Saturday, January 25, 2014

The January Munchies

Well, I don't know about you, but 2014 has gotten off to a very busy start for me.  There's no time for January blues when there are birthdays to celebrate, and delicious meals to be eaten!

You could say that January has shaped up to be somewhat of a culinary adventure, as I have eaten out more times in the past few weeks than I have in quite a while.  There has been no 'dry January' or dieting for me, post-Christmas, that's for sure.

A good friend of mine celebrated her birthday at a pub in Kentish Town at the beginning of the month, and as we went directly from work, it was the perfect opportunity for loverboy and I to swing by Dirty Burger to see what all the fuss is about.


Their burgers sure are dirty...and juicy...and messy...and yummy.  I liked them.  Not the best burgers I've ever had, but a good effort.  I also really liked that this burger joint is basically a tin shack, and feels like something you'd see on a deserted road in America.

Next up we had a lovely Sunday lunch at The Easton pub in Farringdon with some friends.  The meat was delicious and perfectly cooked...but alas, the yorkshire pudding was overcooked and far too crispy.  Sad face.


More burgers were on the horizon when loverboy and I went to Byron.  Now this place really makes a burger I can get behind.  Yummo!  Big, juicy, flavoursome burgers, perfectly cooked and with lots of different combos to choose from (I got the blue cheese burger).  Byron consistently delivers good food, and anywhere that makes delicious courgette fries is fine by me.


Onwards and upwards, Rita's Bar and Dining has moved to it's own premises (it was previously a pop-up at Birthday's in Dalston - remember the bacon peanut brittle I blogged about?) in Hackney, and whilst I haven't tried the dinner, it is pretty much my idea of the perfect brunch establishment.  We went with our London brunch buddies, and three of us ordered the chicken and waffles, washed down with Sriracha Marys.  I can't rave enough about the chicken and waffles.  So.  Savoury.  Delicious and not greasy, with a side of creamy gravy (yum) and honey (yuck).  I have been dreaming about this dish ever since Sunday. The bloody Mary was the perfect accompaniment - spicy and smokey, and not at all cloying, as I often find Marys to be after the first few sips.


My hubs had the beef hash with duck egg, and it was super yummy - meaty, rich, smokey delicousness...with a side of perfect crispy bacon.


My only gripe is that they have a fancy coffee machine, and yet they only offer espressos or Americanos with hot or cold milk on the side.  I know I am probably being picky, but I do love a latte with my brunch.  Is this a hipster thing or a time-consuming thing?  I just don't see the point of having a big ol' shiny coffee maker if you don't provide a variety of coffees...I can forgive them though, because everything else is on point, and the service is wonderful.

Now, this does look like a lot of super unhealthy food, but I balanced it out with a nice warming bowl of pho the other night! I went with the Bo Tai Pho, mostly because I love rare beef, but partly because it sounded like 'bow tie'.  Fancy soup!


Then there was the seriously scrumptious egg-fried 'rice' (which is actually cauliflower!) with pork, which is not only easy to make, but also a great option if you want a filling but non-heavy meal, as it is very low carb and low calorie!  


I've also done a fair bit of home-made brunch, starting off the new year with baked eggs in a dreamy tomato based sauce (which I replicated the following weekend).


I can't seem to get enough of avocado, with scrambled eggs on avocado-topped muffins last weekend, and a regular rotation of guacamole every few days!


The biggest celebration of the month so far, of course, was my handsome husband's birthday.  I really got my organising hat on this year, and arranged a surprise birthday dinner with friends on the weekend beforehand.  We went to Gogi, a Korean BBQ restaurant on Edgware Road, which was excellent, and the perfect choice for a large group, as there are many meat, vegetarian and vegan options.  The birthday boy was so surprised when we turned up and lots of our friends were there!

The food was yummy, and kimchi keeps you young - apparently - so it was the perfect choice for celebrating getting another year older.  It was so yummy, in fact, that I returned with my sweetheart the following weekend for round two.  We really went to town with a selection of starters, bbq meats, rice bowls and one of my favourites, deep friend oysters.


Babes' actual birthday surprise was a birthday dindins at Bocca di Lupo, followed by The Book of Mormon at the Prince of Wales Theatre.  We enjoyed both, but alas I didn't take many photos.  I did, however, take some snaps in the morning, of the present giving.  I can confirm that loverboy looks extremely handsome and dapper in his 1940s storm coat, complete with mouton collar.


This post is making me hungry, so I'm off to have dinner...

11 comments:

  1. What a lovely month and well documented blog!
    Thank you for such a terrific birthday celebration!! <3 :)

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    1. Thanks, babes! It was my pleasure - I'm glad you enjoyed yourself! :) xxx

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  2. January certainly has not been dry or low on calories for me either! :) Glad you two continue to have a blast out and about together!

    I cannot believe that pub overcooked the yorkie! That was always my favorite part!

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    1. Hehehheehhe! It is pretty tough to go from the excesses of Christmas, to...cold turkey! I prefer to ease myself in! :)

      I know, the pud was a big disappointment. Thankfully the meat was just how I like it to be! But still, poor overcooked pudding... :(

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  3. You have eaten lots of yummy foods! My mom always did the avocado pit in the guacamole thing too.

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    1. I usually don't put the pit into the guacamole, but as I made this one earlier in the day, I left it in, as it stops it from turning brown!

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  4. To say that this is a mouthwatering post would be an understatement! I swear, my tummy is rumbling up a storm from these delectable food photos. I say go for it! This is the time of the year to savour hearty comfort food, big meals and the kind of fare that you can't possibly fathom eating when the roasty, toasty dog days of summer return and one feels as though they could survive off of ice tea, cucumber sandwiches and popsicles alone.

    ♥ Jessica

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    1. Hehehhehee! My tummy is rumbling, looking back at these photos, too! :) I know exactly what you mean. It's so much easier to eat light meals in the summer months. A simple salad really doesn't cut it when it's freezing cold, and your body wants warm fuel!

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  5. Mel you are making me SO hungry! :)

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    1. :D Lucky that you live in a city with SOOOOOOOO much good food, then! xx

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  6. So much food!!! I'm quite dieting ofter a Xmas food burnout... I love your husband's coat, I have searching one for Sylvain for years but never found the perfect size.

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