The English Laundrette, pop-up restaurant, Shoreditch

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I love to blog anything unconventional and quirky and the English Laundrette certainly fits this category. This pop-up restaurant coincides with the rather posher French Laundrette event currently serving in Harrods under the helm of award-winning chef Thomas Keller.

I was a little disappointed to discover that the venue for the English Laundrette is not actually a vintage laundrette but just an interesting blank space in East London used for suppers, gigs and exhibitions. Even so, the team have done a brilliant job dressing the place up in a suitably kitsch and fun way with washing lines of drying laundry and hilarious moving washing machine projections. Fabulous girls greeted us, rollers in their hair and sporting adorable outfits… we were given incredibly strong Chase Gin punch cocktails to sip on while waiting for the other attendees.

Guests are served nightly a six course dinner with an eccentric menu created with nostalgic references to the 1960s. Dishes such as prawn cocktail and cheese and pineapple are revitalised and given a bizarre, inventive twist. I have to admit, most of the food was a little too odd for me, and there were a few courses I avoided, particularly the strange smelling spiced tomato juice that was up first. Next cheese and pineapple was adapted to goat’s cheese pannacotta (tasted like iffy ice-cream) with a base of pineapple weed jelly, and landcress puree, which made me squirm. The avocado veggie sundae I quite enjoyed, especially the little avocado breadcrumbed croutons… but by this point I was ready for some hot grub.

My wish was soon answered with the extensive Mixed Grill: Roe deer & malt scotch egg, crispy crumbled smoked bath chaps, fried duck egg, black pudding, triple fried chips and the list goes on. My table were rather overwhelmed by this cholesterol fest. Next, English rare-bit, mock caviar and Worcester sauce, basically a jazzed up version of cheese on toast.

The meal was completed with Lily Vanilli’s trolley of vintage delights including a rather dilapidated sherry trifle, which tasted delish but looked a mess. Then lots of little fancies the waitresses brought round on trays: mini bakewell tarts and custard cream cakes.

I can’t say I particularly enjoyed the meal, but I absolutely loved the concept and the idea of this pop-up restaurant, impressed by the passion and drive of its enthusiastic creators.

The English Laundrette is only continuing until 9th October, however the creators hope to bring their pop-up DISCO BISTRO (yes – food and dancing) idea to London next year, so watch this space!

Visit the website here.

ST ALi, Coffeebar Cafe & Roastery, Clerkenwell

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It was THE day for having brunch in London… Saturday 1st October 2011 with the sun’s scorching rays encouraging us all to make the most of the last of summer. St ALi was the location, 27 Clerkenwell Road and we were there nice and early while the locals seemed to still be yawning hello to the weekend.

I was thrilled to finally be visiting St. ALi, one of the coolest coffee joints in town. As I sat on the welcoming benches outside, the sky a luminous shade of sapphire and the street glowing with early morning sunshine, I could easily have been in southern Europe. Inside the venue is relaxed and friendly, a constant chatter can be heard all around from satisfied diners. Baristas and waitresses assemble in the central station where tempting croissants adorn the counter and coffee machines are hard at work. We were seated upstairs where it is just as busy, in fact we were warned we may have to queue as St Ali gets so popular at weekends, but luckily avoided this (a line had formed outside by the time we left at 12.30pm).

For the sake of a thorough review, we selected a variety of brunch choices. Sampling the divine coffee, freshly roasted and ground onsite (we even saw the giant machine), the creamy hot chocolate and the freshly squeezed orange juice. Foodwise there is ample choice – whatever you feel like, light or more filling. Persuaded by the display downstairs, we couldn’t resist the pastries and so ordered an almond croissant and pain au chocolat to share. Soft, luxurious, flaky and buttery they were delicious, especially for dipping into the rich coffees.

I chose the salad of mango, watermelon, pineapple, passion fruit and pomegranate, with minted yoghurt & granola, a mountain of the freshest fruit stacked in a stunning pile of bright colours, it looked too good to eat. The minted yoghurt is an original addition, adding a kick of contrasting flavour, and the granola gave crunch. My friends ordered the French toast, with organic maple syrup, vanilla mascarpone & caramelised walnuts, a combination which makes my mouth water just to write it. This dish comes with the option of extra dry aged bacon but they decided it was decadent enough already. I tried the toast, and can confirm it is absolutely scrumptious, the perfect brunch treat.

If only I lived in Clerkenwell, I would be a regular customer of St ALi, but for now I will have to cherish the memory of a brilliant October brunch.

St ALi can be found at 27 Clerkenwell Road, they don’t take reservations so get there early. Visit the website here.

Charlotte’s Bistro, Chiswick

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Chiswick is one of my favourite places in the world, I grew up there and have spent many, many weekends enjoying all its amenities: Fouberts ice-cream parlour, the various parks, friendly restaurants and boutique shops… it will always feel like home. So when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance to review Charlotte’s Bistro on Turnham Green in Chiswick.
With large windows opening onto the street, the restaurant was blissfully cool and breezy when we visited on an unusually hot September evening last week. Even on a school night, this gorgeous bistro was full with jovial groups laughing and enjoying the experience. We were well looked after by attentive waiters throughout the meal, who were happy to answer all our silly questions about what onglet, gurnard and salsify are.
First we were treated to special cocktails to sip on while naughtily tucking into the fresh bread and butter. I tried the adventurous Fennel & Bergamot Martini, an autumnal mix of flavours, while my friend chose the delicious Caribbean breakfast. My martini felt very grown up and sophisticated – a delicate aromatic combination of fennel infused Smirnoff Black vodka, homemade fennel & bergamot purée, orange blossom water and lemon juice – shaken, strained & served straight up.
The menu at Charlotte’s Bistro is diverse and inspiring, using sustainable and interesting seasonal ingredients, for example the Cornish Gurnard used as an alternative to endangered varieties. After much consideration, we decided on our starters: Honey Roasted Pumpkin & Carrot Veloute with almond and coconut for me, and Marinated Violet Artichokes with leek hearts, Trompette emulsion and Berkswell cheese for my guest. Both were beautifully presented, my soup came steaming, a gorgeous orange colour with delicate sweet foam on top. A comforting dish that would make a perfect light winter lunch.
For mains, we decided on the Slow Pork Belly with Pomme Puree, port wine salsify and oyster vinaigrette and the Roasted Hake with Moroccan spices, chorizo, green olives and salt baked potatoes. For an added touch of greenery we ordered the English rocket and Watercress Salad. I wasn’t quite prepared for how rich pork belly is, and though the flavour was scrumptious, I couldn’t manage the very fatty parts. The Pomme Puree was as good as I’d imagined, a more luxurious type of mashed potato, it accompanied the meat wonderfully, as did the sweet and salty port wine salsify. The Hake looked wonderful too, with juicy chunks of chorizo and fresh perfectly cooked fish working well together.
After strong recommendation from our waiter, we ordered the Nougat Praline Parfait with Pistachio Crumble, Brandy Soaked warm Chocolate Madeleine to share for pudding. It was as spectacular as promised, presented precariously on a white plate, three different textured sweet treats, the parfait was particularly yummy. We were both also brought palate cleansing fresh mint tea, my favourite drink to start and finish the day!
Charlotte’s Bistro is a special restaurant with character and a lovely atmosphere – and with a constantly changing menu, it is definitely a place to visit again and again.
Visit the website for Charlotte’s Bistro here.