Barbados-Day 2

We woke up before the sun had risen and took a walk along the beach. It was so peaceful, not a single footprint had imprinted on the vast expanse of beach,  and the waves crashed down with an angry morning tone.

The sky got lighter and lighter until it was a beautiful bright blue with beaming sunshine; so we decided to take a walk.

It really was a beautiful day…paradise!

After hours of playing in the waves, and inevitably swallowing gallons of sea-water, it was time to put our flowers in our hair, admire our fast developing tans and take a trip to the Sandy Lane for some cocktails early evening.

The waitress kindly brought us over some canapes: watermelon with a dollop of cream cheese, mini battered fish and sushi parcels. These were perfect, although the only problem…I wanted more!

C’s family

 

Although the luxury of the Sandy Lane  resort comes with a hefty price-tag it, it’s exquisite in appearance,  service and everything in between. As soon as you walked into the perfectly manicured grounds through the decorative foyer I knew this is a place I wouldn’t want to leave, old school glamour but understated.

 

All in all a brilliant second day… tomorrow we are snorkeling with turtles and dinning at the Cliff restaurant!

 

Barbados-Day 1

After an trip to Gatwick, and eight hour flight we have finally arrived at Sandy Cove, Barbados!

The humidity hit us like wall as soon as we stepped off the plane as the Caribbean air,  the sweet slightly floral scent washed over us.

We arrived at the apartment we’re staying in, just in time to see the sun set on the horizon and gaze at the wonderful view from the balcony we can call home for the next week.

Isn’t it beautiful? Paradise.

The house-keepers had kindly cooked us dinner upon our arrival…chicken in a spicing seasoning with an array of mixed salads. Just what the doctor had ordered!

So we all sat down to a feast and chatted the evening away…

After a long day, off we went to bed.

Night, night!

Cielo Restaurant, Birmimgham

Yesterday, I went out for lunch with C and his family to Cielo restaurant in Birmingham, to celebrate his Mum’s birthday!

I wore a French Connection  lace dress with a nude undertone (the dress is actually called ‘cheeky pink’ how lovey is that?) Guess shoes in a nude and Jones’ clutchbag, also in nude.

Off we we went for a  Strawberry Mojitos (or two) at Bank. I’ve blogged about Bank before, it’s a cocktail hot-spot in Birmingham, and a busy restaurant.

  

Cutest family or what!?

Then, for some much needed lunch! We went to Cielo; a modern Italian themed restaurant in Brindley Place.

You can find all the menus on their website, as well as book a reservation and find out about up coming events.

For starters, I ordered the ‘ Tortino di pesce’ which consisted of Salmon & cod fishcakes, peas, spring onion, mixed leaf salad, with  lemon and garlic mayonnaise.

Unfortunately  there was hardly any fish, and the portion was simply too big for a starter! Quality over quantity I think the saying is.

C’s Mum went for the ‘ Tagliatelle fiorentina’  consisting of Tagliatelle pasta, chicken, wild mushrooms, spinach, pine nuts all in a  white wine cream sauce.

This was delicious! However, once again the portion could have been halved in size.

Both C and his Dad, opted for the ‘ Calamari Fritti’-Squid rings lightly dusted with seasoned flour, deep-fried and  served with garlic & lime mayo.

C always has calamari in any restaurant we go to, so one could presume he was something of an expert! He said they were ‘very tasty.’

For mains:

How inviting does this lemon yellow sauce look, with the dashing of swimming wilted spinach? This is the ‘Sogliola al vino Blanco’ -fillets of lemon sole, tossed baby spinach leaves with vine tomatoes in a white wine & lemon grass sauce.

This was simply scrumptious, I couldn’t help but reach across the table to dip my finger in the sauce continuously.

I went for the ‘Brasato Di Maile’-braised pork belly, crispy pancetta, apple pureé,creamed Savoy cabbage,  with a Madeira wine jus.

It was  pleasant, I would have personally enjoyed the crackling to be slightly crispier. The problem is I love belly Pork, and am a fussy madam regarding how it’s cooked!

C had the ‘Filetto di manzo al Pepe’-fillet of farm assured beef, chunky chips, served in a pepper corn sauce.

Also, very tender and tasty, served a little cool (although us English are renowned to like our food piping hot which apparently, doesn’t do the flavours any justice, so I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt on this one.)

(sorry about the photo..I know it’s a little dark. Here’s hoping someone will buy me a ‘real’ camera one day, so I don’t have to keep using my iphone!)

All in all, a pleasant luncheon, with a few teething problems!

Carne Griffiths Drawn

Last week, I blogged about a  landscape photographer called Timothy Corbin based in Canada, and have just stubbed upon another fascinating artist.

Like I said last week, I often find myself sprawling through the web searching and exploring art (when in reality this time should be spent doing my Politics undergraduate dissertation, due rather soon!) However, I have now decided I ought to put this wasted time to good use and start to regularly blog about artists whose work I find interesting, unusual or simply like; documenting and share my findings…tadaaaar! My waste-of-time has now turned into a good use of time; the power of a changing perspective eh!

So, here’s who and what I have found:

Carne Griffiths Drawn had just released some new portraits using coffee, tea and a variety of liquors and calligraphy ink, combining to develop these dulled seeping of colour with sharp contrasting lines.

His drawings most frequently explore human and floral forms, as says he’s “fascinated by the flow of line and the ‘invisible lines’ on the human body”-to me and you this means he’s interested in our lines we wish were never there, and the lumps and bumps we try and hide!

The four pieces below are part of a limited edition postcard set just released by Griffiths, each of which comes in a fancy custom-illustrated, wax-sealed envelope. He also has a solo show at Ink-d Gallery in Brighton that has unfortunately now clossed

I love how the center of the work is often filled with great delicate detail, which contrasts with the dripping of the excess liquid down the page, and the surrounding parchment is splashed with splodges and artistic mess. I would want to wipe that away for fear of ruining my intricate work.

CGD is currently touring as part of a group show in Hong Kong called Trailblazers curated by Coates & Scarry.

You simply must check out his website, where you can buy his work and find out the latest news about him and his work.

Do you like his work?

February in forgotten photos!

Probably…almost definitely the best chicken Sunday roast ever made! I was so proud of my-self, it deserved a couple of photos!

A trip to Joe and the Juice  in Chelsea on a busy Saturday morning. I had never been before, but had a lovely time sitting, chatting and reading the weekend papers. We had planning to see the Saatchi gallery as well that morning in Chelsea   but unfortunately it was closed for a private exhibition. Typical pft pft!

I had the the spinach, pineapple and apple smoothie, whilst C had the strawberry, pear and apple smoothie…very yummy!

Valentines day treats: my favorite Yankee candles. I always think they’re over priced but nonetheless love them, so have to wait for a  special occasion to receive them! A LOT of hinting was done the week before…it was exhausting!

Please excuse my PJ’s, dirty hair and lack of makeup in the photo below…I had just got out of bed.

These photos below are of the most colourful, mesmerising ceiling I have ever seen, so much so I looked up for so long I woke up with stiff neck the following morning!

This is inside  Snog-a frozen yogurt cafe in London.

The natural yougurt was pretty immense too…I had chocolate brownie chunks on mine.

Cannot believe it’s March already! The sun is shinning, the daffodils are budding and the chiffon blouses are taking over the woolly jumpers…bring it on!

Fleet Street Kitchen, Birmigham

So, the reviews are in, after attending the opening night.

Like I said, there was high expectations for this place, however I am glad to say the reality matched  up!

I had the ‘Potted Duck with brown toast.’ This came with a beetroot relish..really yummy! I found myself sticking my finger in the little glass jar and licking the remaining sauce off my finger…until I realised I wasn’t sitting at home where non-one could see!

C had the  ’Seared Scallops with pan fried chroizo’ with a garnished salad. A tasty combination, cooked perfectly.

  

For mains we both has the 10oz Sirloin with  coffee chipotle BBQ sauce and a side of fries. The sauce was insanely moreish! A very unusual combination but it defiantly works…no longer will peppercorn be my ‘go-to’ steak sauce; there’s a new sauce in town!

The fires were chunky and salty with a fluffy  piping hot inside…the way they should be!

The atmosphere was relaxed and natural whilst a buzz hung in the air filled with inquisitiveness ooo’s and ahhh’s as food arrived at the table, and the service friendly and warm. 

The standard menu can be found here and all other information on their website.

I just know this place is going to be a  being a real hit, so please book to avoid disappointment.

More importantly  let me know what you think!

Fleet Street Kitchen, Birmingham (we wait in anticipation)

There’s a buzz of excitement in the air…the countdown has begun for the restaurant opening of the year-Fleet Street Kitchen. (FSK)

Launching on Friday 1st March in Birmingham city center,  there are high hopes for this new brand, originating from the  the owners of the Midlands most exclusive nightclub-Mechu, and chain of funky bars and eateries-Après.

FSK  however, is  a complete turn of ventures and one that is greatly anticipated; combining the expertise of over 30 years in the restaurant and entertainment sphere.The foundation of the brand, and the central crux to its ideology is delivering a  ’farm to table experience that will offer unpretentious modern British flavors  cooked using traditional Barbacoan methods!’

Unpretentious,  rustic, heart-warming  food at it’s best, sourced from British farmers, with an abundance  fusion and intertwining of various flavours, creating modern twists from best loved dishes.

Steak is deemed to be the show-stopper, with a bountiful array  of rare-breed cuts  sourced  from respected British producers,  rotisserie chicken and poussin, whole fish and burger sliders are sure to be a hit, while abundant deli boards and a generous helping of naughty desserts round-off a deliciously comforting, satisfying yet simplistic menu.

Regenerating luxury country dinning in Birmingham’s urban pod, adding a fresh quirky dimension, with a structured interior and multi-dimension experience. Mixing light and airy with re-cycled and renewed,  offering something we haven’t seen before…a new concept!

I have kindly been invited to the launch tomorrow evening, and  have already booked a table for Saturday! ( Yes, of course, I shall be sharing my foody finds.)

However, I was kindly invited this week to take a look at the venue which has been kept under wraps… Birmingham’s best kept secret!

Take a look yourselves…

The Barbacoa grill is one of the core characteristics at FSK,  the first of its kind to be installed in the UK.  It’s a  traditional method of cooking in the Mediterranean, however this grill has been placed in the center of the Kitchen, inviting dinners to experience it’s flames in full view.

 

However, when one transcends the stairs, this is where I believe the genius streak of the brand comes to life.

Transforming the basement into a jazz-esque space, with overwhelming monocrone graphics, masculine blocked leather booths, patterned marbled surfaces and an array of colour collaborated to transform this space into the perfect hub  for the regular Friday Night Live sessions and DJ’s, who will grace the air with their musicals delights.

This space has groovy heart, with a sprinkle of elegance and old school glamour, aimed at the over 25′s market.

  

What will make this place a huge success?

It’s the clever mixture of fine, hearty country-dining  and  the late-night downstairs area, giving one visit to FSK  a plethora of dimensions, something that is so rare to find in a venue. It’s a  fusion that involves a clever malleable creative flare, and experienced hands to execute it;  something which FSK has in heaps!

Check out the website for more info, book reservations, or for all you ‘tweepers’ follow FSK on Twitter.

http://www.fleetstreetkitchen.co.uk/