Archive For June 2016

Saturday Brunch at OXBO, Bankside – restaurant review

Saturday Brunch at OXBO, Bankside – restaurant review

This isn’t my first visit to OXBO and it won’t be my last. Yes, dear reader, it’s a restaurant in a hotel but it has very individual and quirky charm, and food to appeal to even the pickiest of eaters. Its weekend Brunches and Roasts are becoming celebrated and visitors to London couldn’t find a…

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Stuzzico in London’s village – restaurant review

Stuzzico in London’s village – restaurant review

Talk about London and it’s likely a conversation about financial hubs (yes, even now after Brexit), the bustle of Oxford Street, the draw of Theatreland and the Tower of London will ensue. But London is actually made up of villages which remain far more charming and welcoming than the thronging thoroughfares more familiar to tourists…

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Lemon Tarragon Smoked Salmon Spread

Lemon Tarragon Smoked Salmon Spread

From Whole Foods Market   Serves 8 Start off any get-together deliciously with this simple smoked salmon spread that will have everyone asking for the recipe. Make it up to two days ahead and serve with water crackers or matzos.   Ingredients 1 (4-ounce) package  Sliced Smoked Salmon 1 (8-ounce) package neufchâtel cheese 1 tablespoon…

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Ozeki Dry Sake – drinks review

Ozeki Dry Sake – drinks review

If we are new to sake we will likely be looking for a mild flavour and a light sake. Yes, sake does indeed have a different taste profile from wine. But Japan’s national beverage is distinctive, complex and can be rewarding to those who appreciate its layers and balance. I found Ozeki Dry Sake particularly…

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Forman’s Restaurant, Hackney – review

Forman’s Restaurant, Hackney – review

London is moving east. There has been much investment in an area that already had good transport links. New building for both housing and commerce has revitalised local economies and indeed aspirations. H. Forman’s restaurant is best placed to enjoy the benefits of a rising population that appreciates tastes of the good life. Forman’s Restaurant…

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Japanese-style Panko Prawns with Lime Mayo

Japanese-style Panko Prawns with Lime Mayo

From Sainsbury’s Panko Prawns: plump large prawns, cooked in a crispy crumb and served with a lime mayonnaise.   Serves: 6   Ingredients 18 raw tail-on tiger prawns 1 egg, beaten 50g Bart Sea Salt Cracked Black Pepper Crispy Crumbs 6 tablespoons mayonnaise 1 lime, zest and juice   Method Carefully cut the prawns almost…

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Le Garrick: Steak with je ne sais quoi – restaurant review

Le Garrick: Steak with je ne sais quoi – restaurant review

Le Garrick restaurant and wine bar is conveniently located in the heart of Covent Garden in London’s West End. I am no stranger here even though this neighbourhood has a wealth of restaurants of every culinary hue. It’s a timeless treasure and became one of my favourite restaurants after that very first visit. As I…

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Italian Chowder with Cod and Kale

Italian Chowder with Cod and Kale

From Whole Foods Market   Serves 4 Here’s a satisfying family recipe incorporating seafood into your Health Starts Here™ lifestyle. It’s made with just enough of our frozen Wild-Caught Pacific Cod to provide good flavour to the broth and vegetables. This cod is value priced but high-quality, pure seafood never bathed or dipped in artificial…

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Talli Joe, Shaftesbury Avenue – restaurant review

Talli Joe, Shaftesbury Avenue – restaurant review

The name had me curious from the start. There is an explanation, however. Joe is a ‘regular Joe’ indicating a casual inclusiveness and he could be from anywhere and going anywhere. That just about sums up London. The restaurant describes the Talli element thus: “Talli /T-uh-li/ tipsy (adjective), a happy intoxicated state of being, often…

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Vassilis Papagiannakos at Domaine Papagiannakos Winery – interview

Vassilis Papagiannakos at Domaine Papagiannakos Winery – interview

A few years ago one might scoff at the prospect of a visit to a Greek winery. The memory of old-school Retsina lingers on. That wine had more in common, to non-Greek taste buds at least, with that in which one might clean paint brushes. But those days are gone and now Greek wineries are…

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Cream Tea Cruise from MBNA Thames Clippers – travel review

Cream Tea Cruise from MBNA Thames Clippers – travel review

I am a Londoner and I am ashamed to say that I rarely take advantage of visiting our iconic and internationally-appreciated historic and cultural sites, unless I just happen to be passing. The Thames is our ancient thoroughfare, but now work vessels are mostly a thing of distant memory – that watery road is these…

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Shirataki Shuzo Atoaji Kiriri Uonuma Junmai Sake – drinks review

Shirataki Shuzo Atoaji Kiriri Uonuma Junmai Sake – drinks review

The quality junmai sake, made in Uonuma City in Niigata, is a pure sake made of just 100% Japanese rice polished to 65% of its original size. The key ingredients are water and koji mould, which turns the starch in the rice to the sugars necessary for fermentation. With about 90 sake breweries, Niigata is…

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