The Dickie Fitz Autumn Supper Club Series

 Supper Club Series

After a sell-out Summer Supper Club last month, Dickie Fitz will continue to celebrate the best of Australasian produce and drink with their Autumn Supper Club Series. These evenings will kick off once more on Tuesday 27th September with a focus on produce, ingredients and dishes guaranteed to open your eyes to the world of dining down under. In addition, great native wines, brews and spirits will ensure you have all you need to enjoy a superlative supper.

Dickie Fitz – Dine from Queensland to Coffin Bay without leaving your seat…

Let Executive Chef Matt Robinson take you on a culinary journey across the land of Oz with some exciting flavours and ingredients to help rack up your dining miles. Dishes on offer throughout the series include succulent BBQ prawns from the Spencer Gulf served alongside refreshing grilled watermelon, olives and zucchini; and 150+ day grain fed Angus sirloin beef and wild boar from Queensland, served with an inventive kimchi hollandaise, crunchy green beans and Australia’s iconic chicken salt fries. Diners can also delight in dishes including yellow-tail kingfish from Southern Australia, tender octopus from Coffin Bay, intriguing kangaroo tartare served with mushroom ketchup, egg yolk and sourdough; and a cheeky twist on some classic down under desserts.

And to drink…

To highlight the beautiful Pacific flavours on show, each supper club will also hero a number of drinks partners with samplings and talks from Australian drinks expert Jason Cameron, featuring West Winds Gin, Adelaide Hills Distillery, Regela Rouge Vermouth and Starwoods Whiskey. Each course can also be matched to craft beers, including Hunter Valley, McLaren Vale and Mornington Peninsula, and delectable New World wines from Barossa Valley-based Yalamba and Tasmanian Jansz.

The Dickie Fitz Autumn Supper Club Series

Tuesday 27th September
Tuesday 25th October
Tuesday 29th November

Prices start from £45 for five courses and a welcome cocktail, with the option to match your meal to craft beers (£12 supplement) or wines (£15 supplement). Tables of up to eight can be booked via email reservations@dickiefitz.co.uk.

Dickie Fitz

48 Newman Street, London W1T 1QQ
020 3667 1445
reservations@dickiefitz.co.uk
www.dickiefitz.co.uk

Twitter @Dickie_Fitz | Facebook @DickieFitz | Instagram @DickieFitz

top

Youngs Pub Group Celebrate 185 Years

youngs pub

Young’s needs you! To celebrate 185 years of the pub group, it’s time to share your memories from your local Young’s pub – whether it’s a romantic proposal, the Queen Ma’am pulling her first pint or that time John Young bought a pair of live wallabies into the pub, submit your photos on social media tagging @youngspubs using the hashtag #185YearsYoungs.

185 Years Young’s – Share Memories and a Pint with Young’s Pub Group

This year, Young’s has taken a trip down memory lane, searching the archives for pictures of its oldest establishments, noting how they’ve changed through the years (or haven’t changed, in some cases). The pub group now wants to share memories with their loyal customers to mark 185 years in the business.

If nostalgia doesn’t float your boat, simply head to your local Young’s pub on the 22nd September to celebrate with a free pint of your favourite beer – just sign up at youngs.co.uk/youngsday Served in a beautifully designed commemorative glass, Young’s have created a beer for the occasion; Young’s Autumn Gold. Sip on a pint of fine, golden pale ale with notes of pine, citrus and warming caramel – perfect for celebratory drinking.

Selected pubs have birthday treats in store, including a ‘hark back to days gone by’ at The Lamb Tavern, Leadenhall, with a visit from the Young’s Shire horses, live band and an outside bar and The Paternoster at St. Paul’s has a “Good Ol’ Fashioned Cockney Knees Up”, with classic songs, food and cockney riddles. Meanwhile the Hand in Hand in Wimbledon is hosting a Mad Hatters Beer Party, with ale tea pots, jam tarts and hats galore. The Alma in Wandsworth are combining their birthday celebrations with the anniversary of the Battle of the Alma and The Weyside in Guildford will host a prohibition-themed party.

#185YearsYoungs

Young’s Pubs
www.youngs.co.uk | @YoungsPubs

top

Sarastro Restaurant Drury Lane| Theatre with Turkish delight

Sarastro restaurant review

Sarastro Restaurant Review

Two friends and I decided to go the theatre in the West end to see the Jersey Boys which turned out to be a wonderful musical about Frankie Valli and the four seasons the famous 60s pop band. We had a pre theatre meal at a fascinating restaurant close by called Sarastro.

On entering Sarastro Restaurant it looked like a scene from the Arabian nights, the interior was an amazing multi-coloured visual adventure for the eye to behold. The main area is made up of many different design styles based on Byzantine, Ottoman, Gothic and English offering a diverse range of seating accommodation.

The air was awash with equally diverse flavours as the menu is Turkish orientated, the food is broadly Mediterranean in style, and with a two course meal on average working out to as little £25 we knew we had chosen well.
We ordered a bottle of Echeverria Merlot a juicy ripe soft red wine from Chile which we all started to consume way too quickly! whilst awaiting our food.

We decided to go with the 2 courses set menu at £28.95. For starters I had Cacik, a delicious yoghurt with chopped cucumber and garlic which I gobbled down quickly with some hot crusty bread. My mate Steve had Shashouka, an appetizing aubergine, green peppers and sautéed onions in a tomato sauce while Claire choose Cheese Boreck, tasty cheese filled puff pastries.

The main course had some wonderful exotic sounding choices, I decided to go with the Lamb Anatolian which is a slow cooked lamb shank served with mixed vegetables and keskek which is a traditional Anatolian creamed wheat. It’s truly amazing how a slow cooked piece of meat really does have more flavour and tastes scrumptious then the usual fast cooked meat, and along with the veg and tasty creamed wheat I certainly can recommend this dish, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Claire chose the Chicken Mediterranean dish which is a chicken breast served with sautéed baby spinach, crushed potatoes topped with a béchamel sauce. She said the flavours were just gorgeous and described it as classically delicious! The dish gave off a wonderful aroma that was demanding serious attention.

Steve who took his time eyeing up the food ended up having Mutancana, a speciality dish in honour of the Ottomans which comprised of a sautéed beef with onions, peppers, apricots and mushrooms served with rice cooked in a seasoned broth. According to Steve this dish is a prime example of the lack of homage that we in the West give to the eastern Turks who deserve to be recognised as gastronomic geniuses, he obviously enjoyed the meal.

The service was prompt and impeccable throughout and we had no hesitation in leaving a good tip.

Along with a live band playing a mix of jazz and Turkish style music that was on while we were there we could not have enjoyed ourselves more, it felt as if we had just experienced some kind of exotic introduction to the Jersey Boys show that we were about to see.

Review By: Joe Piroli

http://www.sarastro-restaurant.com

Sarastro Restaurant:
126 Drury Lane, TheatreLand, London, WC2B 5SU
Tel : +44 (0)20 7836 0101 | Fax : +44 (0)20 7379 4666

top

The Amazing Health Benefits of Kidney Tea

Barbara Wieland aka The Tea Alchemist explains the benefit of her best selling Kidney Tea…

I have always loved teas!

Tea is a flavorful source of hydration without the calories, fat, sodium, carbonation and sugar.

Tea also contains flavonoids, a naturally occurring compound that has antioxidant properties.

Despite my passion for tea up until to this point, it was my partners Kidney Disease (diagnosed in 2002) that inspired me to search out and refine a blend of teas to aid his condition.

After much research of different herbs and the benefits of those herbs I developed a Kidney Tea. I wish I could tell you it went down as smooth as Lemon Zinger but quite honestly it was originally an ‘acquired taste’.

Undeterred, my friend and I created a tea that served its primary purpose which was a Kidney Cleanse and after tweaking and adjusting it tasted pretty good too.

It was this experience with Kidney Tea that inspired me to test and develop a variety of other herbal teas, which eventually lead to the Tea Cleanse.

Through my experience experimenting with different teas it became clear to me that Herbal Teas (Tisanes) and Medicinal Teas should be part of everyone’s diet and when consumed correctly it can improve the quality of life and health for many.

Today my partners Kidney condition is stable – actually the GFR has improved a little.

Now let’s be clear, we are not suggesting that taking Kidney Tea was responsible for the improvement, but it along with a better diet and regular exercise has meant an increased quality of life!

So why would you want to drink Kidney Tea you may ask yourself?

Let’s look at 5 Good reasons to drink Kidney Tea.

=> It helps to nourish the kidneys to help them function more efficiently
=> Nettle contains valuable minerals including iron, potassium, manganese, and calcium
=> Couch grass have diuretic and antibacterial properties
=> Horsetail is a great antioxidant and immune booster
=> You will feel cleansed and better than before

All our 4 kidney teas are made from many plants, flowers, roots, bark and seeds. Our recipes blend natural flavours of different botanicals worldwide without any nasties.

Our teas are fragrant, delicious, long lasting and nothing is crushed, unlike some other commercial teas.

In addition, Kidney Tea is:

=> Free of Artificial colourings, flavourings and preservatives
=> Gluten Free
=> Dairy Free
=> Naturally Caffeine Free
=> Suitable for Vegetarians and Vegans

Cleansing of the kidney is very important to stay healthy and fit as it regulates the removing of waste and toxins from the bloodstream.

For thousands of years tea was an alternative medicine, used to treat colds, stomach problems, skin conditions, constipation and for many other health issues.

If you would like to know more about Herbal Teas and potential Health Benefits we have a Free eBook available here.

To better health..

Barbara Wieland
The Tea Alchemist

Also available: Liver Detox Tea

top

The Refinery, Regents Place Restaurant for Good Food & Attentive Service

The Refinery, Regents Place – Tel: 020 73884979

Ask a foodie to suggest where to eat out near the Euston Road and quite possibly they will be left scratching their head. This corner of the capital has always been a bit of a desert in terms of culinary hotspots – however, things have finally picked up. Regents Place is a new pedestrianised development which has added a huge amount of life to this part of Fitzrovia, with an abundance of cafes, shops, bars and restaurants. It’s a modern space, conveniently situated near three different tube stations, the nearest being Warren Street, making it a very easy destination to meet friends from all over town. The atmosphere is a bit like being in Hong Kong or Singapore, as the complex is very contemporary, with steel and glass structures conveying a rather stark yet slick futuristic environment. The interior is relaxed and open plan with high ceilings and subdued copper lighting whilst the kitchen is on full view. The décor is a melange of wood, brick and concrete, all very fitting for the modern exterior of the complex outside.

The Refinery is a fun place to go if you like your evenings lively. The food is good and the service attentive and prompt.

The Refinery is situated on a large modern piazza consisting of innovative stone seating which has been pleasingly dotted with bonsai trees. On the night I visited it was packed with office workers un-winding after the daily grind. The music played inside the restaurant is loud, so if you prefer a serener environment I suggest you follow my example and eat outside. The welcoming staff provided us with sheepskin rugs, blankets and even hot water bottles as we commenced our evening with an aperitif. My guest selected a cool and refreshing glass of Chardonnay, whilst I settled on my new favourite, a French Picpoul with delightfully clean and fresh overtures.

To commence we shared a basket of Italian breads and some very good olives, followed by a very generous helping of appealing antipasto comprising of chorizo, salami and Serano ham. This was greedily tucked into by my guest who was making all the right noises of someone who is enjoying himself, whilst I tucked into a plate of feather light crispy tempura squid with a zingy sweet chili and soy dip. To follow, we both stuck to fish, my companion tucking into a hearty dish of grilled salted mackerel which came with tasty mash and vegetables, whilst I settled on a fish pie. This arrived in a skillet and was very pleasing on the eye, however I felt it was a little too heavy on the potato with not enough emphasis on the filling to score a high mark.

By now the temperature outside had dropped quite a bit so we went back inside for pudding. I was relieved to see the throng of after work crew had lessened significantly so the music was now at a level that was more tolerable to the likes of yours truly. We tried a rich and creamy flaming baked Alaska, served with plenty of warm acidic fruits and a juicy berry crumble with vanilla ice cream.

The Refinery is a fun place to go if you like your evenings lively. The food is good and the service attentive and prompt. It deserves to do well and from my experience last night it is succeeding. At last this corner of the capital has got somewhere worth trying.


Louise Elgin. April 2015.


A meal for two with wine and water is around £110.00

The Refinery
Brock Street
Regents Place
London NW1
Tel: 020 73884979

https://www.facebook.com/therefineryregentsplace

top

Diciannove Restaurant | Crowne Plaza Hotel Blackfriars | Review

Diciannove
19 New Bridge Street
London EC4V 6DB
Tel: 020 7438 8052

If you’re looking for a slice of rustic Italian cooking in the heart of the city then try Diciannove. It’s a new place to eat and has recently opened on the ground floor of The Crowne Plaza Hotel in Blackfriars. The restaurant, which seats about sixty, is tastefully decorated, with distinctive lighting and an attractive bar area. We were seated in a booth with a four foot wide table, which though ideal for business meetings, was possibly not conducive to intimacy.

The menu presented a galaxy of choice, so whilst nibbling some wonderful homemade Italian breads and savouring a glass of refreshing Gavi, I deliberated contentedly.

There was certainly plenty to tempt my greed and I could have easily ordered half a dozen dishes … but there are limits! Several signature dishes caught my eye including ricotta and spinach gnocchi, and fillet of beef with polenta and mushrooms, but I had to control myself and order only one. Such a pity but do try these as they are bound to be extra special.

Diciannove, Italian flavours

The Head Chef, Alessandro Bay, has trained under Georgio Locatelli so I had high hopes of things to come. I began with a mound of soft and buttery burrata, (a type of mozzarella cooked with soured cream), which proved delicious with the salty focaccia bread ideal for mopping up those creamy juices. My guest was full of praise for his starter, a plate of superbly cooked scallops. He said they had a huge depth of flavour with a hint of smokiness and were served with a contrasting pool of butternut squash puree.

To follow, I had a plate of mouth-watering monkfish stew with a pleasing kick of chilli, whilst my guest’s signature dish of grilled swordfish with cherry tomatoes and rocket salad was in his own words, perfectly cooked, authentic, healthy, light and satisfying.
All evening we drank white wine, which ranged from £5.50 through to a rather steep £9.00 a glass. However, wines by the bottle were much better value, commencing at £21.00 for an Italian Chardonnay.

From the choice of eight puddings I had a bowl of vanilla ice cream with an accompanying shot of expresso. This added an enjoyable bitter kick to the sweetness on the palate. My guest remarked of his plate of soured cherry with ricotta and pistachio that it was a little on the bland side, although it had a pleasing crunch.

Diciannove apparently means nineteen in Italian, which is a bit of a coincidence as I would award Diciannove 19/20 for a very enjoyable evening out.

Louise Elgin. October 2013.

A three course meal with a bottle of wine and water is around £60 a head.

top

Stay in and dine out with new dinner party service

Today sees the launch of My Chef, a new service, which provides a Michelin calibre restaurant-dining experience in your own home.

My Chef is aimed at those wanting to provide the best entertaining at home, but without the time to plan

My Chef is aimed at those wanting to provide the best entertaining at home, but without the time to plan, prepare and create a beautiful meal. It offers a fully vetted and professional chef service, with chefs trained in highly respected Michelin and Rosette restaurants, at a fraction of the equivalent restaurant price.

The My Chef service incorporates the complete dinner party experience from menu planning, shopping and food preparation, to cooking, serving and clearing up. Ranging from ‘Fat Duck’ trained, Michelin or Rosette experienced chefs to family cooks and cookery school graduates – prices start from £150.

Debbie Salter, managing director at My Chef, which is owned by Greycoat Lumleys said:

“Having spoken to many of my friends, colleagues and clients over the years, we all agreed that we love good dinner parties, but rarely have the time to do them properly. And with growing pressure on expenses, eating out isn’t always an option. This is where the concept of My Chef was born and we’re delighted to be officially launching the service today. We offer a range of different chefs to meet everyone’s needs, with different levels available, taking all of the stress out of the dinner party and offering the best cuisine from the best chefs and cooks, but without the cost associated with dining out.”

The launch of My Chef takes place at a party in the Wolf and Badger Gallery, Dover Street in the heart of London’s Mayfair, on 3rd October, surrounded by artwork from aspiring artists.

My Chef can be booked via the website at www.mychefonline.co.uk, or by calling 020 7976 6000. It is currently available to people living in London, Greater London and the Home Counties, with further national expansion expected soon.

  News
top

Sir Ian ‘Beefy’ Botham appointed as Beefeater’s new Boss of Beef

Our video shows Sir Ian Botham being appointed as Beefeater’s new Boss of Beef. He celebrates his new role by paying tribute to iconic bosses in a lighthearted photo-shoot before putting on his chef whites at the Whitbread Skills Academy.

As England prepare to smash the Aussies for the sixth time in this year’s Ashes series, cricket legend Sir Ian Botham is swapping his cricket whites for chef whites to become Beefeater’s new Boss of Beef this summer. To celebrate his tenure as the official Boss of Beef and bowl Brits over, Sir Ian Botham – known affectionately to millions as ‘Beefy’ – pays tribute to iconic bosses in a series of tongue-in-cheek pictures. Watch our video to see the exclusive behind the scenes footage.

Our video shows Beefy as he dons a mobster suit to recreate the classic shot of Marlon Brando’s character in The Godfather; pointing the ‘You’re Fired’ finger at a quivering Apprentice, dressed in a classy suit as no-nonsense entrepreneur Lord Alan Sugar and finally taking on the role of the nation’s most cringe-worthy boss, The Office’s David Brent. And of course, the day wouldn’t have been complete without Sir Ian Botham also commencing with an induction into his new role by spending time learning how to grill the perfect steak at the Whitbread Skills Academy.

More information at:
Website: www.bossofbeef.co.uk

  News
top

The Elgin, Maida Vale Restaurant Review London

The Elgin
255 Elgin Avenue
London W9
Tel: 020 7625 5511

Having lived in Maida Vale for over 20 years I have had to put up with very little choice on the eating out front. Fortunately I now have The Elgin right on the parade of shops where I live in Elgin Avenue. Situated within a stone’s throw of the tube it is a buzzy and lively place. Apparently, it’s full of yummy mummies at lunchtime, but in the evening it is definitely a hip and happening spot full of thirty something’s looking for a good night out.
The interior has a metropolitan, almost industrial feel, with raw RSJ’s, wooden floors, and seating. Music is played at a volume a little too loud for my liking but it seemed to suit the environment.

THE TEAM AT THE ELGIN HAVE A PASSION FOR CRAFT BEERS, GREAT WINES AND QUALITY SPIRITS

The menu changes daily according to market produce and is all cooked from scratch. It is the sort of place you can just have a snack or a three course meal, and there are plates to share, such as artisan cheeses and charcuterie, if you just fancy a cheap bite with friends.

From the choice of seven small plates I began with crunchy asparagus, perfectly salty speck ham, with a soft poached egg. Not only was it beautifully presented but it tasted divine. A wonderful melange for the taste buds. We also tried some tapas-style braised beef croquettes which were served crisp and piping hot with some zingy mustard, adding a good touch of spice.

To follow, I had a spicy king prawn, mussel and pollock stew. This was plentiful and satisfying, piquant in its flavours, and took me straight back to sunshine filled holidays in the Med. My guest’s sea bream came with slow cooked fennel, tomatoes and olives; he commented it was very well cooked with good pronounced flavours. To drink, we tried a bottle of Cote de Provence Rose, which was a very dry, with fresh and light overtones.

For pudding we shared a rich and satisfying caramelised pear tart with a toffee glaze. It was light in texture and plenty for two to share and came with a zesty stem ginger ice cream which proved a pleasing end to our feasting.

The Elgin has really cheered up my local area. It’s the sort of place it’s a pleasure to go into as the casually dressed welcoming staff seem genuinely pleased to see you. It’s perfect for large groups, or a first date, where you don’t want to be seen to be trying too hard. They also have a huge light and airy upstairs room that can be hired out for private functions. As for me, all I have to do is stumble back across the road afterwards. How perfect is that?

Louise Elgin. June 2013.
A meal for two with wine and water is about £40 a head.

The Elgin
255 Elgin Avenue
London W9
Tel: 020 7625 5511

top

The Spaniards Inn, London NW3 Restaurant Review

The Spaniards Inn
Spaniards Road
London NW3 7JJ
Tel: 020 8731 8406

The Spaniards Inn has a huge amount to fascinate. Firstly, it’s a traditional 16th century coaching inn full of character and original features. Secondly it has an intriguing history, being mentioned in both Charles Dickens’ Pickwick Papers and Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Highwayman frequented the area and it is thought that the infamous Dick Turpin was a regular. The inn is opposite the former toll gate on the main road to London which was then some two hours away by horse-drawn carriage. Nowadays Hampstead Heath is considered part of the capital and just a short journey from the centre of the thriving metropolis, and yet The Spaniards still has the air of a pub in the country.

On the evening I visited, although nearly the end of March, snow was still on the ground and the inn couldn’t have looked more olde English and welcoming. The interior, which has recently been re-furbished, is all about highly polished oak, with traditional wood panelling, original beams, thick walls, low ceilings, log fires, traditional snugs, and a general feeling of comfort.

The welcoming staff showed us to our table which was a cosy candlelit oak booth. I began with a satisfying bowl of warming beetroot, apple and horseradish soup, complete with apple segments, a good bite of horseradish and the velvety tang of beetroot which all jostled for first place on my palate. My guest had a well presented plate of char-grilled cuttlefish with peas, mint and lardons which he pronounced as tasty.

To follow, from the seven main courses, I had an inviting plate of free–range Gloucester Old Spot smoky flavoured sausages and mash with cider gravy. Nowadays, with so many horror stories about where food is coming from, how reassuring to know that one’s plate is coming from a reliable source. Here the food is all cooked from scratch which is another feather in its cap and hence the relatively concise menu. My guest had a plate of chicken hotpot, with bacon, ale and picked onions, which he declared an ideal dish for the cold winter’s night.

To drink, we tried a bottle of Reserva Carmenere Maipo Valley 2011 Chilean red. With its hints of pepper and blackcurrant spice and pleasing blend of tannins it was a noble fortification for the freezing temperature outside.

To conclude, we shared an indulgent slab of bread and butter pudding laced with brandy and currants, served with a rich buttermilk ice-cream.
The Spaniards Inn is perfectly situated for walkers coming from Hampstead Heath needing sustenance. For the ale enthusiast there is a plethora of speciality beers and real ales to sample, and at weekend’s brunch is on offer followed by Sunday lunch which is served all day or until supplies run dry. Parking shouldn’t be too much of a problem as there is a large car park complete with a doggy wash area which I think must be fairly unique – well, I have certainly never seen one before!

Just before we left the landlord showed us a volume of intriguing stories, mostly written by previous residential staff who over the years claim to have seen ghosts here. I wasn’t really surprised. A pub with this much history is going to have secrets and that I think is part of its charm.


http://www.thespaniardshampstead.co.uk

Louise Elgin. March 2013.

A three course dinner for two with a bottle of wine and water is around £40 a head.

top

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. more information

The cookie settings on this website are set to "allow cookies" to give you the best browsing experience possible. If you continue to use this website without changing your cookie settings or you click "Accept" below then you are consenting to this.

Close