Aussie-Grade Coffee at Workshop Coffee, London

The time I spent in Oz has made me appreciate coffee in a whole different way. In a few years, I learned more about coffee than I ever imagined. Aussie's are so passionate about coffee that they have schools (like Italy) that specialize in coffee where you can learn about latte art, the art of making the perfect espresso, and even the ins and outs on how to run a profitable coffee business. Baristas are the rock stars of Australia and the ones who do it really well, are surely recognized for it.

Everywhere I travel now, I'm always on the look out for good coffee. In London, a very notable coffee bar is Workshop Coffee. With roots in Melbourne Australia, Workshop Coffee was once St Ali, a sister coffee bar to Melbourne's St Ali. Almost a year after St Ali London opened, they decided to re-invent themselves as Workshop Coffee.

In Aussie fashion, Workshop Coffee takes their coffee seriously. They are meticulous about the sourcing, roasing and brewing of their coffee, which you can read all about on their website. Every year, they take the time to travel to different countries to learn from the people who grow their coffee. This year, the focus will be on travels to Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Colombia, El Salvador, Costa Rica, and Guatemala.

Workshop Coffee currently has 2 locations - Clerkenwell and Marleybone. The Clerkenwell location (the one I visited) is the larger of the two and serves hot food including weekend brunch. The Marleybone location is the complete opposite with just 14 seats and a small selection of pastries and sandwiches. In March of this year, they are opening a 3rd location, a 1200 square foot space, on the ground floor of Amazon's headquarters in Holborn.

On Feb 17, they announced that they are shipping their coffee globally, which means you can enjoy Workshop's awesome coffee whether or not you can get to London.

Workshop Coffee
27 Clerkenwell Road
London, UK
Telephone: 0207 253 5754

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Great Brunch in London. Caravan, London

Do you feel, some days everyday, like a chicken with its head cut off? Productivity is not an easy thing to master. Especially at the pace life goes at today. With technology, smart phones and social media, it is sooo easy to be constantly pulled in a million different directions. Do you feel like you are always busy, but at the same time, feeling like you're not accomplishing much? I know I did. ALL THE TIME.

I've realized that being productive and feeling good about what you accomplished is not about how much you get done but what you get done. I've made a conscious effort the last few months to do the things that matter most, by focusing on the tasks that go the longest way. Tasks that will help me reach my end goal. When you slowly knock off the tasks that keep you moving forward, you will start to feel good about what you are accomplishing.

Stay Focused.

If you don't stay focused on what matters, you get distracted with busy work. Pick the top 3 things you absolutely need to get accomplished for the day and focus on them until they are done. Everything else should be non-existent until these things are done. I'm not saying to stop feeding your kids and neglect your household chores but DO Focus on One Big Task at a Time and get them done.

Do The Things You Don't Want to Do.

The things you don't want to do are likely the things that are most important. Why? Because they are mentally taxing or because it requires work. It's so easy to get distracted by small tasks that are easy to complete, but don't amount to a whole lot of result. Start with the things you dread. They are usually the most important tasks. 


Just Get It Done.



Deal with it and move on. It can't get any simpler than that :)

Being productive starts with a good breakfast. And with that thought, here is an awesome brunch place I found in London that is now a new favorite. They have amazing food and amazing coffee! If you can't easily get there, enjoy the photos :)

Caravan roasts their own coffee, in small batches, in the basement of the restaurant. Their coffee was exceptional: no after taste, just the right temperature and a great balance of bitter and fruitiness.

They have a great brunch menu that focuses on seasonal ingredients. The ham hock hash with poached eggs was to die for and their orange scented pancakes were perfectly fluffy. Be prepared to wait for a table if going for brunch. It's a really popular spot.

Cappuccino

Ham Hock Hash, Poached Eggs, Peas and Honey Mustard Hollandaise

Caravan Fry Up: Two eggs, Roasted Tomatoes, Streaky Bacon and Thyme Roasted Portobello Mushrooms

Baked Eggs, Tomato and Pepper Ragout, Greek Yogurt and Chorizo

Orange Scented Pancakes, Vanilla Butter and Blueberries

Caravan Restaurant & Bar
11-13 Exmouth Market
London, UK
Telephone: 0207 833 8115

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Ever So Posh Lobster Cocktail Potato Crisps

I recently received some goodies from the UK and was ecstatic when I saw these Marks & Spencer Ever So Posh lobster cocktail potato crisps. I loved the flavor idea, I loved the packaging and mostly, I loved the name "Ever So Posh"!

When I first opened the bag, there was a deadly scent of seafood. I thought for sure the chips would have a strong taste of lobster, but surprisingly, they were mild and did not have a strong seafood taste at all. The main ingredient is lobster cocktail seasoning, which among the dried herbs, lemon and tomato, also includes dried oyster and dried lobster. The texture of the chips were very similar to any kettle cooked chips.

Other Ever So Posh flavors available are: Parmesan, Asparagus & Truffle and Sea Salt & Lemon Vinaigrette.

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Thai Airways Airline Food - Paris to Bangkok

Thai Airways airline meals from Paris to Bangkok in economy class.

Dinner
Starter: Savoy ham and creole salad
Main: Stir-fried beef with oyster sauce, steamed Thai Hom Mali rice and bok choy
Dessert: Pecan Tartlet
Sides: Rivoli bread roll, crackers, cheese, butter, tea, coffee

Breakfast
Starter: Fruit salad and yoghurt
Main: Emmenthal crepe, Spanish omelet, roasted tomato and green asparagus
Sides: Croissant, baby bread, jam, butter, tea, coffee

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Fou Lard Scarf, Bacon Worth Wearing

If we didn't tell you this was a bacon scarf, you probably wouldn't have even noticed. Delicately designed, this Fou Lard bacon scarf created by Swiss designer Natalie Luder, is a true masterpiece.

Foulard is the french word for a silk scarf, and if you break up the word, you also get fou = crazy and lard = bacon, which is how this scarf got its clever name. This limited edition scarf is 100% silk that is digitally printed with a black row hem.

Luder studied Jewellery Design at the Geneva School of Applied Arts and at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie in Amsterdam. Although her training is in jewellery, she has not limited her work to just that. Most of her work is inspired by food, but with an appearance versus reality twist.

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Funky Food Ilustrations by Anek

Anek's simple and colorful food illustrations are creative and sophisticated. Kitchen art is tough to master. Most are tacky or very mainstream looking, and in all fairness, it's not easy to make a salad, a jar of olives, or herbs look inspiring.

A graphic designer and illustrator in Croatia, Anek primarily focuses her work on food as it has always been a big part of her life (especially her Granny's recipes). Her artwork is featured in restaurants and products across the globe including the UK, New Zealand and Portugal. 

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Alfred Coffee Table, Inspired by Waiter Holding a Tray

Smart design hardly goes unnoticed. This Alfred Coffee Table, designed by Italian designer Giorgio Bonaguro, is an elegant table inspired by a waiter's five fingers when holding a tray. It's five legs, all with different dimensions and in different positions, delicately balance a round table top that represents the tray a waiter holds. The plexiglass top comes in different colors - red, orange, yellow, green and white.

Giorgio Bonaguro is industrial and interior designer based in Milan.

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Doodle Bread

Obama Doodle Bread

If you're a big doodler, then you're gonna love Doodle Bread. A UK based company, Doodle Cook has made it easy to be creative with your bread using their easy shape kits. Doodle with cocoa, tomato & beetroot, spinach & rosemary and blueberry flavors. You can now admire your work in every slice of bread you serve.

Happy US Thanksgiving!

Romney Doodle Bread

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Borough Market, London

The Borough Market is one of the largest and most popular food markets in London and should be on everyone's checklist of places to go if visiting the city. It is located right beside the Southwark Cathedral, on the South end of the London bridge.

Southwark Cathedral

The Borough Market is also the oldest market in London, dating back to the 13th century. It was once a place where people flocked to grab fresh produce, but it has since expanded to over 100 stalls offering butchered meats, artisan food products, fresh bread, and hot meals from food vendors.

We recommend fresh oysters from Richard Haward's Oysters, a snack at the beef curtains stand, an unpasteurized mozzarella di bufala cone at the Parma Ham and Mozzarella stall, or a hot baguette sandwich from The Guildable Manor.

Here are the market hours:

Wholesale Market: Mon to Friday 2AM - 8AM
Lunch: Mon to Wed 10AM - 3PM
Full Retail Market: Thurs 11AM - 5PM, Fri 12PM - 6PM, Sat 8AM - 5PM

Borough Market

Parma Ham

Fresh Bread and Pastries

Unpasteurized Mozzarella di Bufala Cones

Beef Curtains

Paella

Hot Beef Baguette with Harrisa

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Teacup Ring

This tea cup ring, created by Kay of Ruby Robin Boutique, caught our attention with its charming details and beautiful colors. This kawaii miniature ring features a delicate floral bone china tea cup set with a slice of lemon and two handcrafted chocolate chip cookies. It's amazing how so much detail can be packed into such a little package.

Kay creates all sorts of vintage inspired jewellery in her studio in Cork, Ireland. When you set eyes on her creations, you'll be mesmerized by its beauty and delicate charm. Influenced by her family who owned a craft shop and earned their living from crafts, Kay started making things at a very early age. She tried different things throughout her life - such as dragon figurines, face painting and dress making - until she finally decided that jewellery making was her true passion.

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Corner Room, London

Tucked away in London boutique hotel, Town Hall hotel, Corner Room is a great place to go if you're in the mood for a casual, but upscale meal. Corner room is the low key version of Nuno Mende's Michelin-starred restaurant, Viajante.

To keep things moving, there is a no-reservations policy here, and your stay is limited to 90 minutes when it is busy. The menu changes weekly.

My appetizer was the beetroot with butternut squash & stracciatella. I loved the presentation of this dish. The salad was a mix of pickled and fresh beetroot, which provided a nice contrast.

Beetroot with Butternut Squash & Stracciatella

C had the venison in ash with salsify & date. Again, another beautiful presentation. The venison was delicious.

Venison in Ash with Salsify & Date

CK had the octopus with smoked potato & hazelnut milk. The octopus had a nice crunch to it, and the overall dish had a nice salty and smokiness flavor.

Octopus with Smoked Potato & Hazelnut Milk

I originally ordered the duck but they had run out, so my second choice (with much encouragement from C) was the Iberico pork & Portuguese bread pudding. I wasn't brave enough to get my pork rare, and had it cooked medium instead. The bread pudding, paired suprisingly well with the pork. My plate was spotless by the time I was done.

Iberico Pork & Porguguese Bread Pudding

CK + H ordered the short ribs with mushroom caramel & pak choi. The short ribs were melt-in-your-mouth tender.

Short Ribs with Mushroom Caramel & Pak Choi

C had the onglet steak with celeriac & pine.

Onglet Steak with Celeriac & Pine

After our meal, the four of us split two desserts. The first was the blueberries with goats cheese caramel, brioche & shiso. The shiso and goats cheese were two very strong tastes that somewhat clashed with each other. I didn't love this dessert.

Blueberries with Goats Cheese Caramel, Brioche & Shiso

The other dessert was the rhubarb with white chocolate & buttermilk sorbet. A nice blend of tastes but nothing that really stood out.

Rhubarb with White Chocolate & Buttermilk Sorbet

By the time our coffee was ready, our 90 minutes were up, so they gave us our coffees at no charge and politely shooed us out.

Corner Room
Town Hall Hotel & Apartments
Patriot Square
London, UK
Telephone: 0207 871 0461

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Beigel Bake, London

Montreal has smoked meat, New York has pastrami, and London has salt beef. What I recently discovered was the salt beef part, and I'm so glad I did!

While all three are Jewish deli meats made of beef brisket that is cured in brine, each has its own distinct characteristics and flavors. If you are not familiar with the term salt beef, it is pretty much the same thing as corned beef.

After a long night of pub hopping, our friends from London took CK and I to Brick Lane for a hot salt beef beigel sandwich. A bagel you ask? No, I said beigel.

Brick Lane hot salt beef beigel sandwiches are especially popular with the late night crowd. After a long night out, and if you are in the area, the salt beef beigel is what locals turn to for that 2 am hunger fix.

There are 2 main places that serve salt beef beigel sandwiches on Brick Lane: Beigel Bake and Beigel Shop. The two establishments are literally right beside each other, and both are just as popular. Our friends are loyal to Beigel Bake, so that is where we ended up.

As you walk by, you'll see the sandwiches being constructed with the words hot salt beef etched on the window.

When we arrived, there was a huge line up going out the door. We waited patiently as we moved along the queue. Once you get inside, you can get a peak of the beigels being made.

The bakery is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. While I focus on the salt beef sandwich, the bakery offers so much more than that. Aside from beigels, you can also get fresh rolls, breads, and pastries. If salt beef isn't your thing, you can have your beigel filled with smoked salmon and cream cheese, chicken, salami, or tuna.

Alas, the wonderful mouth watering hot salt beef beigel sandwich! Along with the salt beef, you can also get thick slices of dill pickle and loads of Colman's hot English mustard stuffed into the sandwich. Each bite cleared our sinuses and made our eyes water. The spiciness combined with the saltiness of the beef, sourness of the pickles, and sweetness of the beigel made each bite more addicting.

I debated on eating this for breakfast the next day, but CK talked me out of it.

Beigel Bake

159 Brick Lane

London, UK

Telephone: 020 7729 0616

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