eat – The Cultural Exposé

Something you should do… Winter at Southbank

Lucy Palmer — Wed, 27 Nov 2013 11:00:13 +0000

We all have those Christmas traditions we look forward to every year and one of mine is going with my friends to the Southbank too see the Christmas lights and ice rink and drink mulled wine as we wander by the river to keep out the cold. This year with so much on offer, they’ve set up www.southbanklondon.com/winter to make planning your Southbank visit hassle free and super easy to organise. Upcoming events include the 12 cocktails of Christmas at Oxo tower, Light Princess a new musical by Tori Amos, the Eyeskate ice rink and even Father Christmas at the London Aquarium where he’ll be hanging out with the penguins.

The site includes more than just event listings and will also host an online photo contest launching in January and a special Southbank advent calendar, as well as offers and deals for the areas many restaurants and shops, saving you more money for all the Christmas presents you need to buy.
With so many events on offer at the Southbank it’s the perfect time to visit and get in that Christmassy mood. And with events running into January it’s more than just a Christmas celebration but the perfect chance to beat the winter blues. (Words: Lucy Palmer)

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Somewhere you should go… Kansas Smitty’s Speakeasy

The Cultural Exposé — Fri, 25 Oct 2013 11:20:18 +0000

Jumpin’. Jivin’. Juleps. Jazz. Sounds like the perfect ingredients for a Saturday night, which is why this new speakeasy caught our attention at TCé. The one-off at the Peckham Liberal Club brings together some of the fiercest jazz musicians in town for a rollicking’ evening of bourbon-fuelled dancing, inspired by the 1930s US southern scene. You’ll get to booty-bump along to the Kansas Smitty’s House Band, which has become quite the name, selling out shows at the Servants Jazz Quarter and popping up at secret warehouse parties. So you can expect they’ll get the party started right, along with the Kansas Smitty’s DJs, who’ll be filling in the gaps with quality swing and rhythm and blues.

As for the eats and drinks, The Tamale Shack will be dishing up the Mexican classic aplenty, while Stav B will be hosting the bar, knocking out bourbons with the creative skill and precision this pop-up liquor bar has become known for. Just make sure you sign up for membership at Kansas Smitty’s ASAP so this weekend you can let the good times roll.

Apply for Kansas Smitty’s membership at: www.kansassmittys.com
For tickets visit: www.billetto.co.uk/kansassmitty

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What we’ve been up to… Elk in the Woods

Lucy Palmer — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 11:00:46 +0000

London is awesome for its nightlife but sometimes a long, lazy Sunday lunch with friends is the best thing in the world which was how I was introduced to the Elk in the Woods. Angel already boasts so many great restaurants, but I was excited at the prospect of somewhere new and delicious – and Elk offers both a quirky menu with the Scandinavian-style decor to match. When we sat down to see we had the table facing out onto the street, providing the perfect people watching view as we munched. My friends and I split three of the small plates between us – crispy pheasant with spring onion, parsnip and pancakes with homemade plum sauce, halloumi with homemade preserved lemons and salt and pepper calamari. It was my first time trying pheasant so I was pleasantly surprised by the rich taste and the different take serving it in Chinese style. The calamari was good with a nice freshness to it and the halloumi, hard to go wrong with my favourite cheese, was simple but delicious. My main course of char-grilled lamb cutlets with seasalt savoy cabbage mash, crispy kale and a rosemary and wild berry gravy was wonderful hearty food. This is definitely a place for meat eaters with few vegetarian options on the menu but with the meat they cook it well. Just remember to save room for dessert – luckily I was joined by a friend as indecisive as me so we ordered the chocolate fondant with mint ice-cream and the popcorn ice cream sandwich with salted caramel to split between us. But food aside, the service was a bit slow – so I’m grateful we got a table with a view as it gave us something to do. Granted, it was busy and the weekend but three hours in there was too long. Still, the sheer delicious joy of the puddings could warrant a return. (Words: Lucy Palmer) For more info about Elk In The Woods visit: www.the-elk-in-the-woods.co.uk

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Somewhere you should eat….@ SIAM, Soho

Hugh Wright — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 09:00:59 +0000

The @ symbol (or to give it its proper name, the ‘at symbol’) has had a number of uses in its 111-year lifetime. Originally conceived as accounting shorthand for ‘at the rate of’, with the arrival of email in the 1990s the humble @ came into worldwide(web) usage as an integral part of every email address. Since 2006 however, the sign has acquired a new prominence as the opening character of every Twitter username; other means of communication are old hat – these days Twitter is where it’s @.

Don’t go looking for smart new Thai restaurant @SIAM on Twitter though; the username does exist, but it’s not them – in fact it’s one of the thousands of dormant accounts which include, frustratingly, @hughwright, an Evangelical Christian in the US who’s not tweeted since May last year. And not that you would, but don’t go looking for it in Siam either – you’d have a job to, as no such place exists, the Kingdom of Siam having become Thailand for good in 1949. Do however go looking for it on Frith Street, slap-bang in the heart of Soho, where you will find it, especially if what you’re looking for is some really very good Thai food at not-too-hideous prices…

…To read the rest, click here to visit Hugh Wright’s blog, Twelvepointfivepercent.com – London Restaurant Reviews Of Real Discretion.

Follow Hugh on Twitter: @HRWright

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Somewhere you should go…Beach Blanket Babylon

Matilda — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 09:00:14 +0000

My very first visit to Beach Blanket Babylon was, quite simply, love at first sight. I’d previously made a fly-by visit with some friends for drinks a month earlier and was instantly struck by the decor – a fascinating mixture of charming classicism and contemporary cool – and the hipster bougie vibe which felt similar to Sketch in Mayfair. It seemed to insist only a certain type accustomed to exclusivity, good taste and quirky fun times (bordering on the naughty) should dare cross the spot’s threshold, so never one to resist a challenge – ;-) – I booked a table for my 30th birthday to get the full BBB experience.

On arrival, I was greeted by the loveliest maître d’ and a cocktail on the house (!), before my party was sat in the cosy table corner, perfect for a small group of friends.

The majority of us opted for the set menu (2 courses, £24.90, 3 course £29.50) , which featured a slightly edgy selection of traditional dishes. I chose the calamari with chili & lime mayonnaise for starter, followed by an 8 oz. rib-eye steak (medium to well done) with sautéed spinach & garlic mash and a selection of ice cream to top it all off.

The calamari was cool enough – although since discovering Busaba Eathai‘s version, it’s hard to find anything remotely comparable; so divine! – and it’s a decent portion, at least. But my friend seemed smitten by her grilled goat’s cheese with roasted sweet peppers, crispy potatoes & chimichurri, which I’d probably opt for next time.

As for the main, I really enjoyed the mash, which perfectly complimented the tasty steak – and the dessert, while small, just worked for the simple fact that the pistachio flavour added a bit of flair to the usually redundant chocolate and vanilla combo. Drinks-wise, I stuck to the subtly sweet albeit pricey treat of Prosecco Rose (£6.50 a glass) for most of the evening, which overall I could say ended enjoyably, and without a hitch.

It’s no secret that BBB has been plagued with poor reviews in the past, but off the back of this experience, I’d say it’s an intriguing locale that offers a stylishly cosmopolitan night out, but one that doesn’t require the dining. Where it triumphs is in its ambience, friendly staff, zealous cocktail culture (there’s an entire lounge downstairs) and its ability to make you feel a level beyond bourgeoisie – and who doesn’t want that? (Words: Matilda Egere-Cooper)

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Beach Blanket Babylon, 19-23 Bethnal Green Road

Tube: Shoreditch High Street

Price: (££££)£

Further info: www.beachblanket.co.uk/shoreditch

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Somewhere you should eat…The Breakfast Club

Matilda — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 09:00:01 +0000

If you’re a fan of breakfast – but not such a fan of its usual time – The Breakfast Club in Camden Passage is well worth a visit. Why? Well, for starters, they’ve managed to solve my persona dilemma of getting my hollandaise fix without sacrificing that much-needed extra half an hour’s sleep. Tucked away behind the busy Upper Street, The branch in Angel has a sunny interior and quirky decor – also making them the perfect haven for a Saturday morning brunch, or even a dinner date. As well as pancakes, eggs Benedict, and ‘the late late breakfast’ (a full English served after 5pm: ‘because it’s always breakfast time somewhere in the world’), the menu has wide variety of non-breakfast options. On offer is everything from burritos and burgers, to fishcakes and jacket potatoes, all in hearty portion sizes. I had the eggs Florentine with smoked salmon, which came with a very healthy dollop of hollandaise (yes!), while my sister/ foodie-in-crime had the vegetarian burrito. We were both very happy with our orders which were each under a tenner. It’s by no means gourmet stuff, but what The Breakfast Club offers is tasty, filling and varied fare in a chilled environment. The staff were friendly and the atmosphere felt more akin to eating in a friend’s kitchen, albeit your kookiest, iD-reading, vintage headwear-touting friend. At prices similar to Pizza Express, this is a great alternative if you’re looking for a reasonable meal that’s a bit off the beaten track. (Words: Rachel Schraer)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com

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Somewhere you should eat…da Polpo, Covent Garden

Hugh Wright — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 09:00:31 +0000

In much the same way as people are always ‘rushed’ to hospital and champagne is always ‘quaffed’, it’s seemingly impossible for Polpo, Russell Norman and Richard Beatty’s Beak Street restaurant (as if you didn’t know that) to be described as anything other than ‘wildly’ popular. I should know – mea culpa.

For many restaurateurs, such success would be enough, but there’s been no R&R for R&R who, in under two years, have gone on to open Polpetto on Dean Street and Spuntino on Rupert Street, as well as converting what was the private dining room at Polpo into a stylish Campari Bar. The latest addition to their burgeoning empire (do empires ever do anything but ‘burgeon’?) is da Polpo in Covent Garden, their first foray outside of Soho.

Despite what the name might suggest, da Polpo is more than just another branch of Polpo, although it’s certainly closest to the original site in character and size. Rather, it’s a combination of all the best bits of the other restaurants, with a couple of new details added due to popular demand….

…To read the rest, click here to visit Hugh Wright’s blog, Twelvepointfivepercent.com – London Restaurant Reviews Of Real Discretion.

Follow Hugh on Twitter: @HRWright

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Somewhere you should eat…Poncho No 8

Monique Todd — Tue, 19 Jul 2011 09:00:52 +0000

I’ve come to dread the lunch break – the rudimentary sandwich is just…BORING! – so, any food outlet that wants to inject a bit of life into midday meal has my support. Cue Poncho No 8, bringing Mexican food to St Pauls and Spitalfields. Founded by buddies Frank and Nick around three years ago, the restaurant manages to balance quality grub with speed and convenience.

White walls, wooden decor and urban-inspired design scream modern London; in fact, you probably wouldn’t guess it was a Mexican food outlet. However, the contemporary interior allows the food to take centre stage.

With an ordering process, reminiscent of Subway, you can pick various elements to add to your meal, with burritos, nachos, tacos on offer. As for fillings, there’s three types of rice to choose from, plus various beans and meats including seasoned steak, tender marinated pork as well as a veggie option of chargrilled vegetables, tofu and fresh guacamole.

Named by ES magazine as having one of the best burritos in London, I chose to give the chicken version a test run. Tightly wrapped, and deeply filled with parsley rice, beans, and cheese, I happily received the hefty portion. The chicken had a wonderful grilled flavour plus a bit of chilli kick too, but at £6.10, it could be seen as little pricier than the popular Wahaca version, which also comes with a side of tortilla chips.

The drink selection is limited to four options, starting from £1 (including different flavours of homemade aqua frescas) going up to £4.50 for frozen margaritas. There aren’t any sweet snacks on offer either, but as a quickie lunch hotspot; Poncho No 8 is a pretty decent option. Catering for the hungry and impatient customer, here’s a no-frills yet modern outlet that just prides itself on offering real Mexican food – what more could you want? (Monique Todd)

Price: £££££

For more information, visit www.poncho8.com

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