Perfect roast chicken

Roast chicken at Duck and Waffle This was a perfect example of why restaurant food doesn’t have to be fancy, just to be done well. Ratte potatoes, a heady mix of mushrooms spiked with truffle oil and a perfectly roast chicken served with a view to die for, what’s not to like?
Duck and Waffle

Smoked eel with jelly

Smoked Eel with dill and jelly also at Duck and Waffle  And just to show that the kitchen can produce not only a simple roast chicken but a sophisticated dish such as this. Smoked eel with a lovely riff on East End Jellied eels this was generously served and beautifully balanced .

Duck and Waffle

Crab sausage roll

The Crab sausage roll at Morden and Lea  This has been a hit on Instagram but pretty pictures don’t always mean good flavours. Light golden pastry, wrapped around a mountain of white crab meat served with the brown meat folded into a rich mayonnaise. Inspired, this is a dish I could eat again and again.
Morden and Lea

Tea on the beach

Tea and cake on the beach at Whitstable I popped down to Kent to meet up with Francine Raymond We talked plums, ate a lunch of fresh seafood and then walked to her beach hut for tea and cake. Bliss.

Cob nut and girolle risotto

Cob Nut and Girolle Risotto at Oldroyd Open for less than a month Oldroyd is a short walk from my door. Tom Oldroyd, late of Polpo, has opened what to me seems to be the perfect neighbourhood restaurant. He serves a small menu of delicious dishes some offered as either small or large plates. I’ve eaten there four times in as many weeks and not had a disappointing meal. Naturally it’s busy but walk-ins are welcome and get to sit at the bar and thus watch the kitchen.

Jonah’s birthday tea

Cake and sandwiches at Jonah’s first birthday party On Sunday I helped celebrate my great nephew’s first birthday. His mother had not only cooked a veritable feast of just the sort of food you can’t stop eating: cucumber sandwiches, little sausages, mini cream scones, but had catalogued his first year in pictures displayed about the table. Talented girl.

Summer flavours

Lunch in the garden And because I feel shopping well is as important as cooking, an assembled lunch of those perennial favourites : mozzarella, tomatoes, basil, Palma ham, ripe melon and extra virgin olive oil. Just add bread and sunhine.