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Well I never,
A blog post
Out of the blue
Does that mean...does that mean that he's back?
With his fatuous comments and frippery?
Can't say I noticed he'd gone but perhaps I'll read on and see what he has to say.

Dear readers,(both of you)

Like the prodigal son I have returned from the wilderness- speaking of sons I've got one, he's marvellous and much better than running a blog that you all only read out of sympathy, morbid fascination or a sense of weary familial loyalty.

The good news is I have a huge backlog of fresh material- I have opinions on eating and drinking things and where to do it. The bad news is I intend to share it with you.

More to follow.

Tapas fest

El Pirata de Tapas on Westbourne Grove.

Excellent Spanish fare and extremely good value. I'd recommend one of the tasting menus £21 / £25. Wines are available by the carafe. Highlights included pigs cheeks with fig, squid with paprika and some divine scallops with cauliflower purée.

http://www.elpiratadetapas.co.uk/

Tonight I will be sampling Capote y Toros the new sherry and ham venture from the Cambio de Tercio team.

Dorset- a foodie's haven

I wrote effusively about the Wild Garlic in Beaminster back in July- below are detailed three other absolute stonkers in the local area. If you haven't been to Hive Beach Cafe it is one of the most idyllic and romantic eateries you will ere encounter- set amidst the soaring cliffs of the Jurassic Coast it is MAGNIFICENT.

Hive Beach Cafe


Hive Beach Cafe has one many awards including Coast magazine's 2009 award for best coastal cafe, pub or restaurant. Enjoy delicious freshly caught fish on their balcony overlooking the beach.



Tel: 01308 897 070

» www.hivebeachcafe.co.uk





Hix Oyster & Fish House

Cobb Road, Lyme Regis, Dorset, DT7 3JP. A special treat also only a few miles from the woodland workshop. The name says it all; chef Mark Hix has recently opened this fantastic fish restaurant that overlooks the cobb in lyme regis.



Tel: 01297 446 910

» www.hixoysterandfishhouse.co.uk





River Cottage Canteen

The River Cottage local produce canteen, Trinity Square, Axminster, Devon, EX13 5AN. As you would expect, Hugh Fernleigh Whitingstall's new canteen is all about great local food. Whether dining or buying, it is well worth a visit.



Tel: 01297 631862

» www.rivercottage.net





The Wild Garlic Restaurant

The Wild Garlic Restaurant in Beaminster is run by 'Masterchef' Mat Follas.



Tel: 01308 861 446

» www.thewildgarlic.co.uk

Terroirs

http://www.terroirswinebar.com/

What Terroirs says:

Terroirs is a wine bar and restaurant situated in the heart of the London’s West End, a stone’s throw from Trafalgar Square and adjacent to Charing Cross station.


The wine bar seats 45 covers with a further 12 seats at the zinc top bar (which are non bookable). Open from 12pm till 11pm Monday to Saturday serving Charcuterie, Cheese, Bar Snacks, Small Plates and Plat du Jour. A reduced menu is served between 3pm and 5.45pm. The full menu is then available from 5.45pm until 11pm.

The concept derives from the Parisian natural wine bars with their emphasis on superb, rarely-seen wines, informal yet informed service, and excellent, hearty food.

What I say:

Cracking spot in an otherwise touristy area. The excellent wines by the carafe wonderfully presented and successfully emulate the Parisian vibe they are aiming for (indeed at times Terroirs reminded me greatly of L'Ecluse  http://www.lecluse-restaurant-paris.com/).

The charcuterie hit the spot perfectly for two- generous portions of cured pork, terrine and a coarser pate served up with cornichons and crusty bread would certainly make for an excellent pre/post theatre repast.

For the main event we opted for two french brasserie mainstays, bavette du boeuf and corn fed chicken with lentils and lardons- both were exemplary. The bavette was served simply seared and sliced, the chicken, a dish which can be as inspid as an evening with Ed Miliband, lent its rich and salty stock to the puy lentils and had a beautifully golden crispy skin.

Such was the generosity of the portions that the dessert escaped appraisal- however if a passing creme brulee tasted as good as it wafted then I would not hesitate to rubber stamp the Terroirs experience.

SeVen restaurant in East Sheen- Great story even better food

Dear readers-
I would like to put my absolute stamp of approval to a restaurant local to my parents in leafy East Sheen.

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/local/richmondnews/4422539.Seven_brothers__one_restaurant/

Go there go there now and tell your friends- this fusion of Afghan, Lebanese and Turkish food prepared, served and cleared away by a team of seven Afghan brothers is a real find and should be mentioned in the same breath amongst the established middle eastern outlets in Knightsbridge, Mayfair and even Edgeware road.

Bravo and I wish them every success

The Scribbler likes

Wild Garlic
Beaminster
Dorset
http://www.thewildgarlic.co.uk/

Mat Follas's first restaurant following his impressive run on Master Chef. Simple modern farmhouse decor a reassuringly short menu which in July featured venison, brill, local crab and ceviche as well as the dorset escargots. All expertly executed in a fashion that many London restaurants could learn a lot from. Follas takes care to walk the floor and meet his customers- apparently he has lost count of the times he has been asked how the "smoked" mash is made. A dedicated forager he garnishes his dishes with edible flowers and is booked up for the forseeable future on his guided foraging tours of the local area.

I wish Mr Follas the very best of the luck- he deserves every success.

With a view

A quick foray into suggested eating and drinking spots with a view.

Aqua Nueva- the London cousin of the Hong Kong establishment. Splendid cocktails and a fabulous view over Regent Street and beyond. http://www.aqua.com.hk/ also worth sampling the full menu for inventive Japanese or Spanish fare.

Trafalgar Hotel terrace  miniature and intimate perfect for a mid-week glass of champagne stunning views of the west end rooftops. www.Hilton.co.uk/Trafalgar 

Coq d'Argent a perennial favourite in the heart of the city that surely needs no introduction- steadfastly reliable on the scran and quenchers. www.coqdargent.co.uk/ 

Shoreditch House members only readers so latch onto your voguest companero/paramore and pack your bathing garments to take advantage of the LA style pool. Sister establishment Soho House also has a terrace overlooking Greek Street but the it is a testament to Shoreditch's credentials that the chici cognoscenti still throng its levels. http://www.shoreditchhouse.com/