MSH Backup

It feels like it’s been ages since I’ve posted a foodie roundup on these pages, but a few weeks ago the perfect opportunity to try somewhere new cropped up. With Elodie in town, Hannah, Sophie, Michelle and I decamped after a sweltering day to Bao in Fitzrovia, a destination which well and truly ticked all of the right boxes, both in terms of the delicious dishes on offer, and the chance to have a good old natter amongst ourselves: With so much good eating on the menu, it was tricky to narrow down what to have, but I opted for three freshly prepared buns: classic, confit and beef shortrib. Expertly prepared, each was a flavour sensation in its own right, melting in the mouth and leaving me wondering if I could order another round of the same! Other highlights on the table included chili langoustines and a fried bao (heaven!), as well as bone marrow rice. All in all, a dining destination which I’ve bookmarked for a return visit already.  Have you eaten out anywhere exciting recently...

On the Bab is a destination which has been on my lunchtime radar for what feels like absolutely ages now, and I’m ashamed to say that it’s taken me so long to visit, especially given that I only work about a two minute walk up the road! This oversight was thankfully put right last Friday, as I headed along for a lovely lunch date- the perfect excuse to try their menu for the first time: The menu offers exactly what you need for a speedy lunchtime pit stop, with kimchi and Bibimbap on offer alongside signature steamed buns. I opted for the spicy chicken and spicy pork options which were absolutely delicious- perfectly prepared and deliciously seasoned without being too hot to handle. As well as that, they arrived super speedily after ordering which makes them a brilliant fast food option- especially if you’re opting for a takeaway too. And, if that wasn’t enough, they’re under £5 each too- what more could you want for your midday meal?! It’ll come as no surprise that I’m already plannin...

It's a shame to admit, but over the last couple of months I've become a real creature of (very boring!) habit in terms of eating out- predominantly due to not having all that much time (or spare cash!) to get to anywhere new, or try anything more experimental than the old favourites which I've come to rely on so regularly for a quick and easy pit stop. Now that summer is well on the way, however, the promise of visiting some freshly opened options is one which I'm determined to keep- so watch this space for updates on that front! Heading away from my usual haunts, I recently caught up with Hannah for a quick spot of lunch in Clerkenwell, heading to the Sarona Eatery to sample their brand new menu- complete with 25% off: Offering a small but perfectly formed Middle Eastern menu, Sarona Eatery is the ideal spot for sampling a variety of delicious sharing plates and catching up amidst a really relaxed atmosphere. We ploughed our way through a selection of dishes which cam...

One of the best things about working slap bang in the middle of London is the sheer variety which it offers, whether that’s in terms of the myriad of sights to see, spectrum of shops or plethora of new foodie haunts which pop up so regularly. If anything, I sometimes find myself well and truly spoilt for choice for lunch options during the week, which is why I always tend to prefer exploring new haunts at the weekend- as well as having more time to enjoy them, it means that my bank balance can breath a sigh of relief! One such recent exploration comes in the shape of Eat by Chloe, which has recently opened just off of Drury Lane: A few years ago, I think it would have been difficult to imagine an exclusively vegan food outlet occupying such a prominent position in the heart of the West End, but such is the power of the ‘wellness’ movement I suppose! The first UK branch of this US-born chain is definitely made with the Instagram generation in mind- complete with statement neon signs, sh...

I don’t know about you, but by the time the weekend arrives, there are few things I enjoy more than spending Saturday scouting out new foodie favourites. Gone are the mornings of trekking to Oxford Street (these days I can think of nothing worse!), supplanted instead with leisurely wanders and perusing the menus of some new dining discoveries. Last Saturday, before heading to the theatre, Hannah and I made a pit-stop at 40 Maltby Street to sample their small but perfectly balanced selection of dishes:    With a tiny menu served out of an equally tiny kitchen, 40 Maltby Street is a wonderful option for a leisurely weekend lunch, but somewhere it’s worth arriving at early to avoid the queues which build up as the neighbouring market gets busy. We selected a handful of dishes to share between us- celeriac croquettes which were wonderfully flavoursome, and pork rilettes served with fresh bread baked by St.John- one of the most moreish dishes I think I’ve ever tasted! We also sampl...

If I'm being honest, by the time Friday usually rolls around, I'm always eager to dash for the train home, avoiding a flurry of people rushing to the airport and the general chaos of central London at the end of the working week in favour of getting home and starting the weekend in a generally more relaxed fashion; bedecked in pyjamas and settled down in front of the television! However, last Friday offered an exception to this rule, as Elodie was in town! In celebration, the gang of us made our way to Homeslice in Fitzrovia for one serous pizza party: A spot of indulgence at the end of the week is always a good thing in my book, and it doesn't really get much better than ordering pizzas which are bigger than the table which you're sitting at, does it? We opted for two twenty inch offerings, each halved into different flavour options, meaning that we could try four different toppings in total. Lamb and chorizo provided some much-needed end-of-the-week sustenance for the...

It's been a while since I've posted about my adventures in brunching, primarily because it's seemed like an eternity since I've had the opportunity to enjoy a leisurely weekend morning! Luckily all of that changed last Saturday when Amelia and I met up for some food ahead of a trip to the theatre, and, making the most of the opportunity to sample something new, we braved the rain and ventured to Kingly Court to sample the menu at The Good Egg: There's something wonderfully comforting about being able to enjoy a relaxed weekend brunch trip, especially when the weather outside is grey and gloomy. Hot on the heels of the original Stoke Newington restaurant, this Carnaby-centric branch of The Good Egg is the perfect bolthole if you're looking for a calm couple of hours, with the pale pink walls, teal tables and rose gold accents offering an instantly relaxing atmosphere. In such comfortable but well considered surroundings, you might expect the menu to suffer at the...

Week to week, it's really rare that I get a chance to explore some of the lovely locations right on my doorstep. If I've got a free weekend, the likelihood is that I'll be so tired from the week just gone that I'll prioritise recharging my batteries above heading out of the house, but last weekend I was determined to make the most of some unexpected free time and visit some close-to-home-comforts. Reigate is a lovely market town just a short hop away by bus or train, and as well as being beloved as a location where I spent some of my most formative years (at college!), it's home to some great shops, a wonderfully comfortable cinema and a selection of delicious dining options too. One of my favourites is The Tea House- a favourite bolthole during my college days- so I was really excited to return over the weekend: Needless to say, The Tea House is my idea of heaven. With a plentiful supply of tea and cake, as well as a really wonderful selection of staple favourites ...

It feels like forever since I've posted about anything foodie, but things have been so hectic of late that in all honesty I haven't had all that much time to explore anywhere new. I'm definitely preparing to hit hibernation mode, especially as the clocks go back at the weekend- meaning a blissful extra hour in bed but the prospect of it getting dark at teatime. Roll on spring! Anyway, a few weekends back, in celebration of Hannah's birthday, we all made our way up to a suitably Scandinavian themed eatery in the shape of the Curious Yellow Kafe: Just a short walk from Old Street, the Curious Yellow Kafe offers an array of Swedish dishes, from open rye sandwiches to some seriously tempting home cooked sweet treats. Naturally, Sophie, Hannah and I opted for the meatballs, mashed potatoes and lingonberry jam which was the perfect warming antidote on a blustery Saturday afternoon, and one of those homely dishes which is a real comfort blanket too. Michelle sampled the veggie...

Taking a stroll along the South Bank is always a lovely activity in and of itself, and (as with most things in life!) one which is made infinitely more enjoyable with a generous portion or two of food thrown in for good measure. Nothing says summer quite like a spot of al-fresco eating, and the South Bank Food Market (SC Food Market) is always a wonderful pit-stop to satisfy even the most discerning of palettes. Open from Friday to Sunday, it's also a great place to visit if you're looking to start the weekend with some wonderfully flavoursome food, or are after an alternative eating experience at the weekend: Whether you're looking for something to quench your thirst, or are in the market for some freshly cooked flavours, there really is something for everyone here. For me, standout stalls include The Athenian (serving up stunning souvlaki), Shackles Seasonal (offering fresh as they come corn on the cob), and Galeta (offering all of the sweet treats you'll ever need!) ...

Sometimes, when it feels like everything is getting a little bit too much, the perfect antidote is devouring your bodyweight in chicken with some of your best buddies. In celebration of Elodie's flying visit to London, last Thursday we all made our way to Chick 'n' Sours in Covent Garden, to sample the menu and indulge in some much needed (and long overdue!) belly laughs: The menu is, in short, the stuff that dreams are made of. Hailing from Croydon, I'm no stranger to fried chicken (#represent), but the offerings at Chick 'n' Sours are in a different league altogether. We indulged in sharing plates of wings and aubergine, before I opted for the house fry served with pickled walnut and a side of fries. Everything was cooked to absolute perfection - expertly seasoned and still perfectly tender- all the more enjoyable in such glorious company. I'm already trying to make another sneaky lunchtime trip!  Have you tried any new foodie favourites?  (Image credit: S...

Whilst I've got a restaurant bucket list which I'm working through at a slow but steady pace, sometimes it's lovely to stumble upon some new foodie destinations by complete accident. Last Saturday, prior to an afternoon trip to the theatre and a leisurely potter around St. Pancras, my Mum and I stopped off at a spur of the moment brunch spot- Plum + Spilt Milk: Offering impeccably presented modern British cuisine as delivered by Mark Sargeant, the menus are wonderfully varied, offering a plethora of options to satisfy even the fussiest of eaters. We ordered from the extensive Saturday brunch selection, and needless to say that both of us were well and truly impressed by our choices- smoked salmon and scrambled eggs (Mum) and crab and avocado on toast (me). Both dishes were delicious, cooked with care and prepared with the freshest of ingredients so absolutely full of flavour. To finish, I ordered the dark chocolate mousse, served with pralines and pecans- as delicious as it...

Last Saturday saw the first girl gang brunch date of the year, as Sophie, Hannah, Lily and I ventured to Warren Street to sample the delights of Honey & Co. It's a destination which has been on my foodie bucket list for what feels like ages, so a belated birthday celebration (Sophie) and a bon voyage (Lily) provided the perfect excuse to indulge in some truly delicious dining:  The Big Breakfast (which we all opted for) is pretty much the perfect way to start the weekend. Abundant in moreish mezze options (including incredible labaneh, homemade ashura cereal and some of the tastiest jams ever), this sharing starter is perfectly balanced, brought together by a divine selection of homemade breads. Next up, I opted for the merguese sausage roll, served with marinated tomatoes and topped with a Cornish farm egg- a truly delicious combination. To finish, the lemon and saffron cake- a delight which I could wax lyrical about forever! If you're yet to visit Honey & Co, I can...