***this restaurant has since closed down*** I have been a fan of Stevie Parle for ages, ever since I was given his first book to review years ago and started going to his first restaurant in London The Dock Kitchen. He has since published more books, been on TV and opened a few more Dock Kitchen off springs, from Craft in Greenwich to the very latest venture in central London called Palatino, named after one of Rome’s seven hills. A…
Mozzarella! Two years ago I had the pleasure to attend the first London session of established Italian event Strade della Mozzarella (mozzarella roads) which is held each spring in beautiful Paestum. It was founded by the local Consorzio (cooperative) that groups together mozzarella di bufala producers from the area, to promote the knowledge and appreciation of such excellence. This year again, the afternoon long event was held at the Baglioni hotel in Kensington, but was also preceded by a celebration…
The best arancini recipe around As I come from Napoli, one of the ‘street food’ items that I most love is arancini, rice balls. We call them arancini in Napoli, in other parts of Italy they change gender and become arancine, and have different versions. From the massive rice balls eaten in Sicily, full to the brim with mince meat ragu and peas (the best in my childhood memory used to be on the ferry between mainland and the island,…
A few months ago I came across news on another new opening not far from where we live. An Italian restaurant, with butcher and bakery, under the railway arches by Union Street. We were unable to book during the soft opening at 50% off but we visited soon after… and have already become regulars! Needless to say we really like Macellaio RC. We make all the dry ageing process in house, reaching between six and nine weeks of dry ageing…
Regional flavours Many moons ago, when I used to ski with school friends on the slopes of Abruzzo, I use to love stopping in cafes and enjoy a hot chocolate with one of the local chocolate cakes called bocconotti. Since this year we will unusually not spend Christmas in the region, and will not be skiing and eating those delicacies, I was feeling a little ‘homesick’ and decided to give them a try. In fact, even on Danilo Cortellini’s recently published…