Lifestyle - Travels for Taste

Afternoon Tea amidst art at The Wallace Collection

February 29, 2016 by manjirichitnis 12 Comments

One of the things I love about London is the many free museums and art galleries that one can go to and spend a few happy hours at.

Hertford House which houses The Wallace collection is nestled in a quiet street just off the buzzing Oxford Street. The stunning historic townhouse is home to 25 galleries housing everything from the world-class armoury to Old Masters paintings.

Grand entrance stairwell at The Wallace Collection

In 1871 thanks to the political upheaval in France, Comte de Nieuwerkerke was looking to sell off his huge collection of French art collection. Which happened to be around the time that Sir Richard Wallace came into money and was looking to expand his inherited art collection. This is how The Wallace Collection came into being. Thanks to this turn of events, a spectacular and renowned collection of medieval and renaissance works of art and arms and armour are available for viewing to us to this day

Amongst the many galleries, not to be missed is The Great Gallery which has been described as “the greatest picture gallery in Europe.”

Though this national museum has free admission, I was invited as a guest by The Wallace Restaurant courtesy of my friend Fiona MacLean who blogs at London Unattached, to sample their delicious afternoon tea in the magnificent in-house restaurant. A huge central glass-covered courtyard is a haven, minutes away from the crowds and noise of one of London’s busiest shopping areas. Flooded with natural light the atrium restaurant offers an alfresco dining experience.

A huge central glass-covered courtyard is a haven, minutes away from the crowds and noise of one of London’s busiest shopping area. Flooded with natural light the atrium restaurant offers an alfresco dining experience.

Glass enclosed central courtyard at The Wallace Collection,Lodon

A group of us food bloggers (Madeleine, Heidi, Jess, and Emma) were seated at a large table inside the stunning courtyard. I loved the experience of sitting in a large open space yet not being exposed to the elements – almost like a secret hideaway. The natural light made clicking pictures that much more an enjoyable experience.

The seating arrangement at the restaurant at The Wallace Collection

I choose to have a pot of fruity herbal tea, my pick was the orange rooibos – a blush pink coloured, light and fragrant tea. I think it was a perfect accompaniment to the freshly prepared finger sandwiches.

I managed to devour most of the large scone with a blob of clotted cream and some Peyton and Byrne preserve. We were also served an eclair with burnt caramel and creme’ chantilly, lemony madeleines, and amaretti biscuit with orange zest. I nibbled at all of the sweet treats but enjoyed the eclair the most although I must admit the burnt caramel topping was too sweet for my taste buds. I most enjoyed the sandwiches and the tea and a glass of Champagne.

Fresh large scone with clotted cream and preserve at The Wallace Collection

For £26 with Champagne, this afternoon tea is an absolute treat, especially since one can really relax in the enclosed courtyard after a spot of gazing at paintings and gawking at magnificent Objets d’Art.

Curious to explore more options for Afternoon Tea in London? Why not browse through my blog and read about my experiences in various places:

*With thanks to The Wallace Collection and Fiona for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. As always all opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Global Street Food Kitchen – bringing International favourites to London

January 19, 2016 by manjirichitnis 18 Comments

The first of a chain of restaurants soon to open in London, Global Street Food Kitchen has opened its first outlet in the busy mall which houses ASDA in Hounslow East.

Not to be confused with the regular multi-cuisine restaurants which often manage to serve up sub-standard food with confusing menus and buffet style dining. Global Street Food Kitchen has a well researched A la Carte menu concept backed up by a philosophy of sourcing which an emphasis on provenance. For instance usage of only the very best herb fed, free range chicken from Pilmoor Farm, in Yorkshire, similarly only organic tomatoes to go with the pizza flour and cheese for the pizza which are imported from Italy.

No wonder then that the Butter chicken was delightful not just in taste but texture and managed to enhance the robust spices used in the marination. This dish is a firm favourite with me when it comes to North Indian food. It is a very popular Indian dish and most roadside ‘dhabas’ (little shanties that dot the national highways) serve this indulgent curry with buttery parathas – fuel for all those driving long distance on dusty roads in temperatures hitting 40 deg cel plus.

When I first walked into GSF with my friend the first thing we noticed was the cool college canteen style look which screams ‘shack’ or ‘tapri’ (meaning a small roadside stall in Marathi, usually built with scrap material lifted off construction sites like scaffoldings and wooden planks). The rustic feel is emphasised by the functional but dhaba style furniture and wooden effects.

I especially liked the open plan kitchen and bar area.

The wood fired oven adds a comforting warm glow to the huge open plan kitchen.

The massive warehouse style space which can house a large number of guests has a very welcoming vibe.

With so many tempting dishes on offer I really was at a loss at where to start sampling. I picked my top 2 fav’s – Pani Puri is my absolute favourite when it comes to Mumbai street food and I also can’t resist seafood especially Prawn Koliwada – blame it on my roots – a true blue Bombayite aka Mumbaikar and a Maharashtrian with a staple diet of fish curries – I go weak in the knees at the very sight of prawns.

One bite of these crispy spicy prawns and there’s no going back folks!

Clearly, consultant Chef Shailesh Deshmukh and Head Chef Sudhir Jadhav who have worked together to conceptualise the menu have found just the right mix for the various spices and techniques to perfect global street food classics. With Oriental, Indian, Mexican, British, Italian and American cuisines on the menu there is something to satiate every type of street food craving. All ingredients are sourced from high-quality suppliers and farms and the proof lies in the fresh flavoursome food which does justice to its respective cuisine.

Consultant Chef Shailesh Deshmukh brings with him a rich background of experience gained at establishments like The Dorchester, Marriott, Hyatt, Four Seasons and Jumeirah, that coupled with boundless energy and passion has resulted in the creation of dishes like this Bakarwadi chaat – presented so tastefully, to tempt even the most discerning palate. Bakarwadi is a classic snack from Pune in the state of Maharashtra India – best described as a spicy crunchy fried spring roll like savoury snack, made famous by ‘Chitale Bandhu’ – Pune’s premier purveyors of traditional Maharashtrian sweets and snacks. No trip to India is complete for me unless I queue up outside Chitale Bandhu to buy freshly made bakarwadi by the kilo 😉

To keep us hydrated we had a fabulous mocktail called Tamarind Chilli – love the way they describe it on the menu too, very entertaining! I also like the cocktail called Mr.Gatsby – potent but refreshing all at once.

We also sampled the crispy aubergine which are so morish we could have easily eaten a few more portions but there was so a tempting variety of dishes to sample we had to do justice to all of them 😉

A medley of flavoursome global street food

L-R: Mexican Quesadilla, side of sauteed spinach with shallots, onion rings, Wall Art – a world map with a difference at GSF, a juicy GSF classic beef burger served with hand-cut triple cooked chips.

I was very keen to try Misal Pav which hails from the state of Maharashtra in India, done well this dish is a absolute delight. A combination of a humble legume and sprouts curry spiced with sev and served with a soft ‘paav’ bread. At GSF they this spicy curry topped with fresh ‘farsan’ commonly known as the Bombay Mix, with a side of a delicious mystery sauce which is to be poured on the top.Finally the dish is topped off with finely chopped red onions and a generous squeeze of lime. No wonder this dish won the ‘Foodie Hub Award’ in London last June!

One of the reasons this dish is so delicious is the bread that is served with it is so fresh. Like all their other carefully selected ingredients and their emphasis on provenance, all the bread served at GSF are specially made for the restaurant by artisan baker Maison Blanc.

Though I would have loved to sample their dessert menu I simply couldn’t after devouring such a feast but then we had one last treat come our way – Masala Chai served with a fabulous Bun Maska. Now folks bun maska takes me back to my days in Pune where I frequented this place called – Cafe’ GoodLuck where my friends and I spent hours drinking one cup after another of hot sweet masala chai served as ‘cutting’ -half a cup with a soft bun doused in golden soft butter and sprinkle of sugar. Winter evenings in Pune after work were so good! The same delightful treat I also enjoyed as a college student at various Irani Cafes around Matunga, Dadar and South Bombay – perfect treat for an always broke college student perpetually in need of more ‘pocket money’.

For those with a sweet tooth do take note that GSF source all their ice cream and sorbet from the award winning ‘Snow Flake Luxury Gelato’ – yet another reason why their food is so good – the focus is clear – to create and serve authentic dishes.

I urge you not to miss out on this simple but fabulous treat at GSF, the buttery goodness encased in a fresh soft bun is almost like having a feathery light sponge with creme’ chantilly….

Global Street Food Kitchen offers a refreshing new take on serving street food – authentic flavours, emphasis on provenance and chefs trained at some of the best establishments in the world – all key ingredients to their delicious offerings. I for one cannot wait for their new branch in Central London, until then whenever the craving for street food hits I know where I will be going.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Global Street Food Kitchen for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

Bombay Brasserie – a taste of India in Kensington

November 20, 2015 by manjirichitnis Leave a Comment

A true blue Bombayite never passes up the opportunity to sample a good Indian meal especially when it happens to be on a cold and grey autumn evening in London in a fine dining Indian restaurant and a part of the Taj Group. The occasion? To experience fine dining Indian with the newly relaunched menu and fabulously refurbished interiors at Bombay Brasserie in the swank Kensington neighbourhood, with the Zomato London folks.

Bombay Brasserie has been around since 1982. Famous for their authentic Indian cuisine they have a menu offering the best of India’s vast and varied food with marked influences of various styles of cooking. The restaurant itself is set in a beautiful red stone building a few metres away from Gloucester Road Tube station in the posh South London neighbourhood. The beautiful Bombay Bar, the posh dining room and the newly done up conservatory area all have the same trademark elegance one would expect in any old world charming club with a distinct stamp of the British Raj. The huge modern chandeliers in the dining room fit surprisingly well into the decor as do the ceiling fans hanging from tall ceilings.

I was pleasantly surprised as am sure the rest of the guests were when we started off the evening with a tour of the kitchen and a quick session on the basics of marinating meat for kebabs.

Executive Chef Prahlad Hegde was on hand to show us around and while we marvelled the working of a traditional tandoor or clay oven which imparts the unmistakeable smoky flavour to naans and kebabs – grilled meat on skewers. ( there is nothing more that I dream of other than a fabulous kitchen but having an authentic tandoor where I can make mouthwatering kebabs – some day … fingers crossed!)

Executive Chef Prahlad Hegde and Chef and Director of Operations, Quilon and Bombay Brasserie Sriram Aylur have crafted a new menu and brought back old favourites like the Palak Patta Chaat which we sampled – one bite of that dish and there’s no going back – very moreish these little crispy fried baby spinach fritters are served with a tangy but cooling yoghurt, date and tamarind chutney.

**Mouthwatering kebabs at Bombay Brasserie**

Munching on soft buttery tandoori rotis hot off the tandoor we walked out of the kitchen into the beautiful conservatory. Walls hand painted in intricate designs mimicking a rare typical tribal art and a high glass ceiling heaving with foliage. What struck me most is the period furniture which brings back memories of all the beautiful vintage shops I visited in Pondicherry this January ….sigh…someone fly me back to Indian please? Like now!

**Elegantly refurbished Bombay Brasserie**

The Tulsi chicken tikka and lamb sheesh kebabs arrived first with a selection of chutneys and mini-poppadums. In quick succession then we devoured the Adraki lamb chops and cripsy spinach chaat.

Before the main course arrived we had shots of pumpkin soup seasoned with truffle oil – absolutely amazing. The main course was a massive spread of chicken and lamb dishes with saffron pulao, olive naan and the traditional laccha paratha. I loved the olive naan with pesto – pairs surosingy well with both dal makhani and chicken makhani. The aloo roast – baby potatoes roasted were spicy but ireesistible and I had to set them aside to be able to go back for seconds of the Kasundi Monkfish – a melt in your mouth chargrilled monkfish dish seasoned with mustard and hence the name.

**Fine dining Indian style at Bombay Brasserie**

Sipping the red wine recommended I think is a great combination with all the spices of the main course.Dessert was a classy affair with artistically presented portions of a mini chocolate samosa, choco raspberry mousse and a ‘to die for’ mango and fig ice cream – definitely one of my favourites from the menu.

***Divine desserts at Bombay Brasserie***

On our way out I was on a photo clicking spree – the interiors are an instagrammers dream, it was then that I saw it – the traditional ceiling fan -hanging from a high ceiling on a slender rod lending charm to its painstakingly created rustic ambience.

***A peek into the stunning dining room at Bombay Brasserie***

With a touch of class one would expect from the Taj Group, the Bombay Brassiere does itself proud with a good menu, excellent Indian food and superb refurbishment adding a touch of understated elegance reminiscent of colonial Indian gymkhana’s.

Why dine at Bombay Brassiere: For the ambience – superbly refurbished elegant interiors set in the swank Kensington area of London famed for its authentic Indian cuisine. The stylish Bombay Bar boasts of Bombay tapas to go with their cocktails and beer selection not to mention the Raj inspired framed photographs, the ceiling fans, plush armchairs and yes also a gorgeous central fireplace. A menu that is a great combination of traditional Indian classics and superb fusion dishes. And last but not the least to experience Indian hospitality at its very best.

Must- haves from the menu: Palak Patta Chaat, Kasundi Monkfish, aloo roast, olive naan, mango and fig ice cream. Jaljeera Negroni cocktail – potent and for those like Negroni in the first place.

*With thanks to Zomato UK #ZomatoMeetup and Bombay Brasserie for the invite. Many thanks to Chef Prahlad Hegde, the efficient kitchen team and team members who waited on us. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Lunch at Shampan at the Spinning Wheel

September 2, 2015 by manjirichitnis 5 Comments

Set amongst rolling hills of the beautiful Kentish countryside is the plush Indian restaurant Shampan at the Spinning Wheel. I was invited to review their new Indian A la Carte menu which boasts of interesting combinations created using locally sourced where ever possible.

Shampan is located about a half hour drive away from Bromley South overground station. One gets the relaxing feeling of getting away from the fast-paced rush that one feels while travelling around London. When you first walk into Shampan at the Spinning Wheel the fireplace instantly put you at ease while the sleek modern leather couches create an atmosphere of luxury and comfort. Perfect for pre-lunch or pre-dinner drinks the lounge reflects the owner Sufian vision to recreate the oomph factor you would experience while say walking into a modern 5 star in Mumbai. Highly regarded for its cuisine, it’s carefully crafted menu created by Chef Sadek Miah Shampan at the Spinning Wheel, has won many awards and accolades namely the British Curry awards in 2012 and Newcomer of the Year in 2013. They also have been awarded a certificate of excellence for 2015 by TripAdvisor.

It was a warm summer’s day and I choose to cool down with a Virgin Mojito and followed it up with a refreshing ‘Apple Julep’. A large basket of fried poppadums sprinkled with a tangy dry masala powder which had the right hint of green mango was so moreish it was almost impossible to stop at one. A host of chutneys and dips accompanied the poppadums that were constantly replenished by the very smart staff. Since we had a very long wait before lunch as some guests lost their way, I had another mocktail this time it was an Almost Amaretto sour but it was far too sweet for my taste.

After a tour of the beautiful premises we were seated and served some delicious starters. I choose the banana wrapped tilapia with coconut and coriander – a fine balance of delicate flavours in perfectly cooked fish. I have tried similar dishes at many Indian fine dining restaurants and ever so often it is not exactly what I look for – either the green chutney is not as pungent as it should be or the fish is not as perfectly cooked – somehow it’s always the seemingly simple dishes that are the most difficult to produce to near perfection. For seafood fans this dish is one you must most definitely try!

A look at some of the other appetisers on our table :

I am quite sure I could have had another portion of the tilapia had it not been for the massive portion size of my main – grilled duck breast with goan curry sauce and cumin mashed potatoes. The duck was cooked well and the mashed potatoes were lovely with the grilled potatoes. The sauce was not what I had hoped for though, ideally a Goan sauce should have been spicier and richer but the tomato over powered the other ingredients. I loved the panner and tadka dal though, which I mopped up with buttery aromatic tandoori naans (with another helping of the yum poppadums!) .

All this while I was eyeing the delicious curry and rice mains the other guests were tucking into – particularly the Punjabi red spiced chicken breast with sauteed vegetables and pilau rice. I also loved the sound of venison smoked and cooked in Jodhpuri spices with crips okra – ummm what a fabulous combination. Another delicious traditional main was the Kerala spiced king prawn with a thick coconut sauce served with a flavoured coconut rice – ultimate comfort food! The grilled mullet was main looked great and I tasted a little but again the tomato like broth surrounding it was not a hit.

Grilled duck breast with goan curry — Grilled duck breast with Goan curry

It was a particularly warm summer afternoon and we were served some fresh fruit smoothie’s – again very generous size serves and quite delicious too.

A look at what the other guests enjoyed for their mains.

Tempting array of mains at Shampan — Mouthwatering array of mains at Shampan

This is probably one of the most generous portion sizes of mains I have ever been served. Naturally that left no place for dessert which was an Indian dessert – samosa filled with gajar halwa with a dollop of delicious ice cream. I did not sample the samosa but did have some of the ice cream. The presentation of all the dishes especially the dessert was lovely and the service throughout was very courteous.

First opened in 2011, this destination restaurant has much more to offer than just great tasting Indian food and swanky interiors. It is the perfect venue for dreamy weddings and has a separate function room too called the Saffron Room with a lounge area called ‘The Mumbai Quarters’ – aptly so because when I first walked into to lounge area it reminded of some of Mumbai’s best loved posh five-star restaurants. The location offers ample parking space again ideal for business lunches or a family get together. The soon to be done up bridal suite promises to be just as lush as the rest of the venue. To book the venue for events or reserve a table you will find all the contact details on their website.

*With thanks to Humayun Hussain and Shampan for an invite. All opinions expressed are as always my own. No monetary compensation was provided for a positive review.

Pasta Please – Round Up July 2015

August 3, 2015 by manjirichitnis 9 Comments

And yet another calendar month this year has flown past at lightning speed. The weather was brilliant over the weekend but it is acting up again… but don’t let the grey skies bring you down for I have a round-up here of some really creative entries for the Pasta Please blog linky hosted by me last month for Jacqueline of Tinned Toms.

First up is a slimming world recipe for Spring Vegetable Orzo from a blog called Penelope’s Pantry. An easy to make a recipe that Penelope has customised to make it dairy-free, it is loaded with veggies. Great for using up any veggies lying around so a good way to prevent food wastage. What’s more, is that it tastes good at room temperature too, Penelope recommends adding chopped tomatoes if you want to have this healthy and filling dish cold.

Up next is a moreish Pea and Mint Gnocchi Bake from Allotment2Kitchen – a blog from a Welsh Vegetarian who has loads of vegan and vegetarian recipes. And girl when you say you have a small freezer I totally hear you! Me with my mini fridge freezer in a small but very cute flat – my little matchbox world – I too ALWAYS have frozen peas – ready for emergency meals. And kudos to her for not giving into cravings for chips but coming home and making this baked pasta dish with a crispy, golden cheese topping.

Orzo seems to be the popular choice this summer as the next recipe is a Sicilian Orzo with Cauliflower and Saffron by Kate of The Veg Space. The very mention of such a rich combination of ingredients and saffron roasted cauliflower has me hooked. She describes her dish as a cross between a pasta and risotto – am sure that got your attention. Go Drool!

Shrimp pasta with spinach sauce topped with crispy Brussels sprouts from the blog Law students cookbook is a perfect example of how a great dish can be created with some imagination and ingredients that you have at hand. I especially like the way the brussels sprouts have been flash-fried to a garnish, I love the sprouts and can eat them plain or in absolutely any form – well almost.

Pasta Please July 2015 round up - creative recipes — Pasta Please July 2015 round-up – creative recipes

Top L -R – Clockwise: Spring Vegetable Orzo , Sicilian Orzo with Cauliflower and Saffron, Pea and Mint Gnoochi Bake and Shrimp pasta with spinach sauce topped with crispy Brussels sprouts

Easy Cheesy Pasta by Anitha of Veggiesome blog is a quick and easy pasta dish to rustle up when you need something delicious in a jiffy. Whole wheat pasta and cheese come together in a lovely combination of flavours.

A bowl full of deliciousness is the first thing that I thought of when I saw this Slivered veggie and soba salad with maple tofu from Janet at The Taste Space. A superb combination of Asian flavours this is a healthy and wholesome meal with no compromise on flavour. I especially love the whole avocado in there! I see myself making this for a weekend lunch soon.

Another fabulous money saver meal is the Pasta with tomato and bacon sauce from Jane at Onions and Paper blog. I simply adore thrifty recipes that combine leftovers, vegetables leaning towards being chucked out, store cupboard cans lurking at the back of a drawer and other odd things which can spare you the guilt of ordering a takeaway when faced with an empty fridge staring back at you when you know tummies are rumbling.

Hot smoked salmon, fennel and pea pasta by Linzi of Lancashire Foods blog is a another quick to put together dish. The hot smoked salmon is something husband and I love too. I love the sound of adding fresh garden fennel fronds which I imagine will add a fragrant touch to this comfort food.

Pasta Please July 2015 round up - inspiring recipes — Pasta Please July 2015 round-up – inspiring recipes

Top L -R – Clockwise: Slivered veggie and soba salad with maple tofu, Easy Cheesy Pasta, Pasta with tomato and bacon sauce, and Hot smoked salmon, fennel and pea pasta.

Thanks to all the bloggers who linked up their creations to Pasta Please for July 2015 and I hope you enjoy browsing through them as much as I did. And last but not the least thanks once again to Jacqueline who blogs at Tinned Tomatoes for letting me guest host the food blog linky challenge.

Pasta Please – July 2015

July 7, 2015 by manjirichitnis 5 Comments

After almost a year am happy to be hosting the Pasta Please food blog challenge once again. For those of you who don’t already this is a fun food blog challenge where you simply make your favourite pasta dishes, post them on your blog and then add them to the linky below. This challenge has been created by Jacqueline who blogs at Tinned Tomatoes and is an accomplished vegetarian blogger and recipe developer. She has many delicious and fabulous recipes made from scratch.

So what will you be cooking up? Am very excited to see the recipes that are linked up. Vegetarian, meat, fish, green , gluten -free or the latest fad courgette pasta noodles! – Bring it all on. There is no theme and I am a meat eater so all types of pasta recipes can be linked in.

If you would like to browse some of the delicious recipes that bloggers linked up last time I hosted, have a look at my round-up post here.

I have just ordered yet another kitchen gizmo much to the dismay of my hubster who worries I now need a new kitchen on stat! I am hoping I can make some cool courgette pasta or my new favourite – sweet potato noodles or ‘snoodles’ as the jargon goes.

But here is one of my favorite recipes that I make often at home, my Spicy Chorizo Pasta with loads of veggie goodness

All we ask is that you have a read through the following rules :

Post your pasta dish on your blog and add it to the linky at the bottom of the current challenge.
Link to my blog Travelsfortaste and Tinned Tomatoes
Use the Pasta Please logo in your post
If you use twitter, tweet me your post at @travelsfortaste and Jacqueline at @tinnedtoms with #PastaPlease and we will re-tweet it.
Only one entry per blog.
Recipes must be added to the linky by the 28th of each month.

Add you linky below:

Exploring SOHO on a gastronomic adventure with Scratch London

June 5, 2015 by manjirichitnis 13 Comments

SOHO – London’s famously infamous district where sex shops sit comfortably nestled between artisan bakeries, will always hold a sense of intrigue to everyone who visits. No matter how many times you go to SOHO each time the place will reveal a new facet of it’s colourful personality. I truly believe that there is no better way to discover any place than on foot. And a walking tour that involves eating at 10 very different foodie joints is what you will experience on a SOHO walking tour with Michelle of Scratch London tours.

A chef and ex-restauranter who has worked in some establishments in SOHO it is fair to say that as regards the food scene in SOHO Michelle is an insider. She also hosts Marylebone’s Scratch SupperClub.

On a bright and crisp Saturday morning a few weeks back Michelle met a small group of people including me at SOHO square from where the tour normally starts. After a background into the history of the surrounding area Michelle indulged us with a quick little treat of mini croissants with fruity and chocolaty fillings. Procured from a local artisan bakery. It is fascinating to hear how an area once populated by aristocracy is now home to swanky bars, sex shops and Michelin starred restaurants. Immigrants from various European countries who migrated here like the Huegenots had a profund impact in the development of the area in the pre WWI era.

First stop was Princi – an Italian casual dining restaurant – brainchild of entrepreneur Alan You – who founded Wagamama , Hakkasan and Yauatacha.

Looking at the large amount of variety on counters behind glass panes got us all salivating and craving to dig our teeth into some food.

With our appetite whetted we walked through the by-lanes of SOHO sampling various types of world cuisines taking in the sights, sounds and more nuggets about the history of SOHO from Michelle. Michelle has lived in London long enough to give you a real insight into this dynamic neighborhood. While we spotted Grade II listed buildings, mock-Tudor style architecture and half timbered buildings oozing old world charm we also took in the unmissable sign boards for massage parlours and posters advertising ‘models’ .

Of all the different tastes that we experienced the most indulgent was fresh Oysters. Randall & Aubin – a quaint French restaurant complete with Victorian fittings and a humongous millor ball is a SOHO institution. As a special birthday treat for one of the guests on the tour that day Michelle had managed to get us some Champagne too.

Oysters at Randall & Aubin, SOHO, London

Next we moved onto another fabulous seafood grill and oyster bar where we were introduced to ordering food using an ipad and very tuna ceviche. My past experience of indulging in ceviche at Uni in Victoria has made me a great fan and I genuinely adore the taste of Tuna which in my humble opinion tastes great raw as a ceviche and medium rare in a steak.

When we set out on the tour little had I expected that in half a day we would be taking our taste buds on a world tour while discovering some hidden gems in an area buzzing with energy.

Walking Tour with Scratch London in SOHO

Of course all gastronomic adventures should end on a sweet note and Michelle does not disappoint. Not only did we sample hand crafted artisan chocolates from London’s leading chocolatier we also got a cool discount on our purchases. I managed to find some black truffle chocolates from Mast Brothers which had made their long journey from NY just a few hours ago.

As the danger of the modern property market and campaigns to ‘clean up’ SOHO are rapidly changing the look and feel of neighbourhood from grunge, quirky and a hub of adult entertainment, it is important to experience SOHO and all its varied foodie offerings in it’s original and natural setting. To do so with a knowledgeable guide like Michelle as part of a small group where you do not loose yourself and can actually make sensible conversation is a great pleasure.

For £61.50 per head, a Scratch London tour will include all ten food and drink destinations on the route.

*With thanks to Michelle for inviting me on a gastronomic adventure through SOHO. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own.

The Queensbury Kitchen – NW London’s fab new All Day Bar and Grill

April 19, 2015 by manjirichitnis 2 Comments

First impressions of walking out of Willesden Green Tube station is of a quite suburb where even the high street seems welcoming and not maddeningly crowded. My reason for venturing into a leafy suburb in NW London that evening – an invitation to attend a bloggers review dinner at The Queensbury Kitchen – a New All Day Bar and Grill which opened to the public late last year.

We had the long central communal table with high stools reserved for the evening and a tempting selection of cocktails to start with.

I loved the interiors which seamlessly incorporate the industrial chic feel with the understated. White tiles, rustic tables , a turntable sitting in the corner belting out numbers on the L.P’s, tungsten filament bulbs illuminating the tables add a cosy touch this lovely new grill and bar.

The Mango Chilli Caiprisoka (£7) is just what you need to unwind after a long day , the sweet and sour taste of fresh mango slices work fabulously well with Vodka and the chilli gives your palate a sharp kick neatly balanced by the chilled ice and lime wedges. If you want to try something quirky I recommend the Evergreen cocktail, avocado and alcohol why not!

First up we were served several sharing platters with BBQ Chicken (for £15 you get a whole organic chicken in a selection of 3 fab sauces – BBQ, Cajun and Bloody Mary!), Blackened Salmon (£9) and mini burgers (£7) – both regular and chickpea and feta too.

Then followed mixed leaf salads (£3) , sweet potato fries (£4) and onion rings (£3). When the Macaroni cheese (£4) came along, it was like nothing else on the table mattered – I thought it would start a war at the table 😉

If that is making you salivate , you can well imagine what happened when the ribs came to the table . I had waited all evening to try the the pièce de ré·sis·tance and I wasn’t disappointed. Not bad for £15 huh?

Though we were sure that we wouldn’t be able to eat another morsel, one look at the desserts and our defenses crumbled. After all platters of cheescake, brownies with ice cream and tall ice-cream sundae glasses are simply impossible to resist right? Just £5 each too 😉

And it’s not just British classics and Quirky cocktails that they do well, they also serve up a good selection of breakfast menu options at great prices, am talking Eggs Benedict/Royal or Eggs Florentine for £6 – now why not go get yourself a lazy breakfast or brunch with freshly brewed coffee this weekend? Go on, you know you want to!

This is another one of those epic review dinners that I will always remember for the fabulous food, great company, brilliant staff, fab service and the Chef for spoiling us with a great selection of food. A special mention to the PR agency and all their team members that went our of their way to make the each one of us feel well looked after, making for a really comfortable and enjoyable evening.

So if it’s great evening out with your friends or simply chilling out with your colleagues after work that your after then head to The Queensbury Kitchen, it’s a stones throw away from the Willesden Green Tube station and good on your pocket too. Am thinking new favourite watering hole on Friday nights for those around Waterloo . Well, you got to try the ribs and the punchy Mango and Chilli Caipiroska atleast once to know what I am talking about!

*With thanks to Fiona who blogs at London Unattached for inviting me for a great evening out also the PR Agency and The Queensbury Kitchen. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. All images used were provided by the PR agency.

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In My Veg Box – Courgettes – March 2015 Round Up

April 10, 2015 by manjirichitnis 2 Comments

As you may remember I was hosting the recipe linky challenge called In My Veg Box an event run by Vegetarian food blogger Nayna Kanabar of Citrus Spice UK– with the theme Courgettes for March 2015 and here’s a quick round up of all the fabulous entries I received :

Spinach Zucchini soup – if a bowl of green goodness is what you’r after then this is the recipe for you, just add in more creamy to make it more delicious is the tip from Mayuri who blogs at Mayuri’s Jikoni.

Zucchini Carrot Salad – another delicious creation from Mayuri – a quick and delicious salad that you can make in a jiffy with very few ingredients.

Beetroot top and Courgette tartlets with lovely photos from Kelly’s brilliant blog called Kelly’s food to glow, I love her idea of using beet tops why throw away those bright and beautiful stems.

Moosewood Summer Vegetable Curry – a sunny and bright curry from the blog Taste Space, I love the name of this curry and just one look at the bowl makes me very, very hungry!

Another creation from Mayuri this time it’s stuffed Zucchini boats , I quite like the sound of that as I love roasting and stuffing marrows and courgettes with interesting fillings.

Last but not the least I have some guilt free snacking home-made courgette ‘chips’ or crisps – easy to make and gone in a flash ummm

Baked courgette chips

Thanks Nayna for letting me host this fun challenge!

At the Gourmet Burger Kitchen Chef’s Table with Peter Gordon

April 5, 2015 by manjirichitnis 6 Comments

It’s not everyday that a celebrity Chef cooks you lunch, naturally then I was quite excited to know that would be sampling food cooked by celebrated New Zealand chef Peter Gordon. Peter was in town to cook up a feast from his new and exclusive fusion menu at Gourmet Burger Kitchen.

Peter Gordon has been dubbed “the Godfather of Fusion cuisine”. One look at the menu at any of restaurants he is associated and you know that is true.

Peter made his name as Head Chef of The Sugar Club in Wellington in the late 80s. Award-winning incarnations of The Sugar Club followed in Notting Hill and Soho.Today, he oversees the running of The Providores & Tapa Room and Kopapa in London, and Bellota and The Sugar Club in Auckland. In 2009, he was awarded the New Zealand Order of Merit by HM The Queen for services to the food industry.

When GBK was first launched in 2001 by owners Adam, Greg and Brandon their aim was to introduce U.K to new and premium beef burgers . Back then to develop the very first menu they worked with fellow Kiwi Peter Gordon – who now after 14 years is back with a fabulous new fusion menu that experiments with textures, ingredients and flavours.

It was also my first ever meal at any Chef’s Table so soon after I arrived at the Baker Street branch, we were taken to the secret kitchen which is separate from the main kitchen, this is where Tim Molema – the Head of Food at Gourmet Burger Kitchen creates his magic.

L-R: Tim Molema – the Head of Food at GBK and Peter Gordon.

For mains we had Peter’s new creation – The Duck Confit Burger. The combination of crisp confit duck with a thick layer of creamy duck liver pâté and melting Cheddar cheese is a heavenly ménage à trois. Though there were those who were not too pleased at the mention of duck liver pâté, I was quite pleased, as I absolutely love pâté especially when served as a generous layer on thin, crisp toasted bread (a perfect nibble with bubbly, don,’t you think?)

The crispy shallots give the burger a lovely crunch (reminded me of layered biryani with crispy fried onion) whereas the fiery ginger and apricot chilli jam is probably what gives this new invention an umami flavour, cleverly combining the rich taste of duck with the other ingredients.

Encased in soft and fresh brioche buns this burger is simply irresistible.

The hors-d’oeuvre of sweet potato fries was topped with a very familiar tasting dressing – Tamarind (reminded me of Mumbai’s famous street food – Bhel!) and also a generous splattering of the Egyptian spice mixture – Dukkah – a nut free version to ensure that those with nut allergies can also enjoy it – Peter is there anything you did not think of ? Guess not 🙂

For the other side dish – Fresh Summer Homeslaw, Peter has drawn inspiration from Middle eastern spices like sumac and pomegranate molasses. Sumac gives a lovely tart edge to the minty slaw while the mint and pomegranate molasses give it an unmistakable depth of flavour.

Every good burger should be washed down with a thick and delicious milkshake – or so I think and Peter’s creation – a Banana Biscoff milkshake is a mind-meltingly fabulous fusion of banana ice cream and Lotus Biscoff caramelised biscuits, also known as Speculoos cookies- a great way to create a fusion of flavours.

To watch Peter Gordon live in action, cooking up a what he does best – create a fusion of flavours and being able to drink in the experience of being at the Chef’s table was truly memorable.

After that fabulous and exclusive Lunch preview, I spoke to Peter for an exclusive interview where he gave me an insight into the inspiration behind his new menu.

In Peter Gordon’s words, “The UK burger scene has evolved hugely over the last 14 years. It seems like every day a new burger is making headlines, so when it came to creating my own, I knew it had to be something unique to stand out. Putting my own stamp on the menu has been an exciting process and I’ve put the same care into this as I do with every dish I create for my own restaurants. Our fans are always on the lookout for the next big thing in burgers and I am confident they will agree this one is something a bit special.”

You too can get behind the scenes with Peter in the GBK kitchen with this little video clip:

Still here? There surely is a GBK branch you can get to in time for dinner today right ? All you need to do is … grab your coat and …leave!

**Peter’s Menu is now available at Gourmet Burger Kitchen restaurants nationwide.

*With thanks to the PR Agency and Gourmet Burger Kitchen for the invite. No monetary compensation was offered for a positive review. All opinions expressed here are entirely my own. Kindly do not re-produce any images without my prior permission.