November 2009
17 posts
3 tags
Culture Shock
I was wondering when it was going to happen.
And it did.
Yesterday at the Tesco in Ealing.
Specifically, in the pork section.
I could not find any sliced pieces of pork.
How silly of me to think that everything would be cut into pieces ideal for picking up with chopsticks.
Must remind self that I’m in knife and fork land.
And must also sharpen my knives for some DIY pork slicing.
4 tags
Brunch: Cafe Plum
We ventured out one grim-looking Saturday morning to Cafe Plum in Hammersmith. We were warned that the place is small and often busy, but upon entering and surveying other diners’ plates, we knew we had to wait.
The wait was worth it. Some of us ordered the giant full English breakfast pictured above, whereas J went for the Eggs Benedict below. Beautiful presentation, but the egg was a...
4 tags
Lunch: Roast to Go, Borough Market,
I first had this in 2008 during my first trip to London. Seriously good cracking, generous servings, and bread that doesn’t require too much work.
￡6 for a pork belly sandwich with apple sauce is a bit extravagant, but OH SO WORTH THE TREAT.
4 tags
Dinner: Mushroom Risotto
Visited Borough markets for the first time since my first visit to London a year or so ago. Picked up a few yummy things for dins, which was:
An assortment of miscellaneous mushrooms sauteed with butter and thyme, mixed through a risotto and then topped with quite bitter rocket leaves, a sprinkle of truffle oil, a little lemon zest, S&P and a few shavings of parmesan.
Dessert was courtesy of...
3 tags
The Office Push-Button Drink Machine
Hot chocolate: Good
Cafe Mocha: Sh!te
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Coffee Republic's Nutella Hot Chocolate
Now, I LOVE my Nutella. But this was a bit much. Having been tricked by the menu layout into ordering a Regular sized drink instead of a small one, I found the overpowering sweetness of this a bit.. well, overpowering.
Had they charged much less and served it in a cute espresso cup, it would’ve been perfect. A side of orange biscuits would have also been nice ;)
4 tags
Flat White
Five years in Japan makes a gal forget what good coffee is supposed to be like.
All those memories came flooding back upon my first sip of Flat White’s flat white. A proper flat white requires no sugar whatsoever. Its foam is smooth and creamy, and it goes so very well with……
.. Why HELLLOOOO gorgeous! A flourless (?) chocolate brownie also from Flat White. Not too stodgy.....
4 tags
Atariya, West Acton
Popped into Atariya’s West Acton branch after work. Much smaller than I thought, but this is obviously where the Japanese folks go for their goods out west.
I felt a tear or two well up in my eye when I got my “Irrashaimase!” greeting from the gentlemen out back slicing fish. How I’ve missed that!
The store stocks the basic sauces, seasonings and condiments. Lots of...
4 tags
Taro Ramen
My cravings for Japanese food led me one afternoon to Taro’s on Brewer St.
I know my hopes shouldn’t be set too high when it comes to Japanese food outside of Japan, but I couldn’t help but hope just a little bit that Taro would be The One.
We ordered a chicken katsudon and miso ramen. The katsudon was tasty, but the egg could’ve been softer and wobblier/creamier. It...
3 tags
RIP Slickety Jim's
This has not been a good year for some of my favourite eateries.
First the delightful Maranui Cafe got burned down, and I just found out that Slickety Jim’s has also met a similar fate.
:’(
4 tags
Dinner: Leek, Mushroom & Chorizo Pasta
Slices of chorizo fried with sliced leek and mushrooms until leeks are tender, then tossed with pasta (tonight it was fusilli) and cream before seasoning.
I love leeks. I’ve never seen them in Japan, so that’s five years of leek deprivation. Other leek recipes appreciated ― I’ve got some catching up to do!
3 tags
Berlin Eats
Stuffing my face in Berlin at the moment.
Note to self: two curry wursts at 4pm won’t necessarily digest in time for dinner.
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Dinner: Warm Pumpkin Salad
Chunks of roasted pumpkin tossed with salad leaves, cubes of goats cheese, ripped chunks of toasted bread, and a balsamic/olive oil dressing with a squeeze of lemon juice + S&P.
Could do with some toasted pine nuts sprinkled on top, I reckon.
5 tags
Dinner at Mandalay
Time Out called it London’s No. 1 Cheap Eats restaurant. So of course I had to try it.
The twice-cooked fish curry picture was delicious. I love stuff that’s deep fried and then sauced.
Service is super friendly. The restaurant only takes bookings however, so don’t get snarky (like the two women who came in while we were eating) if you are turned away.
3 tags
Heston's Tudor Feast →
Everything about this show, the creativity, the history, the techniques, the trickery, the crossing of food into all other areas.. blows me away.
4 tags
Rice Cooker-less
Having been spoiled for the past five years with wonderful, intelligent rice cookers, it was with a heavy heart that I had to say “Sayonara!” to my beloved Zojirushi “Beat” cooker. It played a little tune when you started it, and played another to signal it was done.
I have never really attempted cooking rice sans rice cooker before, but Atsuko of Atsuko’s Kitchen...
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Atsuko's Kitchen →
Attended this the other night. Atsuko is super friendly, knowledgeable and a great teacher!
