The Kitchen Table - The Gilbert Scott NW1

It’s all too easy to resort to clichés when talking about the Gilbert Scott; to keep it short and sweet the building is visually stunning. The welcome is warm, service is charming and the atmosphere is great fun all eased along by the frenetic buzz of staff working very hard to make it all look so easy.

Mama Lan - Brixton Village, SW9

Brixton Village is one of my favourite places to go mooch around at the moment. Well worn, tatty but entirely charming the old Granville Arcade has a really good feeling about it and there is always something new every time I visit.

A bit of Schmaltz - Chicken Fat Fried Egg in a Basket

Some things need little explanation; fried bread with Schmaltz is one of the best things in life. If you haven’t tried it, you should.

The Rib Man

Best Ribs in London? That statement doesn’t do it justice. The rib meat sandwich on its own is one of the best things I’ve ever eaten.

Spuntino - Rupert Street, Soho W1

With my finger firmly on the pulse as usual I've finally got round to checking out Spuntino... We went down with friends on a sleepy Sunday after a little bit of window shopping round some of Soho’s more family friendly shops.

The Beef Cartel - Maltby Street SE1

Quite simply my favourite pop up of the year so far; Niall Davidson’s Beef Cartel is to meat eaters what crack is to junkies. From start to finish the evening was an absolute joy and I left stinking of meat and smoke.

Burger Burger...

I’ve had so many awful burgers recently, which is part of the reason I’ve been so quiet of late. A bad burger is so truly uninspiring I’ve barely been bothered to write up my last few forays out.

Boiled Ham and Parsley Sauce

This is me on a plate; I would be more than happy if this was my last meal. Quite simply stick a fork in me I’m done! Boiled Ham and Parsley Sauce just work perfectly together. The salty ham and fresh sauce exemplifies everything I love about simple British cookery.

St John Hotel, Leicester Street WC2

The St John Hotel is an odd little place, totally at odds with its surroundings. Like a well to do gent that has fallen on hard times the rather austere dining room is well turned out but not a penny has been wasted on pomp or faff.

Grazia - Come Dine With Me? Yes really...

You can catch me in Grazia this week in an article written by the lovely Morwenna Ferrier.  We tried out the Secret Dinner Party experience so pick up a copy and check out her excellent words while you can!

Franco Manca - Brixton Village, SW9

Does it get better than this? Pancake thin sour dough base topped with fresh Mozzarella and earthy Chorizo. The bread gently charred from the fierce heat of a wood fired oven.

The W Hotel - Wardour Street, W1

The Admiral Codrington - Mossop Street SW3

There’s a lot to like about the Admiral Codrington. From outside it looks very unassuming; tucked away down a sleepy Chelsea side street it seems like your typical quiet boozer.

The Sainsbury's Feed Your Family for Fifty Plan

Fuck me… Those were my first words when I took delivery of the Sainsbury's feed your family for fifty quid food shop. Where the hell was I going to put it all?

Lazy Beef Shin Ragu

I love lazy cooking like this, you get all the flavour without much effort at all. Don't get me wrong this is going to take a few hours to cook but the only thing you'll need to chop is an onion.

L'Aquarelle - 22 rte Cande 17920 Breuillet, France

Raw meat... Fillet Steak Tartare

Steak Tartare is one of those dishes that divides opinion.  Even amongst the hardiest of meat eaters you’ll still find people that balk at the thought of raw meat.  

You want Sauce? Dirty Kebab House Chilli Sauce

 

If you are anything like me you are probably not much a stranger to the humble Kebab.  It’s a long standing favourite of mine and the combination of meat and spice satisfies like nothing else after a few drinks.

The Hangover Diet...

It’s Sunday morning and light is pouring in through the window like an unexpected golden shower.  My eyes, half sealed, seem to be telling me I’m swimming through Vaseline...  I’ve got one or two seconds before I realise what’s going on and the pain hits. 

Captain Beef-heart Curry

I love the idea of nose to tail eating, wasting nothing from animal’s appeals as I’m essentially a very thrifty person!  Heart for me these days is a rare treat though and can sometimes be on the pricey side.

Proper Lancashire Hot Pot

I love a bit of neck!  It’s a woefully under used cut of meat but deliciously good to cook with.  It has a near perfect mix of fat and meat which lends it well to a variety of cooking techniques.  I love slow cooking it but it grills or fries well and is a good substitute for chops or cutlets for a cheaper meal.

The Bird - Amfalk Platz, Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin

Until I’d moved to London and tried the delights of the #Meateasy and the like there is no way you’d have ever got me in a boiger joint on holiday.  I just wouldn’t have actively sought out an American restaurant but I’m really glad we took the time to find The Bird!

How not to do does Berlin...

Berlin doesn't need much of an introduction for most people.  Centre of some of the most dramatic events of the last century it's a city that has dealt with a lot of change.  It’s seen some dark days and still has the wounds to show it but I think this makes it all the more interesting.

Beef Shin and Bone Marrow in Taddy Porter - The Perfect Gravy

Northern boys love their gravy and after spending ten years up in Yorkshire I’ve grown pretty fond of it as well.  Back in my kitchen days we’d make vats of the stuff fresh every Sunday.  Beef, Lamb and Chicken to go with the roasts and my god we got through a lot of bones.

Meateasy - Goldsmiths Tavern, New Cross Road SE14

I'm not going to say a lot about this but if you can get down and try the #Meateasy whilst it is there you really should.  Just be patient, the food comes when its ready and enjoy the wait with a cocktail or two and you'll be richly rewarded.  Other people have written some words here and here and nothing more needs to be said!

The Liver Question?

Some things in life don’t often make sense; we put value on age in one breath and extol the virtues of youth in the next.  Take sheep for example, we put so much value in their youth that it’s almost impossible to buy mutton in normal outlets.