fresh mint tea | cheriecity.co.uk

A Wonderful Lunch at Kouzu in Belgravia

February 17, 2015 by cheriecity

London has no shortages of fine dining Japanese restaurants, but Belgravia restaurant Kouzu is rather special.

Housed in a Grade-II listed 19th century mansion overlooking Victoria’s prestigious Grosvenor Gardens, Kouzu certainly looks the part. Inside, the design is sleek and contemporary with a downstairs cocktail lounge and floating mezzanine with omakase sushi bar, united by a stunning chandelier adorned with glowing blossoms.

At the helm is Chef Kyoichi Kai, who has over 30 years experience in some of the world’s top restaurants including London’s Zuma and The Arts Club. His new style of Japanese cooking has a lightness of touch and is authentic yet creative.

We visited for a leisurely lunch and were seated at a comfortable table on the cosy, triangular mezzanine level.

In the evening, I can imagine Kouzu being dimly-lit and sexy with the buzz of chattering, however in the early afternoon, it seems to attract the business crowd. While most diners were rather subdued, we were seated close to an amusing group of cheeky chappy estate agents bragging about how much they dropped at Morton’s and Novikov the other night.

Unlike our spirited neighbours who were knocking back the G&Ts, we sipped on fresh mint tea throughout our meal. If cocktail hour had been a little closer, I definitely would have been tempted by one of the innovative Japanese-inspired concoctions.

There are so many tempting dishes on the menu at Kouzou and happily most of them are easy to share. We started with an absolutely delicious Beef Fillet Tataki (£17.30). The generous slices high quality beef were mostly pink and tender with lightly seared edges. They were nicely marinated in a zingy soy sauce with prominenent flavours of ginger and garlic. The julienne salad of watercress, red onion and yellow and red peppers was a perfect accompaniment.

Salmon with Yuzu Soy Dressing (£11) was a light and uplifting start to the meal. The chilled salmon had a clean taste and silky texture and was doused in a refreshing, zesty dressing with plenty of fragrant yuzu. The herby ravigote sauce, crunchy sesame seeds and fresh coriander finished the dish nicely.

Ordering at least a few pieces of sushi is a must at Kouzu, as it really is rather special. We shared one portion of my favourite sushi – Prawn Tempura Roll (£10) – which comes with six pieces. Tasty pieces of plump prawn tempura were rolled with creamy avocado and daikon cress and finished with eel sauce and white sesame seeds.

The sushi rice was ever so light with a little crunchiness on the outside and the chef advised not to dip the sushi into soy sauce, as it was already seasoned enough. I loved the Prawn Tempura Roll and could have easily devoured the whole plate myself.

We were also treated to a piece of Aburi Nigiri each, which our waitress recommended as the very best. My Scallop Aburi Nigiri (£8.50) had a fresh, straight from the sea flavour and a silky, melt-in-the-mouth texture. We were told to eat it with the scorched side on our tongue to really experience the flavours and the difference in texture.

Steven tried the Toro Aburi Nigiri (£8.50) with tender, mellow medium-fatty tuna from the belly, which is apparently the most expensive and sought-after cut. Aburi Nigiri also doesn’t require soy sauce, but there’s a garnish of pickled ginger, if you want some extra sweetness.

For the main course, I couldn’t resist ordering the restaurant’s signature dish – Roasted Black Cod (£28). The high quality black cod was succulent and flaky with sweet, subtle miso glaze mostly on the skin. I tend to prefer black cod that’s lightly caramelised and blackened on the fillet itself, however this lighter version was still very enjoyable.

The fennel and celery salad was a healthier alternative to rice and the zesty, uplifting orange and yuzu sauce finished it off nicely.

I’d heard great things about Kouzu’s Roasted Baby Chicken with Chilli Sauce (£24) and it definitely lived up to expectations. While the Roasted Black Cod was delicate and elegant, this was a bold dish to stir the senses. The roasted corn-fed chicken was tender juicy in the middle and coated with a crispy, well-seasoned golden coating. It was cut into manageable pieces, so you could fully enjoy the different textures and tastes of the chicken.

The chilli sauce was sticky and punchy with just the right amount of heat and the julienne vegetable were a good accompaniment. This is the dish to order if you’re after some comfort food done extremely well.

For dessert, I went for a classic Chocolate Fondant (£10.50) and as expected, it was divine. The dark chocolate fondant had a soft cake textures and was filled with molten milk chocolate ganache and served with luxurious salted caramel ice cream, chocolate crumble and a burnt sugar crisp.

An added Japanese element might have been interesting, but then again, why mess with perfection?

We were also wowed by the White Chocolate Mousse (£9.50) with lemon cream, hazelnut streusel and fresh lemon sorbet. This dessert seemed a little more conceptual in its presentation and we loved the glossy, zingy mousse contrasted with the crunchy and powdery textures.

Kouzu is a real gem with superior food, sleek interiors and a stylish Belgravia location. The staff are knowledgeable and passionate about Chef Kyoichi Kai’s cuisine, however I felt the service could loosen up a little – my sushi plate was taken away as I was still munching and my napkin was instantly refolded when I briefly left the table.

Kouzu can become pricey if you want the full experience – and I fully recommend this – however there’s a set lunch menu with some of the most tempting dishes (£20 for two courses, £25 for three courses) that offers excellent value. With its relaxed atmosphere and truly memorable, Kouzu is definitely a restaurant that I can see myself returning to again and again.

For more information and booking, visit: www.kouzu.co.uk

Chérie City was a guest of Kouzu

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by Kouzu)

Cafes, London, Restaurants

A Great Dinner at L’ETO Caffe Brompton

December 30, 2014 by cheriecity

L’ETO Caffe is a boutique chain of cafes that I always recommend to friends looking for a stylish, cosy place to enjoy exquisite tea and cake in London.

There are now six branches across west London and central and the latest opening – L’ETO Caffe Brompton – is perfectly located for a leisurely refuel when visiting the V&A, Natural History Museum and Harrods.

The eye-catching display of colourful salads and tempting cakes is enough to lure you in, but that’s not the extent of L’ETO Caffe’s offering. The main menu boasts some creative, mouthwatering dishes and the cooking is truly accomplished.

We visited on a chilly evening just before Christmas and watched the skaters beneath the twinkling lights at the Natural History Museum ice rink before heading on to dinner. This part of London is just so romantic and charming during the holidays.

L’ETO Caffe Brompton has the same elegant townhouse feel as nearby L’ETO Caffe Kings Road, with homely furnishing and cosy nooks. The new menu launched that evening, so we had the chance to try the chef’s latest creations.

I started with Burrata, heritage carrots, olive crumble and basil oil (£12.95). The very generous portion of burrata was cool, creamy and silky while the rainbow of lightly pickled heritage carrot ribbons added a fragrant, sweet and sour flavour. The varied tastes made the dish exciting and the olive crumble took me back to summer in the Mediterranean.

Steven tried Tomato and mozzarella stuffed gnocchi, pesto and pine nuts (£8.90). The gnocchi was light and fluffy with a rich, smooth filling and served with the most delicious fresh pesto. It was beautifully presented and was just the right size for a satisfying starter.

For my main course, I couldn’t resist the Slow-braised veal cheeks, lemon-potato crème, butter shallots and five-spice jus (£16.95). This dish was an absolute delight and winter comfort food at its very best. The slow-braised veal was so tender, flaky and plentiful, covered in a rich, meaty jus with a very subtle hint of five spice and topped with sweet caramelised onions and pistachio dust.

The smooth lemon-potato crème worked surprisingly well, with a good amount of zest, and the butter shallots finished it off nicely.

Steven went for the lighter option of Black leg chicken supreme, giant cous-cous, Putanesca sauce (£17.95). The succulent, juicy chicken was cooked on a charcoal grill, so it had a lovely smoky taste. The giant cous-cous cooked in the chicken juice was a fantastic accompaniment (one I’ll now be trying at home) and the puttanesca sauce added a spicy, fragrant kick.

It would be crazy not to leave room for dessert and bespoke tea infusions at L’ETO Caffe. The traditional Russian Honey Cake is the cafe’s signature dessert (it really is heavenly), but we went for something different this time. My dreamy Strawberry Napoleon was pure indulgence with layers of soft pastry and vanilla custard, topped with fresh strawberries. The cake was so big that I had the remaining half packed up to enjoy later at home.

I accompanied it with a calming Fresh Mint and Lemon Tea – how pretty are the glass teapots!

Steven’s Rose and Lychee Cake tasted just as good as it looked. The golden sponge cake was layered with rose raspberry jam and fragrant lychee buttercream frosting. He washed it down with a potent, warming infusion of ginger, honey and lemon.

L’ETO Caffe Brompton is a fantastic addition to this historic, cultural neighbourhood and it’s sure to make a trip to the V&A that little bit sweeter.

For more information, visit: www.letocaffe.co.uk

Chérie City was invited by L’ETO Caffe Brompton

Photos by Chérie City (interiors by L’ETO Caffe)

Paris, Restaurants

Spectacular Dining at Le Bristol Paris

May 11, 2014 by cheriecity

I recently stayed at luxury palace hotel Le Bristol and enjoyed a special masterclass with Head Bartender Maxime Hoerth and a fun cocktail tour of Paris’ best bars.

Le Jardin Français

We had the pleasure of dining mostly in Le Bristol for our two days in Paris, making it a very decadent, relaxed trip. Before our cocktail masterclass with Maxime, we enjoyed a leisurely lunch in Le Jardin Francais, Le Bristol’s elegant, lively lobby restaurant and bar. It’s the perfect spot for people watching and leads on to the hotel’s exquisite garden where guests can dine on the terrace.

Renowned three Michelin star Chef des Cuisines Éric Fréchon oversees all food at Le Bristol and Pastry Chef Laurent Jeannin is the creative force behind the hotel’s dazzling patisserie.

I started with a fantastic King crab salad with grapefruit, avocado and coriander vinaigrette. The plump pieces of chilled king crab were given a citrus zing with juicy segments of grapefruit and a tangy, aromatic coriander vinaigrette. The colourful, uplifting salad also included slices of creamy avocado and the most perfect little gem lettuce leaves, finished with fresh herbs and edible nasturnum.

I couldn’t resist following my virtuous salad with a decadent Cheeseburger with crispy bacon and spicy tomato with fries. At 42 Euros, it’s one of the most pricey burgers I’ve ever ordered but also one of the very best. Two high quality beef patties were smothered in gooey Gruyère with a layer of grilled tomato, rashers of smoky bacon and a spicy tomato tapenade, packed inside a toasted sesame bun.

With such rich flavours and an unexpected double patty, it’s a truly indulgent choice for lunch and may just send you into a momentary burger coma. The fries were classic slim, well-seasoned and plentiful, in fact, I shared more than half of them with the table.

Somehow I found room for dessert when Le Bristol’s magnificent sweet trolley parked up at our table. It was laden with colourful Parisian patisserie created by Pastry Chef Laurent Jeannin. Tempting desserts included a tarte au citron, Mont-Blanc, lemon meringue pie, tarte au framboise, éclair au chocolat and yuzu or pistachio macarons.

Of course, it had to be my all-time favourite patisserie – Pistachio Réligieuse, accompanied by an equally green fresh mint tea. The pistachio and vanilla crème anglaise was so silky and creamy while the choux pastry was exemplary. I loved it that my Pistachio Réligieuse was decorated in Le Bristol’s signature lime green colours – a signature pastry that can only be eaten at Le Bristol.

Laurent Jeannin’s stunning pastries can also be sampled as part of a Parisian-meets-British afternoon tea, or at ‘Fashion Saturdays’, where models present the new collections of designers such as Céline, Givenchy and Chloé in the refined setting of the Castellane room.

We finished with a tray of hand-made salted caramel chocolates and candied orange sticks wrapped in dark chocolate and then rolled into Le Bar du Bristol for our cocktail masterclass.

Le Bar du Bristol

That evening, after drinks at Jefrey’s in hip Montorgueil, we were back at Le Bar du Bristol for artisan cocktails and gourmet bar plates by Eric Frechon.

I loved the fragrant and refreshing So British – Earl Grey infused Beefeater 24 gin, elderflower syrup, freshly squeezed lime and fresh grapefruit juice. The elegant, limited edition 365 cocktail celebrates Le Bar du Bristol’s first birthday and I couldn’t resist trying the Hot Punch as a potent nightcap.

We grazed on a luxurious selection of Gambas Tempura with ginger and coriander mayonnaise, Maki Rolls with king crab and vegetables in spicy ketchup, Pata Negra ham and Crudités. To end the night on a sweet note, we enjoyed a plate of exquisite mini pastries, a selection of macarons and hand-made chocolates.

114 Faubourg

The next day, we were treated to lunch at the hotel’s one Michelin star brasserie de luxe, 114 Faubourg. Located in the hotel’s newer Matignon wing, the chic two-level restaurant is designed in bold shades of orange (which remind me of Hermès) and purple with oversized dahlias adorning the walls.

114 Faubourg is helmed by Head Chef Eric Desbordes, who was mentored by Chef des Cuisines Éric Fréchon. The restaurant is upscale yet with a relaxed atmosphere and the menu is contemporary French with a focus on comforting dishes.

We started with an amuse-bouche of King crab egg, ginger and lemon mayonnaise. The crab was fresh and flaky and covered in a light, zesty mayonnaise, toppd with crisp green apple.

This was followed by an indulgent Artichoke soup with black truffle emulsion. The soup was ever so rich and indulgent and the black truffle emulsion added depth to the flavour. The soup usually comes with pan-seared foie gras, but I ordered it without and still found the dish very satisfying.

For the main course, we enjoyed Roasted scallops, ‘Le Puy’ green lentils with black truffle. Four plump, succulent scallops were cooked perfectly golden on the outside and were served on a bed of flavoursome, comforting lentils with small pieces of mixed vegetables. It was finished with an airy emulsion and shavings of black truffle.

For our last indulgence in Paris, it had to be the Vanilla Bourbon millefeuille with salted butter caramel. 114 Faubourg’s unique take on the Parisian classic was a decadent affair with crisp pastry, silky vanilla creme patisserie and intense salted butter caramel. It was finished with delicious vanilla bean ice cream, gold wafers and gold leaf.

Breakfast in Bed

Breakfast at Le Bristol is a real treat and I had the chance to enjoy it in the comfort of my own room each morning. I loved the Eggs Benedict with shaved black truffles and fluffy pancakes served with an enormous jug of maple syrup and red berries painted with gold leaf.

My daily basket of freshly-baked Viennoiserie had a selection of mini pastries, brioche and bread, plus the most incredible pain au chocolat.

Dining at Le Bristol is a true Parisian delight, from exquisite fine dining to elegant patisserie and evening cocktails and bites. One day, I hope to visit Epicure, Le Bristol’s three Michelin star gastronomic restaurant with innovative dishes by Eric Frechon.

Rates at Le Bristol start from €830 per night on a room only basis. For more information and booking, visit: www.lebristolparis.com

Eurostar operates up to 18 daily services from London St Pancras International to Paris Gare Du Nord with return fares from £69. Eurostar also offers connecting fares from more than 300 stations in the UK. Fastest London-Paris journey time is 2hr 15 minutes. Tickets are available from eurostar.com or 08432 186 186.

Photos by Chérie City and Le Bristol

Chérie City was a guest of Le Bristol and Eurostar

London, Restaurants

Tavolata Brunch At Cucina Asellina – London

May 10, 2013 by cheriecity

Cucina Asellina on Aldwych brings Italian feasting to London with its indulgent Tavolata Brunch.

Based on the popular Ristorante Asellina in New York, Cucina Asellina is contemporary with an industrial-luxe feel, designed in warm, earthy colours with white and chocolate brown leather seating and clever lighting. Given the location and the slick interiors, you might expect overly sophisticated dishes, but Cucina Asellina is all about rustic, authentic Italian home cooking at its very best.

At the weekend, the menu features brunch classics with an Italian twist but also tavolata sharing plates served between 2 and 8 people. Inspiration comes from convivial Italian family meals where the table is filled with large dishes and everyone serves each other. There were a few large parties doing exactly that when we visited, alongside couples enjoying one big sharing dish.

When we were seated, our friendly, charming waiter explained the tavolata menu and made personal recommendations, all of which we ordered.

We began brunch with a short, strong and expertly-mixed Negroni (£9). This was followed by a wooden board of artisan breads – Italian crisp bread, grissini and freshly-baked foccaccia that was springy and salty yet not too oily.

To start, we tried the Square spaghetti, pomodoro, fresh basil and olive oil (£9). The perfectly al dente medium-thick spaghetti was smothered in an excellent home-made sauce – richly roasted with a clean basil taste – and topped with freshly-shaven Parmesan. It was an Italian classic done extremely well and the portion size was very generous – in fact, it could have easily been a main course.

We also tried the Oven baked eggs, pane Carasau, tomato, Pecorino cheese (£8). This was almost like a lasagne with torn pieces of Sardinian bread that asorbed the tangy tomato sauce. The eggs were cooked with the yolks quite well done and the Pecorino added an intense, salty kick – definitely a unique dish worth ordering.

After a short rest, we were brought an enormous sharing platter of Lemon and rosemary organic chicken, truffle crushed potatoes, pancetta and braised cabbage (£17 per person). I would find it hard not to rave about this chicken, as it really was heaven on a plate.

The whole chicken was deconstructed into four sections and roasted until golden brown and crispy, with large wedges of lemon and torn rosemary. The meat was tender and juicy while the skin was covered in a zesty, sticky glaze.

The accompaniments are what elevated the chicken from tasty to incredible. The crushed potatoes were soft and herby with a scattering of black truffles and truffle oil. The braised cabbage was buttery and flavoursome, mixed with meaty and authentic pancetta. The dark, rich and slightly sharp jus really added the final tasty touch.

Each tavolata sharing dish comes with the scrumptious house bread and a large bowl of fresh salad. The Italian manager encouraged us to tuck into more of the bread, so there’s really no possibility of leaving brunch feeling peckish.

For dessert, we went with another of the waiter’s suggestions, as he’d led us to some good choices already – the Gianduja Semifreddo (£6). The luxurious hazelnut frozen cream was rich and smooth and topped with gianduja curls, strawberry sauce and crunchy candied hazelnuts. These crunchy pieces of caramel and hazelnut were scattered throughout the semifreddo – a lovely surprise and very indulgent.

We also shared a much lighter Sambuca Panna Cotta and Balsamic strawberries (£6). It quite didn’t have the wow factor of the Gianduja Semifreddo, but the panna cotta was cool and creamy with just a hint of anise and the juicy strawberries went well with the balsamic vinegar and fresh mint.

The rich coffee aromas from other tables were tempting, but we both ordered the Fresh Mint Tea (£3.50), which came served in elegant glass teapots with a pot of honey to sweeten.

Cucina Asellina is perfect if you want a sociable, relaxing Mediterranean brunch where you can indulge in exquisite food at surprisingly reasonable prices. For the melt-in-the-mouth lemon and rosemary roast chicken alone, it’s an absolute must!

For more info and booking, visit: www.togrp.com

Chérie City was a guest of Cucina Asellina

Photos by Chérie City and Cucina Asellina

Cherie Soleil, Cornwall, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Restaurants

The Herring at Bedruthan Steps, Cornwall

August 26, 2012 by cheriecity

The Herring at Bedruthan Steps is everything a foodie visiting Cornwall could hope for. Inventive dishes, locally sourced ingredients, perfect sea views and a calm, stylish ambiance.

Bedruthan Steps is impressively family-focused, however its informal fine dining restaurant is solely for adults and supervised little darlings of 12 years old and older.

The chefs behind The Herring are Mick Smith and Ryan Venning from the renowned Porthminster Beach Cafe in St Ives. The menu is all about Cornish seafood and locally-sourced meat with an Asian twist. The sustainably caught fish reflects Bedruthan Steps’ dedicated eco philosophy.

The light wood furnishings with highlights of red are subtle and bright and the stunning views over Mawgan Porth beach make it the perfect place to enjoy a Cornish sunset.

Like the restaurant at sister hotel The Scarlet, The Herring offers a choice of two or three courses (£30/£35) for dinner. I started with Pork Cheek and Tempura Cod Cheek, pea and wasabi puree with toasted peanut, sesame dust and crispy wontons. It was an absolute delight from start to finish, with a complex combination of Asian flavours. The cod cheeks were exceptionally fresh and the pork cheeks were sticky, sweet and succulent. The sesame dust was a subtle, interesting addition and there was plenty pea and wasabi puree and crispy wontons to smother onto each bite.

Steven ordered the Confit Pork Belly, spiced honey glazed carrots and dauphinoise potato. The pork belly was soft and moist, with a crispy top layer and pieces of crunchy crackling. The dauphinoise potato was buttery and laced with garlic and the one solitary carrot was roasted and glazed, but not enough to balance the dish.

The star of the meal was my spectacular Organic Cornish Confit Duck Leg – Puy lentils, peppered spinach and roasted shallot. The duck leg was flaky, plump and tender with a layer of crackled, crispy skin. It came served on a bed of rich, slow-cooked lentil stew and topped with a ball of well-seasoned spinach and pretty, edible flowers.

Steven tried the Slow Cooked Lamb Loin – Steamed new potatoes, caponata, broad beans and peppermint. The lamb was very soft, succulent and flavoursome and was served with a scattering of broadbeans, rich caponata, tiny cubes of roasted potato, torn fresh peppermint and edible flowers. This came served with buttery, creamy mashed potatoes and a rather unseasoned creamed broccoli. There could have been more lamb offered, to be consistent with the other main of Cornish Duck.

The menu was slightly limited for vegetarians, with just one vegetable-based option per course, however for those who don’t eat seafood or fish, there are plenty of meat dishes.

For dessert, I ordered the interesting sounding Wattle Seed Meringues, Brandy caramel sauce, caramelised banana and candied hazelnuts. If you’re not familiar with wattle seed, like me at the time, it consists of the seeds of Australian Acacia and has various health benefits. The flavour is earthy and nutty, which made the perfectly light and chewy meringue even more interesting.

The bananas weren’t quite caramelised enough, but I loved the candied hazelnuts and the brandy caramel sauce worked well with the meringue.

Steven’s Hot Chocolate Fondant, Macaroon, coconut dust and avocado sorbet was exceptionally good. The molten chocolate fondant was rich with a soft cake texture and topped with home-made shortbread. The avocado ice cream was deliciously refreshing and lifted the decadent chocolate flavours. The coconut dust finished it off perfectly and brought an Asian element to a typically French dessert.

To end our meal, we shared a pot of fresh mint tea and were brought a plate of petits fours consisting of a delightful vanilla creme tasting spoon and hand-made white chocolate and pistachio Cornish fudge.

The excellent standard of food, interesting menu and friendly service makes The Herring a must when visiting Cornwall. Be sure to book ahead, as it’s a popular choice for hotel guests and visitors in the summer.

Double rooms at Bedruthan Steps start at £140 per room per night, including breakfast. For more information and booking, visit: www.bedruthan.com

Advance single fares from London Paddington to Newquay start at £15 one way. To qualify for the best value tickets and offers buy your ticket in advance. Here’s how you can buy before you board: Online at www.firstgreatwestern.co.uk or telephone 08457 000 125

Photos by Chérie City (interior by Bedruthan Steps)

Chérie City was a guest of The Herring

Cafes, London, Restaurants

Dinner At Workshop Coffee Co. Clerkenwell

May 6, 2012 by cheriecity

Workshop Coffee Co. in Clerkenwell may look familiar – in fact, it has already been open since 2011 as ST. ALi, before relaunching under a new name earlier this year.

The story goes that the owners opened their own artisan coffee bar and restaurant under the umbrella of their Aussie friend at ST. ALi, however, such a long-distance relationship is hard to endure. So now, along with a sister branch in Marylebone (formerly Sensory Lab), Workshop Coffee Co. goes forward in its own right, with just a few changes since the name change.

Workshop Coffee Co. not only looks cool, with its exposed brick work, rustic communal tables and living plant wall, but it also boasts its own in-house roastery.

Coffee beans from around the world are roasted and ground daily, moving seamlessly from roaster to machine to the cup. Coffee used in the Marylebone branch of Workshop Coffee Co. also comes from the Clerkenwell roaster.

Last time I was here, I ate a gourmet toasted sourdough sandwich from the lunch menu, but this time, we tried the newly-launched evening menu.

It was hard to resist trying the Corn Frittettes (£4.50) with spiced yoghurt as a little aperitif before dinner. They were crispy, fluffy and subtly seasoned and the yoghurt was a good accompaniment.

The menu is divided into small and large plates, so you can either order a few small plates to share, or do the conventional three-courses. To start, we both ordered the Quail, poached and grilled with sumac and lemon & herb cous-cous (£8).

The quail was richly roasted and had a sharp, fruity taste with a sticky, cripsy skin. The cous-cous was light and fresh, packed full of fresh herbs and a dusting of sumac.

For my main course, I tried the Dexter hamburger in a brioche bun with Comté, chipotle mayonnaise and fried ratte potatoes (£11.50). This is without a doubt one of the best burgers in London! The medium-cooked meat was juicy and high quality and the grilled brioche bun was fluffy, shiny and just on the right side of sweet. I found the Comté cheese a perfect burger topping – flavoursome, slightly gooey and not overly rich.

The fried ratte potatoes were roughly chipped and covered in paprika with a crisp skin. They were a refreshing change from fries and were extremely delicious when dipped in the smoky chipotle mayonnaise.

Steven tried the Smoked haddock fish cake with ginger and lemongrass, spinach and a poached egg (£11). The large, thick fishcake was lightly smoked with a crispy breadcrumb coating and the rich tomato sauce added sweetness to the dish.

We managed to find room for dessert and it just had to be the Ginger pudding with raspberry mascarpone and toffee sauce (£5). It included two slices of home-made ginger cake with small chunks of ginger and a baked crust.

The mascarpone was infused with raspberry and the fresh raspberries lifted the sweet, creamy flavours. I loved the buttery home-made toffee sauce with tiny crunchy bits of melted sugar. The dessert was so indulgent that it could easily be shared.

Interestingly, Workshop Coffee Co. suggests a choice of two slow-drip black coffees to finish a meal, rather than espresso. To avoid being awake all night, we ordered two fresh mint teas, which came on a cute wooden tray in a teapot that resembled a Chemistry lab conical flask. The coffee really is excellent here, so perhaps it’s worth losing a few hours sleep for!

Workshop Coffee Co. is one of those cool all-day dining spots that you can rely on for great food, expertly-made coffee, friendly service and a great atmosphere. The exceptional evening menu proves that Workshop Coffee Co. can do much more than just a good brew!

Chérie City was a guest of Workshop Coffee Co.

All photos by Chérie City

Paris, Patisserie, Restaurants

Lunch At La Bague de Kenza in Paris

March 3, 2012 by cheriecity

La Bague de Kenza was an unexpected lunch spot on a recent trip to Paris, as we were lured away from our planned crepes at the Breizh Café by the aromas of spiced tagines and fragrant pastries.

La Bague de Kenza is an Algerian pâtisserie that has become so popular that owner L’Hassen Rahmani has opened eight other stores in Paris. We visited the patisserie on rue Saint Honoré, which also has a petite tea salon and gastronomic restaurant with live music on selected weekends.

We opted for the Prix Fixe lunch which included a main course with either a starter or a pastry with fresh mint tea for 17.50. To start, we were brought a bowl of marinated olives and sipped on a deliciously refreshing orange blossom, lime and fresh mint sherbet.

We both ordered the Chicken Tagine with Preserved Lemon and Green Olives. A slow-cooked, succulent chicken leg portion was served with meltingly soft pieces of potato in a rich saffron-infused stew.

The chicken had been simmering away for so long that the outside was heavily browned and the inside was tender and full of flavour – just how it should be. The olives gave a strong flavour and added oiliness, but they didn’t overpower the dish.

We were offered a basket of warm Algerian breads to accompany the tagine – a dense, flat and slightly sweet semolina bread and a fluffy leavened bread. The semolina bread was particularly good for mopping up the scrumptious, oily sauce and was very filling.

For dessert, we selected a pastry from the overwhelming selection at the counter and were served fresh, sweetened mint tea from a silver pot into decorative little glasses. The presentation was beautifully authentic and the mint tea was the perfect way to finish a light lunch.

Steven chose a dessert which was a whole date covered in a shell of marzipan. I went for an apricot and almond paste triangular pastry topped with roasted almonds. The marzipan date was dense and rich with a solid layer of sugary marzipan while the apricot pastry was thick and full of ripe fruitiness but not overly sweet or sticky.

La Bague de Kenza also has a small boutique section where you can buy authentic ingredients to make the pastries yourself, under the guidance of its cook book, Les Douceurs de Kenza. If you’re not convinced that your own creations will even come close, fill a take-away box with marzipan fruits, baklava, semolina cakes and many more pasties that I couldn’t even attempt to describe.

La Bague de Kenza was a wonderful find and I’ll definitely be returning for some of that magnificent tagine. My only gripe was that it was an uncharacteristically freezing winter’s day in Paris and it wasn’t much warmer inside. Thank goodness we had the tea to warm us up!

According to Melissa Clark in the New York Times, a new trend in Paris is to bring a box full of La Bague de Kenza delicacies for your host at a dinner party. You can always rely on the Parisians for a pâtisserie trend, so look out for luxury ‘pâtisserie orientale’ and perhaps we could tempt La Bague de Kenza over to London…

La Bague de Kenza – 136 rue Saint Honoré, Paris (and other locations).

All photos by Chérie City

Doha, Shopping, Stores

A Visit to Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar

December 29, 2011 by cheriecity

For a glimpse of Qatar’s traditions and cultural heritage, a visit to Doha’s Souq Waqif is an absolute must. Souq Waqif has long been an integral part of life in Doha, but following a period of neglect, it was restored in 2004 to its former glory, now resembling a historical 19th century souq.

Souq Waqif is one of the most popular places to socialise in Doha and it has two contrasting sides – a narrow, maze-like market and the slick, open walkway lined with Asian and North African restaurants, ice cream parlours cafes where you can drink fresh mint tea, smoke flavoured shisha and take in the bustling atmosphere.

Translated as ‘the standing souq’, it was originally the trading place where the Bedouin would bring their cattle and wool. Today, Souq Waqif combines a traditional market place with a strong arts and culture programme and has been used as a filming location for a number of films including ‘Dohard’ and ‘The Haggler’, shown at the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival.

Souq Waqif offers every emblem of Qatar that you could possibly think of and fragrance lovers will be particularly drawn to the bespoke blended perfumes, pure essential oils, oud, incense and rosewater.

For more sensory delights, browse the spice stores with huge sacks of Basmati rice, pistachios and peanuts and fragrant spices and herbs including whole rosebuds, dried lime, sumac, saffron, star anise, dill, rock salt and turmeric.

One of my favourite spots in the souq was a shop filled with hand-carved decorative wooden boxes, swords, lutes, bow and arrows and nazar jewellery and cute trinkets. In many of the shops, each item is priced, but local sources say that bartering is acceptable and expected.

Traditional Qatari dress can also be bought at the souq. For men, they sell thobes and accessories including the ghutra, the cloth worn on the head and the ogaal, a black or brown braided coil placed on top of the ghutra and sandals. Women can pick up an abaya, pashmina or a beautifully embroidered scarf.

The shop selling Qatar kitsch, including ‘I Love Qatar’ t-shirts, lighters and bunting of the Emir of Qatar were a more amusing discovery! There are plenty of cheap and fun souvenirs to bring back home but this shop also sells useful travelling bits and pieces such as disposable cameras, film and batteries.

Souq Waqif is within walking distance of the Corniche and the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art, which is one of the most inspiring, breathtaking places in Doha. Plan a whole afternoon to explore the museum, take a walk along the Corniche and finish with some shopping (and bartering) and a bite to eat at Souq Waqif.

For more Doha travel ideas, read my reviews of:

Ghent, Restaurants

A Great Dinner at Brasserie Pakhuis Ghent

December 16, 2011 by cheriecity

Brasserie Pakhuis is one of those great restaurants that I feel privileged to have discovered. Pakhuis has style and atmosphere in abundance and its spectacular design is sure to impress.

Down a narrow lane in the Old Town of Ghent, Pakhuis feels like a secret that only those ‘in the know’ could find. This isn’t exactly the case however, as Pakhuis is one of Ghent’s most talked-about restaurants, but it does still feel special.

The restaurant

Housed in a large 19th century warehouse, Pakhuis was designed by Portuguese architect Antoine Pinto, who is also responsible for nearby hip restaurant-bar-club, Belga Queen.

Pakhuis serves a contemporary French-Italian menu with New World wines and was recognised with a Bib Gourmand in the Michelin Guide 2011.

Together with two restaurants in Antwerp and Brussels, Pakhuis owns a farm called Le Devant, in the Bresse region of France. High quality meat, seasonal vegetables and fresh herbs go from the farm to the table and the restaurant’s signature dish is Bresse chicken.

The terrace

On a balmy summer’s evening, the terrace is the place to be, with its attractive white canopy. As we were a large group of European writers, we occupied a whole side of the terrace and ate from the Pakhuis set menu.

The group starter was smoked eel and mussels, but instead I chose a simple yet delicious Celeriac Soup with fresh herbs (my seafood palate has yet to appreciate eel).

Dishes

The soup was light and peppery with tiny pieces of celeriac and topped with fresh herbs – a good start to the meal.

I particularly enjoyed the main course of Roast Duck with blueberries, cabbage and Bintje potatoes. The duck was cooked medium rare, so was especially tender and the skin was golden and nicely scorched.

To finish, we had a slice of caramelised apple tart with a delicious biscuity crust, topped with crème fraiche. I washed it all down with a fresh mint tea, which they do really well in Ghent, served in an elaborate glass tea pot.

Brasserie Pakhuis is an absolute ‘must’ when visiting Ghent, whether you’re soaking up the bustling brasserie atmosphere inside or lounging elegantly on the terrace with cocktails. It really brings a new meaning to the words ‘warehouse chic’.

Chérie City was a guest of Brasserie Pakhuis.

All photos by Chérie City.

Ghent, Restaurants

A Great Lunch At Belga Queen Ghent

October 22, 2011 by cheriecity

If you’re looking for an ultra-stylish brasserie for a memorable meal in Ghent, Belga Queen should be top of your list.

Designed by bon viveur Antoine Pinto, Belga Queen is a high-end hot spot, located in a former 13th century grain storehouse on the Graslei canal, just three minutes walk from where I was staying at Marriott Ghent.

Described as a ‘Belgian Wonderfood Place’, Belga Queen serves contemporary Belgian dishes using locally sourced ingredients, many featuring beer.

The restaurant

Belga Queen is a real dining destination set over three floors with variety of casual and more formal spaces including a brasserie, cafe, restaurant, club bar and terrace.

The imposing stone building with wooden beams and authentic features has been given a modern twist with touches of chrome, plush leather chairs and cool statement lighting. Add to that lashing of black and gold and Belga Queen signature crockery and you have one swish restaurant.

The terrace

The terrace at Belga Queen occupies a perfect spot right on the buzzing Graslei and is the place to be spotted in Ghent. In the summer, it’s the perfect place to spend a few hours, enjoying good food and wine.

The dishes

I started with a chilled tomato parfait with a rocket and parmegiano reggiano salad, basil-infused crumbs and a warm basil soup.

The tomato was refreshing and went well with the rocket and the thick creamy soup was an interesting, delicious after-thought.

This was followed by Belgian Charolais tenderloin with an Orval sauce (a kind of béarnaise sauce made with Belgian beer) and a cone of Belga Queen fries.

The steak was tender and juicy, cooked perfectly medium, and came with sautéed mushrooms and hot, crispy slim fries. It was perhaps a little heavy on the mushrooms, but there was also a generous amount of steak, which I struggled to finish.

We finished with a Café Gourmand featuring five mini desserts. I loved the praline cake with chocolate ganache and another highlight was the Cuberdon – a blackcurrant sweet local to Ghent, that’s hard on the outside and gooey in the middle.

Instead of coffee, I had a fresh mint tea, which came in a glass teapot and was the perfect end to the meal.

Belga Queen is all about indulgence and the high glamour dining experience, so you’ll need a hefty travel budget to dine there, but the food won’t disappoint.

All photos by Chérie City.

Chérie City was a guest of Belga Queen and Ghent Marriott

London, Restaurants

An Excellent Dinner at Patara Soho

June 28, 2011 by cheriecity

Thai food is real favourite among London foodies, but often Thai cuisine gets muddled up under the inadequate umbrella of ‘Asian fusion’. What I like about Patara is that it is purely a fine dining Thai restaurant, so you can really get to know the flavours and dishes from the country.

Even though Patara has the feel of unique, destination restaurant, it’s actually a boutique group with four London restaurants and worldwide outposts in Bangkok, Singapore, Beijing, Geneva and Vienna.

We visited Patara Soho on Greek Street and started off with some cocktails in the bar. I started with a Spiced Pear Daiquiri and Steven ordered a Whiskey Sour. They were both expertly mixed and quite strong and came with a bowl of Thai crackers.

It was tough choosing between the dishes, as there were so many that sounded delicious. We ordered strategically, so we could share and our waiter actually placed the dishes at the centre of the table, so this is clearly what Patara have in mind.

The satay trio (£7.95) – a combination of chicken, prawn and beef satays – was generously sized and the meat was succulent, tender and nicely charred. They came with the most scrumptious peanut sauce, which was crunchy, zingy and more delicate than any I’ve ever tasted.

Our second appetiser was phed nam peung (£8.25) – honey marinated Gressingham duck breast golden fried in fresh pandan leaf. The tender marinated duck came wrapped in five pandan leaf triangle parcels and was served with a light honey, garlic and soy sauce and salad garnish. The two starters were well-seasoned with rich flavours and were a light and tasty start to the meal.

Before our main courses, we were brought another bowl of Thai crackers to graze on – a nice touch!

We followed with nua yang pad kiew wan (£16.95) – Aberdeen Angus beef sirloin grilled and glazed in basil green curry sauce. The steak was exceptionally good quality and while we requested for it to be cooked medium, it was slightly rarer than expected. The basil green curry sauce was bold with strong flavours and had a real kick to it, due to the fresh chillis. The Thai basil gave it a hint of aniseed and it didn’t have that usual fishy taste.

The real favourite of the two was nua tom kati (£14.25) – Slow braised beef in aromatic coconut reduction with fresh lime, lemongrass and chilli. It came with four huge chunks of succulent flaky beef, large segments of fresh lime and topped with sliced shallots.

The coconut reduction was mild and citrusy with plenty lime and lemongrass. It went exceptionally well with the beef and it was a comforting homely dish.

We accompanied the beef dishes with kao pad kai (£2.75) – Wok-fried rice with eggs. The rice was just the right texture and was not too greasy with pieces of egg stirred in.

It was then time for another cocktail- I went for a refreshing Mango Martini and Steven ordered a Honey Sour. The Mango Martini was strong and fruity but not overly sweet and the Honey Sour was a sweeter alternative to a traditional Sour.

For dessert, we ordered the Chocolate Fondant with Mango Sorbet. The fondant had a soft cake texture with molten chocolate inside and the mango sorbet brought a fresh flavour.

The second dessert we shared was the Coconut and Lemongrass Tart. It was huge and dense with stewed lemongrass pieces and a smoky crumble topping.

It was an unusual combination of flavours, but pleasant, and well worth trying if you’re looking for something unique. It was a little heavy for after such a big meal, so maybe have it in place of a starter.

At the end of the meal we were offered a pot of fresh mint tea served in tiny cups. It was the perfect to round off an excellent meal.

Patara combines exquisite food with a stylish, buzzing atmosphere and the staff go above and beyond to make you welcome. Our water glasses were regularly topped up and our dishes were served at a good pace without being rushed.

The price of the dishes reflect the high standard of cooking and portion sizes are generous. The cocktails are particularly reasonable and make an interesting alternative to wine.

For more info and booking, visit: www.patarathailand.com

Chérie City was a guest of Patara Soho.

Photos by Chérie City and Patara.