
Eva Longoria explores 'family heritage' on Searching for Spain
Eva Longoria learned about her "Spanish heritage" while shooting her new documentary.
The 50-year-old actress previously explored the culture and food of Mexico on 'Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico', her 2023 documentary series - but Eva admits that she learned much more about her own family heritage while filming the follow-up series, 'Eva Longoria: Searching for Spain'.
The Hollywood star - who has Mexican and Spanish ancestry - told Byrdie: "I'm Mexican American and I always felt at home in Mexico.
"I knew [the country] and learned even more while doing 'Searching for Mexico'. But my dad had always said we were also from Spain. I used to say, 'No, we're not.' Then I took a DNA test, and it was confirmed."
Eva jumped at the chance to film a follow-up series in Spain, and it proved to be hugely informative for the actress.
She said: "When CNN wanted to do the next season, I said, 'We should do Spain because my ancestors are from Spain.' Shooting 'Searching for Spain' was different, though, because I didn't know [the country] as well.
"In this series, you'll see that my questions are genuine and my curiosity is heightened. I was excited to learn more about my Spanish heritage."
Eva loves that she has such a personal connection to the new documentary series.
The actress said: "Being able to shape the storytelling of the series has been vital because I am the way in for the audience.
"I wanted it to be relevant to my journey and everybody's journey. Everybody can watch the show and relate to someone. Authentic storytelling is important because you want stories from those who have lived them. That's been important in my life, in general, not just with this show."
Eva actually splits her time between Mexico and Spain, and the actress previously explained her decision to leave the US.
Eva - who was born in Texas and previously lived in Los Angeles - said on 'The View: Behind the Table' podcast: "I've been in Europe for almost three years.
"I didn't leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there."
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Perth Now
18 hours ago
- Perth Now
The old Leederville restaurant that deserves more attention
Duende has been around the block. Launched by local luminary Nic Trimboli, Perth's first Spanish tapas restaurant took over the space on an isthmus between Newcastle Street and Carr Place in Leederville previously occupied by Eminem — the much-lauded Turkish eatery, not the Detroit rapper — waaaaay back in 2003. That's so long ago the current crop of Perth food influencers were still blogging in their nappies or hitting child care for free canapes and bubbly milk when Duende served its first pimientos de padron and patatas bravas. Once considered among Perth's hottest restaurants, this joint has seen some action, and it shows. The decor is dated, menus arrive on clipboards, and the booths need new upholstery. A small fan rattled away on the bar, while daggy dance-pop blared away. Duende is Spanish for 'passion and inspiration'. At first glance, both seemed to be sorely lacking when my wife and I made a long overdue return to this Leederville mainstay for dinner on a Thursday evening. Duende tapas bar, Leederville. Credit: Supplied Duende tapas bar, Leederville Credit: Simon Collins When we walked past the chalkboards and into Duende, we were the only customers. Ay, no! By the time we left at about 8pm, only two other tables were occupied. Double ay, no! If this review achieves one thing, I hope it helps Duende return to the top of the pops. The food is banging — like, Ricky Martin's Livin' La Vida Loca banging — and the wine list has some mic-drop-worthy Spanish drops at prices that don't seem to have moved since Duende opened. Credit for the fantastic, mostly authentic, tapas goes to Indian-born chef Remya Geminiani, who grew up in Modena, Italy. The 'Italian pocket rocket', as she is described on the venue's socials, started a chef's apprenticeship when she was 14 years old, and was ducking flying frying pans in four-star hotel restaurants at 18. Chicken and chorizo paella at Duende tapas bar in Leederville. Credit: Supplied Geminiani trained and worked in kitchens across the Canary Islands, focusing on traditional techniques and Mediterranean flavours for five years before following her heart Down Under in 2016. She worked as head chef at a Melbourne cafe for four years before moving to Margaret River for a stint at Voyager Estate, where she refined her skills and built know-how around fermentation, smoking, and seasonal WA produce. While she only joined Duende in April, Geminiani has already had an impact. She's clearly a gem, and Phil Crocker, who bought the Leederville diner in 2013, did well to recruit her. Service was sharp. A lovely glass of cava and sangria, full to the brim, lobbed on the table within minutes of us plonking down on a table for four. (We had plenty of room, the waiter said.) Later we shared a brilliant bottle of Spanish wine, a Murcia-style blending monastrell and cabernet sauvignon grapes that was on special for $40. What year is it again? The padron peppers at Leederville tapas bar Duende. Credit: Supplied Duende also has signature cocktails with an Iberian twist, plus gin and tonics, spirits, and a decent roster of sherries. I remembered why I never drive home from this place. Speaking of specials, we decided to start with the chorizo de vino tino ($26), a flame-grilled fancy mini-snagger from Northbridge's Torre Butchers in red wine reduction served with charred bread. The chorizo was rich, quite gamey, and delicious. The champinones ($22), or mushrooms marinated in Pedro Ximenez sherry, were served with blue cheese and candied walnuts. A champion dish, you could really taste the PX in the mushies, which were served warm in a ceramic ramekin. A must-have dish. Gambas ajillo ($26), or prawns cooked in garlic, chilli and white wine, at Duende. Credit: Supplied Padron peppers are a staple of tapas for a good reason, and the pimiento de padron ($22) at Duende is excellent. Perhaps they could've been scorched more for that blackened, blistered skin but they were juicy and rested on a fresh herb mayonnaise with snow pea tendrils and oil — and radishes. Chef Geminiani has a thing for radishes. Where other Perth chefs overuse fried shallots, Duende's head chef popped thinly sliced radishes on almost everything bar the dessert, my sangria, and the bill. Clearly, Big Radish has got to her. After those three small plates, we ordered the chicken and chorizo paella ($22) and gambas ajillo ($26) — six delicious, well-charred prawns cooked in garlic, chilli and white wine. Another tasty winner, the small paella had as much chook and chorizo as rice. I like a bit of spice in my rice, so I asked for a hot sauce. Maybe Tabasco, if they had it. The chef whipped up a chilli sauce that was bang-on, and nearly lifted my head off. Luckily, I had some red plonk to calm my palate. The chocolate mousse at Leederville tapas bar Duende. Credit: Supplied The chocolate mousse with vanilla ice-cream and berry coulis was rich and sticky. Blackberries hid inside the smooth choccy, while more PX syrup made this a grown-up dessert. We shared a sherry drier than Hacks comedy diva Deborah Vance to really kick this home, while my wife commandeered the spoon. Daggy decor, bad dance music . . . who cares? The food rocked my socks off. I may never wear shoes again. Duende isn't the only tapas joint in Perth. It's not even the only one in Leederville. But it might be the best. To quote Eminem, the Detroit rapper, not the Turkish eatery, 'guess who's back'. Duende 662 Newcastle Street, Leederville OPEN Wednesday-Sunday, noon-late. CONTACT 9228 0123, BOOKINGS Yes THE VERDICT Hola! Plot a return to Perth's original tapas joint. New head chef Remya Geminiani has it back on track and banging with superb small dishes and great-value wines. Don't drive. 16.5/20

The Age
a day ago
- The Age
Conversation-stopping spuds make this cafe a must-visit in Elwood
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Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Conversation-stopping spuds make this cafe a must-visit in Elwood
Owners Jack Franklyn, Bella Tzanidis and chef Mahesh Adhikari all schooled up at Only Hospitality, a one-time cafe group juggernaut (Elster in Elsternwick, Willim in McKinnon) but which now mostly owns pubs. The trio opened their first place, Leaps and Bounds, in 2022 in Albert Park, another village-like bayside suburb. But where Albert Park is more skinny flat-white and Land Rover, Elwood is oat latte and Bugaboo. There's a liquor license here which means lunching ladies can spritz and rosé until mid-afternoon, and clocked-off tradies can grab a beer with their burger. The only drawback for a suburb where everyone has an oodle is that there are only a few pavement tables for leash-led outings. Arlo is very good, but I'm not suggesting you cross town for it. It's a local play, where customers know one another from Pilates, the dog park or Tuesday night pickleball, and staff are likely to know you by your coffee order – or actually, you're chai with oat milk, am I right? If you do wander in from over yonder, be patient for a parking spot and get ready for conversation-stopping spuds. Three more Elwood spots to try Rosie's Bar The bar in the backyard of Johnny's coffee stop and roastery is about as cruisy as Elwood gets. Put on a jumper, bring the dog, grab a tinnie, and enjoy the jazz. I'm still hoping they do food here one day (hint, hint) but in the meantime, it's all tipples and good times. 157 Ormond Road, Elwood, Repeat Offender Coeliacs love this place because it's completely free from gluten. Vegans are happy because it's easy to avoid animal products. I'm more focused on mid-week two-for-one margaritas and Mexican-ish tiger prawn tostada with tarama and yellow capsicum. 201 Ormond Road, Elwood, Elwood Bathers Don't forget about beachfront restaurants just because it's winter. There's little better than sitting snug while the weather rolls in, especially at easygoing Elwood Bathers, where you can come any day, anytime for wine, seafood, burgers and steak.