Eathai, Eat lots of Thai... at Busaba Eathai

Usually this blog prefers to focus on local independent businesses and restaurants, but I thought I might make an exception for one of my favourite London chains, and it's only a little chain, promise. There were a certain set of hoardings I saw appear on the Kings Road that caused a small squeal of excitement, and possibly a very tiny anticipatory dribble. Long having been a fan of Soho Asian diner, Busaba Eathai, I was pretty gleeful to have my own local branch.

Some of you may have visited the other Busabas - besides the venue in Soho I believe there is one in the City and another in Hoxton, and now Chelsea - but the concept has been faithfully transported into SW3. The interior is full of dark woods, big shared square diner tables, twinkling tea lights, glistening buddhas and the smell of incense. The menu is full of South Asian favourites, all of great quality, although not especially adventurous, and the prices are similar to those of Wagamama. Unsurprising that, considering that Busaba is an offshoot of the same stable.

On this occasion, the boy and I indulged in rather a feast. I think I've mentioned about a million times over that Thai and South East Asian food is pretty much my favourite thing ever. We kicked off with beers and orange and cranberry juice (Bottle Green rather than freshly pressed I'm afraid, but really delicious... must track some down when I'm next in Waitrose). For starters we shared Tom Yam Talay, a spicy and sour seafood noodle soup, goong tohd prawns in breadcrumbs with a chili lime sauce (this was beautifully fried, with the prawns still soft and juicy and the sauce was most refreshing) and lightly steamed chinese broccoli with garlic and brocolli which also tasted tasty and virtuous.

For mains we tucked into a Malaysian favourite of mine, Pad Kewtio, which features chicken, king prawns and holy basil in a chilli sauce around thick rice noodles. However, the piece-de-resistance was the red beef curry, with lychee, parsnip, lime leaf and chilli. The coconut sauce was thick, creamy and nutty, just the way I like it. Although true thai aficiionados might find the sauce lacking in spice, there are some loose chilis in there for the braver amongst you and I'd say the heat is about right for most western pallets.

Busaba Eatthai
358 Kings Road
London SW3 5UZ

Luxury Bootcamping

I'll admit it, I'm a half-hearted exerciser. I start every year with the best intentions (don't we all). I draw up elaborate schedules for running, gym visits, circuit training and madcap diets. Yet, the minute I'm left to my own devices on the cross-trainer, I get bored after 10 minutes, irritated by the first bead of sweat that (sometimes) emerges on my brow, tell myself 10 minutes is better than nothing and pootle on home, usually in a car.

This sad state of affairs has resulted in two things. A waistline that is slowly but surely expanding, and a complete and utter reliance on exercise classes to battle said waistline and my total lack of self-discipline. Considering that I am basically allergic to the gym, and lately may have found an exercise form I actually like in yoga, I recently decided to try out Pilates, tempted by the first class free offer I found at local studio Bootcamp Pilates.

Bootcamp Pilates has four London locations, but the most useful for all your south-westers will be the Fulham Studio (Bishops Road) and perhaps the Notting Hill branch (Porchester Road). The Fulham video is fairly small but incredibly sleek, featuring 8 or 9 very well maintained Reformer machines, that to the uninitiated look somewhat like a modernised version of a medieval torture rack, but in fact are specially designed to allow you to change the resistance on the pulleys and springs, and stretch, tone and create resistance, all without putting too much pressure on the joints. According to Bootcamp's website, Pilates originates from an exercise regime thought up by WW1 prison camp resident Joseph Pilates, designed to give bed-ridden inmates a resistance workout whilst lying down and using only the facilities provided by the prison hospital beds.

If starving prison camp inmates could do it, I reasoned, surely I can do so as well without breaking the sweat I am so adverse to... well let me tell you - it's harder than it looks. Particular for those, like me, who are not in possession of anything remotely resembling "rock hard abs".


















The 55 minute class consists of several deep leg stretches, squats, resistance movements and dumbbell work, using the system of moving parts, springs and pulleys on the reformer bed. There is particular emphasis on using your core strength to retain balance and pull your lower body around. As mentioned, the studio will only allow for small classes but the machines are well spaced and the studio bright and sparkling clean, giving a spacious and slick feel, and ensuring you have lots of space to work out. The perennial problem of how far you can move about, fling your arms, or bend over before your face is positioned immediately on top of somebody's posterior that afflicts so many exercise classes is definitely not an issue here. The work out is conducted to music which I find raises your energy levels (although in my case, the CD in question was a rather dubious early Avril Lavigne album). The teacher monitored the entire class and demonstrated each of the moves, giving extra tips to make the postures either easier or harder depending on how each individual was doing. However, she did not correct postures on an individual basis which I found surprising considering the size of the class would have made this very easy to do. That said, the postures are not especially complex so perhaps we were just doing them all perfectly!

I really enjoyed the class and really felt the burn in my stomach and thighs for a few days afterwards. Judging by the figures of my fellow class-mates too - I know this shouldn't be a barometer but I don't think I'm alone in judging the efficacy of exercise classes in this way - this is clearly an exercise form that works, and I think I'll be back to give it another go. I even broke a sweat, and I still loved it, so that might be the biggest endorsement of them all!

Classes at Bootcamp Pilates are bookable online and cost £18-25 each. First class is free.

Bootcamp Pilates
Marvic House, 30 Bishop's Road
London SW6 7AD.

All photographs credited to Bootcamp Pilates' own website.

Medlar - a World's End Gem

Long known as the "grotty end" of the King's Road, the World's End is having somewhat of a revival in the restaurant stakes. Not only has the eponymous pub been featured in a certain E4 "reality" series multiple times, but Osteria Dell'Arancio and local cakery the Chelsea Teapot also delight. Medlar sits on this stretch of the Kings Road approaching Gunter Grove, and if the exterior seems smart but unprepossessing the fanfare that accompanied the first few reviews of the food certainly ensured this Chelsea newbie made a splash - one local blogger declared it his "best meal of 2011". So naturally, as my visit approached, I was feeling pretty excited, particularly due to the heritage of the owners - both of whom have done stints at SW12 power-house Chez Bruce.

As mentioned previously, the exterior is certainly very smart - a slick mid grey facade, with green lettering and a smart verandah out front - but the look is quite discreet. Medlar is a fairly small venue, I'd say around 12 tables, and elegantly decorated within, with lots of low lighting, crisp white tablecloths and a clean wooden finish.

Kicking off the evening with a Campari and Soda (seems to be a tradition these days), I scanned the short but inventive menu eagerly. Helpfully, for those of larger appetites at least, the decision as to number of courses is already taken, and price need not play a part in your menu choices. Besides a few dishes that carry a surcharge, a 3 course meal will set you back £39, whatever you choose. Having heard the crab raviolo much touted as the "must-have" starter (the Guardian review said it was "as good as any starter I'd had all year" - high praise indeed), we made sure to order that, along with a foie gras and hamhock terrine with green bean, dandelion and shallot salad, walnuts and toasted brioche. Although I thought my hopes may have been raised a bit too far by all the praise heaped on the raviolo, it did not disappoint, and was creamy, rich and delicious without being too filling and overwhelming, arriving as it did with samphire, brown shrimp and leeks in a seafood bisque - absolutely divine. I'm not much a terrine and pate girl myself, but the boy assures me that the foie gras and hamhock terrine was a great way to kick off the meal too.

Unoriginally, I'm afraid, we both went for the under blade fillet steak, with bone marrow, salad, triple cooked chips and bearnaise sauce. This was a "proper" steak, as my partner in crime put it, cooked to perfection and also served with a healthy dose of garlic and herb butter, which complemented the steak perfectly although rather made the bearnaise sauce a bit redundant. Still, the sauce was fab, and served separately in an enormous portion. The chips were HUGE and perhaps a little rich for my liking but the exterior was well crisped and the insides soft and fluffy so I can't fault the chef on that either.

Now before I continue, I must iterate that the service at Medlar was charming, seamless and discrete. However, on the night we visited, there was "un petit accident" in the kitchen resulting in a power cut just after our main course! The staff could not have handled it better (we were unable to have coffee, but would we like some complimentary champagne instead? Hell, yes!) and somehow they managed to produce two excellent puddings for us - even if we did rather feel like contestants on dating in the dark! I must admit, when my gigantic crème brulee turned up, I rather wondered if they hadn't picked up the wrong dish in the blackness, but I am assured that this portion size is just par for the course. Not that I was complaining - there were no gimmicks with this simple but perfectly executed brulee, and I was thankful for the extra quantity in my bowl, even if I felt a little sick afterwards. Dessert number two was an creamy yet refreshing AND single-portion sized glazed creme chiboust with caramelized oranges and hazelnut brittle - another success story.

Medlar is smart without being too fancy for it's own good. There is strong attention to detail and interesting yet uncomplex dishes are served to perfection. The prices are pretty darn reasonable and the service excellent if not rather formal. Not one for a boozy, bawdy night but fine quality dining suitable for families, couples and foodie friends.

Medlar
438 Kings Road
London SW12 0LJ

Bookings on 0207 349 1900

PS excuse the pictures being very dark - some were taken in the power cut!

DV8 & HUB London pull off a Christmas Cracker

Jess and I constantly wax lyrical about HUB London's reinvention of nightlife in SW6 and how they have put the fun back into Chelsea clubbing and so when they teamed up with our favourite local magazine DV8, I knew it was going to be a Christmas party not to be missed. Feeling full of festive cheer they decided to throw a fancy dress ‘Christmas Cracker’ party at none other than Embargo 59. 

                                                    

Kicking off at 9pm the extremely talented Kieran Monteiro, who you may recognise as the somewhat attractive man who serves your hangover curing full English brunch at Boma, took to the stage with his guitar to whip the Christmas crowd into a mass of dancing, hugging and festive frolicking. Complimentary mulled wine soon turned into gin and tonics and by the time our favourite DJ, Dan Browne started his set I realised that the next morning at work was going to be a struggle to say the least. 

                                                                                           

Full of familiar Fulham faces the party was another success story for HUB London and DV8. However, for those who missed it do not fear there is more fun to come- DJ Dan Browne is hitting the decks once again at Embargo 59 on New Year’s Eve with his trusty sidekick Russ Cowie on the drums (swoon). The atmosphere is certain to be electric and the party one to remember.

                                                

Another year... another set of parties!!

Love it, hate it, dread it or count down the days, there's no escaping that once Christmas comes, New Year's Eve sneaks round pretty darn fast too.... so though bury your head in Christmas preparations you might, we'll give you the low down on New Year's Eve in Fulham to help that inevitable last minute planning.



If you're looking to get your glad rags and penguin suits on, New Year's 007 themed party at The Waterside, Imperial Wharf may just be for you. Open until 2am, with prizes for the best dressed Bond, Bond Girl and Bond Baddie, a three course dinner at coffee will set you back £34.95 before you dance the night away. You'll need to call to book your table on 020 7286 3287.





The party loving girls at HUB London spend all year dedicating themselves to our clubbing needs, so any party organised by them is probably a safe bet! This year they're turning their attention to the festivities at local favourite, The Jam Tree, for their New Year's 2011 Jam-boree and Garden Party. The garden is open until 2am, with DJs on the decks from 10pm to close, a hog roast (with deluxe tickets), and bellini reception. Tickets are £20 (£30 for deluxe) and are available by emailing info@hub-london.com or chelsea@thejamtree.com.





Aragon House are also offering you "New Year's Eve in style", opening until 2am, with a guest DJ playing the finest party tunes and a free glass of bubbly on arrival. Tickets are £15 and must be pre-bought to avoid disappointment. Call them on 0207 731 7313 or drop by and their friendly bar staff will sell you one.





For added glitz, glamour, champagne and a water-side location to die for, the exclusive Wyndham Grand Hotel in Chelsea Harbour are doing a New Year's Gala Dinner Dance. Starting at 8pm there is a sumptuous looking 8 course dinner with the resident DJ kicking off afterwards with a mixture of classic and modern favourites. Bound to be a sophisticated affair, tickets are £99 and for the real jet-setters amongst you an extra £30 will get you into their exclusive Penthouse Party from 11pm - 1am where you'll enjoy a glass of champagne and stunning views of the London sky line across the marina just as all those fireworks are going off... Bookings on 0207 823 3000 or by emailing wyndhamlondon@wyndham.com. 





For an altogether more chilled out and dressed down affair, this list wouldn't be complete without an entry from our favourite - The Sands End. For £40 you'll get three courses of the Sands' legendary cooking, and a glass of Andrew's extra strong New Year's punch to toast in 2012. Booking essential to avoid disappointment.





You can enjoy New Year's Eve at the World's End pub with a three course set menu at £35 in their Summerhouse restaurant and free entry to their Chelsea Rocks after party at The Scene bar. Champers is half price all night and there will be live music and DJs all night. Tickets available at www.novamusic.co.uk





And if a New Year's feast is what's most important to you this year, why not check out the staggering 5 course menu at hit local restaurant The Penny Black? The menu looks divine, featuring their famous beef wellington and seasonal venison and guinea fowl amongst the menu options. There are only a few tickets left so better ring the restaurant and book soon!

Riverside Luxury in SW6

The Wyndham Grand hotel has been a neighbour of mine for some time, yet tucked away so discreetly in Chelsea Harbour it has an exclusive air about it that prevented me from visiting. Boasting unrivalled views of the river Thames and envy inducing super yachts tied up in the harbour it feels more Hamptons than Chelsea when you glide through the lobby. Wyndham is by no means a chintzy Chelsea hotel, contemporary art adorns the walls and the crowd is discerningly cool and young for a luxurious five star hotel. The private location and discreet entrance makes Wydham extremely popular for the better known guest (nodding towards the somewhat famous local football team).

                                                   

Intrigued to suss out where the glam Chelsea set were hiding I jumped at the chance to attend a local writers get together to launch their fantastic ‘Champagne Wednesdays’ concept. Every Wednesday they offer 2 for 1 on all glasses and bottles of champagne (Taittinger no less), perfect for a well deserved post Kings Road shop till you’ve dropped drink. The bar is stylish and sophisticated with elements of contemporary cool- whether for afternoon tea, champagne or supper, the Riverside Brassiere is buzzy and fun.

                                                  
In no time we were relaxing to the sounds of the pianist, munching on delicious homemade canapés and unwinding by the twinkling lights and bobbing boats in the harbour.

Thinking what a fun setting it would be to spend New Year’s Eve (the most dreaded evening of the year) I was interested to hear that they were offering a £99 dinner with a live band and DJ to welcome in 2012. Dinner and dancing by the harbour sounded like a much more glamorous and fun alternative to what is usually an eye wateringly expensive yet disappointing evening in Fulham and Chelsea. For Fulhamites wanting to benefit from all the hotel’s luxurious facilities they have launched free membership to The Grand Circle Club, a private club offering substantial discounts on spa treatments, food, drink and room rates. Gym bunnies can also join the health club and use the super sleek swimming pool, steam room, sauna and benefit from discounted spa treatments. 

                                          

Wyndham Grand is a fantastic addition to the ever improving ‘Imperial Wharf’ district of Fulham. It's not only exclusive and discreet but welcoming to local residents, offering a refreshing alternative to the same old strip of New Kings Road bars and restaurants. Perfect for drinks with friends, romantic dates or big family Sunday lunches, Wyndham Grand ticks every Fulham girl’s Christmas wish list.

Rates at Wyndham Grand London, Chelsea Harbour start from £300 for a one night stay in a suite (sleeping up to four) including breakfast and VAT
To book or for more information call+44(0)20 7823 3000 or go to www.wyndhamgrandlondon.co.uk

Happy Birthday Gina Conway!

Unfortunately luxury hair salons are not places I frequent as much as I’d like to and so I was thrilled to pop along to the Gina Conway 10th Anniversary party last week. Jess and I are constantly being asked which are the best quality, value for money hairdressers in Fulham and so I am delighted to be able to recommend this one from experience.

Aveda goodies

I was fascinated to hear about Gina’s success story at the party, having relocated from San Francisco ten years ago she now has ‘Aveda Salons’ in Fulham, Chelsea, Wimbledon and Notting Hill. Working very closely with Aveda the salons not only integrate the ethical and botanical philosophy into the spa but also with all the hair treatments. Before the shampoo and trimming begins, every client undertakes a short ‘tarot card’ style reading, picking a symbol that appeals to them most before receiving an extremely indulgent head, neck and shoulder massage with the scent of their tarot choice. 

                                                                      

The stylish Fulham Road salon is no average hairdresser and considered design creates a spa like feel throughout. The basins are minimalist with free standing leg rests and candles, orchids and mini cacti adorn the waiting area, enhancing the botanical theme. Having ooh’d and ahh’d over the impressive display of Aveda goodies and tranquil spa area downstairs I settled into a styling chair, glass of wine in hand ready for the pampering to begin.

The lovely Fidel soon starting teasing my hair into sections whilst his very exciting and technologically advanced machine ‘The O’ instantly warmed up. The state of the art Velcro system that the ‘The O’ uses is essentially a very posh heater for rollers- heating each roller in seconds it’s an easy and very effective way to quickly create that just blowdried look. 

Fidel's five minute blow dry

Having arrived at the party somewhat bedraggled after a long day at work and football fan infested commute I felt considerably more glam and in the party spirit after Fidel had worked his magic, so much so that I booked a haircut on the spot for the following weekend. A raffle prize draw was held for local charity ‘Kids Company’ with prizes donated by Fulham neighbours PJ’s Bar and Grill, Emma Bridgewater, KeepFit Bootcamp and Vagabond Wines.

                                                         

Fulhamites can  experience a taste of the Gina Conway luxury on all budgets, first time customers get £20 off their haircut (mine was a very reasonable £36) and this Christmas those who spend £50 or more on a gift voucher or Aveda Christmas gift box and receive a complimentary £10 gift voucher.

Gina Conway

612 Fulham Road London SW6 5RP
020 7731 7633