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/

I left my heart in California

Dear readers,

I cannot deny that I am ostensibly a bird, bred of blighty stock and hold the hills, valleys and concrete forests of our noble land in deepest affection. The tapas bar, taverna and trattoria will at times seduce me from the clutches of my english pub like an exotic mistress for a tawdry two week fling, however at the last there is nothing that can tear me away from the amorous embrace of my local.

This is of course not to say I am an unadventurous and homesick traveller- I consider any self appointed cosmopolitan without a liberal smattering of pin pricks in the map to be "laying it on a bit thick". Travel they say broadens the mind and indeed, I have found, the mid-section.

With both said broadenings duly noted perhaps it is a crime and a traversty that I found myself re-visiting the west coast of america for the fourth time in three years. Surely I should be exploring territories and cultures new?

The truth is that I feel that far from having missed opportunities I feel extremely humbled to have experienced some of the greatest natural beauty I have seen and I have to be honest some gastronomic pinnacles:

Naturally beautiful;

1. Lake Tahoe: Winter- ski down from the top of Heavenly or Homewood and you see powdery snow, sparkling lake and scorching desert all in a glance. 
1. In the Summer camp down in Emerald bay and take to the lake

1. Yosemite national park: Drive across the spectacular Tioga Pass and make the long winding journey down to the valley floor and stay at the The Ahwahnee. This hotel shines as Yosemite National Park’s distinctive Four-Diamond hotel.  The Ahwahnee was specifically designed to highlight its natural surroundings, featuring Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and Glacier Point. The destination of queens and presidents alike, The Ahwahnee offers a perfect balance of history, hospitality and elegance.
2. Big Sur: One of the must drive roads in the world. The Californian coast line at its most rugged and stunning

Eats and drinks:

California is a foodie's paradise- they take it extremely seriously. Personally I feel San Francisco and the bay area up to Sonoma and Napa has the edge- a stunning mix of artisan cheeses, fresh fish and of course the diversity of San Fran's community- hispanic, chinese, japanese all executed to a discernibly better standard than counterparts in LA.  I can recommend a drink at Top of the Mark and The Big Four in San Francisco (mostly for the views). There are so many good eateries it's hard to pick a few out (particularly given the demise of the once definitive Rubicon) but Charles Phlan's beautifully crafted "ingredient driven" creations at  Slanted Door have been deservedly exalted for a decade and the old school charm of the Swan Oyster Depot (lunch only) also get the nod .

Also a quick note on picture perfect Santa Barbara where Galanga Thai rocked our taste buds and we queued 35 minutes for one of the best ice creams I've ever encountered at Cold Stone Creamery.



I could write reams on the glories of California- the fish and meat in San Diego, the straight roads of the desert, the shopping in Santa Monica but I suggest dear reader you set your affairs in order and go and discover them for yourself...at once.

A bite to eat around Marble Arch

The Scribbler was recently approached to recommend a few west end eateries for a colleague.

There are of course several that need no introduction in the vicinity the most prominent being Galvin at windows (I also highly commend the Galvin brothers new venue) and the increasingly footballery but reliably sumptuous Nobu. In addition Maze and Maze grill is a carnivorous delight - not perhaps the definitive steak in London (see next blog) but an excellent example and very good value for the onglet at £10.

These were my other recommendations in the Marble Arch and Mayfair area.

Corrigans
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/101319/Corrigan

Scott’s
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/81184/Scott

L’Autre Pied
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/84702/L

Kiku (Japanese)

http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/80783/Kiku

The wild card for informal but good food

The only running footman:
http://www.squaremeal.co.uk/restaurants/london/view/84681/The_Only_Running_Footman

Favourite places

Two new eateries the scribbler heartily endorses following a most enjoyable December jaunt to St Ives in Cornwall.

Cornwall is developing into a british California with a plethora of local produce including artisan cheese, ham, smoked fish and even tea!

The scribbler revelled in an exemplary bouillabaisse at the Alba (lovely quayside views) and a selection of fresh mezze and seafood at the Porthminster cafe (quite literally on the beach).

www.thealbarestaurant.com
www.porthminstercafe.co.uk

Breakfast and rooms at the chic green boutique Primrose Valley hotel also come highly recommended www.primroseonline.co.uk/ although the views from the newly refurbished Porthminster hotel are hard to beat www.porthminster-hotel.co.uk .

The last stop before the stunning train journey between St Ives and St Erth (where we join the main line to Paddington) was of course the Tate gallery. Quite simply a brilliant space and their current Dark Monarch exhibition is something else www.tate.org.uk/stives

The Scribbler likes 1#

A series of things and places which cheer your scribbler and warm the very cockles of his heart.
Predictably they are mostly food and drink based but there is a nod to my other passions en route.

Old Hat

Old Hat in Fulham is where Jeeves would encourage Betram Wooster to shop if he were not "rolling in the stuff". A shop for those that favour their vintage 'tailored-elegant' rather than 'retro-scruffy'. Inside awaits an incredible array of tailored Saville Row suits (£150 each for a suit which would have cost ten times that originally), tweeds, smoking jackets, waist coats, moleskins and evening wear.

Durham Cathedral and Palace Green

Sunday evensong in the quire of Durham Cathedral listening to one of the best choirs in the land is an oasis of beauty and calm in an otherwise vibrant student town. Palace Green sits loftily atop the bailey peninsular between the cathedral, Durham Castle, the university library and the debating chambers.

To declare my interest I am perhaps less than objective on this as I spent three years in the shadow of Durham cathedral as a student of St Chad's College (Durham University).

In the words of Bill Bryson

"Durham, I think, as anybody who has ever stepped out of the railway station and looked across the valley will appreciate, is one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

"The view of the cathedral is just absolutely stunning. I will never forget my first moment 30 years ago seeing it and it has been almost as exciting every time since.

"So there is all of that, a huge amount of history, a huge amount of beauty and a great deal of friendliness.

"If you have never been to Durham, go there at once. Take my car. It's wonderful."

Tipples of the week

This week the Scribbler has mostly been enjoying:

Beer of the week: Young's Kew

Tasting note: The aroma has spicy hops, a light herbal note and gently-toasted malt. Tart citrus fruit, juicy malt and hop resins vie for attention in the mouth while the superb, quenching finish has rich malt, peppery hops and tangy fruit. A vaguely summery/ mild autumn beer before we can move onto the winter warmer/

Chosen venue: The Coach & Horses, Barnes Village

Scotch of the week: The Singleton of Dufftown 12 years old

Tasting note:
Waters from Jock’s Well in the Conval Hills. Nose: Dry, aromatic.Palate: heavy, syrupy, malty.Finish: Medium oily finish.

Chosen venue: The American Bar, East India Club, St James'