Olympic love continues with new London exhibit

Published on CNN on 9th April 2013:

Which event from the London Summer Olympic Games resonates most powerfully in your memory:

The Queen’s appearance in the Danny Boyle-produced opening extravaganza?

Usain Bolt’s record dash in the Olympic 100 meters?

Brunei, Qatar and Saudi Arabia including female athletes on their teams for the first time?

The baffling, cycloptic visages of Olympic and Paralympic mascots Wenlock and Mandeville?

Whatever your memories of last summer’s Games, you may find them in the Museum of London’s new exhibition, “Opening the Olympics.”

Read more at CNN

Olympic nosh at Annex East

Published on The Prodigal Guide on 9th August 2012:

Jimmy's Supper Club at Annex East

The Annex East pop-up has been open in Stratford since the 21st of July and will be there for the duration of the Olympic games. Situated at the end of Carpenters Road, near the Aquatics Centre, it’s closer than a stone’s throw from the gates but inside is another world.

The 1800 square-foot warehouse space combines a pop-up restaurant, fully licensed bar, entertainment space and gallery.

Split into two levels, the ground floor is an exhibition space showcasing artwork from independent galleries in London including Limoncello Gallery and Hannah Barry Gallery.

The mezzanine level, on the other hand, hosts live music, a custom designed bar and Jimmy’s Supper Club run by Jimmy Garcia of Southwest Supper Club.

During the day, themed meals, based on the last five Olympic hosts (Beijing 2008, Athens 2004, Sydney 2000, Atlanta 1996 and Barcelona 1992), are offered alongside gourmet sandwiches and snacks. The Beijing 2008, for example, is a duck and red pepper noodle salad with chilli, lime and coriander dressing.

Don’t worry about missing the games either. A large flat screen will be available to view the games whether you’re having a spot of lunch or simply enjoying a much needed drink.

Jimmy's Supper Club at Annex East

In the evening, the vibe completely changes.

Still casual, dinner is a sit down affair with different events running each night. With wine matching, film and quiz nights running, there’s always something other than the food to keep you occupied. Plus, the bar is licensed until 2am.

But if food is the main reason you’re heading to Annex East, then you certainly won’t be disappointed. It’s not quite Michelin quality but it’s impressively prepared, especially when you realise how small the kitchen actually is.

You get a choice of starters, mains and desserts alongside a set trio of canapés and petit fours.

For starters, the smoked British duck breast is particularly good. Delicately smoky and thinly sliced, the meat is tender and well balanced in flavour. Served with cherry compote, cherry coke reduction and savoury cherry muffin, it’s really classic combinations reinterpreted.

The trio of pork makes a good solid main if you’re hungry. Crisp pork belly, confit cheek and pancetta crisp offers contrasting textures while the spiced apple purée and Calvados jus whets the palate with fruity acidity.

The Eton Mess has to be the tidiest sweet around – raspberry coulis neatly drizzled over berry ripple meringues, strawberry cream and fresh berries. It’s quintessentially English and truly delightful.

The service will be touchingly personal because, though it’s not inside someone’s home, it is a Supper Club and not a restaurant. But please do leave a tip – it’s easy to see these guys work incredibly hard to create what promises to be a wonderful evening.

Cycle route – Where to eat in Box Hill

Published on Yahoo Sport UK & Ireland on 27th July 2012:

There are two ticketed observation areas for the Olympic road race this weekend: the start/finish point at The Mall in London and Box Hill in Surrey where all the action happens.

It’s easy to find food and drink spots in central London but what about out in the country?

You could of course pack a picnic hamper; the weather, for once, is looking promising. If you have far to travel though, that looks much less appealing.

Most of the roads in the area will be closed and there will be minimal parking. Lugging around a big hamper on a scorching summer’s day isn’t much fun and even worse, perhaps, is if it rains and things get muddy.

But you’re in luck.

Read more at Yahoo!

Hot foot it to Humphry’s

Published on BespokeRSVP on 19th July 2012:

A short train and taxi ride takes you, within the hour, to the charmingly secluded Buckinghamshire country club Stoke Park. Part luxury country hotel and spa and part golf club, the exclusive property is probably more well known than you realise. As well as being the set for numerous blockbuster films such as James Bond and Bridget Jones’ Diary, it’s also the host of the annual Boodles tennis tournament. With London bursting at the seams under the weight of Olympics visitors, it’s the perfect time to visit.

The Country Club opened its doors to non-members for the first time and the award winning food alone is worthy of a visit.

Humphry’s, headed up by Executive Chef Chris Wheeler, is Stoke Park’s main restaurant and the holder of two AA Rosettes. For somewhere which only catered to members and their guests in the past, you might think that the food is stuck somewhere in history. Not quite so. Though there is a hint of the classics running through the menu (consommé and tian both make an appearance for example, as does a burgeoning cheese trolley), beautifully arranged modern British fare is served up.

The pan-fried scallops with celeriac puree and crispy pancetta was the ideal starter for me. The well prepared scallops, topped with a little caviar and adorned with jewels of port reduction, struck a balance between sweet and savoury when paired with the celeriac and pancetta. It’s a perfectly executed dish which was light but bold enough in flavour to titillate the taste buds for what’s to come next.

Unusually for me, I opted for a fishy main. It was partly inspired by the surprisingly fish heavy menu and partly because I was intrigued by the accompaniments. Indeed, for me, the violet potatoes which accompanied my oven-baked red mullet is rarely seen on restaurant menus. The main also offered char-grilled peppers, crab ravioli and lobster foam to vie for attention.

What really impressed me though, had to be the desserts. I know I’m a dessert fanatic but the stunning presentation really showed off a seriously skilled pastry section, no doubt down to the hundreds of weddings and events catered for at Stoke Park each year.

The Humphry’s Snickers is the signature dessert to go for and Taste of Apple sounds the most intriguing but I really found my fancy with the raspberry mousse and white chocolate ganache. The raspberry dessert appeared in mousse, sorbet, gel, crumble and fruit form in a delicate line on a black plate. Light, refreshingly fruity and striking in presentation, there’s really nothing not to like.

A tea or coffee is definitely recommended after dessert, if only so you can spend a little while longer staring dreamily out of the window. The view, by the way, is watercolour picturesque. With great food, wonderful views and perfect tranquillity, why would you ever leave?

Seven Pop-Ups for July

Published on BespokeRSVP on 2nd July 2012:

The pop-up restaurant craze is truly ingenious, allowing us a little of what we fancy and (hopefully) leaving us wanting more. Here are the pop-ups for July that we think you would be a fool to miss:

A Piece On The Side

Former Petersham Nurseries chef, Eloise Schwerdt, is hosting a short series of pop up dinners at The Cuckoo Club. Running from the 4th to 7th of July, 8pm to 11pm, the set menu will include Heritage tomatoes with goats curd, zartar, purple basil and bruschetta, fillet of beef with roasted beetroots, baby carrots, domestica rocket, horseradish cream and salsa verde (vegetarian option is also available) and Baklava ice cream with pistachios and viola flowers. Visit The Cuckoo Club website for more information.

Ceviche by Asia de Cuba

Fusion restaurant Asia de Cuba have always done things a little differently and during the month of July (4th – 25th to be exact), they are running a ceviche pop up in The Front Room of St Martins Lane Hotel. The ceviche menu will include dishes such as Scottish salmon and salted avocado helado; curry kingfish and passionfruit; grouper, Seville orange and Aji Amarillo; and prawn, snapper and ‘confit’ watermelon. Naturally, Asia de Cuba’s signature cocktails will also be available. Click here for details of location and contact.

Fish in the Sky

Platterform, winners of Young British Foodies’ Best Food Experience 2012, is collaborating with seafood restaurateurs Bonnie Gull of Bonnie & Wild to create a three week supper club called Bonnie-On-Sky. Hosted at Skyroom, London Bridge, the “immersive dining experience” will be all things fishy including dishes such as Isle of Lewis mussels steamed with Aspall cider and Cumbrian bacon. The supper club series will run from 5th July to 21st July, Wednesday to Saturday only. Bookings can be made here.

Mussel Men invade

Street food comes in many outrageous forms but one of the most memorable is probably Mussel Men – boys (and girls) dressed in black and white horizontal stripes serving up some of the most amazing moules frites found outdoors. On the 14th of July, however, they are taking their wares indoors to Fabrica584 for a one day pop-up. Head down for a great feast or, if you’ll rise to the challenge, partake in their hourly “Mussel Men” press up challenge for a chance to win a free feed. Click here to book your ticket.

Olympics at Annex East

Jimmy’s Supper Club, run by Jimmy Garcia of The Wild Food Kitchen, will be hosting specially curated nights of feasting and entertainment from 20th July to mid August. Held at Annex East, a brand new 1800ft arts warehouse space situated less than 100 meters from the Olympic site in the heart of Stratford, the supper clubs are designed to showcase the best of British. Expect evenings of Dodgeball & Dinner, Sunday brunch, wine tasting, Film & Feast screenings, live music and DJ’s, fine art exhibitions and gallery shows and a custom designed cocktail bar. More details can be found here and tickets can be booked here.

Corrigan’s Wine Saturdays

Starting on the 21st July, Corrigan’s of Mayfair will be hosting wine matching lunches once a month with specially selected themes. The first lunch’s theme will be “The wines of Greece” to celebrate the Olympics’ journey from Athens to London. No matter the theme though, there will always be Champagne and canapés on arrival, four courses with matched wines, coffee and petit fours. More details can be found on the Corrigan’s website. To make a reservation for the Corrigan’s Wine Lunches, call 020 7499 9943 or email reservations@corrigansmayfair.com.

Danish IMAGINATION

July begins with the second MAD symposium at Noma, the best restaurant in the world but, in London, it ends with IMAGINATION. From 27th July to 12th August, St Katharine Docks will be taken over by all things Danish from art and design to music and entertainment. And of course, there will be Danish food and drink stalls serving up a taste of Denmark. Details are yet to be finalised but Visit Denmark has all of the latest details.