tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65250459713840492022024-03-19T09:39:33.092+00:00thenotsosecretdiary Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.comBlogger303125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-8700792836313274672016-08-05T13:14:00.001+01:002016-08-05T13:14:56.826+01:00Date night at Duck & WaffleEvery night is date night, right? Not always. Although P and I do spend an inordinate amount of time (and money) eating out (I've actually lost count of the places I wanted to write up and then just ran out of time on). We just can't help ourselves at the moment.<br />
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We're planning to curb our enthusiasm a little when we move in together in just over two weeks (eek!). I am already dreaming of all the amazing meals we're going to cook up in our kitchen (with the cutest open shelving) and avoid the temptation to order in every night. But there's one place that I will never have a problem about going back to time and time again and it's the perfect date night destination - <a href="http://duckandwaffle.com/">Duck & Waffle</a>.<br />
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Doubtless you've seen all the selfies and sunsets on Instagram. With it being 40 floors above the city and open 24 hours all year round, the views are astounding and the gastronomic possibilities are endless.<br />
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We started yesterday's evening with a Woodland Negroni and a Daily Grind. Nestled in a moss-lined wooden bowl with a heady fragrance of ferns and meadows, this smoother than smooth campari was a dream. Cocktail genius Rich makes it with 'damp gin', campari and sweet vermouth and slow drips it through all sorts of flora as part of this season's 'Urban Foraged' collection. P, whose drink choices always tend to come in the most feminine of glasses, wasn't quite as keen on his cocktail which came topped with crushed coffee dregs (but that's only because mine was better).<br />
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No biggie though as D&W never disappoints. Just look at the guanciale and Welsh goat's cheese bread. Cured pork cheek is layered onto the dough and baked to order and oozing with tangy saltiness. Cutting into the still hot from the oven loaf, we always have to fight over who gets the last tear.<br />
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Particularly useful for finishing the last of the foie gras creme brulee. This small pot contains one of the most delectable dishes, worth hankering over with its smooth, meatiness. The cracked shards of sugar cut through the silkiness to add crunch and the heavy brioche with its pork crackling top serves as the perfect vessel from table to mouth.<br />
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We also had the seared octopus with raw fennel and chilli. I was too busy eating to take a photo but it was sharp and fresh with citrus and salad, complementing the meatiness of the cephalopod which had the lightest of smokes and crisps.<br />
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Next up was the pea and mint ravioli with brown butter crumble. I'm still trying to work out quite how they got this bowl of pasta quite so light and fresh tasting; no carb comas here but sweetness from the fresh peas and an undertone of buttery richness. Predictably, this was swept up and devoured.<br />
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We finished the last of our beautiful bottle of Ribeauville Gewurztraminer wine along with a British cheese plate. No time to waste, <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2016/08/five-places-in-five-days.html">putting this new found love of Alsacien wine into practice</a>.<br />
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So, another delicious date night. Normally I'd be aching to get another booking in the diary to do it all over again. This time? I don't have to wait - next week, we're showing off to clients and introducing them to a world of pig's ears, smoked eel and <i>that </i>duck and waffle dish.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-56240216311299763492016-08-02T10:46:00.000+01:002016-08-02T10:46:02.339+01:00Five places in five daysIt's been a bit of a mad few days but I wouldn't change any of it for the world. P and I celebrated our six months anniversary (is that even allowed?!) on Friday and we spent the weekend in France meeting his family. Getting back to the daily grind this morning was a bit of a jolt to the system - especially when my heel snapped on my shoe at Clapham North station - so here's to a precis of the last five days in three different countries.<br />
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<b>1 Client debauchery at <a href="http://www.chilternfirehouse.com/">Chiltern Firehouse</a>. </b>We took some clients out to <i>the </i>place to be seen on Thursday night. We kicked off with bottles of champagne in the bar where there's lots of plush fabrics, barmen in white jackets, flowing greenery and a well-groomed dog or two. Coupled with a celeb spot of Zoe Kravitz, Lisa Bonet, Jason Mamoa and Michael Fassbender, it was always going to be a good evening, right? We ate at the Kitchen Table - ordering round after round of seasonal martinis while devouring the bitesize crab donuts, carrot blunts, chicken wings and chunky tuna tartare. I had steak tartare for main and it was silky and smooth, with lashings of seasoning. No selfies but a quick sneak into the secret garden was worth the hype.<br />
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<b>2 Anniversary eating at <a href="http://bobbobricard.com/">Bob Bob Ricard</a>. </b>Faced with mammoth hangovers, we contemplated cancelling our long-awaited table at London's finest English-Russian collaboration but after some stern words to ourselves and some bloody good Red Snappers at Mark's Bar, we made it. We made ourselves comfortable in the bluest of blue booths and naturally, pressed for champagne. Then we moved onto caviar and ice cold vodka, then indulged in the purest comfort food of lobster macaroni and cheese. An oozing, melting baked St Marcellin finished us off.<br />
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<b>3 Wine tasting in Riquewihr. </b>It was then up at a blisteringly early 3.30am to catch a flight to Basel to then drive to Strasbourg to meet the in-laws. But first, we stopped off at the beautiful village of Riquewihr, renowned for its cobbled streets and chocolate box buildings. And wine. The finest producers of Alsacien wine are based in Riquewihr with acres of vines circling the town. We headed to <a href="http://www.hugel.com/">Hugel & Fils</a> where Loic took us through their very best bottles. From Riesling to Muscat, Gewurtztraminer to Pinot Gris, I am now a total sweet(er) wine convert and I'll be eschewing the tired old Pinot Grigio for something a little different.<br />
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<b>4 Tartes flambees and cheese on cheese and cheese.</b><br />
Then came Strasbourg proper and more Aperol Spritzes than you could shake a stick at. One night, we headed for late night tartes flambees at <a href="http://www.binchstub.fr/">Binchstub</a>. An achingly hip hangout with industrial scaffolding seating and the most laissez-faire waiters you'll ever meet. For the uninitiated, tartes flambees are a regional speciality akin to white pizzas - crisp bases topped with cheese and a variety of toppings. We went for the comte, nuts and lardons; the munster (a very strong regional cheese just like Stinking Bishop), and the tommes aux vaches with nettles. So hot it'll burn the roof of your mouth but perfect when washed down with light, chilled Pinot Noir and a digestif of Ron Zapaca 23 before a slow wander through the tiny, stunning Strasbourg streets.<br />
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And of course, a weekend in France wouldn't be complete without the fullest cheeseboard you've ever seen.<br />
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<b>5 Al fresco swimming at <a href="http://www.hotelsbarriere.xn--com%20%20home%20%20ribeauvill-3uc7169vka/">Resort Barriere, Ribeauville</a>. </b>What better way to end the weekend than two hours in an outdoor thermal spa looking over the Vosges mountains? Naturally heated to 34 degrees, the pools and jacuzzis washed away all our traffic-related angst and set us up for the inevitable easyJet delays and the torrential downpour that awaited us in London. It's open all year round and is set to be spectacular in winter when the mountains are capped with snow and the flakes settle around you in the darkness. Return flight, anyone?Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-43255880722199322042016-07-12T14:21:00.001+01:002016-07-12T14:21:08.699+01:00Two songs that just won't leave me aloneYou know the ones. The ones that stick in your head and you can't get enough of. The ones where the sheer lyrical and musical genius just takes your breath away.<br />
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First up is Rationale. His whole Fuel to the Fire EP is one of my go-tos. I fell in love with Tinashe's beautiful voice, teeming with soul and perfectly accompanied by the electricity of the synths. Fast Lane's my first choice but Fuel to the Fire is a very close second.<br />
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Second up is local boy Tom Odell. He's a pretty big deal these days (Brits, Ivor Novellos and the like) and I adore this track from his third album, Wrong Crowd. This super sultry song begs to be played very late on a Friday or Saturday night, lights down low, an Old Fashioned in hand and someone to dance with.<br />
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<br />Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-83538938100360393032016-06-30T20:49:00.000+01:002016-06-30T20:49:04.358+01:00Where to stay: MykonosIt seems like the entire universe is in Mykonos this summer. Endless blues and whites across Instagram. Sunsets and swimming pools. Beaches and beach clubs. A month ago I was there too. Soaking up the glorious sun in late May, just before the season kicked off, on the annual mother-daughter holiday.<br />
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We stayed a week at <a href="http://www.mykonosammoshotel.com/">Mykonos Ammos Hotel</a>; a 5 star boutique hotel listed in the <a href="http://www.slh.com/">Small Luxury Hotels of the World</a> guide. A pristine white complex of forty rooms, it's the perfect mix of calm relaxation (around the pool) and then upbeat beach bar a few short metres away. Loungers aplenty, there's lots of people-watching to keep you occupied on Ornos Beach - one of the less busy but still vibrant parts of the island. Deep house and club chill out on just the right side of low volume brought the holiday vibe without making us want to tear our hair out.<br />
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The rooms were well-sized with decent enough beds (twins, natch, but we heard the doubles were roomy) and enough pillows to sink into. The ground floor rooms, like ours, let you spill out onto the balcony with wine which you can then oh-so-easily take onto the daybeds or hold above your head as you swim about (civilised, of course) in the pool.<br />
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Two restaurants are open for business all day from breakfast to after dinner cocktails. Brunch includes a breakfast chef and enough cheese, ham, local pies, fruit and cereal to keep you going back for seconds, thirds and sometimes fourths. Lunch was easy too with Greek cuisine sitting easily alongside Japanese sushi (Kuzina is the only restaurant on the island to use black sushi rice at dinner, there are Japanese chefs at work), and dinner was always going to be a 'roll me out of here' affair. Don't even mention the deconstructed millefeuille. Portion sizes in Mykonos are favourable, to say the least, which is good bearing in mind that prices tend to be around the London mark.<br />
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The staff, as you'd expect, swish serenely around the place in sleek grey uniforms. Incredibly friendly and chatty, we saw everyone falling in love with the waiters and hostess Esmerelda has some very good beach and yacht trip recommendations (more on that later). Mykonos Ammos is a real gem and somewhere we wholeheartedly recommend - it's probably a little crazy (like the rest of the island) now it's high season but go either side of the busy months and you're in for a treat.<br />
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<br />Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-58661188143504840082016-06-21T15:48:00.001+01:002016-06-21T15:48:20.332+01:00My Dad Wrote A PornoMy 'to write' list is as long as my arm, it's my birthday tomorrow, we're viewing a house tonight and I'm off to Paris at the weekend. But I just wanted to drop in because I just had to share a podcast that's been brightening up my commute every day.<br />
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'My Dad Wrote A Porno' is exactly what it says. Jamie's dad wrote an erotic novel - under the pseudonym Rocky Flinstone - and he's teamed up with pals James Cooper and Alice Levine to read it chapter-by-chapter and discuss it in detail. The book's called 'Belinda Blinked' (you can buy it online if you so desire) and it follows the sexy shenanigans of Steel Pots & Pans newest Sales Director.<br />
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It is definitely not safe for work, not safe for kids but definitely safe for you - if you can manage to stop yourself from crying with laughter on the Central Line.<br />
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It's free and you can download it from wherever you get your podcasts from. Plus, it's coming back for more on 4 July!Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-61398913341158489672016-06-19T10:43:00.002+01:002016-06-19T10:43:28.333+01:00Kitchen Table, FitzroviaHidden behind a curtain at the back of a buzzing hotdog and champagne bar, you'll find Kitchen Table. An open kitchen flanked by just 19 high seats and proud owners of a Michelin star. It's been on my list forever and so I was extremely excited to head down last Wednesday as a sort of pre-birthday adventure (hello 27 this Wednesday!). As early birthdays go, this one was pretty special.<br />
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James and the team at Kitchen Table like to do things a little differently. There's no menu to choose from - just a list of 14 or so daily changing dishes chalked onto a wall on one side of the room. No lengthy descriptions here either, just single words of the main ingredient, adding a tangible layer of mystery. There's no waiting staff either - the six or so brilliant chefs who work diligently in front of you serve you the dishes themselves, taking time to explain each element and then checking in later with you to answer any questions you may have. And there's Ben, the restaurant manager, who's happy to dish out extra bread, persuade your dubious boyfriend that the 2013 Chateauneuf du Pape is actually pretty good, and give you a last glass of Kummel at the end.<br />
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But first, we cracked open a bottle of champagne. Smooth, light and crisp, it was the perfect accompaniment for the first few of the dishes. Shall we begin?<br />
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The opening plate was a hand-dived <b>scallop</b> from Orkney. First shown to us before it was shucked, we then watched as the chefs whirled around each other in a dance of pure fluidity, each knowing exactly what to do and when. (We later asked James how they each knew what to do given the menu changes every day and he said it was a combination of rehearsal and common sense). Diced and raw, it was accompanied by an elderflower and cucumber vinegar, elderflower tea and topped with the elderflowers themselves. Light, fresh and the perfect balance of sharp and sweet.<br />
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Next came this delightful little crisp. <b>Potatoes</b> are juiced, dehydrated and the fried. The Scottish salmon is salted and smoked on the Norfolk coast, and then added to the crisp with sour cream, brown sugar and chives. This is one smart little snack and chomped in three or so bites. Eagerly.<br />
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The third course was <b>chicken</b>. Crispy chicken skin was lightly spread with rosemary mascarpone and then topped with a rich, flavoursome bacon jam. The saltiness of the main elements was lifted by the creaminess of the cheese and the rosemary brought everything together.<br />
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The fourth dish was <b>Parkerhouse. </b>Everyone was clueless until chef Rich explained that it's a type of bread, invented in Boston, made with milk so that the inside is soft and sweet and the crust crispy. It was grilled over charcoal and served with duck liver parfait, drizzled with pickled plum syrup and cherry. P and I took two rolls each, as did the girls next to us. At one point, a Kitchen Table first apparently, our sitting had demolished the entire set.<br />
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Then came <b>mackerel. </b>Line caught in Cornwall and whisked to the city that morning, it was diced and served raw, seasoned with oil and salt. It sat on an oyster emulsion and was surrounded by Isle of Wight tomatoes: some dehydrated, some fresh and some as a thin jelly, with oyster basil herbs. The fish, as to be expected, was light and the tomatoes done three ways were an interesting addition. Having never had jellied tomatoes, the clear layer lent an interesting texture to the plate.<br />
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At this stage, we moved onto the red wine. Having a boyfriend who loves wine as much as me but is infinitely more knowledgeable can be both a blessing and a curse. We spotted a pretty special Chateauneuf de Pape on the menu but with a 2013 vintage (a year known for bad weather and bad wine in France), and so P was reluctant. Ben, the restaurant manager, insisted it was up to par and that we should try it and so, after some back and forth, we did. And of course, it was divine. Chosen by Sandia Chang, wife of chef James, it was smooth and light and everything we could have asked for for the next set of dishes.<br />
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Dish six was <b>monkfish. </b>Like most people, I was expecting a normal cut but instead we were served the liver. A large organ that grows near the fish's head, it was pan fried and served with white asparagus from the Wye Valley, champagne butter and green strawberries and it was <i>delicious. </i>With a melt in the mouth texture, it's been likened to the foie gras of the sea, all meaty and rich.<br />
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Next up was <b>duck. </b>Using the hearts and gizzards of the birds slaughtered that day (whose livers we'd eaten with the Parkerhouse bread), they were roasted in brown butter over charcoal and served with cabbage with pickled Japanese rose petals. For sweetness, there was yoghurt and raspberries. As someone who doesn't eat much duck, I wasn't expecting to love this as much as I did. The rounded flavours of each element worked together so seamlessly, I could have eaten whole plates of this.<br />
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Then came another <b>duck </b>dish. This time, the breast. Cooked in the pan and roasted over charcoal again with a meaty sauce made from the bones. Drizzled with sesame seed puree - which I'm not usually a fan of but, of course, went hand in hand - and carrots. You know what? I think I'm starting to come around to duck.<br />
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It was at this point that we were segueing towards the sweet end of the menu. Eight dishes down, we weren't full but pleasantly sated, thanks to the change in flavours and textures. And so I was ready and waiting for the <b>Gloucester</b>. The cheese was melted into a dish similar to risotto with sprouted greens and barley, pipped with redcurrants for a brilliantly sharp bite. This was delectable comfort food at its best and something I could eat with a large spoon from a large pot for hours on end.<br />
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And here's where my photography taking went a little awry. I continued to diligently take notes (always one for documentation) but I seem to have skipped on the photos and dived straight into some of the dishes. Which is why I have no proof of <b>beetroot. </b>It was made into a marmalade, infused with woodruff for a herby, garden flavour and then served on a sour cream ice cream which was just simply divine. The smooth-but-not-sweet was thick but not cloying and a great balancer for the tart beet.<br />
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I didn't get a picture of <b>elderflower</b> either which was fried in tempura batter and served with elderflower cordial and sorbet. The perfect palate cleanser, of course, with the added activity of snapping the elderflower into bitesize chunks and feeling the crisp batter flake off in your mouth.<br />
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I did get a snap of the <b>strawberry </b>with liquorice yoghurt ice cream. For someone that is definitely not a liquorice fan (too many childhood memories of Bassett's Allsorts), it was never going to be my favourite but I did like it. There was tuile, too, to snap and crumble into the bowl and the granita added icy freshness without being too saccharine. I just wish I could remember quite what was in it.<br />
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And then there was <b>caramel. </b>A tiny cup of caramel ice cream, in a chocolate mould with a cookie base. This was sheer childhood indulgence at its best and unfortunately something that we all snaffled far too quickly to photograph.<br />
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And finally, came <b>vanilla. </b>Delicious squares of homemade vanilla fudge served on a ubiquitous slate and with a final thank you to and from the chefs. Fourteen wonderful courses now at an end.<br />
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This has been a particularly gushing write up, I know, but I honestly feel that Kitchen Table was one of the best dining experiences I've had. From the sheer brilliance of the menu, the great wine, the interaction of the chefs, the whole package is one I'm dying to complete. There was a guy who'd been 30 times - perhaps I could try and beat his record?Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-69502554593585340002016-05-25T08:30:00.000+01:002016-05-23T14:19:53.926+01:00Off to Mykonos<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I'm off to soak up the sun on these very loungers for a week. Normal activity will resume in a week. Ish.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-23013961069845547852016-05-23T11:06:00.001+01:002016-05-23T11:06:40.824+01:00Le Bab, Soho<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Before heading to <a href="http://www.eatlebab.com/">Le Bab</a>, I'd never eaten a kebab in my life. Post-night out foraging often resulted in stealing friends' chips or raiding the fridge and eating all the cheese, but I'd always managed to stay clear of the places serving questionable-looking meat on rotating skewers.<br />
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So perhaps I'm not best placed to judge somewhere whose menu is solely compromised of kebabs. But when a new spot in Kingly Court opens up and the guys behind it have trained in some of the top restaurants in London, this girl just has to check it out.</div>
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Climb to the top floor and check in for your reservation (yep!) and take a seat at one of the oh-so-Instagram tightly packed marble tables. Or totter on the stools at the pass and watch the magic happen. Then, order a drink (preferably with whisky in) and one of the posh kebabs. </div>
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In the spirit of solidarity, we all went for the same one: the 15 hour free range pork shawarma. It arrives at the table flat, ready to roll yourself and devour or to tuck into with knife and fork. The grilled spring onions were at once smokey and sweet, the roasted broccoli puree smooth, the fennel pickle tangy and with a vinegary bite that cut through the meat, and the crackling a party in the mouth of salty, crisp skin. We also had to order the fondue fries which were essentially cheesy chips and gravy (but oh! that gravy, you could bathe in it) and the endive and pomegranate salad for a semblance of healthiness.</div>
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Bright, breezy, friendly and flavoursome, Le Bab definitely ticks all the boxes. Posh kebabs may sound an oxymoron but boy, do they go together. Lashings of ketchup and mayo not necessary. </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo <a href="http://www.thelondoner.me/2016/03/le-bab-soho.html">via</a>)</span></div>
Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-1689959422078924902016-05-05T15:46:00.002+01:002016-05-05T15:46:30.455+01:00Obica, St Paul's<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;">Do you have a favourite cheese? I have several. I’m a big fan. I will always look to the cheeseboard when eating out and we habitually have an average of five different kinds in our fridge at any one time. I’m not quite sure where it ranks but burrata, a soft cheese made from mozzarella and cream, figures quite highly on the list and so it made perfect sense to check out the new flagship restaurant from Obica, an Italian mozzarella bar. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 20px;"><a href="http://do%20you%20have%20a%20favourite%20cheese/?%20I%20have%20several.%20I%E2%80%99m%20a%20big%20fan.%20I%20will%20always%20look%20to%20the%20cheeseboard%20when%20eating%20out%20and%20we%20habitually%20have%20an%20average%20of%20five%20different%20kinds%20in%20our%20fridge%20at%20any%20one%20time.%20I%E2%80%99m%20not%20quite%20sure%20where%20it%20ranks%20but%20burrata,%20a%20soft%20cheese%20made%20from%20mozzarella%20and%20cream,%20figures%20quite%20highly%20on%20the%20list%20and%20so%20it%20made%20perfect%20sense%20to%20check%20out%20the%20new%20flagship%20restaurant%20from%20Obica,%20an%20Italian%20mozzarella%20bar.">Read all about the six course feast over on Try This For</a>.</span>Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-24320701996379070792016-05-03T17:00:00.000+01:002016-05-03T17:00:10.661+01:00St John Bar & Restaurant, Smithfields<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/smithfield/">St John Bar & Restaurant</a> is a bit of a holy grail. A 'whitewashed ex-smokehouse where Fergus Henderson pioneered the resurgent interest in offal dishes', you'll find it on the edges of Smithfields Market. The ideal place to source the ingredients for the nose-to-tail cooking you'll find on the ever-changing menu. They release the menu an hour or so before each service so you'll never be sure what you'll be offered but I think this is all part of the charm. No prior planning permitted.<br />
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Our table was for 9.15 on a Saturday night and, as you can imagine from a Michelin starred restaurant, it was super bustling with diners in for the long haul. That's not to say the service isn't efficient, the all-in-white wait staff are attentive for the most part but ours was definitely having a bad day - no smiles, no explanations and a lot of stalking around the room.<br />
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The no frills restaurant looks stark and functional on Google images but at night, it's almost cosy with the lights down low and tables tucked around the walls. The couple across from us barely exchanged two words all evening, keeping their noses in that day's paper and its crossword - well-seasoned St John goers, for sure.<br />
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But enough about that, onto the food. For some inexplicable reason (which may or may not be down to the cheese and champagne we'd consumed a few hours earlier), we decided to stick to the smaller plates rather than dive into the larger dishes. The diners around us who did order them were served vast plates of food, so definitely a place to come to sate your appetite. Instead, we started off with the roasted bone marrow and toast with parsley salad. Four enormous bones arrived and we bent to the task, eking out the rich and gooey marrow which was perfectly offset by the piquancy of the herbs.<br />
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Next to arrive was the brown crabmeat on toast. Forget pretty plates here, this place is all about the hearty and letting nothing go to waste. The sweet meat was slathered thickly onto sourdough, seasoned and squeezed with lemon and brought to the table. Another rich and flavoursome dish.<br />
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The other two dishes we chose divided opinion. Or mostly my opinion because I backed out of my promise to try the snails. Already shelled and nestled in the salad, I couldn't bring myself to try them this time so P got the spoils and devoured them all greedily. I instead focused on the octopus salad with a citrus dressing, and meaty chunks of tentacle. More my kind of thing.<br />
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The buzz was infectious, the flavours good and proper but I was a little disappointed by our waitress. But, with just a few small plates, we definitely didn't do St John complete justice and I think we'll have to give sister restaurant Bread & Wine a try.<br />
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(photo <a href="https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/">via</a>)</div>
Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-78285127977872002982016-04-28T09:00:00.000+01:002016-04-28T09:00:18.268+01:00& other places: Opium, Vagabond Wines & Champagne + FromageThree bars to whet your appetite.<br />
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<b>Opium</b><br />
This late night drinking den is found (where else?) in Chinatown. Like the Experimental Cocktail Club, <a href="http://www.opiumchinatown.com/">Opium</a> is tucked behind a nondescript door, marked only by the bouncer waiting outside. A quick nod and a climb up two or three flights of stairs and we found our place at the bar for post The Book of Mormon drinks, a couple of Wednesdays ago. The drinks menu sounds delicious - the Opium #6 with tequila, ginger, oolong tea for example, or the Golden Lotus with its Remy Martin, rye whisky and banana - but we continued our love affair with Kummel and ordered first a Silver Bullet, and then the much tastier and smoother (and papa-patented) Silver Streak with gin. We couldn't resist the excellent dim sum, so much so that we had to order more to sate our craving for the delicious dumplings. My favourites? The classic pork and prawn, the crab and samphire and the lobster, naturally.<br />
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<b>Vagabond Wines</b><br />
<a href="http://vagabondwines.co.uk/">Vagabond Wines</a> are making the art of drinking the grape a more casual affair. No lengthy list to wade through, just a few machines to hover in front of, deciding which to try first. They profess to having over 100 bottles by the glass - just load up your wine card with money, slide it into the slot, press for a sample (25ml) or a glass (125ml) and bottoms up. It's a great way of discovering new wines without committing to a bottle (although you can buy any you like) and with the prices ranging from 'impressively cheap' to 'impressively not so cheap', there's something for everyone. We headed to the Spitalfields one and while I think it's a little smaller than the others, it makes for a cosy post-work stop off. Bucket of wine optional.<br />
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<b>Champagne + Fromage</b><br />
Lovely. A place that does what it says on the tin. A tiny little space across two floors a stone's throw from Covent Garden, <a href="http://www.champagneplusfromage.co.uk/">Champagne + Fromage</a> is a great place to dip into mid-afternoon for a pick me up. We went for a flight of champagne each - three glasses of different grapes (who doesn't love a selection?) - and shared a cheeseboard - choose three from a range (something old, something new, something fruity and something blue...) - and would have declared ourselves done, considering we had dinner at <a href="https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/smithfield/">St John</a> booked for later that evening. But, of course, we couldn't resist and had stayed for another bottle of bubbly. Sitting downstairs, the atmosphere's a bit lacking but nothing that the fizz couldn't combat.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-51369873313181672872016-04-25T14:03:00.002+01:002016-04-25T14:03:35.997+01:00Maltby Street MarketYou've exhausted Borough Market, right? And you fancy somewhere other than Broadway Market, yes? Time to get on down to Maltby Street Market.<br />
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A short walk from Tower Bridge, Maltby Street Market's set into the railway arches and bursting to the seams with the newest street food on the scene. We headed down a Sunday or so ago, chasing the sun as it attempted to break through the April clouds. It's a little shady down the Ropewalk at times but the warmth of the stalls and the bustle of people will keep you from getting too cold.<br />
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First off, make sure you take a stroll along the entire length of the market before making up your mind on what to try first. There's everything from scotch eggs and sausage rolls, Greek pittas and Indian wraps and even raclette on offer and you'll be hard pressed to make a decision.<br />
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We kicked off with grilled cheese sandwiches from the guys at <a href="http://www.thecheesetruck.co.uk/">The Cheese Truck</a>. The three-strong team were the image of efficiency as the orders came thick and fast - supply somehow always kept up with demand, and boy were these boys in demand. We went for the goats cheese with honey, walnuts and rosemary butter - a sweet and savoury melt-in-the-mouth sensation with the rich flavours tripping over each other brilliantly in the mouth and squidging deliciously out between the toast - and the Cropwell Bishop stilton with bacon and pear chutney. This one was salty with a real bite from the blue, added meatiness from the pig and a little sugar to round it all off. The Metro called them the 'best street food truck ever'. An accolade I could get on board with.<br />
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We ate our grilled cheese perched on empty barrels between old planks and railway sleepers stacked high at <a href="http://www.maltbyandgreek.com/">Maltby & Greek</a>, a tiny little shop who find the best food and drink from Greece. We didn't sample any of their cured meats but the glass of red wine was, naturally, delicious.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx3U-v9E3IxRLjOkrku-7sjKjvg4Dw5Ai3grLtInRd22HNfWAn0LetEMmHlpGVbwghSe9qgNrt1Nl9SbxIHBn1_Qh9AA9x0U9i4eoVRRUO5gdpoQVoshc5QKiaCcvLeFImhay7U0HDf-A/s1600/IMG_9810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOx3U-v9E3IxRLjOkrku-7sjKjvg4Dw5Ai3grLtInRd22HNfWAn0LetEMmHlpGVbwghSe9qgNrt1Nl9SbxIHBn1_Qh9AA9x0U9i4eoVRRUO5gdpoQVoshc5QKiaCcvLeFImhay7U0HDf-A/s640/IMG_9810.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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From there, we couldn't resist the call of the king crab mac & cheese toasted brioche sandwich from <a href="http://doyoucrab.com/">DoYouCrab</a>. Piled high with pasta, sprinkled with parmesan and topped with chilli and coriander, this oozing delight was a riot of flavours and by far one of the best things I've ever parted money with at a market.<br />
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Of course, we couldn't resist having something to wash them down with and snapped up a highly coveted spot at <a href="http://www.littlebirdgin.com/">Little Bird Gin</a>, a craft gin distillery. We kicked off with two Red Snappers each which came in weighty jugs with lashings of horseradish and spice, much to the envy of practically everyone who walked past.<br />
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Then, we tried the 'Perfect G&T' - their gin with Fever Tree tonic with a large slice of pink grapefruit (not too base), the Early Bird Martini - gin, cointreau, marmalade and pink grapefruit juice (tangy and fruity), the Barrel Aged Negroni - gin, Martini Rosso and oak barrel aged Campari (deliciously naughty and complete with a Little Bird) and the Whoops-A-Daisy - gin & orange liqueur, pomegranate, lemon and soda water (sweet and sherbety). So, essentially the entire menu plus another G&T each. Not bad going for the two of us, of course.<br />
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Places like Maltby Street Market remind me of the sheer creativity of street food and stalls. There's a hell of lot of passion put into these tiny pop-up places and whatever you're in the mood for, there's always something new to fall in love with.<br />
<br />Maltby Street Market's open 9am to 4pm on Saturdays & 11am to 4pm Sundays. You'll find it at <a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/Maltby+Street+Market/@51.4992719,-0.0757362,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x4ff7ff324437b937?sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj6t6396qnMAhVaFMAKHUD4DRcQ_BIIfzAO">SE1 3PA</a>.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(top photo <a href="http://www.thecheesetruck.co.uk/">via </a>as too busy munching again)</span></div>
Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-46467450180405722402016-04-22T12:58:00.000+01:002016-04-22T12:58:16.040+01:00Foxlow, Stoke Newington<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It was the morning after the night before. I had mainlined espresso martinis at my colleague's wedding and it was safe to say I was not feeling my best. But! It was finally a sunny Sunday and there was no way I was going to let the hangover get the better of me.<br />
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So P and I tottered to everyone's favourite neighbourhood spot, <a href="http://www.foxlow.co.uk/">Foxlow</a> in Stoke Newington. It was almost warm enough to sit outside but instead we ensconced ourselves in a corner table right at the back of the restaurant, perfect for people watching.<br />
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Straight up, we ordered Bottomless Bloody Marys at £14 a pop. Served long, tall and spicy (like all the best ones are), they came thick and fast and did wonders at soothing my fragile head. And kept us going until the burrata with homemade sorrel salsa verde arrived. I liked the different dimension that the addition of sorrel brought to the plate and we practically fought over the last bits until the Cobble Lane charcuterie arrived (coppa, saucisson and chilli salami) along with the sauteed portobello mushrooms that were juicy, citrusy and scattered with plenty of tarragon. We also ordered the pablano macaroni cheese because nothing is better than carbs on a hangover. Juice diet? What juice diet? Plus, any place that puts a million types of cheese into their giant dish is my kinda place.<br />
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A small but perfectly formed brunch that banished the post-espresso martini blues. Bingo.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-54035118069702357202016-04-20T12:55:00.001+01:002016-04-20T12:56:34.619+01:00Bistrotheque, Bethnal Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bistrotheque's a perennial favourite in our house. Sarah and Russell used to go when they were living in a tiny flat next door, splashing their graduate wages on fine food. Ashley always takes his parents there whenever they visit, and I have a thing for steak tartare.<br />
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So it seemed only fair to take P there as a further introduction to the culinary delights of Bethnal Green. We stopped off at <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2016/04/sager-wilde-restaurant-bethnal-green.html">Sager + Wilde Restaurant</a> for drinks beforehand and then, three whisky cocktails down, tottered up the road to Wadeson Street. <a href="http://www.bistrotheque.com/">Bistrotheque</a> is tucked away down a small road in a non-descript warehouse that you'll probably walk past the first time you go. Enter the unmarked door and turn straight up the concrete stairs, push through the industrial double doors and bask in the chaotic calm that is the all white and windows restaurant.<br />
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Bistrotheque feels how I imagine a Brooklyn loft restaurant to feel. It's a sizeable open space but it feels intimate as tables are close together, the atmosphere buzzy. Sit up at the square bar while waiting for your table, martini made with Hackney gin or vodka in hand. Then pass by the open kitchen where the industrious chefs plate up dish after dish and the friendliest, smiliest waiters (also in whites) bustle back and forth with a practised calm.<br />
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The food's 'Modern European' which I feel can cover a multitude of sins but here, there are few. The still-warm bread and butter while you're mulling over the wine menu (Old and New World, naturally) is a good start. As were the large grilled prawns in garlic butter with bone marrow which I managed to devour in double quick time - the sweet meat of the shellfish rounded up by the richness of the marrow. Plenty of sauce for dipping, too. P had the crab - a glorious combination of brown and white meat with ample citrusy bite.<br />
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For mains, my ever-predictable order of steak tartare was no surprise. Well-prepared with the fresh zing of the mustard, the salt of the capers and no need for the Tabasco on the table, it was served classic with frites. P didn't order so well this time, choosing the burrata, truffle and shallot tart which sounded promising but only delivered on the onion and nothing else. Thank goodness for generous girlfriends sharing.<br />
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Then came cheese - Riseley, Turnworth and Cashel Blue served with quince jelly oatcakes (discarded) and smothered onto more bread from the kitchen. As a massive cheese fiend, these were all delicious (predictably) and P was impressed (big thumbs up from the resident Frenchie).<br />
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We finished the night with an espresso martini for me and the cognac for P before heading for nightcaps at Peg + Patriot. Another night at Bistrotheque well spent. <b>Four and a half </b>out of five.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(photo <a href="http://www.timeout.com/london/restaurants/bistrotheque">via</a>)</span></div>
Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-4397486253765887352016-04-12T18:16:00.001+01:002016-04-12T18:16:39.569+01:00Sager + Wilde Restaurant, Bethnal Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Sticking with Paradise Row, we headed back to Bethnal Green last Friday night for what turned out to be a very boozy evening. First up, were pre-dinner drinks and we decided to head to <a href="http://www.sagerandwilde.com/">Sager + Wilde</a>, the restaurant version of the brilliant wine bar in Hoxton where we'd had our second date.<br />
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It was just warm enough to sit outside - although the bar inside was very inviting - and soak up the music from Mother Kelly's next door. Any place that plays The Rolling Stones followed by Jimi Hendrix gets in my good books. Although when the sun went down, the heaters came on and there are plenty of blankets to wrap up in.<br />
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Whilst Sager + Wilde are praised for their brilliant wine list, we couldn't resist the cocktails which are divided into 'Long drinks', 'Burnt', 'Rocks', 'Fizz' and 'Straight up'. Of course, we were instantly drawn in by the promises of mescal and whisky and could look no further for the next forty five minutes.<br />
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For him, the Olive Oil Old Fashioned with a clear, slick and smooth lasting finish. For me, the Burnt Milk with burnt clarified milk, bay leaf, mescal, burnt caramel syrup, cassia and clarified lemon - an alcoholic creme caramel that I could have drank for days. And did, seeing as between us we ordered another two. Along with the Grand Cru - burnt lactic syrup and cognac that, when drank after the accompanying sparkling wine, left an intense, rich flavour in the mouth. And also the Burnt Maple which brought together burnt maple syrup, rye whisky, mescal and walnut bitters. All but one served in beautifully heavy tumblers with a single, thick ice cube. No fripperies, no flounce - just pure unadulterated alcohol.<br />
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Had we not been skipping down to Bistrotheque for dinner, we would have stayed all night and washed down <a href="http://media.wix.com/ugd/b9bf13_bce7d7505852483abe8d31d922ac1b3d.pdf">this cracking sounding bar menu</a>.<br />
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<br />Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-5966139054600655272016-04-11T17:29:00.001+01:002016-04-12T18:16:59.430+01:00Paradise Garage, Bethnal Green<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Bethnal Green used to be my stomping ground. The four years I spent in the E1/E3 postcodes during university (before moving to E8 and then E5, so not exactly far away now) saw more house parties than fine dining but as is always the way with up and coming areas, the good restaurants are quick to spot an opportunity. Which is what the guys behind Clapham's The Dairy & The Manor did last July. Opening in the railway arches on Paradise Row, <a href="http://www.paradise254.com/">Paradise Garage</a> is an ideal spot for soaking up the last of the spring and summer sun. I fiiiiinally made it over last Wednesday, the keenest bean to try small plates that are big on textures and flavours.<br />
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Welcomed in by the first glow of just-lit candles and the friendliest of hosts and hostesses, we were shown to our table at the side of the restaurant. This was the perfect spot to marvel at the tiled walls, the wines upstairs, the touches of turquoise and, of course, the beautiful open kitchen, framed by greenery. While we were choosing champagne, still warm sourdough arrived at the table along with homemade whisky butter and a taster of pickled beetroot that had the perfect bite and tang.<br />
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Choosing what to have was tough but, of course, we stepped up to the plate. They recommend two or three small plates to share and the rabbit 'picnic' which comprises of the whole rabbit used in different ways, or three or four small plates each. We went for the latter (although were sorely tempted by the Tasting Menu at £45) and settled in to negotiate choices.<br />
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First up came the pork, black pepper and apple salumi which lasted all of five seconds before we delved into the venison tartare and Jerusalem artichoke. This is where the textures started to come into play with the artichoke as a foam and the meat studded lightly throughout to be mopped up all together with the bread.<br />
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Then came the cornish crab with fennel, ginger and borage. A little looser and wetter than we were expecting and the brown crab biscuit split on the plate but the fresh fennel brought it all together, and a world away from the fennel kimchi that accompanied the lamb heart - firm slivers rich in flavour themselves amongst the slick sourness of the pickle.<br />
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From the 'Garden' section we ordered the portobello mushrooms with bagna cauda and raw turnip on rye. This was our least favourite dish of the day, overshadowed by what had come before, but by no means a duff order. The stronger flavours of the cod from the 'Sea' section were the more memorable; smoked fish, strong roe, confit salsify and a ketchup.<br />
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For dessert, we ordered cheese (can't take a French guy anywhere without having to judge the cheese plate) and the white chocolate parfait which was perfectly balanced by blood orange (a little less so by carrot). And Armagnac. Because French, naturally.<br />
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Had it been around during my uni days, I would probably have spent all of my student loan and bar earnings at Paradise Garage. From the attention to the different textures, to the prettiness of the plates (both the food and the crockery) and the warmest welcome, Gill and the team have proven that they're top of their game yet again. <b>Four</b> out of <b>five.</b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-small;">(beautiful photo <a href="http://www.urbanpixxels.com/">via</a> - I was too busy eating to snap)</span></div>
Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-14970866358425952532016-04-03T10:00:00.000+01:002016-04-04T15:11:02.036+01:00Sunday links <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I felt it was about time to reintroduce the Sunday links. Five bits and pieces that have caught my eye recently each week.<br />
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1 Aretha still killin' it. Singing Carole King-penned <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHsnZT7Z2yQ">(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman</a> at the Kennedy Center in front of the Obamas. The passion is palpable - can you <i>imagine </i>being there?!<br />
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2 <a href="http://www.thisiscolossal.com/2014/05/calligraphy-animals-by-andrew-fox/">Calligraphy animals</a> from Andrew Fox. Like most people, my penmanship these days leaves a lot to be desired so these clean lines appeal straight to my nostalgic neat days.<br />
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3 I eagerly await delivery of Dolly Alderton's Dolly Mail newsletter straight to my inbox on Wednesday. I think she's my kindred spirit (quaffing champagne, particularly) plus her guest posts, recipes, and round up of things to buy make the commute to work fly by. <a href="http://tinyletter.com/thedollymail">Sign up here</a>.<br />
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4 I have this bookmarked and read it from time to time as it's just so true. <i><a href="https://medium.com/message/every-celebrity-interview-6218d6df9f7a#.zd7ft4c0l">Every Celebrity Interview</a> </i>pokes fun at the glossy magazine's gushing stories on female cover stars, and the unachievable standards that they just seem to set.<br />
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5 Which leads nicely onto <a href="http://girllostinthecity.com/">Emma</a>'s newest post: '<a href="http://girllostinthecity.com/2016/03/lets-ask-people-real-questions/">Let's Stop Asking Famous People Dumb Questions</a>'. From the pressure of press junkets to basic questions that scream boring, why Actors on Actors is so much more interesting and why we should ask the things we really want to because actors are people too and if someone else asks them about their divorce, they may just lose their mind...<br />
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(Photo of New York City because we're planning an October trip and I am already dreaming about it.)Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-32781006578534282832016-04-01T11:31:00.002+01:002016-04-01T11:31:33.802+01:00Pinch, punch<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So it's 1 April and I've resolved to make another set of resolutions. The first is to draw a line under March. Not because it was awful - it was the complete opposite, in fact - but because I know I'll never find the time to write up all the amazing places I went to. Having a boyfriend who's new to London and loves exploring comes in handy for content but I have a list of places to share and I just know it's never going to happen.<br />
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So instead, here's a record of where I've been the last couple of months:<br />
<ul>
<li>First dates at <a href="http://www.thenatural-philosopher.com/">The Natural Philosopher</a>. Kneeling at the altar to order a cocktail is certainly one introduction.</li>
<li>Then on to <a href="http://www.talentedmrfox.com/#!pegpatriot/c88k">Peg & Patriot</a> where I made P try some English sparkling wine (being French, he's always going to choose champagne). This was also the day before I flew to Cambodia which may possibly explain how my cards and money stayed in Heathrow whilst I made it halfway around the world without them...</li>
<li>Second dates at <a href="http://www.sagerandwilde.com/">Sager & Wilde</a>.</li>
<li>And (average) seafood platters at <a href="http://theboundary.co.uk/rooftop/">Boundary's rooftop</a>.</li>
<li>Before a last cocktail at the <a href="http://acehotel.com/">Ace Hotel</a>.</li>
<li>Girly catch ups with Sophie at <a href="http://www.bellariarestaurant.co.uk/">Bellaria</a> in Fitzrovia - burrata, venison parpadelle, sheep cheese and beetroot ricotta and Death by Chocolate.</li>
<li>Learning all about <a href="http://www.regalrogue.com/">Regal Rogue</a> vermouth at Rev JW Simpson.</li>
<li>Lobster rolls at <a href="http://fraqslobstershack.com/">Fraq's Lobster Shack</a>. Decent but not as good as Burger & Lobster and skip the fries.</li>
<li>Strong cocktails at <a href="http://www.joyeuxbordel.com/">Joyeux Bordel</a> before introducing P to hippie fries and deep fried pickles at MeatMission.</li>
<li>Mezcal and Mexican at <a href="http://labodeganegra.com/">La Bodega Negra</a>. The softshell crab tacos, the ceviche and the quesadilla have my vote. </li>
<li>Mother's Day at home with my mum and <a href="http://www.thehorseguardsinn.co.uk/">lunch at the second best pub in the world</a>.</li>
<li>All day drinking at <a href="http://radiorooftop.com/">Radio Rooftop Bar</a>. Soaking up the first of the spring sun with Bloody Marys and lashings of champagne.</li>
<li>Before a wander round the <a href="https://www.somersethouse.org.uk/visual-arts/venturing-beyond">Venturing Beyond: Graffiti exhibition</a> at Somerset House. And a stop off at Dandelyan for the concrete sazerac.</li>
<li>Next up, lunch at <a href="http://polpetto.co.uk/">Polpetto</a> with Emma. That rabbit parpadelle. Those courgette fries. That softshell crab. That squid ink and cuttlefish risotto. That rocket and proscuitto pizzette. Oh man, I die.</li>
<li>And onto the <a href="http://stevemccurry.com/">Steve McCurry</a> exhibition to see the iconic 'Afghan Girl'.</li>
<li>A midweek feast of the 11 course tasting menu at <a href="http://www.rokarestaurant.com/roka-aldwych">Roka Aldwych</a>. My favourite dishes were the wagyu tartare and the fat, juicy scallop. The sashimi platter with lobster and scallop tartare was to die for but the matcha green tea ice cream? Not so sure.</li>
<li>Playing dress up at Burpleson Air Base. I played Chief of Counter Measures Bessie Crowley in Secret Cinema's production of Kubrick's <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Strangelove">Dr Strangelove</a>. We were taught how to identify Communists (lactose intolerant, one foot smaller than the other and the inability to pronounce the colour blue) and tasked with recalling the B52 bombers before it was too late. A stellar performance from the entire cast and that attention to detail. Astounding. </li>
<li>Then a hungover brunch in Brixton village before dinner at MeatLiquor and a raucuous night at <a href="http://www.byoc.co.uk/camden">BYOC</a>. Book a table, take your plans and bring your booze and watch as your own barman whips up cocktails just for you. We took mezcal, rum and kummel and our man Lloyd couldn't have been happier. One of the best nights yet.</li>
<li>Followed by another hungover brunch at <a href="http://www.oldbengalbar.co.uk/">Old Bengal Bar</a>. Oysters and gravdlax and hake, oh my. They do bottomless prosecco too (although we abstained on this occasion; the Bloody Marys were just what we needed).</li>
<li>A midweek stop off at <a href="https://duckandwaffle.com/">Duck & Waffle</a>. We devoured the foie gras creme brulee, yellow fin tuna, Jersulam artichokes and meatballs and mopped eveything up with the goats cheese bread. Man, I love this place.</li>
<li>A Bank Holiday Friday trip to the zoo to see the lions, tigers but sadly no bears. The horny armadillos, baby sloths and otters more than made up for it, though. Word to the wise: prebook tickets (or buy them in the queue) and skip straight to the front.</li>
<li>Then a very early morning for a surprise trip to Bordeaux! We stayed at the beautiful boutique <a href="http://www.lacourcarree.com/">La Cour Carree</a>. </li>
<li>And ate our bodyweight in amazing food. From delicate dishes at Michelin-starred <a href="http://www.ledavoli.com/">Le Davoli</a> to veal carpaccio with caviar and a whole table of cheese at <a href="http://www.loiseaubleu.fr/">L'Oiseau Bleu</a>. </li>
<li>A vineyard tour and St Emilion wine tasting complete with Petrus, Pomerol and Margaux in the picturesque medieval village. Followed by feasting on burrata, cheese and meat and more Margaux in a tiny wine bar back in Bordeaux.</li>
<li>And a last lunch of steak tartare and foie gras at <a href="http://www.brasserie-bordelaise.fr/">La Brasserie Bordelaise</a>, warmed by armagnac from 1983 and 1989 to take us home.</li>
<li>And finally, a whistletop dinner at <a href="http://www.dishoom.com/">Dishoom</a> in Shoreditch. Ducking out of the rain, we wolfed down masala prawns, gunpowder potatoes, lamb kebab and of course the black daal with a cheese naan. A perfect way to beet the bank holiday blues.</li>
</ul>
Told you it's a lot to catch up on, didn't I? Having a food-loving boyfriend is doing wonders for my figure (not) but who can resist introducing him to some of the best places in London.<br /><br />
I'm going to sign off on a promise, from now on, to pick the old blogging malarkey back up. There's some good stuff coming up, just you wait.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-3985399298533247842016-03-16T17:45:00.000+00:002016-03-16T17:46:31.524+00:00Koh Rong, CambodiaFrom Sihanoukville, we headed to Koh Rong. One of a few islands off the shore, the slow boat takes about two hours to meander its way across the bay and drop you at what promises to be a pretty hefty party island. But we weren't stopping in the main bay. We hired a flat bottomed fishing boat to take us to our home for the next three days: <a href="http://www.agoda.com/en-gb/sok-san-beach-bungalows/hotel/koh-rong-kh.html?cid=1737605">Sok San Beach Bungalows</a>.<br />
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At the top end of a stunning 7 kilometre stretch of white sandy beach (often described as the most beautiful in Cambodia), Sok San is a small cluster of ten wooden bungalows built and run by Australian, Julian. He keeps things gloriously basic with wifi and electricity only running from 6pm in the evenings; a product of the two solar panels soaking up the endless sun. We spent endless hours in and out of the water with beers and coconuts in hand, barely able to believe how clear the water was. (My bungalow's the one in the middle on the left).<br />
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At night, we swam in the phosphorescence, the sea lighting up around us as we disturbed the plankton.<br />
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One day, we decided to join one of the day trips. We snorkelled over coral reefs, cast lines out in the deeper bit of the bay in an attempt to catch fish, barbecued our spoils on the beach and watched the sunset before heading back to the bungalows. There was time for a final, pitch black jump into the ocean to swim with the phosphorescence again before returning home exhausted but happy.<br />
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A few other spots have popped up in this sheltered part of the bay, priced at budgets to suit everyone, so whether you're backpacking with pals or celebrating your honeymoon, you'll find the perfect spot. It's a little bit harder to get to but worth all the effort.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-69480491168513773262016-02-24T17:33:00.002+00:002016-02-24T17:36:01.722+00:00Otres Beach, CambodiaThe tan might be starting to fade but the memories definitely aren't. Two weeks in Cambodia was my Christmas present to myself; it had been years in the offing but I finally got the logistics to work and spent the first half of February sunning myself in one of my favourite parts of the world.<br />
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After a pretty stressful journey out there (involving a lost Kindle and a lost purse containing my money and all my cards, a frantic call home, money wired halfway across the world and an 12 unexpected hours in Bangkok airport), I finally made it to Phnom Penh a day later than planned. A quick night's stop in the capital city then an early six hour bus to Sihanoukville.<br />
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I made a beeline to Otres Beach to meet up with a friend of mine who now calls Cambodia home. This chilled, palmed beach spans miles and is a haven from the bustling town you arrive in. Dumping my stuff at <a href="http://www.sihanoukville-cambodia.com/sihanoukville-businesses/newb/sunshine-cafe.html">Sunshine Cafe</a> and a bungalow right on the beach, it was time to settle in with an ice cold $1 beer and catch up.<br />
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I was lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves and greeted each morning by the Cafe's kittens. The rest of the day was spent slipping into the quiet, serene and empty sea before settling on a lounger and reading for the rest of the day, fresh coconut to hand. Rinse and repeat, with the occasional $5 hour long massage before heading out for drinks and beach barbecues each night.</div>
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My entrepreneurial friends have set up two successful nights since moving to Cambodia five years ago. Saturday night is all about Otres Market (<a href="https://munchies.vice.com/en/articles/cambodias-most-debauched-night-market-is-a-neverland-of-booze-and-food">read the Vice article calling it 'Cambodia's most debauched night' about it here</a>) - a creative collective of local stalls and food sellers combined with bands, DJs and flowing drinks in a vibrant part of Otres village.<br />
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The other night worth heading to is <a href="https://www.facebook.com/KerfuffleKampuchea">Kerfuffle</a> on Wednesdays. Set deep in the heart of the jungle in a glade, it's a techno house haven complete with its very own ferris wheel to whisk you into the night. I had one of the best nights of my life dancing until dawn with pals old and new and it has firmly cemented that little spot in Sihanoukville as one of the best places on earth.<br />
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Put them both on your list and tell them I sent you.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-60376606003586440412016-01-28T11:51:00.001+00:002016-01-28T11:51:22.404+00:00Back in two weeks!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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So I've been noticeably absent again, haven't I? My head's been in a solid work space for the last month and so the blog's been neglected again.<br />
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I'll be back soon. I have so much to share - from a few new places I've eaten at, drank at, stayed in, to how my job's changed and how my weekend work trip to Dubai went - but I'm jetting off for a couple of weeks in Cambodia on Saturday. I'll try and check in but for now, here's to being in these very bungalows this time next week.<br />
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See you on the other side.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-87474051366430064712016-01-04T18:42:00.001+00:002016-01-04T18:42:05.412+00:00Hello 2016Love them or loathe them, I've set myself some resolutions. I was pretty tough on myself at the end of last year and whilst it's an enormous cliche, I've taken the start of a new year to be a bit of a fresh start. No 'New Year, new me' - just a few goals to commit to now that things are a little bit settled.<br />
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<b>So, first up: travel (even) more</b><br />
An oldie but a goodie. Perhaps a little irresponsible a resolution (see below) but travelling and exploring new places is something that I am always itching to do. Having been fortunate enough to travel a bit when growing up and then throwing myself into adventures further afield as an adult, it's only right to continue this selfish tradition. With a killer 34 days holiday this year, I've already managed to get a few things in the calendar:<br />
<b>January:</b> Dubai. It's a three day/two night work trip but there'll be some free time to soak up one of my new favourite cities.<br />
<b>February</b>: Cambodia for two glorious weeks. Visiting some Australian pals I've managed to stay in touch with, partying on their beach and then doing the necessary tour of the country and the obligatory Angkor Wat pilgrimage.<br />
<b>April</b>: Poland. As a Christmas present to my Dad, I'm taking him to Krakow to soak up some Eastern European culture and fulfil a much-discussed intention to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.<br />
<b>May:</b> Mykonos. A week in Greece to catch the early sun.<br />
And there's plenty of time to fill up the rest of the year. Skiing again? New York again? Who knows.<br />
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<b>Two: save more</b><br />
I told you this didn't quite tie in with the above resolution but at the grand old age of 26, apparently it's high time I started saving (for a deposit). Don't worry, I'm fully aware that I'll never afford a deposit on my own and whilst there is no man in sight to buddy up with, I guess I should start putting something aside for the 'one day'. If the travelling bug doesn't completely take over, of course. (Note how I haven't defined a goal amount here. Bad Becks).<br />
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<b>Three: lose a stone</b><br />
Gone are the days of my 18 year old metabolism but I'm damned if I'm not going to try and get that bod back.<br />
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<b>Four: enjoy yourself more</b><br />
Now this is something that's going to come organically. The aforementioned hard time came about as a result of monumental levels of stress at work coupled with busy freelance work and some personal life downers which meant that I was a big ball of negative energy at the end of the year. But my role at work has evolved into a brilliant strategic copywriting position (taking away all my account management duties), the freelance stuff is back on track after the Christmas break and I jumped in with both feet and dyed my hair almost white at the weekend. With things settling down and reshuffling, I should be able to enjoy myself more <i>and </i>blog more. Start as you mean to go on, right?<br />
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<b>Five: meet someone</b><br />
A bit of a tongue in cheek one here and hardly a resolution but on Christmas Eve, my aunt, mum and I made a pact to all bring partners next year to Scotland. Perhaps the most challenging of all my resolutions but a shake's a shake, right? And in the words of the ultimate singleton Bridget Jones, 'I will not fall for any of the following: alcoholics, workaholics, commitment phobics, people with girlfriends or wives, misogynists, megalomanics, chauvists, emotional fuckwits or freeloaders, perverts.' Here's to 2016.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-57372825254291391182015-12-30T16:52:00.003+00:002015-12-30T16:52:56.236+00:00So long, 2015It's been a while, hasn't it? I attribute the radio silence to some of the craziest weeks at work which meant that spending downtime in front of the laptop afterwards wasn't particularly appealing. But a pretty quiet Christmas away from technology coupled with some important conversations has meant some much needed respite and it being finally time to say goodbye to 2015.<br />
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I'm actually pretty glad. A break up mid-year and a bad run with guys since has me raring for a whole new 2016, but of course, they're only a teeny tiny part of anyone's story and there are some fabulous memories to recount before I close this year's diary pages. So here's to a highlight reel (in no particular order)...<br />
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<b>Travel</b><br />
- The first time skiing. Five glorious days in the Alps learning how to snowplough, disembark chair lifts without falling over and teaching a tiny village the true meaning of apres-ski. We'll just gloss over my final day freak out which resulted in a long, 3.5km walk down a ski run.<br />
- A whistle-stop two days in Philadelphia and New York with work. <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/04/hotel-americano-new-york-city.html">A stay at beautiful Hotel Americano</a>, drinks at <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/04/hotel-americano-new-york-city.html">staggering Baccarat</a> and a wild night after.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/07/the-amalfi-coast.html">Five gorgeous days on the Amalfi Coast</a> for my birthday with my mum. We explored Positano and Amalfi, bathed in 38 degree volcanic pools and ate as much fresh fish as we could get our hands on. A fine way to see in 26.<br />
- And then a spontaneous trip to Dubai to visit an old friend. It was five days of all-you-can-eat buffets and <a href="http://websta.me/p/1101687955152696154_138323">boozing</a>, <a href="http://websta.me/p/1097224208770134308_138323">sundowners by the Burj Al Arab</a> and <a href="http://websta.me/p/1098573453267824896_138323">cocktails in the world's tallest building</a>.<br />
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<b>Eating and drinking</b><br />
As usual, I spent an inordinate amount of time eating and drinking. Being editor of a food website and someone that enjoys a cocktail or two, I managed to get out to a fair few places. Here's my favourite few to eat at:<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/01/duck-and-waffle.html">Duck & Waffle</a>. A place that needs no introduction really; the spectacular 24 hour bar and restaurant 36 floors above the city. Whilst famed for the eponymous duck and waffle dish, my go-tos (when on the menu) are the roasted octopus, foie gras creme brulee and the carpaccio. Cocktails? Oh, all of them.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/04/rex-mariano.html">Rex & Mariano</a>. Part of the Goodman family, it's currently searching for a new home but we made good use of it when it was open in Soho. An achingly affordable fresh fish restaurant, this place answered all my prayers. Best were those prawns and the lobster ceviche.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/02/hawksmoor-air-street.html">Hawksmoor</a>. Everyone's favourite steak place for a reason. From the gorgeous decor (all dark wood panelling and art deco lighting) to the food itself (to die for steak tartare and truffled mac & cheese), Hawksmoor will forever top my lists.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/05/polpo.html">Polpo</a>. Another predictable addition but it would be a crime to omit from my favourites. This Venetian bacaro serves up small Italian plates meaning I get to dip into lots of different dishes and noone can say anything about it. Dad and I sat in the sunny window with Aperol Spritzes and pizzetta and polpette; the perfect afternoon.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/08/morden-lea.html">Morden & Lea</a>. Onto Modern British now and Piccadilly's Morden & Lea left Emma and I rolling ourselves home, stuffed to the brim after delicious rabbit ravioli and cod. We sat upstairs in the elegant dining room and caught up on years worth of gossip but the downstairs bistro is just as good for a quick eat.<br />
-<a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/11/senor-ceviche.html"> Senor Ceviche</a>. The one that almost got away. We finally made it round to Soho's Senor Ceviche where I discovered their divine Mamacitas and cool, fresh ceviche that I could eat everyday if I was allowed. The pork belly bites are also far too good to keep to yourself too.<br />
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And to drink:<br />
The great thing about a lot of my favourite restaurants these days is that they've got a killer bar as well as kitchen. But when you're looking for 'cocktails done good', make no mistakes about these:<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/08/dandelyan.html">Dandelyan</a>. The beautiful bar in the Mondrian hotel; all sexy curves and bright banquettes. The drinks are themed by 'botanicals' and change every season but my firm favourites have to be the concrete sazerac for that smooth, sweet and bitter spike of spirit and the Crimson Waxwork, served in a beeswax cup. Looking to impress? This is your place.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/05/original-sin.html">Original Sin</a>. Blink and you'll miss it. This basement bar is in my part of town and for that I love it. A short walk from my flat, a few steps and you'll find yourself at a very sexy bar with some seriously talented bar staff. We went off menu and they rustled up a chocolate rosemary negroni and a coffee tequila concoction that was right up my street.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/05/loves-company.html">Loves Company</a>. A tiny corner of a bar that never disappoints. This was an Ella & Matt find that I've since adopted because who can turn down cocktails and cheese toasties? The bar staff here are the friendliest chaps and always up for a challenge, particularly involving mescal.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/04/nightjar.html">Nightjar</a>. Nightjar is bittersweet for me - the week before my relationship ended, we went on a fantastic double date here where we consumed thirty two (count 'em) cocktails between four of us and declared it our new favourite place. A beautiful speakeasy bar with the most creative cocktails I have ever seen and tasted. Top of my list, let's just keep the good memories, huh?<br />
Need more inspiration? <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/search/label/review">Read all my reviews here</a>.<br />
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<b>And what else?</b><br />
<b>- </b>I spent Christmas in Scotland again.<br />
- I hosted <a href="http://websta.me/p/1092248499744141785_138323">a client dinne</a>r at SkyGarden.<br />
- I went to not one but two rugby matches this year. The first was a friendly between Samoans and Barbarians as a warm up for the Rugby World Cup while the second was the Twickenham double header. We drank copious pints of Guinness, made plenty of friends and stymied the Mexican waves.<br />
- I took up horseriding again after a six year gap. Having ridden almost everyday in my teens, it's slightly different after a hiatus. We're working on getting me back to 'riding school ready' which means reversing all the years spent riding polo and being all disciplined again.<br />
- I saw <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/02/cats.html">Cats</a> (Christmas present from my ex), <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/07/three-shows-to-see-in-london.html">Book of Mormon</a> (anniversary present to my ex that instead went to my dad) and the annual Shakespeare pilgrimage to see As You Like It.<br />
- <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/search/label/what%20i%27m%20wearing">And I continued the monochromatic wardrobe</a>.<br />
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So 2015, you have been a good year after all. Forget the heartbreak, there's all of 2016 to play for.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-69462084091463095482015-12-14T16:03:00.002+00:002015-12-14T16:03:57.515+00:00Best of Taste of London: whiskySo I totally didn't mean to drop the ball on this but life just got in the way. With a full time job as account manager and copywriter at a design agency, a bit on the side as editor at <a href="http://trythisfor.com/">TryThisFor.com</a> (which is getting a Christmas makeover, by the way) and a whole host of other things to deal with over the last few months, the 'diary' has been neglected somewhat. However, with a few upcoming changes on the very near horizon, 2016 should be back on track.<br />
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So, picking up where <a href="http://www.thenotsosecretdiary.com/2015/11/best-of-taste-of-london-vodkas-and-gins.html">we left off with the vodkas and gins</a>, it's time to talk about the best whisky I discovered at Taste. Just in time for those last minute Christmas present buying dashes.<br />
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It seems somehow fitting that my picks of the whisky all come from Scotland, seeing as I'm spending this year there again. The home of single malts, Scotch whisky must be barrel-aged for at least three years and made in single pots in the same distillery from malted barley. This, of course, is where the 'similarities' end as each distillery has its own secret processes and methods and no two taste alike.<br />
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First up on the recommendations is <a href="http://www.bowmore.com/">Bowmore</a>, a whisky brimming with mythical history and fire in its belly. They've been distilling the same way since 1779 - floor-malted barley is smoked in peat-fired kilns and left to mature in oak casks in vaults beneath a sea loch on the Hebridean island of Islay. You'll probably find its 12 Year Old whisky most readily; a peaty number with honey and lemon running through it. I liked the 15 Year Old 'Darkest' which is smoky and chocolatey and perfect for whipping up into a hot chocolate (with cherry liqueur, cinnamon syrup, whole milk and hot chocolate). For the more romantic among you, <a href="http://cottages.bowmore.co.uk/our_cottages.html">you can even stay at their cottages</a> and have a tour of their distillery. Or keep an eye out at auctions - a bottle of the 1850 Single Malt sold at auction in 2007 for £29,400.<br />
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Then comes <a href="http://www.glengoyne.com/">Glengoyne</a>. Distilled 20 miles north of Glasgow, Glengoyne was first known as Burntfoot and was born in the lowland hills, perfect cover for distilling during a time where producing whisky was illegal. Happily, these days it has a royal warrant and is described as the 'most beautiful distillery in Scotland'. Unlike many malt whiskies, it doesn't use peat smoke on the barley - instead using warm air to produce award-winning bottles that keep you coming back for more. I tried five - ranging from their 10 Year to their 18 Year, all aged in either sherry or bourbon casks (or a combination of the two) for distinctive smoky or sweet flavours. The <a href="http://www.glengoyne.com/our-whisky/special-bottlings/26-year-old-cask">26 Year Old Cask</a> divided opinions on the day but this sherry-aged whopping 58.2% of a dream was the clear winner of an international poll. With 'lemon peel, brambles, chocolate and eucalyptus' among the tasting notes, this is one serious game changer.<br />
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Next up is <a href="http://www.tamdhu.com/">Tamdhu</a>. The Tamdhu Distillery is almost 200 years old but in recent years, you'd have been more likely to find its whisky in blended whiskies such as Famous Grouse and J&B. When the distillery was sold in 2013, its new owners recommenced its single malt offering and you can find the 10 Year sherry-aged back on the shelf. A vanilla nose, with a toffee palate and fruit finish with a 'wisp of peat smoke' means it's a drinkable dram while the Batch Strength is richer and deeper and just a tad more mature at a cool 58.8%. Tamdhu's 'Can-Dhu' spirit and being a sucker for a 'start up' (I use that in the loosest of loose terms) mean I'm rooting for these guys too.<br />
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And then returning to Islay, we find <a href="http://www.smokehead.com/">Smokehead</a>. This is a more modern affair with jazzy packaging that flies in the face of its back shelf comrades. It's peaty, smokey and with a depth that takes you all the way under, brings you back to the surfaces then plunges you again on the finish. There's a sweetness and spice to it thanks to honey and pepper whilst a little bit of added seaweed brings saltiness to the table. It's a vibrant whisky that's proving popular and I think that's down to its drinkability - there are some seriously big flavours vying for attention but they never overwhelm you. A nice wee dram.<br />
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So, a short but sweet round up of Scottish single malts, just in time for the sipping season.Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6525045971384049202.post-23375533352797481482015-11-25T09:00:00.000+00:002015-11-25T09:00:00.946+00:00Best of Taste of London: vodkas and ginsLast week, Taste of London returned for its winter weekend at Tobacco Dock. It's a showcase of the city's best restaurants alongside some of the country's best producers, from small distilleries to prime butchers. It's a riot of sights, smells and tastes and hugely difficult to not get distracted by everything on offer. I ended up going to the Thursday and Friday evening sessions (it's also open on Saturday and Sunday) and had the opportunity to sample some pretty impressive wares.<br />
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I came away pretty inspired by everything I tried and everyone I talked to and thought I'd do a few posts of some of our favourites. And with Christmas just around the corner, you may just find a few ideas for presents...<br />
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First up are the <b>vodkas and gins</b>. Four British spirits with some serious punch.<br />
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<b>Black Cow </b><br />
We first caught sight of <a href="http://www.blackcow.co.uk/">Black Cow</a> when they were mysteriously crumbling cheese around their little cups of samples. Never ones to shy away from unusual combinations, we just had to check them out. Black Cow make the world's only vodka made from milk from grass grazed cows in the West Dorset coast. This means it's unbelievably smooth and creamy without any of the harshness that comes from vodka distilled with water passed through minerals. Whey is fermented into a beer then transformed by yeast into alcohol before being distilled, triple filtered and finished. And the curds? Used to make their tasty, crumbly cheddar that are ideal stocking fillers. The vodka is fab in cocktails because there's none of that back-of-the-throat-bite (<a href="http://www.blackcow.co.uk/drink-me">check out some perfect recipes here</a>) and you can find where to <a href="http://www.blackcow.co.uk/where-to-find-us/item/where-to-find-uk-retailers">buy the perfect pair here</a>.<br />
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<b>55 Above</b><br />
Despite having a name quite similar to another vodka (<a href="http://www.42below.com/">ahem</a>), <a href="http://55above.co.uk/">55 Above</a> is a completely different kettle of potatoes. Established in 2014, they make the vodka by hand from British potatoes and distil them in the smallest commercial copper pot stills in the world, producing a few hundred bottles at a time. They were showcasing their range of vodkas - three flavoured and two pure - and invited us to try a couple. C and R were drawn to the pineapple and the toffee respectively while I tried the coconut which was light rather than too sweet and I imagine an interesting alternative in a pina colada. But what intrigued me (surprise surprise) was the 56% vodka, diluted with less water for a stronger, more intense flavour. As well as the large bottles, they also sell smaller mix & match kits of three so you can try and find your favourite.<br />
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<b>Half Hitch Gin</b><br />
Forget what you think you know about gin, the guys at <a href="http://www.halfhitch.london/">Half Hitch</a> are rewriting the rule book. Bringing history back to life on the former Camden site of London's traditional distilleries, they take a different approach with their flavours. Think less juniper, more bergamot. And black tea, English wood, pepper and hay. Resulting in a slightly smokey, slightly spicy gin that is a world away from some of the headblowers on the market both in taste and dusky appearance. Each year they reblend their tea to add depth to their distilling and beautiful with Fevertree tonic. They've put together <a href="http://www.halfhitch.london/cocktails">a few suggested cocktails here</a> which are begging to be tried out and invite you to post photos of your concoctions over at <a href="http://www.halfhitch.london/social-feeds">#TheGWithTea</a>. If you're looking for a gin with a difference, these guys should be top of your list.<br />
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<b>City of London Gins</b><br />
You'd be forgiven these guys have been around for a while. From their coat of arms to their traditional glass bottles modelled on St Paul's, you wouldn't suspect that they've only been distilling since 2012. There are five gins to choose from (helpfully numbered and named), each with different combinations and balances of botanicals. Their No.2 Christopher Wren gin has been designed by Tom Nichol, the former distiller at Tanqueray, and boasts juniper, coriander and angelica root for a slightly sweeter, complex taste. But the <a href="http://www.cityoflondondistillery.com/">City of London Distillery</a> know that finding the perfect gin can be like finding a needle in a haystack so for your fussiest family members and friends, they offer you the chance to design, distil, bottle and label your own gin. And prop yourself up at the onsite bar for a sample or two.<br />
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Next up:<b> the best whiskies.</b>Beckshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09028179315819679094noreply@blogger.com0