Lazeez Tapas– A Taste of Lebanon in the Heart of London

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Frostie

London’s newest Lebanese restaurant ‘Lazeez’ is a quirky al fresco escape, full of stylish character and heart-warming services. Deriving from the Arabic language, Lazeez basically means tasty, whilst Tapas refers to Spanish tradition of sharing small wholesome dishes. Simply put ‘tatsy sharing dishes’.

Opened summer 2014, Lazeez aims to celebrate Lebanon’s rich culture and diverse food and drink. Made up of a strong culinary team that comprises of both authentic Lebanese chefs and mixologists, with a combined experience of over 30 years in the food beverage industry. Lazeez prides itself on using nothing but the best traditional ingredients to create meals that both replicate and challenge our western favourites.

Described as the perfect hangout whatever your mood, Lazeez is set over two floors and offers a modern stylish interior with warmly coloured walls, an open plan kitchen and wide floor to ceiling windows, that open up and overlook the terrace giving you an al fresco dining experience. It has a range of seating in the bar and kitchen area, plus a lounge in the basement that’s perfect for a quieter meal or to hire out for a private party. In the warmer weather, guests are encouraged to take advantage of the terrace and enjoy their meal and drinks al fresco.

Catering for the avid healthy eater the food menu offers a selection of meat, fish, vegetarian and vegan dishes. Guests can also sample an array of fresh brewed teas and coffees, organic juices, cocktails and Lebanese wines (available for your drinking pleasure).

Lebanon is one of the oldest wine providers with a history that dates back more than five millennia and Lazeez’s head mixologist George is keen to promote the renaissance of their ancient wine culture.

Situated in the heart of Marylebone, opposite Selfridges, Lazeez Tapas is fast becoming a local favourite with its delicious low-caloried menu, friendly staff and bespoke V shisha pipes.

The wide use of olive oil, exotic herbs and low starch foods makes Lebanese tapas a delicious alternative to high street fast food options.

Lazeez is open daily from 11.30am till 12midnight.

Lazeez is located 29 Duke St, London W1U 1LH

Website: www.lazeeztapas.co.uk

Facebook: /lazeeztapas

Twitter: @lazeeztapas

An Award Winning Cheesy Evening With Nigel Haworth & Colston Bassett At Northcote

Posted on November 24, 2014 by Keeley Watts

It may be a bit of a trek into the countryside from the centre of Manchester but when asked to visit a Michelin starred restaurant you don’t say no. Nigel Haworth of Northcote had teamed up with Colston Bassett dairy to create a food and wine paired menu using Colston Bassett’s awarding winning stilton and Shropshire blue.

We were greeted with tapioca crackers dusted with the Shropshire blue as well as two types of risotto balls with the stilton. The crackers were my favourite; they were light and fluffy with the lightest cheese flavour.

The starter followed with onion caramel charred hangar steak, pickled artichokes and Colston Bassett stilton. Charred cabbage gave the dish a bitterness whilst the sweetness of the pickled artichokes balanced the dish. Paired with Ramos Pinto Adriano white reserva port to bring out the caramel notes of the steak I thought this worked superbly. Some weren’t keen on the charred cabbage finding it didn’t work with the dish but I liked the way it added something different to the dish as a whole.

The main was Goosnargh cornfed guinea fowl, a Colston Bassett Shropshire blue cheese crumb, damsons, girolles and a Colston Bassett Shropshire blue cheese mash. Despite the inclusion of the cheese into many elements of this dish it was not overpowering with the meat cooked medium rare and the damsons providing a delightful tartness against the richness of the meat. Our wine expert for the evening Craig Bancroft explained that he could have easily paired this dish with a white wine but settled on the Chanson Le Bourgogne pinot noir as the raspberry, cherry and red berry notes worked too well with the guinea fowl to leave it out. He was right to and, considering I’m not really a lover of red wine, this one was beautifully smooth and highlighted the damsons really nicely.

I wasn’t sure how Nigel would incorporate cheese into the dessert but the figs in port with stilton ice cream was incredible and easily my favourite dish of the night. The port had been reduced to a treacle toffee like consistency and when paired with the Ramos Pinto had a wonderfully fruity taste on the palate with enhanced the flavour of the figs.

Colston Bassett have won numerous awards for their cheeses with their stilton being a rich cream colour with blue veining throughout. A smooth and creamy cheese there is no acidic taste whatsoever, just a beautiful mellow taste that melts in the mouth. The Shropshire blue is a similar story with the blue veins spread throughout. This cheese has a creamy taste and is milder than the stilton with a delicate sweetness which I love.

Thanks to Northcote and Colston Bassett for putting the menu together and special thanks to Starlings Photography for the amazing photographs featured above.

You would think this exquisite meal was enough but no, petit fours followed with Turkish delight that melted in the mouth and mini eccles cakes that had a crispy pastry case finished off the event along with some Colston Bassett cheese to enjoy in their natural form.

Gaucho Sloane Restaurant Review

Posted on November 21, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

The Gaucho has a reputation that precedes it. Quite a few people were jealous that I was reviewing it, more so than any other restaurant I have reviewed. It was all apparent why when we arrived. To begin with, the decor is stunning. The chairs are comfortable: high-backed with a black and white animal print. The entire place is just stylish. The atmosphere is not stuffy and there are a few families here with (well-behaved) toddlers.

Our waiter, Ewan, is incredibly knowledgable. He knows everything about the food and the wine. His recommendations are also excellent.

Our meal is started off with some bread and Chimichurri sauce, a staple in Argentina. It is made from parsley, garlic, fresh pepper, olive oil, red pepper and red wine vinegar. The bread comes in a good variety: there is some corn bread and some cheesy bread to go with the ordinary bread. All tastes great and fresh.

For our starter I have the pan-fried scallops with watercress purée, smoked pancetta and confit red peppers and my colleague has the crab caustic with egg, lime and avocado. The scallops are perfectly cooked and the sauce is wonderful, the smoked pancetta on top really works too. The crab is delicious and unique. It is presented on top of mashed potato. The avocado is perfect and the hint of egg is unusual but works well. It is complex and creative. The potato is smooth and well seasoned. It holds everything together.

For my main I have to have a steak, the Gaucho is famous for them after all. I have the churrasco de lomo: spiral cut, marinated for 48 hours in garlic, parsley and olive oil. It is 400g of pure heaven. Even more impressive because I cannot have it medium rare as I am pregnant but the chef manages to make it taste amazing, even though it has to be well done. This is the best steak I have ever had in my life. High praise indeed as I have eaten a lot of steak. It is just perfect and you can tell that a lot of time and effort went into it. Our waiter, Edwan, brought out the steak in advance to show us. The cows are grass fed and roam around an area of Argentina three times the size of the UK. I have a garlic hollandaise sauce on the side which is simply divine. However, the steak is so marinated and delicious it could be eaten on its own.

My colleague has pork belly with pumpkin purée, glazed button onions and buttered cabbage. He says it is a triumph: perfectly cooked pork with sweet caramelised onions and cabbage. It has a fantastic, sweet, sticky sauce that is not heavy and is divine with the pork.

For our sided we have baked and grilled sweet potato, brushed with butter. It is perfect. We also have some perfectly cooked buttery curly kale.

To drink we have mocktails. I have a virgin mojito that tastes just like the real thing and my colleague has a fruit punch. Both are excellent. I could drink a virgin mojito everyday.

For dessert I have a chocolate and raspberry alfajores: milk chocolate and raspberry parfait cake with italian meringue and crushed raspberries and my colleague has dulce de leche cheesecake, a salted dulce de leche. Both desserts are delicious.

Gaucho also have an extensive and wonderful list of Argentinean wine. Make sure you have some. There is also the Bar Galante next door. It is a beautiful bar, very stylish and perfect for sipping a cocktail or two.

I can highly recommend Gaucho. It is right at the top of my list of the best restaurants in London. Just superb.

Gaucho – Sloane
89 Sloane Avenue
London
SW3 3DX
Phone: 0207.584.9901
Fax: 0207.584.0045

Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate Review

Posted on November 13, 2014 by Catherine Balavage

We got quite excited when a box of Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate come to Frost HQ. It looks amazing first of all. It is very unique as the drinking chocolate is in the form of beads and, just in time for Christmas, a bauble filled with chocolate beads. You just put the beads into hot water or milk and stir. They come in award-winning 70% Ecuador, 67% Madagascan and Honey flavour, as well as Smooth Milk and Rich Dark. It is hard to pick a favourite. They all taste so delicious. I hope to get some of these in my Christmas stocking as this lot will definitely be finished by then. Amazing drinking chocolate.

Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate is the only hot chocolate product to be made from pure chocolate beads. Their company mission is to bring the taste of chocolate back to drinking chocolate and their beads melt perfectly in hot milk or water to create a richer chocolate drink. Named after the man who pioneered drinking chocolate in Europe in the seventeenth century, Hans Sloane continue to innovate the hot chocolate market.

Sir Hans Sloane was a chocolate pioneer. In the late 17th century, after tasting drinking chocolate in Jamaica he came up with the idea of combining it with milk to make it more palatable. He brought his recipe back to England, initially as a medicine, but it soon became the way people consumed hot chocolate in Europe.

Four centuries later, the name Hans Sloane continues to be synonymous with innovation. Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate is the only hot chocolate product to be made from pure chocolate beads. Their company mission is to bring the taste of chocolate back to drinking chocolate and their beads melt perfectly in hot milk or water to create a richer chocolate drink.
Available in 270g packs, Hans Sloane Drinking Chocolate comes in five varieties, including the Great Taste Award-winning Smooth Milk, Rich Dark, Madagascar 67% and Ecuador 70%, as well as their unique Natural Honey. 1 kg catering packs for baristas and cafes are also available in Smooth Milk and Rich Dark.

This autumn sees the launch of the perfect stocking filler for Christmas – Hans Sloane’s handmade single-serve Christmas Bauble and Cocoa Pod, each filled with chocolate beads. Simply shake to hear the chocolate beads inside before popping the bauble/pod into a cup and adding hot milk or water.

The Best Christmas Food

Posted on November 11, 2014 by Frostie

We have been getting very lucky at Frost. And very fat too. Just so we can review the best Christmas treats for you. Here it is: the most mouth-watering gifts this Christmas.

Cakes from Paul
Christmas Igloo Cake £19.95

Super sweet and made for children. Adults will love it too. Serves 6-8 people and looks too good to eat. Made with light chocolate sponge, smooth white and dark chocolate mousse with a lining of hazelnut craquant, vanilla cream and covered in a thin layer of white chocolate. Divine, just divine.

Bûche Amande Abricot £28.95

An alternative to a chocolate cake, this is delicious and refreshing. Fruity and full of flavour. Has edible pearls of gold, loaded with semi-candied apricot pieces and a nutty almond crunch and then wrapped in a light and fluffy sponge with smooth vanilla and almond mile mousse. Stunningly delicious.

From http://www.paul-uk.com

Prestat, chocolatier to Her Majesty The Queen have launched some amazing Christmas chocolate gifts.

Father Christmas Bauble – Gin Truffles 60g
£6.95

Very wow. Delicious and VERY alcoholic. Hic.

Snowman Bauble – Snowball Coconut Truffles
£6.95

So unbelievable tasty. Hard not to eat them all at once.

Christmas Chocolate Box (210g)
£16

Impossible to choose a favourite. These are absolute decadence. Each one as delicious as the next.

From Selfridges.com and ocado.com

Shloer Celebration White Bubbly £2.99
This was a particular favourite of our editor as she is pregnant at the moment: alcohol-free white bubbly. It tastes great and gives the joy and sociability of a glass of wine without the alcohol. Shloer Celebration is an alcohol-free bubbly served in a celebratory-style bottle with a popping cork to add extra sparkle and theatre to your special occasions.
The Celebration range comes in two delicious flavours made from sparkling grape juice. Shloer Celebration White Bubbly has a crisp and full bodied flavour, using the very best in white grape juices to create the perfect glass of fizz – no alcohol required! Best served chilled.

RRP £2.99 | 75cl bottles | Available in tesco.com, sainsburys.co.uk, ocado.com and asda.com

The Garlic Farm Boxing Day Essentials

£12.95

Great sauces from The Garlic Farm, all delicious. This Boxing Day give some extra love to your leftover grub. Vamp up your ham, Coronate your cold turkey and Marmalade your Manchego. Three essentials for your post Christmas feasting. Vampire Relish, Coronation Sauce and Onion Marmalade all in a lovely jute bag for the perfect gift.

What’s your favourite?

Carluccio’s Metquarter Liverpool Restaurant Review By Dawn L Foster

Posted on October 28, 2014 by Frostie

Carluccio’s is one of the more up market Italian Restaurants in Liverpool City Centre and it shows. I went for a meal with a friend on Friday evening. As well as having the restaurant they also have a shop.

I am a wheelchair user and found the entrance door a bit heavy to open so it was good I had my friend with me.

Restaurant Review - Carluccio's Metquarter Liverpool

The staff were very attentive and gave us both time to decide what we wanted to eat. My friend needs to eat Gluten free food and was very pleasantly surprised to see that the restaurant have a full menu of Gluten free food.

For our starters my friend had Ham with Mozzarella and I had Calamari which was very close to being the nicest Calamari I’ve ever eaten. For our main meal Hayley had Rib Eye Steak and a side of Potatoes Gratin, my main meal was Chicken & Lemon Risotto which again was lovely and I really enjoyed it, my side was Garlic Bread. For our sweets Hayley ate Chocolate Pudding and I had Ice Cream with a Carluccio’s wafer, the wafer actually had the name of the restaurant on which I thought was a great touch.

For drinks Hayley had Peach Juice and I had a glass of wine.

We both had a great night and would definitely recommend Carluccio’s to anyone.

By Dawn L Foster

Caffè Nero Competition

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Do you want the opportunity to have your portrait created by an up and coming Italian artist? Well here is your chance…

One very very lucky member of the public will become a collector of bespoke art personal to them and a potential heirloom, thanks to an opportunity from the Italian coffee house Caffè Nero.

Venice Biennale exhibitor Dario Agrimi will personally create a portrait for you, Then this will be re-produced on a gift card for your purse or wallet. How utterly amazing is that!!

The coffee shop will be commissioning 12 paintings inspired by the nation’s favourite drink coffee. These 12 stunning pieces of art will be re-produced in-store and on limited edition Nero gift cards. 50 runners-up will also be in with the chance to win limited edition gift cards.

Agrimi, from Trani Italy and has a reputation for his dynamic and expressive, personal and vibrant artworks.

Carry with you a copy of your heirloom with you at all times and top it up when ever you need to!!

Caffè Nero was the first to introduce a takeaway cup featuring Artwork when they promoted the Turner, Whistler, Monet exhibition at Tate Britain in 2005. To this day countless establishments have followed suit.

ENTER THE COMPETITION HERE!!

Foxcroft and Ginger

Posted on October 20, 2014 by Sarah Bacchus

Foxcroft and Ginger was opened 4 years ago, Foxcroft & Ginger takes its name from its owners. Quentin’s family name is Foxcroft and his wife Georgina who is a very proud redhead. With their combined passion for food and relaxation and seeing as there was nowhere that offered a totally chilled out place to just sit, eat and enjoy the finer things in life, they set about brining a little place to relax, eat fabulous food, sip tremendous coffee and indulge in a spot of wine. They found a missing niche and they have certainly done a grand job of filling it.

We where invited to sample the menu and see for ourselves that this place has ready got what it takes to make any hungry Londoner satisfied in more ways than one.

The decor is modern and industrial with exposed brick walls, wooden tables and benches that have comfy cushions. Very welcoming when you want to while away a few hours enjoying fine coffee, fresh orange juice and delectable food.

We where seated upstairs near the window, perfect for food photography. If you know me by now you will know I’m rather partial to a good foodie shot. Fashion and food are my favourite things in life and when you find a fashionable place to eat that makes the heart race a little faster.

We ordered our coffees, Ian went for the long black and I had the Aeropress, Mine was like nectar, no sugar or milk was needed although they did give me a nice little jug of steamed soya milk on the side. By all accounts Ian’s coffee was rather good too.

We indulged in a drop of freshly squeezed orange juice that was sublime and complemented or brunch so well. Served in mini bottles they looked just perfect nestled on the little wooden table.

Now for the main event….the food. I have never seen eggs Benedict served with pulled pork before so this is what I opted for. Ian had the hash brown, sausage, egg breakfast with Bloody Mary sauce.

My perfect eggs on perfect soft, lean pulled pork that melted into the sourdough bread so tenderly. This is what Sundays where meant for. Ian’s dish was accompanied by lots of nodding in my direction so I feel he felt the same.

We then paused for a while chatting about our weekend and how great the place was. Trying to pick fault but alas all we could come up with was that we actually live a little too far away and it meant we couldn’t make it our regular Sunday haunt!!

Never one to pass up on pudding even brunch has to have a sweet! Ian decided to go for a pot proper tea and a freshly made scone with jam. Keen not to pile on too many pounds I could only muster a herbal tea! Letting the side down I know, but did you see the size of my meal?!

Now we have to point out here that yes this is rather a picture packed review but seeing is believing and we needed to do this place justice, and you know me…photography and Personal styling are my main things, along with of course writing for Frost and my own fashion magazine!

All the food served at Foxcroft and Ginger is all made on the premises including the jam, scones, cakes and even the bread. Most of the cakes and bread are sold to other local establishments and they only purchase local produce for around the area.

If you haven’t paid them a visit you really should, if you are lucky enough to live near by we are very jealous and wish we could sample the entire menu! Saying that we defiantly will be back as it’s top of our list as everything we saw served looked utterly beautiful.

Top marks for presentation, satisfaction, attention to detail and the staff where delightful and attentive.

We give it 5 stars here at Frost Magazine as all go this delicious food came in under £25!!!

Next week head over to SLBStyle.com and you can see the rest of our day filled with all the fashion and the London sights!

Follow them on Twitter @Foxcroftanginger.

Find them

3 Berwick Street, Soho
London W1F 0DR
.
69-79 Mile End Road
Whitechapel E1 4TT

For more photography info checkout www.sarahbacchus.com. For styling head over to www.slbstyle.com and follow me on twitter @sarahbacchus

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