YUMMEI

Marani - Mayfair - London

Courtesy of the fine people at Zomato, I was invited to a secret location, it was kept so under wraps that not even I had heard of the cuisine before.

Until recently, not much is known of Georgian cuisine - it was a secret to almost everyone.

Georgian food has slowly been creeping out of the woodwork.

Hiding in between the winding walkways in Mayfair is Marani; a Georgian restaurant.

With Marani, you're instantly transported back to the 19th century as soon as you step through the doors.

The high ceilings, the hand painted walls and the warm hospitality of the staff all add to the endearing charm of the restaurant.

Abeno - Covent Garden - London

Okonomiyaki.

What a wonderful phrase.

Okonomiyaki! Aint no passing craaaze.

(You see where I'm heading with this? :D )

It means... "What you want - GRILLED."

When a dish has this literal meaning as it's name, you just know that it will be what dreams are made of.

Casa di Fiori & MyMink - Bond Street - London *

I was invited to the exclusive preview of MyMink's A/W '14 collection at Casa di Fiori.

An invitation to mingle with stunning models draped in fur, whilst sipping on delicious cocktails and gorging on canapés?

I thought you'd never ask ;]

Taro - Soho - London

I have a confession...

I've been totally holding out on you.

Sometimes, I just don't like to share.

I know, I know... shame on me.

No hard feelings, riiight?

So... I normally go to Taro when the hippo inside of me bears the same resemblance as Taro's iconic logo.

Princi - Soho - London

I have a love/hate relationship with Princi.

I love the casual/slightly chaotic atmosphere, but I hate how there is no real system and how you really do have to hustle in there for a seat on the communal counters plus it is always busy.

Princi is a Milanese bakery chain, and is great for breakfast/lunch or dinner.

3 in 1 baby.

Princi serve up a huge selection of cakes, pastries, bread; there is a selection of hot foods such as lasagne, aubergine parmigana etc, slices of pizza, filled focaccia, and salads.

Here it is self service, and if you want anything from the different sections you would normally have to rejoin the queue for each.

However you can opt to the left of Princi and dine in their pizzeria, which offers table service and whisks you away to a more calmer side of Princi.

Hakuba - Wasabi Mash? - Tottenham Court Road - London

UPDATED

Hakuba: ‘Japanese food with Californian influences...’

I'm going to leave you with that statement.

.

I know, I know, you’re all probably thinking - not another restaurant serving Asian food with ‘WESTERN’ influences!?

Countless times I've been left rather unimpressed with restaurants that deem to be able to ‘infuse’ Asian flavours with a ‘Western’ twist; and I usually try to avoid such places that claim they can inject the 'contemporary' into Asian food. Simply because, the food is often bland, over-cooked, and a Frankenstein of the original dish.

YUMMEI

20/07/2014

Marani - Mayfair - London

14/05/2014

Abeno - Covent Garden - London

30/01/2014

Casa di Fiori & MyMink - Bond Street - London *

15/04/2013

Taro - Soho - London

08/04/2013

Princi - Soho - London

25/02/2012

Hakuba - Wasabi Mash? - Tottenham Court Road - London