PACATA, 4 NEW ROW, COVENT GARDEN

Opened by Singha Beer brewer, Pacata aims to bring the Asian street food concept to London, involving the fusion of Asian and Western flavours. 
Thai food is one of my favourite cuisines, so I was curious to see what Pacata had to offer, and hopefully, excite my taste buds.

We stopped by for a late lunch - although part of the menu was labeled as 'Dinner', this was thankfully also being served at that time.

 

| D.I.Y. Papaya Salad |

We were served a bowl of chopped up papaya and vegetables, a jug of sauce, and a mortar and pestle. Not quite the easiest dish to put together especially if you have limited table space (!) - a little tricky trying not to splatter each other with vegetable and juices, but actually tasted alright when mixed together.

Something different, although I think I still prefer leaving my food to be prepared and put together in the kitchen before being served to me...

 

| Popcorn Chicken |

- with deep-fried Pandan leaves and a hint of Larb powder or Tom Yum powder -

Although a tad bit salty, I did like the crunchiness of them. A nice hint of spiciness, and we also requested some wasabi mayonnaise dips to accompany them.

| Seared Sea Bass |

- with a choice of Green curry, Massaman curry or Japanese curry. Sauteed French bean, mushroom, tomato, and Jasmine rice or fries. -

Someone had recommended this dish, which we ordered with the Massaman curry. I had high hopes for this, but unfortunately it just didn't work for me - the curry was too watery, and everything including the fish, which was supposed to be the highlight of the dish, was under-seasoned. 

We did mention it in our feedback to the waiter at the end of our meal, so hopefully it will turn out better on in future.

| Pacata Pasta |

- Pad-Thai with a twist. Squid ink Tagliatelle with spring onion, egg, bean sprout, Chinese tofu and king prawn -

This was my favourite dish of our meal. I do love a good traditional Pad-Thai, and this fusion dish still delivered the delicious flavours, topped off with some succulent juicy prawns.

Although I feel that maybe some chopped roasted peanuts and chilli pepper would have ticked all the right boxes for me. 

But overall, still a really tasty dish.

 

| Green Tea Brownie and Ice Cream |

Sweet and moist brownie (or as I prefer to call it, 'greenie') and lovely ball of green tea ice cream.

Despite it being described as a fusion restaurant, personally I felt that it didn't quite live up to my expectations. It is however a nice little hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the tourist-packed part of Covent Garden, and I wouldn't say no to a second visit to try out some of the other dishes - hopefully a better and improved visit from the first one.

Address: 4 New Row, Covent Garden, London WC2N 4LH

Tel. No.: 020 724 01602

Opening hours: 7:00-late (Mon - Sat) ; 10:00-22:00 (Sun)

The Cheekster, signing out x

AFTERNOON TEA AT THREADNEEDLES HOTEL

It has been a while since I've had a nice, relaxing afternoon tea, and what better time to do so than with Emerald Street's Two-For-One Afternoon Tea offer.

After browsing through the list of participating places, we decided on Threadneedles Hotel, a five-star boutique hotel. Based in The City of London, Threadneedles is an Autograph Collection hotel, which was formerly a Victorian banking hall.

Upon being greeted by reception, we were then shown to a spectacular stained-glass, domed lobby.

 

The English Afternoon Tea launched by Threadneedles was themed to celebrate England’s Great Britons, which include homage to six of the Greatest Britons of all time, as chosen by the British people for BBC2. 

Created by Executive Chef Stephen Smith and his pastry team at Threadneedles, the charming tea menu is filled with imaginative recipes in honour of Sir Winston Churchill, Queen Elizabeth I, Princess Diana, Sir Isaac Newton, Admiral Nelson and John Lennon. 

The tea includes a choice of three of the six delicious pastries and cakes, created in the spirit of these English icons, served with tea, a choice of fruit and savoury scones, and selection of finger sandwiches: tuna and sweet corn mayonnaise, egg mayonnaise with mustard cress, chicken with whole grain mustard mayonnaise, and smoked salmon with cucumber and soft cheese.

The selection of teas was not quite as extensive as other venues, but they had the standard teas such as Earl Grey and English Breakfast. I went with my usual Jasmine tea.

 

When our food was served, we played a short guessing game with our waitress as to which cake represented each icon.

 

Our tummies started to struggle at the second tier, what with all the richness of those cakes, but we eventually devoured all that was laid before us. Except maybe bits of the savoury scones which we both found a tad bit too salty.

Overall a truly fun and enjoyable experience in an elegant setting.

We both left feeling rather satisfied, albeit slightly high on sugar and carbs - what better way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

The Cheekster, signing out x

BAILEYS FEASTER EGG HUNT, HARVEY NICHOLS

This Easter, we attended Baileys one-night-only, immersive dining experience held exclusively at Harvey Nichols Knightsbridge.
An extraordinary adults-only theatrical adventure and Easter egg hunt, the 21st century setting of the store was transported back in time to the elegance and artistry of the 18th century Rococo movement.

Half a year since I attended my first Baileys Chocolate Luxe event at the Bar Chocolat pop-up in Covent Garden, I was eagerly looking forward to what they had in store for us this time.

Running a couple of minutes late after a slight confusion over the meeting point, we registered ourselves at the entrance on Sloane Street - each of us handed a delicate golden feather and a safety pin.

Upon entering the doors, the actors dressed as royalty, courtiers and subjects, jumped straight into action, leading us through to the main store in search of a Baileys Chocolat Luxe Easter Egg and the true meaning of true chocolate indulgence.

 

 

To get us more involved, we were taught about 'mannequin etiquette' (sounds much more sophisticated when you say it with a French accent!) - each of us flaunting our most elegant poses as we received amused glances from other intrigued customers shopping in store.

 

We then entered through a chamber where we were split into two groups. In the first half we were brought into individual changing rooms. I was faced with a Cinderella-esque situation where I was requested to put (ram) shoes onto her feet to see which fit best - whilst she kept coaxing me to push 'harder'. Trying on shoes would definitely not be what I would have visualized if I was on the other side of that curtain.

In the second half, we played a game of musical chairs, where I was the first to be kicked out - my big derrière clearly let me down.

 

And after that, we all regrouped under the 'tent' to play a game of charades...

 

 

 

 

 

Mannequin Etiquette!

 

We were then finally brought up to the Fifth Floor Terrace to indulge in our six-course Easter feast created by the Chiappa Sisters.

 

 Saffron & pistachio mozzarella croquette, pistachio crumble, cherry consome, rosemary crostini, raspberry balsamic vinegar puree, green roquette.

 Crushed fennel seed, lemon & black pepper tuna, pickled red onion, shaved fennel, pink grapefruit gel, black olive tapenade, watercress puree, mint cress.

 Roasted Chicken Marsala poached figs, roasted porcini mushrooms and a prosciutto crisp with patata dolce puree, virgin olive oil and rucola.

 Baked Charlotte Potato & Truffle Gnocchi Smoked potato puree, chestnut gel and parmesan cream with shaved chestnuts and micro parsley.

Chocolate & Venison Ragout Potato cream with juniper berry crumble and truffle toast.





 Sweet Lemon & Vanilla Pannacotta Italian amaretti crumble, sweet basil puree, strawberry & mint relish with basil cress.




| Baileys Chocolat Luxe Easter Egg by Lucie Bennett |

A rich Belgian chocolate equivalent to egg and soldiers, served with a glass of Baileys CHocolat Luxe. Created in partnership with Baileys Chocolat Luxe and young British chocolatier and Cake of the Year 2013 winner, Lucie Bennett.










I very much enjoyed most of the courses, with the exception of the pannacotta that had too much gelatin in it. 
The Baileys and the chocolate egg were undoubtedly extremely rich and indulgent, I don't think any of us at the table actually managed to finish it - maybe I should have wrapped up the remains and stuffed it in my bag...

On the whole, a thoroughly enjoyable experience - I do love a mix of theatre and food to get me in the Easter mood.
I just realized that I didn't buy any Easter eggs this year...looks like a trip to the shops for (reduced) Easter eggs will be on the to-do list tomorrow!

Hope everyone is having a lovely Easter weekend - that time of the year where eating chocolate for breakfast is not frowned upon...

Happy Easter!



The Cheekster (nibbling on chocolate hot cross buns), signing off x