Category: FOOD & DRINK

How to do Thanksgiving in London

Food salad Thanksgiving

London isn’t America, but that doesn’t mean we can’t adopt some of their customs, right? Especially when they involve eating. Thanksgiving is the US tradition of giving thanks for what you’ve got and a retrospective look on the year that was before the onslaught of Christmas, so, doing the same in London can only be a good thing. To get into the spirit of the beloved American tradition, popular London restaurants Riding House Café (Fitzrovia) and Rail House Café (Victoria), welcome their Thanksgiving feast on Thursday 28th November. They’ll be hosting banquets, complete with seasonal cocktails called The Ginger Pilgrim made from bourbon, honey, lemon and ginger. This’ll partner with a slow roasted Norfolk bronze turkey cooked in herb butter, ideal for sharing. Pair it all with cornbread and sausage stuffing; maple-buttered sweet potatoes; mac and cheese; and creamed corn casserole, vegetables like traditional glazed sprouts with smoky bacon; and green beans with praline. Calvados gravy and cranberry and confit orange relish will also be served alongside this inviting feast. All for only £40 per person for lunch and dinner on Thursday 28 November 2019, the question is why not?

Bottomless bloody Mary brunch in London at Aster

Aster food

Because ‘Sunday’ is another word for ‘hangover’ and nothing fixes them quite like the kick of a bloody Mary, Aster is doing something new. Their Sunday Feast is taking over the whole place on Sundays, complete with a bottomless bloody Mary bar and Lillet spritzes, while the rest of it is extravagant, to say the least. The spread includes unlimited starters, arranged across the bar, that includes a range of crunchy jumbo prawns; vibrant tabbouleh chicken salad; matjes herring; fresh Colchester Rock oysters; and an epic selection of charcuterie. Meanwhile the mains on offer come right from the kitchen and cover the whole gamut of ocean to paddock, cooked to order and presented with a spread of the traditional Sunday roast-like sides that will have you eating for what feels like hours. Think tender roast leg of salt marsh lamb with rosemary and garlic; butterflied sea bass; grass-fed sirloin from native breed beef cattle; and a Moroccan vegetable pastilla with wild mushrooms and flaky pastry. And let’s not forget the dessert bar – the first thing that greets you when you walk into the space – complete with apple strudels, fruity cheesecake and tarts to decadent chocolate mousse, Eton mess and lighter options such as cake pops. The Aster Feast will be available from 15 September and every following Sunday from 12-4pm. £35 per person Unlimited starters and desserts Bottomless Bloody Marys for an additional £15 Every Sunday from 12-4pm From 15th September onwards Aster | 150 Victoria Street | London SW1E 5LB

Melbourne Night Noodle Markets: What to expect

Night Noodle Markets bao

The hotly anticipated carb fest that is the Melbourne Night Noodle Markets will return to Australia’s glorious food capital from 7-24 November, pumping out all your Asian faves. As usual, it’ll move south after having just smashed Sydney with the likes of food people Katherine Sabbath and Shannon Martinez and all the good things that come with that. With a slightly tweaked line-up of delectable delicacies on offer, the Melbourne run is looking good. Here’s what to expect: Hoy Pinoy’s famous Filipino BBQ and Street Food, Poklol x Puffle’s quirky cone-shaped cheese waffles, Wonderbao’s fluffy steamed buns, Miso Fresh’s soba noodles, Kumokumo’s fluffy pillow-soft pancakes, and Scoopy Milk Bar’s Korean shaved ice desserts. Other stalls include Gelato Messina, Shallot Thai, @Roll Up, Bao Brothers, Bangkok Street Food, Calabang, Donburi Station, Drumplings, Flying Noodles,Fry’D Ice Cream, Fusion Paella & Tapas, Let’s Do Yum Cha, May’s Malaysian, Nem n Nem, Okonomiyaking, Pham Sisters, Pinchys, Raijin, Sambal Kampung, Teppanyaki Noodles, Twistto, Tokosan, Waffleland, WAWA and Wok Master. Oh and if you’d rather be bougie and grab a lift there, use Didi and score 2x$10 vouchers (new users) and 2×20% (existing users) with code “DIDINNM. Eat up!

Good Food Month Sydney: Shannon Martinez does very good vegan

Shannon Martinez

With Sydney Good Food Month taking over the city this October again, it’s time to purge your bodies and get excited for food. Chef Shannon Martinez is joining the movement and getting foodie with Mary’s Underground for an unforgettable night featuring a classic Southern multi-course menu that is refined, delicious and completely vegan, alongside a band specially selected by Mary’s music director Joe Muller. We spoke to him about it. How long have you been vegan and why?  I am actually not a Vegan. I think a huge part of my job is being able to experience and try all types of different typed of food and dishes – my job is really experimental. I love cooking vegan food because when I started no one was doing it, no one was really putting in the effort with it here that much. I just love cooking vegan food, I tend to get bored really easily and vegan and vegetarian dishes are a constant challenge to keep creating and generating innovative ideas. It is very scientific – which it makes me feel like each new dish is taking me back to the ‘lab’ to create a cool new challenge What thoughts do you have on how visible and mainstream veganism is now?  It’s great! The fact that it’s all over Instagram, in every paper, all the influencers and celebrities are talking about it – its massive! Beyonce did it for a while and I think she is still partly vegan focused in her lifestyle… that is huge,… Read More

Good Food Month Sydney: A chat with cake master Katherine Sabbath

Katherine Sabbath

Good Food Month is back on in Sydney this October, putting on the best the city has to offer in the way of food and drink. You can see the whole program here to sort yourself out with tickets, but to whet your appetite and get the sweet tooth a’tinglin’, we spoke to Katherine Sabbath, cake boss, about her participation this year and what it’s all about. Why are cakes so popular right now?  Cakes have been popular for centuries! I think the trend nowadays towards more people making exciting cakes or buying exciting cakes is because there’s a much better range and accessibility out there for cake decorating ingredients and tools. Also, technology at out fingertips, such as youtube and Instagram, has opened the door to self-learning (hello to all self-taught bakers!) and inspiration from across the world! What spurred the resurgence of baking and everyone’s love for desserts?  People will always love and celebrate food – it’s at the core of our survival and civilisation. Popular television cooking shows have reiterated to people that cooking brings so much joy to those around you (especially a bespoke birthday cake!), and technology has made learning how to cook more difficult desserts, so much easier! Why does baking do it for you?  I adore baking because you have the ability to create something delicious, beautiful and thoughtful as a special treat to share with others. Oh and it’s a fantastic way to make friends! Give us some tips to tackle trendy bakes? Only bake and decorate cakes with ingredients you enjoy eating (my… Read More

Organic, Vegan, Natural and Biodynamic – The New Health Wine Trends Explained

Wine cheers

A visit to your local wine store can be confusing, with so many brands, blends and varieties to choose from. Add in the growing range of organic, vegan, natural and biodynamic labels, and it can be difficult to know where to start. Perhaps that’s why 80% of people tend to choose a bottle with the most attractive label, regardless of its origin or blend[i].  Victoria Angove, Joint Managing Director of Angove Family Winemakers and 5th generation winemaker, is the go-to expert on the differences between these designations and what the word on your wine label really means. “With so many people concerned about their individual health and the health of our planet, I’m not surprised that more than 65 percent of Australian’s are choosing to purchase certified organic products in a bid to live healthier lives and use products that do less harm the environment[ii],” says Victoria. This growth in organic wines reflects society’s overall move towards a more sustainable lifestyle. People are now choosing wine to reflect their changing lifestyle tastes and goals to complement the more natural and organic foods they eat. Research shows that a daily glass of wine has benefits for our health, [iii] [iv] and with the substantial rise in organic wine sales in the last year (up by 50%), it’s time to get the lowdown on the best certified organic, vegan, natural or biodynamic wines to complement your healthy and sustainable lifestyle.[v] The difference between Organic, Vegan, Natural and Biodynamic  “Increasingly, amongst the millennials, and broader consumers, people are… Read More

How ducks are being used to keep your favourite wines ‘organic’

Ducks wine 2

When you think of the important elements needed in order to produce award-winning, organic wine, the last thing you may consider are the role ducks may play. Yet, at Angove Family Winemaker’s vineyard in the McLaren Vale, the resident ducks are considered very special staff members. Ones that are so important, that the owners of the 130-year-old, multi-generational wine company consider the Indian Runner Ducks an integral part of the family, and the winemaking process. “Our ducks are released every day in our Warboys Vineyard at McLaren Vale,” says Richard Angove, Joint Managing Director of Angove Family Winemakers and 5th generation winemaker. “The sight of the waterfowls waddling out of their specifically designed ‘Duck Hotel’ is guaranteed to bring a smile to all visitors’ faces, but they also play a very important role in our vineyard. The ducks keep the snail population under control without the need to use pesticides on the vines.” With the help of their feathered employees, Angove have been able to continue their commitment to sustainability at all levels and maintain their Certified Organic status. “We are unable to use traditional chemicals to control weeds in the vineyard, so instead we need to resort to manual removal for young vines, or mechanical removal and under-vine mulching in the older more established vineyards.” “The snails used to crawl up into the vine canopy and munch away on the young green shoots of the developing leaves and grapes,” continues Angove. The (human) team had removed more than 400kg of snails from the vineyard… Read More

The Botanist Gin and Hunter Gather Cook do London Cocktail Week

Food bird

For London Cocktail Week from 4-13 October, The Botanist Gin and Hunter Gather Cook are joining up to do something spectacular. Top chef and director of Hunter Gather Cook, Nick Weston will create an innovative five-course menu served at Carousel from 1-5 October. Perfect for lovers of: gin and food – in that order – the series of what they’re calling ‘wild dinners’ is put on by the gin masters at Botanist – turning out five-courses of culinary marvels, using seasonal UK produce created by Nick Weston of Hunter Gather Cook, along with perfectly paired foraged The Botanist cocktails crafted by Abigail Clephane, The Botanist Gin’s UK brand ambassador. For the menu and what’s on, think along the lines of gamy Douglas fir cold smoked fallow deer, grilled wood pigeon breast, and blowtorched pheasant, and perfectly paired cocktails including the long and fizzy Fig Leaf, a peachy and tannic Nettle Gimlet and an earthy Truffle Martini. Head along from 1-5 October from 7pm when the bar opens for a feed at 7.45pm. See more here. Here’s the full menu: The Wild Dinner menu Welcome drink – The Botanist G&T with foraged garnish Douglas fir cold smoked Fallow deer with smoke roasted beetroot & Wild horseradish puree, brick pastry.–Fig Leaf | Long & Fizzy | Fig leaf cordial, The Botanist, soda *Grilled wood pigeon breast, Humita, Hedgehog Mushrooms, Sorrel dressing.–Truffle Martini| Clean & Earthy | The Botanist, truffle-infused Martini *Partridge Bird Lollies, coal roasted red pepper relish, Celeriac remoulade.–Red Wine *Blowtorched pheasant with Iberico Pork fat & Thyme, Bruichladdich bacon jam, Ground ivy Rosti, Buttermilk sauce.–Sorrel… Read More

Sussex in London: Gladwin Brothers’ new restaurant this autumn

Sussex chefs

Following on from the success of The Shed, in Notting Hill, Rabbit, on the Kings Road, and Nutbourne, in Battersea, the Gladwin Brothers’ new restaurant will launch in October to much excitement. Aptly named Sussex, the new pad will take over a space on Firth Street in London’s Soho, introducing a British dining concept that’s all about the Sussex countryside captured within an eclectic mix of classic and progressive cooking. It’ll be a showcase of the best of the region, working with ingredients sourced directly from the Gladwins’ family farm and vineyard or local supplier’s handpicked by the three brothers, Richard, Oliver and Gregory, to ensure the ethical commitment to sustainability is always at the core of their business. The menu setting will do away with share plates, instead focusing on traditional cooking techniques and a forward thinking approach. Think small items like scallops, blood pudding, Jerusalem artichoke ‘mud and bark’ with lemon sour cream; rabbit loin and carrot terrine; and aubergine & whey cheese roulade served with tomato harissa and basil dust.   All backed-up by larger plates of roasted brill with devon crab ravioli and sea herbs buttered ‘blewits’ served on a sourdough crumpet with labneh, duck egg yolk, buckwheat and wood sorrel: and pork tenderloin served with malted pig’s cheek, rainbow chard, lardo and broken hazelnut English miso.   It certainly doesn’t leave a lot to the imagination as the menu and wine list explores the best of one of England’s most renowned producers of fine quality produce. You’ll find Sussex located in a building that breathes culinary… Read More

Chef Luke Mangan does a new bottomless brunch at Glass Brasserie Sydney

A plate of chicken on a table with hands holding cutlery going to cut into it

Dining at a hatted restaurant needn’t break the bank. And what better way to enjoy a superb, yet affordable five course brunch at a leisurely pace on a lazy Sunday, surrounded by elegant interiors and two hours of bottomless Aperol Spritz or French Rosé. With ‘Easy’ by The Commodores playing in the background, the scene is set for a pretty relaxed, yet memorable weekend graze.  So where is this sweet setting, you ask? It’s Sunday Brunch with Luke at glass, located on level two at Hilton Sydney. Now open on Sundays for lunch, Luke Mangan has curated a stunning five course menu to be enjoyed over two hours at a very reasonable $75 per person. Mangan says his new Sunday offering at glass has been designed to be both fun-filled and relaxed. The innovative Mangan and his talented team have delivered on both fronts.  “To me, in a world where we are all too busy, there’s no better way than putting food in the middle of the table to help us connect with each other and the incredible Australian produce you can experience right here in the heart of Sydney’s CBD,” says Mangan.  First course kicks off with delicious salmon rillettes with pickled cucumber and crumpets. This is followed by a colourful zucchini flower dish bursting with gorgonzola, on top with beetroot hummus with corn and soft herbs.  Third course is the Japanese-inspired crab omelette, okonomiyaki, bonito flakes with nori, Japanese mayonnaise and ginger garnish. The flavours in this dish are phenomenal and if you’re… Read More