Travel FRIDAY, JANUARY 31, 2014

10 iconic dishes and where to eat them

ood is a hot topic of debate but travel website Virtual Tourist (www.virtualtourist.com) Fhas compiled its selection of 10 of the world’s most iconic dishes and the best places to find them.

1 Pastrami Sandwich - New York City

eighborhoods grow and change but deli’s superiority is so renowned that it has Nsome things stay the same. A fixture in online ordering, shipping all over the United New York’s Lower East Side since 1888, States and to any military address, a tradition Katz’s Delicatessen is a holdover from a time established during World War Two. As luxury that has long disappeared from the old neigh- hotels and trendy nightclubs pop up around it, borhood. Less than a block from the Tenement the quality and tradition of Katz’s ensures it Museum, which celebrates the immigrants will be a fixture for the next 125 years. who lived in the area in the early 20th century, Katz’s is most famous for its pastrami. The 3 Pizza - Naples

hile pizza has been reinterpreted all Wover the world, the original slice can be traced back to the working class neighborhoods of Naples, Italy. Traditionally, it was served Marinara or Margherita, with the primary difference being that Margherita features mozzarella cheese and basil on top. It was named after Queen Margherita of Savoy, who was served this style by a young chef when visiting Naples in the late 19th century. There is no shortage of pizzerias in 2 Pad Thai - Bangkok Naples but two of the most famous are L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele and Pizzeria Di ne of Thailand’s more accessible and less spicy dishes, Pad Matteo, the latter near the Duomo and OThai is many people’s first foray into Thai cuisine. known for being the place where US Comprised of stir-fried rice noodles, egg, bean sprouts President Bill Clinton dined during the Group and peanuts, the dish is traditionally served with lime wedges of Seven conference in 1994. and can be found all over Bangkok’s street food scene. The most famous spot for Pad Thai in Bangkok is Thip Samai, an unassum- ing storefront across from Wat Thepthidaram in the Banglamphu district. The restaurant serves original Pad Thai, as well as a “superb” version with Thai noodles served in an omelet.

4. Frites -

elgium is known for many food specialties, including waf- Bfles, mussels and chocolate, but one of its greatest areas of expertise is in frites, or fried potatoes called by some. Belgian frites are distinct for two reasons - they are usually made with Bintje potatoes and they are fried not once, but twice. Vying for top spot in Brussels are Frit Flagey in Place Flagey, Friterie Tabora near the Grand Place and Maison Friterie Antoine in Place Jourdan. Once you pick your place, the next decision is how to dress your frites. While the traditional accompaniment is , Maison Antoine provides more than 20 sauces, including curry, mustard, and poivre.