Taco Tales: Top-6 for a Tasty Taco Tuesday

Did you know that ‘Taco Tuesdays’ is a trademarked phrase? It all started as a promotion for ‘Taco Twoosday’ to advertise a deal of 99 cents for two tacos on its slowest day of the week, in a small Wyoming-based chain called John’s Tacos, who coined the term in the 60s. Or at least that’s how the story seems to go. Until I started crafting this post, I had no idea about it, but I found this to be a curious story to share with you as I think of the best tacos I’ve had in town recently. To this day, the owner of John’s Tacos adamantly maintains that credit should be attributed to him for the term, and has pursued legal action vigorously to assert this claim, at least in the US. Does that mean we are no longer allowed to use the term?

Hey there, taco lovers! If you're like me and can't resist the allure of a delicious taco, then you're in for a treat. I've scoured the streets of London to uncover the top spots for indulging in everyone's favorite handheld delight. So, grab your appetite and let's dive into the tantalizing world of tacos! Buen Provecho Foodie Monsters xx

Del74

Get ready to spice up your Taco Tuesday at Del74, where the fiesta never ends! This vibrant joint is all about embracing the chaos with their loud, messy, and oh-so-juicy tacos. Plus, with their unbeatable Taco Tuesday offers, including any taco for just £1 and half-price drinks, you'll be partying like there's no mañana. Trust me, their cauliflower taco is a game-changer. Pro-Tip: Get there early or late in the night, as anytime in between guarantees some queueing.

Corrochios

For a taste of Mexico right here in London, head over to Corrochios in Dalston for an authentic culinary experience. From their traditional tacos to mouthwatering mole, this place is a haven for lovers of genuine Mexican cuisine. Prepare to be transported south of the border with every flavorful bite. Plus their cocktails are killer.

Taco Collective

Craving something indulgent and downright addictive? Look no further than Taco Collective in Hoxton (and now also in Kings Cross and Shoreditch Box Park). NGL their tacos may be a tad oily and fatty, but once you take a bite, you'll be hooked. Don’t miss out on their heavenly quesadillas either, that cheese is chewy and long. Located next to Jaguar Shoes bar in Shoreditch/ Hoxton area, make sure you order at the bar and not in the takeaway area to sit back and relax while you indulge on this treat.

KOL

If you're in the mood for a taco experience fit for royalty, then KOL is the place to be. This upscale eatery serves up the fanciest and most delicious tacos you'll ever lay eyes on. While snagging a table may require a bit of patience (booking in advance is a must), trust me when I say it's worth the wait. Top trick: if the restaurant is booked up, you can start by booking a spot in their downstairs cocktail bar, where they also have a small, but incredible menu.

Tacos Padre

Hands down the best tacos in the Borough area and a perfect spot on a warm night, as these are sold from a taco truck and eaten outdoors.

Club Mexicana

Vegans out there, rejoice! Club Mexicana is here to prove that plant-based tacos can be just as delicious as their meaty counterparts. More on what were our favorites here.

The Craze for Designer Cafes Vol. I

Ever since Anya Hindmarch launched ‘Anya’s Village’ in the heart of Belgravia, the trend (and desire?) for designer cafes in the city has grown.

Whilst these are mostly located between Central and West London -where the money lives, far away from us!-, we were keen to try them all to form an opinion. A few months later, the veredict was clear: we love the uniqueness and exclusivity these offer, but these come at a step price. If you are willing to take the cut, then below are the places you should (or shouldn’t) go to.

Bon Appetit careless readers!

FOR COFFEE AND CAKES

Tiffany at Harrods (Knightsbridge) is, at present, the best fashion café for a full deluxe afternoon tea experience. Covered in pastel hues and cream delights, you’ll feel like Holly Golightly admiring the beauty of a girl’s best friend. Diamonds, that is.    

Marchesi 1824, Prada (Mayfair), offers a refined experience that has attracted the fashion crowds from all over the world since almost 200 years ago. The London café is their second opening of the Milano flagship store, and it does not disappoint on its offering. Set up in a brownstone building behind Berkeley Sq, filled with limited edition prada crokery in an old Italian-café style, this is the perfect spot for a refuel and recharge situation after shopping in and around the area.

Anya’s Café (Belgravia) – Whilst a teeny tiny spot, this is a very fun café for those who love Anya Hindmarch’s playful style. They run afternoon tea, but booking is required due to space. My only negative is that it feels very dark inside, but I guess that makes the cakes the star of the show!

FOR COFFEE ONLY

Three names come to mind when I am in need of coffee but I want to impress my fashion guests: Monocle Café, Fiorucci Café and Ralph’s Coffee

• Monocle (Marylebone), for those that like normcore and soothing set-ups.

• Fiorucci (Soho) for those that like the complete opposite: colour-mani and loud set-ups serving specialty coffee, cocktails and enough shopping to get you ready for a night out in the neighbourhood.

• Ralph’s Coffee (Bond St) for those that likes an American cup of coffee in an American style set up. Who better than Ralph Lauren to deliver?

IT’S A NO-GO

I really wanted to like Café Kitsune. It’s always been one of my must stopovers while in Paris. The London shop, however, disappointed me. It’s always too busy, it feels dirty and un-special, fitted within a bigger establishment, it almost lost its uniqueness. Considering the steep prices, I would stay away from it. Go in Paris, you’ve got plenty of other choices in London!

Roast Dinners Special

I don’t know about you but my latest obsession when the weather gets this wintery in London is to find a pub with a cozy setting, or even better, a real fire burning. 

You may think that in a country where pubs are found left right and center, it would be easy to find the combination of good food, good drinks, good ambiance and a decent bill at the end of the day. Well, think twice. As I started doing some research to find exactly that a couple of weeks back, it proved more difficult than not to find exactly what I was after, hence why I am writing to you today. 

After a lot of trial and error, here we have our absolute favourite pubs for a good roast and a cozy time with friends and lovers. Chin chin, amigos!

NORTH LONDON

The Holly Bush in Hampstead is everything one would wish for when thinking about quintessential British pubs. A small, traditional 18th-century wood-panelled pub with both a fireplace and outdoor space. You have to climb a bit of a road hill to get there, but when you turn the corner on Holly Mount and see this place for the first time, you can only be in awe. A step inside and you will be travelling back in time, where cask ales and Sunday roasts were everything one could wish for. Excellent food matches an excellent pub.

The Londesborough was literally the pub next door when I lived in Stoke Newington a couple of years back and I absolutely loved it. Their roasts are exquisite and generous and they are also known for catering weddings pretty much every Saturday of the year. Needless to say that gets the seal of approval for many in terms of set up and service. There’s an old school jukebox I love and it has a small patio with fairy lights that works a treat for a bit of fresh air. 

The Albion in Islington is a staple for the neighbours in the area, but a hidden gem to many based out of the area. Tucked away on Thronhill Road (on the way from Islington to Kings Cross), this fabulous pub also counts with a gorgeous beer garden and a private dining area that caters for up to 22 guests (p.s.: No deposit is required and there isn’t even a minimum spend!). Every time I come here, I feel like a queen from a different era. The decor is fantastic, there’s a real fire in the main dining area and the food and drinks selection is decent. Beware, this is slightly more on the pricey side, but still affordable for the area.

Now, if you are a self declared foodie and are close by The Albion, then I would suggest only getting a drink there and having dinner at The Draper Arms. This is one of our favourite gastropubs in the area. Food, service and bill, all a pleasure. 

EAST LONDON

The Prince George is our favourite local in Dalston. It has all the elements for a perfect cozy pub. A wooden frame and wooden interior, local beers and excellent and very generous roast. Every body is super friendly here and there is even a playroom at the back to play some pool. 

Marksman Public House is probably our second favourite, and the perfect spot after shopping at Columbia Road Market. Given its prime location, only about 3 minutes away from the flower market, a reservation is encouraged. It is quite a small and cozy venue and their roasts are worth a michelin star. Definitely worth a visit.

Madame Pigg deserves a small mention here despite not being a pub, like all of our other recommendations. A family run business in the heart of Kingsland Road, the guys here like to do things proper. Fresh oysters on offer, great quality meat (hello, pork belly!), and literally the delicious flavours of each single dish here makes it our top 3 spot in East London. Also the green decor is a plus.

Last but not least, The Empress on Victoria Park Village was a little gem we found one cold Sunday a couple of years back and remains a great spot if you are in the area. Friendly service and a yummy roast in.

WEST LONDON

The Champion in Notting Hill is definitely one of the cosiest yet elegant pubs on Bayswater Road. Lots of ales on offer and a great Sunday roast to indulge either next to their fireplace or on its beer garden on a sunny day!

The White Horse is a blast from the past for me but for those living in Fulham, this is a place not to be missed, especially if you like to wine and dine outdoors. Surprisingly, they have managed to keep their outdoor area rather cosy and every time I pass by their garden is full. Good food, good wine selection and a rather friendly crowd. Worth a stop!

The Cadogan Arms is were all Chelsea peeps hang out and no wonder, it has excellent service, great drinks selection and also a fabulous food menu. Sunday roasts are a must and encouraged.

The Chelsea Pig, the poshest pub in town, deserves a feature here. Not necessarily one we would normally go for, but on the right occasion, everybody deserves a treat. 

Enjoy careless readers! xx

Ice Cream ParadISE: Our Favorite Picks

 

Those who know me well know that one of the three things I can survive without* is ice-cream (or Gelato, however you want to call it). No matter if it is summer or winter, whether it's sunny or it rains, ice-creams are part of my life all year round. In fact, I prefer to have ice-cream when it's raining and cold (and I am obviously covered in bed, binge-watching Netflix). 

However, I've been doing some tasting all over the city in the search of my favourite ice-cream parlour. I must say, there's a lot of great stuff in the city. And that is why I decided to provide you with some guidance on where is good to go. Hope you like it!

Keep on licking, Keep on loving.

TCB xx

CENTRAL

• Gelupo is definetely my go-to ice-cream shop when in central London. Gelato from the Alps, home made and with delicious nouveau flavours.
  

• Milk Train Cafe is great for those who love Japan. This ice-cream shop got famous thanks to its candy-floss ice-cream cones. They are available in three flavours, and three flavours only, including Hojicha (roasted green tea), Matcha and Vanilla.
  

• Tombo Cafe or Shackfuyu for those real matcha lovers, these will give you a total energy boost!

 

 

CHINATOWN

• Bubblewrap is the new kid in town. Expect cues of at least 1 hour to get this delicious Hong-Kong style bubble waffle filled with delicious ice-cream and as many toppings as you like. If you can't be bothered to do such a huge line to get 'just a dessert', then I suggest you going to Nosteagia in Picadilly, literally the same stuff, but not as hipster.
  

• Bake serves the biggest Taiyaki in town, a japanese-style fish-shaped waffle with either matcha, vanila or chocolate ice-cream.

 

 

NORTH & EAST

• Marine Ice is a north-London institution when it comes to ice-cream. The since the 1920s!
  

• Chin Chin Labs is a more futuristic option in the heart of Camden Lock Market. This shop sells nitro-ice cream! Worth checking out if you are into finding something different.
  

• Soft Swerve Society is also a new kid in town. And a kid that is doing very well! Located at Box Park Shoreditch, this little shop serves premium soft serves in a more sofisticated shape than your average ice-cream cone. It also serves what they call 'freakshakes', the ultimate american-style cups filled with ice-cream, whipped cream and anything sugary that you wished for.

All My Loving: Spanish Food in London

You can take the Spanish out of the country, but you can’t the Spanish out of the girl. There’s certain things that won’t change and one of them is my culture. The more time I am away from home, the more I miss my own Spanish things. It’s crazy cause when I moved to London I wanted to run away from it all, I disliked it. And I couldn’t love it more now.

I was reluctant to try Spanish restaurants for years, but as time went by, I missed my home food, so I started trying, and trying, until I found my favourite (and non-expensive) Spanish restaurants. And when I mean favourite, I mean GOOD Spanish restaurants by Spanish standards.

Off you go!

HACKNEY: El Ganso

A classic for the East End locals (and my personal hangover cure restaurant on a weekend) , this low-key restaurant is run by spanish peeps in the kitchen. Their gambas al ajillo and paella are fantastic, but so are the croquettas and the huevos estrellados.

STOKEY: Escocesa

I LOVE the concept of this place. Using seafood from Scotland and recipes from Spain. As the owner told us, before the seafood goes further away, they have a stopover in London. They then take on the southern recipes to create an amazing menu. An absolute winner, in my opinion. Also, they have a paella offer over the weekend.

DALSTON: Furanxo

This place is banging if you are missing all your spanish delicacies. Lots of seafood in tins (razor clams, octopus) and a fantastic selection of wines. It serves as a deli during the day and as a wine & charcuteria bar in the evenings.

BANK: Hispania. Spanish food goes lush. The venue is stunning and so is the food.

SOHO: Sabor

Sabor means ‘taste’ in Spanish, and they certainly succeed in taste at this two-story restaurant. On the groundfloor you’ll encounter a walk-in tapas bar, whereas on the first floor you’ll find a more delicate restaurant, cooking specialisties from Galicia and Castile regions, mainly focusing on meats cooked in a traditional wood fire oven.

Also in Soho but only if you are feeling like splurging…Barrafina, OK! It is good, let’s admit it. However, I am slightly put off by their prices. I mean, 2 croquetas for £6? No comment.

BERMONDSEY: Jose.

This is another banging tapas bar. They have Jose as the tapas bar and Jose Pizarro as the “fine dining” option. We’ve only tried the tapas so far, and it is worth the visit to Bermondsey. Only suggestion: avoid ordering beer! With a £4 for half-pint, you are better off ordering wine. Nevertheless, their croquetas are the best in town, and their meat cuts are rather excellent.

And that’s all folks! If the restaurant you were thinking about it’s not here, it’s probably NOT worth going, but we would love to be challenged to it. If you think we are missing a great Spanish restaurant by all means let us know, and we’ll try it.

Buen provecho chicos,

TCB xx

Best Steakhouses in London

If you are not into meat, I strongly suggest you stop reading this article. This is definitely not for you, fella. However, if you are one of those people who dreams about meaty treats then HALLO WELCOME! You are at the right place. TOP CHOICE steakhouses, BBQ restaurants and gastropubs, all serving the best meat that London has to offer. Trust me, you will want more.

CENTRAL LONDON:

BLACKLOCK

 

Craving Meat while having drinks in Soho? This is your place.

All sorts of chops, based on a daily menu, cooked on old charchoal. DELISH! 

Do not miss on their sides: I've NEVER ever had such good fries as the beef dripping fries (and I am an addict to potatoes). Mind you their cocktails are also a fiver! WINNING.

HAWKSMOOR

 

Known by most meat lovers by now, but a great spot to refuel. Prepare your wallets, though!

Since its first opening in, the restaurant has opened many sister branches all across London, including not only its Covent Garden location but also Knightbridge, Shoreditch and Borough.

EAST LONDON

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SMOKESTAK

 

Think of the most tasty BBQ meats you've had lately. Now think better than that and the result is this East London heaven. 

My absolute must-try dishes include the crispy ox cheek, the pigtails and the ribs. Finish off with a sticky toffee pudding and your life will be forever complete.

BUEN AYRE

 

This Argentinean steakhouse is probably your best meaty restaurant across London, at least when it comes to quality-price. The most tender, juicy and tasty meat I've tasted any time I've been there. Of course, you need to have chimichurri sauce on it. 

PITT CUE

 

Only for serious meat lovers who are up for stepping up their game. In here you'll find pig's head, ox tongue and many other meats you wouldn't think of trying. All of them, freakylicious.

 

NORTH LONDON

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SMOKEHOUSE 

 

Ok, I must admit I am making a bold suggestion here, as I haven't been to this place yet. Reviews, however, speak highly of it. These gastropub in the heart of Islington is meant to be providing mouthwatering meaty dishes, which to me sounds like a match made in heaven. Good drinks selection and yummy food? COUNT-ME-IN.