Tag Archives: Middle Eastern

Sandro, Helsinki

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Sandro is a unique food concept in Helsinki and has garnered a reputation as one of the hippest and tastiest places to eat in town. With a growing family of fans, the eatery recently opened a second branch, so you can now enjoy Sandro in the Kallio and Eira neighbourhoods.

The original Sandro eatery used to be a famous kiosk, Sandron Kulma. It has been in the same spot since 1994, run by Hicham Mountnassir, and cherished by the people in the area. It was early 2013 when Sandro was reborn, and the vibrant restaurant created. Talented chef Hicham Daoussi brought his vast knowledge of Moroccan cooking to Sandro’s menu. A few months later Richard McCormick joined forces and combined his unique style of contemporary cooking together with a Moroccan heritage.

Kallio is a happening area of town, filled with characterful restaurants and bars. When I visited, Sandro was buzzing, clearly a popular hang-out for locals and tourists. The approachable Middle Eastern cuisine on offer is full of zesty flavours and fragrant spices. After a round of sweet fruity cocktails, we were presented with the ‘Marrakech Madness’ feast. This exotic menu includes goat cheese and date pastilla, kofta salad with halloumi, lamb tajine and pistachio and rose baklava with mint tea for dessert.

The pastilla had a thin crisp edge and a sweet tangy filling, they were delicious, especially with the accompanying creamy yoghurt and cucumber raita and contrasting avocado puree. The main course arrived on a huge decorative platter, a magnificent array for all the senses. The lamb tajine was tender and beautifully seasoned, crunchy salads added freshness and texture and the lamb kofta were extremely moreish topped with tomato sauce and sesame seeds. I was delighted to receive such a varied and aromatic course of food.

The sweet course was typically Moroccan; super-sweet pastries made with honey, nuts and flaky pastry. I could only manage a couple of mouthfuls, but it was lovely to have a sugary  end to the meal. Mint tea was soothing and relaxing, and reminded me of my time in the souks of Morocco.

Finland is a chic design destination – at Sandro the colour and flavours are overwhelming, a completely different atmosphere to the chilly scene outside. With delicious food and a lively, friendly welcome, it is a lovely introduction to the Finnish foodie scene.

More information about Sandro here.

Many thanks to the Helsinki Tourist Board for their help with this trip.

Peckham Bazaar, Peckham

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I’ve tried to visit Peckham Bazaar several times now but their small restaurant doesn’t accommodate many and it is always full to the brim with ravenous locals. Last Friday however I managed to secure a table for two at 9.30, a chance at last to try their highly regarded cuisine.

It is a bit off the beaten track, and even after I had convinced my parents that Peckham is not ‘a bit stabby’ (their words, not mine) I was beginning to reconsider. There is a distinct lack of street lights and the towering housing estates on either side of the road create an eerie wind tunnel. Freezing and hungry, we arrived at the shabby but grand ex-pub, which houses Peckham Bazaar on the ground floor.

They describe the food as Pan-Balkin, and cook the majority of the dishes on a giant, smoke-pumping grill, which leaves a tempting scent in the air. Albanian chef John Gionleka is found engulfed in a cloud of charcoal smoke, we nodded in appreciation as we walked in. Sitting at the back of the venue we could survey the room, and all the groups of friends joyfully consuming the tasty grub.

The room is not fussy or trendy but comfortable and welcoming. After a nice glass of light house white, we tucked into Charmoulah chicken wings (£6.50) which are marinated in a delectable mix of spices and skewered on sticks. Served with a sweet roast butternut squash puree, kohlrabi and onion, there are a lot of vibrant flavours to excite the tastebuds. The chicken is encased in a caramelised crunchy skin, and yet remains tender inside.

For main course, we took the waitress’s advice despite eyeing up the pork chops on the neighbouring table. Grilled English rump steak with winter artichoke and new potato stifado was a tour de force, lean chunky strips of meat on a sumptuous pile of potatoes and vegetables, seasoned immaculately. The Grilled marinated quail is a speciality and did not disappoint. I carefully stripped it of every scrap of meat, charred and delicious on the outside, succulent inside. The accompanying herbed pilaf, moutabel (aubergine dip) and adjika (red pepper sauce) were a little sweet for me but texturally worked well, pomegranate and mint leaves added dashes of colour.

Peckham Bazaar definitely serves the best Greek food I’ve tried in London; in fact… I challenge you to find better. Guess that’s another restaurant to add to my ever-growing Peckham favourites list.

More information here: www.peckhambazaar.com

Honey & Co, Warren Street

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I am always on the lookout for exciting breakfast venues in London. Honey & Co is the first solo venture from husband and wife team Itamar Srulovich and Sarit Packer. Both trained as chefs and have gained experience and inspiration working in kitchens around the world.

The little cafe on Warren Street offers Middle Eastern delicacies that evoke memories from the couple’s childhoods. It is the food they grew up with, whether recipes learnt from their mothers or the street food they adored as children. Honey & Co is conceived as an extension of their home, a comforting place to feast on food, chat with friends and relax.

It is a far cry from the croissants and fry-ups available at other breakfast hang-outs. Here you will find Ljje (herb, feta and buttered leek frittata), Roasted pepper and muhamra lahma, Merguese sausage roll with spicy tomato and harissa as just a few of the morning specialities. At the weekends diners can feast on Poached legbar eggs on spinach and yoghurt or Turkish smoked urfa chilli butter and potato bread soldiers, which has become a favourite with regulars. It is all delicious, carefully seasoned and using the best ingredients. Alongside the food, Honey & Co offers the sweetest freshly squeezed orange juice and good coffee.

Honey & Co has produced a vibrant cookbook with tempting recipes and alluring photography. It brings some Middle Eastern exoticism to my kitchen and reminds me of the delicious breakfasts I have enjoyed in the characterful café.

More information here: honeyandco.co.uk