Boxing the bulge at Sands End Ladies ABC

We're always on the look out for new ways to keep fit, healthy and to manage the bulge in Fulham and Chelsea, but I don't think I've had a workout yet like the one I got last weekend at the Sands End Ladies ABC.

Set up by local ladies Jennifer Hunter and Staica Read and sponsored by the Mayor of London's FREESPORT programme, this free class takes place every Saturday from 2 to 3:30pm at the Hurlingham and Chelsea School, Peterborough Road. The session starts with a quick overview of the basic boxing moves: jabs, punches, hooks, parries and blocks. The emphasis is on correct technique as well as building awareness around posture, footwork and keeping your guard. Boxing is much more complex than it looks are there are lots of nuances that will make sure you get maximum power, and avoid hurting yourself! We then paired up to practice simple routines, all non-contact, before hitting the punch bags, weights and a pretty gruelling floor routines of squats, crunches and stretches. The coaches are incredibly supportive and encouraging, making sure we were all pushing ourselves as hard as we could but that the session remained light hearted and fun. There's lots of laughter and joking around, and a pretty awesome soundtrack, but you definitely feel the burn!

Boxing is not the exercise that springs to mind for must of us girls when we're considering our fitness options, but it provides a really full on workout for your whole body, and helps build awareness, coordination, agility and some properly hard biceps and abs. The sessions are non-contact (no black eyes here!) and everyone there was incredibly friendly and encouraging, and a whole mix of ages and abilities. Just remember to do a thorough warm-down before going to bed that evening - my arms were still aching 48 hours afterwards!

The classes are totally free, and it's a fun way to get a really thorough workout in a really friendly group. Take a mate and check it out - you've got nothing to lose!

Sands End Ladies ABC
Sports Hall, Hurlingham and Chelsea School
Peterborough Road
SW6 3ED
Saturday 2-3:30pm. Classes FREE
http://sandsendabc.org.uk/about/

Seasonal? Tick! Local? Tick! Manson? BIG tick!

If you've read this blog before, you'll know we're big fans of the Sands End. In fact, you're probably sick of the Sands End we bang on about it so much. So this evening, ladies and gentleman, I'm pleased to be able to stick to a theme close to our hearts, whilst writing about something new!

Last week, we had the pleasure of visiting Manson, the sister restaurant to our beloved Sands End, to sample a seasonal menu by new Head Chef Alan Stewart, with wine pairings by sommelier Mickey Narea. Sarah had previously reviewed Manson here, but we'd heard great things about Alan (formerly of Wandsworth stronghold Chez Bruce, and latterly Launceston Place) and naturally couldn't wait to see what changes were underfoot at this local British brasserie.

Upon entering, I was immediately impressed by the décor (interestingly, as it hadn't changed since Sarah had visited and she hadn't been struck by it - perhaps it was the difference between day and evening). Manson manages to retain the warmth and authentic ambience of the Sands End, but with a slightly more upmarket feel: all beautiful woods, taupes, creams, interesting artwork and inviting chesnut-leather banquette seating. I was also impressed with their commitment to producing interesting twists on seasonal meat and vegetables, and to sourcing their ingredients locally. Not only do all the ingredients come from the British Isles, but a good deal of the vegetables even come from an allotment in Fulham Palace Gardens. As Mickey explains, Alan sometimes visits the allotment between servings - your vegetables could not be much more fresh and local than that!

Visiting in October, game is very much of the season, and so our four course meal consisted of venison, partridge and grouse, followed by Braeburn apple pie. What could have been a very heavy menu was made light and playful by Alan's inventive use of a plethora of seasonally British ingredients. Our first course of tartar of highland venison, pickled girolles, celeriac and cobnuts was surprisingly light, yet delightfully smooth and autumnal. For this dish, Narea surprised us by starting not with a white wine, as is traditional, but a light Pinot Noir (Little Yering Pinot Noir, Victoria, Australia) which complemented the dish perfectly.

Mickey surprised us again with an unorthodox move from red back to a richer and more complex white (Limousin Reserva, Marques de Riscal, Rueda, Spain) to accompany the delicious red leg partridge, quince, honey and oats that we were served next. Partridge is a personal favourite of mine, and this was cooked to perfection: the slightly earthy meat blending well with the sweetness of the quince, honey and the texture of the oats.

Feeling fairly full, but eager for the next course, we moved on to the roast grouse, with damsons and savoy cabbage. The richest of the courses, the sweetness of the damson plums gave a welcome sweet punctuation to the flavour of the meat and the savoy cabbage was also an excellent accompaniment - I'm glad we were spared potatoes as I don't think I could have managed them at this point!!! The next stop of Mickey Narea's companion wine tour took us to Italy, as we sampled a fairly earthy and rustic 2007 Biferno Reserva (Camillos de Lellis, Molise, Italy) which I enjoyed, but perhaps not as much as the previous two wines, although it undoubtedly complemented the dish well.

Not to worry - this was a portion for 4!

To round off a fairly heavy meal, what else but a suitable British dessert: Braeburn apple tart, served with a fantastic clove ice cream. This dish to me epitomised what the meal was about in a simple way: classically British, with a surprising twist. It was served with a French dessert wine (2009 Coteaux du Layon, Domaine du Pont de Livier, Loire, France) which I'm afraid I could barely touch, as I was completely fit to bursting and I feared it might send me to sleep! However, it did draw appreciative nods from those around the table with more wine knowledge than myself, so I'd hedge my bets it was a good'un.

Whilst the meal was very rich, it was still original, fun and surprising. Alan and Mickey have worked together for several years, and the shared passion and enthusiasm really shines through in some excellent, imaginative and thoughtful food and wine pairings. Manson got me pretty excited about British cuisine again, and the fact that everything was seasonal and local was the cherry on the cake. Fantastic food, fantastic ambience, and a dollop of truly Great Britain. A must-visit.


Manson
676 Fulham Road, London SW6 5SA
Head Chef: Alan Stewart

Quintessentially British

When you think of the Great British Summer, that stuff of folklore that we pray might actually arrive each year, what do you think of? Myself, I'm immediately transported to something closely resembling a BBC adaptation of Brideshead Revisited. I think of clear blue skies, green green grass, cream teas, barbecues, cricket and tennis. And we got all of them last Saturday when our local pub, The Sands End, organised a charity cricket match to take on neighbouring pub rivals, The Hurlingham.

With a large screen showing the Wimbledon Ladies Final on one side, two-full teams in cricket whites on the other, and a jug of Pimms and a burger somewhere in between, Sarah and I had a perfectly English summer's afternoon. The Sands End had put on a full barbecue and bar (anyone who went to their Royal Wedding Street Party will remember how amazing their burgers are!), a steel band, a kiddie's entertainer and a full seating area complete with chequered table clothes, marquees and crucially, a big screen to make sure we didn't have to miss out on either sporting fixture.

While the prowess on the field might not have matched that of the ladies at Wimbledon (sorry guys!) there was a great turn out for the event, with young and old, toddlers, grandparents and puppies alike turning out to enjoy the day. Yet another hit for the Sands End we reckon!

Stephendale Street Party

So the whole wedding thing might be a little off the boil now - after all since then we've had the OBL affair AND a massive constitutional referendum - but allow us a little time to go back a week and reflect on how amazing it all was, and share our photos!

The Stephendale Street Party, organised by the Sands End pub, was absolutely brilliant. We had gorgeous sunshine all day long, the community really got to together, and we guzzled a lot of pork marrow burgers, cupcakes, pimms whilst swaying to the Caribbean steel band. There was an entertainer for the kids - and I have never seen so many excited little girls dressed as princesses - and the whole street (plus A LOT of guests) came together along one long dining table to eat, drink and celebrate.

 Here are a few photos from the day. What did you all get up to?

Ode to the Sands End

We've been saving up this post for a while. Like a pair of love-lorn teens unable to express ourselves, we really haven't known how to put it, to do justice to it.

The Sands End, my friends, is like the Gisele Bunchden of pubs. We love it.

Maybe it's because the menu is to die for, and food comes out perfectly every time.

Maybe it's because, living so close, we get that nod of recognition from the staff, some of whom have become friends, that makes you feel like you're coming home, rather than leaving it.

Maybe it's that shabby chic, higgledy-piggledy decor that just treads the line between elegant, cosy and quirky.

Maybe it's because they serve the best goddam scotch egg ever to grace the British Isles since Fortnum and Mason served them up in 1738... probably better! It's warm, the egg still manages to be gooey, it's perfectly seasoned and trust me - you'll never be able to eat one of those supermarket imitations ever again.

Maybe it's because, if it's good enough for Prince Harry & co (I NEVER spot celebrities, let alone royals, so that evening was pretty exciting) it's more than good enough for me.

Either way, whether we're looking for a white wine spritzer and a gossip, the perfect venue to have the parents treat us to a Sunday Roast, the scene for a first date (cosy and intimate, whilst still lively) or a place to while away an entire day with friends, gradually picking our way through the menu, browsing the Sunday papers and becoming more raucous as the wine and ciders flow.... this always seems to be the first port of call.

Nonetheless - we could eulogise all day. But it would seem biased (we know - it basically already is biased) if we didn't submit The Sands to some sort of review.

But which occasion to choose? There are too many to think of. So we'll go with the principle of recency, and review the Sunday lunch I recently had with friends.

I was first introduced to the Sands End by the boy, who actually used to live further down Stephendale Road (and now I've ended up here - could this pub be the missing link?) and so it's become somewhat of a tradition to get a meal at the Sands when he comes to stay. This time, another friend was over from Germany also who really wanted a good pub lunch, so the choice really did seem obvious! After the initial panic when we burst through the doors at 12pm opening time, only to find that every single table had been booked up (this place is popular!) - the staff were really accomodating and did some table battleships for us - we settled in and greedily perused the Sunday menu.

Now I have to admit, I'm somewhat a creature of habit when it comes to this place, and every time we come I insist that between me and the boy, we order the oysters and a scotch egg to start. This is not a culinary match made in heaven I know, but they're both so good that I can never decide between them so my greedy little tummy has to have both (my stomach is a brat!). So it was fantastic to have a third party to get out of this starter rut and see what else the Sands can serve up as a first course. John had the pork rillette - a kind of grainy pate - which was charmingly served up on a slate, with the rillette inside a traditional chutney jar. I'm not really into my pate, but both boys were in raptures over it, so we'll give it the big thumbs up. Especially as I'm a real sucker for nice presentation.

True to form, the oysters were incredibly fresh and served with a perfectly balanced garnish, and the scotch egg (described above) was just as gooey and delicious as ever.

For the mains we ordered the Roast Beef, the pork belly and the pheasant. The roast beef was perfectly pink, the pork belly was succulent and the meat pulled apart in that delightfully easy way (like you're ripping off bits of candy floss) that indicates it is cooked just-so. BUT the piece de resistance was the pheasant. I mean, my pork was really good, but as soon as I had a bite of that pheasant a case of serious food envy beset me. It was rich, yet tender, and just so so yummy. All three dishes were served with perfect roasties (fluffy and slightly salted on the outside) and a selection of vegetables that had been lightly caramelised, adding yet another layer of flavour to some plates which already tasted pretty damn good.

All in all, two courses and some drinks for three came in at just over £80. That's not the cheapest ever, but a) this is Fulham, since when has dining out been cheap? and b) this place has a deserved reputation as a bit of a culinary destination. It's dining area is always full. In fact, I notice it is proudly displaying a recently acquired badge that says "Recommended in the Guide Michelin 2011". 'Nuff said.