Tasting London

In the short time that I was in London, I tried to jam in as many things as I could; mainly, see my family and friends who live there. And a lot of that revolved around eating - the Filipino way!

I was so happy to see Aissa who used to work with us and is taking up furniture design there. She suggested we visit the Borough Market, unfortunately it was a couple of hours before we had lunch at The Club at The Ivy so I could only taste a little here and a little there. (It's only now that I realize why I was so full after the aspargus, hehe).

Aissa says that its good to go to the Borough Market on its opening day, Thursday, because its not so full of people. I agree. We began our adventure in the hot food section, where I promptly ate a warm beef empanada with this fantastic fresh chimichurri sauce. I wanted to bring some home but imagined what a mess that would make in my suitcase!

From there we went to the other side where freebie samples of this and that were being sold

Foccaccia straight from the oven

assorted chutneys and jams. I like Vampire's Relish!

Cheese, glorious cheese!

you think this will fit in your hand carry on the plane?

These ladies sure like their sausage

I wanted to eat this but I knew it would make me too full so I just took a photo of it, and of course, inhaled.

We left the market and all I bought were 2 bottles of white truffle oil to bring home. Don't you just love fresh markets?

I had some of the yummiest fish and chips at Geales Fish Restaurant in Chelsea with Butch, Mia, Aissa and Tim. Unfortunately I didn't take a photo of the sides we ordered.

Delish shrimp cocktail with lotsa fresh rocket

Fried sole

Sticky toffee pudding

Of course, no trip to London is complete without the requisite kebab meal

Since I like mixing uptown and downtown, I literally did go across town from visiting my friend Estelle and her son Fynley in Notting Hill to Regent Park, where I met Butch and Mia for the festival, A Taste of London.

A glorious moment in the bipolar weather

Estelle and I were hanging out and we didn't realize how fast the time flew and I had to get going. I had so many parcels that I had to take the Tube back to the hotel to drop them off (literally threw them through the door) and ran downstairs to catch a taxi but I was late anyway. So embarrassed! So when we entered Taste, I told Butch and Mi i'd treat them to a drink of their choice. (Love you B and M!)

Butch enjoying a Taste of the Phil in London

It was muddy from the rains (as in serious mud that hardened on your shoes like it was nobody's business), there were a ton of people but it was glorious. Tickets and crowns cost 40 pounds We each had 20 pounds' worth of crowns, each equivalent to 2 pounds or so. This was the currency (like chits) used in Taste to buy your food. B and M had it all planned out: they looked online as to what they wanted to eat and budgeted their crowns. I told them I'd do it guerrilla-style and eat what I saw, as I had no idea about any of the restos that were being featured. Fortunately we had M to tell us! 

B's first choice was the best one the whole day. I kinda subscribe to that theory (yes, Aissa, I know what you will say to this!) the best first!

But look, won't you agree?

L'Anima's mushroom fettuccine and fresh black truffle 

While we were sitting at the San Mig tent, B left his beer with us (6 crowns) and hied off to L'Anima and brought back the item off his list (above) for 24 crowns. Amazing! The truffles were so fresh and tasty.

I found Bentley's, that was selling fresh oysters, 3 for 6 crowns. 

Fish and chips, 10 crowns

Oysters and scallops ceviche (8 crowns)

Happy camper

Who gets bothered eating fresh oysters on an empty stomach? Not me! Each little briny morsel was to die for. Being at Taste made me feel like I was in Disneyland for foodies!

What came next was something on M's list, from Opera Tavern. Courget flower with Monte Enebro Goat's Cheese and Drizzled with Honey (10 crowns).

Then B found another dish on his list, a Wagyu beef burger with black truffle and Cantal cheese sauce (second from left, 18 crowns). He's been getting all these dishes marked ICON, which to me, spelled EXPENSIVE. You could hardly taste the truffle.

Their macaroons looked yummy though. I love black sesame!

Then I wanted to share my crowns so I got something off their list, which was the Krupuk-crusted Soft Shell Crab, Singapore-style sauce, Pickled Shimeji and Cucumber from The Modern Pantry (10 crowns). It looked good but tasted just ok. And unlike the others, there was so much of it! Lesson learnt: don't get the Asian stuff in London!

At Club Gascon we met the head chef who was signing books (that's why I knew he was the Chef de Cuisine!) Cute noh?

But what we really and truly adored from him was something that was on my list now, the ICON dish of the Foie Gras Burger with Summer Truffle (14 crowns), which we split into 3. Everyone was ordering it like it was drugs.

Homigad! So sinfully delicious! Do you spot the truffle sliver?

Now suffering from food fatigue, we wanted to walk around and look for something to drink, like coffee. Instead, we came across some mulled cider, perfect for a chilly evening. B liked their T-shirts, one said "I Go Trufflin' Around"

I took photos of other chefs, and other dishes. I would ask, quite rudely, "are you the chef here?" heehee.

yummy green goodness

the biggest truffle that I've ever seen, that's what she said!

Then we were craving for dessert so we took a look at the list and M wanted the Lemon cheesecake, Earl Grey and Black Sesame (8 crowns). It was very good. I said I wanted to check out the Lemon Tart with Fresh Strawberries (8 crowns) from Rhodes 24. Sidenote: all the strawberries in England had ripened in March and April hence were available already by June, and ohhhhh they were sooooo damn good!! When we saw it, it looked like Heaven on a Plate, so inviting and fresh. I told M i'd half it with her, she didn't want to share! So they bought more crowns haha.

You know you want me don't you?

Rhodes 24's main man

We were finally tired (and full I might add). So we ended the evening with an espresso for B and I then we all said our goodbyes, until the next time. Thank you for bringing me here guys! Such a great way to experience London with you both!

http://www.tastefestivals.com

PS M and I both bought a fresh truffle for 5 pounds. You think it was a steal, right? M said they sliced theirs and it didn't taste or smell like truffle. Oh well, it can still be food fashion: dressed to impress :)