Beyond Blonde

February 12, 2019

I had spent the earlier part of my day exploring the new Queen's Diamond Jubilee Galleries at Westminster Abbey and had worked up an appetite. I had seen many IG features on The Sherlock Holmes Pub located not far from Trafalgar Square so I headed there in search of Sherlock and sustenance.

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The Sherlock Holmes Pub takes up the corner of the block and is surrounded by much taller, imposing buildings but it is still a sheer pleasure to look at. It is a traditional English pub - ornate plasterwork on its windows, a dark brooding ground floor with dark framed windows and gold lettering proclaiming its name. Outside on the pavement a small number of black tables and cheers and hopeful green shade umbrellas line up. I say hopeful as there wasn't a lot of sunshine to be had on the day I visited.  Hanging baskets ready for Spring blossom hung from the walls.

Walking inside one's first impression is of how small it is. A narrow bar area to the left, a few tables already occupied with locals, but I was met with a smile and greeting.

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I was directed up the narrow staircase to the restaurant area for a sit-down lunch. The area opens up a little more as one climbs the stairs however what captured my attention was a room that was clearly ready to welcome Sherlock himself. Apparently it is the set from the original Basil Rathbone "Sherlock Holmes" series. It is suitably Edwardian in style-red wallpaper walls, a dark timber mantle, leather club chairs and a clutter of decorative items ready for someone to settle into with a cup of tea. A violin sits on the chair ready to be picked up and played while a magnifying glass is waiting for Sherlock or Watson to pick it up and search for clues. It really is a delightful piece of whimsy and sets one up ready for a good meal and unique experience.

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The Sherlock Holmes Pub does good food! I was lucky enough to be there on a Wednesday so I ordered the special of the day, chicken wings two ways plus a side order of wedges and a glass of Pinot Grigio. The buffalo wings when they arrived were served in separate bowls so the sauces weren't muddied. I had BBQ and Hot Sauce and thoroughly enjoyed them but with eight wings arriving I'm afraid to say I left some behind :-(. The menu is extensive including variations of burgers and classic pub fare; fish and chips/ steak and ale pie/sausage and mash - perhaps next time!

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The room itself where I was seated continued the SH theme - a large open bookcase was resplendent with a Sherlock figurine, a violin and assorted items. Framed prints of scenes from Sherlock Holmes the TV series were hung on the walls and being a solo diner, I enjoyed the quiet space and ambiance while eating a delicious hot lunch.

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I would definitely recommend the Sherlock Holmes Pub for lunch or a quick drink. A perfect escape from the modern day rush going on in the city outside. 

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January 01, 2020

In contrast to the dusty and somewhat dreary streets, the restaurants of Siem Reap are well cared for and clean. Many of their interiors would not be out of place in any local western high street but they held a distinctive Cambodian ambiance. One stand-out restaurant had their menu on a large sign at the doorway – multiple ways to serve Crocodile. Crocodile burgers, crocodile stir fry, crocodile amok – the local delicacy. Amok is a Khmer dish which refers to the process of steam cooking a curry in banana leaves. Its consistency is like a thick custard or a frittata and is made up of a mixture of vegetables and a protein. Personally, I found little to like in the amok. Back at our resort restaurant I ordered it, but Its texture was flabby and there was a sourness in its aftertaste I didn’t care for.

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We had noticed on our walks into the market area that in the style of truck food, small cafes were set up offering the full range of coffee styles – latte, cappuccino, espresso and that particular Australian favourite, the flat white. I am sure these are set up for the large Aussie cohort that are both visitors and expats in Siem Reap.

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We walked along a number of dusty back streets to discover the Dirty Socks Laundry and café and it was worth it. Out the front on the wall were the washing machines lined up and ready for use. They seemed somewhat aged but functional. In through the doors and we entered into the air-conditioned café. Its black and white tiled floor, white walls and serving bench with black framed pastry display cabinet looked appealing. Seated on small stools we reviewed the menu but decided our original picks were the best and couldn’t be resisted, so we didn’t!

The freshly made waffles were delicious. The matcha version was definitely green though not in a sickening algae-like way but rather like soft, newly mown grass green shade. My maple syrup was the real deal, deeply golden and sweet. Thank god for the coffee which was perfect, hot and a flat white. These treats definitely got our ticket of approval and a feature in our own IG feeds.

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Exploring any new location is enhanced by tasting the local cuisine as much as it is exploring the sites around you. Each day we tried something new for us with Cambodian and Asian food. The local amok delicacy lacked appeal for me but other flavours from Khmer cuisine I appreciated however my favourite was a simple bar snack – friend peanuts. Small, crisp and salty friend peanuts; I literally inhaled them as I ate them, washed down with a strawberry frozen margarita while sitting at the rooftop bar of the resort.

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October 23, 2016

One of the things that makes Great Britain great has to be their pubs. No other country does a country pub the way they do in the UK.

I have had some terrific meals and then ones that were not so tasty but each of them were done in such lovely surroundings its hard to complain. One of the most memorable would have to be the on Dartmoor - the most remote and highest pub in Devon. Driving through the moor where one cannot see human habitation at all, past ponies, sheep and cattle roaming and on to the road made for a spectacular drive. The meal perhaps was not memorable but the location certainly was.

There have been pubs with history - The Exeter Inn at Ashburton, the favourite of Sir Walter Raleigh, The White Hart in Buckfastleigh its old pub and my local (!) The White Hart in Shere which is often used as a location in films. The oldest pub in Winchester - not for the food but for a fun drinking hole with the locals. The Ship Inn in Exeter, Sir Francis Drakes watering hole and then the wonderful collection of old pubs in Corbridge, Northumberland.

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Dark beams, small alcoves, inglenook fireplaces, low ceilings. These are the things I look for in a good honest English pub.

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January 01, 2020

What makes for a great coffee?

There are a number of local Geelong places that serve coffee but what makes for a great coffee? I'm not going to analyse blends vs single roast beans nor am I going to comment on latte vs cappucino. For  me, a great coffee is more than the coffee itself. Its the service, the atmosphere, the taste of course (my preferred skinny latte is straightforward but so easily messed up!) and of what else the location offers.

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My top coffee locations are -

1. Pane di Matteo in Porter Avenue, Highton. Not only the BEST coffee but also a great bakery - I am easily transported back to Italy when I walk in. Cornetti, spelt bread, olive bread - always difficult to choose which comes home with me.

2. The Union Pickers in North Geelong. Newly renovated it builds upon a great serve of coffee with equally great food. Ideal brunch spot and so popular bookings are essential. As Spring approaches the prime seats are the two swing seats at the entrace. Fight it out people! They dont take reservations for these. PS. buy the jam donut muffin, you wont be disappointed.

3. 2Sugars in Pakington St Geelong West. Love the italian vibe and strong latte.

4. Mr. BB likes Coffee Cartel at Leather st in Breakwater. Slightly out of the way but serves great coffee with a cool somewhat hipster vibe.

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Enjoy!

Jamie is exhorting me to eat Super Foods but my Instagram is full of pictures of the other extreme - mega milk shakes, cronuts, donuts, wonuts and waffles. This week my favourite vege is asparagus. Love it! I've been cooking whole bunches of asparagus serving the spears with either butter (sprinked with salt and pepper) or hollandaise, creamy deliciousness and a meal all of its own.

BUT! ... Geelong is in the grip of a surge of cafes that are raising the bar on the sweet. 

The prawns would have to be the largest I have ever had served to me...cold, flavoured with dill and

garlic they were sweet eating. The mussels came in a warmish broth of tomato, garlic and herbs and disappeared quickly! The only slight disappointment was the calamari - not quite warm enough, not

quite flavoursome enough, included the 'sucker/wiggly' bits so not my favourite. But in all, a share platter happily consumed. The best part of the Bellarine Estate Winery is its location. The diningroom-tasting room looks out of the vines and on a sunny day it would have been lovely to go for a stroll through the vines and gentle rolling landscape before or after food.