Review: Cahoots! Kingly Court

Look, I don't want to give the game away as that's part of the fun but basically from the moment you book a table (and do - they have a three month waiting list but try your luck walking in anyway), it's part of the London Underground experience.

I don't know where to start - it's just such a good concept, the people there are so funny, friendly, quirky and helpful. Most important, the cocktails (and menu) are original and delicious. I visited on my birthday and the staff had cottoned on and brought me out a mini mint flavoured cupcake (how did they know I love all things mint?) and sang me the most tuneful 'Happy Birthday' with conviction. It was obviously embarrassing but also fantastic at the same time.

Also, listen to their answerphone message in full, it's funny.

My favourite bar by miles.

Review: Flesh and Buns bottomless brunch

I've never felt so full - of the good kind.
This was probably one of the best meals I've ever had - and it was probably worth the price to be fair. The service was great too with really helpful staff. The bottomless (really is unlimited, including the prosecco) brunch was so much fun. I think I'd quite like to try out its dinner though. Oh and if you haven't been to Bone Daddies for ramen either - then do it already!

Pork scratchings were delish

Sashimi was ok

We ordered two plates of the broccoli. I know I'm biased anyway because I just love the stuff, but the flavour from the grill was just so much better than anything else

Soft shell crab, wasn't oily

Sushi is always a nice little plate

Ok, so the steamed buns weren't the best that I've tasted - they were a bit too sticky and flimsy, but the meat was wonderful, although I have to admit it doesn't beat Korubuta's pork belly steamed buns

Here's me attempting to finish off the prosecco and s'mores chocolate  fondant dessert

Really loved this little touch to melt the marshmallow

A great little pastry from Hong Kong

A relative of mine has recently just moved to Hong Kong to live and work, she sent me this video and I can't stop watching it, it's fascinating. 

This lady has a shop in Tai Po Central in the New Territory, my family come from a small town village near here and so I'm often here. These are 'lor mai chee' chewy rice flour wrapped in any filling you like - red beans, black sesame or peanuts - there are many more interesting flavours, but I have to admit - these are my favourite. 

BYOC

Bring Your Own Cocktail.

So we did.

What started as an educational but fun 2 hours of cocktails turned into a slightly inebriated (not from us) dispute about what alcohol is gluten-free and demanding one more cocktail 15 minutes before time was up.

It was a fun experience, but one of those where I will probably never go again, just because the novelty sort of wears out after the first hour, and because they are quite strict on timing you have only 2 hours there. We asked for one more cocktail 15 minutes before time and was told no, we disputed this, and got a drink in the end, but were then told we had to down our drink and leave as the next reservation needed our seats. Seems fair, only when we arrived, we had to wait a good 15 minutes to get started.

Instead of the standard Smirnoffs and Bombay Sapphire, we brought an eclectic mix to the table.

This was the punch with Pimms and Bloom gin...I couldn't tell you what any of the other drinks were however...

A sour cocktail which was nice

We were then challenged to make our own take on an Old Fashioned. Mine was disgusting. 

Don't know. There was a beetroot cocktail which isn't as nice as you'd think.

Review: Hix Soho

I'm a big fan of Hix - Tramshed was amazing, and the cocktails in the basement in Soho are lovely (though the air con in the basement makes it slightly on the cold side). We decided to venture out for a roast dinner and we were not disappointed. At £23.95 for 2 courses, it wasn't an all that bad meal considering.

The rather lovely water jug that reminded me of a Chinese temple

We both went for the beef - rare to medium. Not your usual lies but more like a steak. The gravy pot is just out of shot. We were also given more potatoes after served just two of the lovely things. We could have done with more vegetables, but all in all it was a very delicious meal. I was still hungry at the end of it though.

Dessert - white chocolate and raspberry cheesecake which was exceptional

I can't order the same thing again, so I went for the rhubarb fool with shortbread. I'm not a massive fan of cream so didn't finish it all but the shortbread was yummy!

Review: GOAT, Chelsea

We decided to hang out in Chelsea for the evening, as we never venture that way and I thought it would be fun to act like one of the Made in Chelsea lot. Coincidentally, as I was explaining what Made in Chelsea was to my friend, we bumped into Spencer and Lauren from the show...their taxi they were getting into almost ran us over. It was a good day.

We'd been to Goat before to the 'secret' (it's not really that secretive) 'basement' (you go up some stairs and down again through some locked doors...so I don't think it's really a basement) called The Chelsea Prayer Room. I would definitely recommend the cocktail bar, quirky menus in classic novels and the cheeseboard is delicious - this coming from someone who isn't a massive fan of cheese.

We decided to enjoy the sunshine this time and had a lovely Friday meal...

The sea bass and broccoli with almonds. 

The gluten-free chicken. Portion size was a bit on the small side. 

Nearly every diner had ordered a pizza so I decided to go for the rocket, goat's cheese pizza. It didn't disappoint, I wolfed it down within minutes. Base was perfect.

Some limoncello from Capri to round the dinner off. Why not?

All in all, it was a lovely evening, the staff were very accommodating when we decided that sitting by the open windows were not so ideal when people outside were smoking. They were also very helpful in terms of what was gluten-free and what wasn't. My pizza I had was very high standard, it's not hard to see why every table had at least one pizza ordered. I would say it was on the pricier side, I ended up accidentally spending £45 (although that included a glass of wine, prosecco to share and the limoncello). It has a very friendly atmosphere and I would probably come here again if I ever fancy somewhere that's not East.

RATING: 4 out of 5