Heritage Deli @ Brixton Village

This will be a short post, as very little needs to be said to persuade people to go to Heritage Deli (Recently renamed THE JOINT) - which is back at Brixton Village, Unit 87.

Their Pulled Pork and BBQ Chicken rolls are hands down the best in town. But make sure you get down their early to grab yourself one as a large proportion of those visiting the south east market will have the same idea as you. The succulent meat is melts in your mouth and has just the right amount of sauce/spice (depending which you go for). My only criticism is there is sometimes a bit too much coleslaw which makes eating a little messier but also takes away some of the fantastic flavours away from the main star of the show.

The unit is also on a row of the market which is slightly less busy and allows for you to sit comfortably and not shout over each other as you do at some of the larger, more restaurant-esq stalls/restaurants. They also serve their water in THE CUTEST jars.

Not that I am encouraging over excessive alcohol consumption BUT if you did find your self suffering the next day from doing so, Heritage Deli is guaranteed to sort you out - that is unless you are prone to the meat sweats.

Unit 87, Brixton Village Market, SW9 8PS
@thefoodjoint

Meat Liquor

So here is the promised return of MBFK. I promise I won't leave it as long again; life seemed to just take over. That does not mean however I haven't wined and dined myself in some fantastic places in the meantime.

Now it seems appropriate to return with a blog post about one of my guiltiest pleasures ever - Meat Liquor. This was my second visit to the haven of dirty cocktails (I still talk about the Cideritas from my last visit) and greasy meat and as rightly stated by one of my girlfriends, its a place you can only really go to once a year so you have enough time to work off the increased levels of saturated fat you consume before the next visit.

Having been open to about a year now, we had expected queues to have reduced significantly since our last visit at which we endured a 2.5 hour wait. However whether it be returning or new customers, our hour wait is a true testament to the funky diner and the fun that is waiting inside for you. You are however now rewarded for you patience and are served onions rings and fried pickles, two of the tastiest options on the menu. 

The dark, graffitied, dungeon like space you finally enter into, immediately invites you in to overindulge on drinks and food. To our disappointment though, Cideritas are no longer on the menu, and so we consoled ourselves the only way we knew how- by ordering 3 tankards of GROG (limited to 2 per person on ML's advice). 

After a 10min wait at the bar, we sat down at our table and immediately reeled off our meaty desires. 

1 x Chilli Cheese fries, 

1 x Slaw, 

1 x Buffalo Wings,

1 x Deep Fried pickles,

2 x Cheeseburger, 

1 x Mushroom Swiss.

Now how could we ever be disappointed with what turned up. Answer: We couldn't. My mouth still waters looking at this picture. We couldn't eat quick enough and our tray - YES TRAY - of food disappeared in minutes. The champion of the meal being the deep friend pickles and blue cheese dip (as per last time) however the burgers never fail to disappoint and they disappear so quickly the I think they must evaporate in your mouth.

The sheer demand in this place never ends and even at 9.30pm we were asked to move (in lieu of a free drink) to accommodate a larger group who had just arrived. Therefore leading up to finish our evening, rebelling against the recommended dose, with 2 more rounds of Grog.

Do not let the idea of large queues put you off, it is well and truly worth it and with more branches opening up across the capital; Meat Market (Covent Garden) and Meat Wagon (Hoxton Square - Set to open any day now); more of you can get drunk on their meaty goodness.

74 Welbeck Street, London, W1G 0BA
www.meatliquor.com
@MEATliquor

Evans & Peel, Detective Agency

Amongst the throng of speakeasy's that have opened across London over the last couple of years, Evans & Peel's Detective Agency easily tops them all.

After wandering around Earls Court Road in search of the unassuming door, we eventually found the entrance. Disappointingly we bumped into people leaving as we buzzed in and so did not get to speak to our 'detective' prior to entering. As we arrived into his office, we were instantly quite confused. Unlike many other 'speakeasys' in London, Evans and Peel had gone all out and we found our selves transported back in time to a 1920's office, with no obvious entrance to the bar, and quite abruptly asked if we had an appointment by the dapperly dressed Detective behind the desk.

After confirming our appointment, he asked us how he could help? After my other half began to ask if we could have a drink and I saw the look of disapproval spread across our Detective's face, I threw myself into a story about my missing brother, surprising myself as much as my date. With the final question, 'Does he have an distinguishing features?', he thought it best to seek help from his colleagues and with the pull of a book on the shelf beside him, a bookcase then swung open into a buzzing, lowly lit prohibition bar. 

Noted at the bottom of the menu, The Detective Agency cannot serve alcohol without food and so although having filled ourselves earlier that evening we had to be served a small plate of bread and oil. The decor was a delicate mix of antiques and modern inserts, with dirty, cracked porcelain tiles behind the bar and furniture perfectly sought. We sat opposite other on a 1920's wooden desk and browsed their fairly extensive cocktail menu. The cocktails are all slight twists on old classics, and to die for. 

We only stayed for an hour, as it got fairly packed and sitting by the door slightly ruined the atmosphere for us. I would however wouldn't think twice to go back (we have already booked to go again) and would highly recommend it to anyone, especially those who want to immerse themselves into the theme. 

http://www.evansandpeel.com/

Reservations: detective@evansandpeel.com

Cocktails: Approx £9.50 Each

P.S If you wanted to go a step further, you could also join as a member who are given the opportunity to purchase one of the think wooden spirit drawers (£300 a year) behind the bar, in which you can choose a bottle of spirit to be decanted into an Evans & Peel bottle, wax dipped and sealed. Then return time and time again with your key to use your chosen spirit in measures and cocktails as you please.

Bonnie Gull New Venture

Following the success of Bonnie-on- Sky and previous London Pop Up's, Bonnie Gull's new pursuit is  finally a permanent resturant of their own. After a very cagey conversation with Co-Founder and Director Alex at Platterform's Bonnie-On-Sky, about their new location, it seems all paperwork has been confirmed and they will be finally settling on Foley Street, Fitzrovia.

A seaside restaurant on in the city, with full focus on 100% British produce. Head Chef Luke Robinson, formerly of Jamie Oliver's Fifteen will have a daily changing menu to coincide with that days catch. Dishes such as Scottish Langoustine, pickled apple, roasted pork belly and endive salad will tickle our taste buds to start with and could be followed by Fresh Razor and Surf Clam Linguini or Whole Devon Crab with Shack Mayo. A careful constructed menu that will make this new venture one of the hottest seats in town.


Reservations for the main restaurant are already being taken and will be from October.
Foley Street, W1
http://www.bonniegull.com/
@BonnieGull

South Place Hotel

South Place Hotel, opens 3rd September and is the next venture from D&D London. With the
mantra of more 'Meet than sleep', it is therefore no surprise that alongside the 80 rooms, South Place will be opening the Angler Restaurant and Bar on the seventh floor with unrivalled views of London (bar Sushisamba and Duck and Waffle). As its title suggests, Angler has full focus on native fish, shell fish and crustacea. Seating 80, opening for lunch 12pm - 3pm and a later dinner sitting 6pm - 10.30pm.

Further to this restaurant come viewing platform, the ground floor at South Place will open a more casual Shoreditch style restaurant - 3 South Place. As more of a british diner, they will be following in the recent trend of glamorising well known comfort food. Seating 70 and open nearly 24/7, 6.30am - 2am.

Finally to compliment both of these diners, South Place will have a lower ground floor bar with resident DJ and more casual bar menu and upper terrace with outdoor grill and extensive cocktail menu.

3 South Place, Moorgate, EC2M 2AF
http://www.southplacehotel.com/

Today Kate Likes...

Elvis....

...the most adorable Golden spaniel known to man.

Today Kate Likes...

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga has becomes London's new exercise craze over the last year. 

With deals on at most studios for beginners, I personally think this is the best

£35 for 30 days (off peaks classes only)

http://www.bikramyoga.co.uk/

Today Kate Likes...

Notting Hill Carnival

26 and 27th August 2012

What is there not to like:

Jerk chicken, Red Stripe and general good vibes.

Today Kate Likes...

On The Road

The long awaited adaptation of On The Road by Jack Kerouac will be hitting our screens in October after its hugely succesful premier at Somerset House last week.

Edinburgh - In a nutshell

Firstly I must apologise for the lack of activity from Kate. It is now nearing the end of the Edinburgh Festival which means that she can finally get back to her normal eating habits. However it would be very deceitful to say that she did not enjoy her fair share of fantastic eateries whilst up there.

I therefore thought I would share a few of these incase any of you are to visit and are stuck about where to dine:

Mum's
A good old fashioned comfort food joint that replacement Monster Mash on Forest Road. Fairly priced,  down to earth perfect for Brunch.

The Outsider
Is possibly my favourite restaurant in Edinburgh; They do the most delicious scallops. The outsider caters for all, serving small delicate dishes on their A la Carte to larger salad and skewer dishes.
P.s their lunch time deals/menu is fantastic.

Oloroso 
Is a treat. Wine is delectable and food is without fault. Lastly with one of the most spectacular views on the castle from its outdoor terrace, this has to be top of your list.

Bonzai
This was the first place I tried sushi 8 years ago and will always have a place in my heart. Their Unagi Nigiri is amazing and is always a must have when I am in the city.

The Dome
Now the main restaurant at The Dome is standard when visiting the scottish capital, however when coming in the main entrance, there is a purple curtain on the left hand side behind which is a smaller, more intimate, lowly lit version of the main dining hall, which I would more highly recommend.

Bar Napoli
With friendly (sometimes overly) staff and cheap and chearful food, for 24 hours dining (only during Edinburgh festival), this is the place to go.

The Kitchin

Now I actually didn't get to go to Tom Kitchin's  on this trip however I heard great things and if you are so lucky to get a reservation and this Michelin Star restaurant, don't turn it down.