Is there much better in this world than ham? I reckon not. Bring it on! Here, I indulge on behalf of Scout London.
The Italian riverside retreat which throughout December kept our cockles warm in a custom-built chalet by the Thames has found a new way to our hearts for 2012. And whilst doctors might advise it really isn’t what our heart needs, we reckon we’d all be happier with a bit more ham in our lives.
Paying homage to the regional variations so abundant in Italian food and cooking,Cantina is refraining from putting all their charcuterie (excuse our French) in one proverbial basket. Instead, they’ve taken the ingenious decision of placing us on a meaty, porcine drip-feed; taking us month-by-month on a tour of the different products made in the northern, central and southern regions.
I didn't say no to the offer to partake in a bit of mixology and whisky drinking at new Indian-themed bar Carom. Here's the piece I wrote for Scout London about it.
The build-up to Christmas last year saw new Indian dining concept Carom swing open its doors in the spot above Cuban bar Floridita at 100 Wardour Street. It’s the latest newbie from restaurant behemoth D&D London, and their first foray into Indian dining.
The bar here is key, and it takes just a glance around the carefully orchestrated decor of lanterns and curtains to see the effort that’s been put in to transforming the potentially cavernous space into a cosy sub-continental retreat.
Riverside Italian, Cantina Del Ponte have constructed a ski chalet for the winter months. I take a visit for Scout London.
The combination of a sunny spot overlooking the river and lots of space to sit outdoors absorbing the striking cross-Thames views has helped Cantina Del Ponte gain its reputation as one of London’s classiest Italian restaurants, and certainly the best located. Come winter, though, few are hardy enough to brace the full fall-out of the Great British Winter.
The masterminds at D&D, the restaurant group formerly owned by Terence Conranand Cantina’s parent company, certainly aren’t going to sit by and watch their most vibrant traits turn grey for months on end. If they can’t bring some South Italian sun to our shores, they can at least bring a taste of North Italy’s après-ski to our river banks, converting Cantina’s outside terrace into a wintery homage to the chalets of Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy’s most glamorous ski resort.
Good fish and bad burgers at this pretty Thames-side spot. Read about the meal of two-halves in this review, which was originally written for Blue Tomato magazine.
Expectations
Part of the D&D group previously owned by Terence Conran, Le Pont De La Tour takes up much of the Butler’s Wharf complex at Shad Thames. It boasts a deli, a wine shop, a fine-dining restaurant and this, the more laid back Le Pont De La Tour bar & grill. We’ve read mixed reviews and heard both good and bad things of this tourist friendly French restaurant on the Thames just by Tower Bridge, so are interested to make up our own opinion.
Experience
Our waitress is friendly and efficient as she guides us to the right part of the maze-like restaurant complex giving a good first impression that is bolstered by the riverside seating
This is a piece I wrote for Pea Soup magazine, addressing the important issue of food waste in a slightly light-hearted way. Each month the Pea Soup team address a new issue effecting London. If you don't already, follow Pea Soup on Twitter and Like them on Facebook.
Don't Throw That Away!
In a society that’s so used to eating rubbish, it’s an ironic travesty that so much good food ends up in the bin. With that in mind, here are a few thrifty tips and recipes to help you throw less away. You may even save a few pounds as you save the planet, too...
SAVE STALE BREAD
It doesn’t matter if it’s a £10 artisan loaf, a cob you’ve baked yourself or a bag of sliced white, bread always goes stale. Perhaps it’s Mother Nature’s way of saving energy through toaster usage by doing the job for us? Whatever the reason, there’s certainly no need to throw stale bread away. Slice it into squares and fry in a pan with about a tablespoon of olive oil for crunchy croutons, or find a recipe for bread & butter pudding, bread pudding or toast pudding. If pudding isn’t your thing, why not pretend we’re at war again and that real coffee’s a luxury too far. The solution? Crust Coffee. Seriously.
Here's a restaurant review originally written for www.londonist.com. Follow Londonist on Twitter to keep up with their daily posts on all things London.
After selling off his interests in the restaurant group now known as D&D (think Le Pont De La Tour, Butler’s Wharf Chop House, Quaglino’s…), Sir Terence Conran set to work on a new pet project — The Boundary. A cross-purpose complex in Shoreditch, the finished article includes a hotel, cafe and deli alongside the flagship Boundary restaurant itself.
We were recently invited down to try their newly launched weekend lunch menu, which offers well-priced brunch dishes such as Ouefs Bénédicte and Croque Monsieur starting from just £7.50, alongside the regular menu of French classics.
