Today I wandered all the way to Belgravia with Sacha. Okay its not the worlds longest walk from Notting Hill, but I was hungry and tired and could not wait to get into this foody experience created by Courvoisier, and Bompas and Parr, famous jelly afficionados and foody conceptualists. We got to this derelict old house on Belgravia Square, full of excitement. The experience promised to be a tour through the ages of eating and drinking…
You are looking at a Gorgeous Gugel which is a Gugelhopf – warm intense chocolate pudding with a melting middle served with white chocolate granita and a blackcurrant mint cassis compote. So divine so perfect. You’ll have to head to Brighton, to Terre a Terre to try it.
Not complicated I know, and how much can you say about the humble potato salad, but yes, it does need just the right potato, (an unpeeled Jersey Royal thank you), and a great dressing, not to mention walnuts, spring onions, and gerkhin…
Movies have a lot to answer for don’t they? Just think what Jaws did for sharks. This is what ‘From Hell‘ starring Johnny Depp did for Absinthe. Being a big Johnny fan and never having tried Absinthe before, I was filled with just a little trepidation, feeling nervous and excited; such is the myth that surrounds this drink.
The Alchemy of setting fire to transform a simple fluid into something much more compelling I now realise is for effect and not at all the correct and traditional way to drink absinthe. The dear people at the Absinthe Shop, who supplied me with my delicious sample of white Clandestine Absinthe, recommend the traditional method. I on the other hand, could not resist the drama and pyromania of the Bohemian method, purely for effect. Both techniques are described below.
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Princess Lottie took part in a Daring Baker’s Challenge and came up with this traditional British Pudding by Esther from The Lilac Kitchen! It looks sumptuous, light and suitably moist with syrup and creme Anglaise. I wish I had tasted it as these pics have me drooling. Learn how to make a perfect steamed pudding.
What is it about Faded Victorian splendour, crisp linen and hushed attentive waiters, that makes even the most mediocre breakfast buffet feel like a treat? The vast old world proportions of Brighton’s Grand Hotel lend such wonderful theatre to the occasion that I felt like a (somewhat hungover) princess. A stay at the Grand is is a comfy, frumpy treat indeed.
What makes the perfect japanese bowl of soup? For me it takes a weighty voluptuous noodle, not to soft and not too hard, a delicious flavoursome broth, rich and deep yet light and joyful. Add to this loads of fresh seafood, vegetables and big dose of loving attention to presentation and you get the picture. That’s why I LOVE Yumenoki.
It goes without saying that we at the belly love chocolate. We nuzzle on tiny pieces of the best quality we can get our hands on and live for the tiny high that ensues. Today is the day that I unpacked 5 beautiful bars that arrived courtesy of the lovely people at Chocolate and Love. Please feast with us….









































