Moroccan Mondays.....sweat-working and tagines

Monday nights are traditionally excitement-free for those in the rat race, myself included. However, I recently discovered that there was fun to be had on a dreary Monday night in SW6 whilst remaining austere and semi-virtuous. Following my usual kill-me-now, why-did-I-drink-so-much-at-the-weekend Monday night gym session I had arranged to meet my sister for supper at Fulham Broadway. 

                                                 

My ‘sweat-working’ session over (thank you Francis Boulle) , we walked down Vanston Place to Del Aziz where we had booked a table via twitter to ensure the promised free cocktail upon arrival. I had been here for a delicious brunch before (review here) and so following a recent trip to Marrakech was beyond excited for their ‘half-price Monday Tagine night’. 

                                     

We had a really friendly waitress and were delighted with the array of meze, cocktails and delicious tagines that we ordered, even more so because of the 50% discount and complimentary cocktail. It’s a great idea to brighten up a rainy Monday evening whilst offering delicious, fresh food at very reasonable prices. Despite also ordering a couple of glasses of wine and a starter we still only paid £20 each in total.

                                        

                                        

 

Follow Del Aziz on twitter at @DelAzizLondon to book your table for a complimentary Monday night cocktail and half price tagine. 

24 - 32 Vanston Place,
London SW6 1AX
T: 020 7386 0086
E: fulham@delaziz.co.uk

Dining in Babylon

When most people arrive at the Kensington Roof Gardens they are whipped straight up to the top floor for an opulent night of champagne and cocktails under the starry (potentially rainy) skies amongst beautifully styled gardens and pagodas. However, hidden on the 7th floor of the very same building is yet another gem.

Babylon is a sleek, sophisticated yet fairly compact little restaurant surrounded by an elegant balcony overlooking Kensington. As you enter there is a teeny little bar area, packed with modern style, where we enjoyed a glass of wine and  the view before being whisked through to the restaurant area. Considering the wow factor of the gardens upstairs, the restaurant is surprisingly sedate in design terms, plumping for contemporary and elegant white table cloths, and olive green leather chairs.

Having found an excellent deal through bookatable.com, we were treated to three sumptuous courses, each one as delicious as the last. Between us, we sampled almost the entire promotional menu (except the sea bream), ranging from juicy scallops, wonderfully fresh courgette soup topped with crispy courgette fritters, and a creamy goats cheese and beetroot salad for starters. Mains consisted of a 5 onion risotto (this was very onion-y) and a succulent chicken breast with two kinds of potato and creamy puree which for me was the best dish of the evening. I rounded off with a delightfully fresh and nutty pistachio and raspberry cake, whilst the creme caramel and the almond cake with banana cake also won themselves some fans that night.

Our waiter was incredibly attentive, and very patient with what was a very loud and shrieky party of 5! It was great to go for a girly dinner somewhere a bit more sophisticated than the local pub and the understated elegance and fine dining at Babylon certainly didn't disappoint our expectations. The a la carte prices were a little steep but the venue and quality of food makes it worthwhile for a special dinner or when you're keen to impress (date-organisers, take note)!

Babylon
7th Floor
99 Kensington High Street
London W8 5SA

We booked the promotional menu via bookatable.com, which came out at £30 per head for three courses and a glass of wine.

Sugar & Spice and all things Spring-like

Sugar&Spice is a company I have been hearing more and more about of late, mainly because of the delightful and inspiring all-female team behind it, but also because of the A-list celebrities they cater for and their legendary brownies. If it’s good enough for Nick Candy, it’s most definitely good enough for me. 

Having used them for my birthday party I have been intrigued to find out more about these South West London Charlie’s Angels of the food world. One look at their picture gallery shows that this is by no means mass-market catering and it’s apparent that genuine love and passion for the best quality ingredients and food is behind this dynamic operation. 

              

As well as the usual breakfasts, lunches, canapés and dinners I discovered that Sugar & Spice also provide picnics, ready to cook barbecues, exciting children’s tea parties and more. Living in an all female household it’s with trepidation that I admit I have no clue how to BBQ and would most likely poison all my friends and flatmates. With Summer around the corner (hopefully) and a garden begging to be filled it will definitely be Sugar&Spice to the rescue!

                                     

In celebration of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the London Olympics Sugar&Spice has put together a selection of Great British picnic baskets. These are an ideal option for fulhamites planning a day at the races, sports events, festivals or lazy afternoons on Parsons Green. 

                                         

Keeping in theme with the Olympics the baskets range from Bronze to Gold, making them suitable for all appetites and budgets. Those planning a Jubilee or Olympics party will love the traditional wicker baskets which are decorated with union Jack flags, red napkins, white paper plates, plastic cups and red, blue and white ribbons. As the rhyme said, we never get tired of Sugar&Spice and all things nice! 

www.sugarandspicefood.com
Unit 19, Battersea Business Centre 99-109 Lavender Hill, London SW11 5QL
020 7978 4008