Monthly Archives: January 2015

Hot on the Highstreet Week 243

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As London approaches the coldest week of winter I have selected my five favourite cashmere blankets to snuggle up and keep cosy.

Urbanara – Uyuni Cashmere Blanket £199

The Uyuni Cashmere Blanket is one of the finest cashmere blankets from the large Urbanara collection. Beautifully soft to the touch, this luxurious fibre is sourced from cashmere goats in Inner Mongolia, where the supplier carefully monitors the production process from start to finish, ensuring only the highest quality material for the Uyuni. The blanket displays an intricate, two-toned diamond motif with a delicate ‘eyelash’ fringe along the width to complete its look. Available in 140 x 200 cm, with a choice of three colours.

White Company – Cashmere Rib Collection £400

This blanket is from the incredibly luxurious featherweight-cashmere collection. Whisper-soft against your skin, it features a stunning all-over ribbed texture and is gorgeously finished with a deep, double-knit border. Presented in a suitably beautiful white box, it also makes a wonderful gift to treasure. The double-sided, ribbed cushion cover with a lovely plain-knit envelope closure finishes the look perfectly.

Johnsons of Elgins – Cashmere Reversible Throw £450

The ultimate luxury blanket from the Cashmere kings, Johnsons of Elgins. This versatile blanket is reversible to give a bright (Sky blue) and light (Ecru) appearance, depending on your mood. 190 x 140 cm, it is currently reduced in the new year sale.

Brora – Cashmere Woven Blanket £499

The ultimate and undisputed mark of luxury, to label this blanket as soft simply doesn’t do it justice! In deliciously new, bright Brora blends there is a shade to suit everyone, I love the tangy Pumpkin colour. This piece is an investment you won’t regret, a beautiful woven blanket made from the finest Scottish cashmere.

Burberry – Cashmere Check Blanket £995

This soft cashmere blanket has a sophisticated tonal check pattern and fringing at both ends. From the designer British brand it is as indulgent as you can get and will last you a lifetime.

The Manor, Clapham

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Clapham is now a destination on London’s food map thanks to The Dairy and The Manor, two restaurants with the same ownership, style and food finesse. Tucked away just off Clapham High Street, halfway between Clapham North and Clapham Common stations, you will find The Manor, a charming modern bistro. It has only been open a few months but the reservation book is filling up fast as foodies migrate south to try chef Dean Parker’s creative cuisine.

Warm bread in a sack was soon placed on the table alongside a precariously balanced lump of whipped ‘chicken skin’ butter on a pebble. The waitress kindly delivered a second bread and butter after we polished off the initial offering at staggering speed. We accompanied our bread with thick and meaty pork and fennel salami, delicious but rather a stingy portion for £7. BBQ crispy chicken skins and kimchi is a must, a crunchy salty and sweet mix of oriental flavours.

We opted for vegetarian starters, not intentionally: fermented potato flat bread with smoked aubergine and mint and Burnt kale with cavolo nero and toasted almonds. Both offer unusual tastes and were presented beautifully on unique ceramic platters. The kale had a beguiling bitter aftertaste complemented by a cooling creamy sauce made of something I was unable to identify. The smoked aubergine was delicious too, and would be ideal as a dip at the start of a chic dinner party at home.

Of the meat courses, I recommend the Suckling pig belly with braised head, morcilla and squash, an irresistible array of textures and tastes. The pork was carefully cooked so the meat was tender and the fat nicely crisped, the squash was surprisingly sweet and soft and morcilla (blood sausage) sauce in the centre is rich and indulgent. Hay-smoked pigeon with fermented grains, parsnip and malt granola was a little bizarre for my palate but is a hit with other foodies. The gamey meat is topped with crunchy cereal-like grains and the sauce is milky, qualities I expect at breakfast time.

Frozen chocolate fondant, dulce de leche and milk is for the chocolate lovers, a light yet punchy dessert. Granny Smith apple parfait with meringue and brittle sorrel is the showstopper. A light and refreshing pudding served in a small bowl is topped with leaves that are zapped with liquid nitrogen at the table, causing a stir all round. It was both exciting and tasty.

Clapham’s newest restaurant is quietly upping the ante for restaurants in this area. For me, it is very exciting to discover an eatery that illustrates the skill of a fine kitchen with the flair and character of a trendy young café.

More information and book here: www.themanorclapham.co.uk

Salto Restaurant, Warsaw

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Before heading to Warsaw I contacted the man in charge of Poland’s only Michelin star kitchen, Modest Amaro… although his restaurant was shut he highly recommended Salto Restaurant. This relatively new eatery is housed in the luxurious Hotel Rialto (elegant art deco accommodation in the city centre) though operates very much as its own entity.

Salto is the creative venture of Argentinian-born Martin Gimenez Castro, winner of Poland’s 2013 ‘Top Chef’ competition. Passionate and innovative, Martin has carefully designed every aspect of the venue, including the beautiful unique plates and bowls in which his food is served. The food is intricate but employs bold flavour combinations and unusual cooking techniques. It is like nothing else I tried in Poland, the recipes are braver and tastes more powerful.

Salto features frequent reminders of Martin’s background and heritage, with South American flavours, an abundance of fish and seafood as well as famous Argentine beef. I peeked in the small kitchen where Martin and his petite team conjure up endless immaculate plates of food. Out in the full restaurant, guests seemed to be audibly enjoying their food, discussing the successful dishes amongst themselves.

We had our fingers crossed for steak, and four courses in, an impressive cut of Argentinian beef tenderloin was placed in front of each of us, perfuming the air around us. Alongside the steak came white truffle sauce, pak choi and baked Jerusalem artichokes. It was wonderful, a triumph of indulgent ingredients and fine silky meat.

Salto is known also for its remarkable wine list. The eager staff chose wine expertly to complement each course, producing one rare vintage after another. Particularly memorable was the 2004 Cavas de Weinert from Mendoza which married well with the steak.

A colourful and light dessert arrived to mark the end of the meal. An artistic arrangement of chocolate and beetroot components. It was my favourite flavour pairing of the night and I embraced the final plate of creativity gratefully.

Poland’s food scene is flourishing, and Martin Gimenez Castro is one of the most talented chefs leading the revolution. A meal at Salto is a must for any foodie visiting Warsaw.

More information and book here: www.saltorestauracja.pl