GOOD KAI

Delicious Ales and cocktails It's not everyday you get a Michelin trained chef turn their hand to manufacturing craft beer and cocktails, one who literally forages food from the paddock to the plate. Alex Lewis has taken it upon himself to harvesting his pickings whether it be from Douglas Fur to make pine oil, or pulling up field mushrooms for his 'Snack, Land or Sea' menu. It seems Alex who started Earth Ale Brewery is passionate about all things nature and this theme runs throughout an evening where I'm given the chance of discovery through his 8-course dinner menu at The Bedford pub in Balham. Rice Cracker with lettuce, Tom Yum(?) and smoked paprika The menu is to be paired with a selection of beers and cocktails, created by Earth Ale themselves. I'm excited for both the food and drink and am definitely intrigued about how it will pan out. I will disclose that this meal was complimentary - but as you are about to find out I am always honest with my ass...

People with moral judgement sometimes take the pleasure out of drinking wine, at the end of the day it is really your own taste that matters.

Ben Thanh, York St, Twickenham Ben Thanh are relatively recent arrivals to the restaurant scene in Twickenham and have only been serving authentic Vietnamese Pho (pronounced 'fuh') for less than a year. It is a welcome addition to the town and if you have never tried Pho (a more-ish noodle soup that can be served with meat, tofu or seafood) it is well worth a try. Pho from Ban Thanh Twickenham Checking your options you will find that some of the food at Ban Thanh in fact is quite healthy, but is also very satisfying. For anyone who is on a diet and struggles trying (like me) to keep the calories down when going out to a restaurant for a meal it is perfect, for example the summer spring roll is lettuce based (no carb), with prawn (bit of protein), but has strong herbaceous flavours so you don't feel like you're going without (going without food always makes me hangry). Beef Wrapped in Wild Betel, Ban Thanh Twickenham The night we were there it was a week ...

St Malo, Brittany, France St Malo was an easy choice for us as a little get away from London. I mean you could take the overnight ferry but we thought it much quicker to fly, it's just an hour from Stansted so we decided why not. Langostine, View from City Walls St Malo, France St Malo is located in the north western side of France and is a very picturesque old town secured behind the walls of a fortified city with plenty o' sea vistas. It also has one the highest concentration of restaurants for per area in Europe. It is really a foodies haven at the least, but St Malo also has a rich history and at one stage was a port magnet for Pirates. It also has great shopping with loads of pretty boutique shops. Restaurant L'Acrage in St Malo As mentioned, there are plenty of restaurants. They specialise in seafood and we were particularly impressed with one particular place called L'Ancrage on Rue Jacques Cartier (incidentally this road is named after the Famous...

It's long weekend as I write this and for this food blogger it's been a few weeks of disappointing restaurant visits for which I can't comment more on, as I'd decided long ago that I would only post on restaurants that were currently performing well. As a consequence I am sometimes left short as far as reviews go so as to keep with my weekly post I figure I would put together a montage of other things I had been up to during the month.  Deep fried ravioli, Tomato Bruschetta - Jamie Oliver, Richmond I'm not sure if you are aware of the restaurant's out there that had been pocketing 100% of their waiting staff's tips, (I think this is appalling) this includes any cash tips you may have thought you were slipping your waiter/waitress. Of the restaurants that had been named -  Cote Brasserie, Pizza Express and Giraffe , only Giraffe has since reversed their policy and now give tips to their staff. I suspect there are quite a few more restaurants that ar...

Deep Fried Seabass & Salmon Steam Buns, Ceviche, London If you haven't tried eating Peruvian or South American styled food yet, now might be the time if you like to stay ahead of the food game. I tried Ceviche's sister restaurant Andina last year and was blown away with the assault on the palate of flavours and textures that I'd not had before. Andina, however is unfortunately all the way over in Liverpool St, cool if you're in that part of London, but for us south west inhabitants its a pain in the rear orifice to get there. Thankfully though the same folk have another eatery in Soho, London (and Old St) so we went for some much deserved bar styled eats after stupidly deciding to go shopping on Oxford St (If you're not from London you won't understand) one Sunday arvo, (Sunday is sometimes the best time to hit top London food joints as the popular places are a bit quieter and you can sometimes score a deal or two).  Tiradito Apasionado, Salmon with p...

The Hampton Pub, Hampton Set on the outskirts of Twickenham, The Hampton Pub had undergone an extensive refurbishment since its day as one of South East England's worst performing pubs - The Court Jester.  Now it is much improved, and this is largely due to Hampton's new Manager and Head Chef Geo Bassani Lima. Geo has over-seen a significant increase in sales during his tenure and what better way to let the folk know by inviting Richmond Borough's most awesome, best, friendly, model-esque Food Blogger along.... I'm kidding, I'm kidding.... I of course cover Twickenham Borough as well. haha. The Hampton Pub, Gourmet Night Geo got in touch and suggested the chic geek and I come for a night that showcases some of his food with an evening of music and dance (dancing optional), Hampton Pub's very own gourmet evening. The pub itself is off the beaten track but is quite easy to get to - public transport is almost directly outside, and its an easy Uber r...