Chelsea in Bloom – Floral Safari

25-05-2017 Local Black BookChelsea, Chelsea in Bloom, John Lewis, London, tea, WedgwoodLeave a comment

Chelsea is pretty every day of the year.

But even more so during Chelsea in Bloom, Chelsea’s prestigious annual floral art show.

Organised by Cadogan and the Royal Horticultural Society, the annual competition transforms the streets of Chelsea with breathtaking, creative floral displays.

No need to plan ahead (though you can get a map of all the displays here); just follow the hordes on the tracks of the prettiest urban floral safari!

Take along a pair of binoculars, it’s an absolute jungle outthere!

There are gigantic giraffes at Rag & Bone…

A blooming gorgeous elephant in the middle of Sloane Square.

Some monkey-ing around happening at Hackett’s…

As well as a leopard walking through the glass.

Absolutely paw-some!

Another favourite is Kiki McDonough’s brightly-coloured, gem-inspired giraffe.

Complete with lavender mane and tail!

Once all the walking makes you feel like you couldn’t hit an elephant at 2 feet (which considering the amount of wild life lion around, really means something!), make your way to Peter Jones for a well-deserved break.

Nestled at the heart of the chic department store and opened for a limited time, Wedgwood Tea Conservatory is just the place to enjoy a quintessentially British tea experience.

Inspired by the tropical plants and exotic influences discovered and brought back to the UK during the Grand Tour of the 19th century, Wedgwood’s new Wonderlust collection is the perfect match to Chelsea in Bloom’s safari-themed displays.

The floral afternoon tea includes flower-inspired treats, including beautiful open-faced Smoked salmon and nasturtium sandwiches.

The most delicate spinach and goat’s cheese tartlets…

And iced tea-based mock/cocktails!

Once you feel refreshed and ressourced, pop by a flower shop to take a little piece of Chelsea in Bloom home.

Chelsea in Bloom runs until May 27th, and the Wedgwood Tea Conservatory at Peter Jones is open until June 16th.

Book your table here, put on your best tropical outfit and get lost in Chelsea.

It’s bloomin’ lovely down there!

BRGR.CO, Chelsea

20-04-2017 Local Black BookAmerican, BRGR.CO, burgers, Chelsea, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Soho1 Comment

I love a good burger.

That’s hardly a secret to anyone anymore, is it?

I have strong London favourites (anything from these guys + Shake Shack’s Shroom burger, in case you were wondering), but I keep trying new ones just in case.

I had heard great things about BRGR.CO, and had meant to visit for a proper taste after trying their Founder special at an event.

But girl gots many a burger to try, and it’s taken me until now to get my butt down to their Chelsea branch.

And holy cow, was I glad I finally did!

Because 1. The decor is the absolute cutest. I mean, just look at those gorgeous wooden painted ones hanging over the tables!

And 2. They serve the BEST MAC ‘N’ CHEESE EVER!

BRGR.CO Chelsea ● Restaurant Review ● Cake + Whisky

Creamy, cheesy, a little bit spicy, all sorts of dreamy and absolutely addictive!

BRGR.CO Chelsea ● Restaurant Review ● Cake + Whisky

But then again, any place that serves a burger with guac’ is always going to be a winner in my book.

The vegetarian falafel option isn’t half bad either…

Though I would recommend you add some cheese on it and maybe skip the bun for that one!

One thing you do not want to skip though are the fries.

Drizzled in truffle oil and topped with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, they absolutely unmissable.

While you’re at it, you might as well get a portion of the super-light, super-crunchy onion rings as well…

And some decidedly American-inspired drinks.

BRGR.CO Chelsea ● Restaurant Review ● Cake + Whisky

Shake hands over an excellent order, and tuck in, before shaking it all off with a bit of shopping and culture on the King’s Road! Just the way to hamburgled my heart!

BRGR.CO Chelsea, 127 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4PW (they also have a Soho branch)

More great London burgers?

Islington – Lucky Chip

Spitafield – Bleecker Burger

Oxford Street – Patty & Bun

*I dined at BRGR.CO as a guest of the restaurant but all pictures, opinions & mac’n’cheese addiction my own.

The Founder burger at BRGR.CO

15-02-2017 Local Black BookBRGR.CO, Burger, burgers, Chelsea, London, recommendation, Restaurant, review, Soho4 Comments

London LOVES its burgers.

Not that we’d globe up any old Mickey D’s classics, though.

The delightful mix of juicy patties, weirdly addictive plastic cheese and magic ‘secret’ sauce might taste like our childhood, but us Londoners now love our buns to be a touch more elaborate, with provenance’d and pedigree’d ingredients.

The Founder BRGR by BRGR.CO - London's best burger?

And then some day (this week) the best thing happened.

And by the best thing, I mean one of London’s best burger spots, BRGR.CO launched their own take on McD’s Big one.

Named ‘The Founder’ as an hommage to the soon-to-be-released movie, it comprises of two of BRGR’s signature Blade steak patties with melted cheese, shredded iceburg lettuce, pickled gherkins, and of course, the secret recipe BRGR.CO sauce, all inside a triple layer sesame bun.

With carefully sourced ingredients, it’s the best of both burger worlds and a thing of true meaty beauty, and very, very close to the original.

Except better, because the meat is cooked properly (and incredibly marbled). Nothing dry or chewy about it; it’s pure juiciness in a (soft) bun. And because the fries are approximatively 100 billion times better.

Unfortunately, it’s a limited edition sort of burger, which will only be on sales 13th-26th February from both BRGR.CO locations.

BRGR.CO Soho: 187 Wardour Street, London W1 8ZB

BRGR.CO Chelsea: 127 King’s Road, London SW3 4PW

I have just one piece of advice: get your hands on The Founder BRGR soon.

Even better yet, pair it up with a trip to the cinema.

Burger (movie) + Burger (& fries) = the perfect combo!

Stripes & Cocktails at Bunga Bunga

09-06-2016 Local Black Bookbar, Battersea, Bunga Bunga, Chelsea, cocktail, cocktails, Inception Group, italian, London, party, recommendation, Restaurant, review, summer, WandsworthLeave a comment

You can’t beat a girl’s night out.

Life often gets in the way, everyone’s busy, so it can be difficult to put a date in the diary.

But once in a while, when you do manage to get a group of your favourite people together for a proper catch up… It’s just magic.

It was Bunga Bunga, the infamous Battersea Bridge pizzeria & Italian-themed bar, which finally gave us all an excuse to get together.

It’s been going through a bit of a refurb’ lately (and it was a rather polemic one) so, just as you would with a girlfriend that suddently went platinum blonde, it was our duty to show our support.

But to be honest, I’m not sure why there’s been so much noise as it now looks better than ever!

Inside, they kept the same fun-filled, quirky bits…

Including the famous motorcycles on the ceiling.

And a whole lot of pickpocket-proofed bags!

And they went full-on Italian outside by painting the facade in red, white and green!

Plus they still serve the same great sharing platters…

Boasting all your Italian favourite nibbles, from arancini to bruschetta, polenta chips, parmigiana and much, much more!

Absolutely impossible to resist!

But the best part is the fantastico new cocktail menu.

All inspired by Italian regions and their world-famous ingredients.

And there’s nothing quite like cocktails to fuel long-overdue catch ups!

Even better when made and served by lovely, chatty bartenders in the most adorable stripped Tees.

Stirred, shaken and served in the blink of an eye!

Piemonte (Mount Gay Black Barrel rum, Fernet Branca liqueur, Mancino Bianco Ambrato vermouth, Peychaud’s bitters & home-made bitter syrup)

Veneto (Bombay Sapphire gin, elderflower syrup, fresh lemon juice, home-made sugar syrup & fresh green grapes)

Cocktails flying to nearby tables will make you want to get one of each.

Fear of missing out much?

Good thing the gondola driver/cocktail guys have made skills and are fast as lightning!

Marche (Dewar’s White Label Scotch whisky, Visciolata del Cardinale dessert wine, Amaro Averna liqueur, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, fresh lime juice & home-made maraschino syrup).

And cherry on top: a white chocolate covered cherry. Divine.

Lombardia (Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Tia Maria liqueur, Amaretto Disaronno liqueur, home-made cocoa nibs & amaretti biscuit syrup topped up with double cream).

Pudding-worthy!

Lazio (VII Hills gin, Cynar artichoke liqueur, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur, fresh lime juice & home-made rosemary syrup)

SO fresh and fragrant and probably my favourite of the night.

Alongside some vino.

And a few old favourites…

Whisky, cherry and chilli concoction of dreams.

And a couple of Bunga Bunga’s iconic David Punch.

Going to Bunga Bunga can be a bit of a trek if you’re not an SW11 resident, but it’s one that’s very much worth taking!

Book a table, take a group of friends, the more the merrier. There’s great cocktails, delightful finger food and even karaoke, it’s very relaxed and always great fun! You’re going to love it!

Bunga Bunga, 37 Battersea Bridge Rd, London SW11 3BA

Barrel & Stone at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel

25-05-2016 Local Black BookBarrel & Stone, Chelsea, Chelsea Harbour, Chelsea Harbour Hotel, cocktail, cocktails, Imperial Wharf, pizza, recommendation, Restaurant, review, South LondonLeave a comment

When the sun is shining, there’s nothing quite like a trip to the seaside.

But life’s a beach and escaping for a day of picnics, sandcastles, rock pools and sticky pink candyfloss is sometimes easier said than done…

The good news is, you can actually get that seaside vibe right in the centre of London…

Tucked away behind Imperial Wharf station, Chelsea Harbour is a little piece of summertime paradise.

With its tall, elegant buildings, cobbled streets and boats of all sorts and sizes, it’s not playing catch up with any costal marina worth visiting.

Chelsea Harbour Hotel | Cake + Whisky

Even the only restaurant with views on the harbour, The Brasserie at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, has that nautical feel to it.

Chelsea Harbour Hotel | Cake + Whisky

… and the cocktails sure would be perfect to sip on while watching the sun set into the ocean!

The only difference, really, is the food. No fish & chips for miles around.

We are in Chelsea after all, and greasy fingers aren’t quite the trend down there…

Instead, there’s a new kid on the block and it’s bringing the best of Italy to Chelsea Harbour.

Focusing on a handful of recipes and the very best ingredients, Barrel & Stone allows local businesses to offer freshly prepared and baked pizza of an exceptional standard.

The blistered stone-baked pizzas fly over to the tables within a couple of minutes.

Herbal Remedy, with fennel sausage, broccoli rabe, fior di latte mozzarella, garlic & chilli.

A lesser know combination but one well worth trying!

If you’re after that absolute-indulgence, holiday feeling, go for Gone Trufflin’.

Barrel & Stone at the Chelsea Harbour Hotel | Cake + Whisky

Pilled high with mushrooms, black truffle cream, smoky speck and fior di latte mozzarella, it’s an absolute beauty.

Don’t miss this. Get one for the table to share, it’ll blow your mind!

All polished off with Crème Caramel (nobody does dessert quite like the French…) and a little espresso while watching the sun setting over the Thames.

And there you have it: the perfect seaside break, without leaving London. Bellissimo!

Barrel & Stone at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel, Chelsea Harbour, Chelsea, London SW10 0XG

Rabbit restaurant, Chelsea

20-10-2015 Local Black BookBritish, Chelsea, farm, London, Rabbit, Restaurant, review, small plates, tapas, where to eat in london3 Comments

If there is tapas made anywhere in London, it’s likely you’ll find me somewhere around some time soon.

So after visiting one of the most fantastic exhibitions of the year, we went down to the woods and stumbled upon Rabbit on the way.

Opened by three brothers who grew up on a farm in Sussex, the small restaurant makes for the most charming rural spot right in the middle of Chelsea (oh, the irony!).

With its wood and stone walls, its subtle natural tones and its decidedly bucolic decoration, Rabbit offers a quiet retreat from the hustle and bustle of London’s metropolitan life.

And how cool are those antic-tractor-seats-turned-chairs? They definitely give you a sense of that farm-to-table business rabbit is all about!

Definitely not cool enough to divert my attention away from the food though!

Especially when the mise-en-bouches look as good as those!

Pretty-as-a-picture Beetroot Crisp, Goats Cheese and Blackberry Jam.

Hake Rillettes which remind me of summer holiday picnics.

And my favourite of all: the glorious Confit Rabbit and Tarragon on Parmesan Sablé.

So good I could have eaten dozens of those.

But it was a good call to keep some stomach space for one of Rabbit’s signature dishes: Chorizo and Labneh.

Studded with crisp bread shards and incredibly morish kale crisps, it has almost nothing in common with the Spanish sausage dish but is equally delicious!

The Lamb Chips disappear so quickly I barely had time to click a picture.

Another of the restaurant’s signature dishes and an absolute must-order in my book (and I’m sure anyone else’s).

The prettiest of all plates came in the form of a lot of cauliflower.

Rainbow Cauliflower, Smoked Onions, Rocket and Almond Pesto.

Just as delicious as it is pretty and the kind of dishes I hoped we’d see more of in restaurants.

Another winner was the Duck Liver, Radicchio, Chives and Golden Grapes.

Deeply umami and a game changer (see what I did there?)!

The Wild Mushroom Ragu is a strong favourite amongst the restaurant’s patrons.

Crispy sage leaves, creamy celeriac mash and some of the best (and most truffled, in the good sense of the word) damn mushrooms I’ve ever had!

I’m quite demanding when it comes to pudding, but I might just have found my new favourite.

Honeycomb, dipped in chocolate and served atop dollops of vanilla mascarpone.

Basically heaven in a mouthful and a combination I fully intend to re-use very soon!

And all together quite representative of the food at Rabbit: simple, sophisticated and just right. Everything good food should be.

Rabbit, 172 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4UP

Cake and Whisky

Life in London and other almost-grown-up tales

Menu

Chelsea

Chelsea in Bloom – Floral Safari

BRGR.CO, Chelsea

BRGR.CO Chelsea, 127 King’s Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 4PW (they also have a Soho branch)

More great London burgers?

The Founder burger at BRGR.CO

BRGR.CO Soho: 187 Wardour Street, London W1 8ZB

BRGR.CO Chelsea: 127 King’s Road, London SW3 4PW

Stripes & Cocktails at Bunga Bunga

Barrel & Stone at The Chelsea Harbour Hotel

Rabbit restaurant, Chelsea