The Tamil Prince, The Most Royal Indian

Image from The sunday times

Tucked away in a residential area in between Cally Rd and Islington, his majesty The Tamil Prince arises, and what a treat that is to see him shine.

Inside this old 19th century pub lies the new adventure of ex-Roti King Tamil Nadu. Don’t be fooled, this ain’t a pub no more. It’s a restaurant that serves beer, but also delicious specialty cocktails, wine and alcohol-free dreams.

Fear not, the food is the star of the place.

WHY SHOULD YOU GO? Because it offers a symphony of pure joy on a plate, captivating both your senses of sight and taste.

WHAT SHOULD YOU GET? From the starters, I would almost certainly pick the onion bhaji and the chicken lollipop for the meat eaters. From the large plates, the Channa bhatura (a fluffy and puffy bread) is a spectable that everybody should experience and all the curries are a delight to your taste buds.

WHERE EXACTLY IS IT? 115 Hemingford Rd, London N1 1BZ. Nearest station is Caledonian Rd & Barnsbury on the Overground (and then it’s a 5-min walk) or Highbury & Islington on Victoria Line (and then it’s a 11-min walk).

WHEN IS IT OPEN? Everyday for lunch (12-3pm) and dinner (5-10pm), except on Mondays when it’s only open for dinner. Beware: reservations are advised, as this place is tiny and usually sells out in advance.

Enjoy my careless readers, bon appetit!

TCB xx

Panadera, the first filipino bakery in London

We discovered Panadera, the first filipino bakery in London, thanks to the beauty of Instagram. This gorgeous local bakery popped up in our gram and we instantly fell in love.

From the people behind Mamasons Dirty Icream (one of our faves in Kentish Town) comes Panadera, a bakery serving traditional sweet and savoury goods from the Philippines.

We can’t believe we came across this beautiful bakery (covered in millenial pink, obvs) in the midst of lockdown, but that’s it! Pick up was the only option available at the time and so we went on a bike adventure to try these promised goodies, and let me tell you, they are worth all the bike rides in the world.

The pandesal (Filipino bread rolls) is their signature bread and it’s sweet and yummy, and they make pandesal sandos (japanese style sandwiches) that taste delicious. The ensaymada (Filipino sweet pastry) is also another great treat and they manage to keep themselves busy with a variety of collaborations that keep this place fresh and alive.

Don’t miss out!

Where to go? 83 Kentish Town Rd, London NW1 8NY (Two doors down from Mamasons!)

When to go? Any day of the week from 9 to 5pm.

Go crazy!

TCB xx

Dandie, a dog cafe in Hampstead

If you are a dog lover, then this cafe will be heaven on earth for you. Located in the heart of Hampstead, this is the first cafe in London for both dogs and humans.

WHY should I go?

WHAT will you get? Because it’s the most pleasant experience for both humans and dogs! Your companion will get delicious treats whilst you indulge into some, too! We loved the variety of food options on offer (including lots of vegan) and the dog boutique is divine. Plus you can now do dog & humans yoga there! Now that’s the real treat.

WHERE is it exactly? 104 Heath St, London NW3 1DR

WHEN can I go? Tuesday to Sunday from 9 to 5pm

Coal Office

If there is something I’ve learned by living in London is that I freaking love Middle Eastern food. The Barbary, Ottolenghi and The Good Egg are, needless to say, my favorite spots in the city. So, it was not a surprise that I was amazed by the new opening by siblings Zoe and Layo Paskin, Coal Office, in collaboration with my renewed favorite British lighting designer, Tom Dixon.

The new restaurant is the third behind this power couple (they run Palomar and The Barbary) and they did not fail to surprise me on their third opening, quite the contrary. King’s Cross is changing dramatically since high-tech companies are moving their biz here. New retailers, coffee shops and and hip workout studios are opening at an increasing pace, so the food business could not be behind.

WHAT WILL YOU GET?

For starters, the bread is to die for. And you can get my heart by getting me good bread. So many choices, it was hard to decide which one was going to be the winner, but I’d say the Kubalaha and the Manakish were our favorites. That puffy bread was in-sane.

Everything on the menu, from starters to desert is fantastic. I am struggling to decided which ones we like the most, but I remember vividly the josperized aubergine, the chicken liver pate, the shikshukit 2.0 (their take on shakshula) and the baked bone marrow. My, oh my.

I’m a sucker for ice-cream, so for dessert I had the tahini ice-cream, which was very peculiar and nice.

WHEN IS IT OPEN? Everyday!!!! And you can book!!! It’s a miracle!!! Open for breakkie from 8-10,30am (which I still need to try), then for lunch 12-3,30pm and last for dinner from 5,30-11pm.

WHERE IS IT EXACTLY? At Coal Drops Yard, 2 Bagley Walk N1C 4PQ

Average price per person (including a bottle of wine, and tipping): £45-50

Don’t miss out, it is worth the hype.

TCB xx

Genesis, Comics & Vegans

Confetti Girls do Vegan

Meet Genesis.

Those who know me know well that I am a self-confessed meat lover. In fact, I love meat so much that I despise fish. Unless its seafood, obvs. Who would resist champagne and oysters?

Aaaanyway, my vegan gals have been trying to make me more conscious about the benefits of a healthy green diet, and given my recent stomach problems, I decided to listen more carefully. As if somebody was listening to what I was thinking, I encountered GENESIS on my Sunday stroll in Shoreditch. A 100% plant based alchemy restaurant concept specialising in fast casual dining and organic comfort food.

Fit for the millennials, this pretty in pink restaurant is trying to make the non-vegans like vegan food. And I must say, they pretty much convinced me.

For starters, they venue is very stylish. A mix between geeky comic book store and a heavy metal album cover! All very colourful, just as I like it.

The menu is vast and the portions are big, which is becoming a rarity these days. And the food is yum. Mexican tacos, super food salads and meat-free burgers are on the list, along with plenty of shakes and ice cream deserts. I almost felt in heaven! Though I did miss my meat a bit.

WHERE IS IT EXACTLY? 114 Commercial St, E1 6NU

WHEN CAN YOU GO? Wednesday to Sunday from 11.30am til 11pm :) GO GET IT!

Stay tuned, TCB xx

Perilla means Danger

Perilla

A modern interpretation of classical European flavours

That's a fun fact for ya! Perilla means 'Danger' or 'You Are At Risk' in Catalan, my mother tongue (along with Spanish). But truth is, you'll be in great hands if you dine at Perilla in London, this place is far from something risky, unless we talk about food. Once again, I'm impressed. 

WHY? I love mix and match in food, and I feel London is becoming and addict to it, too. Perilla takes great conventional dishes and adds unique ingredients and sauces to it, that make each one of their dishes very special. 

We tried this place at dinner time, which I think was a plus, as the venue has that romantic je ne sais quois that makes it super lovely.  Each table is tiny but big enough to have a feast.

We don't like to get given a set tasting menu, but I have to say that price-quality and everything that you get, you are better off by doing so, if you are not as fussy as I am. 

Their customer service is sensational. I've become quite picky with my wine lately, and they were very attentive to give me enough suggestions and trials before I decided on which one to go for. To start of, we had a delicious seaweed bread with brown butter which was to die for; and YES, I am OBSESSED with bread. For mains, we had a superb mushroom with walnut sauce, pot roast broccoli with cabbages & hunt yogurt and surprisingly we tried roast cod and grilled lamb. A bit of everything! Of course, many desserts came after but our pick for the week would go for the Walnut Custard Tart with shaved chestnuts. There were raw mushrooms in our dessert, and they matched perfectly. NOW, I know all of this sounds amazing but we aware that these fellas change their menu frequently, so you may get a whole different deal depending on which season you. Worry-less, it will be fantastic. 

WHERE is this place?  1-3 Green Lanes, Mildmay Ward, London N16 9BS; in between Dalston and Canonbury

WHEN? Monday to Friday only for dinner from 6-11pm, Weekends for brunch, lunch and dinner between 12,30-11pm

You are not in danger, but your belly will be if you miss out on this one. 

TCB xx

The Good Egg

I thought it was about time I talked about one of my favorite brunch spots, and coinciding with its new launch in Soho (the original is in Stokey) this Friday, I needed to introduce you to The Good Egg (and not The Bad Egg). 

Think of Israeli brunch. THE DREAM, right? Now think of Middle-Eastern cuising with a NY twist. Still THE DREAM, right? Well, that's what you get at The Good Egg. Dreamy dishes and terrific service. 

I would love to share with you what we had for dinner last time I was there but unfortunately those pics disappeared with my stolen phone. However, this little think called internet managed to gave me a good vibe of its brunch menu, which is what this place is known for. 

WHY should you go there? Let's talk business. Their menu is short but precise. Food here is a delight that can be filled with bagels, za'tar fried chiken, roasted cauliflower (that amazingly is to die for) or dak dak salad, to name few things. Not to forget shakshuka, their breads with olive oil and tahini or the tahini ice-cream. DANG! If Middle-eastern cuisine is your think, I wouldn't hesitate trying this. You'll regret it!

WHERE is it? In Stoke Newington in 93 Stoke Newington Church St, N16 0AS; In Soho it is located in Kingly Court

WHAT time is it open until? 9 til 11pm pretty much everyday except for Mondays, when they close at 4pm, at least at their Stokey location.

TCB x

Ottolenghi, The King of Middle Eastern Food

What?Ottolenghi.

Where? It depends. If you don't mind splashing the cash, I'd say go to his high-end restaurant Nopi, near Picadilly Circus.  If you are a bit tight with your budget but still would like to try something new, then you've got 3 more options to choose: Islington, Notting Hill and Belgravia. They first one is a restaurant and the other two are a deli, which is an excellent option for lunch time.

Why? Oh  dear, where to begin. For those who are not living in the London Bubble, you need to know that Ottolenghi is God over here. A renowned israeli chef that has brought to England a contemporary way of cooking. His style, known by mixing Middle Eastern cuisine (including Sirian, Turkish, Lebanese, Iranian, Israeli and Armenian) with Western style food, is great. A perfect combo, as I say.

As a newbie in the City, I went to Ottolenghi few months ago, completely unaware of the relevance of my dinner. But the minute you get into one of his restaurants, you clearly see you are going to have more than just a meal. It's a whole new experience. The restaurant in Islington (which is the one I went to) has a deli counter at the front, welcoming you to see what you can indulge for supper.

The menu is not vast but is more than enough. I like things kept simple. I suggest you to go with few friends so that you can to try as many dishes as you can. Since the portions aren't super big, I think sharing plates is the way forward. Although it took us a bit too much to be served, the wait was SO worth it.

My top 3 from the kitchen where the braised octopus with kalamata olive puree, mustard seeds, harissa and cavolo nero; (ii) the seared fillet of english beef with sweet coriander-mustard saucethe and (iii) the Seard duck breas with red cabbage puree, pickeled celeriac, date & walnuts. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!

As for my veggie favs I'd definitely go for the roasted aubergine with walnut yoghurt, herbs and spicy walnuts (see picture below) and the couliflower, onion, turmeric parsley and coriander fritters with chilli jam yoghurt.

Don't forget to have some bread with your meal (there's an excellent range) and eventhough you might be full by dessert time, you HAVE TO have dessert.

O.M.G. Desserts. I keep dreaming of them. But if you have to go for one, please try the passion fruit meringue tartlets. I wish I could have one of those everyday for the rest of my life. SO GOOD.

When? They are open Monday to Sunday, although opening times vary depending on the restaurant. Both Nopi and Ottolenghi Islington close their kitchens by 10,30-11pm (Mon-Sat), while the delis in Notting Hill and Belgravia usually close by 8pm.

So regardless of the timing, don't forget: BOLD.BIG.DELICACIES. A complete cultural explosion in the kitchen that is not to be missed.

TCB x

P.S: the pictures have been edited by me but have been collected from Ottolenghi's site and other sources, as I was unable to take pictures when I went there!

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