After yearning for her childhood treat ten Carole Egbert sees a recipe for a chocolate, date cake in a newspaper column. “With minor adjustments, this is the cake I have baked for many parties. I always use a Bundt pan and slather the cooled cake with unsweetened, heavy cream that has been beaten to stiff peaks. Last week, I topped the cream with sliced strawberries and promised our guests that I would share the recipe. Here’s how I did it”
Two Michelin Stared Chef, Pino Lavarra, joins the Brunello Restaurant team at The Baglioni Hotel for 5 evenings only.
Throughout 2010 Brunello is planning a series of special, fine dining events planned to delight the most demanding gourmets. For the first in this series of seasonal guest chef events, much acclaimed chef Pino Lavarra of Rossellini’s at Palazzo Sasso, in Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, where he holds two Michelin stars, will present dishes from his menu.
Aubrey, South Kensington, London
Aubrey has a nice atmosphere for a hotel restaurant, cosy, intimate, leathery and old time. American tourists must love it. It seems a shame that it may only attract hotel guests because the food while not aiming to be an artistic statement is certainly what I like to eat on a regular basis.
Lashings of ginger beer. Crabbies goes gourmet at Benares
I have never drunk so much ginger beer in one sitting in my life. Even the waiters at Benares are barely concealing their mirth as they crack open yet another bottle of Crabbies to pour into my glass. ‘Do you drink it yourself?’ I ask one of them ‘Oh no!’ he replies, horrified, then mindful of the fact his boss Atul Kochhar head chef at this award winning Indian restaurant is lending his name to the product, quickly explains his defiant rejection. ‘I am a Muslim!’
Six courses, six spirits, three nights
The Providores restaurant and Sipsmith Spirits have announced an exclusive three night pop up restaurant at the Sipsmith distillery in Hammersmith. Only 90 people will have the chance to experience The Providores & Prudence soirees, so if you are interested and intrigued you will need to book early to avoid disappointment.
Enoteca Turi, Putney, London
Enoteca Turi is situated in Putney High Street, close to Putney Bridge, just a short walk from the main line station. As you enter the restaurant you are struck by its crisp but stylish homelike decor, it has a warm comfortable feel to it that is very inviting.This an excellent local restaurant, serving good regional Italian food and certainly an enjoyable place to visit.
Shilpa Shetty launches V8’s flagship Bombay Bicycle restaurant in Chelsea
With our glasses of chilled bubbly in hand we proceeded to explore this latest venture of the V8 group, We wandered through this newly fashioned eatery, struck by the bold vibrant decor, with its strong colour palate softened by yards of sheer curtaining. It all comes together well.
Buffalo Mozzarella from Campania – it should be eaten fresh!
24th February had been augustly designated as European day of Mozzarrella di Bufala Campana PDO. Its significance is to recognise and protect the provenance of this white soft cheese made from Buffalo milk in the Campania region of Italy.
Kick your high salt intake with Kikkoman’s umami effect
Soy sauce delivers all the flavour of salt, but at up to half the quantity thanks to the umami effect. This is good news as in the West we all apparently eat too much salt. At the Westminster Kingsway Catering College we find out more, come close to being asphyxiated by a radio host, eat a fine student made meal and learn how to make the perfect gravy.
El Pirata Detapas, Westbourne Grove, Paddington
What does the name mean? The Pirate of Tapas? Does the chef look like Johnny Depp and have a cutlass clamped between his teeth? Are the prices High Seas’ robbery? Do staff say ‘Ahh harr matey!’ in Spanish when chef calls a ticket? Who knows, what is certain is that this second branch of the Mayfair original is a modern tapas restaurant all the way from its cool interior to its Bulli boy food. Tapas reconstructed in a way that marks it out from the patatas bravas brigade so prevalent in London.