THE NIBBLE TRAIL #2

Oops, I've missed a post last week due to...unforeseen circumstances.

This can only mean one thing - more eating to catch up on!

I've decided to do it on a Saturday this time, because some of my favourite places are closed on Sundays.

1. Schokokusse - Southbank Centre Christmas Market (15th November - 24th December)

It's that wonderful festive time of the year again! - unless of course you're the Christmas Grinch.

Contemplating on what I should get, I spotted this stall selling chocolate kisses. The last time I had one of these was at the Christmas market on my trip to Bruges, which I loved.

 

 

My little Irish cream chocolate kiss wanted to get a selfie with the London Eye, but the sun was unfortunately shining from the wrong direction...

So we ended up at Trafalgar Square instead.

 

Oh the things I do for you little one.

2. 10 Greek Street - 10 Greek Street, London W1D 4DH

A lone diner at one of my favourite places again, I perched myself at the end of the bar. I was asked if I was waiting for someone else, which I said no - maybe I should have pretended that I was stood up by my date.

I ordered a small portion of seared scallops which was served with cauliflower puree, clementines and pomegranates.

Perfectly seared scallops, and I especially loved the smooth creamy texture of the cauliflower puree.

 

3. Yoobi - 38 Lexington Street, Soho, London W1F 0LL

I usually order the temaki, but this time I went for the maki rolls - ordering a portion of the Unagi eel maki rolls from the Specials board.

4. Muriel's Kitchen - 36-38 Old Compton Street, Soho, London 

By this time, I had met up with Lili for our usual catch up - and what better way to do it than with some lovely sweet treats! Food is after all best shared in the company of good friends.

This new branch in Soho has just recently opened in the last couple of days, and we were lucky enough to be seated at the table with the swings! 

We ordered the apple strudel with ice cream and the coconut and orange loaf cake.

 

And convinced by our very charming and attentive waiter, I ordered an extra portion of the red velvet layered cake with berries - very naughty of me I know.

 

 

Not quite sure what I was looking at...but it must have been good.

If you missed the last #nibbletrail post, click here.

Watch this space, or follow me on Twitter/Instagram for more #nibbletrail adventures.

The Cheekster, signing off x

SATURDAY WITH THE COUSIN

After a whole morning of doing laundry and Skype-ing with the parents, I headed out into town to meet my cousin, Clare.

We stopped by the Real Food Market at Southbank Centre where I had my first taste of strudel - Clare had a pumpkin and soft cheese strudel whilst I had the spinach and feta.

 

Had a wander along the river where all the Christmas market stalls were lined up, with loads of Santacons hanging about in their bright red costumes.

Who's the real santa??

I also had my first taste of mulled cider mmm...this is definitely going to be on my to-drink list this season.

 

As we had time to kill before dinner, we thought it would be the perfect time to indulge in some ice cream at The Parlour Restaurant, Fortnum & Mason. We'd fortunately just missed the rush hour and managed to get seated at a table - strange how there are more people eating ice cream there during winter than in the summer!

The entire menu looked really tempting but we eventually decided to share an ice cream sundae and a sorbet flight:

Dusty Road
Amedei® Chocolate, Chocolate Macadamia Nut Biscuit and Sandringham® Coffee ice creams coated in toffee sauce and decorated with amaretti, flaked chocolate and whipped cream

Our sorbet flight selection

Bellini Classico Sorbet, Gin & Tonic Sorbet, Blood Orange Sorbet

We then did some window shopping to 'burn off' the calories - there's sales everywhere but I'm trying to resist as the best is yet to come!

And to finish off our foodie day, we ended up at Mildreds - a vegetarian restaurant in Soho. The place was packed but they managed to squeeze us in at the corner. There was hardly a foot separating each table, we had to shuffle our table about a couple of times for other customers to be seated - talk about maximizing the use of space!

Anyway, I had the most amazing risotto cake - well I say the 'most' amazing even though it's my first time having risotto cake. I love risotto, and having it battered and deep-fried just made it even tastier - nice and crisp on the outside and smooth and creamy on the inside.
I actually saw a dish ordered by a lady sitting the window, and thought to myself 'wow, that looks good'. So I took a lucky guess from the menu and got it right!

Sunblushed tomato, mozzarella and basil risotto cake served with wilted spinach, green beans and grape mustard cream sauce

So good, but so filling as well!

I think I would probably visit this place again sometime.

And no day out would be complete without a photo together.

This isn't the most flattering photo of us, with our wind-blown hair and food-stuffed faces, but there you go!

 

Note-to-self: 

Next time take photo at the beginning of day before stuffing ourselves silly with food.

Love,