A Pan-Asian Valentine's Dream!

For the last 6 years, my boyfriend and I have generally spent Valentine's Day at home. A great excuse to devote all your time to each other, not have to worry about getting home at the end of the night and know that what you are eating will be delicious. Each year he has gone above and beyond with his creativity- one year, me as a poor student and him as a poor TV  production assistant I came home to an empty house (we had been house sharing at the time!) and walked in to the lounge a blaze with candles stuck in wine bottles and a picnic in the middle of it all. He'd been secretly keeping every bottle people drunk for months especially for this day. It's one of my most treasured memories, so magical and so thoughtful. 

Another year he dressed up as a waiter- so when I got home I was greeted by "Madam, may I take your coat?". Once he'd put my coat in the "Cloakroom" (bedroom) I was then led in to our lounge (we lived together by then) with everything out of it (god only knows how he did that) and just a table in the middle covered in the most beautiful meal that he'd taken the whole day off to prepare and again, filled with candles on all different levels. Needless to say, I have a keeper and he is the most wonderful human being! 

So you ask, what did we do this year? Well, as I started my Diploma Gemmology class last night (romantic, not) we decided that we'd join the masses and go to a restaurant. We both adore Pan-Asian cuisine and after much searching came across Cocochan's Valentines Menu. Mouths watering we booked and boy we we not  disappointed. 

Located on James Street, a two minute walk from Bond Street, Cocochan opens up right on to the street, with outdoor heaters and blankets for the brave! The lights low, subtle music- but not intrusive and the tables spread out enough to feel like you are in your own special bubble, Cocochan ticks many of my restaurant boxes. 

We kicked off our meal with drinks, I had a mango and passion fruit Bellini and P had (a typical man) Beer. I have to say that that Bellini (I ended up having 3...too many!) was the best Bellini I've tried - and I've tried a few ;), fruity, tangy and delicious. 

As a Valentine's set menu we had to pick what we wanted, which took a lot of decision making I can tell you - there were three options for each dish, 2 meat/ fish, 1 veggie. To start we had Dim-Sum followed by sushi.... which was divine....(!) and probably my favourite dish of the whole ding experience. A huge sushi lover, I could have eaten about three plates more it was just so good. I had the Ceviche Ura Maki Rolls and P had the Smoked Salmon and Prawn Tempura Rolls.

For main course we both chose the Chili Lemon Sole and Tiger Prawns with a side of rice. As I'm on a "pre-holiday" diet (was off it for this night obviously) I tried to be a little sensible with my portion but it was so moreish- especially after a week of being totally carb free! Slightly sticky and so soft...The lemon chili sole was really flavoursome and all so beautifully presented- as you will see in the pictures. As you can imagine we both cleared our plates in record time and couldn't wait for pudding!

Pudding was a tasting board: chocolate fondant, a spicy macaroon, chocolate covered strawberries, little fruit tartlets and a very posh profiterole! Exceedingly romantic because of it's sharing nature... you know the score! 

And to top off the perfect evening as P was handed the bill, I was handed a rose - which was such a touching gesture from the attentive waiting staff. 

Departing the restaurant, full to the brim, we walked back along the street to catch the night bus, me with a big grin on my face and a rose in my hand. 

What did you all get up to on Valentine's Day? 

Emi x 

Brixton Village Dim Sum, Yum!

Over the last few months, Brixton Village has come up in conversation on several occasions as a place we had to visit. So we decided that this weekend, on a rainy and cold Saturday lunchtime we would go along and suss it out for ourselves. 

A 4 minute walk from the tube station, the village itself, once a rundown arcade, is now home to restaurants, cafes, butchers, green grocers, vintage shops and other interesting and quirky shops; now renowned as Brixton's culinary and cultural hub. 

Dried fish in one of the Village shops, not the most desirable looking cuisine!

There's so much to see in the Village, it is quirky, colourful and cosmopolitan with a concoction of smells; from the fish monger pong to the desirable delights coming from the vast range of restaurants/ cafes and bakeries, your taste buds are sure to be tantalised. I think my photos will speak for themselves! 

Queues outside Mama Lan

Having walked circuits around the whole Village, in and out of the quirky shops and stopping for some delicious mango and honey cake tasters, hungry and ready for lunch we decided to join the masses and queue for Mama Lan.  Luckily for us, we timed it well and only had to queue for about 5 minutes, getting a table just outside the restaurant. A back to basics dining experience, cash only and no reservations, you sit on tables in very close proximity to other diners and on the main walkway; a buzzy experience. It was quite cold sitting outside but the kind waitress pointed me in the direction of a basket full of fleece rugs to wrap around yourself. Such a lovely touch that took away the shivery edge! 

Off the menu we ordered a selection of dumplings and spring rolls and to drink, chrysanthemum flowers, goji berry and rock sugar tea. Unfortunately for me the tea tasted delicious but was a little too sweet, I think I would rather have had it without the rock sugar! But my boyfriend gulped it down, and my mug too! 

The dumplings were delicious, handmade, succulent and oozing with aromatic tastiness. My favourite were the king prawn and Chinese water chestnut dumplings, dipped in thick soy sauce..... mouth watering - delicious! The spring rolls were also scrumptious, crispy parcels of goodness encasing a plethora of Chinese vegetables, dipped in a home made chili sauce. 

Our bill came to just over £20 which was perfectly justifiable as we left will full tummies, chatting away positive dining experience and how we want to learn how to make dumplings for home! On our way out of the village we stopped at Sponge and Cream (very naughty of us, but incredibly yummy cake shop!) to pick up a red velvet cupcake each to take home for late afternoon tea, a film and Tilly cuddles.

A little battered from the journey home, but still looking irresistible we indulged in our cupcake! Now, as you know I am a huge lover of Lola's cupcakes, however, I have to say that Sponge and Cream's cupcake gave them a big run for their money, maybe even tipping the scale as better! Thick butter cream icing and a soft, chocolaty sponge which left us both wishing we'd bought the rest of their selection!

Even Tilly was mesmerised by the cupcake! 

All in all, a brilliant afternoon out, despite the weather! We're definitely going to go back soon to try out the other cuisine's they have on offer! 

Emi x 

Everyone should have a Red Kite Barn experience!

A magical 5 day break in the Welsh hills. 

Allow me to set the scene:

Driving through the Welsh countryside in the pouring rain (not London rain, WALES rain!), pitch dark at 9pm with a squealing kitten and growling tummies we eventually arrived at the start of the "2 mile long" drive to Red Kite Barn.

We followed the directions to the letter: Go through the first gate (close it) drive down the forest track (1 mile), go through the second gate (close it), drive on to the National Trust parkland (bearing in mind that this is all in total total darkness on a single forest track!), then the gate should be on the right after about a mile..... nothing.

We thought we must have gone wrong, but questioned how as we'd followed the directions to the T! By this point, Tilly was virtually having a 'kitten nervous breakdown' at the fact she could not get out of her basket, I jumped out of the car to see if I could see anything ahead of us and my "Darling" (HA!) boyfriend tried not to run for the hills! It turned out that we were half way up a bridle dirt track, our hire car caked and sinking in the mud and the wheels starting to spin!

Walking to the top of the hill in to what could only be described as a full on bog (lucky we didn't take the hire car up there), we managed to reverse back down until we saw some light in the distance and a gate. Surely this could not be the barn? There's no sign, no mention of a postbox on the gate, nothing!....Anyway, anxious and way passed both our boiling points I climbed, yet again out of the car and opened the gate (and shut it) we drove down the incredibly long and bumpy track up to the barn.

We were here.

Elation in our eyes, but still squealing unhappy kitten in our ears, we entered our new home for the week, our sanctuary.

From this moment we were in total luxury, silence and bliss. The interior of the barn was high end / high tech - something we aren't particularly used to but took to straight away. The large projection screen, the huge rocking sofa, a stylish pool table, numerous sheepskin rugs, board games and books galore and wood burning stove added to the whole romanticism of the place. A vast amount of space for just the 2 of us (3 including Tilly!).

We booked our week through Sheepskin Life, a bespoke collection of unique cottage hideaways for romantic breaks or group gatherings. Their selection of rare and remarkable properties are quirky and inspiring and your every need is catered for with utmost professionalism from the moment you enquire. We even received a delicious welcome pack on arrival at RKB containing a host of yummy gourmet treats.  

The weather, as one has to expect in Wales was rainy- constant rain but this didn't matter at all as RKB offered so much to do inside: watch films, have luxurious mood lit stand alone baths, playing numerous board games- and, for those who love to blog / be online, there was FREE wifi. We tried to steer clear of this as for us this holiday was about leaving London and everything that went with it behind. It was literally us and the elements. 

RKB is literally in the middle middle of nowhere, just outside Builth Wells and a stones throw away from the beautiful market town of Brecon, we couldn't have felt further away from our fast paced lives back in London. There is the risk in places like this that you feel isolated and slightly scared, but this place is so secure, comfortable and aesthetically impressive that you can't help but feel like your in somebody's home rather than a holiday let.

As you probably know by now from my previous blogs, Wales is my home land, the place I always seem to end up back in. It's beauty never fails to impress me even when it's raining, showing, hailing... you get the gist! With ever changing weather patterns, light and colour, the hills were so dramatic to watch at RKB and photograph. I only wish I had had my DSLR when I had been here as the photographs would have been incredible.

The one day we did manage to go on a long walk along the forest tracks, skipping down muddy hills and crossing over man-made bridges we came across this hanging tent. There was nobody around for miles so it seemed slightly surreal and maybe a tiny bit eery! Throwing our nerves and images of The Ax Man living here aside, we climbed up the ladder (obviously) and had a peak in to it. There was nothing in it other than a wood burner- hanging in the trees! It was such an incredible tent structure, hanging camouflaged amongst the trees.

Anyway, on coming back to London we had a good look on the website and found out that this "Tree Tent" had recently been on George Clarke's "Small Spaces" - which we had watched a few of, and loved!

Such an amazing idea, the idea of sleeping in the trees's such a magical thought and something I would have only imagined in the Far East and Sub Tropics. However on a summers night I imagine this tree tent would be incredible and so tranquil- with just the babbling brook for a neighbour. I imagine it's going to be filling up very quickly for the summer but for something really different and special in the most remote and breathtaking area I urge that you book up!

Remember your Hunters / Du Barry's no matter what time of year you go!

With the rain and howling gales outside, there was nothing better than curling up on the sofas with a sleepy kitten, glass of Prosecco and a gripping film on the projector screen. . . although I do not recommend trying to watch anything too scary!

Regardless of Tilly's expression, she did love being outside! 

Every one of the three double bedrooms had a different feature: king sized beds, cow skin rugs and beautiful exposed brick work. One of of favourite features was the mood lighting, the feature fire places fire and the tribal African interior features.

Tilly loved staying here and exploring her new surroundings, tumbling down the stairs, skidding along the flooring and staring out of the window (but always making sure she was at a safe distance) observing the sheep and Red Kites circling over head. 

Red Kite Barn is a wonderful experience and would be incredible to share with family and friends as there are 3 large bedrooms and a huge entertaining space. 

Emi x