YUMMEI

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.

Koba - Fitzrovia - London

This has been the worst Summer so far.

Normally by now I'm frolicking around half naked and attending more barbecues than I can count.

It's now mid-June and I have barely gone to one.

This is an outrage on so many levels.

Luckily for you, I've got many alternatives; so we can have gourmet BBQ's together :P

One of my go-to favourite Korean BBQ Restaurant's is Koba.

He's located in Fitzrovia, hidden just off Tottenham Court Road.

Koba, isn't the largest restaurant but the high ceilings give it an airy/relaxing atmosphere.

So you can gaze up to the sky and shake your fist at the rain clouds.

Sushinho - Liverpool Street - London

I shudder when I see the words 'fusion' and 'Asian' used together in the same sentence.

Normally the outcome is rather...alien.

So, when Sushinho opened up another branch in Liverpool Street, London. (The original restaurant is in Kings Road, London)

I was apprehensive at first.

Brazilian/Japanese sushi...

Hmmm could it work? Or will it force me to have a tantrum?

When it comes what I put in my mouth... I'm normally a traditionalist. ;]

Honest Burger - Soho - London

Summer is coming.

This means everyone is hitting the gym that bit harder to get those steel abs.

Everyone except me [despite the fact that I should really be training for the British 10k].

So, what do I do instead?

Go hunting for burgers...

I found Honest Burger's second branch hidden away in the side streets of Soho, the original Honest Burger joint is in Brixton.

You know if a restaurant is located opposite flats harbouring signs like this... you have totally hit the jackpot.

Scandalous.

[I jest, I jest] :P

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.

Akari - Islington - London

Based in an old Victorian pub is Akari, an authentic Japanese Izakaya style restaurant and bar.

It looks like a pub but... is a Japanese restaurant.

My mind is completely blown.

It's dark and mysterious interior with the mismatched dark mahogany chairs and scuffed up tables only add to it's charm.

I came here during the end of Saturday lunchtime, there were Asian families dotted around; and one of the waitresses was happily cradling the baby of one of them while the parent's gladly ate in peace.

The atmosphere here is so relaxed it's almost lethargic, which is what I really liked about it.

No pretense, no formality, just what you need for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder - Aduna *

I know what you've been doing...

That long weekend you've just had was probably filled with all the filthiest activities imaginable.

Naughty naughty...

That's why weeks in advance of such a time, the kind people at Ceres sent me Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder from Aduna.

I am usually really skeptical about so-called Super Foods and health products, so I trialed the Baobab fruit pulp for 3~weeks to see if I noticed anything worthy.

What is Baobab?

The Baobab Tree is known as the 'Tree of Life,' and is an icon of the African Savannah. It stands as a symbol of life and hope in a landscape where little else can grow. It grows wild across the African continent and has a lifespan up to 5,000 years, thus there are no baobab plantations, every tree is community-owned and wild-harvested.

For centuries the baobab has been a little secret of the women in Africa who turn to it as a source of natural well-being; benefiting skin, hair and general health.

The Baobab fruit, dries naturally on the branch and is simply harvested. The seeds are removed, sieved and in the case of Aduna simply ground to a pulp powder making it a completely natural product.

The baobab fruit is a nutrient-dense, raw wholefood with one of the highest antioxidant capacities of any fruit in the world.

It holds over twice the antioxidants per gram of goji berries, and more than blueberries and pomegranates combined.

Making Baobab THE super fruit worth getting to know.

Baobab Tree [image credit: google] Baobab Fruit [image credit: google]

Patty & Bun - Bond Street - London

Holy mother of cheese.

Mark my words you will be screaming those exact same words.

How do I know this?

Because that was my reaction when I took my first bite of what-so-far is the mother of all burgers that has hit London.

Along St. Jame's Street just off Bond Street is Patty and Bun.

London's worst kept secret.

With burgers named like The Ari Gold (those who watch Entourage will understand), and The Lambshank Redemption; you really cannot walk by without stopping just to stare.

There are only 6 burgers on the menu.

Each one a character in their own right. (And rightfully named.)

Choose wisely.

We went for The Lambshank Redemption, The Jose Jose, and The Smokey Robinson.

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.)

Burger and Lobster - Farringdon - London

If you live in London, I'm sure you would have heard of Burger and Lobster.

Since it first opened last December in Mayfair, B&L has been creating heatwaves in the atmosphere.

So hot that it was necessary to open branches in Soho, and most recently in Farringdon both in the same year.

The concept is simple:

3 Choices:

Beef Burger (Beef burger, with optional bacon and cheese)

Lobster (You know just a huge, stonking lobster with a jug of garlic and lemon butter)

Or

Lobster Roll (Cold lobster served on toasted brioche with a dash of wasabi mayo or lemon and garlic dressing)

All served with salad and chips.

Priced at £20 each.

B&L have recently introduced sharing lobster options, which is basically a bigger, and more badass lobster weighing up to ~10bl for £150 with unlimited salad and chips (Prices start from £60 onwards; for the sharing lobsters depending on size).

Anyway for £20, for a whole lobster? Sweet Mother may I?!?!

Shiro - Faux Japanese Restaurant

Having spent aeons of time in Asia, you'd think I'd tire of Oriental food by now.

Passing by the newly refurbished restaurant, Shiro, (formerly known as Niko Niko) just off Tottenham Court Road; I was summoned inside by the simple and minimalist decor AND my craving for anything teriyaki.

It was empty at the time S. and I strolled in.

The Real Food Market - Southwark - London

Huge stonking beef burgers, giant simmering cauldrons of paella, chocolate dripping off cinnamon churros....

Got your attention yet?

During the time when September was still a sunny and happy place.

S. and I, wandered off to The Real Food Market located in the Southwark Centre.

Unlike many of the other street food markets, which only operate during the weekdays; The Real Food Market is open every weekend Friday - Sunday.

It's the perfect place to impress your date with your extensive knowledge of food, or even to just hang out with your friends and dip your fingers into some real finger-licking food.

So feast your eyes.

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.

Where I stayed in Marrakesh Part 2

Forget booking that hotel, when you're visiting Marrakesh to really experience the culture you have to stay in a Riad, which is a traditional Moroccan house with an interior garden or courtyard.

There are over 700 Riads in Marrakesh, so plenty of choice! My advice is to book directly through the Riad, I made the mistake of not doing this and was charged a wee bit more than I should have been.

Here was where we stayed.

Come away with me to Morocco part 1

Two words: road trip!

Madd - Mango Desserts - Soho - Central London

As you all should know by now is that I have a bit of a sweet tooth. So when a friend suggested that we go to MADD Soho, I jumped at the idea.

They pride themselves on being an exotic mango heaven, with the dessert menu consisting of mango-based desserts ranging from fruit tarts, to mousses, cheesecakes, fools and crème brûlée; all reasonably priced from £4.50 - £6.00.

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.

Kula Cafe - Heartbreak Waffle - Bond Street - London

Don't you just hate it when a 'bitchy' waitress/waffle lady just ruins your evening by being overtly rude, for no apparent reason.

Since I was in a waffle/ice-cream parlour, I unfortunately WRONGLY assumed that the waffle lady working there would have a weakness for ice cream. I mean who doesn't like ice cream!? That's just criminal.

How did I know that I got it so wrong ? Well asking the waitress what her recommended ice-cream flavour resulted in her reply being 'I don't eat ice-cream so I don't know.'

Awkward.

Anyway - after much deliberation and hovering over the ice-cream counter oohing and arrr-ing at their 'selection' - I decided to play it safe and try their pistaccio and praline&cream ice cream

Oh you must be wondering what I mean by 'selection,' well unfortuately, I happened to come here on a thursday afternoon, when they were restocking their ice-cream half way through the day - so many ice-creams were unavailable. Since 2.30pm is an inconvenient time obviously so HALF their ice-creams were unavailable.

Moving on to their milkshakes, since I wanted a refreshing milkshake - I opted for their grapefruit yoghurt concoction.

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.

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

30/06/2013

Del'Aziz - Bermondsey - London

19/06/2013

Koba - Fitzrovia - London

20/05/2013

Sushinho - Liverpool Street - London

23/04/2013

Honest Burger - Soho - London

08/04/2013

Princi - Soho - London

03/04/2013

Akari - Islington - London

02/04/2013

Baobab Fruit Pulp Powder - Aduna *

04/03/2013

Patty & Bun - Bond Street - London

02/02/2013

Yalla Yalla - Lebanese - Oxford Street - London

30/12/2012

Burger and Lobster - Farringdon - London

01/11/2012

Shiro - Faux Japanese Restaurant

27/09/2012

The Real Food Market - Southwark - London

15/07/2012

Ishtar - Turkish Restaurant and Bar - Baker Steet - London

20/06/2012

Where I stayed in Marrakesh Part 2

18/06/2012

Come away with me to Morocco part 1

30/05/2012

Madd - Mango Desserts - Soho - Central London

29/05/2012

Tas Restaurant - Bloomsbury - London

18/05/2012

Kula Cafe - Heartbreak Waffle - Bond Street - London

25/02/2012

Hakuba - Wasabi Mash? - Tottenham Court Road - London

05/02/2012

Little Persia - Queensway - London