31-May-2014

Coffee, Tea, Cake And Sandwiches For Five Friends

Small Batch Coffee Shop, Brighton

If a place makes a really good coffee, I might remember it and eventually go back. If a place makes a really good tea, then I most certainly will go back again and will tell all my friends about it. And this is exactly the case with Small Batch Coffee Shop and me.

The first time I went in there was almost exactly one year ago. I had a job interview with a private individual and preferred to meet them in public. I know, all very precautious and mindful of me, what can I say? And because you can't sit at an empty table and I was already nervous enough not to drink coffee, I went for a tea. They served me a reasonably big pot of brewing tea and the most beautiful cup I have ever seen in my entire life. I was charmed. My amazing cherry blossom and green tea tasted as I'm eating real cherries, the atmosphere was great and I greatly enjoyed my stay. Ever since then, whenever I go into town, I'm looking forward my cup of tea in the Small Batch Coffee Shop.
So earlier today, after my friends and I prepared one of our friend's birthday present, we decided that we deserve to treat ourselves. The obvious choice was the Small Batch at Norfolk street. My obvious drink of choosing was a jasmine tea, so far one of my favourite ones. Among all of us we also shared a macchiato, a cappuccino, two different types of grilled sandwiches - three cheeses with mushrooms, and ham and cheese with tomato, a flourless chocolate cake and a pecan cinnamon roll. The coffees were nice and rich, and maybe the cappuccino wasn't the best I have ever tried, but it was above the average. The grilled sandwiches were fresh and there was no shortage of the filling. The dessert were also nice, not exquisite and superb, but the cake was gooey and rich, not too sweet, and the cinnamon roll was freshly baked and crispy. I don't have anything bad to say, you know. It was all very good. My tea was perfect, the jasmine flower blossomed in front of our eyes and the brew was intense without getting bitter.
It was enjoyable and the atmosphere in the place is more personal, more intimate. You don't get the feeling that this is just a business, like in the high-street coffee chains. Oh, and a very nice touch of having great plates and cutlery, as well as all of the amazing real wood furniture. You feel welcomed and cherished.


Food: 7/10
Service: 8/10
Interior: 9/10
Location: 8/10
Pricing: 7/10

Overall Grade: 7/10

Will we go back? - Yes, I love them. They are my little hideout in town, too bad they don't have a shop nearer our place, you know, in the suburbs.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

30-May-2014

Going To The Movies: Coco Avant Chanel

After seeing Audrey Tautou as Amelie Poulien two night ago, last night I felt compelled to see yet againg Coco Avant Chanel, one of my all time favourite movies. Don't listen to Karl Lagerfeld, he knows less than Jon Snow, no-one can be a better Coco than Audrey, not even Keira Knightley. Especially Keira Knightley. Because no English woman, no matter how pretty, delicate and artistic she is can play Gabriel "Coco" Chanel better than the exquisite French actress that lives and breathes the same effortless, timeless French elegance as Coco.

Enough with the raid, to the movie, please!

It tells the story of who Gabriel Channel was before she became the fashion icon and visionary we all know and love. From working in a bar, to being a hat seamstress to moving in, without an invitation, in the mansion of Baron Balsan. It is actually the story of Balsan and Coco, a story between something like love but more like mutual use for the good of them both. It is also the love story of Coco and her mission to liberate fashion for women - to make it comfortable in a very chic way. And it's the tragic love story of Coco and the Englishman Arthur Capel, the man who felt inlove with her and believed in her, but broke her heart twise. First by marring a woman in London for her money. Afterwords they remained lovers and his untimely death in car accident was "the single most devastating event" in her lifetime, breaking her hear forever. It feels and looks real, it looks exactly as it should, and if you're anything like me, you'll tear up a little bit at the final scene. Because greatness comes with a price. And it's usually one's most dearest possession - their heart.

For me, this is not only a fashion movie and a biography, it is also a very feminist movie, portraying Chanel as the strong, independent woman she was. Audrey Tautou is amazing in the role, a true incarnation of the timeless Coco in her specific beauty of a very special woman. Hands down, a movie that only the French cinematography can make!

Grade: 8/10

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

29-May-201

Going To The Movies: Le Fabuleux Destin d'Amelie Poulain

Stunning! Hilarious! Amazing! Beautiful! Sweet! And this is just to begin with. I am absolutely inlove with this modern day classic. I have always known that if I really want to be blown away by a movie, I should watch an European one. Strongly recommended to be French or Italian, for best results.

Amelie is an awkward young woman, that grew up as the only daughter of an ice-cold doctor for a father and neurotic headmistress for a mother. She have never had any friends while growing up and that definitely shows in her interactions as a grown up. Amelie lives comfortably in isolation from everyone by choice and has no problems with it. Until she finds a little boy's treasure box, hidden in the wall of her apartment more than 40 years ago. She decided to find the owner and reunite him with his most treasured possessions in his boyhood and if that makes the now grown-up man happy, that she sets herself to bring happiness to the people in her life. And this is where the amazing adventure of Amelie starts.

Discarded id photos from the photo-booths in the metro stations, a painting by Renoir did more than 20 times, a travelling garden gnome, long-lost hope and a love letter, and a number of practical jokes are just some of Amelie's adventure on her quest of bringing other people joy and exploring herself. The movie is a true magic, set in the most beautiful city of them all - Paris, painted in warm colours. It's light, crispy and oh, so touching. And the music is so perfect.

This is most definitely one of the best movies I have ever seen! I'm absolutely inlove with it and Audrie Tautou deserve's a grand "BRAVO!" for her role. Amazing. A perfect movie! Modern day classic!

Grade: 10/10

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

28-May-2014

One Down, Three To Go

My first exam was yesterday. I'm 25% free woman today and it feels great! I do realise that it sounds like a bit of overstatement but the feeling that I have one thing less to worry about is amazing.

As I expected, I chose to write about Bourdieu's cultural capital and the updated notion of class, and about sexual violence (aka rape) as a form of a patriarchal oppression. How very socialist of me, right? 

Next up is my Explanatory Concept in Political Science, which by far is the most strict subject I have taken. It's all about terminology and structural ideas, most of them created on a binary system. That said, it is time for me to dive in the books again. British politics, here I come!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

27-May-2014

What's In My Bag?

So, later today is my first exam and although I'm somewhat used to sitting exams for all kinds of things, I'm still slightly nervous. Not too much, just enough to make me organise my bag in order to keep myself busy. Twice. So, this post was born as a result of my organisational outburst. You're most welcome!

Arranging everything in my huuuge bag made me realise two things. First, I care a sh!t load of staff with me. It seems like I live in this bag of mine, it's so crowded with everything. And second of all, I need a new, spring bag. Preferably something in nice, not-neutral colour and smaller in size. You know, something not so gloomy and enormous, so that it will be a natural boundary for my bag-hoarding inclinations. Well, shall we start?

1. THE Bag itself - this is my huge Zara leather tote, a present I gave myself for the very successful first term I had in Uni.
   
   
2. My Green Bag (that's what it says on it) - my favourite eco-friendly bag, for just in case, with a badge saying "I PLOVEDIV YOU!" which is a pun with my hometown's name - Plovdiv.
   
   
3. Books - I always have a book or two with me. At the moment my light reading is "The Virgin's Lover" by Philippa Gregory, a historical novel about Queen Elizabeth I. It's quite entertaining, although is too much fiction and not enough history for my taste.
   I also usually carry Mr.Boyfriends Kindle in me with my school materials uploaded on it, because printing thousands of articles and reports and data sheets and critical reviews, daily,  seems somewhat irresponsible. Trying to be environment friendly.
   
   
4. My study kit - I always have bunch of different pens and at least one highlighter in me, because I might need them. They are quite useful, especially in term time when it's always a mater of studying until dying. I also have this little neon arrows, that I use instead of highlighting in books.
   And the big red thing underneath is my studying notepad, where I write down all important words, phrases, quotes, people, ideas for school. I prefer separating business/studies from pleasure/hobbies.
   
   
5. On the left we have my Babyskin cream, that I use on both my face and my hands and it's really good. It keeps my skin nice and soft in all times.
   On the right is my hand sanitizer because all surfaces everywhere are constantly touched by everyone. I'm not a cleaning freak, but I prefer not feeling someone's bodily fluids, thank you!
   
   
6. Underneath all is my pretty "personal journal" which stands for my journal for everything/anything not studying related.
   On top of it are my original (and boring) Nokia earphones and my mints. I prefer mints to gums because you don't have to munch with them, I hate it when someone is just staying there and munching like a cow in a garden.
   
   
7. My tiny knife! It's actually a cheese knife that I carry around with me everywhere but planes. I find it really cute and it's really useful if you, like me, hate biting fruits and prefer just cutting reasonable bite-sized pieces of them.
   
   
8. On the left you can see my dear old Nokia Lumia 610. I have it now for almost two years and although is not the smartest smartphone, it's battery can last up to 11 days!
   And on the right are my tissues, how exciting, I know!
   
   
9. Now this is a quite random selection, isn't it. Two classic lighters, an old habit from my smokers days, now long gone. I still have some friends that smoke and never have a lighter so I borrow them mine.
   A cherry Nivea lip balsam, which smells just amazing, and a classic Nivea cream in travelling size, for just in case. I swear, the Nivea cream can cure almost anything!
   Next, we have my Bohemian crystal nail file, a present from my aunt. It's very useful to have a small file in your bag because a broken nail can create one too many problems sometimes.
   The dark square object under the Nivea cream is my pocket mirror. It used to be my Mums, but I snatched it from her few years ago because she already has one that she quite likes.
   And the last piece in this group is my Aventurine cocktail ring that I carry in my bag in case I need to look a tad fancier quicker. Not sure if it actually works, haha.
   
   
10. My most favourite comb in the whole world. My Mum gave it to my Aunt who decided she didn't like it so she passed it down to me. It's really good because the natural material (aka wood) takes away all the static electricity my hair accumulates.
    
    
11. The (sun)glasses collection! I have several pairs of sunglasses, but right now in my gianourmous case are only my amazing vintage sunglasses that my Granddad bought in Sankt-Peterburg in the early 1960's. They are really old, but I love them so much and I wear them constantly!
    Next to them are my reading glasses. I usually have a perfect eye-sight but every now and then, when I spend one too many hours infront of the computer, I need some slight assistance. But usually I'm just fine to read, knit, drive, walk, do anything without them.
    
    
12. The usual suspects - my huge leather purse, my Christmas 2012 gift from Mr.Boyfriend, and my phone charger. The purse is a bit too big for my taste but it's just perfect for big bags like this one because it's so easy to find.
    
    
13. Last but not least, a Nivea deodorant, because with all the cycling  I sure don't smell of daisies, and a water bottle because it's important to stay hydrated.
    
    

So, this is it! My huge, huge bag and it's scary amount of content. I think I deserve to treat myself with a new one for the even more successful Second term. Well, that depends on the exams ...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

26-May-2014

Breakfast For Four

Moksha, Brighton

With my exam being tomorrow and Mr.Boyfriend's parents still in town, this morning we decide to indulge with a breakfast in town. A while back we bought a voucher from Groupon for a week day breakfast for four in Moksha, in mid-town and what better opportunity to use than this rainy morning?
As we found out ourselves Moksha turnout to be a rather small but otherwise very nice (and busy) coffee shop/breakfast bar. Their breakfast menu offered a wide choice and even a vegetarian would've found themselves having hard time to choose just one of the mouthwatering breakfasts. Unfortunately, I'm not sure if vegan could've eat their breakfast there.
We ordered one Moksha breakfast - a traditional Full English; two Eggs Royal - like Eggs Benedict but with salmon instead of ham; and one Salmon and Scrambled eggs. All of the food was covered by our voucher, and we decided to order drinks as well. We had two large Cappuccinos, a Late and a Steamed Milk (with Cinnamon Syrup). The whole order arrived very fast and we were delighted with the results. All the portions were really nicely sized and the food was fresh. In both Eggs Royal the salmon was more than enough and the hollandaise sauce was amazing; the Full English featured both sausages and bacon; and the salmon in the Salmon and scrambled eggs was more than anyone could've expected. The coffees were really nice and big as well, the finishing touch of a very pleasant experience.

Food: 9/10
Service: 7/10
Interior: 6/10
Location:  9/10
Pricing: 5/10
Overall Grade: 7/10

Would we go back? - Yes, of course. But only if we have a voucher, because is a bit too steep for my income.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

25-May-2014

Breakfast For Two

LoveFit Cafe, Brighton

On our last day being alone this week, Mr.Boyfriend and I decide to threat ourselves and eat breakfast somewhere. Since I moved in with him, we have this little tradition of having breakfast together every morning. Well, at least every morning that I don't have to be at uni at 8 am and I eat while I'm cycling there. So, few days ago, while we were trying to decide what should we have for breakfast, we felt like going out for breakfast.

After cycling all the way to the city center, a world of immense possibilities was in front of us and led by my typical striving for tasty and healthy food we decided to give LoveFit Cafe a chance. A good decision, indeed.

This breakfast and lunch cafe shop is interested in serving its clients only the healthiest possible food while keeping it tasty. We ordered classic scrambled eggs, wholewheat pancakes, double coffee and fresh orange juice. Although the morning wasn't all that busy, it took some time for the drinks to be prepared. The food took even longer and I was on the edge of eating the menu while eating. When everything arrived I was as excited as I hoped to be but it wasn't all that bad either. I didn't quite enjoy the taste of the coffee, it tasted cheap, I don't know how and why. The orange juice on the other hand was really nice - big glass of freshly squeezed oranges, all of them just the right notch of sweetness. My pancakes looked rather miserable and small and it would be an overstatement to say that I was feeling full after them. They were thin and small, and just two of them, I was expecting more for their price. Mr.Boyfriend's scrambled eggs on the other hand were a perfection. I have never tasted not prepared at home scrambled eggs that tasted so good. They came with vegetable butter-like spread ( :[ ) and four pieces of toasted bread. Really, some of the best scrambled eggs I have ever tried. If not else, I most definitely want to eat those eggs again. This time the whole portion just for myself.

Food: 7/10

Service: 9/10

Interior: 4/10

Location: 7/10

Pricing: 4/10

Overall Grade: 6/10

Would we go back: We will if not for else then for those scrambled eggs!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

24-May-2014

Drinks and Food for Few

Hampton's Arms, Brighton

Part of entertaining the in-laws includes going places and meeting with our friends. Kind of showing them what is our usually normal, day-to-day lifestyle. And this includes an occasional indulgence in form of a beer or two and some food at a pub. So on the evening on their arrival we decided to grab a bite at one of our regular places - The Hampton's Arms Pub.

As it turns out, Thursday evening is a comedy evening. A group of aspiring (not so)young actors did three different sketches, all of them quite bizarre, to be honest. It involved plenty of screaming and banging on the flour and I didn't enjoy it a bit. Some other customers did.

The food was OK, typical pub food, nothing too fancy. They had only one vegetarian dish on the menu, which deeply upset our vegetarian friend. Indeed, it's a shame that they couldn't even come up with a salad of some sort that don't include meat. I can't even imagine how a vegan would've felt in this situation because the vegetarian dish was baked goat cheese with salad on the side. This is it. Sad but true.

The rest of us had burgers, because this was the only reasonable option on the menu. One special beer burger, three regular beef ones and a chicken burger. The eater of the beer burger said that either they forgot to add the beer or they added so little that the meat was dry and tasteless. The regular ones received mixed critics - from "Oh, I needed this!" to "Well, that was a disappointment...". My chicken burger on the other hand was more or less fine. The chicken was a bit overcooked and the mayo on the bun diluted with way too much water (why so cheap?!) so I was impressed at all. All burgers came with chips, and mine was under-cooked and had to go back to the kitchen until it stop being hazardous to eat it (you know, raw potatoes = tummy ache, voting, fever, etc, etc).

On the bright side, they have nice selection of ales if you're into that and offer a good (Czech) lager on dissent prices. Not cheap, but not the most expensive place in town. And you'll probably find a table even on the busiest night.

Food: 4/10
Service: N/A, it's a pub

Interior: 7/10
Location: 8/10
Pricing: 3/10

Overall Grade: 5/10

Would we go back: Well, maybe. It's on a very easy place for us and they have this Czech beer. So why not. But not eating there probably.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

23-May-2014

Dinner For Seven

El Mexicano, Brighton

While we are doing our best to entertain the in-laws, I'm still talking about Saturday, you know. Such an eventful day it was. And among all the cooking I've been doing lately, it was a gift from the gods not to cook a single thing the whole of Saturday. As a bonus, the dinner was so good that it made up my terrible lunching experience.

I've been talking about going to a Mexican place for a while now (read that as "forever"). I really like Mexican food, it feels so natural to me to cook/eat Mexican food. It's spicy and flavoursome, it incorporates plenty of cheese and tomatoes in it's cuisine, it's basically everything I like and look for in food. So when a friend of mine, a Mexican, told me that she found a place in Brighton that serves authentic and well-made Mexican food, I was all in for it. Organising a small event for 5 of our friends, Mr.Boyfriend and I were ready to rock our stomachs with deliciousness!

The restaurant is rather small and busy, so I would most definitely recommend making a reservation at least few days prior. I'm almost certain that you won't be able to find a table if you just walk in on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday or Saturday evening. On the other hand, thanks to the fact that it's so busy, all of the food arrived really quickly and it was all fresh and aromatic.

For starters we ordered all 3 possible Mexican starters - Nachos (with extra guacamole), Quesadillas (with added jalapenos) and Queso Fundido (with added jalapenos and chorizo). The Nachos were an abundant portion, covered in more than enough melted cheese. In addition, they came with a tomato salsa that was oh-so-yummy and the creamiest, most delicious guacamole that i have ever tasted. The guacamole left me wondering how on earth it could've tastes so fluffy and creamy and so fresh and avocado-y in the same time. Oh, the the tortilla chips was obviously home made (extra points for that).  The Quesadilla was a bit of a disappointment in terms of how big the portion was (more like how small) but otherwise it was fine. Well, I wouldn't recommend ordering this starter in particular - it wasn't all that impressive. The Queso Fundido was amazing as well, with a big bowl of freshly melted spicy Mexican cheese  and lots of freshly made tortillas on the side. A nice big portion for at least 2 people!

We are guilty of playing rather safe with the mains. Four of us ate Enchiladas (three de Pollo and one de Vegetales) because it just sounded so good that we couldn't think about anything else, two had Mole and one tried the Enfrijoladas de Pollo. We were delighted with our hot, spicy and full with goodness Enchiladas/Enfrijoladas. The were all prepared with home-made from scratch tomato sauce (yes, I can taste the tomato sauce and tell if you made it from scratch or not) or with amazing, again made from scratch bean sauce. The food was pleasing for all of the senses and I was basically blown away by it. Oh, and the Mole as well - a rich chicken dish consisting of chicken, beans, rice and dark chocolate and chilly sauce. Mmm, I'm already salivating again when I think about this thick, amazing chocolate sauce. Who to know that chocolate and chilly go so well together?! And yes, you guessed right, I was the pig who tried all of the food on the table, every single dish on it. I woud've been worried about my figure if it wasn't for the fact that I'm always on the move, doing some time of (un)planned exercise.

I also had dessert, as you may expect me to, and it was what our hostess recommended me - an Almond Cheesecake. It was fresh and slightly bitter from the almonds, but not too much. It was a nice change from the oh-so-popular berry-ones, and I most definitely prefer it to them. Maybe a scoop of ice cream on the side would've made it a tad better. Or maybe this is just me, obsessing over ice cream, as per usual.

During the dinner we all drank beer. Mexican and Spanish one, nice, cold and on very reasonable price.

And this was it. A nice place, with nice food, nice atmosphere and wonderful staff!

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Interior: 5/10
Location: 7/10
Pricing: 7/10
Overall Grade: 8/10

Would we go back:  Yes, and I think I would even take my Grandparents there.

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

22-May-2014

Meet the In-Laws

Mr.Boyfriend's parents are arriving today to visit us. It would be an understatement to say that I'm nervous as hell. They are very different from my family so I always find if hard to act normal (to their standarts) when they are around. On top of that, all of my fancy looking special dishes are desserts and sweet treats. That wouldn't be much of a problem if it wasn't for the fact that his Mum does not eat sweet stuff. Ever.

Oh, well, I guess that I would have to impress her some other way. If I can think of any...

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

21-May-2014

The Car, The Bikes And The Four Of Us

As I promised yesterday, here is the tale of our adventure to Eastbourne.

Mr. Boyfriend and I have acquired the habit of cycling every weekend if the weather is appropriate (read that as: No pouring rain, everything else is fine). I love spending time outside with him and I also love the feeling  of accomplishment I get every time after cycling.  And it's fun, most of the time. Then, a few weeks back we acquired two sets of roof bike racks, so that we can take the bikes with us almost anywhere. Since then we've been looking for an opportunity to try them out and go somewhere far and distant. Like Eastbourne. And when two of our friends decided to join us, the plan was set in motion.

Or adventure started first in front of our house. Since none of us had ever used such time of bike racks before we had to play around with them for good one hour before figuring out the best possible way to secure the bikes on top of the car. Four bikes on top of a car is no funny business at all, I can assure you. After we managed to arrange everything we drove to Berwick - a tiny village half-way between Brighton and Eastborne. While 50 kilometers are just fine for me, doing a full, 100 km round trip from Brighton to Eastborne, would've been a tad too much for my fitness at the moment.

Dismounting the car, disassembling the roof rack structure, reassembling the bikes, mounting the bikes and off we go. Most of our trip was through a pictures forest root, surrounded by nothing but wilderness. A few times we came across people riding their horses on a sunny Saturday afternoon. How very English, right? The whole trip to Eastbourne was on a slight downhill so we were more than happy to cruise in a very leisurely manner. It took us hour and a half to reach to Eastborne and after the sorrow lunch described yesterday, we headed back to the car.

Going slightly up-hill wasn't much of a bother since the wind was in our backs, making it ever so easy and nice. Before we managed to get tired we were again in the beautiful forest, where cycling is a feast for the eyes and before we knew it - we were back at the car, ready to go back home.

43.6km in total with average speed of our slowest group member being 17 km/h I pronounce this experience a success. I don't mind doing this again, but this time with better lunch. Oh, and with faster speed!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

20-May-2014

Lunch For Four

Zizzi, Eastbourne

Putting aside all the crazy exhausting cooking that's been taking over the blog lately, the weekend was actually quite eventful. And the Saturday in particular, a glorious sunny day that was just calling for a long bike ride. And while I'll tell you more about this bike ride tomorrow, today I want to discuss our lunch spot in our final destination - Eastbourne.

As one may assume, we were hungry as hell after cycling for good hour and a half. While roaming on the main street, in one of the alleys we set eyes on  Zizzi, a small, cute looking restaurant. Several huge parasols were keeping the tables in a very tempting shade and we, three carnivores and a vegetarian, decided to give it a try.

We ordered two classic pizzas and we used the option to make them big. We had a Classic Quattro Stagioni and a Classic Fiorentina. For our greatest (and pleasant) surprise the food arrived less than 5 minutes after ordering, fresh from the oven. And this is where the nice part ended. The pizza was as thin as a piece of cheap toilet paper.  Yes, indeed, very crispy on the sides, but equally crispy in the middle as well. So crispy that would actually put to shame a split in tho toasted pita bread (and this is NOT a compliment). The Quattro Stagioni was cheap on the materials, the only thing they made sure to put enough of was the cheap chemically tasting tomato sauce. One of those that cheap shops sell in tubes, not even a jar-ed one. On the other hand, the Fiorentina was almost dangerous to eat. The eggs were so runny that not even the egg white had been cooked (NOT cool). That made the whole area around the eggs not suitable to eat. That left us with some boiled spinach on a piece of bread too crispy to be tasty. The promised riserva cheese was not there, nor the awful tomato base, for better or worse. A tastless disgrace, this is what I would call these sad attempts for pizza.

Not being completely put off the restaurant we decided to give the desserts a try. Roocky mistake, I must admit. We ordered a Tiramisu Sundae and Nut and Caramel Sundae, both described as mixture of gelato, cream and other goods. In exchange for our 5.50 per dessert we received a metal martini glass with half a scoop of almost fully melted ice cream and some identified objects around it. I'm not sure if it looked worse than it tasted or the other way around but it was one of the worst desserts that I have ever had. And I eat dessert almost every time I eat out.

The whole experience costed us 10 per persin, which was way too much for the terrible taste of everything. Definitely would NOT go there ever again and would do my best to prevent others from making the same mistake as we did. At this point, I think I would prefer eating at fast food chain rather than stepping in this mock of a restaurant again.

Food: 1/ 10

Service: 4/ 10

Interior: 8/ 10

Location: 2/ 10

Pricing: 1/ 10

Overall Grade: 1/ 10 

Would we go back there: Not in hundred years!

You can't get lost if you don't know where you're going...

19-May-2014

Homemade Iced Caffe Latte

Before I start let me just say this - coffee is a gift from the gods! Swinging from drinking at least 3 cups daily to not drinking any for good 2 years, now I found my golden middle with one small cup up in the morning while enjoying breakfast with Mr.Boyfriend. Taking in account that in England you can always need a warm beverage in the morning, I wasn't really concerned with Mainland Europe's usual summer problem - it's just too hot to drink coffee! Well, I wasn't concerned in the morning at least, while I was happily drinking my tea and enjoying the sun in from the safety of the winter garden. But around noon, as the rays of sunlight in mybedroom became more and more persistent, and my studies increasingly boring, I faced the age-old problem - I want coffee, but I don't want a hot drink! Poor old me, I was thinking.

Deciding that this was it, I'm giving up studying, I'm lying on the carpet and I'm not moving ever again, I came across my photo album from my last days in high school. Ah, the glorious days of spring 2012, the younger and prettier me. I was dreamily looking at the pictures with my friends, going places, doing staff, having so much fun and no concerns at all, I saw my solution. From one of the photos I saw myself, giggling happily with my girlfriends, while holding a tall glass of iced coffee. There it was, the solution that will put me out of my misery! Iced coffee! I ran downstairs to the kitchen as fast as I could, putting the coffee maker on the hob!

The best part about iced coffee is that you can make it any way you like. I personally prefer it simple, adding just milk. My go-to combination is 1 part coffee, two parts milk, 2 huge ice cubes. It's up to you to decide if you want more or less milky taste. Also, if you want you can add any syrup to make it sweeter and even more indulgent - caramel, maple, chocolate, hazelnut. Or honey, if you feel like more grounded sweetness. Sprinkle with cinnamon and/or nutmeg, if you want ti make it spicier. The options are endless!

Ingredients:

• Coffee, left to cool down at least slightly
• Cold Milk to your own taste
• Ice cubes, enough to cool it down completely
• Sugar or Syrup, if you take your coffee sweet

How-To:

1. Prepare your coffee the way you always do.
2. Pour in a cup and set aside to cool down.
3. In a tall glass pour as much milk as you like.
4. When the coffee is not hot anymore, pour it over the milk in the glass.
5. Now is the time to sweeten it up if you wish. Stir well.
6. Add the ice cubes and enjoy!

The Perfect Summer Drink!

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18-May-2014

The Best Mouthwatering Easy Apfelstrudel

If you make me decide between a chocolate cake and an apple strudel ... I will probably go straight for the apple strudel. Not that I don't like a chocolate cake, the rich (and heavy) taste of a good quality chocolate but the strudel is something completely different. It's a whole new level of deliciousness. It's fresh, aromatic, surprising and a bit rebelious.

I remember when I was a little girl my Granddad sitting on the sofa and telling me stories while peeling apples for the apfelstrudel my Granny was about to make. We will just sit one across the other and talk, while he will peel and peel and peel. The recipe I grew up is in the family since the 1920s. My great-grand-uncle married an Austrian woman and she used to make it for my great-grandma when she was a little girl. It was the only dessert I know Granny Eini to had made, ever. She wasn't much of a sweet-tooth, except when it came to the apfelstrudel. I suppose she liked it mostly because it reminded her of the tall pretty blond that used to bring her pretty ribbons and dresses when she was little. Or maybe it was just indeed the only sweet threat she truly liked, who knows. However, all three of us, my Granny, my Mum and I, always loved it and the recipe, so easy and so delicious, has become an inseparable part of our menus. And it's so so so aromatic and delicious, you'll want to eat it all by yourself.

Ingredients:

• 500gr filo pastry (one pack)
• 500gr apples, peeled, the core cleaned, and grated
• 100gr brown sugar + some for sprinkling 
• 50gr chopped walnuts
• 50gr raisings
• cinnamon, to your taste
• 2tbsp oil
• slightly sweetened warm water

How-To:

1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a flat baking tray with parchment.
2. Mix the apples with the brown sugar, cinnamon, walnuts and raisins.
3. Unroll the filo pastry, take two sheets (if it's from the finer one) or one (if it's from the turkish one)
4. In the middle of the sheet place some of the apple mixture. Spread it from the top to the bottom of the sheet.
5. Using either your fingers or a pastry brush, oil slightly one side of the filo sheet.
6. Closing it vertically, so that the filling is left in the middle, roll the pastry. The apples must end up in the middle of the whole strudel.
7. Put the rolled pastry in the baking tray and continue doing the same with the rest of the sheets.
8. When all are rolled and arranged in the tray, oil slightly the top of the pastry.
9. Sprinkle on top with some brown sugar and put in the oven.
10. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until slightly brown on top.
11. When it reaches the desired colour, turn off the oven and take them out of it.
12. Sprinkle aboundantly with the warm water and cover with clean tea towel.
13. Put back in the oven for at least 10 more minutes or until it seems like the water has evaporated.
14. Serve with whipped cream, vanilla ice-cream, custard, dusted with icing sugar or just like that.
15. Enjoy while is still slightly warm. Preferably in good company!

Mine were slightly burned but they still tasted sehr gut!

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17-May-2014

Breakfast For Champions, Part 4 - French Omelette with Tomatoes, Ham and Cheddar

Ah, french food. Just the very thought of it makes me start salivating like crazy. French toast, quiche Lorraine, creme brulee,  profiterole, macarons (oh-la-la), ratatouille, foie gras, more and more and more. And how about those cheeses? Let's not go in there, because french cheeses are the best! French people know how to live, hands down.

Now, the french omelette is a classical breakfast. Just like the scrambled eggs, you can add almost anything to it, from avocado to bacon to tomatoes. One thing I always like in mine is cheese, cheddar to be precise. Cheese makes everything better. That's the universal truth that everyone knows. And omelettes are one of the best breakfasts ever because they combine eggs, a highly nutritious food, and other healthy ingredients. Or decadent, like bacon if you wish.

Ingredients (per 1 person):

• 2 medium eggs
• 2 tsp flour
• 1 tsp milk
• salt
• butter
• filling of your choosing, for me: 1/2 tomato (sliced to disks), 1 slice of ham (diced) and grated cheese (to your taste)

How-To:

1. In a small bowl, beat the eggs slightly.
2. Add the flour and the milk and whisk away all limps.
3. Stir in the salt.
4. On the hob heat a non-stick pan and melt the butter in.
5. When the butter is melted, pour the eggs in.
6. Wait until the center is cooked but the edges are still watery and add in the filling.
7. Using spatula close the omelette, folding it in half and cook for another minute.
8. Enjoy it while it's hot!

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16-May-2014

Going To The Movies: Her

Among exam revision and cooking my hat off, we managed to go to the movies last night. Showing up completely unprepared, without the faintest idea of what we want to watch, we decided to go with the #mosttalkedaboutmovie of this season - Her. The story follows the life Theodore, a middle-aged man who falls in love with his OS - Samantha. In the year 2025  people's computers are tailored to their owners and are not only intelligent but also have character and personality.

While Mr.Boyfriend found it very interesting and even slightly heartbreaking, I found most catching the colour-coordinated theme. For example everything around Theodore is in the various shades of red. It's a bit depressing, to be honest, and the whole feeling is to something very sad and slightly disturbing. You can't help it but feel very saddened by Joaquin Phoenix's performance and the whole atmosphere surrounding him. I cannot say that I didn't enjoy the movie in a way but I wasn't so WOW-ed by it as I would've expect. Joaquin Phoenix indeed does a great great job performing a devastated by life person. And Scarlett Johansson acts amazingly with her husky, very seductive voice. If you close your eyes you could see her making all the faces, moving her body, etc. For me, she was the best part of the whole movie. Or maybe I'm just bias towards here.

It's a strange movie, but if you have time, why not see it?

Grade: 5/10

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15-May-2014

Spring Turkey Crock-Pot Stew

Have I mentioned before how much I love our crock-pot? No?! Shame on me! The slow cooker is a life-saver! I simply love it and use it whenever I can, and especially when I'm in need for something warm, homemade, fuzz-free. I have two very typical time slots when I use it - I cook stew in it overnight, so I'll put it on when I go to bed and turn it off first thing in the morning. Alternatively, I'll put something in when I wake up and by the time I come back from work/school in the evening there will be a dinner, ready to eat. The best part is that you don't have to worry about anything at all. Just turn it on, put the designated food in and go on with your life. Simple as that.

I'm a poultry person for the best part of the food I cook. I have never been big on red meats, even as a child. When I was growing up I would've eat chicken breasts whenever I had to eat meat. Unfortunately for me, my Mum wasn't full on board with my strict eating preferences, so pork, veil and beef will be slowly incorporated in my diet. Now that I'm the one responsible for what I eat, I try to keep a fairly balanced diet, not going into extremes and surviving on carrots and chicken breast. I also grew to appreciate birds other than the poor old chicken. Like the turkey. Because turkey meat is cool, it really is. And turkey breasts make excellent roasting, sandwiching, stewing material. And they are good for you too.

So, today for lunch we have a turkey stew with wonderful veggies, all slow cooked. All the wonderful aromas of the foods have become one. The tastes have mixed. Ah, the alchemist in me is celebrating this feast!

Ingredients (for 4 servings):

• 500gr turkey breast
• 10-15 small mushrooms, washed and halved
• 1 big carrot, peeled and sliced
• 150-200gr white beans, soaked in cold water at leat 1 hour prior
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 2 cups peas, either frozen or fresh
• 1/2 courgette, diced
• 3-4tbsp pickled jalapenos
• 1/4 cup fat from roast (pork, duck, anything)
• 250ml hot water
• salt and pepper
• 1 big red onion, cut in quarters
• 2 big garlic cloves, cut in halves

Needed appliances:

• Crock Pot or other slow cooker

How-To:

1. Turn the Crock-Pot on Low heat
2. Place the fat from the roast on the bottom.
3. Add the turkey on top of the fat and make sure to rub it in the fat.
4. Add all of the veggies on top of the turkey and stir them together.
5. Season with salt and pepper and add the hot water.
6. Cover with the lid and let cook for 10 hours.
7. Enjoy this fresh, spring stew!

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14-May-2014

Veggie Spicy Spread

I love me some spicy spread - hummus, guacamole, anything! I love the fresh taste, the unexpected twists, the surprises for the senses! It makes me feel like a magician, like an alchemist. If you let me, I will spend days, days in the kitchen, trying new food combination, until I reach the perfection. Or until I reach whatever I want to eat.

Now, about this veggie spread. Includes all thing good and tasty. But mainly tasty, because as far as I'm concerned His Majesty Mr. Red Onion is not particularly known for his nutrition qualities. But hey, he's so damn tasty. Especially in combination with avocado, like here. I admit, it's colours might not be as appealing as I would've wonted bit the taste makes up for all that. It's a keeper!

Ingredients:

• 1 small red onion
• 1 medium avocado
• 1 medium tomato
• 1/2 lemon's juice
• 2 tbsp pickled jalapenos

How-To:

1. Cut all of the ingredients in fairly big pieces.
2. Put everything in a blender/chopper.
3. Pulse together until it reaches smooth mixture.
4. Enjoy with toasted bread, full red wine and heavy cheese.

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13-May-2014

Breakfast For Champions, Part 3 - The Best Scrambled Eggs with Tomatoes and Bacon

The healthy, tasty and filling breakfasts continue. This is a side effect of me, spending so much time studying. I start to optimize everything possible, from house chores to what I would listen while working out to what I'm going to eat. Take my breakfast for example - I try to eat something very healthy but in the same time very filling that will keep me going from 9 in the morning till 4 in the afternoon. And I also listen to my lectures again and again while I do exercise. I could never guessed that listening to statistic classes will fit so well with running. What a thing is life.

Now, back to breakfasting. I can't possible skip breakfast, this is like my most valued meal for the day and I always spend lots of time looking for the best possible breakfasts. Or the most indulgent, for that matter. I love preparing delicious and time-consuming breakfast meals every Weekend, much for the lack of any understanding from Mr.Boyfriend. If you ask him ham and cheddar sandwich is the only reasonable breakfast one can have - it takes no time and it's tasty in the same time. Not that he'll refuse if I make him a frittata or pancakes, either french or american stile, or anything for that matter. But he wouldn't do it if it was up to him. Well, nevermind him, I will continue on my quest of eating the best possible breakfasts, even on week days!

Also, the best part of this recipe is that you can totally choose what you want to put in it yourself. Mine was supposed to be with avocado and white cheese but then I saw my two almost gone tomatoes and the plans changed. Possible, and reasonable, additions to the scrambled eggs are avocados, white cheese, ham, bacon, tomatoes, mushrooms, tofu, chives, olives, salmon, peppers, spinach. Almost anything savoury that won't melt when you put it in a pan. Keep the melting part for the top. Now, let's get started.

Ingredients (for 2 people):

• 4 medium eggs
• 1tsp olive oil
• 2 small tomatoes, chopped
• 2 thin slices of bacon, chopped to cubes
• salt and pepper

How-To:

1. In a non-stick pan heat the oil.
2. In a bowl crack all 4 of the eggs and whisk them together.
3. When the oil is heated up add the bacon and fry until cooked. It should take around 2 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, and let them cook until they start forming small setting on the pan.
5. Now turn down the heat and start stirring vigorously, until the form small bulbs of scrambled eggs.
6. Add the tomatoes, turn up the heat, add the spices.
7. Cook until the tomatoes look soft and tender and the eggs cooked.
8. Divide the scrambled in two plates and eat while they are still hot. They are best enjoyed with coffee, toast and good company!

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12-May-2014

It Tastes Like Home - Granny's Chicken Soup

As I was growing up there was one food that symbolised home above all - my Granny's chicken soup. Is gift from the heavens, warm, tasty, easy, healthy. Every time when I showed even the smallest signs of catching a cold, a big pot of chicken soup will be bubbling on the stove already. All my growing up friends knew about Granny's soup and whenever they were to come over home they will call and ask if we had some, so they can have a bowl, or two. Of course, Granny always prepared a pot just for their arrival, so they were always so delighted to find a hot bowl of love waiting for them. Later, when I started cooking myself, one of the first things I made sure to master was the chicken soup. There is not much to master in an easy recipe like this one, just one thing you need to make sure you do properly, but nevertheless I take a lot of pride in making my Gran's soup. Whenever I eat it I can swear that I see my Granny across the table, smiling at me with her wonderful warm smile. Oh, I can't wait for her and Grandad to come over in little over a month! Now, to the kitchen, we have amazing soup to prepare!

Ingredients:

• 3-4 pieces of skinless chicken thighs, with the bone
• 2 medium carrots, peeled and chopped
• 3-4 big potatoes, peeled and chopped
• 1 1/2 cup green peas
• salt

How-To:

1. Fill a large bowl with cold water and put the chicken to boil.
2. Add some salt, this will help the dirt from the chicken get out easier and faster.
3. When it start boiling skim all and any scum that rises to the surface. You need clean and clear broth.
4. When the chicken is cooked take it out of the boiling water and place in a plate to cool down slightly.
5. Add the carrots and the potatoes to the broth and boil until cooked.
6. In the meantime remove the bones from the boiled chicken and cut the meat in small pieces.
7. When the carrot and potatoes are cooked add the peas and put the chicken back in the pot.
8. Cook for another 5-ish minutes, until the peas turn soft.
9. Add more salt if needed.
10. Serve with fresh herbs (basil or parsley) chopped on top.

Note: My Granny usually likes her soup with plenty of fresh black pepper and a splash of vinegar or lemon juice. If you fancy give it a try, it's way better than it sounds!

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11-May-2014

Classical Hummus - The Healthy Vegan Spread

Hi, I'm Stana and I'm addicted to hummus. For almost 2 years now this is my go-to snack/ dip/ spread. It started when I moved in England and Mr.Boyfriend started to introduce me to the food he usually eats. Hummus was one of things he claimed to be eating quite regularly. And it was love from first bite. I cannot describe the taste, it's so light and kind of fresh, but in the same time is very smooth and brings so much satisfaction. It's just amazing.

There are plenty of hummus recipes out there. Even more if you can read Hebrew, then the recipes multiply by dozen before you manage to say Israel. There are options with yogurt, cream cheese, pesto and god knows what more. There is recipe for every taste, I promise you. You can probably even find recipes without chickpeas, if you hate them all that much. This today is the simple, easy, fresh, most ordinary recipe for hummus. The basic one. And if you ask me, the best one.

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas, the water drained
• 1/4 of the chickpeas' water
• 2tsp tahini
• 1/2 lemon's juice
• 2 garlic cloves, chopped to small pieces
• salt and pepper
• cumin and hot chili powder

How-To:

1. Place the chickpeas in a blender and pulse together until they start to look rather mashed.
2. Add the lemon juice and the water and fold in the chickpeas' mixture.
3. Pulse the mixture to a smooth paste and add the garlic. Pulse again.
4. Season to your tasting and stir well.
5. Eat with bread as a spread or with carrot, cucumbers, peppers and celery as a dip.
6. Enjoy!

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10-May-2014

Let's Have a Big Bowl of Salad For Lunch

Usually the salads I like are slightly less ... ginormous ... than this one. And they usually stick to one pattern of food, would it that be hot or cold, sour or savoury. Well, that's usually, not this time. This salad is more of a lunch with some lettuce around it. But it's not my fault, it's Mr.Boyfriends! I was planning on having a nice easy and light green salad for lunch, just like that, for a change, when he decided to join me and to transform my light lunch into this ... monster of a salad. It turned out quite well to be honest, and I did like it. I liked it enough to go back and trace everything we put in it, so I can share the recipe today.

Ingredients:

• 1 medium lettuce, cleaned
• 150gr uncooked pasta of your choosing (anything but spaghetti or tagliatelle)
• 150gr boiled boneless chicken meat, cut to small pieces
• 20-30 pitted black olives, cut in halves
• a handful of sun-dried tomatoes, drained from the oil and sliced.
• 1 avocado, pitted, peeled, and cut to cubicles
• few slices of cheddar
• salt and pepper
• the juice of 1 lemon
• some of the oil of the sun-dried tomatoes

How-To:

1. In a small pan heat the oil from the sun-dried tomatoes.
2. Put the chicken and sun-dried in the pan and fry lightly.
3. In another pot put the pasta to boil and cook according to the packaging.
4. In the meantime, cut the lettuce to medium pieces.
5. When the pasta and the chicken are cooked, set them aside to cool down. Otherwise they will burn the fresh lettuce.
6. In a medium bowl mix together the cooled pasta, chicken, and sun-dried tomatoes with the sliced lettuce, olives and avocado.
7. Flavour the salad with the lemon juice, salt and pepper.
8. After serving in individual plates/bowls add few slices of cheddar on top. And this is it!

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9-May-2014

Breakfast For Champions, Part 2 - Easiest Vegan Avocado Toast Breakfast

So yesterday it was about egg baked in avocado. Today, the breakfast is equally nutritious but no animal bi-products are involved. Clean, easy and simple. Just as breakfasts should be. Let's get started!

Ingredients (for 2):

• 1 ripe avocado, cut in half, de-pitted, and peeled
• 1/2 lemon
• 2 slices of bread
• 1 tomato
• salt and pepper
• sesame seeds for sprinkling

How-To:

1. Toast the bread.
2. In a bowl mash the avocado to a paste.
3. Season with the salt, pepper and lemon juice.
4. Cut the tomato to slices.
5. Spread a thick, even layer of the avocado mixture on the toasted bread.
6. Arrange the tomato slices on top of the avocado spread.
7. Sprinkle with sesame seed and if wanted. with additional salt and pepper.
8. Enjoy!

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