Hot out of the oven on a winter's day mooching.
I will one day make my bed in one of these.
21 July 2013
15. Jose - Grilled Razor Clams - £8-ish
Now, tapas is the perfect meal for the self-justifying over-eater; Yes, the table is covered in plates but they're so tiny, it's barely more than a snack.
However, there's always that confusing mix of shame and pride when a waiter expresses admiration for the number of empty dishes stacked up in front of you. My tip - go with someone bigger than you and roll your eyes apologetically when ordering, then proceed to subtly eat more than your share by negotiating for the last piece of chorizo/prawn/other politely left morsel with the last bits of patatas bravas or bread (of which, you've obviously already had your fill).
Jose, the sherry and tapas bar, is a shoe box sized slice of Spain and a popular one so, if you want to sit down, I recommend arriving early and bringing your elbows. The dishes are cooked on a plancha grill, which apparently is a particularly good thing and there's nothing about the food that would make me argue otherwise.
The dish off The List this time was the razor clams which were pretty tasty with their little chunks of chorizo and garlicky chewiness. However, I think the pleasure came with the whole package of plentiful and delicious tapas (the chorizo in red wine was a favourite), the friendly staff and the general Spanish authenticity of perching at the bar to eat (while the late and soft-elbowed crowd looked on with envy).
Unfortunately, it's been so long since I went that I've lost my food pictures. I do, however, have a picture of a hamster eating spaghetti. Enjoy.
Jose, the sherry and tapas bar, is a shoe box sized slice of Spain and a popular one so, if you want to sit down, I recommend arriving early and bringing your elbows. The dishes are cooked on a plancha grill, which apparently is a particularly good thing and there's nothing about the food that would make me argue otherwise.
The dish off The List this time was the razor clams which were pretty tasty with their little chunks of chorizo and garlicky chewiness. However, I think the pleasure came with the whole package of plentiful and delicious tapas (the chorizo in red wine was a favourite), the friendly staff and the general Spanish authenticity of perching at the bar to eat (while the late and soft-elbowed crowd looked on with envy).
Unfortunately, it's been so long since I went that I've lost my food pictures. I do, however, have a picture of a hamster eating spaghetti. Enjoy.
22 March 2013
14. Brick Lane Beigel Bake - Salt beef beigel - £3.70
I've decided there's too much foodery in this food blog so I thought I'd throw in some introductions to the greedier of my friends that keep me company while I eat lots under the pretence of research.
First up is my sister who plans her day around meals to almost the same degree as me (routine is key to good parenting, clearly... as is feeding them). Not only is she an expert eater but she also proofreads my ramblings and makes excellent suggestions that I rarely take on board out of stubbornness.
We have a long history, me and her (those 2.5 years at the beginning without her are just a blur) so who better to be guest blog contributor? Plus, she has a better camera on her phone than me.
So this is Holly and her face doing her best Jamie Oliver:
Some interesting facts about Holly:
1. She once made the mistake of falling into a holly-bush at a family reunion; the irony of which was not lost on our large extended family and, in the 20 years since, has yet to be forgotten.
2. Though generally supportive, she still basically wets herself laughing over the time I tripped over backpacking, couldn't get up under the weight of my stuff and floundered on the ground, UNAIDED, for a good 5 minutes. Having watched me right myself she finished the giggle fit with a reassuring "EVERYONE saw!". Thanks.
3. Her default tune (the one you hum when you're away with the fairies) is 'Just Around the River Bend' from Pocahontas. It's really quite moving when her subconscious properly gets going.
4. She displays feeder tendencies; tendencies that manifest themselves in excessive (and delicious) baking; tendencies I'm completely OK with.
And that's everything you need to know about Holly... so back to food!
Brick Lane Beigel Bake is POPULAR and for good reason as it turns out. The queue on a Saturday afternoon was long, but those ladies behind the counter are efficient. We were back on the street, slightly dazed but clutching 2 beigels and plenty of change from a tenner, before we knew it.
Thick chunks of pink, super succulent salt beef in a soft, fresh, slightly sweet beigel with great globs of punch-you-up-the-nostril-and-make-your-eyes-water mustard. There was silence and must have been facial expressions (I imagine dreamy ones), prompting a nearby homeless gentleman to comment 'Good, aren't they?'.
Yes sir, yes they are.
Now, having done a bit of research, I think I might be the last person to know about this place but, in case I'm not, I will be spreading the good word.
You walk in and see the queue doubled back on itself, the ridiculously reasonable price list, the general hustle and bustle in the open bakery and you instantly want to be a Regular (capital 'R'). The kind of place you want them to know your name (not like places where it's depressing when that happens, like Starbucks).
If you haven't already, go here and prepare for an awakening. I will be returning wearing a name tag.
First up is my sister who plans her day around meals to almost the same degree as me (routine is key to good parenting, clearly... as is feeding them). Not only is she an expert eater but she also proofreads my ramblings and makes excellent suggestions that I rarely take on board out of stubbornness.
We have a long history, me and her (those 2.5 years at the beginning without her are just a blur) so who better to be guest blog contributor? Plus, she has a better camera on her phone than me.
So this is Holly and her face doing her best Jamie Oliver:
 |
1. She once made the mistake of falling into a holly-bush at a family reunion; the irony of which was not lost on our large extended family and, in the 20 years since, has yet to be forgotten.
2. Though generally supportive, she still basically wets herself laughing over the time I tripped over backpacking, couldn't get up under the weight of my stuff and floundered on the ground, UNAIDED, for a good 5 minutes. Having watched me right myself she finished the giggle fit with a reassuring "EVERYONE saw!". Thanks.
3. Her default tune (the one you hum when you're away with the fairies) is 'Just Around the River Bend' from Pocahontas. It's really quite moving when her subconscious properly gets going.
4. She displays feeder tendencies; tendencies that manifest themselves in excessive (and delicious) baking; tendencies I'm completely OK with.
And that's everything you need to know about Holly... so back to food!
Brick Lane Beigel Bake is POPULAR and for good reason as it turns out. The queue on a Saturday afternoon was long, but those ladies behind the counter are efficient. We were back on the street, slightly dazed but clutching 2 beigels and plenty of change from a tenner, before we knew it.
Thick chunks of pink, super succulent salt beef in a soft, fresh, slightly sweet beigel with great globs of punch-you-up-the-nostril-and-make-your-eyes-water mustard. There was silence and must have been facial expressions (I imagine dreamy ones), prompting a nearby homeless gentleman to comment 'Good, aren't they?'.
Yes sir, yes they are.
Now, having done a bit of research, I think I might be the last person to know about this place but, in case I'm not, I will be spreading the good word.
You walk in and see the queue doubled back on itself, the ridiculously reasonable price list, the general hustle and bustle in the open bakery and you instantly want to be a Regular (capital 'R'). The kind of place you want them to know your name (not like places where it's depressing when that happens, like Starbucks).
If you haven't already, go here and prepare for an awakening. I will be returning wearing a name tag.
15 March 2013
13. Antepliler - Kebabs, £11-ish
I've had another falling out with The List.
Now, I've been on enough last-minute, 'bargain' package holidays to know that the traditional dish of just about anywhere is grilled meat with chips, rice or, if you're somewhere particularly exotic, cous cous. If you get the odd olive or onion in there, you know you're on a fancy one.
Antepliler, named for Antep, the the town it takes its inspiration from, seems to follow the same theory. The List was pretty general in its recommendation of kebabs and we all know what happens when left to choose for myself.. (brains, brains is what happens - see Medlar).
I went for the Lamb Shish; diced lamb in tomato sauce (with rice). The meat, for lack of a better word, was generically meaty. It was tender and well cooked but it was chore to get through, especially when accompanied with the eye-wateringly salty, tomato sauce.
Across the table, my friend had the Sogan Kebab; lamb with shallots in a pomegranate sauce (with rice). They weren't lying about the shallots which were numerous. Not so much with the pomegranate, which was lacking. At one point I watched on as it became a silent battle: girl versus mouthful after mouthful of unadulterated shallot.
In summary, it felt like that tourist experience, only without that token traditional dance showcase. That's shallot (had to be done).
Now, I've been on enough last-minute, 'bargain' package holidays to know that the traditional dish of just about anywhere is grilled meat with chips, rice or, if you're somewhere particularly exotic, cous cous. If you get the odd olive or onion in there, you know you're on a fancy one.
Antepliler, named for Antep, the the town it takes its inspiration from, seems to follow the same theory. The List was pretty general in its recommendation of kebabs and we all know what happens when left to choose for myself.. (brains, brains is what happens - see Medlar).
I went for the Lamb Shish; diced lamb in tomato sauce (with rice). The meat, for lack of a better word, was generically meaty. It was tender and well cooked but it was chore to get through, especially when accompanied with the eye-wateringly salty, tomato sauce.
 |
| Sheesh! |
Across the table, my friend had the Sogan Kebab; lamb with shallots in a pomegranate sauce (with rice). They weren't lying about the shallots which were numerous. Not so much with the pomegranate, which was lacking. At one point I watched on as it became a silent battle: girl versus mouthful after mouthful of unadulterated shallot.
 |
| Sogan |
According to the list, Antepliler does justice to the Antep cuisine which is famed throughout Turkey. However, by this logic (and I've never been there so I can't confirm), I'm assuming that the entire population of Antep is made up of middle-aged British tourists that enjoy reasonably priced sunshine, local culture at a safe distance and food that gently nudges the boundaries ("Look, it comes on a stick!), without busting through.
In summary, it felt like that tourist experience, only without that token traditional dance showcase. That's shallot (had to be done).
20 February 2013
12. Medlar, Chelsea - Duck Egg Tart with Red Wine Sauce - Set menu
Birthdays are for eating. Preferably extensively and expensively. So, back in November (still), as a Hippo Birthday to me (yeah, that just happened), I decided on the Michelin-starred Medlar for lunch.
After much wardrobe stress and on best 'ladies-what-lunch-in-Chelsea-no-less' behaviour, we rocked up on a Monday lunchtime to find we were the only ones there. Cue best, reverential, indoor voices.
Actually, after I overcame my odd, peasant complex, the staff were friendly and, once the lunch time crowd trickled in, the restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere. As for the food, The List ordered the starter of duck egg tart with red wine sauce, turnip purée, lardons and sautéed duck heart.
Despite not seeing eye-to-eye on occasion (most recently in the bubble tea saga), I'm beginning to love The List. This wasn't one of those 'endure-this-in-an-attempt-to-expand-your-horizons' dishes; this was one of those 'talk-amongst-yourselves-while-I-enjoy-this-duck-centric-reverie' dishes.
Not only was it one of the prettiest dishes so far, but the flavours and textures were incredible. The sweetness of the red wine sauce, the salty lardons, the savoury, chewiness of the duck hearts, the runny egg, the crunch of the thin pastry base... *Pauses to take a breath and mop up drool*...
Having enjoyed such a delectable (a Michelin word), grown-up starter, when The List left me to my own devices, I opted for what I thought was a suitably grown-up main. However, I can't actually remember what that was because it has all been replaced with a foetal-position, corner-rocking chant of: 'I ate brain, I ate BRAIN. I ATE BRAIN AND IT WAS GOOEY!'
That would be the accompaniment of crisp calf brain. It took the form of a croquette with a mozarella-esque stretchiness. I didn't really register it as brain until I spotted the BRAIN FOLDS that told me that that flavour I couldn't put my finger on was, in fact, grey matter. That was when my own brain rejected it.
Definitely an experience dish; one that will stay with me in a PTSD fashion - Michelin Scarred.
So to sum up:
1. I would come back again and again for that tart
And
2. I am not cultured enough for cerebral offal.
After much wardrobe stress and on best 'ladies-what-lunch-in-Chelsea-no-less' behaviour, we rocked up on a Monday lunchtime to find we were the only ones there. Cue best, reverential, indoor voices.
Actually, after I overcame my odd, peasant complex, the staff were friendly and, once the lunch time crowd trickled in, the restaurant had a comfortable atmosphere. As for the food, The List ordered the starter of duck egg tart with red wine sauce, turnip purée, lardons and sautéed duck heart.
Despite not seeing eye-to-eye on occasion (most recently in the bubble tea saga), I'm beginning to love The List. This wasn't one of those 'endure-this-in-an-attempt-to-expand-your-horizons' dishes; this was one of those 'talk-amongst-yourselves-while-I-enjoy-this-duck-centric-reverie' dishes.
Not only was it one of the prettiest dishes so far, but the flavours and textures were incredible. The sweetness of the red wine sauce, the salty lardons, the savoury, chewiness of the duck hearts, the runny egg, the crunch of the thin pastry base... *Pauses to take a breath and mop up drool*...
Having enjoyed such a delectable (a Michelin word), grown-up starter, when The List left me to my own devices, I opted for what I thought was a suitably grown-up main. However, I can't actually remember what that was because it has all been replaced with a foetal-position, corner-rocking chant of: 'I ate brain, I ate BRAIN. I ATE BRAIN AND IT WAS GOOEY!'
 |
Brain folds
|
Definitely an experience dish; one that will stay with me in a PTSD fashion - Michelin Scarred.
So to sum up:
1. I would come back again and again for that tart
And
2. I am not cultured enough for cerebral offal.
16 February 2013
11. Boba Jam - Matcha Green Bubble Tea - £3.60
Khaki-coloured,
Green tea flavoured,
Frogs spawn.
No.
Just no.
29 January 2013
10. GBK, Clapham Highstreet - Kiwiburger, £8.50
Remember, remember the 5th of November, gunpowder, treason and one megalith of a burger. Yes, I'm a little behind; I munched this one on Guy Fawkes Night. Don't miss the Christmas edition in May.
The List had me in GBK for the first time in years for a pre-fireworks burger. I was dubious. GBK had been a student staple about 5 years ago but I found having such a chainy, chain restaurant on The List highly suspect; like Time Out was throwing us South Londoners a pity dish (check out the map: it's sparse down here!).
With all the new, independent burger places going back to your simple, quality burger in a bun, adding anything more than a slice of hand-selected, artisan cheese seemed a little try-hard. Or so felt the food snob in me.
I'm sorry, GBK, I've been a fool.
The List was right, GBK were there first - got to be a reason they're still going.
The Kiwiburger is actually a bit of a masterpiece in meat, or stuff to smush together with meat. With its beetroot, pineapple, cheese and egg, it's tall enough to look you square in the eye and say 'so you think you can handle me, pom?' (in a friendly way, it being officially inoffensive since 2006).
Sounds weird, tastes amazing. Them kiwis know what they're doing with the contrast of that savoury egg, earthy beetroot and sweetness of the pineapple. I devoured the whole oozy lot (admittedly with a knife and fork, lacking as I am in the ability to dislocate my jaw - I'm working on it). I figured with all those food groups covered, it's basically good for me.
So yeah, I'm returning to the fold. GBK is back on my personal list, under the reasonably-priced-(especially if you're voucher-savvy)-prelude-to-a-wholesome-activity-(such as fireworks) column.
The List had me in GBK for the first time in years for a pre-fireworks burger. I was dubious. GBK had been a student staple about 5 years ago but I found having such a chainy, chain restaurant on The List highly suspect; like Time Out was throwing us South Londoners a pity dish (check out the map: it's sparse down here!).
With all the new, independent burger places going back to your simple, quality burger in a bun, adding anything more than a slice of hand-selected, artisan cheese seemed a little try-hard. Or so felt the food snob in me.
I'm sorry, GBK, I've been a fool.
The List was right, GBK were there first - got to be a reason they're still going.
The Kiwiburger is actually a bit of a masterpiece in meat, or stuff to smush together with meat. With its beetroot, pineapple, cheese and egg, it's tall enough to look you square in the eye and say 'so you think you can handle me, pom?' (in a friendly way, it being officially inoffensive since 2006).
 |
| That's at least 3 of your 5-a-day right there. |
Sounds weird, tastes amazing. Them kiwis know what they're doing with the contrast of that savoury egg, earthy beetroot and sweetness of the pineapple. I devoured the whole oozy lot (admittedly with a knife and fork, lacking as I am in the ability to dislocate my jaw - I'm working on it). I figured with all those food groups covered, it's basically good for me.
So yeah, I'm returning to the fold. GBK is back on my personal list, under the reasonably-priced-(especially if you're voucher-savvy)-prelude-to-a-wholesome-activity-(such as fireworks) column.
5 January 2013
9. Pizza East, Shoreditch - Salted Chocolate Caramel Tart
2012 was a pretty good year. We learnt things like, even at the age of 86, the Queen is the King of Standing and that it IS acceptable to fashion yourself a cape from a flag AND wear it in public (but only for 2 weeks every 4 years).
And if the year had a flavour, it would be Salted Caramel. Which, conveniently, moves me smoothly on to the next dish...
I have mixed feelings about the trend. I've had some seriously good salted caramel ice cream from Brixton Market's Lab G, which makes me look forward to Oddono's, as The List suggests. But, Heston's salted caramel popcorn just tasted like toffee Butterkist and the Starbucks salted caramel latte I consumed almost immediately projectile un-consumed itself.
However, according to Time Out, Pizza East (very cool, very Shoreditch) was on the salted caramel band-wagon when it was just a soloist wheelbarrow. So if anyone was going to convince me, they were, and I think I'm converted. It's all about the salt level - too much and you've got yourself a brine latte, but just right (like these guys), and the contrast is delicious.
Lovely thin, crispy pastry base, with gooey caramel and chocolate filling and the trendy sprinkle of salt. Be warned, it's jaw-achingly rich and fainter hearts (read: pansies) might want to share, but it's definitely worth a good go at it.
And if the year had a flavour, it would be Salted Caramel. Which, conveniently, moves me smoothly on to the next dish...
I have mixed feelings about the trend. I've had some seriously good salted caramel ice cream from Brixton Market's Lab G, which makes me look forward to Oddono's, as The List suggests. But, Heston's salted caramel popcorn just tasted like toffee Butterkist and the Starbucks salted caramel latte I consumed almost immediately projectile un-consumed itself.
However, according to Time Out, Pizza East (very cool, very Shoreditch) was on the salted caramel band-wagon when it was just a soloist wheelbarrow. So if anyone was going to convince me, they were, and I think I'm converted. It's all about the salt level - too much and you've got yourself a brine latte, but just right (like these guys), and the contrast is delicious.
Lovely thin, crispy pastry base, with gooey caramel and chocolate filling and the trendy sprinkle of salt. Be warned, it's jaw-achingly rich and fainter hearts (read: pansies) might want to share, but it's definitely worth a good go at it.
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