Saturday 25 February 2012

Glossybox Giveaway

Hey guys, I've decided to give my feb Glossybox away because honestly I'm not too crazy on the contents. I contacted Glossybox to see if they can exchange some of the products and they flat out said no and I should expect that from a 'surprise' box. As you can see from the pics, the 5 products are in a beautiful box. To win this box and its contents all you have to do is follow this blog. As simple as that. Competition ends next sat: 3rd March.

Wednesday 22 February 2012

A Slight Change to the blog

Hi everyone, This is just a short post to let you all lovelies know that I've finally decided to include fashion posts in this blog. Initially I was going to create another blog but I think its easier for everyone if I just add on. Would love to hear your feedback! XO In the coming fashion post: London Fashion Week Stay tuned. For now I'll leave you with this picture of David Beckham for his H&M collection! Enjoy. I love this hair style on him, thanks to Bruno Mars?
Photo: http://www.wowwow.me

Tuesday 21 February 2012

My Old Dutch

Happy pancake day!
I decided the best day to visit My Old Dutch should be on Pancake Day right? My Old Dutch is a pancake house with restaurants around London. I've eaten there on numerous occassions. I love their pancakes. They have savoury and sweet pancakes and also serve salads, soups, traditional dutch starters and desserts.
Their prices are quite reasonable. We had the Asparagus pancake with spinach, black olives, red onions, mushrooms and cheese. It was divine!As you can see served on the biggest plate you've ever seen!
We also had the the apple and cinnamon pancake with ice cream (also served with cream)
It looks good? It was so good, its hard to finish it all though. I love their plates, very dutch!
They also offer 'poffertjes' small fluffly mini pancakes to you and me. I had the berry compote:
Those mini pancakes are an absolute treat, If you're like me and want to try both kinds of pancakes I recommend the savoury first then the poffertjes. Bring your appetite and an empty stomach! The Deco is nice and simple, with some dutch touch. You get to sit pretty close to your neighbors.
I cant say enough how good the pancakes are at My Old Dutch so it breaks my heart that I have to tell you the service was appalling! I can normally tolerate snotty, slightly rude, sarcastic and I-cant-be-bothered waiters/waitresses. I normally just eat, takes loads of pics, pay, tip and get out. This time however it was just too bad not to mention on here. It was quite busy to the point people had to queue outside and on the door leaving it open so we all had to endure the cold wind blowing in. I ordered Assam tea which came in a pot, after 5mins it was so strong I could drink anymore. I ordered water to wash the taste down, I waited and waited, I asked again and guess what? No water was sent to me! Anyways not a big deal I bought water when I left but the customers on the table next to us had the worst luck. They ordered sweet and savoury pancakes to be served at different times. The waitress very rudely told them they cant do that, it will be served at the same time. The poor American man then decided to cancel his dessert order and only settle for main dish. His drink came (coke) the waiter was in such a hurry whilst pouring his drink he spilt it everywhere! The American customer was so polite during this whole ordeal. They ate so quick and was out of the door before we even finished our fist course. I absolutely feel terrible for this man and his daughter, mainly because he was so nice the whole time. We also had a bad service but again its the sort I can tolerate but we really shouldn't have to! All in all, I will recommend a visit to My Old Dutch but perhaps not the Kensington branch.

Thursday 2 February 2012

Koya - noodles with everything




There are many Japanese restaurants in London serving up amazing authentic food but for a while now I've been searching for a place that serves proper tempura and udon (thick noodles) without all the fuss of booking a table months in advance (e.g. Nobu) and prices that won't give me a heart attack! Something like this:


I had this in a small restaurant in Akihabara, Tokyo. It's very simple, thick udon noodles in a hot broth (refillable) served with tempura which is normally seafood or vegetables battered and fried. After reading a lot of reviews of cheap Japanese eateries I came across Koya which is in a great location, right in the heart of soho, but it's easy to miss. This charming little Japanese eatery is tiny, plain and minimalistic.


No reservations required, in fact they don't take reservations. It's exactly what I was looking for. The staff were very friendly, the seating arrangements means you might be seating next to other diners on the same table. The menu is very simple, basically noodles with everything! Or donburi (rice bowls). I ordered green tea:



Ten Mori (2 prawns and vegetable tempura) at £11.70!!


I wouldn't call this place cheap, it's reasonable but definitely not cheap. Or maybe I'm cheap, I don't know you be the judge but tempura shouldn't cost that much, granted its the best tempura I've had in London. My main was of course udon. They serve their noodles in three ways, hot noodles in hot broth, cold noodles in cold broth and cold noodles with cold dipping sauce. I had kinoko, hot udon with mushrooms and walnut paste.






The little brown thing on the small plate is the 'walnut miso'. I wasn't too keen on the walnut paste, it was sweet and I didn't want to add it to my udon, I'm def not a fan of sweet and sour. But the udon was amazing!! Totally authentic, a bit chewy and just delicious. My friend had beef donburi served with miso soup (again the miso soup was so good!) which got rave reviews too!

















I loved this place and will definitely be going there regularly for my tempura fix. Our bill was just over £40 incl. service charge. It's worth every penny because the food is so good!

Location:49 Frith st. Soho, London

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