food

Macchiato

Posted on by leolawrence94

Macchiato, Sydney, Australia

Apologies for the delay, beloved followers. We have made the journey now over to Australia. Hold on to your hats and let’s see if we eat any kangaroos… First up, Macchiato, Sydney.

You know when you visit the same restaurant twice in one day that you’re on to a winner. Or you have a self-control issue… Either way, Macchiato was that lucky restaurant one rainy day in Sydney. We got a feel for the rustic-chic pizzeria in the morning when we stopped by to meet some friends and enjoyed a chocolate milkshake and an elderflower lemonade. The milkshake was thick and the perfect amount of richness while the lemonade was effervescent and refreshing.

Hopped up on bubbles and chocolate, Ole Sib and I decided to go all out and visit Macchiato that evening to grab some grub in the form of their wood-fired pizzas. The restaurant is perfect for this kind of food as the décor is reminiscent of a spacious Brooklyn loft with brick walls and industrial light fixtures. We definitely didn’t feel hip enough to be there and proceeded to show up in our finest active wear to exude coolness and nonchalance that was only slightly ruined by the torrential downpour that perhaps dampened said coolness but certainly not our spirits.

We ordered a couple glasses of white wine and settled in at a long bar with high stools. Very chic. Unsurprisingly, I elected to have the Carne pizza to get the most bang for my buck without getting an actual buck on my pizza (only pigs and cows allowed here, please) and Ole Sib chose the New York Slice, an ode to the pizza capital of the world (calm down, Chicagoans). Whilst the glorious doughy masterpieces around us were being delivered on these nifty tiny metal stools to the table, our pizzas showed up in a slightly less glamorous fashion on, god forbid, plates. Clearly our drenched getup didn’t warrant the fancy tableware.

Not to be deterred, we tucked in to two excellent pizzas. Wood firing is always a wonderful way to cook these cheesy delights and Macchiato most definitely pulled through with a solid version of the timeless classic. Ole Sib’s New York Slice had great meatballs that were more the size of meteors and the meats in general on both pizzas were flavoursome and abundant. The addition of mascarpone on my Carne base was a tasty touch, too. The joy of a wood fired pizza is also that those pesky crusts are something to look forward to instead of passing off to your younger sibling and/or pet…

After a remarkably filling main course, I thought it only appropriate to order cheesecake for dessert. Every day is cheat day, folks. I was tempted mainly because it was a blueberry cheesecake, which is my favourite, and I rolled away from the table at the end of the night having regretted nothing. Wonderful pizza, delicious cheesecake and a fun atmosphere. We ambled out of the restaurant (it was pretty impossible to move our bodies any faster) hopeful and satisfied, believing in the good in the world and mankind… Before being pelted with another downpour.

http://www.macchiato.com.au

 

Imperium Jazz Brunch

Posted on by leolawrence94

Imperium Jazz Brunch, Jumeirah Zabeel Saray, DXB

Let’s talk about brunch. The beautiful fusion of breakfast and lunch, this meal has become something of a fashion statement. The cool hipsters eat brunch in the form of gluten free bread and avocado and almond milk lattes while those sophisticated ladies who lunch have moved forward their dining experience to suit this hybrid mealtime. The appeal of brunch for many, however, is that it is the first opportunity of the day to enjoy an alcoholic beverage without judgement. What a time to be alive. Luckily for us Dubai is known for its extravagant brunches so we whisked ourselves off to Jumeirah Zabeel Saray’s Imperium Jazz Brunch to put these wonderful claims to the test.

Despite the plethora of brunching options in the glamorous hotels of The Palm, the Jumeirah hotel group’s Zabeel Saray property won out over its competitors because of its New Orleans Jazz themed extravaganza. Bottomless beverages accompanied by a live band         banging out some Louis Armstrong jams is my idea of a swell time. Upon arrival we were handed that golden ray of sunshine sometimes referred to as a mimosa while we were led outside to our table on the terrace. The important thing to note is that these popular hotel brunches are usually buffet service which is valuable for those who want to get the most bang for their buck and leave feeling like they have abused their bodies in the best way possible. Ole Sib and I are well versed in the art of buffet navigation so we divided and conquered to sniff out the best eats.

The options were endless. Half of the restaurant inside was filled with different cuisines ranging from an English roast and a beautiful beef wellington to mini hamburgers, fresh fish and Middle Eastern delicacies, not to mention a salad bar (really didn’t want to mention) and a huge dessert area. It would take too long to actually list everything that was available but rest assured your tummy would be a-rumblin’ at the sight of it. Another cool element was the crustacean station (I think this sounds like an awesome lair for an army of superhero prawns) outside where the chef was grilling up some fresh seafood. This was a winner with Papa L whose qualm with buffets is that the food is mass-produced and therefore sometimes lacks quality. Let’s just say he ate his words as well as his multiple courses on that front.

The top of the class for me in terms of food was the beef wellington followed closely by the barbecue chicken wings, however the dessert course deserves a special mention. Cheesecakes, chocolate cakes, tarts, pies, cobblers, a chocolate fountain, fruit (pointless) and a thousand other deadly sweets adorned the tables. You name it: it was there. The highlight in my opinion was the Oreo cake because I respect a dessert that has taken one kind of dessert and made it into a super dessert. Oreos rock. Of course there was also a great selection of cheeses for those diners who want to be fancy and have a cheese course (Papa L).

All of this food enjoyed while knocking back several mimosas, a fair few glasses of wine and a couple of gin and tonics was only further improved by the live band playing those jazzy classics. There really is something great about watching live music and this particular group played excellently to enhance the lazy brunch vibe without being overbearing or intrusive. A wonderful all-round experience was only bettered by enjoying the spectacle of a drunk guy being carried to the bathroom by his friends in an effort to pry away his precious alcohol. Clearly brunch is a dangerous game but, hey, that’s what friends are for. I certainly see the draw of a Dubai brunch and can most definitely understand why it takes pride of place in the weekend events line up for those hard-working expats looking to let loose with a mimosa or twelve.

http://bit.ly/1j2ZklK

Nobu Dubai

Posted on by leolawrence94

Nobu, Atlantis, DXB

The Nobu experience is one that everyone should have at least once in his or her lifetime. Dubbed by Vogue as ‘the world’s hippest restaurant chain,’ it features on just about every US reality TV show (shout out to all you Real Housewives and KUWTK devotees) but has restaurants all over the world in the snazziest of places. Before holdthelettuce.net was even a speck on my windshield of life, I had the pleasure of visiting Nobu LA and the experience was really something worth writing home about. However, Ole Sib and I were on the budget where we liked to go to fancy places but couldn’t really afford to dine like the queens we masqueraded as, so sadly we didn’t exactly go all out. Nobu Dubai was a different story…

Atlantis, located on the magnificent manmade island, The Palm, is perhaps the most impressive hotel in the world. Its palatial arch dominates the island and is recognisable worldwide. Home to a mesmerising aquarium and an enormous (and remarkably clean) water park, Atlantis also boasts world-renowned restaurants, one of which is Nobu.

Entering the restaurant through the bar was similar to what I imagine walking a catwalk would be like simply because everyone in the vicinity was so good-looking and nonchalant. Some were smoking inside on lounge chairs (who knows what the rules are when you’re rich and fancy) and others were enjoying the DJ’s easy house vibes. We attempted to strut through and were led to a table in the centre of the restaurant with a view of the open kitchen where the chefs were preparing various types of sushi.

The best way to do Nobu, as with many other Asian cuisine restaurants, is to order an extensive selection of dishes from different parts of the menu and share with the rest of the party. While I usually heavily object to sharing food (I recognise food envy is possibly the worst emotion in the world but if you had the same options on that menu as I did and subsequently chose poorly then MORE FOOL YOU), this did work out well because in the end there is so much food that all the buttons are a-poppin’ and there is zilch you can do about it except embrace the blossoming food baby. We bravely ordered and prepared ourselves for the oncoming culinary challenge.

A range of sushi and sashimi accompanied by some mini wagyu beef tacos and tempura dishes was the first to make an appearance. As to be expected in this fashionable establishment, the food was presented beautifully and tasted so fresh I was mildly concerned that it may have swum to the table… While we ordered the mini tacos mainly for the novelty of enjoying such fine meat in an understated package, they turned out to be little shells of happiness. However, it must be said that the general consensus around the table was that the tuna sashimi took the champion title for the first round. The tempura prawns and vegetables were similarly enjoyable and satisfied the parentally enforced vegetable obligation in fine fried fashion, just the way I like it.

Despite the success of the first courses, nothing could prepare us for what came next. The main event. The prized fighter. The flambé wagyu beef. The waiter presented our precious wagyu to us on a hot stone slab and proceeded to set it alight in the centre of the table (disclaimer: fire is really hot) while we all ensured that we had photographic evidence for social media purposes because it is the 21st century and if a hunk of wagyu beef is set alight and no one sees it, was it really set alight? We took the beef off the slab quickly to ensure it remained rare and tucked in to what was unanimously dubbed the best steak we had ever eaten.

As we wound down from our frenzy of excitement in a haze of steak-fuelled satisfaction, we observed our fellow diners. Nobu’s appeal clearly resonates with the chic and fashionable but this reputation should not lead this chain of restaurants to be misconstrued as pretentious hangouts for the rich and famous. After enjoying two highly successful culinary experiences, the Nobu name in my opinion is not only synonymous with trendy dining, but also with delectable food and outstanding service. In conclusion, I have now been ruined for all other kinds of beef forevermore and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

http://www.noburestaurants.com

BBQ Al Qasr

Posted on by leolawrence94

BBQ Al Qasr, Emirates Palace, AD

If the Etihad Towers are the shining beacons of modernity dominating the Abu Dhabi skyline (see article ‘Ray’s Grill’), then the Emirates Palace is their palatial and more vertically challenged neighbour. However, don’t let this antithetic example fool you. The Emirates Palace is without a doubt the most opulent and ostentatious encapsulation of luxury into which I have ever stepped foot. Situated across the road from the Etihad Towers, this Kempinski collection hotel’s gardens are perfectly manicured. The interior is stunning and, most noticeably, gold. Everything is gold. There is even a gold machine. Having pressed all the buttons, I still have yet to find out how to make this intriguing machine actually produce the precious material I seek but I can only assume that those worthy of it will be able to master the technology. I’m sure I will be let in on the secret soon…

After meandering past the gold machine and – yep, you guessed it – gold bathrooms, we reached the beach area of the hotel where the restaurant BBQ Al Qasr is located. The restaurant is beautifully laid out with tables interspersed in raised cabanas that are accessible by traversing a maze of wooden decking laid out on the pristine sand. We perused the menu that had a handy flashlight attached to it to offer a solution to the evening’s darkness and were brought a selection of breads to enjoy with sundried tomato, olive paste and butter.

Unsurprisingly I ordered beef Carpaccio to start because this is a barbecue restaurant so obviously I wanted my meat to be served raw… I swiftly proceeded to remove the lettuce garnish and enjoyed the tender beef, presented elegantly on a large stone slab and polished wood support. My compliments to the waiters’ wrists for bearing these burdens for the sake of our culinary delectation. The slices of beef wrapped around baby radishes added an interesting and crunchy touch.

For the main course, I finally caught on to the barbecuing idea and ordered barbecued beef and chicken skewers. The presentation of this course was wonderful in that the mini barbecue was brought to our cabana and the barbecue beef and tandoori chicken was served in front of us. While obviously impressive, this was verging on old news after the tableside creations of Ray’s Grill (hyperlink) from the previous evening. (The struggle of eating at good restaurants is real…) The beef and chicken was served with grilled peppers and roasted garlic that inevitably ended up on the plate to my left under Papa L’s jurisdiction. A side of fries may have crept in also since I am a westernised fat person living in the guise of a formerly athletic young person.

For the sake of this food blog I felt it only responsible to indulge in a dessert in order to report on the full range of options presented at this beach side establishment. With this in mind I selected the molten chocolate cake, which was a delight to the senses. Underneath a more welcome chocolate mousse garnish, yet more cocoa-y goodness oozed out of the centre of the rich cake and mingled with edible golden (what a surprise) decorations. It was spectacular.

While enjoying a fragrant jasmine tea to cleanse us of our gluttonous sins, we observed a camera crew filming a large group of excitable young women greeting each other before sitting down to dine. It was interesting to witness since most of the socialising we had seen out and about in the city was quite reserved and quiet, but where better than a palace of gold to host the Real Housewives of Abu Dhabi?

http://bit.ly/1QuRNhK

Ray’s Grill

Posted on by leolawrence94

Ray’s Grill, Eithad Towers, AD – we’ve hopped over to the Middle East!

When visiting the Etihad Towers, be prepared for luxury. A set of three towers that dominates the Abu Dhabi skyline, this five-star hotel is the epitome of indulgence from the moment you step into the enormous lobby right up to the 63rd floor, on which the steakhouse and grill restaurant, Ray’s, is located.

After an ear-popping ride in the most opulent yet mildly psychedelic elevator I have ever experienced (it turns out floor to ceiling mother of pearl tiles are probably the cheapest legal high around), we arrived at the restaurant, which has incredible views over the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi’s magnificent palace.

The menus lived up to the carnivorous expectations of a good grill restaurant so I started with a charcuterie platter featuring spectacularly presented cured meats that tasted just as good as they looked. Ole Sib went for some smoked salmon that was brought to the table and thinly sliced before our very eyes while Papa L opted for a Caesar salad that was also created in front of us, allowing for it to be personalised to his taste. While we thought this was cool at the time, we were les certain a few hours later when the personalised amounts of garlic made themselves known!

For the main course the obvious choice for me was the steak. Why go to a grill restaurant without sampling some good quality meats? It was clear that Ray’s was serious about its steak when I was offered a choice of sharp knives presented in a beautiful wooden box to act as my steak-slayer. It cut smoothly through the New Zealand sirloin, which was truly excellent; perfectly rare with a delicious smoky taste. Barbecue sauce was my condiment of choice. However, for as long as I can remember, my test for a good steak has been whether it can stand on its own, sans sauce. This steak passed the test with flying colours and the barbecue sauce remained untouched.

Dessert brought with it the entertaining experience of watching Papa L try popping candy for the first time. We both had apple crumble with a salted caramel sorbet (how the tables have turned on my salted caramel views…) while Ole Sib sucked on some ice cream after a traumatic wisdom teeth debacle. The apple crumble had the perfect ratio of apple to crumble and the accompanying incognito popping candy was a treat for the taste buds and the ears. The final course was an explosive success.

While finishing off our third pitcher of the Etihad Sparkler (a delightful sparkling peach mocktail – dental surgery and alcohol sadly don’t mix well and solidarity is important in sisterhood), we took in the stunning view. While the restaurant was quiet since it was a weeknight, there were still parties arriving for their feast past 11:30pm. The capital of the UAE is still vibrant and bustling at night and it is clear that people enjoy their nightlife, but not in the drunken riotous way that is common in good old England.

With alcohol-clear eyes and full bellies, we descended back to earth and waited for the valet to pull up our sturdy Toyota while admiring and lusting after the swathes of Rolls Royces and Ferraris. But hey, who needs those gas-guzzling noise machines when you can live the life of a suburban soccer mom?

http://bit.ly/1tYURdS

Jackson & Rye

Posted on by leolawrence94

Jackson & Rye, Soho, London

Always ones to seek out American dining options in London, we headed eagerly to Jackson & Rye in Soho for lunch this week. Having seen branches in Richmond and Chiswick as well, this had been on the list for a while and the bustling Soho branch seemed like a good place to try it out.

Upon entry, we realised that this was more than your typical American diner in that it was more specifically themed as a southern, New Orleans style restaurant. The décor was elegant, featuring lots of mirrors, a large deep oak bar and beautifully tiled floors, evoking a wartime Deep South atmosphere. Big fans of the Big Easy, we welcomed the NOLA classics on the menu, such as shrimp poboys and gumbo and settled straight into a refreshing New Orleans beer as we contemplated our options.

Not willing to mess around, we went straight for the main course. My sister (henceforth to be named Old Sibling/Ole Sib, I have just decided on a whim) opted for an avocado shrimp burger that didn’t disappoint. I, on the other hand, like my chicken fried (a cold beer on a Friday night, a pair of jeans that fit just right – holla to all you Zac Brown Band fans out there) and went for a buttermilk fried chicken sandwich. As soon as the lettuce was whipped out (this ain’t called holdthelettuce for no reason), I relished this perfectly fried chicken cutlet that was accompanied by some delightfully crispy skinny fries. There is true happiness in fried food.

Not to be deterred by the sheer volume of fried goods we had just consumed, dessert was calling in the form of s’mores. S’mores (the shortening of ‘some more’) are an integral part of the typical American kid’s life and symbolise EVERYTHING THAT IS GOOD about this world. The crackers must be Graham crackers; the chocolate must be Hershey’s and the marshmallows must be… marshmallows… I think. Above all, s’mores are best consumed around a camp fire where you can spear your marshmallow on a stick sourced straight from the ground and inevitably end up with a gooey, sloppy mess that tastes like heaven.

However, since starting fires in restaurants is frowned upon, we settled for our s’mores served on a plate. After removing a questionable green sprig that I can only assume was placed on top of the s’more as a decorative joke, we delved into the goodness. A fancy version of the campfire classic, Jackson & Rye’s giant s’more had us wanting some more for sure.

Stuffed to the britches, we concluded that Jackson & Rye was a great choice to fulfil our American cravings. The soundtrack to our dining experience was spectacular, conjuring up images of dancing along the Bayou with upbeat jazz music that I imagined was being played by Louis the alligator from The Princess and The Frog. The only thing left to do now is return to NOLA and set up my own restaurant like Tiana (Disney references will not be used sparingly).

http://www.jacksonrye.com

The White Horse

Posted on by leolawrence94

The White Horse, Richmond, UK

The White Horse pub in Richmond was the next destination visited to elude the Jonas storm-soaked streets of London. A classy, family-friendly gastropub, The White Horse offers an excellent foodie alternative to the more traditional pub, The Red Cow, around the corner.

Having chosen to dine here on a Thursday evening, the vibe was lively as the weekly pub quiz was about to take place. Despite being more on the upmarket end of the pub spectrum, The White Horse boasts an excellent entertainment schedule throughout the week including the pub quiz, an open mic night and important sporting occasions (for example, it will be showing the upcoming England Six Nations Rugby games).

We were seated in a quieter corner of the restaurant because of the impending pub quiz and proceeded to peruse the menu, which was extensive and featured classic pub dishes. The cool thing about the menu, however, was that it was presented to us attached to comic books and old cartoon annuals. Ours were Spongebob Squarepants and Pokemon annuals – an enjoyable throwback to my E-number fuelled childhood and an entertaining touch for young and old!

Now for the food. We started with the salt and pepper squid. Suitably salty and peppery, this was a great start to the meal with a light lemon mayonnaise that can make even the mayonnaise doubters of the world (me) reconsider. Thankfully there were also only a few full squid that popped up in the bowl, which is a positive for me since personally I prefer to eat only the squid rings. I could talk (or write) for many hours about the ignorance of human carnivores in understanding and accepting where their food comes from and the gap in education in this situation but, alas, I shall save this for another time. All this to say that I, too, am a culprit of denying that my food was once a living being.

On a lighter note, our equally carnivorous main course of steak and chips was excellent. As rare as requested, the meat was tender and juicy and the hand cut chips were everything that one celebrates about British pub food. Combined with a delectable mushroom sauce and a bottle of Malbec, the main course was a success and was very nicely presented without being too annoyingly fancy for such a classic dish.

For dessert, we were recommended the sticky toffee pudding with salted caramel ice cream, which presented a conundrum since I love sticky toffee pudding but haven’t come around to the salted caramel hype. With a leap of faith, we took the recommendation and it paid off in spades. The sticky toffee pudding (apologies for the repetition of this long dessert name but the abbreviation to STP made it sound like something one wouldn’t be inclined to consume for dessert) was sticky but not too heavy and – shock horror – the salted caramel ice cream was a welcome addition. I will eat my words. And more salted caramel ice cream as long as it comes attached to a sticky toffee pudding.

All in all, a lively but still tasteful pub atmosphere was accompanied by a wonderful meal featuring some poor sea creatures (RIP) and excellent British classics. The only other thing I will mention is that the dessert wine is only sold by the bottle, so be warned that when you want to be fancy you may also get a little sloppy, but this will probably only add to your pub quiz experience.

http://www.whitehorserichmond.co.uk

Muriel’s Kitchen

Posted on by leolawrence94

Behold the inaugural restaurant post! Many posts are in the making and will be posted shortly but here’s the first one to get the ball rolling…

Muriel’s Kitchen was the chosen retreat from the elements on this week’s rainy Tuesday afternoon in Richmond. As soon as we stepped in the door to avoid the British version of Storm Jonas, the atmosphere was relaxed and inviting with a homely feel and great lighting. The rustic tiled floor complemented the wooden tables and the quirky cooking implements that acted as wall decorations. The vibe was almost that of walking into the kitchen of classy country cottage. So far, so good.

Upon being seated at a quaint table with a tiny potted plant, we opted for a skinny cappuccino and a hazelnut latte. Both arrived promptly and were of a great quality – I’m a big fan of foam so that was a win. When they arrived, despite having said we were just here for drinks (life on an unemployed budget), we ordered a red velvet cupcake and a dulce de leche brownie.

It turns out these were excellent choices. The red velvet cupcake was beautifully presented, albeit slightly challenging to consume owing to its towering nature. The history behind red velvet cake is intriguing. Beetroot colouring has been used since wartime to add colour to bland ingredients, however the original red velvet recipe originated in New York in the 1960s in the famed Waldorf Astoria New York. After the secret recipe was leaked, it became a fashionable choice of New York’s affluent population for their classy gatherings.

Given its history, popularity and current fashionable nature, the red velvet cupcake is a highly scrutinised cake. Luckily, Muriel’s Kitchen’s take on the classic did not disappoint. The cream cheese icing was perfection – tart enough to enjoy in more-than-moderation without being sickly – and the cupcake itself was moist (I bemoan the use of this word but am awaiting the world’s discovery of a better word to describe good cake).

Our other choice, the dulce de leche brownie, was a dark, gooey piece of chocolaty goodness marbled with soft caramel that oozed from the centre. The only downside to this brownie was having to precisely and delicately divide it to ensure we both got an equal amount of caramel. As the younger sibling, I object to being short-changed in this manner. The exceptional thing about the desserts we sampled was that, although they were visually striking, they exuded the Grandma’s cooking vibe that was described in the menu. Another success for the chefs of Muriel’s Kitchen.

An all round solid culinary experience was only added to by the excellent soundtrack in the restaurant, from jazzy swing music that transported us to the Bayou to contemporary Florence and the Machine and Jessie Ware to old school Fleetwood Mac and The Pretenders. I was digging it. Despite only going for coffee and cake (which maybe turned into a bottle of wine as well…), the menu was appealing and extensive and reasonably priced for such an enjoyable experience. Muriel’s Kitchen most definitely lived up to its ‘Home Sweet Home’ slogan and we will surely be returning to enjoy it once more.

http://www.murielskitchen.co.uk

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Welcome!

Posted on by leolawrence94

Hello, world!

Welcome to holdthelettuce.net, the canvas for the edible adventure that is my life. The tale begins in London, UK and will wander around the UAE before heading down under to Sydney and then finally to the USA, where I will be setting up camp permanently!

For me, having travelled pretty extensively throughout my 22 years, travel is inescapably tied to food, hence the decision to finally document these culinary experiences as my gallivanting continues over the next 7 months. In my opinion, there is nothing better than immersing oneself in the lifestyle of a new place by EATING (except maybe drinking…).

Those who say ‘food is for fuel’ are people with whom I wholeheartedly disagree. Eating has been a social activity for too many generations to count and will continue to be an inherent part of our society for the simple reason that people love it and it brings them together.

With that small introduction I leave you to peruse my blog, which will (if all goes to plan) be updated every week with my favourite newly-discovered hotspots, always visited with an appetite and my trusty Eastpak.

Food (and wine) is love.