Wishlist: 10 London restaurants I want to visit

After reading Rachel Phipps’ post on the ‘10 London Restaurants and Cafes I Can’t Wait to Eat At’ I noticed some of the places on her list appeared on my own. In London there’s a lot of choice when deciding where to dine out and I often go to places I know rather than somewhere new which I’d like to change. Reading restaurant reviews, magazines and tweets I made a mental note of the places I want to go and since then added more. The majority of restaurants consist of new eateries and cult favourites and the menus are full of fast food, so I guess I’ll have to make sure I space out my visits.

Burger and Lobster (various locations)

Photo: Burger & Lobster

Burger and Lobster now have four locations in London, Mayfair, Soho, City and Farringdon and I still haven’t managed to eat in one. I know my friends are interested in going so all we need is a date and boom I’m there. The menu is pretty straight forward Burger, lobster or lobster roll all with chips and salad at £20 which is a reasonable price. With such a simple menu you’d think it would be easy to make a choice but just thinking about it I want to try both. I’ll have to go more than once or hope someone I go with takes a different option so I can try all they have on offer.

The Rum Kitchen (Notting Hill)

Photo: The Rum Kitchen

The first time I heard about The Rum Kitchen was when I read a review on Just Opened London, it seemed like my kind of place – Caribbean cuisine + rum = a happy Bee. I wanted to go there for my birthday meal but when I requested a reservation the place was all booked up. That’s why it’s still on my list. Having family from Jamaica I know there’s no better food than home cooked rice and peas and chicken but I love visiting Caribbean restaurants too, just to soak up the lively atmosphere and good vibes. Looking at The Rum Kitchen’s menu online I’m particularly drawn to the Jerk chicken wings, chocolate rum cake with choc sauce and extensive list of cocktails with hints of rum all around.

Bea’s of Bloomsbury (various locations)

Photo: Bea's of Bloomsbury

Cupcakes, cakes, sweets and pastries I can’t get enough. Afternoon tea and brunch have become less formal and make a fun alternative to lunch or dinner with friends. I’d like to try afternoon tea at Bea’s of Bloomsbury because the cakes look so delicious and the choice of sweet treats goes beyond the classic afternoon tea choice. When I go I’ll definitely take a slice of carrot cake to go.

Honest Burgers (Brixton and Soho)

 Photo: Honest Burgers

It was a bad idea to write this post up at a time when I was feeling hungry. Looking at the mouth-watering meals from Honest Burgers didn't help. This is one of many British burger joints on the list that I have yet to visit, having read a couple of reviews from this eatery I’m worried that there’s no perfect time to go as it’s always busy and there will be a queue. Nevertheless it’s still my mission to tuck into one of the plump beef burgers that are encased in toasted glazed buns. YUM!

Bond & Brook (Mayfair)

Photo: Bond & Brook

My dream scenario would be to go on a shopping spree through Oxford Street and then refuel with lunch at Bond & Brook before hitting more stores. The restaurant operated by Rhubarb and can be found on the second floor of department store Fenwick on New Bond Street. I like the boutique exterior of the restaurant here, it looks really light and chic which makes it inviting. The restaurant serves brunch and afternoon tea menus as well as main courses and dessert. This would be great location for a glam lunch with friends or your mum or grandma.

Cottons Rhumshack (Shoreditch)

Photo: Cottons Rhumshack

Cottons have opened in a new location at Boxpark to bring the Caribbean sunshine to Shoreditch. This looks like the perfect place to enjoy atmosphere, food and drink the newly opened venue has hosted soca nights and happy hour with samba dancers so it seems there will be lots more fun events coming up. Much like The Rum Kitchen, Cottons has a laid back island exterior decorated like a beach shack. This will probably be the only way for me to experience the holiday vibe this season. As a pop up this restaurant is high on my list to visit, I think it’s only at Boxpark for the summer so I had better get there quick.

Patty & Bun (Marylebone)

Photo: Patty & Bun

P&B started off as just a pop up appearing at The Doodle Bar in Battersea and The Endurance on Berwick Street. Now it’s a permanent fixture right in the heart of central London, nicely tucked away on St James Street just off of Oxford Street. The thing that attracts me to P&B is how much sauce there is on the burgers, judging from the menu there’s lots variation (‘Lambshank Redemption’ burger - hello) and they have sides and desserts on offer too.

La Bodega Negra (Soho)

Photo: La Bodega Negra

I love Mexican food and La Bodega Negra serves Mexican street food so it’s a match made in heaven. I’d like to try the tacos, quesadilla and churros and see how they compare with other places I’ve tried them at. La Bodega Negra has a Mexican taqueria and café upstairs and an underground tequila cellar bar (nice). Being in Soho it’s no surprise that the restaurant access is through a sex shop around the corner but I’ve heard once you’re inside you can drink yourself happy with their huge selection of tequila.

Wishbone (Brixton)

Photo: Wishbone

When I eventually visit Brixton Market I will be sure to stop by Wishbone before I leave for some fried chicken to satisfy my food craving. I’ve read some reviews that were mixed so it would be good to decipher my own opinion. Looking at the menu it seems pretty straight forward with variations of chicken cuts and spices, the sides on offer are interesting too. I hear the Thai chicken thighs hit the spot so I’ll give those a go alongside the deep friend mac’ n’cheese.

Bubbledogs (Fitzrovia)

Photo: Katherine Poole

Last year I close to making a visit to the newly opened Bubbledogs restaurant for a friend’s birthday meal. However when we arrived the queue was over an hour’s wait and none of us could hold out for food for that long. I have yet to return and since then I’ve good things about the champagne and hotdog eatery. It makes a nice alternative to other posh-junk food venues and is in a central so it’s easy to pop by in you’re in town.

What London restaurants would you like to visit?

Bianca x

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Shredded wheat nests recipe

Hmmmm chocolate treats! Remember making these at school? I love the texture with the shredded wheat and the rice krispie version too. Super quick and easy to make try these shredded wheat nests for Easter.

 

INGREDIENTS

200g milk chocolate - broken into pieces
85g shredded wheat - crushed (add more for a generous helping per case)
2 x 100g bags mini chocolate eggs

AND
Cupcake cases

MAKES: 12

METHOD

1. Place a pan of water to boil on the stove. Once the water beings to boil turn the heat down so the water is barely simmering.

2. Melt the chocolate chunks in a small bowl placed over a pan of water.

3. Once melted pour the chocolate over the crushed shredded wheat and stir well to combine.

4. Spoon the chocolate wheat into 12 cupcake cases and press the back of a teaspoon in the centre to create a nest shape.

5. Place three mini chocolate eggs on top of each nest.

6. Chill the nests in the fridge for 5-10mins or leave then out until set.

Bianca x

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Dinner at Dover Street Restaurant

Dinner and live music sounded like a great idea for my birthday evening, my brother suggested we go to Dover Street Restaurant in Mayfair a short walk from Green Park tube.

The restaurant is in a basement location, separated into two dining sections with a dance floor and stage in the center. Some of the tables have a restricted view of the stage but luckily we were seated directly opposite it, so we saw all the action.

Serving a French/Mediterranean cuisine we ate from a set party menu with five courses starting with a Bellini drink and pumpkin soup on the house. The soup was really tasty and even a little spicy, this was followed by a stuffed mushroom for starters.

 Roast best end of  lamb

Grilled Sirloin steak with French fries

Out of all the courses I enjoyed my mains the most, I had some delicious roast lamb coated with rosemary and mustard crust, served with aubergine caviar and Lyonnaise potatoes. Yum!

Thankfully we had a decent gap between our mains so I was ready for my mascarpone cheesecake dessert, I would have not turned that away - I love cheesecake. It was really sweet and soft just how I like it.

Mascarpone cheesecake

The waiting staff were very attentive, service was perfect and efficient. We enjoyed our meal no complaints and all left very full.

While we ate a ballroom dance class was taking place, it was actually really cool to see them practice their moves in front of us and the music was fun. I think some participants were embarrassed to be on show with most of the restaurant watching but after a while they got on with their class and danced like no one was watching.

Jazz quartet

Around 10ish a Jazz quartet came on to perform and the ballroom dancers stayed to show off some of their routines and even got some of the tipsy diners involved.

I've read some mixed reviews and it seems to me that if you want to experience the best of the jazz bar/restaurant theme it is best to go during the week rather than Friday and the weekends when it turns into hen party mayhem.

If you're family is any thing like mine there is no problem with being loud here. We had fun and loved the lively atmosphere which makes this venue perfect for big groups.

Bianca x

Blueberry muffins recipe

My first attempt at making blueberry muffins didn’t go so well. Mainly because I thought I could use a bun tin instead of a muffin one, which made no sense since I wanted to make muffins. Anyhow I combined tips from a couple of recipes to try again and the results were much better.

INGREDIENTS:
60g unsalted butter (Use at room temperature)
115g caster sugar (could use more for sweeter taste)
2 medium eggs
250g plain flour
2tsp baking powder
125ml milk (I used semi skimmed)
150g blueberries (I used organic blueberries since I found them to be smaller in size)

MAKES: 14

METHOD:
1. Preheat the oven at gas mark 4.
2. Line the muffin tray with cases
3. Wash the blueberries and drain off water. Sprinkle a tea towel with flour and roll the blueberries in it. Wrap the lightly floured berries and leave for 30-45 mins to dry completely. This will help to stop the berries from binding together or sinking to the bottom of the mixture when baked.
4. Sift the flour into a bowl and add the baking powder. Set aside for later.
5. Cut the butter into small cubes. Put into another mixing bowl together with the caster sugar. Use a hand mixer or wooden spoon to cream the two together.
6. Crack and add one egg, beating into the mixture. When the egg has been adsorbed, repeat the process with the second egg.
7. Add small amounts of the dry mixture and milk to the wet mixture, giving it all a good stir each time. Keep doing this until all the dry mixture and milk has been added and the mixture is smooth. You may need to add a little for milk or flour depending on the consistency.
8. Add the blueberries that have been covered with flour into the mixture and stir.
9. Spoon the mixture into the 2/3 of the muffin cases.
10. Bake in the oven at gas mark 4 for 30 mins.

Recipe taken from Nigella Lawson’s Best Blueberry Muffins and Leila’s Blueberry Muffins.

Chocolate chip fairy cakes recipe

A favourite childhood memory of mine is baking fairy cakes, my siblings and I used to make fruit fairy cakes from an old recipe book. I still like to make the buns now but use different fillings, this time I added dark chocolate from Green & Blacks.

See the recipe below

Preparation time: 15 mins
Cooking time 15-20 mins
Oven temperature: 190, 375 F, gas 5

Makes 18

You will need:
200g/ 8 oz butter or margarine
200g/ 8 oz caster sugar
3 large eggs, lightly beaten
200g/ 8 oz self-rising flour
75g/ 3 oz chocolate chips

Method:

Place 18 paper cake cases on a baking tray or in two deep bun tin trays.

Cream the butter or margarine with the sugar until light and fluffy.

Tip: Add vanilla essence for added sweet flavour

Gradually beat in the eggs. Carefully fold in the flour and the chocolate chips, using a metal spoon.

Divide the mixture between the paper cases. Bake in a moderately hot oven for 15-20 minutes, or until risen and golden brown. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

Recipe adapted from Hamlyn New All Colour Cookbook

Get baking!

Bianca x

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