Tag Archives: south kensington

Bumpkin, South Kensington

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Bumpkin was the favourite destination for “work drinks” at my previous job. This relaxed cosy restaurant and bar is ideal for enjoying a glass of wine and a good gossip. The chain has venues in Westfield Stratford, Notting Hill and South Kensington, but although united in conception, each restaurant has its own character and charm.

I visited the South Kensington branch last week to try out their autumnal menu of British classics. There is the instant feeling of comfort as you walk through the door: dimmed lighting, warm colours and the smell of good food. We sat huddled around an intimate table and chose quickly.

Spying the recently redesigned cocktail menu, we chose a couple to whet our appetites. British Martini was a tasty mix of red berries, though I thought Herefordshire Gimlet, with a hint of jam and shaken with Grey Goose Vodka, was the best – refreshing and sweet but with a kick. There were plenty more to choose from – Spiced Daiquiri is a lovely festive drink for those in the mood.

Starters were sadly a bit of a disappointment all round: Treacle and Cider ham hock was bland and barely seasoned and the Caramelised red onion tart with yarg cheese was overly sweet, served cold and dry and not what I was expecting.

Luckily things improved with the main course and we were pleased we had both decided on the hearty grilled steaks, sirloin for me, fillet for my guest. Served with roasted Portobello mushroom, grilled tomato and soft herb crusted bone marrow it was a feast of English ingredients. The meat was tender and juicy although no sauce was available; a creamy peppercorn would have been perfect. Chunky skin-on chips were delicious, piping hot with a good texture.

It was getting late and we intended to opt for the lightest desserts on offer… that is until my guest spotted Sticky Toffee Pudding. It was a wise choice, oozing caramelly goodness and topped with Jude’s vanilla ice-cream… I barely managed to dunk my spoon in for a mouthful, the whole plate was scraped clean within a minute. Mulled wine poached pear was a simple dish, with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon… I loved the taste of soft sweet pear with the dollop of Cornish clotted cream, though I thought the additional gingerbread was perhaps superfluous.

I imagine Bumpkin cooks up a cracking Roast Dinner, and with the large private dining area, the South Kensington branch would be the ideal place to hold Christmas meals: a homely place to drink, dine and be merry this winter.

More information here.

http://www.bumpkinuk.com/

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, V&A

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Looking round the costume department at the V&A is one of my favourite lunchtime activities, so I was very excited when the Ballgowns exhibition was announced. This show is part of the British Design Season and celebrates the opening of the newly renovated Fashion Galleries at the V&A.

Wandering round the Victoria and Albert Museum alone is always enchanting, with another magical artefact to discover on each visit. On a sunny Thursday lunchtime, the galleries were teeming with culture hungry visitors. The space allocated to the Ballgowns was very dimly lit with women gathering round each garment nattering away about the material, cut and colour. I tried to dodge the students discussing and furiously sketching to get a good look at the clothes myself.

Ballgowns: British Glamour since 1950 showcases some of the most fabulous dresses from the last six decades up to the present day. The collection includes catwalk showstoppers, red carpet attire and beautiful occasion dresses. There are more than sixty designs on display, including several notable royal dresses, of which Princess Diana’s ‘Elvis Dress’designed by Catherine Walker is perhaps the most spectacular. Every dress has a story and it is fascinating learning the history of these couture gowns. Many of them have been designed and made especially for a particular individual or celebrity and so the style relates to their character and role in society, and truly captures a moment.

Interestingly the dresses are arranged and exhibited by colour rather than date. Every ballgown has a timeless elegance and yet the obvious era changes and shifts in society are evident in tailoring and shape. The development of new ideals can be seen in the radical move from tight restrictive corseted dresses to floaty ethereal gowns that skim rather than cling to a women’s figure. I was a particular fan of the bigger more ostentatious dresses, the fairytale princess gowns that would look so uncommon and bizarre at the parties I go to but must suit the society balls that I would love to experience, just once.

On the Mezzanine level contemporary ballgowns are displayed, some of which are straight off the catwalk: luxurious, extravagant and utterly stunning gowns dreamed up and carefully created by world-renowned designers including Alexander McQueen, Erdem, Roland Mouret, Marchesa and Mary Katrantzou. I loved the remarkable feather gown, and the crystal encrusted dress that Beyonce donned for her performance for the Obamas.

This exhibition is certainly the fashion show of the season… I left wishing the dresses were in my wardrobe.

Ballgowns: British Glamour Since 1950, sponsored by Coutts, runs at the V&A from 19 May 2012 – 6 January 2013.

http://www.vam.ac.uk/

Nailberry, South Kensington

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Nailberry has the largest and most diverse collection of nail varnishes, shellac, gel, pearls, glitter and nail art pens imaginable. This is just one of the reasons I rate them so highly as an exemplary nail bar.

Nailberry was launched seven months ago by Sonia Hully, a creative and determined young woman on a mission to run a speedy and hygienic nail bar that offers affordable quality treatments. It is a stylish boutique salon, with white and beige decor and pretty floral wallpaper giving a calming and relaxing atmosphere. I spent a lovely hour at Nailberry chatting and being pampered.

There are a variety of manicures, pedicures and other treatments available including some very special and unique treats like the Japanese Manicure with P shine based on a process used four hundred years ago – Nailberry are one of the only places in London offering this unusual treatment. I tried the Classic Manicure involving soak, cut, file, cuticle removal and nail colour, although now, looking at the menu, I’m annoyed I didn’t try the signature Nailberry manicure which includes hot towel moisturise and massage.

Fuelling my fluorescent fetish, I had to choose between a variety of neon hues, all brilliantly radiant… feeling overwhelmed and indecisive, I decided on five neon shades, green, yellow, red, pink and orange to adorn the five fingers on each hand. Iva, my manicurist proceeded with precision, and my nails were groomed and trimmed to look their best before two coats of colour were carefully applied. Now, a week later, the colour remains unchipped and in perfect condition, truly one of the longest lasting manicures I have ever had.

Conveniently close to my work, I know I will be a regular visitor to this colourful salon. The Nailberry brand are hoping to bring out their own range of neon varnishes soon which I am also very excited about! Perfect with my neon pink branding, Nailberry and Thoroughly Modern Milly should collaborate!

Visit the Nailberry website here for more information.

Thai Square restaurant, South Kensington

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Thai Square is the most familiar Thai chain in London… there are branches in every area of the city, I often spy the gold sign lurking on street corners and have always wondered about the standard of the cuisine.

The nearest branch to me is just a minute’s walk from my office in South Kensington so it was easy to check it out one lunchtime. Thai is my favourite cuisine, my cravings originate from my dad’s delicious Thai curry and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

The petite restaurant at South Ken is bright inside, friends chat round small wooden tables – it is the ideal place for a quick hot working lunch. We tried the Duck Wraps and Chicken Satay to start. The dishes arrived promptly piping hot, the chicken was tender and nicely marinated with extra sweet nutty sauce. The duck was a little too dry, and looked like it had suffered in the heat, but had a good flavour nonetheless.

For main, my Red Thai Curry was moreish and tasty. The vegetables and meat tender and I couldn’t stop shovelling it in my mouth desperate for more of the dangerously addictive creamy coconut sauce. The accompanying steamed rice was rather dry and flaky and clumped together on my plate. Luckily there was enough of the delicious curry sauce to combine with it. My friend chose Pad Siew, a stir fried noodle dish with chicken, fresh green vegetables and dark soya sauce; texturally it was enjoyable but the flavours were a little bland and a little more seasoning would have helped.

After a few sweet and icy mouthfuls of refreshing mango and passionfruit sorbet, I ran back to work, full and satisfied but not stunned by Thai Square’s fragrant offering.

Visit the Thai Square restaurant website here.

Comptoir Libanais, South Kensington

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Comptoir Libanais radiates onto the street, the bright cheerful sign and joie de vivre lures you in to experience the Lebanese food and join the fun. The restaurant, which now has three branches in London is a canteen / delicatessen, a kind of Middle Eastern version of Carluccio’s! It is an expansive space, and gloriously lively inside. Shelves are lined with imported goods – boxes of food and delicacies to try and buy.

When I visited on a Thursday evening every colourful table was filled, the staff were efficiently clearing to enable second, third and fourth sittings, avoiding what could have become a shambolic scenario. There is plenty to choose from but when we ate there, due to menu revamps, much of the main dishes were unavailable. More disappointingly the desserts on offer were sparse. We chose a selection of dishes for starter and main as the plates are ideal for sharing and this way you can get a proper feel for the cuisine.

I adore fresh lemonade, Comptoir offer several interesting varieties, we tried Pomegranate & orange blossom and Rosewater, lemon & lime flavour. Both were very strongly perfumed and a bit overwhelming with the intensely flavoured food, but I can imagine these drinks would be lovely and refreshing on a summer’s afternoon.

To start we tried a selection of falafel and kibbeh, warm and deliciously flavoursome. The lamb kibbeh was my favourite, seasoned minced lamb mixed with spices, crunchy pine nuts and onion, the parcels were accompanied by an organic yoghurt sauce, a cooling dip with the spiciness of the kibbeh. The Mezze Platter is a great way to experience all the Lebanese ingredients: Baba ghanuj, hommos, tabbouleh, falafel, organic lentil salad, cheese sambousek, pickles and warm pitta. Many of these recipes are familiar to me from my childhood when we would often munch on Lebanese snacks. The Comptoir delivered a platter of colour and aroma, all the elements tasted homemade, made with love, expertise and attention.

For mains we ordered a Mixed Grill of lamb kofta, chicken kofta, chicken shish taouk and organic rice. The meat was succulent, marinated in a herby piquant sauce, the lamb was particularly good. Then came the Halloumi Salad, with grilled cheese, baby gem, cherry tomatoes, olives, radish, olive oil and lemon juice. I am an expert halloumi eater, and will admit this was the best I have ever tried, soft and creamy and incredibly moreish. I couldn’t visit a Lebanese restaurant without trying a Tagine… but with enough meat on the table to feed a small family we opted for the Baked Aubergine with rich tomato and chickpea sauce. This was extremely comforting, I find tagines quite heavy, definitely more of a winter option. The tangy tomato sauce and aubergine are a great pairing, however the aubergine had a slightly bitter aftertaste.

I have never liked Baklawa, the popular Lebanese pastries, finding them unbearably sweet… my dad always bought them as an excuse for pudding. Determined to try the Comptoir variety we ordered a selection… and, dare I say it, they were delicious, light and nutty and very fresh. Accompanied by vanilla ice cream and fresh mint tea, it was a lovely conclusion to the meal.

Comptoir Libanais is the perfect place to get a quick bite to eat in a relaxed environment… the food is lean and light, quick to arrive and very fresh. I am visiting Beirut in Lebanon later this month and I can’t wait to eat delicious Lebanese food in its natural habitat!

Visit the Comptoir Libanais website here.