MSH Backup

It’s been a little while since I posted about any recently visited foodie destinations, but Galway well and truly had the goods in terms of a must-visit restaurant. Ard Bia at Nimmos, which we visited for Sunday lunch on a handful of recommendations, is home to a wonderfully casual atmosphere and a wonderful menu, expertly crafted around seasonal, locally produced ingredients. Plus, anywhere that greets you with a plethora of freshly baked options as you open the door is an instant winner with me:    Almost like a home from home, there’s a cool, comfortable feel to Ard Bia- where the menu does all of the talking. As well as a bounty of brunch options, there’s always a selection of daily specials on offer- on our visit including a delicious pulled pork sandwich and fish pie. I honestly really struggled to choose what to have- and am determined to make it back to try their French toast. The sweet options were just as satisfying too, from rhubarb cheesecake to and earl grey and g...

As far as Christmas traditions go, there are few more enjoyable (or perhaps more indulgent) than a spot of festive afternoon tea. It’s become a little bit of a ritual for our little group, and, particularly with people travelling from further afield, it’s always lovely to have a dedicated time in the diary for catching up over tea and cake! This year, we opted for Dominique Ansel Bakery, and their festive afternoon tea option- which served up a plethora of treats which were as flavoursome as they were photogenic:  Starting with the savoury, we tucked into a unique, Christmas tree shaped version of sandwiches, individually filled with salmon, egg salad and turkey, as well as wild mushrooms- delicious, and well worth the gold and silver tinted lips! Next up, scones served warm at the table with the most adorable jam and cream stars- injecting another lovely festive touch. Finally, the sweet treats, including a mince pie snowman, caramelised apples served with a cinnamon ganache and a...

There are few things which make the working week more bearable than a mid-week feast! As a matter of course, I usually prefer to head straight home after work (Thameslink life!) and leave social stuff for the weekend. However, last week, with Lily back in town for a limited window, a gang dinner was the order of the day- and reminded me of just how nice it can be to forgo the rush hour commute in favour of a sedate evening of fabulous food: This get together marked my first visit to Breddos Tacos, and boy was it worth the wait! Tucked away just off of Regent Street, their Carnaby branch is small but perfectly formed, with a well concealed downstairs offering a lovely and intimate backdrop- perfect for a long overdue catch up! The service was also fantastic, with our waiter offering recommendations of which dishes to order, most of which we took up, and which definitely did not disappoint! I opted for the tuna tostada, as well as the chicken and belly pork tacos- small enough so as not ...

One of loveliest things about having a blog is the fact that I’ve come to meet some of my closest friends through being a part of this collective online community. Whilst I do miss the early days of blogging, where it was always lovely to put faces to names at events and the like, I’m more grateful that I can properly articulate through a keyboard that I’ve encountered some of the loveliest people ever through the internet. In fact, this weekend I’m preparing to head to Ireland with some of them, and it’s always a joy to make time for catching up, especially when various international paths cross at the right time. One such instance occurred a few weeks ago, when Elodie was in London for a week or so- affording the perfect opportunity to venture to a new brunch favourite in the shape of Hally’s in Parsons Green: There are fewer pursuits which feel like more of an indulgence than starting the week with a spot of brunch, but with a Monday out of the office it seemed like the perfect opti...

With the arrival of summer, longer evenings and plenty of opportunities to make the most of the balmier weather, navigating a seemingly neverending series of drinks invites is one of the trickier aspects of this time of the year. For me, as a teetotaler, it can also be difficult to find non-alcoholic options which are fresh and fun- especially in terms of flavours. I’ve never really been into alcohol, and with a personality so heavily weighted towards becoming easily addicted to things, I’ve always been mindful of keeping my consumption balanced. To top it off, I’m really not a fan of how most alcohol tastes, which makes it even easier to not partake- win win really! With a firmly sober stance, I’ll often plump for a juice or lemonade, but recently I’ve encountered a new botanical blend which I’m well and truly converted to: The Duchess is a uniquely blended virgin gin (made with re-distilled juniper berries) and tonic, created with aromatic botanic extracts including orange peel, all ...

January, January, January. I always find this month something of a slog, particularly as it always feels so long in comparison to the rush and chaos of December. With that in mind, I always find that it's well worth putting some time and energy into planning some lovely activities to help the month seem like less of a struggle, so last Saturday, accompanied by Hannah, I made my way to the Victoria Palace theatre for a long-anticipated trip to see Hamilton ! Beforehand, we made our way to a lunch spot which we'd oath been keen to try for ages- the Tandoor Chop House: Whilst January is often synonymous with detoxing and self-deprivation, I've never thought it the optimum time to reinvent the wheel as far as eating is concerned, particularly if you, like me, still have a whole host of Christmas leftovers hanging about the house. Instead, I'm very keen to make this year a year of new flavours, and new foodie discoveries- and the Tandoor Chop House really was the perfect des...

There’s nothing quite like using a special occasion as an excuse to road test a new foodie destination, and, last weekend, in celebration of my birthday myself, Sophie, Michelle and Hannah all headed to a destination which has been on our collective radars for a little while now- Bun House in Soho. Small but perfectly formed, it offers a selection of freshly prepared Canton-style steamed buns, as well as smaller dishes which were perfect for sharing:    Ordering a selection of side dishes between us, including curried fish balls, chicken wings and noodle salad, we also all opted for an array of buns. I devoured the fish, pork and chicken options, all of which were mouthwatering and moreish enough to make me seriously consider ordering second helpings! Whilst space at Bun House might be limited to four tables (get there early!), they also offer a super speedy takeaway service, so I’m sure I’ll be popping back soon for lunch!  Have you tested any new foodie destinations rec...

As far as Saturday pursuits go, there are few things which I tend to enjoy more than enjoying a spot of lunch before heading to the theatre for a matinee- the stuff of dreams! Last weekend, Hannah and I headed to the Young Vic to see The Suppliant Women (via the Tate Modern and their swings!), and although we'd originally planned to head to Flatiron Square for some food, a sudden deluge meant we had to find some lunch a little bit closer to London Bridge. Luckily, El Pastor in Borough Market had a table for us, and was a dining destination which definitely didn't disappoint: Nestled under a railway arch in the heart of the bustling market, El Pastor offers a menu bursting at the seams with flavoursome Mexican dishes, from signature guacamole and corn chips to freshly made tacos and expertly seasoned sides. We ordered a selection of small plates, including chicken and prawn tacos, the house special El Pastor taco (the best of the bunch) and grilled corn. Suffice it to say that ...

It's always lovely when you happen upon somewhere new after a spur-of-the-moment choice isn't it? Sometimes our lives are forward planned so much that it leaves little (if any!) room for flexibility or taking some time to do something which you haven't anticipated in advance. As a result, it's often easy to forget just how enjoyable it is to do things on a whim, and over the last month or so I've been really refreshed with just taking things a little bit more easily. I've made some brilliant new discoveries along the way too- one of which is a destination I'm sure I'll be heading back to as soon as I'm able: The Hoxton is a destination which I'd heard so many good things about, and having walked past the sister venue in Holborn many a time on my lunch break, it seemed like a visit was long overdue. As we were in Shoreditch for Hannah's birthday lunch, we popped in for a quick drink after eating, and as far as first impressions go, I couldn...

As I've posted about a handful of times in the past, when it comes to navigating my lunch break, I'm usually very much a creature of habit. Having said that, however, there are some occasions when it's just as important to break from the norm- turning your back on soggy sandwiches and sub-par salads in search of an altogether more satisfying midday meal. A few weeks ago, with a long day in progress, I made a long overdue debut trip to Chicken Shop, for some much needed comfort food: Having heard glowing reviews of Chicken Shop from friend after friend, this trip was somewhat spur of the moment, but well and truly worth it. Needless to say that the menu well and truly lived up to the hype, with succulent chicken quarters arriving at the table freshly cooked, and within minutes of being ordered. Sides wise, I plumped for sweet potato fries (classic!) and a bowl of coleslaw- a definite welcome distraction from my usual lunchtime menu! As well as offering delicious, really reas...

With the shift in seasons well and truly in the air, surely there is no better time to embrace the spirit of the new, whether that be switching up your wardrobe or sampling the menu at a fresh dining destination. For me, one such opportunity arose last weekend, in celebration of Michelle's birthday. Accompanied by Sophie and Hannah, we made our way to the beautiful Spring at Somerset House- the perfect place to visit on such a glorious day: Incorporating a daily-changing menu of seasonal British food, Spring is the brainchild of Skye Gyngell, who transformed Petersham Nurseries into a foodie favourite in sunny south west London. Housed in a beautifully restored 19th century drawing room in the New Wing of Somerset House, the interior design is seriously inspiring, and instantly calming- much needed amidst the hustle and bustle of the West End. The food is hearty and delicious, and if you (like me!) are watching the pennies, then I'd recommend ordering from the set menu, where t...

When it comes to the crunch, I'm generally a creature of habit- particularly when it comes to lunchtime eats. For expediency of time, I'll usually opt for a speedy sandwich on the go, but now that the weather is pepping up (at least a little bit!), I'm determined to make the most of my lunch hour, whether that be heading out for some fresh air and a walk, or finding a new foodie destination. One such recent discovery is the stupendously Scandi new branch of Nordic Bakery: Regular perusers of these pages might remember that I loved my visit to the Soho branch of the Nordic Bakery a few years ago, so needless to say I was very eager to take a trip to the newly opened Covent Garden branch- especially as it's only a stone's throw away from my office. Not only is this new bakery wonderfully warm and toasty, it's been designed to accommodate many more people, so feels spacious and open whilst still being really cosy. Of the treats on the menu, I plumped for the tradi...