YUMMEI

Ceru - Fitzrovia - London

A few months ago, my foodie chum, my partner in crime, my chocolate sauce to my pudding decided it was a great idea to leave me and go overseas for a few months/indefinitely.

Even the most decadent, most filthiest, most delicious cake wasn't enough to cheer this sad little bean up.

Layla - Wimbledon - London

I have to admit that I rarely venture down to the south side of London.

After living in Central for the past 4 years I have been a little spoilt.

Everything I could possibly dream of eating is within walking distance.

The thought of having to travel more than half an hour anywhere is a struggle.

But everything changed when Layla came knocking on my door.

She beckoned me to come down to visit her in the dirty south, all the way down in Wimbledon.

It's hard to say no to such an invitation when she looks like this...

Del'Aziz - Bermondsey - London

Word of advice.

Always follow your gut instincts.

Why?

Because you know it's going to be bad when you walk into a restaurant and instead of being greeted by the staff, they stare at you.

Not only do they stare at you with blank gormless eyes, but they are sat gossiping away and lazily point in the general direction towards the tables.

The next part will make more sense if you understand the layout of the restaurant.

Allow me to break it down.

This is a 5second walk from the door to the right through a wide passage where you are greeted to sumptuous decor, with velvet cushions and the waft of sweet shisha.

Normally, it's common courtesy to wait to be seated, riiiight?

Not in this Del Aziz, waiters look bemused to see loitering, lost customers.

Fortunately one took pity on us, and pointed to some of the tables at the back.

It was 7.30pm on a Friday night, I should have took note that 4 tables of couples was deemed 'busy' and find my own table.

Lesson thoroughly learnt.

Gallipoli Bazaar - Angel - London

An empire of Gallipoli restaurants line up along Upper Street, in Angel; London.

It's a pretty bold statement to have THREE of the same restaurants all perched proudly on the same road.

There's Cafe Gallipoli, Gallipoli Bazaar and Gallipoli Again; in that very order.

We decided to go to the one in the middle; Gallipoli Bazaar purely because the interior was the most lavish, dark and cosy.

The deep crimson walls, decadent silk sofas, flickering candle light, and dim Moroccan lamps created that lazy, border line seductive atmosphere.

Yalla Yalla - Lebanese - Oxford Street - London

Nothing get's me out of the house faster than a dinner date with friends.

Or in other words....okay the ONE word; food.

J. & W. had a burning desire for some Lebanese.

Normally I would head to Maroush, but I wanted to try something different, and heard that Yalla Yalla's second, and more spacious branch had recently opened in Oxford Street.

Amidst all the shops and offices in Oxford Circus stands Yalla Yalla.

It's hard to miss the black and yellow exterior of Yalla Yalla, nor the buzzing young crowd of people normally queuing out the door.

The interior is cosy, and is set out in a cafe style, with long high tables.

Ideal for groups, but sitting on the stools at the high tables can feel abit uncomfortable if you're 5ft 3 like me, but after a few cocktails and good company you won't really care. (Just be careful not to lean back, lose your balance and fall head first on the floor.)

Ishtar - Turkish Restaurant and Bar - Baker Steet - London

My love affair with Ishtar began yesterday when I stumbled across her whilst I was wandering aimlessly around Marylebone/Baker Street; after an intense shopping trip in Bicester Village.

Shhh... please don't tell my boyfriend; Tas, in Bloomsbury.

Ishtar stole my heart.

It was love at first bite.

Let me show you how she swept me off my feet.

Tas Restaurant - Bloomsbury - London

The other day I had major cravings for Turkish food, you know those urges that you just have to satisfy otherwise you'll become moody? ...Just me?

Anyway I could not think of any better place to gratify my desires than my local favourite, Tas.

I simply love this place, when in need of good quality Turkish food, that won't blow a hole in your wallet. This is the place to go. So come and join me!

Let me walk you through what I had.

Upon arrival you are given complimentary olives, and hummus with crusty bread.

I went for the utterly cheap Sahan set menu for £9.95. For starters I had the red lentil soup. Main course; lamb shish with cous cous and a chilli salsa.

Little Persia - Queensway - London

Lured by the sweet shisha smoke, underneath a heated theatrical tent is Little Persia's Shisha lounge, where you're welcomed to enjoy the Eastern waterpipes accompanied by a vast selection of cocktails. Perfect whatever the weather.

Little Persia instantly whisks you away to the Middle East.

Navigating through the shisha lounge you enter a cosy dining area where the dimmed romantic lighting, different coloured lanterns, plush velvet pillows, and mosaic-topped tables, creates a very laid-back exotic atmosphere.

Naan bread is freshly baked in a stone oven next to the entrance, as soon as you step through the door you are instantly greeted with the warming aroma of freshly baked bread. I felt very much at home as I lounged lazily amongst the pillows. Time felt very slow, so be very aware that you can spend long indulgent hours here, without even realising.

YUMMEI

24/02/2015

Ceru - Fitzrovia - London

13/03/2014

Layla - Wimbledon - London

30/06/2013

Del'Aziz - Bermondsey - London

09/05/2013

Gallipoli Bazaar - Angel - London

02/02/2013

Yalla Yalla - Lebanese - Oxford Street - London

15/07/2012

Ishtar - Turkish Restaurant and Bar - Baker Steet - London

29/05/2012

Tas Restaurant - Bloomsbury - London

05/02/2012

Little Persia - Queensway - London