Jubilee Tribute - Can't get enough!

 

Bangkok

Went with a friends & loved ones to Bangkok and Burma over Christmas & New Years. Bangkok is developing at an unimaginable rate: more MRT stops, larger shopping malls, & taller high-rises. But the markets & temples still remain key to its society and as tourist attractions.

Hotel along the river

Buddhas along the Buddha Market

Paragon: 1 of BKK's largest shopping malls

Temple decors

Floating Market: Coconut Sugar Farm

Floating Market: old woman continues to make a living serving food to customer on her boat

Scene from BOND

Never leave this busy city without a visit to Long Table, the DOME - Sirocco, and Bed Supper Club.

Columbian Food - Miami

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The New Yorker sibling of Polpo - Spuntino

Spuntino - 61 Rupert Street, Soho, London, W1D7PW

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from Thrillist

NOPI - another player in SOHO

Just opened new restaurant in Soho, London by Israeli-born Yotam Ottolenghi.  This Middle-Eastern inspired menu will serve the selective Londoners.  Within a month we can see if it's managed to draw regulars from Polpo, Bocca di Lupo and the likes.  Seared scallops with pickled daikon and chili jam anyone?  The name of the dish is already a mouthful!

Transforming Leicester Square

 

W Hotel just had their soft opening Saturday night.

Seems to have minor buzz around the London; however, not sure about it's maximum potential yet. Heard that many of their staff was recruited from Sanderson, some customers too by the staff.  Regular tricks to bring in the numbers.

Spice Market London is based right behind ChinaTown and middle of Piccadilly.  Perfect location for tourists and Londoners. Haven't heard many great comments about the 'crowd'; however, can't judge for myself until a dinner at the Spice Market.

Follow your SWEET dreams

Met a lovely gal who has followed her passion for baking cupcakes and established a sweet company called MISS CUPCAKES.

Truly another brave person who chases a dream and makes it a reality.  That's what life is worth living for, isn't it?

Improvised Spaghetti dish

This dish came about randomly as I knew I wanted to discover other ways to utilise leeks other than in soups.

Ingredients:
Sausages of choice (preferably beef/pork)
Spaghetti
Leeks (cut into long thin slices-similar to width of spaghetti)
Pasta/tomato sauce

1) Boil spaghetti in water with salt
2) Remove meat from casing then mince in pan. Add leeks & sauce immediately to allow the flavours to blend. Ready when meat is well cooked.
3) Drain spaghetti & drizzle with olive oil.

Meal is ready in 3 simple steps.

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BBB - Notting Hill

Starter: 5* /5

Pancetta wrapped Monk Fish on rosemary sticks with beetroot, tomato, capers & lemon

Main: 3* /5

Pan Seared Sea Bass and shaved fennel salad with macerated raisins, pine nuts,
orange segments and dill

Dessert: 1* /5

Chocolate Cake w/Lemon Ice Cream

Beach Blanket Babylon

The interiors of this restaurant/bar is absolutely charming and perfect for intimate and large dinners.  Many restaurants in London are not capable of comfortably accommodating large parties for events but BBB seems to satisfy that with its Georgian Mansion decorated space.  The bridges and steps do make it tricky for the heels.

The food was rather disappointing.  I had the Monk Fish as the starter which was just amazingly blended with flavours and textures.  The next fish - Sea Bass - was just lacking flavour.  It was as if none of the ingredients meant to compliment the fish had a purpose! What's the point in that? And, I shouldn't expect any bones, which I did get a prick. Finally, the chocolate cake dessert was so horrible I couldn't even be bothered to take a picture.  There is a huge difference between 'cake' and 'fudge'.  Obviously either we misread the menu or the kitchen can't tell the difference. 

Overall the atmosphere is amazing with great customer service.  There should be a taxi service during these bitter winter nights though, considering it's a walk to the main street.

Would I return for another sitting? Maybe at the Shoreitch branch just to give that a fair shot.

Even the service was 'eclectic'

 

 Crispy glazed Marmalade Belly pork with Stilton pear

Rendez-vous of lobster, scallop, squid & mackerel with a saffrom risotto cream

Dinner at Michael Moore Restaurant

Stirred up by hunger!

 

Homemade Stir-Fry Noodles w/Chicken

• Bell peppers (I like using all 3 coloured peppers to create a visual mix)
  
• + Mushrooms
  
• Chicken
  
• Noodles
  
  -sliced ingredients into strips to compliment noodles
  -cook ingredients seperately then combine at end

Alamada keeps his center stage

Carlos Alamada continues to maintain his stylish, exclusive, and cozy restaurant/bar ALMADA on Berkeley Street popular after a year of success. With an invitation-only guest door policy, Carlos has been able to hand-pick the 'Friends & Family' members in London and internationally. Fantastic food, familiar faces and great fun!

Of course, I would choose to celebrate my birthday at Almada this year.

However, if you're not a friend or lacking a friend of a friend to put you on the guestlist, there is always the famous New York style American brasserie AUTOMAT on Dover Street. Ideal for a Sunday gathering or a intimate family sitting over breakfast/brunch.

One too many shakes of pepper

Homemade wholesome Asian style winter beef casserole.

Ingredients:
Beef (diced or shredded)
Seasonal vegetables
Soy Sauce
Salt
Pepper
Ginger
Garlic
Spices of your choice

Cook the beef in pan with little bit of oil for about a minute.
Create a broth base with soy sauce, salt, pepper.... OR just by using beef broth cubes.
Place the vegetable and meat into a tray then pour broth over.
Put into oven on rougly 180C for about 20-30 mins or until meat is cooked!

Tastes of Sweet Memories

Henri not only amazes me with his poetic photography (yes it's very true) and deep quotes, he continues to bring life to the bakery goods @ Guam Bakery.

Dinings: Sushi & Japanese Tapas

Dinings on Harcourt Street: two sittings ONLY per night, limited days a week, and you may only book through the phone! Not pretencious at all, rather very comfortable and pleasant.

Good Luck!

Ghanaian food is SPICY; All Saints controversy

Portobello Market is swarming of tourists and locals who dig around for antiques, hand-made crafts, various fashions, knick knacks, food, etc.
I always follow the smell of amazing food; and this time I've discovered the most delicious food in the market - Ghanaian food. It is served as a stew form and in this summer weather, the chillies will numb your mouth. According to TimeOut magazine, there are few others around London worth giving a taste!


While trying to swallow the mouth flaming food, I discovered another reason why I love London markets...look closely.

On an ending note, if we want to reserve Portobello Road for its markets, we will have to battle the likes of All Saints and other retailers from taking it all away.

Brick Lane Challah

Reasons why I love Brick Lane:


-the best challah bread in London for £1 at the famous Bagel Bake (OPEN 24/7)!-all the Japanese tourists taking pictures of people while we are taking pictures of them
-fresh food stands
-vintage shops
-small independent stores
-the selection of hip clothing a person decides to wear
-drinking/eating on the curbs culture