Looking back at 2011 (Part 2) and Happy New Year!

Following from the first 6 months in 2011, what happened in the last 6 months...

July

July was a month of birthday celebrations for me with plenty of parties, a huge pink balloon and flowers greeting me at my desk (THANK YOU, you know who you are) and how could I forget, a birthday present (another BIG THANK YOU) at The Loft Project with Nuno Mendes at the helm no less. Another entry to the ‘Culinary Hall of Stars’ with the watermelon sashimi.

Birthday celebrations continued at Cardiff where I was delighted with my lunch at Madame Fromage in addition to losing my voice.

It was FATE! Like in the movies where two people glide past each other and never meet due to a few seconds more or few seconds less. I managed to bump into my Aussie friend from back in the days who was here on secondment and life became busier with another awesome companion to party with from punting in Cambridge to just catching up over afternoon tea.

Another bloggers meet-up at Chilli Cool this time where I met another kindred spirit in Sam@LifeOutsidetheViewfinder.

August

August was shocking with London being gripped for days with news and buzz of the riots and looting and fires. Sirens being heard throughout the night, a deadly quietness looms in the air the day after, I found myself heading to Dishoom Chowpatty.

Travelling did not stop as I rolled around the hills and sipped the wines that Tuscany had to offer and a local trip to York.

I finally made it to Leluu Supperclub where I still think our table HAD the most fun with newly met couple D&D.

Another culinary fireworks discovery was made with the Banana Bread with espresso mascarpone at St.Ali and the yummy water chestnut dumpling dessert at @Siam.

September

I was on a roll and attended another new entry to the supperclub scene this year, Plusixfive.

Then it was off to sample the delights that Cape Town and Johannesburg had to offer in South Africa.

I was also gripped with the book, Garlic & Sapphires by Ruth Reichl after Wen@Goingwithmygut recommended it.

October

I made pumpkin cake for Kavey’s birthday party, which I still need to pass the recipe to her.

An attendance at an interactive supperclub with the Codorniu Barcelona Supperclub where I learned in depth about Jamon and Cava and Catalan Cooking.

Chocolate was in the air in October where I truly overindulged myself from Chocolate Dinner at The Providores & Tapas to Chocolate Unwrapped and Chocolate Dim Sum.

I travelled to Budapest and Bucharest while managing to squeeze in some Indian-inspired cocktails in Soho and did a Japanese eateries marathon posts.

November

I hit the 100^th London post mark which went to The Loft Project with Sam Nutter of Noma.

The “I don’t and can’t cook, I only bake!” in me pushed myself and cooked a dinner feast for some friends with a 3 course entrée, mains and dessert each!

With two months left and winter beckoning again, it was off to Copenhagen and Bangalore.

December

From twenty degrees heat to 2 degrees as announced by the pilot when I landed back in London, I made my way to newly-opened Pizarro.

Finally got around to posting about my two favourite Vietnamese eateries, Café East and Mama Pho as well as my long awaited foray to Broadway Market for some Bahn Mi.

How could I not mentioned about the magical Christmas in Brittany that I had.

Phew! Was that jam-packed or what? 


I’m sure I have also missed out on mentioning so many other wonderful people that I had the pleasure to meet with the likes of CinnamonandTruffle and CraftCakes and others who will remain unnamed.

Thank you to all the people who still remain in my life and to the new ones that I have met (Rob, 5 hour dim sum crew/Maltby Street dining crew/Brittany crew/Pizza trailing crew) for making 2011 the year that it is.

Now onto 2012…

HAPPY NEW YEAR!! 新年快乐！！Buon Anno!! Bonne année!!

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Looking back at 2011 (Part 1)

2011 had been a whirlwind year for me with lots of travels and personal changes in my life. I can’t look back on the last 12 months and not say that it hasn’t been full-on and jam packed!

There had been loads of highs and lows whether it was in terms of work or health and everything in-between.

After some much needed reflection and re-prioritisation in the year, the future looks promising and I look forward in anticipation of what 2012 brings.

Before that, I though it would be great to compile some of the key highlights that 2011 brought.

January

It all started with meeting the wonderful Jen@HungryTigerThirstyDragon in January this year (although it feels much longer than that). With only a rough picture of how she looks like, I entered Harwood Arms slightly nervous and hoping that I’d recognise her. We never looked back from then and have since solidified our friendship (I hope!) with many culinary experiences and good times.

January was also when I had the most amazing dessert at Tom Aikens, that chocolate Dacquoise now permanently entrenched in my ‘Culinary Hall of Stars’ list.

A few firsts for me - I started using the kitchen more and made Bak Kwa and headed to France and learnt to ski.

February

With news of snowstorms and delayed flights, I manage to make it to the US where I spent a few days in New York, Boston and Washington.

I couldn’t wait to be reacquainted with the super bouncy and QQ tofu noodles from Yummy Sushi. The extremely more-ish crack pie from Momofuku and Gua Bao from Baohaus. Not forgetting the frozen hot chocolate from Serendipity either.

Boston was amazing and you can’t leave without having lobsters in any of its forms: fresh, chowder, soup!

I came back from the US and managed to get a booking at the much coveted and highly anticipated new opening by Heston, Dinner. Another entry into the ‘Culinary Hall of Stars’ with the meatfruit & Early Grey Ganache but everything else did not have that X factor.

Chinese New Year was also celebrated a little differently this year with a unique twist by having Poon Choi or Big Bowl Feast.

March

March arrived with everyone looking forward to flowers blooming and sunnier days. I went back to chilly weather by going skiing for the second time.

I got around to setting a Facebook Page and moving to a new home for the blog.

I sampled one-Michelin star Kai of Mayfair and was wonderfully surprised with their interpretation of Chinese cuisine tailored for the Michelin standard.

It was another gastronomic moment with the Hawksmoor Burger when the hype died down a little and I was finally able to make it there to eat at a decent time. The Hawksmoor Burger still is my benchmark.

Yashin was another place that opened to much fanfare but I mourned the expensive prices.

April

Kimchee opened and though the food was not the most authentic and wonderful, it was a special moment as I started hanging out with a group of wonderful ladies and we became 'The Eating Girls’ though we’ve ventured out to more than that with many crazy moments and perhaps some photos which belongs to ‘whatever happens in xxx stays in xxx’.

I met a few more bloggers over steamy hotpot at Little Lamb and read about TheGrubworm’s many many months of travels on his blog since he came back with a mix of relish and envy organised by Wen@Goingwithmygut & @EdibleExperiences.

How could we forget the Royal Wedding of Kate and Will? I trotted off to Sicily and Napoli and Neapolitan pizza totally changed my perception of pizza. Sicily was crazy fantastic and I finally found my best tiramisu there.

May

It was another bloggers gathering where I finally met my go-to-guy Mr. Noodles, bubbly Gourmet Chick, sweet AmericaninLondon and awesome as always TamarindandThyme over spring rolls and pho!

Continued my travels with a weekend in Amsterdam where I had the best frites to date!

I tried my hands at Guacamole and burritos for the first time at Tortilla thank to the lovely Jackie@IamaFeeder.

The Russell Norman empire continues with Da Polpo in Covent Garden this time.

June

June was when I discovered another much needed Asian desserts with MADD Café though they only focus mainly on mangoes.

2011 was proving to be an explosion of new restaurants with Spuntino and THAT peanut butter & jelly dessert.

Pop Ups was all the rage and how could we forget the pulled pork and ribs from PittCueCo in summer.




That was quite a bit of eating plus more in the first 6 months, please click here for the last 6 months.

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Japanese Marathon Posts

My friends know me well and know that I love my Japanese food. Oishii!!

So I've trekked around trying quite a few Japanese places in London and I thought that it will be great and time for another marathon posts. Some may remember my first marathon theme which was dim sum and it was such great fun so I'm going to do it again with the theme being Japanese.




Curious whether we've been to the same places? Stay tuned...first post comes up tomorrow.

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National Restaurant Awards 2010

There are many restaurant awards out there and the National Restaurant Awards for 2010 was announced on the 11 October 2010. As with any list, you agree with some and disagree with others. Quite a few of my favourites are in here and I can't wait to try the others.

Here is an extract of the special awards. For the full list, you can find it from their website.


National Chef of the Year 2010: The Ledbury


One to watch: Tinello, London

Sustainable Restaurant of the Year: L'enclume

Best Restaurant in Northern Ireland: James Street South

Front of House Award: The Ledbury

Hotel Restaurant of the Year: Northcote

Best Restaurant in Scotland: Restaurant Andrew Fairlie

Wine List of the Year: Terroirs

Gastropub of the Year: The Hardwick

Restuarateurs' Choice: Restaurant Nathan Outlaw

Best Restaurant in Wales: The Walnut Tree

Chefs' Chef of the Year: Claude Bosi, Hibiscus

Highest New Entry: Bistro Bruno Loubet

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