Did somebody say Honky Tonk?

The culture of the American South fascinates me. I've taken various Southern literature classes (To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favourite books), engrossed myself in Southern films and tried to wrap my head around the strange atmosphere and cultural sensibilities of this barren, warped and rural landscape, that is still suffering from the after affects of slavery over a hundred years post abolition.

I'm yet to actually visit the South but I dream of going to celebrate Mardis Gras in New Orleans and making my way slowly along the Mississippi river someday. Whilst I was at University in Portland, Oregon, I often went to a Southern bar, where we drank Lynchberg Lemonades (originating in Alabama), ate corn bread thick with butter and even tried waffles with fried chicken and maple syrup- yes, this really exists.

Honky Tonk is an American-inspired restaurant offering dining, drinking and live performances. The menu is all-American, with Southern favourites including succulent ribs and fried chicken.

The restaurant takes its name from "honky-tonk", a  kind of bar often found in the South where country music is popular. They currently have two locations - Clapham and Chelsea -  and regularly offer live music, including blues and jazz.

We visited the Clapham Common branch and sat outside before ordering cocktails.

Their happy hour runs everyday.

We chose raspberry caipirinha's: cachaca, Chambord,  lime quarters, sugar and raspberries.

They also do milkshakes which come served in an actual milk bottle- one of the restaurant's many unique touches. 

It was a beautiful evening in Clapham and their outside seating its right on the street overlooking the common: perfect for people watching.

We were seated by an open window that looked into the restaurant.

The menu was styled as an old record.

To eat I chose the Superfood Salad with quinoa, pomegranate & toasted pumpkin seeds, alfalfa sprouts, baby spinach leaves, pea shoot cress & feta cheese, with a side of herb balsamic dressing.

He went for fried chicken, which actually wasn't fried but baked. A healthier option but still crispy as it is made with Honky Tonk's 'secret' coating. It came accompanied by a side of homemade apple slaw and rosemary fries. 

The receipt was also a pretty cool concept

Arriving in a book

What's not to love? Great cocktails and Southern favourites, as well as some healthier options if you fancy something light. Book your table at: Honky Tonk

ROAST

Last Thursday night my Aunt treated us to dinner at ROAST in Borough Market.

Our family friend Heather was over on business from New York so it was the perfect opportunity for a catch up.

Rach looking pretty cheery

ROAST is one of the capital's top restaurants located in the iconic Borough market.

After meeting at London Bridge we made our way leisurely to the restaurant, weaving in and out of market stalls and the hubbub of people sat outside of the many restaurants that line the narrow streets.

It was a hot August evening, in the middle of that awful heatwave and the air was close and heavy, jugs of Pimms and ice cold lemonade stood in pitchers on tables, couples and friends chatted at outside tables, whilst the smell of cooking food filled the air; it felt very European and you could easily imagine yourself to be in some small back alley of Italy.

It was a Thursday (Borough Market opening details here) and the stalls were just shutting up for the evening after a busy day's trade. The smell of fish lingered and the floor was wet and slippery having just been cleaned of the day's dirt.

Finally emerging from the maze of green market stalls we stumbled upon ROAST. Located in the portico of Borough's former flower market, the building is aptly named 'The Floral Hall'.

You enter into a lift on the ground level of the market and are whisked up several stories to the dining room which has a three walled glass exterior offering stunning views of the market below and out across towards St Paul's Cathedral.

The three walls of windows, combined with the skylights above you, provide a glorious natural light that bathes London in an evening glow, whilst the centre of the restaurant is taken up by an open-plan kitchen and bar. Crisp white linen, chandeliers and elegant features make it the perfect hideaway from the market mania below. 


ROAST was opened 9 years ago by Iqbal Wahhab, OBE, a Bangladeshi-born British businessman, also the founder of the award winning Cinnamon Club restaurant. He has won a whole host of prestigious awards. 

ROAST prides itself on transforming traditional British dishes into innovative creations, all made using fresh, seasonal, British produce purchased from the market below, meaning the menu changes regularly. They have specials for each day of the week and in keeping with the street food style of the market you can even take your dinner to go. 

As its name suggests, the restaurant is most renowned for its Sunday dinners, which include slow roasted free-range pork belly with bramley sauce, Goosnargh chicken with bread sauce, or blackface lamb with mint relish. It all sounds mouth watering right?

Needless to say it was Thursday and with work the next day we opted for something a little lighter than a roast dinner.

They offer a special set summer menu which began, as all good menus should, with a round of pomegranate and rum cocktails. 

16 year old Rach was even allowed a little tipple and thoroughly enjoyed it. After ordering some wine and chatting whilst looking out onto the stunning views we had our starters.

Three of us chose Courgette spaghetti (a much healthier, more delicious and no carb version of pasta) with oven-dried cherry tomatoes, basil, anchovies and capers.

It was delicately seasoned with an added kick from the salty fish and sweet tomatoes.

Rach chose the ROAST tomato soup with rosemary croutons. These weren't your average croutons but large chunks of crisp bread swaddled in garlicky butter.

Unfortunately we weren't very adventurous and three of us again chose the same main course, which makes the pictures a little boring for you, but it certainly didn't disappoint. 

Pan-fried fillet of pollack with Peter Gott's wild boar pancetta, peas and baby gem. The fish was perfectly cooked, the baby gem lettuce crunchy and fresh, all sitting afloat a buttery sauce.

A side of carrots with honey and thyme, peas, and cabbage shoots accompanied the dish.

Rach went for the ROAST burger with triple cooked fries.

After a few more glasses of wine we just had room for something sweet and shared two desserts between us.

Bramley apple and blackberry crumble with thick vanilla custard.

Eton mess with Sussex strawberries.

We were just finishing as the lights were beginning to dim over St Pauls. 

Amidst the street style food of the rest of Borough Market, ROAST is a little bit of decadent dining tucked away, perched high over the market stalls. If you're looking for delicious British food in the heart of one of London's best known spots, look no further.

Glastonbury Snaps

I know it's a little late, ok nearly 3 months late, but here are some Glastonbury teasers.

I've been going to the festival for years. We live in Bath not far away so it's something I've grown up with. My mum is a dedicated reveller and goes every year without fail.

This year I was working so only managed to make it for the Sunday.

As you can see, obligatory floral head wear was firmly in place.

The weather had not been good and the ground was pretty muddy as we arrived, but luckily the worst of the rain and storms were over by the Sunday and the grey skies parted to reveal glorious rays of bright sunshine.

What would Glastonbury be without the wellies and mud!?

It had been an early start so we jumped at the chance to grab a coffee before heading to the Pyramid stage to get our seats early for Dolly.

Once we'd set up camp we went for a wander around the site.

We found a polar bear 'chilling' out. 

Got stuck in a quagmire...

Saw an even bigger bear in the Greenpeace field.

We even spied the festival's organiser Michael Eavis having a stroll around.

Luxury accommodation in the Tipi field.

We saw lots of tents that had succumbed to the swamps.

The food at the festival is amazing; there is just so much choice from the thousands of stalls that set up home there for the weekend. We chose a hummus pita salad.

The crowd began to gather as Dolly time approached.We all sang along to Joleen and 9 Till 5, utterly squashed, but having a great time and most importantly the rain held off!

The 1975

In the evening we saw Ellie Goulding, the Bombay Bicycle Club and finished with a rave to Disclosure in the dance field. Sadly my phone died so it couldnt' be documented....

Until next year Glasto.... 

Bills Hoxton

My Shoreditch office is located just a short stroll from Hoxton Square. Shaded by leafy trees, dotted with benches and with greenness all around, the park is the perfect place to imagine yourself tucked far away from the hustle of London and its raging traffic only a street away. 

The square is lined with restaurants and bars and I intend to give them all a try.

Shoreditch is a very hip area with tons of fantastic independent eateries and bars.

You might find it odd therefore that for dinner with a friend last week I chose an old favourite: Bills.

I didn't have much time and I know Bills is always quick and reliable.

It was a balmy evening so we sat out on the small terrace on iron wrought tables with lanterns strung from the beams: it all felt very Mediterranean.

After ordering wine we caught up and people watched as the world went by in Hoxton Square.

I've only ever tried Bills' breakfasts so I was intrigued to see what their evening menu had on offer.

I decided on marinated chicken skewers served on a couscous salad with tomato, pomegranate, mint, parsley and lemon, accompanied by tzatziki and a wholemeal pitta bread to scoop up that delicious seasoning.

My friend has something of a soft spot for burgers, but this time he was more adventurous and chose a variation on his usual beef patty, instead opting for chicken and chorizo, sandwiched in a sesame seed bun with with salad and skinny fries.

The food was great although for me the portions were just a bit on the small side, they were definitely stingy with my couscous and my stomach was left feeling slightly unsatisfied. Luckily enough this gave us the excuse to order desserts...a sneaky move on Bills' part to entice us in I think!

I couldn't resist the pecan pie: warm thick treacle, large pecans on a thin pastry with a side of creamy malted banana ice cream. It was unbelievably tasty; the best pudding I've had in a long time.

He went for a warm chocolate brownie which was incredibly rich yet moreish, with milk ice cream drizzled in a warm chocolate sauce.

After settling up we staggered back to Old Street station, utterly stuffed.

Bills Shoredtich