tantramar

Winter's Coming, Feelin' Chilli?

Tipped is an awesome recommendations website (for shops and entertainment venues in the real world) that everyone should use (run by some friends of mine). They had the spectacular idea of having a chilli cooking / tasting contest. Good huh! Anyway it's this Saturday in Islington. Here's the facebook event page.

Oh and I'm Djing some good ol' Southern tunes. So if you like your southern soul, country-soul, blue-eyed soul, country, country-rock and folk-blues you might wanna pass by.

UPDATE: I'm pretty sick at the minute so it's really pretty unlikely I'll be DJing at this, although I'm sure the chilli is a better draw than me...

Spaghetti Bolognese Pizza

Every time I go to Germany I eat things I could never have imagined.
This is Spaghetti Bolognese pizza!

Everybody Loves White Russians

I'm taking part in a friendly competition about drinks.
Everyone backs a drink and tries to outdo their competitor. I have White Russians.

Here is my first round defense:

White Russians are great.
It's lucky, because there are about 140 Million of them.
If you don't like White Russians, you're a racist, it's as simple as that.

You can vote here.
Hint:
voting for me would be appreciated.

And Relax, World Order Is Restored

A while back I got quite cross as my favourite eatery in London was forced to close, (I think by Paul Raymond). It opened today again for business, just down the road in the old Reckless records shop. It's probably the only thing that could open there and make me happy.

So tomorrow and the day after I'm heading to Berwick street for a Mexican lunch and for my money it's the best Mexican in London, well, it was before it closed. I'll update this tomorrow after I've chowed down.

Update: Yummy. Mexi Cali is indeed very tasty. And it turns out after chatting to the owner that they weren't turfed out - they always knew it would be a short lease.

Bill Knows What's What

If you're hungry in Brighton, which let's face it will happen at some point, you should try Bill's. They do some damn tasty food. It's always really busy so be prepared for a little wait.
The entrance is a little like a greengrocers and I believe that's how it started out. With really interesting sandwich combinations, Pizza's and Quiches this gastro brunch stop is really worth checking out. Trust me on dat (as Timmy Westwood would say).

I'll Have A Flattie Bro

Put quite simply, Flat White has the best coffee in London (that I've tasted). It's great. This little coffee shop on Berwick Street is run by Antipodeans who are apparently obsessive about coffee. I didn't know that.
It's good to be obsessive about stuff, it allows you to become angry and get ulcers when things are done in a substandard manner. Being English, this is essential.

My friend Rose tells me that the most important thing about making a good coffee is the consistency and  temperature of the milk. In Flat White they spend some time tipping the milk back and forth between vessels until it's just right. Yes, you have to wait a little while, but good things come to those who...

Make Mine Yummy

I’ve only recently starting enjoying Make Mine in Soho, mainly because they have such a big queue. But damn it’s worth the wait. Basically, it’s just like Vital Ingredient - salads you can self-tailor or choose from their large selection. Except, with Make Mine, you can have your selection as a salad or in a tortilla wrap (much nicer). They also do great sandwiches. This one was Bacon and Brie along with rocket and tomato, toasted on chunky granary bread all for £3! You can’t beat that with a bat, especially in Soho.

Pappa E Ciccia

Another nice eatery in east Berlin. There was a really nice lazy feel about the place, and of course the food was great. I had a vegetable soup with pesto. Another recommendation but don’t drink the red beer!

They also had some little jars of edible goods for sale as well.

The Gugelhof

German food doesn’t have the best reputation in the world but I gotta say the grub in the Gugelhof was right on par. I had Wild Boar with spinach and pasta and it was gooood. If you’re in east Berlin I recommend checking it out. I like their logo too:

 

Christmas Dinner

I had my first Christmas dinner last night. I live in a block with about 24 people. The people on the top floor have quite a big flat so they organised a dinner for everyone in the building. Everyone cooked something different to contribute. My flat (or rather my flatmate) made mulled wine and potatoes. I thought this was amazing. In London you hardly ever see, let alone get, any sense of community so I found it really refreshing that someone did this. Nice one Jason.

A La Carte

This is a sweet little restaurant in Edinburgh on Grassmarket I found recently. French food served and cooked by actual French folk as you might hope. In the evening it’s about £15 a main course, but during the day you can get a starter, main and coffee for £9.90, all from the same menu. Good eh! It worked for me. The butter, Lakeland, was Irish not French but sensational, and I ending up eating all the whole bread basket. If anyone finds this butter I suggest you eat loads of it until it affects your heart, then stop.