Very average Da Polpo

Same set up as polpo but luckerly for us no wait! We were seated next to a very loud table I suddenly noticed I was actually shouting when speaking to my friend. Any way we order we decided on arancini chicken liver crostino, market greens, classic beef and pork meatballs, calamari, cotechino sausage, lentils and salsa verde and to finish nutella pizzetta.  

The verdict ... Alright not amazing just alright. Couldn't decide if it was value for money or not - it came to £69 odd the was for all of the above a bottle of sparkling water, bottle if house wine and some bread. (Clearly I had a day off the diet). 

The sausage was an very odd soft texture and the salsa verde was minty I don't like mint. The arancini was like balls of risoto not how they should be. The meatballs were a little peppery for me but well cooked and good sauce. The veg - aka market greens were horribly over cooked which is just a crime. 

All in all it was ok ...





Sorry no picture as in all of there places its was so dark we could barely read the menu. 

BELVEDERE VODKA AND (RED)TM JOIN FORCES TO SAVE LIVES

Raise money and save lives by drinking Belvedere Vodka! 

This September Belvedere Vodka has partnered up with RED to launch the special edition bottle to raise money for the Global Fund to fight against Aids, Tuberculosis and MalariaTM. 50% of profits from the global sale of BELVEDERE (PRODUCT)RED TM Special Edition Bottle will contribute to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa.

This fab bottle is limited edition too so you can look cool and be cool at the same time. Great to pull out at a dinner party just to bolster your ethical stance among your friends. Or as a gift to your host. 

(BELVEDERE)RED Special Edition Bottles will be available in over 50 countries at a wide range of outlets including retail stores, nightclubs, bars, restaurants, and airports.

To top it off USHER, the multi-platinum, award-winning recording artist has teamed up with Belvedere to raise awareness around HIV/AIDS and emphasize the need for consumers to unite in support of programs that help eliminate AIDS in Africa.

Charles Gibb, President Belvedere and Millennium Imports states “Belvedere Vodka is delighted to join (RED) in the fight against AIDS by helping to raise funds generated from the global sales of (BELVEDERE)RED. As one of the world’s leading spirit brands, we are in a unique position to harness the power of our customers to benefit the millions of people who are at risk, or are living, with HIV. We want to raise consumer awareness and incite more global action to eliminate AIDS in Africa. Our message is simple - (PRODUCT)RED helps saves lives.”

Lets be honest we didn't really need an excuse but now you are armed with a do good excuse to by possibly on e of the finest vodka's about. 

Go buy and enjoy! - oh i think at this point i am meant to say 'please drink safely'... or something like that.

Available from September 27th until after Christmas for £34.49.

Amazing lunch at Pearl restaurant in Holborn

I've wanted to go for over 7 years and now i have been - i can confidently say - GO!

It was amazing! we have the 3 courses for £25 - great value if you ask em. The service was fantastic and the surroundings, beautiful!

http://www.pearl-restaurant.com/
The Chef -  Jun Tanaka

Jun Tanaka's acclaimed cuisine, regular TV appearances and reputation as a roving gourmet have helped secure Pearl's reputation as one of the capital's leading restaurants.

Born in the US to Japanese parents, Jun began his culinary career aged 19 working with the Roux Family at Le Gavroche. From there he honed his skills and understanding of French gastronomy by working with some of the country's best Michelin-starred chefs and restaurants including Nico Ladenis at Chez Nico, Eric Chavot at The Capital and Marco Pierre White at The Restaurant Marco Pierre White and The Oak Room.

I've added images and the menu

Dukan diet cookies!

Ok so this is week 4 of the Dukan diet. I have done it before an lost a stone and after the summer filled with fabulous meals out and yummy bbq's its defiantly time to get back on it.

This time my lovely boyfriend is doing it with me - which make life a whole lot easier. We made it through the 'attack' phase - for those of you that dont know what the Dukan diet it is - its basically protein and veg no fat.The 'attack' phase is just protein! So its been 3 weeks of chicken salads, steak and veg, eggs, lots of eggs.


I found a recipe for cookies!! on the diet you are allowed to have oat bran... for anyone who is on the Dukan diet or has been on it these are amazing... I am eating one as I type with a cup of tea!

The recipe is with thanks too http://mydukandiet.com/recipes/oat-bran-cookies.html, I have mad a tiny few changes.


Ingredients 

1tea spoon Baking powder
1 egg
2 table spoon Sweetener
2 table spoons fat free yogurt (I could only get low fat greek natural yogurt - still guess its better that full fat???)
3 table spoons Oat bran - this is usually sold in the cereal section or whole food section.
Dash of cinnamon

Method 

Mix it all together

Pour the mixture in to baking tray

Bake for 15mins at 180c

Take the out turn them over and bake for a further 15mins


And that is it!! I served them with an extra dusting of sweetener

I know they dont look like much but they are the first sweet thing I have eaten in 3 weeks! 

I think they are great so much so I had to get on here and tell everyone... well everyone thats on the Dukan diet - if your not on the diet they arent that great. 

HAHAHA 

Booja Booja - Chocolate thats good for you

I was introduced to these delicious chocolates last year, a friend of mine brought me some as a birthday gift.

The packaging is beautiful - (The Artist’s Collection gift range is handpainted dont you know) and once opened are a total treat not the kind of chocolate to inhale in one sitting they are more the type you treat yourself to, maybe a truffle a night or bring them out after dinner with friends. They taste super indulgent but they arent which is just shocking. 

I had the 'Around Midnight Expresso' truffles, they are, wait for it.....Dairy free, Gluten free, organic, vegan and GMO free and they still taste great! 

Honestly dont take my word for it - go out and get some, for you, for a friend or even better take a box along to your next dinner party. 

www.boojabooja.com