Crown and Goose – Classic English Pub with a Culinary Twist

Something that simply can’t be missed when being in London is visiting a classic British pub. Even though some may feel a little grungy and the opposite of “posh” they’re a lot of fun, and their divey feel is very much a part of their charm.

A few of us from work visited one of these classic pub establishments called the Crown and Goose, in honor of our colleague Kylie’s going away party. She’s getting married soon so we wanted to do a proper send off, as well as to celebrate the holiday season.

Atmosphere:
Located on Arlington Road, which is just off Camden High Street, otherwise known as the main drag in Camden, the Crown and Goose is easy to get to. I like that it rests in a slightly more residential area, which is quieter and much more laid back, suiting us well in the middle of our hectic work day.

The interior showcases a classic pub design with a mahogany bar, and a mix of stool and table seating. There’s an upstairs dining room, which is great for bigger parties, and this is exactly where we sat and conversed. It made for a festive atmosphere, especially when they turned up the music, still to a very comfortable level where we were able to chat with each other easily.

Food:
To be honest, I didn’t have the highest expectations when it came to food since at home, classic pubs or dive bars have pretty standard food. However, Crown and Goose’s gourmet offering pleasantly surprised me, delivering on all levels.

Roasted Duck – Originally ordering the pork belly dish, I was disappointed to find out they no longer had it available. The duck I’m about to describe was actually its substitute, which turned out to be a very happy and delicious happenstance.

Boasting a generous portion of a beautifully roasted duck leg, I truly enjoyed the delectable meat that I dutifully picked off its bones. Another highlight was the crispy skin, which was flavored with a sprinkling of fragrant spices that totally exemplified the holiday season. In terms of sides, the duck was accompanied by an earthy succotash, baked potatoes and string beans, which all worked well together and accentuated the flavors in the duck.

Service and Cost:
Just like in any good neighborhood pub, the service felt casual, friendly, making us relaxed and comfortable. I was impressed with the organization with which the Crown and Goose is run, as we were asked to put in our order ahead of time, so the staff could adequately prep for our large group. All dishes came out in good time and I couldn’t help but have a little food envy when I saw some of the other amazing plates come out, especially the fish and chips.

Costs are moderate to a little expensive by NYC standards, but fit the bill when it comes to London. My roasted duck dish and a cider set me back about 20 pounds or $32.

3 Mmmms

Crown & Goose – 100 Arlington Road, Camden, London NW1 7HP
020 74858008
Underground to Camden Town Station
www.crownandgoose.co.uk

Collective 159 – Camden’s New Artisanal Home

During my stay in Camden this week, my co-worker Rebekah and I had a great time discovering a new pop-up market called Collective 159. Excited to uncover this newfound treasure, we proudly spread the news to our co-workers, many of whom haven’t yet heard of it nor tried it. We felt we broke new ground, no longer the clueless Americans ;)

Atmosphere:
Exactly what its name implies, Collective is indeed a collection of creative vendors who showcase and sell their wares. From indie coffee producer Black Sheep to an artisanal baker called Brookes and Jones to various clothing and accessories vendors, the market has a way of feeling eclectic and rich even though its actually modest in size.

Loving Collective’s rustic look, it has a hint of industrial flare. Exposed wooden beams, a concrete floor and exposed light bulb fixtures very much give it that creative, “makey” vibe. The food and coffee vendors are set up out front and even though the market officially opens at 10 a.m., these guys are up and running much earlier.

Food Vendors:
Drawn in by Black Sheep’s tantalizing smell of fresh coffee and Brookes and Jones’ beautiful cupcakes, Rebekah and I paid a visit here each morning.

Black Sheep Coffee – Started by four staunch coffee loving friends, Black Sheep is very much a labor of love and their coffee exemplifies just that, with each sip. Made of 100% Robusta coffee, the antithesis of a light roast, its namesake fits well and clearly exemplifies its “undiscovered treasure” qualities.

As I usually do when I’m in London, I ordered a flat white each time, consisting of 6 oz of heaven (2 of which are dedicated to pure espresso while leaving the other 4 for foamy delicious milk). The coffee wasn’t a large one but the taste was so expressive and flavorful that a small cup was just enough. The actual coffee had a deeply rich taste, expressing notes of dark chocolate and bourbon. Mmmm…

Brookes and Jones – Anyone who knows me can vouch for the fact that I can’t resist a good looking cupcake or dessert in general. Margaux, Brookes’ owner and head baker had various little delicacies up her sleeve each morning, with the cupcakes being just one aspect. It was interesting to see a mix of traditional (Jones) desserts mixed in with experimental ones (Brookes), which is what Margaux’s company stands for – a fun mix of old and new.

While I enjoyed the peanut butter cupcake I got last week, what really got me is her flapjack, which is something a lot more English and traditional. Made up of rolled oats soaked in honey and brown sugar (and lots of butter for good measure), the flapjack was a perfect little bar that’s suitable for breakfast or just a mid-day snack. I used it for both purposes actually, truly savoring it, which made me very happy.

Service and Cost:
Because Collective’s vendors are talented artisans who have in some cases quit their corporate jobs to pursue a dream, they’re warm and hospitable and you can converse with them freely about their products. I really enjoyed this personal side of their business and looked forward to the few short but lovely minutes I’d chat with Margaux about her favorite desserts and London restaurants, or with the guys from Black Sheep about the way coffee is made.

Costs are comparable to neighborhood London prices, and maybe slightly a little higher, but it’s all worth it. A flat white will set you back about 2.20 pounds (approx. $3) while that delicious flapjack was just 1.50 pounds (or $2)

3 Mmmms

Collective 159 – 159 Camden High Street, Camden, London
Underground to Camden Town Station
www.collective159.co.uk

Let Down by Ottolenghi

Ever since I've first explored the area of Islington last summer, I've been dying to try Ottolenghi's restaurant on Upper Street.  Some of you may be familiar with this talented Israeli born chef who's known for his vibrant and imaginative flavor and texture combinations - especially in his salads.

My cousin Jenine who's studying here for the semester met up with me and we tried it for a late lunch.  I'm sad to say that my high expectations were shattered a bit, which was attributed to the strange service and almost a blatant disregard for the customer.

Atmosphere:
We weren't surprised to walk into a very busy cafe, which was nearly at capacity in the front.  Expecting to wait for a table, we were shocked to be seated right away at a small two top table with comfy white plastic chairs with flexible back support.

We looked around the small dining room and observed a few communal tables, quickly captivated by the hustle and bustle of this popular spot.  The front of the restaurant cleared out soon after we sat down, and we spied a few enticing foods they displayed up there such as their gargantuan meringues, various cakes and cookies, as well as the beautiful salads and meats.

Food:
Assuming this would be a bank breaking meal, given Ottolenghi's impressive reputation, we were pleasantly surprised to see they offer a nice little combo deal for a medley of two salads and a main course.  It seemed like a good value, and it was nice to see there was plenty to choose from.

Lunch Combo Plate - Jenine and I purposely chose four different salad sides so we could try a variety of things.  Slightly disappointed by the fact they were missing the pumpkin salad, we chose the fennel cabbage salad, the mixed peppers with tabouleh, the wild basmati rice salad and a roasted sweet potato salad.  I'm happy to say these were all very delicious and a big highlight of the meal, with the basmati rice leading the pack.  Surprised by this discovery, the rice salad combined a bevy of textures, including a lot of crunch from hazelnuts, and a fabulously lemony essence.  The peppers and tabouleh were also to die for and reminded me of a salad version of stuffed peppers.

The mains were a huge disappointment, mainly because we both ordered different varieties of quiches including the smoked bacon quiche and a wild mushroom quiche.  Both looked absolutely lovely but were also freezing cold.  I couldn't understand why Ottolenghi's proteges would be serving us cold eggs in an ice cold pastry crust, and said something about it to our waiter.  To my dismay, he was dismissive, conveying that they couldn't heat it up because they didn't have the proper equipment to do so.  Absolutely baffled (aren't they a restaurant?!), and even after further persistence, I was unable to get what I wanted so we begrudgingly proceeded to eat our cold eggs (sad face).

Service and Cost:
As I've already insinuated, I was pretty displeased with the service overall - not only because of the cold quiche aspect, but also because of the way the staff didn't seem to care about us. I was sad to see that a culinary master such as Ottolenghi wouldn't take great care to treat his customers in the best way possible.  Even though I continue to love his style, I can't say that a part of me has lost my enthusiasm for his retail business.

Costs are expensive for what you get (cold food!) and we paid 42 pounds (or $68) for the entire thing, including 2 glasses of wine.

1.5 Mmmms

Ottolenghi - 287 Upper Street, London N1 2TZ
020 7288 1454
Underground - Northern Line to Angel
www.ottolenghi.co.uk

Back in London and Feasting at Pieminister

Currently back in London for work, there are plenty of fun culinary finds to explore, including in Camden, the neighborhood where I'm currently residing.  For those of you who've been to Camden, you can liken it to a funky, alternative neighborhood such as the East Village in NYC where there's never of shortage of something different and interesting.

On our first night here, my friend and colleague Rebekah and I stumbled upon a pie and mash pop-up shop called Pieminister.  I didn't put two and two together that night since it was late in the evening already, but it turns out I've already tried it this summer at Borough Market .  This was more than OK with me, as they have tons of fun varieties of meat pies to choose from, so this gave me yet another opportunity to do that.

Atmosphere:
Situated just a few short blocks from the Camden Market food stalls on Chalk Farm Road, the Pieminister pop-up shop is easy to spot, as it's still very much on that main drag.  The facade takes your attention right away, as its adorned with a large "Cattle Market" sign with bright pop art of cows and pies in the window.  I didn't actually notice the Pieminister branding until I came inside, and shortly after recalled this place from when I visited Borough Market back in August.

The inside is spacious and comfortable with plenty of communal seating in two separate dining areas.  Loving the playfully colorful decor, there's a lot of bright reds, yellows and overall fun pop-ey design that makes the atmosphere cheerfully playful.  I stopped in during lunchtime and was happy to see that it wasn't overly crowded, allowing me to have a pretty peaceful respite.

Meat Pies:
Since I tried a beef based pie last time, I wanted something lighter and went with the Chicken of Aragon.  Filled with free range British chicken, smoked bacon and tarragon it was oh so flavorful and comforting.  The crust was well done and golden on top, and at the last minute, I decided to pour the whole thing over with some meaty gravy.  The latter totally did the trick and enhanced the pie overall, as I remember the one I had this summer being tasty but a tad bit dry.  I'd highly recommend this particular pie, as it's not too heavy, and the portion was a good one for lunch - no sides needed.

Service and Cost:
The staff here is really friendly and attentive.  After ordering my pie and leisurely sitting down at one of the big tables, my food was brought to me in a mere 5 minutes.  My pie was beautiful, fresh and piping hot.

Each pie will set you back 4.50 pounds (or $6.50).  If you add another 50 pence on to that, you'll get the gravy too, so for about $8, you'll get yourself a very tasty and satisfying lunch.

3 Mmmms

Pieminister Pop-Up Shop - 21-22 Chalk Farm Road, Camden London NW1 8AG
07582390124
Northern Line Tube to Camden Town
www.pieminister.co.uk

Goodbye 2011...You've Been Good!

As this year comes to a close, I gratefully remember the wonderful things it has brought.  Lots and lots of changes, and some transitions that went along with it, but all in all a really prosperous and rich year that I would never take back.  I look forward to what this new year will bring, and can already feel the food adventures bubbling up, but before we go on, let me remind you of the big 2011 milestones that affected Fooditka.

1.  My Big Name Change - Of course the most significant thing this year for me was my big name change from the Foodista to Fooditka.  As you may remember, my new name ties in closely to my heritage and allows me to stand out more.  I happily unveiled this new site name and re-launch at a big party, graciously hosted by my good friends at 5 Napkin Burger.  

2.  My Big Travels - I've been fortunate to travel the world this year, living the dream of participating in a cooking program in Tuscany, where I learned about the wonders of clean, simple and delicious Italian cuisine.  But the fun didn't end there, as the year also brought exciting food adventures in Paris, London, Munich, Slovakia and Mexico.  I couldn't be happier to explore the cultures of these beautiful countries, and hope to take it to the next level in 2012.  Fooditka goes international again!

3.  My Big Love of Astoria/LIC - No matter where I go, what I see, and the fantastic things I eat, my passion continues to rest close to home.  And although this year has been fantastic when it comes to international food adventures, what keeps me going are the fabulous food-things percolating at home.  I love that this year has brought on exciting changes to the nabe such as new restaurants, cafes and more.  Some of the most notable ones that come to mind are The Queens Kickshaw, Sugarfreak, Bear, Veslo, Alobar, Astor Room, among others.  

It's been an absolute pleasure Astoria...thanks as always for your support, and I can't wait to do it all over again in 2012.  Hope you had a happy, healthy and delicious one as well!

Galleria Restaurant - A Persian Lunch in Trendy Marylebone

Galleria - 17 New Cavendish Street, London W1
020 7224 1692
www.galleriarestaurant.co.uk

After what was a long trip over from NY, I was a bit disheartened but not completely surprised to find out that my hotel room wasn't ready when I arrived.  And being that I didn't eat a thing on the plane, I was appropriately famished, therefore deciding to get a bite to pass the time (and to satisfy my hunger).

Not walking too too far over from my hotel on Welbeck Street in Marylebone, I hit New Cavendish Street, which offers a pretty walkway with some charming brownstones and a helping of cafes, bakeries and some trendy boutiques.

Right away, I noticed a nice eatery called Galleria with outdoor seating and an eclectic Persian menu.  This was automatically a big plus for me, as I love ethnic food, and something meat-focused is just what I needed to sustain myself.

Atmosphere:
As I mentioned, I was initially drawn to the Galleria for its casual outdoor seating.  The overall feel was very different from my dining experience on Marylebone High Street, as you didn't get the background noise from the car or the pedestrians traffic.

And while the interior of the cafe was attractive and inviting, boasting a variety of modern art and portraiture, it was a lot more nice to sit outside and enjoy the sunshine.  While I felt that the service must've been quicker inside, I didn't feel neglected outdoors and got to relax and even do some sparse people watching, which is always fun to do in a foreign country.

Food:
My area of focus quickly became the sandwiches, as they sounded delicious and filling, but at the same time, they had an attractive price point (under 7 Pounds).  I wanted to get something more interesting and ethnic versus the ordinary bruschetta, chicken club or tuna melt, so I went for the Pan-Fried Persian Cotlet Wrap.

Pan Fried Persian Cotlet Wrap - I adore lamb and the fact that this sandwich was made up of a fried version of it totally sold me.  Not to mention that it was lighter on carbs, served on thin Lavash bread that resembled a wrap.  What I loved about the latter is that it had an almost tortilla like texture, but in terms of flavor, there was a lot more there.

The actual lamb cotlets were delicious and boasted a thick crispy skin that made this sandwich feel like an indulgence.  Dressed with a bit of mayo (maybe slightly too much for my liking), fresh tomato slices, and tangy, long slices of pickles (or gherkins as the British say), it was a nice way to try something new without dipping into too much uncommon ground.  I'd recommend this option to anyone who loves Middle Eastern food, including falafel, as this strongly resembled it in texture but not so much in flavor.

Service and Cost:
Giving off an authentic vibe, I believe that our servers were native Persians and they had a clear control of the menu and what it offered.  Their attitude was more or less low-key, which I liked but at the same time I felt taken care of - but in a more lax way.

Costs are moderate for this expensive neighborhood and the aforementioned lunch with a drink set me back about 9 Pounds, including tip.

3 Mmmms

Foodista Takes London

I'm on the road again readers, this time in London for work.  So this week, you can expect to see posts that are greatly influenced by Great Britain.  Known for eclectic food and colorful ethnic cuisine, I'll bring you everything from Middle Eastern eats to good ol' British comfort food.  Lucky to be staying in the posh Marylebone area, there's never a shortage of something interesting when food is involved - and as you can tell by this picture, there's also no shortage of William and Kate wedding frenzy.

Stay tuned for my adventures this week - I'll start with dessert and end with some solid dinner options.  If you have any specific recos you'd like me to try, please holler until the end of this week.  I hope I get to try a little bit of everything.  Cheers!