Wednesday 8 December 2010



Guiness Stew with boiled potatoes why bother looking at the menu?
Ashes Bar.Main Street,Dingle 00353 66 9150989.

A private nook at Dick Macks. I think you can guess we really loved this place.
Dick Macks.Dingle.


Dick Macks was an old shoe menders nothing has changed except they do not repair shoes.
Dick Macks. Dingle.

2 Jamesons please at 11am on a Saturday morning at Dick Macks ... why not we were in Dingle.
Dick Macks Dingle.


A lonely kipper...perfection.
Benners Hotel. See post below for details.


Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs with home made toasted soda bread. I have never tasted smoked salmon before like this.
It was the real deal.
Benners Hotel,Dingle,County Kerry,Ireland. 00353 66915 1638


Yes a landscape with no food. This is the beach outside of Dingle Bay County Kerry Ireland.
One of the most beautiful and uplifting places i have been to also home to Fungie the Dolphin who has lived there for 20 years.
Hence the reason for our visit. Candy and i have been dreaming of meeting Fungie for the past 3 years. Our wish was answered and we were very happy to discover some of the most memorable watering holes and restaurants. This is truly a special place.


Its that wonderful time of year...stew time my favourite food.
After a phone call from Miss England and an offer of her signature dish 'newcastle brown ale casserole' i jumped in the car and braved the rush hour traffic from West to East and hand on heart there were no regrets. Actually there was one.. i forgot to ask her how she cooks
her bakers they are always perfection!


After eating the patties i had to go back to try the jerk chicken, rice and peas delicious....thank you man from Rummanco.


We opted for the super mega tasty sweet potato and chili patties.


November 24th Primrose Hill Street Fair. Freezing beyond belief. Standing at the stall from 9am.
Of course Nadia knew of the man to save us. The man from Rummanco the master of West Indian Take Away.

Sunday 21 November 2010



Please Find another home recipe of rare roast beef..actually Duchy from the Prince with Parmesan and English Mustard Cauliflower cheese.
Drizzle beef with olive oil adding red wine during cooking time of 40 mins.
When finished cooking put jus on hob and add a spoonful of cranberry sauce.

Cauliflower cheese.
Steam Cauliflower till soft.
Put one pint of milk into saucepan with two tablespoons of plain flour large knob of butter on low heat.
Stir constantly with whisk until thickened. Add 3 heaped tablespoons of Parmesan,2 heaped teaspoons of english Mustard salt and pepper. Pour over cauliflower and put into oven for 15 minutes.

Exhibit C.Steamed Chard and Roast Carrots in Sesame.


Exhibit B. Braised Red Cabbage. Potatoes Roasted in Goose fat and steamed Brocolli.

Waking up to a text from sweet Sammy Soo saying 'come over for a roast ' was music to my ears so after a walk in the park off i went i must say Mr A J cooked a meal that was nothing less than perfection. Here is the evidence. Exhibit A.
Roast Rib of Beef and Roast Chicken .


Pollack with a Crab broth and potato gnocchi and braised leeks.
The Anglesea Arms.See details below.


Now that is proof of good Service.
The Anglesea Arms. See Details Below.


And we got that Christmassy feeling...brought on by the fairy lit mini cheddars. The Anglesea Arms is very close to my heart for many reasons. It was one of the first Gastro Pubs which opened approximately 20 years ago i have been going since then.
It has seen me through many changes but has remained constant with the quality of the food and the warm welcoming owners.
Now run by lovely Jill and Michael always an absolute pleasure to see. The one problem was you could never book so there was always a long wait for a table but that has changed and they take reservations.
The Anglesea Arms.35 Wingate Road,London W6 OUR. Tel No 44208 749 1291.

Winter Fruit Plate.How delicious.
The Dock Kitchen. See Details below.


Grilled Sardines with horseradish and chard.
The Dock Kitchen.See details below.


Brilliant Brill with clams.
The Dock Kitchen. See details below.



When lovely Steve asked me to his birthday lunch at the Dock Kitchen i was happy on two accounts. 1 for being invited and 2 i would have the opportunity to post pictures of the food that i had forgotten to do so last time. So here they are i present to you the Dock Kitchen.
Winter Salad from the Markets of Milan.(We did question this fact but it was true).
The Dock Kitchen.344 Ladroke Grove,London W10 5BU. Tel No 44208 962 1610.

Sunday 7 November 2010



malaga raisin ice cream...beyond delicious.
Moro Details Below.


Charcoal Grilled Lamb with Pumpkin Pesto.
Moro.Details Below.


To Moro.To Moro.I love You To Moro.
Sorry but could not resist writing that....i love Moro. I love it for the food and for the people and for the wine.
I have to say that this restaurant would be very high up in my top 5.
PS.Thank you for our treat Tamara it was delicious!
Steamed Artichoke Hearts stuffed with cheese, sweet herbs and pistcahios.
Moro. 34/36 Exmouth Market,London EC1R 4SE 44207 833 8336.

Wednesday 3 November 2010



Some of the delectable cakes on offer.
Samuel and i settled on the Green Tea and Strawberry cake.
Lanka.Details on Post Below.


Lightly grilled Salmon Salad.
Lanka. Details on Post Below.


I am quite baffled by this little cafe....i have eaten breakfast in there a few times perfectly fried eggs with toasted brioche and delicious coffee but it is always quite quiet. Why???? I dont know because it is one of the most delicious and special places i have come across in a long long time. I am also angry that i did not find out more of the history while i was there. All cakes and breads are made on the premises which also amazes me as the place is so tiny. The staff are like scientists putting the food together and they are passionate about everything they serve even the explanations of the teas that are available. Now i think i have one answer everyone cooking and serving are Japanese hence the incredible attention to detail and the perfection of the presentation.
It was truly a delightful meal.
lanka,71 regents Park Road,London NW1.


After a day at Versailles which i have to say is one of the most beautiful places i have ever visited especially with the trees turning colour it was a visual feast ... i was offered the chance of a cocktail at the George V. Now there are not really the words to describe the beauty and the opulence of this bar but if you had to imagine the most perfect environment to drink in look no further. Here is a picture of my vodka tonic served in monogrammed glass with glass stirrer. Please note nibbles were olives and warm cheese straws only let down macadamia nuts just one nut i cannot understand.
George V Four Seasons.31 Ave George V,Paris 75008 France.

Saturday 30 October 2010



Stewed Plums and Blackberries.
The Rose Bakery.See Details Below.


Candys Plate Of Vegetables.
The Rose Bakery.Details Below.


I am so lucky that where i stay in Paris happens to be the 9th arrondissement. Whenever i go outside of the 9th i want to go running back. The restaurants bars cafes food shops are so unique and everything is there....and so is the Rose Bakery. I know i have spoken about it before but that was Rose at Dover Street the selection of offerings in Rue Martyrs is far greater. What a treat to have this piece of heaven round the corner. Candy was in Paris so we decided to go. Here is what we ate.
Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs.
The Rose Bakery 46 Rue Des Martyrs,75009 Paris.


Wild Strawberries with Creme Fraiche.
Brasserie Lipp.Paris.Details Below.


Cold Lamb served with Aspic.
Brasserie Lipp.Paris.Details Below.


Roast Chicken with red wine jus served with haricots vert.
Brasserie Lipp.Paris.Details Below.


Frisee,lardons,poached egg salad.
Brasserie Lipp.Paris. See details below.


How lucky am i to find myself back in Paris on a two day mini break. After arriving on thursday night and a lot of deliberation on where to go it was decided to visit an old classic of which is never on my list of favourites to eat in Paris. It did not disappoint ...
the wonderful characters and monogrammed crockery and glasses just added to the evening. Please accept apologies for glass of wine photograph but i have to say the house bordeaux was delicious too. One word of advice please book especially in the evening.
Brasserie Lipp.151 Blvd St Germain,Paris 75006,France. 3314 548 5391.

Wednesday 27 October 2010



If you are a meat eater i am sure that you would admit that a good spaghetti bolognese is very difficult to turn down especially on a miserable day like today so when my friend Mr Mackie texted and said lets meet at Da Paolo i knew what was on his mind.
A fellow foodie who is constantly keeping me in the loop of his restaurant visits and home cooking also knows that Da Paolo is home to this king of dishes. This dish holds a slight Taboo ... if you are with a bunch of people and its on the menu everyone is salivating over the thought of it but will never go there and opt for something much more Modern. Can anyone tell me where to find a good chicken Kiev?????????
PS.Salad does not get a mention due to the Balsamic syrupy drizzle.
Da Paolo, 3 Charlotte Place,London W1T 1SD. 44207 580 0021.

Saturday 23 October 2010


Salad of Puntarelle,Fennel and Pomegranate.
The Dock Cafe,See below Post for Details.


Vegetable Tempura. The lightest and most sumptuous I have ever eaten.
The Dock Cafe.Details in Post Below.


I have heard so many great reviews about the Dock Cafe and after reading last week that the chef Stevie Parle had won Young Chef of the Year award i quickly booked a table for lunch...although i prefer eating out at night the lighting always causes blogging complications. I have to say that i am furious with myself as on leaving the Cafe and after introducing myself to Stevie and telling him about my blog and accidently walking out with his phone...i realised i didnt even photograph our main course, i only managed to remember the starters. I put that down to pure over excitement so i am sure i will be forgiven. The food was outstanding, the decor beautifully put together and i will be back so please take this review as a work in progress.
The Dock Cafe.Portobello Docks,344/342 Ladbroke Grove,W10 5BU. 0208 962 1610.


Pandan Chicken wrapped in Banana Leaves. Now ordering this dish always makes me giggle as the waitress always informs the recipient not to eat the banana leaves....i would love to see someone try.
Busaba. Details on Post Below.


Here is another one of my posts which i sat and questioned for a couple of days due to the fact that Busaba is most likely known to many of my followers but the food is quite delicious the service fantastic and its round the corner from my office. If ever there is a chance of a lunch OUT with the lovely Mr Hales this is a great option.
Aromatic Butternut Pumpkin Curry with Coconut Rice and Iced Sweet Green Tea.
Busaba,22 Store Street,London WC1E 7DF.


The Simplest cake available....apple tart filled with a very cold filling of a mix between a custard and ice cream????
Patisserie Valerie.Knightsbridge.Details Below.


A choux base filled with a chocolate ganache topped with whipped cream and just because that is not quite enough a chocolate covering.
Patisserie Valerie.Knightsbridge. Details Below.


Out and about doing a few errands, that mid afternoon sugar craving kicked in and i have to admit was with someone with an extremely sweet tooth...how convenient that we happened to find ourselves outside Patisserie Valerie. I have to say that this post is not about the quality of the cakes but the sheer volume of choice and the absolute decadence of them is enough of a reason to visit this establishment. There now seems to be one on every corner so cannot list all locations. I also have to say i loved my photographs so had to share them with you.
Patisserie Valerie.Hans Crescent,Knightsbridge SW1X 0LZ.

Saturday 16 October 2010



Wow after a week of being out nearly every night i was desperate for an evening at home and to get back into the kitchen.
So here is what i cooked. Fish Stew. Quick and easy and absolutely delicious. Serves Two.
1 Halibut Steak.
1 Slice Sword Fish.
2 Handfuls small clams.
4 Glasses white wine.
Juice half a lemon.
4 small potatoes.
Huge handful of chopped parsley.
Tsp chopped chillies.
Chunk of fresh grated ginger.
1 glove garlic
1 Tin Tomatoes.
2 tbs olive oil
Cut potatoes into small pieces and boil till soft.
Fry the chopped garlic in olive oil with the chillies. Add potatoes and tin of tomatoes. Cook for 15 minutes.
Add ginger fish and clams parsley and wine and lemon juice. Cook for 10 minutes or until clams open.
serve in large bowls with.....a drizzle of olive oil.

Wednesday 13 October 2010


Green Tea Ice Cream with Orange Fur Ball my gift from japan.
Niko Niko Details in Post below.

My Salmon Teryaki Bento Box with Agedashi Tofu and sushi.
Niko Niko Details in Post Below.

Candys Agedashi tofu Bento Box with vegetable Tempura and Sushi.
Niko Niko Details in Post Below.