L’Anima has been a favourite Italian restaurant of London food-lovers in the know since it opened its doors in June 2008. A translation of the Italian for ‘the soul’, it’s clear that owner Francesco Mazzei has certainly poured his heart and anima into this modern, sunlit space in the City. This Calabrian chef certainly has ... Read more »
These simply spiced beef empanadas, made from a recipe in the Leith’s Meat Bible, are easy to make and delicious enjoyed hot or cold. Best of all, you can use the recipe as a starting point, and experiment by adjusting the spice mix to suit your personal taste. Being so easily portable, they are great for ... Read more »
Nigel Slater calls Leith’s Meat Bible “the best friend you can have in the kitchen” and whilst that title goes to my husband, I can understand why he endorses the book so enthusiastically – it’s likely to earn itself a permanent home on our bookshelves. Written by Max Clark and Susan Spaull the book is, as ... Read more »
A visit to the Lake District really isn’t complete without visiting a few of the many small breweries that abound in this region. So during our week’s holiday to Windermere in July, Pete and I made our way to Coniston’s Black Bull, attached to the small Coniston Brewing Co. The pub is charmingly retro; it’s ... Read more »
Back in May, we spent a lovely long weekend in Dorset for Pete’s birthday. As the visit was all about great local food, I was keen to visit local producers and learn about their products, their history, their processes and not least, the people. Truckles George and Amanda Streatfeild of Denhay Farm were kind enough ... Read more »
Usually for me, the food is the key to a great dining experience. Service is very important too, as are location, price and a range of other factors. But the food is paramount. At Paramount Restaurant, however, the views come first. And the views are astounding, awe-inspiring, breathtaking, extraordinary, incredible, magnificent, stunning, wondrous… and ... Read more »
In one of life’s odd little coincidences I was telling someone about “dishum dishum films” just a day or two before I first heard about Dishoom, a new London restaurant modelled on Bombay Cafés. Dishum or dishoom, however you wish to spell it, is the Indian version of Kapow! – that exaggerated noise when a ... Read more »
Lucky me was invited to a food photography workshop held in the rather swish Irish embassy. Organised by Bord Bia (the Irish Food Board) and hosted and introduced by the Ambassador of Ireland, H.E. Bobby McDonagh , our teacher was the talented Alastair Hendy, a successful food photographer, stylist and writer. Our class took place ... Read more »
I have a sweet tooth. Drinks of choice remain sugary concoctions such as Midori, Pimms & lemonade, Amarula, Dr Pepper, Coca Cola. Yes, really. No, I’m not fifteen. More accepted in adult circles is my deep and abiding love for dessert wines including honeyed French seducers Monbazillac, Coteaux du Layon and the various Muscats, aromatic ... Read more »
I use aspartame. Yes, I’m aware of the many controversial claims about its side effects (one being memory loss, how would I ever tell? 😉 But if I stopped ingesting every food and drink stuff about which I’d heard a scare story, my diet would consist of nothing but potatoes. And wait, aren’t potatoes linked ... Read more »