Pho @ Mien Tay

We were disappointed with Mien Tay. It has all the hallmarks of being a great place. Nice, small, friendly restaurant, being busy when others around it were empty. But sometimes looks can be deceiving.

I have to say however that the food wasn’t the worst I have ever eaten. I mean its Pho was nowhere as bad as that chain of the same name, then again who would serve a lukewarm broth with under cooked noodles. Utter disgrace. Once bitten, twice keep hand in wallet.

So on a cold Sunday afternoon, we found ourselves sitting inside a nice warm and fairly busy Mien Tay. There was a nice vibe inside, with lots of people chatting and tucking into some nice looking food.

The menu reads as it should do. Lot’s of good Vietnamese staples on there, of the Vietnamese kind. Which is a blessing these days, as I keep coming across Vietnamese restaurants of the Chinese kind, or are they Chinese restaurants with a beef noodle soup on the menu. Marketing.

To get things going, we ordered some Salad rolls. You kinda know how the rest of the meal is going to be after tucking into a staple of any Vietnamese gaff. They were not bad. A little too fat and stumpy, but with the peanut sauce they were tasty. So far so good.

Next up really should be the star of any show in any Vietnamese restaurant are the Pho’s. So we ordered one beef and one chicken.

The Pho’s, which were well made, and had all the right accompaniments, but were just a little underwhelming. There was not that roasted spice depth of flavour that you come to expect from a good Pho. The stock was the problem. I’m guessing they can’t either make a good stock, or they had watered it down a bit to get more out of it. Either way, bloody disappointing.

But as it was near arctic temperatures outside, the Pho did warm us up and supply some well needed nourishment and soul boosting energy for the trip back outside. Damn it was a cold Sunday.

I kinda wish we had tried the fried fish, as everyone around us was eating it and enjoying it. Maybe that is their star. Not sure if there will be a next time, but if there is, then maybe.

Foto Friday # 36

A sign in the window of a pretty good noodle joint in Surabaya. Shame there was no pork on the menu, otherwise it would have been a whole lot better.

Cook the Books : Sichuan Cookery - Hot and Numbing Chicken Slices

I am a big fan of Fuchsia Dunlop. You have to hand it to her, not many people would not only learn how to cook in the Sichuan way, but also learn the language so she could learn how to cook in the Sichuan. Amazing.

I’ve had her book “Sichuan Cookery” for a few years now, and am slowly (too slowly if you ask me) working my way though it.

The food of Sichuan has hooked me, I think it’s something to do with those peppers, they don’t attack you full on, but slowly oh so slowly they work their wonderful magic upon you, and instead of burning your mouth, they numb it. But in a fresh way, not a painful way. Well I do not find it painful, I enjoy the sensation.

I recently made a “master sauce”. It’s three weeks old now, so it will take many more months and uses for it to become how I want it. So after poaching a chicken in it, I let the chicken cool down, then sliced the meat very thinly, as I was a twitching to make this recipe again.

It’s great as a snack or part of an appetizer for dinner with friends. I did however forget to buy the spring onions, they add a good textural addition to the dish.

Hot and Numbing Chicken Slices by Fuchsia Dunlop

300g Cold cooked Chicken meat

4 Spring onions, white part only (if using)

4 tsp White sugar

2 tbsp Light Soy Sauce

2 – 4 Tbsp Chilli oil

1 tsp Sesame oil

½ tsp Ground roasted Sichuan peppercorns

1. Cut the chicken into thin slices
2. Thinly slice the spring onions on the diagonal
3. In a bowl, add the sugar, then the soy sauce. Stir to dissolve the sugar. Add the oils and stir.
4. Place the spring onion and chicken slices on a plate.
5. Sprinkle over the ground Sichuan pepper. Drizzle the sauce over the chicken and onion slices.
6. Mix the chicken in with the sauce so every part is covered.
7. Eat and enjoy.

Sichuan Cookery by Fuchsia Dunlop - Buy Here

Eating Non-Veg at a Pure Veg Restaurant

I normally enter Chennai Dosa from the Ealing Road side, as I always start my shopping for Indian food products from Alperton, but this was the first time I entered from the Wembley Central side. I began wondering why things looked different as we sat down. Maybe they have had the builders in and tarted up the place a tad. Well it had been a year or so since we were last here. But so much fluorescenty lights. So India.

Then as we looked at the menu, it contained meat. Mutton and chicken were on the menu. What the f@*k had happened since we were last here. Has the world gone mad? Have all the veggies in the world finally seen the light and finally understood that meat was where it was at. Or was I tripping.

So without further ado, we began ordering as much meaty product as we could before they realised it was a pure veg restaurant and were about to tell us that they were playing a joke. I was half expecting an Indian Jeremy Beadle to jump out and surprise us. That would have been a good thing as I could have smacked him one, as I always wanted someone to do that when I was young. Never happened. Shame.

As it was before 12, and still officially breakfast time, I ordered my favourite South Indian breakfast. Idlis. Damn those black lentil and rice cakes are awesome. My last ones were at Delhi airport as I was ready to board my Oman Air flight back to London. They normally come in two’s or three’s, but Chennai Dosa gave me four. Awesome. With it came a thick coconut chutney, and I ordered some chicken gravy for me to dunk my idlis in. No chicken, just the gravy. Man it was tasty, thick and had a little kick to it. Yum yum.

Lina had to wait an age for her Dosa. By the time it came we had finished off my idlis, and the two thick mango lassis we had ordered. Damn they were good.

The dosa when it did arrive was worth the wait. It was full of a spicy crushed potato masala and a thick unxious mutton curry inside. Man, that was good. You could really taste the spices in the sauce.

The pancake was freshly made and was still quite hot when we started tearing it apart and devouring it, the potato masala and the mutton curry. Not that we were particularly ravenous, it was just so good we could not stop. People at the other tables were looking at us in bemusement, until they got their dosas, then they understood.

I was still waiting for them to apologise for serving us meat as we left, until I saw the “Sorry, we serve meat here” sign, and next door was the pure veg restaurant that we had eaten at all those times before. Damn. Now I know I can have great dosas and great meat currys. Brill. I’m coming back.

I wouldn’t say Chennai Dosa is a destination restaurant, but if you are ever shopping in Wembley or Ealing Road, then I would definitely hold off until you can get to the top of the hill, and either go for the pure veg or the non-veg restaurant. I’m now in favour of the non-veg now I know it exists. 

A is for Argentina @ Buen Ayre

I hadn’t eaten at Buen Ayre for quite a while, especially after discovering Garufa, which is very close to our house. Then again Broadway Market is just a bus ride away. I do enjoy where I live.

I first went there not long after it opened, oh so many years ago now, to celebrate an ex work colleagues birthday. That was a great Sunday afternoon, and I met a few Argentineans there, who subsequently kept inviting me to their weekly asados. Heaven.

This return trip to Buen Ayre, was because our Colombian friend and her Polish husband were in need of some serious steak action. We had recently returned from a weekend in Paris, where we tried but failed to find some good steak and frittes. The quality of meat in Paris has seemingly declined over the years. Disappointing. So after Buen Ayre was suggested we jumped at the idea of eating some good red meat.

For some reason I had my apprehensions about eating here. No idea why, but I have become a major fan of Garufa, and having eaten at some of Buenos Aires best restaurants over the years, that any restaurant being hailed as a true Argentinean steak restaurant I take it with a pinch of salt. Sometimes over hype is never a good thing.

But former eatings at this restaurant should have reminded me that I had nothing really to worry about, as it’s still pretty damn good. That wood burning parrilla churns out steak after steak all night and all of them are cooked to perfection.

People think it’s an easy job to cook a steak on a bar-b-q as they do it once a year, whenever the sun comes out. But to do it perfectly for several hours time and after time, day after day is a real art. In Argentina these artists are not called chefs, but Asadors or parrilleros, as they are the maestros of the asado.

As we were on for some serious meat eating tonight we went straight for the Parrillada Buen Ayre. A fine selection of chorizos, morcillas, mojecas, rinones, steaks and ribs. Man we were in meat heaven.

The steaks were cooked just as we liked them. Rare and juicy, but with that smokiness from the fire, that always makes any steak taste a whole lot better. The offal were gorgeous and as I like them. Crispy on the outside, juicy on the inside.

The accompaniment of chips and an onion and tomato salad, the quintessential side order of any asado. Actually they were some of the best chips I’ve eaten in a long time. Damn good, as good as Garufas, if not better.

The parilla was as good as you would get in any no frills restaurant in Argentina, but for over here, it’s pretty bloody fantastic, and to be still producing great food on a constant basis for many years is one hell of an achievement.

As we were finishing the decent bottle of wine, we decided to start this crazy thing that may or may not last. But we’re gonna give it a go anyhows. Well we had just started with A, so why not go onto B. Well we were pretty drunk by this point, so any idea seemed like a good one.

So onto B. Let’s hope it will be as good as A was.

Foto Friday # 35

This chicken shop had some genius ways of displaying their wares. Best thing of all was the plucking machine they had out back. Brilliant.

Christmas Days Out - The Sportsman in Seasalter

I ate many memorable meals in 2010, but really only three of them were truly memorable. In no particular order they were at Trinity in Clapham, Aux Lyonnais in Paris and The Sportsman in Seasalter.

All three of these meals were far superior to everything else I had eaten last year that they are forever embedded in my memory.

It wasn’t just the food at the Sportsman, or even the restaurant itself, or even the quirky manor that the menu is on a blackboard in the main bar that you are mixed with the other diners choosing your meal and then ordering it at the bar. Or even the fact that our view was looking out over the back garden of oyster shell paths. Or the surrounding area of deserted beaches and marshy fields. Or even the amazing drive through deserted roads that no restaurant should be at the end of it, or even that I had reserved it a month prior and was looking forward to it everyday. It was plain and simple everything.

The minute we walked inside I fell in love with it. What’s not to like about the place. Its quirkiness appealed to my weird sense of playfulness.

I like places where it’s my way or the highway. It’s a chef’s dream to be able to do something like this. To be able to serve the food you want in a style you want and also buck convention as well. Plus to win a Michelin star as well. I can just imagine those snotty Michelin reviewers having to get up from their tables and waddle over and choose their meals off a back of a door. Quality.

Our starters were light and beautiful. My chestnut and smoked goose soup lived up to and exceeded all expectations I had. The velvety texture of the soup with the slices of smoked goose delighted my taste buds. It was properly the best soup I had ever eaten. Ever.

Lina’s onion tart looked the part, but somehow it was not oniony enough for me. She loved it, but I like my onion tarts to pack a bigger punch. But don’t get me wrong the subtle flavours and the smoothness of the filling were of Michelin standard.

For the mains we went for a plate of Seared Thornback Ray, Brown Butter with Cockles and a Sherry Vinegar Dressing, the other was a Braised Brill Fillet with Chestnuts, Bacon and Parsley Sauce.

I really cannot fault either dish. Both were cooked fantastically. My Ray was probably the best piece of fish I had ever eaten. That soft white flesh came away with no effort from the bones. I love ray wings as it just never ends. You finish one side and then you just flip it over and begin again. Brill. The cockles with the sherry vinegar were a perfect combo. The chefs nailed this dish on the head. Perfect.

What I had of the brill fillet, which was not a lot, but it was damn good. They seem to have perfected those traditional combinations and taken them to new heights. Why do bacon and chestnuts work so well when paired with fish. So glad it does though.

We had no room for dessert, but I wish we had shared one, as they all looked really good as a string of them went to the large table in the corner. Next time.

We had a wander afterwards down to the beach. It was not a beachy day but who cares. It was the seaside and I kinda prefer beaches on cold, wet and windy days.

It doesn’t really matter to me that the Sportsman has a Michelin Star or not, as that book is kinda old hat now and has no relevance on the majority of diners in London today. The Sportsman however does serve great food in a quirky atmosphere, and should be on everyone’s list to dine at as soon as possible. I want to return as soon as I can.

Foto Friday # 34

For some reason I am now craving one of these babies. I'm on the first flight to Luang Prabang this afternoon.

Christmas Days Out - Cambridge Chop House

A week of driving around the outskirts of London was pretty amazing. The only problem was going anywhere from Islington took an age, especially when you gave no idea where the shortcuts are.

Just to drive up to the M25 through Edmonton took an hour. Well we learnt our lesson the hard way.

Cambridge was a joy even with the freezing cold weather and the thick fog that allowed us to see about 5 metres in front of us. We were wondering if we would ever make it or see anything when we arrived.

U never realized that the centre of Cambridge is a shopper’s paradise, which kinda depressed me a tad. I came for the Colleges and the Imperial architecture not to look at a branch of so and so that I see everyday back home. So we kinda steered clear of the centre and walked around it.

I’d not done any research about where to eat in Cambridge as I just assumed we would find a few places worth eating at. How wrong we were, apart from your chain restaurants and quite a few places selling jacket potatoes, there wasn’t that much on offer. Luckily we found the Cambridge Chop House, and it was a damn good find at that.

Wandering around the old college’s reminded how lucky we are to have such a heritage and history in this country. Makes me proud it does.

We found out the Cambridge Chop House is part of a chain of Chop Houses and other restaurants in Cambridge.

Its menu of hearty English fare was a welcome sight after a day of wandering around in awe at the beauty of this town in near arctic conditions. Damn it was a cold day. We were offered the punting tours, but in this weather you had to be either insane or a Japanese tourist. So being neither on this day anyhows we declined and scampered off for some nosh.

In true Chop House tradition the menu is big and hearty. Looking at it evoked a time of Edwardian debauchery and over eating. A time of big meals, large trousers and larger braces were the sign of a good Chop House.

This modern version still serves up some large portions for damn reasonable prices. The chalkboard of daily specials spell meat heaven. I was pretty tempted to have one of the veal or baby tortured cow chop but somehow the lure of some thick cut bacon and a duck egg with chips was too good an offer to turn down. Sometimes I just want food I enjoy eating at home, nothing fancy just plain simple good food.

The bacon was as it said thickly cut, with a lovely duck egg and some hand cut chips. It looked a small portion but by the end I was pretty well stuffed. But I had just eaten the whole basket of bread. This was all washed down with some local ale from the kegs behind the bar. Wondrous warm and comforting meal

Lina had the fisherman’s pie with a side of greens. This tasted really good and very freshly made. Lovely chunks of mixed fish along with a velvety béchamel sauce and a smooth grilled and crispy mash potato topping made this the star of the show. It was an award winning pie. One of the best I’ve eaten in a long while. I’d even go so far as to say it was better than mine. Modest I am sometimes.

I want to return to Cambridge in the Spring or Summer where we can punt down the river in between the colleges admiring the fantastic architecture. But more importantly we can try the other Chop House in this chain. 

Foto Friday # 33

Traditional London food. Pie n Mash, as seen here in Cooke's window on Broadway Market. Great to look at and delicious to eat.