Friday 17 June 2016

Taste of London 2016

Taste of London runs in Regent's Park from June 15-19th. I popped along on Thursday 16th with Karen from StemAndGinger for a pop at some of the best food and drink our fabulous city has to offer. Whilst waiting at the tube station I spotted a few well-known faces like Valentine Warner and Michael Portillo (that renowned foodie!?) heading to the Purple Garden, and inside a wealth of talented chefs, restaurateurs and food loving fans.

The park is laid out with purple carpet and all the stalls and staff are colour co-ordinated! It's certainly not just-another-food-festival. Daily changing menus from a stellar list of London's top restaurants, our finest bars serving artisan beverages, and masterclasses from world class chefs are all here to tickle your taste buds and tempt all tastes. Here are my best bits:

Camino

I love this place. I've visited their King's Cross restaurant as well as their Bankside launch and even took at sherry flight at Bar Pepito. Fantastic authentic tapas with each drink, superb wines, and on site Iberico ham charcuterie carving.

Camino

The Cinnamon Club

A mango shrikhand (that's Sanskrit for 'curd') with summer berries and cardamom meringue from this renowned Indian restaurant. Beautifully presented dishes with fantastic flavours.

The Cinnamon Club


Duck and Waffle

We all long to frequent the D&W on the 40th floor of the Heron Tower. I've yet to have the pleasure, but bumping into Dan Doherty himself it's only a matter of time - he's a thoroughly down to earth guy and made us feel super special.

Dan Doherty - thankfully not dressed as a mackerel today
AEG Taste Theatre and School of Wok

We certainly couldn't pass by these guys without saying hello. Chef Nev gave an inspiring and informative masterclass where we got to cook up (and then eat!) spiced roasted quail, steamed scallops and lettuce cups with prawns. Chef Jeremy walked amongst the wokkers, luckily for me (too much oil!) giving tips and guidance. Awesome goody bag too!




Sipsmith Gin

Charming boys tempted us in to sample a crystal clear and crisp gin with tonic - a classic, as well as a gorgeous sloe gin with lemon tonic. Quirky and cool, proper artisan gin, copper-distilled from right here in London.

Sipsmith Gin


Roka

With restaurants in Aldwych and Canary Wharf, Roka is an award winning Japanese restaurant. Melt in your mouth barbecued pork make you want to sushi-fy all your barbecues from now on...

Roka

Chase Distillery

Based in Hereford, this family-run distillery offer field to bottle award winning vodka. We can totally recommend the rhubarb with ginger concoction...

Chase Distillery

Avant-Garde Theatre

Whilst sipping our rhubarb vodka cocktail we watched Monica Galetti sporting her new peroxide crop, whip up some sort of apricot parfait, making it look super easy, whilst explaining her tattoos (Samoan traditions) and her busy busy schedule.

Monica Galetti



Mr Fogg's Safari Camp

A lavish colonial pop-up serving Gin&Tonic and wonderfully refreshing cocktails with hilarious names. The light and airy tent houses eclectic décor, vintage paraphernalia and staff dressed in proper colonial khaki with obligatory safari hats. We sure had a Frikan Good Time here!

Mr Fogg's Safari Camp
 
 
 

Pimms

No better time to bring out the Pimms teapot!

Anyone for Pimms?

Meringue Girls

These girls are everywhere! Always beautifully presented, always delicious. Our coconut and raspberry brownie was the perfect sweet finish to the day.

Meringue Girls
 
Overall a great day - rain or shine, wellies or sandals, Taste is a great day out. If nothing else, check out the loos - the cleanest, nicest-smelling portaloos I've ever seen, with vintage wallpaper and scented hand cream. As with any restaurant, if the loos are good, then the restaurant must be too.

Taste Of London continues this weekend - June 15-19.

Can't wait for next year!
 
 
 


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