Food & Drink - House Of Coco Magazine

Accessories November 9, 2023

I’ll sleep when I get home: Solo travel in Los Angeles and Ojai, Hippy retreat

LaLaLand was explored Part 1 of this mini series where I walked you through my first mad weekend in Los Angeles at the Girl Boss Rally and exploring the retro Farmers’ Market. Come with me as I fill you in on the new rural escape giving Palm Springs a run for its visitor-friendly money.

Introducing… Ojai.

TUESDAY

7am: Up early with purpose this morning as we were off to spiritual city Ojai, in Ventura County, north of Los Angeles. Despite the looks of utter confusion on Angelenos’ faces, it is very easy to get to on public transport.

11:30am: A $25, 2 hour Amtrak train ride took us from Los Angeles‘ epic and film-famous Union Station, through stations that were almost definitely from WestWorld, past film sets to Ventura where an easy Uber ride dropped us at another accidental hip vegan lunch spot The Farmer and The Cook.

1:00pm: Arrow Heart Yoga in Ojai has a resident masseuse, Lauren who is beyond incredible. We went in feeling like death reheated and came out dancing on rainbows. What was in that tea?

5:00pm: We checked in at great value and super comfy The Hummingbird Inn on the outskirts of downtown Ojai after taking the local old fashioned shuttle from the yoga studio. Changed for dinner we wander the cute main street, checking out thrift stores for the next day and eat the chef’s special tacos at Agave Maria with a local mandarin frozen margarita. This has to be living the dream.

7:00pm: An ice-cream night cap at retro parlour Ojai Ice Cream

WEDNESDAY

9:00am: After a restorative night’s rest we are back on the path again, first thing checking out our hotel’s neighbour the gorgeous 70s style The Capri Hotel with our complimentary morning coffee in hand. In fact, our hotel and The Capri have been purchased by small chain Shelter Social Club who have great plans to bring the hotels back to their former glories with chilled pool parties and super comfortable suites from which to explore the local nature.

12:00pm: Having smashed through the goodies in amazing local thrift stores (2nd Helpings, New 2 You) We fall upon the biggest cinnamon bun we’ve ever seen in Ojai Cafe Emporium with a box salad to enjoy later.

2:00pm: Continuing down the main street we visit gorgeous interior shop DeKor and end up in local outpost of Beacon Coffee for a nitro cold brew (yes, we thought they were making it up too but apparently not, it’s everywhere.)

3:00pm: Now for our real secret and you’ve got to promise that only the truly worthy will hear of this…. To use the stunning spa at the Ojai Valley Inn and Spa, yes, the 5* one where Audrey Hepburn used to stay and real life silver screen legends like Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts frequent …you don’t need to be a hotel guest, just book a treatment and you can spend all afternoon in the Spa. Mic drop.

We opted for the Kuyam, a treatment inspired by the local Chumash Native American Indians, then read magazines and drank local herbal tea to our hearts’ content.

6:00pm: Sitting on the spa terrace we witness Ojai’s famous ‘Pink Moment’ when the sun sets and turns the mountains pink as it does so. We had no camera on us in the spa to capture it for you, you should probably just go and see for yourselves.

7:00pm: We round off our 5* experience with a local beer at Jimmy’s Pub gazing at the outlines of the mountains and all the stars we never get to see at home.

THURSDAY

9:30am: We check out new bakery on the block, Knead. If you have to check that the coffee and orange peel studded breakfast cake is, indeed for one person, this is our kind of place!

11:00am: A few more shops to hit up on the search for presents for friends back home ; FIG living stands out for their inspirational quote tea towels and make up bags and for the fact that, as it’s International Women’s Day, they are donating 20% of their takings to a local fund that empowers girls to speak up for themselves. Totally #GirlBoss so we naturally buy everything.

12:00pm: A last lunch in Ojai at colourful 50s style diner Bonnie Lu’s before catching the Amtrak back to Los Angeles for our final weekend.

2:00pm: We didn’t bet on the local cab company taking so long to pick us up (too accustomed to Uber, clearly) so we miss the Amtrak. Grr. However, we do learn that our driver used to be a top chef in LA and hangs out at mountain retreats with Woody Harrelson.

2:30pm: No fear, we can get an Uber out here at the Amtrak station back into Los Angeles. We take shelter from the sun in cute Sandbox Coffee House right by the station and are saved by Frank who is happy to take us the 1.15hr drive back to the city.

3:00pm: Driving through the valleys we blast out Social Distortion, stopping at an incredible local fruit stand and spying Magic Mountain.

4:30pm: A spot of Los Angeles traffic later we arrive at our low cost hotel for the last few nights in LA; PodShare is a budget but well prepared shared working / living space which only sets us back $40/night in Los Feliz

6:00pm: Out in town again, this time to sample the Filipino BBQ delights of The Park’s Finest ; check back soon for the full review of this awesome meaty feast. No vegans allowed!

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Your New Catch Up Spot: Bar + Block, King’s Cross

As we shuffled along the pavement attempting to weave between tourists and commuters to York Way in King’s Cross we remembered how dirty and well, real this part of London felt just a decade ago. But between the latest Five Guys, Kerb Street Market and, of course, Dishoom ; this part of London has transitioned from old man pub to foodie destination and we’re here to check out one of the new additions; Bar + Block.

Super close to the station, we immediately felt that the Parisian striped awnings were there to welcome in weary Eurostar travellers and, in fact, being attached to a super modern Premier Inn – this would be absolute heaven if your train to the City of Love was delayed or you’d just arrived back with a bump!

Now you probably clocked the casual name drop, yes Bar + Block is cosied next to Premier Inn and this restaurant is actually part of the Whitbread family but do not let this put you off. Coming from a great value chain, Bar + Block provides killer cocktails (not to mention a generous happy hour) and a wide choice of steaks, sides and crazy good desserts that make dining out with friends a riotous experience with none of the usual steak snobbery and you can even book a booth!

We kicked off with bruschetta and raspberry chicken wings (very subtle hint of fruit and very more-ish) and tucked into the Brisket special and a more traditional sirloin steak with samphire. Pub food this was not!

Even though we were happily stuffed we had to do you dear readers a solid and review desserts, didn’t we? Cue a fantastic chocolate fondue and ‘freakshake’ style churros sundae….with an espresso martini. Considering we were visiting on a Monday night, this kicked off the week perfectly!

For a great value meal, cocktails and a super easy location, we can see this becoming the perfect friend catch up spot. They also do, our favourite, steak and eggs for breakfast….see you there?

You can find Bar + Block at 26-30 York Way, London N1 9AA

Canada November 9, 2023

Taste your way around Toronto

“Things taste better when you know where they come from”. This is the philosophy of Kevin Durkee, owner and big cheese at the Culinary Adventure Co, a friendly, family run business that take you on your own culinary adventure, bringing to life the flavours of Toronto. If you’re new to a city a great way to discover the hidden gems and get the skinny on the best places to eat is a food tour.

What Kevin and his team don’t know about the tasty delights of Toronto isn’t worth knowing. We meet him and his righthand man, Leo on a bitterly cold early morning in Toronto’s iconic Old Town neighbourhood. He greets us with a warm grin and freshly baked double chocolate butter pastry. We quickly get acquainted over freshly roasted coffee in Balzac’s, where you might bump into Harvey from the Netflix law drama, Suits, apparently, he’s a regular. I crane my neck around the place looking for the devilishly handsome actor but unfortunately, he’s not in there. We chat over a cup of Balzac blend, (named after the French novelist and playwright who was rumoured to drink up to 40 cups of coffee a day!) and Kevin shares his favourite eats, bites and sips of the city.

Kevin’s passion for food comes from his mum who ran a bakery from their home while he was growing up. Helping out around the family business and a stint at running his own cheese and wine restaurant inspired him to build the Culinary Adventure Co. Kevin and Leo’s tours are steeped in stories, throughout the morning the tour is peppered with titbits of history, colourful tales of prohibition and secret tunnels under the city. Kevin is the go-to man if you are looking to taste the real Toronto. His team are made up of ex-chefs, restaurant owners and food professionals. They know all the best kept secrets from where to brunch and lunch through to where to get the best iconic peameal bacon sandwich.

Our tour starts with exclusive VIP early access to Toronto’s famous St Lawrence Market, voted in 2012 as “Best Food Market in the World” by National Geographic. Leo leads us to Carousel Bakery, the best place in the city to try the infamous peameal bacon sandwich. Signed celebrity photos and reviews are pinned all around the stall. Everyone from Emeril Legasse to Anthony Bourdain and Canadian food celebs like Chuck Hughes always grab one when they’re in town.

One of Toronto’s old nicknames is “Hogtown” and the history of that name is intertwined with the history of peameal bacon. It all began with an English immigrant named William Davies, who arrived in Toronto in 1854. He opened up a small butchery operation and kept in touch with his brother, back in London. London, was much faster to modernise, industrialise and urbanise than anywhere in the new world. London started seeing a shortage of farm products, including meat. With his family connections back in England, Davies got the idea of selling his Ontario pork to the English market. Davies’ company started taking whole pork loins, lightly salt curing them and then packing them in split peameal to prevent the loins from oxidizing too much on the long sea voyages.

Leo hands me the delicious Canadian breakfast staple and I tuck in. Toronto’s answer to the bacon roll didn’t disappoint, the salty bacon comes with a fried egg and is served in a Kaiser roll with a dash of Dijon mustard. “You can’t come to St Lawrence Market without trying one” claims Durkee.

Next up is Mike’s Fish Market where I get to dive into some of the finest Canadian Atlantic Salmon, all prepped in house and then smoked by local artisan, The Smoke Bloke. These guys are the oldest of the three seafood vendors in St Lawrence Market and have 40 years’ experience under their belts. At 9am it seems a little early for oysters but Randy, the passionate and knowledgeable manager tells me otherwise and assures me that the Glacier Bay oysters will change the way I feel about these slippery suckers forever and he’s right, I was anticipating something slimy and salty, but these were fresh and so good I am soon knocking back more.

There’s so much history to the market and vendors, literally every bite of the tour has a story. We taste the juiciest strawberries and raspberries at Ponesse and meet ‘King of the Berries’, Mario who started working in the shop in 1968, when he was just nine years old. We take our berries off to Kozlik’s, a family owned mustard emporium that has been producing handmade mustard since 1948. Leo informs me that up to 90% of the world’s supply of mustard seed is grown in Canada. I’ve never seen so many mustard flavours, there’s over 40 different types to choose from ranging from sweet to savoury through to some that have a real kick. I dip one of Mario’s berries in the Balsamic Fig and Date flavour, it’s an awesome combination but if I’m honest all of the flavours are extraordinary. I try Grainy Creole and the sweet Honey and Garlic flavour. I want to buy up jars of this stuff but I just don’t have enough room in my case so I settle for an Olive and Herb combo which I have since been adding to every ham or beef dish I can get away with.

You need to bring your appetite on the Culinary Adventure Co tour as well as some cash because I guarantee you will want to take home some of the wonderful produce on offer.

At this point I was feeling full but the mini bites at Scheffler’s Deli were too tempting. Kevin laid out a plateaux of Niagara prosciutto accompanied by Niagra Gold, an abbey style cheese, rich and creamy in taste. The insider tip from Leo was to always go for a wide strip of prosciutto from a charcuterie board because the wide slices are cut from the best part of the thigh and aren’t chewy.

The pace of the tour is just right, with enough time to soak up this gastro paradise and sample as little or as much as you want.

By the end I couldn’t squeeze in another morsel, I was stuffed but I couldn’t leave Canada without trying some of the finest maple syrup. The sweet finale of the tour was a sample of the Kinsip Whiskey Barrel aged Maple Syrup. Kinsip is the only craft distillery in Prince Edward County, their 100% pure dark maple syrup from the Nyman family farms is then aged in old Canadian whiskey barrels, imparting a robust, peppery taste. This sweet stuff just rolls down your throat.

With a full belly and a bag of goodies I headed back to the hotel for a lie down.

The Culinary Adventure Co run unique food tours in Winnipeg, Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Charlottetown and Halifax. To book your tour or find out more visit www.culinaryadventureco.com
Team Coco travelled to Toronto courtesy of Tourism Toronto, www.seetorontonow.com

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

The Dalloway Terrace: London’s Most Instagrammable Restaurant

You’ve certainly seen The Dalloway Terrace’s beautiful Winter set up on your Insta-feed at one point or another this holiday season. Its beautiful crystallised white, pink, and silver flowers, cosy Foxford woollen blankets, and romantic candle-lit atmosphere have earned it the reputation of being one of London’s most Instagrammable Restaurants. Team Coco checks out The Dalloway Terrace,London’s most beautiful winter dining destination.

Located in the heart of the West End, The Dalloway Terrace is the perfect place for a festive treat this winter. Forget Winter Wonderland, Nikki Tibbles from Wild at Heart has transformed this lovely all weather terrace into a whimsical hideaway that features champagne coloured frosted foliage, whimsical natural lichen, and frosty white magnolia and eucalyptus. Transforming the Dalloway Terrace into a gastronomic winter wonderland that is as enchanting as it is festive. This holiday season, Chef Byron Moussouris adds new twists to his modern British menu and also borrows some alpine inspiration for its seasonal all-day dining menu. Including a choice of either Swiss Cheese Fondue or Truffle Cheese Fondue to share! You can bet we indulged in some Truffles, after all it’s the holidays.

If not in the mood for fondue, we recommend starting off with the tiger prawns in Harissa aioli, they are not just delicious, but also arrive in a very generous serving. For your main course, we recommend the 100% acorn fed Iberico Pork fillet, served with Hispi cabbage and tender stem broccoli for a truly festive meal. Finish off with some Dark chocolate fondant with roasted hazelnut ice cream, and wash it all down with a warming cocktail. This year, the Dalloway Terrace’s winter cocktail menu is the result of a collaboration with Belsazar Vermouth. If it’s a particularly chilly winter evening, we recommend going for the Hug in a Mug. A mixture of Belsazar White, Cachaca Yaguara, Chamomile Tea, and Honey – you will certainly go home feeling all the warm and fuzzy winter feels, and maybe a few snaps for Instagram – or ten. We can assure you, it’ll be difficult to find a more beautiful winter spot in town.

The Dalloway Terrace is located in the Bloomsbury hotel at 16-22 Great Russell Street. For more information visit www.dallowayterrace.com @dallowayterrace #WinterAtDalloway

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

Taste of London– A Gastronomic Adventure!

Here at House of Coco, we love great food. Oftentimes we don’t find the need to travel too far to find some of the world’s best cuisine. Our roving food and travel writing duo, Eulanda and Omo, went off to the annual Taste of London held at London’s Regent’s Park to experience the sights, sounds and tastes of one of London’s most popular food festivals.

London! The city where food meets innovation, creativity and a willing audience! At the Taste of London, London’s finest and newest restaurants, food and beverage companies and a collection of exciting innovators gather every year to showcase their latest creations. This is where both experienced food lovers and newbies looking for a culinary adventure come to let their senses run wild. With over 40 restaurants and 170 dishes on offer, there is always something for everyone.

On the opening day, we were received by restaurant group, Grupo Sagardi whose stand ‘Basque Country’ were exhibiting food and wine showcasing the best of Spain’s Basque region. Following a colourful cooking demonstration, we had a taste of what to expect at their flagship London restaurant including Basque favourites such as codfish omelette with piquillo peppers washed down with citrusy Txakoli Gorka Izagirre, a refreshing wine that left our taste buds dreaming of green apples and lime.

We asked the amiable Sagardi founder, Señor Iñaki Viñaspre, to sum up Basque cuisine. He described it as international yet traditional with the most important characteristics being a love for the earth and the sea, a desire to use only the best products that nature has to offer and a mission to stay as close to the original taste of the ingredients as possible. Making a mental note to visit Sagardi when it opens later this summer, we wandered off to explore the rest of the festival.

One of the most interesting aspects of the Taste of London is the diversity on display. London is a city which prides itself on being the epicentre and melting pot of global cultures. In addition to British cuisine, we were excited to experience tasting menus from Thailand, Turkey and France. In particular, we loved the fusion of Spanish and Japanese taste and culture provided by Aqua Nueva.

After a quick tour of Regent’s Park, we sighted the VIP lounge where the Evening Standard London Restaurant Awards had concluded earlier, celebrating the best of London’s fever-pitch gastronomy scene. Just outside the lounge, we spotted the Cornish brewer Sharp’s Brewery Doom Bar where we would spend the rest of our evening. We started off with taster glasses of the Sharp’s range which included Sharp’s Atlantic pale ale, the popular Doom Bar amber ale and the dark Orchard cider. Our favourite was the Sharp’s Pilsner, dominating our taste buds with a taste of citrus fruits.

The most interesting part of the evening took place in the most nondescript of locations. Sharp’s Brewery set up a ‘secret’ dark room where guests can learn about beer and food pairings. Under the guidance of our gregarious host, an experienced foodie and beer connoisseur, we experienced some of the latest innovations in Cornish cuisine complimented by Sharp’s unique beer flavours. We ended the evening with more fascination about Cornwall and its iconic brands.

The clouds that had by then gathered above the London sky did nothing to deter our excitement. For weeks we had been looking forward to the Taste of London; one of the city’s iconic food festivals, and were satisfied that London’s place as one of the world’s gastronomic capitals remains intact.

Visit Taste of London for more information regarding ticket availability for the remainder of the weekend. Saturday & Sunday tickets range from £28-£65pp.

Visit Grupo Sagardi for more information regarding their London opening.

Photos © Eulanda Shead

Bolivia November 9, 2023

Celebrate Fiestas Patrias on 28 July with the best Peruvian bites in London

At #TeamCoco, we are rather travel-obsessed, and love to celebrate cultural days from all over the globe. Tomorrow, Saturday 28 July, is Peruvian Independence Day, known as ‘Fiestas Patrias’, and we’ve rounded up our four favourite Peruvian foodie hotspots around London. We love a celebration, particularly when it involves enjoying ceviche and a pisco sour.

LIMA: For something a little more upmarket, you have to try Michelin-starred restaurant, LIMA. LIMA is a representation of the gastronomic expansion that has taken place in Peru during the last few years, with the idea of showcasing Lima to London, as the gastronomic capital of the Americas. Peruvian cuisine is a melting pot of different cultures which have come together to form a unique blend of flavours and techniques. The restaurant is the creation of world-renowned Peruvian chef, Virgilio Martinez and his partners, Gabriel & José-Luis Gonzalez. Robert Ortiz, Virgilio’s long-time friend, runs the kitchen. The restaurant in Fitzrovia showcases the very best Peruvian flavours and ingredients in a clean and contemporary style. Team Coco’s menu tip: Make sure you try the Octopus Olivo

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlLLEB2AYHH/?hl=en&taken-by=lima_london

Andina and Ceviche family: Serving fresh, colourful and well balanced dishes and drinks inspired by the Peruvian Andes with a healthy London twist, the Andina/Ceviche family restaurants are calm and comfortable by day and buzzing by night, located in Shoreditch, Old Street, Notting Hill and Soho. On 28th July, Ceviche Old Street will be pouring out the pisco sours for the Peru Independence Day Fiesta. For one day only, they are bringing together the diverse flavours of coastal Peru, the mountainous Andes, and cosmopolitan capital Lima for a celebratory feast, with DJs including Martin Morales himself manning the decks late into the evening. If you prefer a brunch, the Ceviche Soho team has introduced a brunch menu, including exquisite sweet and savoury dishes like any style eggs served on their signature Choclo corn cake, and decedent pancakes with dulce de leche cream. Team Coco menu tip: Go for the Lychee-Guanabana Bellini at Ceviche Soho

https://www.instagram.com/p/BkSudx_glJb/?hl=en&taken-by=andinalondon

Pachama: Pachamama is a Peruvian-inspired bar & restaurant in Marylebone that is dedicated to making the most of the extraordinary ingredients available in the UK. The cocktail menu is Pisco-focused and don’t fear, their cupboards are fully stocked with Mezcal. There is a weekend feast menu, a vegetarian menu, and the tastiest Peruvian bar snacks around – we love it and are sure you will too. Team Coco menu tip: Be sure to taste the cheddar tequenos bar snack

https://www.instagram.com/p/BhuG_S-BhGV/?hl=en&taken-by=pachamamalondon

Chicama: Chicama is a seafood restaurant in Chelsea with a menu inspired by the coastal food of Peru and the bold-flavours of Peruvian cuisine – it is also the sister restaurant of Pachama. The restaurant is based on Chicama beach in Northern Peru, hence the name. Here, there is a laid back vibe; the smell of the seafood drifts through the restaurant and the pale pink shell tiles creates a beach hut atmosphere, if you close your eyes, you can almost hear the ocean as you sip a Pisco sour. There is a daily delivery of fresh fish and the innovative veggie dishes illustrate how wonderful British produce really is. The bar has a pretty impressive and vast booze menu, including Pisco, Mezcal, Japanese Whiskey, Sake by the glass and a varied wine list to accompany the vibrantly-flavoured food. Team Coco menu tip: The crispy battered fish bun is like eating a cloud of deliciousness

https://www.instagram.com/p/Blf1ANjgV9T/?hl=en&taken-by=chicamalondon

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

#CocoEats: The 3 Vegan burgers you have to try this Veganuary

After all the booze filled Christmas parties, we’re all in the mood for a healthy refresh this 2019. Don’t let the word ‘veganuary’ intimidate you; because there’s plenty of hearty vegan choices all around. But if you’re already succumbing to meaty temptations, then why not give these Vegan burger joints a try?

The Vurger Co

The Vurger and Co began as a market stall and through a successful crowdfunding campaign opened its first London restaurant. Their 100% vegan menu is highly innovative and highlights nothing but fresh veggie burgers. In collaboration with their executive chef Gaz Oakley, Vurger and Co launches their newest Vegan burger this month. The aptly Kentucky, features crispy coated deep fried king oyster mushrooms, topped off with Piri Piri sauce and slaw.

FILTH!

Launched as a 3 month pop up in Dirty Burger, FILTH! is the work of Gizzi Erskine and Rose Ferguson, bringing pink-bunned vegan burgers to hungry East Londoners. This plant based Londoners offers fast food minutes all the junk — and we’re all for it! Their pink FILTH! Burger features black beans and quinoa, GMO soy mince, and a special blend of umami paste. It is packed with protein, sustainably sourced, and looks pretty damn good too.

by Chloe

To much fanfare, the much beloved American Vegan fast food brand, By Chloe, has jumped ti London. An icon in the vegan fast-food scene, By Chloe’s London restaurant offers the same unfussy vegan fast-food as its American sister. Their Guac burger is the perfect alternative to Avocado toast lovers and features Black bean quinoa and sweet potato patty, corn salsa, onion guac, tortilla chips and chipotle aioli. Yum.

Belarus November 9, 2023

National Vodka Day 4th October

Some of the #TeamCoco girls are serious when it comes to vodka, they would even class themselves as vodka connoisseurs, so for those of you who are only just hearing about this wonderful day to celebrate all things vodka, here is a round up of general info to get you in the mood for a little vodka based cocktail or two!

Stats

National Vodka Day falls on 4th October annually. It runs across the world not just in the UK, National Vodka Day has been running since 2009 when it launched in United States.

In Russia, 31st January is Russian Vodka Day.

More vodka is produced in Poland and Russia than anywhere else in the world, this area is known as the vodka belt and also includes Ukraine, Belarus, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.

Events

This National Vodka Day is being celebrated at London Cocktail Week with international mixologist Joe McCanta who will be mixing some vodka cocktails especially for the event. Joe is an expert on taste and brings together a passion for great cocktails made from the freshest ingredients and the creative skill of a master mixologist. Joe has delivered master classes at trade shows including London International Wine Fair, and he has worked alongside world-famous chefs, including Alain Ducasse, Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsay.

Joe says; ‘’My favourite vodka-based cocktail will be Vodka Martini, it’s the best cocktail for tasting the actual spirit and expressing the flavours. It’s a classic authentic cocktail which has stood the test of time, which makes it the perfect drink for any occasion. And to end the night it has to be the Espresso Martin, it’s rich, indulgent and deliciously smooth ’’.

Launches

October 4th sees the world famous vodka brand GREY GOOSE reintroduce an all-time favourite back into the UK. GREY GOOSE La Vanille is due to make its revival at London Cocktail Week amidst much anticipation and excitement. The essence of GREY GOOSE La Vanille is the discerning spirit for any cocktail, from an early afternoon GREY GOOSE La Vanille Spritz to a late-night GREY GOOSE La Vanille Espresso Martini cocktail, there is a perfect serve for every occasion.

GREY GOOSE La Vanille is due for national release into top bars across London and parts of the UK, and available to purchase from Amazon and Ocado from mid-October. RRP £40.

Retail

We are loving the vodka based lines at Hotel Chocolat, with their collection of Cocoa Vodka Liqueur made with 70% full bodied dark chocolate, lashings of fresh cream and vodka (priced at £25), and the dreamy Salted Caramel Cocoa Vodka, with a whole cocoa bean inside each bottle and a hint of Maldon sea salt, oozing caramel, cocoa and English vodka (priced at £25). Available from UK stores or online from Hotel Chocolat.

Cocktail Recipes

London Cocktail Club has very kindly put together two of their fave all-time vodka based cocktails for us to try at home. If you are visiting London and fancy trying one of these cocktails then head over to Liverpool Street for the London Cocktail Club’s vodka focused venue.

Confessions of a Cucumber Salesman:

Vodka – 35ml
Elderflower cordial – dash
Lemon Juice – squeeze
Sugar Syrup – dribble
Sparkling wine – 50ml

Black Forest Soufflé:

Vodka – 35ml
Lemon Juice – squeeze
Blackcurrant Jam – 2 tbps
Cherry Mariner – 20ml
Egg white – 1
Sparkling wine – 50ml

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

How to make the Quintessential British Summertime Cocktail

Before we say goodbye to the last few days of British Summertime, Team Coco catches up with Jonathan Daniel Pryce, a.k.a Garcon Jon, and The Clove Club’s Rob Simpson for a with Gordon’s and Pimm’s at the South Place Hotel. And so, since we’re now clearly experts in both the art of cocktail making and cocktail photography, we’re sharing a few tips we picked up from the masters themselves. So, before you make yourself a classic GNT, why not give these recipes a try?

A Pink Gordon’s Gin for the Pink Ladies

Now this sweet spritz is the perfect summer aperitif, but don’t be fooled by its rosy hue, this gin packs a punch, albeit one of the fruity variety.

1.Fill your LARGEST wine glass with a good helping of ice

2. Pour 50 ml of Gordon’s Premium Pink Distilled Gin

3.Pour 50 ml (Or more) of lemonade

4.Finish it off with a splash of Prosecco (duh!)

5.Top it all off with a handful of strawberry slices

A Summer Pimm’s Spritz to spruce up your backyard BBQ

A blend of fruity notes and sparkling wine, this is definitely the refreshing spritz to hit that summer sweet-spot ( right in between “It’s boiling out!” and “what horrible weather”)

1.Fill your LARGEST wine glass with a good helping of ice

2. Pour 50 ml of Pimm’s

3. A generous amount of lemonade (but 75 ml would do)

4.A splash Prosecco

5. Garnish with cucumber and mint (totally considered as part of your five-a-day)

And if that’s not enough — a few top tips from Jonathan Daniel Pryce (street-style fashion photographer extraordinaire) on capturing the perfect summer cocktail photo, include playing with light, shadow, and composition! Though – rather than telling you about it, why not give @jonathandanielpryce a follow, and learn from the master photographer himself?

Food & Drink November 9, 2023

#CocoKitchen : Introducing The Roast Burger

If you’re not quite ready to jump on the ‘eat clean, train mean’ bandwagon this January and you’re still being quite the rebel when it comes to your diet, then we have a feeling you might like the sound of this.

With festive burgers popping up all over the capital during December, Roast Restaurant is continuing the indulgence into the new year with the launch of its new Roast Burger this January.

Located in London’s foodie haven Borough Market, Roast Restaurant is famed for its deliciously indulgent roast dinners. Now, it’s taking things a step further with Head Chef Stuart Cauldwell developing a brand new dish in the form of the Ultimate Roast Burger, which will launch in January 2017.

Embracing consumers’ love of over the top food hybrids, Roast are encouraging diners to beat the January blues by leaving calorie counting at the door and enjoying the classic British dish in a totally unique style. Layers of carved tender Welsh Black roast beef will be stacked with lashings of carrot piccalilli and horseradish sour cream, topped with melted ale and mustard cheddar, curly kale and pickled red cabbage, all sandwiched between a roast potato, rosemary and garlic bun, with the burger accompanied by a red wine onion gravy.

Using only the finest ingredients, many of which are sourced from the neighboring stalls within Borough Market, the Ultimate Roast Burger tastes every bit as decadent as it looks. Chef Stuart Cauldwell says “we wanted to create something unexpected, that was different to anything else on our menu, while still sticking to what Roast knows best…”

Alongside the burger, further additions for 2017 will come in the form of the brand new Roast Flight Menu, a selection of small plates which will be available Monday-Friday from 12pm-10pm. Including Hasselback Potatoes with Duck Bacon and Berkswell Cheese and Hay Smoked Chicken and Chorizo Fritters with Piccallili, this is perfect for those wanting a quick fix without comprising on quality.

Roast’s Ultimate Roast Burger and Flight Menu will be on sale from 10th January 2017 both priced at £18.50 and £15.50 respectively.

So, are you up for trying out this bad boy?