Ben's Canteen, St Johns Hill

Bloody Mary to start the weekend? Don't mind if I do... Only the third i've ever had, but so far the best... Delish! My dining partner didn't agree and downed his OJ in one to get rid of the flavour. I guess it has the marmite effect.

The BC Burger with salt beef, burger sauce and smoked cheddar with sweet potato fries hit the spot twice, would've loved a gherkin or two though. 

Wish i'd seen the specials before ordering, as the Jerk Popcorn Prawns sound amazing. Guess that means I have to go back, I think a dinner date is in order next time.

Been meaning to go here for aaaaages. It is literally on my doorstep, but until today I haven't made it. The space is lovely, bright, airy, high ceilings with outdoor space and they cater for animals, providing water and dog biscuits to keep your canine companion happy.

PR Xxx

http://benscanteen.com/

Ekachai, Wandsworth

Considering we got here after the lunchtime rush and were a table of 4 among 6 other diners, the service was appalling. They were slow, forgetful and very unconcerned, almost as if we were a bit of a hindrance. However all diners were treated the same so not to be taken personally, but still not acceptable.

The Pad Thai noodles were overcooked and the Prawn Tum Yum soup was quite lacklustre, which is a shame as i've had many a good meal here. 

The Lamb Massaman Curry saved the day. It was sweet and spicy and the lamb melted in the mouth.

If this had been my first time I wouldn't return, but I think they must have been having a bad day, or the lunch time rush had been particularly taxing. I shan't return in a hurry as there are so many untested places on my list, but hopefully the next time it will live up to past visits and not this one.

Better luck next time...

PR Xxx

http://ekachai.co.uk/

Cah-Chi, Earlsfield

An impromptu day spent in Earlsfield and a lucky dip lunch choice, made by 2 under 7's led me to Cah-Chi Korean restaurant on Garrat Lane. It was a little bit more intimate than i'm used to for Sunday lunch, especially with minors but it was clean, quiet and most importantly empty. The staff were friendly and their recommendations were perfect, the food was fresh and packed with flavour. FIlling but without the sluggish feeling of having eaten too much.

Once we placed our order we were presented with free mini appetisers of (clockwise from top left) mashed potato, caramelised soya beans, pickled cabbage and pickled cucumber. All new to me and my mini-diners, they enjoyed everything but the pickled cabbage which had a little too much chilli for them. I found the caramelised soya beans to be very moreish.

I had Yuk-gae-jang soup - strips of beef and vegetable in hot spicy soup. The flavour was as intense as the colour, every mouthful packed a spicy chilli punch, with tender beef and crunchy vegetables added to the mix. A deliciously light, but extremely satisfying taste explosion.

    

My mini-diners decided on the Stir fried vermicelli with chicken and vegetables. Never seen clear vermicelli before, feel like i've led a rather sheltered life based on this, which isn't the truth, lol, but this style of vermicelli was new to me and to them. The egg strips on top rather than scrambled in with the noodles was really nice, would've liked a little more though. Again the food was so fresh and light and just full of flavour. They were extremely happy diners. 

The staff were extremely accommodating to my mini-diners who loved it and have been wanting to go back ever since, which luckily for them won't be too long as i'm desperate to get adventurous and try some more new things.

Highly recommend!

PR Xxx

http://www.cahchi.com/

Feast, Battersea Park

For me the lack of Sweet Treats is the thing that sticks in my mind the most. My sweet tooth was not satisfied. Even the dreaded Churros were absent and they're usually EVERYWHERE. 

(I don't like them, but I think I must be the only person judging by the queues.)

I did pop my 'liquid nitrogen ice cream' cherry, with my very own combo of caramel and crunchy popcorn. Lighter, smoother and creamier than normal ice cream the combo was yummy, but I believe the experience is more in the watching of your ice cream being made in 2/3 minutes than the actual taste. I have been told that I need to visit Chin Laboratories in Camden for flavour combinations to blow my mind... So watch this space.

My younger cousin had a Buffalo burger which I neither tasted (I can't eat animals from the 'Safari' category) nor got a photo of (I wandered off to get Pimms whilst she queued and when I returned she'd finished)... Apparently it was delicious; tastier and less chewy than beef was the description she gave. Take what you will from that. She thoroughly enjoyed it and I thoroughly can't believe she ate a Safari animal.

Ever heard of Lychee Tempura? No. Me neither. But I like Lychee's and I like Tempura so I thought i'd give it a try. The Lychee seed is replaced with minced prawn and then the whole thing is battered, deep fried and served with sweet chilli sauce. Not awful, but definitely an acquired taste. I washed it down with some Chicken satay skewers. 

The sundried tomato topped bruschetta literally danced on your taste buds. Sometimes the simplest things are the most delicious.

My Arancini Risotto balls were the worst buy of the day. Quite dry and just the slightest hint of a mint flavour but not much else.

Full. Full. Oh so full, but no foodie fest would be complete without a jelly coconut to end the day, especially one where half the coconut water is replaced with white rum.

Full to the absolute brim of the brim. So it's off to the Parentals for Sunday dinner :-)

And the rest...

 A very light coloured Pimms, but just as delicious.

 Curried mutton, rice and peas, coleslaw, plantain. Ok, but not as good as my Mum's ;-)

The Homemade Lemonade cocktails were tastebud squeezers.

BBQ Lamb Salad

Will definitely be going to the next Taste, Feast etc... And will be wearing stretchy pants next time, skinny jeans were not a well thought out clothing choice.

PR Xxx

Sanderson Green at The Sanderson

Sanderson Green at The Sanderson would be the perfect setting for a first date (not that I was on one). A lovely candlelit terrace that is outside, but not quite outside, with heaters giving the feeling of a lovely balmy summer evening when in actual fact it had not long ago rained. 

You could pretty much build your own burger and the list of options was impressive. Myself and my dining companion both opted for Chicken burgers, something I never do, as burgers to me should be lamb or beef. It's one of those unexplainable weird things that just is. However, on this occasion there was something about the Crispy Chicken that sounded very tempting and it was a great choice. Topped with avocado relish, crispy red onions and aged cheddar, the combo was a winner, possibly a few too many onions for me but they didn't take away from how delicious it was.

The fries came with the option of various toppings and I opted for orange salt, never heard of it, probably never see it again, once in a lifetime opportunity, Carpe Diem! Lol. The orange flavour was subtle, not quite savoury, not particularly sweet, but very moreish.

Dessert was always going to be Eton Mess, but the deal was sealed when I was told it came WITH pastry! Helloooooo!! Fat girl inside skipping with joy. The joy was well founded. Chantilly cream... Goood! Raspberry coulis.... Gooood! Meringue.... Goooood!! Sugar coated puff pastry straws.... Goooooooooooooood!!

The candlelight rendered my iPhone camera all but useless, this looked so much better then the pics give it credit for.

The Malted Blueberry tipsy shake was quite a heavy start to quite a heavy meal, but well worth the food coma.

All in all a lovely dinner at Sanderson Green, the staff were helpful and attentive without being too full on which is quite a fine balancing act. Will be heading back soon for The Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea ;-)

PR Xxx