The Sugar Bar

Picture from The Malthouse

Last weekend, I was in Shrewsbury visiting a friend and by the end of my visit, it had me purring like a cat (I’ll get to why I was purring later). When it comes to visiting friends I’ve not seen for a while or going countryside, there’s only two words on my mind. And that is: pub food. Somehow my brain immediately identifies the country with – not just the calming and beautiful landscape – pub grub. It doesn’t help that I probably think about food more than sex or shoes or clothes in the day. My whole nom nom obsession is simply exacerbated.

On the Saturday, we visited the first iron made structure ever constructed – the Ironbridge. The weather wasn’t too bad in the day but by the time we’d got there after a thorough walkabout through the Victorian town Blists Hill, the sky was just miserable. It was grey, it was freezing cold, the winds were so strong it was a real challenge to walk in a straight line and the rain was all pissy and furry – the type that was so thin and fine it soaked right through to your bones I bet. You couldn’t escape this sort of rain or you could die trying, really. Thankfully we had a bit of relief from the rain when we stopped at this lovely, comforting pub for lunch. It was one that appeared most welcoming to us (also because our car was parked very conveniently in their driveway) and called The Malthouse, beckoning us with these luscious, seductive interiors.

If you’ve seen the first picture, you’ve probably already gotten a general idea of what this was like and why I say it provided us our much sought-after escape from the outside icky weather. Think lush interiors, like really lush, bordering on decadent. Velvety surroundings and a boudoir-ish ambience, Victorian style furniture with animal print or flocked upholstery and lots of red candles and carpeting. Sounds tacky and a bit cheap? On a sunny day when I’m happy, dry and well-fed I might think just that. When I’m a sodding drowned rat, shoulders aching from hunching against the wind and ankles so cold they’d literally failed the rest of my body and stiffened into ice blocks, I think this was like coming home to a warm hearth and a plate of hot food after a long trek in the woods. The Malthouse was seriously like the light at the end of the tunnel for us. And I was nearly moved to tears when they sat us down at our table, all friendly and smiley and attentive to their windswept customers who’d arrived before the dinner crowd.

Like a cat, perfectly comfy in her skin, and luxuriously stretching its limbs, I did a nice big stretch after chucking aside my wet brolly and removing my coat still icy from the wind. Then, I took another look around and I think my face just lit up and glowed from being warm and dry and sat down. I was utterly comforted by the fact that we were about to be fed. And I simply couldn’t help being appreciative of the quirky bits in this pub house like, the day’s menu written on long panels of chalkboard, pictures of hearts framed and stuck on the walls and oh, this bit I thought was so cool – black chandeliers with opaque black beads dangling very sexily from the bulbs. I know I know…that’s not to everyone taste and it’s so flashy contemporary it kind of hurts your eyeballs. But I could have just thrown myself into the interiors, sinking into it like a waterbed with a sort of post-erh-hum satisfaction, so sue me.

Smoked Salmon Baguette

If I’ve made you quite jealous of our experience, then I’ve been quite successful. If I haven’t, don’t worry I won’t try again. Instead, I’ll change my tactic and move on to Plan B. The food.

Chicken & Onion Rings Stacked Burger & Chips

S’s mum had a nice smoked salmon baguette and the rest of us ordered some hot food – dramatic pause here – some hot proper pub food. It was real nice to see the menu being separated out into starters, pub food, mains, soups, salads, desserts (I think that was how it was for the last 3). What I’m trying to stress is the separate category the humble pub fare was given and that really brought a smile to us. I think we all privately reminisced the cheap student pub food from our undergrad years (which ended only just last year) and anyway, I think everyone has a special place in their heart and stomach for the simple yet very much loved pub grub. We’ve all had good pub food, and bad pub food. Even if at that point of time it was a real torture to swallow that plate of pure grease and cheap butter, I can only say that general entity known as ‘pub food’ is always quite fondly thought of. Of course there wasn’t much to worry about here because the food was excellent!

Bangers and Mash

My food was the last to arrive. Although the last, it was definitely not the least by miles! The picture of it might explain why. It was huge! The portion of chips was generous and the battered fish about the length of my forearm. My lunch partners were a little worried and all ready to ask for doggy bag to take home the leftovers.

Fish and Chips

I think my reaction to that was a big ‘errr…there’s no need’. I ate it all. It didn’t defeat me.

Am I disgusting or just a real trooper with a bottomless pit for a stomach? The fish was fab and so fresh. And thankfully it wasn’t just all made up of batter. The chips were nicely seasoned and real yum with a good bite to it. I quite dislike mushy peas. I think the look of it and the texture just puts me off completely so I never ask for it. If it’s on my plate, I push it away as far from my chips and fish as possible (and I really ain’t that kind of fussy eater. Just mushy peas, paté and black pudding I can’t stand). I don’t know if it was the red candle induced happiness or boudoir ambience that had gone to my head, I ate mushy peas.

Yes I really did. And I liked it. I normally don’t. But this one was good. And it had whole peas in it too. Maybe that’s what made it worked. I didn’t have it all, thank goodness. But I had some. And that’s progress. The Malthouse was a real success and I take the mushy peas as proof of that.

Even though the rain had let up and we were getting sleepy from being so well-fed, we were sad to leave and drive away from Ironbridge. Good times though. Great weekend.

The Malthouse
The Wharfage
Ironbridge
Shropshire
TF8 7NH
Bar-Lounge-Rooms-Live Music
Tel.: 01952 433712

Coming from an eating repertoire of fast food chain burgers, homemade giant patty burgers with Mummy’s healthy additions of sweetcorn, herbs, etc. and our Great British pub type burgers, it was time to add the good ol’ American fare to the list as well. I admit I have never been to the States (although I do want to) and have never been to an authentic American diner, or if I have, it’s a franchise outside the States or a sincere attempt to assimilate an American diner and its offerings. And if I could choose, I’d obviously fly myself to the US of A and sit in a classic  authentic diner, preferably one that does the whole stainless steal rail car and terrazzo floors shebang. 

Beggars can’t be choosers. And I must say, 10 mins away from my apartment where the wonderful Hoxton Square and Shoreditch area is, I found a jewel – The Diner. It’s pretty to look at. The waiting staff was American – blimey, surprise surprise. The music’s just so laidback and awesome with very warm and comforting decor. Just across the road from it, there’s American Apparel and other fairly American-looking shops. Somehow it seems this area’s just spot on for creating the whole illusion that you are somewhere in American munching on an American burger, dipping your American chunky chips (or fries as they call it) in way too much ketchup as you noisily suck a creamy chocolate milkshake through a white red striped straw. But hey, I’ve never been to the States so how much do I actually know what the heck I’m talking about or how you define a burger/chip/milkshake as American? Anyway, let’s not get academic or epistemological about this!

I know most people go to diners, like they would British greasy spoons, for the breakfast dishes and so, it’s common to find diners serving an all-day breakfast. But diners to me are quintessentially all about the burgers, the chips and the milkshakes. Burgers are great yea, I certainly cannot argue with that. Nevertheless, the chips are my defining point. The chips can’t be overdone which means they’re way past being golden brown, too crispy, crunchy with a hollow hardness. And they definitely can’t be served soggy and limp. They have to be cooked to perfection (whether baked or deep fried) and served just hot – perfectly golden brown crispy on the outside and fluffy soft but firm on the inside. Mmmm. Yes I do have a love affair with chips and the humble spud. At a pub, I’d douse them in malt vinegar and lots of salt. This time, no malt vinegar in sight, I did the usual and polished them off with ketchup. So delicious! The chips you see above are the Fat Fries (£2.80) and the Diner Fries (£3.00) which are cajun seasoned. 

I’m sure many of you share my love of the fellow chip – such a simple food that sometimes don’t get served right and thus is an infuriating situation – but cutting to the chase or the main dish that the chips actually accompany, let’s talk burgers.

I ordered the BBQ Chicken Burger (£6.50), pardon moi for not going for a red meat one but there’s something about bbq chicken I can never say no to. Thinking that it was going to be a simple chicken breast fillet grilled to perfection with herbs or something and then doused with a homemade bbq sauce, I was pleasantly surprised to find my chicken breast fillet had been grilled with some sort of bbq marinade. The meat had definitely been pre-marinated as it was so succulent, tender and flavourful all the way through the fillet. The juiciest piece of chicken I’d ever tasted in a burger! The burger is served open so you get to season it with whatever, or the serving of spicy mayo that comes with it, to your liking before wacking the tomato, pickle (or gherkin as they call it), lettuce and burger bun on top and consuming it like a real man with greasy hands and mayo-ed lips and all.

The fellow accompanying foodie Sya ordered the Fish Burger – a breaded haddock fillet served with tartare sauce (£6.50). Smelt damn fine from across the diner table. A lovely breaded coating, crispy and beautifully golden brown made with fresh and firm flesh of haddock. She was very pleased with the burger and polished it off quick! And she didn’t have anything bad to say about it. Neither did she show any regret for being unable to eat beef. Another bonus about the burger is that the bun’s just scrumptious! The bread’s toasted and lightly buttered and reckon it’s fresh from a bakery. Doesn’t taste like anything mass-produced. It’s wonderfully soft like cotton wool with a generous sprinkling of sesame seeds on the top. I have a bad habit of leaving the bread or bun if it’s too tough and icky. Not this time, no sir! Ate it all proper and that. Mum would’ve been proud.

Sya ordered a milkshade (£4.20) as well. She was a trooper through the whole meal and I admire her for it! I obviously have some lactose problems and so milkshakes, for me, would be very problematic. The Diner offers the usual flavours like vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and banana and other more special things like pistachio (which I was totally wishing I could have a taste of) and coconut. For the more exciting people, like Sya, you can order the 2 flavours combo (£4.50) or add Nutella or peanut butter at 50p extra. Doesn’t that sound ridiculously good?! Sya’s milkshake was a vanilla coconut one and the best thing about the shakes is that it’s mammoth. You get a full tall glass of shake and a metal cocktail-like jar of leftover shake which literally comes up to 2 servings so definitely order one to share. You so get your money’s worth with the shakes. And vanilla coconut is a mindblowing combination – that’s if you like coconut as it’s real coconuty like pina colada. 

The Diner also offers bar service so if you want a milkshake made Irish – go for the Hardshakes like Colonel Parker (£7.00) which is a wonderful concoction of Jack Daniels, vanilla ice cream, peanut butter and maple syrup. Sounds wonderful? I know it does. And that’s definitely what I’m trying next at this wicked diner. Seems like Hoxton has much to offer in eating places I’ll be making second/third/fourth trips to. It sure is awesome being in East London.

So yea, we left happy chappies. And it’s only been 2 days since my virgin visit and I’m already craving the next burger and a huge portion of fat fries. Gosh, I am sad and a real sucker for The Diner now aren’t I?

Right, it’s 2 in the morning here and it’s time for bed! The Hummingbird feature shall be posted next week. I’m sorry for the delay but I just remembered it’s the monthly Foodbuzz event ’24, 24, 24′ this weekend and I’m wonderfully excited about having my bestfriend come down this weekend for it.

Ooooh, intrigued? Well stay tuned for the 24, 24, 24 post on Sunday!

The Diner
Shoreditch Location:
128-130 Curtain Road
EC2A 3AQ

Tel: 020 7729 4452
www.goodlifediner.com

Although our English summer always comes with a nasty price-tag, one demanding the patience for silly rain and general grey and the necessary sad goodbyes and partings, the brighter side of things must certainly be acknowledged. Summer = travelling. And what kind of travelling is best but food travelling?

Before I get on to the food-traipsing-about bit, however, might I thank Cannelle et Vanille for a wonderful yoghurt panna cotta recipe? I followed her recipe (found in the link shown), including the strawberry mousse but was a little too lazy to carry on with the strawberry gelee. This was lush, especially the strawberry mousse. Tasted absolutely delicious and so creamy! I reckon my panna cotta could have been a little less gelatiny but it was a hit with the special someone (and a good mate of mine). I took the licked glass sides and spoons to be a good sign. My home-prepared dinner date was a success; well, fairly. Strawberries are my feel-good fruit and on a typical summer day, cold strawberries topped with honeyed yoghurt is something I love. Combine the two in this recipe and I couldn’t think of a more suitable summer pudding – sweet, pretty, refreshing and uncomplicated. Threw on a few pink pearl dragees for luck (and yes, a touch of elegance to a student-prepared dessert) and voila!

As the weeks went by, I found myself re-entering the baking zone after a month of exam-induced unhealthy eating and consumption of convenient foods. I was in the zone! Baked a lemon poppy seed cake for Steph in Shrewsbury, her 21st birthday sponge-cake at a bbq in Fleet and then a chocolate torte with brandy cream in Kent (did not take any pictures of this but will soon recreate this pudding as it was too good to chuck the recipe out). I couldn’t be happier. I may have lost a bit of the baking touch from being idle in the kitchen but I’m quite sure it’ll all come back to me very soon. It’s like riding a bike – not that I can ride a bike, unfortunately! But I’m just saying…so don’t judge me.

When the end of June came and went, I’d lost so much weight from lugging huge suitcases and tea boxes about, painting walls and bedrooms, climbing up and down to paint ceilings and skirtings or wipe down hard-to-reach surfaces, I could see no better way to treat myself than to eat all the sweeties I desired whenever and wherever the urge sprung up. First stop in my travels was Shrewsbury – the birth place of Darwin but more importantly, a very dear friend of mine – Steph who was recently our newbie-21. Thanks to her food enthusiast of a mum, we had a road trip to Much Wenlock, Church Stretton and a little farm shop on the way home. 

I know few who do not love lemon curd, or as Steph’s mum calls it, lemon cheese. Sabrina’s Cottage Kitchen lemon curd was star quality. We found this little stand of jams, preserves, fruit & nut butters and curds in the guild-house of Much Wenlock. Everything was prettily packaged the traditional way and I admit I got very carried away with the tablewater crackers and jam testers on the side. Couldn’t help ooh-ing and aaah-ing at everything because it isn’t an every day thing to find homemade jams and preserves as pretty and tasty as these in Birmingham city. It was unfortunate I had little luggage space or I would have bought quite a few jars of their lovely product. We did, however, leave with a humble jar of lemon curd which we had nearly every day for the rest of my stay with fruit, on toast, on lemon poppy seed – every available opportunity to have it! I realize I have yet to talk about why this lemon curd is so good. It’s just curd isn’t it? Yes and no. I love my M&S lemon curd but this topped it. Using a recipe that uses no water, this baby uses only eggs, unsalted butter, white caster sugar and lemons! Simple, uncomplicated and so good (this is totally my motto in life). The recipe was leaked out to us, very kindly. But if I tell you it, I’d have to kill you because this simple curd recipe isn’t just a curd recipe. It’s a recipe for a curd that’s so lemony and so creamy, it gives you a party in your mouth every taste. Unfortunately, the lack of preservatives means this must be consumed in a few days. Really now, it’s so good it won’t last more than 3 days max in all honesty. I can guarantee that.

With the taste of lemons still lingering on my tastebuds, we were ready for a coffee and some heartily good homemade cake. So where to in Much Wenlock for none of that mass-produced coffee shop sweets but the real homemade stuff with real butter? In the cosy basement of the sweetest gift shop, Rainbow’s End, I was taken to this little gem providing some of the moistest and most tasty cakes I’ve had – retreat Coffee Shop. And what a name! Going to the Rainbow’s End where I find not the leprechaun’s secret stash of gold but a little retreat serving up coffees, drinks and little sweets. What a treasure of a find and a great place to put your feet up for a bit before wandering through Much Wenlock’s array of quirky, antique and lifestyle shops. Want cake?

Have cake! The St. Clementine cake (if you love orange and lemon) is my no.1 and the Carrot Cake is quite lush too. The icing on both is to die for! If you want something less sweet, the English scones available are lovely too. They are served with butter and strawberry jam. 

The rest of the day was spent lazying about in Steph’s garden, checking out the blackcurrant and gooseberry bush, and designing a cherry-picking plan for the rest of the week. By the end of the week, we’d picked loads of the reddest, fattest cherries before the birds got to them and a little box of blackcurrants. Joy! The next day, Steph took me into Shrewsbury town. I thoroughly adored all the Tudor houses, the quaint backstreet shops, giftstores, chocolatiers and traditional sweet shops. There was just something quite fairytale-like about the whole experience. Walking on cobblestone through little streets, turning a little crooked corner to find a small giftshop selling a collection of handmade trinkets, odd boy paraphernalia, indie designer dresses, etc. I loved it! Every corner was something fascinating, something to see and wonder about.

At lunchtime, we popped into The Cornhouse Restaurant and Wine Bar which was much raved about by Steph’s mum and coincidentally where Steph’s aunt and partner had first met. I had high expectations of this restaurant and I wasn’t disappointed at all. I ordered the Honey Roasted Ham with free range eggs, homemade chutney, chips and salad main. The chutney was probably one of the best I’ve tasted. The chef was pretty generous with the ham and the free range eggs were fried but without the brown crispy sides which is just the way I like it. With fried eggs, I hate it when the sides of the eggs start to crisp up and the whole egg is just an oily, greasy mess. Mine were perfect with the egg yolk about halfway cooked, so it was cooked on the outer most ring of the yolk and then gooey in the middle. Aaah. I hate to sound utterly silly but I tend to judge a restaurant (the ones that serve chips) by their chips. Good restaurants make the chips themselves and if they’re served chunky, are real solid chunks that are properly cooked. Crisp and golden brown on the outside but fluffy inside. These chips were just that. Very golden brown which I believe was due to a special seasoning that wasn’t overpowering at all. Even doused with vinegar and salt, they were quite perfect. Steph ordered a burger which came with chips and a salad as well. A fat chunky burger with lots of herbs inside. Sitting across the table, I couldn’t help sneaking looks at that glorious burger of hers. Really good food is all I can say. Not poncy and not overly-priced. Just good food made with fresh, top-quality ingredients and served with a personal touch and warm, friendly service. The interior is well-decorated with warm lighting so you sorta feel like you’ve come home for a relaxing meal. Comfy chairs, smooth dark wooden tables, the whole shebang. Lovely! If you decide to check out The Cornhouse ( click the link for their website) or here’s where you can find it:

59a Wyle Cop
Shrewsbury
SY1 1XY
Tel: 01743 231 991

24-26 George Street
Oxford
OX1 2AE
Tel: 01865 83 83 83

I was sad to leave Shrewsbury for another bit of England but am delighted to say I visited Jamie’s Italian in Oxford! The reason I was in Oxford was because I was visiting a close friend of mine, Hansey, who’d recently returned to England from Marseille. And we were just meeting up before jetting off to gay Paris the morning after. Talk about over-scheduling my holiday! The Oxford restaurant, the first of Jamie’s casual dining chain, is situated right in the heart of Oxford amongst a cosmopolitan offering of other very lovely restaurants. Once in the restaurant, you’re overwhelmed with the smell of gorgeous food, of people with happy faces bonding over antipasti and a glass of wine, busy waiting staff expertly maneuvering their way between tables and chairs with plates of steaming pasta, risotto or some other luxurious dish. I think I was sold the moment I stepped through the doors, over the threshold into Jamie’s world of food.

We ordered a few starters: a little box of various breads and breadsticks, a plate of gia-normous fresh olives on ice and seasoned fried chickpeas. The verdict? All good. I wanted more! My main was (I do not remember the exact name of the dish) but stuffed pork skewers served with a caramelized lemon and a salsa dip. I paired the main with a side of seasoned vegetables which tasted like it’d been curried but was so lovely, it sort of melted in your mouth. The pork skewers were delicious but I knew I should have scrutinized the menu a little bit more for the sake of blogging the dish as I now cannot recall what other ingredients went into the stuffed skewer. All I know is that it was moist, it was tasty, it was lush with the caramelized lemon! The only beef I had with it was probably that the food had gotten a little cold by the time it’d been served. 

Throughout the whole dinner, the conversation was flowing as well as the food was rapidly being consumed. The wine was good, the ambience was great and totally suited for family meals or casual gatherings between friends. Although the waitress could have been a little friendlier and less stressed out, my ice cream pudding could have been a lot less melted, the whole evening was lovely and I’d still be eager to mark a dinner date in my diary to return to Jamie’s.

From Oxford we jet-setted to Paris and boy was I excited about having croissants, brioche, crepes, macarons, tarte au citron and loads more! One of the mornings in our week-long stay, we zombied (this is us, caffeine-less and breakfast-less braving the morning metro crowd) it all the way on the metro to Montmarte, getting off at Abbesses station for a 2-3min walk to the highly-recommended café/boulangerie Coquelicot which is poppy in French; hence, the poppy red theme of the café. Absolutely loved this little place. It’s quite crammed in there and really hard to move about especially if you’re a tourist with ridiculously big bags stuffed with maps, cameras, camera equipment, mineral water, yada yada. But the waiting staff in there are friendly despite the early morning start. The ladies behind the counter zip about at lightning speed, slipping freshly baked baguettes, croissants, sugar rolls, madeleines, etc. into brown paper bags. Don’t get too carried away staring at this morning hustle-bustle though. Find yourself a seat quick, whether it’s outside facing the street or inside, slotted about 2 inches away from a stranger – it’s fine! The scrambled eggs are good, the orange juice is freshly squeezed, the brioche comes in a little bread basket warm and so soft, tearing it apart is like tearing up warm cotton candy. Best of all, they serve morning coffee the traditional French way – in bowls!

Yes-a-roonie. Un bol de café noir, s’il vous plait! 

That’s all I need to say. No more typing, or trying to pimp this place out. It’s GOOOD. Go find Coquelicot:

24 rue des Abbesses
Paris 18e
Tel: 01 46 06 18 77

Another special place we went to in Paris was Le Beouf sur le Toit, a place recommended to me for great seafood: oysters, mussells, lobster, the works. We went, we ate, we conquered, and had a mammoth amount of pudding. That, all on top of a bottle of wine between Hansey and I. That explains why there weren’t any pictures. Woops. My bad!! Nevertheless, we ate Paris through and through. I did have a small moment of food poisoning but that’s beside the point.

So leaving Paris was another moment of goodbye for me. Saying goodbye to friends, going separate paths, planning the next reunion. It was sad. But I’m excited about doing my Masters in London next year and the food opportunities in London! Anyway, before I start gushing about that and before I end this ridiculously long entry, would like to tell everyone about the little Crooked House of Windsor teahouse. Unfortunately, the parents and I weren’t hungry enough to have their traditional selections of teacakes but we did sample their coffees and teas which were delightful. Dad ordered a chocolate cappuccino of some sort – he was going through a phase of having chocolate in his usually black coffee after travelling to Switzerland and Mum had a rose-infused black tea which smelt divine. I ordered a black coffee which I believe was of an Indonesian roast that smelt like chocolate but tasted quite smooth and intense. I would return at some point to taste their teacakes and scones but I am proud to say I left happy and caffeined-up. 

Sainsbury’s has recently launched an ‘Eat Britain’ campaign and I’m excited about this campaign to eat locally produced foods and so forth. I don’t think I have done exactly that by traipsing about the country and then to Paris but I’m glad something like that has been launched. Hope it goes well and if you guys have anything to say about it, drop me a comment!

Diva shall now attempt to unpack and sort out her clothes and all. Yikes.