12 onions: 2011

Wednesday, November 9, 2011

Bean Me Up. The coffee is out of this World.

Mine was a happy Monday. George Papandreou had announced he was stepping down. According to the official Scrabble people, "Vav"* is now an acceptable word, along with the sometimes annoying interjection "Sh". But best of all, I enjoyed the unrivalled satisfaction of coffee at Brick Lane Coffee.

It was once known as Coffee@157 and I can't say for sure what it's called these days ... "The Excellent Cafe Next To The Most Excellent Bagel Shop" perhaps? Anyway, my lack of certainty about its name does not diminish the fact that the coffee is seriously outstanding.

Brick Lane Coffee 157 Brick Lane London E1 6SB

How was the coffee? Best I've had in London. Fact.

Did they have soy? Yes.

Should you go there? Absolutely.

Would I go there again? Yes, I may well add it to my list of Spiritual Homes, along with Liberty, Mark's Bar and a bowl of my Mum's chicken soup.

There's a small shrine to 90s band Bros in the corner, a poster of Charlie Sheen "winning" and even Jesus watches over you while you hydrate at the self-watering station. The Wombats song, Let's dance to Joy Division, is playing. I just overheard the male Barista recommend a thrush treatment to a customer. This place is special.

Seldom have I been somewhere so quirky that doesn't sell cocktails. Brick Lane Coffee does sell dreams however. My dream of luscious coffee has come true. Perhaps cold, grey Mondays in London aren't all that bad after all.

*Vav is the sixth letter of the Hebrew alphabet.

Tuesday, August 16, 2011

Koya: what Udon are all about

Top on my list of mood elevating places to eat in London’s Soho is Koya. I am a huge fan of Japanese noodles. For me, they are the World’s greatest fast food. Who needs a burger when you can enjoy the noisy slurping goodness of a bowl of Udon?

Koya, 49 Frith Street Soho London W1D 4SG

Koya specialize in traditional Japanese Udon. They’re made daily on the premises, with dough kneaded in the original way (by their feet). Buddhist priests are credited with inventing the Udon noodle. It’s no wonder I feel so blissed out when I eat them.

Koya offer perfect lengths of noodle, rectangular in cross section, served with a selection of seasonal toppings. Today, Pea Vongole Udon is on the menu. I am all about simple pleasures, so Zari Udon is a must order for me. Zari Udon are chilled Udon noodles topped with shredded Nori and a cold dipping sauce made from Dashi, Mirin, and Shoyu.

The perfect spot for a kitchen voyeur is the bench seat that over-looks the kitchen. I think I spot Chris Martin working the Tempura section. The Scissor Sisters are being played on the kitchen’s sound system. I really do love this place.

So next time you’re…

“Gonna take your mama out all night

Yeah we'll show her what it's all about”

Take Jake Shears advice and take her to Koya. Show her what Udon are all about. Let the good times all roll out.

http://www.koya.co.uk/

Monday, June 20, 2011

Goodbye London. Hola Majorca.

Away from London, but still on-topic....

Today's plan - to visit the oldest glass blowing factory in Majorca - but clearly glass can not be viewed on an empty stomach. My Majorcan friend suggests I make a stop at S'Hostal D'Algaida, a cafe in Algaida, an easy stop on the way.

S'Hostal D'Algaida Algaida, Majorca, Spain

Algaida is located just off the highway between Palma and Manacor. S'Hostal D'Algaida can be found next to the first roundabout you come across after leaving the highway. Thankfully, it's a very pleasant, quiet roundabout.

Sisters, who could not be more than four and six years old, are practicing their Flamenco. The smaller one is "the man." The elder, "the woman." Miss Six is quite the task master. I love their passionate, high-spirited performance, but it does nothing to lessen the fact that I feel like a very lost tourist. I wonder if my kindergarden-level Catalan will translate into anything remotely intelligible. Then, one of the three sisters who run the place, comes to my table. I feel immediately at home. She is patience personified, as I stumble embarrassingly through my attempt at ordering. I brutally butcher her language. My efforts to speak Catalan sound like a linguistic massacre. It's badly spoken Italian, Spanish and French, all rolled into one homicidal mess. She smiles.

How was the coffee? Strong and thick, with beautiful crema. It's pleasure in a little cup.

Did they have soy? Who cares.

Would I go there again? Yes, and I would move in upstairs if the sisters would have me.

Should you go there? Aside from the great coffee. On offer, a delicious selection of Majorcan cuisine classics, including the best Croquetas I have ever eaten. These, made with fish and spinach, are crunchy outside, pillowy soft inside and perfectly seasoned. I don't care if I eat nothing else this year. Also on the menu, Tumbet - very finely sliced potatoes, eggplant and capsicum - all fried up and covered with a rich tomato sauce. Restorative.

Any other points to note? According to the sticker on the door, Michelin visited this year. You should too. The oldest glass blowing factory in Majorca is also worth a look.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Princi: a mouth brothel for carbophiles

This place has been described as
"a mouth brothel for carbophiles". I have to agree. Don't go to the pub, just come here for your Heathrow Injection. I'd take thighs filled with
Green Olive Sfilatini over a pint of lager any day.

Princi 135-137 Wardour St London W1F 0UT

In my opinion, Princi is best-suited for take-away. For those seeking to linger awhile, to sample the cakes and pastries, I would recommend the
Cannoncini, though it would be hard to choose wrong in this place.
Italian is being spoken everywhere, plus there are cute men in uniform, so t
here's lots to look at while you're waiting to order.
For me, t
he only downside of Princi is its popularity. Case in point,
I'm being jostled out of my spot
by a Hello Kitty obsessive. This
Kitty needs cake too!

How was the coffee? Very good European-style caffè.

Most satisfying.
Did they have soy? Yes.
Would I go there again? Yes.
Should you go there? Yes. The coffee

will quicken your heart rate, and will thus be an excellent metabolic boost, which will no doubt aid in the digestion of the
Cannoncini
you will feel compelled to eat.
Any other points to note? T
he ordering system is a shambles, so get your pointy elbows ready for some jostling.