Latest news with #Carlotta
NZ Herald
22-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Exploring Porto: A four-hour food tour of Portugal's culinary delights
We waste no time and head straight out along Rua de 31 de Janeiro, towards the Douro River. As we walk, she shares that the river once divided Christian and Muslim populations, and how Portugal's famous colourful tiles are leftover heritage from Arabic people in the 20th century. Eventually, we join a crowd hustling to get into the city's central train station. It's odd to consider tourists stopping by Auckland's Britomart Train Station, but then again, it's not a 19th-century building like São Bento Station. São Bento Station in Porto, Portugal. Photo / Sarah Pollok Inside, the waiting pays off. The interior walls are covered in gigantic blue and white tiles, reaching across the ceiling like a Portuguese Sistine Chapel. More than 20,000 azulejo tiles depict historic events and daily Portuguese life in history, from epic battles to ancient festivals. Alas, this is a food tour, so we don't linger and head up a street lined with lush green trees that dapple the 11am sun. On Saturday, the streets are abuzz with people enjoying the downtown; families and couples, friends and travellers. Our first proper stop is Manteigaria for arguably one of Portugal's most iconic food items: pastel de nata. No, the pastries aren't just a tourist gimmick, Carlotta assures me, locals enjoy them just as much as visitors. Our Porto food tour guide, Carlota Braga. Photo / Sarah Pollok 'I'm very picky about the tarts,' she adds. 'We often enjoy them with an espresso and, well, if you like, a cigarette,' she laughs. Fortunately, picky is a quality one wants in a food guide. Outside Manteigaria, a crowd stands before the tall glass windows, behind which three white-aproned chefs deftly roll and shape pastry in a mesmerising rhythm. Minutes later, Carlotta appears bearing a tray with a dozen tarts and thimble-like cups of espresso. Pastel de nata (Portuguese tart) from Manteigaria in Porto. Photo / Sarah Pollok 'Cinnamon or sugar,' she asks before dusting the tarts. Stepping away from the group, I have a quiet moment with my first Portuguese tart, which is light yet creamy, only slightly sweet and perfectly offset with the nutty cinnamon. It is, quite simply, divine. Slowly savouring it over four leisurely bites, I rush to knock back the espresso and follow the group two metres up the road to Comer e Chorar Por Mais. 'It translates as 'To eat and cry for more',' Carlotta translates, hinting at what we'll enjoy inside. After a few blinks, my eyes adjust to the dim little gourmet deli. Two large glass cases groan with countless varieties of deli meat and giant legs of dried ham, while shelves wrap around the walls, stacked with lemon liquor and tinned sardines, local preserves and olive oil, while dusty bottles of port precariously graze the ceiling. A charcuterie board at Comer e Chorar Por Mais. Photo / Sarah Pollok Circling a barrel-turned table, a sheet of paper is removed to reveal a platter of bites that allow us to travel without moving an inch. On one board is South Portugal (where meats can be air dried by the drier climate) via ribbons of cured black pork (Porco Preto), which comes from the Alentejo region and fed primarily acorns. Another board holds North Portugal (where meat is typically smoked) selections, from chestnut-fed pigs. In the middle, several types of 'Amanteigado' sheep cheese ('the best in Portugal', beams Inês, the warm shop keeper) and chunks of squishy cow cheese. Then, to the side, some juicy black olives, a dish of fragrant olive oil and plate of wheat bread and 'broa de Avintes' a dark, doughy, rye bread popular in the North. Grabbing a slice, I dunk it into the oil and it tastes like a sun-soaked olive grove. White wines soon arrive and conversation turns to general culture as we pick at the treats. We chat about university culture in our respective countries and the pagan roots of popular Portuguese festivals. Plates cleaned, it's on to Mercado do Bolhão, a market dating back to 1914. 'It was renovated during Covid and some say it's lost its charm,' Carlota says as she guides us through the open-air building, which is roughly the size of two football fields and filled with covered stalls. At the entrance, people eat or relax alongside dozens of tables and bar leaners and lost charm aside, I do enjoy the clean white walls, pristine concrete floors and light floral smell. Mercado do Bolhão, Porto. Photo / Unsplash Grouped roughly by category, the stalls all sell food either in ingredient form or as a dish. There are dried mushrooms and tiny hot sauce bottles, busy crepe stands and pyramids of colourful sardine tins. If you should want for a bulb of dried garlic, shucked oysters, fresh juice or coffee beans, this is the spot. That most people roam around with full glasses of white and red wine also feels deeply European. Sardines are a popular dish in Porto. Photo / Sarah Pollok Having gone 30 minutes without food, it's absolutely time for another bite, and this time we walk up Rua de Santa Catarina and down an unsuspecting alley to a literal hole-in-the-wall joint. Inside Casa Louro, it would be easy to mistake the shoebox restaurant for an FC Porto fan club, decked entirely with the team's blue and white paraphernalia, from team posters and fake trophies to scarves and jerseys. Inside Casa Louro. Photo / Sarah Pollok 'It's hard to be in the city and not support a football team,' Carlota explains. First up is a small mug of yellow, effervescent 'Green wine', which comes exclusively from Minho and is named for the rainy region's verdant landscape. Strong, tart and chilled, it's the perfect summer drink according to Carlota, and has become a popular drink in the past two decades. In the 30C heat, it certainly hits the spot. Then come the plates, bearing tiny salted fish, cured pork, broa de Avintes, and my favourite, Bolinhos de bacalhau. A Portuguese speciality, the crispy deep-fried pillows contain a mix of potato, flour and salted cod, which has the most unusual soft yet fibrous texture and briny flavour. After describing the dishes, conversation turns cultural as Carlota answers our curiosities about life in Porto and the politics. Eloquent yet humble, she describes the current climate and recent history. Like other countries, Portugal recently swung conservative after several years of a liberal Government. Like other countries, rent is expensive and certain jobs are unfairly underpaid. Same trailer different park as they say. The portobello mushroom burger from Casa Guedes, in Porto. Photo / Sarah Pollok It's at this point that we make a mistake many do on a food tour; filling up at the second-to-last stop. Thankful for my choice of dress rather than buttoned pants (a crucial food tour outfit choice), we slowly stroll for 10 minutes, towards Praça dos Poveiros, an area known for restaurants that serve quality meals for working-class folk. One of the more popular among locals is Casa Guedes. Once a humble tavern, its pork shoulder and Serra cheese sandwich was so popular amongst students and workers that its set up four more locations, but Carlotta believes the original is the best. 'I bring groups here, but I also come here myself,' she says. At 1pm, the shaded outdoor tables beside a lush public park are full, so we opt for air conditioning inside. Most of us order the specialty, washed down with a cold rosé, and I try the portobello mushroom option with a brioche bun and sautéed vegetables. True to form, the €5.50 sandwich is simple but delicious. A plate of chips arrives, which Carlotta describes as a restaurant's litmus test. 'You know it's a good place if they hand-make their chips', she reveals. Details For more information on Intrepid Travel's 8-day 'Portugal Real Food Adventure, featuring Galicia', visit New Zealand Herald travelled courtesy of Intrepid Travel.
Time of India
22-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Wuthering Waves 2.3 Anniversary update, rewards, free pulls, Astrites and more
Image via: Kuro Games The occasion will mark a year since Wuthering Waves was launched, and Kuro Games is marking the milestone with the Version 2.3 update that goes live on 28 April 2025. Players have been buzzing with a lot of expectations of giveaways, special events, and generous free pulls. 100 pulls for everyone: But is that enough? For all intents and purposes, Version 2.3 appears very generous. Roughly 100 free pulls on a limited banner ensures that 5-star character players can score almost 9,420 Astrites, 42 Radiant Tides, 22 Lustrous Tides, and 7 Forging Tides. But here's what happens, that number doesn't differ much from non-anniversary patches in the past. Most of the rewards come from events, dailies, or login bonuses. Tower of Adversity, Whimpering Wastes, and Holograms repeat still have a similar contribution amount as last patches. There are anniversary events still to be celebrated, such as Cubie Derby, Cube, Cubic n Cubie, and Memory Travelogue though they add flavor, their structures for rewards are still kind of familiar. A celebration but with strings attached Not all rewards are free. The new Echo Data Modifier and good-looking Flight Aspect carry a lot of value for collectors. But people hoping for purely cosmetic free stuff are in for a rude awakening. Some special items Changli's exclusive outfit and Carlotta's exclusive outfit come with price tags that can be discounted if you play your cards right. Kuro Games is refreshing its top-up bonuses, also offering a double recharge bonus that's available only once. How Many Pulls Can You Get in Wuthering Waves 2.3 Anniversary Update? New faces, familiar patterns That's what the banners in Version 2.3 are for, the treat ready to entice the eye. Zani and Ciaconna as the headliners with two known 5-star fan-favorites in the selection banners. And on the other hand both halves of the update lie within Jiyan, Yinlin, Jinhsi, and Carlotta. It is a smart play, one that brings nostalgia and wishful thinking in a celebration patch. And two new permanent modes, Dreaming Deep and Resounding Waves, are awaiting release, while the actual rewards from these events remain decently under the radar. The buzzing question is whether they would weigh the scales downwards. Is Wuthering Waves playing it too safe? Version 2.3 is doing its business without going the extra mile. Kuro Games was clearly playing it safe, able to only offer event stuff and somewhat stable generosity rather than overloading players on the first anniversary with bombastic substance. Heartbreaking, fans expected fireworks early on. Yet again, there might be some time left. As events roll in and with a chance for surprise rewards, Version 2.3 may still have some tricks up its sleeve. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
Time of India
21-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How to claim all Wuthering Waves Anniversary rewards
(Image Via Kuro Games) Wuthering Waves is all geared up for its first anniversary with the Version 2.3 update. It is about to bring some exclusive events, free pulls, and premium rewards. The update, launching on April 28, 2025, EST, brings a wave of celebratory content. While the players will have plenty of time to claim the rewards, there are a few that are time-sensitive. So, if you are looking forward to maximizing the anniversary haul, here is all you need to know about unlocking and claiming the goodies before they are gone. How to get all Wuthering Waves Anniversary rewards? Wuthering Waves Version 2.3 Official Trailer | Fiery Arpeggio of Summer Reunion To ensure you do not miss out, log in daily during the anniversary period. The biggest of the rewards would come from 3 key login events that will run throughout Version 2.3. Gift of Grand Celebration- on May 23, 2025, the actual anniversary day, claim 10 Radiant Tides and the exclusive avatar, Moment of Resonance. Gift of Grand Reunion– it will be available as soon as Version 2.3 drops. The event will give the players 5 Radiant Tides and 5 Lustrous Tides just to log in. Gift of Melodic Verses– it is a part of the 7-day login bonus that comes at the update's end. It will reward 300 Astrites, apart from the upgrade materials and the new Echo Data Modifier (which allows customization of the Echo stats). Also participate in the Cube, Cubic n Cubie combat event and Cubie Derby : Warmup (10 Radiant Tides). They come with another 10 Radiant Tides and the Flight Aspect: Laureate glider skin. There is also the Gilded Nightmarket, where the players can exchange the event currency for weapon skins, 10 more pulls, and past event rewards. Exclusive banners and limited-time upgrades The Wuthering Waves anniversary is not just about the free pulls. The special banners let you pick the featured 5-star character from the select pool. The 1st half (April 28) includes Yinlin, Zhezhi, and Jiyan, apart from Phoebe and Xiangli Yao , while the 2nd half (Mid-May) features Carlotta, Changli, Roccia, Brant, and Jinhsi. The weapon banners, too, get the refresh. So, plan the pulls wisely. Some other notable upgrades that come as part of the event are, Top-up bonuses reset, offering double Lunites on the 1st purchase. New swimsuit outfits for Carlotta and Changli—discounted in Version 2.4. The outfit vouchers for the anniversary events can be discounted by 300 Lunites. So, do not miss it. Ray Tracing supports expansion, and the boss cooldowns are being removed for smoother grinding. Do not wait. There are many rewards that will disappear after the end of the period. Log in, complete the tasks, and claim the anniversary goodies before they are gone. Get the latest IPL 2025 updates on Times of India , including match schedules , team squads , points table and IPL live score for CSK , MI , RCB , KKR , SRH , LSG , DC , GT , PBKS , and RR . Don't miss the list of players in the race for IPL Orange Cap and IPL Purple cap .
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Lifestyle
- New York Times
Elegantly Swaddled in Neutral Shades
Cocooned in fuzzy, tonal attire, Simonne Dom exuded a cozy sophistication as we crossed paths in the Marylebone section of London on a Saturday in March. Her soft garments in shades of beige embodied the two-word description she gave for her style: 'casual chic.' Ms. Dom, 70, who lives in Belgium, was visiting London with friends for her birthday, an occasion she had planned to celebrate by doing a lot of shopping. When we met, she and her friends had just finished lunch at Carlotta, an Italian restaurant, and were walking to the department store Liberty to browse its selection of luxury fashion, home goods and beauty products. While talking about her fashion tastes, Ms. Dom cited Max Mara and Joseph as two brands she likes. When I asked if she always dressed stylishly, her friends laughed before answering emphatically in unison: 'Yes!' they said. Tap to see more looks
