Season's Greetings

Mugs of steaming mulled wine are ladled out to the steady stream of customers all keen to keep warm and enjoy the aromatic pick-me-up.  A firm fixture of all German Christmas markets the legendary gluehwein is a delicious blend of hot wine, fruit and spices with a kick of rum. Served from a beautiful wooden chalet decorated with garlands of green spruce tree, coloured baubles and lights, the setting of the particular stall we stopped at near the Marienplatz in Munich felt quite magical.  I've recently returned from a wonderful weekend immersed in the delights of combining two Christmas markets, having taken the train to Nuremberg as a side trip to staying in Munich.  A light dusting of snow would have been the perfect scene setter in place of the rain, but even so nothing could diminish the delightful array of traditional stalls laden with all manner of baubles, wooden toys, crib figures, beeswax candles, plus sweet treats galore from caramelised nuts to the famed gingerbreads and Lebkuchen.  For a fabulous fix of the festive spirit a trip to Germany during advent and the chance to experience a Christmas market  should be high up on the "to do" list of lifetime adventures.

As this is now the time of the Winter Solstice it's the perfect opportunity to reflect and plan.  The combination of the shortest day and longest night marks the turning point of the year as the sun starts to become stronger.  The ancient concept of Yule is the time to celebrate the important things in life, of family, home and new beginnings.   As I've lapsed in writing my blog recently I for one am focused on the reason for the season and exciting changes ahead.  It's such a special time of year, enjoy every moment.

Wishing you Season's Greetings!

Afternoon Delight

White and sparkly, decked in seasonal glory on a Narnia theme, the Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge is an oasis of calm away from the frantic festive shopping frenzy which has already started in central London.  I was there for afternoon tea in the Caramel Room, but no scones in sight.  The Pret-a-Portea is the unique creation of the hotel's inspired General Manager, Klaus Kabelitz.  Reflecting the current fashion collections, the range of tempting delights changes twice a year.  The plate of creations doesn't just look good, but everything tastes delicious too.  I couldn't resist the beautiful Bottega Veneta described as: "colour blocking pink and gold pear mousse and clementine cremeux coat with matching macaroon button" then had the Miu Miu "winter spice glittery high-heeled shoe biscuit".  These works of art are inspired and reflect a very talented patisserie team able to translate the fashionista world into a gourmet experience.  The cost of buying the original pieces may be prohibitive but tasting the Berkeley's take on the best the fashion world offers is certainly a delightful experience.  A more traditional afternoon tea is also available, but who could resist the flight of fancy to enjoy something so completely different.  The smart Paul Smith china designed for Thomas Goode completes the scene.  There's something particularly indulgent about an extravagant afternoon tea and the pure escapism of enjoying relaxing at the Berkeley provides a welcome treat. I highly recommend it.

Poetry for all seasons

This may be the warmest November since records began, but it's still Autumn and thankfully the chance to enjoy all the wonderful hallmarks of the season, from the changing colours of the leaves to an excuse to have a nurturing log fire.  Last weekend I was given the surprise gift of a poetry book from a friend I hadn't seen since my birthday.  This thoughtful present will last throughout the year as encapsulated by it's title:  "Poem for the Day" edited by Nicholas Albery.  A week into the book I realised my favourite poem appropriate for now was featured in the September section, so I've re-visited the famous lines by Keats in "To Autumn," a poem I learnt many years ago whilst at school as part of my 'O' level English Literature syllabus.  I was fortunate to have an enthusiastic and talented English teacher who imbued the class with a love of poetry.  Receiving my new book a few days ago reminded me how much pleasure poetry gives.  With it comes a welcome pause to think and reflect for a few minutes each day, providing an anchor in our busy lives and a sense of perspective.  Perhaps you may have disconnected with the world of poetry too or haven't yet had the chance to explore it's horizons.  There's another book I would highly recommend to re-ignite or encourage an interest:  "Poems to last a lifetime" collated by Daisy Goodwin.  In the meantime I'll leave you with the opening lines of "To Autumn" which will hopefully provide an inspiring few moments in your day:

Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness!
Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun;
Conspiring with him how to load and bless
With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run;
To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees,
And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core...

Borough Market, London

Tucked away behind the old Hop Exchange, near Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge, Borough Market is a magnet for foodies.  Currently in the midst of a major reconstruction project this doesn't deter the crowds of people keen to buy inspiring ingredients and artisan products from the various stalls and surrounding shops offering delicious baking, to chacuterie, wines and cheeses, meat, fish, a colourful array of fruit and vegetables, plus beautiful flowers.  The perfect one-stop location for an instant dinner party shopping list.  On arriving at the market my first priority was to have a morning coffee and I followed my nose to Monmouth, centrally situated on a prominent corner site where there was a queue of caffine addicts all prepared to wait for their shot.  The Monmouth passion for coffee knows no bounds and their dedication to roasting coffee from single farms, estates and cooperatives worldwide has attracted a loyal following.  Exotic sounding plantations from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatamala, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Indonesia supply Monmouth with beans which they roast to exacting specification at their own premises in Bermondsey.  The featured coffee on the day I was at Borough Market was from Tres Pueblos in Nicaragua, described as being "dark plum and honey with soft acidity and full body", sounding more like a wine. Whilst waiting in the queue the woman behind me, a regular it transpired, asked me if I was "local".  When I explained no, that I was based in West Sussex, her curious reply was "I thought you had that smell about you".  Such a strange comment which I couldn't work out - whether the fresh air of the countryside somehow differentiated me from the polluted-clothes aroma of someone who lived in central London.  Whatever her reasoning she was just one aspect of the unique phenomena which Monmouth seems to have created.  Their winning coffee formula means there is always a queue, a fun high-energy atmosphere (hardly surprising considering the volume of caffeine consumed) encouraging strangers to chat and that feel-good factor of being a Londoner.  Even if I no longer live in the capital I'm a Londoner by birth and have a strong affinity to the city, returning for a fix whenever I feel like it.  Borough Market is definitely a place that inspires repeat visits.

Bella Roma

Immortalised in wonderful films such as the Audrey Hepburn classic "Roman Holiday", Rome is one of those fabulous cities that simply gets better with each visit.  Having just enjoyed a glorious few days there with my sister, niece and nephew we hadn't anticipated such warm weather (70 degrees F) each day, perfect for walking everywhere and indulging in daily gelati.  So many ice cream flavours and only so many chances to try...Two particular favourite places being the Gelateria San Crispino near the Trevi fountain and Giolitti just a short walk north of the Pantheon.  Italians seem to have a genetic love of ice cream and one of the most amusing sights was to see suited business men purposefully striding along, busy talking on their mobile phone in one hand, alternating with devouring a fully loaded ice cream cone in the other.  Ice cream seems to hit the spot at any time of day and is a delicious treat which simply doesn't compare to the general standard of ice cream available in England.  Perhaps my new business venture should be to open a gelati emporium full of all the exquisite flavours that provide so much affordable pleasure whilst on holiday, because as yet I haven't found anything in the same league in the UK.  Who could resist the allure of creamy zabaglione made with authentic Marsala; zingy lemon; or chocolate-studded stracciatella... Watch this space! 

Pumpkin Festival

Every October in the National Trust village of Slindon tucked away in the West Sussex countryside, the colours of Autumn glory are used to create a vast display of hundreds of pumpkins and gourds of every size.  This labour of love draws visitors from far and wide to enjoy the spectacle and have the chance to buy such unusual bounty to take home.  With Hallowe'en approaching, the festival celebrated by the Celts for centuries and rather more commercialised these days, it's the perfect time of year to make a delicious soup.  My favourite is made using a medium size Butternut squash, peeled, cut into chunks (de-seeded) and roasted along with a medium size sweet potato, also peeled and cut into chunks.  Drizzled with a little olive oil this can be popped into the oven when you're preparing another meal, as the purpose is to roast them ready for when you want to make the soup.  For the soup use one or two chopped onions, softened in a little olive oil, two or three cloves of garlic peeled and chopped, plus a peeled and chopped piece of ginger (I use roughly a 1.5cm cube).  Once these ingredients have been gently fried together add the roast pumpkin and sweet potato then cover with your choice of stock (either chicken or vegetable based).  Simmer gently for around half an hour.  To finish off I then add a tin of coconut milk, blitz everything in the liquidiser to give a smooth texture and serve with lots of freshly chopped coriander and a scattering of natural cashew nuts (which I dry roast in a small frying pan).   There's an old Scottish prayer for this time of year:  "From ghoulies and ghosties; And long-legged beasties; And things that go bump in the night; Good Lord, deliver us!"
Wishing you a happy and safe All Hallows Eve for 31st October.

Arundel Farmers' Market

Inspired from watching the Great British Bake Off television series I decided to follow my own passion for baking and take a stall at my local farmers' market in Arundel on Saturday.  Sewing bunting at 6am on the morning wasn't quite what I had in mind, but as it was my first foray as a stall holder I was keen to make a good impression and had inevitably run out of time to be more organised ahead of the day.  The day dawned crisp and bright, the perfect Autumn weather for spending the morning outside.  After my two-day baking marathon at home it felt good to be outdoors.  My fabulous neighbours kindly came at 7.30am to help me to set up in readiness for the 9am start and kept me fuelled with hot coffee, plus the task of packing away at the end. Such wonderful support and much appreciated, as was the promotional e-mail my friend Linsi sent to her extenstive address book. Usually the market finishes at 1pm, but Saturday ran until 2.30pm with the launch of this year's Arundel Food Festival.  Being a stall holder was truly enjoyable and quite an experience, although totally exhausting.  The tactical swoop like gannets by people keen to devour all the samples only to move on just as quickly with no intention to buy became quite a game.  Thankfully they were in the minority and entertaining to say the least with no eye contact and so swift, clearly a well-practised move before anything could be said.  I hadn't anticipated the market being as sociable, but seeing a constant flow of friends and local residents was lovely.  Flipping roles to be behind a stall rather than a customer at the market did feel strange at first, but I plan to give it another go next month.  Thank you everyone who came and bought my cakes and biscuits.  I never knew rock cakes had such a nostalgic following, or that gingerbread would be a sell-out; and am glad that the gluten-free; egg-free; and dairy-free options turned out to be such a hit.  I've long been convinced there are lots of people with food intolerances who usually miss out on home baked treats, but now they know where to come...I look forward to seeing you next time.  My top tip to anyone on their feet for hours on end: wear flight socks!  They will revolutionize how comfortable you feel.  

Kitchen Envy

My friends all seem to be in the process of having stunning new kitchens, the latest completion as featured in the photo taken on Saturday.   Seeing previously dated spaces transformed has given me scope for daydreaming about how my ideal kitchen would look.  Spanning the full width of the back of my house and opening onto a courtyard garden, the generous scale of my current kitchen was one of the clinchers for me deciding to buy my home.  On the first viewing I loved the size, but made a note to self that I'd need to change the decor (namely the country-style curtains and pelmet) along with the tiles which are not my style.  Over six years later and guess what, they're still the same.  The cherry wood cupboards are lovely and in the scheme of things I couldn't justify changing everything as it's all in perfect condition, but with no holds barred I'd go for a sleek contemporary look with a stand-alone island, great for preparation and entertaining.  First I need to win the Premium Bonds and even then I wouldn't be able to extend to incorporate a utility room and walk-in pantry (on my wish list ever since I lived in Australia).  But in life it's essential to dream and one day they may just come true.  In the meantime I know I'd like to have more shelves for my ever expanding cookery book collection; a comfy sofa so I can browse at my leisure; a dedicated baking zone complete with marble top counter for pastry; a temperature controlled drawer for dough to rise (I didn't know such a thing existed until watching the Great British Bakeoff recently), added to which I'd like to swap my single oven for a double one, or two double ovens with more scope for cooking.  Last but not least, although totally unrelated to it's design, my dream kitchen would be in a fabulous house by the sea...  

Simple Pleasures

Beautiful weather when least expected is such a joy. Even though this is the first weekend of October the bonus of glorious sunshine as the last hurrah to Summer is to be celebrated.   I'm making the most of being outside, having enjoyed two trips to the Witterings for walks on the beach, breathing in the fresh ozone and the rhythmic sound of the waves, as well as spending precious time in my garden, soaking up the warmth.  This transition of the seasons is a wonderful time to reflect, relax and recharge ready for the colder months to come.  A chance to have a sort out in every sense, to throw out the old and make way for the new to enter.  I love harvest time, the total abundance and Autumn's glorious colours.  One of the books on my bedside table is Jane Alexander's "The Natural Year".   Covering a month per chapter it's a wonderful companion through the year. Now is the time to review, take stock and set personal goals, in other words to be your own Life Coach.  Jane asks the questions: "Where were you five years ago?  What were you doing?  Who were you with and what were your dreams? And where are you now?"  Awareness brings choice.  Why not take the time to think about some personal goals and establish what you'd like to achieve.  So here I am, feeling reaffirmed with the choices I have made and planning a new baking project which is all very exciting. 

There may not be so many roses in the garden now, but at least it's possible to wake up and smell the coffee, to make the most of your day and do what makes you happy...

Mexican Memories

On Saturday I couldn't resist another visit to Pallant House Gallery to see the wonderful artwork by Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera.  Chichester is the only UK location to benefit from this major touring exhibition from the Gelman collection.  Originally scheduled to finish on 2nd October the date has been extended to 9th October, so I may just manage one final trip before the vibrant and thought-provoking exhibition moves on.  I'm no art afficionado, but these paintings were reminiscent of a fabulous holiday I had in Mexico, starting in Mexico City and seeing the huge Diego Rivera murals in situ at City Hall, experiencing the largest and oldest cathedral in Latin America with the heady smell of incense, to exploring the ancient city and archaeoligical site of Teotihiacan.  After the intensity of Mexico City flying to Cancun to meet my dear friend Tim and collect a hire car meant we were then free to experience the delights of the Yucatan Peninsula.  From the pyramids at Chichen Itza, to the colonial architecture of Merida and glorious coastline complete with Mayan ruins at Tulum, one particularly special place to stay was the Hacienda Temozon.  Wealthy sisal plantation owners used to have amazing properties built, some of which have been converted to luxury boutique hotels with stylish accommodation.  Offering total comfort, authentic cooking and the best Margarita cocktails you'll ever taste, the Hacienda Temonzon provides hospitality in the same way guests would have experienced in the heyday of the Mexican southeast.  Consequently I'm inspired to dust down my Lourdes Nichols cookery book and prepare some suitably Mexican dishes to recreate the flavours of the sunshine and happy memories.  As a more recent advocate of Mexican cookery I'm a fan too of Thomasina Miers, but Lourdes is the mother of Mexican food in the UK and originally blazed the trail that introduced the British to the delights of Mexican cuisine.  With some unseasonally warm weather forecast for this week, it's the ideal opportunity to cook up a personal fiesta and make the most of it.

British Food Fortnight

British Food Fortnight runs from 17th September to 2nd October to coincide with Harvest Festival and the traditional time of year for celebrating our food.  I've been musing on this lately, as an appreciation of UK-produced seasonal produce should ideally be ongoing and not just a marketing initiative, although perhaps it is a timely reminder and provides focus.  The ancient festivals of Lammas in August marking the beginning of the harvest season, followed by September's Harvest Moon we experienced with last week's full moon, then culminating in Michaelmas at the end of September, provide much opportunity for giving thanks.  Our ancestors would have been far more in tune with the rhythms of the year and working together as a supportive community to ensure farmers were able to successfully bring the harvest home, thereby ensuring food supplies through the Winter months.  Re-connecting with this wonderful natural cycle provides a sense of being centred and grounded in life.  The abundance at  my local farmers' market on Saturday was wonderful.  I always get carried away and buy too much, added to which I've recently been given a glut of damsons, as well as a basket of green tomatoes, so have been busy making jam and chutney for the first time in years.  Something about the simple process of preserving nature's bounty is such a rewarding experience, especially being able to share the outcome for family and friends to enjoy.  I felt inspired to bake some bread too and the uplifting smell of the loaf in the oven was a simple pleasure that I shall recreate more often.  We are truly blessed that everything we could possibly want to eat is available in the shops or online, but even better to be mindful of where it has come from and give thanks for the joy and sustenance that good food lovingly grown and prepared provides.

Holiday Memory

On a grey, dismal Sunday evening it's hard to believe I was enjoying the warm Italian sunshine just a couple of weeks ago.  To capture the moment of a chance event on the beach that made me smile I wrote the following piece for the Daily Telegraph "Just Back From" travel writing competition.  Unfortunately the judges didn't choose my entry, but rather than consign it to the bin I thought it was worthy of exposure on my blog.  I hope you like it:

Serried ranks of green and yellow parasols shade neatly paired deckchairs on the sand, the rhythmic sound of the waves on the shore gives a sense of timeless continuity and bronzed bodies of all sizes and ages set the scene.  Fervent games of football using improvised goalposts at the water’s edge; the whistle of the Salvataggio lifeguard warning swimmers against the sweeping current; small clusters of older generation holiday makers playing cards; much chatter; teen preening and flirting; babies idolised.  The beach is truly a microcosm of Italian life. With instinctive side-taking, worthy of the Montagues and Capulets, a group of bikini-clad girls is up in arms about their much rehearsed holiday dance routine.  Practised daily at the side of the Annita Bagno beach café, the young group has been perfecting their Summer moves, but there is dissension in the air. The mini-me versions of their middle-aged parents start gesticulating wildly.  Finger wagging and foot stamping, folded arms and frowning, the youngsters take their disagreement so seriously you would imagine their very lives depended on it.  Tears and tantrums followed by much consoling and plotting, then the rebels defiantly walk away from the impromptu stage.  With a backdrop of painted wooden changing huts; an assortment of inflatable Lilos to toy dolphins and rubber rings; plus multi-coloured patterned towels out to dry in the sun, at that very moment the makeshift set was the centre of their universe. 

I walked by on my daily visit to the new ice cream parlour on the pedestrian boulevard edging the beach.  Late afternoon and a queue had already formed, as if in line for the hottest nightclub in town.  I remember the phrase ‘dolce far niente’ – sweet doing nothing, or delicious idleness.  There is no hurry. All good things are worth waiting for and the few minutes deliberating on choice of flavours before my turn to be served are well spent.  Having ruled out the temptations of hazelnut-studded chocolate Baci; to cherry-packed Amarena, I choose a luscious raspberry gelati and scoop of intense pistachio for good measure.  Life is for living, holidays are a celebration and for that instant my ice cream was the sole focus of my attention.  The hot sun soon starts to take its share melting my indulgent treat more quickly that I can eat it.  I stand in the shade to savour the moment and watch the world go by.

Minutes later returning to the beach I pass the group of youngsters, their beach tiff seemingly resolved.  On cue the music starts, smiling dancers enter stage left from the side of the bagno café and strut their stuff to the CD player.  All is well, the ebb and flow of beach life goes on.    Another sunny day in Tuscany.

Gelati in Bella Italia

One of the many compelling reasons to visit Italy is the ice cream.  Simply the best in the world.  The Italians' passion for which knows no bounds and evening queues forming outside the newest gelaterias in the Tuscan beach resort I've just returned from rivalled those of the hottest night clubs.  My holiday read whilst I was away was very apt - "The Empress of Ice Cream" by Anthony Capella.  I really enjoy his books and have read all four.  This latest novel, set in the 1670's, spans the court of the Medicis in Florence where Carlo Demirico learns the secret art of making delectable ice creams from his Persian master, to Paris and the court of Louis XIV, then to London during the reign of King Charles II.  An evocative insight to life in the 17th Century and an ideal book for devouring on the beach.  Thankfully I combined my appetite for the plot with the indulgence of a daily treat of freshly made gelati, the only dilemma being which flavours to choose.  After much deliberation and comparisons between hazelnut-studded Baci; seriously dark chocolate; cherry-packed Amarena; creamy vanilla with crushed biscuit folded through; to chocolate-chip Stracciatella, my favourite combination was a scoop of pure pistachio partnered with intense lampone (raspberry).  Heaven in a cone for only 2.70 Euros. Delizioso!

Luxury Accommodation in Istanbul

Exploring Istanbul as a Corporate Event Buyer gave me a unique chance to compare and contrast top hotels the city has to offer.  The excellent range of five star options appeals to all tastes, but making a final choice needs to be tailor-made to specific requirements.  I would recommend different locations depending on the time of year; whether the trip is for business or leisure; and guests' priorities / interests.  For example in the Summer I think the two very best places to choose between are the fabulous Ciragan Palace Kempinski, or the neighbouring chic Four Seasons Bosphorous.  The Ciragan Palace has the best outdoor pool in a resort-style setting and 70% of the bedrooms have views of the Bosphorous.  Decor is in traditional style and the palace wing is truly opulent - ideal if you'd like to arrive by private helicopter and spend Eur40,000 per night on your suite.  Thankfully the regular room rate is a fraction of the cost.  These waterfront properties provide the perfect opportunity to take a private boat transfer from the airport and avoid the usual road traffic challenges on arrival. Four Seasons Bosphorous is one of two properties in Istanbul (the smaller and older Four Seasons Sultanahmet is centrally located and ideal for sightseeing around the Hagia Sophia, Grand Bazaar, Spice Bazaar, and Topkapi Palace).  The Park Hyatt is tucked away in the trendy Nisantasi area, the Istanbul equivalent to London's Bond Street, and partners well with events held at the Grand Hyatt.  New on the block is the Edition hotel, a collaboration between Ian Shraeger and Marriott hotels.  An unexpected tie-in but the result is a contemporary and comfortable design hotel ideal for small business meetings, or a weekend break for trendy urbanites.  Near the Kanyon shopping complex and by an underground station the Edition is a practical option, but not so central.  The three floor spa is bound to attract a loyal following but personally I wasn't keen on the fact it's underground.  Swimming so far below street level felt strange (although the pool is lovely) and having to take a lift to -5 to find the spa reception.   In complete contrast the Pera Palace has been the grande dame of Istanbul for over a century, originally attracting the rich and famous passengers travelling on the Orient-Express train.  Agatha Christie is immortalised in suite 411 and the hotel's recent major refurbishment has established it as a renowned heritage hotel.  Beautifully renovated, the Pera Palace no longer has the Golden Horn views that would have been enjoyed when the hotel first opened, but the property is a historical gem, well located and good for those seeking a sense of nostalgia.  Although there is a small indoor pool it's nothing special for those  keen to enjoy a swim.  With a new Raffles hotel, plus a new Shangri-La hotel opening next year, Istanbul is constantly expanding the tempting array of places to stay.  I should also mention there are some smaller boutique properties created from converted grand homes, which are ideal on an exclusive use basis with around ten plus bedrooms.  For celebrating a special occasion this could be an ideal solution.  With a flight time of four hours from the UK it's the most oriental destination within the shortest flying time, providing a great combination of east meets west.  Offering a wealth of places to see and delicious food to try, the experience is well worth it.  Just choose your hotel wisely.

Turkish Flavours

Turkish coffee; Turkish Delight... I'm always fascinated by culinary word association and the type of things that come to mind when thinking about dishes or ingredients a country may be famous for.  Prior to my few days away in Istanbul my knowledge of Turkish cuisine was extremely limited.  Hardly needing an excuse to treat myself to yet another cookery book, my curiosity was broadened by the recently released and wonderful insight of Leanne Kitchen: "Turkey - Recipes and tales from the road."  Full of evocative photography, I couldn't resist writing a gourmet wish list of all the things I wanted to try during my short stay.  The reality was that I tasted so much more than anticipated and came home inspired to try lots of new recipes. Within Turkey there are seven diverse regions and the country shares its border with Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia,  Azerbaijan, Iran, Iraq and Syria, so there is a huge range of influences at play.  Apart from enjoying eating at a wide range of restaurants from the simple but bountiful breakfast served at Sutis overlooking the Bosphorous, where my favourite dish was the delicious Menemem (variation on scrambled eggs with cheese and tomato); to the renowned Reina serving fabulous mezze; followed by grilled seabass at the club's waterside restaurant Blue Topaz; I also took a "Turkish Flavours" hands-on cookery course run by Selin Rozan at her art-deco apartment. This gave a unique introduction to the ingredients and methods used to create a range of typical dishes from the flaky pastry savoury borek (with either a meat or feta cheese filling), to stuffed aubergines, and poached apricots served with Halva floss - the best candy floss I've ever tasted.  Definitely the best way to learn a lot in a short space of time combined with the opportunity of being hosted in a personal home. 

Whilst in Istanbul I was also keen to try authentic Turkish Delight, which is called Lokum and not Delight as logic may suggest.  In my opinion the best is from Hayat in the Spice Market.  Incredibly moorish and the ideal energy boost, my vote goes to the cherry and pistachio version, although of course I needed to taste test several others to know for sure, including the close second pomegranate and pistachio.  Istanbul is a culinary delight and enriching gourmet experience.  As for Turkish Coffee, stronger than espresso and delivering that caffeine sensation hit between the eyes, it's not for me, but Turkish tea typically served in a tulip-shaped glass is a welcome refreshment any time...

Istanbul

"Travel brings power and love back into your life." Rumi

Previously known as Byzantium then Constantinople and having served as the capital of the Roman Empire through to the Ottoman Empire, Istanbul is a city I'd wanted to visit ever since learning about 'Asia Minor' in my favourite subject of geography at school.  Decades later I finally have and just returned from enjoying five days of exploring the best that Istanbul has to offer.  Perhaps during Ramadan is not the ideal time to go, but made for an even more interesting experience.  Traffic is a notorious problem in Istanbul at the best of times, but factor into the mix the majority of inhabitants fast from sunrise to sunset (with not even water to drink) and it makes for a lot of very cranky drivers by the end of the afternoon.  As the largest city in Europe (17 million inhabitants) Istanbul is the cultural, economic and financial centre of Turkey, located on the Bosphorous Strait.  It's the only metropolis in the world situated on two continents, Europe and Asia.  From the shopping temptations of the Grand Bazaar and Spice Bazaar to the sightseeing draws of the Hagia Sophia; Blue Mosque; and impressive Topkapi Palace, you're spoilt for choice.  Just don't challenge a taxi driver about the fare during Ramadan and instead channel Rumi, the Persian poet and mystic, for some inspiration: "And you? When will you begin that long journey into yourself".

More on Istanbul and Turkish culinary delights to follow...

The Leconfield, Petworth, West Sussex

Lunch out is always a treat, more so when with a dear friend and in celebration of my birthday.  I hadn't been to the Leconfield in Petworth before and purposely hadn't read any reviews on Trip Advisor so as not to have any preconceived ideas.  The reality was a smartly decorated but relaxed restaurant where we had a table in the conservatory and enjoyed a totally delicious meal.  Lisa, the excellent waitress, ensured that the service was exactly as one would hope - friendly, informed and efficient.  Ingredients are sourced locally and reflect the best of the season.  My razor clam first course was superb, although Linsi's choice of cucumber-wrapped soused and smoked mackerel, radish and red onion salad, dill mayonnaise, and cumin rye croutons looked more of a work of art.  The menu provided a good selection of starters and main courses with an additional lunch menu to supplement the a la carte.  I couldn't resist the trio of beef sliders, three delectable Goodwood mini beefburgers, cooked to perfection and served with the house special sauce (tomato based with a mustard kick), garnished with large chips.  Dessert seemed totally indulgent but sounded too good to miss.  Lisa recommended the dessert plate of mini-sized portions of the popular choices, although the idea to share went out the window when Linsi was drawn to the praline and dulce de leche semi-fredo, caramel ice cream, chocolate macaroon and broken honeycombe.  Consequently I had the selection of tasters all to myself.  Just as well diets always begin tomorrow...

Courgette Fritters

Allotment owners often have a glut of Summer produce and only having a small courtyard garden myself I'm always grateful to be the recipient of friends' excess crops.  Courgettes seem to be running rampant with so much rain lately, so I've enjoyed experimenting making courgette fritters.  They make a wonderful supper served with crisy bacon, along with an avocado and tomato salad.  The following ingredients will make approximately 12 fritters:

3 or 4 courgettes depending on size
1 large onion (white or red - whatever you have to hand)
1 red chilli pepper (optional)
3 eggs
125g self raising flour (or a couple of tablespoons if you don't have scales to hand)
125g (half a tub) of ricotta

Firstly chop the onion and soften this in a good glug of olive oil in a frying pan for a few minutes. If you're using the chilli to give a peppery kick chop this finely and add to the onion so they cook together.  Meanwhile grate the courgettes and place in a large bowl along with the lightly beaten eggs and ricotta.  Once the onion is ready combine this with the courgette mixture.  Heat a tablespoon or so of olive oil in the frying pan and over a medium heat fry the fritters in batches.  Depending on the size of the fritter they will take three minutes or so each side.  If you're serving with bacon this should be cooking at the same time and it's a good idea to prepare the avocado and tomato salad in advance, or whatever else you may be serving the fritters with, to avoid that last minute rush of trying to get everything ready on the plate at once.  These fritters really are very quick and easy, as well as more exciting than courgettes in their own right. 

The Pearl of Dorset

Moving and dramatic, Lyme Regis is famous for the iconic scene featuring the harbour, or Cobb as it's called, in the film 'The French Lieutenant's Woman' starring Meryl Streep.  The film was released in 1981 but Lyme Regis is ancient, being part of the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site spanning 185 million years of the earth's history.  Visitors travel from far and wide to experience the area, enjoy the beach and in my case make a pilgrimage to the excellent Town Mill Bakery.  On my way to and from Devon for a short holiday I purposely made a detour each way so I could enjoy the delights of this artisan bakery.  Lyme Regis is known as the 'Pearl of Dorset' and this is truly a pearl of a bakery, the type you wish you had in your own town.  Using local, organic ingredients with everything prepared from scratch on site, the warehouse style premises are an open plan kitchen workshop area with simple long wooden tables and benches for customers to sit and enjoy coffee or a snack, as well as make their purchases.  Even if you can't get to the bakery in person their website includes recipes and inspiration to recreate their ethos at home: http://www.townmillbakery.com/ and would you believe the owner's name is Clive Cobb, a double co-incidence fitting not just for a baker, but based in Lyme Regis too.  Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall is a fan and so am I.

Summer Crostini

Inspired to make a selection of crostini to serve al fresco with glasses of chilled Prosecco to friends on Saturday, the pea and broad bean crostini was the hit of the evening.  With no recipe in mind, I made it up as I went along and the result was delicious.  The following ingredients make a generous quantity that would be enough for 12 people.  I didn't weigh anything, just tasted as I went along and adjusted seasoning accordingly.  (The beans and peas were seasonal English crops in packs from Waitrose - hence using the whole bag of each).The method is quick and easy with a Magimix food processor, otherwise will take longer with a large mortar and pestle, along with the energy to pound by hand:

500g Broad beans (weight in their pods)
500g Peas in pods
1 handful freshy grated Pecorino (or Parmesan) cheese
good glug of extra virgin olive oil
2 handfuls fresh mint leaves (de-stalked)
salt and pepper to taste

Shell the peas and beans, then blanch in boiling water for a minute or so.  Drain.  Put the peas and beans in the food processor with the cheese and pulse to combine well together.  Add the mint leaves and a generous pour of olive oil to give a smoother texture.  Blitz again.  Once the texture is to your liking, taste to decide how much seasoning is required.  Ready to serve.

For the crostini I simply sliced a ciabatta loaf, spread the slices over a baking tray, drizzled the bread with olive oil and baked at the top of a heated oven (180 degrees C) for 10 minutes.  This made a lovely crispy base for a variety of toppings.  In addition to the pea and bean spread, I prepared buffalo mozzarella with with homemade wild garlic pesto; along with finely sliced flame roasted red peppers (courtesy of my local delicatessen, as well as a bowl of marinated black olives from Provence).  I completely forgot about the melon and parma ham I was also intending to serve, but no one realised anything was missing.  Guess what I'm having for my lunch today. 

Lavender Shortbread

Delightfully heady the scent of lavender is truly uplifting and the plant has made a valuable contribution to well-being for centuries.  In Maggie Tisserand and Monika Juenemann's book "The Magic and Power of Lavender" they state in the introduction how "Ancient medical texts extol its healing powers.  From the history of the Middle Ages we learn that people handling lavender never fell victim to the bubonic plague". In addition to enjoying the beauty of growing lavender and the many uses for lavender essential oil, lavender is also a welcome ingredient in cooking both savoury and sweet, from enhancing roast lamb to baked in cakes and biscuits.  I was inspired by an article in the Saturday Telegraph magazine recently about a couple in Kent who have turned their hop farm into a "lavender paradise".  At the time I didn't have any 'hot' lavender essence to hand, so improvised in making some lavender shortbread and used a proportion of lavender infused caster sugar which worked perfectly well. The end result was delicious, (so much so that by the time I came to take a photo to illustrate my blog there were only three pieces of the original 18 left). Based on William and Caroline Alexander's original recipe, my variation is below and you too may like to try this wonderful taste of Summer:

150g butter (room temperature)
75g caster sugar (I used half lavender-infused caster sugar and half regular caster sugar)
150g plain flour
75g rice flour (really makes a big difference to the texture, so well worth using)
tablespoon of dried or fresh lavender flowers

Heat oven to 150 degrees C / gas mark 2 and line a 27x18cm baking tray with silicone paper.  Cream the butter and sugar, then add the flour, ground rice and lavender flowers.  Combine well and press mixture into the lined tin.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until pale golden colour.  Remove from the oven, sprinkle with extra caster sugar and lavender flowers if desired.  Allow the shortbread to cool in the tin, but whilst still warm cut into fingers. Keep in an airtight tin to retain crispness. 

Apart from being great as it is, the shortbread is an ideal accompaniment to gooseberry fool. I make mine using stewed gooseberries with elderflower cordial, sieved (if you want a smooth texture), then folded into a combination of thick yoghurt and vanilla custard combined. 

Field & Fork at Pallant House Gallery

Some years ago (well the late 1980's to be precise, but that dates me...) there was a memorable advertising campaign by Saatchi & Saatchi promoting the Victoria & Albert Museum in London as "An ace caff, with quite a nice museum attached."  That's very much how I feel about the fabulous Field and Fork restaurant at the Chichester based Pallant House Gallery.  I've been countless times to eat there but never ventured to look around.  Home to an award winning collection of 20th Century British Art, I know there will be lots of interesting things to see.  I shall remedy my neglect by starting with a first visit to the forthcoming special exhibition on Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera (9 July - 2 October).  It looks set to be stunning.

The Field & Fork restaurant is one of those gems which works well at any time of day, whether for coffee and pastries, a tempting lunch menu, tea and cake in the afternoon, or evening dining.  In good weather the courtyard adjacent to the restaurant is an ideal place to relax in the open air, surrounded by London plane trees and sculpture.  All very inspiring.  My lunch choice on Saturday was a taste of Summer on a plate.  Beautifully cooked turbot with pea puree and clams, with a crab stuffed courgette flower displayed as a prize jewel on top.  Delicious and worth sidestepping my usual favourites of crayfish omlette with lobster sauce, or the red mullet open sandwich.  The starters, main courses and desserts are all well put together and reflect the Chef's passion for local, seasonal ingredients - often sourced from F&F's new half acre greenhouse providing the restaurant with the freshest vegetables, salads and soft fruit.  Well worth a special journey (and essential to book to avoid disappointment), I think Field & Fork is the best place to eat in Chichester.  

La Dolce Vita

Residents living near Sheen Lane, London, SW14 are lucky indeed to have such a fabulous authentic Italian restaurant on their doorstep.  I met a friend for dinner on Thursday evening at the recently opened Zia Pia and really enjoyed the wonderful menu.  The choice changes weekly and if I lived locally I'd have to go regularly, so as not to miss out.  It's rare to eat at an Italian restaurant in the UK and feel transported to Italy.  The menu is relatively simple, based on excellent, seasonal ingredients which are well prepared to showcase their natural flavour.  After our aperitivo of Prosecco served with minted pea crostini, we shared an incredibly fresh whole burrata (the king of buffalo mozzarella cheese with a creamy but firm texture and soft centre).  Served with capers, anchovies and a superb salsa verde with toasted ciabatta, this was a heavenly combination.  Usually I'm not a fan of antipasti but the selection at Zia Pia converted me and included salads with rocket, grated carrot and date, along with slow roasted red peppers, tomato, and fennel, plus two different types of salami served with a dish of mostarda di frutta, not forgetting the black olives.  We then progressed to Spaghetti Vongole which was less than half the price and infinitely better than the rather dry version served at the renowned Bentley's in Swallow Street, London, which I'd experienced two days before (£7.50 at Zia Pia compared to £18 at Bentley's).  It transpires the two restaurants use the same fish supplier.  We'd also ordered a special dish from the blackboard of Melanzana Parmigiana - a gratin of baked aubergine in tomato sauce, which had been slow cooked so that it virtually melted in the mouth.  Dessert was a home made (in the good sense) polenta cake served with a blood orange compote and cinnamon mascarpone.  Having asked advice on the best white wine to accompany the meal, the recommended Santa Barbara from Le Marche region of Italy, made from the Verdicchio grape, was the perfect choice.  The appeal of going to the regular wine events which pair a different wine with each course is tempting to say the least.  The next evening is on Wednesday 15th June and at £45 per head offers real value for money.  As a complete Italophile I'm very happy to have enjoyed the delights of eating at Zia Pia and look forward to returning.  If you're looking for a relaxed, sensibly priced neighbourhood restaurant, serving unpretentious delicious food and an inspired selection of interesting wines, the chances are you'll be besotted by Zia Pia too.  Buon Appetito! 

Gordon in Thailand

The "Land of Smiles" charmed Gordon Ramsey on the final leg of his "Great Escapes" culinary adventures in South East Asia, televised in the UK on Monday evening, even though on one occasion he exclaimed "I don't think they know who I am!"  No Gordon, why should they.  British chefs do not have the global reach you may expect and similarly we weren't to know Thailand's equivalent, Chef McDang, who has filled far more prime time television hours with his weekly show.  When challenged if he was a real chef or a TV chef, McDang confirmed he is the real version.  As luck would have it they tied in a draw with their cook-off, so both were happy.  Sparring aside this last programme in the series gave a wonderful insight to Thai food, even though Gordon only had a week to master the intricacies of the balance between salty; sweet; and sour - all combined in a base paste as the foundation to all dishes.  From trying to master handling slippery sausage casing with the Queen of the spicy sausage in Northern Thailand, to fishing for oysters off the Krabi coast in the south, Gordon did actually admit it was a "privilege for him to be there."  From having the chance to participate in a house blessing ceremony, to attempting to learn meditation skills from a Buddhist monk, Gordon experienced a side of Thailand which will provide much food for thought for a very long time to come.

Gordon in Malaysia

Week three of Gordon Ramsey's televised Great Escapes and the intrepid chef tackled Malaysia, or rather Malaysia tackled him.  Happier driving a motorbike with a couple of foodie Hells Angels, not confronting the traffic head on as a nervous passenger in a cycled rickshaw, viewers were subjected to more culinary shocks on this mission to find the most cringe-worthy ingredients.  Malaysia's contribution to the Yuk! stakes being Torpedo Soup for Men (made with bull's penis, apparently a very spicy soup but with muscle gristle texture).  It's amazing that these dishes seem to be in demand otherwise no one would bother making them.

Thankfully the true stars of the region's cooking were the aunties - older generation ladies revered for their expertise in the kitchen, to whom their professional executive chef sons defer.  The multi-cultural influences including Chinese and Indian cooking have greatly shaped how Malaysian cuisine has evolved.  From smoky charcoal grilled satay; marinated chicken; traditional Malaysian coconut rice; to spicy beef rendang, Gordon was introduced to the complex layers of Malaysian flavours.  It was very poignant when he was advised by the Chief Monk on the occasion of Buddha's Birthday, to  "Try your best to do good things; Try your best to think good things; Everything middle path; Try your best not to get angry."  Whether or not that had any impact on Gordon remains to be seen as it certainly didn't influence the level of coarse language.  He did look reflective though.

The greatest adventure of this week's programme was Gordon on a trek in Malaysian Borneo to harvest birds nests made of swifts' saliva (a market worth £5m a year exporting to China).  Involving river journeys, crawling through a tunnel thick with guano ("bat shit") and climbing a tall bamboo ladder - all 15stone of him, the outcome was not so much a culinary show-stopper, but a simple sweet soup which didn't impress. 

My favourite Malaysian ingredient didn't get a mention:  gula melaka (or palm sugar).  It just sounds so fabulous and tastes truly delicious in both savoury and sweet dishes (my winner being ice cream).  If you feel like recreating a taste of Malaysia at home the beef rendang recipe in Sri Owen's Encyclopedia of Asian Cooking is wonderful.  A true aunty's recipe.

Gordon in Vietnam

Refreshing pomelo salad with prawns; moorish spring rolls stuffed with wood ear mushrooms and minced pork; crispy pancakes made with rice flour filled with bean shoots, shredded chicken, coriander, mint, plus lemon basil; and succulent grilled tenderloin of beef with peanut sauce, were some of the memorable dishes I experienced whilst travelling in Vietnam.  Unfortunately Gordon Ramsey didn't fare so well on his second Great Escapes programme, which was as stomach churning as last week's episode on Cambodia.  His description of the Vietnamese being fearless foodies with the approach "if it moves, eat it" was well documented in the hour-long insight to extreme eating, but thankfully there is also a far more appealing side to the delicacies of Vietnamese cuisine.  Snake seven ways probably makes for better television, especially with Gordon downing the still beating heart in a shot of alcohol.  Personally I don't subscribe to torturous dining.  My mind and digestion couldn't cope with it, so hats off to Gordon in the line of duty.  He must have a cast iron constitution.  At least he admitted to his indoctrination to Vietnamese food as being challenging, probably his understatement of the year.  From watching ducks slaughtered by a determined chef nicknamed Mrs Duck, whom amusingly Gordon seemed scared of, to seeing a live mountain rat on display for restaurant diners to choose, the "no waste" culture is often repulsive to Western ways.  Dog is widely eaten in the north of Vietnam (not in the south), yet no reference was made to there not being any dogs around Hanoi - perhaps a distress too far for canine pet loving British sensitivities.  Shock inducing reactions aside don't be put off going to Vietnam for fear of not enjoying the food.  There is a wonderful choice of totally palatable, delicious dishes to discover and the best coffee I've ever tasted, so be adventurous!

Cooking in Cambodia

With more expletives than adjectives Gordon Ramsey's new Channel 4 television series featuring his culinary journey through southeast Asia was difficult to stomach, but the reality is Cambodia is a fascinating country. (His focus for the first instalment screened at 9pm on Monday 9th May).  Profanities aside the programme gave a vivid insight to traditional subsistence cooking from stuffed frogs to deep fried Tarantula spiders. Before going to Cambodia myself a couple of years ago I'd never heard of Khmer cuisine, but here is a centuries old culture with a wealth of delicious flavours waiting to be explored (thankfully with more acceptable ingredients).   I stayed in the chic surroundings of a beautiful boutique hotel in the centre of Siem Reap.  The de la Paix was the perfect location for exploring the stunning UNESCO world heritage site of the temples at Angkor, as well as close proximity to the colourful market and renowned Foreign & Colonial Club or FCC as it's known, complete with ceiling fans and whiff of a gin and tonic fuelled past.  At the de la Paix's renowned Meric restaurant, experimenting with so many flavour combinations I'd never had before from Banana Blossom Salad, to Amok fish (fragrantly spiced white fish in a light sauce served in a piece of hollow bamboo) , to a shot glass of coconut rice sago with an egg cup of palm sugar juice, the gastronomic delights were sensational.  With a backdrop of wonderful architecture, a balmy evening and light breeze perfumed with frangipani blooms, I look forward to returning and experiencing more of this fabulous destination.  Thank you to Gordon for inspiring me to re-visit this unsung gem.

In Praise of Pesto

Purists may argue that true Pesto should only ever be made from basil, pine nuts, garlic, Parmesan and olive oil.  However, I happen to think pesto is the most wonderful concept that lends itself to many guises.  Having just looked the word up in my Italian dictionary I've learnt it simply means "pounded".  Even more reason for some culinary license.  Inspired by my local farmers' market in Arundel last Saturday I bought a bunch of wild garlic leaves to transform into a Spring Pesto which seemed the perfect lunch to enjoy on such a beautiful day (and to celebrate the freedom of working from home).  In the Magimix I blitzed:

100g wild garlic leaves and stems (washed)
2 shallots (peeled) 
100ml olive oil (I used fruity extra virgin, but whatever your preference)
50g unroasted nuts (I had peanuts and Brazils to hand)

Once this was all combined I stirred in 50g grated Parmesan, salt and pepper to taste and a little more olive oil.  All this took less time than the 10 minutes to cook the spelt spaghetti to toss with the pesto.  The quantity made was enough for four portions.  Any remaining will freeze perfectly or it keeps well in an airtight container in the fridge for a few days (topped with a little extra oil to seal it).

Making the most of this idyllic weather we are currently blessed with in the south of England I couldn't resist having my lunch in the garden with a glass of chilled white wine.  It felt totally indulgent but utterly wonderful and true to my ethos that life is for living.  As the Italians would say, Buon Appetito!

Mothering Sunday

Inspired to bake a cake for my Mum on Mother's Day I decided to try my hand at her all time favourite, Battenburg.  Quickly realising I was not keen on fiddling around making half the mixture synthetically coloured pink, I also didn't find a recipe I was happy with.  They all seemed to be for plain sponge covered in marzipan.  I realised I wasn't striving to bake a traditional Battenburg after all but wanted to create an almond cake full of natural flavour and not overly sweet which Battenburg's always seem to be.  Blessed with an extensive cookery book collection and the wonders of the internet I still couldn't find the recipe I was hoping for so made one up based on inspiration from various sources to create what I'd been thinking about.  In case you'd like to give it a go the recipe for my almond cake is below.  As with all baking the most essential and invisible ingredient is love.  To miss this out means the cake will never taste as good, so bake in good spirits and be happy.  I used a heart shape tin as I had one I'd never used in my kitchen cupboard and now seemed the ideal time, but any shape 8" or 9" tin would be fine (just make sure the tin is lined with Bakewell paper to guarantee the cake turns out easily).  Also pre-heat your oven to 190 degrees Centigrade:

6 large eggs (separated into whites and yolks in two different bowls)
200g whole almonds (grind in a food processor when you need them for a far better result than packet ground almonds which are often dry and have lost their flavour)
150g spelt flour (or plain white flour)
2 teaspoons baking powder
200g caster sugar
1 teaspoon natural almond extract
(Yes, that's right there's no fat in this recipe, but trust me, it works)

Filling - one 10oz / 254g  jar of St Dalfour apricot conserve (reserve two dessert spoons for the topping).  This wonderful French fruit spread is sugar free and a pure fruit taste, but apricot jam works well if this is what you have to hand.

Topping - one 250g tub of mascarpone into which you beat the remaining jam, a tablespoon of sieved icing sugar and half a teaspoon of almond extract. 

For the cake mixture first whisk the egg whites by themselves until stiff.  In a separate bowl whisk the egg yolks and sugar together until well blended.  Stir the ground almonds, flour and baking powder into the egg yolks and sugar then add the almond extract.  Once combined fold in one tablespoon of the whisked egg whites and when incorporated gently fold in the remaining whisked egg whites. Turn into the prepared tin and bake in the middle of the oven for approximately 35 minutes until golden brown and the surface of the cake springs back to the touch.  (After 20 minutes I needed to cover my tin with a sheet of silicone paper to stop the cake from browning too much - it's always worth checking).  Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the tin on a rack before turning out. 

Once cool cut the cake in half through the middle and spread the apricot layer on the base half before sandwiching the top back on.  Spread the mascarpone topping around the sides and top.  The almond cake is then ready to serve, but even better if you cover the sides (and possibly top) with toasted flaked almonds. 

Singapore Sling

There are two things close to the heart of all Singaporians: shopping and eating.  They embrace both with passion.  I've never seen such a concentration of shopping malls and the choice of dining options is fantastic.   Originally known as the Lion City of Singa Pura the visionary Sir Stamford Raffles founded Singapore in 1819 as the perfect trading port in Asia Pacific when he was tasked with developing such a location for the East India Company.  Modern Singapore has much to thank him for.  The Government's ongoing heavy investment ensures that Singapore is as much of a force to be reckoned with in the high-rise, high-tech 21st century as it was nearly 200 years ago.  Having just returned from  experiencing all the new developments I was amazed at the vibrant, dynamic, exciting city that Singapore has become. Enjoying a Singapore Sling at the iconic Raffles Hotel is still on the "must do" list but you're spoilt for choice for other memorable experiences.  From taking in the views from Marina Bay Sands Sky Garden 200m high perched like a grounded spaceship on top of three tower blocks, to exploring Resorts World Sentosa with Universal Studios, Singapore deserves more than a short stopover.  Often known as "Asia Lite" (Asia without the grime, traffic and stomach upsets, plus English is spoken everywhere), Singapore is clean, safe and a pleasure to stay.  Luxury hotels such as the fabulous Shangri-La offer great value for money and the tropical climate means it's hot (and humid) all year round.  I'm looking forward to returning...

Wild Honey

Lured by good reviews of Anthony Demetre's cooking and Wild Honey's delectable name, Iunch at the restaurant in St George Street, Mayfair, London W1, was worth persevering against dire traffic congestion and rain to get to.  Buzzing and welcoming although at full capacity I soon relaxed into the convivial atmosphere despite my frazzled state on arrival.  Being seriously late it seemed wise to go straight to the main course and I thoroughly enjoyed my choice of sea bass with razor clams and trompette mushrooms.  In particular the razor clams were a revelation with their unexpectedly smooth texture and so delicious.  The Sommelier recommended a wonderful dry but fruity Spanish wine - Albarino O Rosal, Terras Ganda, Rias Baixas, Galicia.  Dessert went by the wayside in a bid to recoup time but I did succumb to the selection of chocolates to have with my coffee.  These were tiny but delicious plain truffles and slithers of candied orange peel in dark chocolate.  Rich and strong the flavours were an ideal sweet note to finish with.  Wild Honey is definitely a place I'd return to, hopefully next time on a more leisurely basis to try the excellent value set price three course menu at £19.95 (the same price as my main course alone).  The only aspect which lets the experience down is the fact the tables are far too close together making neighbouring diners seem loud and invasive.  I don't want to be audience to other peoples' conversations, wanting instead to enjoy the company at my own table and would much prefer extra space even if it means putting the prices up to compensate for less covers.  I now know to request a side booth...

Avant-garde Gastronomy in Bethnal Green, London

Viajante, or "traveller" in Portuguese certainly has a pioneering spirit and as a trendy restaurant in the unexpected location of the Town Hall Hotel in Bethnal Green accurately describes itself as a "mecca for food-lovers".  I was intrigued and loved experiencing the whole succession of surprise dishes on the tasting menu.  Viajante was the perfect place to catch up with a dear friend over an extravagant lunch, who equally delighted in the theatre of what we were eating.  Dispensing with the need to choose from a menu, Viajante simplifies the process in asking only whether you would like the three or six course tasting menu and if you have any allergies.  Feeling indulgent we went for the full house and were off to a good start with an amazing "Thai explosion" appetiser before the first course arrived.  This concentrated burst of flavour singing of kaffir lime certainly kicked the taste buds into shape.  Artisan bread rolls and two types of butter appeared and the performance was well underway.  Even though six courses may seem over the top for lunch they were perfectly proportioned and not excessive.  The first course of scallops with carrot, mustard and watercress was light and fresh before the second course of charred leeks, hazelnuts and milk skin.  Not my favourite course as milk skin is too reminiscent of vast vats of congealed, coloured custard endured during school lunches, the thought of which still turns my stomach to this day.  Perhaps it's innovative and maybe some people love the texture of dairy skin, but not for me.  The braised salmon and fried aubergine took my mind off it but was bettered by the fourth course seabass toast with garlic kale.  A couple of choice morsels of duck with beetroot and pistachio followed before the pre-dessert frozen maple pannacotta and shiso granite with green apple which was tangy and cleansing before the main dessert of sea buckthorn with burnt meringue and yoghurt sorbet.  A modern art installation in it's own right.  Petit fours were fabulous concentrations of flavour, particularly the mandarin marshmallow, as too the salted caramel truffle.  If you feel like gastronomic travelling through a menu of taste sensations, Viajante is worth the journey.  Next time I'll try the recommended wines, but on this occasion restrained myself to an uplifting glass of champagne.  Guests are well taken care of, the service is superb and there are not many restaurants where the chef shakes your hand as you leave.  Nuno Mendes grew up in Portugal, trained at the California Culinary Academy, had stints at Jean Georges in New York City, the Coyote Cafe in Sante Fe and El Bulli in Roses.  With a roll call like that you know you're in for a treat. 

A Gourmet Treat

Chic and stylish my first impressions on arriving at Hakkasan in Bruton Street, Mayfair, central London, felt as if I was entering a smart restaurant on the Bund in Shanghai, China.  Since reading AA Gill's enthusiastic and complimentary review just recently in the Sunday Times I was tempted to try this fabulous Chinese restaurant and went for lunch with a dear friend who knows and loves the Far East too. The calming scent of jasmine incense wafting through the air welcomes you and the short walk along dark slate / stone clad walls to the dining area reassures that you've made a good choice.  Abundant orchids and wonderfully professional staff complete the scene and as the menus are presented that sense of anticipation sets in.  The restaurant decor is elegantly simple and very appealing, especially the atmospheric and spacious basement with wonderful Chinese style wooden screens dividing the space.  The menu is seriously tempting but somehow we didn't manage to go beyond the "small eats" wanting to try so many of those and they are ideal for sharing.  The salt and pepper squid with a chilli kick, generously filled Shanghai dumplings, delicious crispy duck rolls and dim sum selection were all excellent.  The scallop shumai wins my prize for the best dim sum I've ever tried.  A glass of 2009 Urban Riesling St.Urbans-Hof Mosel was the perfect accompaniment before progressing to the selection of petits fours I ordered to go with my Oolong blue tea.  This was a modern art installation in it's own right - three glass containers stacked on top of each other, containing frozen strawberry granita alongside coffee water ice, on which were nestled two miniature ice cream cones (mango and chocolate), the next layer down offered truffles and the base layer had mouthful size friandises.  A decadent treat for a Monday lunchtime and one that will definitely be repeated at the earliest opportunity.

Happy New Year!

Following December's festive season celebrated with family and friends the end of the old year and start of the new brings a welcome chance for reflection and positive change.  The Winter Solstice is behind us and the northern hemisphere gradually continues the cycle towards the light.  An ideal time of year to consider your hopes and dreams as well as take steps toward making them happen.  Dark days may seem long but the years are short.  One of the Christmas films I enjoyed watching was Mr Magorium's Wonder Emporium starring Dustin Hoffman with the memorable line: "Life is an occasion, rise to it".  Certainly impactful it makes you want to be the best that you can be. 

So my advice for 2011, which I will endeavour to follow personally, is to open your mind, go somewhere new, try something you've always wanted to do but never have, take a different route on a regular journey, cook a dish you've never tried before, have fun.  Appreciate this moment, appreciate this day, relax and be happy.