Thursday 1 May 2008

Sorry, folks.... and Simon Callow

Yep, I know I've been AWOL. I'm sorry, but it's all been a bit...

cat 2 paws

....around here lately. I'm not going to mention the 'K' word, so let's just say we're still about 3 weeks away from it all being finished, and even the cats are fed up with it now.

From a gastronomic point of view, the cats, of course, are fine, inasmuch as they still get their regular diet.

But us poor hoomans are continuing to alternate between eating salads (have you ever stopped to think about how many of your fave salads require cooked ingredients?? No, neither had I...), and eating out.

And no, I haven't been taking my camera out with me. Wot ya gonna do about it? I'm sorry (again? I should really get a grip), but I've just not felt inspired.

I should, perhaps, have taken it out when we met up with friends at Noura in the West End. Because not only is the interior of Noura worth a picture in itself, but the place also serves up the most attractive (not to mention delicious) Lebanese food this side of, well, Lebanon. The encyclopaedic array of hot and cold mezzes is a real mecca for gluttons, and if you make it through to dessert, their ice creams - rosewater and lemon, milk and orange blossom, clotted cream, etc - are truly worth the wait. Let's just say that, between 4 of us, we did the whole lot considerable justice.

Where else have we been? Well, to our regular curry house of choice - Chilli Chutney - which specialises in fabulous Lahori food, and naans like you've never seen or tasted before; Mini Mundus, a true slice of bistro France dumped in the middle of Wandsworth - French waiters an' all - and about which I'll have to write more at some point; Oishii, a half-decent Japanese/Thai combo about half a mile away, from where I get my fix of chilli squid; oh, and we've been a handful of times to the Fat Deli, a rather outstanding Brit/Spanish/Italian tapas cafe, and our pet favourite.

I also had the dubious pleasure of eating a pretty vile lemon drizzle cake at Costa Coffee in Victoria rail station during an afternoon meeting. (Yes, a lot of my meetings involve food, strangely enough.) Oi, Costa, enough of that cack icing already, m'kay?

I didn't see Petula Clark there, but Simon Callow was sitting not 3 yards away from me (yes, he of 'Four Weddings and a Funeral', among others). Will that do?

Maybe I should give up this foodie lark and offer my services to 'Hallo!' instead. Yes? No?

16 comments:

Manggy said...

All right, I won't mention the K word either :) Surely you must have a book about raw food? Hee hee, listen to me... I don't have one (not that I enjoy raw food anyway).

michael, claudia and sierra said...

soon....
and you'll love it when it's done!

Pia K said...

Oh yes, Simon Callow will most certainly do! He's such a great actor and I've adored him ever since I first saw my no 1 favourite movie "A room with a view":)

Love those pretty blue brit paws!

And well, I'm huuungry now!

Johanna GGG said...

you would be great for hello if you would take your camera along :-)

good luck with getting back in the kitchen and with the salads - i think I could do the raw salads if I could find some great bread and dip!

The Short (dis)Order Cook said...

That restaurant looks like it's to die for. Next time I have a London business trip I should nudge my boss in this direction (although he's not that adventurous when it comes to restaurants and this would probably put him over the edge).

I want to hug your kitty!

Anonymous said...

I had the misfortune to visit a Costa coffee in Victoria station recently too. I was desperate and it was the only place I could find with a seat (I had an hour to wait). I opted for an orange juice which you would think is simple enough but the lady serving me just couldn't get her head around the whole thing. She was so rude just pointing at the orange juice and saying, 'do you want that then?'. Er, yes, that's why I'm standing in front of you saying, 'I'd just like this orange juice please'. Then I gave her a tenner and she short changed me by 3 pounds. When I asked her about it, she said, 'Oh sorry' and opened her hand to reveal the 3 pounds that she was holding in it! She hadn't put it in the till but was holding it in her hands, I wonder why?!

Anyway, not long to go for you and the 'K' now, hang in there!

lorraine@italianfoodies said...

I'm still with you on the "k", I'm still waiting very patiently but ready to kill someone.!! It's supposed to be this week but I don't hold out much hope!!:( You wouldn't like the celebrity lifestyle, you'd miss us foodies too much:)

Anonymous said...

Oh you saw Simon! Too cool!
We look forward to your delicious salads!

Cakelaw said...

Hey, this not having a kitchen thing is great for celebrity spotting - a blessing in disguise??

Heather said...

You, my friend, have absolutely no splainin' to do. Yet you graciously provide us with links to the eateries which have nourished you. What a doll.

Rosie said...

Lips sealed about the K word!!

Just love how you're able to rub shoulders with the celebrities at the moment :)

Rosie x

The Peanut Butter Boy said...

Hey, no worries, it'll get there. And when it's done, you'll find new inspiration and whip up some awesome meals. Not to mention you'll probably get some good ideas from all the eating out you've been doing.

- The Peanut Butter Boy

David Hall said...

Well you definately have more celebs in your area than mine! That curry house sounds class, lucky you

Cheers
David

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your food "adventures" - enjoyed it.

Hope you're getting some good bread with those salads for a little variety! :)

Timothy said...

I've been to Noura, it's one of my favourite Lebanese London restaurants. You're right the interior is amazing but it's the food that's the real feature. A definite must if you're in London.

Priyam Gandhi said...

not that much into Lebanese restaurants , but this one is surely a must-visit.