Hey everyone,
I'm no longer blogging at Foodie in London.
Come and follow my new blog: Foodie Mom In London, covering food (obviously), with a whole lot of motherhood musings thrown in too, thanks to the arrival of Stanley.
I'd love to hear from you.
x
Wednesday, 19 December 2012
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Rita’s Bar & Dining in Dalston
So I finally made it
to Rita’s Bar & Dining … without my camera. Duh! So I just want to tell you
about the food really quickly.
Not sure what you call
it. US fast food but posh? Whatever you coin it though, it was awesome and I’m
plotting my return, to work my way through the specials.
Damn Tasty Food at Rita’s Pop-Up in Dalston
*Green Chilli Mac & Cheese
– was the tastiest I have experienced in a while. Fat, soft pasta tubes, zingy
and spicy from the green chilli, made with strong mature cheese and orangey in
colour so I think there was a hint of tomato in there too.
*Fried Chicken Roll – Gorgeous. Just fried chicken in a bun but crispy, and topped with a
garlicky, delicious burger type sauce and thin strands of lettuce.
*Patty Melt – the grilled rye bread works so well with the juicy
rare and soft beef in the middle. Another moreish snack-worthy winner.
*Soy & Ginger Hot Wings - And finally the piece de resistance.
Oh mamma, check out a plate of those when stoned/ hungover/ starving (delete as
appropriate). Let’s just say they were finger-lickin’.
We washed all of this
down with a few Frozen Rita’s. Standard.
What’s Wrong with Rita’s in Dalston?
The negatives? No
bookings and the unfortunate placing slap bang in the middle of Dalston, which
one of my friends aptly named as the new Kavos.
Therefore if you want
to ensure a seat on arrival, arrive early and the get the hell out before the
trendies besiege in the evening ready to party at the downstairs live music bar
Birthdays.
Why is Rita’s Rita’s in Dalston?
I’m not actually sure
why it’s called Rita’s but the pop-up is a collaboration between Jackson Boxer
(Brunswick House Café), REAL GOLD, Gabriel Pryce & Missy Flynn.
Saturday, 13 October 2012
Franco Manca – Probably The Best Pizza In The UK
I’m embarrassed to say
that despite calling myself a Foodie in
London, it has taken me until this week to visit Brixton’s Franco Manca
pizzeria!
Franco Manca has been constantly
hailed as the best pizza in London since it opened in Brixton market in 2008
and today its popularity has borne three further branches across London. But only the original
Brixton branch would do if I was finally going to sink my teeth into a piece of
this supposedly heavenly dough.
Brixton’s indoor Market Row has a charming array of little eateries including Rosie’s Deli Café, Casa Morita, and Seven at Brixton, where I nervously perched at an outdoor table
opposite Franco Manca, to spy on the busyness of the restaurant while I waited
for my (very late) husband to arrive.
I’d heard that Franco
Manca was so popular that it drew long queues at lunchtimes and as the clock
approached midday I was eyeing up the booth seats under the awning of the double
sided restaurant, (the indoor market path runs through the middle), to be sure
we didn’t lose out on the best seats.
When my hubby finally
turned up with baby in toe, he was hot, stressed and grumpy – hung-over and trying to
get a small person across town is never a good combo. In the end we sat inside
at the back by the pizza oven where it was warm and cosy.
We wasted no time and
ordered from the paper menus on the tables. I didn’t even see a whole separate
board of specials until it was too late. We chose two classics:
1) Gloucester Old Spot ham (home-cured), wild mushrooms,
buffalo ricotta and mozzarella
2)
Tomato, cured organic chorizo (dry & semi-dry) and mozzarella
The large sourdough
oven-baked pizzas arrived in minutes and were devoured even sooner and then a
fight broke out about who had had more of the ‘only four’ pieces of semi dry
chorizo – an indication of just how good this pizza was.
At the end of the meal
I even found myself chewing on the empty crust of sourdough it was so tasty.
Franco Manca – Why Do You Taste So Good?
So why is it so good?
These are the elements that I reckon make it such a winner.
Dough – clearly it’s all about a tangy, doughy Sourdough base. Franco Manca’s
bread is left to rise for 20 hours and then baked in an artisan wood fire brick
oven. The website says the oven uses ‘a blast cooking process that locks in the
flour’s natural aroma and moisture’ – so true.
Mozzarella – the mozzarella was rubbery and delicious and generously topped across
the pizzas, holding together all the other tasty ingredients, doing it’s job.
Franco Manca’s cheese comes from the award-winning Alham Wood Organics Buffalo
Farm in Somerset.
Tomato – Taking it back to the motherland, Franco Manca’s tomatoes are hand
picked in Salerno, Italy in the summertime and never canned or frozen.
And there you have it,
Franco Manca – probably the best pizza in the UK. Now when can I get my next
fix?
Thursday, 13 September 2012
Dirty Burger, London
As the capital’s current trend for fast food continues, (you’re a nobody if you’re not opening a pop-up American restaurant in trendy Dalston; burger-van-turned-restaurant; or somewhere to sink your teeth into overpriced hot dogs), I decided to get in on the action and headed up to Kentish Town to visit Dirty Burger.
Dirty Burger by Soho House
Those of you, who are true to the plight of the street food movement, should look away now as this little burger shack is brought to you by world-dominating Soho House. It’s part of the group’s new development, which also includes a Pizza East and another US-inspired diner Chicken Shop.
Dirty Burger: What’s Inside?
The place is simple. One table, a few stools and some mustard and ketchup bottles here and there in a small but bright corrugated iron shed.
The menu? Literally a cheeseburger, onion rings, crinkle cut fries and milkshakes. The burger was good – a solid flavoursome meat pattie, slightly sweet glazed burger bun, properly melted cheese, lettuce, and a slice of tomato and pickle garnish.
The crinkle-cut chips were triple cooked salty deliciousness, and the (red) onion rings were (I think I read this somewhere) beer battered.
Dirty Burger: What’s The Verdict?
Yes I did feel a little dirty when I left but who doesn’t after a US-style fast food feast? If you’re craving a burger this is as worthy a place as any to get your fix, and if you really feel the burger guilt afterwards, you can always walk it off on The Heath.

Visit the Dirty Burger website
Dirty Burger by Soho House
Those of you, who are true to the plight of the street food movement, should look away now as this little burger shack is brought to you by world-dominating Soho House. It’s part of the group’s new development, which also includes a Pizza East and another US-inspired diner Chicken Shop.
Dirty Burger: What’s Inside?
The place is simple. One table, a few stools and some mustard and ketchup bottles here and there in a small but bright corrugated iron shed.
The menu? Literally a cheeseburger, onion rings, crinkle cut fries and milkshakes. The burger was good – a solid flavoursome meat pattie, slightly sweet glazed burger bun, properly melted cheese, lettuce, and a slice of tomato and pickle garnish.
The crinkle-cut chips were triple cooked salty deliciousness, and the (red) onion rings were (I think I read this somewhere) beer battered.
Dirty Burger: What’s The Verdict?
Yes I did feel a little dirty when I left but who doesn’t after a US-style fast food feast? If you’re craving a burger this is as worthy a place as any to get your fix, and if you really feel the burger guilt afterwards, you can always walk it off on The Heath.
Visit the Dirty Burger website
Thursday, 23 August 2012
L’Entrepot, Hackney Downs, London
With a 4-month old baby indoors, it’s rare for me to get out on my own of an evening at the moment, but thanks to my lovely hubbie, I was released on Monday and all geared up to sample some meat at the Flat Iron pop-up at The Owl & The Pussycat pub on Redchurch Street.
Fellow blogger and confidant @hungrybecs had raved about Flat Iron on her blog: The Becs Diet and boy was I ready to tuck in to some tasty steak.
As I rounded the corner to the pub, getting ready to stand in line (no bookings), the street seemed mysteriously quiet and I knew something was awry. Damn it. I hadn’t done my homework properly. Looking up at the sign on a beautifully warm and sunny Monday evening, I painfully read the chalked info: ‘Flat Iron open Tuesdays-Saturdays’. Doh!
Frantically scouring the internet on my i-phone whilst silently chanting my mantra ‘must eat in pop-up, must eat in pop-up’, I looked for a replacement venue.
I was keen to get down to Rita’s in Dalston, but this was also closed as it was Monday. Lucky Chip at The Sebright Arms was around the corner but in the end my friend told me of a ‘lovely little restaurant’ she’d seen in Hackney Downs so I settled for a permanent opening and we jumped in a cab to go visit.
Borough Wines' L'Entrepot in Hackney Downs
L’Entrepot, an offshoot from Borough Wines, is a wine shop, restaurant, bar and café, carved out of a former railway engineers shed by Hackney Downs station. The inside’s minimal and light with white walls, filament light bulbs and scattered single tables and sharing tables.
The menu was small but everything sounded delicious and so we took some time to choose. On either side of us diners were tucking into marvelous looking charcuterie and cheese plates but after watching a few dishes go by we settled on the following:
1. Anchovy paste and cherry tomato on sourdough. This was lovely to start. I’m not the biggest fan of anchovy but turning it into a paste gives you a much softer version.
2. Salmon cannelloni with crab bisque. Rich and delicious and the pasta was really well cooked to the point of being a little crispy. Fab!
3. Duck with broad bean salad. I found this a little dry but as we ordered everything together, this was the last dish I got to, so it may have been my fault for taking so long to get fork into it.
My favourite dish of the evening was the; 4. Goat’s cheese, pear and aubergine salad, all layered in a tasty cheese/veg/fruit stack and served with lettuce, cherry tomato salad on the side.
L’Entrepot London, The Verdict:
All the food was rich, fresh and well flavoured. L’Entrepot is a lovely little bistro to visit with friends. If you like your wines, they're also offering £8 corkage for those wanting to sample some vino with dinner at shop prices, and if you’re a regular, you can bring back your empty bottle for refills of the house white, red or rose which comes straight from the owner's vineyards.
L’Entrepot London, Details:
230 Dalston Lane, E8 ILA 020 7249 1176
Fellow blogger and confidant @hungrybecs had raved about Flat Iron on her blog: The Becs Diet and boy was I ready to tuck in to some tasty steak.
As I rounded the corner to the pub, getting ready to stand in line (no bookings), the street seemed mysteriously quiet and I knew something was awry. Damn it. I hadn’t done my homework properly. Looking up at the sign on a beautifully warm and sunny Monday evening, I painfully read the chalked info: ‘Flat Iron open Tuesdays-Saturdays’. Doh!
Frantically scouring the internet on my i-phone whilst silently chanting my mantra ‘must eat in pop-up, must eat in pop-up’, I looked for a replacement venue.
I was keen to get down to Rita’s in Dalston, but this was also closed as it was Monday. Lucky Chip at The Sebright Arms was around the corner but in the end my friend told me of a ‘lovely little restaurant’ she’d seen in Hackney Downs so I settled for a permanent opening and we jumped in a cab to go visit.
Borough Wines' L'Entrepot in Hackney Downs
L’Entrepot, an offshoot from Borough Wines, is a wine shop, restaurant, bar and café, carved out of a former railway engineers shed by Hackney Downs station. The inside’s minimal and light with white walls, filament light bulbs and scattered single tables and sharing tables.
The menu was small but everything sounded delicious and so we took some time to choose. On either side of us diners were tucking into marvelous looking charcuterie and cheese plates but after watching a few dishes go by we settled on the following:
1. Anchovy paste and cherry tomato on sourdough. This was lovely to start. I’m not the biggest fan of anchovy but turning it into a paste gives you a much softer version.
2. Salmon cannelloni with crab bisque. Rich and delicious and the pasta was really well cooked to the point of being a little crispy. Fab!
3. Duck with broad bean salad. I found this a little dry but as we ordered everything together, this was the last dish I got to, so it may have been my fault for taking so long to get fork into it.
My favourite dish of the evening was the; 4. Goat’s cheese, pear and aubergine salad, all layered in a tasty cheese/veg/fruit stack and served with lettuce, cherry tomato salad on the side.
L’Entrepot London, The Verdict:
All the food was rich, fresh and well flavoured. L’Entrepot is a lovely little bistro to visit with friends. If you like your wines, they're also offering £8 corkage for those wanting to sample some vino with dinner at shop prices, and if you’re a regular, you can bring back your empty bottle for refills of the house white, red or rose which comes straight from the owner's vineyards.
L’Entrepot London, Details:
230 Dalston Lane, E8 ILA 020 7249 1176
Thursday, 9 August 2012
Netil 360 Roof-top Members Club in London
This could be East
London’s best-kept secret…but not for long.
Netil 360 is an
‘unpretentious’ members club, high up on a roof in Hackney, by London Fields.
Venture up deck for
great views over London’s rooftops, good tunes, yurts, chilled out vibes
and hot tubs. Yes that’s right, hot tubs on the roof!
Members can use the
hot tubs any time they fancy a dip and in addition there's regular Hot Tub Cinema nights that
anyone can buy tickets to. For dates and upcoming films visit the Netil 360
website for a chance to watch flicks like Anchorman and Cool Runnings.
Hire Out a Yurt at Netil 360, London
If you’re looking for an
original space to have a partee, you can hire Netil 360’s Disco Yurt. For
£1,000 you can have a private party for up to 30 people in your own rooftop
yurt complete with 80s disco ball, DJ and bar. Fun!
Bootchi Belli pop-up at Netil 360, London
Netil 360 is BYO so
make sure you stock up with spirits and wine before you hike up the six
floors to get in.
To accompany
your drinks in the sun, the Bootchi Belli pop-up restaurant has opened offering
a daily-changing menu of magical munch. Dine on bites like Ginger Pig bacon and
avocado on sourdough; yam fries with Bootchi Belli’s hot fanny sauce (oh yes, it's hot); or puy lentil salad with chorizo and goat’s cheese.
Netil 360 website
Visit the website to
find out more about becoming a member and all their upcoming events.
See you up on da roof!
Monday, 30 July 2012
Olympic Opening Ceremony at The Fringe 2012
As promised, a couple of photos of The Fringe 2012.
The Fringe private members club opened its doors for the first time last Friday to see in the Olympic opening ceremony.
There was a small hitch of the sound not working for the first 40 minutes of the show, which resulted in one of the poor sound guys up a ladder trying to fix the speaker. In the end he received a huge cheer as the sound of the stadium spectacle was eventually brought to life.
The Fringe is minutes from the Olympic stadium and although I missed a shot of the Red Arrows passing due to being stuck in a large queue at the Planters Rum tiki bar, we did get a great view of the fireworks finale.
The previously derelict warehouse has been revamped into three floors of bars, DJ spaces and rooms to hire out for private events.
The Fringe 2012 is situated on the canal and has a raised outside platform where people can watch all the Olympic action on a giant screen.
Good luck team GB!
The Fringe private members club opened its doors for the first time last Friday to see in the Olympic opening ceremony.
There was a small hitch of the sound not working for the first 40 minutes of the show, which resulted in one of the poor sound guys up a ladder trying to fix the speaker. In the end he received a huge cheer as the sound of the stadium spectacle was eventually brought to life.
The Fringe is minutes from the Olympic stadium and although I missed a shot of the Red Arrows passing due to being stuck in a large queue at the Planters Rum tiki bar, we did get a great view of the fireworks finale.
The previously derelict warehouse has been revamped into three floors of bars, DJ spaces and rooms to hire out for private events.
The Fringe 2012 is situated on the canal and has a raised outside platform where people can watch all the Olympic action on a giant screen.
Good luck team GB!
Tuesday, 24 July 2012
London Olympic Launch Pop-up - The Fringe Members Club
Greetings to any blog readers out there.
Sorry for the silence. I had a baby … and lost a few months of life online.
Anyways. Hubby's offered to babysit on Friday and I’m going to the launch of London Olympic private members club The Fringe.
It’s housed in a Victorian warehouse and it’s just 100 metres from the London Olympic site. Watch this space. I’ll try to take some good photos when I get there.
The Fringe Olympic pop-up members club website: www.thefringe2012.com
Sorry for the silence. I had a baby … and lost a few months of life online.
Anyways. Hubby's offered to babysit on Friday and I’m going to the launch of London Olympic private members club The Fringe.
It’s housed in a Victorian warehouse and it’s just 100 metres from the London Olympic site. Watch this space. I’ll try to take some good photos when I get there.
The Fringe Olympic pop-up members club website: www.thefringe2012.com
Thursday, 8 March 2012
Foxcroft & Ginger on London Word
Here's a link to my latest review for www.londonword.com
Read me: Foxcroft & Ginger at Boxpark
The editor sent me along to sample the very tasty cafe/restaurant.
Image caption: Pork belly squares with sesame, sticky glaze and salty caramel - courtesy of Eve Aspin
Read me: Foxcroft & Ginger at Boxpark
The editor sent me along to sample the very tasty cafe/restaurant.
Image caption: Pork belly squares with sesame, sticky glaze and salty caramel - courtesy of Eve Aspin
Thursday, 23 February 2012
Vietnamese Dining in London
Yum, yum Vietnamese food!
Fresh, cheap, spicy - you can't beat it.
Read all about it in my feature on Vietnamese dining in the capital on Visit London's blog this week.
Read more on Vietnamese Dining in London
Fresh, cheap, spicy - you can't beat it.
Read all about it in my feature on Vietnamese dining in the capital on Visit London's blog this week.
Read more on Vietnamese Dining in London
Test Driving New Restaurant Orchard
The lovely Hot Dinners sent me to visit the newly-opened Orchard on Sicilian Avenue, Holborn.
This is the second venture from the duo behind successful vegetarian restaurant Vanilla Black although don't expect the same sort of experience if you're heading down there. This is much more laid back cafe-style dining.
Read more about my visit to Orchard
Photo caption: Orchard's Golden Syrup Pudding with Burnt Satsuma and Cream = highly recommended!
This is the second venture from the duo behind successful vegetarian restaurant Vanilla Black although don't expect the same sort of experience if you're heading down there. This is much more laid back cafe-style dining.
Read more about my visit to Orchard
Photo caption: Orchard's Golden Syrup Pudding with Burnt Satsuma and Cream = highly recommended!
Friday, 10 February 2012
Le Cordon Bleu School London Launch
I'm now writing for www.hot-dinners.com. They kindly sent me down to cover the launch of London's flagship Le Cordon Bleu School this week.
Check out the fun we had on the Hot Dinners blog: Foodie in London at Le Cordon Bleu London Launch
Check out the fun we had on the Hot Dinners blog: Foodie in London at Le Cordon Bleu London Launch
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Hop Namo at Box Park - London Word
Hi folks,
I'm now writing for www.thelondonword.com.
Check out my first review for Hop Namo at Boxpark in Shoreditch.
http://www.thelondonword.com/2012/01/hop-namo-at-boxpark/
I'm now writing for www.thelondonword.com.
Check out my first review for Hop Namo at Boxpark in Shoreditch.
http://www.thelondonword.com/2012/01/hop-namo-at-boxpark/
Monday, 19 December 2011
Cheese is Nice: Obika Mozzarella Bar Opens at Canary Wharf
Denial is difficult. Well for me anyway. I don’t like denying myself what I want, especially food. So pregnancy and all its little confinements has been tough so far.
I dream of gorging on big slabs of blue-veined Stilton piled on crackers, or cradling a large piece of pungent soft-rind Camembert in my arms, and the taste of my old friend goat’s cheese is but a distant memory.
So, when I received a 50% off opening offer from the Obika Mozzarella Bar in Canary Wharf, I was in two minds. Clearly this new restaurant was all about the cheese. Should I visit for a torturous evening surrounded by the forbidden or just wait until 2012 and return to enjoy the full experience uncut?
Curiosity got the better of me however, so I booked dinner for myself and dad-to-be.
Obika Mozzarella Bar, What’s The Deal?:
For what is essentially nothing more than a raised platform in the middle of a corporate foyer, the restaurant had a surprisingly sophisticated feel. A jazzy soundtrack piped through speakers and softly-lit tables were placed around two sides of a mozzarella bar in the middle.
As we queued for our table, I felt a strong presence to my left, and turning around I saw them - three large tanks of fresh mozzarella sat atop the bar just staring me in the face willing me to dive in. I turned away and followed the waiter to my seat.
“Stay calm,” I told myself. “There’s bound to be plenty of alternatives you can enjoy on the menu,” but as my eyes perused the other options my face began to redden.
To begin, there was a whole half page to devoted to delicious fresh mozzarella combinations. You can choose from three different types of fresh mozzarella at Obika – delicate Bufala Classica, naturally smoked Buffala Affumicata and extra creamy Burrata. These can be paired with a number of delicious-sounding further pregnancy-forbidden foods such as Prosciutto Crudo di Parma DOP (cured Parma ham) or Bresaola della Valtellina (cured beef).
“I won’t get the mozzarella because it’s unfair on you,” says hubby.
“No don’t be silly, get it, it looks like the best thing on the menu,” I reply as plates of fresh mozzarella with various delightful accompaniments arrive on neighbouring tables.
“There will be something I can have for a starter,” I say as I look through more combinations of cheese, cured meats and pates. Grr.
“Maybe I can just have some. I’m sure it’s fine."
“Well I don’t think you should risk it."
“Hang on let me check with the waiter, excuse me I have a question."
It’s now my boyfriend’s turn to begin to redden in the cheeks.
“Uh, I’m pregnant. Do you know if I can eat the mozzarella?”
“Yes madam, all our mozzarella is pasteurized.”
“Oh great, thank you,” I say as I feel a hard kick at my leg under the table.
“What are you kicking me for?” I wallop my partner in the leg in return.
“I don’t think it’s worth the risk,” he mutters through gritted teeth.
And so the squabble continues. The next-door table is clearly listening. I’m having a tantrum. He’s toying with ordering mozzarella anyway to spite me or just having a pizza for an easy life.
“Just have the sodding mozzarella. I’ll have a salmon salad to start. I’m allowed salmon by the way before you say anything.”
Finally we order. He goes for the Burrata with Parma ham and I opt for salmon salad.
His mozzarella is creamy and has an almost yogurt-like consistency and comes with an olive and spinach garnish.
My salmon and avocado salad is served in a big glass goldfish-type bowl and is very tasty despite the fact that I over dress it using the olive oil and balsamic vinegar accompaniments on the table.
We then shared very rich and tasty lasagna and a lovely smoky pizza with large chunks of grilled aubergine, courgette, charred radicchio and smoked Mozzarella di Buffala.
The Obika Mozzarella Bar, The Final Word: Despite our cheese disagreement, the food was all of a high standard and I can't wait to return when I can fully appreciate the fresh mozzarella.
Click here to visit the Obika Mozzarella Bar website
I dream of gorging on big slabs of blue-veined Stilton piled on crackers, or cradling a large piece of pungent soft-rind Camembert in my arms, and the taste of my old friend goat’s cheese is but a distant memory.
So, when I received a 50% off opening offer from the Obika Mozzarella Bar in Canary Wharf, I was in two minds. Clearly this new restaurant was all about the cheese. Should I visit for a torturous evening surrounded by the forbidden or just wait until 2012 and return to enjoy the full experience uncut?
Curiosity got the better of me however, so I booked dinner for myself and dad-to-be.
Obika Mozzarella Bar, What’s The Deal?:
For what is essentially nothing more than a raised platform in the middle of a corporate foyer, the restaurant had a surprisingly sophisticated feel. A jazzy soundtrack piped through speakers and softly-lit tables were placed around two sides of a mozzarella bar in the middle.
As we queued for our table, I felt a strong presence to my left, and turning around I saw them - three large tanks of fresh mozzarella sat atop the bar just staring me in the face willing me to dive in. I turned away and followed the waiter to my seat.
“Stay calm,” I told myself. “There’s bound to be plenty of alternatives you can enjoy on the menu,” but as my eyes perused the other options my face began to redden.
To begin, there was a whole half page to devoted to delicious fresh mozzarella combinations. You can choose from three different types of fresh mozzarella at Obika – delicate Bufala Classica, naturally smoked Buffala Affumicata and extra creamy Burrata. These can be paired with a number of delicious-sounding further pregnancy-forbidden foods such as Prosciutto Crudo di Parma DOP (cured Parma ham) or Bresaola della Valtellina (cured beef).
“I won’t get the mozzarella because it’s unfair on you,” says hubby.
“No don’t be silly, get it, it looks like the best thing on the menu,” I reply as plates of fresh mozzarella with various delightful accompaniments arrive on neighbouring tables.
“There will be something I can have for a starter,” I say as I look through more combinations of cheese, cured meats and pates. Grr.
“Maybe I can just have some. I’m sure it’s fine."
“Well I don’t think you should risk it."
“Hang on let me check with the waiter, excuse me I have a question."
It’s now my boyfriend’s turn to begin to redden in the cheeks.
“Uh, I’m pregnant. Do you know if I can eat the mozzarella?”
“Yes madam, all our mozzarella is pasteurized.”
“Oh great, thank you,” I say as I feel a hard kick at my leg under the table.
“What are you kicking me for?” I wallop my partner in the leg in return.
“I don’t think it’s worth the risk,” he mutters through gritted teeth.
And so the squabble continues. The next-door table is clearly listening. I’m having a tantrum. He’s toying with ordering mozzarella anyway to spite me or just having a pizza for an easy life.
“Just have the sodding mozzarella. I’ll have a salmon salad to start. I’m allowed salmon by the way before you say anything.”
Finally we order. He goes for the Burrata with Parma ham and I opt for salmon salad.
His mozzarella is creamy and has an almost yogurt-like consistency and comes with an olive and spinach garnish.
My salmon and avocado salad is served in a big glass goldfish-type bowl and is very tasty despite the fact that I over dress it using the olive oil and balsamic vinegar accompaniments on the table.
We then shared very rich and tasty lasagna and a lovely smoky pizza with large chunks of grilled aubergine, courgette, charred radicchio and smoked Mozzarella di Buffala.
The Obika Mozzarella Bar, The Final Word: Despite our cheese disagreement, the food was all of a high standard and I can't wait to return when I can fully appreciate the fresh mozzarella.
Click here to visit the Obika Mozzarella Bar website
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
The Laundry Room Christmas Pop Up
Although It's not strictly food, I thought it was about time I wrote about my forthcoming Pop Up shop on my blog.
The Laundry Room Christmas Pop Up will take place on 3rd and 4th December.
We will be showcasing a beautiful array of work from artists, designers and makers in a very luxe Georgian townhouse setting on 3 Fournier Street, Spitalfields E1.
I'm really excited that we have managed to source 8 of Dan Hillier's original prints.
Talented jeweller Corrie Williamson will be getting involved and we'll also have some lovely pieces from Dynasty Jewellery.
We're already getting interest for the brilliant Sue Whimster's ceramic dogs. Cute!
Helen Beard has also won over our hearts with her high class pottery painted with fantastic London scenes and figures. Her work is stocked at Fortnum & Mason's and we're super chuffed she is getting involved.
The Laundry Room Christmas Pop-Up will take place at 3 Fournier Street, London E1 6QE
3 and 4 December, 10am-7pm
www.thelaundryroomeast.blogspot.com
twitter: @laundryroomeast
The Laundry Room Christmas Pop Up will take place on 3rd and 4th December.
We will be showcasing a beautiful array of work from artists, designers and makers in a very luxe Georgian townhouse setting on 3 Fournier Street, Spitalfields E1.
I'm really excited that we have managed to source 8 of Dan Hillier's original prints.
Talented jeweller Corrie Williamson will be getting involved and we'll also have some lovely pieces from Dynasty Jewellery.
We're already getting interest for the brilliant Sue Whimster's ceramic dogs. Cute!
Helen Beard has also won over our hearts with her high class pottery painted with fantastic London scenes and figures. Her work is stocked at Fortnum & Mason's and we're super chuffed she is getting involved.
The Laundry Room Christmas Pop-Up will take place at 3 Fournier Street, London E1 6QE
3 and 4 December, 10am-7pm
www.thelaundryroomeast.blogspot.com
twitter: @laundryroomeast
Sunday, 20 November 2011
The Balcon Pall Mall
The Balcon, What's The Deal?: For some reason, the fact that I have lived in London all my life, makes me think I need never look at a map or work out my route when trying to navigate anywhere. And so I set off to meet my dining partner @hungryBecs at newly-opened The Balcon, believing as I always do that my sixth sense would subliminally guide me to the correct location.
I set off to Green Park tube station and then spent the best part of an hour circling along Piccadilly Circus, taking a couple of jaunts up and down St James Street, a long lengthy walk up and down once side of Pall Mall before finally making it to the restaurant (the other way down Pall Mall) about 30 minutes late.
I burst in through a classic old revolving wooden door and came face to face with London’s only indoor balcony from which the restaurant takes its name. This is now home to a rather fabulous selection of champagnes, which one can peruse and choose by popping up one of the circular stairwells flanking each side of the balcony.
The Balcon, The Food: My guest and I were left to leisurely take in the smart surroundings and scoff our way through a large selection of bread accompanied by a moreish smoked butter – which needless to say all disappeared!
The restaurant has a large charcuterie selection and separate charcuterie bar where you can drop in and pull up a stool for some serious meat eating. Alas, being pregnant cured meats were off the menu for me so we settled on some of the restaurants signature pieces:
1. Herefordshire snails, garlic jus, parsnip purée, Mas air dried ham
& country croutons. The escargot was very tasty. Each little snail had already been plucked from It’s shell and was served with a rich garlic jus and creamy parsnip was a lovely accompaniment.
2. Brioche ‘toad in the hole’ with Lyonnaise pistachio sausage and garlic confit chicken jus - the sausage was served inside a chunky piece of disappointingly dry brioche – something I would not order on a repeat visit.
For mains we did the coupley thing and went for two different fish dishes and shared half-half.
1.Cornish brill, butternut squash purée, brown shrimps and lilliput capers. A great dish. Another well executed purée, and the salty capers went well with the crispy cooked piece of brill.
2.Pan-fried black bream with braised fennel,seaweed and beurre blanc Another fine fish dish. Tasty and faultless.
We also ordered a side dish of delicious colourful roasted beets with thyme.
For dessert I managed to polish off in entirety – a very rich and hugely portioned chocolate fondant – I blame the baby not greed.
The Balcon, The Final Word: A perfectly posh experience. Just remember to bring you’re A-Z if your navigation skills are as poor as mine.
The Balcon, 8 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NG, 020 7968 2900, www.thebalconlondon.com
I set off to Green Park tube station and then spent the best part of an hour circling along Piccadilly Circus, taking a couple of jaunts up and down St James Street, a long lengthy walk up and down once side of Pall Mall before finally making it to the restaurant (the other way down Pall Mall) about 30 minutes late.
I burst in through a classic old revolving wooden door and came face to face with London’s only indoor balcony from which the restaurant takes its name. This is now home to a rather fabulous selection of champagnes, which one can peruse and choose by popping up one of the circular stairwells flanking each side of the balcony.
The Balcon, The Food: My guest and I were left to leisurely take in the smart surroundings and scoff our way through a large selection of bread accompanied by a moreish smoked butter – which needless to say all disappeared!
The restaurant has a large charcuterie selection and separate charcuterie bar where you can drop in and pull up a stool for some serious meat eating. Alas, being pregnant cured meats were off the menu for me so we settled on some of the restaurants signature pieces:
1. Herefordshire snails, garlic jus, parsnip purée, Mas air dried ham
& country croutons. The escargot was very tasty. Each little snail had already been plucked from It’s shell and was served with a rich garlic jus and creamy parsnip was a lovely accompaniment.
2. Brioche ‘toad in the hole’ with Lyonnaise pistachio sausage and garlic confit chicken jus - the sausage was served inside a chunky piece of disappointingly dry brioche – something I would not order on a repeat visit.
For mains we did the coupley thing and went for two different fish dishes and shared half-half.
1.Cornish brill, butternut squash purée, brown shrimps and lilliput capers. A great dish. Another well executed purée, and the salty capers went well with the crispy cooked piece of brill.
2.Pan-fried black bream with braised fennel,seaweed and beurre blanc Another fine fish dish. Tasty and faultless.
We also ordered a side dish of delicious colourful roasted beets with thyme.
For dessert I managed to polish off in entirety – a very rich and hugely portioned chocolate fondant – I blame the baby not greed.
The Balcon, The Final Word: A perfectly posh experience. Just remember to bring you’re A-Z if your navigation skills are as poor as mine.
The Balcon, 8 Pall Mall, London SW1Y 5NG, 020 7968 2900, www.thebalconlondon.com
Saturday, 24 September 2011
Harvest At Jimmy’s Festival, Suffolk
I’m back from a whirlwind weekend at Harvest at Jimmy’s Farm in Suffolk. The access all areas pass and role of looking after all press for the weekend certainly gave me a different viewpoint of the festival happenings and an excuse to…
1.Grab Antony Worrall Thomson as he came off the Chef’s Stage and ask him to taste Andy Bates AKA Pie Man’s rhubarb and custard pie – he obliged most charmingly.
2. Take photographers into the pit right at the front of the Village Garden stage and get a chance to see the acts so close I was practically up there with them. Highlight: the amazing Fat Freddy’s Drop in glorious melodic action right in-front of my face.
3.Run around after the delightful Jimmy Doherty asking him to talk to various people and take numerous press snaps – despite having 20,000 people pile onto his farm over the weekend, not once did he stop smiling.
4. Get the front row action of Jimmy’s sausage eating contest – the winner was a svelte-looking teenage Suffolk boy who pretty much ate his own body weight in sausages.5. See the lovely Street Kitchen collect the award for best main dish - well done guys!
6. Watch Dobie from Fat Freddy's Drop prepare his dinner party favourite wonton with prawn and abelone, (a New Zealand shellfish), at the Chef's Unplugged stage.
7.Meet the guinea pigs with the best home in the UK.
See you next year: harvestatjimmys.com
1.Grab Antony Worrall Thomson as he came off the Chef’s Stage and ask him to taste Andy Bates AKA Pie Man’s rhubarb and custard pie – he obliged most charmingly.
2. Take photographers into the pit right at the front of the Village Garden stage and get a chance to see the acts so close I was practically up there with them. Highlight: the amazing Fat Freddy’s Drop in glorious melodic action right in-front of my face.
3.Run around after the delightful Jimmy Doherty asking him to talk to various people and take numerous press snaps – despite having 20,000 people pile onto his farm over the weekend, not once did he stop smiling.
4. Get the front row action of Jimmy’s sausage eating contest – the winner was a svelte-looking teenage Suffolk boy who pretty much ate his own body weight in sausages.5. See the lovely Street Kitchen collect the award for best main dish - well done guys!
6. Watch Dobie from Fat Freddy's Drop prepare his dinner party favourite wonton with prawn and abelone, (a New Zealand shellfish), at the Chef's Unplugged stage.
7.Meet the guinea pigs with the best home in the UK.
See you next year: harvestatjimmys.com
Saturday, 27 August 2011
Carnivore Club at The Blues Kitchen
Blues Kitchen, What’s The Deal: When I arrived at the Blues Kitchen early on Tuesday evening, I was surprised how busy it was. There was a great buzz about the place and a real mix of people. Female Blues singer Bex Marshall was playing live later in the evening, which may have been why it was so busy, however mine was a different agenda ...MEAT.
Blues Kitchen, Toilet Watch: As my ‘date’ was running late, I headed downstairs to get acquainted with the powder room. Thanks to an unruly soap dispenser, I managed to cover my top with a large dollop of liquid hand wash. I then tried to rinse this out which resulted in a large wet patch across my front which I attempted to dry off under the hand-dryer. I gave up and left the loos with a big wet stain.
Blues Kitchen, The Food: Carnivore Club is taking place on a serious of Tuesdays, giving adventurous eaters the chance to try a different rare meat each week. When we visited, kudu (a type of antelope found in Africa), was on the menu.
I started with a delightful (and very generous sized) glass of Chilean Merlot and thought carefully about which side dishes I would choose from the regular Blues Kitchen menus to go with my meat.
My dining pal hungrybecs finally arrived and tucked straight into a Dark & Stormy - a mix of Gosling's Dark Seal Rum, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.
Our kudu arrived on a large butcher’s block, along with our chosen side orders of coleslaw, sweet potato fries and green salad. The kudu itself if I’m honest was not that tasty. It was slightly on the tough side and a lot leaner and less juicer than many red meats. On the plus side however, as kudu is such a lean meat it is much healthier for you and it was accompanied with a very good spicy pepper sauce.
Blues Kitchen, Dessert: To finish, we shared a brownie with vanilla ice cream and Charlie the waiter’s favourite milkshake – vanilla and peanut butter which was AMAZING. I'm a sucker for anything peanut-butter based.
The Blues Kitchen, The Final Word: This joint is rockin’ and serves up decent southern American fare. Check out the website to see their regular menus and live music schedule: www.theblueskitchen.com
Blues Kitchen, Toilet Watch: As my ‘date’ was running late, I headed downstairs to get acquainted with the powder room. Thanks to an unruly soap dispenser, I managed to cover my top with a large dollop of liquid hand wash. I then tried to rinse this out which resulted in a large wet patch across my front which I attempted to dry off under the hand-dryer. I gave up and left the loos with a big wet stain.
Blues Kitchen, The Food: Carnivore Club is taking place on a serious of Tuesdays, giving adventurous eaters the chance to try a different rare meat each week. When we visited, kudu (a type of antelope found in Africa), was on the menu.
I started with a delightful (and very generous sized) glass of Chilean Merlot and thought carefully about which side dishes I would choose from the regular Blues Kitchen menus to go with my meat.
My dining pal hungrybecs finally arrived and tucked straight into a Dark & Stormy - a mix of Gosling's Dark Seal Rum, fresh lime juice and ginger beer.
Our kudu arrived on a large butcher’s block, along with our chosen side orders of coleslaw, sweet potato fries and green salad. The kudu itself if I’m honest was not that tasty. It was slightly on the tough side and a lot leaner and less juicer than many red meats. On the plus side however, as kudu is such a lean meat it is much healthier for you and it was accompanied with a very good spicy pepper sauce.
Blues Kitchen, Dessert: To finish, we shared a brownie with vanilla ice cream and Charlie the waiter’s favourite milkshake – vanilla and peanut butter which was AMAZING. I'm a sucker for anything peanut-butter based.
The Blues Kitchen, The Final Word: This joint is rockin’ and serves up decent southern American fare. Check out the website to see their regular menus and live music schedule: www.theblueskitchen.com
Monday, 8 August 2011
An Evening at A Grelha, London
Anyone familiar with the delightful East London areas of Poplar and the Isle of Dogs will know that there isn’t an abundance of decent boozers on offer, but tucked away down a side street just off Cold Harbour Lane, is historic riverside boozer The Gun.
A Grelha: What’s The Deal? Every summer, The Gun plays host to an outdoor Portuguese restaurant A Grelha. The scenic spot overlooks The Thames and the alien-like 02 and on a sunny day the smell of barbecuing fish wafts on to the Isle of Dogs luring in hungry locals.
A Grelha, The Food: We visited on a brilliant summer's evening and unfortunately for me, due to the weather, most of the day’s fresh fish (sourced from the nearby Billingsgate Market) had been eaten.
There was still a number of Dorado (Golden Bream) left though, so I snapped one up straight away. I was asked if I would like to choose my fish from the remaining ones sitting on ice at the front of the restaurant. I thought this was a nice touch and went for the largest (natch).
While the fish was on the grill, our bread was served with a tasty Portuguese twist – sardine paste.
To start we had clams in garlic, herbs and butter and mussels in tomato and red pepper sauce. Both were fresh and delicious.
My Dorado was served up whole and we also opted for a Monkfish Espetada (hanging kebab), which came on a standing skewer alongside chunks of grilled onions and pepper.
All main dishes on the menu are served with buttery new potatoes and salad.
Monkfish has a much meatier texture than some fish and made a great contrast with the softer Dorado.
A Grelha, The Drink: With our meal we shared a very enjoyable bottle of white - Tom and Ed Martin’s own house wine brand chosen and blended somewhere in France. This was the only non-Portuguese part of our meal. Oops.
A Grelha, Toilet watch: Doh! Forgot to snap it.
A Grelha, The Final Word: Get yourself down there for a cerveza and some fresh fish in the sun while the summer lasts: www.thegundocklands.com
A Grelha: What’s The Deal? Every summer, The Gun plays host to an outdoor Portuguese restaurant A Grelha. The scenic spot overlooks The Thames and the alien-like 02 and on a sunny day the smell of barbecuing fish wafts on to the Isle of Dogs luring in hungry locals.
A Grelha, The Food: We visited on a brilliant summer's evening and unfortunately for me, due to the weather, most of the day’s fresh fish (sourced from the nearby Billingsgate Market) had been eaten.
There was still a number of Dorado (Golden Bream) left though, so I snapped one up straight away. I was asked if I would like to choose my fish from the remaining ones sitting on ice at the front of the restaurant. I thought this was a nice touch and went for the largest (natch).
While the fish was on the grill, our bread was served with a tasty Portuguese twist – sardine paste.
To start we had clams in garlic, herbs and butter and mussels in tomato and red pepper sauce. Both were fresh and delicious.
My Dorado was served up whole and we also opted for a Monkfish Espetada (hanging kebab), which came on a standing skewer alongside chunks of grilled onions and pepper.
All main dishes on the menu are served with buttery new potatoes and salad.
Monkfish has a much meatier texture than some fish and made a great contrast with the softer Dorado.
A Grelha, The Drink: With our meal we shared a very enjoyable bottle of white - Tom and Ed Martin’s own house wine brand chosen and blended somewhere in France. This was the only non-Portuguese part of our meal. Oops.
A Grelha, Toilet watch: Doh! Forgot to snap it.
A Grelha, The Final Word: Get yourself down there for a cerveza and some fresh fish in the sun while the summer lasts: www.thegundocklands.com
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