Blackfoot

Blackfoot (Pata Negra) is the Spanish term to identify and classify the pork of the best quality. This is one of the many restaurants around Exmouth Market really worth visiting.

The establishment is small and simple; the food is quite amazing, my mouth is actually watering as I recall it, and the staff is very friendly so all the ingredients for a perfect afternoon. Given the name, all of the dishes are pork-based. I recommend you try the presa although the ribs were really yummy too. 

Exmouth Market is a place of London that I really like and it might be because every time I come about, I have a good time. Here you can find one of the best pizzas in London, a bar to play foosball, a great place for brunch, a tapas place and ... the possibilities are unlimited - or technically limited to the number of actual establishments in the row.  

The visit is highly recommended so make sure that you book to avoid disappointments!

DETAILS:
Blackfoot - blackfootrestaurant.co.uk/ - 46 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QE
Exmouth Market - www.exmouth-market.com/‎

Woburn

Sunny weekend forecasted before all the floods started happening – or maybe in the middle of all of them – so we decided to make a trip to the North of London and visit our friends living in Buckinghamshire – this sounds way much better than simply saying that they live in Milton Keynes. Woburn is a village within 15 minutes of Milton Keynes, where there are a few amazing restaurants – of course a Sunday out for lunch needed to include a Sunday roast.

The Black Horse is one of this good pubs in Woburn full of locals wearing wellis and carrying their dogs. Decent choice of beers, and quite good menu for the Roast, although the beef was finished by the time we sat for lunch, and it was a bit disappointing.  

Nevertheless, Sunday roast in a pub in the country side with good friends is always a great time!

DETAILS:
The Black Horse - www.blackhorsewoburn.co.uk/‎ - 1 Bedford St, Woburn, Milton Keynes MK17 9QB
Woburn - http://www.woburnvillage.co.uk/

La Bodega Negra

La Bodega Negra is a cool place to go in London but you need to make reservations way ahead in order to be able to get in. In Soho, almost on the Chancery Lane end, look for a sex shop - the only one on that end of the road!

The restaurant is downstairs, and it's dark but the music is busting so you will like it from the start - if you like dark and loud that is. The food is quite good - and I have one of the best Mexican restaurants in London next to my house, so I know what I'm talking about - don't miss the tacos and leave room for the churros with chili chocolate for dessert.

La Bodega Negra is a fun place for a night out - we had an amazing girl's night out - but I also recommended it for a friend on her anniversary and they had a great time.

Watch out for the celebs...

DETAILS:
Lima - www.limalondon.com/‎ - 31 Rathbone Pl, London W1T 1JH
La Bodega Negra - labodeganegra.com/‎ - 16 Moor St, London W1D 5NH

Borough or Bermondsey?

Three weeks ago my parents came to London for a few days and even if they've been here plenty of times - oddly enough less so since I live here - they had never been to Borough Market.

Borough Market has become a place to meet and greet on Saturday. I actually like the area and the market, which sells anything and everything and the produce is amazing. If you are able to organise your day and don't mind eating in the street, the supply of dishes from the world is really broad. Also, there are a few really nice pubs around the market where you can have a drink or two.

A bit farther east you have Bermondsey St. If you're a bit adventurous, I'll suggest that you check it out as it's has a number of really nice restaurants to enjoy different types of food avoiding the herds of tourists from Borough. If I had to recommend one it will be Jose (Spanish and with a review already in the blog) and The Garrison Public House (better make a booking).

 

DETAILS:
Borough Market -  boroughmarket.org.uk - 8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL
Bermondsey Street -www.timeout.com/london/things-to-do/bermondsey-area-guide-1 - SE1 3UW

John Newman

Even if John's Newman first album was called "Cheating", I'm always up to give out my trust. Trusting in friends who suggest to go to a concert because they assure the artist will be fun; trusting in good friends who show you again and again that it doesn't matter how many years pass it still feels like yesterday when you were last hanging out together. Trusting in people who you don't even know but put their unable to use tickets for sale at face value.

John Newman has an extraordinary voice, and very peculiar indeed. His style is also unique, and even if it includes too much gold for my taste, he can definitely pull it off. John brings an amazing energy out to the crowd from minute one thanks to his strength and his youth. He also works with great musicians and back up singers.

Always trust in music and the good times that it brings.

DETAILS:
John Newman - www.johnnewman.co.uk/‎ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bs5-klTyb9o
O2 Empire - www.o2shepherdsbushempire.co.uk/‎ - Shepherd's Bush Green, London W12 8TT

Opera and Balthazar

I don't consider myself an expert on Opera - not even close to a beginner - but I really like going down to the Royal Opera House with my friends the Opera Lovers - as then we tend to combine the cultural bit with a dinner; indeed convenient as it's just around the corner.

Don Giovanni was the play in the programme for the evening, a story that it's really close to my heart - or my sister's-in-law heart I should say - as her PhD is based on Don Giovanni so I made sure that I was prepared - pre-reading the play and the story is highly recommended. Even if the dialogues are summarised in English in different screens across the House, it's always useful to know the story beforehand to be able to focus on the music.

I'd heard mixed reviews from Balthazar before I went there for the first time, both from the one in NYC and the one here in London, so I tried not to have high expectations to avoid disappointment. I have to say that I love the place, the noise of the full house, the drinks, the food!

We shared the ceviche, which compared to the ceviche that you can get in Peruvian restaurants wasn't too special, and the burrata that was actually quite nice. For the mains, I had a fillet very yummy (with incredible sauteed spinach); F went for the gnocchi and she said they were nothing special - please consider the fact that her dad is Italian so she's been eating proper pasta during all her life.

The wine list is purely French, and make sure you have the credit card prepared because nice cool places don't come around cheap.

Chocolate in the dessert is always a must!

DETAILS:
Royal Opera House -  www.roh.org.uk/‎ - Bow St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD
Balthazar -  balthazarlondon.com/‎ - 6 Russell St, London WC2B 5HZ

Two Door Cinema Club

Friday night and we head over to North Greenwich for the O2 to enjoy one of the last concerts of 2013. This time it's S, C and I as the trio devoted to the Irish in general - well, that will be me - and Two Door Cinema Club in particular. We've already enjoyed their music live a couple of times in smaller venues, and we've seen them grow, so we were really happy to see them at a sold out O2 Arena.

I don't know if you've heard them or if you've experienced any of their concerts but they are a must. They use to be a band of very talented but scruffy kids and suddenly they've become this big band that sells out the O2.

The best part is that they were amazing back then and they are still amazing now, and if not you can ask Jacques - who we also ran into - and that hadn't seen the band before; Jacques couldn't stop jumping up & down for almost 2 hours. The only thing that's now changed is the outfit and the style, and we love it all the way.

Maybe someday you'll be somewhere talking to me as if you knew me saying: "I'll be home for next year, darling, I'll be home for next year..."

DETAILS:
‎
Two Door Cinema Club - twodoorcinemaclub.com - www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXwYJyrKK5A
Crystal Fighters - www.crystalfighters.com/‎ - www.youtube.com/watch?v=d9n7DMqbwgU 
O2 - www.theo2.co.uk/

The Book of Mormon

I went to see The Book of Mormon some time ago thanks to a birthday present from my friends - yes, I have amazing friends.

The Book of Mormon won the Tony Award to best musical in 2012 and the Grammy for Best Musical Theatre Album in 2013, and they have been representing sold out shows in Broadway and the West End for years now.

If you're not fan of the awards or facts, let me simply tell you that the story is hilarious - something not hard to imagine when you combine an absurd doctrine with the script writers of South Park. So please do yourself a favour and invest some money in the theatre to spend 2+ hours of non-stop laughter.

I won't disclose anything about the story, and please don't ask anyone about it or read anything. The surprise effect if worth it!

DETAILS:
The Book of Mormon - bookofmormonlondon.com/ - Prince of Wales Theatre - Coventry St, London W1D 6AS

The Fish & Chips Shop

I've already been a couple of times to this place even if this is the first time that I write about it. In the middle of the buzzing Upper Street, although maybe it could be considered better in the Islington end, there is this really cool Fish & Chips shop that serves amazing food at the rhythm of incredible music. 

Since I moved to the UK a few years ago now, I've always loved going around Angel and Islington as I find there is something of true Londoning going around the area. Also I have a few really good friends that live in the 'hood so there is always an excuse to visit. So I was really happy when they opened a Fish & Chips as it's something very traditional but with a trendy touch that makes it a really nice place for dinner.

My personal favourite is the shrimp burger and I had a chance to try to fish curry the other day and it was also really good. Never miss out on the fish of the day; it was lemon sole last Tuesday and it was incredible. The wine list is not too good but you can always hit any of the bars in the street and enjoy a drink before ;-)

DETAILS:
The Fish & Chips Shop - http://www.thefishandchipshop.uk.com/ - 189 Upper Street‚ Islington‚
London, N1 1RQ

Placebo

Back in December we went to one o our favourite venues to see one of our favourite bands, or at least a band that we have been following for quite a few years now since our rebel teen days. I've left a few photos on top in case you wanted to try and guess who they were, as even today when I look at the pictures is a bit hard to believe.

The first time I saw them live was not that long ago in the old Central Station in Manchester. It was 5 of us and we rented a car to go up north and enjoy the music and the rest of shows that Manchester has to offer. It was December, it was snowing and there were girls in short dresses no tights no coats...

Anyway, that's beside the point. So Brixton Academy was the venue that Placebo chose to come back to the London scene after a few years out of the stages. They played a lot of the old songs - I almost cried to Special K - and brought colourful and cheery new stuff like "Loud Like Love". They also added a few more musicians to the band which gave a little something extra.

If Placebo can turn to multicolour, then pretty much is possible so follow their lead and: breathe, breathe, breathe, believe!

DETAILS:
Placebo - http://www.placeboworld.co.uk/ - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi_AJxsdOKo

Spice Market

I have probably walked by this corner a zillion times, and from the outside it always has looked cool. Now I'm really happy that we ended up having dinner here last week - yes, this post is actually about something that happened this year - even though we only wanted a couple of nibbles before going into the cinema - where we wanted to have pop corn but that didn't happen.

Once we walked through the automatic doors in the corner of China Town in a really windy Thursday evening, we were welcomed by an extremely sweet host that took our coats and found someone to accompany us to our little table by the bar - again, we only wanted some nibbles before going to the movies. But when we started reading the menu it all changed because it all sounded really good so our mouths started watering - and let me add that we were avoiding all the sushi, sasimis, fish in general as S doesn't do fish (childhood phobia).

We also thought that the portions were going to be small, considering the restaurant is attached to the trendy W hotel, so usually cool places have cool little portions for cool little people. That was not the case either, as even the appetisers were large enough - and they have the best chicken skewers that I've ever tried in my life!

So nice atmosphere, really good food, nice (expensive) wine and a great crowd for a Thursday evening so just minutes away from the chaos of Leicester Square we found a little exotic oasis.
 

DETAILS:
Spice Market - www.spicemarketlondon.co.uk/‎ - Leicester Square, 10 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QF

Graffic Bar

At the back of Piccadilly Circus, or on the Southwest side of Soho lies this cocktail bar with funky lightbulbs and really good drinks. We use to call the bar of the paint cans, as their most famous cocktails are served in paint cans. They also like to consider themselves as a Gin bar, and there is a good supply of gins, but in Spain g&t's have been elevated to a whole new level so I can't really comment.

It's a good place to have a drink after work or before a late dinner in Soho, as it's a bit separated from the buzz and you have a fewer more chances to find a spot to stand or even to sit down. There is usually a lot of movement, as people don't stick around for too long so don't despair if you see it full as there are a lot of chances to find a spot shortly.

The last couple of times that I've been, the music has been really groovy, so able to do some dancing as well although as per my point above, the space might be a bit tight.

DETAILS:
Graphic - www.graphicbar.com/‎ - 4 Golden Square, London W1F 9HT

Providores

Yet again the Christmas decorations come into play when we are already in February, I know, but I'm just trying to catch up with a long list of material that I gathered along a month of December full of celebrations of all kinds. This was a time for a good time and catching up with M before she decided to depart to warmer climates. I can't blame her and I know that it was the plan since she moved here in September 2012 but again one never thinks that the time to say "see you in a few months" is going to arrive.

Anyway, what could be a better way to catch up with friends surrounded by good wine and good food? We couldn't think of a better way either. At the back of a buzzing Oxford St were the crowds were fighting for the latest Christmas gifts there is this little place where you can enjoy some tapas with cool New Zealand wine - just bear in mind that unless you come at an odd time such as a late lunch or dinner, you will continue the fighting of the crowds to get a table; reservations are only accepted for the restaurant on the top floor.

I leave you with a sample of the tapas that we ordered that include some padrón peppers, a singular version of the Spanish omelet, calamares (or calamari) and a mouth watering risotto. This is reminding me that I'm hungry so I'm off to make some food, although the wine won't come until later today. In other posts you'll see my appreciation of Marylebone High Street where this restaurant is located and if you walk around the street and taste the food of a place like Providores I don't doubt that you'll match the appreciation.

DETAILS:
The Providores - www.theprovidores.co.uk/‎ - 109 Marylebone High St, London W1U 4RX

Opera and The Savoy Gril

No brainier this was one of the plans right before Christmas, and it was actually the last Saturday I was in London in 2013 before departing to Spain and coming back in 2014. I realised one of my long time pending dreams to see The Nutcracker at the Royal Opera House. I've been to see ballet in the ROH before but I had never seen this specific show, so I was really excited when one of our friends and supporter of the ROH managed to get the tickets.

As any production at the ROH, the setting was stunning and everything was just flawless, even if the main ballerina was unable to perform. I am always amazed how they ballerinas are able to float over the tips of their toes across the stage as if they were weightless - I know that this is something that I will never be able to do although it hasn't stopped me to attend to some basic ballet classes in this new year. It's never too late! 

So to top the evening at the Opera up, we decided to book a table at The Savoy Grill run since it reopened by Gordon Ramsay. I think I can still taste the superb beef wellington that we ordered, and I realised why he makes the contestants of Hell Kitchen to do them again and again. The dinner was incredible and I will need to come up with another occasion to celebrate to go back there again soon! I did feel like a movie star :-)

DETAILS:
Royal Opera House - www.roh.org.uk/Productions - Bow St, Covent Garden, London WC2E 9DD
Savoy Grill - www.gordonramsay.com/thesavoygrill/‎ - Savoy Hotel, Strand, London WC2R 0EU