Where have you eaten out lately?

[Ella]

That’s a total misrepresentation, isn’t it? I don’t mind a small bit of smoked cheese but only if I’m expecting it, plus that’s not bloomer bread, AND the ham isn’t baked. What on earth were they thinking?

[Mountain Goat]

I am so sad for the disappointing meals, it's much more of a let down than it would usually be. And I like some smoked cheese (the stuff that tastes like it's had Smoke Flavour injected into it can do one) but it needs announcing and it sure as hell doesn't go with parma ham. I'm wrinkling like a salted slug at the very thought.

[Annabella]

Last night I went to Oliveira Organic Vegetarian Kitchen in Paul Street EC2. As mentioned on daily thread yesterday this is a new site for this restaurant that has been in Sheen for the last two years. The chef Emerson Oliveira is Brazilian so it is normal to me to have to ask what some of the ingredients actually are. I started with Nduja and it absolutely tasted just like actual Nduja sausage to me and no meat substitute is used. It was served on a slice of grilled aubergine on a slice of sourdough.

IMG_2290.jpg

For main I had Hen of the Woods: Mushroom, tender stem broccoli, Jerusalem artichoke with Scottish blackberries sauce:

IMG_2291.jpg

For dessert I had cassava cake with lemon sorbet - no picture. Everything was flavourful and delicious.
They are expecting to open fully end of August or beginning of September as the footfall in the area is currently very low due to offices not back yet.

[Mountain Goat]

Lovely! I love a bit of hen of the woods.

[Derek Nimmo]

I couldn't resist the lure of £20 off, so went to English's last night, a seafood place in the Lanes that I'd not tried before because it's rather spendy and I'd not had an appropriate occasion.

We had the chef's platter and it was amazing...I've never liked oysters, but they are a revelation when cooked (three ways). And all the tables were outside in their little square, it was like eating in the Med

[nineseven]

I've never liked oysters, but they are a revelation when cooked (three ways).

Agree totally. I'd happily never eat a raw oyster again, but they're delicious cooked. Give me oysters Rockefeller any day.

[Derek Nimmo]

That was one of three ways unsurprisingly! Also Kilpatrick (with bacon and worcestershire sauce) and then one with a light batter which was fantastic. And I'm not usually a fan of things deep fried.

[Mountain Goat]

Lovely. I love cooked oysters (unless they are drowned in cheese), all of those sound brilliant. I also like a raw oyster but there's more flavour in a cooked one.

[emma_p]

I also prefer cooked oysters! It sounds amazing Dez. I am LONG overdue for a trip to Brighton.

[Derek Nimmo]

You really are! But unless you like crowds, I'd advise avoiding for the moment. Best make it for when the kids are back in school

[Luna]

Let's resurrect this thread before we're locked down again

I just went for a very early lunch on the terrace at The Flint House and it was LOVELY. It opened a couple of years ago, and whilst I'd had some good cocktails and nibbles there they very annoyingly had a no-booking policy for dining from the full menu (which was available inside only). And man, was it constantly busy so I tried and failed to get in for dinner a few times.

But all that's changed now of course, so me and a colleague took advantage and just shared the...

Tuna crudo on a pistachio and pumpkin seed cream with pickled barberries and rye crisps
Tomato salad, smoked tomato dressing, goats curd, basil, cruton
Lamb belly on a bed of smoked aubergine
Potato confit with aioli

It was all so delightful to be cooked for and served that I could have wept. And they are clearly so pleased to see customers.

ETA Oh look, Luna and I were talking about it on the top of this very page!

How lush! I still haven’t been

In other news Chard has closed which is a tragedy. I don’t know if they’ll re-site somewhere else but man, I regularly think about that meal there

[Derek Nimmo]

Alas! I only got to go to Chard for lunch (a relatively simple soup and salad affar), never dinner

[Ella]

We’ve just been out for a lovely meal in Shoreditch. I’m still only happy eating in restaurants if it’s all outdoors, and we went to a place called Rochelle Canteen, which is set in a beautiful walled garden in the grounds of an old school. It’s right in the heart of a residential area, and I’ve walked past it so many times without having a clue it was there. We were very lucky with the weather and the light, and it was all so lovely. The staff were really nice too. For pudding we had a passion fruit pavlova for two, and it was fucking amazing.

[absley]

Sounds fabulous, Ella. I used to love Rochelle Canteen, great to know it's (hopefully) thriving. I expect her ICA canteen is shut/ struggling?

[Rosa]

Rochelle Canteen is an old favourite! I'm so glad it's doing well and that you enjoyed it.

[Ella]

Yes, i can’t imagine there’s much passing trade there unfortunately. This place was nicely full (but the tables were really nicely far apart). Shoreditch itself was utterly heaving with people though .


I thought you must know it, Rosa!

[olive]

That’s a blast from the past, Ella and weirdly the second time it’s popped up today! I had my leaving lunch from an old job there.

[Ella]

How strange! What was the first time?

[emma_p]

Abs, Rosa and I had lovely lunch there years ago when George was a tiny baby. I think he slept through the whole thing

I’m glad they’re doing ok and it felt safe.

[wendy james]

That sounds lovely!