SS: ATLANTICA SUMMER VOYAGE

So I'm a bit behind these days on my posts...but here is a quick one about the SS Atlantica Summer Voyage that I attended a couple of weeks ago.

Despite having walked along the River Thames numerous times, I have never actually taken a boat ride there, or rather a cruise - because we're classy like that. Thanks to Wilkes, I gratefully accepted the complimentary pass to board the Silver Sturgeon - might as well experience everything at least once, right?

Making my way towards Savoy Pier whilst consciously clenching together the side slits on my skirt to prevent flashing in public (should have given the skirt a bit of a test-run beforehand...), I knew that I had arrived at the right place as I saw a queue of glamorously dressed people ahead of me. The dress-code was 'At-Sea Formalwear', and some of them really put a lot of effort into their outfits, with their coiffed hair and silk and fur ensembles...

I on the other hand did my last minute rummage in my wardrobe and slipped on something light but still pretty presentable...

Always best to dress in something you feel comfortable in. And also look good in, of course.

 

 

 

Why aren't we moving yet...?!

We departed slightly later than expected, and it was a relief when we finally moved and were able to appreciate the view of London on a beautiful summers evening.

 

 

Later on, we headed back inside to watch some of the couples flaunting their moves on the dance floor as the live music played in the background.

 

Overall, a pleasant evening, and we were lucky enough to have had good weather.

And another thing ticked off my list.

The Cheekster, signing out x

KUROBUTA, MARBLE ARCH

It has been a good few months since I last intended to make a visit to Kurobuta. Running slightly behind time, I hurriedly made my way down Edgware Road and turned off it into a much more pleasant and less grimy setting.
It was a warm summer evening, and it was nice that the glass doors were left open.

Picking up the menu from the table, my hungry eyes scrutinized both sides of the menu. The words KUROBUTA in huge letters typed across the top, followed by small squiggly fonts for the dishes - who designed these menus?
And if you thought the words were small on the food menu, it was even harder to read the squiggly font on the cocktail drinks menu...
Maybe I'll just settle for water.

 

I did however order a beer - I don't usually drink beer, but somehow in my mind it seemed like the right thing to order in this heat...
 And also because it was topped with frozen foam...

 

| Squid Kara-Age with Jalapeno Dipping Sauce |

Something different from the usual chicken version that I tend to order if available on the menu. Or an alternative to the usual fried squid/calamari. The squid was nice and crunchy, but I would have preferred a stronger jalapeno flavour in the sauce with more of a spicy kick to it.

| Nasu Dengaku, Sticky Miso Grilled Aubergine with Candied Walnuts |

Recommended by the waitress, the aubergine was grilled well and had a nice, soft texture. The sweetness could have maybe been toned down a bit, but otherwise a pleasant dish.

 

| Salmon Gravadlax and Avocado Tartar with Dill Mayo, Rice Crunchies and Fresh Yuzu Zest |

Some lovely colours and clean presentation. I do love a good tartar, and I was satisfied with this dish. The salmon was finely chopped and the rice crunchies were a nice touch.

 

| BBQ Pork Belly in Steamed Buns with Spicy Peanut Soy |

The pork belly meat was well marinated and tender, and the buns quite light. It was however very basic and unexciting, and for £13.00, I  would have expected a bit more of a 'wow' factor to justify the price of the dish...

| Roasted Scallop with Yuzu Truffle Egg Sauce and Yuzu Tobiko |

The scallops were cooked well, and I liked the mushrooms, but that was where the positives about this dish stopped. Everything else around it seemed to overcrowd the plate and overpower the delicate flavour of the scallops, especially that egg sauce. There was also a bitter aftertaste from the fried lotus roots which were slightly burnt.

 

| Sweet and Sour Snow Crab with Yuzu Kosho Mayo |

The crab was fried in a light crispy batter, and neatly presented - pretty satisfied with this

We ordered two desserts to share.
The first was a sort of pistachio parfait dessert, if I remember correctly, served with citrus jelly, hazelnuts and little dough balls. Not too sweet, and I found it very light and pleasant.
The second was an apple crumble based dessert, which I also enjoyed.

 

Based on my experience on that visit, I have to honestly say that it didn't quite live up to my expectations. Food was a bit hit and miss - some good, but also quite a few negatives that could be improved on, and the menu was also much pricier than average. I know it's West London, but still...
Service started off okay at the beginning, but then it became quite slow as the evening went on. We struggled to get attention to request for the bill, and waited ages for a card machine, whilst trying to politely avoid listening in to the argument at the next table between a dissatisfied couple and the manager...
The background music which was initially quite unnoticeable also became very loud later on in the evening, and it was hardly even 9pm - we had to raise our voices just to hear each other from across the table...

Another place ticked off the list.

The Cheekster, signing out x

Address: 17-20 Kendal Street, London W2 2AW

THE BACKBENCH #4, KOYA

Back for The BackBench #4 at Koya.

For those of you who have missed my previous posts, The BackBench is a once a month experience where Chef Junya brings together an exciting tasting menu for diners, experimenting beyond their blackboard and utilizing the freshest ingredients in season.

| Young Aubergine |

My first time eating aubergine that has been skinned, which was served in dashi and topped with some fresh wasabi. Nice texture, and very clean and fresh, and great to enjoy them whilst they are in season.

| Bobby Beans & Egoma, Grilled Cured Sand Eels |

 Lovely green bobby beans served with egoma, otherwise known as wild sesame seeds. And on the other side of the dish, sand eels - not actually related to true eels, but rather a burrowing species of fish predominantly found on the seabed floor. Fried until they were crispy, and fun to nibble on.

| Seatrout Sashimi, Green Shiso Surinagashi, Red Currants, Wild Watercress & Fresh Wasabi |

I love sashimi, so this was no doubt my favourite dish of the evening - the seatrout was seared on the outside and went well with the emerald green shiso surinagashi.

Such vibrant colours, it sure tasted as good as it looked.

| Tomatoes and Kumamoto Oysters Udon |

A cold bowl of udon for a hot summers day. A nice, light tomato-based broth and topped with delicious fresh oysters.

| Kabocha Flower, Peas & Dashi Scrambled Egg Tempura |

It looked liked a courgette flower, but instead it was a kabocha flower - from the plant more commonly known as butternut squash or Japanese pumpkin.

Deep fried in a light and crunchy tempura batter, and stuffed with peas and scrambled eggs.

| Summer Daikon & Scottish Girolles |

This was my dining partner's favourite dish of the evening - soft and easy to cut through daikon, but not over-cooked, and lots of my favourite girolles. Soaked in a light dashi and topped with a slightly spicy shichimi.

 | Unagi Shirayaki, Parsley, Horseradish & Pickled Garkins |

Another one of my favourite dishes that evening - because everyone knows that we are allowed to have more than one favourite. The bone that was served with it was also very crispy and edible.

Just a few days from now will be 'Doyo No Ushi No Hi' on July 29th, which is a day dedicated to eating eel. As Japanese summer is usually hot and humid, it is believed that eating nutritious eels will help to increase stamina and prevent summer fatigue.

You know what to eat on a hot summers day now...

| Berries, Cherries & Red Shiso Jelly |

This time there were two desserts on the menu. Pretty bright colours and a refreshing dessert to match the beautiful summer days that we have been blessed with.

| Sake-Kasu Ice Cream with Wild Fennel Blossoms and Cobnuts |

I've probably said this before, but I just can never get enough of this dessert - third time now and still very much loving it. Made from the lees left over from the sake production, it was also infused with wild fennel blossoms. Smooth, creamy, and a sweet end to our tasting experience.

And the usual green tea to finish off as well...

Despite not having any meat dish this time round, it was overall yet another delicious and satisfying meal from the talented Chef Junya. 

Thank you once again, and I will see you at the next BackBench!

 For my previous BackBench posts, click on the links below:

The BackBench #1

The BackBench #2

The BackBench #3

The Cheekster, signing out x

L'ANIMA CAFE, 10 APPOLD STREET

I have had quite a (heavier than normal) week of eating last week, one of the places which included L'Anima Cafe. The first time I visited here was when I attended the Chowzter Awards where there were small canapes to sample, so I was looking forward to what the actual restaurant menu had to offer. 
The sister cafe to L'Anima on Snowden Street, London's award winning Italian restaurant by Francesco Mazzei,  L'Anima Cafe offers rustic Southern Italian food in a more casual setting.

 

As soon as we were seated, the bread trolley was brought to us, as we ogled at the selections before us...the best bread trolley selection that I have seen so far.
As much as we would have liked to grab as much as we liked, we were only allowed as much as our little ceramic bowl could contain. This came with some dips on the side - nduja and a fish-based paste.
My favourite was probably the rose shaped pastry with nduja filling, and the focaccia was pretty good as well.

 

We ordered a 1 litre carafe of white wine (Trebbiano) to share between the both of us - before we actually realized how big a 1 litre carafe was...thankfully it wasn't too strong.

 

| Impepata di cozze e vongole |

- Steamed cornish mussels, clams, basil sauce -

These came served on a piece of bread which was made to look like a large shell. We nibbled a bit on the bread once we had cleaned out the mussels and clams - soaking the bread in the basil sauce to soften it, but only had a bit as the sauce was quite salty.

| Calamari alla griglia |

- Grilled calamari with pappa al pomodoro -

I really enjoyed this dish - the squid was soft and slightly chewy, but not tough or rubbery, and it went well with the pappa al pomodoro.

 

| Peperone ripieno |

- Stuffed pepper -

 

| Linguini al nero |

- Ink squid linguini, chilli, lemon - 

Another squid dish for us - yes, we do love our squid...

| Filetto d'orata al sale |
- Sea salt-crusted baked bream -

This somehow didn't quite turn out as we were expecting. I guess we both had different visualizations and interpretations of the dish. The fish was cooked well, but lacked seasoning and tasted quite bland, even with the sauce. My least favourite dishes that evening.

 

| Pancia di maiale e sanguinaccio |
- Norfolk pork belly, sanguinaccio -

Tender and juicy meat with a nice bit of crispy crackling. I don't usually eat blood, but I have just realized what I actually ate... I actually liked it, as it was a blood sausage after all, and I do love sausages...

And finally, ending with my favourite part of the meal...DESSERT!

| Pannacotta, mirtilli e grappa |
 - Pannacotta, blueberries, grappa -

The pannacotta was really smooth and creamy, and my dining companion particularly liked the blueberries soaked in grappa...

 

| Cassata siciliana |
- Sicilian cassata -

Recommended by the waitress was this delicious Sicilian dessert - a ricotta and chocolate-filled cake, with layers of sponge and pistachio.

| Affogato |

And of course I just had to order an affogato, which came with a madeleine one the side.
It was nice, although I did find that the ice cream had a bit of a powdery texture...

Service was smooth and pretty efficient despite it being their soft launch period, and overall it was a pleasant experience.

The Cheekster, signing out x