dinner – Lessons I learned after I turned 30

Blogmas Day 17- A night at the Ivy

Everyone who knows me, knows I love my food. I love good food and I love trying different restaurants.

I’ve known about the new Ivy at Winchester for a while but didn’t get the chance to visit. I don’t often go to fancy restaurants, I don’t think that expensive food necessarily guarantees quality, there was always something about the Ivy though that intrigued me ever since I first bumped into it in London years ago, so when my lovely friend Suki suggested having a final Christmas catch-up dinner there, I thought that would be a perfect time.

It was very pretty decorated on the outside…

and the interior was equally beautiful.

I haven’t suddenly became rich or was secretly employed by Jay Raynor (I wish), I’m actually very broke, so I went for the set menu (served until 6:30pm) and the £16 two course meals (plus service charge) which was great value for money.

I fancied some fish, since I usually avoid seafood in the UK, but I thought at a place like this it would hopefully be fresh.

And it did not disappoint.

I had delicious crab cakes served in a tasty tomato salsa for a starter and the baked salmon fillet on a bed of lemony, herb sauce, a sweet Asian glaze, jasmine rice and Pak Choi (Chinese cabbage). The combination of flavours was exquisite, the sweetness and smokiness of the salmon, complimented by the light acidity of the lemon and the smoothness of the vegetables and the rice. Simply stunning.

Although it was busy, the service was quick, all the waiters were friendly and checked on us a couple of times, especially our lovely table waiter Bethan and Neil, who brought us the bill and whilst chatting told us he has worked 60 hours since Thursday, hero! I feel for everyone working in retail or hospitality these days, their busiest time of the year, please be considerate and remember whilst you enjoy a delicious meal or doing some shopping, they are there, working long shifts to keep you happy, instead of spending Christmas with their families.

All in all it was a great evening and I’d love to go to Ivy again to taste more dishes and try their wine, after payday!

Eleni

Laughs and waffles

Socialising over food is probably my favourite thing to do. If I could I’d do it all day, every day. No wonder is scientifically proven to have health benefits, physical and psychological.

It’s even better when I get to try a new place in town with one of my favourite friends, Lucy. Let me tell you a little bit about Lucy.

Lucy is sweet, caring, funny, we can talk about anything and she is always happy to try new places. We always run out of time every time we meet, because we lose track of it every single time.

Our schedules are already getting busier and we are not even in December yet but we finally made it, we always do. We always make time for the people we care about, it’s a universal human attribute I guess.

There’s a new-ish waffle restaurant in town, Pere Waffle that’s been on my list of new food places to try (still haven’t tried the new Lebanese one, Beity, where Kibbeh, the equivalent to Cypriot κουπες, ‘minced beef croquettes’, one of the my guilty pleasures I enjoy every time I go home features on the menu) and of course sweet Lucy loved the idea of giving it a go.

I love a waffle, but I never tend to finish it, last one I had was a couple of years ago at Sprinkles and it was too sweet, too big, too of everything.

I decided to go for a savoury, ‘papounet’ (stuffed) one, since I’ve never tried a savoury one before. No idea why. I’ve had savoury crepes and pancakes plenty of times before but never waffles. Bizarre.

I had the salmon, tzatziki and cream cheese one, the Atlantico, and it was delicious, much better than I expected. The waffle was light and soft, and the ingredients tasted fresh, the best sign of great food. Brownie points for the salad dressing. Most restaurants in the UK serve the salad plain, tasting of nothing, but a bit of vinaigrette makes a world of difference. And extra brownie points for the portion size. Not too small, not ridiculously large. Just perfect.

Lucy fancied something sweet so she went for Parisian, cheesecake in a waffle, heaven!

We enjoyed every bite whilst chatting about anything and everything, work, friendship, love life, fashion, our clumsiness, and we laughed, a lot.

I loved everything about Pere Waffle, cute, cosy space, friendly service and reasonable prices for such great food. I can’t wait to go again and try different fillings. And I can’t wait to see Lucy again!

Eleni

Blogmas day 22- My Carnicero experience

I just had a classic Cypriot breakfast (cheese, spinach and sausage pastries) courtesy of one of the largest bakeries on the island, my mum loves to treat us, and a coffee, whilst the little sis is playing the piano and Oscar is sitting next to me.

Today’s blog is all about our Christmas meal two nights ago, at Carnicero.

I’m not the most organised person in my personal life but when it comes to events such as the annual Compliance and friends Christmas dinner I love to come up with ideas on where to go and plan it.

Most of us in the team love a good steak and I thought it’d be nice to try something different so I suggested giving Carnicero, a new steakhouse on Oxford street a go. It had great reviews and mouth-watering food photos on TripAdvisor and their Christmas menu was one of the very few that dared to differ to the traditional Christmas set meals.

It did not disappoint. I loved every dish!

My Blue Cheese Salad was delicious. The dressing and the raisins, orange, walnuts and blue cheese in every layer of green worked as a treat and for the first time in a long time I actually finished all my salad.

After my delightful starter it was finally the time I’ve been waiting for, for months. And oh my it was worth it.

My steak was cooked to perfection, juicy and succulent, pink but not swimming in blood, crunchy on the outside, soft in the inside as it should be roast potatoes, roast vegetables including garlic (loved it) and a rich, creamy peppercorn sauce I could have had it on its own ( I actually did some of it).

After my main I was so full I didn’t think I’d have any room left for my white chocolate brioche pudding. But it was so light and soft, it literally melt in the mouth, I actually finished it.

It was by far my favourite Christmas meal.

We had a laugh, everyone loved their Secret Santa gift and the food was superb.

I’d definitely recommend Carnicero. Amazing, delicious food and great service. The waiters regularly filled in our glasses, checked on us and let us know when the next dish would come up. The quality of the food is of course essential but service is as important and it makes a difference when you leave a restaurant feeling you’ve been looked after.

What a great way to finish 2017 in Southampton.

Eleni