Wednesday 17 August 2011

Wedding Reception at China Boulevard

So it is Summer what do you normally associate with summer? Sun, Sea, Sand, Ice Cream... Weddings!
I think everyone in my family was worried that the weather wouldn't be sunny. It was lovely 29c and sunny but the Bride's Bentley broke down and she was late to the church by 2 hours. My cousin... nervous was not the word to describe him. It was such a beautiful ceremony and it took longer than an average wedding because it was translated to 3 languages; Vietnamese, Filipino and English. So after the beautiful ceremony, starving was not the word that to describe the urgency to eat. My Cousin decided to have the wedding reception at China Boulevard as was closely located on the River Thames near Wandsworth Bridge. It wouldn't really be traditional if there wasn't 7 courses and the wedding lasting the whole day. After having champagne, awaiting for the wedding bus of people to arrive, yes there were about 160 guest. The wedding made my parents broodie so the champagne and strawberries really helped me digest the lecture.


The first course was Suckling pig, quite ironic that the pig festival was on the 29th and 30th July. If I wasn't at the wedding I would of gone there. The crackling was very crispy , they removed the fat in between just keeping the tender roast pork glazed in honey and the crispy crackling. This was accompanied with a sesame and seaweed stir fry.


Because the wedding ceremony took ages, I think everyone was starving, there were 8 people at one table seating. Normally I love sharing tapas or sharing oriental style but when your at a wedding you have to show mannerism, even when your starving. Interesting how people will put food on to their plate but leave the last piece because you don't want to known to be the last person who took that juicy prawn! Sauteed King Prawns, Razor Clams and squid with vegetables. Sauteing uses a small amount of fat in a shallow pan over relatively high heat, the seafood usually cut into pieces or thinly sliced and cooked very quickly to keep in the moisture.

Steam Turbot in Soya Sauce Ginger and Spring Onions, the turbot looked like plaice but tasted like bream. Normally the very traditional way to have Sea Bass is with Soya Sauce and spring onion, maybe it wasn't in season. I did see this enormous fish tank with live stock, inside it made me quite sad to see them all bunch up and ready to be cooked. The waitress kindly served the portions of the Turbot, the fish was very fresh I saw it in the tank 15 minutes before it was cooked. The oriental style of cooking is to leave the fish head on and serve it on a plate, most of the British guess opted out which I found a little funny. They do stay out of sight out of mind.

The Roasted Chicken was crispy and seasoned with 5 spices, I thought this was the most ordinary way to cook chicken. But at a wedding you try to cater for everyone's tastebuds, so I guess familiarity is the key with this dish.

Deep Fried Jumbo Crab Claw initially when it was served some of the guessed asked if it was a scorpion tail. I just laughed so hard and said "we are not in Vietnam," not that I have ever eaten scorpion but I am sure they don't serve it in a ball. The crab ball was filled with a picture of crab, flour and batter, very difficult to eat with chopsticks but had a good portion of crab meat and was Delicious.



One the left side of the platter you can see the lobster head this put most the guest of, authenticity is the key. So I ended up having about 7 portions, yes I didn't leave this wedding hungry, just needing to exercises for a good 4 hours after, China Boulevard certainly gave generous platter portions. Lobster with Ginger and Shallots, was not overly seasoned, it was cooked perfectly. The lobster meat was light and sweet, I put my hands up to China Boulevard, the lobster was better than Marbella Club.


Braised Abalone with Lettuce and Oyster Sauce. Your probably wondering what Abalone is, it's edible sea snails that taste like whelks, a slight rubbery texture with a light oyster sauce gravy on a bed of fresh broccoli. I told the other guest it was pork medallions so that I wouldn't have to eat 8 portions, I think once the guest tasted it, I confessed what it was, they got over the fact of trying new things. They actually really enjoyed the dish, it's not something you would order and cook at home everyday, but definitely suitable for special occasions.



Yeon Chow Fried Rice wrapped in lotus leaf, I don't speak any Chinese so Yeon Chow was a mixture of prawns, clams and scallops embedded in rice, encased in lotus leave and steamed. This is not an easy dish to cook, the rice was flavoured by the lotus leaf and it was very delicious the parcel just oozed of seafood. I was very impressed by this dish.


I have eaten shark fin soup before unfortunately this was a little let down, there wasn't much substance. The shark fin and crab soup was more crab than shark fin, a little bland maybe they should try using a better fish stock.


The Petit Four was a combination of Coconut Jelly and Mung Bean deep fried pastry with sesame seed. My plate only saw 2 not 4, but by this time we had been eating for 3 hours so I was very full. I really enjoyed my time at China Boulevard.



Yes there were more dessert, chocolate filled cupcakes with butterscotch icing. What a genius idea at a wedding. I just wanted to say a Big Thank You to China Boulevard for making this occasions special, decorations were beautiful, the stage allowed the dancers and singers to perform. Hats off to China Boulevard for catering 160 guest.



The venue: China Boulevard
Cuisine: Cantonese
Date visited: 30/07/11
The damage: £448 party of 10 excludes alcohol and service charge
The food: I think the food was brilliant 9 out of 10.
The service: 9 out 10


Will I recommend China Boulevard: Yes most definitely
Will I return: Yes just to eat the Lobster
Will I have my wedding here: Got to find the right man first.... definitely worth enquiring.
Have I had better: Yes but the standard of Chinese food here it very good. 
China Boulevard on Urbanspoon

Monday 15 August 2011

Turkish Food Festival - Belly dancing whilst Eating Baclava

I try to go to as many food festivals, to mainly eat the food and curiously to see if there is something new that I have never eaten.

The Turkish food festival 23-24th July 2011 was in London, filled with dancing, food and laughter. A buzzing atmosphere, the sounds of the drums, smokey grilled meat on the BBQ, the smell of spicy aromas and not forgetting the belly dancers, whilst a crowd eagly copying their moves whilst eating Baclava and Pitta bread with grilled Kebabs.
That's definately something you don't see every day!

The were a few stalls selling souvenirs, keeping my best to reassure myself I do not need anymore clutter. Shame the weren't selling tagine pots because I need a new one.
Being a little greedy curious food lover, me and my sister had to try as many different things until our belly was full.

Turkish beef roll I did try and google the Turkish name for the dishes however I couldn't find it. So you'll have to bare with my description. The pastry was wrapped in a sausage shape the filling was a herby beef and onion filling. Very Delicious, not something you would find in a restaurant.

Spinach and Feta cheese layered pancakes.
Spinach and feta cheese pastry

Lamb Turkish Samosa, not as spicy as the the Indian Samosa packed with suttle spiced flavours.

Samosa

Assortment of Turkish Desserts Baclava (layers of Filo pastry soaked in honey and pastascio), Kadayif (baked vermecelli with sweetened pastacio filling) and Tumbula (bread soaked in Syrup).
Turkish desserts


Turkey is definatley re-known for their Kebabs, my highlight of the festival was purely eating the  Lamb and Chicken Shish Kebab £5. The Chicken was seasoned with Paprika and the lamb was very tender. There was limited salad and the pitta bread was not grilled, when you are eating from a stall, it's quick and easy so you can't expect to be like a restaurant.




I certainly had a wonderful time at the Turkish Food Festival there is one every year around July, I definately recommend spending the afternoon eating turkish authentic food, catching the sun and watching people belly dance whilst eating food. If only I could upload videos it would be a vision that would sell any event.

Tuesday 2 August 2011

Kim Chee - Sweet Sour Spicy BBQ Meat!


I always had fond thoughts Of Korea. My TEFL supervisor  mentioned that being vegetarian 
is really not an option. 
On Saturday just before the wedding we had 2 hours to burn, before the church ceremony
so we thought we should try the Korean restaurant opposite Golders Green train station.
The menu was extensive and had lots of choice. We decided to go for the Set Lunch menu.
 
The Seaweed Soup was very tasty, the seaweed was cooked in a light prawn broth. A bit similar to Japanese Miso soup minus the Tofu and Miso paste.
From left to right kim chee, crunchy cabbage with chilli marinade. seasonal vegetables in pork oil drizzle and steamed bean sprouts.


The Beef Bulgogi, was barbecued beef cooked with onions and garlic. I really enjoyed eating this dish it was authentic and the beef was tender, tasted exactly how it does in Seoul.




Spicy barbecued pork with onions and spring onions. The pork definitely was flavorsome, with turmeric, cardamon, chilli and very delicious.

When you are ready to pay the bill you just push the button to get the waitress's attention.
Kim Chee even give you complimentary Melon whilst your waiting to pay the bill. I am a firm believer of paying for what you get. Not only was the cuisine authentic they did it well and it did not break the bank balance, I also left this redcurrant feeling satisfied.

The venue: Kim Chee
Cuisine: Korean
Date visited: 30/07/11
The damage: £18 party of 2 for lunch
The food: 9 out 10. I recommend you try this restaurant or there is also a Kim Chee in High Holborn.
The service: 8 out 10


Will I recommend Kim Chee: Yes the food was good and authentic, really relaxed dining experience.
Will I return:Yes most definately
Have I had better: Yes there is lots of good Korean Restaurants in New Malden.

Amadora - To adore the gift of love through food.

It always makes me happy to see new restaurants pop up in my local area. 
Living near Richmond has always been a great pleasure from escaping from 
the hustle and bustle of the center of London. The commute on a bad day makes 
me think differently however on a good day it gives me opportunity to write down 
my initial thoughts about work and restaurants.
Amadora was open 7 months ago just by the green down paved court. 
2 courses and a glass of Prosecco for £18.95 you can't go too wrong. The owner 
was friendly and started conversations with all the Diners. It is very important that 
the front of house is welcoming because the first impression is an everlasting
impression.
 
The wine prices varied from £20 - £50, we ordered a White Sauvignon Blanc, 
summer always feels great with the taste of  snappy, zesty grape, full of aromatic 
personality. 
 
For starters I had the Calamari it was lightly fried wild garlic herbs on a bed of 
salad. The Calamari was really good the chunky slices was soft and was scrumptious 
I could it it twice. My dinner partner did mention that a little less salt would of been 
perfect. I think the chef use wild garlic and garlic powder which can sometimes be a 
bit salty, but also used as a substitute for salt. 
 
My dinner partner decided to go for the special of the day Asparagus linguine.  
Amadora had good portion sizes, however if they want to separate themselves 
from a chain restaurant they have to taste the food. The pasta was cooked Al Dente  
which is a bonus but the simplicity of pesto sauce and asparagus was not perfect. 
If I was to make at home, I could do it within 10 minutes not very imaginative for the 
dish of the day. If I had spent another 5 minutes putting attention and love into the food
it would surpass the chain restaurant faux par. 

 
Pan Fried Seabass in Cherry Tomato Sauce, with salad. I think they used the same
 salad from the calamari to garnish the Seabass. I guess the diners there probably did 
not order seafood for starters and mains. I would of accompanied the dish with some 
steam seasonal vegetables or mange tout. The sea bass was tasty the skin was crispy, 
the fish was filleted well and you can taste the fresh tomato sauce.
Is it about sourcing or saucing? 
 
 
For dessert we had Strawberry Cheese cake, I am not sure if it is because I am a 
perfectionist or I know what fresh homemade cheesecake taste like. I don't want 
to be horrible because I know how difficult it is to be a restauranteur. Unfortunately 
the meal got a little worse, the cheesecake base was soggy and it was not freshly 
made. It was like eating microwaved cream but paying £5 for it. I would 
pay £50 to watch Gordon Ramsay eat it, all hell would break loose. 

The dessert menu was very limited I decided to have Mango Sorbet and Chocolate 
ice cream. The ice cream was nice, very refreshing. The owner mentioned he 
sourced it from a local Richmond Ice Cream Parlour, Gelateria Danieli. Little did he 
know that this is my favourite place to eat ice cream in the summer. the dessert menu 
had 4 choices of flavor. If I owned an Italian restaurant I would of chosen to have the 
Strawberry Sorbet, Pastachio and Ferreror Rocher. I have tried all the flavours in 
Gelateria Danieli and these are the best ones.

 
The venue: Amadora
Cuisine: Italian
Date visited: 29/07/11
The damage: £80 party of 2
The food: 3 out 10, I think this could be a wonderful restaurant they just need time to be put Authenticity and LOVE into their cuisine.
The service: 7 out 10


Will I recommend Amadora: No not ATM
Will I return: No I only return if the food is really good.
Have I had better: Yes I have had alot better Italian Food in Richmond.