Wow. Writer’s block, and total memory loss. I can’t actually think where to start for what I’ve been up to in the last week – it’s been that busy! Let’s start chronologically….
Oh, so this week, in a bid to look spanking (yes I just said that) for Italy, I decided to say goodbye to the chocolate buttons and cake overload and give up sugar for the week. If you knew me, you’d understand how big a deal this is for me and why so many people chuckled and replied with ‘oh yeah’s’ when I told them. BUT, I’m proud to say – I did it! Well, until Sunday when little Matt had nutella, peanut butter and maple syrup covered American pancakes RIGHT in front of my banana porridge. The day got worse from there, the chocolate buttons got ripped open and one of the locals came in with a bag full of cakes so my week of no sugar officially ended. Six days isn’t bad though?!
My downfall…. Pancakes are so good “sigh”
I’d intended to do a lot of location research this week but woah, I didn’t realise I’d effectively be circling London! On Monday, I started with Hackney. And wow, what a place! I hate to say it but I was actually scared, it reminded me of the East End back in the Jack the Ripper days and I constantly had my hand clutched around my phone, in my pocket. Saying that, I loved the market – with bags of fish for a fiver and cows feet and tripe everywhere, it reminded me more of food stalls abroad, in Thailand and Malaysia, rather than the ones you’d find in England. All in all, I concluded Hackney probably wouldn’t be the best area for MYO.
Mmm… Cow’s Feet!
At completely the opposite end of the spectrum, I visited Notting Hill. I’d been recommended this as a potential location for MYO so was intrigued to give it a peruse. As soon as I exited Notting Hill Gate tube station, I automatically got a great vibe from the place, the streets were busy and you could see a range of different restaurants and bars just from standing outside the tube. Walking around, I uncovered other hidden gems and loved Portobello Road. We went to a great gin bar, and tried out two pizza places – Aracina and Otto’s Pizzeria (click on the link to read more!). I did really enjoy Notting Hill, but for a first venture I’m thinking it might be a little too pricey, and there’s also an overwhelming amount of pizzerias and Italians in the area.
In terms of restaurant reviews – I went to Trullo in Highbury and Islington on Tuesday night, just seconds away from the tube and serving rustic Italian fare, it was a lovely evening, topped off with great wine. On Thursday, I finally got round to visiting Inamo, an interactive Japanese restaurant which has been on my list for a long time, and after going, it’s now on my ‘must go back to’ list. Read about it here. I also ate at Meat Liqour, near Bond Street. This place has produced a massive following, helped by its Meat pop-up van, so I wanted to check it out to see whether it was REALLY as good as the countless reviews and recommendations have replied, you can read about it here.
This dish has been causing a lot of speculation…
I ended the week wondering around Brixton with my sister, Sara. I’ve been there before but never really made the most out of the fantastic array of eateries within Brixton Village. We ended up settling on Casa Morita and Wishbone, and I’m definitely going back to try out more. It was also a highly successful trip in terms of location research as I left pretty much convinced that it’d be a great location for a pop-up stall for MYO.
So, pretty packed for location research! But what else…. I made a yummy pepper and maple syrup pizza dough, and visited a nearby pizzeria to learn how to ‘properly’ stretch dough. I’m slowly becoming a ‘dough pro’ haha, had to get that in there! I also cooked red snapper for Ben and I, realising half way through that you had to gut it and oh my word, I am never doing that again. I’d originally bought five fish, intending us to have 2 each but after the disgusting gutting experience, we made do with one. Note to self – always ask to have fish filleted before you buy.
They look pretty innocent here, hey?!
Ben made the mistake of taking me along to the Truman Brewery Beer and Ale festival in Shoreditch with his area manager on Friday. Guzzling down never-ending samples of 10% ales and pretending I knew my stuff, I manage to survive the entire event with only one ‘shut up’ stare from Ben. I’m quite impressed personally.
I think I should probably stop there as I’m conscious this is turning into a bit of an essay. It’s funny because you never realise how much you actually do until you stop and think about it. So yes, my week’s been pretty busy. And next week’s looking to be that way too – I’m going to Benihana (another interactive type teppayaki place), Sartori (rated as being in the top ten for pizza in London) and am looking forward to trying out a new restaurant in Angel, so look forward to those reviews!
Speak next week!
Victoria
