BLOOD SUGAR, THE MANOR

Last Sunday, I made my first visit to The Manor for their Blood Sugar event after getting the heads up from fellow dessert-lover Felicity Spector.

The evening involved a collaboration between two of London's top pastry chefs - Kira Ghidoni from The Manor, and Adam Degg from Chiltern Firehouse who created a series of one-off desserts and sweet treats, with some pretty amazing cocktails specially created by the team at White Lyan.

A menu exclusively made up of cocktails AND desserts...could this evening get any better?

We started off with the 'Snack & Stack' course - a selection of bite-sized snacks paired with a 'stack' of individual cocktail shots. The goat's curd with caramelized red onion and praline were presented like little ice cream cones, and paired with "Wax aged negroni". The sweet and savoury flavours of the medjool date with almond and bacon was paired with "Iberico sour" - definitely one for the bacon/pork lovers. The cheese and pineapple was a smooth mousse that required some "mouth skills" or "lip action", as we each attempted sucking it out of the red plastic sheet that encased it. This was paired with an equally sweet "Champagne curdled colada". The #Bloodsugar bao was really light and fluffy and had a sort of marmalade filling in between. No meat inside the bao, but there was meat in our cocktail...well, sort of - the "Ribs" cocktail. Our last snack was "Egg & soldiers", a twist on the typical breakfast version. After we had finished slurping up the delicious contents and pre-warned not to break the shells, a bottle of "Lemongrass kombucha" was brought over to the table to fill our empty eggshells.

The "Kira" consisted of beetroot, apple and sheep's yoghurt, and presented in my favourite colour of pink! Everyone who knows me well enough (or has looked into my wardrobe) knows that I have a slight obsession with the colour...and anything that's pink is sure to taste AWESOME... 

There was a nice natural sweetness from the beetroot and a nice combination of textures. A pretty healthy dessert I must say...which lessens the guilt factor.

This was served with a "Whiskey golden fizz" which was really rich and creamy.

Adam's creation was probably my favourite dessert of the evening - baked egg custard with pine nut miso, strawberries and sorrel. The custard had a really nice consistency and the whole dish worked really well together. Another very pretty looking dish.

It was eventually time for the "Collision Course", as our tables were swiftly cleared of all unnecessary cutlery and utensils...

Balloons were placed in the centre, which were popped one by one, and splashes of ingredients were thrown onto the table from multiple directions. A pan of fresh cherries was blow-torched before being scattered onto the mouth-watering chaos before us, and the whole thing finished off with a shower of dainty rose petals. 

Chocolate, cherries...a black forest gateau explosion. 

If an actual collision ever did occur and the world came to an end, I hope that it happens like this. Maybe even with a few sprinkles of popping candy.

All washed down with a "Fizzy Brooklyn" from the bottle.

 

 The little treats at the end included  "Vinegar lollipop", "Artichoke Cannoli" and "White peach & verbena stones".

Well done to the chefs and teams that made it all possible. The night definitely ended on a (sugar) high! Hopefully this will be the first of more exciting (and SWEET) times to come.

So...anyone else up for dessert?

The Cheekster, signing out x 

BOOZY BRUNCH AT SCARLET'S, COVENT GARDEN

I could never turn down a good brunch offer, especially one with plenty of booze, so I was delighted to be invited to Scarlet's, one of the latest additions to the buzzing scene in Covent Garden. Ideally located in the middle of Leicester Square and Covent Garden, it has a really chilled and relaxed vibe inside, and a cocktail haven which I'm sure many will be drawn into.

I was greeted by the lovely Kelly and Mya, and welcomed with a sweet, bubbly peach bellini, a perfect start to a beautiful, sunny Sunday. I loved the quirky interior, with the high ceilings, framed artwork and pictures on the walls, neon signs, and multiple bookshelves stacked with books and random items.

We then settled down around the table as a tray of Bloody Mary's was brought to the table - the first of many cocktails to come! 

I tried out The Scarlet - elderflower liqueur shaken with mint and peach bitters, topped with Heidsieck Monopole Champagne. Sweet, crisp, and really refreshing and moreish. And of course I could not resist ordering the Tarte Tatin, a concoction based on the delicious French dessert. Sipsmith vodka mixed with Calvados from Normandy, pressed apple juice and caramel syrup - definitely one for those with a sweet-tooth like me.

The Espresso Martini and Pina Colada also looked pretty good and I was rather tempted to order one for myself, but I held myself back - it was probably too early in the day for me to get tipsy... I had the Henley Regatta to head off to after this.

I went for the Eggs Hemingway, which was one of the popular choices around the table - toasted muffin with smoked salmon, poached eggs and hollandaise sauce. There was definitely a whole lot of smoked salmon staked up on those muffins, which I love. Other tasty looking dishes that were ordered included the Avocado on Toast, Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs, Eggs Florentine, and the Big Breakfast.

And to finish off, the much anticipated tray of alcoholic popsicles, which came in three different flavours - Mojito, Gin & Tonic and Grey Goose & Perrier. I went for the Grey Goose which had a slice of lemon inside. A perfect little treat to cool down on a hot summers day.

(If you fancy one for yourself, they can be found at the venues listed at www.latenightlondon.co.uk)

A word of thanks to the Scarlet's team, and Kelly and Mya for the wonderful boozy brunch. It was lovely to see everyone, both old and new faces - looking forward to the more fun and food-filled times to come. 

The Cheekster, signing out x

MOBA LONDON - NEW MENU LAUNCH

Last weekend I had the opportunity to preview the new menu at MoBa that officially launched this Monday.

MoBa is a modern boulangerie and casual dining spot; the food that they serve a fusion of French and Asian cuisines, cultures and stories.

Their menu has had makeover, consisting of a selection of starters, and customized Bánh Mi (with sandwich or salad options). Some interesting new additions include matcha and black baguettes that I will be tempted to order on my next visit.

Sweet desserts include matcha brownie, white chocolate and lime brioche, and chocolate and hazelnut cake.

There is also  good selection of hot and cold drinks, and some alcoholic options.

In addition to the new menu launch, we also had the pleasure of 'test-driving' some of the delicious and innovative desserts and pastries specially created by the amazing pastry chefs from Paris - because French chefs make the best pastries, right?
I loved the little chocolates, each like mini dessert bite - and because they're so small you can always have more than one without feeling too guilty about it.
The brioche was really light and was filled with cream, giving it a rounder flavour.
One of my favourites (which are probably all of them...) was the indulgent chocolate and raspberry cakes with matcha Chantilly cream - I would have gladly eaten a whole bar...
And lets not forget that pamplemousse cake...the glaze so shiny you could even see your reflection in it!
With the ever popular trend of 'skinny cakes' in France, the also talked about their plans for the coming year, with the hopes of bringing in more pastries and desserts which are ideal for takeaways but still maintaining presentation and flavour.
Until then, you will just have drool over these photos of the scrumptious delights that we had that evening...

For someone who loves cakes and all things sweet, I have to admit that I was on a bit of a sugar high that evening! But lets also take into consideration that I had just had afternoon tea an hour prior to arriving. Sometimes even I am amazed by my stomach's capacity...
Although my hips, not so much.

Thank you to the wonderful team at MoBa for such a fun evening. I will be popping in to try those tasty Bánh Mis soon.
And more dessert, of course.

The Cheekster, signing out x