TAKEOFF FOOD & DRINK
CHEERS Surprise your friend or pamper yourself by ordering a bottle of champagne (or a box of chocolates) to be served on board.
COMPILED AND WRITTEN BY ANU PIIPPO YASUSHI SASAKI
Holiday spirit
The end of the year is the perfect occasion to enjoy a classic red or steaming hot beverage such as glögg, mulled wine, Glühwein or even cider. Here’s a pick of the season’s top tipples.
Chocolate as art at PâtisserieChocolaterie Sasaki.
The chocolate season The pastries and chocolate delicacies sold at Pâtisserie Sasaki in Brussels are nothing short of an art form. Yasushi Sasaki’s diminutive pâtisseriechocolaterie located in the quiet residential neighbourhood of Woluwe-SaintPierre has been named among the best in Brussels by influential restaurant guide Gault&Millau and travel guide Guide BrusselsLife 2015. This is a remarkable achievement for a young Japanese confectioner in a city known as the capital of chocolate. “For me, chocolate is art. I believe that being a pâtissier is similar to writing poetry. The options are boundless when you dip into a culinary alphabet to build words and sentences. Imagination is the only limit,” says Sasaki.
Dishes of design
The Belgians regard chocolate as one of life’s greatest pleasures. The most important season for chocolate lovers, besides Easter, is Christmas. On St. Nicholas’ Day, December 6, Sasaki treats children to a special feast of bonbons, pralines, and chocolate figures representing none other than Saint Nicholas (‘Sinterklaas’ in Dutch). For Christmas Sasaki prepares his own version of the bûche de Noël (Yule log), transforming his cakes into a log shape with a new flavour each year. Last Christmas he concocted a delectable combination of chocolate mousse, cappuccino and coffee. Word is this year he may be tantalising taste buds with a combination of chocolate and citrus fruits.
Jarmo Pitkänen is not only a chef and restaurateur but also an artisanal potter, which may explain his special interest in form. His new book Makuja ja Muotoja – Flavours and Forms from Kuusamo Lapland features text in English and Finnish. €39 tundra.fi
18 BLUE WINGS DECEMBER 2015
www.patisserie-sasaki.be
Rekordelig Winter Cider, 4.5%, 0.33 l This Limited Edition cider by Rekordelig is laced with a touch of apple, cinnamon and vanilla. Enjoy this winter cider either hot or chilled on the rocks. Available in K-retail stores in Finland for a limited time only. Price: €2.49–2.99 Blossa 15, 15%, 0.75 l Mulled wine is the unofficial drink of December in Finland, and Blossa’s vintage glögg never disappoints. This year they are introducing a sweet but fresh beverage pairing traditional glögg with Earl Grey tea aromas. Available in Alko stores. Price: €13.99 Marchesi di Barolo, Tradizione, DOCG, 14%, 0.75 l Barolo is often called the greatest wine in Italy. Sold in a special gift box, this elegant Barolo reaches its full potential when served together with grilled red meat, game and cheeses. Available in Finnair’s pre-order catalogue and onboard intercontinental flights. Price: €29.90