Archive For July 2017
From BBC Food Our creamy broccoli soup with bubbling Stilton croutons is the perfect antidote to the winter blues. Ingredients 350g/12oz broccoli, florets and stalks cut into small pieces 400ml/14fl oz vegetable stock 25g/1oz butter 4 spring onions, finely sliced 50g/1¾oz Stilton, crumbled, or to taste 100ml/3½fl oz double cream salt and freshly…
It’s not surprising that we were invited here to enjoy a meal with meat as the show-piece. This was Blackhouse Grill at Smithfield, after all! Smithfield’s meat market dates from the 10th century, and is now London’s only remaining wholesale market in continuous use since medieval times. It’s a bloody spot in other ways, too….
Flavours of India and Beyond We Londoners are a cosmopolitan bunch. That isn’t a recent phenomenon: our country has been built, over the centuries, on a diversity of cultures and that has also added to our cuisine. The British national dish is curry. There is a curry house on every high street, with around 10,000…
This is a PopUp so don’t spend time reading the rest of this piece. Just go before it closes! One might think that sparkling wine is for the connoisseur, those with money and a dictionary of posh wine terms. Fiz Bar aims to encourage a new generation of sparkling-wine lovers – those who aren’t interested…
From Stop and Shop Enjoy as an appetizer, or a starter, these crescents can be prepared in advance, frozen and thawed as convenient. Perfect for the holidays! Ingredients: 1 7-ounce President Brie cheese 1 8-ounce package crescent rolls 2 pears or apples, cored and sliced Method Unroll and spread out crescent roll…
From Whole Foods Market Makes 24 Generous-sized appetizers, flavorful and satisfying for any crowd, including vegetarians and vegans. Ingredients 2 cups (from 1 onion) thinly sliced red onion 1/2 cup apple cider vinegar 3 tablespoons sugar 3/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper, divided 5 whole cloves 1 (15-ounce) can black…
Black Roe is tucked away in a side street in the heart of Mayfair. It couldn’t be better located for transport and diners. This is a neighbourhood with plenty of restaurants but it is making its mark, attracting visitors who want quality food and something a little unique. Pacific Rim cuisine is what’s offered here…
Jacqui Pickles In Conversation – “I’m going to cook for life!” Les Dames d’Escoffier London are enjoying a vibrant calendar of events and are welcoming new members who are eager to participate in activities and raise funds for other women in hospitality. President Jacqui Pickles is one of the Chapter’s founding members. In 2015 she…
Yes, dear reader, this is a chain restaurant and I make no apologies for reviewing a Thai Square. Why do chains become chains? Because they become popular. And why are they popular? Because they’re good. Thai Square has been around for a few years now and they have not dropped their standards one bit. The…
Chateau Civrac Wine and Honest Grapes What a kind invitation! A food and wine pairing evening at impressive Lutyens, off Fleet Street… and Cornish wine! Well, no, not really – the wine is French and very good too. The maker is Cornish and that, strangely, might give him some advantages: he has an appreciation of…
I am impressed with the skill and imagination of Chef Aurelie Altemaire at Bōkan. It’s in London’s vibrant Docklands – or more accurately high above that sought-after neighbourhood. It’s up a depth at a considerable 37 floors! Bōkan is an elevated restaurant in every sense of the word. Bōkan is part of the new Novotel…
Irish-flavoured chocolates These really are little gems. Anyone who loves caramel will appreciate these beautifully crafted and delicious chocs from a lady called Lily. Lily O’Brien’s Chocolates are made by a real O’Brien, although actually a Mary. It all started as a mini enterprise launched from her Kildare kitchen in 1992. The new chocolate box…
Many of us have become interested in wine. Yes, drinking it and pairing it. Remember the days when we in the UK drank just a few different wines? It wasn’t that they were so good that they became popular; truth to tell, it was all we had. Red or white from ‘various countries’. They were…