WAFFLE ON AT THE WATCH HOUSE

It was one of those days where everything was happening on the same evening, but despite my initial hesitance, I eventually decided to track across London after the Maison Blanc event in Fulham - and thankfully it was worth the journey.

Critically-acclaimed streetfood traders, that you may have recognized if you have frequented the famed Maltby Street market, have teamed up with neighbourhood coffee shop The Watch House, launching London's only dining experience exclusively dedicated to waffles. 

Since their debut at Dalston Roof Park in September 2012, Waffle On has steadily risen in prominence to become well-known in the London sreetfood scene. An independent business run by husband and wife duo Eddie and Bettina, they trade throughout the year at Maltby Street Market and have featured at major events across the UK, ranging from Streetfeast and KERB to Secret Garden party and Camp Bestival.

The Watch House is situated in a 19th century listed building, originally built to house the guards who watched over the churchyard of Saint Mary Magdalen. Prior to opening in September 2014, the space has been restored and transformed into a luxury coffee hub, and have since then been proactively seeking out opportunities to develop links with local food suppliers and now are bringing the tastes an flavours from neighbouring Maltby Street Market to their customers on Bermondsey Street.

Open seven days a week from 5pm until late, this exciting collaboration between the two popular Bermondsey-based businesses allows guests to enjoy a more frequent fix of Waffle On's signature buttermilk waffles, served alongside artisan Ozone Coffee. 

Everybody loves waffles (unless you're one of the rare few who don't, then you're definitely missing out!), and their freshly baked to order waffles are sure to tantalize your tastebuds. Waffle On's evening menu showcases an array of fun and creative savoury and sweet toppings, including its iconic Asian spiced slow-roasted shredded duck with fragrant plum sauce and the mouth-watering Southern fried spicy buttermilk chicken with maple butter - both of which we obviously ordered. In the mood for more savoury food that evening, we also ordered the Goat's cheese with fresh figs, blueberries and honey which I enjoyed much more than I initially thought I would.

Not wanting to miss out on the sweet waffles, we shared the indulgent cheeky chocolate sauce with gooey meringue and vanilla cream. 

And as though this wasn't already tempting enough, each month will also see a new SPECIAL waffle added to the regular line-up - featuring sensational flavour combinations and celebrating the best seasonal produce, such as the hearty All Day Breakfast with dry cured crispy bacon and biodynamic egg; delicate Gravlax with Scottish salmon home-cured in beetroot and dill; and the boozy Winter Cherry with hot Morello cherries soaked in Kirchwasser. I don't know about you, but just reading about it is already making me hungry...

There really is no 'right time' of the day to have waffles, so I would definitely make a visit, whether it be for a pre-dinner snack, a late-bite or a full-on dinner (go on and order them all - nobody's going to judge!).

I, for one, will surely be back for more.

The Cheekster, signing out x

CASSE-CROUTE, 109 BERMONDSEY STREET

Casse-Croute, a small little French bistro recently opened by Hervé Durochat, on Bermondsey Street.

Ditching my ballet and jazz shoes on another beautiful Monday morning, I was eager to check out what this new place had to offer. 

 

It was pretty early when I arrived - skipped breakfast so that I could save space in my tummy...
(bashfully acknowledges the disapproving frowns that breakfast is the most important meal of the day...). Oh wait, I had two Oreos...I'm sure that counts?
 I popped my head into the empty restaurant and double-checked that they were open before seating myself at the little corner by the window. It was too hot to sit outside, but at least I could still people-watch from where I was; watching curious passerby's peering through the windows every now and then. 

 

I ordered a glass of Sauvignon Blanc whilst I perused the menu du jour on the wall; with some French radio channel playing in the background. 

 

The lovely lady (forgot to ask her name!) kindly talked me through the menu and explained each dish - my poor French has unfortunately deteriorated over the years!

 

Considering that it was a hot summers day, I went for the Seabass marine as my starter - well marinated and very light and refreshing.

 

 Braised lamb belly with aubergine caviar. Not very summer-y and possibly not the ideal dish to have on such a hot day...but it's just something about lamb dishes that makes me salivate and go tingly inside... I think I may have caught the lamb addiction bug from Lili.

I did double-check beforehand if it would be very 'fatty' (trying to 'watch the figure' and all that...NOT), but fortunately it wasn't. The meat was really tender and in the middle was a luscious blend of pureed herbs. The sauce was rich and creamy and I was even given a basket of bread to 'clean-up' the plate after - because it was that amazing! 

After all, good food should not go to waste...

 

For dessert - Pêche rôtie, sable Breton, crème fraîche. I was told that it was very French, basically consisted of a classic French cookie, a roasted peach and some soured cream. Not too sweet and quite tasty.

And had a shot of espresso after.

I'd spotted a familiar face in between whilst other diners were streaming in, before I realized that it was Wilkes (aka Wilkes888) - the photo snapping of food was probably the giveaway sign!
So I stayed on to nibble on some cheese and had a nice glass of Pression draught beer.

Here's a few more photos...

 

 

Spanking new slicer

With only 20 covers, it's one of the smallest restaurants in London -  a charming little addition to the extremely busy Bermondsey Street. And located just opposite José, you will now definitely be even more spoilt for choice.
Just don't forget to make a reservation in advance to avoid unnecessary disappointment, especially during peak hours (overheard someone already making a booking for August!). 

The Cheekster, signing off x