Of Course I Will Try Anything Once!

Whitechapel Gallery Dining Room by Angela Hartnett

After ‘Six Female Chefs, Three London Dinners’ super chef Angela Hartnett kindly invited me to dine at The Whitechapel Dining Room. What a treat.

Whitechapel is a simple dining room, with small tables all set out without fuss or ceremony , the simplicity creating an intimate, homely ambiance.

The staff are relaxed and friendly, happy to have a laugh and a joke while been effortlessly attentive.

I love going for tea with non-foodies, it gives the menu a whole new life, questions arise that would normally never be asked, even if the said foodie has no clue of the answer!

The enjoyment of a friend trying something for the first time is a wonderful thing and getting to that point can be full of hilarity,  “truffle on chips, WHY?” and “What the hell is onglet?” were two of my favorite questions. 

Kermack eventually decided to start with the lamb, which just melted in the mouth. I chose the special, Wood Pigeon, much to Kermack’s despair, images were conjured of a Trafalgar Square pigeon massacre. Brilliant. The dish was a delight, the prunes complimenting the strong game flavor.

The only way to go for a couple of meat lovers was the cote de boeuf and what a treat, high quality beef, medium rare, of course a little bit of food porn, yes. 

Why not mix up your night with a visit to the gallery first followed by some seriously good food, awesome for the soul. 

Fever Pitch by Nick Hornby staring James Kermack

Few actors have the guts or indeed the talent to perform in a one man show and of those who do, it is very rare that the audience is enthralled the entire way through. So captivated in Kermacks performance were the audience members at The Carriage works in Leeds they had to be prompted.

With a cheeky smile, a controlled lean forward and his Walthamstow twang “you can clap now” was heard, the response, honest laughter, only underlining the bond created with his performance.

Having never read or seen Fever Pitch, my fears of a football fan focused show were quickly dissipated. Rather than a trip through Arsenals football history, Kermack took us on a psychological journey, from man to boy, highlighting how the loss of his father shaped his future, making football his crutch, more often than not it fell beneath him.

The direction and set were simple but effective, the piece didn’t need fussy props or overly clever movements, the energy of the character alone drove the show, with smooth lighting changes and a totally committed performance ‘Fever Pitch’ was a massive winner for me.

In the words of Barbara Streisand

“The audience is the barometer of the truth.”

Go see.

L’anima, Italian for Soul.

So it’s nearly Taste Of London time again and what better than to head to one of it’s favorite restaurants, L’anima.

I’ve known Francesco the Owner for several years now and he is certainly a vibrant, full of life character, he had headed back to the homeland for his Easter holidays and left Chappers and I in the very capable hands of his staff, what a treat.

I would say that 99% of his staff are Italian, very passionate and seriously knowledgeable. We were greeted and shown to the bar area where an array of snacks arrived to wet our appetites, gladly welcomed as we had both held off on our food intake that day to prepare! Along with a surprise visit from Luca Terraneo, Head chef, the night started very well.

The restaurant is huge, open and very white, this could be mistaken to sound clinical but quite the opposite I would say elegant and stylish.

In the restaurant you can see all the action in the kitchen through the giant windows adding to the atmosphere and bringing the open space to life.

Now to the food, of course Chappers and I went for the tasting menu, described as ‘A journey through Southern Italian gastronomy’ how could we resist, with the wonderful softly spoken sommelier at our side, matching food with wine and getting us slowly but surely sozzled!

I’ve had courgette flower before but never with baccala and it’s beautiful, a delicate mouthful with the anchovy and chilli compote coming through to create a layered taste explosion. I opted out of the black truffle which I am 100% sure makes this dish so the simple tortelli was well made but, well simple, however better that I wasn’t sick on their beautiful white linen!

Now the Octopus rocked my mouth, I loved the smoked ricotta fighting through the perfectly cooked octopus meat. By the time the rabbit arrived I was starting to feel pretty full to be honest but the tender meat and country style casserole veg won the battle, it really did melt in my mouth.

Finishing with the light pistachio icecream and some really good desert wine, I just wanted to die and go to heaven.

My advise is to go, have the tasting menu, experience Southern Italian Gastronomy accompanied by specifically chosen wines but what ever you do, don’t order a second desert wine it just tips you over the edge. Ha ha totally worth it ;-)

Tasting Menu

Diver Scallop, courgette flower stuffed with baccala, anchovy sauce & chilli compote

Wine; Gavi Oro, La Scolca

Stracciatella & ricotta tortelli, brown butter & norcia black truffle

Wine; Montecarlo Bianco Fattoria Michi

Octopus A La Plancha with cannellini beans & ricotta mustia

Wine; Lugana, Ca’Lojera

Rabbit Siciliana

Wine; Pinot Nero, Franz Haas

Liquorice Zabaglione with pistachio icecream

Wine; Vin Santo Di Montecarlo, Fattoria Michi

Chinese Buffet! Laureate 64 Shaftesbury Avenue

I think if you are going to write a food blog it is important to be varied and honest in your discovery of different dining experiences.

So here goes. Chinese Buffet.

I am, it’s no lie, not a fan of buffets. I dislike serving myself and the thought that the food could potentially have had an all night party in the steel tins makes me slightly green around the gills!

Saying that when your hungry and it’s open, sat there calling at you. What the hell give it a go.

After been shown to what only can be described as school science high stools, bringing instantly back memories of been told to sit up right with a little wack to the lower back, we moved to the slightly safer school benches.

The waiters, attentive and polite asked immediately if we would like drinks, the conversation went like this.

Jo “Oh yes red wine please and a beer” (the beer was for Kermack, it hadn’t quite got to that time in the day that I ordered two drinks to avoid the wait!)

Waiter “Ah yes white wine”

Jo “No sorry red wine”

Waiter “white”

Jo ” red”

I was about to play wine charades when he got it!

The buffet experience in this restaurant I found entertaining to say the least, with commentary from Kermack about what each dish could potentially be made from. Ranging from next doors cat to my all time favorite the classic Chinese dish, pigeon penis. My stomach hurt from laughing more than hunger which is always a result.

The food was pretty standard take away fare, all piled up fighting to be eaten, on one smaller than average plate.

I advise if you fancy a Chinese buffet this one is probably not the best unless you like pigeon penis and white wine served with an included over rated service charge.

Moritz Barcelona

Moritz is a cool, edgy Spanish Beer bar with an open brewery downstairs, brewing some great simple, light but tasty beers, coming from a lady that doesn’t particularity dig beer is saying something. 

The staff including the chefs seen at work from the open kitchen all look a little like they are auditioning for Mario Cart the restaurant game, the chef had the most awesome mustache and waiting staff wore garage gear. This gave the place a quirky feel that worked really well with the cool art and exposed brick throughout the restaurant and bar.

Tapas was on the menu and they really did so it well, although if you are vegetarian be prepared to eat salad and tomato bread, as in much of Spain they don’t really get the concept. Unlucky.

Here is our menu, dishes that stood out were the patatas bravas, spicy as hell but really good, Flammkuchen very delicate, almost a melt in the mouth pizza, that means there are no calories, right?  

By sweet time I was about full to burst, but for blog purposes I tried a bite of the pestinos but not really my kind of desert so opted for another Moritz beer.

You can take the tour not matter when you dine, they are really excited about showing you round, this I think makes this restaurant stand out from other beer bars in Barcelona.

In the words of Mario “Fantastico” ;-) http://www.moritz.com/

4Gats Barcelona

4Gats or Four Cats was recommended to me by our landlord as soon as we checked into the apartment in Barcelona last week. What a star.

It’s super central, literally just a minutes walk off the main high street La Rambla on a beautiful old cobbled street instantly taking you back to the 1800’s.

Walking through the bar you can hear the buzz from the packed restaurant. A man sits playing a grand piano, having a lovely old time interacting with the diners and really showing off the theatrical element of this place.

Picasso aged 17 hung out here having his first exhibition in the great room, the original poster now the menu cover. You can either sit in the main part of the restaurant or on the galleries overlooking. 

I decided to let the waiter choose the wine, mainly because he didn’t speak very good English and why should he, my Spanish is terrible but thankfully the 4Gats labeled Red wine was not. Not massively traditional to have sea-bass with red but it worked with the oily serving which melted in my mouth.

I did have food envy, Dudley ordered the confit duck and after a wee taste I decided to stop trying to be healthy in Spain, it just wasn’t going to work! 

So of course the chocolate desert had my name on it. The best way to describe the taste is Chocolate, layered with chocolate, with chocolate sauce, chocolate sprinkles and oh wait some more chocolate. I felt sick but it was totally worth it! 

I basically loved this restaurant because the head waiter was hilarious, the food was simple, tasty and very reasonably priced. Mainly I loved the history behind the creation of this place, making me feel like I was a part of a show while dining, perfect combination. If you are in Barcelona it’s a must do.

(Source: 4gats.com)

Industry Zen, Auckalnd, New Zealand

The day before I flew back to chilly London to reenter the real world, I was taken for lunch by a wonderful old friend.

After a heavy Christmas and New Year then rolling, literally into January when asked what I would like for lunch I cried “Sushi”.

Jen was excited, and we almost ran to Industry Zen, centrally situated a stones throw away from the ferry terminal.

The heavy wooden door creaked open to reveal a beautiful, modern twist on Japanese traditional decor. The restaurant was busy not just with people but things, umbrellas, warrior statues and art but immaculate and streamline at the same time. 

We ordered off the lunch menu and for 23 NZ dollars a mere £12.00 per person we ate like an Emperor. Miso soup, salad and the following photos are the only way to really do our main course justice! Edible art, scrumptious, fresh, bursting with flavor beautiful cuisine.

http://www.industry-zen.co.nz/#!

Hotel DeBrett, Auckland

Upstairs in Hotel DeBrett at the house bar you will find Ming, friendly cocktail waiter and all round super star.

Morgan Burrett, Travel show presenter extraordinaire had filmed there the day before and as my dear friend pointed out it would be rude not to pay him a visit. So we did.

The bar, as has the rest of the hotel kept a lot of it’s original features which to be honest is a rarity in New Zealand. The lift is like standing inside a giant glitter ball and the bar although simple has an Art Deco charm, I felt really at home sat on tall stools at the bar here.

The restaurant I loved, walking though it reminded me of Venice and the waterways and streets with bridges and windows protruding above.

Ming took us on a cocktail journey intersecting little stories of his past in Cambodia, his wife whilst making sure we didn’t miss out on essential liquors and some amazing maraschino cherries.

This bar is a must visit if you are anywhere near Auckland, I had a magical evening, filled with any cocktail I desired from a knowledgeable bartender, a well thought through platter to line the stomach and great stories.

http://www.hoteldebrett.com/

Scotts of Mayfair

Scott’s of Mayfair has been on my food radar for sometime now. I am a huge fish lover and this is one of the finest seafood restaurants in town!

The Oyster bar looks fab, it has a real decadent feel, pillars with 1920’s style tiles surround it and in the middle there is a huge center piece with cascading ice topped with an array of seafood. 

The menu is like food porn, crude I know but it is! I would happily try it all if the time and budget allowed!

I’ve never tried Caviar! I’ve just never had the opportunity. So when my friend Tim ordered the Beluga Caviar with blinis and sour cream as a surprise I nearly fell off my chair! 

It was, well, urm, interesting! I understand the whole delicacy bit and I am chuffed that I have now tried it but I wouldn’t order it again. To be honest I was more excited about the beautiful little pancakes it came with!

For starter I went for the seared scallops in the shell with garlic and chilli butter. This dish did not disappoint. The scallops were huge and super tasty.

For main I had to go for the Lobster Thermidor, it hates me but I just love it. Scott’s literally blew me away.

I feel very sad writing because if I honestly had any room at all I promise I would have at least have tried a mouthful of desert but I just couldn’t. Still there is always next time and after the wonderful impression Scott’s left with me I will be back!

Playboy Bunny Christmas Party

So this is how the conversation went…..

Fiona; Hey lovely, fancy coming to the Playboy Club Christmas party?

Jo; Hell yes.

Fiona; Great

Jo; Oh wait on, what’s the dress code? I wouldn’t want to turn up looking like Bridget Jones in her dodgy inappropriate bunny outfit!!!

And so it began!

So my imagination created this soft focus world of beautiful ladies with fury behinds floating around serving martinis, and I was bang on. With the addition of glamorous decor, fab dirty martinis that nearly blew my head off, a casino and superb food, made by the wonderfully talented and super lovely Judy Joo. Iron Chef and Head Chef at the Playboy Bunny Club. 

She put on a “lovely spread” to say the least, varied, high quality, super tasty and with cakes to die for!

The buzz in the club was infectious and the clientele varied and exciting. We moved downstairs with the flow of people to the club, where the powerful voice of Paloma Faith could be heard. She played a great set to a full and ecstatic audience, singing along, in or out of tune, no one cared!

I dig the Playboy Club. Great Christmas Party.

Cheers, Monica for Mother Bunny! 

http://www.playboyclublondon.com/?splash=true