Culinary Adventures with Marmite

Kitchen Delights London Reporter gets to grips with an intriguing Marmite menu........

Love it or hate it - Marmite has been a firm staple of British life since records began (well since I was born). This dark sticky brown paste certainly makes an impression – whether on my morning toast or via a loving dollop popped into my spag bol to bring out the flavour.  So now we know that I don’t hate it.

It was with wild excitement that I was invited to try a Marmite curry at Cinnamon Soho in London’s West End. Talk about being innovative and catching the attention of a bunch of curious food blogger's. You’ll have to read on to see if it worked…

Here is what Vivek Singh, the man behind Cinnamon created for us.

                                                Stir fried shrimp, Marmite and pepper fry

Yummy! Yummy! The marmite gave it a subtle depth and surprisingly, went well with the shrimp – a bit like a flavoursome glaze and very moreish!

               Seared fillet of sea bream, Marmite and curry leaf crust, Marmite coconut sauce

Wow – you wouldn’t think it, but this was by far my favourite dish - I don’t know how, but it worked. The Marmite was infused with a curry leaf crusting so you could enjoy the delicate taste of the white fish but with a zingy after taste of Marmite cutting through.

                            Chilli and peanut chicken breast with a Marmite korma sauce -                                                                                     Marmite and honey, chilli-garlic naan

A great idea, combination wise, but not the holy trinity of the curry world. I’m not sure if I was just mourning a typical korma sauce for this Indian classic.

                                              Marmite Chocolate and Cardamom Mousse

I can’t say I loved this – I really wasn’t feeling it with the chocolate and cardamom – I felt it was too earthy but I did like the salt interspersed throughout the mousse. My fellow diners loved it though!

                                       All this can be yours as a set Marmite Menu for £35

Thanks a million to Cinnamon Soho
www.cinnamonsoho.com

Diciannove Italian Restaurant Launch - London

Kitchen Delights London Reporter @PaulFoodie is invited to the launch party of Diciannove and enjoys the most luxurious chocolate dessert.......

Diciannove is the latest Italian restaurant to hit London town. Nestling in the smart Crowne Plaza hotel in London’s Blackfriars, this is a quirky take on an Italian restaurant both for food and the interior.

We went to the launch night and were treated to prosecco, cocktails and nibbles from the in-house deli such as 24 month matured cheese and various cured meats. We also tried zucchini fritters with anchovy sauce and indulged in some fantastic pizza.

The restaurant is split into zones to meet different needs for different occasions. One moment we found ourselves on seats which could have come from inside a tube carriage – perfect to enjoy with friends or family, to more elegant dining areas with large round tables where you would go for a celebration.

To end the evening we were treated to a chocolate pot - a signature dessert called 'Delizia al Cioccolato' - a rich chocolate mousse with chocolate salami - wow! It really works despite the unusual flavour combination!

Grazie to the Executive Chef Alessandro Bay and his team - see you again soon.

Address: Diciannove, Crowne Plaza London, The City, 19 New Bridge Street, Blackfriars, London, EC4V 6DB  (just around the corner from St Paul’s Cathedral)

All Day Dining Central & Co Style - Review

Kitchen Delights London Reporter @PaulFoodie gets to eat steak and drinks a few cheeky cocktails........

I love the concept of all day dining. A cheeky croissant at breakfast time, a spot of brunch with friends, or a late supper after a hard day at work. What I most like is the idea that a venue is always ready for me, like a home from home.

Clover Club Cocktail

As we know, London is a busy place, so a reliable and trusted eatery goes a very long way in this city. I was thrilled to be invited to try out Central & Co which is a brasserie and wine bar on Great Marlborough Street, just around the corner from the Palladium Theatre. We arrived for an evening meal and were greeted with a friendly smile and served some amazing cocktails from the off. I recommend you to go for the beautifully presented Clover Club – a gin based cocktail with raspberry syrup and egg white served with raspberries on a stick – it was out of this world, as you can see from the photo. The cocktail alone was enough - and with the elegant dark surroundings and a beautiful bar up front – this was fabulous.

Two more cocktails later.... and we got stuck into starters - a hot smoked salmon, 
thyme, cheddar and sweetcorn muffin, with a sour cream and sweetcorn puree. I chose this because it was a little different and out there. However, in the event it was just okay, perhaps a little too fussy before the main course!

Fast forward a Champagne Swizzle cocktail and the star of the show arrives – grilled flank steak accompanied with hand cut chips, horseradish cream and slow roasted tomatoes. Now this was worth the wait (all day dining does seem to require a wait, doesn’t it?). The steak was tender, packed with taste and a generous size.

Flank Steak, Hand Cut Chips, Slow Roasted Tomato, Watercress and Horseradish Cream
Image courtesy of Central & Co

We were really full by this point and debating whether we could fit in dessert but when we found out that an ex Pussycat Doll (which one, who knows, but it wasn’t Nicole) was drinking in the exclusive basement area, we thought it was our duty to stay on. It took us ages to eat our crumble and chocolate brownies.......

When you’re next in the West End and looking for a nice venue with friends, go give this place a whirl and let us know your thoughts.

A big thanks to Denise for looking after us so well.

For more details visit www.centralandco.com

Galeto, Soho, London - Review

Brazilian Street Food

Kitchen Delights London Reporter........gets to eat Brazilian Street Food.

When the mercury reaches over 30 degrees for over 5 consecutive days in London town, it’s practically a national emergency with stories of buckling rail tracks and schools not knowing how to cope with the heat. It shouldn’t be so dramatic, but when the last heat wave was back in 2006, we do need a little on guidance on how to behave.

If you are in Soho this balmy summer, the chilled out Brazilian restaurant Galeto can show you what to do in this heat. This small yet intimate eatery set over 2 levels serves up real street food and cocktails with plenty of Rio attitude for your pound including the beautifully made Brazilian classic Caipirinha (made with cachaca, sugar and lime).

To start, we had two classics which Fabricia, our Brazilian waitress recommended. Coxinhas de Frango are small pieces of soft potato dough filled with soft shredded chicken. We also chose Kibe – a little bit like small beef balls, both of which were fun to share and ideally suited with a cocktail.

When it came to ordering a main course, there are a few options to choose from and the old saying ‘quality not quantity’ comes to mind. You need to opt for the 8oz rump steak with fries and go for one of their generous salads to share. It was well presented, tender, colourful and full of flavour.

At this point having picked up a few Brazilian words from the menu, we asked what the name of the restaurant Galeto actually means? It’s literally ‘little chicken’ and is what the Portuguese introduced to Rio in the 1960's and has stayed with them ever since (and yes there is chicken on the menu but on this occasion we went for red meat).

In this hot weather, desserts don’t always hit the spot but both my dining companion and I have a sweet tooth and our arms were gently twisted to choose the very worthy Banana Frita – sliced banana pan fried in orange and lime with cinnamon served with vanilla ice cream. It was surprisingly moreish and good for sharing! We also indulged in the mini chocolate doughnuts in chocolate sauce.

The food overall was good value and your wallet won’t take a pounding either – I reckon you could get away with £25 per head with one cocktail.

So it only leaves me to say that if this is what Brazil tastes like on a hot day, then I’m booking my flight now!

Thanks to all the staff at Galeto for their prompt, cheerful and attentive service.

For more information visit www.galeto.co.uk

33 Dean St
Soho
London
W1D 4PW

Get Some Just Falafel Action in Your Next Lunch Break

Just Falafel has now landed in London town

Kitchen Delights London Reporter......enjoys eating falafel.

Looking for something a bit different at lunchtime? Well I may just have the answer for you. New kid on the block Just Falafel has arrived in London town and wants a slice of the healthier end of the fast food market.

If you're not sure what falafel is then let me explain. It’s quite simply a moulded patty of chickpeas and fava beans which can either be deep fried or baked. It’s got a slight crunch to the outside but a soft texture in the middle – and it’s suitable for veggies!

From the menu, I recommend you try the Quesadilla - a flour tortilla stuffed with cheese, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and big chunks of falafel. It was much bigger than I was expecting and tasted pretty awesome.

If you’re sharing, I would also suggest that you try out the original which is their most popular dish and contains falafel, mint, parsley, tomato, and pickles stuffed to the rafters in a wrap with a side sauce of Tahini. Again, really filling with plenty of punch (see picture).

I noticed an amazing selection of fresh dips you can choose from - ideal if you need an extra kick to your falafel like I do. These included spicy Indian, red hot chilli and basil pesto mayo. I think these could have been pushed way more as that’s what really separates one falafel from another and could have added some exciting taste twists to the meal.

Overall the service was quick and the meal deal is a steal at £4.99 for a drink, fries and falafel sandwich. So move over Subway and get yourself down here – there’s a new boy in town!

I was a guest of Just Falafel quick service restaurant on Monmouth Street in London’s Covent Garden.

Restaurant of the Week - The Anthologist

Image courtesy of The Anthologist showing the funky interior

Posting by Kitchen Delights London Reporter.

In Central London, it can at times be hard to pinpoint a restaurant without the pomp and price tag when all you really want is a bit of fun with comforting food.

Step up The Anthologist – a large modern restaurant and bar in London’s financial district and the perfect antidote to city life. This is a fun, quirky restaurant with an open kitchen and part of an expanding ‘chain’ which is home to The Folly in London Bridge and the Parlour Bar in Canary Wharf.

Tempura Crispy Squid with Ginger and Firecracker Sauce

To start with, we opted for the sensationally tasting Aromatic shredded crispy duck with pancakes and hoisin sauce (£7.95) as well as the Tempura Crispy Squid with ginger and firecracker sauce (£6.95). Both dishes were beautifully presented in bamboo steamers and generously proportioned.

Mascarpone and Mushroom Stuffed Chicken Breast Wrapped
 in a Crispy Pancetta and Herb Potatoes

For mains, my dining companion opted for the Chargrilled London Pork Sausages which was accompanied with a bed of mashed potatoes and a very tasty red onion gravy – reasonably priced at £8.95 and very apt considering how cold it’s been recently. I chose the Mascarpone and mushroom stuffed chicken breast wrapped in a crispy pancetta and herb potatoes (£9.95) – lots of flavour! The menu is particularly extensive with steaks, risotto and pasta, burgers and fish dishes so there is something for everyone including the veggies!

Now at this stage, I was beginning to wonder how many other diners would be able to take the plunge into the puddings, but with such a tempting selection, you really do have to plough on however tough it feels.

So many beautiful desserts, including cheeky Knickerbocker Glory

We went for the Salted caramel and roasted plum knickerbocker glory (£7.95) – cheekily labelled on the menu as containing no calories (I don’t think so!) as well as the Mini pudding shots which consisted of chocolate brownie, white chocolate and raspberry crème brulee and a knickerbocker glory (£7.95). Indulgence is an understatement; the pudding shots were in fact big bowls and were inevitably the stars of the show (see picture). I would thoroughly recommend you try it for yourself.

With such an eclectic menu and friendly staff who care about your choices, I can’t wait to go back and devour the rest of the menu. Make sure you make a visit next time you’re in London town.

www.theanthologistbar.co.uk

Address: 58 Gresham St City of London, EC2V 7BB

Thanks to all the great staff at The Anthologist for a great night.

Cinnamon Soho, London - Review

Posting by Kitchen Delights London Reporter.

Sometimes there is nothing more thrilling than going out for Indian food. It’s the combination of spices, rich creamy sauces and quite frankly the chance to gorge on exotic homely food.

Cinnamon Soho delivered the goods! When you walk into the restaurant, the first thing that strikes you are the prominent low pendant green lights above the diners tables which are dramatically set against a stark dark mahogany wall.  It was a good indicator that the food I had heard so much about was going to be quite special, with quirky modern twists on traditional favourites.

We decided to start with a bottle of Alsace wine (£31) - perfect to cut through spicy foods with its soft buttery notes.

Kingly Seekh Kebab

My dining companion Hannah and I were then directed to the Kingly Seekh Kebab wrapped in a naan bread as a large starter for £6.50. The ‘posh’ kebab as we christened it on arrival, was sensational (see pictured above).  It was filled with moist lamb, spices, cumin and ginger in a piping hot naan bread.

Naan Bread Pizza with Spiced Paneer

We also chose a couple of small starter plates to share - Burnt chilli chicken, Indo-Chinese style (£4.80) and Naanza – naan bread pizza with spiced paneer (£4.80 and pictured above). The portions were super generous and we had to muster up space for mains – Tandoori king prawns with a coconut malai sauce (£17). It was like eating fresh lobster with it’s funky melt in the mouth texture. For dessert, we had to have the sticky toffee pudding with ginger and garam masala – it was the size of a doorstop, and slightly more fragrant and lighter than the usual British type!

So Cinnamon Soho was every bit as exciting as we hoped. It was excellent value for such high quality nosh, making this a must stop destination in London town.

Cinnamon Soho
5 Kingly Street
London
W1B 5PF

All images were provided for this review.

A huge thank you to Nicky and Emily @ Roche Communications and Jean-Luc at Cinnamon Soho.

Yo! Sushi, Poland Street, London - Review

Salmon Sashimi from the conveyor belt.

Posting courtesy of Kitchen Delights London based reporter.

On your last visit to Yo! Sushi the chances are that you ate a few sushi dishes straight from the conveyor belt. After all, it’s quick, convenient and what they are famous for.

However last week, I was kindly invited to try some of the new Ramen dishes Yo! Sushi have just launched. For the uninitiated, Ramen is a common Japanese noodle dish, which can contain anything from chicken to beef to pork, vegetables or fish cakes all served in a warming broth – the perfect comfort food!

Five Spice Gyu Ramen

Outside it was extremely cold and snowing, I was feeling braver than usual and ordered the Five Spice Guy Ramen. Delightfully tender British beef marinated in five spice, garlic, ginger and sesame oil – it actually wasn’t too hot and rather tasty.  It was the perfect follow up to a couple of sushi plates from the conveyor belt.

Kaisen Ramen

My dining partner was also content having opted for Kaisen Ramen - handmade fish cakes served in a hot broth with ramen noodles. We also had a choice of dips and oils to add to our dish, such as garlic puree and hot chilli oil which was fun – but do be careful not to put too much into your bowl as they are on the strong side!!

The Ramen dishes are priced between £7-8 pounds.

Thanks a mill to the hospitable Gabriella at Yo! Sushi, Poland Street, London.

Jamie's Italian, Birmingham

Antipasti meat planks sitting on cans of tomatoes!

After a couple of enjoyable meals at the Brighton branch, we decided it was time to try our local (well nearly) Birmingham branch of Jamie's Italian.

Thankfully we had booked our table, because on a wet Saturday afternoon, everyone seemed to have the same idea and headed to Jamie's Italian. When you book in advance, a note on the email informs you there is 2hrs 15 minutes allocation for your table, but this is ample time to relax, sit back and enjoy.

There is a bar area immediately as you walk in and the eating areas are to either side of the bar.  The restaurant is huge and there wasn't an empty stool at the bar and all the tables appeared to be full with couples, families and groups of people, all enjoying themselves.  We felt the restaurant had been styled to look like a converted warehouse, the table tops are aluminium and the chairs are bright yellow, the high ceilings absorbed the noise and you could have a conversation without shouting - bliss.

Prawn Linguine

Chocolate & Vin Santo Pot

This dessert not only looked great but the lucky person who ordered this, said it tasted great too.  Unfortunately the same can't be said for the Tiramisu, which you can see in the background. The group on the table next to us were keen to know which dessert had been served in the cup, but agreed with us the Tiramisu had the thumbs down.  The coffee was good, no latte art, but the coffee beans were excellent quality.

The ham, veg and salad counter.

Artisan breads freshly sliced to order.

The staff are friendly, the waiters are knowledgeable and keen to explain the menu, the meal is cooked and presented well and I can recommend a visit.

Hopefully I am going to the Canary Wharf branch this coming Saturday, there will be two energetic small children in our party.........I'll do another blog posting and let you know how we get on.......!

Review: Zizzi Restaurant Cichetti Menu - The Mailbox, Birmingham

I went along to Zizzi Restaurant, The Mailbox, Birmingham last Sunday and was treated to a wonderful afternoon tasting the new Cichetti menu, together with an enjoyable glass of Prosecco. The staff will explain the menu when they come to your table and these little plates can be enjoyed by all.

Cichetti(Chee-Ket-Tee) are little bites from Italy and are for sharing (or not sharing!). Three to four dishes are about the size of a main dish, but far more fun. Zizzi recommend 3-4 dishes per person. You can choose 3 dishes for £12 or 5 for £18.


Gamberi - tender King prawns cooked in a fish and wine stock with a pinch of chilli, served with freshly baked dough sticks.
Ravioli Crocanti - crispy goats' cheese and spinach ravioli served with a pomodoro and basis dip.
Insalata Caprese - fresh creamy buffalo mozzarella with baby plum tomatoes, basil and freshly baked dough sticks.


Bruschetta ai Funghi - succulent mushrooms in a rich mascarpone, wine and thyme sauce, served on top of mini ciabatta bread.
Polenta Croccante - crunchy polenta chips with a sprinkle of grana padano cheese on top and a garlic mayonnaise aioli dip.
Polpette al Pomodro - mini meatballs in a rich tomato sauce with onion and mushrooms.
Saccottini - two mini calzone: one with spicy n'Duja sausage and rocket and one with pesto and aubergine.
Salsiccia al Pepe Nero - Peppery rustic Pepe Nero sausage served with a mini lentil and cannellini bean stew.
Spiedini di Pollo - oven baked chicken skewers with roasted red and yellow peppers, rosemary and lemon.


Gelato Con Frittelle - A scoop of delicious pistachio, cioccolata and a strawberry sorbet, created by Master Ice Cream Maker Kitty Travers, served on top of freshly made mini doughnuts. This isn't included in the offer - the serving is large enough for two people to share.


Zizzi is part of the Mailbox shopping centre - the Zizzi restaurant interior is funky and contemporary with a wall mural depicting the canal side area . There is a fabulous coffee machine in the bar area which glistened in the late summer sunshine, on the other side of the restaurant is a huge red pizza oven and a cooking area where you can watch the chef's at work. Zizzi is child friendly and there was a good mix of couples and families on the day of my visit.


I visited Zizzi with my husband and the standard of food was excellent and thoroughly enjoyed by both of us. The manager and staff were friendly and a big thank you for making us so welcome.

Thank you Kate and Zizzi.

Review: Thai Square, Sevenoaks, Kent

Thai Square are an upmarket chain of Thai restaurants - there are eleven in premium areas of Greater London and six in select areas of Outer London.

I chose the Sevenoaks branch because I was on a family visit to my daughter who lives in Kent and it was wonderful to visit Sevenoaks again.

There is plenty of parking in Sevenoaks and Thai Square is situated on the main street of London Road, the Sevenoaks branch is located in the historic former 'Dorset Arms'.

You can sit and relax in this beautifully decorated room with cocktails, drinks or coffee.


The extensive menu is thoughtfully set out with explanations of the many dishes. Our waiter asked us if we had any allergies before taking our order, which impressed both of us. The friendly waiter eagerly helped with choices and recommendations, without being assuming, and this again was very much appreciated.


The food used is authentic Thai, with ingredients freshly flown in daily from Thailand and with this in mind we just knew we were about to enjoy something special.

Whilst our starters were being freshly prepared we were brought a huge dish of prawn crackers and a chilli dip. We had to tell ourselves to stop enjoying them so much as it would be time for our starters to arrive.


For starters we chose a Trio of Satays - a combination of chicken, prawn and beef satays served with peanut sauce. Also, Royal Dim Sum - steamed parcels of prawn, chicken and crab meat accompanied by sweet soya sauce.

My satays were perfectly cooked and accompanied by a Thai coleslaw salad, my husbands dim sum was taste perfect and both starters were a feast for the eyes.

As you can imagine we were both very happy diners by now and looking forward to our mains. I chose Goong Kratiem Phriktai - A succulent stir-fried preparation with river king prawns, ground black pepper and fresh green peppercorns. Accompanied by Pad Thai - Pad Thai Noodles with king prawns, peanuts, egg and vegetables. My husband chose Gang Daeng Nuea - Premium red coconut curry of tender beef fillet accompanied by Kao Kati - steamed coconut rice.


When our main courses arrived I couldn't help but say wow, they looked picture perfect. My prawns were succulent and had been cooked to perfection, the sauce was a taste sensation.

My husbands curry had a generous amount of beef, and the sauce exactly the right amount of heat, the recommendation from the waiter to order coconut rice was perfect.

Now for dessert, I couldn't make up my mind and the waiter helped out with several recommendations, still a difficult choice but it was Home-made Thai coconut ice cream with exotic fruit for me and my husband chose Baked banana served warm with vanilla ice cream and toasted almonds. Both desserts were served beautifully and tasted as good as they looked.




The interior is upmarket contemporary Thai, several walls are adorned with a Bas-relief and there are also fun things such as a Thai Statue with an archway either side which appears to have been built from Jenga blocks, and a show case holding genuine Thai artefacts. The atmosphere is set by tea lights in beautiful glass holders, the tables, chairs and crockery are Thai modern. The restaurant is well looked after, spotlessly clean and the decoration is stunning. There are so many special things to see you really need to go a couple of times to appreciate the beautiful interior.


Ambience is always an important factor and here you have it in bucketloads! I was really excited throughout the whole meal As I sat eating my meal I said to my husband when can we come again? Yes, we are going again - this time to another Thai Square Restaurant for a family meal with my daughter, her husband and two small children.

Thank you Jane and all at Thai Square for a wonderful evening.

Thai Square
22 London Road
Sevenoaks
Kent
TN13 1AJ

Tel: 017 3246 2785