Tag Archives: food

Spring Peckham Pop-ups

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Peckham is a fertile temporary home for pop-up ventures, with plenty of disused buildings to transform and a crowd of eager locals willing to try anything. And as the warm weather approaches, South London is beginning to boom again with markets, events and short-term food and drink offerings. Here are a few fleeting foodie fixtures I’ve discovered in my neighbourhood of Peckham recently.

Crust Conductor – the concept is simple… wood-fired pizza on a stationary double decker bus! The retro London Leyland Titan 1980s bus is found next door to Peckham Rye Station and is open for business all day Saturday and Friday nights. For the ultimate party you can hire the whole bus from Thursday-Sunday. Jonny Henfrey from popular Peckham pub The Gowlett uses a wood-fire oven within the vehicle to create cheesy delights. For a thirst-quenching drink buy a beer from Brick Brewery just outside the bus, the perfect pizza accompaniment. Pizzas start at £6, I loved the Spanish Archer with chorizo, chargrilled peppers and garlic (£8).

Burger Bear – I’d heard of this elusive burger company from fellow foodies, but had never made it along to one of its obscure market spots. Now that it’s got a residency in The Old Nun’s Head pub, I was the first in line to try the juicy burgers. This friendly pub is hosting the Burger Bear team every Monday and Tuesday 6-10pm and Saturdays 12-10pm. The BB boys like to keep it local, all their meat is sourced from South London butchery Flock & Herd. I recommend the sloppy and indulgent ‘Grizzly Bear’, a cheeseburger topped with double oak smoked bacon and Burger Bears Bacon Jam, £10.

Forza Win – Forza Win aims to create “awesome Italian cuisine using seasonal British ingredients”. The company has been around for a few years, touring London using neglected but atmospheric spaces and serving up flavoursome seasonal food. Last month the team came back to their Peckham homeland with a new concept: Spring Chickens. For £35 a head you will get a five course feast, featuring the ‘100 day chicken’. Or for something cheap and casual, every Wednesday you can just turn up for a bowl of pasta and glass of wine for £10.

Frank’s – London’s most popular seasonal rooftop bar is reopening in May ready for another summer of fun. Trek up to the top of the multi-storey carpark, grab an Aperol Spritz from the bar and enjoy the hazy views of London’s skyline.

For more ideas of things to do in Peckham see my post here.

Things to do in Brussels

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Brussels has garnered a reputation as a boring business destination, but I discovered a range of shops, restaurants and cafes that illustrated a creative and exciting side to the city. Just two hours from London on the Eurostar, Belgian is accessible and easy to get to.  As the capital city Brussels is home to many of the flagship stores and important sights. We particularly enjoyed the chocolate, beer and chip tasting!

To stay

The Dominican – this hotel has a focus on design, art and history and is set on the site of what used to be a 15th century Dominican abbey. Located in the centre of Brussels, this accommodation is part of the Design Hotel group featuring the designs of the renowned Amsterdam brand FGStijl. The interior is a modern renovation and revitalisation of the old cloisters and original architecture.

To eat

WY Brussels – this is the newest project from star chef Bart De Pooter, and was prompted awarded a Michelin star. It is a very special and unusual eatery, concealed within Mercedes House, the posh car showroom. We enjoyed a delicious lunch here trying their specialities like the innovative Bacon and cabbage dish.

La Boule D’Or – those searching for traditional Belgian cuisine should head to La Boule D’Or. Most often crammed with hungry locals, this characterful corner café serves favourites like meatballs and steak with chips. Prices are reasonable and the service is friendly.

To drink

Hortense – we were delighted to discover this spirits and cocktail bar, hidden in a tiny cave along Place du Sablon. The little candlelit bar is very atmospheric and serves up tasty inventive drinks. We enjoyed short flavoured cocktails accompanied with the house salt and pepper popcorn.

Chez Franz – this local and atmospheric venue is easy-going and trendy. The perfect stop for a hearty weekend brunch or an evening pint of Belgian blond beer.

OR Espresso Bar – a micro roaster, coffee training centre and coffee bar this little venue was recommended to me several times as the best place to get my morning caffeine fix. Small and characterful I was pleased with my strong but creamy takeaway flat white.

To do

Marolles Flea Market – This street market is open every day all year round and is the place to find a bargain. Rare antiques and vintage trinkets are found amongst the modern tat, you just need the patience to rummage through.

Museum of Musical Instruments – housed in a magnificent Art Nouveau building this impressive collection of instruments from across the ages is presented here in an informative and fun way. As you walk around the audio guide will play you the authentic sounds of the instruments in front of you.

Manneken Pis – “Little man Pee” in Dutch and le Petit Julien in French) is a bizarre landmark in Brussels. The small bronze sculpture depicts a naked little boy urinating into a fountain’s basin. It was designed by Hiëronymus Duquesnoy the Elder and put in place in 1618 or 1619.

To shop

Maison Dandoy – we stumbled across this charming little biscuit shop. A sweet institution established in 1829, Dandoy produces irresistable oven-fresh biscuits. Coincidentally the original shop is found in Brussels on rue au Beurre (Butter street).

L’Antichambre – an unmissable boutique on the Brussels shopping scene. Owner Anne Pascale has created a sensual shop with the highest quality scents from Grasse, and will work with clients to create their very own bespoke fragrance. I was lucky enough to make my own, which I named Resolument Moderne including Chocolate, Spicy Pepper and Fig ingredients. L’Antichambre also produce a range of beautiful scented candles, try the unique flavour Le tomate verte.

Mary – this pretty feminine shop has packaging that is just as lovely as the chocolates. There are now a few branches of this artisan brand, all stocking the signature illustrated boxes filled with seriously delicious treats. My favourite chocolate shop in Brussels, a box of Mary chocolates would be a memorable gift for someone special.

Hunting and Collecting – this spacious, cleanly arranged shop stocks a range of labels, which are rotated regularly, so you are bound to find a new gem every time you visit. The basement hosts art exhibitions whilst upstairs you can browse the tailored clothes, and lust after the design objects and striking accessories.

Pierre Marcolini – when you ask the locals in Belgium for the best chocolate, most will point towards the haute chocolatier, Pierre Marcolini. The shop is more like a museum with immaculately presented chocolates everywhere you look. I loved the coloured heart collection, which are almost too pretty to demolish!

La Fabrika – Opened by Kelly Claessens in 2010 this design haven stocks a beautifully curated collection of classic furniture, unusual books and chic accessories that would complement any home. La Fabrika is a trendsetter in Brussels and is popular with the stylish Bohemian locals.

Le Typographe – I have been excited about my trip to this stationery emporium for months, so entering the doors of the perfectly ordered shop was a joy. Alongside the carefully hand-picked pens, pencils and other writing paraphernalia Le Typographe stock their own brand, often neon, cards, envelopes and notebooks. An atelier of the finest stationery, I wanted it all.

Thoroughly Modern Milly travelled with Eurostar.

·         Eurostar operates up to 9 daily services from London St Pancras International to Brussels with return fares from £69.

·         Tickets to any Belgium station start from £79.

·         Fastest London-Brussels journey time is 2 hours.

·         Tickets are available from eurostar.com or 03432 186 186.

Edvard Restaurant, Vienna

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It seems fitting that in a prestigious city like Vienna there are many restaurants to suit a cultured clientele. Edvard is one of the top in this category, located in the outstanding Kempinski Hotel, this One Michelin starred restaurant serves immaculate dishes using the finest local meat and fish.

Sashaying through the ornate lobby, we made our way to the dining room and were seated at a table near the front, behind us the other tables were all full. We found the waiters to be discreet and charming which ensured the dining room mood was civilised and sophisticated at all times.

Immaculate tiny amuse-bouche tasters were brought to us, arranged with the utmost care, followed by wonderfully warm crusty bread, and indulgent canary yellow butter. A tempting tasting menu offers 4 or 7 courses, which can be paired with wine. We opted for the extravagant a la carte menu which features fresh and exciting flavour combinations. I loved the simplicity of the menus, decorated with lovely little food related illustrations.

After a glass of extra bubbly Champagne, our complex starter arrived. We both ordered the Beets with cream cheese, herbs, pumpernickel and malt – a dish that arrived on two plates each. The food was a rich palette of reds and maroons, with varying textures and shapes. I particularly liked the oriental style beetroot rolls which were presented entwined in an alarming snake-like jelly. Then on the slate plate, a thin malt biscuit topped with vibrant beetroot sorbet and pretty edible flowers; a group of unusual tastes that tasted light and herbaceous.

For main course we tried two opposite recipes. The codfish with white carrots, black rice, mussels, yuzu and coriander was an ethereal dish. Clean and healthy, a perfect option for a dieter. The fish was perfectly cooked and the green vegetables and sauce gave a kick of seasoning. My venison with topinambour, apple, hibiscus, brussel sprouts and cacao was a sinfully luxiously option on the other side of the table: silky smooth meat and vegetables paired with sweet chocolatey crumbs and apple puree – it looked as beautiful as it tasted, a rainbow of hues.

And for dessert, some serious chocolate. Described as ‘Textures of Valhrona Chocolate’ I knew this would be focussed on one ingredient. The pastry chef had fun with this dish creating as many textures as possible: chocolate jelly, mousse, ice-cream and biscuit. It was a powerful and rich pudding and I was glad we had only ordered one to share. The intense flavour was contrasted slightly by red berries, though I still craved a dollop of thick cream.

Edvard is an occasion restaurant, ideal for smart business meetings or special celebrations. The food here is innovative and interesting, a treat for the tastebuds. Chef Philipp Vogel offers a range of dishes that are far less traditional than the restaurant appears.

More information and book a table here.

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