May 9, 2012

Rock and Rose

When you come across Rock and Rose in Richmond prepare to be hit with an explosion of glitter, hearts and retro punk glamour.

From enormous chandeliers and roses on every table (as the name would suggest), to glamorous throws and cushions, the theme runs throughout the restaurant.

However, don’t let this put you off. The theme may be a little OTT but the food menu is one of the best in Richmond and the restaurant has been successfully created into somewhere a little different from your average gastro pub.

Starting off I had the beautifully presented (and tasting) spicy tiger prawns (£8.95) with a healthy dollop of wasabi aioli. However, just when I was bathing in the glory of choosing such a delicious dish I tasted the restaurant’s signature glazed baby back ribs (£6.95). These are heavenly as the meat is cooked to perfection and is smothered in a sweet, but not sickly, sauce – a word of warning, ask for a hand bowl to wash your hands after as these are not pretty to eat and don’t choose this one on a first date.

Next up was a warming dish of lamb massaman curry, with Thai spices, peanuts and sweet potato (£16.95). It’s the perfect combination of rich meaty flavours with a light, spicy sauce to top it off. If you want something more refreshing and less sleep-inducing the seabass with chilli, ginger and spring onion (£18.95) is a winning choice.

The dishes are generous and if you get full easily you might not be able to cram in a pudding but my advice is push through this barrier and go for the pavlova with mixed summer berries (£5.95). It’s light, fruity and the right mix of chewy, sweet deliciousness topped up with enough fruit to make you feel slightly less guilty.

If you can’t break this barrier go for a espresso martini (£7.95). It’ll wake you up while giving you the satisfaction of having something sweet at the end of the meal.

Along with the food there is a wide range of cocktails on offer and a small but well-picked wine menu. Arriving on a Sunday afternoon I wasn’t expected the restaurant to be busy, especially as it’s a little way away from the main high street in Richmond. I was completely mistaken and in fact it was packed, so make sure you book early to get a table.

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack. 

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May 9, 2012

Free books At The Carnaby Exchange

Are you looking for your next great read? Look no further as the Carnaby Book Exchange offers a huge range of free books waiting to be picked up.

Around the world there are more than 130 million books and the average person gets through one book per week. That’s a lot of books and if you’re not happy shelling out for a new title on a regular basis why not take advantage of this great new scheme.

It’s a lovely space in Carnaby Street for people to relax and read with a vast array of books on offer from great fiction novels to fashion, travel, music or history titles – it’s completely up to you what you decide to lay your eyes on.

To take part all that’s required is for you to leave a book behind for another book worm to pick up. It’s that simple – leave a book, take a book.

As well as reading the books, you can also leave your thoughts and feedback and recommendations for other book lovers evolving the swapping process away from just books to memories.

The whole thing has been thought up and created by the MA Fashion Curation students at the London College of Fashion, just off Carnaby Street.

The creators say it’s “an incubator for passion shared” and if you like us can’t wait to get involved, get yourself down to the ground floor of Kingly Court. It’s open at the weekend from 8am – 6pm on Saturday and 12pm – 6pm on Sunday.

Image: Guardian Books

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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April 17, 2012

Is it time to rent your next dress?

Ever had the feeling when you delve through your wardrobe before a night out and can’t find anything that feels right or fits the occasion? Of course you have and us women (and I’m sure men feel the same) seem to be in a continual search for the perfect outfit, hairstyle or look.

Luckily for us if your bank balance isn’t set up to pay for a new dress every time you feel indecisive there is an answer on hand, and that’s to borrow. Of course if you’ve got willing housemates or friends they are a good place to start but if you’re not the same size as those around you and want something a little different and a little more designer then why not hire from an agency?

One such place is That-Dress which promises to take the stress out of shopping and end the eternal question of “What should I wear?” And from the surface it looks like an easy solution for the time short and fashion hungry. Whether it’s a wedding, drinks reception or a special Birthday – if you’re not prepared to cough up for a brand new label then it’s worth trying out.

Although it’s not been around for long, That-Dress has an impressive range of outfits to choose from. At the moment most are Italian-inspired and there are all the names you’d expect – Versace, D&G, Diane Von Furstenburg – and several new designers such as Ophelia is Lost and Narciss. Prices start from around £28 per dress and seeing as most of these dresses cost at least £300 to buy new, it’s a brilliant way to always be wearing something different without running up massive debts in the process.

So you pick a dress from the website, pay for it, and in no time at all (around 12 hours) it’ll be couriered over to your desk. The day after you can pop it back in the enclosed pre-paid packaging and return. If it arrives and it doesn’t fit you’ll be refunded the price and there’s instant help – via phone, email or instant messenger - if you need any advice about sizes and what to wear.

As well as an impressive range of dresses there’s also all the extras you know you’ll need – such as fashion tape, ballet pumps, handmade jewellery and tights – so you’re all set for the perfect outfit.

That-Dress is not the only site around for dress hire but it’s quite an easy one to navigate through and most of the dresses on offer come in sizes 8-14. It’s up to you how you use the site – either through renting a one-off dress or if you get into it, becoming a member and renting a few a month (which works out cheaper per dress).

There are also a lot of extras, such as discounts and points to collect for renting which can be redeemed off the price. Jon Hammond, the director, has also arranged events for members to meet new designers, including an evening with Alise Trautmane who recently won the Baltic Fashion Federation designer of the year for the second consecutive year.

Hammond says renting is the “ultimate recession chic” and an answer for all those people in search of something new to wear without the endless budget to do so. You can also get £15 off the first dress you hire with the code ‘welcome’ at the checkout.

“For the same price as a dress from H&M or Topshop you can have a Versace cocktail dress for the night, it’s no secret celebrities ‘borrow’ designer dresses for big events, and men hire dinner suits and morning suits, so why shouldn’t women be doing the same thing?” argues Hammond.

“This way you have access to a constantly evolving wardrobe of beautiful designer dresses to hire, at a fraction of the retail cost. It’s ‘our little secret’ and there’s one for every occasion,” he adds.

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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April 16, 2012

The Jugged Hare

The line between gastropub, plain old pub and fancy restaurant has become very blurred lately. Attaching the ‘gastropub’ label onto an ordinary looking pub usually means an excuse to rack up the prices while luring in unassuming diners who were looking for some pub grub.

Well pub grub is certainly not what you’ll find at The Jugged Hare and despite the slightly haughty atmosphere and higher-than-average prices the food is well-presented and most importantly it tastes good.

This is the 10th in a line of gastropubs owned by Tom and Ed Martin and it’s clear to see they know what they’re doing. Walk in through the main entrance and you’ll be met by crowds of local workers enjoying the impressive drinks menu. It’s got its own ‘by the glass’ machine creating seasonal wines from local producers and if you’re indecisive, go for the wine flight – you get three glasses of seasonally picked out wines for £10. If wine’s not your thing try the Jugged Hare pale ale, brewed in conjunction with Sambrook’s brewery in Battersea.

If you’re peckish, or you’ve booked a table (recommended for most evenings), walk through the crowds towards the smell of meat and you’ll reach the restaurant area where an open kitchen takes centre stage. For those of you who enjoy watching cookery programs you’ve come to the right place. Here you can stare at the chefs to your heart’s content and watch them popping out intricate looking meals, but a warning – it’s no fun for fellow diners if you spend the meal commenting on events in the kitchen which they can’t see.

For people who find it hard to say no to a starter (like me) you won’t be disappointed and I went for the honey roast kiln salmon (£8) while my friend had the diver king scallops gratin (£9.50) with a creamy sauce to melt any fish-haters heart.

The food available is all local, organically sourced (fish from Billingsgate Market) and what you might expect really and there’s a different meat available everyday from the spit roast and some hefty steaks on offer. Most of the main meals are around £17 but you do pay for what you get and the meals are fresh, delicious and perfectly matched with the sides (although you have to pay extra for these).

Greedily I also tucked into a pudding and despite being a bit of a connoisseur in this sector, the lemon junket (light mouse) with blood orange jelly is one of the best fruity treats I’ve ever eaten – and an ideal way to end a heavy meal. It’s light, airy and sweet enough to make you feel light you’ve been transported to some kind of magical land but doesn’t leave you feeling like you need a root canal.

Downstairs there are more tables and it would be a good place for a group meal such as a birthday and once you’ve gorged on the meaty feast the bar is perfectly situated to finish off your night.

This review was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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January 18, 2012

Comptoir Libanais

South Kensington is a place I often find myself, either after wondering around the V&A or one of the surrounding museums and I continually have a problem trying to find anywhere good to eat or drink.

Every place I stumble upon seems to be ridiculously over priced or just rubbish and surviving on the fact that so many tourists, and non West Londoners like myself, are hungry or thirsty and will just drop into anywhere nearby. Luckily I’ve found a few options to safeguard against this and one such is Comptoir Libanais on Exhibition Road.

This is the second in the chain of ‘fast’ food Lebanese restaurants and it’s ideal for a quick, tasty meal that won’t break the bank. You can choose from several platters piled up with deliciously comforting treats such as smoky aubergine baba ghanoush, falafel, hummus, and salads with pitta bread for dipping and fried vegetable samosas. These are to share but if you’re feeling greedy and a lover of  creamy hummus topped with pomegranate seeds, and let’s be honest who isn’t, then you might be able to go for one.

For the main meals there are lots of small dishes and I had the prune and lamb tagine which was so tender it virtually melted into one. There are also meat koftas with side salads, whole salads for those attempting to be healthy and lovingly prepared mousakas with crispy fried onions and fresh pomegranate seeds on top – it doesn’t sound like it should work but it does. A mouthful of this feels a bit like a giant duvet wrapped around you, it’s delicious, warming and will leave you feeling comfortably full.

The pudding selection is a bit of a must. There are lots of beautiful looking sweet treats, from rose water macaroons to more varieties of baklava then I ever thought possible and as they’re so tiny you can almost believe they’re calorie free.

All the dishes are around £7 which is a bargain given the location and the quality of the food. It’s a little bit like Leon but better and the bright paintwork and pictures create a cheery atmosphere which is a must at this time of year.

One thing I would avoid next time is the wine. Despite the good value and tasty food, the wine was expensive and the quality was no where near as good as the food. Instead I would go for one of the freshly made juices or some traditional green tea.

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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January 17, 2012

Adventure Bar

Adventure BarIf you find yourself in Covent Garden and in need of a cocktail, the Adventure Bar is here to quench your thirst. It’s located about 10 minutes from the tube station on Bedford Street and is a small underground bar offering almost every cocktail imaginable.

It’s got all the classics, such as a Margarita or Tom Collins, but also numerous twists on these and new creations. Take the Flaming Zombie, an exciting drink to watch being made, it’s mixed with a selection of rums, lemon juice, mango puree and pineapple juice and to top it off a flaming passion fruit shell is artistically balanced on top.

Or maybe the Fallen Angel – a slightly more sophisticated cocktail made of a light blend of vodka, pear liqueur and apple juice. If you’re on a heavier night there are also shots available (unsurprisingly) and you can choose from a whole host of retro sweet-flavoured spirits like sherbet flying saucers or rhubarb and custard.

A lot of the cocktails mix unusual blends together, such as pineapple and chilli or basil and cucumber, but it works well and if you’re not the adventurous type the bar staff can make up anything you fancy.

The bar is small, dark and slightly dingy with music to suit most tastes but verging on cheese. In the few hours I was there I heard (and sang along to) Abba, Oasis and Guns and Roses to name a few. The customers inside were mainly made up of male workers in suits (on a week night) and it’s a good place to go with a group as the tables are laden with party hats and poppers and you’ll get a free bottle of champagne with bookings of eight people or more.

But what didn’t really mesh well were the impressive, but expensive, cocktails in the grungy environment. It seemed like a mix of sophisticated cocktail bar with cheesy night club and there was a whole lot less adventure than I had hoped for. Maybe my imagination is a little too extravagant but I was imagining hands-on games, quirky furniture and décor or maybe a retro cartoon or two adorning the walls. But sadly for a bar (and a website) with so much promise it was all a bit too minimal for me.

It’s a handy bar to know about if you’re looking for a good cocktail away from the crowds of Covent Garden, but at around £8-9 per drink for a pretty average bar, I’d recommend visiting in happy hour (5-7pm) or taking advantage of the free drink voucher you can get when you sign up to the bar’s newsletter.

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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January 10, 2012

Gospel Brunch

Gospel Brunch

If you share my passion for American gospel music and singing aloud (on occasion) combined with huge breakfasts than you’re in for a treat. The restaurant at the top of the Milbank Tower – Altitude 360– has successfully blended the two together in an winning combination of soul music and pecan pie.

The venue is breath taking with views stretching out across London in every direction. And as you take it all in you get to feast on a traditional southern American brunch.

To start there’s a tempting selection of homemade breads, from brown sugar cornbread – a bit like gingerbread without the ginger- to sweet brioche with caramelised onion and rosemary and pumpkin bread. A word of advice though – don’t fill up on the bread as however good it tastes, you’ve still got two massive courses to get through.

For the main event there are several dishes to choose from and I picked the barbecued ribs with rosemary parmentier potatoes. The ribs pretty much slipped off the bone with tenderness and the whole dish was deliciously coated in a sticky barbecue sauce. There were sweet options also, crepes and banana French toast, and a few classics including chicken and Cajun spiced potato wedges and barbecue chicken with black beans and yellow rice.

The portions are American-sized so by now I was feeling happily full and in need of a lie down but the sight of the key lime pie woke up my pudding stomach. I also managed to try the Mississippi mud pie which was heavenly although defeated me to only a few bites.

Gospel BrunchI could talk about the food all day but what really deserves a separate review is the London Community Gospel Choir singers who did four sets during the three hours we were there. The whole thing was very American and while it may work in New York I never expected us oh so reserved Londoners to enjoy such a  spectacle. But even my cold hearted musical-hating friends were singing and clapping away to the songs which were emotional, uplifting and all together other worldly.

There was everything from traditional American ballads to Bob Marley and Beatles covers and a few numbers from Sister Act.

The experience was different but brilliant however at £49 a person (not including drinks) it’s a very expensive treat.

This article was originally written for Who’s Jack.

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