As I lie in a hospital bed, awaiting the very hit and miss food being served, I reminisce of a recent brilliant city lunch I shared with a friend. Beneath the hustle and bustle of the City, where bankers and lawyers rule the roost, lies a charming little Pan Asian outlet in the aptly named 1 Poultry.
Ume markets itself as a 'fast, healthy and nutritious' restaurant and delivers on all levels. I wasn't really sure what I was expecting, but I was impressed. The menu is perhaps a little on the short side, especially as a lot of the meals included ramen noodles which I'm not a fan of; but once again there were multiple tempting options, including the well-known chicken katsu curry and yakisoba. As someone who often frequents Wagamamas, I wanted something different so I opted for the Kung Pao Chicken with a side of spicy prawn crackers, while my friend went for Ma Po Tofu.
My friends clearly know me well and are aware of my eating habits. The portions were huge. Your typical lunch outlet will provide a single Tupperware box with everything mixed in. Ume filled one box with the meat part, and one box full of rice of your choice. Ume-zing. The meal itself was delicious too. What particularly stood out to me was actually the prawn crackers. I've never experienced prawn crackers like that before but what a difference a bit of seasoning can make!
Absolutely worth trying if you're out and about in the City. All reasonable prices except for drinks which are typically marked up like anywhere else in the centre of town (it's next to a Wetherspoons pub if you're that concerned about money!). I shall be returning.
A
P.S. The website contains the full menu - have a look! http://www.umerestaurant.co.uk/
Monday, 28 July 2014
Friday, 25 July 2014
London - Franco Manca
Finally, a pizza that begs of you to abuse it; to rip, roll and fold it to your hearts content, to snatch at and devour it. (This is getting very 50 shades…) So, before I continue, I would like to assure you that no pizzas were made to do what they didn't want to in the making of this post.
Franco Manca. Home of the heavenly sourdough pizza. These guys have popped up all over the place, you can find them in Brixton, Tottenham Court Road, Westfields, Chiswick, Southfields, so head in nearly any direction on the tube and you can be sure you are honing in on a pizza paradise.
These guys are special because their bases are made from a sourdough that takes 20 hours to rise. The pizzas are then freshly made before being blast-cooked in a brick oven. However, the whole process for the customer, from ordering your food to it being ready, only takes around five minutes. Plus, they're cheap - my Margherita was only £5.90. Now isn't that great? Farewell to waiting hours for a mediocre, overpriced 'Romana' in Pizza Express.
After coming out of yoga this morning I was aware of a pizza craving that had been haunting me for a few days. So, disregarding the fact that I had just been doing plank for what felt like nigh on forever, I decided to reward myself and stroll defiantly home in yoga pants with a pizza box planted firmly under one arm. What awaited me on opening it was glorious. A picture perfect stone-baked pizza. Yet, like I say, this is a pizza that begs you to rip, roll and fold it. For any crust-haters out there, leave your preconceptions outside the box, as this is almost the best bit, for it is soft and slightly chewy, with the tangy hint of sourdough.
Lots of new pizza places are popping up all over London these days, making it tricky to decide which one to venture to. While the main distinguishing feature at Franco Manca is its sourdough base, I would say this is draw enough. They're cheap, quick, as delicious as any of the best pizzas out there, and have the bonus of sourdough. Plus, they're not a pizza you have to treat politely. Feel free to get Grey with them.
- J
Franco Manca. Home of the heavenly sourdough pizza. These guys have popped up all over the place, you can find them in Brixton, Tottenham Court Road, Westfields, Chiswick, Southfields, so head in nearly any direction on the tube and you can be sure you are honing in on a pizza paradise.
After coming out of yoga this morning I was aware of a pizza craving that had been haunting me for a few days. So, disregarding the fact that I had just been doing plank for what felt like nigh on forever, I decided to reward myself and stroll defiantly home in yoga pants with a pizza box planted firmly under one arm. What awaited me on opening it was glorious. A picture perfect stone-baked pizza. Yet, like I say, this is a pizza that begs you to rip, roll and fold it. For any crust-haters out there, leave your preconceptions outside the box, as this is almost the best bit, for it is soft and slightly chewy, with the tangy hint of sourdough.
Lots of new pizza places are popping up all over London these days, making it tricky to decide which one to venture to. While the main distinguishing feature at Franco Manca is its sourdough base, I would say this is draw enough. They're cheap, quick, as delicious as any of the best pizzas out there, and have the bonus of sourdough. Plus, they're not a pizza you have to treat politely. Feel free to get Grey with them.
- J
Friday, 27 June 2014
Bristol - 51
Here's a short one.
A: Having had a little gorge earlier, I wasn't fancying something too filling and to my delight the pizzas prepared were specially-made to be lightweight, yet full of filling and flavour. I went for an interesting choice in the butternut squash, ricotta and pine nut pizza. An unusual choice of mine, but not regrettable. A palpable, quaint pizza to fill that little hole - just what I wanted.
A: Stokes Croft - Bristol's eclectic, independent haven where anything local is praised and endeared. What a wonderful pub though, with three different levels, unusual interior and offered a whole range of different meals using all locally-sourced ingredients in true Bristol style. 51 was classy, yet rough on the edges and a nice change from the big chains that dominate most city centres.
J: Another friend joined us and we shared the portobello mushroom and brie burger, which was equally delicious and filling. We were told that all the food there had been tried and tested to make it as healthy as possible, and you could really tell. Even the chips felt healthier than usual and there was a slight tussle for the last few, which is always a good sign.
A: Having had a little gorge earlier, I wasn't fancying something too filling and to my delight the pizzas prepared were specially-made to be lightweight, yet full of filling and flavour. I went for an interesting choice in the butternut squash, ricotta and pine nut pizza. An unusual choice of mine, but not regrettable. A palpable, quaint pizza to fill that little hole - just what I wanted.
A & J
London - VQ
3am and drawn to the light like a mosquito to a light, we stumbled across VQ along the Fulham Road in Chelsea. We had heard great tales; tales of jaegerbombs and brownies at 8am, of pancakes and breakfast treats at 1am - the legend awaited us in all its shining glory. A 24 hour bistro with a full licence.
Indeed the stories were true - pancakes can be consumed any time of day - with ice cream or bacon depending on what you fancy and alcohol does indeed flow throughout the night and into the next day and through that night too and so forth.
One friend opted for the pancakes - a good choice, albeit at £9. As a typical fairly drunk recent graduate, all I really wanted was a plate of chips. After a bit of a wait what the 'chef' returned to me was not quite what I was expecting. I have to admit, 'Truffle oil chips with blue cheese dip' for £3.50 sounded like a bit of a steal. Rather than some slightly posh fluffy potato scrumptiousness, I was presented with a bowl of what were essentially ready salted crisps. No hint of truffle oil to be found. I paid £3.50 for a packet of crisps... I can't even use the excuse 'this is Chelsea after all', even for Chelsea that's a rip-off. The saving grace though was the blue cheese dip which was actually very tasty with my crisps. My friend however, was not so lucky, ordering 'rustic Italian bread' and receiving - yes, you guessed it - toast.
Attempting to find the least over-priced drink on the menu was fairly difficult, but I settled for a strawberry and mango iced tea which was incredible. Just what I needed.
Having queued to squeeze into this tiny restaurant-bar to receive sub-standard, well-marketed food we were already pretty peeved. The final nail in the coffin was when we received our receipt which was the first time we were told that we were paying for entry to the dive. Frankly, I wouldn't have minded if we'd had to pay on the door, but to deceive us up to the point of no return is fairly disgraceful.
Like the mosquito and the light, we'd been drawn in by the allure of the light, only to receive an unexpected death, the death being our money, which felt like it was being snatched from our hands (hypothetically of course - the staff were actually fairly pleasant). We walked towards the light and got our comeuppance. Don't make the same mistake.
A
Indeed the stories were true - pancakes can be consumed any time of day - with ice cream or bacon depending on what you fancy and alcohol does indeed flow throughout the night and into the next day and through that night too and so forth.
One friend opted for the pancakes - a good choice, albeit at £9. As a typical fairly drunk recent graduate, all I really wanted was a plate of chips. After a bit of a wait what the 'chef' returned to me was not quite what I was expecting. I have to admit, 'Truffle oil chips with blue cheese dip' for £3.50 sounded like a bit of a steal. Rather than some slightly posh fluffy potato scrumptiousness, I was presented with a bowl of what were essentially ready salted crisps. No hint of truffle oil to be found. I paid £3.50 for a packet of crisps... I can't even use the excuse 'this is Chelsea after all', even for Chelsea that's a rip-off. The saving grace though was the blue cheese dip which was actually very tasty with my crisps. My friend however, was not so lucky, ordering 'rustic Italian bread' and receiving - yes, you guessed it - toast.
Attempting to find the least over-priced drink on the menu was fairly difficult, but I settled for a strawberry and mango iced tea which was incredible. Just what I needed.
Having queued to squeeze into this tiny restaurant-bar to receive sub-standard, well-marketed food we were already pretty peeved. The final nail in the coffin was when we received our receipt which was the first time we were told that we were paying for entry to the dive. Frankly, I wouldn't have minded if we'd had to pay on the door, but to deceive us up to the point of no return is fairly disgraceful.
Like the mosquito and the light, we'd been drawn in by the allure of the light, only to receive an unexpected death, the death being our money, which felt like it was being snatched from our hands (hypothetically of course - the staff were actually fairly pleasant). We walked towards the light and got our comeuppance. Don't make the same mistake.
A
Monday, 16 June 2014
The Best Open-Sandwich Ever
I came across this go-to-lunch when I was scraping together what I could from the fridge one day, and it was so good, I haven't looked back.
I had made my own sourdough a few days before (get me), and was at the tail end of my little round loaf so decided to cobble together a toasted open sandwich.
All we had in the fridge was some horseradish in the back, some beetroot under a box of eggs, and few whips of coriander. There was also some tinned mackerel in the cupboard. (I'm the only one in my family who likes tinned mackerel, or mackerel for that matter, and I know it sounds gross and akin to spam, but it is more neutral-tasting than the smoked mackerel you can get in the refrigerator aisle and is cheap as anything. It's a handy cupboard companion for times likes these).
Just pile it all on and nod smilingly as you realise how grateful you are you read this.
Toast the bread, top with mackerel, top with a big dollop of horseradish, sprinkle on cubed beetroot and finish with coriander.
Trust me it's delish and I've made it for friends who all agree and hinted wildly for seconds, (which they obviously got).
I hope you enjoy.
- J
Saturday, 14 June 2014
London - Pix
Pix, Pix, you get all the Ticks, you give us a Mix of food on Stix.
It's a working progress.
But I'm actually a big fan of Pix. They are popping up everywhere, and if you ever fancy just a quick bite to eat for lunch, but don't want to spend much on food, money or time, then Pix is the place.
It is a self-serve 'pintxos' bar (think small tapas on sticks) and has an enticing sideboard lined up with all sorts of goodies, fresh from the kitchen. It is easy to keep a tally on price too, as shorter sticks are £1.95, while longer sticks are £2.95. I'm no maths whizz but I can do that.
The menu changes daily, and will differ in each branch, but the short (£1.95) stix might mean: vegetarian tortilla, fig and goats cheese on croute, aubergine and parma ham fritter, patatas bravas….
While the longer (£2.95) stix could lead to something like: calamari, chilli chicken kebabs, gazpacho, chorizo and manchego, etc etc….
You can find one in Covent Garden, Soho, Islington and on Portobello Road, so no doubt you will have wandered past one at some point.
If you're feeling peckish, yet have small change and a small appetite, duck into Pix.
- J
It's a working progress.
But I'm actually a big fan of Pix. They are popping up everywhere, and if you ever fancy just a quick bite to eat for lunch, but don't want to spend much on food, money or time, then Pix is the place.
It is a self-serve 'pintxos' bar (think small tapas on sticks) and has an enticing sideboard lined up with all sorts of goodies, fresh from the kitchen. It is easy to keep a tally on price too, as shorter sticks are £1.95, while longer sticks are £2.95. I'm no maths whizz but I can do that.
The menu changes daily, and will differ in each branch, but the short (£1.95) stix might mean: vegetarian tortilla, fig and goats cheese on croute, aubergine and parma ham fritter, patatas bravas….
While the longer (£2.95) stix could lead to something like: calamari, chilli chicken kebabs, gazpacho, chorizo and manchego, etc etc….
You can find one in Covent Garden, Soho, Islington and on Portobello Road, so no doubt you will have wandered past one at some point.
If you're feeling peckish, yet have small change and a small appetite, duck into Pix.
- J
London - Mildred's
Mildred's is a hugely popular vegetarian cafe on Lexington Street in Soho, found opposite the achingly cute and nostalgic Andrew Edmunds, which I am determined to go to sometime soon. (Voted the most romantic restaurant in London, I believe, if anyone wants to know).
But back to Mildred's. I met a friend there after work one day as we decided to go for an early supper. We arrived about six-ish to an already packed out place and were lucky to get a table straight away, but my GOD on leaving an hour and a half later the whole scene had changed and there was the largest queue trailing out the door and along the street. People looked pretty happy though with glasses of wine in hand and lots of merry chitchat going on, but be warned, if you don't want to wait, get there early.
The food was scrumptious and every plate that went past made you go 'oooh, I should have ordered that!'. Which is always a good, if slightly frustrating sign. We both plumped for the 'organic energising detox salad', which sounds intense, but was actually just a mountain of simple deliciousness. It consisted of beetroot, carrots, fennel, sprouting beans, sultanas, coriander and toasted seeds, all topped with goats cheese and a delicious orange, ginger and lime dressing.
Oh and by 'mountain' I really mean mountain. The portion sizes here are alarmingly generous, which is of course wonderful, and I ploughed my way merrily through to a gratifying sense of fullness. All at £7.95, which is cheaper than Wagamamas, if you need more persuading.
Elsewhere on the menu is: halloumi burger, an aubergine and chickpea tagine, an organic blackbean burrito, oh the list goes on, and so does my food envy.
The puddings too looked wonderful with the pecan pie particularly calling to me, but alas, what with my mountainous salad and sharing some sweet potato fries on the side, there was just no way.
I'm determined to go back soon however, and I think you should head there too. To Mildred's!
- J
But back to Mildred's. I met a friend there after work one day as we decided to go for an early supper. We arrived about six-ish to an already packed out place and were lucky to get a table straight away, but my GOD on leaving an hour and a half later the whole scene had changed and there was the largest queue trailing out the door and along the street. People looked pretty happy though with glasses of wine in hand and lots of merry chitchat going on, but be warned, if you don't want to wait, get there early.
The food was scrumptious and every plate that went past made you go 'oooh, I should have ordered that!'. Which is always a good, if slightly frustrating sign. We both plumped for the 'organic energising detox salad', which sounds intense, but was actually just a mountain of simple deliciousness. It consisted of beetroot, carrots, fennel, sprouting beans, sultanas, coriander and toasted seeds, all topped with goats cheese and a delicious orange, ginger and lime dressing.
Oh and by 'mountain' I really mean mountain. The portion sizes here are alarmingly generous, which is of course wonderful, and I ploughed my way merrily through to a gratifying sense of fullness. All at £7.95, which is cheaper than Wagamamas, if you need more persuading.
Elsewhere on the menu is: halloumi burger, an aubergine and chickpea tagine, an organic blackbean burrito, oh the list goes on, and so does my food envy.
The puddings too looked wonderful with the pecan pie particularly calling to me, but alas, what with my mountainous salad and sharing some sweet potato fries on the side, there was just no way.
I'm determined to go back soon however, and I think you should head there too. To Mildred's!
- J
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)