I’ve been in Shanghai now for exactly a week – it feels like so much longer, simply because of how much I’ve had to cram into my mind (language barriers, new people, new food, new surroundings).

Here are some things I love about this town;

• Street food: The vendors on the street sell some of the best food in the city. This lady above had this delicious pork-bun sort of food, that contained a delicious meat ball surrounded by yummy, soupy broth. Amazing and perplexing how they manage to keep all the liquids contained in that bun.
• Cost of Living: Everything is cheap here. 1 yuan is the price for one of those buns which is 20 cents! I got a 2 hour massage for only $20. It’s a very easy city to live in.
• Shopping: There are a myriad of shops here ranging from the fakes for which you haggle, to gorgeous little boutiques around the French Concession area, then to big name stores like Ferragamo and Louis Vuitton. Enough choice for everyone.
• Tea: There’s tea with EVERY meal, I meal each and every meal. For a tea lover like me, that’s bliss.
• Soup Dumplings: Dumplings that contain soup are a genius creation and absolutely comforting and delicious on rainy days.

Not too many negatives (the constant rain at this time of year is debilitating), but otherwise I’m looking forward to the rest of my time in this city.

Will bring you more news as it comes…

Tell me what’s your favourite city? Why?

Jocelyn’s Provisions in New Farm, Brisbane. She sold the business in 2008-still great quality.

Jocelyn’s Provisions of New Farm, Brisbane. Buttercake with Passionfruit Icing.

A beautiful cake spread at "Tom's Deli" in London, 2009.

Readers, please accept our most sincerest of apologies for not posting.

When we got back from our big trip o/s – we had plans in posting up everywhere we ate, describing what delicious meals were had, sharing our “must-sees” and “must-dos” with you, but time got away and life got busy.

But we’re back, repentant but willing to try – like a sad puppy.

Expect NYC restaurant/cafe reviews (Momofuku Noodle Bar, Alice’s Tea Cup, The Hungarian Pasty Shop Cafe Sabarsky and more…), A “12 things you Must Do in Paris” guide and some new tried and tested recipes.

Hope to see you all around soon.

ACPC

The island of Manhattan is a large and overwhelming place. So we’ve reduced our three week trip there to these 12 Things You Must Do…

1. Take the Staten Island Ferry from Manhattan. Best way to see Statue of Liberty and harbour view of Manhattan for free!
2. Wait for a meal at the Momofuku Noodle Bar: try the “Momfuku Ramen” and the steamed pork bun.
3. Go to the top of Rockerfeller Centre, give the Empire State Building a miss.
4. Take any of the “Enthusiastic Gourmet’s” food tours for an exciting insiders view of great nosh spots.
5. Go to Katz’s Deli.
6. See a New York “Knicks” basketball game at Madison Square Garden  – try to spot the celebrities sitting courtside.
7. Go to the Union Square Markets.
8. See a broadway show (“Fela!” was amazing).
9. Try a bagel at “Absolute Bagels”.
10. If it’s Winter go ice-skating in Bryant Park. The cheapest and least crowded rink, very beautiful too.
11. Try out the health-conscious “Babycakes” carrot cupcake. These baked delights will alter your view on “Gluten-Free” and “Vegan” baked goods.
12. Take the Subway, the bus and don’t be afraid of cabs – they’re so reasonably priced.

Share with me some of your “Must-See’s/Eat’s/Do’s” for NYC, or any other city for that matter.

Above: Image of Grasshopper exterior. Image courtesy of BrisbaneTimes.

I was recently invited to a Brisbane food bloggers dinner through Twitter. Apart from having a great time meeting some like-minded foodies, the host restaurant was outstanding.

Grasshopper; a relatively new mod Vietnamese/Australian restaurant, welcomed around 16 of us with; open arms, ever-filling plates and bottomless glasses of wine.

The retro interior is a bonus. Image courtesy of Eatability.

The restaurant offered their six course Autumn degustation dinner and the undivided attention of restaurant co-owner/sommelier Todd Rumble.

My favourite dish was the fifth, beef cheeks.

Blame it on my craving for wholesome food but I can say without the shadow of a doubt that I’ve never had beef like that, ever. Chef Minh Le (below) and his sous chefs, slow braised the beef for over 6 hours in a Vietnamese stock and served it with a coriander and chilli polenta cake and baby vegetables.

The beef melted in my mouth, but had enough strength of flavour to linger on my tastebuds – something that I find is usually comprimised in slow cooked meats.

Above (from left to right): chef Minh Le and the Grasshopper kitchen. Bar stocking extensive range of wines at Grasshopper. Image courtesy of BrisbaneTimes.

Rumble runs a tight but aimiable ship here and you can see how his past career in business and finance has come into play at Grasshopper; the professionalism of the staff is of haute restaurant quality.

Also, a rarity in food blogging, Rumble actually seemed to care about each blogger’s opinion!

We were given press packs outlining the facts of the restaurant – very business-like, but it worked.

This high end food is mid ($$) price range, so it’s bound to be a certain surprise to your wallet and your tastebuds. All proceeds from the evening went to the Little Lantern Foundation.

• Grasshopper: London Woolstores, 36 Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe, Brisbane.
• Contact: (07) 3252 8622
• Transport: Bus 199 or 470. City Cat to Bulimba – cross river ferry from Bulimba. Parking can be scarce around the Teneriffe area – but it’s worth a try.
  

So you’ve got a short stop-over in the Tea-Drinking capital? If you don’t want to do all the touristy things here’s my advice; after a spot of breakfast and shopping in Notting Hill head straight to Marylebone High Street. Read on for our guide to “12 Hours in: London”.

9 AM: Daylesford Organic

Daylesford Organic‘s breakfast is one of the most wholesome and delicious in London. As I mentioned in a previous post, their Eggs Benedict is hands down the best I’ve ever tasted.

Their ingredients are wholly organic, giving your ethical side a rare peace of mind in a city that is overrun with questionable produce.

• Daylesford Organic: 208-212 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH
• Tube Stop: Notting Hill Gate (take the “Central”, “Circle” or “District” lines).

10 AM: Portobello Road Markets

P. enjoying Portobello Rd. Markets.

After that nourishment it’s time for some shopping around Notting Hill.

If upmarket flea markets are your thing, and you’re in London on a Saturday, head straight to the renowned Portobello Road Markets. On sale at the markets are antique wares, food markets, tourist junk… anything your heart desires really. Even if you don’t want to buy anything, imagine yourself walking the market beside Hugh Grant in “Notting Hill”.

If you don’t feel like battling the crowds walk down the street from Daylesford and oogle at the lovely fashion boutiques.

• Opening Hours for Portobello Road Markets: Saturdays from 8 am – 6 pm.
• Directions Portobello Road Markets walk back up to Ladbroke Grove and follow the signs to Portobello Road.

ACPC Tip: If you buy anything at the markets be sure to bargain with the dealers – they expect you to.

12 PM: Marylebone High Street

If you feel like discovering a new scene walk back to the tube stop and take the “Central Line” to Baker Street. Work up your hunger by popping in and out of boutiques; kitsch knick knacks at Cath Kidston, Oxfam Books and Music and fabulous cooking store Divertimenti.

• Cath Kidston: 51 Marylebone High Street, London.
• Oxfam Books and Music: 91 Marylebone High St, London.
• Divertimenti: 33/34 Marylebone High Street, London.

1: 30 PM: Time for Lunch

Cheese image from Town and Country, La Fromagerie image from La Fromagerie.

In a  previous post I raved about this foodie treasure trove, so when it came to writing this guide it had to fit in somewhere.

La Fromagerie is the perfect lunch spot. Always buzzing with hip foodies and brimming with delicious produce, you won’t find it had to get a nourishing meal here. P. and I visited this cafe/gourmet food market twice - a true testament to it’s out-of-the-ordinary meals and wonderfully fresh produce.

• La Fromagerie: 2-6 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London.

ACPC Tip: Any of their daily specials are a great choice. They have wonderful cheese platters.

3 PM: Kill the Credit Card

A lovely surprise is in store for the shoppers out there; at the end of Marylebone High Street lies Selfridges & Co. , one of the largest and most quirky department stores in London. They stock a myriad of designer labels and streetware labels (you can get your TopShop fix here too).

• Selfridges directions: Continue down Marylebone High Street for about 5 mins, turn left down Wigmore Street continue on a few metres, then turn left down Duke Street continue on for 1 minute, turn left onto Oxford Street et voilà! A beautiful less touristy department store for you to run around in.

ACPC Tip: Men are not neglected here, go up to the mens level to gawk at their large assortment of beautiful/unusual ties.

6 PM: Fancy a Tipple? Head to the Beach.

After all that shopping you may need a drink to numb the inevitable credit card debt or a champagne to celebrate the Manolo Blahnik heels you just found on sale – no other place will reward you with better cocktails than Beach Blanket Babylon. 

The chic Brit set congregate at this Notting Hill bar (it’s an Official Venue for London Fashion Week), but don’t let that frighten you off.

Their cocktails are excitingly alluring, and the interior decoration like sex to the eye. The bar offers small sharing plates to nibble on, but save your appetite for the following restaurant.

• Beach Blanket Babylon: 45 Ledbury Road, Notting Hill, London.
• Contact Beach Blanket Babylon: (+41) 020 7229 2907 or reserve online.
• Tube Stop: Notting Hill Gate (take the “Central”, “Circle” or “District” lines).

ACPC Tip: Call ahead to reserve a table to enjoy your drinks at – this place can get overcrowded on weekends.

7 :30 PM: The Lonsdale

One Saturday evening in L-town, a friend of P.’s cancelled on dinner plans at the last minute but suggested we take the reservations she had made. Luckily she had good taste. The Lonsdale is just a 5 minute walk from Beach Blanket Babylon so no taxi needed.

P. and I were pleasantly surprised with The Lonsdale. A suburban gem of a restaurant, it offered high quality, fresh and innovative food at completely affordable prices (a gem indeed; London is well-known to be overpriced in every sector of life).

The atmosphere was really great, unpretentious and yet there was an air of chic-ness about the place, like everyone eating there felt as if this delicious restaurant were their little secret.

P. and I both agree that this restaurant is a must eat.

• The Lonsdale: 48 Lonsdale Road, Notting Hill, London.
• Contact The Lonsdale: (+41) 0207 727 4080

ACPC Tip: Book ahead, order a bottle of wine and expect to be surprised by the well-priced meals.

And finally don’t forget to…

A slice of la vie française in ol’ London town. This gourmet food store is also a fabulous lunch spot, with meals leaning towards gallic tastes…

La Fromagerie is a foodie treasure trove. It features a similar set up to Daylesford Organics but with a french twist. Essentially it’s an up-market produce store featuring a communal table where locals and in-the-know tourists, (I heard French accents around the table), come to enjoy some market-fresh meals.

It has an excellent fromagerie (of course!) featuring cheeses from the Euro region, and their chactuterie and fresh produce on offer is a level above the rest too. P. and I never wanted to leave!

• La Fromagerie: 2-6 Moxon Street, Marylebone, London W1U 4EW
• Tube Stop: Baker Street (take the “Central” line).

ACPC Tip: P. and I bought an absolutely delicious truffle mortadella ham – out of this world! For lunch, order the confit duck and lentil dish, if it’s still on the menu! The duck meat so tenderly surrenders to your fork and melts away in your mouth.

Daylesford Oganic cafe in Notting Hill is a jolly-good start to the morning in England’s capital.

Regular “testers” of Eggs Benedict dishes in cafes all over the world, P. and I were exceptionally impressed with the quality of Daylesford’s. The sauce was plate-likingly delicious, one of the best we’ve ever tasted.

Another perk; everything on your plate and in their store surrounding the cafe is organic. So your stomach and morals can rest easy.

The simply chic white interior, well-stocked (and high-priced) deli and amazing, knee-weakening coffee keeps a flow of regular clientele coming back (some, unfortunately being the “push the food around on the plate while rocking your sunglasses inside” types).

• Daylesford Organic: 208-212 Westbourne Grove, London W11 2RH
• Tube Stop: Notting Hill Gate (take the “Central”, “Circle” or “District” lines).

ACPC Tip: Ignore the modern-day Stepford wives, order the Eggs Benedict – and try to tell us it’s not the best one you’ve  ever had!

P. and I found Tom’s Delicatessen in the trendy Notting Hill area after a lovely breakfast nearby. Even though our stomachs were full, our eyes were drawn to the cafe’s retro-kitsch design (it’s been there for 20 years).

As we walked inside we realised their vintage design is suitably matched to it’s wholesome blast-from-the-past treats.

The store is filled with hard-to-find vintage sweet treats, sumptuous-looking homemade cakes and downstairs is a well stocked deli with items rarely seen in any other stores.

• Tom’s Delicatessen: 226 Westbourne Grove, London, W11 2RH.
• Tube Stop: Notting Hill Gate (The “Central”, “Circle” or “District” lines).

ACPC Tip: Try their melting moment biscuits – but get one to take away, or you may end up buying the entire batch. The walk from the “tube” to Tom’s will take around 10 minutes, but for views of beautiful London townhouses and quirky vintage shops along the way – it’s worth it.

It’s pumpkin season here in France so I had the itch to make a steamingly delicious pumpkin soup for my lunch today…

Dilemma? I don’t have a blender to puree any soups. Luckily my gal Martha came through. This pumpkin soup is so easy to make – a “one pot” dish and there’s no blending involved, the Butternut Squash simply melts to a beautiful consistency!

Ingredients:

Serves 6 to 8

• 2 teaspoons coarse salt
• 1 teaspoon of curry powder (and whatever other spices you enjoy)
• 340g red lentils (about 1 ½ cups)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon freshly grated ginger
• 1 butternut squash (about ½ a kilo) – peeled, seeded, and cut in 1/2-inch pieces
• A litre of chicken stock
• 2 cups water

Directions:

1. Combine salt and curry powder; set aside.
2. Rinse lentils; set aside.
3. Heat butter in a large saucepan over medium heat.
4. Add curry mixture; stir until fragrant, about 1 minute.
5. Add onion, garlic, and ginger; cook until translucent, about 4 minutes.
6. Add squash; cook until just beginning to soften, about 5 minutes.
7. Add stock and water. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer.
8. Cook until squash is tender, about 10 minutes.
9. Stir in lentils; cook until soft, 10 to 15 minutes.
10. Serve hot (with a little dollop of natural yoghurt).

Would love to hear any seasonal recipes that you have to share?