London – Page 16 – Scandelights

Dinner at Sushisamba, The City

Published on July 30, 2013 by Hanna1 Comment

Sushisamba (featured in Sex and the City as you may remember?) opened up their London branch about a year ago but it took me a while to visit. In fact, it was trying their delicious sasa roll at Taste of London earlier this year that really made me want to go.

The restaurant is located on the 38th floor of Heron Tower in The City and as you can imagine, the view is quite something. The interior is too, with two outdoor spaces and lots of glass walls.

I went here with my Caroline (who also has a food blog), my usual restaurant buddy, and we had a few dishes to share. Although it doesn’t look like that much I was almost too full to move afterwards.

The yellowtail sashimi with yuzu and black truffle oil was delicious and amazing in texture. One of my favourites.

Also the calamari with crisp plantain, pico de gallo and tamarind was lovely and the squid was both crisp and melt-in-the-mouth soft at the same time.

samba6

The maki roll with soy marinated salmon, asparagus, onion, chives, tempura and wasabi mayo was OK but nothing special. It was crispy and fresh but it was difficult to make out the flavours.

samba5

The sasa rolls, however, were just as amazing as I remembered them. Shrimp tempura, coriander, red onion, shishito and spicy mayonnaise in a delicious combination. I can highly recommend it!

Caroline introduced me to Peruvian corn which is whiter and has bigger kernels than regular sweet corn. It is also chewier and less sweet. So nice!

The barbecued flank steak with aji panca chilli was pretty full-on flavour wise and parts of the meat was stringy so I wasn’t that impressed with it. I guess I had high expectations when walking past the lovely smelling barbecue on the way to our table.

Although quite unimpressed with two of the dishes I really like Sushisamba. The three dishes I enjoyed were absolutely delicious and although the other two didn’t impress me there was absolutely nothing wrong with them.

The staff was also friendly and very much on the ball, the interior feels very New Yorky and the outdoor space as well as the view is spectacular. This place is well worth a visit!

Sushisamba, Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AY

Dinner at Barrica, Fitzrovia

Published on July 28, 2013July 28, 2013 by HannaLeave a comment

Last Saturday I joined Laura and her visiting cousin, Julia, for a tapas dinner at Barrica on Goodge Street, a place neither of us had visited before. We got there for 9pm and the place was positively buzzing. A good sign.

With bread and olives on the table after only a few minutes we decided on quite a wide spread of tapas. First up was some nice cured ham; Jamon Cebo, which was delicious.

I can never resist pimientos de padron, either in the supermarket or in restaurants, so we had a plate. I like the bitterness and the salt and to have them in between other plates.

Patatas bravas with aioli is another classis and these were very nice. Delightfully crisp on the outside, flavourful bravas sauce and strong garlic flavour in the aioli.

These little bechamel croquettes with lightly smoked cheese and summer truffle were absolutely wonderful and one of my favourites.

The morcilla was also delicious with plenty of umami flavour and depth. I’m not fond of black pudding and similar but love both the flavour and texture of morcilla.

This little neat duck breast toast was really scrumptious with a sweet little layer of onions (?) underneath the duck.

The clams with fennel and artichokes were bursting with flavour and very juice and nice. Also a nice contrast to the meats.

Laura and Julia also shared this lovely piece of salmon with lettuce and beans which I passed on. I am quite tired of salmon in general (after having grown up in Sweden) and prefer it cured or smoked rather than cooked. And I was also to full. But it still looks great and the girls enjoyed it.

I really liked this place. It feels authentic in proper and the food is great. The atmosphere is lovely too and the only thing I wasn’t fond of was the uncomfortable stools, so book a table with proper chairs if you can.

Other than that I loved it. And you’ll love the prices too. Seriously good value for money.

Barrica Tapas Bar, 62 Goodge Street, London W1T 4NE, 020 7436 9448

Lunch at Bone Daddies Ramen Bar, Soho

Published on July 17, 2013 by Hanna1 Comment

Last week I dragged my colleague Max through Soho to try Bone Daddies Ramen Bar. We try to go out for lunch at least once a month and try different places within walking distance to the office as there is so many nice places all around us. The benefit of working in Central London.

On a small Soho side street, not far from the gay bars, you find this little Japanese ramen bar. Max immediately commented on the vibe of the place, and it is a bit hipster with a cool wall painting, loud music, tables with stools and a young crowd, but you still don’t feel out of place if you’re not hipster (like us).

The menu is quite sparse with just a few snacks to share and different types of ramen, but I like when a place does that; focus on perfecting a few dishes instead of having a sprawling menu.

We shared two of the snacks. Amazing soft shell crab with a lovely tangy dip and fried chicken that was even better. The chicken was crisp on the outside without a hint of grease and utterly succulent and tender in the middle. Divine!

I had the tonkotsu ramen as my main and received a huge bowl of pork broth with noodles, bamboo, pork meat, tea stained eggs with amazing creamy yolk and peanuts. One part of the bowl had the nuts and the other side the fried pork mince so you got two very different flavours in the same bowl – loved that. And the eggs were stunning with the utterly creamy yolk. It was incredibly rich though, and I could barely finish half the bowl.

Max’s tantanmen, also with pork was a lot milder in flavour and not as filling, so I have to try that next time. It was also served with the amazing eggs, spring onion and fried onion.

With homemade soft serve icecream there is no need for any other puds. This one with yuzu was delicious after the warm (and in my case; spicy) noodles.

Bone Daddies Ramen Bar, 31 Peter Street, London W1F 0AR

Dinner at La Bodega Negra, Soho

Published on June 5, 2013 by HannaLeave a comment

After some work drinks on Friday, Caroline, her friend Kristen and I decided we needed some food and we went to a place I’ve been longing to try since Caroline first mentioned it to me a few months ago; La Bodega Negra. This Mexican restaurant and bar/café in the middle of the Soho bustle is just as great as I expected it to be and the atmosphere was amazing.

It was still warm outside when we arrived around 10pm and a large glass partition in the outside wall was removed so you sat half outside half inside and could watch the life on the street pass by. That and the great music (Motown and David Bowie on high volume) just added to the ambiance and it almost felt like we were in New York.

We all decided margaritas were the way to go; Kristen and I tried the frozen orange and passion fruit margarita while Caroline had a regular plain one.

Food wise we opted for some nibbles, starting with guacemole (mandatory if you ask me), chicken tacos and two types of quesadillas.

The tortilla chips were the crispiest I’ve ever had, so so good. The guacemole and roasted tomato salsa were also very good.

We had both shrimp and mushroom quesadillas and although both were good, I prefer the mushroom one – it was just brilliant.

The chicken tacos were delicious too and spicier than one might think, so no need for all that extra hot sauce. Caroline learnt that the hard way. 🙂

This might not look like enough to feed three people but it really did. I was too full to even finish my share of the mushroom quesadilla which I still regret as that was my favourite.

La Bodega Negra,16 Moor St, London W1D 5NH

Dinner at Colbert, Chelsea

Published on April 17, 2013 by Hanna1 Comment

Since it opened some time last year, Colbert has been on my very long lists of restaurants to try.

I have always loved The Wolseley, not just the food, but the whole atmosphere, the excellent service and the grand interior.

I expected Colbert to be similar, and it is in many ways, but there is one major difference – the grandness. It is just not as palpable at Colbert. The restaurant is smaller and the lower ceiling height makes it feel cozy but not very grand. But the air of a forgotten time is still there with the impeccable china (so pretty!), linen napkins and silver cutlery.

It is also more relaxed, which is intentional I am sure, with a few tables outside for passers-by or for a quick cigarette before going back in.

But enough about the ambiance, how was the food?

It got mixed reviews from us. Us being mother, father and I.

Mother chose the soup du jour as her starter; a green pea soup with smoked ham and creme fraiche. It was tasty, but not amazing.

Daddy also chose a soup (it was a cold day); fish soup with croutons and rouille. We (I had the same dish as my starter) expected pieces of fish in the soup but instead the soup was smooth. It had a nice flavour, but because of its texture and the lack of fish pieces it was a bit boring to eat. The croutins were nice and crispy but the rouille didn’t taste of much until a hint of heat hit you at the end. All in all it was a decent soup, but far from amazing.

But my starter was, however, amazing. I received a giant slice of the smoothest chicken liver parfait I’ve tasted, framed with butter. Stunning (see top photo). The flavours were fantastic, the texture perfectly smooth and the little jewels of sauternes jelly added both acidity and some sweetness. It also came with toasted brioche which was soft and buttery without being too rich.

Daddy settled for the Minute Steak for his main course, like me he likes his meat. This steak was a sirloin, cooked perfectly and with plenty of smoky flavours from the grill. It came with a herb butter, crispy frites (they were really good actually) and a side salad.

But mummy’s maincourse was the best of them. I so wish I had ordered the same. Her trout was cooked really well and served with samphire, fried mushrooms and the most amazing creamy sauce it was a real treat. She had some new potatoes on the side which was the perfect pairing.

We actually, I don’t know how, had room for pudding. Dad chose a classic creme caramel that I helped him finish and it was really good, up there with mummy’s homemade one.

Mummy, who chose the daily specials all the way through her meal, was tempted byt the pear and almond tarte, that I also helped her with. It was lovely, just very rich.

Despite the mixed quality of the food, everything was good. We are just an especially picky bunch, and the food we really enjoyed was very very good. I like the relaxed atmosphere and the, for me convenient location, and will definitely be back. But I think I will skip the fish soup next time.

Colbert

50-52 Sloane Square

London SW1W 8AX

Borough Market

Published on April 16, 2013 by Hanna2 Comments

Any London foodie worth its name must have visited Borough Market. It is one of my favourite places on earth so I was happy to accompany my parents there when they were visiting.

They love food as much as I do, and visiting the market on a Friday morning we had plenty of time to browse and decide on what to eat.

We started our tour in the Green Market which is part covered and part outside. This is where most of the hot food and lunch vendors are and the amazing smells of barbecued meats and melted cheese makes you instantly hungry.

All three of us wanted raclette to start and we shared two (ginormous) portions, which was more than plenty.

Before that we had tasted (and bought) some amazing choccies from Artisan du Chocolat.

In the newly renovated Three Crown Square, we tried an amzing comté cheese from The French Comté, so good mummy and daddy bought some to take to Sweden. My best find was foraged wild garlic from Kent.

In Jubilee Place I had a super fresh oyster and we all tried the fried scallops with bacon and beansprouts from Shellseekers.

I absolutely adore this place and love coming here on weekends buying ingredients for the same evening’s meal. And most importantly, the British new season asparagus is coming soon. In the words of Arnold: I will be back.

Dinner at Brasserie Zédel

Published on February 4, 2013 by Hanna2 Comments

It was actually in December that I paid Brasserie Zédel, one of the new restaurants from the team behind The Wolseley, a visit. By then it had been open for a few months and so popular you wouldn’t be able to get a table without a reservation. Much like their other two restaurants, The Delaunay (The Aldwych) and Colbert (Sloane Square) that opened around the same time.

A big expansion it seems, but it also seems to work. Especially Brasserie Zédel, at the heart of buzzing Piccadilly and the Chelsea-based Colbert the prices are kept low but the food is just as excellent as the brilliant service.

The French onion soup we both enjoyed as a starter was very nice and came in a generous bowl. As a maincouse my dining companion had fillet of bream with and olive and onion compote and lentils and I thoroughly enjoyed my rare onglet with red wine jus and chips.

I think The Wolseley will always have a special place in my heart having eaten there at several occadions, but Brasserie Zédel is close. The food is similar French dishes but at lower prices. The service is just as perfect as the original and the decor is of similar art deco style, but the ambiance is slightly different since it is in a basement.

All in all I see this as a more lighthearted and younger version of the original with the buzzing bar just next door. And it is about time Piccadilly Circus saw some glamour.

Brasserie Zédel

20 Sherwood Street

London W1F 7ED

Sweet potato and lemongrass soup

Published on November 29, 2012 by HannaLeave a comment

With the big freeze hitting London, all I want to eat it food that warms you through. This soup is definitely warming, filling and of course – tasty.

The slight ‘exotic’ combination of sweet potato and lemongrass really works and it is a nice alternative for a mid-week meal.

The vegetable puré itself is velvety and thick enough without the addition of dairy product, however I think a dollop of creme fraiche while serving adds another flavour, and it cuts through the lemongrass nicely.

(To make this vegan, use vegetable stock and omit the creme fraiche.)

Sweet potato and lemongrass soup, serves 2

2 sweet potatoes

1 lemongrass

1 tbsp olive oil

400 ml chicken or vegetable stock

salt, black pepper

To serve: a dollop of creme fraiche and a drizzle of olive oil

Peel the sweet potatoes and cut into even-sized pieces. Cut the lemongrass in half lengthways and then across so you have four pieces. Heat up the oil in a large saucepan on medium heat. Add the lemongrass and sweet potato and stir for a few minutes to enhance the flavours. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Then cook with the lid halfway on for about 15 minuter or until the vegetables are soft. Remove the two thickest pieces of lemongrass then puré the everything into a thick soup consistency. Add more stock or hot water until it has the thickness you want. Bring to the boil again and season. Serve with a dollop of creme fraiche and a drizzle of a flavoursome oil.

Zucca, Bermondsey revisited

Published on October 25, 2012 by HannaLeave a comment

When I go to restaurants I know are really good, I don’t want to go with a big group of people because I want to keep the focus on the food. As the wine is flowing it is quite easy that you’re just having such a nice time with your friends that you forget about the food although it is amazingly good.

So when I went back to Zucca for the second time, I only had my best friend Emma as company so we could focus on the food as well as on the conversation, wine and the people around us.

To start we shared three small plates as we had trouble choosing. We had speck with rosemary crostini and gherkins. Very simple but very tasty. The pickled cucumber was delicious with it subtle flavours.

We also had a very creamy burrata with baked butternut squash and cumin. This was definitely my favourite, anything with that lovely silky burrata has my name on it!

Emma’s favourite was this plate of broccoli and cauliflower florets with chopped nuts and grated ricotta. Stunning!

We chose the same maincouse for the simple reason that neither of us would be able to handle the other person getting a dish that was better ones own. Us competitive? No…

This amazing linguine with mushrooms and parmesan was absolutely delicious to the last bite. This is what pasta should taste like!

After all that we were so full, but still temped by a scoop each of salted caramel icecream. It was definitely enough to satisfy the sweet craving after a big meal and we left full and very very happy.

Zucca

184 Bermondsey Street

London SE1 3TQ

Dinner at Le Cercle, Chelsea

Published on October 15, 2012 by HannaLeave a comment

I quite often get asked whether I have many Swedish friends in London. I have a few, but I know them all from before I moved here. It is far more interesting to get to know people with different nationalities than my own, especially when I can fly home in 2 hrs.

One friend I know from secondary school back in Sweden, but who also lives around London at the moment, is Helena. When we last met up we had supper at a French place in Chelsea, conveniently located just a few minutes from Sloane Sq.

I read about Le Cercle in the Sloane Ranger mag Tatler, and I thought it was a new addition to the restaurant scene. Apparently it is not, however it is the sister restaurant of famous Club Gascon.

We both had the duck mini burger to start and it was very nice. The bread was a brioche and therefore really moise and both the duck meat and the condiments were full of flavour.

Helena had panfried halibut with creamy leek and crab civet as a main course. It tasted just as delicious as it looked.

I (always the carnivore) chose a suckling pig variation with little juicy cutlets, lovely belly with crisp crackling, jus and charred red onions and endive. Really nice!

Helena later had a coffee and we received the perfect size petit fours; marmalade and coffee macaron.

Le Cercle

1 Wilbraham Place

London SW1X 9AE