Review: Sosharu London, Farringdon

Jason Atherton opened up this Japanese joint recently, Sosharu London. I couldn't wait to try it out after constantly drooling over its Instagram pics. It was pretty pricey but I have to say it was totally worth it - the quality and the portions were brilliant. When they tell you the menu goes from little to large plates, they're not joking. Large is actually a normal size which sometimes you don't get in a higher end restaurant.

I would also recommend visiting the whisky bar downstairs. Japanese whisky to end the night of fantastic food - perfect.

A refreshing cocktail to start the proceedings

Salmon and tuna temaki. The little mayonnaise squeeze tube was a cute little touch. 

The special was tempura asparagus with slow cooked egg and tomatoes. Surprisingly well done. 

Grilled octopus was divine and really flavoursome.

I had to order the pork belly because it's my thing. And I'm so glad. It came with a udon noodle broth. And the crisp seaweed was lovely. Usually seaweed is pretty bland but this one was the perfect accompaniment. 

The wagyu beef which is DIY self cook. 

It was great to be able to mix it yourself and cook the meat to how you prefer it. 

At work

The seafood rice pot arrived last and to be honest by this time we were both pretty full. The rice pot was really good though, lots of fresh seafood flavour and not just all full of rice with minimal seafoods. Just a shame we couldn't finish it. 

My after dinner drink was slightly odd I have to say - neither sweet or alcoholic. 

The other dessert. I think the cake was slightly too sweet but the ice cream was banana-flavoured which added to the dessert pieces. 

The service we received was excellent, everyone was very friendly and vigilant. They did well to explain the menu and every dish that was served without being patronising. The food was outstanding - full of flavour and cooked perfectly and all very interesting dishes. The decor was all wooden but slick and in a fairly small room which felt quite cosy (in a good way, not in a sort of cramped way) but airy enough. The Japanese white wine we had was also very good.

Overall, it came to £174 inc service, which for the amount we had including drinks wasn't that bad. The food was excellent quality. I probably couldn't afford to go here again on a regular basis but for a special occasion this is well worth your money and experience.

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

7 Tales - the bar downstairs
Again, friendly staff who will help you make your choice of whisky and cocktails. One of the cocktails even comes with picking your own sugar cube from a vending machine. That's how fun it is downstairs.

Also, just one final note - please visit the bathroom. They have the Japanese toilets installed - heated toilet seats and everything. Amazing.

Bread Ahead bakery at Borough Market

I made - Rye Bread, Chelsea Buns, Brioche (huge) and about a million croissants. 

I was rather excited when I received a full day voucher for Bread Ahead at Christmas. My main dilemma was which course to take! In the end, I went for the Enriched Dough workshop because it offered a range of recipes including the croissant, which I had tried to make once, and failed...badly.

I strolled over to the South side of London Bridge on a sunny but chilly Sunday morning and was greeted by the friendly staff. Our workshop was taken by Manuel, "a French person with a Spanish name" - his words. He was also sporting a beret just to make sure we didn't confuse his French accent with a Spanish one.

Where the magic happens

It was a thoroughly pleasant day. There was a mix of 12 people in the group all with varying degrees of baking experience and all different ages. Manuel and his assistants were very efficient with the change of equipment and cleaning round after us.

The actual bakery was extraordinary, I've never stepped into an industrial bakery before so it was just rather exciting for little old me seeing shelves and trolleys of bread. A mysterious room for proving the dough, the proper ovens through the doorway and even just the modern little ovens we used amongst all the wooden furniture.

Another use for shower caps

One great bit of usage was for the free shower caps you get at hotels - we used these for proving our dough - they fit perfectly round the mixing bowl and completely covered! Genius!

Overall, it was a fantastic day. It was hard work as everything we did was by hand but it was a great stress relief. It was so much fun and knowledgeable. Manuel was a great teacher and really helpful. We ran over slightly but they were very accommodating with the times to get our value for money. I would definitely recommend Bread Ahead for anyone who wants to learn, know or enhance their baking skills. I felt very comfortable and not at all intimidated. If you don't mind the tourists peeping in through the window that is.

Bread, bread and more bread

Lunch is also provided on the full day workshops, which they make themselves. In fact, I was really impressed that they hand-make everything themselves including the jam and lemon curd we got to try. Everything you get to taste on the day is from the baker's batch, everything you make, you get to take home...which is a lot!

The croissant by far takes the longest and needs the most patience, mine had some butter leakage but 100 times better than my first attempt. A great tip is to use French butter rather than English butter as that has less water content.

Homemade lasagne and delicious salad. An added bonus.

Brioche after proving. Bigger than my head.

Chelsea Buns in the making with cinnamon and raisins

Manuel in action 

Croissant cutting

Getting exciting now

It was a close call for favourite bake - I really enjoyed the Rye Bread but the brioche was delicious and lasted a number of days. 

Chelsea buns being glazed

A bit of leakage but still tasted great. Will definitely try this at home. Third time lucky...

All my goods again. It was so exciting.

Review: Roka revisited - this time for brunch!

Ok so this is just an over-indulgence - read my proper review of Roka here.

I loved it so much I came back for the bottomless Prosecco brunch (you can choose from red or white wine too). Definitely worth your money and time. Amazing, good quality food.

I think this may just be one of my top places to eat in London.

The nutty leafy salad was interesting...ok so it was just some leaves but the nutty dressing was divine, so that in itself is worth a mention. The tomatoes were also very refreshing and light.

I wasn't overly fond of the cold, soft potato dish however. The texture was a bit 'off' for me. 

The full starter including sushi and sashimi. 

We shared the skewers of pork, chicken and beef. The chicken wings were delicious.

Also went for the Teriyaki Salmon, just because I'm not overly fond of teriyaki - this however did convert me, not too sweet and just the amount of flavour to not overpower the fish. FYI - the sea bream they do is AMAZING, you HAVE to have it if you ever go. 

We were really excited about the dessert platter...however we realised it was mainly just fruit on closer inspection. The dusted chocolate Buddha was interesting. I'd recommend you eat the sorbet first before it melts into the ice (which is what happened to us). 

Brockmans Gin Risotto

I was sent this recipe involving two of my favourite things - Brockmans Gin and risotto! I just had to share it with you guys...

Inspired by the trends of gin, London chef, Duncan Impey at private members club, One Alfred Place, was inspired to make this roast butternut squash and Brockmans Gin with Taleggio. Enjoy!

Serves 2. Heat the oven to 180^o

Ingredients

1 butternut squash, peeled and cut into thin wedges

sprigs of rosemary

few sprigs of thyme

1 banana shallot - fine diced

200 gms Carnaroli risotto rice

1 clove garlic, crushed.

1 small bay-leaf

50 ml Brockmans Gin

60 gms butter

splash of olive oil

500 ml vegetable stock - kept hot

90 gms Taleggio cheese (or Camembert) making sure it is a vegetarian version if serving to strict vegetarians

Chopped fresh herbs - flat leaf parsley, chopped chervil and chopped tarragon (a pinch of each)

80 gms freshly grated Parmesan cheese (vegetarian as above if needed)

salt and pepper

Method

Mix the butternut squash with some of the thyme and all the rosemary leaves, sprinkle with olive oil, and roast in the oven for 8 minutes. When tender but still firm, remove from the oven and set aside.

Place half the butter (30gms) in a pan with a splash of olive oil. Dice and chill the rest of the butter for later.

Add the diced shallots and cook for 5-6 minutes.

Add the rice to the pan and gently toast it with the shallot for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.

Pour in the Brockmans Gin, standing well back as it will flambé. Cook until the liquid reduced by half. Add the bay-leaf.

Gradually add the hot stock a ladleful at a time, stirring the rice mixture with a wooden spatula and adding further stock, a ladleful at a time, until the rice is done.

Once cooked, gently add the butternut squash and the cold diced butter and mix taking care not to break up the squash.

Add most of the parmesan and all the Taleggio cheese and stir. Remove the bay-leaf.

Garnish with the chopped fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper.

Drizzle with olive oil and finish with a sprinkling of the remaining Parmesan.

Pour a Brockmans Gin and enjoy...

Chef's tips

Always use a wooden or a plastic spatula for risotto - metal implements break up the rice.

Ensure the stock is hot as you add it.

If you want to prepare ahead, the risotto can be cooked for 9 minutes (up to part-way through stage 6); placed in a cold fridge; and then reheated and finished for a further 5 minutes or until done.

The butternut squash can be cooked earlier in the day and refrigerated until needed.

Don't add the salt until the end - it prevents the rice cooking properly.

Review: My Old Dutch, Holborn

Pancakes will forever be popular, but I never imagined it would be this popular. Queues for this place on 'Monday Madness' is really quite mad, but as trends go, this is one pretty trendy place.

My Old Dutch do a selection of savoury and sweet pancakes, but don't underestimate the pancake - I would call it more of a pizza style type pancake.

Lots of toppings to choose from, different pancake styles, and lots of Dutch beer.

What is there not to like?

Just don't do what I did and think you can order a savoury AND a sweet - hardcore pancake lovers only. Massive portions!

Well worth it though. I mean, it is just a pancake, but the novelty certainly doesn't wear off, and they do have lots of choice on the menu.

I went for the classic pancake - with ham and cheese. Quite heavy and huge. 

A nice fresh take on the pancake.

The sweet berries compote Poffertje. SO MUCH. 

 

Review: Jamie Oliver's Barbecoa, St Pauls

Doggy bag with the Sticky Toffee Pudding photobombing

I've been wanting to come to Barbecoa since I laid my eyes on the butchers bit downstairs years ago when I first moved to the East-ish end of London. It's not often you see big carcasses of meat being hung in Central London.

But upstairs is the main restaurant area, dark and noisy, the friendly staff take your coats for the cloakroom, and as you walk up the stairs you realise why there is dim lighting, the brightness and beauty of St Paul's through the big windows shines through into the restaurant. It was so white against the dark sky and dark, wooden decor. Almost every seat in the house gets you a view of the cathedral so don't worry about that front. I was handily seated right in front of the bar.

There were three of us, and we were pretty famished so we dove straight in with mains. I went for the spare ribs done three-ways, what arrived was meat bigger than my head. It was amazing. My Diner Friend Number 1 (DFN1) went for the beef rib, and the rib itself was the biggest thing I'd ever come across, DFN2 went for the pulled pork which was wolfed down.

I think the menu has changed since the online version and so my memory is a bit hazy on which three-ways my ribs came, but each one was distinctly different but complimentary to each others flavours. It was a meaty bit of heaven on a plate. The meat just fell off the bone easily, and with all that meat it didn't feel too heavy. You know it's good meat.

I couldn't finish it so I had a doggy bag to take home - I can confirm it still tasted just as delicious the next day.

We shared chips and broccoli (of course). I'm not usually a fan of buttery broccoli but it really added to the greens.

Of course, we then went for dessert, I didn't need it, but you can't not help yourself when you get choices like a Snickersphere, White Chocolate Cheesecake and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

I went for the cheesecake, just because I love cheesecake. Not usually a fan of macarons but I thoroughly enjoyed eating it. So fresh and light, and not overly sweet.

The White Chocolate Cheesecake and said Macaron

Snickersphere!

One thing was that I didn't quite enjoy my wine. My favourite wine is the Argentinian Malbec but this one was not as good as I had hoped, but that certainly does not put me off.

I would like to come here again to try the steaks but it is more on the pricey side. It was a £55 split between the three of us, which all things considered, is not bad actually but I'm not sure I could afford to do this every week. The views of St Paul's though is priceless.

Jamie Oliver does it again - another win.

RATING: 4 out of 5

Review: Flat Iron, Covent Garden

I do like a cleaver

I've been wanting to try this out for a while - I mean, £10 steak, who wouldn't. But the only issue was that the sites only offered waiting times of 2 and a half hours, so I was extremely happy when I heard they had opened a Flat Iron in Covent Garden which seats a hell of a lot more people.

I'd never heard of the flat iron cut I must admit so was intrigued as I usually like my steak with a bit of fat on it. But the steak was very lean and tender. Very easy to eat which is good for someone like me, as my arms often end up aching cutting up meat (although this meat came already sliced - bonus point). I had mine with horseradish cream.

The beef dripping chips were flavoursome and I could have eaten more. They did remind me slightly of McDonald's chips but in a fresh way - that's not meant as a bad thing, but they did remind me of them (sorry).

The wine I had was also very nice - a red wine I've never heard of before, I usually go for the Argentinian Malbec but it wasn't on offer unfortunately.

I had the Spicy Italian Negroamaro, the Black Cherry was also very smooth

I would also recommend looking at the special's board as a rump heart was on offer, as well as a burger.

The surprising thing was that they offered ice cream at the end... for FREE. Salted caramel with a tasty cone to go with it, with chocolate from the Mast Brothers. It was really good - even on a cold evening.

Cool pepper mill, although I was a bit clumsy with it and ended up with an uneven bit of pepper...

I would definitely come here again, easy, quick and full of flavour. Even with a limited menu there should be enough to keep everyone happy.

RATING: 3.5 out of 5