyn

      August 20, 2014 at 08:36

      It looks easier than any Souls game in that you regain health during combat :/
      Also the guns doesn’t even do any damage so what’s the use?

      Reply

  16. Miklós Szecsei

    August 20, 2014 at 09:01

    If anyone is interested, after sharing desserts, Geoff and I held hands on the taxi ride home.

    Reply

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