Mama Italia and Design Day

Dear foodies, Apologies for being lazy and quietly gobbling away in silence. Have been feeling rubbish for not sharing glorious food moments experienced at home and away this year (Marseille, Roma, Naples, Sicily, Windsor, Paris and Barcelona). I've decided to start small and share discoveries as I stumble along.

Enjoyed a splendidly windy Saturday at the Design Museum - check out the Designs of the Year 2012 exhibit (my personal favorite is this inflatable biking helmet) and an exhibit celebrating 20 years of Christian Laboutain if you're a stiletto fan... being the most clumbsy person alive I must admit the man makes quality shoes, got a pair of classic black pumps for my birthday (thanks shiz!) a few years ago which are still lasting me.

Headed to Greenwich for dinner, after being put off and rejected by the Old Brewery for not having a reservation we found a buzzing little Italian restaurant called Bianco 43. Sleek, simple an lively! If you're looking for homely rustic food, friendly service and a good vibe I much recommend this place.



Starter: Oyster salad with celery, potatoes and parsley
Mains: strasconati al ragu bianco di pesce e brocolli; carne with potatoes
Dessert: embarrassed to say I didn't have any space left for this
Drink: Much recommend the Pinot Grigio

Cost: Bill came to approx 30 pounds each with two generous glasses of Pinot grigio

Verdict: Very charming, defo heading back

Ciao bellissime!

Polpo, at long last

I FINALLY got into Russel Norman's much hyped restaurant Polpo on Beak Street. After being rejected on several occasions. On the fateful day we were resolute to show up at 5.30pm, when the doors open. To our surprise the restaurant was already packed and we were asked to wait at the bar for a few minutes. Despite my crankiness about being rejected from this establishment so many times, I need to give kuddos to the no-booking policy (a refreshing change for a London restaurant). Apparently Russel has based the concept of this restaurant on cicheti - the small plates of food found in Venice's backstreet bacari, where locals eat their lunch standing up at the bar, with a small glass of wine. 



I'm not going to go into detail about the food here (lovely small plates of food) because I feel that the experience that needs to be highlighted, and the reason why people flock here is the atmosphere and the vibe.
Beware, the plates may be small, but the bill will be approximately £40 a head for ample food and drink.
Need to try Russel's new restaurant Mishkin soon - it's an Italian cafe slash Jewish deli and boy, do I heart salt beef.
The end.

Not a Boozy Lunch

Client meetings can be great times when there's good food involved. Nipped out for a 45 minute lunch around the corner at CIBO sadly my delicious carpaccio with wild rocket and parmigiana was not accompanied with a glass of wine but no complaints! My colleague loved 
the squid filled with crab, breadcrumbs and herbs in a light tomato sauce. 

A no fuss restaurant, recommended if you're in the area but don't go out of your way!