Author Archives: Milly

Mayfair Pizza Co, Mayfair

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I thought there was nothing left to discover in Mayfair. London’s poshest streets are awash with glossy art galleries, designer clothes shops and expensive fine eateries, so when I got an email about Mayfair Pizza Co my interest was ignited. Located in the idyllic car-free courtyard of Lancashire Court, it is a popular place for professional locals to gather for an after work drink or supper with friends.

A slim staircase leads to an airy high ceilinged room, rustic wooden tables are lined up with plush blue-grey velvet chairs. It is a mix of Italian tradition and British style. The attractively stored wine bottles looked very tempting but delicate glasses of fizzy arrived, a Bellini for me. The very drinkable house Prosecco is priced at £5 a flute, though be warned it is quite addictive.

The menu features a selection of Italian antipasti and starters, simple pasta dishes and a range of creative pizzas. Bitesize Black truffle and mozzarella arancini balls were delightful. Trialling the counter artisan meats and cheeses was definitely a good idea, these delicacies are top quality. I would particularly recommend the Speck di Montagne, Burratina and rich and flavoursome Wild boar salami.

A few pizzas caught my eye, there is certainly a good variety on offer. Caprina is a lovely summery option with mozzarella, goat’s cheese, red peppers, rocket and parmesan, whilst meat eaters will devour the Salami, chorizo, Parma ham and pancetta. The kitchen kindly added extra red onion and nduja spicy sausage when we enquired about it. Additional pizza toppings are charged at £2 each; pizzas are priced between £8 and £16. The bases are medium thickness and toppings are distributed evenly throughout. The cheese is generous and I really loved the fresh crunchy rocket and salty parmesan on my pizza. The meat variety was a little overwhelming, I loved the chorizo and parma ham but wasn’t keen on the salami which tasted too salty and processed.

Dessert caused quite a conundrum, there were three we wanted. Promising to make smaller portion sizes we ordered all three. Nutella Calzone with marshmallow and crushed hazelnuts was a boy’s pudding, thick dough that squelches with a gooey sweet filling. Hardcore Italian food fans will enjoy the Tiramisu, though I found the proportion of cream to sponge wasn’t quite right… there was too much cream to get through. The salted caramel chocolate pot is little and luxurious, smooth and rich fondant-like mousse topped with crackling popping candy and chocolate crumbs.

Pizza and Prosecco are two of my favourite things and I can’t think of a nicer place to enjoy these indulgences than Mayfair Pizza Co.

More information and book here: www.mayfairpizzaco.com

Things to do in Frankfurt

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When choosing a destination to escape to for a weekend break I consider several factors: flight time, size of city, and cost of trip. And so, though an unusual choice for a leisure holiday, Frankfurt proved to be the ideal place for a 1-night getaway with a friend. 40 pounds for flights, 60 minutes on a plane and a small enough city centre in which almost everything is in walking distance.

To Stay

Roomers Hotel– Seductive and stylish this design hotel is a luxurious place to stay in Frankfurt for the weekend. Located in the centre of town and boasting a chic bar & restaurant, and stunning rooftop spa, it is a brilliant option for both business and leisure visitors.

To Eat

Carmelo Greco– Considering the size of the city Frankfurt has a large number of Michelin star eateries, predominantly to cater for the business customers. Carmelo Greco is a lovely, relaxed restaurant offering delicious refined Italian cuisine. I could not fault the service, quality of food or ambience, it was the perfect way to spend our only evening in the city.

Magarete– This trendy restaurant is must try in the city. Offering modern German cuisine in an arty cool dining space it is always full of fashionable, beautiful people.

Zeit Fur Brot– Translating to ‘Time for Bread’ this inviting café makes all the bread and pastries on site everyday with organic ingredients. At the end of the day they donate the leftovers to the homeless. I don’t normally like cinnamon rolls, but the freshly baked variety here was utterly irresistible, soft, sweet and warm it was very comforting and the perfect snack with a cup of coffee.

To Drink

Plank café bar– This all-black corner café is found in the red-light district. Visit for cake and coffee in the day or at night for a glass of fine German wine. The Plank crew love music and live bands often play, entertaining the evening guests.

The Parlour– Impossible to find and certainly just for in-the-know cocktail aficionados, this tiny bar is setting the mixology trends in Frankfurt. Speak to talented bartender Maxim Kilian who will create you a magical, perfectly mixed drink or order from their inventive list. We tried all kinds of wonderful creations, but I would recommend the Bourbon-based and well balanced Napoleon Dynamite.

Lorsbacher Thal – cider and apple wine is a speciality in Frankfurt and this traditional tavern is the ideal place to try it. Sit at one of the communal wooden tables, admire young charming surroundings and enjoy a refreshing glass of apple wine.

To Do

MMK museum– Frankfurt’s Museum for Modern Art was founded in 1981, it is known as the ‘piece of cake’ because of the unique shape of the building. Exhibiting thrilling and innovative shows, I saw a thought-provoking exhibition inspired by The Divine Comedy in which Heaven, Hell and Purgatory is interpreted by contemporary African artists.

The Dom – With so many high-rise financial buildings it is pleasant to see this historic cathedral and tower, dating back to the 14th century. Climb to the top of the tower for impressive 360 views of the entire city.

Staedel Museum– The main art gallery in Frankfurt has an important collection of paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures from seven centuries. The building goes underground in a fascinating extension with a curved ceiling, on ground level there is an amazing and unique garden accenting with circular skylights on the floor.

Villa Kennedy Spa– Indulge and revitalise at this outstanding spa. Located in the grand Villa Kennedy hotel this spa is a pampering palace. Have a soothing massage then enjoy the indulgent facilities, I particularly loved the Turkish steam room and the granite-lined pool which overlooks the lush garden.

To Shop

Tia Emma– This multi-coloured little shop is a delight for kids and adult. Crowded shelves display trinkets, stickers, toys, stationery and other useless but wonderful artefacts. You’ll need to sit down after all the excitement, and grab a coffee and slice of cake from the shop’s café.

Designe Kleine– This miniature design store is definitely worth visiting. Owner Susanne Stahl rents out the display boxes to showcase and sell the work of other designers. There is always an eclectic mix to discover inside, and even when the shop is shut you can use the 24 hour vending machine outside to the shop which dispenses surprise design creations, different every time for 3 Euros a pop.

Apfelweinhandlung: This site was previously home to the beloved concept store Colekt which recently shut. Owner JB’s minimalist shop serves and sells his own brewed apple wine, a Frankfurt specialty. Just 8 Euros a bottle, this delicious brew uses eight types of apples including rare varieties from old German apple trees. Chat to JB about the fascinating process and buy a bottle to take home.

Bitter & Zart– A chocolate shop to inspire and excite. The beautiful interiors wow, with wall art designs by Renata Kos and Oriana Fenwick complementing the cabinets of rainbow hued chocolates. Sit nextdoor in the seductive velvet clad café for Parisian tea or coffee from locally based roaster Jorges.

Many thanks to the Frankfurt Tourist board for their help with this trip, more information here.

Hot on the Highstreet Week 216

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I love cookbooks, even if they are most commonly used as eye candy on my coffee table. Here are a few of my current favourites, all available to buy on Amazon.

The Art of Eating Well is a revolutionary cookbook that will help anyone who wishes to feel better, lose weight or have more energy. London-based sisters Jasmine and Melissa Hemsley teach their principles of life-long healthy eating with exciting and inventive recipes that are so delicious you forget the purpose is good health and nourishment. Buy here.

Stevie Parle burst onto the London scene in 2009 with the launch of a new restaurant, Dock Kitchen, whose food AA Gill described as ‘faultless’, earning him the Observer Food Monthly Young Chef of the Year award 2010. The opposite of the usual ‘chefy’ restaurant fare, Stevie serves an eclectic mix of dishes that in their countries of origin would all be described as home cooking. Ranging from Mexico to Morocco, from Catalonia to Kerala, taking in the Mediterranean and the Middle East, here are simple, wholesome and perfectly balanced recipes for dishes that will warm the heart in winter and cool the palate in summer. Buy here.

‘Winner of two “Gourmand Cookbook Awards 2014: ” Best in the World, Historical Recipes and Best” “Local Cuisine, For Italy’Food and glass: a combination offering an authentically Venetian experience. Venetian cooking is fundamentally a simple cuisine because of the basic ingredients and methods of preparation and the time required for cooking is short, but it is also complex, giving rise to striking and unusual combinations. This gastronomic tradition is the product of a highly distinctive territory, one in which water and land closely exist. There are fish and shellfish from the lagoon and the nearby Adriatic, vegetables and fruit from the islands in the estuary, and meat and game from the mainland and spices from the distant Orient. Buy here.

The king of beautiful pub food has collected all of his best ideas into this proper cookbook, ready to warm the world on a grey day and restore the nation’s good mood. Tom Kerridge’s idea of food heaven isn’t fussy gastronomy; it’s proper ‘man food’ with Michelin star magic, including breakfasts that keep you smiling for the whole day, indulgent long lunches, teatime temptations, seasonal snacks and heart-warming suppers. In this cookbook Tom proves that everyone can make proper pub food, and the only place he wants to see a foam is on the head of a pint of beer! Over 100 recipes reveal his secrets for making real food truly amazing, including perfected dishes from his childhood and special treats he serves at his own one-of-a-kind pub. These recipes are simply the best version you’ll ever have of the dishes everyone loves the most. Buy here.

More than 100 recipes make up this stunning yet eminently approachable collection of suppers from Jason Atherton: perfect meals to share with friends and family. It is not only a showcase of Jason’s favourite things to cook, both savoury and sweet, but also a celebration of the flavours and techniques that have inspired him from all around the world. Every dish bears the hallmark of excellence on which he has built his reputation as one of the world’s truly great and most innovative chefs. Beautiful, inspiring photography by John Carey completes this collection of stunningly good suppers. Buy here.