Back!

Yes, I did disappear for a bit. It's been a crazy week & a bit and couldn't find a single moment to sit down at the computer. But it was a fun crazy week & a bit. Let me regale you with what I've done! 

FIIIINNINALLY made it to Pitt Cue (or it's little truck on the south bank) and managed to try the pulled pork. 
It was pretty good, very good actually. But the best parts were the sides. Homemade pickles where you can still taste the cucumber heritage, fresh slaw to counterbalance the heavy pork and amazing fried shiitake mushroom. 
There were no lines at the truck so definitely a great way to get the Pitt Cue taste without the Pitt Cue wait. 

Oysters from Wright Brothers- a great place to stop and rest your feet at borough market. 
I learnt a little bit about this shellfish while there:


The colder the water, the bigger and fatter the oyster! 


I don't know why you wouldn't want the biggest, fattiest and juiciest oyster but apparently some people dont. NOT ME! 
I would highly recommend visiting Wright Brothers, getting the 'sample platter' with 3 different types of oysters (2 of each) and a pint of Guinness. Then, when you've tried that, just order an entire platter of the Lindisfarne. THEY'RE THE BEST. 

The rooftop at Selfridges- with the Daylesford cafe
Thank goodness for the Olympics. Central London has been pretty quiet this weekend and therefore managed to check out the rooftop at Selfridges without having to wait! 
A bit massively overpriced but atmospheric. Never managed to check out the mini golf but looked fun and people seem to be enjoying themselves. 
We shared a lovely bakewell tart that wasn't too sickly sweet but just perfectly satisfied my niggiling sweetooth craving. 
I was very envious of those who had decided to have the full traditional tea. They bring over small stacked open crates (like what you would store wholesale vegetables in) with bitesized sandwiches on whole seeded buns with fillings like smoked salmon or egg. On the second small crate was the scones. Not huge but they looked very moist and well made from where I sat. 
They were also selling jelly (or jello depending who you are) in molds by Bompas & Parr (they also designed the mini golf course). The jelly of the day for us was gin & violet. They were very small and therefore perfect as a little snack with your drink. 
They also serve wine up there so I imagine it would be an amazing place to get an afterwork drink while looking over London. 
Go enjoy the garden rooftop while playing mini golf and escaping mad Oxford St below!

Opening Ceremony at London Live in Hyde Park. SO proud to be a Londoner. Bring it on world! 

 The best cinnamon role from Nordic Bakery

Fried custard and courgette flowers from Brick Lane Market

Writing this all down really makes me realize how much my life revolves around food. 
Let me know if you try any of these places out!

London Happenings #3: Supper Clubs

I love the idea of supper clubs. So secretive and private and full of surprises (or that's what I imagine them like, but my description sounds a bit like a boy with commitment issues). 
Here are just a few around London: 


White Room Supper Club

here

Run by a professional with a passion for food. It's about meeting new people and eating good food. Suggested donation is 35 pounds and it's BYOB. 


Italian Supper Club
I think they sum it up well-

The main ingredients of our events are food, wine and people - the first two must be Italian and the third one should simply have a big smile when they arrive and a bigger one when they leave.

Who doesn't want to go to an event described like that! Each event is at a different location and is capped at 30 people and costs 35 pounds including a wine pairing for each course. 

Saltoun Supper Club
Twice a week they turn a flat in Brixton into a restaurant for 16 people. They offer a set 4 course menu with a vegetarian option including homemade bread and treats. As is typical with supper clubs, BYOB. 

here

+65
Singapourian Supper Club that has been getting a lot of press. Their menus look adventurous and exciting and most importantly, delicious! 

here

The Secret Larder
North London supper club run by James Ramsden every other Thursday 

here

 I can't wait to try some of these out! Have any of you been to a supper club in London?

An Ode to a Craving

S'more Maker/ Mail order S'muffin/ Bourbon Bacon S'more Recipe/ Homemade Marshmallow/ S'more Candy Bar Recipe/ Home Made Graham Crackers Recipe

Summer Salad

Peach, mozzarella, fennel, roasted corn salad with shrimp. 


I'm pretty smug with coming up with this all by myself because it was good, really really good. Has exactly what it says on the box and is super easy. 


I grilled the peaches, sautéed the shrimp in some butter and garlic, grilled the corn on the cob and then tossed it in with some pea shoots, mint, chopped fennel, mozzarella, a little olive oil, balsamic and a touch of orange juice and orange zest. BAM- one of the best summer salads you'll have (if I do say ever-so-smugly myself).

This picture doesn't do it justice, you must go make this yourself. now. 

Alice House

 Alice House is the perfect antidote to pub fatigue (which I currently have). 
It's large enough to not elbow people every time you lift your drink but not too big that it doesn't have a bustle. The atmosphere is great and the bar staff are really friendly and helpful, but the BEST part, and the most important part, is their drinks menu. 
Their cocktails are the perfect blend of Britishness (think gin, think cider, think elderflower) mixed with 'other' (think tequila, think rum, think champagne!). If your party is big enough they offer several of their signature cocktails in teapots (an increasingly common trend I'm finding). 

I was too quick to drink so didn't take enough time to actually write down what I had, but I can say they were some of the best cocktails I've had in the UK recently. The first had sparkling wine with Early Grey syrup (and a few other additions) and the other was a rhubarb based drink with tequila. 
Although I didn't try any their food looked pretty delicious too! When you're next in the North West London area, I would highly recommend a stop in. 

Lost Crates

This is taking monthly cheese club to a whole new level. 


Subscribe to Lost Crates and get a curated designed-themed box each month. 
Choose from boxes based around 'Foodie' or 'Housewares' or curated boxes by Design Milk or Joy the Baker (you KNOW those are going to be good). If you can't choose then they offer a quiz which will help you figure out which box would best suit what you want. 
For $25 dollars for each delivery. I think this sounds like a really great idea!

here

here

here

London Happenings #2: Nice to Meet you

I think this sounds like the best idea ever.


On the Dalston Roof Park Art Wednesday, a website dedicated to exposing Londoners to creative ideas, products and experiences, is hosting Nice To Meet You (NTMY). For £30 you can get a ticket to this amazing monthly summer event which invites speakers to talk and musicians to perform about what excites and inspires them. 

here

This month's speaker is Ben Hammersley the editor of Wired UK and the band is Violet [Pixie Geldof]. 


As the event itself discribes-



"Leaders and innovators from the worlds of business, art, music, advertising and everything below, above and beyond will bed you in to tell you their tales and invite you to question their journeys and motives.
These delicate, immersive events, with the most expansive and progressive people on the planet are the first in a series of live opportunities for the AW community to come together, discuss and exchange the very visions, ambitions and opinions that make you the people we want to attend." here


How do I know this is an event after my own heart?! Because food is included in the ticket price and it looks amazing! 
Pulled Pork Burgers, Butternut Burger with Walnut Pesto and Date's A Hog (sherry soaked Medjool dates, stuffed with dolcelatte and wrapped in bacon). 


Go for the event but definitely stay for the food!
Buy Tickets Here 

Happy Week

It's been a bit manic this week. Back very soon!

here

4th July Cocktails

It's 4th July tomorrow and although it will go largely unnoticed here in the UK who's to say we can't have our own party with some classic American cocktails!




The Mint Julep 

here

recipe adapted from Southern Living

3 fresh mint leaves

1 tablespoon simple syrup

Crush Ice

bourbon

Crush the mint and simple syrup together. Pour in the crushed ice and top with bourbon. Finish with a sprig of fresh mint and some powdered sugar

Long Island Ice Tea

here

Recipe found here

1⁄2 oz. gin

1⁄2 oz. vodka

1⁄2 oz. tequila

1⁄2 oz. light rum

1⁄2 oz. Cointreau

3⁄4 oz. lemon juice

Top with cola

Lemon wedge

Whisky Sour

here

recipe adapted from here

2oz bourbon

1oz lime juice

1oz lemon juice

1 tablespoon sugar

Garnish with an orange slice

Raspberry Beer Cocktail (okay, not exactly classic, but still pretty American!)

here

Recipe taken from here

1 cup of fresh raspberries or frozen

4 bottles of corona (12oz) beer, chilled 

1 container frozen raspberry lemonade concentrate, thawed or pink lemonade

1/2 cup good quality vodka

Garnish: lemon slices, or raspberries.

Weekly Wrap Up

My favorite internet finds from the week!

1) Yes/ No pillow 
2) DIY sequined clutch from Style me Pretty
3) No bake chocolate oreo cherry tarts
3) The Lodge on Lock Goil- Amazing hotel in Scotland with a tree house!
4) Blanca Monros Gomez ring
5) Printed Leather clutch