Food

Japs Eye Special?

Decent affordable early evening eats in Richmond plse? For pre-theatre tomorrow night.

Also, bought the Polpo book and started making things from it this week.

And after watching that Italy Unpacked thing on the iplayer made oricchiete with spring greens, garlic and chilli last night. Three ingredients. It was lovely.

There's a decent tapas place right next to the station. Or there was 8 or 9 years ago.

Added: Don Fernando's, looks like it's still there. Decor even worse than before though.

going to eat at chez bruce, this evening, really interested to know what a michelin starred restaurant in clapham/wandsworth will taste like...

Let me know corny, always meant to go and on my to-do list.

Great book that, the basic tomato sauce and the pork and fennel Polpette (spelling?) are boss.

Also 'Al Boccon Di'vino is Non Solo Vino' in Richmond is supposed to be good but doubt you can just rock up.

Edit: it's actually nice but pricey according to google so maybe not a good choice.

Chez Bruce us brilliant. You'll love it. The cheese trolley is incredible.

Just got back from chez Bruce as @mashton said it was brilliant, portions were smaller than I would like but I'm American when it comes to portions. But the pork loin or pork 3 ways was delicious especially the super thin strip of crackling.
Girlfriend loved the cod, said it was the best she'd ever had.
Service was odd, just in the way they had different people take orders for food, sommelier wine and another apronette do bread/water/clear dishes.

Would do again @Olly398 get thee down there..

Off to
HK and Vietnam for 2.5 weeks tomorrow - any foods I must try?

Just moved to HK eight weeks ago. The best thing I can recommend is going to sit down at a dai pai dong. They're street huts which are usually green and have lots of tables outside. Mega popular at lunch with everyone from workmen in hard hats to bankers. Try and get sat down by noon or be prepared to wait. You won't see an English menu but if they don't speak English, just point at what other people are eating. It will probably be a bowl of brisket and noodles with some greens and it'll be about $30. Imagine you'll eat better noodles in Vietnam, but it's still a great experience.

There's some great dim sum places like Tim Ho Wan and Din Tai Fung, but I'd probably suggest going to Maxim's Palace at City Hall just for the experience. Expect massive gaudy chandeliers and old women serving you in a brusque yet efficient manner. Usually about $120 a head depending on how much you eat including unlimited tea.

Chung King Mansions in Tsim Sha Tsui is meant to have some great Indian restaurants. I haven't been yet but from what I gather it's a huge concrete monstrosity full of restaurants, dive bars and jewellery shops plus cheap hostels.

There's lots of European restaurants with Michelin stars but they are ridiculously expensive. It's not a cheap city full stop.

@cornelius_blackfootblackfoot glad you enjoyed it. That service style is pretty standard at Michelin starred places. I remember the sommelier being very good. Did she sort you out?

any foods I must try

Only know about HK. Eat everything but especially:
wonton noodle soup - dads favourite
egg tarts
black truffle scrambled eggs capital cafe. I was like meh eggs, but pretty much hoovered it down without letting my parents have any.
suckling pig
roast duck or if you can get goose
pineapple bun - mums favourite
Dim sum everything! Tim ho wan is fine but I went when it was just their tiny shop they everywhere now and not as good.

Weird but cultural, you can try medicinal herbal teas and soups. They're in proper shops and its difficult to figure out what it is, but you can try and ask! For your health...cooling your hot air, etc.
Oh grass jelly.

Speaking of Dim Sum, I'm off to Hakkasan for the first time on Sunday, recommended dishes?

Edit: on closer inspection, it's a promotion called Dim Sum Sunday and it's a set 6 course menu, that makes it easy.

long shot I know, but I'm going to be in Sicily for a week, staying in Catania and Ragusa, anyone have any recommends for restaurants/eateries, dishes I have to try in those places?

Like I said long shot, any thoughts appreciated..

Watch the Andrew GD and Locatelli programme about Sicily - think they went to Catania.

Locatelli' book about Sicily is also a recco for giving you food insights

@mands @Chadders81

Thanks both.

I'll mention those to the GF. She's a hong konger so hoping she's got the inside scoop on places to eat - but great to look like I've done my own research! ;)

Can't wait!

Eat granita e brioche for breakfast every day. Eat canolis and arancini by the fistful. Take stretchy trousers. I went to Syracusa for a week last July and it was so so good food wise.

Chez bruce is a great place, glad you enjoyed it, I had my wedding lunch there ( it was a small wedding) staff are were superb food was great and Mr Bruce came in a to check we were all good. can not rate this place enough. South london gem

hakkasan dim sum recommendations :
Baked venison puff
Crispy beancurd cheung fun ( this is my favorite)
Shanghai dumpling
and if they have the tea smoked ribs always good

Thanks @RichG Venison puff was lush as was the steamed scallop shumai. Really good value for money, £58 per head but that includes two cocktails and half a bottle of champagne each!...and six courses of food.

Felt inspired and made the Gloucester Old Spot pork belly and spicy miso sauce from the Nobu west cookbook. Poach the belly in water with garlic, ginger and chilli and leave in stock overnight. Spicy miso sauce (mirin, sake, white & red miso, sugar, shichimi, chilli oil, water) and a red onion, chilli and spring onion garnish. And I wonder why I'm not losing weight.

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That. Looks. Epic. #want

^^ glad you enjoyed it, that pork belly looks lovely !!

Short ribs marinaded in garlic/fivespice/honey/alcohol etc since yesterday.
Just gone in the oven, pot sealed with foil, at 150 (Lowest setting on fan oven).
How long?

at least 6 hrs, depending on size of ribs