tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-53282104923941165752024-03-05T05:51:07.224-08:00grumblings from a greedy girlinside the mind and belly of an american/yorkshire girl in londonAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.comBlogger113125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-6041725935653428162015-08-08T01:46:00.000-07:002015-08-08T01:46:07.785-07:00a fond farewell and an excited helloThis is <i>not </i>the end!<br />
<br />
Yes, this little old blog, which you have taken the time to read over the years, is drawing to a close. We've had some good times, haven't we? <br />
<br />
But wait, wipe your tears! Replacing it is a brand-spanking new website, with much, much more to come! Interested in why I'm making the change now? Read <a href="http://grumblingsfromagreedygirl.com/2015/08/07/a-new-identity/" target="_blank">here</a>. <br />
<br />
Please be sure to follow <a href="http://www.grumblingsfromagreedygirl.com/" target="_blank">Grumblings From A Greedy Girl</a> for all my latest posts, musings, thoughts and ponderings on food, travel and beyond. <br />
<br />
I look forward to sharing many, more words with you over on the new website, in my new chapter.<br />
<br />
See you there,<br />
Amy, The Greedy Girl<br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03351577518669490248noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-65539296203290247452015-05-06T03:46:00.001-07:002015-05-06T03:46:27.430-07:00a review of Bao<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did you know we live in a world where queueing for food is not only acceptable, it’s preferable? People actually pay good money just to get inside night-time food markets like Street Feast, only to then line up at each stall and pay again for the food. Remember when Meat Liquor first opened and people were quite happy to wait over an hour to get their hands on a burger? Or Patty & Bun which still regularly sees lines of jeaned and bearded types outside its door?</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’re now a nation of waiters and there’s nothing we’re more prepared to wait for than food. Enter <a href="http://baolondon.com/" target="_blank">Bao</a>, 2015’s newest and most anticipated queued-up restaurant. The tiny Taiwanese place, situated on Lexington Street in Soho, is taking things even further with customers actually lining up round the block <em>before </em>it’s even open. Walk past and 5pm and you will already see the queue (the restaurant opens at 5.30) of hungry people. You will also see the passers-by looking in intriguingly to see what the crowds are for. Some are taking pictures to show their friends how crazy the world we live in really is. But this ain’t no joke. These people are hungry for good food. And they will wait.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The question you want to ask and rightfully so is – is it worth the wait? Thankfully, the answer is a resounding yes. The team are extremely friendly (they must feel sorry for you by the time you actually make it inside) and talk you through the menu, how the menu-ticking system works and generally make you feel instantly relaxed. So you should in a place as authentic as this. It’s nothing fancy, the walls are bare, the decoration minimal. You may sit facing a wall, but it’s all part of its charm.</span></div>
<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 24px; margin-bottom: 18px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Plus the emphasis here is on the food and its fantastic flavours. Staying true to its namesake, the bao on offer are mighty. Fried chicken comes with a Sichuan mayo, golden kimchee and sesame and is steaming hot and crunchy. The lamb shoulder in a coriander sauce, garlic mayo and soy pickled chilli is heady, earthy and intense. The most interesting – crumbed daikon – is panko crusted and served with hot sauce. All of them are a must and at no more than £5 each, there’s really no excuse not to try each and every one.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The menu basically forces you to order everything on it (maybe twice over if you’re hungry). You can’t leave without trying the Pig Blood Cake (£3.50). It looks as epic as it tastes with rich meaty flavours and a yellow yolk sauce that must be licked clean. The Scallop with Yellow Bean and Garlic (£3.50) comes served in its shell. The server will tell you to drink the juice after you’ve eaten the meat. Listen – she knows what she’s talking about. The 40 Day Rump Cap with Aged White Soy Sauce (£6) may sound like a boring old plate of meat, but do not be fooled. Impossibly thinly sliced, perfectly tender beef floats in a mild umami sauce. It’s very nearly perfection.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh and the sides – don’t forget the sides! Turnip Tops with Salted Egg (£2.50) is crunchy and vibrant in green. The House Pickles (£1.50) were given a new lease of life with tomato, daikon, cucumber and a soy, spring onion dressing. Peanut Milk (£1.50) is as it says on the tin and basically as good as it sounds.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s easy to go on (because the whole menu is affordable enough and delicious enough to get it all – as you should), but the joy is really in the eating. If you go anytime in the next three years, let’s face it, you’ll probably be waiting. But it really is worth the wait. Plus, once you’ve queued an hour, it gives you incentive to order even more. Bao, at least, is making you queue for food that’s unique, interesting and downright lip-smackable. Bet you’ll be prepared to wait a second or third time. See you in the line at 5pm.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/1985701/restaurant/Soho/Bao-London"><img alt="Bao on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1985701/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a></div>
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurant/bao?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of Bao"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/Views/DynamicImages/BlogBigImage.aspx?restaurant=5fa946a21c474a48b560bd558550aa6e" height="125" width="230" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-40318304022469364942015-04-28T12:39:00.001-07:002015-04-28T13:24:01.612-07:00a Berger Cookie Recipe for Baltimore<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I think of myself as a positive person. I try my best to see the good in things and
when bad inevitably occurs, I tell myself that everything happens for
a reason. So far in my life, this
philosophy has tended to work out true. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s happening in Baltimore makes it hard to see the good
and remain positive. I can’t proclaim to
know or understand how people in the city are feeling. I left a long, long time ago and even when I
was still there, I lived in the leafy, safe suburbs. My life was certainly not one that needed a
hashtag to support it – then or now. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m not a politician or an activist or a preacher or even
someone that really likes to comment too much on things of which I am not sure
I’ll ever fully understand. What I am is
someone that tries my best to stay positive and to invoke positivity. As my Facebook fills more and more with sad
news and angst-ridden commentary, I wanted to try to do just that.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, here is my recipe for Berger Cookies, in honour of Baltimore, where these cake-like cookies, piled with thick, rich chocolate icing hail, and
the only place in the world you can get them unless you make them yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Baltimore – a place which bore me, a city which needs
positivity and kindness right now above all else, and a lesson to the world of
where we are and how far away we still are from where we should be. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I am holding on hope to two simple things as I write this –
1. Everything happens for a reason and Baltimore will prove that to be true in
the most inspiring, positive way. 2. All lives matter.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">A Berger Cookie Recipe for Baltimore</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Makes about 20 cookies </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the cookies:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/3 cup unsalted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 tsp salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp baking powder<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/2 cup granulated sugar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 large egg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1½ cups flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/3 cup milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the icing:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cups semisweet chocolate chips<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1½ tbsp corn syrup (if in US) or golden syrup (if in UK)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3/4 cup heavy cream<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1½ cups icing sugar, sifted<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1/8 teaspoon salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 200c or 400f. Lightly grease two baking sheets.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To make the cookies, beat together the butter, salt,
vanilla, and baking powder in a large bowl.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beat in the sugar, then add the egg and continue to beat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gently add the flour to the wet ingredients alternately with
the milk, beginning and ending with the flour. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Using a spoon, drop the dough onto the prepared cookie
sheets. Flatten each mound of dough to a circle and leave room between each
cookie to allow expansion.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bake the cookies for about 10 to 11 minutes, or until they’re
light brown on the bottom (carefully tilt one up to look), but not coloured on top.
Remember, these cookies are meant to be cake like so don’t overbake! Remove from
the oven, and let them cool as you make the icing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To make the icing, place the chocolate chips, corn or golden
syrup, vanilla, and cream into a saucepan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heat the mixture until it's very hot and starting to bubble.
Remove from the heat, and stir until smooth.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beat in the icing sugar and then leave to cool slightly to a
warm room temperature.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dip the top of each cookie into the warm icing; swirl the
cookie around to really give it a good coating – these should be topped proudly
with plenty of icing!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Place the cookies back on the baking sheet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Allow the cookies to set then eat, share, learn, talk and hopefully
grow.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"></span></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXRWieNVyEfTvS6iCFPJXv8Z_PQO59knGpYEKPZX9f97bNZBnFBYW5iIGRLxmM0jTXZz8CtX_FL8EpSHwwI4kLTRYEBZQYag42eU_PqP9nb2U24Q_6zg8lmVOxoMn7uAz4qAMakEPFeQ/s1600/Berger+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMXRWieNVyEfTvS6iCFPJXv8Z_PQO59knGpYEKPZX9f97bNZBnFBYW5iIGRLxmM0jTXZz8CtX_FL8EpSHwwI4kLTRYEBZQYag42eU_PqP9nb2U24Q_6zg8lmVOxoMn7uAz4qAMakEPFeQ/s1600/Berger+2.jpg" /></a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-5720253434182688992015-03-26T12:13:00.000-07:002015-03-26T12:28:18.581-07:00a review of Friends of Ours<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quick.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Answer the first thing that comes into your mind. Don’t think about it. Don’t analyse it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just <i>answer</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Morning or night?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">City or country?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Coffee or tea? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sweet or savoury?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let’s face it, despite minds and moods changing, you
normally know exactly where you stand (night, city, tea, savoury). So I blame <a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheFriendsofOurs/" target="_blank">Friends of Ours</a> for confusing my
poor little old brain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went to the café, which opened last month in Hoxton, all
set to be suitably wooed by its brunch offering. How could you not be with dishes such as "One Man One Pan" and "Fritter Stack & Shack" on the menu? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But let’s start at the beginning. It was a normal Saturday morning – a workout
at the gym, a stroll through Stoke Newington, a few samples of cheese in a
farmers’ market, a mooch around Dalston, a stop in to see the sister – and before
you know it, breakfast time had been and passed and suddenly we were bourgeoning
on lunch. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We pondered for a few minutes about where to go to satiate
our now roaring bellies and decided, as we’ve already walked this way, we may
as well follow our feet further to Friends of Ours. A nice, savoury brunch would be just what the
Saturday doctor ordered. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On arrival, the café was packed with people and smelled of fresh
coffee (the barista and co-owner barely looked up from the cups he was
lovingly preparing – coffee is serious business round these parts). The menu is full of familiar favourites like poached eggs on toast. But why on earth would you go for
familiar when you can go for Crab & Claw (£11), a modern take on eggs benedict, just made bigger and
badder (in a good way) with crab and crayfish.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This should have been the star of the show, and indeed in a
normal café it probably would have been (although if you’re going to come so close to eggs benedict, it should – no, must – have a hollandaise sauce pouring lavishly
from the top and this one sadly didn’t, though it did have truffle oil strewn round the plate). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsieMJXlwshAd_YktIaWcP9DhuDrVWPv2dWv8t67u-dpWAwTNM8iF8KefMt4hWEkAARv6YvusyBN7oDANGWz0KrAsOXu_G9VtV31Re-e1bhwQCNgbt8oDdI5PG3rkqmeCo9zBC_yVEVk/s1600/March+2015+247.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFsieMJXlwshAd_YktIaWcP9DhuDrVWPv2dWv8t67u-dpWAwTNM8iF8KefMt4hWEkAARv6YvusyBN7oDANGWz0KrAsOXu_G9VtV31Re-e1bhwQCNgbt8oDdI5PG3rkqmeCo9zBC_yVEVk/s1600/March+2015+247.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> forgive this barely-there mistake though as Friends of Ours
delivered and then some on desserts.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Back to my original point – I am a savoury type of girl.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I can fairly easily resist most cakes and
anything overly sugary makes me yearn for a crusty baguette.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So how could this unassuming café turn my
mind and my world upside down by making me fall in love with its desserts?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Well when dessert is called Spring Forage and reads like this: "<i>frozen caramel, edible dirt, chocolate ganache, flowers, strawberries</i>"</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> and tastes like a cold,
powdery, smooth, rich, unfathomable concoction of nature and pleasure, I defy
anyone not to fall in love.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The platter
(yep, why stop at a plate when you can have a platter?) of pud was as beautiful
as any I’ve seen in any Michelin starred restaurant.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For £5.50? Well, that's j</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">ust icing on the stunning proverbial cake.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhmaxGG_9XulxW8qKLjuBfrOfurRBgMAnAsDaGsvD0ImHnS-NAtoP2MoUtwV5sgxg40UCIT9a9Cjw_hAgNR_3Sur-aRpBY2OxYKxu6JW-SCSzKZ7-cPGORy5j9SIAYbWsNetPecTBsE/s1600/March+2015+250.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjyhmaxGG_9XulxW8qKLjuBfrOfurRBgMAnAsDaGsvD0ImHnS-NAtoP2MoUtwV5sgxg40UCIT9a9Cjw_hAgNR_3Sur-aRpBY2OxYKxu6JW-SCSzKZ7-cPGORy5j9SIAYbWsNetPecTBsE/s1600/March+2015+250.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In a world where I was born and bred on crab – a food which not
only sits high on my list of favourites, but high in my heart as the one with my fondest memories – and in a world where savoury always beats sweet, it takes
a lot for me to state that my favourite part of this meal was dessert.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Friends of Ours, you’ve chewed me up and spat me out with confused,
sugary goodness. As tangled and high on saccharine
as I am, I will be back for more. Wait a minute, I'm starting to think this was part of an evil kill-them-with-friendship-and-overload-them-with-sugar-so-they-are-so-happy-and-stuffed-and-slightly-delirious-that-they-will-come-back-immediately-for-more masterplan. Oh it was? Well, it worked.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="ellipsis _c24 _50f3" data-hover="tooltip" id="u_jsonp_5_e" style="line-height: 16px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Friends of Ours</span></div>
<div class="ellipsis _c24 _50f3" data-hover="tooltip" id="u_jsonp_5_e" style="line-height: 16px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">61 Pitfield Street</span></div>
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<a class="_5bkz _42ef" href="https://www.bing.com/maps/default.aspx?v=2&pc=FACEBK&mid=8100&rtp=adr.%7Epos.51.529038164991_-0.083825118067296_Friends+of+Ours_61+Pitfield+Street%2C+London%2C+United+Kingdom&cp=51.529038164991%7E-0.083825118067296&lvl=16&sty=r&rtop=0%7E0%7E0%7E&mode=D&FORM=FBKPL1&mkt=en-US" id="u_jsonp_5_d" rel="nofollow" style="background-color: white; cursor: pointer; display: block; line-height: 16px; overflow: hidden; text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"></a></div>
<div class="ellipsis _50f8 _50f3" style="line-height: 16px; overflow: hidden; text-overflow: ellipsis; white-space: nowrap;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">London, United Kingdom</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-20838626018181361612015-01-28T12:42:00.001-08:002015-01-28T12:42:46.470-08:00an #EatBeefAtHome campaign and a recipe for beef<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Americans will know the phrase, "Beef. It's what's for dinner", the <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">advertising slogan and campaign aimed to promote the benefits of incorporating beef into a healthy diet. Don't worry, I'm not here to wax lyrically about the health benefits of the cow. I'm just here to tell you how good it can taste. And that you don't need to go out to a restaurant to have it taste that good. </span></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></span><div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">In fact, I am here to campaign <i>against</i> going out for beef full stop. Yes I said it - Eat Beef At Home or #EatBeefAtHome (should we get that trending?). You see for all the Hawksmoors and Goodmans of the world, beef is never quite as good as when you cook it yourself. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">The reason why is obvious. We all like our meat cooked a certain way. If you told me to heat your house to your favourite temperature, would I know instinctively what that temperature was or be able to just guess the right degree setting for you? Of course not. So why should anyone else know how to cook your beef to your taste as well as you can? </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">They can't. And you shouldn't expect them to. What you should do is #EatBeefAtHome and that means to cook it at home as well. It's a fraud to give you a recipe for how to cook beef because all I am really doing is giving you guidelines to cooking <i>my </i>perfect beef. But that's all I can do. I am giving you these guidelines in the hopes that you will then adapt them to suit your tastes. And then hopefully you will spread my message further. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">I don't want Hawksmoor or Goodman or any other beef place for that matter to close down. I just want you to know that you can pay a whole lot less for something a whole lot better if you just do it yourself. Then maybe those restaurants will up their game and lower their prices so we all like them just a little bit more. I strongly believe that one day, we can and will live in a world where home beef-eaters and restaurant beef-eaters coexist happily. </span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;">Until that day - #EatBeefAtHome.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Do It Yourself Rib Of Beef That Tastes Better Because You, Ahem, Did It Yourself</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Serves 6</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i>Ingredients</i></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; line-height: 18.2000007629395px;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2kg rib of beef <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 head of garlic, broken into cloves<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5 sprigs of rosemary<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Olive oil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A knob of butter</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Method</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 240c or 475f<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Take the beef out of the fridge 30 minutes before you want
to cook it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Place a roasting tray in the oven to get nice and hot<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In a pestle and mortar, smash all the garlic cloves and the
rosemary with a pinch of sea salt and a big splash of olive oil, then rub the
mixture all over the beef</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Put the beef on to the hot roasting tray and place in the
oven, roasting for around 40 minutes (if you like it as rare as I do. If you don't, leave it in longer), basting
occasionally with the juices from the tray<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After 40 minutes has passed, turn the temperature down to
190c or 375f and cook the beef for no more than a further 5 minutes, just to get a nice golden brown colour
on the outside <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transfer it to a chopping board, dot the knob of
butter on top, cover with foil and leave to rest for about 20 minutes or
even longer if you can<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc0NyVmbIEWbII2HZDdtSF_JhXAEU845egjAsTsgRBCMYwuMDk8TOvy1PfWhx5nuNNN-uFCgx4ENwPhXG1b-faOkhZShuczCKEqGi3S_Al6CxNgJqRwcSGYeFNDJMS3TvzAQe-cXJBrU/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCc0NyVmbIEWbII2HZDdtSF_JhXAEU845egjAsTsgRBCMYwuMDk8TOvy1PfWhx5nuNNN-uFCgx4ENwPhXG1b-faOkhZShuczCKEqGi3S_Al6CxNgJqRwcSGYeFNDJMS3TvzAQe-cXJBrU/s1600/IMG_3534.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecmRvRmvp5naM_txpWVcnY3MetQS8o7yX5CNbie1abneF76hdWJcHmV1VklBNaLtCyRyPWDcbMLQAxKyw_XXW0E8wwJAU6a353K6yDqS-ypcIPDlIv0zyQOl5LrCpc5wN8faFGOHkHDQ/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjecmRvRmvp5naM_txpWVcnY3MetQS8o7yX5CNbie1abneF76hdWJcHmV1VklBNaLtCyRyPWDcbMLQAxKyw_XXW0E8wwJAU6a353K6yDqS-ypcIPDlIv0zyQOl5LrCpc5wN8faFGOHkHDQ/s1600/FullSizeRender+(2).jpg" height="311" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Serve the beef however you see fit (remember this is why you’re
doing it yourself), but there ain’t nothing wrong with a proper roast – plenty of
roast potatoes, Yorkshire puddings, green veg and, of course, buckets of gravy,
for good measure</span><br />
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-20664757167596508722015-01-04T07:34:00.000-08:002015-01-04T12:22:43.100-08:00a review of Osteria Francescana<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pasta has come to mean a lot to me over the years. My best Italian friend and I have shared many
of my favourite moments rolling out tagliatelli together. My fiancé (yet to write that one down yet)
proposed to me following a plate of calf’s brain ravioli. There is probably not a food in this world
that can be as elegant and comforting in equal parts as pasta. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It should come as no surprise then that on a recent visit to <a href="http://www.osteriafrancescana.it/" target="_blank">Osteria Francescana</a>, the world’s third best restaurant in Modena, Italy, my
favourite and best remembered dish was pasta.
Sure, there was some innovative cooking that impressed and even the
bread, and particularly the bread sticks, were better than any I’ve had, but
the pasta is what I will remember. In
fact, that’s what I came home and tried to recreate myself as I didn’t want to
live in a world where I couldn’t have this pasta dish whenever the mood should
strike. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Memories of a mortadella sandwich </span></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have fond memories of mortadella sandwiches from my
childhood. We used to pack mortadella on
store-bought white bread with mayo and take them down to the beach. Nothing would make me happier. Until now.
Creamy mortadella foam with a square of warmed foccacia takes mortadella
sandwiches to a whole new, unrecognisable level. I’m not sure I can ever go back.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUTYaPGYTbT5PCSuKzhs49r-r9V3tbyiXEoOsOOfMYrVcVuQU5VACx49-PrrlrHcJZVPd7irr4jfzfQY5nUn3crIndG-sbzCJcmZyftvWz0zVFMHHQQ6fijeJJlFnto1sAsbCZGTBOrM/s1600/Modena+2014+083.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiUTYaPGYTbT5PCSuKzhs49r-r9V3tbyiXEoOsOOfMYrVcVuQU5VACx49-PrrlrHcJZVPd7irr4jfzfQY5nUn3crIndG-sbzCJcmZyftvWz0zVFMHHQQ6fijeJJlFnto1sAsbCZGTBOrM/s1600/Modena+2014+083.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">An eel swimming up the River Po</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sweet, sticky eel placed meticulously on a bare white plate
to look as though it’s swimming alongside cream of polenta, campanine apple
jelly and burnt onion powder. This eel probably
had no idea it could ever be quite so sophisticated or taste quite so refined. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8CpJpvGGRhTFEUC9qYVzZwURWftDBDv3hHtAdEhlaBBBaxeXP42yX21UdPGO3HlvPrVcTLXx4uC8pEdn_55C_1c1GkQkCE1GZupSW5hyLj7v5oYftAyUrMKCUVipOt7i4RgNY4Ed_qI/s1600/Modena+2014+089.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN8CpJpvGGRhTFEUC9qYVzZwURWftDBDv3hHtAdEhlaBBBaxeXP42yX21UdPGO3HlvPrVcTLXx4uC8pEdn_55C_1c1GkQkCE1GZupSW5hyLj7v5oYftAyUrMKCUVipOt7i4RgNY4Ed_qI/s1600/Modena+2014+089.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>From Modena to Mirandola: cotechino and zabaglione</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Is it a starter or a dessert? We’ll maybe never know. But remember how Joey Tribbiani loved Rachel
Green’s trifle complete with beef mince?
This is how you’ll feel once you’ve eaten this dish. A garlicky, fatty sausage patty accompanied
by custard-like zabaglione shouldn’t work, but it truly does. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCaymdmKkjFAf5zZYnQfZdsZhCXQA0o5_0nPqk1KpCNxb9Ws2eUxxZc7saSkKvqd3eYPgdNow1RLOhWFoEGi0ziqHRGoT5Vft3FEd5-FgbuhGT5F2sfBaXGSpomxWxE6J_yCJ48ZNbRw/s1600/Modena+2014+090.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMCaymdmKkjFAf5zZYnQfZdsZhCXQA0o5_0nPqk1KpCNxb9Ws2eUxxZc7saSkKvqd3eYPgdNow1RLOhWFoEGi0ziqHRGoT5Vft3FEd5-FgbuhGT5F2sfBaXGSpomxWxE6J_yCJ48ZNbRw/s1600/Modena+2014+090.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Caesar salad in Emilia</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is owner and chef ispirazione, Massimo Bottura’s take on
a classic Caesar salad, but there ain’t nothing classic about it. Plump leaves of romaine are filled with
hidden flavours of the salad that pop in your mouth. This probably would have been my least
favourite dish of the night if one, it hadn’t have been served with Aquavit (2015 resolution is to drink more of this) and two, Massimo himself hadn’t have
come out and said hello. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntmCAYvx4iGEUXln7I2_hZ7m-CM-5u2h1MOmuUkvzprpHS1daWXbGB8C24yE4prIqg9Dn9CbDofeR8FDsVOQyou2U72zBFjmDnf4TMnk1RASW6TaAO6IeMwpEJ9ghEG-Kd2G3i2D37QY/s1600/Modena+2014+094.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntmCAYvx4iGEUXln7I2_hZ7m-CM-5u2h1MOmuUkvzprpHS1daWXbGB8C24yE4prIqg9Dn9CbDofeR8FDsVOQyou2U72zBFjmDnf4TMnk1RASW6TaAO6IeMwpEJ9ghEG-Kd2G3i2D37QY/s1600/Modena+2014+094.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQSYp_WmxJ9NBSPAKGXI-rvW2CzLwMMLNJTG0THJ1yeFJ9aIZt9uj5mwbkZkwLOsBZS9j04-0EIUia7HZKeLP7aqf27Po1tAE1YXIztUufYN0sJjFoaZ_zsGXKfHqsowjgS41fgL9aqo/s1600/Modena+2014+092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxQSYp_WmxJ9NBSPAKGXI-rvW2CzLwMMLNJTG0THJ1yeFJ9aIZt9uj5mwbkZkwLOsBZS9j04-0EIUia7HZKeLP7aqf27Po1tAE1YXIztUufYN0sJjFoaZ_zsGXKfHqsowjgS41fgL9aqo/s1600/Modena+2014+092.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Five ages of Parmigiano Reggiano in different temperatures
and textures</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is Massimo’s most well-known dish, the one everyone
wants to eat and then brag about having eaten it. The first few bites are pretty much exquisite
– how can one cheese taste and look so different? But as you might expect with a plate of
cheese and cream, this is rich – very rich.
In terms of taking something to a new level though, I will never be able
to look at Parmigiano Reggiano in the same way.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pSxy-gPOaZ6faXoJ11mefnO-3eJk27JW5T6ti-gs_j9ZtYR0pJ0Nj3u0bTg5Gt5JvkTndbqFofejbVNpV0w_YqWfzjSdwvhtRrGprm3-njW8ZTpt4WF8AkDZQDaG6Cc-2Y2CFA3GP7Y/s1600/Modena+2014+097.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5pSxy-gPOaZ6faXoJ11mefnO-3eJk27JW5T6ti-gs_j9ZtYR0pJ0Nj3u0bTg5Gt5JvkTndbqFofejbVNpV0w_YqWfzjSdwvhtRrGprm3-njW8ZTpt4WF8AkDZQDaG6Cc-2Y2CFA3GP7Y/s1600/Modena+2014+097.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Tagliatelli with hand-chopped ragu</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It was this pasta dish that stole the show for me – the simplest
presentation and the simplest tasting plate of the night. Don’t be fooled though, the plump mound of
pasta was coated with the richest of bone marrow and veal ragu (the server
makes a point of telling you no butter is even used). The result is an intensely meaty, savoury,
truly authentic Italian flavour on which no one should miss out. Look out for my recipe recreation in a future
post. I am sure Massimo would be proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJjEMgOu5nG6u5eVJHxM10ddfwuLHgRPRZPK_PU8WSgg4_2zQ3fbbg6M95NHJm3P5jW9xmQRx5gBZ2nKClHJ7bTURKJqCe7DR7la_rbKH47Xb_aXWIFGClgNlga3XnGQ6s5l8jiOfPjk/s1600/Modena+2014+098.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiJjEMgOu5nG6u5eVJHxM10ddfwuLHgRPRZPK_PU8WSgg4_2zQ3fbbg6M95NHJm3P5jW9xmQRx5gBZ2nKClHJ7bTURKJqCe7DR7la_rbKH47Xb_aXWIFGClgNlga3XnGQ6s5l8jiOfPjk/s1600/Modena+2014+098.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Beautiful, psychedelic, spin-painted veal, not flame grilled</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beautiful?
Absolutely. Psychedelic? I was about ready to put my bellbottoms
on. Veal? Nope.
I am still unsure why this dish is named as veal but served as
beef. The waiter describes it when
placing it on the table as though the restaurant is playing a trick on you – “No,
no, no it’s not veal. It’s beef. Ha ha
ha”. Then why not just call it
beef? Is it to detract from the fact
that actually this dish was not that great?
The name is all singing and all dancing and the plate itself looks like
a masterpiece, but as for the taste – something is simply missing. Perhaps it’s the water-bathed beef itself
which lacks any real flavour. Calling it
“not flame grilled” on the menu may sound big and fancy, but actually a quick
blast of fire may have been just what the doctor ordered. That and serving it as veal as promised on
the menu.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KwjoVFQOJwtE-AVKcdbF4NM680Xx2b9h9QzEQJ5hiXiugdsqDq3sa6qh5l1u5phFLFINPtzikPtdhP06TEPp-IWgNkQ2e5EhkYYbMp7XYSjgZUbK4dsIeGz4qOXaCB1ekKb7meDartw/s1600/Modena+2014+100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3KwjoVFQOJwtE-AVKcdbF4NM680Xx2b9h9QzEQJ5hiXiugdsqDq3sa6qh5l1u5phFLFINPtzikPtdhP06TEPp-IWgNkQ2e5EhkYYbMp7XYSjgZUbK4dsIeGz4qOXaCB1ekKb7meDartw/s1600/Modena+2014+100.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Croccantino of foie gras with caramelised almonds and
hazelnuts and extra-old Traditional Balsamic Vinegar from Modena</span></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">…Or in other words, a foie gras popsicle. Again, this is Massimo showing how to
perfectly blur the lines between sweet and savoury. A crunch of nuts and a sweet and sour hit of
vinegar and this is one meaty pre-dessert both myself and Joey Tribbiani would
be delighted to eat most of the time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9RK5dqsgXOIrf2EXdlgpWhAgc2u-JABspfjsR96-t2UYYeOgmi6tHbbsN_F9Gt8J5SZAw1-MInK4PfpuPz_qGd4WZKZcUmkoVzjjeeTMe3EnEMrc8_IUhiAcDjkKrGmkwIvPlw5lBbE/s1600/Modena+2014+105.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB9RK5dqsgXOIrf2EXdlgpWhAgc2u-JABspfjsR96-t2UYYeOgmi6tHbbsN_F9Gt8J5SZAw1-MInK4PfpuPz_qGd4WZKZcUmkoVzjjeeTMe3EnEMrc8_IUhiAcDjkKrGmkwIvPlw5lBbE/s1600/Modena+2014+105.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Vignola</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">An outer hard shell of perfectly glossy chocolate encases
either oozy cherry juice or strong coffee liquor. This is basically the most grown up version
of Revels you will ever find and a truly triumphant finish to an intriguing
Italian meal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPFH0tBcCt_e35VtAhH7keSNIZ6qjs7gtmGmbnJNBg5mN2TZno84tGczFeo38WEy7Dh0nHHRb8Al83acDiAgl1XqNM7RCINWBX9wQFZ9U1hCxerdXRXb2MJOLtqExGTzeCnfOGW-Aj3M/s1600/Modena+2014+107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzPFH0tBcCt_e35VtAhH7keSNIZ6qjs7gtmGmbnJNBg5mN2TZno84tGczFeo38WEy7Dh0nHHRb8Al83acDiAgl1XqNM7RCINWBX9wQFZ9U1hCxerdXRXb2MJOLtqExGTzeCnfOGW-Aj3M/s1600/Modena+2014+107.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTsP0HPZUieTiDyLlQJqrSbhq_0ZSGREkHBcsoGsQMg13MtxnX0IiH_vBAa7NLJ00yBFAiX2f7F_MpYmVq6cq2k-DNFQVAHG3bTBfpjqRqO4wFFDsZIfqjAYCrlnnDuQZSVC1kPqfkAE/s1600/Modena+2014+109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTsP0HPZUieTiDyLlQJqrSbhq_0ZSGREkHBcsoGsQMg13MtxnX0IiH_vBAa7NLJ00yBFAiX2f7F_MpYmVq6cq2k-DNFQVAHG3bTBfpjqRqO4wFFDsZIfqjAYCrlnnDuQZSVC1kPqfkAE/s1600/Modena+2014+109.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Is Osteria Francescana worth the three Michelin stars and
the title of the third best restaurant in the world?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s hard to say.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The meal was certainly special, offering
flavours and pairings I’ve never had before.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There’s no doubting the creativity in the kitchen and the passion for
pushing the boundaries of Italian food.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But
there were ups and downs on the night – some dishes which were incredible and
others that only disappointed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It’s the tagliatelli that I come back to again and again
when I revisit the Osteria meal in my head.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It speaks volumes that a simple ragu is what I crave the most, but then
I did tell you at the start, pasta has come to mean a lot to me over the
years.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Osteria Francescana</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Via Stella 22</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Modena</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Italy</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-83088122242682797242014-11-19T09:55:00.000-08:002014-11-21T09:44:37.024-08:00a list of top 35 things to do in Japan<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It's been one month since I returned from Japan and not a day has
passed that I haven't thought about it, dreamt about it, reminisced about it,
or used the chopsticks I brought home from it in the hopes of tricking myself into thinking I'm
still there. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In two weeks, we explored what has come to
be the best place I've ever visited. From Tokyo to Kyoto, from Nikko to
Nara, we bullet-trained
it all over the country. It was the busiest, most manic, most neon, most
delicious, most incredible, most stunningly beautiful, most foreign, most<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span><i>magical<span class="apple-converted-space"> </span></i>experience and country and I will
be doing it an injustice by putting all into one blog. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But try I must, so I am going to break it
down into the individual places we visited (I’ve combined some) and the top
five things we did or ate in that place. Essentially, I am giving you my
top 35 things to do/see/eat/experience/look at in wonder in Japan. This
is by no means conclusive and, if you have better tips, I’d love to hear as,
believe me, I will be going back – if not to live, then at least to eat sashimi
and Matsusaka beef one more time. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
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<h4 style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Shinjuku, Tokyo</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Explore <a href="http://www.gotokyo.org/en/kanko/taito/spot/s_936.html" target="_blank">Yanaka Ginza</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admittedly, this is not <i>in </i>Shinjuku, but it’s worth the short
train ride out to see the centre of Yanaka City and a place that keeps
tradition at its heart. With peaceful
music playing lazily from the town’s speakers and street food vendors fighting
with their parents in the street, it feels far removed from modern Tokyo. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. See the lily pads in <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3019.html" target="_blank">Ueno Park</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">While you’re already outside of Shinjuku, you may as well stroll
from Yanaka to Ueno Park and see the giant lily pads which, no joke, are taller
than me. Okay, I’m not tall, but still,
these plants are overtaking every bit of water in the park – think Little Shop of
Horrors and you’re somewhere in the vicinity.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. Eat Karaage at <a href="https://plus.google.com/112221451271330415754/about?gl=uk&hl=en" target="_blank">Dongara Gassyan</a> in Golden Gai</b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can about as much go to Shinjuku and skip Golden Gai as you
can go to Japan and skip karaage. In all
of our two weeks of intensive investigation, this place did the best classic fried
chicken dish. If you’re feeling daring,
order the Red Pepper Shochu to drink.
They’ll warn you it’s hot and they won’t be lying. I promise, thought, it’s worth the lip
tingle.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Feel like a master and/or princess in <a href="http://www.cafe-athome.com/about-english/" target="_blank">Home Maid Café</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Located in the geek district of Akihabara, this is as surreal an
experience as you can hope to find.
Young girls (questionably too young) dressed up as French maids, serve
you fluffy pancakes and milkshakes they’ve drawn cute pictures on, before
calling you up on stage to take a photo with you. Ignore the grown men playing Connect Four with
the maids and you can laugh the experience off as quintessentially Japanese. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. Get lost in meat and conversation at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yakiniku" target="_blank">Yakinuku</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wish I could tell you where, specifically, we ate, but the truth
is we followed the intense meaty smells and ended up having one of the best
nights of the trip. Order a platter
of meat (even better if the local salary men next to you can recommend what you
should get), throw it on the bucket of coal and fire and watch the fat
sizzle. The Japanese people are as
friendly a bunch as you can hope to meet, so get lost a bit, order more food
and highballs (whisky cocktails) and tuck in.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Kyoto</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Wander in awe around <a href="http://www.shorenin.com/english/" target="_blank">Shorenin Temple</a> and <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3925.html" target="_blank">Maruyama Park</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s nearly impossible to separate the beautiful places in Kyoto,
but I would start here, at the peaceful surroundings of Shorenin Temple. If you’re lucky enough to visit on a sunny
day, sit back and absorb the rays. Once
you feel more relaxed than you knew was possible, take a quick walk to the
public park where the bursting colours of leaves and trees are guaranteed to
send you even more serene.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. Eat sushi in a car park at <a href="http://www.insidekyoto.com/sushisei" target="_blank">Sushisei</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay, it’s not <i>literally </i>in
a car park, but it is directly under one.
More importantly, it serves incredibly delicious and reasonably priced
sushi and sushi set menus. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Look up at <a href="http://www.insidekyoto.com/arashiyama-bamboo-grove" target="_blank">Arashiyama Bamboo Grove</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I promise you, the sky-reaching bamboo trees are a sight you will
not forget in a hurry. Get a matcha ice
cream from the vendors outside before you walk in – life will never look so
green again.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Eat and drink in <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3902.html" target="_blank">Gion</a> and <a href="http://www.insidekyoto.com/pontocho-alley-kyoto" target="_blank">Pontocho</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I could be more specific here and tell you exactly what and where
we ate and drank, but I think you should explore these magical areas for yourself. Wondering the tiny bars, the mysterious
restaurants and the little winding streets is all part of the appeal. What I would suggest is to mix it up – do one
night of Kaiseke or haute Japanese cuisine (the best sashimi you'll ever taste), do another of Shabu Shabu (cooking
your own meat in broth). Whatever you
eat, end up at a tiny whisky bar (about as big as an ice shanty) and get to
know your bartender. They love to
practice their English and their cocktail skills. Also, keep your eyes peeled for Geisha –
these are their areas!</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Take a moment in <a href="http://www.tenryuji.com/index.html" target="_blank">Tenryu-ji Temple</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Words won’t do justice to the beauty of this 14<sup>th</sup>
century temple and, specifically, its Zen gardens. With herons poking their skinny legs in the
lake and the auburn trees casting what looks like watercolour shadows, this is
about as beautiful a garden as you can hope to find.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Nara</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Feed the deer</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You won’t have much choice but to feed the deer as they’re
everywhere. No, seriously, over 1,200
wild sika deer roam the area freely and hungrily. So buy some biscuits, empty your pockets and
be prepared to make some new furry friends.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. Cast your eyes on Buddha</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/T%C5%8Ddai-ji#Temple_precincts_and_gardens" target="_blank">Tōdai-ji Temple</a> houses not only the world’s largest bronze Buddha, but is itself
also the world’s largest wooden structure.
Two birds, one stone.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Watch the stags de-horn</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you’re lucky enough to be in Nara when the <a href="http://www.japantimes.co.jp/community/2013/10/04/events/antlers-of-naras-sacred-deer-to-be-cut-off/" target="_blank">Antler Cutting Ceremony</a> takes place
(in autumn), it’s worth a visit. Follow
the crowds and watch as the stags have their horns removed. It’s somewhat hard to watch, but no animal is
hurt and the antlers do grow back eventually.
Plus, you get to have your photo taken with a man dressed as a stag
afterwards.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Stay in a Ryokan </b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let’s be specific with this one – stay in <a href="https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Kankaso" target="_blank">Kankaso Ryokan</a>. A ryokan or traditional
Japanese guesthouse is a must try during your stay. This one takes things to a new level with its
owner, a tiny old lady who breaks her back to offer you the best food, sleep
and service. While you bathe, she lays
out tatami mats ready for your return and your slumber. She must wake up at 4am to prepare everything
for the next day, but she does it all with a smile on her face.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Take a private <a href="http://www.onsenjapan.net/onsenbasics.php" target="_blank">onsen</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you are lucky enough to stay at the above ryokan, the private
onsen or bath will come with your stay.
A very different beast to the public baths you will, no doubt, experience
elsewhere. This one in particular
overlooks the gardens, so open the windows, de-robe and relax without fear of other
people interrupting.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Osaka</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Eat. Just EAT.</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There is a word that is synonymous with Osaka – ‘Kuidaore’. It means to ruin yourself with food and that
is exactly what you should do in this hectic, frenetic city. Takoyako, okonomiyaki, soft-shell crab,
grilled scallops and even French fries with chocolate sauce line the
streets. So wonder around <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/D%C5%8Dtonbori" target="_blank">Dotonbori</a> and tell your
stomach it no longer understands the meaning of the word ‘full’.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6SqcqWiiHXOHcAbGFk1VS_4F4Pa6t4ovGSsrbgiCwyU_YcHRYSel2Mk40shsqlKKAwIYtcPVxa_1bkP3tXT__RREDvMoKsKezW5LeNFIEnGdNf112JbS6xof5b0_Jo_u8C0srMslf_I/s1600/Japan+2014+834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF6SqcqWiiHXOHcAbGFk1VS_4F4Pa6t4ovGSsrbgiCwyU_YcHRYSel2Mk40shsqlKKAwIYtcPVxa_1bkP3tXT__RREDvMoKsKezW5LeNFIEnGdNf112JbS6xof5b0_Jo_u8C0srMslf_I/s1600/Japan+2014+834.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. Make your own ramen at <a href="http://www.instantramen-museum.jp/english.htm" target="_blank">Momofuku Ando Instant Ramen Museum</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The museum itself will only take up about 20
minutes of your time, but you’re not going for the museum. You’re going for the opportunity to create
your very own ramen, from cup decoration to flavour profile. See the 5,000 different combinations you
could create, choose one and then eat it later drunk in your hotel room.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdC9OJLoaHtpWz52ZntSUKknab0cdYmwstOQY-7iqtszTJNciyrnhBsd9J5CFuW8LHhYmqZFvV1a_VJiMuoBTPHp6S9NWjbjy1iKjPLTaRHkWMrXBcoWBfuBGJHxQwsJKHK-gqA_bQNc/s1600/Japan+2014+893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIdC9OJLoaHtpWz52ZntSUKknab0cdYmwstOQY-7iqtszTJNciyrnhBsd9J5CFuW8LHhYmqZFvV1a_VJiMuoBTPHp6S9NWjbjy1iKjPLTaRHkWMrXBcoWBfuBGJHxQwsJKHK-gqA_bQNc/s1600/Japan+2014+893.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Eat the best meat of your life in <a href="http://www.matsusaka-projects.com/english/place.php" target="_blank">Matsusakagyu Yakinuku</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It isn’t cheap, but it doesn’t need to be when it’s this
good. The beef is Matsusaka and better
than Kobe, so throw caution and your wallet to the wind. It’s worth it.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNJ-_EvF3nQxAiPUW7IneT6AaESunGvj40ZhJsF3ha4spPi_YvKwN40B9Ey_IKDBuITAcqDcX4ZPv2_3S4BJsrk7hOaiwkF5_ipH1NDkkCLExrnCAljmGBqH2MSuPRddkeHBqnV7Pe4w/s1600/Japan+2014+929.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHNJ-_EvF3nQxAiPUW7IneT6AaESunGvj40ZhJsF3ha4spPi_YvKwN40B9Ey_IKDBuITAcqDcX4ZPv2_3S4BJsrk7hOaiwkF5_ipH1NDkkCLExrnCAljmGBqH2MSuPRddkeHBqnV7Pe4w/s1600/Japan+2014+929.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. Get drunk at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Namba.matsushio?ref=profile" target="_blank">Namba Matsushioya</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The manager of the restaurant above recommended this tiny bar, and
personally escorted us there. For good
reason. The bartender and owner,
Masashi, is about the cutest and nicest guy you could hope to meet. He won me over when he said he had been to
Leeds and had a great night out. Plus he
made a mean Whisky Highball.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0VjplUrN_4gtAr14N2Tx02rvvloljuVLvlEhefWmyd73KnwAi2f4NThr5tRyDoguwXZVHiUTxJoOrXYpOT_G5zz8HGWYvAPxCcxGkfdKzmUabbKgUAmbbfz7ciO2-up6cRb80GdRmfE/s1600/Japan+2014+946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh0VjplUrN_4gtAr14N2Tx02rvvloljuVLvlEhefWmyd73KnwAi2f4NThr5tRyDoguwXZVHiUTxJoOrXYpOT_G5zz8HGWYvAPxCcxGkfdKzmUabbKgUAmbbfz7ciO2-up6cRb80GdRmfE/s1600/Japan+2014+946.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. Play video games in<a href="http://www.jnto.go.jp/eng/location/regional/osaka/shinsaibasi.html" target="_blank"> Shinsaibashi</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Forget shopping – you’ve seen an H&M before, right? Instead, tuck inside one of the mental
arcades and either dare to play Pachinko yourself (I still don’t understand how,
despite the arcade employee trying to teach me) or watch the Japanese kids play
like pros on Taiko Drum Master. They
could teach Dave Grohl a thing or two. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExAawL1SVCz7FZcDEW_EejwYh0-wYQyzvHA3Gf-CyOEzEor_qK5cOx1-idgRpd0Nm2orxPcu0Fc3OuiABReUijfE4R2sILRy5KJd01QZspEJoRKdet9yhphCBJ4V4y9yNfPe7fBoOFMc/s1600/Japan+2014+789.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiExAawL1SVCz7FZcDEW_EejwYh0-wYQyzvHA3Gf-CyOEzEor_qK5cOx1-idgRpd0Nm2orxPcu0Fc3OuiABReUijfE4R2sILRy5KJd01QZspEJoRKdet9yhphCBJ4V4y9yNfPe7fBoOFMc/s1600/Japan+2014+789.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Hiroshima/Miyajima</span></b></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Ensure history isn’t repeated at <a href="http://www.pcf.city.hiroshima.jp/index_e2.html" target="_blank">Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s not an easy visit and you’ll struggle not to cry, but it’s
worth seeing the harrowing effects of the atomic bomb. It’s also incredibly uplifting to learn how a
city has been rebuilt through hope and determination.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp-6oDFPVqEj-icqnux_di9LYSiUsVRNmnHYVZsHEvCisOTwBoDETZzuItW7sBJyZ-BAPUPtPS4MqisWVhD8H6gu3bBf_TXGn587_j8cO7qUDYUXj4HO9yVHkZ6SM2bxqTKr8gPHEH-c/s1600/Japan+2014+1009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSp-6oDFPVqEj-icqnux_di9LYSiUsVRNmnHYVZsHEvCisOTwBoDETZzuItW7sBJyZ-BAPUPtPS4MqisWVhD8H6gu3bBf_TXGn587_j8cO7qUDYUXj4HO9yVHkZ6SM2bxqTKr8gPHEH-c/s1600/Japan+2014+1009.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Watch the sun set over <a href="http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/culture-and-heritage/spiritual-heritage-temples-shrines/le-torii-flottant.html" target="_blank">The Great Torii</a></b></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During high tide, the torii looks like its floating on the
water. Match that with a beautiful
sunset beyond the mountains and the island’s lanterns becoming illuminated, and
you have a sight you’re not going to see anywhere else in the world. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBY4ue_NiIFYttLQx1e8ip7CozxQO40MtPKci9T2nACZ_OgC6Zn-41Rf-quKPmcpFkD-FTCfnoDVyaqWSAwGINDdSZ9ZRAbBRWqhcKRG4ezGkVIiE5sY-BFrOQTxbHLvwkycBUqqVLsU/s1600/Japan+2014+1125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPBY4ue_NiIFYttLQx1e8ip7CozxQO40MtPKci9T2nACZ_OgC6Zn-41Rf-quKPmcpFkD-FTCfnoDVyaqWSAwGINDdSZ9ZRAbBRWqhcKRG4ezGkVIiE5sY-BFrOQTxbHLvwkycBUqqVLsU/s1600/Japan+2014+1125.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. Climb <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3451.html" target="_blank">Mt Misen</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Over 500 meters high, the (very) uphill climb will take you just
under two hours. Get up early to beat the
crowds – it will make the trek all the more peaceful and inspiring. The views you get when you reach the top will
make your throbbing legs and sweat incredibly worth it. Even the journey up is something to behold
(ever seen a crow picking bugs out of a stag’s ear? You just might!).</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xeRk0EoVmBhyNZgNL0YCiba7ciBeW-Lk7OiILAm6dB3F8sn7SYyHyLYWnQ5UkiI40lFVSz-7H6KCC8XQIzprheSf60yL8nHUgIQE6EU4xKzIvmh8u-Aol6GBZpuMs8i7JaZBHQX0leA/s1600/Japan+2014+1431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9xeRk0EoVmBhyNZgNL0YCiba7ciBeW-Lk7OiILAm6dB3F8sn7SYyHyLYWnQ5UkiI40lFVSz-7H6KCC8XQIzprheSf60yL8nHUgIQE6EU4xKzIvmh8u-Aol6GBZpuMs8i7JaZBHQX0leA/s1600/Japan+2014+1431.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Eat the island’s specialties – oysters and eels</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s hard (very, very hard) to find anywhere open on the island
after sunset (part of its appeal), so head to <a href="http://visit-miyajima-japan.com/en/activities/sortir-le-soir.html" target="_blank">Mame-Tanuki</a>
where it’s warm (as long as the door stays closed) and they have a set meal
consisting of Grilled Eels over Rice and Fried Oysters – perfect. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Gorge on <a href="http://www.miyajima.or.jp/english/souvenir/souvenir_momiman.html" target="_blank">Momiji Manjū</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The island’s most popular souvenir and sweet are these small,
maple-leaf-shaped cake filled with mashed sweet bean paste. They are now branching out and doing all
sorts of flavours (chocolate, cream cheese, matcha, honey, etc.) so do like me
and get all the flavours to sample each on the ferry ride back to Hiroshima.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<h4 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;"><b>Nikko/Lake Chuzenji</b></span></span></h4>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Step back in time at a festival</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nikko, a city way up in the mountains, is full of the most ornate
and over the top shrines and temples you will see throughout Japan. It’s the <a href="http://www.nikko-japan.org/events.shtml" target="_blank">Autumn Festival</a> that stood
out for me though. With a colourful
procession of 1,000 people adorned in traditional costumes, it felt like a step
back in Japanese culture and time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. Eat <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tofu_skin" target="_blank">Yuba</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A native food for this region, yuba is actually the skin from
tofu. It comes served in a variety of
ways (fried, grilled and raw). My
favourite way, and certainly the most unique, was to eat it from a bowl of
milk, dipped in sesame paste and soy sauce.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. See <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3806.html" target="_blank">Lake Chuzenji</a> from high above and down below</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There are places you will see in Japan that will make you wonder
whether anything will look as beautiful again.
Then you will see Lake Chuzenji.
I can’t imagine a better time to view this serene body of water than the
autumn months when the trees seem to be exploding orange all around it. An early morning stroll on the banks and then
a drive up to Hangetsuyama Observation Point are both essential to give this
lake the proper viewing it deserves.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Forget fear and take a public onsen</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The public baths here are the real deal, using sulphur water and
overlooking the woodland that surrounds the lake. The smell of sulphur (aka eggs) does permeate
the air and strangers’ naked bodies may or may not be close by, but an
open-aired bath in this setting makes all of that slip far, far from your mind.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Hear the roar of <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3812.html" target="_blank">Kegon Waterfall</a></b> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">From the silence of the lake to the rumbling of the falls, Kegon
stands at almost 100 meters high and, again, only benefits from the awesome
colours of the autumn trees.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<h2 style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Shibuya, Tokyo</span></span></h2>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>1. Order ramen from a vending machine</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trust me, it doesn’t matter which one. Just pick a spot that looks busy, put your
order into the machine and wait for a spot at the bar for your massive bowl of
steaming ramen to be delivered to you.
Who knew vending machine food could taste so good?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>2. Dance the night away in <a href="http://www.air-tokyo.com/" target="_blank">Air</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This bar come club is a few minutes’ walk from Shibuya but feels
like a million miles away. Sure, it gets
huge DJs and the basement club is as smoky as the UK back in June 2007, but it’s
actually the lounge bar upstairs that stands out. Think a cross between Ibiza and London and
you’re somewhere in the right vicinity.
Plus they’re still serving pancakes at 4am.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>3. See the Harajuku Girls in <a href="http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3006.html" target="_blank">Harajuku</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The girls are few and far between (and it’s hard to get a picture
of them without feeling pretty rude), but the area is worth a visit alone. It’s like a girly-girl’s dream of a pink
Camden, with the crowds to match. Don’t
miss the condom store or the markets selling vintage kimonos. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>4. Lose your voice at <a href="http://www.timeout.jp/en/tokyo/venue/11811/Shidax-Village-Club" target="_blank">Karaoke</a></b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">C’mon – you can’t go to Japan and not do it at least once. Karaoke is serious business in Japan so don’t
waste time messing around. Get up to
your room, get Tears for Fears ready and start wailing. You’ll get a phone call when you’re running
out of time, so hurry up and SING.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>5. Explore Japanese Craft Ale</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I never thought I’d say this.
No really – never, ever, ever.
But the thing is, I actually had some craft beers which I enjoyed in
Japan. Whether you’re a fan or not
normally, visit <a href="http://craftheads.jp/craftheads/Craftheads.html" target="_blank">Craftheads</a>
which boasts an astonishing selection.
Try Earl Grey or Tomato if you, like me, prefer your beer to taste like
something else entirely. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;"><b>Common Q&A's I've been asked since our trip</b></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Q: </b>What was your travel route?</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Day 1: Shinjuku, Tokyo</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 2-5: Kyoto<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 5-6: Nara<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 6-8: Osaka<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 8-9: Hiroshima & Miyajima<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 10-11: Shinjuku, Tokyo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 11-12: Nikko & Lake Chuzenji<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Day 12-14: Shibuya, Tokyo<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Q: </b>Was it too much travelling? Did you feel rushed? </span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> Not at all. We did a lot and fit a lot in (and at the end, we definitely felt tired), but I would have hated to miss any of it. I would say to anyone going for two weeks to see and do just as much. As long as you break up longer train journeys, you will be fine.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> How much is the rail pass for two weeks?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A: </b>We paid £246, which covered all travel apart from certain metro and bus rides and the fastest bullet trains. You can purchase them in advance <a href="http://www.japan-rail-pass.com/" target="_blank">here</a>. It's very much worth it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> What was the weirdest thing you ate?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> It's hard to say (literally) as some things we ate we couldn't even identify. Some of the odder looking fish roe (bright pinks and greens in colour) were pretty crazy. Umeboshi, or Japanese Sour Plums, also took some getting used to. I promise you though - there was nothing we ate that wasn't incredibly enjoyable.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> Is it crazy expensive?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A:</b> No. This is a big misconception. The most expensive place we visited was, of course, Tokyo, but this is still comparable to London. Everywhere else is very reasonable. Like anywhere in the world, you can spend tons or be more frugal. We ate at some high-end restaurants and also had plenty of street food, which costs very little. Mix it up and choose what you would most like to do, see and eat and spend and save accordingly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We also booked our trip 10 months prior to going, so we were paying for it throughout the year by booking our rail pass, accommodation and flights all well in advance.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Q:</b> Is October a nice time of year to visit?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>A: </b>It was beautiful. We had near perfect weather - low to mid 20s every day, with some days reaching higher. Even the threat of a typhoon amounted to not much more than a few hours of London-equivalent rain one afternoon.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm sure it's incredible to see cherry blossom season, but I can't recommend autumn enough for a visit. The colours of the trees are indescribable. If anything, I'd go slightly later, in November to see them fully turned to their deeper shades and hues.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-83888919967552411272014-09-27T04:07:00.001-07:002014-11-21T09:42:58.415-08:00a review of Prawn on the Lawn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">They say the kitchen is the heart of the home. That’s
certainly true of every home I’ve ever had.
Some of my best memories are rooted in the kitchen. I can remember sitting at my grandmother’s
round kitchen table watching her fry perfect eggs every Sunday morning for
breakfast. Or waiting patiently for my
dad’s rye bread toast to emerge browned and crisped to a tee from the
toaster. Or growing up and growing
older, watching my mom cook everything and wondering how on earth I will ever
be as good as her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then there’s the memories of me in various kitchens. I used to make fried pita chips for my sisters (long before the brand Stacy’s existed).
We would sit up at night eating chips dipped into a weird, but delicious
turkey and pickle slop I created. I must
have been no older than 10 at the time, but I still feel pride when either of
them say how much they loved sitting in our family kitchen eating that mess
together.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here I am now, at the age of 32, and still most
of my favourite memories take place in the kitchen. My boyfriend won me over years ago by cooking
in his at the time – a sea bass and mussel bisque, which I loved then, but I
loved even more years later when he made it for me again in our very own kitchen,
in our very own home.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another kitchen, which has no roots to any home of mine, has led to one of my favourite meals of 2014
so far and one guaranteed to live in my memory for a while. <a href="http://prawnonthelawn.com/" target="_blank">Prawn on the Lawn</a>, a fishmonger and
restaurant luckily just up the road from me, is a tiny venue where the tables
(as long as you sit upstairs) are basically in the kitchen. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now to be quite clear, Prawn on the Lawn only has a
cold-food license so, although I never saw the staff cooking any food, I did
see them lovingly prepare it inches away from me. What was served up was, debatably, all the
better for having been immersed in the kitchen and the world the food came from. It would seem the kitchen is the heart of a
good restaurant as well.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A selection of Oysters were up first, Carlingford,
Lindisfarne, Jersey Rock & Colchester.
All plump, all sweet, all tasting of the sea. Even better served with the toasted homemade
soda bread side (a must).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku2Pteu7ugevVxVM6y3SgiDiTc8QUbziGzD-Bev2RSyHiDm8V-dLuW7HTuJgMtqENOLCfbN2WnA8GaEYArYlu5rXaBwHnG0rBpw02qdLDYafmlhOJ4Z_TJabiMWs-bqbafOnwOJ-YhZ0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku2Pteu7ugevVxVM6y3SgiDiTc8QUbziGzD-Bev2RSyHiDm8V-dLuW7HTuJgMtqENOLCfbN2WnA8GaEYArYlu5rXaBwHnG0rBpw02qdLDYafmlhOJ4Z_TJabiMWs-bqbafOnwOJ-YhZ0/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Then there was Burrata with Anchovy, Pistachio and Preserved
Lemon. Let me break this down for you –
creamy, silky cheese, salty melty fish, crunchy nuts and flecks of popping citrus. The four corners of a taste sensation right
there.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTaDNUFeeQjjg4qKexwwdIP9F6XDtftSbQkwxsgfhwRLcoRwJygCwDMDCEYtbhpShP6CTYAertk026KQH-hhgSEO2avQ-8ha0ixyXr_QRAUPQL0e43CybIuUu2xV9EniDTUnXrfrCMxw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwTaDNUFeeQjjg4qKexwwdIP9F6XDtftSbQkwxsgfhwRLcoRwJygCwDMDCEYtbhpShP6CTYAertk026KQH-hhgSEO2avQ-8ha0ixyXr_QRAUPQL0e43CybIuUu2xV9EniDTUnXrfrCMxw/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seared Tuna with Chilli, Coriander, Spring Onion, Soy and Mirin
came next and I’m putting this in the top two dishes of the night. The tuna was almost still swimming on the
plate in a sauce of Asian-inspired spicy goodness.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBahcoZpSjXqFC3xjJBQLbckzIKJejtheeSXR4nEtj559gNqGs-c_0lygSZtWvdrOp2XIQKe8k0i7mnyeXZru6ir96cJwEL4Fj0QKrPCSRvODWeX1LwmQUnIcUo7q3VstjngzeqkOQPU8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBahcoZpSjXqFC3xjJBQLbckzIKJejtheeSXR4nEtj559gNqGs-c_0lygSZtWvdrOp2XIQKe8k0i7mnyeXZru6ir96cJwEL4Fj0QKrPCSRvODWeX1LwmQUnIcUo7q3VstjngzeqkOQPU8/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Next were Clams with a Fish Dressing. The platter was as beautiful as the
perfectly-postured clams. A little bit
chewy (in a good way) and sweet-fleshed against the salty fish sauce, it’s a
shame we don’t see more of these beauties on menus.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZShYU4YzSCNkleEIZ1TRmsUxflpsFoGLqOi31IGoFkoe0mdZ0LkU815n552xfUfb07vMC34J_AxnUMj6FtBKd8a1BBf5EmxUSb8UPyJmjcnmDVi3-wBQKSKZDpGJnLLk153ttwUvWnOQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZShYU4YzSCNkleEIZ1TRmsUxflpsFoGLqOi31IGoFkoe0mdZ0LkU815n552xfUfb07vMC34J_AxnUMj6FtBKd8a1BBf5EmxUSb8UPyJmjcnmDVi3-wBQKSKZDpGJnLLk153ttwUvWnOQ/s1600/photo+4.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Halved Langoustines did exactly what it says on the
tin. The fact they were halved meant you
could get every tiny morsel of sweet meat out of the shell. If you’re like me though, you’ll suck the
shells dry anyway.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEF9MK3IG9VpPJXPVijz6LKfbBB8rBUfBuijKifxP-rZcqA37rcdbkpa-q6YtZ0WhortUYPfbgkGTioBB_eA2GIHO9PGgand7k9UFc6c57nNRSekv_6hOPr_-7HIcfrXlBaMKvCc9-d4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirEF9MK3IG9VpPJXPVijz6LKfbBB8rBUfBuijKifxP-rZcqA37rcdbkpa-q6YtZ0WhortUYPfbgkGTioBB_eA2GIHO9PGgand7k9UFc6c57nNRSekv_6hOPr_-7HIcfrXlBaMKvCc9-d4/s1600/photo+5.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Beetroot Cured Salmon with Tarragon Cream and Fennel was next
and is the other in my top two dishes of the night. Raw salmon is hard to beat in my world, but
when it’s paired with the earthy tones of beetroot and the aniseed tones of
fennel and tarragon, it’s elevated into something truly special.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWPD8_Hyum71vm6OA0MjAm89VV49I34fYCz2mh2IAxw0wscyHz2rOdiw3D7bZ-bhE9VKsYwTBAy-l2Lu87RrACjc1XfjOogNHqzXdZFEm_m9ZxyfMVe5RzxO55af0WKeBQ6yggyY0pTQ/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKWPD8_Hyum71vm6OA0MjAm89VV49I34fYCz2mh2IAxw0wscyHz2rOdiw3D7bZ-bhE9VKsYwTBAy-l2Lu87RrACjc1XfjOogNHqzXdZFEm_m9ZxyfMVe5RzxO55af0WKeBQ6yggyY0pTQ/s1600/photo+1+(1).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The Lobster Cocktail was filled with lump lobster meat,
which is certainly not to be sneered at.
The dressing was nice enough with its garlic hints. The thing is, it actually didn’t deliver as
well as the other dishes, which is really only a testament to how good the
other dishes were.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFhttBdG6HnmY_E0eKTTdefdls6h3yOzcB7KNMf1ZSoFdb1n5Pmw9HtvaP1Nh6i9NILIfWiltta5ZOT4sVCGVSZ-q2yg9BsizOCllzTMSIaJq01kgQ-u6A9-AVqj8wVYJPAOKzAlfrWQ/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjFhttBdG6HnmY_E0eKTTdefdls6h3yOzcB7KNMf1ZSoFdb1n5Pmw9HtvaP1Nh6i9NILIfWiltta5ZOT4sVCGVSZ-q2yg9BsizOCllzTMSIaJq01kgQ-u6A9-AVqj8wVYJPAOKzAlfrWQ/s1600/photo+2+(1).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We ended on Squid with Jerusalem Artichoke and Chorizo, a
rather delicious way to go. The squid,
even in its cold state, was completely tender.
The artichoke puree was a pale green bed of earth and liquid and the
chorizo was a paprika crunch of texture.
It looked and tasted like a firework on the plate.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWpoxHIrNSEY4kpWqjaqLoALD0lkBtfVAyFUDqzGPuL590EEYNgzNPdjBeSOg_i9K98TnCv7FJJ7BDgxKi4VEttbx7EYx7h_PLnhMHKgk5uqEW8QgHSUViotoVNXoGayFxF8l3rYhu24/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTWpoxHIrNSEY4kpWqjaqLoALD0lkBtfVAyFUDqzGPuL590EEYNgzNPdjBeSOg_i9K98TnCv7FJJ7BDgxKi4VEttbx7EYx7h_PLnhMHKgk5uqEW8QgHSUViotoVNXoGayFxF8l3rYhu24/s1600/photo+3+(1).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Would I have enjoyed this meal as much if I wasn’t propped up
on a stool in the restaurant’s kitchen watching each element being
prepared? Admittedly, I probably would
have – it all tasted great. But then, I
also would have enjoyed my grandmother’s eggs just as much if she had brought
them to me in the dining room and not had me there in the kitchen with
her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The question is, would I remember those eggs as much and
would they have the same place in my heart all these years later if I hadn’t
been in the room with my Grandma watching her fry? Doubtful.
Same goes for Prawn on the Lawn. The
kitchen is the heart of the home (and this restaurant) because of the feeling
it evokes in you days, months or years after you’ve been in it. Prawn on the Lawn has found its way into my
favourite kitchens of 2014 and my memory.
No mean feat for a cold-license restaurant that has certainly never been my home.</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/1773107/restaurant/Islington/Prawn-on-the-Lawn-London"><img alt="Prawn on the Lawn on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1773107/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-13269652412698454782014-09-07T04:39:00.001-07:002014-09-07T10:38:00.502-07:00a review of El Xato, Alicante and why Spain wins every time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Top 5 Reasons Why Spain Wins Every Time:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5. Late nights, late mornings</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4. Intentionally large drinks</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. Sunshine</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. The beaches</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. The food</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What makes Spain such a fantastic country, though, is the
way it manages to make the list above become one. A lazy morning on the beach easily turns into
a four hour lunch in the sun with giant Gin Tonics motioning you nicely into a
siesta before a late night rendezvous at a bar or club, before stumbling home
in the middle of night to just do it all again tomorrow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">On a most recent trip to España, and determined to
incorporate all of my favourite things about the country into one day, we spent a
morning baking in the sun, before rounding our way through the mountains to <a href="http://www.restauranteelxato.com/" target="_blank">El Xato</a> restaurant, in the
quaint and charming village town of La Nucia, on the outskirts of
Alicante. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhWwULZdh4YAFO9AxSAbP-G8FjRsCRc40FrtjQk_-qMT7tfpY-FuKCnAWdrK6DFbv4D7L1jyBdHQka3kNezQXbJFuTpaH9dT17xmH0EsWbpXs8Xk8ZQgbHgX0IGGMSDuBh5G-FrRbHkg/s1600/IMG_9666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhWwULZdh4YAFO9AxSAbP-G8FjRsCRc40FrtjQk_-qMT7tfpY-FuKCnAWdrK6DFbv4D7L1jyBdHQka3kNezQXbJFuTpaH9dT17xmH0EsWbpXs8Xk8ZQgbHgX0IGGMSDuBh5G-FrRbHkg/s1600/IMG_9666.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A family run restaurant since 1915, the owners pride
themselves on</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">recognising their food roots,
but enhancing them with a contemporary Mediterranean style.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And achieve this they do.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A nearly five hour lunch, fuelled with alcohol
and a sunny breeze, ensured that not only all my favourite things about Spain
effortlessly bled into one, but also that we had a culinary feast which enlightened
and excited beyond paella and croquettas (not that there's anything wrong with
either).</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smoked Sardines with Tomatoes</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You can't move for sardines in Spain, but every place
manages to find a new and exciting way to use them. This time, the smoke and the fruit cut
through the fishiness of the sardines.
One big gulp later and we were left with a taste bud teaser specifically
designed to make us want more.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o1t98ofLvs1jZrJ41tkLbfHp7Yqv5dOFbpf929QPaGCHh2x_OxrxN4phyphenhyphenUhfEDYGaYF3sNkoLGH9XGRtL-LfudenzUoi6QyODkJmD9EivXYT0ori5jwk7mSFv1lvJ3u461KetWlP6CQ/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_o1t98ofLvs1jZrJ41tkLbfHp7Yqv5dOFbpf929QPaGCHh2x_OxrxN4phyphenhyphenUhfEDYGaYF3sNkoLGH9XGRtL-LfudenzUoi6QyODkJmD9EivXYT0ori5jwk7mSFv1lvJ3u461KetWlP6CQ/s1600/IMG_9688.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Three Tomato Soup with Lime & Basil Sorbet and Prawns,
Clams and Mussels</span></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The best cold tomato soup I have ever tasted. Indeed maybe just the best tomato soup full
stop, regardless of temperature. Even
eating them in their pure form, you would struggle to taste a stronger or
fresher tomato flavour. The addition of
the sorbet and the shellfish only added a bit of glitz to an already
exceedingly glitzy red soup. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7-WEVfqt86ZTN83jA1U3a4czVSp1V8UjKYjtdrRDQCLuQokgkWzVjiIZrReFQtevZ04Fl_ft8amXHvl6Sqh7sbAEYuPAuVD4D-MSFVN2GU5M_8AZldImQzrCP60bSyJd_dEhKg4YNB8/s1600/IMG_9689.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw7-WEVfqt86ZTN83jA1U3a4czVSp1V8UjKYjtdrRDQCLuQokgkWzVjiIZrReFQtevZ04Fl_ft8amXHvl6Sqh7sbAEYuPAuVD4D-MSFVN2GU5M_8AZldImQzrCP60bSyJd_dEhKg4YNB8/s1600/IMG_9689.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Sea Bass Carpaccio with Citrus Three Ways and Pesto</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As beautiful to look at as it was to eat. The fish, so light and skilfully cut,
required no chewing and the citrus (candied mandarin, sorbet and puree) lifted
the whole thing to an unexpected level. The
pesto added a tang of earth of savouriness to this sea-speckled masterpiece.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w0nGxy7iZZpvLzwPTflWr_NWrB3OXxyX0Qn3SFcErJm4JWwsLQb54qw_fX184fp0-5t8QUAhJTS__VhIeuY3WrvjaV3rA-LKMVdT77RlqhHN32s9xaU_IK6Rz-nm0QyJ1lFq0SmIo78/s1600/IMG_9690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5w0nGxy7iZZpvLzwPTflWr_NWrB3OXxyX0Qn3SFcErJm4JWwsLQb54qw_fX184fp0-5t8QUAhJTS__VhIeuY3WrvjaV3rA-LKMVdT77RlqhHN32s9xaU_IK6Rz-nm0QyJ1lFq0SmIo78/s1600/IMG_9690.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Foie Gras with Nougat, Nut Tuile and Red Wine Sauce</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You'd be forgiven for thinking this was dessert. In fact, if they had served this at the end
of the meal, I would have happily conceded this was our sweet. A distinctively non-livery-tasting foie gras
paired with the nougat became almost a parfait and the nut tuile was every bit
a biscuit. Too sweet? Maybe.
But it didn't mean that the whole lot wasn't devoured.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo4vnX47ofnYTcAmjS3MSOv1h5o3M__6Eg3Zy02ly5wADOzQ8Xl5xfbzWb1bGpVIvH8mSwQhue_3bEjCxDEfuo8G7Z38SVqawj7KTm6cj_-CDn7rpQC7us4GiVVK7_Dwvbc5AxTqv0aA/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo4vnX47ofnYTcAmjS3MSOv1h5o3M__6Eg3Zy02ly5wADOzQ8Xl5xfbzWb1bGpVIvH8mSwQhue_3bEjCxDEfuo8G7Z38SVqawj7KTm6cj_-CDn7rpQC7us4GiVVK7_Dwvbc5AxTqv0aA/s1600/IMG_9691.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Duck Confit in Courgette with Date Sauce</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my friends said on arrival of this dish, "Who
doesn't love a parcel?".
Exactly. Inside the griddled
vegetable was a mass of shredded tender duck meat and off-cuts, spiced in an
almost Moroccan way. The sticky sweet
date sauce (or the bow on top, if you will) brought it all together and made
this the other masterpiece of the lunch for me.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOjAIHpI8wShp9gHJXE0nb59Y-hypJ7mvx86qaWkNTQVvbGCjbjWAyWRD64yld5LbbfcP7HZ66HSt53a4nJA6K2A476Pm5b5kosik7Cg9AhtWu2uBvbdPwjtb6GQm1_D9EzDPvx0yKAo/s1600/IMG_9692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOjAIHpI8wShp9gHJXE0nb59Y-hypJ7mvx86qaWkNTQVvbGCjbjWAyWRD64yld5LbbfcP7HZ66HSt53a4nJA6K2A476Pm5b5kosik7Cg9AhtWu2uBvbdPwjtb6GQm1_D9EzDPvx0yKAo/s1600/IMG_9692.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mackerel with Carrot and Ginger Purée and Yuka Crisps</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another fish you can't move for in Spain, but another chance
for El Xato to show its creativity.
Pairing the oily fish with the sweet orange puree was an unexpected and
well-received move. The spiciness of the
ginger undercuts the salty fishiness of the mackerel. As for the yuka crisps, I saved those crunchy
little babies for last.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn6KT-6j8M3GdzECdOwjae9IA-eAuOBCZCKAWFsWFE2chECwHf3IH1dRh-F1iTQAAp2NBKQORbY_wI2y9xkF-qV7rWjmu5rxLMI-8ed6-ubGasqOwYmuUjUx5joC1Fcui1eMffeOGRVA/s1600/IMG_9693.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrn6KT-6j8M3GdzECdOwjae9IA-eAuOBCZCKAWFsWFE2chECwHf3IH1dRh-F1iTQAAp2NBKQORbY_wI2y9xkF-qV7rWjmu5rxLMI-8ed6-ubGasqOwYmuUjUx5joC1Fcui1eMffeOGRVA/s1600/IMG_9693.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Suckling Pig with Apple, Strawberry and Mint Sauces</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This dish was hit and miss for me. For one, my meat decidedly lacked any crispy
skin or fat, while everyone else around me had an abundance. The flesh itself was soft and melting as
you'd expect, but El Xato disappointingly used the same carrot puree from the
dish before. Something different would
have been nice. The apple sauce was good
and, of course, a classic match for pork, but the strawberry seemed out of
place and the mint sauce tasted suspiciously like mouthwash. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt-LBNERNz33C7qvTilfHcQVTUQcHn2XMqYjTkBR7ljqagGflq-dcvV1Efiovquxu5F40TX86pUuUd9Ni_mCNEZSKuhVSAJR92Ir2dDtOURVOKegred4nt5VnM0dw3e49FVL_vZ25twg/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRt-LBNERNz33C7qvTilfHcQVTUQcHn2XMqYjTkBR7ljqagGflq-dcvV1Efiovquxu5F40TX86pUuUd9Ni_mCNEZSKuhVSAJR92Ir2dDtOURVOKegred4nt5VnM0dw3e49FVL_vZ25twg/s1600/IMG_9658.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Red Berries, Greek Yoghurt, Sorbet and Popping Candy</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As a huge fan of Greek yoghurt and any and all berries, this
was a pre-dessert that was never going to disappoint. The tanginess and almost
sour yoghurt and sorbet were lifted by the sweet fruit. As for the popping candy, no little or big
kid is ever going to complain about that topping their pud.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83agd7GJhgEAuRPo3iBWa8uxnbTDLt6uDOaFlydoYgIgwrU4WH86QaI9A2CqAXond9zYTup4bvAYQoPjoFwilwERiV9KXaCH7OUPLBfKgzLJ3NqJ3LgAiH_37ckU6ydy90DAwJzcQAZQ/s1600/IMG_9694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj83agd7GJhgEAuRPo3iBWa8uxnbTDLt6uDOaFlydoYgIgwrU4WH86QaI9A2CqAXond9zYTup4bvAYQoPjoFwilwERiV9KXaCH7OUPLBfKgzLJ3NqJ3LgAiH_37ckU6ydy90DAwJzcQAZQ/s1600/IMG_9694.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mascarpone Mousse,
Coffee, Cherries and Hibiscus</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">After nearly four hours (yes really) of lunch, coffee seemed
like the completely logical way to end things, so why not have it in dessert
form? The mousse was silky and sweet and
the sour cherries cut through it while drifting in their own coffee-brown sauce. A sweet pick-me-up before heading back into
the late afternoon sun for a Gin Tonic or two.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI71HnBmHkCiKsXOjVXTOevHXIKad0v-7JG-jLfU-WG1zwizfaQ3IKI8BO-8Lg3roksOXLqx2yJzs8-thmvSRehgjy0ZHV9uQJnW_Qe9mw4XP-EI8_pCmFeMHk8Gt5ZJqhcEohZH9AlEA/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI71HnBmHkCiKsXOjVXTOevHXIKad0v-7JG-jLfU-WG1zwizfaQ3IKI8BO-8Lg3roksOXLqx2yJzs8-thmvSRehgjy0ZHV9uQJnW_Qe9mw4XP-EI8_pCmFeMHk8Gt5ZJqhcEohZH9AlEA/s1600/IMG_9695.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And that's why I love Spain. No one bats an eyelid that the
day has just been lost to lunch.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For 43 Euros
for all of that food, I happily admit defeat to the day and the menu.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We went back down the mountains and took a
siesta by the pool, fat and lethargic from an entire day of eating, before
waking up in the late evening to do it all over again.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Spain, you win, every time.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">El Xato</span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span class="street-address" property="v:street-address" style="background-color: white; direction: ltr; line-height: 20px; unicode-bidi: embed;">Avenida Iglesia, 3</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">, </span><span class="locality" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><span property="v:postal-code" style="direction: ltr; unicode-bidi: embed;">3530</span> <span property="v:locality">La Nucia</span></span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">, </span><span class="country-name" property="v:country-name" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;">Spain</span></span></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="country-name" property="v:country-name" style="background-color: white; line-height: 20px;"><br /></span></span></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-11647136340714092322014-08-14T15:24:00.002-07:002014-08-14T15:24:29.479-07:00a look at what celebrity your favourite sauce is most like<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I’m a bit obsessed with sauce. No, not <i>the
</i>sauce (though obviously I like the odd tipple). I’m obsessed with sauce, like the kind that
flavours and enhances my food. Hot sauce,
BBQ sauce, honey mustard sauce, tomato sauce, chipotle sauce. The list goes on. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In fact, I’m not alone.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All over the globe, people are obsessed with sauce.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Heinz Tomato Ketchup sells 650 million
bottles of the red stuff a year.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When
news broke that shipments of Sriracha may be halted, consumers the world over
started getting cold sweats.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’re also all obsessed with celebrities. Sure, you can deny it. But the fact is you knew when Kanye and Kim
got married and you certainly knew when little baby North was born. Like it or not, we live in a media-crazed
world and we can’t move for news of some Z-lister’s most recent embarrassing
antics.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So in a never before seen pairing (and maybe purely because
I go on holiday tomorrow and, therefore, am not thinking entirely straight**),
below is a list of some of my personal favourite (and otherwise) sauces and the celebrity they
are most like. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Agree? Have your own
crazy sauce/star combination? Just
utterly baffled by what I’m doing here and want to vent your frustration? Do share.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">**I reserve the right to withhold exactly how much of the <i>other </i>sauce I may have consumed while writing this.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Hollandaise – Scarlett Johansson</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Smooth, blonde and, let’s face it, sexy. It’s easy to imagine either of them oozing
sultrily over breakfast and, in fact, turning breakfast into an all-day affair.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Gravy – Peter Kay</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Loveable, thick and enjoyed by most. Though, clearly best served in the
north. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Sriracha – Jessica Rabbit</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admittedly, not a “real” celebrity per se, but those
undeniable curves (of its bottle and her body) and the fiery red of both make
these a perfect pairing.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mayonnaise – Tom Hanks</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ever reliable, a perfect accompaniment to pretty much
anything and the quintessential friendly American.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Aoili – Leonardo Decaprio</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As above, except zingier and a teensy bit more dangerous.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Frank’s RedHot Sauce – James Gandolfini</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Original, classic and all the better for it, both Frank’s
and James are rough and true to their roots (and pretty much unmatchable by
cheap imitations). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Red Wine Jus – Made in Chelsea Characters </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This is hard for me as I’ve never actually seen Made in
Chelsea, but from what I gather, its characters have some sort of grand notion
that they are better or smarter than their TOWIE comrades, much like a jus
masquerades itself as anything other than a watered-down gravy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Tartar Sauce – Bill Cosby</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Again, it’s a take on the classic mayo, but packed full of
surprising (and if you think about it, funny) elements. A little bit smooth, definitely punchy and
with an undertone of sourness that makes your lips purse, while overall making
you very happy.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Worchestershire Sauce – Steven Fry</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The all-round British classic, with piquant undertones (in
the form of vinegar in the sauce and humour in the man). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Cholula – Jennifer Lopez</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">She’s Jenny from the block, its hot sauce from Mexico, but
you can easily imagine both of them getting up and dancing to something fast
and Latina at any given opportunity.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">BBQ Sauce – Matthew Mcconaughey</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">We’re in the years of The Mcconaissance and no one has put
Southern America quite so firmly on the map.
With its slow burn and his slow southern drawl, both make you want a
whisky and some tobacco while rocking in a wooden chair on a porch somewhere in
the hottest and darkest of Texas nights. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mustard – Naomi Campbell</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Angry. That’s the
first word that comes to mind whenever you think of mustard or Naomi. But immediately after that, you have to admit
that it’s their anger that makes them exciting, interesting and strangely
exotic. The sauce world without mustard
would be as empty as the fashion world without Naomi. </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Chimichurri – Road Runner</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Trust me, I'm not so far gone that I don’t recognise that
Road Runner is not only not real, but not even a human cartoon. It’s his pace though. He just keeps going. And so does chimichurri, in its flavour and
spice. You can’t stop him or it. And you wouldn't want to.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Ketchup – Taylor Swift</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Another celebrity I can’t profess to know much about, but
what I do know is that she annoys me. Sickly
sweet and massively overrated. Sounds a
lot like the perennial favourite (for reasons I’ll never understand) red sauce.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Tzatziki – Drew Barrymore</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sure, they’re both light entertainment. I mean, let’s face it, you’re about as likely
to find tzatziki on a Michelin starred menu as you are to see Drew Barrymore in
next year’s Oscar winner, but does it matter?
They just both have a knack, where so many others fail, to make you feel
really, really good.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Soy Sauce – Jonny Depp</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Soy and Jonny are similar in the way that they both shouldn't really work on so many levels. They’re
both a little weird, a little salty and have been around way longer than you
first may realise. But they both do work. Jonny as a
pirate makes just as much sense as Jonny wearing scissors for hands. In the same way that soy sauce with noodles
makes just as much sense as soy sauce with hard-boiled eggs or even soy sauce
over ice cream. Doesn't seem to make sense, does it? But just try it, because it does.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-58890929959635521092014-08-05T09:51:00.001-07:002014-08-05T10:24:39.209-07:00a review of The Sportsman, Seasalter<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Money. It’s an
evocative word, isn’t it? It brings all
sorts of emotions to the fore – desire, greed, envy, happiness, satisfaction,
peace. A simple £1 coin handed to a
child for an ice cream at a passing truck makes all the world’s wrongs
right. A loss of a job and, therefore,
an income can see a person slip into desperation and woe. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s also interesting about money is how different people
choose to spend it. No matter what your
economic outlook or bank balance displays, you have your <i>thing</i>. The <i>thing </i>on which you’re happy to spend
your money. It may be a car, property, your
book collection, a new sound system, presents for others, charity, furniture,
nights out or even your pets. But
whatever it is, you have your <i>thing. </i>And so do I.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My <i>thing</i> is
food. Well holidays and food, but mostly
food. After all, most of what I do on
holiday is eat so they fall into the same category. This is not to say that I spend all of my
money on fancy Michelin starred meals out, though I am happy to when the mood
strikes. I also spend my money on
ingredients (cheap or otherwise) to cook at home. This is also not to say that I am rolling in
it. Hardly. But these <i>things
</i>that we all have are defined by the will to find a way to pay for
them. And I will always find a way to
eat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So imagine my delight to learn that a 12 course meal at <a href="http://www.thesportsmanseasalter.co.uk/" target="_blank">The Sportsman</a>, a restaurant I have been longing to visit for a while, was a mere
£65. Of course £65 is not nothing and so
“mere” might be the wrong word, but when your <i>thing </i>is food, you would probably have spent more. And so would have I, especially once I tasted
the near perfect food on offer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The restaurant itself is in fact a pub, situated in
Seasalter, on the outskirts of Whitstable.
The large wooden tables, airy space and wicker chairs create an inviting
atmosphere and the perfect near-beach venue.
The co-owner, Phil Harris, with his off-the-beaten-track wine
suggestions and inviting sense of humour, adds a touch of local charm.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But it’s the food that makes The Sportsman shine.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Snacks of Puffed Pork Skin with Mustard and Cheese and
Tomato Crackers were the perfect palette wake-me-up and send off to the last few sips of my gin and tonic.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLBxaZKHxBkrneWjJ6ZYQLjXRfVseP5utrBcnGgQCZbyjl1NlwGJIASrFFdJRrO-XdVPkgi-vrbOkjbKI9zfBKHf2rIWO-HbCA4qMfyEvIobseqOKq5gdTRcCzHO9tgRrAVzWSxyJ0z8/s1600/IMG_9236%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicLBxaZKHxBkrneWjJ6ZYQLjXRfVseP5utrBcnGgQCZbyjl1NlwGJIASrFFdJRrO-XdVPkgi-vrbOkjbKI9zfBKHf2rIWO-HbCA4qMfyEvIobseqOKq5gdTRcCzHO9tgRrAVzWSxyJ0z8/s1600/IMG_9236%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Egg Mousse with Eel and Parsley was delicately presented
next.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Served in its fragile egg shell,
the white foam was hiding a burst of flavours underneath.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A warm egg yolk was the treasure at the end
of the hunt and wrapped the smoky eel pieces and punchy green sauce in its rich
orangey ooze.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3sDNJ6syCXcuHyqBNkmozMAsOt9A5qxadDUICpkg7mxfkU5RN-46ZcAAHooRuS8ajMydPVk55lq17bvdan-fDvV-IxujDfMvTylvAH8YLIvVpDar5wZODcFqfh1K4KuzTllL_SgvIFY/s1600/IMG_9237%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX3sDNJ6syCXcuHyqBNkmozMAsOt9A5qxadDUICpkg7mxfkU5RN-46ZcAAHooRuS8ajMydPVk55lq17bvdan-fDvV-IxujDfMvTylvAH8YLIvVpDar5wZODcFqfh1K4KuzTllL_SgvIFY/s1600/IMG_9237%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oysters two ways were next.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One topped with homemade chorizo, the smell of which was so strong and
vibrant, that even before it was placed in front of me, I wondered what meaty
goodness I was about to be served.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The
other oyster was topped with a rhubarb granita and crystallised seaweed.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had to take my obligatory photos quickly as
the granita began to melt.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a
curious sensation – warm and icy cold, sea-salty and earthy sweet.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not necessarily one I would emulate, but one
I am definitely glad I tried.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdCVevoYVEsekItv1qpWxWm6bUXWXrJIrZTod2RkqsWKJagTOkqNJabQpnbhBtPrUjrRy26hVTd8WUlbdu71f4eDg2c0eC7KzVjoX3DdwgDhe6SbRbi1jqPhCpqNr5IFRbhxCEUS92mY/s1600/IMG_9238%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdCVevoYVEsekItv1qpWxWm6bUXWXrJIrZTod2RkqsWKJagTOkqNJabQpnbhBtPrUjrRy26hVTd8WUlbdu71f4eDg2c0eC7KzVjoX3DdwgDhe6SbRbi1jqPhCpqNr5IFRbhxCEUS92mY/s1600/IMG_9238%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Crab with Hollandaise and Carrots came served in an
unassuming glass tumbler.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was a
highlight for me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The crab, so delicate
and sweet, was coated in a barely-there hollandaise.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I was worried it might overpower the flesh,
but it just served to enhance its flavour.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And the carrots (which I admit, I wondered about) added a crunch and an
earthiness, creating an unexpected layer to an unassumingly simple
masterpiece.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94yuuXul6FXod4q7Wua_R53f0maQQzxO7LNyJwSbSkmqO009YoM5tPWIhigzYeg_9J1WHmFgxwsC06IVQQvZBZ5Ze1vVj0aPGN04dVu8aUveC7YJdIZ_v49lNYITQ3-SIDqE1BeX8yXg/s1600/IMG_9239%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi94yuuXul6FXod4q7Wua_R53f0maQQzxO7LNyJwSbSkmqO009YoM5tPWIhigzYeg_9J1WHmFgxwsC06IVQQvZBZ5Ze1vVj0aPGN04dVu8aUveC7YJdIZ_v49lNYITQ3-SIDqE1BeX8yXg/s1600/IMG_9239%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I knew that I would see beetroot on The Sportsman’s menu and, low and behold, I did.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In the form of
Salt Baked Beetroot with Stewed Blackberries and Fresh Cheese.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You can’t fault a beetroot dish in its
beauty.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So shockingly purple.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Add blackberries and you’ve pretty much
got a picture for your wall.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The only
thing is, it tasted like dessert.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Honestly.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If the meal had ended
on this course, I would not have been confused or even unhappy.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was a bit like a beetroot cheesecake
deconstructed.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Except that The Sportsman
is way too good and way too simple to ever deconstruct anything.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Thank god.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_mlqhpGENdJRsY5JyY-Rd43ZEC3wbXsZ_MpeFUQqzegYVYnWDARHmAG7wmB7l-AwdJTAX3Q2WrAQwzBrefd8OvtxgvHrNhVGdxV8Y5DgUTpRp1Tz5K-eq3DUjM8l7-jpREN1lt2S45w/s1600/IMG_9240%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_mlqhpGENdJRsY5JyY-Rd43ZEC3wbXsZ_MpeFUQqzegYVYnWDARHmAG7wmB7l-AwdJTAX3Q2WrAQwzBrefd8OvtxgvHrNhVGdxV8Y5DgUTpRp1Tz5K-eq3DUjM8l7-jpREN1lt2S45w/s1600/IMG_9240%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Slip Sole Grilled on Seaweed Butter was the second
masterpiece of the night.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A fillet of
sole served on its lonesome on a big white platter in the most striking and
exciting way I’ve ever seen.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The sole,
coated in flecks of green, pulled easily away from its bone and the seaweed
added a hit of umami that enhanced the fish flavour.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Simple perfection.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfnEh_fdBosou5I89oFaEoj-UQMSECoWvDD7XePm1GnVGWK6N2B1hY0a0llc2Xq-B4RsiIhyTbF0FxZY5lINUz0t24G0lv9U0KVGQkc6lTLtCgIienK4OlC3aE5-3aL34BpzYJACjcQ/s1600/IMG_9241%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqfnEh_fdBosou5I89oFaEoj-UQMSECoWvDD7XePm1GnVGWK6N2B1hY0a0llc2Xq-B4RsiIhyTbF0FxZY5lINUz0t24G0lv9U0KVGQkc6lTLtCgIienK4OlC3aE5-3aL34BpzYJACjcQ/s1600/IMG_9241%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If that wasn’t enough, another masterpiece followed
suit.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brill braised in Vin Jaune with
Smoked Pork and Runner Beans tasted like the very best Bird’s Eye Frozen Cod in
Butter Sauce you’ll ever experience.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Which I mean as the highest form of a compliment.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I used to love that stuff.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was a million times better but harped
back to the simple comforts of that microwave meal.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The runner beans, crunchy and sweet, were the
icing on the cake.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Bird’s Eye should
take note.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54gdk9fzUpPVW6WODDIpUs1TkhoEm0-7Ypqzdte9tymEYNNkXBfFKT9Rj7HT6VVE5FLCmM35L0_2BWeKDqojR1rhjufnBP__b4WXpGKZOIzauPc7Wg91SzWrOj8RMMAyPhL7KRDeG6OU/s1600/IMG_9242%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi54gdk9fzUpPVW6WODDIpUs1TkhoEm0-7Ypqzdte9tymEYNNkXBfFKT9Rj7HT6VVE5FLCmM35L0_2BWeKDqojR1rhjufnBP__b4WXpGKZOIzauPc7Wg91SzWrOj8RMMAyPhL7KRDeG6OU/s1600/IMG_9242%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lamb Shoulder Croquettes and Mint Sauce were basically like
chicken nuggets with the amp turned massively high.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A crunchy, salty outer shell encased steaming
lamb which, when dunked into a mint sauce that almost tasted like a mojito, was
the ultimate snack (as if a snack was required this many courses in).</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhj9MsjM0wYZrgbLxa9-plde6vMr8wXCUJ6viYAQ9qXFdKkW0rqgypAjsR-3q1UUOWizf4WpcPLWa_YzNfspKDSDlp0YH-4pXdRwdKNIQMu6KoftXdBD93rvVKAE7F59SqlRdiujohRU/s1600/IMG_9243%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnhj9MsjM0wYZrgbLxa9-plde6vMr8wXCUJ6viYAQ9qXFdKkW0rqgypAjsR-3q1UUOWizf4WpcPLWa_YzNfspKDSDlp0YH-4pXdRwdKNIQMu6KoftXdBD93rvVKAE7F59SqlRdiujohRU/s1600/IMG_9243%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Roast Lamb with Spring Onions was next (with the mint sauce
left on the table from the earlier croquettes).</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The lamb, rare and tender, was sitting atop a meaty rich sauce, as were
the large grilled onions.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had to leave
the slice of lamb shoulder (sitting behind the lamb fillet) behind.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It was simply too much food, but it also
tasted a bit too livery for me.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXj6mLsQjgudGuCsIaC02Wv8BhA-HnYeaH8UfHkaIaw1nHcBEAAyxPmpomRr37kvxilNDPezT4prwi1ggMT1blzfsvgSFzBj4uZfaO2aVBnPCE10V5YsoWRVQhFPn-rJFgb8J3gUVUtI/s1600/IMG_9244%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAXj6mLsQjgudGuCsIaC02Wv8BhA-HnYeaH8UfHkaIaw1nHcBEAAyxPmpomRr37kvxilNDPezT4prwi1ggMT1blzfsvgSFzBj4uZfaO2aVBnPCE10V5YsoWRVQhFPn-rJFgb8J3gUVUtI/s1600/IMG_9244%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Desserts were a perfect conclusion to this epic meal.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They were mostly light and not
over-indulgent.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And as with everything The
Sportsman serves, simply perfect.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A
Gooseberry Ice Lolly with Cake Milk was as intriguing and exciting as it
sounds.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The cake milk was like a thick,
not-overly-sweet milkshake and I wish I had a pint of it instead of a shot
glass.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cl6O2qiG4bbvQFwDXzx2nMUOIHM-4eRpRyZIPFXf6csVoJea4enHeQNntLHmjaaI08oFJ-hmkr_JySMCKUwOpVvWTBjKs-mFUo2tzHisKrE4AeVaqsVys5iXNd8XfIckaR9Vw8nJFrc/s1600/IMG_9245%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8cl6O2qiG4bbvQFwDXzx2nMUOIHM-4eRpRyZIPFXf6csVoJea4enHeQNntLHmjaaI08oFJ-hmkr_JySMCKUwOpVvWTBjKs-mFUo2tzHisKrE4AeVaqsVys5iXNd8XfIckaR9Vw8nJFrc/s1600/IMG_9245%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Fruit Salad with Lemon Verbena Ice Cream was tangy, zingy,
fresh and colourful.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The petit fours at
the end (Salted Chocolate and Custard & Raspberry Tarts) were just airing
on the right side of gluttonous.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIZHaHeAZxbasQePaZVW1W9P7YniV5YscAV7pslh9XXZ5WN7MVXbchbZ7n5RK5lGmPYAXkJ2BnirFpGjO97aeXCBAwD_yQ5e-WtUsopKHtiHWpwUKqxC0v83-KdK0uTkHFU4zxVqCV8s/s1600/IMG_9246%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpIZHaHeAZxbasQePaZVW1W9P7YniV5YscAV7pslh9XXZ5WN7MVXbchbZ7n5RK5lGmPYAXkJ2BnirFpGjO97aeXCBAwD_yQ5e-WtUsopKHtiHWpwUKqxC0v83-KdK0uTkHFU4zxVqCV8s/s1600/IMG_9246%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Zpdwm3tcgoZGE4ic51I9V-kMXH-M8WRxu7cyBUJ_RtxTajkDxlbiXqjr9lHV28DgEDb0kolarBLGm6FUh_rWdYQkA1XlpeTPwbsIMVyO80Fg0GvFhCCLplE6JzOTmj1MONseYvnSC0/s1600/IMG_9247%5B1%5D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0Zpdwm3tcgoZGE4ic51I9V-kMXH-M8WRxu7cyBUJ_RtxTajkDxlbiXqjr9lHV28DgEDb0kolarBLGm6FUh_rWdYQkA1XlpeTPwbsIMVyO80Fg0GvFhCCLplE6JzOTmj1MONseYvnSC0/s1600/IMG_9247%5B1%5D.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Remember way back at the start of this tale of twelve courses,
when I was discussing the evocativeness of money?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How it can lead to so many different emotions
and experiences?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And remember how I told
you that my </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thing </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">that I spend my
money on is food?</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, for £65 for all
that food I have just described, you really don’t even need to make food your
permanent </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">thing </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as it is mine (though
you should).</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You could just save up
slightly, go and try some of The Sportsman’s masterpieces and come back to
thank me when you experience the same happiness I did.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Which is the same sort of happiness as that
kid with the £1 coin at the ice cream truck.</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/363/1454765/restaurant/South-East/Sportsman-Canterbury"><img alt="Sportsman on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1454765/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/uk/view/81806/The_Sportsman?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of The Sportsman"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/81806/get-blog-review/image/large.png" height="125" width="230" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-52014014512271942012014-07-10T12:23:00.001-07:002014-07-10T12:23:08.911-07:00a QuiTart (that's a mix of a quiche and a tart) recipe<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I don’t like quiche.
I find it all too rich and creamy and, dare I say it, bland. Even chucking a load of bacon and cheese at
it doesn’t ever help the quiche’s cause.
Sure, I’ll eat it if it’s there, but you’d be hard-pressed to put
anything in front of me that I wouldn’t eat if it was there. I just won’t really enjoy it. I’ll grumble under my breath about how I’d
rather be eating a tart.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Because I do like tart.
The Greedy-Girl-friendly compadre of the quiche and the altogether better choice
is something I’d not only eat if it was there.
I’d enjoy it at the same time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s the difference between the two? Well, I think it goes something like this: </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Quiche
is made using lots of cream, eggs and cheese and is only ever savoury. Tarts are shallower in their pastry shell and
can be savoury or sweet.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The lines are blurred, admittedly.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I recently made what I am, hitherto, going to refer to as a
QuiTart (see what I did there?) and I’ve somehow struck gold on finding
the balance between the evil quiche and the angelic tart. I did this by throwing a load of shrimp and
prawns in, as well as ample chilli and coriander. Less egg, crème fraiche instead of cream and a
nice flaky, shallow shell and, hey presto, the QuiTart was born.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Robin Thicke may have hated blurred lines, but, I for
one, am a very big fan.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138; font-size: large;">Shrimp & Prawn QuiTart</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the pastry<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">285g plain flour<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">100g salted butter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">45ml milk<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the filling<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">150g large prawns, cooked and shelled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">300g shrimp, cooked and shelled<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">zest of 1 lime<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">large handful coriander leaves, roughly chopped (don't be shy - it's this flavour that elevates it to a QuiTart)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">6 spring onions, chopped<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 red chilli, chopped (again, load it up - the spicier, the better)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 egg<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">300ml creme fraiche<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">salt and pepper<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour until it
looks like sand. Add the milk and mix to form a dough<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Roll out the pastry on a floured work surface and line a tart
tin (see, it does have tart qualities after all) with the pastry. Refrigerate
for 30 minutes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 180c or 350f<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Line the pastry shell with baking paper and beans and blind
bake for about 25 minutes until the the base is beginning to cook through.
Remove the paper and beans and return to the oven for about 10 minutes until
the base is starting to brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool slightly<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chop the prawns into chunky pieces, reserving a few for
decoration, then mix with the rest of the filling ingredients. Pour the filling
into the pastry case<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Return the pastry case to the oven and bake for 10-15
minutes until just starting to set</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Top with the reserved whole prawns and bake
for a further 10 minutes or until completely cooked through<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Serve slightly warm with a nice salad and the definition of a
QuiTart ready for inquisitive friends<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytAJczESOza88g9zwG9IUT7Mbuy8-U7HFlfqlUPo4WT6295cuMP_3ZEOFs29aXTJfq7iXwSh2-iYIfL-GyaRKtmMNH85O-ED-F5U5q8b3xuttGL_UOcda_cFx9O_uQDU8mr-CV1rta3A/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhytAJczESOza88g9zwG9IUT7Mbuy8-U7HFlfqlUPo4WT6295cuMP_3ZEOFs29aXTJfq7iXwSh2-iYIfL-GyaRKtmMNH85O-ED-F5U5q8b3xuttGL_UOcda_cFx9O_uQDU8mr-CV1rta3A/s1600/photo+(1).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-8668325536407309992014-06-23T13:54:00.000-07:002014-06-23T13:54:50.589-07:00a rant about social media & the world of food<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Social Media is a funny old thing, isn’t it? It brings out the worst and the best in each
of us every single day. We use it to
catch up with friends, stalk old boyfriends and girlfriends, promote our work,
show off pictures of our babies or dogs or both, wish people we’ve not spoken
to for 15 years a happy birthday, check in at the airport and alert people to
our very exciting imminent travel plans, big up our self-esteem with a particularly
well-received profile picture, etc., etc., etc.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don’t get me wrong, I am just as guilty on all of the above as
the rest of you (apart from the baby and dog thing as I don’t have either, though
I am trying to make the boyfriend understand how much a dog will improve our
lives). The thing is, we can’t escape
the grips of social media. We all (yes,
even you) look at the world differently now because of it. We measure moments in likes and feel
empowered by retweets. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Perhaps there is no industry which is more influenced by
social media though than that of food.
Seriously, Instagram must be thanking god for greedy people like me who
love nothing more than a shot of someone else’s dinner. Restaurant reviewers have taken a very clear
and defined step back as the Twitterati become the go-to source for making or
breaking a new launch. Yes, Jay Rayner,
I took your class and I know how important you still believe you are (and you
are, I agree), however you’re just not quite <i>as </i>important. The world has
changed. Rayner or not. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For all its good points (a truer reflection of which
restaurants are good, quicker word of mouth, better informed customers,
pictures to drool over) social media certainly can be, well, annoying. Annoying for all of the obvious reasons, most
of which I mentioned above, but also annoying for a few others, which I’d like
to share with you right now. What are
your most annoying social media taboos?
Do share. After all, an
annoyance shared is…probably just an annoyance retweeted over and over and over
again.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Woof</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who first thought, “I know how I’ll describe my food, by
imitating my labradoodle”? And most importantly – why? We are human and even
with only 140 characters, we have the power to better express ourselves than
our canine friends. I’d really, <i>really </i>rather see a picture of your dog
than have to read your description of a burrito as “woof”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Oof</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">See above, except double the annoyance because these morons
can’t even be bothered to type the W.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Want</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Again, this is clearly a fear of using up characters, but 140
characters gives us ample room to say something like, “That looks great! I want
that because I would enjoy eating it. Can I have the recipe? Please email me at
betteruseofcharacters@gmail.com.” See, plenty of space.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Tasty</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A personal pet-peeve of mine. What on earth does tasty mean? You may as well just say something was fine
and call it a day. Were you eating
cardboard? Was it wrapped in cotton
swabs? Because that’s all that I can
imagine when you describe your food as tasty.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Foodie</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay, so you're a person that likes food. You may even be a person that eats food from time to time. In fact, it could be your job and your whole world. You may blog daily and tweet pictures of every meal you ever inhale. That does not mean you need to call yourself a foodie. You just don't. I promise.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Nom</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Remember the days when this wasn’t a word? Yeah, so do I – good times. I know what you sound like when you chew,
because unless you are a rhinoceros, we probably sound the same (and even then,
we may sound somewhat similar). So I
simply don’t need the measly attempt at written out sound effects. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Sexy</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Is your food really sexy?
<i>Really</i>? Does your girlfriend
know you feel that way? Come on, you can
do better.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Fit</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Did that pancake just come from the gym? Is it in the best shape of its life? Has it run a half marathon? If the answer to any of those questions is
no, it ain’t fit. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Pictures of yourself with your food (aka selfies, aka the
thing I hate the most)</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Why? Just <i>WHY</i>? Let’s see the food. Isn’t that what you’re trying to sell? I don’t
need to see you. Odds are, I know what
you look like. And if I don’t, it’s
probably because you’re Marina O’Loughlin and I don’t need to know. Sure you look good eating that burger. You’re fingers are nice and greasy and your
mouth is just big enough to get fully around the whole thing, plus your hair
looks great. But I would rather just see
the burger. Take a shot of the
inside. Let’s see the dripping
cheese. Let’s see how red the meat
is. For god sakes, show me the
lettuce and tomato on top. Whatever it
is, I just don’t want to see you. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sx1fTgPgZRCKW8PFIvAv-VNh384Fp_i3nIuoXAM0b6c9kmCj6KR7c0ME1R0svywYMliLAmAmofM7Wn8FNp9imsOj52oXJaG3mx9BlQvtWVRAHv7TfLwWddjkPF0zLZvQrl4fwD_PgYE/s1600/social-media-food_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Sx1fTgPgZRCKW8PFIvAv-VNh384Fp_i3nIuoXAM0b6c9kmCj6KR7c0ME1R0svywYMliLAmAmofM7Wn8FNp9imsOj52oXJaG3mx9BlQvtWVRAHv7TfLwWddjkPF0zLZvQrl4fwD_PgYE/s1600/social-media-food_001.jpg" height="320" width="294" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-23884733001358395152014-05-15T02:29:00.003-07:002014-05-15T02:29:51.459-07:00a crab feast at Farr's School of Dancing <div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">To
celebrate the late May Bank Holiday, <b>Farr’s School of Dancing</b> (</span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="http://www.farrsschoolofdancing.com/"><span style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">http://www.farrsschoolofdancing.com/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">) is
hosting an authentic Maryland Crab Feast, <b>Hammer & Claw</b>, for guests
to crack, smash and generally get as messy as they can handle. </span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">Taking
inspiration from the stateside home of the crab, the Antic Collective bar and
restaurant, will be transformed into a Maryland crab shack on<b> Saturday 24<sup>th</sup>
May </b>at <b>3.00pm </b>for one day only.
Tickets cost £30 and can be purchased at: </span><span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://www.eatmyworld.com/farrs/"><span style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">https://www.eatmyworld.com/farrs/</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hammer
& Claw will see guests indulge in crabs coated in Farr’s own Old Bay
seasoning, a spicy rub that originates in the East Coast state and is a
necessary contribution to any authentic crab feast. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="background-color: #fffdfd; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Just
as they would over the pond, Farr’s will throw the crabs with abandon across
long tables lined with newspaper, designed to handle the salty, spicy
mess. Each guest will be presented with
a hammer to aid in their crab conquest.
Bibs will also be provided for those looking to dress as genuine
Marylanders would. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background: white; text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
theme of the day is hands-on eating, so the event will also offer guests the
chance to indulge in <em>"Chicharrón"
Pork Skins with Chipotle Dip</em>, before moving on to the spicy crab
feast, served with <i>Buttered Corn on the
Cob </i>and <i>Potatoes</i>. It will
finish with a stateside summer dessert delicacy in the form of <em>Peanut Butter Ice Cream
Sandwiches</em>, piled high in the middle of the table for diners to
grab and lick as they see fit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">No
crab feast is complete without plenty of drink, so Farr’s will also be offering
<i>Crab Claw Punch</i> cocktails on arrival,
and plenty of beer on the tables to cool down the burn of the Old Bay. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With
music pumping out and plenty of napkins on standby, Hammer & Claw is the perfect
way to spend the Bank Holiday. Dressing
down is not only encouraged, it is, most definitely, advised. </span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify; text-justify: inter-ideograph;">
<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHMWEQA1Z7Ne6MmBD8TmSmK_peVL1QP0hyql_aX7I9B80z5g_liWVNfAJqv-UKxVCGSkMeBOxLHTepEHn-d1ufWrcYqfvoFAFSKcd3V5CaWsl-OQkze9CtCRdhj_zcXmonnxQSarDf3Y/s1600/Crab+&+Mallet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUHMWEQA1Z7Ne6MmBD8TmSmK_peVL1QP0hyql_aX7I9B80z5g_liWVNfAJqv-UKxVCGSkMeBOxLHTepEHn-d1ufWrcYqfvoFAFSKcd3V5CaWsl-OQkze9CtCRdhj_zcXmonnxQSarDf3Y/s1600/Crab+&+Mallet.jpg" height="219" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-9664808861446132982014-05-04T05:21:00.001-07:002014-05-04T05:21:38.542-07:00a review of The Old Manor Hotel (and tips for how to enjoy a long weekend in Bath)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here’s a phrase no one has said, ever:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I wish the weekend was shorter”. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The reason why no one has ever said that? Because it is ludicrous, embarrassing and
downright wrong. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However, here is a phrase that most people say, or at least
think, regularly:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I love a long weekend”.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The reason why we all love long weekends so much? Because they are relaxing, exciting and
downright better than anything else.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The trick though is to make the most of long weekends when
they come around. I can’t dictate how you spend yours (eating, drinking, dancing, sunning will all do nicely, but I’ll
leave it in your capable hands). No, all
I can do is suggest methods and means to feel you’ve completely made use of the
extended time you’ve been granted. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My first tip? Go to Bath.
But don’t stay in Bath. Stay
right on the outskirts in Bradford On Avon at a charming hotel* (*it’s
technically a hotel, although it felt more like a bed and breakfast in its
quaintness) called <a href="http://www.oldmanorhotel.com/" target="_blank">The Old Manor</a>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7v7Fx_dE7mWA6Tz8HqtCNculjxtEpV0AijF5xWKh6jJvNXblrOkYfj4MYlh2E96j6lK18LNC2ffSpL521gJTcbfxdWC_NpqEloP55c2r2SE3PUuHaqHrttcfGOgSAQEz073vNTOMno8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu7v7Fx_dE7mWA6Tz8HqtCNculjxtEpV0AijF5xWKh6jJvNXblrOkYfj4MYlh2E96j6lK18LNC2ffSpL521gJTcbfxdWC_NpqEloP55c2r2SE3PUuHaqHrttcfGOgSAQEz073vNTOMno8/s1600/photo+2.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You will be greeted by the most friendly, informative and
enthusiastic manager on your arrival, who will talk you through the newly renovated
hotel and its owners’ plans for the future.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">He will make you feel instantly at home while he gives you the grand
tour, showing you from Wild Garden to permanent marquee and back again. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfoBmVOp-t_Gd1YGTW5HOzTn4ZShUspoQfRpUZnwWcfvvxeCyo4Mp-MDBgX1GnCdOykSzvCDrzSjh8L-uZQvzV03AcQKJSEMV17uZM26bX23A_9JYvIHxy022WWVR_vPjjWh8bgp23pY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIfoBmVOp-t_Gd1YGTW5HOzTn4ZShUspoQfRpUZnwWcfvvxeCyo4Mp-MDBgX1GnCdOykSzvCDrzSjh8L-uZQvzV03AcQKJSEMV17uZM26bX23A_9JYvIHxy022WWVR_vPjjWh8bgp23pY/s1600/photo+3.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once you’ve unpacked your bags in your modestly decorated
and perfectly inviting room, you should then wander (for about 25 minutes, and
not 15 minutes as Google Maps suggests) down to the train station where you
will wait (in what is hopefully not torrential thunderstorms) for a train
(which will hopefully not be delayed for over thirty minutes) into Bath
itself.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You should then disrobe in the <a href="http://www.thermaebathspa.com/" target="_blank">Thermae Bath Spa</a> changing rooms, only
to robe up again in one of their own terrycloth varieties, and ascend the
stairs to the open-air rooftop pool.
There, I suggest you swim leisurely around (hopefully not being rained on too heavily) and perch up against a wall to overlook the stunning Bath views (that, I hope, will not be blocked by a questionable one-guy-two-girls-threesome-situation that would perk all of your curiosity). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once you are suitably relaxed and wrinkled, you should then make
your way back to the hotel (/bedandbreakfast) for what you will, of course, be
sure is just another hotel meal. This is
where you will be proved silly and wrong.
The Old Manor Hotel’s Head Chef is Matthew Briddon, of River Café and
Heathcotes experience, and he is serious – both about his ingredients and the
manner in which they are cooked. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I suggest you start with an amuse bouche of Pea Custard with Truffle Oil and Parmesan
and a floating Pig’s Head Croquette which will make you a bit giddy. It’s smooth, earthy, rich and crunchy so how
could you not get a little bit excited?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgBhCEmb6umR5CXUxb0ghQjML9Rac0rjdagD4gX-S8xDkV0WSwntHqEl6BOIhPel8-UukGQ8SM2Eq_boNMG0PE33-WKXpeJix-2LLxzLp4TwPbkdjOY39jpfq5oa3EtVxGbMPzm_mIDE/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMgBhCEmb6umR5CXUxb0ghQjML9Rac0rjdagD4gX-S8xDkV0WSwntHqEl6BOIhPel8-UukGQ8SM2Eq_boNMG0PE33-WKXpeJix-2LLxzLp4TwPbkdjOY39jpfq5oa3EtVxGbMPzm_mIDE/s1600/photo+2+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Pickled Beetroot, Whipped Goats Cheese, Nuts and Garden Herb
Crumb should be next and will be served on a wooden platter that look like a piece of
art.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There won’t be anything fancy or
unnecessary on that slab, but somehow it will all pop in your mouth just as
much as it does on the wood.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf7CGXuN1oTUfnwSkpgrqpWqpFvCQoLGU9M3w6Sz04PubO6znHvIZg33cymrRTMnq9FNwWC0m_TPTxUwjNrUJjcIgPQwRaHRdmSkovPuUejgmA7PG89NAMupyqQqdlWp02qBujjYEKT0/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuf7CGXuN1oTUfnwSkpgrqpWqpFvCQoLGU9M3w6Sz04PubO6znHvIZg33cymrRTMnq9FNwWC0m_TPTxUwjNrUJjcIgPQwRaHRdmSkovPuUejgmA7PG89NAMupyqQqdlWp02qBujjYEKT0/s1600/photo+3+%25281%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Chef’s Own Cured Hay Smoked Salmon will be presented with
Horseradish Cream and Watercress Foam.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You
will detect just the right hint of smokiness, which will make you happy since you
could smell the process occurring in the smoking shed on your Wild Garden
tour earlier that day.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh7v_cavZqhUrAxLNTybDQ0sCyOBvfG11qwW2qadHTYoWckX0jVxFOphLlVPd_sN2fMcKooeVG-U4MGr0xWh7h1uk1AO8RAx9PbqEYEpzpja_xI3RIjeYdhGPtsqOiu9gYPOs566NHbY/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlh7v_cavZqhUrAxLNTybDQ0sCyOBvfG11qwW2qadHTYoWckX0jVxFOphLlVPd_sN2fMcKooeVG-U4MGr0xWh7h1uk1AO8RAx9PbqEYEpzpja_xI3RIjeYdhGPtsqOiu9gYPOs566NHbY/s1600/photo.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">End on a high with Saddle of Pork, Braised Pork Shoulder, Baby Leeks and Potato
Pancake that will, again, surprise you. What should
be a pub-lunch-esque dish will be transformed at the hands of Matthew with its
clever touches (stuffing the saddle with yet more pork, creating a pancake so
light and fluffy, it almost disintegrates on the tongue). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hf5WCwG3xuZ6aJAuk_pok2uzkrUHxC-KPflHWKwC_xEis4bW0q2Di5c_KIEQJSSQqCotoR2Sd-uEVeuKJvlPalBQ8dzFFwFRpeDoWfL2NWuvZayvRRLMvU-rXdiPTBt61WozOvued6s/s1600/photo+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Hf5WCwG3xuZ6aJAuk_pok2uzkrUHxC-KPflHWKwC_xEis4bW0q2Di5c_KIEQJSSQqCotoR2Sd-uEVeuKJvlPalBQ8dzFFwFRpeDoWfL2NWuvZayvRRLMvU-rXdiPTBt61WozOvued6s/s1600/photo+1.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">After all of this, you will be stuffed and elated and
relieved that some hotels are not </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">only </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">offering
hotel food.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I suggest you</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> fall asleep in your
oversized bed to the sound of blackness and awake in the morning feeling
refreshed and hungry for more of The Old Manor classics.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So say hello to the Full English,
complete with Smoked Black Pudding and Bubble and Squeak Balls (again it’s the
little things that will make you come over all gleeful).</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUET2o9ZDpTHuXysH00Q7x4BfVp4AD7Zp0JPLFSMAa5E6pPJ2PYI8wsGNmKGWc0evDwroxcHnhTmr8f4KLWRYXCO1x1iTXFhZRKCBVClJhNmLYavKkIOR0QCQZEAARyyPV_unhRR9FjuA/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUET2o9ZDpTHuXysH00Q7x4BfVp4AD7Zp0JPLFSMAa5E6pPJ2PYI8wsGNmKGWc0evDwroxcHnhTmr8f4KLWRYXCO1x1iTXFhZRKCBVClJhNmLYavKkIOR0QCQZEAARyyPV_unhRR9FjuA/s1600/photo+1+%25281%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You will check-out and wander the canal banks into Bath for
another day of exploring, taking in the Royal Crescent (where you may fall
asleep momentarily in the sun), the Botanical Gardens (where you may get
slightly lost and see some of the same trees twice) and a few pasties for good
measure (being careful to only pay £1.50 for a large one and not £4 as some
places may try to charge you). You should end your trip in the </span><a href="http://www.holburne.org/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">Holburne Art Museum</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> where you will wear 3D
glasses while you meet Picasso before making your way back to the station and
back to normal life.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
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<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QoCqakp15eKkPiRD7Xn5pL9luVsMW6d7_Kc-vGKEeZUNzAdLIZeoslWONdVaAgIxdWeQtQwwQjXgWhmJH7wOmaOznNCVXlNG65lyQL1Ni2msYITgVThfoJm0DQginrPK-8n1aQONwXk/s1600/photo+3+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9QoCqakp15eKkPiRD7Xn5pL9luVsMW6d7_Kc-vGKEeZUNzAdLIZeoslWONdVaAgIxdWeQtQwwQjXgWhmJH7wOmaOznNCVXlNG65lyQL1Ni2msYITgVThfoJm0DQginrPK-8n1aQONwXk/s1600/photo+3+%25282%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc8y_h94N3uVGSUt3760NWud8RSY_PN6Nb68AccsD0_7f-_tsQaF1yy-as0_L1Hhf0bG7urLFrxhyphenhyphenlwsdQXiKtx0dXbK5LbYbDj4KG0ud23InnLpSVnthoJeQT4i0NYfAE4APMKUTk9I/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfc8y_h94N3uVGSUt3760NWud8RSY_PN6Nb68AccsD0_7f-_tsQaF1yy-as0_L1Hhf0bG7urLFrxhyphenhyphenlwsdQXiKtx0dXbK5LbYbDj4KG0ud23InnLpSVnthoJeQT4i0NYfAE4APMKUTk9I/s1600/photo+1+%25282%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">At the end of all of this, despite feeling sad that it’s all
over, there are a couple of phrases I can guarantee you will hear yourself
saying as you mentally prepare for a day back at work:</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Thank god I listened to The Greedy Girl’s tips and suggestions” </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">and<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“I love a long weekend”.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEpX-anfuEMrLQb-figDaxM2qtrhkvQ8lDtOG-2WT9CiQR3MlfhwbZHRUcYtWC6kgmF0CIYmYDFE6X0LrRDfGc1ItO0R75_vFn9Z6cUb5hYvRAAXZ9LbipMtbAf8XLoWebiM4jWtnyfc/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEEpX-anfuEMrLQb-figDaxM2qtrhkvQ8lDtOG-2WT9CiQR3MlfhwbZHRUcYtWC6kgmF0CIYmYDFE6X0LrRDfGc1ItO0R75_vFn9Z6cUb5hYvRAAXZ9LbipMtbAf8XLoWebiM4jWtnyfc/s1600/photo+2+%25282%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-35756159681628173942014-04-29T10:21:00.000-07:002014-04-29T10:21:37.930-07:00an alternate top 50 restaurants list<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hey Noma, we all know you're something special. And Heston, we've heard your name mentioned
a few times before. Yep, it's that time
again - <span style="color: #e69138;"><a href="http://www.theworlds50best.com/list/1-50-winners/noma">The
World's 50 Best Restaurants</a> </span>have been announced and the industry has come
to a standstill. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All over the world,
food snobs and non-snobs alike have put down their forks and waited with wild
garlic breath for the news. Has a
newcomer been crowned number one? Don't
be silly, it's just Noma again. Get back
to your wild-garlic-pesto-crusted-pollack and resume normality.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. I'm
just as obsessed by the 50 Best list as the next food snob. I look at it regularly throughout the year to
make mental checklists of where I need to go and how much money I need to put
aside. I put notes in my calendar of
what month to make bookings for which place so that I can be guaranteed a table
in 18 months time. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And that's all great. Fine dining and top 50 lists for
extortionately priced restaurants certainly has its place. But, I would like to offer you something
different, something bold, something a little bit, well, wacky.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So please find below my very own <span style="color: #e69138;"><b>"Greedy Girl's
Alternate Top 50 Restaurants List" </b></span>aka "The Best Places To Eat For Which
You Don't Need To Sell Your Soul Or Set Alarms And Alerts To Get Your Sorry
Feet Through The Door". (Disclaimer:
If I had all the time in the world, I would make this my top 50 list for the
world over, but I don't, so we're going London-specific. Oh and it's in no particular order because,
for godsakes, that's way easier. So
shoot me).</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHPAhKKZkUMRELjjRlbjemHQkEebFhvQSZ4387J0x1dqcYDrf77M1EJtFD2zAHi2Gk2vQD6zBgxeOUwsKgdOMmn7Zowj4vl3x4a0vHCekGQKzy4hALT5GQPbGz2pktL5v6huNfkfQGYQ/s1600/speedlimit_top_50.news+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHPAhKKZkUMRELjjRlbjemHQkEebFhvQSZ4387J0x1dqcYDrf77M1EJtFD2zAHi2Gk2vQD6zBgxeOUwsKgdOMmn7Zowj4vl3x4a0vHCekGQKzy4hALT5GQPbGz2pktL5v6huNfkfQGYQ/s1600/speedlimit_top_50.news+post.jpg" height="157" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://thecloveclub.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Clove
Club</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the piping hot Peated Barley Cake, like
a steamed, sugary cloud</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview?ie=UTF-8&q=Gourmet+San&fb=1&gl=uk&hq=gourmet+san&cid=18297675695417264252&ei=dc5fU8mrB82S7AbU2oDwCQ&ved=0COoBEPwSMAo"><span style="color: #e69138;">Gourmet
San</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Old Place Sautéed Crab, and its
shells that are just biteable </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://townhallhotel.com/home"><span style="color: #e69138;">Viajante</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For an entirely clean experience, table to
taste</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">4.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.farrsschoolofdancing.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Farr's
School of Dancing</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For more crab and, this time, as close to
the real deal Maryland as I have found yet</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">5.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.songque.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Song Que</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the pho, you know</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">6.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://thehunter-s.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Hunter S</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Beef Wellington for two, but mostly
for the toilets</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">7.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.pollenstreetsocial.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Pollen
Street Social</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the dessert bar, hello</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">8.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://highburyartsclub.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Highbury
Arts Club</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the fact it's a five minute stroll away
and everything comes with potato sticks</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">9.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://ritasbaranddining.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Rita's</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Devilled Eggs</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">10.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.sichuan-folk.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Sichuan
Folk</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the waiter who tells you what to order
and always gets it right</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">11.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.chezbruce.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Chez Bruce</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the raw scallops and razor clams, oh
and the cheese trolley</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">12.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.newfujiyama.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">New
Fujiyama</span></a> </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the soft shell crab and all its filthy
crunchiness </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">13.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://plus.google.com/108985917877860284678/about?gl=uk&hl=en"><span style="color: #e69138;">Loong
Kee</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the quail and its own salty rub</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">14.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.hacheburgers.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Haché</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the fact it's still one of the best
burgers in town</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">15.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://townhallhotel.com/corner_room/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Corner
Room</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its affordable exquisite-ness</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">16.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://plus.google.com/108992432470739744684/about?gl=uk&hl=en"><span style="color: #e69138;">The
Beach Hut</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the owners lovingly referring to my
boyfriend as "Grimsby"</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">17.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.mangal2.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mangal II</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Tavuk Beyti and all its oozing
minced chicken-y goodness <span class="apple-converted-space"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 9pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span></b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">18.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.tonkotsu.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Tonkatsu</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a bowl of pork so rich, it's like
sticking a straw in a pig</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">19.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.polpo.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Polpo</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a whole section of the menu dedicated
to meatballs</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">20.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.alittleofwhatyoufancy.info/"><span style="color: #e69138;">A
Little Of What You Fancy</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its unassuming charm </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">21.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.koya.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Koya</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For handmade noodles, fat and slurpy</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">22.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.trullorestaurant.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Trullo</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its inability to ever be far from mind
when thinking of the best</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">23.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.randallandaubin.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Randall
& Aubin</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its disco ball, music choices and
seafood</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">24.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.debeauvoirarms.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">De
Beauvoir Arms</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its Steak Bavette, especially on a
summer's day</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">25.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.theledbury.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Ledbury</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its Bacon Brioche, just a light way to
kick off a four course feast</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">26.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://plus.google.com/108298399806691948621/about?gl=uk&hl=en"><span style="color: #e69138;">Cafe
Acoustic</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its Mediterranean Breakfast complete
with Artichokes, Merguez and Halloumi</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">27.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://thehawksmoor.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Hawksmoor</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the service and the honking piece of
meat on the plate</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">28.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://morito.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Morito</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Fried Chickpeas and tiny tables </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">29.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://newworldlondon.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">New World</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the perfect place to kill a hangover
with Dim Sum trolley service</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">30.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.stjohngroup.uk.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">St.
John</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the fact it was doing it first</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">31.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.busanrestaurant.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Busan
Restaurant</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Bulgogi and that I bump into the
owner at the gym</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">32.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview?q=fat+cat+cafe+stoke+newington&ie=UTF-8&ei=OdZfU6qaNsTfPdemgMgP&ved=0CAgQ_AUoAQ"><span style="color: #e69138;">Fat
Cat Cafe</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the best and most proper English
Breakfast around</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">33.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.ilbaciohighbury.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Il
Bacio</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its thin crust, dripping sauce and mega
melting cheese</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">34.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.banhmi11.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Banhmi11</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its Crackling Pork Belly on Sushi Rice,
which somehow can be passed off as lunch</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">35.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.camdenlock.net/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Camden
Market</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For having the patience to go beyond the Chinese
chicken being chucked and finding something really special</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">36.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.tajima-tei.co.uk/"><span style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Tajima-Tei</span></span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its £19 Bento Box loaded with Sashimi,
Tempura, Fried Chicken, Potato Salad and plenty of Wasabi </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">37.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://the-albion.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Albion</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its garden, which never goes out of
style</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">38.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://monikers.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Monikers</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the lovely owner's passion and for the
Chicken Pie</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">39.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.thewrightbrothers.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The
Wright Brothers</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a platter of shellfish so grand, it
could probably be my dying meal</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">40.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.thedrapersarms.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Drapers
Arms</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For pub food, taken to a whole new level</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">41.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.meatmission.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">MEATmission</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the Dead Hippy and its three times the price
and flavour of the Big Mac </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">42.<span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://thebullhighgate.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Bull
Highgate</span></a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For its ability to surprise that a posh pub
can do dirty wings </span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">43.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.wahaca.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Wahaca</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For that I'm not even ashamed to say I get
regular cravings for its Taco Salad</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">44.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.relaisdevenise.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Relais
de Venise L’Entrecôte</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For not one, but two servings of perfectly
rare steak, served abusively by the French</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">45.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://pizzapilgrims.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Pizza
Pilgrims</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For slashings of salami</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">46.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"> <span style="color: #e69138;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.smokehouseislington.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Smokehouse</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For despite my slight boredom with it now,
I can't deny it's good smoked meat</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">47.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.the-dairy.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">The Dairy</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For that it got me so drunk, I spent over
£100 on a meal I don't remember and, somehow, didn't mind</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">48.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.burgerandlobster.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Burger
& Lobster</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For the best lobster outside of Maine and
that it comes with drawn melted butter, as it should</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">49.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;">
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://le-coq.co.uk/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Le Coq</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For loads of birds spinning away on the
fire as I eat their perfectly cooked friend</span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">50.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt;"><span style="color: #e69138;"> </span>
</span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://dukesbrewandque.com/"><span style="color: #e69138;">Duke's
Brew & Que</span></a></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"> For the Picklebacks and that's enough</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -18.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-8680851084478389122014-03-31T06:49:00.004-07:002014-03-31T06:49:49.869-07:00a lamb & date kofta recipe for those that don't like lamb<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lamb is a funny old creature. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or really I should rephrase.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lamb is relatively normal. </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">am
the funny old creature.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">You see, I claim not to like lamb. And that is mostly true. However, I do like lamb in some of its
toothsome varieties. For example, I like:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Lamb Chops</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Lamb Tandir</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Lamb Kebabs</span><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">..and especially...</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> Lamb Mince</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">This confuses the people closest to me an awful lot. "<i>How
can you like all of those variations of lamb and claim not to like lamb?</i>,"
they ask in an accusatory and exasperated way.
The truth is, I have no answer.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What I do have though is a fantastic recipe using lamb
mince, which I invented by means of introducing more lamb into our household
for one person who particularly loves lamb (not me) and one person who doesn't
like lamb, apart from when it's minced, chopped, barbequed, etc....(me). </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #f6b26b; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Lamb & Date Kofta For Those That Don't Like Lamb</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Ingredients<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">500 grams or about 1 pound of fresh lamb mince (please buy
this from the butcher, it will be far better)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 chicken thigh (used to keep these beauties lovely and
moist)</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">100 grams or about 1 cup of dates, seeds removed</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Half a red onion, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 red chilli, seeds and all</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 cloves garlic, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 egg</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A big handful of parsley, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A big handful of coriander, chopped</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rind and juice of half a lemon</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp dried cumin</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 tsp dried coriander</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Salt</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pepper</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Method<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Debone the chicken thigh, place into the food processor and mince
thoroughly</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Add the rest of the ingredients to the processor and mix
until you have a well combined and nearly smooth consistency</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">At this point, place a pound-coin-sized patty of the mixture
into a small frying pan and cook to test the flavours </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If any adjustments are required, now is the time to do
so. Note that when I made these
yesterday, after the taste test, I added more lemon juice and rind, along with
more chilli. So feel free to add
whatever is necessary to get the flavour you require</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Once happy with the taste, soak wooden skewers in water to
avoid them burning during the cooking process</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Wet your hands and form the lamb mince around the skewers,
covering about 75% of the wood</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Leave to refrigerate for at least half an hour to allow the
flavours to meld and the mixture to firm up.
The longer you can leave, the better</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Place the koftas on the barbecue and leave to cook until
completely golden and sizzling on one side, then rotate until all sides are bronzed
and bubbling in their own juices. This
should take around 10 minutes</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Uqi8zlPuIEciOXUqYB8cRb7uC7YvSllZqQuDDtsjuzRvbx3M1-bAmikVj0zXA7cFlhHT82sm1r2nq7VGvTtCPb4P-1s5Sd_hN8DoozEiox3eHa7eWZR-vkM1OdUdr1EqNOf7T8CVlo/s1600/photo+2+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS-Uqi8zlPuIEciOXUqYB8cRb7uC7YvSllZqQuDDtsjuzRvbx3M1-bAmikVj0zXA7cFlhHT82sm1r2nq7VGvTtCPb4P-1s5Sd_hN8DoozEiox3eHa7eWZR-vkM1OdUdr1EqNOf7T8CVlo/s1600/photo+2+%25288%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you don't have a barbecue, place under the grill or
broiler and follow the same cooking principles as above</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Serve immediately with homemade hummus and tzatziki (recipes
to follow in a later post) as well as plenty of flatbread, chilli sauce and the admission that <i>perhaps</i> you do actually like lamb</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtRSnWj9vatjfAkNq74POp9JrgaM2V29o4cXDosMlaz_xMa0QINSwNLEDOca8NQKwmnXZ8B3WNgcDKV7-qW_mieLT3-Zd5sBKnaEaU-eJuH3FLLdOCUh4gJYeRZNH6pzvrxXCPS9co5w/s1600/photo+1+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtRSnWj9vatjfAkNq74POp9JrgaM2V29o4cXDosMlaz_xMa0QINSwNLEDOca8NQKwmnXZ8B3WNgcDKV7-qW_mieLT3-Zd5sBKnaEaU-eJuH3FLLdOCUh4gJYeRZNH6pzvrxXCPS9co5w/s1600/photo+1+%25288%2529.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP5HoV7_76QjBZeFhG89Qgyn0a0gLjp7_C-HdFkxy-8oAnI6UBdE-8QQUBTzRKGvq0HY9CmqLAiqXYYPWFEezhNnVg_cjbLLffWQMvdz7Dep00vpgh7Rd5ZbSFP4Be9_MWSZ0J69sbN8/s1600/photo+3+%25288%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxP5HoV7_76QjBZeFhG89Qgyn0a0gLjp7_C-HdFkxy-8oAnI6UBdE-8QQUBTzRKGvq0HY9CmqLAiqXYYPWFEezhNnVg_cjbLLffWQMvdz7Dep00vpgh7Rd5ZbSFP4Be9_MWSZ0J69sbN8/s1600/photo+3+%25288%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjky7xYCc3PyqWB6laAyOtpGNPi95GKA5DeeND7sKDk96nnnu4OuHn106Eftj1iSKkqXi0yR0izzAd0gtuEUMt9tXbnhHYliqYSSXu-0y47xvQjrJmvLNCY69Q3EUp3z5vIo-I_0dwhE/s1600/photo+4+%25283%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRjky7xYCc3PyqWB6laAyOtpGNPi95GKA5DeeND7sKDk96nnnu4OuHn106Eftj1iSKkqXi0yR0izzAd0gtuEUMt9tXbnhHYliqYSSXu-0y47xvQjrJmvLNCY69Q3EUp3z5vIo-I_0dwhE/s1600/photo+4+%25283%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-9584837139730001722014-03-25T14:20:00.002-07:002014-03-25T14:46:25.369-07:00a review of Restaurant 1701<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My family and
myself have been referred to affectionately in the past as the "Good Time
Jews". We are Jewish, but we've
taken the best bits of the religion and stuck with them. The rest, for better or worse, can go do
one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That's a bit
harsh, admittedly, and I don't strictly mean that, but the fact is what's
important to me about Judaism is the same stuff that's important to me in life
- good food, good wine, good times, good friends, good family. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sure, on
Passover, we read from the Haggadah, but we stop at page 27 when it finally
tells you it's time to eat. The prayer
book goes on for another 40 some pages, but us Good Time Jews never quite make
it that far. And of course we dip apples
in honey on Rosh Hashanah, but that's mostly to clear the way for the corned
beef glazing seductively in the oven. Us
Good Time Jews are, more often than not, ready for some glazed meat and fat.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The other
thing about us Good Time Jews is that we are proud - proud of our heritage and the
tradition that comes with it. And proud
that, even though being Jewish seems to be <i>bang
on trend</i>, we've actually been eating latkes since the beginning of time (or
thereabouts). We chuckle and talk loudly
over each other about how funny it is that suddenly matzoh ball soup is fashionable. If my grandmother could see that, she'd be
chuckling louder than all of us.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But
for better or worse, Jewish food<i> is</i>
trendy. We've had <a href="http://mishkins.co.uk/" target="_blank">Mishkin's </a>offering up chopped
liver and <a href="http://www.maltby.st/tag/salt-beef/" target="_blank">Monty's Deli</a> loading pastrami on rye.
And that's all rather nice (and certainly <i>bang on trend</i>),but it's not the real deal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
real deal is, however, being offered right here in London and all it took was
this Good Time Jew to sniff it out.
<a href="http://www.restaurant1701.co.uk/" target="_blank">Restaurant 1701</a> is located in Bevis Marks Synagogue (the oldest Synagogue
in Britain) right in the City. I'm
pretty confident even Israel doesn't offer more authenticity than that. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
restaurant aims to celebrate the heritage of Jewish cuisine in a way never
before experienced in London. It is a diverse cuisine that has evolved over
many centuries, shaped also by Jewish dietary law (kashrut) and Jewish Festival
and Shabbat traditions, which the restaurant strictly observes. And that may all sound rather serious (the
fact a rabbi is constantly in the kitchen <i>is
</i>rather serious), but what's more serious is the quality of food being
produced in that kitchen, blessed or not.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Jewish
Penicillin (£9.50) was the closest second to my mom's chicken soup I've ever
tasted. (You're welcome, mom).<i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #101010; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;"> </span></i><span style="background: white; border: none windowtext 1.0pt; color: #101010; mso-bidi-font-style: italic; mso-border-alt: none windowtext 0cm; padding: 0cm;">The clearer than water
c</span>hicken consommé tasted like I had stuck a straw up a chicken, in the
best possible way. The chicken
tortellini floating on top were eggy parcels of more intense bird flavour. The whole thing made me slightly ashamed that
for one tiny second, I forgot what my mom's soup tasted like. (Just one second
mom, I swear). <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPI-MfBz6S0HlGy_lVXlGjFW2IvCNjenVqN2V21ubyn4kglYIpVcEsuUc-IDK8SCPpSInSzlKz-vCcWv7m3U8PIieaDjf7qU7jv_ItTbi-1_8jIVKz1nmPrYK8JuLwQ_l5mUEoayY8pA/s1600/photo+1+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXPI-MfBz6S0HlGy_lVXlGjFW2IvCNjenVqN2V21ubyn4kglYIpVcEsuUc-IDK8SCPpSInSzlKz-vCcWv7m3U8PIieaDjf7qU7jv_ItTbi-1_8jIVKz1nmPrYK8JuLwQ_l5mUEoayY8pA/s1600/photo+1+(7).JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The
Jerusalem Mixed Grill (£28.95) was not for the Jewish or Otherwise
faint-hearted.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hanger steak, sweetbreads, chicken gizzards, pickled gherkins, onions
and tahini (oh my) were arranged surprisingly daintily on the plate and all
served to remind me why I'd never, ever be a vegetarian.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The steak was perfectly rare and though it
should have been the star (and was indeed good enough to be the star), it was
the chicken gizzards that stole the show.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A little bit meaty, a little bit poultry. 1701, if you're reading this,
can you please send me a bag ASAP to snack on in front of the TV? </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For a Good Time Jew who, let's face it, eats
out a lot, this was the best mixed grill I've had in a very, very long
time.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It puts the pork chops, sausage
and minute steak cliché to shame.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JcI24a_eoR9aSSOGPOMwrIiDdPLHdaUCy4DZQ4nRbbX6p_NLCiBjHaNrijQHX1I4-Ul4gPV0otG1NDKdy4agpJHE5lJQetUhjkVuMDKv62vehqYgxb60zTaQ22JhthMLoQw10NMQK8A/s1600/photo+2+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3JcI24a_eoR9aSSOGPOMwrIiDdPLHdaUCy4DZQ4nRbbX6p_NLCiBjHaNrijQHX1I4-Ul4gPV0otG1NDKdy4agpJHE5lJQetUhjkVuMDKv62vehqYgxb60zTaQ22JhthMLoQw10NMQK8A/s1600/photo+2+%25287%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Frucht Zup (£8.95) was modestly under-named.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A roast strawberry and black pepper consommé
with compressed melon, blackberry caviar, raspberry glass, pomegranate, sevilla
orange and pink peppercorns may sound all a bit much, but it was classy,
sophisticated and as near to perfect as a dessert could ever get.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">All that and not even one ounce of dairy -
who knew?</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIXyQiA9cmsuz4EewIX_5qqfbqrVE-rGlnWTMrIC25O6x0u_Ua6pQK5h7lZNVPUSJaXknv-VFjZDc89qM8LaEFAPrh72mPuvyinHv7Ja8zZmgVnmMph4M4EVu0jNXjpVW7Ov-gZ5FKPo/s1600/photo+3+%25287%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIXyQiA9cmsuz4EewIX_5qqfbqrVE-rGlnWTMrIC25O6x0u_Ua6pQK5h7lZNVPUSJaXknv-VFjZDc89qM8LaEFAPrh72mPuvyinHv7Ja8zZmgVnmMph4M4EVu0jNXjpVW7Ov-gZ5FKPo/s1600/photo+3+%25287%2529.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I left the table feeling very, very excited.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Excited that finally London had the real deal
Jewish cuisine, and 1701 could not care less that it's </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">bang on trend</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">. Excited that it's not even 20
minutes away from me for when I experience (as I will undoubtedly will)
withdrawal symptoms from chicken gizzards.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">But mostly excited to bring the rest of the Good Time Jews.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If, for no other reason, than for my mom to
remind me why her chicken soup is still the best, rabbi in the kitchen or not.</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top: 12.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/1756370/restaurant/Aldgate/Restaurant-1701-London"><img alt="Restaurant 1701 on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1756370/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/117791/1701?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of 1701"><img alt="Square Meal" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/117791/get-blog-review/image/large.png" height="125" width="230" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-4043774366137846822014-03-11T05:44:00.001-07:002014-03-11T05:44:54.008-07:00a Kickstarter plea for Coffee, Cake & Kisses<div class="short_blurb" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; line-height: 24px; margin: 0px; padding: 20px 10px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; color: #121a0d; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Go on, help a sister (or two) out! Here is your chance to help build an artisan coffee/bake house & lifestyle store, which aims to tease your taste buds & stimulate your senses in a place that makes you go mmm....</span></div>
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="color: #121a0d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">With everything for sale except for the staff, </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit;"><b><span style="color: #e69138;">Coffee, Cake & Kisses</span></b></span><span style="color: #121a0d; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> celebrates bonds between people, and its common expression, the kiss. </span></div>
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; color: #121a0d; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">It is the place to build all kinds of relationships, and to explore all aspects of them. The place that is thoughtfully playful and fond of good time, but does not shy away from difficult questions that sometimes just need to be asked. </span></div>
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; color: #121a0d; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">An accessible place for all people, purposefully inclusive and welcoming of all genders, sexuality, relationship models and lifestyles.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">A place that is not obsessed with the body, but which does embrace it as a wonderful thing indeed, to be enjoyed and loved.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">The concept has been in the making for a long time and now is your chance to help see it become a success by donating to its </span><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coffeecakeandkisses/coffee-cake-and-kisses?ref=live" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;" target="_blank">Kickstarter</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;"> fund.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">For a good few years, the girls behind the idea pondered how to best bring together great coffee, good cake, and indeed, kisses (as embodied in books, cards, gifts and art and, most importantly, in wonderfully diverse people).</span></div>
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; color: #121a0d; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">For a good few months, they looked for a perfect location in which to launch it and they have now found it, in central London, easily accessible for everyone. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">They have the plans drafted, and independent suppliers lined up. They have artists wanting to exhibit, and a roster of events and classes lined up. They have designers eager to showcase their interiors products, and create quality environments and they have recruited key staff.</span></div>
<div class="big_type" style="border: 0px; color: #121a0d; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: 1.3em; margin-bottom: 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; word-wrap: break-word;">
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">All they need now is YOU. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;">Come on, help out a worthy cause and get donating now!</span><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coffeecakeandkisses/coffee-cake-and-kisses?ref=live" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;" target="_blank"> </a></div>
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<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coffeecakeandkisses/coffee-cake-and-kisses?ref=live" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: 16px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit;" target="_blank">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/coffeecakeandkisses/coffee-cake-and-kisses?ref=live</a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU8W7WAVjN-79v-6pPdmHj6MIUoLH2ZntmxGMYDJ28W9AiALy9y34svQ_i7H5FODRqYZ_03EevEpXBsRKid8py5fVkV9tCcB1OqA6LVTXIXdrds9v4XeAdx0qyKdS9N-8lczKWXJPn0s/s1600/kiss.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLU8W7WAVjN-79v-6pPdmHj6MIUoLH2ZntmxGMYDJ28W9AiALy9y34svQ_i7H5FODRqYZ_03EevEpXBsRKid8py5fVkV9tCcB1OqA6LVTXIXdrds9v4XeAdx0qyKdS9N-8lczKWXJPn0s/s1600/kiss.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-72312376803369600192014-03-06T03:01:00.000-08:002014-03-06T03:10:18.113-08:00The Old Queen's Head Hosts London's Largest Bake Sale in Support of Domestic Abuse Charity, Refuge<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">To
celebrate International Women's Day, <b>The
Old Queen's Head</b> (<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy%20Berman/Documents/ChickenSoup/Clients/London's%20Largest%20Bake%20Sale/www.theoldqueenshead.com">www.theoldqueenshead.com</a>) will be hosting London's Largest
Bake Sale, with all proceeds going to domestic abuse charity, <b>Refuge</b> (<a href="file:///C:/Users/Amy%20Berman/Documents/ChickenSoup/Clients/London's%20Largest%20Bake%20Sale/www.refuge.org.uk">www.refuge.org.uk</a>).
The Islington based pub, known for its fantastic cocktails, food and
events will be showcasing an array of scrumptious baked goods from across
London on <b>8th March 2014 from 12pm to
4pm</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With
a line-up consisting of the massively popular <b>Meringue Girls</b>, the perennial favourite <b>Bea's of Bloomsbury</b>, the East's best known trendsetter <b>E5 Bakehouse </b>the artisan loaves specialist
<b>Flour Power City Bakery</b> and the
authentic American baker <b>The Yummy Yank</b>
all donating their products for charity, the event is sure to set tongues
wagging and stomachs rumbling. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">All
proceeds from sales of the baked goods will be generously donated to Refuge,
the charity which from 1971, has led the campaign against domestic violence. It
has grown to become the UK’s largest single provider of specialist domestic
violence services and on any given day, supports over 2,000 women and children.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">During
this very special one-off event, guests will not only have the chance to buy a
selection of London's finest baked goods, but the pub will also be hosting a
raffle, with prizes courtesy of <b>Churros
Garcia</b> and <b>Ms Cupcake</b>. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For
those looking for an extravagant drink to match the sugary treats, The Old
Queen's Head has created a bespoke cocktail in honour of the very special
event. <i>The Dame of Cakes </i>will be on offer in the
pub for the event only, with 20% of sales going directly to Refuge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Admission
is free as guests are encouraged to buy the tempting sweets on offer to support
not only the charity, but also women from around the globe on this very unique
International Women's Day event.</span><span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMlgduLmxvZmlAdVURzHVF-1FABXmOipjfm9GliDh-nHbu6wq4sjukU9kQ993G9qkqLmKOLPoYgXIf8TtCfxlDfWB9OCvm2kO_2HLU9_X8l55PvS8O6M9ESzgOqsEDlHv7kgwxdOFL1k/s1600/london.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzMlgduLmxvZmlAdVURzHVF-1FABXmOipjfm9GliDh-nHbu6wq4sjukU9kQ993G9qkqLmKOLPoYgXIf8TtCfxlDfWB9OCvm2kO_2HLU9_X8l55PvS8O6M9ESzgOqsEDlHv7kgwxdOFL1k/s1600/london.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Candara, sans-serif;">Visit <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/644460355610019/" target="_blank">Facebook</a> for more information</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-55924870246969028022014-01-14T09:50:00.000-08:002014-01-14T09:50:37.790-08:00an interview with Chris Pople, Cheese and Biscuits<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Newsflash: I don't know everything. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hang on, let me give you a minute to catch your breath and pick your jaw back up off the floor. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Okay, so I know that was shocking, but it's true. What's more is that there are some people in this world who <i>may </i>know more than me. And I don't want to deprive you of those people. In fact, I want to bring them easily to you via your computer, phone, tablet or however else you read this little old blog. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the first of a new series, I will be interviewing all those in the know - In The Food Know that is, starting with the one and only Chris Pople. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Chris, the brains behind one of my personal favourite food blogs, <a href="http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.co.uk/" target="_blank">Cheese and Biscuits</a>, is simply put, a man in the food know. He eats, he writes about it and he eats some more. My kind of guy. He's straight to the point, honest and passionate about good food, making him my obvious first choice for this-here-new-interview-section. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif; font-size: large;">In The Food Know with...Chris Pople, Cheese and Biscuits</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotPP8NqJ-YwOnyEZSoN_W31vitvVTIca-VOWsdINlqcjBMhkYzKFQoXMTTs1cBUQHw7EB9nJLssC39VqFUEomtmJDkNaFbdAx_y70dGtvBdCDBLy_NB95uaOxli6n0zo0SUQlInChlJg/s1600/Chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhotPP8NqJ-YwOnyEZSoN_W31vitvVTIca-VOWsdINlqcjBMhkYzKFQoXMTTs1cBUQHw7EB9nJLssC39VqFUEomtmJDkNaFbdAx_y70dGtvBdCDBLy_NB95uaOxli6n0zo0SUQlInChlJg/s320/Chris.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When did you first decide to become a food blogger? </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">February 2007.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What has been the highlight since starting your blog?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Possibly either a trip to Sweden, or getting my first substantial bit of paid writing for the Evening Standard.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s been the biggest blogging challenge?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Deciding where and where not to write up. Sometimes you have to choose between pissing off a restaurant PR who gifted you an expensive meal for free, or risk pissing of a readership sick of reading about the same places on every blog that accepted the same invite.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s the best dish you cook at home, if any?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Steak.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What is the single dish you could not live without in London?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Tayyabs' lamb chops.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If you could blow up one London restaurant, which would it be and why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Aberdeen Angus - do I need to choose just one branch, or can I blow up the whole chain? A lazy, cynical con-trick of a restaurant that exists purely to rip off tourists.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I personally hate the words ‘foodie’ and any review which says ‘nom’ – what words in food drive you crazy?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh God, loads - "on a bed of", "tasty", "plumped for", "opted for".</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whose restaurant reviews do you always read and trust?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Fay Maschler and Jay Rayner have restaurant tastes closest to my own so I trust them to recommend a place I would like too. I always read </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Marina O'Loughlin</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">as well.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Other than London, what UK city has the best food scene?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Bristol, although I've never been to Edinburgh and have heard good things about that too.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Favourite celebrity chef and why?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Simon Hopkinson. Exactly the kind of food I'd choose to make if I could cook myself, and a lovely fella to boot.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What’s missing in London food? </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Mexican!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What's next for you?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who knows. No plans to quit the day job, and no sign of writing becoming lucrative enough to live on. Just enjoying each day as it comes really!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Read Chris' blog: </span><a href="http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.co.uk/" style="background-color: transparent;">http://cheesenbiscuits.blogspot.co.uk/</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-69312123663239217542014-01-13T13:25:00.000-08:002014-01-13T13:25:30.903-08:00a review of The Clove Club<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">If, currently, you are claiming to be taking part in any
sort of January detox, odds are, I don't like you. There are a few reasons for this. One, you probably don't even know what the
word 'detox' actually means; two, you are way too easily brainwashed by every
paper, ad and tweet you read to be someone with whom I would associate; and three
(and probably most importantly), you are a fraud. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh sure, you will <i>say </i>you
are detoxing. You may even go so far as
to buy a couple of bottles of green juice and dig out your running shoes. But detoxing, you ain't. You know it.
I know it. Even the owner of your
local corner shop knows it as you sheepishly buy another pack of cookies and
hide them under your coat on your way out, unable to look him in the eyes as
you thank him with shamed breath. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How do I know, with such certainty, that you are not
detoxing? Because, dear readers, nor am
I. So let's all just admit it, eat
another cookie, and hibernate until spring.
No need to fake it, no need for fraud, certainly no need for the
"Oh hey January, I'm ready for you with my go-get-'em detoxing
mindset" tweets. NO NEED. If you can stop doing that - nay, if we can
ALL stop doing that, we can be friends again.
</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Feeling better now?
Feeling a bit more honest and, well <i>you
</i>again? Good. I'm glad I could help. Now, because you've done such a good job so
far, I'm going to generously provide you with my tips to further beat this
detoxing bug that is infecting you, step by step. Follow these instructions and, who knows,
maybe by January 2015, we will have eradicated this disease once and for all.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Step 1: Go to <a href="http://thecloveclub.com/" target="_blank">The Clove Club</a> in Shoreditch Town Hall. I would advise booking this in advance so
that there is no excuse for staying in and eating lentils.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Step 2: Don't be tempted to stick to the set menu (which
already consists of 12 dishes). Trust
me, this is not enough to beat the bug.
Do, instead, order extra charcuterie.
House Salami and Pork Belly, in their better-than-butter texture and
intensely savoury flavour are exactly the way to kick things off.</span> </div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Step 3: Indulge in snacks.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Radishes, Black Sesame & Gochuchang are fresh enough to make you </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">believe </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">you are eating healthy, but
crunchy and nutty enough to show you you're not.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wood Pigeon Sausages & Greengage Ketchup
are bite-sized morsels of gamey goodness, while Buttermilk Fried Chicken &
Pine Salt are tender, crispy pops of detox deterrent.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Step 4: Move on to mains.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes, that's plural - mainS.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Start
with Hay Baked Pheasant in its Own Jelly, a bowl full of mushroomed tints,
meaty hints and the most grown-up jelly around.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">From there, move on to Hazelwood Grilled Squid, Tarragon & Green
Meat Radishes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those pesky chefs are </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">trying </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">to trick you again with
radishes.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't worry</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">though, the curious tang of the tarragon and
the ever-so-slightly still squidgy squid will balance out the green crunch of
the good-for-you-stuff.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Roast Scottish
Langoustine, White Beer & Brown Bread should follow.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This dish is small, but bursting with the
taste of the sea.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Oh, and part of the
shellfish is fried so, ka-ching, calories galore.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">End your main extravaganza with Aged
Featherblade of Beef, Jerusalem Artichoke & Horseradish.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Not for the fainthearted, this dish is full
of flavours of the earth.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Perhaps a bit
mundane compared to the other dishes before it, but one sure to keep any
feelings of health at bay.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Step 5: Load up on sugar.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Amalfi Lemonade & Black Pepper Ice Cream will make your mouth purse
and your cheeks fizz while Warm Quince, Vanilla Cream & Ginger Crisp will
make you come over all warm and fuzzy and wondering where you left your
slippers.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Step 6: End on a high.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Peated Barley Cake & Yorkshire Rhubarb Compote will be one of the
best tastes you've had in a long, looong time so savour it.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">It's smoking hot, it's soft like a pillow and
it's slowly eliminating the detox defect from your mind.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Washed down with a Clove Club Chocolate Bar (homemade, snappy on the outside and gooey and a bit salty on the inside) and Dr
Henderson's Bon Bon's (filled with an oozy centre of Fernet Branca and Crème De
Menthe), you have just about mastered your detox demons.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There you have my six step guide to </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">not </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">detoxing and, therefore, being someone I like.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I hope you heed my words.</span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I will leave you with one final piece of
advice from Fergus Henderson, which The Clove Club honourably quotes on its menu and is perfectly apt when putting my tips into action:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"<i>Be careful, this
is so effective you can find yourself turning to its miraculous powers with
increasing regularity. Do not let the
cure become the cause"</i>. </span></div>
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<a href="http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/52/1733161/restaurant/Hoxton/The-Clove-Club-London"><img alt="The Clove Club on Urbanspoon" src="http://www.urbanspoon.com/b/link/1733161/biglink.gif" style="border: none; height: 146px; width: 200px;" /></a>
<a href="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/113973/The_Clove_Club?utm_source=Blog&utm_medium=Blog&utm_campaign=Link" target="_top" title="Read Square Meal's review of The Clove Club"><img alt="Square Meal" height="125" src="http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/113973/get-blog-review/image/large.png" width="230" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-50263081053875934072013-12-13T04:06:00.000-08:002013-12-13T04:24:28.157-08:00a prediction on food trends in 2014<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s time
to say sayonara to 2013. Like it or not,
2014 is coming blazing through, all big and electrifying, full of shiny new moments
and glistening promises of what is yet to be.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It’s an
exciting time of year – time to reflect, time to appreciate and, best of all,
time to look ahead. As such, I have
been investigating what food stuff is set to get our stomachs grumbling the
most in 2014. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are
my food trend predictions for the next year – what we’ll be eating, what we’ll
be talking about and what we’ll be salivating over the most. Agree?
Have any to add? As always, get
in touch and share your comments. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I know
there are still a few weeks left, but just in case time gets away from me – I hope
your 2013 was as incredible as mine and I hope the year ahead is as roaringly fantastic
as you can possibly handle. Sayonara. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #e69138;">Mexican
Food</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">How can
we live in one of the best cities in the world with varying cultures of food
literally pouring into the pavements and still not have authentic Mexican food easily
accessible? 2014 is the year this
changes. Wahaca will no longer have
dominance over the category. We will see
real-deal Mexican joints pop up all over the city at long last. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4LmlfJWq3QFaQIikTp7D9bsf8ultjKYNNZ7GMUje_tNkwNEMOhdomcmFARSMqprlOqbD0868Rsc52cbuiXsQ46C7FO5_5QHxFmmc1CGTG7yl7KROrN8PGhFGzHXmUu9B6dLKDGOTTO8/s1600/Mexican-Food1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4LmlfJWq3QFaQIikTp7D9bsf8ultjKYNNZ7GMUje_tNkwNEMOhdomcmFARSMqprlOqbD0868Rsc52cbuiXsQ46C7FO5_5QHxFmmc1CGTG7yl7KROrN8PGhFGzHXmUu9B6dLKDGOTTO8/s320/Mexican-Food1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brazilian
Food</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the
World Cup going all Latin American and the 2016 Olympics in distant sight, we’ll
all be reading, eating, sleeping and breathing Brazilian food. Prepare yourself for Cassava, Empanadas and Caipirinhas
galore. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUJ2_hf8pIEUcXeOvU1gK4JGRPVEu9of0wnvaYEFWsSGuVGNQc4ZbzeLeG6elcRkLQTphzfN-QIVjKaTUJIV9Aq5SZwc94XEyeITU8VHzpYMMVluA2MhfF77tU2pOSmkAxKWxICoEGjc/s1600/Empanadas-041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJUJ2_hf8pIEUcXeOvU1gK4JGRPVEu9of0wnvaYEFWsSGuVGNQc4ZbzeLeG6elcRkLQTphzfN-QIVjKaTUJIV9Aq5SZwc94XEyeITU8VHzpYMMVluA2MhfF77tU2pOSmkAxKWxICoEGjc/s320/Empanadas-041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Baked
Food</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The
baking industry is booming and this shows no signs of slowing. As Great British Bake Off moves over to BBC1 marking
its popularity as a TV show, people will only continue to grow more in awe of
bread, biscuits and Berry (Mary, that is).
We will see big bakery chains try to emulate an artisan, local vibe and
independent bakers continue to achieve unprecedented success. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5cdlLWMWJgTAhfeFTUYuGUjLnJZjJ349U7wsqsIC991vWUeaReudAt9CBzRmdQ5i8jc-7bHyEwOhQoSF3RKjGHBR__pqlJ6B1RNVCKTWZq43ozq-ovIlUE60r4QZCNmualyOhC2guwI/s1600/download.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx5cdlLWMWJgTAhfeFTUYuGUjLnJZjJ349U7wsqsIC991vWUeaReudAt9CBzRmdQ5i8jc-7bHyEwOhQoSF3RKjGHBR__pqlJ6B1RNVCKTWZq43ozq-ovIlUE60r4QZCNmualyOhC2guwI/s1600/download.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Jewish
Food</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A food
group close to my heart. Sure, we’ve had
Mishkins and Adafina (the latter not as well known, unfairly). However, 2014 is the year of the Jew. <i>Proper </i>Matzoh
Ball Soup, Potato Latkes and, dare I say it, Gefilte Fish are all going to be
shoved down our gobs in a way that would make any good Jewish mother proud. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBg8GQ9Ik46mYhCAM44U8l2jwVjxzKVk6MdeZXHqVh3tR5a4qaQ0HnADc4yyW8qimBOtHUxQkv0ZT9gxHoRFziW2QiRxG4CowvRd_wWkEbdwKI0BAUY0ipnaQtyv_6zsDz36trNvG8Ww/s1600/soup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIBg8GQ9Ik46mYhCAM44U8l2jwVjxzKVk6MdeZXHqVh3tR5a4qaQ0HnADc4yyW8qimBOtHUxQkv0ZT9gxHoRFziW2QiRxG4CowvRd_wWkEbdwKI0BAUY0ipnaQtyv_6zsDz36trNvG8Ww/s320/soup.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Burger
Backlash/Café Culture</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unfortunately,
I don’t see the burger trend dying anytime soon, but what I do see is demand
for something <i>different. </i>Next year we will witness the rise of the
café as a place people can go and eat comfort food akin to the burger that
(wait for it), <i>isn’t </i>a burger. Whether a great sandwich or an overstuffed
jacket potato, the capital dwellers will get to eat something other than the
(quite frankly passed its sell-by date) burger.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0yqFY2P4ujy4O6vHHD_10_vg7Pj0BTuxEDCI5ETPaHK8kY1Pv-HLwsMWvR5uypnp1yksVOms3hUn-Gw21pl4C8oTPmYM_TRHjs1S_g5Z6gXXZEDzfr9u5hoLGw-dcm07_vcJYkwJYtM/s1600/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo0yqFY2P4ujy4O6vHHD_10_vg7Pj0BTuxEDCI5ETPaHK8kY1Pv-HLwsMWvR5uypnp1yksVOms3hUn-Gw21pl4C8oTPmYM_TRHjs1S_g5Z6gXXZEDzfr9u5hoLGw-dcm07_vcJYkwJYtM/s1600/images.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Middle
Eastern Food</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Start
familiarising yourself with sumac now – it’s going to be everywhere in
2014. Turkish restaurants are already
popping up all over London and Ottolenghi is at the top of his game. So say hello to za'atar and don’t expect to
say goodbye to it for quite a while. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuHzYS_I9IAImB8SXlB1XXhmcVRsHOuaeljeLRuDvKsnqLnMShj2iJL2OdKnA51O1q3uimEprrugdRimNVvnv4z4LPi4dUM2qlI4mfXOIyZnVwjDmPM6omqFSTVqPV9PVXKcxWxsZM8E/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsuHzYS_I9IAImB8SXlB1XXhmcVRsHOuaeljeLRuDvKsnqLnMShj2iJL2OdKnA51O1q3uimEprrugdRimNVvnv4z4LPi4dUM2qlI4mfXOIyZnVwjDmPM6omqFSTVqPV9PVXKcxWxsZM8E/s1600/images+%25281%2529.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: #e69138; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hybrid Gobbledygook</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As much as
I despise this trend, I do believe we will see more in the line of Cronuts and
Duffins in the New Year. I’ve already
seen the Stuffin (need I explain this one?), but there’s much more to come – Waffle
Tacos, Pizza Dumplings and – yes this is real – Bronuts, one part burger, one
part donut, topped with a fried egg and maple bacon glaze. All I can hope is that 2014 is the last year any
of these phrases will ever be uttered again. </span><span style="font-family: 'Century Gothic', sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LDDMx1anJtbZNtsjIuIbdmm8KRxeJPL7vXB22zgAEVUkd1bwGb-lgBnwDVGspRGVt25ajANt72FqxWAalRuOwXph_mpQ4TVpssCHx6WrtRul29dP342i76YbRa4sFMUYXaYw536jmBE/s1600/Cronut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-LDDMx1anJtbZNtsjIuIbdmm8KRxeJPL7vXB22zgAEVUkd1bwGb-lgBnwDVGspRGVt25ajANt72FqxWAalRuOwXph_mpQ4TVpssCHx6WrtRul29dP342i76YbRa4sFMUYXaYw536jmBE/s320/Cronut.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-4819977898587408272013-11-28T03:50:00.000-08:002013-11-28T03:50:08.442-08:00an ode to Nigella<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Let me begin
with two words – Team Nigella. And then
let me stress – Team Nigella <i>Always</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The recent
events in Ms Lawson’s life are a media-hound’s dream. The ultimate Domestic Goddess falls from
grace in a spectacular way. Drugs, Abuse
and Cake. What more could you want in a
celebrity story? It could only be
improved if it turned out that Nigella was a lesbian who had been cheating on
Charles with Mary Berry. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I believe
the whole story. Nigella on drugs? Yes, I can absolutely see that. Despite the numerous books, TV shows and, let’s
face it, tons of cash, the woman hasn’t had it easy. Cancer has ripped family members from her not
once, but three times, a very public divorce and apparent abuse case has
shrouded her this year. It wouldn’t be
easy for any of us, so I’m sure it’s not easy for the Domestic Goddess
either. Am I saying drugs are the
answer? Of course not. Am I saying a celebrity turning to drugs in
times of hardship is the least shocking news I’ve heard in a while? Well, yes.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So, I
believe our dear Nigella is on drugs.
The thing is – I don’t care. The
woman has always been a huge inspiration to me.
I wasn’t a housewife in my thirties, trying to juggle a career and a
family when she rose to fame (as so many of the journalists writing about her
were). I was a young, confused teenager,
unsure of what I wanted to do with my life or where I was headed. Then the answer appeared on my TV, in the
form of a dark-haired, silk nightgown-wearing, perfectly made-up, food and word
crazed Nigella. From that day on, I was
hooked.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sure, she
led an unbelievably busy life, running from taxi to taxi in her denim jackets.
Sure, at times, she became a bit of a caricature of herself, but, my god, that
woman loved her food. And she made us all
love our food a little bit more as a result.
When she dunked an-almost-still-bleeding bit of steak into a pale creamy
bernaise sauce, I (still young, stupid and dismissive of the meat) decided that
I should give it another chance. Fifteen
years on, steak and I have never been closer.
<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Nigella made
homemade honeycomb and I tried to make homemade honeycomb, burning a few pots
and fingers along the way. Nigella made
chocolate mousse using marshmallows and I followed her lead and still think to
this day, it’s some of the bounciest mousse I’ve ever created. Nigella made it
okay to serve roast chicken to guests.
She also made it okay to fry gnocchi as a substitute for roast
potatoes. Who knew? Watching her sneak downstairs in her dressing
gown to stuff herself with a late-night snack of cold Yorkshire pudding and
golden syrup made me feel ever so slightly better about myself and the world as
a whole. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There’s not
many chefs that have inspired not one, but two generations the way that the
original Domestic Goddess has. Those
1990s thirty-somethings trying to figure out how to juggle life loved her for
helping them through and my generation (specifically me) loved her for
showing us what we wanted to do when we grow up. And perhaps, more importantly, for teaching us
how to cook. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Drugs or
not, I hope Nigella comes out of this
stronger and better and that she keeps gracing our screens in denim and silk, doing what she does best – oozing good food from every pore. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; margin-left: -7.1pt; margin-right: -2.3pt; margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Team Nigella
</span><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always. </span><span style="font-family: Century Gothic, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1u536E4QUfYz9titqyeaqQn3cPmn5cCOhx67zm_1vIA0986udS1VyXfUyVLH-xLmwdU4YCE1PF77N-t8ZepfddZL9bKx6NegJ9eHI9v6ad7lyVfnA4xN5wjLwG94bkn-5lZV_kSpOe0/s1600/Nigella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX1u536E4QUfYz9titqyeaqQn3cPmn5cCOhx67zm_1vIA0986udS1VyXfUyVLH-xLmwdU4YCE1PF77N-t8ZepfddZL9bKx6NegJ9eHI9v6ad7lyVfnA4xN5wjLwG94bkn-5lZV_kSpOe0/s320/Nigella.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5328210492394116575.post-2284459909596408552013-11-26T13:16:00.000-08:002013-11-26T13:21:36.688-08:00a thanksgiving pop-up debrief<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">One of my favourite things is being surprised. I love a perfect gift I never expected or a book I dreaded turning out to be a page-turner. But the best form of surprise is the kind I manage to give myself.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">For a long time, I have wanted to host a supper club. I am confident in my cooking abilities and people skills so it seemed like something I would naturally enjoy. Did I do anything about this desire? No, I just kept saying and not doing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Until a couple months ago when down I trotted to Tooting Market for a Philippine pop-up restaurant. The night was great fun and one of my friends said, "Amy, why don't <i>you</i> host a pop-up?". So I got chatting to the event manager, we exchanged emails and a few days later, I had bypassed a supper club for ten people and signed up to host my own pop-up restaurant for 85 people. Naturally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It took some time to decide on the perfect theme, but as the pop-up was held on the 23rd November, American Thanksgiving seemed the only way to go. It then took some time to decide on the menu. Could I ever do a moist turkey in a makeshift kitchen in a market for all those people? I had to think creatively. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The final menu (Sweet Potato Soup with Salted Chilli Marshmallows, Turkey & Cranberry Burgers on Cornbread Buns, Sausage Stuffing, Cranberry Sauce, Macaroni and Cheese and Buffalo Green Been Fries) was a fun interpretation of the classics and far more </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">me </i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">than a normal turkey dinner. I drafted in the best baker I know, my mother </span><a href="http://www.theyummyyank.co.uk/" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;" target="_blank">The Yummy Yank</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> to supply her amazing Pecan Pie Bars and Pumpkin Chocolate Chilli Bars for dessert. We were set. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So the easy part was done. We sat back and watched the coverage in the press grow. My little pop-up was suddenly being featured in The Evening Standard (not once, but three times), Stylist Magazine, Emerald Street and Le Cool, amongst others. It was hugely exciting and massively terrifying. Could I pull this off? People were going to be expecting something </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">good</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The week before the event is when the cooking began. I made 92 burgers and put them in the freezer. 92 burgers in a London-sized freezer is something to behold. Each day, I went to work, came home and cooked another element of the menu. I found myself covered in flour, sugar, eggs and batter most evenings. I'm pretty sure one day I went to work with dried cranberry sauce on my cheek. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Finally the day was upon us and I felt a bit sick. Packing the car with all the food was difficult. When the soup started spilling down the back seat, my misery was audible. We made it though and, at 7.30pm, the guests started to arrive. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">What transpired was a night of firsts. The first time I ever cooked in industrial sized catering pots. The first time I ever saw my boyfriend compere (exceedingly well, by the way) a chilli eating competition, which resulted in someone being sick. (Hey, it's not Man vs. Food unless someone is sick). The first time time I stood up in front of a sold out crowd of 85 people and thanked them for coming to my very own pop-up restaurant. Even now, it doesn't feel real.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">With the help of my amazing family and boyfriend and incredible support from my friends, I hosted my own pop-up restaurant and I loved every minute of it. Hard work? Probably some of the hardest work I've ever done. Stressful? Relationships nearly ended a few times. Worth it? Absolutely. I can't wait for the next one. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Surprises from others are great, but nothing in this world can beat the surprises you give yourself. Rising to the challenge, exceeding my own expectations and, ultimately, enjoying the whole thing - well, that's a surprise from me to me I won't be forgetting in a hurry. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08279582929785109270noreply@blogger.com1