fliss's Profile
Special birthday lunch (a Monday) Central/West London recommendations
The Wolesley is great for a special occasion - just book ahead. In West London - try Hereford Road.
London Brunch
You could try Smiths of Smithfield ground floor - they do a great brunch. Or Lantana Cafe in Charlotte Place, W1 - open on Saturdays. Or book in advance and go to the Wolesley - really great value for breakfast.
NYC Foodie Vacation (anything missing? Chowhound approved?)
You have to go to Chelsea Market - a gourmet mecca... just for the aroma of baking brownies at the Fatwitch - the breadmakers at Amy's bread, and the rugelach at Ruthy's bakery.
Also - surely no-one can come to NY without a Murray's bagel. I can't get decent bagels in London so I stock up on the pumpernickle ones with whitefish salad - amazing.
Where to buy Italian Farro? (or pearled spelt) [London]
The stall is no longer at Boro Market. But the big Whole Foods in Kensington does sell the Sharpham Park spelt. I just made a really nice roasted butternut squash risotto with it... didn't need constant stirring like regular arborio rice would.
Some places around Columbia Flower Market, Shoreditch/Tower Hamlets, London
Also try the Albion Caff, one of Terence Conran's latest ventures, on the corner of Boundary Road near Bethnal Green Road... I've only been for breakfast and takout pastries (the chocolate almond croissant was enormous - heavy with almond paste and chocolate - and kept me going till about 10pm, and only cost £1.65!)
London help for an NY hound
Really great places in Clerkenwell - places where you'd be fine eating alone are Medcalf in Exmouth Market, or a place called The Ambassadors right opposite - then there's my all-time favourite, the Quality Chop House at the top of Farringdon Road (the world's best fishcakes and sticky toffee pudding - you won't regret it!) In fact, if you want company...!
Pumpkin is in the air
I've come over from the UK to cover the elections in DC - have been eating non stop pumpkin items since I arrived... among the best, the pumpkin bar and pumpkin pie at Petsi pies in Boston, the pumpkin ravioli from Whole Foods, also their pumpkin cheesecake and pumpkin pie...in DC I had great butternut squash and cinnamon soup at Perry's in Adam's Morgan and another great soup at DC Coast (and I usually hate soup) - and a pumpkin-pie smoothie from the farmers market. But the standout was the DC Coast sweet potato tart which was absolutely amazing, gorgeous crisp pastry combined with a really smooth, velvety filling.
I even went on a cookery workshop at Whole Foods called '3 ways with winter squash' - a little too vegan-tastic for my tastes but the muffin we made was actually really nice.
I can't recommend the Finagle a Bagel pumpkin bagel and pumpkin cream cheese, though, that was a step too far.
What's the 2nd best sandwich place in DC?
There are great sandwiches at Marvellous market - branches at Georgetown, Dupont Circle and - I think, Foggy Bottom - their brownies are also fantastic, the pumpkin muffins are to die for - and more or less all the cakes are totally delicious.
Also try the Firehook bakery - they also do fabulous pecan sandies and other cookies and muffins etc.
Sunday Brunch in Manhattan
I had an amazing brunch last week at a tiny place called Home on Cornelia Street in the West Village - we got there just as it opened at 10.30am so didn't have to stand in line... I had delicious pumpkin pancakes with cinnamon butter and maple syrup - the best meal I've had in ages!
Breakfast Near The Carlyle Hotel
There's a Dean and Deluca uptown on Madison and 85th where you can get great coffee and muffins/coffeecake/bagels etc.
I can also recommend Eli Zabar's EAT on Madison and 80th/81st - although it isn't exactly cheap - you can get great blintzes, a concoction called Tower of Bagel - and fabulous breads. The carrot cake is great too if you fancy a somewhat decadent breakfast!
Pick-a-Bagel is fine for a chain of bagel stores - I've had the cinnamon raisin bagel and it did the trick.
Pumpkin pie for Thanksgiving
I agree about the Urrth cafe - can't get enough of it when I am in Santa Monica - but why not try baking one - the recipe on the back of the Libby's can seems to work really well, or you could always look one up online. As an America-phile in the UK, I've managed to make one one every year, - if you are worried about making pastry, you could always make a pumpkin cheesecake with a graham cracker crust - even easier, although its best made the day before so it has time to set in the fridge.
NY Style Cheesecake in London?
The spitalfield market stall with the great cheesecake is on Sunday mornings. There is also very good cheesecake at Ottolenghi in Upper St N1, or Westbourne Grove W11 or Holland St off Kensington High St. I also bought a massive, and delicious slab of cheesecake at the Bluebird shop on the King's Road.
There's also a woman who makes excellent cheesecake every other week (I think) at the Sunday morning Marylebone Farmers Market - but you would have to contact them to find out which days she is there.
I agree about the Automat one - it's pretty great - also the Wolesley if you are feeling flash (and they did bring me some lovely plum compote on the side when I asked...) - also the 202 restaurant in the Nicole Farhi shop on Westbourne Grove - you can tell I am a big cheesecake maven
