Category Archives: Food

Charlotte’s Bistro Review

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On Monday we visited Charlotte’s Bistro in Chiswick. It launched in 2010 following the success of its sister restaurant, Charlotte’s Place. Charlotte’s Place, in Ealing, has been around for twenty seven years and is one of our favourite restaurants so expectations were pretty high.

On entering Charlotte’s Bistro we were immediately struck by how different everything is to Charlotte’s Place. As Alex, the owner, tells us ‘we think of Charlotte’s Place as the mother and Charlotte’s Bistro as the daughter’. You can see exactly what he means, whilst Charlotte’s Place is more traditional Charlotte’s Bistro is modern and sleek. It has a stylish bar at the front followed by stairs leading to a raised area at the back where the restaurant is.

Our night starts at the bar with ‘gin school’. Something Charlotte’s Bistro is doing every Monday. Every week features a different Gin. This week it’s Caorunn (pronounced ka-roon), a delicious Scottish gin. We liked the gin and learnt so much we’ve decided to do an article on it. After a couple of excellent G&Ts we head to the raised area and our table. Both the bar and restaurant are packed, impressive as it’s a Monday, and there is a great atmosphere.

The menu is small, five starters and five mains, all the food is in season. I like that because you know a lot of focus has gone into the dishes. Our waitress is friendly, helpful and very knowledgeable. She helps us select a sublime wine. We start with the Dorset crab with pickled cucumber and toasted sourdough and a pressed middle white ham knuckle terrine and mustard mayonnaise.

Our starters arrive almost immediately. I start with the ham terrine. Presentation is excellent. The terrine is beautifully made and absolutely delicious the mustard mayonnaise is light and a perfect accompaniment. The toasted crouton like biscuits on the side are crunchy and a delight. All in all an brilliant starter.

But it gets even better when I try the Dorset crab. Wow! A truly exceptional dish. This dish exercised my salt taste buds in a way that I can’t remember happening before. It tastes of the saltiness of the sea but is beautifully balanced and delicate. The texture of the sourdough against the crab was delightful. The sauce with the crab was divine and the pickled cucumber works beautifully with the crab. We both agreed this was one of the best starters we’d ever had. Flawless.

With such incredible starters our taste buds were tingling and our expectations were sky high for the mains. The fish dish we choose is the silver mullet, with white beans, smoked bacon and preserved lemons. Our meat dish is the confit white pork belly, parsnip, curly kale and caramelised Braeburn apple.

The silver mullet was another great dish. Presentation was beautiful. The fish was perfectly cooked and the skin was deliciously crispy and salty. The combination of white bean, smoky bacon and mullet was extremely tasty. The sauce was excellent. The dish was perfectly seasoned again the saltiness of the dish was delightful.

The pork belly dish was also a truly exceptional dish. The pork was soft and tender, the crunchy, tasty and the perfectly textured crackling was an absolute delight. The parsnip puree was incredibly smooth and delicious. The caramelised Braeburn apple was a real triumph and worked beautifully with the pork. The kale a vegetable I am not usually a huge fan of was perfectly seasoned and was deliciously salty and added to the whole dish. Quite simply superb.

The portion of chunky chips I ordered on the side seems in hindsight an insult to the chef since they were wholly unnecessary. But the taste of one salty chip only serves to highlight the skill and subtly the chef has shown with saltiness in their other dishes.

Our puddings are the baileys and orange cheesecake and the warm almond and blackberry bakewell. The cheesecake was excellent and beautifully presented. Smooth, creamy, beautifully subtle with a tasty crumbly base. The orange sauce which surrounded it was delicious and the candied orange peel which topped it added an extra dimension. The warm almond and blackberry bakewell was for me the least exciting of all our dishes. The bakewell was good but a little sweet for me and I didn’t feel the salted caramel worked. That said my colleague really enjoyed it.

 

Overall this was a fantastic experience. From the gin school through to the food. A wonderful night. The food was truly exceptional. I’ve been fortunate to eat in many restaurants but few come close to this. The Dorset Crab and the Pork Belly dishes were outstanding. The restaurant is unpretentious and friendly which makes for a great atmosphere and it is brilliant value for money. It was not surprising that it was packed out on a Monday night. We will certainly be returning soon.

 

 

 

Monday to Saturday

Lunch 12pm-3pm    2 Courses £15.95 3 Courses £18.95

Dinner from 6pm     2 Courses £24.95 3 Courses £29.95

Sunday

All Day 12pm-9pm  Main Course £14.95 2 courses £19.95 3 courses £23.95

6 Turnham Green Terrace, London, London W4 1QP (Nearest tube Turnham Green it’s a two minute walk)

020 8742 3590

charlottes.co.uk/bistro/

 

The Oyster Shed | Food Review

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 A little while ago, I was treated to oysters, ceviche, and sundry other fishy treats at the Oyster Shed. Thoroughly spoiled, I ran (staggered) home afterwards, tummy fat, fully intending to record my enthusings over the delightful evening at length immediately upon arrival.

Sadly, due in no small part to the soporific (and delicious) combination of scallops, pork belly and cauliflower puree on which I had gorged, I passed out en route to my laptop. By the time I awoke  Christmas was underway, and it hardly seemed fair to bury my appraisal of this establishment amidst the seasonal deluge of mince pies and boring charity singles.

So, belatedly, to the Shed. I’d infiltrated a small group of foodies who were privy to an evening spent inside the Captain’s Table- a hidden dining room which like the main bar and restaurant, overlooks the Thames. Reflected lights sparkled in the inky water a stone’s throw from our window.

The Shed’s head chef, Mark, was on hand to give us freeloading hacks a thorough and informative demonstration of the correct way to fillet sea bass, among other necessary life skills (no sarcasm). Handy tip: Flat fish loses 50% of its body during preparation, and round fish 60%. Use this ‘waste’ for stock. Mark deftly parted said bass from its spine as we watched, mouths full of rich, silky, smoked salmon and trout which was laid out on platters to sustain us. Also important- serve fillets skin side up. It’s prettier.

We munched on translucent haddock and cod ceviche while Mark explained that scallop shells must be closed, or close when tapped, if you are to eat them without fear of stomach upset. He also reassured us that all the fish eaten at the Shed comes from reliably sustainable sources.

Then to the serious business of oyster shucking. While his audience (myself probably included, I can’t remember) muttered ‘hilarious’ witticisms along the lines of ‘shucking good evening’/’they look shucking delicious’/’nothing like a good shucking’, Mark freed one slippery, salty crustacean after another. He remarked as he did so that he had 15 scars on his hands, all from shucking. We nodded seriously, and by now rather tipsy on free champagne and wine, some of us had a go at shucking ourselves. I delivered mine messily, fingers briny as I tipped it back into my mouth. It tasted reasonable- certainly fresh, at least. I had another, then turned my attention to a table behind us now groaning with other ‘nibbles’. Mini fish and chips and burgers were both standard ‘fun’ party fare, but satisfying enough. Pork belly and scallops were accompanied by cauliflower puree, which was delightful. After that my memory becomes hazy. Freelancer turned freeloader, and I stuffed myself until I could stuff no more.

I’m reassured that Oyster Shed menu is seasonal- ‘specials are special’. However I’m pretty confident that staples such as oysters, ceviche and scallops will still be in evidence if you should find yourself there in the near future. Which wouldn’t be a bad idea at all.

Dinner- £40-ish (quite expensive, all considered)
Service– Hard to say, since I ate at a specially-for-hacks event
Head Chef– Charming
Oysters– Fresh, salty
Food in general: Good enough
Cauliflower puree- A revelation
View– Lovely

 

5 Angel Lane  London EC4R 3AB, 020 7256 3240

Chill Out On Blue Monday With The Chillbox Greek Frozen Yogurt Giveaway

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With this Monday 21st set to be the most depressing day of the year*,Chillbox Greek frozen yogurt is offering Londoners the opportunity to WIN a delicious delivery of treats to their workplace to beat ‘Blue Monday’ with an exclusive twitter competition #chilledbluemonday.

Running from Thursday 17th to Monday 21st January lucky Londonites only need to retweet a competition tweet from @Chillbox_uk to be in with a chance of winning a supply of Chillbox Greek yogurt for their office.

Winners can choose from a selection of either natural or chocolate frozen yogurt with various endorphin-releasing toppings such as; strawberries, bananas and milk chocolate buttons or for a healthier treat opt for blueberries, nuts and honey.

Don’t let the January blues get your office down this Monday and start spreading the Greek Yogurt news for your chance to receive some frozen treats.

Matt’s Big Match: Warm Steak and Roquefort Salad

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Get a sneak peak to see self-confessed foodie, Matt Dawson match his very own Warm Steak and Roquefort Salad recipe with the perfect pick from Bordeaux

Since winning Celebrity MasterChef back in 2006, Matt Dawson has now become a firm fixture in the culinary world. Good Food Would Choose Bordeaux, and so does Matt.

This winter the foodie becomes a Bordeaux wine lover: Matt shows Brits how to match great food with great Bordeaux wines without breaking the bank. Discover culinary passion with a series of cooking demos that will introduce you to the versatility of Bordeaux wines and endless pairing possibilities for any occasion.

Matt has fond memories of Bordeaux that date back to his teenage days when he spent Easters playing rugby against the local side, Bordeaux Bègles, and enjoying the hospitality of host families.

Food and wine are central to Bordeaux-style life, but back then Matt had no idea food was going to become his central focus after hanging up his boots. This self-confessed foodie now has time to devote to his great passion. Being able to match his own recipes to a selection of Bordeaux wines is a labour of love that takes Matt back to those memorable Easters in Bordeaux.

Watch our video where Matt cooks up a delicious Warm Steak and Roquefort Salad, and with help from Wine Expert Ewan Lacey matches his creation to the perfect style of wine from Bordeaux.

Watch the full recipes: http://www.bordeaux.com/uk/artofliving/aficionados

Top five Detox Friendly Drinks

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Top five Detox Friendly Drinks!

It’s the time of year again when we all contemplate ways to “better” ourselves and kick-start our new, healthy regimes with a detox – ridding ourselves of bad food and bad habits. Alcohol is often the first to go, along with caffeine and fizzy drinks, but have you considered what drinks could be beneficial when detoxing? Here Nutrition expert at Go Coco, Ross Currie, gives us his top five detox friendly drinks:

“Detoxing can be a struggle and often quite limiting. Keeping your fluid levels topped up during this time is vital to help your body rid itself of toxins and to stay hydrated – aiding brain function and helping to keep skin healthy. Aside from water, there are other drinks out there which can be a part of your detox. Here are my top five choices”:

1.       Tea – green, peppermint or ginger. Tea is a natural antioxidant, which protects your body from free radicals, pollutants and aging. Green tea can increase your metabolism, while ginger tea is great for digestion and aiding the absorption of food and peppermint tea

2.       Coconut water – Go Coco comes straight from the young, green coconuts of Thailand and is full of natural Isotonic properties and electrolytes, making them a great choice for rehydrating. It is also packed with vitamins and minerals, including twice as much potassium as a banana which is fantastic for a natural energy boost whilst being low calorie and it also plays an important role in regulating your heartbeat, insulin levels and muscle development. For those looking to support mental clarity while detoxing, drinks with nootropics can be a refreshing option, offering ingredients that may help with focus and cognitive function.

3.       Fresh or raw pineapple juice – Pineapples contain many vitamins and enzymes that will offer health benefits during a detox, including Bromelain – a natural anti-inflammatory that encourages healthy digestion by helping the body break down proteins, and Thiamine (which belongs to the vitamin B group) which boosts your metabolism by helping your body convert carbohydrates into energy

4.       Lemon water – Lemons are a great source of citric acid, calcium, potassium, magnesium and phosphorous. Drinking fresh lemon juice with water (hot or cold) will benefit your detox on many levels by assisting your digestion, stimulating the liver and cleansing the bloody stream. Try drinking a cup of hot water and lemon first thing, to kick start your system.

5.       Fresh Carrot Juice – As well as containing Vitamin C and A, carrot juice also contains carotenes which are a great anti-oxidant. Carrot juice is also a diuretic and can help to reduce water retention, plus it’s very low in calories.

Top Tips to stop a dental disaster this Christmas

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Food plays a big part in our Christmas celebrations, adding excitement and an excuse to eat our favourite treats! Recent stats from Denplan, the UK’s leading dental payment provider, show that 74 per cent of people consider themselves to have a good diet – but we all over-indulge at Christmas. In fact last year’s dental emergencies peaked for Denplan patients around the festive season, seeing a whopping 1946 claims in January.

To help you avoid any dental pain this Christmas here are some top tips on what to eat, as well as how to deal with a dental emergency, from Denplan’s Chief Dental Officer, Roger Matthews.

“Christmas is a time to enjoy, and we all like to treat ourselves at this time of year, but because we are eating and drinking more than usual, we can put ourselves at risk of damaging our teeth, and the last thing you want is a dental emergency over the festive period. If you do damage a tooth, it’s always best to get it looked at as soon as possible, to avoid further damage or discomfort. Here are my top tips on foods that won’t harm your teeth and which ones to eat with care!”:

Top Five Tooth Friendly Foods

1. Cheese! Christmas isn’t complete without a decent cheeseboard, so as you’re tucking into a chunk of cheddar you’ll be pleased to know that not only is it rich in calcium, which promotes healthy teeth, it also balances out the PH in your mouth which lessens the damaging effects of acid from a festive glass of wine on tooth enamel and helps kill bacteria that cause tooth decay and gum disease

2. We often have bowls of snacks lying about at Christmas, but instead of opting for crisps, why not opt for nuts instead? Peanuts (unsalted if possible) contain calcium and vitamin D, both vital for oral health as well as your general health. Walnuts, which are often used in puddings and cakes, also contain zinc fibre, folic acid, iron, thiamine, magnesium, vitamin E & B6, potassium and zinc – all of which play an important role in keeping our teeth and gums healthy

3. Christmas lunch is renowned for its abundance of vegetables. Broccoli and carrots in particular are great for your oral health as they contain vitamin A which help strengthens the tooth enamel

4. Crudités will promote good oral health as, because they are eaten raw, they massage your gums, which encourage blood flow, and clean your teeth too

5. The humble turkey provides us with a great source of protein, which is rich in phosphorus. This combines with calcium and vitamin D to make our teeth (and bones). By eating plenty of protein you will help reduce tooth decay and keep your teeth strong and healthy

Top Five Teeth Rotters:

1. Sweets, biscuits and cakes – Although the endless supply of chocolate and puddings it so tempting, try to keep them to a minimum as sugars are a prime cause of the acidic biofilm which causes dental decay. Acid resulting from frequent consumption of refined sugar dissolves the minerals essential for healthy teeth. When you do indulge, its best to have sweets in one go after your meal, rather than picking throughout the day

2. Fizzy drinks – If you like a bit of fizz in your soft drinks or mixers why not opt for soda water. Fizzy drinks are loaded with sugar and even sugar-free or diet drinks are still acidic and in excess can cause tooth enamel to erode away. But, if you can’t resist them, use a straw as this will lessen direct contact with your teeth

3. Processed cereals – Breakfast may not be the most important meal when it comes to the festive season, but if you’re looking to grab something quick and easy to set you up for the day try to avoid processed cereals as you’ll be amazed at how much sugar is hidden in these, much better to opt for porridge or bran based cereals – or, better still eggs! Either clean your teeth before you eat or half an hour after, to avoid damaging your enamel

4. Crisps – Cooked starch breaks down into component sugars – the main enemy for teeth. Why not opt for carbs low on the glycaemic index such as vegetable crisps instead?

5. Wine – We all love a glass of wine or two at Christmas, but white wine can be very acidic and contribute to enamel erosion, try drinking it just at your main meal, as drinking little and often is far worse than drinking once a day. Red wine can also increase the risk of staining, especially if you forget to brush your teeth as often as you should with the distractions of festive fun! If you are drinking red wine, try to remember to leave a gap before you brush your teeth to remove any stains

“However, if you do find yourself unlucky, falling over after a festive night out or cracking your tooth on your favourite Christmas sweets, here’s my step-by-step guide on what to do,” Roger continues:

What should I do if a tooth is knocked out?

Call your dentist immediately and book an emergency appointment, ideally within an hour of the incident as your tooth will have the best chance of surviving the trauma during this time
Handle the knocked out tooth by the crown (the top), not by the root (the pointed part on the bottom) as touching the root can damage cells that are needed to re-attach the tooth to the bone
Gently rinse the tooth in water to remove any dirt, but be careful not to scrub it. It is very important that the tooth doesn’t dry out – if you can, place the clean tooth in your mouth between the cheek and gum to keep it moist. Alternatively, wrap the tooth in a clean cloth and cover it with milk or a salty saline solution (the solution used for contact lenses)
If a baby tooth is knocked out, don’t try to insert it back into the mouth. The patient should be seen as soon as possible to make sure that none of the tooth remains in the mouth

How should I handle a chipped or fractured tooth?

If you fracture a tooth, rinse your mouth with warm water and use an ice pack or cold compress to reduce any swelling. Take ibuprofen, not aspirin, for pain, as this is an anti-inflammatory
Book an appointment to see your dentist at the next most convenient time, depending on how much pain you’re in
Minor fractures and chips can be smoothed out by your dentist with a sandpaper-like disc, while larger ones may be fixed using restorative procedure
Denplan patient, Dawn Schier, added: “One recent Christmas Eve most of one of my teeth fell out. I rang the dentist, who arranged that I could go to the surgery on Christmas morning. He did a wonderful job and I had a lovely Christmas lunch eating all the things that I didn’t think I could. Can you imagine how awful it would have been not to have been able to use Denplan’s services on Christmas day? It temporarily sorted my tooth out and I had a lovely Christmas lunch! I went back after Christmas and had the tooth fixed permanently.”*

Denplan as approximately 1.8 million registered patients whose products include a 24-hour worldwide dental emergency cover. To find out more about how you can be covered this season visit www.denplan.co.uk.**

* All dentists have different emergency opening hours, please check with your practice

** Terms and conditions apply

Festive Flare and Winter Warmers

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With Christmas just around the corner and festive cheer spreading across the city, Gillray’s expertly mixed Winter Warmer Christmas cocktails can help banish the cold winter night blues and get you in to the swing of the party season!

 

This Christmas Gillray’s team of talented mixologists have innovatively and successfully combined those classic flavours, to deliver Christmas in a glass.

 

 

Get in to the swing of the festive season with the deliciously chic Rudolph cocktail;the perfect combination of orange brandy, benedictine and dry Curacao leaves, delicately finished off with dry Curacao flavoured candy floss. This glamorous cocktail is guaranteed to help you celebrate Christmas 2012 in style.

 

 

 

The Sherry Posset is a modern twist on one of oldest classics in British mixology: the Old World Flip. Elegant and smooth, this cocktail combines Bristol Cream, nutmeg, milk and a hint of caramel.

 

 

 

Why not while away a cold winter evening with Gillray’s inspiring take on Mrs Beeton’s 1869 Mulled Wine recipe; the lively claret gently mulled with ginger wine, nutmeg, cloves, cinnamon, clementines, honey and bay leaves instantly brings the word Christmas to the lips. Gillray’s Mulled Wine is Christmas in a glass.

 

 

 

Alternatively warm up this winter with a Hot Spiced Mead! With the mead delicately combined with orange liqueur, cloves, cinnamon and star anise, it is impossible to resist this hearty winter warmer!

 

 

The winter warmer cocktails are available at Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar from 1st December, priced from £10.

 

Gillray’s Steakhouse & Bar within the Marriott Hotel County Hall enjoys a prime position on the South Bank, with picturesque views of some of London’s most iconic landmarks, including the London Eye, Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the river Thames.

 

Oomf – The Bench Pressed Oats Review

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I can’t leave the house without eating breakfast no matter how late I am running. So these cute little pots are perfect for me and the time starved. I got sent the Banana one to review. Here is what I thought:
First of all, convenience. This little pot of Whey Protein Porridge is ready in 60 seconds. You just add hot water. I never make porridge because it takes too long and cleaning the pot afterward is such a chore. So full marks for that. Next is taste. It tastes good, There is nothing artificial about it. It just tastes like banana porridge, but good banana porridge.
Now for nutrition: Oomf are great for you as each serving contains 20g of protein (that’s 36% of recommended daily allowance and equivalent to 3 large eggs!)
The little pot kept hunger at bay for hours. Whey protein, the main ingredient, is a rich source of essential amino acids and boosts your immune system, It has no added sugar and is a British brand with British ingredients.
They come in travel sized pots and all you have to do is add hot water…meaning that they can be eaten anywhere…at the gym or the office or on the go. They are great for on-the-go breakfasts or even as an afternoon snack (especially great for the cold winter mornings).
Flavours include Banana, Ginger Bread and Apple, and Sultana and Cinnamon. £1.50 from health food stores or www.giveitsomeoomf.co.uk.