Apples and pears and I'm not talking stairs

This week I went to check out the latest offering from the Polpo group - Mele e Pere. I had been dying to try this place - being a big fan of Polpo but slightly put off by the non-booking system and tables squished so close together you elbow next door on your way to the loo. Everytime I tried calling before though I couln't get through - I think the wrong nmber was listed. After I found the place - I walked past twice mistaking it for somewhere else as I was looking for a smaller entrance - I was amazed by how airy and light it was - especially for a basement. With so much space between tables and the diners in that lunchtime - no conversations to be overheard here!


The quality of the decor is matched by the cuisine or rather the decor pales into insignificance in the face of the dishes. Each one delighting the senses. From the appearance of the bread basket with the freshest, tastiest different varieties - a soft focaccia, crunchy breadsticks, you're spoilt for choice. Each morsel bursts with flavour - the Sardinian ham melts in your mouth, whilst you could taste the sunshine in the peppers bringing out the best of the buffalo mozzarella salad; also a treat for the eye with all those bright colours.


Then the raviolini were like no other I had ever tasted stuffed with ricotta and veggies, drizzled with pesto. Just the perfect amount to satiate the appetite. I also tried my friend's risotto with lamb neck and mint - an odd combination for a risotto but which oddly works well together with soft rice and tender lamb.


After this and washing it down with a beautiful verdicchio there was no more room for pudding. A pity as Jay Rayner - who I was surprised to not see there normally seeing him in the newest restaurants - had already been and written about Zabaglione - one of my hot favourite desserts that is so simple but perfect if done well.


A versatile place - with a lunchtime set menu as well as pre theatre menu, pastas and bigger mains. I will be bearing this plce in mind for future, especially lunch meetings.

Mele e Pere, 46 Brewer St, London, W1F 9TF 0207 096 2096 info@meleepere.co.uk

www.trisori.com

Uniting and Reuniting at the Bistro?

This week I agreed to catch up with my friend at the newly opened Bistro Union around the corner from her flat in Abbeville Rd. From the creators of Trinity in Clapham old town, the bistro purports to be a more relaxed local place to grab a bite to eat. The decor and atmosphere is certainly so - with unprententious furniture and a laid-back back feel to it. Like a few other places that have opened up recently, the bistro has a bar where you can sit and enjoy a few drinks and fresh traditional nibbles, like sausage rolls, scotch eggs and pork scratchings and apparently you even help yourself to your own cutlery from the drawers in front of you.


Being around the little tables was comfortable enough to be conducive to sitting around chatting, even if somewhat a little too squished together. The waiting staff were really lovely and friendly though, going a long way to making up for the food and sometimes lack of flavour. Drinks also helped to ease the pain of this a little - I was impressed with the array of interesing and old-fashioned cocktails on the menu with a beautiful gin cucumber and ginger ale number taking the heat off the long wait til our food arrived. The house wine is also to be commended - none of that cheap-drink-only-to-get-drunk stuff. Unfortunately the bread wasn't up to much being a little stale and the butter neither.


We were just on the cusp of ordering a couple of those little snacks when our dishes arrived but we were shocked when the toad-in-the-hole plonked down was completely charred on top. We were unanimous that we wouldn't dare even serve this to our friends at home, let alone in a restaurant (at £11). The second waiter concurred (as I think the table next to our elbows did too I suspect) and whisked this away to be replaced with another and took it off our bill. Sadly the next one served wasn't really up to much either. The plaice was tasty but the flavour paled by the fact I kept on getting mouthfuls of bones. The greens and chips were nice accompaniments, although the addition of lots of garlic in the greens wasn't as good a pairing with the toad-in-the-hole
per the waiter's recommendation. With simply written menus, you don't find out these things until they are too late. Raspberry ripple ice cream was a nice ending, quaintly served in a little jar with a screw top.


After discussing the food and our impressions we heard next-door complaining about theirs to the waiter - the distinct lack of meat in the cottage pie for one. As we finished our pudding, this table by our elbows asked how our food was. She had been planning to bring her friends here for her birthday but was put off by the portions and at those prices. (around £15 for a main plus 12.5% service) They were promised that these were just teething problems, but how can you be so sure? Surely this should be over after their 'dry-run' period?

Well I think the moral of the story is don't try these places too soon - but not too long after they've opened either (the good staff by then have flown the nest). I'd go back for drinks and snacks but not hurry back for the mains too soon.

www.bistrounion.co.uk

www.trisori.com

Stand under my umbrella

This weather is killing me. Rain, fog, snow and more rain.

I always thought that rain is depressing because you have to stop wearing your suede shoes (they will get ruined) or bags and you typically get soaked in the space of 10 minutes from when you leave your home. Not cool.

That was my reality before I discovered Squid London.

Squid London created the perfect umbrella to brighten up your mood: colour changing with water.

You should have see my face when a friend gifted me with one of these beauties... I was elated like a child!

I also discovered that they are currently doing a promotion on their other cool product: shower curtains.

If you'd like to get one,  follow the link for the exclusive private sale: http://www.squidlondonshop.com/?page_id=1778

Enjoy!

Attract him

Lynx is known for its iconic ads with the girl and the guy getting together. The 'Lynx effect' is always down to him smelling so good and becoming irresistible. I always thought Lynx should do a female fragrance and it's arrived: Lynx for Her. After all it's not just men that are irresistible...

With a light floral scent, the new female 'deodorant body spray' leaves a lovely fresh odour, reminiscent of nice shampoo. It dries quickly on the skin and doesn't leave any residue.

It might not instantly attract Mr Right but it might perhaps save you a few pennies mid recession on perfume. At £3.25 its definitely worth a try if you're to believe the marketing.

www.trisori.com

Spijkers en Spjikers + Bernard Chandran Shows #LFW

London Fashion Week is with us again, and while it always feels a touch depressing to be looking forward to the coming winter when we still haven’t managed to shake off the current one (I miss you sun!), the shows always deliver some gems to look forward to. This year at LFW’s Vauxhall Fashion Scout I got a diverse taste of fashions to come at the collections of Spijkers en Spijkers and Bernard Chandran.

The Dutch duo at Spijkers en Spjikers delivered ‘birds of paradise’; a collection dominated by bright colour blocking, beautiful bird embroidery and feather trimmed shoes. In a cute nod to 50’s femininity, models were styled with Hairspray-esque hair, patent alice bands and ankle socks. The midi length pencil skirts, tea dresses and soft tailoring were all highly wearable and will no doubt translate well to the high street (I can already hear my wallet breathing a sigh of relief).

For me, the standout pieces from the collection were on the dark, kookier side, I can’t wait to try my own take on their dramatic feather collar and neon alice band combo come autumn.

The Malaysian born designer Bernard Chandran brought us another side to the feminine trend with his collection of futurist leanings in a near monochrome palette. Bold structured collars were the name of the game, along with incredible bead work and super luxe fabrics.

Dove grey silks, black satins and plastic coated lace made up the tailored trousers, cocktail dresses and structured frock coats. The subdued colours were broken up with notes of bright royal blue, a shade I’m betting we’ll see more of this year.  


Once again statement collars stole the show, with a special mention due to this high-shine ruby red number. 

All in all, I’m now feeling a lot more positive about how quickly the cold season will come back around. It takes some of the sting out of a long, freezing winter to look forward to rocking jewel coloured neck pieces and neon accessories with my winter coats next year. Keep it coming LFW!

#LFW Ashley Isham LOVE

On Saturday I attended Ashley Isham's fashion show, one of Trisori’s favourite designers,  at Goldsmith’s Hall. I was really excited to finally meet the infamous inflatable post Pop artist Pandemonia sitting front row as well!! It had to be a drag sitting behind her though since she is 7ft tall.

The London-based Singaporean designer's SS12 collection was mainly silk draped gowns, so I was a bit perplexed when I saw the eccentric style of the crowd itself, among them being Jodie Harsh and Jamelia Jamil. His work is known throughout Europe and Singapore, and has even graced the red carpet by the likes of Gaga.

When the lights dimmed, and the acoustic rhythms of Drive filled the decadent hall, the first model graced the runway wearing an exquisite sheer black lace hooded cape lined with a broad leather trim to weigh it down. 

It was stunning and one of my favourite pieces. Its white counterpart of only lace flowing down the runway shortly thereafter.

The opening was promising with French lace and leather combos, tailored city girl suits, antique gold silhouettes reminding me of  Mary Kantratzou’s peplum skirt , bold patterned prints used on Kimono styled capes, and embellished boleros and tube dresses.  All designs ranging from everyday living to evening wear.

Most of the dresses used exposed back zippers, similar to Victoria Beckham’s line last year, and the Grecian draped dresses reminded me ancient times.

Isham closed the catwalk by tying the collection back to the beginning and ending with, I believe, his forte of naughty meets nice- leather and lace dresses. In particular, two shorter dresses – one being a beautiful patriot blue lace and leather dress, the other a gold embellished lace fit.

Either way, it was an overall good show. I can see how his collections attract globally as they are mostly easy to wear, simple yet elegant. I also got my picture and a small chat with Pandemonia who, as my friend pointed out, seemed to be hitting on me. Not bad for a Saturday night.  

Bánhmì

I was so excited this last weeek to discover that there was a new stall outside my work which is vietnamese; my current new favourite cuisine. I have slowly become more and more addicted over the past few months but I recall what I said about Pho which still stands - at least this is a good addiction as addictions go.


They have their own version of Pho, the nourishing traditional beef noodle soup filling you full of warmth and goodness - you can even get two different sizes - a little and a large. Perfect for me, who usually tries to stuff myself full of whatever size portion I'm given. Also on offer are noodle boxes with salad and a choice of the day's toppings - cat fish, lemongrass chicken and two type of pork - including a nice crispy pork belly variety. Or if you prefer you can also have these in a mini baguette, known as bánhmì - hence the name of the stall. Plus there are vietnamese rolls - pork and crab when I went there that day, which I have to go back and try.


Prices are as you expect for street food - around 5 for a box or a very large noodle soup a about half of that for a mini soup or a couple of rolls. Even my colleague who never would buy food from the street conceded that she had to try this.


The stall is at Berwick St market Monday to Fridays frm 11am til 3pm. You can even pre-order your food in advance. http://www.facebook.com/#!/Banhmi11

www.trisori.com