new fave : white wine

Ever since the demise of Wente 'Morning Fog' wine (a glorious, happily priced white from Waitrose), I have been searching for a replacement.
Of course I'll never find another great wine at that price - well, maybe I will - but in the interim let's drink this fabulous SA white! It's available on the net and from a great chain of retailers in Cumbria called Booths. Yes, it's oaked. Yes, it's South African. I was surprised.

Galvin at Windows : 14 year anniv

Wow!
To celebrate our 14th anniversary I booked a table for two at Galvin at Windows - the restaurant on the 28th floor of the Hilton on Park Lane. The views are great - better than most and on a par with the top of the gherkin. I had a fabulous cocktail (twice) while waiting for Keith, and then waiting for our table... something italian, beginning with a "c"....
The meal was absolutely excellent (with price tag to match, but no surprises there). We opted for the Tasting Menu paired with wine (£110/person), and were not disappointed. The food was beautifully and carefully prepared and presented, our someliere was charming and enthusiastic. I would only fault two things : the choice of red wine with the venison and the state of the toilets. Otherwise it was a blissful evening celebrating our nuptials all those years ago

Ottolenghi - lamb

Had surprise guests for dinner last night and just a few hours to get ourselves together. decided to use Ottolenghi's recipe for lamb marinaded in honey and herbs. It was sublime - despite not having the time to marinade it overnight. One kilo of meat was sufficient to fill 4 adults to popping; you know the food is good when even the most cautious eater says they'll share seconds with someone else :)
the marinade is surprising in a few respects - firstly that so many ingredients can blitz down to so little; but also that that "little" is plenty to marinade a kilo of lamb in. It is bunches and bunches of mint, coriander, parsley, and then a good few glugs of red wine vinegar and honey. Whew! it was delish and will definitely appear on our menu again.

Waitrose wine

Had friends for dinner on the weekend. Two bottles of white opened. One a Chablis for about £10.99 was yum. Surprise was a Boschendal Chardonnay which was probably £6.99 and excellent. Will make a special trip back for more... my luck ? it's sold out!

Sit Ubu Sit... Good dog !

Keith tells me that my fave Vouvray is now served in the BA courtesy lounge and that I have excellent taste :) Hurrah ! Can I blow my own trumpet ?

Cafe Nero - you suck!

I dashed into Cafe Nero (Rosslyn Hill/ Hampstead) yesterday after seeing the dentist - No... it was just a check-up. Thought I'd grab a quick latté and drive home. That's the worst thing about it - I had it to go. One thing that really winds me up about anything "to go" is that they know they have little feedback and you have almost no recourse. Honestly, it was the most bitter, disgusting latté I've ever drunk. It was like cigarette ash. I had two sips on the way home and ended up pouring it out on the road under my parked car!
I am seriously NOT going to buy anything from Cafe Nero again if I can help it. Ever!

sicilian white

lovely little white with fragrant notes is the Zibibbo from Terre al Sole