Dirty Burger comes to Vauxhall

Dirty Burger. So simple. So tasty. So dirty.

This fast food joint has got it right. Their burger quite literally stands on a throne, superior to others putting many competitors to shame.

Shockingly, I write this blog post as a less than mediocre burger fan. I never would have ordered the cheese burger off the pub menu, and I still probably wouldn't do this day. At Dirty Burger the menu is simplistic - cheese burger or....cheese burger. So you can imagine I was a little wary of what to expect from my new local fast food restaurant.

It wasn't until my first bite that I fell in love with the place. Firstly, the brioche bun; this is a must for any burger. Secondly, the mouth-watering filling of beef, gherkin, tomato, lettuce, melted cheese and an incredible burger sauce to die for. It's steamed, packaged and ready for consumption.

Add some crinkle fries or onion chips for sides, and I recommend the vanilla milkshake to wash it all down.

You will only find Dirty Burger in Vauxhall or Kentish Town. Take your pick and plan your visit, you really don't know what you’re missing out on!

Website: http://www.eatdirtyburger.com/

Twitter: @dirtyburger

Vertigo 42

Vertigo 42 is one of the many bars with a view of London's skyline. Serving up delicious champagne cocktails and tasty sharing platters, Vertigo 42 is a great spot to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Located in the heart of the city in Tower 42, enjoy views of iconic buildings such as The Gherkin, St Paul's and the latest completion, The Shard.

These kinds of bars don't come cheap, so expect to pay a premium for food. Champagne cocktails average at £14 but are worth every penny. Recently, Vertigo 42 have partnered with Timeout to make the experience an affordable one for Timeout cardholders. You can sign-up for a free trial here.

It’s advised to book in advance. If possible get a sunset sitting, it makes for a great photo opportunity.

Website: http://www.vertigo42.co.uk/

Twitter: @vertigo42bar

The Blind Pig

I love a speakeasy bar and The Blind Pig at Social Eating House is my latest discovery.  Located on Poland Street in central London, this bar can be found on the top floor of the ‘Opticians’.  It’s a great little spot for a sophisticated catch up with friends or even somewhere to take a date – the cocktails will most certainly spark conversation.

The cocktail list is like no other! Vodka, gin and rum is to be expected, but popcorn, Skittles, dill and poppadums???  Definitely not the usual things you find on a drinks menu.  You may think these ingredients don’t belong here, but I would say “don’t knock it until you’ve tried it”.

The Silver Screen – a bourbon-based drink with a mini snack of popcorn on the side. 

The Bollywood – served with mango chutney on a poppadum.

Dill or No Dill – a salty gin cocktail with dill to garnish.

Kindergarten Cup – a delicious alcoholic mix with Skittles and Wham Bar syrup.

These are only a few of the cocktails we tried.  If you are feeling really brave, enquire about the luminous green absinthe-based cocktail, too dangerous to even appear on the menu!

Cocktails range from £8-10 and the house wine is reasonably priced at £20 per bottle.

This venue is popular, so I would advise booking a table in advance. You can do this via email to reservations@socialeatinghouse.com

Follow The Blind Pig on Twitter: @Socialeathouse

The Orange

Belgravia is one of the most sought after districts in central London. Well-known for its luxurious and extremely expensive town houses, this prestigious neighbourhood is laid back with plenty of boutiques and 'yummy mummy' cafés - an ideal spot for a sophisticated Sunday brunch.

The Orange on Pimlico Road was the perfect venue to relieve us of our hazy hangovers. Away from tourists and the general hustle and bustle of London, the restaurant was airy, relaxing and rather peaceful. The Orange doubles up as a restaurant and a hotel and has a modern vintage interior.

As might be expected of any great restaurant, the breakfast menu provided the essentials: light bites, eggs any style, pancakes, full English and omelettes. To see the full breakfast menu click here.

My die-hard Bloody Mary friend was sadly not with us, so instead we stuck to coffee and tea:



Teapigs Green Tea



Iced Coffee

The full English was tempting, but we all managed to resist, which was good for me as I struggled to devour my mountain of poached eggs and grilled bacon.

Poached eggs and grilled bacon

 



Eggs Benedict

 

Goat's cheese, caramelised onion and tomato omelette

The food was delicious and the portions generous. We were also pleasantly surprised when the bill came: affordably priced and we were more than happy to pay service charge, thanks to the very accommodating waitress. Looking forward to returning for lunch or dinner next time!

Friday Fish and Chips @ Poppies

I think it's fair to say that everyone in Britain loves fish and chips. Traditionally eaten on Fridays and regularly consumed across the country. You just can't beat this yummy fried food!

However, this time I swapped my usual evening beach walk along Bournemouth's promenade, with fish and chips in hand, for a slightly different experience at Poppies in Shoreditch, London.

Located on the corner of Hanbury Street and Commercial Street, this restaurant is always packed! No surprise from the number of its loyal customers.

The thing that sets this 'chippy' apart from the local on your high street is it's1940/50s theme. Old records on the wall, an old fashioned jukebox and, to top it all, the waitresses in bright sailor-style dresses. A great, traditional atmosphere - even the wall frieze was made up of Cockney rhyming slang!

So, let's get down to the food.... Similar to the majority of chippies dotted around the UK, Poppies serves up all the usual dishes: fish, chips, pies, battered sausages not forgetting the cider to wash it all down with. Premium priced compared to your local chippy (outside of London!), I hoped this London-famous restaurant and take-away would live up to my expectations.

 

Wondering what this is a picture of? Go on have a guess....

What you are looking at people is Jellied Eels. You are probably making a very similar sound to my reaction...URGH! My Dad insisted on ordering these and making me try some. If you have a strong stomach or a really adventurous appetite then give it a go. The eel really wasn't that bad, it was the jelly on top that put me right off the dish. However, this must be popular or it wouldn't be on the menu!!

Luckily my main was on its way....

Having read a couple of reviews before booking our table, many customers suggested opting for a large portion of fish and chips. Take note, however, that the above is a regular size so make sure you're hungry before ordering the large! I chose the haddock, as cod doesn't really do it for me. As for the chips, I can definitely say that these were the best thick cut chips I've ever eaten. They weren't greasy at all and not too many of those teeny, crispy ones so you feel like you are getting your money's worth.

 

Watch out for the side orders, the salads are generous! I personally wasn't sold on the mushy peas my Dad ordered, but luckily we were sharing amongst three so at least there was no waste.

If you fancy eating in at Poppies, I would advise you to book a table, particularly at weekends. The service was swift. Otherwise I am sure the take-away tastes just as good!

Website: http://poppiesfishandchips.co.uk/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/popsfishnchips
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PoppiesFishandChips?ref=ts&fref=ts



 

Up at the O2

Now I'm not the best with heights, but when I was given the opportunity to climb the O2 in London, I couldn't say no!

For those of you who haven't heard about Up at the O2, this is a chance for people like you and me to climb the former Millennium Dome in Greenwich. Did you know that the dome was built in representation of a year? 12 yellow spikes to represent the 12 months of the year, 365 metres round and you guessed it, 52 metres high to represent the number of weeks in a year. Clever eh?

So yes, we climbed 52 metres high and got an awesome 360 degree view of East London:

You might have spotted the rather sexy onesies we got wear, so fetching I didn't want to take mine off!

Tickets start from around £25.00 and are discounted if you have O2 Priority Moments. The whole experience lasts about 90 minutes with about 15 minutes spent at the top of the dome on the viewing platform.

WARNING: don't be fooled thinking this is an easy trip! The ascent most definitely works your legs. But trust me, it's worth it when you call you friend and say your standing on the top of the O2!!!

Website: http://www.theo2.co.uk/upattheo2
FAQs: http://www.theo2.co.uk/up-at-the-o2-faqs.html

Pizza Metro

Pizza Metro is a traditional Neapolitan restaurant. There are two branches in London - Notting Hill and Battersea. I visited the Notting Hill restaurant with some work colleagues and we ate ourselves silly!

Compared to Obika, an Italian restaurant I blogged about previously, Pizza Metro is a truly authentic pizzeria with no extra frills. On entering the restaurant you are immediately drawn to the giant stone oven manned by Italian chefs, as well as the mega towers of takeaway pizza boxes. The interior of the restaurant is typically Italian with terracotta tiles and roman murals.




The pizzas at Pizza Metro do not come individually served; instead they come a metre long pizza and served on a wooden board . A great way for sharing with friends or, if you are cheeky enough, perfect for accidentally picking up the wrong slice!

We had the Salsiccia e Sweet Peppers (mozzarella, Italian sausage, sweet peppers and rocket), but check out the rest of the menu: click here.


As an alternative to a dessert menu, sample deserts were brought out on a wooden board (they like wooden boards at this place!). I was pretty stuffed full of pizza, so I decided to share some ice cream. A huge error, because when the desserts arrived I got serious food envy! However, I did manage to steal a cheeky spoonful of tiramisu which, I have to say, was delicious.

This rustic Italian restaurant is clearly very popular.  It had a full house on a Wednesday evening.  To emphasise how authentic this restaurant really is, my Italian friend from Sorrento claims this her favourite Italian in London!  If that isn't a reason to visit I don't know what else is!

Rugby 7s: Twickenham

This year I had my first experience of rugby 7s. A bunch of us went to the London 7s, at Twickenham Stadium, and I absolutely loved it!

If you were wandering around South West London this weekend asking yourself: 'Why is everyone dressed as animals?' the answer was this year’s Rugby 7s theme - Safari.  Primark most definitely profited greatly from its animal print ‘onesie’ products - I am quite sure that at least 70% of ticket holders had made a purchase!

On the way to the stadium, one lady couldn't believe what she was seeing. She looked very confused and we explained to her about the event and theme. She eventually clocked and it became clear why she had been following a tiger all the way from Cambridge!

The rugby games were short and fast paced, which makes for easy watching, and it's easy enough to wander around to meet other people you know there too.

The train ride back from Twickenham was packed with chanting fans and crowd surfing. Yes crowd surfing on a train, as well as many party-goers finding comfort in the luggage racks!

I will be heading down to the Bournemouth 7s at the end of this month, so am looking forward to a lot more fun to come!

Gaucho Review

If you haven't been to Gaucho yet, start saving those pennies because this is somewhere I am telling you to go! Without a doubt, the other evening Gaucho served up the best steak I have ever tasted. It doesn't come cheap though, but here are the reasons why:

Service
On entering the restaurant's foyer, you are immediately greeted by an abundance of staff - doorman/security, maitre d’, receptionist, coat checker ......  the lot! There is no waiting around here. Once checked in, we were taken through the ground floor cocktail lounge, which looked very plush and sophisticated to the restaurant itself.  This is split across two floors, and we were guided to the lift where we were greeted by yet another member of staff who simply summoned the lift for us.

Unfortunately, we had a little tricky situation with the lift, but after much opening and closing of doors (and some hilarity!) we arrived on the second floor.  Here we were warmly welcomed by our waiter and seated at our table.

Cocktails

When you are treating yourself, it’s always fun and cocktails were, naturally, a must! I chose the Pommelina, an Argentine take on the Brazilian classic Caipirinha mixed with Cachaça. Cocktails are priced from £8.50 - very reasonable for such a sumptuous  restaurant.

Wine

What better way to complement your steak than with a deliciously smooth Malbec.  As an avid fan of Pinot Noir, I was pleasantly surprised that the lighter and fruitier red grape created an unbeatable addition to the steak. As in any restaurant wines vary in price – here from £35.00 to £200.00.  Not all wines are available by the glass.

Steaks

Gaucho is all about the steak! On receiving our menus, our waiter brought us a large wooden platter displaying the various cuts of steak available to us. They looked amazing!

Our waiter explained each cut of meat - rump, sirloin, rib-eye and fillet. Once we had decided on which cut of meat we fancied, we  then chose the weight, flavour (a variety of marinades are available) and how best to have it cooked.  Decisions, decisions! Either the cocktail was going to my head or I was suffering a serious case of information overload!

As amazing as the marinated steaks sounded, I decided to keep it simple with a medium rare 300g rib-eye steak. I was not disappointed!  The steak arrived perfectly cooked and today stands as the most mouth-watering dish I have ever eaten.

 

Side dishes

I had a side of sweet potato chips with chorizo which was a delicious change to the traditional American fries. However, if you like the basics then sautéed mushrooms and handcut chips are also available. Sides cost around £5.00 each.

Gaucho has definitely become a favourite of mine and I will be dreaming of returning to this restaurant very soon. As mentioned, this restaurant isn't a cheap eat. The average spend is around £50.00 per head for dinner and drinks, but you can easily exceed this with the addition of cocktails, starters and desert.  It is still a highly recommended restaurant.

Sunday Sessions @ The Ship

Finally, we have some sun!! And what better way to celebrate than getting a group of friends together and embracing some daytime drinking at The Ship in Wandsworth.





Conveniently located along the rivers south bank, this pub is a hotspot for boozing on sunny days.

Without a doubt you will bump into at least one person you know, be it from your hometown, work or school. These kind of reunions can either be awesome or kind of awkward - it's never ideal bumping into an old flame if it ended badly, if you know what I mean.

If it's a real scorcher...prepare for the waiting game! Queues for the bar can become a bit of a pain, so I advise you to buy in bulk or sweet talk someone infront of you to share the same order. It's all about the socialising at The Ship, so don't be shy.


Follow The Ship: @ShipWandsworth

BIANCO: #NoFitState Circus

"Internationally renowned for its dramatic live contemporary circus performance, blending jaw-dropping skills with untamed elegance and subversive edge, NoFit State returns with BIANCO."

NoFitState was founded in Cardiff, and has grown to become the UK's leading large-scale contemporary circus. It's most recent production, "BIANCO turning savage", definitely has the 'wow' factor!

Last year I saw the production Cantina (blogged in July 2012), and as much as these productions have similar acts, there is so much that sets them apart. 

Set in the Roundhouse, Chalk Farm, the main performance area lies in the centre of the room. The audience stands for the entire performance, rather than being seated, and is ushered around the room to allow for set changes and the best possible viewing points.

From high energy scenes with the whole cast swinging from ropes, climbing scaffolding and executing numerous trampoline tricks (that I would be scared to even contemplate trying), the show effectively switches to a more melancholy and moving atmosphere during some solo performances, which I really liked. As much as I can say that we saw trapeze artists, fire breathers, jugglers, trampolinists, I am unable to explain the true power of the performances. The pure strength of each individual almost seems unachievable. The cast of approximately 15 performers put on an absolute spectacle.

However, let's not forget the music accompanying the performance - the band @FireProofGiant were simply incredible, and hopefully I don't offend too many eyes when I say that the music was one my favourite elements of BIANCO.  Check them out on soundcloud.

BIANCO is an experience that immerses the audience through every act, be it by interacting with the audience before, during and after the performance or simply by eye-locking the audience with their jaw-dropping acts. Also the fact it is British (founded in Cardiff), makes it that much more special to watch.  If tickets haven't already sold out, get down to the Roundhouse and catch this production as soon as you can!

Find out more:

Website: http://www.nofitstate.org/bianco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nofitstatecircus
Twitter: @NoFitState



Obikà: Italian Mozzarella Bar

As an early birthday celebration, my sister took to me to one of the restaurants in the ever-growing restaurant chain Obikà. Having first opened its doors in Rome, this expanding brand has 19 global locations including Italy, the UK and the US. We visited the Italian mozzarella bar located in South Kensington.

The creation of the mozzarella bar was inspired by the well-known sushi dining experience. Obikà combines the relaxed and social atmosphere of sushi bars, with traditional Italian ingredients. The brand prides itself on:

- The freshness and quality of ingredients
- Capable, friendly and efficient customer service
- Tasteful and stylish presentation of dishes

Staying typically Italian, and of course in celebration of my birthday, a bottle of prosecco was immediately ordered.

With a new manager, who happened to be a friend of my sisters, we were served a complementary mixed starter of mozzarella, grilled artichoke, prosciutto ham, parmesan shavings and a chilli paste on bread. Deelish!

Having consumed our starter, we didn't have room to sample anything from the mozzarella bar, but I will definitely be returning to do so. You can choose from three different type's of mozzarella's: Bufala Classica (delicate), Bufala Affumicata (naturally smoked) and Burrata (deliciously creamy). Accompanied with your chosen mozzarella ball, you can select another Italian ingredient such as prosciutto, homemade pesto, cured beef as well as from a variety of vegetarian options.

It's an Italian restaurant, so it would be rude not to sample Obikà's homemade pizzas. I devoured the the Prosciutto Crudo: Prosciutto Crudo di Parma DOP, Mozzarella di Bufala, Organic Tomato and Rocket. Again, it was superb!

My sister opted for the Speck Affumicato del Trentino Alto Adige: Smoked Speck from Trentino Alto Adige, Organic Tomato and Smoked Mozarella di Bufala. My sister felt almost 'smoked' out with this one, but I'm sure it's a matter of opinion.

To view the main menu click here.

We had just enough room to share a desert and opted for the Pannacotta alla Vaniglia con Frutti de Bosco aka a vanilla pannacotta with berry coulis. The creamy dessert was definitely a winner. However, there were plenty more I wish I had room for especially the twist on profiteroles - Profiteroles con Crema di Limone e Ciocolato: lemon custard profiteroles with melted chocolate. My birthday treat was finished off with a delicious espresso.

To view the desert menu click here.

The prices are reasonable - average £12 for a pizza - and the food was delicious and fresh, a 'must have' in any decent Italian restaurant. I will definitely be recommending this place to my friends and I hope I get to return soon.