Restaurant Review – Cinc Sentits Barcelona

After eating at hundreds of restaurants, it’s often difficult to find a place that offers something different, that something a little bit extra and special. Then comes Cinc Sentits in Barcelona which has quickly cemented itself on my best meals of all time list.

Chef Jordi Artal’s cuisine is rooted in Catalunya’s culinary traditions and utilizes a variety of contemporary techniques to delight the diner’s five senses. After all, the translation of Cinc Sentits means exactly that – “five senses”. Named one of the six best new restaurants in Spain shortly after opening, Cinc Sentits was awarded a Michelin star in 2008.

The venue is effortlessly stylish with clean lines, impossibly crisp white tablecloths and mood lighting which is perfect for a special, romantic occasion. For a small venue of only 29 covers, it is uniquely spacious. Our table for 2 could have easily fit 6, but it made the service feel even more special. Earthly tones and features including pebbles and rocks are placed strategically on tables and throughout the surrounds to warm up the environment.

The Sencasions tasting menu (79€ per person) consists of Jordi’s newest seasonal dishes and several signatures and includes tapas, two starters, one fish dish, one meat dish, cheese platter and two desserts. An optional wine pairing can be added for an additional 45€ per person.

By working with local purveyors, Cinc Sentits ensures the freshest, highest quality ingredients are sourced from the local region. From the artisanal local cheeses to the organic beef in the Catalan pyrenees, the quality local produce is the heart of its philosophy.

Equally impressive is the wine list, offering an extensive selection of award-winning local and international wines including over 200 references. Wine starts at a very affordable €25 per bottle – a rare find in a Michelin starred restaurant.

The service at the restaurant was exceptional, friendly and attentive without pretension.

First came the tapas selection comprising of a house marinated gordal olive stuffed with tangy orange peel, the pan con tomate, the bacaloa crisp with fresh mato cheese, parsley and lemon and the house made cracker with romesco sauce.

I wasn’t sure what to make of the next tapas dish. My initial description –   a raw egg in a shot of tequila. Translated to waiter’s description – a warm maple syrup, chilled cream, cava sabayon and rock salt.

However, taste translation….. – creamy, sweet with a bite of salt at the end – it managed to harmoniously mingle hot, cold, sweet and salty elements together like a happy family. The sneaky serve of rock salt at the bottom was a perfect kick to counteract the sweetness. This was pure heaven in a glass. I felt like all my Christmases had come at once. Like all good things, it was just a shame it had to be over so quickly.

The first starter of the evening was a foaming bubble bath of white asparagus, marcona almond, apple and powdered honey. The dish was creamy and delicate in flavour with the subtle asparagus blending beautifully with the sweetness of the marcona almond and honey.

Foie gras “coca” was definitely the winning dish of the evening – a rectangle of beautifully caramelised foie gras served on a bed of leeks confited in olive oil and vinegar with a thin pastry crust. A sprinkling of chives and rock salt gave the dish that touch of savoury, to counteract the sweet tones. I challenge anyone to find something that tastes better than this masterpiece.

The razor clam was delicately balanced with mini potatoes, green beans and a traditional pil pil sauce , a Basque traditional sauce made of salt, cod, garlic and olive oil which had a perfect texture and thickness. It was good but it was my least favourite dish of the evening.

The second seafood dish was the wild mediterranean skate, served in ocean-like yellow foam which was so inviting I wanted to jump right in. Every element of this dish was brilliantly executed, from the crisp and sweet llavaneras spring peas and the mussel, which literally explodes in your mouth.

The squab breast was perfectly cooked and caramelised with red wine, poached fruits and a sprinkling of berries which gave the squab a touch of sweetness. The croquetta on the side, had a crisp outer shell and filled with warm liver.

The Iberian suckling pig from Extremadura is renowned for being one of Jordi’s masterpieces and it definitely didn’t disappoint. The pig has a thick, crispy crackling on top which was made extra naughty by a sprinkling of rock salt – the meat itself was unbelievably juicy and tender. I am not a huge eggplant fan but it worked quite well with the basil and wild mushrooms.

When I thought I couldn’t fit anymore in, the cheeses arrived – a selection of serra del tormo, botas and uff farmhouse cheeses. Unfortunately I could not have the ratafia sponge cake because it was soaked in walnut oil (very allergic!).

As most of you know by now, I have a massive sweet tooth, so of course I can always make room for desserts. And these aren’t just any desserts..

This dessert, left me, well, speechless. The strawberries sourced locally from the Maresme coast were brilliantly executed in the sorbet which was topped with blackberry cream, yoghurt powder and some kind of strawberry crackling. The celery ice was rich and refreshing and yes tasted exactly like celery. The strawberry in the right foreground was actually a strawberry shaped jelly. Just brilliant!

But the best was yet to come. This dessert, served in a coconut shell may look rather unappealing, perhaps resembling some kind of egg gone wrong or an unborn embryo but trust me on this it was one of the best desserts I have eaten – fact! The banana based dessert, served in a frothy bath of foam, with beer ice cream and warm salted caramel sauce was simply delightful. At the bottom of the dish was a hazelnut crumb which added a great texture to the dish.

Last, came the “Tanacions” (orange chocolate crisp, with cocoa liquor, forest fruit muffin, mint dark chocolate truffle and bunyol)  which were served with a candle since it was a special occasion for us tonight . The bunyol del cauresma was by far my favourite which reminded me of a light and fluffy version of a cinnamon doughnut.

This wasn’t any ordinary dinner, it was more of a food journey – fun, intelligent and inventive.

I was shocked to discover that Jordi is 100% self-taught, and before this venture had barely worked in a professional kitchen. Don’t let this put you off experiencing this restaurant, you are in for a treat!

The Damage?

Two  degustation menus, plus a good bottle of wine including VAT and service charge approximately €240

Food: 9.5/10

Service: 9/10

Atmosphere: 9/10

Web: http://cincsentits.com/en/

Address:  Carrer d’Aribau, 58, 08011 Barcelona, Spain

Phone:+34 933 23 94 90

Reservations: Essential

Opening Hours: Open for lunch and dinner Tuesday – Sunday.

Primrose Bakery Review – Food that makes you smile

Children love them, women love them and even men love them – there is something about cupcakes that makes us all happy.

The Primrose Bakery on Gloucester Road is one of my favourite haunts in London for these sweet treats. Launched in 2004 by cupcake dream team Martha Swift and Lisa Thomas, it initially started as a children’s party business but quickly expanded in the next 8 years to have two shops – one in Primrose Hill and one in Covent Garden – and even its own cookbook.

The venue is kitschy and cute, hidden behind the buttercup yellow facade of Gloucester Road. Its big bay window which showcases its delectable assortment of freshly baked goodies tempt you. It has a semi retro feel with its mismatched furniture, striped bunting and vintage sweets which upon every visit makes me feel like a kid in a candy store.

The menu changes daily, but you can always guarantee you will get something good made fresh with the finest ingredients. The cookbook emphasises the importance of high quality ingredients like free range eggs and vanilla essence to achieve that perfect cupcake. If the cupcakes are as good for the likes of Kate Moss, U2 and Gwyneth Paltrow they are good enough for me.

Here are some of my favourites..

Chocolate and caramel – an irresistible combination of decadent dark chocolate sponge, salted caramel icing and a cheeky crunchy chocolate Daim bar for added texture.

The classic salted caramel cupcake

The chocolate Malteser cupcake

The violet cupcake.

But it’s not all about the cupcakes –  try their famous Oreo chocolate cake or the traditional Victoria Sponge.

Leaving the best to last  - the Banoffee Pie.

The next time you are looking for that perfect Valentine’s or Mother’s Day gift or even a quick pick me up for yourself, the Primrose Bakery is a must! Cupcakes are definitely one of the foods that make you smile.

Primrose Hill – 69 Gloucester Avenue, London NW1 8LD
Tel 020 7483 4222

primrosehill@primrose-bakery.co.uk

Opening Hours Mon-Sat 8.30am-6pm, Sunday 9.30am-6.00pm.

Lisa eats Adelaide – Australia

You may think Adelaide is a strange place for a food post – perhaps I am slightly biased since it’s my home town but this city in South Australia is a hidden gem,  and slightly off the well worn tourist track.

Adelaide, commonly referred to as Australia’s most liveable city, is easy to navigate around. From the central business district, you can drive to a wonderful stretch of beaches in just 20 minutes or alternatively retreat to the Adelaide Hills in the same amount of time.

South Australia is internationally recognised for its wines, from the Barossa Valley and Coonawarra, which are famous for their reds and the Clare Valley for its rieslings – a visit to Adelaide is not complete without a trip to the wine regions.

One of my favourite things to do in Adelaide is visit the Adelaide Central markets. The Market, all under one roof, buzzes with life and colour and is a real melting pot of international cultures.  You can find food for all tastes – delicious gourmet cheese, sweet smelling bakery products, seafood and fresh meat and poultry.

Don’t be put off by the strange name – the Smelly Cheese Shop is one of the best cheese I have visited and smells for all the right reasons. Dedicated to the true cheese connoisseur, the shop stocks the best local and international cheeses which are air-freighted direct. From swiss emmantalers, stilton, gorgonzola and even cheese made from buffalo milk, there is literally a cheese to suit the fussiest of connoisseurs.

My favourite coffee spot in the Adelaide Central Market is the Big Table, which has operated in the Central Market for over 15 years. Sit on one of the high stools, order a coffee and green eggs and ham and watch the world go by. You couldn’t get a better market experience.

It would be a sin to go to Adelaide and not have fish and chips on the beach. Soto’s, on the main strip of Semaphore beach is without doubt the best fish and chips in Adelaide. The fish is well battered and crispy, the chips hand cut, twice fried and well seasoned. Make sure you ask for the chicken salt (the australian answer to the perfectly seasoned chips). But be prepared to line up – you don’t get fish and chips this good that easily! Take them down to the beach to enjoy the view and watch the sun set.

The great coffee debate….. I will add more fuel to the fire for South Australian versus Victorian rivalry. Although not as good as Melbourne, where it is actually quite hard to find a bad coffee, Adelaide actually performs quite well in the coffee stakes. There are more specialty tea and coffee places popping up around town which delight the caffeine junkie like me.

My favourite coffee spots in Adelaide are Felici Espresso Bar on Rundle Street, the famous Cibo Espresso on Norwood Parade and Hutt Street, Zootz at Henley Beach and Argo on the Parade.

I discovered a couple of cool new spots on my last visit which are definitely a stop. The first is Bar 9, on Glen Osmond Road. Affectionately described as “a coffee nerds shed”, Bar 9 is a  grassroots espresso bar serving ethical and quality driven roaster, Five Senses Coffee. These guys definitely know their coffee, they even roast a few singles on site. The quality does not stop at their coffee, even their milk is sourced from a boutique farm in Lobethal in the Adelaide Hills. It’s full bodied and creamy flavour is a dream for that perfect cappuccino. And the proof is in the pudding….

Another new found favourite is My Friend Louis on Magill Road, which happens to be an antique and collectors’ dream with its many antique and designer shops. There’s a great vibe to this place and the best thing is that it’s linked to eclectic home decor store Louis Bond.

On a nice sunny day, get there early and get a spot in the rustic courtyard and enjoy a coffee and some of the finest treats from the breakfast menu, you won’t be disappointed. The coffee is not as good as other cafes in Adelaide, but the venue definitely makes up for it.

It may not be as glamorous as an afternoon tea at the Ritz, but the Lenzerheide Restaurant is a perfect spot for afternoon tea. Established in 1989, the award winning restaurant offers a sumptuous menu in a fine dining atmosphere.

The high tea started with a glass of sparkling wine, followed by a selection of finger cut sandwiches and decadent sweet treats.

Adelaide you will be missed but I will be returning soon for more adventures. I will be packing lots of tim tams in my luggage to get me by in London.

Restaurant Review – The Seahorse Dartmouth

The Seahorse in Dartmouth is setting the standard for seafood in the UK. Winning an accolade of awards, including the 2013 Good Food Guide’s best seafood restaurant in the UK and more recently the sought after Observer Food Monthly’s best restaurant award, it  pipped my favourite steak restaurant The Hawskmoor at the post. But the Hawksmoor lads aren’t jaded, actually more the opposite. In a strange twist of fate, the Hawksmoor recently teamed up with the Seahorse’s head chef and co-owner Mitch Tonks  to open up the new Hawksmoor on Piccadilly’s Air Street.

To say the restaurant, located on the banks of the river Dart, specializes in seafood is an unavoidable cliché. But this is a seafood restaurant with a difference, most of the fish, which is bought fresh daily, is cooked over an open charcoal fire. You can see why the Hawksmoor and the Seahorse team is a match made in heaven. Extremely popular with the locals, more and more tourists and fellow foodies have flocked down to Devon if only to sample some of it delicacies.

The venue is effortlessly stylish and elegant, with dimmed lighting, wooden panelling and yellow upholstered leather banquettes.The Seahorse has a touch of class with a timeless sense of style; which is perfect for a romantic evening on the town.

The menu which changes daily, has a great selection of fresh seafood and meat. Dishes are designed to tantalize even the fussiest of taste buds. You can enjoy a starter of Dartmouth crab, a seafood stew or even a cutlet of tender veal grilled over the wood burning fire.

I was also rather impressed by the extensive wine list of over 180 bins, some of which were surprisingly affordable since only a small percentage is added to the cost price.

The service is attentive and friendly, with a hint of self assuredness but no ego. Owners Mitch and Mat, definitely have got it right here, proving that hospitality is just as important as the food. With just only 40 covers, you are made to feel special.

A glass of  crisp aperitivo of St Germain royale prosecco and freshly baked bread, olive oil and a selection of capers and nocceleraro olives from Sicily was a perfect way to start the evening.

The mussels from Elberry cove (£8.90), swimming in a steaming bath of wine, bay & chilli were brilliantly executed. With just a touch of chilli, the sauce achieved the subtle punch that it needed and was so good I could have easily licked the bowl.

The sand sole (£25.50) was delicately balanced and roasted over the fire with rosemary and new seasons olive oil. It was perfectly cooked, literally falling apart from the bone when cutting it. It’s difficult to find fish this fresh unless you caught it yourself.

The sides were also fantastic. The Florence fennel gratin  (£3.50) was crunchy where it needed to be, and the hint of aniseed flavour was a perfect accompaniment to the seafood. The spinach, seasoned with chilli, garlic and olive oil (£3.50) was equally impressive.

The monkfish fillet (£25.50) served with artichoke caponata was the winner of the night. Meaty and hearty, the fillet was grilled over the fire which achieved a smoky char-grilled flavour. The monkfish really speaks for itself here and does not rely on a sauce to achieve its depth of flavour.

I was not entirely convinced by the look of the chilled chocolate & salted caramel pudding (£6.90). I usually like puddings of the chocolate variety served warm. However after a taste of this heavenly dish, I soon swallowed my words. This is one to order for yourself if you want to avoid getting in to a battle to the death with your partner while you try to finish every last mouthful. The real treat is the gooey salted caramel at the bottom, which blends harmoniously with the rich chocolate mousse like they were best friends for ever.

The Seahorse was definitely worth every cent and the detour to South Devon. So much so, I better start planning my next trip back soon. Carry on the good work guys! Mitch you’re definitely giving Rick Stein a good run for his money.

The Damage?

£140 for starter, two mains, dessert and bottle of wine and appertifs.

Food: 9/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

Service: 9/10

5 South Embankment Dartmouth TQ6 9BH. Opening hours: For Dinner Tuesday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm. Monday closed.

http://www.seahorserestaurant.co.uk/

Brunch at the Riding House Cafe

Fitzrovia is one of my regular haunts for coffee and brunch in London. It’s buzzy and home to some of my all time favourites – Lantana, Kaffeine, London Cocktail Club… the list goes on. So does the Riding House Cafe on Great Titchfield Street make the cut?

Opened in May 2011, by the owners of Village East and the Garrison in Bermondsey, the Riding House Cafe sounds like something you would expect in the rolling English countryside, rather than the middle of the city. But this venue is a welcome escape from the clutches of horrible Oxford Street and its inevitable pedestrian rage and warfare.

Spacious and airy, the venue is elegantly styled throughout with its mish-mashed antique furniture, lamps and tarnished cupboards. All of this could go horribly wrong, especially with its reclaimed vintage wear but the crew manage to keep it classy instead of cheesy. Described as a modern style all day brasserie, it definitely is a step up from your average London cafe.

It’s an efficient operation here. Perched on the long counter bar, I couldn’t help admire the organisation of the staff in the well stocked open plan kitchen. The service is friendly and attentive with no hint of arrogance, well at least when we arrived before peak time (after 10.30am on a weekend).

The menu, is predominantly Modern European with a great traditional mix of all things eggs, pancakes and smoothies of the fruity variety. The menu is pretty pedestrian but there’s plenty to choose from.

The cappuccino was good (7/10), with a an impressive dense foam and a smooth flavour.

The Scottish salmon with scrambled eggs and sourdough (£8.50) was pretty tasty but not the best I have had by any means. The sourdough was airy and fresh with a generous lashing of salmon on the side. If I were to be really picky, the eggs were a little overcooked for my liking which made the texture dense rather than light and fluffy.

I actually preferred the eggs benedict (£9.5) served on toasted english muffins topped with hollandaise sauce, ham and a sprinkling of fresh parsley. The eggs were poached perfectly and didn’t come swimming with hollandaise sauce which was good considering the flavour was quite rich.

I wouldn’t say the Riding House Cafe is one of my favourite brunch spots in London but with good food, coffee and service it’s likely that I will retreat to it more often, to escape my inevitable shopping rage on Oxford Street.

The Damage?

£24 for two main brunch items and drinks (including service charge).

Food: 7/10

Service: 8/10

Atmosphere: 7/10

The Riding House Café, 43-51 Great Titchfield Street, London W1, tel: 020 7927 0840. Mon-Fri, 8am-11pm; Sat-Sun, 9am-11pm.

http://www.ridinghousecafe.co.uk/

Online Dating Meets Offline Wining And Dining

What happens when online dating meets offline wining and dining? Meet nibblr, the latest trend in ‘social dining’ to hit London, tapping into the UK’s trend for everything food related online.

I was lucky enough to be invited to the nibblr launch recently at the swanky Avista restaurant in Mayfair. Nibblr is London’s newest social dining experience, with its objective to bring foodies around town together to enjoy good food, good company and of course good times.

Founder Neil Rafferty created nibblr to make the process of finding new restaurants more fun and social. “Eating has always been a social thing, but finding a restaurant is a social experience too. We’re trying to bring people together over a shared love of food.”

Whether you’re looking to meet new people in the city or simply to experience a new restaurant, nibblr makes this easy. And membership is free! After updating your profile on the website, members can browse the nibblr site to find the restaurants they would like to eat at and of course, find the people they would like to dine with.

Restaurants are able to offer a flexible number of tables offering a set menu at an all inclusive price (barring drinks), and the minimum four people rules means you can breathe a sigh of relief that you won’t be stuck in an awkward blind date situation.

The launch followed the same structure as a normal nibblr evening so we could get a real snapshot of what it would be like to be a “nibblr”. The sumptuous 5-course dinner was prepared by Italian chef Michele Granziere and started with a refreshing crab salad accompanied by a somewhat tangy lemon sorbet, then followed by a mushroom risotto with foie gras.

The two mains (which were particularly generous portions) consisted of steamed salmon with béarnaise sauce, and perfectly braised pork cheeks. For dessert the plum tart with vanilla ice cream was matched to my favourite wine of the evening – the Moscadella di montalcino Florus, Banfi, 2010.

This social dining experience is a perfect way to spend an evening in London whether you want to enjoy delicious food with like-minded people or if you’re hoping to meet that special someone over a crème brûlée. I had a really enjoyable evening with people who share my passion for food and I think we can all agree, good food, plus good company, definitely equals good times.

Social dining experiences start from £20. Click here to find out more or to book your first nibblr experience.

 

Restaurant Review - Bubbledogs Fitzrovia

Reblogged from lisaeatsworld:

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Burger and Lobster... MeatLiquor... Duck and Waffle... do you pick up on a theme here? It appears that London is not a stranger to contrasting and somewhat strange food pairings. Recently opened in buzzy Fitzrovia by foodie force team James Knappett (ex Ledbury, Noma) and his wife Sandia Chang (ex Roganic sommelier), Bubbledogs is the latest establishment to join the trend, offering punters a pairing of champagne and hot dogs.

Read more… 610 more words