So as you might know I ventured down to London with my hubby at the weekend to spend some time with family. We had an amazing break and basically didn't have a moment where we weren't eating because... well, because that's how I like it!
We tried to take as many pics as we could, plus I had the help of my trusty superstar photographer on hand a.k.a. Miri :) who helped me take some lovely shots of food, restaurants and places we went.
So, without further a do, here are my pics from the lovely and sunny London...
Granger & Co | Notting Hill - View Menu Here
(top) crispy chicken sandwich, red eye mayo, cabbage tamari slaw and pickled cucumber
(bottom) courgette fritters, halloumi, quinoa, buckwheat and shredded kale salad, zhoug
I've been so so excited to try this place for ages! We went to the one in Notting Hill and I will say it did not disappoint! Although it's open for dinner too in the evenings, I would definitely say that this is more of a lunch spot. Food was delicious and staff were really friendly!
Salted Peanut Brittle & Chocolate Brownie from the Daily Traybake Specials
Please excuse the napkin! ha ha!
Granger & Co | Notting Hill
Yosma | Baker Street - View the menu here
This is a fab little Turkish restaurant on Baker Street selling beautiful fresh food. We didn't order too much for a change (there was 3 of us!) but I enjoyed pretty much everything!
artichoke & carrot salad
(top) - SUCUK - Spicy beef sausage Potato, pickled shallots
(right) - CALAMARI - Kalamar Tava Chickpea flour-fried, squid ink tarator, lime, pul biber
RICE Angel hair pasta, chickpeas
VEGETABLE SHISH - Sebze Şiş Aubergine, squash, pepper, mushroom, sivri biber
FRIED POTATOES - Patates Kızartması Garlic, mint
CHARRED BROCCOLI
TOMATO SALAD - Gavurdağ Tomato, walnut, pomegranate, parsley, mint salad
The food was amazing, especially the charred veggies below. The only thing I didn't like was the rice. I don't know why but it tasted almost like custard! I know, weird right? Other than that though everything was great. It all tasted super fresh too which is so important to me.
The Bar Area
The Ivy Cafe | St John's Wood - View the menu here
So I came here last time I visited London and it was just as fab then! However, I managed to lose all my pictures of this stunning place and so I had to come back, if just for the pictures! How stunning is this place!
Fresh Orange, Earl Grey & a Skinny Hot Chocolate
Breakfast of Champions/Fatty Fatty Bum Bum's ha ha!
Avocado, tomato and sesame - Chopped avocado with roast plum tomatoes, poached hen’s eggs on toasted granary with sesame dressing
Eggs Royale - Smoked salmon, two poached hen’s eggs on toasted English muffins with hollandaise sauce and watercress
THE IVY CAFÉ VEGETARIAN BREAKFAST - Grilled halloumi, avocado, poached hen’s eggs, hollandaise, potato hash, flat mushrooms, roast plum tomatoes, watercress and baked beans Served with a choice of white, granary or gluten free toast
Covent Garden
Shake Shack | Covent Garden - View the menu here
(left) - 'Shroom Burger - Crisp fried portobello mushroom filled with melted cheese, topped with lettuce, tomato and ShackSauce
Crinkle Cut Fries
Chick'n Shack - Crispy chicken breast with lettuce, pickles and buttermilk herb mayo
Laduree | Covent Garden - View the menu here
This has to be one of my fav places ever! I have a slight obsession with the rose macaroons! I obviously had to have some whilst I was there! Please note, these are not all mine! I only had two!
Rose and Strawberry Candy Macaroons
Apple turnover
Ham Yard Bar & Hotel | Soho
We decided to go for dinner to Kricket in Soho on saturday night, however it was so busy (you can't book!) we had to wait for around an hour for a table. Luckily, you can go away and have a mooch about and then they will text you when your table is ready! So, we managed to have time to check out this lovely little place
Fresh Lime Juice & Soda (aka the Nancy special!)
Kricket | Soho - View the menu here (or below!)
(left) - Smoked aubergine, sesame raita, papdi gathia, peanuts
(right) - Bhel puri, raw mango, tamarind, sev, yogurt
Masala Naan
Samphire pakoras, date & tamarind chutney, chilli garlic mayonnaise
Tandoori monkfish, coconut chutney
The food at this place was really nice too. It was a little different than what I would normally have - for example the samphire pakora - which was delicious!
Was it worth the wait? I would say so! It's a cute little place, very chilled and you pretty much sit at the bar (I think there are one or two booths but that's it!). I guess it might not be the best place to come if there is a group of you. Firstly because the wait would be ridiculous unless you got there at the perfect time and secondly, if you couldn't get a booth it might be hard to socialise. It was perfect for just the two of us though, plus you get to see them making all the food in front of you. I love this, it's pretty entertaining whilst you're waiting for food, plus you can see how much work goes into making it!
So there you have it, my little weekend of eating out in London. I had such a great time plus we had a delicious brunch on Sunday morning visiting friends too so I could travel home with a nice full belly :)
I hope this gives you some inspiration for the next time you're visiting London!
Thanks so much for reading,
Big love,