Sunday 27th Febuary 2010
Currently munching: Smoked Salmon and scrambled eggs with cream and chives
Well I have not blogged forever because I have been suffering from a wrist injury. , which has made typing very painful. It is on the mend so I thought I would do a big round up paragraph of some places I have been to in last few months before getting back on track!!! Firstly, it has been a whole new year since I last blogged. I think it only right that I nominate my favourite restaurant of 2009 even if it is somewhat belatedly! It has to go to Bob Bob Ricard in Soho. I love this place, the decor is so fantastically kitsch but complete; even the waiters uniforms are theatrically in keeping. The menu is varied and affordable, but can easily become a more quality expensive meal if you decided – I like that you can have a great time no matter your budget. I love the toasters that come to the table a breakfast time so you can toast your own bread; I love that Ritz crackers with dairylea triangles is a bar snack! It is a bit like going to grandmas for dinner, dining on scotch eggs with salad cream for a starter and salmon and cucumber for a main. It works as a concept, and most importantly it brings some fun and joy to eating out – when we are watching the pennies the value of humour and enjoyment to a meal really makes it a memorable occasion.
In terms of places I have been in last few months, I can happily report that I have been back to Pizza East a few times now and have not been disappointed. They are consistent, the staff is fantastic and the place is getting busier and busier creating a fantastic vibe. I tried the Princess of Shoreditch for Sunday lunch with friends just after Christmas and was disappointed – a lazy gastro pub resting on clichés and over priced with robot staff; won’t go back. Another place not getting a return visit is Boho Mexica on Commercial Street. I went as they had a fantastic 4 star rating in Time out, the review hung proudly in the window. We were the only table there for the two hour period, the food was unimaginative and bland, even the tortilla chips were stale, the cocktails were poorly executed. A good Mexican restaurant is impossible to find in the UK it seems (although I do rate Green and Red on Bethnal Green Road in fairness), and with Boho Mexica you are certainly still searching. Drinks in the Commercial Tavern beforehand however were great. It is one of the most beautiful buildings, the decor inside is crazy and fun, the staff are lovely and friendly and the drinks are well priced – also not to many try hard Shoreditch types inside, a great place to hang out.
Finally, my new favourite drinking hangout is The Arts Theatre Bar just of Old Compton Street. It is an underground hidden treasure, full of quirks and vintage appeal: brick walls, distressed leather sofas, a dug out piano hiding a DJ booth, antique chest of drawers used as back bar shelving and prohibition pitchers served in mismatched vintage teapots and cups with saucers. I love the very speakeasy/New York decor. The cocktails are approachable, palatable and very competently made – highlights are a well made old fashioned, the orange and ginger daiquiri and a teapot of pineapple mai tai made with Appleton ox to the old trader Vic’s 1944 recipe.
So that’s a quick round up for you lovely readers. I am on the mend now and will be logging much more frequently – there will be cocktails recipes coming up as I have been mixing up a storm in my kitchen and have great ideas to share. Also, watch this space for the Hungry Londoners pop up restaurant soon to be launched – email with ideas for a name as nothings been decided just yet and it would be great to have your input – winning name gets a free dinner!!!
Happy Munching!
