It’s probably not what they’re looking for, but whenever anyone tells me that they are headed to Santorini, my one and only recommendation is that they head to Lucky’s for the world’s best souvlaki. Call it what you will – souvlaki, shawarma, kebab, gyro, döner – it is the Mediterranean version of the burrito which has had tremendous success in its culinary colonization of Western and Northern Europe. And nobody does it better than Lucky. So it warms my heart to see a comment from one “jammin83” on Serious Eats which confirms that Lucky is still alive and well.
Every time I’m in Europe I have fantasies of returning to California to start up a kebab shop …
… whoa, whoa, whoa, I just did some looking around, and sunuvabitch, some local San Diegan stole my idea and put up a “European style” kebab shop on 9th avenue – hipster haven – in downtown San Diego. Well, good for him. But an authentic kebab shop is more than just perfectly spiced lamb and chicken. It’s also the atmosphere, the staff flirting with the girls, the calling out to all the passerby, the constant joking around. So I made a quick little video to try and get a bit of the atmosphere:
Actually, I made the video because for the past three days Bektour and I have been leading a training workshop here in Istanbul to show journalists and media trainers from around Eurasia how to use digital media. We had them each produce at least one short video using FlipShare or Windows Movie Maker, and I figured it was only fair if I made a quick video as well. You can look at the movies they ended up producing – in English and in Russian – at the Eurasian Stories website.
One of the things I stress about digital storytelling is that a good script and a strong start are always more important than having fancy equipment and powerful editing software. On the other hand, when you want to create real high quality work there is no use denying that a quality camera can make a big difference. I’ve been shooting photos with the same old 2004 Nikon D70 for years now. And video I’ve been doing with an old Sanyo Xacti HD1. Both have done the job for me over the years, but it’s time for an upgrade. For the past couple months I’ve been wavering between the Canon 5D Mark II, the new 7D, or the Nikon D300S. It is a big investment, but I’ve finally decided on the 5D Mark II.
For an example of what it is capable of, I just saw this Post Secret video (via Zadi) which was made with a Mark II:
I’m excited to get my hands on one.
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Gah – you know better than this. The only thing in common between any of these is that they’re meat wrapped in bread. From there, everything – the type, cut and texture of the meat, the sauce, the bread – changes. I’m not high on culture wars, but anyone with a drop of Middle Eastern or Greek blood in their bodies will know and defend the difference between shish taouk and souvlaki or shawarma and gyro.
“Mediterranean version of the burrito”? Estas patinando sobre hielo fino, hermanito. I suppose, then, we could also argue that Carne Asada Fries are just a Latin knockoff of La Poutine, or that Tacos are Mexico’s take on the American Hamburger. Also, I hear Argentina makes a decent facsimile of a Canadian steak.
For the love of God and all that is beautiful in this world, please don’t. I’m this fuckin’ close to clotheslining the next person I hear ordering a “jy-roe” or a “ki-bAAb”.
Actually La Poutine is a knock-off of carne asada french fries. Everyone knows that.
I look forward to the next time we can share a plate. You know, para disfrutar.
Good looking on that video. Especially since that’s the other lens I plan on purchasing.
Ooh, I’m finally getting my 7D next week, so we’ll have to do some comparison filmmaking! I just finished shooting a spot with the 5D and it’s seriously beautiful stuff.
Also, since you’re on Vimeo now, you should do tag search for 5D… it’ll keep you drooling until you get yours. 😉
“souvlaki, shawarma, kebab, gyro, döner” are NOT the same thing. be very careful when speaking about european dishes. you might get yourself into real trouble… if there is something still religious in europe it’s the food we eat! and this is really serious business. be cautious, dear friend, and stick to video when it comes to expressing yourself about food! 😉
have you thought what to do to your Nikon? if considering selling talk to me first!
beijinho
Souvlaki and Gyro are Greek, which is barely European. Shish Taouk and Shawarma are Middle Eastern.
These are Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, not European. 🙂
I knew I was going to get caught the moment I posted this comment… my sincere apologies!!!
(I don’t know why this didn’t go with the previous message)
but I was thinking on greek and turkish, which, yes, are mediterranean, and therefore, much closer “europeans” to me than many other cultures… we’re all just cool tanned people who really love to eat and share food! I wish I could do that online to show my point. 😉