Review: Debenhams Flowers

Call it growing up but over the past year I've been really getting into treating myself to a bunch of fresh flowers. There's something about them that really brightens up my room. Nothing quite like waking up to something pretty in the morning to help you to crawl out of bed thanks to a special flower delivery.

I decided to go with the beautiful Sunflower Meadow bunch from Debenhams Flowers. Consisting of large sunflowers, beautiful lilies, pretty anteriorhinum and fresh green hypericum berries, it was such a lovely present to receive in the post. The great thing is that Debenhams offer next day flowers which is great if you forget someone's birthday and need a quick present idea! Or if you just decide you need a treat. We all need a treat sometimes!

If you fancy treating yourself to a bouquet, I've got a special 25% discount code you can use. Simply enter DFBLOG25 at the checkout. The only flowers that are exempt from the discount are the flowers by post range. Go on, splash out! Thanks for brightening up my day Debenhams Flowers!

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Review: Fifty9 Bar

Mid-week drinking always goes down well so I was very excited to take up the invitation of drinks and pizzettas at a new bar. Fifty9 has opened where Babble used to be in Mayfair. Located on Berkeley Square, it's a fantastic spot for people watching. You never know who you might spot!

We were given a glass of prosecco on arrival - my kinda place! - before being left to mingle. On a mid week night the bar was buzzing with a big group of people. The atmosphere was very city worker-like with a lot of men in suits. I loved the glass doors that opened out and you could peer onto the square. It would be amazing on a warm summers evening. It's a classy place but without being pretentious. I sometimes worry that Mayfair can be a bit too swanky but didn't feel out of place here. They have a cracking looking club downstairs for the weekend and I can imagine it'll be great fun for a birthday outing.

To help line our stomaches we were treated to delicious crispy gooey pizzettas, chunks of creamy cheese, doorstop crispy bread and slices of tasty meats. They were the perfect snacks to nibble on throughout the evening. Nothing too heavy but enough to take away the munchies. It's not often a place does good drinks AND food!

Do you venture to Mayfair much? Have you spotted Fifty9?

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Review: The Power Of Poison Exhibition, London

Today I was very kindly invited to have a wander around The Power Of Poison exhibition in Brick Lane, East London. Based in the Turman Brewery, the exhibition takes you on a journey about the wonders and dangers of poison and toxics. With live animals, it was fascinating to find out that many of them actually get their toxics from the plants they digest. I loved the myth busting section - did you know the Mad Hatter in Alice In Wonderland gets it name because the mercury in the hat making caused the hatters to go a bit loopy?  I also didn't realise that Cleopatra had committed suicide!

The exhibition is great for all ages. We as young -ha! - 26 year found the information on display so interesting and we spotted some children too enjoying themselves chattering away while their parents were engrossed in the displays. It was a great place to lose a few hours and learn something new.

The exhibition is running until 6th September and tickets are priced at £9 for an adult. Make sure you book your tickets quick!

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Dinner with Strada

Last week I was kindly invited out for a blogger dinner with the Italian restaurant Strada. We were treated like Queens! Alongside free-flowing prosecco and white wine, we were given canapés and three courses in front of one of the city's most famous landmarks - London Bridge. It was such a wonderful evening and so lovely to get to know like-minded bloggers who are obsessed with food!

I have to be honest and admit that I tend to stay away from most chain restaurants as I think the food scene in London is of such a high quality, it seems a shame to go somewhere with mass produced food. But I will eat my hat! Strada has bucked the trend and is producing fresh, tasty food for its customers.

We were given plump green nocellara olives to start. Next up was a fresh caprese salad consisting of creamy buffalo mozzarella, ripe tomatoes, basil and a generous drizzle of olive oil. The perfect dish to help soak up the summer! Then I tried Burrata for the first time draped on top of proscuitto ham with crunchy toast - my favourite of the tasters. Creamy risotto and tender rare steak followed. Finally we were presented with a crispy veal covered in crunchy breadcrumbs. My belly was already feeling full and then we were told we would be treated to a three course meal of our choice. Wow!

For my starter I couldn't help but opt for the Spring Veggie Bruschetta on such a warm evening. Peas, spring onions and soya beans were mixed with creamy ricotta, mint and a squeeze of bitter lemon. It was the perfect portion size and the soft cheese went brilliantly with the crunchy slice of bread. For my main I chose the Cavatappi Genovese. El dente corkscrew pasta was smothered in basil nuts, topped with crunchy pine nuts alongside a scattering of soft new potatoes and fresh green beans. Delicious! I never wanted the bowl of pasta to run out! Finally for my dessert I wanted something light to counteract such a huge meal! The lemon sorbet was a no brainer. It was incredibly refreshing - just the ticket to end such a fantastic meal.

I joined the head chef of the restaurant to attempt to spin my own pizza base. He certainly made it look a lot easier than it was. Simply covered in a tart tomato sauce and nutty pesto, the pizza was divine. It tasted all the better knowing that I spun it myself. Not bad for my first attempt - but lets look over the fact it looks slightly oval!

I finally got the train home with a full belly, feeling a little merry and armed with an amazing personalised Strada apron. It was a lovely way to see out a Thursday - thanks for the invite guys! Big thanks to Angela and Felicia for catching me in action too!

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Review: Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea at The Sanderson Hotel

I love cake. I love bread. So it's no wonder that I'm such a massive afternoon tea fan. Last weekend I popped along to the fancy Sanderson Hotel for a spot of Mad Hatters Afternoon tea. It was incredible! If you're an Alice In Wonderland fan - who isn't? - then you'll be in heaven. It was full of little quirky touches that made you oooo and ahhh all afternoon.

Opting for a strawberries and cream fruit tea, we eagerly awaited our afternoon tea to be brought out. The first thing we tackled were the sandwiches. The smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiched between a lime bread was by far my favourite. Other sandwiches included egg mayo in a curry bread,  cream cheese and cucumber in a parmesan bread and ham and mustard in a tomato bread. The different flavoured bread really helped to give the sarnies something a little special. They complimented the fillings perfectly.

The cakes are always the talking point at any afternoon tea. On the top layer we got to munch on yummy strawberries and cream marshmallow mushrooms and carrot shaped meringues. The second layer featured a melting mango cheesecake, light Victoria sponge cake and a matcha green tea mousse in a chocolate cup. Finally we were given a sweet scone alongside a mustard savoury scone with a pot of garlic butter and lashings of clotted cream with juicy strawberry jam. Make sure you double check the scones as I ended up with clotted cream on my mustard scone! If you've still got room, there a jelly cart with strawberry, apple and peach jelly to tuck into. We were stuffed but took one for the team!

It's not cheap starting at £38 per person for the basic package. But it's honestly well worth the money and I wouldn't think twice about going again. The sandwiches, scones, tea and jelly bar are refillable. As soon as the staff notice you're running low, they quickly offer to refill. We even asked if we were allowed to take a few things home and they soon obliged. The service really can't be faulted.

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Review: The Real Greek, Soho

Last weekend I was kindly invited down to the new Soho branch of The Real Greek restaurant. Dragging my mum along for a girly day out in London, we arrived at the place not really sure what to expect of the menu. We'd only ever been to a cheesy local Taverna where more emphasis is placed on the entertainment than the average food.

After a quick explanation of how the menu worked, we got down to business and picked out favourite things. Boy did we have a feast to get through! To start we opted for Greek flatbread with a creamy, delicately spice hummus and a chunky, chilli greek cheese Htipiti. This was absolutely delicious, I loved the big chunks of feta paired with a mild chilli kick - I could happily have eaten this all afternoon. We also ordered a portion of spinach, leek and feta filo parcels as a side too. These had the perfect crunch and left no greasy after taste.

For our grilled meze course, we went all out! The tender lamb cutlets were a surprise favourite. They were my mum's suggestion and I wasn't too fussed but they soon won me round at the first bite - the supple meat just fell off the bone. We couldn't not order the grilled halloumi could we? The grilled aubergine in a garlic tomato sauce was fit for a King!

Our waitress told us we'd be missing out if we didn't add some seafood into the mix. So obviously we try a few of their delicacies! We were recommended to try the juicy king prawns - which was a superb suggestion! Covered in a tart tomato sauce and rich feta cheese, we were fighting over the last one! The chargrilled grilled octopus was another surprise favourite. It has such a rich, delicious, garlic flavour and was incredibly moreish. Even though we were stuffed, we couldn't stop picking.

 

For dessert I opted for the caramel and pecan cheesecake despite the fact I was fit to burst! The creamy cheesecake, topped with crunchy toasted pecan nuts and sticky caramel on a biscuit and pecan base. I'm still dreaming about it now! Although I did have major dessert envy when my mum ordered the Greek yogurt sundae!

Thanks so much for making our Saturday so enjoyable The Real Greek!

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