Taste of London 2014

We here at The Amazing Blog  are always keen to tantalize our taste buds with new and interesting foods and flavours. Lucky for us, Taste Of London is back. We wrote about Taste of London back in 2011  so we were super excited to feature it again. A 5 day exhibition in Regents Park, the event sees restaurants, chefs and food lovers come together to share in culinary delights and an array of other frivolities, and we’ll certainly be joining them.

From the 18^th to the 22^nd of June, Regents Park will play watering hole to everybody who’s anybody in the London food world. A ticket entitles you to a four hour food adventure, where you can sample dishes from 40 of London’s finest restaurants. If tucking into delicious dishes isn’t enough for you, the festival also hosts a range of activities, such as a Sushi Masterclass, wine and cheese pairings, and the chance to taste a variety of beers. Eric Lanyard and Michael Roux Jr are just a couple of the famous faces that will be there to share their love of food with you foodie heaven.

We all have our favourite restaurants, weather it’s the little place round the corner, or the expensive anniversary-only restaurant in the heart of London. However, we also all know how great it is to find something new, exciting and that you really love! Taste of London is a great opportunity to do just that, as well as have a fabulous day out. With tickets costing around £25.80 for standard admission, make sure you book a slot for the biggest food festival of the social season. We feel like we’ve died and gone to food heaven.

FOODHQ

Well, November has arrived and with it just eight Monday mornings remain until Christmas. Festive jingles sing loudly on the radio, shop shelves are awash with stocking fillers and supermarket isles are stocked high with tantalising treats, all promising to ensure that this very Christmas will be the best one yet. While a pleasant thought that may be, it also means that the social season is fast approaching, and with it is the age-old dilemma of hosting a fabulous festive feast.

And while cocktail sausages and sticks of cheddar and pineapple were all the rage many decades ago, the pressure is on these days to serve up a spread fit for a King. Thankfully, the gang at The Amazing Blog have been on the hunt for discerning foodies who want to add a bit of decadence to their do.

Recently launched, FOODHQ is a new online retailer specialising in restaurant-quality ingredients sourced from select artisan producers in Italy, France, Greece and Spain. The first of its kind, FOODHQ is on-hand to offer food-lovers nationwide gourmet products previously only available to restaurants and the high-end catering trade.

With a portfolio of over 300 specialist products including some of the World’s finest extra-virgin olive oils, balsamic vinegars, olives, risotto rice, pasta and other premium Mediterranean ingredients. The company are the sole importers for a number of exclusive boutique products, with over 30 being awarded ‘Great Taste’ award winning medals.

The products span a spectrum of different flavours and textures from the richly flavoured J Leblanc walnut, pistachio and pine nut oils to the punchy peppery, thick unfiltered Barbera olive oils to the bright zingy red pepper and mango vinegars from Belberry in Belgium and the ultra-premium (and stunningly packaged!) Il Borgo balsamic vinegars from the Emilia region in Italy... there’s a whole host of culinary delights that will get passionate foodies itching to stock up their larders and start drizzling, infusing, marinating and finishing dishes with these beautiful artisan products.

So, whether you want to add a touch of je ne sais quoi to a festive dinner party, or are searching for a special something to give the foodie in your life, be sure to check out the fabulous FOODHQ!

Eighty Six

Being of the much publicised boomerang generation, a little over a year ago I found myself up to my eyeballs in student overdrafts and having to make the dreaded decision to move home. And finally, finally after thirteen long months of suburbia living and the agonising daily commute I’ve moved back to the Big Smoke. And wanting to make the most of this great city I am making it my mission to hunt out some of the most fabulous haunts London has to offer.

And one that certainly ranks highly is Eighty Six, a fabulously decadent bar and restaurant located on the Fulham Road. Set over an impressive three floors Eight Six has a bar, a restaurant and a private dining room, all of which boast inviting menus and are beautifully decorated.

The ground floor has an art-deco inspired interior with a chic yet relaxed atmosphere and is perfect for after –work drinks or a bite to eat with friends. Or if you fancy a girly night out and a bit of a boogy, head down to Eighty Six on a Thursday, Friday or Saturday where a live DJ starts spinning the decks from 9pm onwards. Special parties can be catered for in The Snug, a private area complete with comfy sofas, a unique fireplace and personal waiters.

Also on offer is a mouth-watering menu with fabulous brunch choices including American-Style Pancakes, Smoked Salmon and Scrambled Eggs and a traditional English Breakfast – perfect for the morning after the night before.

For fine dining both the restaurant and private dining room provide an opulent alternative to the ground floor. The first floor’s sumptuous interior is bathed in gold, dark wood and mirrors, and fuses style and glamour for an all-round fabulous food experience.

Finally, ideal for large private parties, celebrations or corporate events, the private dining room is the perfect party space. With a capacity of 30 for dining or 60 for standing it can cater for a wide range of needs and is both self-contained and sophisticated.

Dress to impress!

An old-school Hollywood themed bar and restaurant

Here at Amazing PR we’re having to say goodbye to our lovely intern Mar and wanted to have a farewell lunch. As big fans of  The Summerhouse pop-up seafood restaurant by the Union Canal in Maida Vale last Summer we were very excited to hear a sister restaurant was opening just a short walk away from Amazing HQ and thought Mar’s departure would give us the perfect excuse to check it out.

Recently renovated, The Worlds’s End Distillery is spread over three floors and comprises not just The Summerhouse restaurant but also The Scene and soon-to-open winebar The Cellar. As it was lunchtime we opted for ‘The Scene’ - an old-school Hollywood themed bar and restaurant open all day serving gourmet all-American dishes. Whether you want the all-day breakfast served on weekends, a light lunch or cocktail fuelled dinner The Scene’s large menu is bound to please. We chose a selection of starters to share including a very yummy artichoke and spinach dip with tortilla chips and spicy buffalo chicken wings. For our mains I opted for the soft-shell crab ‘Po-boy’ with other members of the team ordering various burgers and the more health conscious amongst us ordering the crab Louie salad and basil grilled tuna with arugula salad - all of which are highly recommended. There’s also a very enticing pudding menu full of old-school classics including banana splits and ‘pie of the day’  however it seems our eyes maybe bigger than our stomachs and we could only manage a shared baked New York cheese cake which was delicious (mental note for next time -remember to leave room for pudding!)

We also had a sneak peak at ‘The Summerhouse’ upstairs which at the moment is only open for dinner bookings. The light and airy room has a nautical theme reminiscent of a beach house and serves a selection of fresh seafood and fish dishes including the classic fish and chips, native lobster, salmon fishcakes and dressed Cornish crab. There’s also a decked roof terrace – perfect for a pre-dinner drink on a balmy evening.

If that’s not already tempted you, we’re very excited to  check out ‘The Cellar’ situated in the basement which will offer a cosy, candle lit wine bar, ideal for an after work drink when it opens soon.

459 King’s Rd

SW10 OLR

020 3362 3362

www.theworldsend.co