Odeliza Life of a US Expat in South America

Hi There!

I had a remise (chauffeur) drive me to the down town area of Montevideo, Uruguay earlier today. Centro, is what the Locals call the area, sorta like a down town in any “metropolitan”. Dirty streets, busy-bees, honking cars, and no parking.

My purpose- for all the dizzy driving- (I am Miss. Daisy, more later), take a tour to almost all the stores I’d purchase my “exotic cooking stuff”. Seitan, wassabi, mushroom sauce, seaweed, soba flour, and organic produce. Met with the usual customer service clerks, talked a little about my personal chef business, snuck a little plug on my project for Tibet www.juntosportibet.com, asked about their life. You know the usual.

One of my usual stops, a place called Bambu. The only “Asian-Vegetarian” store in this country. The owners, a husband and wife from Taiwan-beautiful country-, were in the back. 

As I started my way through their well organized and stocked aisles I noticed something to my amazement! Coconut Cream from Taiwan! Wow, I thought to myself, that would mean I did not have to crack a small coconut, shave the inside for about 30 minutes, boil it in water, let it cool, and then milk it, oh yeah and dry the remains for toppings. When I asked the clerk how much was the wonderful can of coconut milk she quoted the price of my chauffeur for an hour. Hum, I seriously contemplated the buy, so I guess I’ll be making my own milk for a while.

The clerk peeked in the back and the owners came out. I over heard her say the “Hawaiiana Esta aqui”. I thought that was funny being only a pinky worth, and the fact that I have introduced myself every time by first name.  

As always the couple would always ask why I am here and where am I from. I am from everywhere if you really want to know.  I guess the exchange of my islander-Spanish to their Taiwanese-Spanish minds changed to speak to me in Mandarin. Okay so mom’s a half Chinese so that would automatically mean I spoke Mandarin instead of Cantonese right? Or the other way around.

“Muy elegante cara!” The wife said to me, if I did not speak Spanish I would think it meant its really elegant here and expense. I know, where would I get that from? But hey, its me, and some times I am a bit airy. So a customer explained that she thought I was pretty. We took pictures and the owners asked me to come back again soon so they can prepare food for me and we can talk about Taiwan, I guess now they think I am Taiwanese.

Paid for my stuff and started back home. In ”down-town” like areas, else where, one would see corner stores happily sealing liquor and cigarettes, milk, and some easy to make food stuff. As well as peeps trying to be down-low selling the you know what stuff, my attempt to speak ebonics. 

As I tried my best to observe (again with the driving Miss Daisy thing), almost every ”major street” (as there are not very many in this small charming country) were occupied by vendors selling strawberries, oranges, root veggies, and more produce. I asked the drive to stop so that I could purchase some of these beautiful strawberries and he said, “too caro!”, expensive for those that don’t speak Spanish, and locks the door.

What are the produce dudes going to do? Throw strawberries at me? That would be an idea, if I didn’t pay the price they’d ask, they’d throw bad produce at me. Well, it beats other things.

So, I took pictures of the rambla, boardwalk to the rest of us with a river. The day was eventful as it could possibly get. I did however, manage to take a picture of some stuff on the way there and I think on the way back. I am going to try to ask my other half to help me post them. I think I said that on my last post about uploading pictures.

Tashi Deleg

Odeliza Jacoba

Located: Santiago de Chile 1183-Montevideo, Uruguay

Telehone: 02-900-65-60

At the moment, the only Certified Organic “Grocery store” located in Montevideo, Uruguay. You have to sign up for a membership inorder to shop at this place. It only cost a few dollars a month and the membership gets you discounts on their products. While I shopped for my clients, I met their marketing rep., Gustavo, spoke a bit of Enlgish and was very kind, told me about their Cafe.

The Cafe is just located upstairs and serves nothing but vegan and vegetarian inspired dishes. A restaurant review was scheduled.

Ecotienda Cafe’s chef and cooks prepared several dishes for me, however their head chef would not allow me to taste any of them, as they were just for looks. I thought that was a bit weird, for my whole purpose was to review their food.

So, I can’t really say much for their food. I could only say that the “grocery store” section boasts certified organic produce and is where I purchase most of my produce for my personal clients and my home.

Located on Sarmiento 2644

Telephone: 598-2-710-6661

An up and coming Fusion Restaurant, Sat Nam’s Owners Pablo Collazo and Gianluca Zarpelon opend their doors May 2007. Their Chef, Leonardo Rodriguez prepared one of his specialty dishes Chicken Tikka for me. 

More fusion style cooking than authenic, Sat Nam’s decore of Asian shabby-shick mixed with a little Italian flair invites you to have a cocktail and enjoy.

I’ll post photos as soon as I figure out how.

Sa Cuina

Hector Miranda, 2410, Montevideo, Uruguay (710-9686)

Sa Cuina Restaurant, is a Spanish influenced family restaurant, Sa Cuina has been in the gastronomic business since 2005. Their menu consists of traditional Uruguayan staples such as lentil stew and beef with potatoes. As well as Spanish influences such as a Squash Bisque and Crema Catalan. I had the pleasure of sampling a three course meal courtesy of my dear friends at Sa Cuina

The appetizer was a deliciously prepared Squash Bisque with home made toasted croutons. The bisque was favor full and creamy. It was a great starter to my meal.  

Lastly, my favorite, Dessert!!! A delicioso blend of fruit, vanilla, and cream cake with a side of cafe

The family owned restaurant had a warm and inviting feel with its  dim lighting and cozy fireplace. When I asked the retired Architect turned Chef, where he got his inspiration? ” His family and his country, Uruguay”. With his two sons, wife and Gabby, their only waitress, Sa Cuina is hands down a charming place to dine.

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