Bottomless Brunch at Tootoomoo, Crouch End

Brunch is great, but bottomless brunch... now that's something else. My local lovely Asian hothouse, Tootoomoo (a much loved friend of this here blog) has launched it's very own bottomless brunch this week. Yep, the booze is bottomless but SO IS THE FOOD! Start sounding the trumpets and bring out the banners - this is one brunch not to miss.

Obviously we start with drinks. TTM have recently revamped their cocktail menu and there's double the choice to sip your way through. Think Lychee Martinis,  fiery Chilli Caipirinhas and minty Tootoomojitos. As a gin fan, we went for the Effervescent Elderflower laced with gin, elderflower, ginger and soda water. A few of those went down very nicely thank you very much. But of course we had to sober up a little after, so went for a lovely jasmine blossom green tea that's sure to flush out my liver in time for getting up on Monday...

And now for the food! Tootoomoo specialises in Asian Tapas, meaning you can taste test a variety of delicious plates without committing to a huge main course. Things like edamame are an obvious side, and complement salty, umami-rich morsels such as spicy shichimi squid, vegetable potstickers, veggie spring rolls and crispy smoked chicken.

We refreshed the palette with fresh sushi of yuzu salmon maki, soft shell crab maki and California prawn, all served on a beautifully printed plate with wasabi, ginger and soy sauce. Even if you just order endless plates of sushi alongside drinks you'll be very happy. 

Moorish morsels of popcorn shrimp, soft shell crab tempura and tiger prawn tempura satisfied any cravings for crunchy, fried yumminess while grilled salmon offered a touch of protein with some healthy mixed leaves. Alex loved the plate of corn-fed chicken with mash, but preferred his side of char sui rice - the more meat the better, perhaps! 

To finish, we enjoyed the most moreish desserts of yuzu panna cotta and pistachio creme brûlée as the Fro-Yo was unavailable. In many ways I am really pleased the fro-yo wasn't available as I would have never normally ordered these absolutely delicious desserts. My panna cotta was sweet, but not too sweet, perfectly creamy and finished with a sticky sweet berry jam on top. Winner! 

Kiss goodbye to your diet; Tootoomoo's belly-busting bottomless brunch is a must-try for any North Londoner! 

Tweet to @elliemathews1

What I've Been Eating Lately

I've been reviewing a bit, eating a lot and drinking too much coffee recently so today I will share an update of what I've been indulging in over the last few weeks. From road trips in Scotland to taste-testing new menus at famed London restaurants, it's really been a busy few weeks. 

Grilled Scottish Muffins with Duck Eggs

In September, we took a road trip up to the Highlands of Scotland. This stunning place is so close to my heart as this is where I took my first holiday at the bonny age of 2! Our lovely friend Heather lives up here with her family in a wonderful country house; it's surrounded by fields, a lake and a brook with the closest town a good 10-minute drive away.

During our stay, Heather's duck Rosemary provided us with daily eggs to enjoy for breakfast. The hostess with the mostest cooked these up on the Aga with grilled Scottish muffins and plenty of salt. Alongside a cuppa, there's no better way to start the day, I assure you. 

Scrambled Eggs with Cherry Tomatoes and Avocado

Upon returning to London I craved a health-kick. I recently finished the Results With Lucy Wobble to Model plan but remembered this delicious brekkie. The addition of avocado gave me lots of healthy fats to keep me going all day. It just needed a warmed pitta bread to be perfect.

Team Lunch at Cinnamon Soho

Newly reopened Cinnamon Soho has a brand new menu that we went to taste test in September. We began with breakfast parathas of keema (lamb - obviously I didn't eat this one), Bollyflower Cheese (with cauliflower) and fried egg, before moving onto curries with naan and rice. I chose the spicy Paneer 65 with garlic naan breads and a basil lemonade. Lovely. 

Fish and Chips at Poppies, Spitalfields Market
Um, yeah. For payday Alex and I headed to Poppies in Spitalfields Market. Originally we were going to go to nearby Pizza Union or opt for a curry at Sheba, but instead went for Poppies. This famed fish and chip shop is a real London institution and alongside Sutton & Sons, provides that much-loved British dish that every tourist wants.

We went for chips cooked in olive oil (rather than ground nut) with rings of calamari, fried cod, curry sauce and plenty of mushy peas. It ain't fancy but it's damned good. Add a couple of pints and you've got an absolute winner. 

Coffee and Doughnuts at Crosstown, Brick Lane
After a tough session at the gym (I promise this happened) we trekked to Crosstown on Brick Lane. Their sourdough doughnuts are absolutely amazing. Light, bouncy, not too sweet and packed full of flavours you just want to drown in, these doughnuts are an absolute must-try.

We got a Flat White each (yep, I've gone hipster). I chose the salted caramel with banana cream doughnut and Alex went for the PB&J. He was jealous of mine (because it was infinitely better) but they both looked very pretty over on the old Instagram.

A Real Sunday Roast at Home, with Wine. Duh.

I love a Sunday roast, but since becoming vegetarian it's been a bit of a nightmare. We've gone out for a roast a few times and there's often nothing I can eat. Nut roasts are a no (allergy) and very few places offer fish which is a shame. So we decided to enjoy a roast at home. I roasted up potatoes and parsnips, bought two salmon en croute from Lidl (no shame) and made my own Yorkshire Puddings with plenty of Hemp Oil - trust me it works!

Bisto gravy and a cheap red wine. Yum. 

Green Juice from The Detox Kitchen

Yeah you can't keep eating and eating without starting to pay the consequences. On Monday (after the Sunday roast) I sipped on a Green & Lean juice from The Detox Kitchen in Fitzrovia. It's overpriced but tasty. 

Ratatouille!

Finally, Mrs 'I Wish I Was French' made ratatouille. Of course it's not the traditional recipe but I really gave it a go with layers of courgette, aubergine and red pepper drowned in a smoky tomato sauce.

This has been the running theme of the last two months - coffee. Too much of it, too often. Beany Green, Barbour & Parlou and Nescafe Azeera are my best friends right now.

Tweet to @elliemathews1

REVIEW: Patron Cave à Manger, Kentish Town

We all know by now I wish I was French, right?

When Patron contacted me several weeks ago about their beautiful new deli and wine shop that's opened up at 16 Fortess Road I immediately got excited. Combining the elegance of a Parisian épicirerie fine - delicatessen - and the conviviality of a bar à vin, the new site offers a relaxed, more casual approach to the Patron Cave à Manger world. But today is all about brunch. We donned our Breton striped tops, I added a little red lipstick, and headed down to the restaurant's first site just a few doors up at number 26.

We began with coffee (duh) and a Bloody Mary which was excellently spiced with fresh black peppercorns and a dizzying drizzle of Tabasco. That stuff kills me. The vodka was strong (good) and the tomato juice fresh which offered a really refreshing sip. Alex's coffee came beautifully finished with a little swirl on the top and just a dusting of chocolate powder. Rich, creamy, warming - what more do you want?

To eat, Alex surprisingly went for the mushrooms on toast which the chef told us features ceps and chanterelles for a really meaty flavour. Cooked in plenty of butter, garlic and black pepper the perfectly soft mushrooms are then arranged on two slices of homemade French bread. A pretty edible flower and dressed rocket salad complete the plate. I found this dish really full of textures, thanks to the soft mushrooms and crisped toast. The flavour was meaty enough to satisfy any omnivore and the rocket salad adds a little pepperiness. 

I went for the mackerel omelet - a protein packed hit before our dreaded weights session at the gym. There was enough mackerel to add that smokey, oily note to the dish without being overwhelmingly fishy and the eggs were nicely cooked. There was too much creme fraiche on the top for my liking but it did provide a sauce of some sorts. The fresh dill and rocket salad, with plenty of salt I might add, was also really nice and refreshed the palette after the richness of the egg and fish. 

We also enjoyed a tub of rosemary fries, perfectly crisp and finished with lots of salt. Hey! It's the weekend. The rich aioli on the side was also absolutely delicious and creamy. 

We couldn't leave Patron without trying their delicious croissants, with a trio of additions: salted butter (with added salt on the top), melted Nutella and confiture fraise (strawberry jam). The croissant was buttery, flaky and just absolutely delicious. It was soft inside and slightly warm which was a dream when topped with more butter and a swipe of jam. Alex, obviously, loved the Nutella. 

Even if you only pop in for a croissant, Patron Cave à Manger is an absolute DREAM for any Francophile. Indulge in classically French plates and kick back in the beautifully designed restaurant. The team will ensure you're happy! Oh, and pop into number 16 for a cheeky treat from the deli to take home too. 

Thank you Patron Cave à Manger for hosting this review 

Tweet to @elliemathews1

REVIEW: Afternoon Tea at sketch

sketch is one of the most notorious and well-known afternoon tea establishments here in London, and the beautiful Gallery space makes the perfect location for tea and cakes. Sketch is the brain child of Mourad Mozouz and Pierre Gagnaire. As a destination for food, music and art over two expansive floors, sketch is a must-visit for any Londoner. 

From start to finish sketch is an all encompassing event. The subtle sign, polite doorman and upside-down dog on the outside give very little away about the delights inside. sketch has a variety of spaces that serve food throughout the day including The Gallery, which is decked out in the style of a 1930s tea room. Pink walls, pink chairs and delicate rose gold detailing give an air of luxury without feeling forced. In opposition the staff run around in boiler suits and Converse, which helps keep things relaxed.

We kicked off with a glass of English Sparkling Wine and a Raspberry Bellini. Only problem (depending on your point of view) was that the price of the wine wasn't detailed on the Afternoon Tea page and it turns out one glass was £21! The shock when I got the bill was REAL. The wine was lovely and my Mum's stunning Raspberry Bellini was very sweet but with a sour finish. The rest of the afternoon we enjoyed Silver Needle tea, which has a delicate, soft flavour that can be a little bland but I love it! 

Once again, sketch were really accommodating to my needs. They offer a nut-free menu which ensures that I could enjoy everything on my plate without avoiding particular sweet treats. For sandwiches, I enjoyed double servings of salmon with cream cheese and salmon roe; grilled aubergine with cucumber and ricotta; and the warmed mozzarella with nut-free pesto. I wasn't much of a fan of the egg with caviar sandwich, and Mum really enjoyed the Coronation chicken filling. 

For sweets, I absolutely LOVED the white peach mousse with fresh peach topping which was served in a mini shot glass. I found my roasted pear cake warming and comforting with plenty of cinnamon, but the soya chocolate cake with chocolate mousse was actually quite dry which was sad. My Mum enjoyed s beautifully light cheesecake with a mousse and meringue topping, a croque with a vanilla cream and a plum tart with her favourite being the marshmallow twist on the top of the tower. 

My scones were also absolutely delicious. Served warm with plenty of cream and jam, I managed to eat one before submitting to my fullness. I don't think I could have eaten another tiny piece so I enjoyed my scones for breakfast the next day - try it, it's a must! My blueberry doughnut with its vibrant purple topping was also lovely and not too sweet, which was surprising for a doughnut. 

Thank you sketch for hosting this review.

Tweet to @elliemathews1