‘You have to mash the bananas by hand, squeeze them through your fingers. you can’t use a blender.’ Mark Read Head Chef at Mango Tree and at Awana is telling me how to make Thai Banana cake accompanied by hand gestures reminiscent of someone milking a particularly recalcitrant cow, ‘you want the lumps,’ he says. ‘Like Guacamole?’ I suggest. ‘Exactly!’
Enjoy a cocktail from The Secret Garden
Forget bottled cider †according to London’s top mixologists there’s only one way to have your apples and pears this summer and that’s mixed with Cazadores, Mexico’s national spirit. The official cocktail of the boutique festival tipped as one of this summer’s hottest tickets (Secret Garden Party of course), the Secret Garden Margarita is available now in award winning London bars such as Green & Red and Quo Vadis.
Bite me. Vanilla Black does discount Gourmet Veggie
My brief experiment with vegetarianism foundered on the large rock that is a bacon roll. At 6 a.m your defences are down and the waft of ketchup is too much to resist. Maybe I would have stayed loyal to the cause had there been dishes like the ones Vanilla Black are creating.
The ICA pairs cocktails and film for its latest season
To celebrate the ‘Films We Love’ season, which is running throughout July and August at the ICA on The Mall, their talented head mixologist, Danny Choy, has developed a list of delicious, contemporary cocktails designed to complement the cinematic gems perfectly. Enjoy these special cocktails at the edgy, cool ICA bar only on offer throughout the ‘Films We Love’ season, which started on 10th July and runs until 31st August.
Wah hey for Wahaca
What kind of sadist puts bits of super-hot chili in with the peanuts? A Mexican one maybe, one laughing his sombrero off as he watches greedy food writers stuff handfuls of nuts into their mouths one minute then go a funny colour the next.
Harry Morgan celebrates new refurbishment and menu with 50% off limited offer
Harry Morgan, the most famous New York Style Deli Restaurant in London celebrates its new menu and refurbishment with a 50% off discount offer*. The offer runs at the St John’s Wood High Street restaurant from Monday 20th to Sunday 26th July. Diners can enjoy the new interiors and expanded menu, then following their meal, watch as their bill is halved.
The Real Flavour of Tuscany – Lori De Mori and Jason Lowe
Ok we know Tuscany has been done to death – too many baying Brits in Range Rovers waving copies of The Guardian at each other at cafes – but let’s not lose sight of the food. In this marvelous book Jason Lowe has focused his superb camerawork at twenty five honest, genuine culinary artisans and Lori Di Mori tells their stories.
The Light Bar at St Martins Lane, launches Salsa dance nights during August
Perfectly timed for the summer, during the month of August, the award winning Light Bar of St Martins Lane has collaborated with the London Salsa dance school- Salsatecca, to host salsa dance classes. The first scheduled Salsa nights on 11th and 18th August will take place in the spacious marble event studios of the hotel, offering an hour packed full of fun salsa moves and great exercise.
Anyone for a barbie?
On a typical summer’s evening of intermittent rain, thunder and sunny spells, the Meat & Wine Co. at the Westfield shopping centre recently held their Australian Barbeque. The aim of the evening was to pair Australian wines with typically Australian barbeque fare. We enjoyed what we tasted and they are certainly worth trying.
YO! Sushi gets a makeover
The launch of the refurbished YO! Sushi restaurant on the second floor of the Whiteleys Shopping mall, Bayswater, was colourful to say the least. Front of house staff greeted us with drinks, having dressed for the occasion in kimonos, Geisha style. Go and have a look, and while there why not relax in the booth style seating and try some of the interesting dishes that are on offer.