The London List

THE LONDON LIST
Part 1. Street food and bars.

Hello there everyone.

Well, It's been a while hasn't it?

I've had a little hiatus from the blog this year. But fear not. I'm back and in the process of sorting out a spangly new website and new project for a "too skint to eat out in London supper club".

WATCH THIS SPACE!

So I thought I'd start off my new blogs with a little adventure in London.

Show you what I have eaten and drank, and what I thought of them.

I'm definitely well into the street food craze that's been going on in Londinium for a good few years now.

It's brilliant. So many options and you can get a meal for about £4 to £7. Which is great for most of the Londoners like me who can't afford to go eating out. Or eat, in general.

Pretty much everywhere you go in London these days has a street food market going on so if you are coming to visit then check out your local listings.

Time out London is one of the best for checking out what's going on in the city.

Here's a few of my best picks for street food in The Big Smoke.

Camden Locks Market

http://www.camdenlockmarket.com/food-drink/global-kitchen/

Here's what they say:

West Yard at Camden Lock Market hosts our world class street food area The Global Kitchen. Our Global Kitchen hosts the most diverse and exciting array of street food vendors in London selling award winning cuisine from around the world at affordable prices. From Ethiopian curry to kangaroo burgers, pulled pork wraps to mac and cheese. Our handpicked selection of street food is second to none.

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

(Pictures and contet taken from Camden Lock website and are not owned by me).

Here's what I say:

Cookies and Scream do amazing vegan and gluten free cakes and bakes. Also an orgasm inducing peanut butter pie and Mexican chilli chocolate affagato

You've also got tons of rotating food stalls from gooey sourdough toasties , don't knock a good toastie these are phenomenal.

Gourmet Mac n, Cheese, traditional fish and chips, amazing BBQ meats, A Jerk station, Louisiana chilli shack ( which has amazing cowboy beans and corn bread waffles).

Russian perogi, Shrimp rolls and Cupcakes and Shhht! which does bakes, and brilliant GIANT cookies.

Check it out. you won't be disappointed.

If you are looking for an all day Metal Experience then Camden is your best bet. 

There's lots of Market stalls and shops selling Alternative clothing, jewellery, New Rocks etc. Tattoo and piercing shops.

Here is where you will find ALL the Metal my friends.

Check out these watering holes.

Now, if you want a proper Heavy Metal experience then head to

 The Devonshire Arms

https://www.facebook.com/thedevnw1

Nothing but Heavy Metal blasting from the speakers, cheap drinks, good friendly atmosphere and suitably attired punters.

I met a priest here, he was drinking triple gin and coke and had yellow eyes.

I don't think he was a real priest.

Also for the ladies, the toilets are well kept and clean. Which is rare for a Metal bar and a deal breaker for me.

Next is the famous

The Worlds End

 http://www.theworldsend.co.uk/

Another good rock bar with cheap drinks.

It's huge inside with a friendly atmosphere.

Again, good toilets for the Ladies.

Me and the Sis had a Pantera sing along in here. It was during the day and we were both still sober. It just has that effect on you.

Beside The Worlds End you have

The Underworld

http://www.theunderworldcamden.co.uk/

This is one of Camden's famous live gig venues and it holds Rock Club nights on Saturdays and Sundays too.

Perfect for shakin yer bootay.

Then there's

The Electric Ballroom

http://electricballroom.co.uk/

Another famous Camden live gig and club night venue.

They have a night that is strictly dedicated to Power Ballads. Frikin Awesome.

I also saw my one true love Pepper Keenen here last year when COC reunited for some gigging.

Sigh........... He's still so pretty.  

Next you want to go to 

The Black Heart

http://www.ourblackheart.com/

I love this bar. Though I can't really choose between this and The Dev.

This is a dark watering hole with interesting décor.

They have loads of fancy pants real ales and spirits here (the smoked Mezcal is amazing but £7 a pop. ooft).

The prices are a bit high here but if you like your craft ales and good tunes then this is the place for you. Just make sure you rob a Granny before you come in.

They also have loads of live gigs upstairs and a rotating kitchen Pop up serving BBQ meaty rolls from Smoke n Roll who also have a stall at Camden Lock Market.

Only downsides.... The toilets are manky (mixed, and bog roll hung on chains. I don't want other people fingering my toilet paper).

Ok, so that's Camden out of the way.

Let me give you the links to another few great food markets worth Checking out.

Borough Market is by far my food Heaven.

http://boroughmarket.org.uk/

Fresh Oysters. yum, yum, yum.

I would say try to go on a Thursday when there aren't as many tourists.

They have everything. EVERYTHING!

Just go, trust me. I've spent whole days here just sipping on cocktails and eating samples.

Fresh oysters, amazing Charcuterie, fresh veg, Bread, cakes, street food stalls, a real ale bar called The Rake. It has it all.

Hands down the best food market in London.

You also have Street Feast,

http://www.streetfeastlondon.com

which has loads of roaming street food markets around London but mostly in Shoredich and Dalston. The street food vendors here are top class and they are great for Hipster watching. Count the man buns.

Then you have Kerb,

http://www.kerbfood.com/

Another street food collective with sites around London.

One more market of note is Broadway Market

http://www.broadwaymarket.co.uk/index.php

They have a stall here called Deeny's which serves Haggis Toasties.

Oh my god they are good.

I had the Macbeth. Sourdough bread with spicy haggis, red onion marmalade and cheddar cheese. Heaven.

You basically can't turn a corner in London without running into some sort of street food market so go on and explore my friends.

OK, so now let's talk about some other worthy places of note for drinking

(there are quite a few "rock" venues in London but this is my pick of the best).

The Crobar 

http://www.crobar.co.uk/

 This is a PROPER Metal bar near Tottenham Court Road.

Metal on the Stereo, good drinks prices, really cool friendly staff and they serve Picklebacks. What's not to love?

If you are going to the Crobar then The Carlisle Arms is just round the corner (kinda)

Another good rock bar with decent prices.

It's teeny tiny though so you probably won't get a seat in busy hours but most of the patrons like to stand outside and drink.

Good place if you like to mingle outside and talk to randoms.

http://www.fancyapint.com/Pub/london/carlisle-arms/1654

Next  up is another one of my favourite bars Slim Jim's.

Picklebacks. Ignore my face. They are awesome. Just ask Nicola. She's smiling.

This is up near Angel and is by far my favourite bar in London.

Rock n roll bar with dedicated rock DJ's, firkin awesome cocktails and good times.

There are hundred's of bras hanging from the ceiling and I have witnessed one very drunk Lady donating hers to the bar. She got a free drink.

As I am a well endowed woman, my underwear sets me back £35 a pop so there is no drink there worth me giving my boulder holder away for.

Not a chance.

http://www.slimjimsliquorstore.com/

 So that's Street food and Bars outta the way.
Next blog will be PLACES INDOORS I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO AFFORD TO EAT IN.

Thanks for tuning in. Over and out.



I scream, you scream. We all scream for Pouitne.

Poutine.
No, not the President of Russia. He's a Dick.

Poutine is a Canadian dish originating from Quebec, consisting of potato fries (that's chips to you and me), chicken gravy and cheese curds. Mmmmmmmmmmm.

Now I don't know how popular chips and gravy are in the rest of the UK, but in Glasgow it's the ultimate drunk food. Well, that and deep fried pizza. Oh yes you heard me right. 
Don't knock it till you've tried it pal!

Poutine is famous in Canada so it is and it's eventually sneaking it's wee cheesy, gravy head over this side of the pond. 

Hello Poutine. 


Now Who's your favorite Canadian Metal Band?

Rush? Nickleback???? ha ha, NO.

It's gotta be Strapping Young Lad hasn't it?
I want Devin Townsend to be my pal. 
He'd just make me laugh till my belly hurt. 

Here's a Strapping Young Lad video. Probably best not to watch this with a hangover. 
Not that I ever have hangovers being teetotal and all that. 

OOF! That was fun. 

As you know, I like to shake shit up a bit so i'll be changing the recipe a wee bit.
Instead of using normal chips I'm going to use sweet potatoes because I love them.
 And I'll be baking them in the oven instead of frying them to make the recipe slightly more healthy. 

Don't worry though folks..... APPETITE OF DESTRUCTION does not do diet food. It'll still be tastilicious (that's a word). 

I'm also using ready made chicken gravy as I plain just can't be arsed to make it myself today. 
If you are a purest feel free to make your own. 
I'll be having a beer while you do. Oh, no wait. A non alcoholic beer. Ah ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.... aaaaaaaaah!

Well onwards and upwards. Here's the recipe.
If you eat it while drunk it tastes even better. Apparently. I wouldn't know!

Sweet Potato Poutine
serves 2

2 - 3 large sweet potatoes
200g of cheese curds (If you can't get cheese curds then just substitute it for
500g tub chilled chicken gravy
Olive oil
Quarter teaspoon cracked black pepper
One teaspoon smoked Cajun seasoning
Splash milk
Salt and pepper

Heat your oven to 220 degrees or equivalent.
Cut your sweet potatoes into thick chips. Leave the skin on, it makes them smokey and tasty.
Put into a big bowl and add the Cajun spice, a big pinch of salt and pepper and a big glug of olive oil and mix until all the sweet potato chips are coated.

Place into the oven and roast for about 25 to 30 minutes so that the potato is crispy and golden on the outside and soft on the inside. 

Armadillooooooooo!

Just before the potatoes are ready heat your gravy in a saucepan on medium heat until it is hot and bubbling lightly. 
Add the pepper and milk and give it a quick whisk. Take off the heat.

Place your sweet potato chips onto two plates then top with  the cheese curds and then pour over the gravy.

If you don't mumble "Oh dear God" when your mouth is full there's something wrong with you.

Enjoy.

DISCO FRIES WERE MADE FOR LOVING BLACK SPIDERS

Do do doooooo, dee dooo, dee do, doooo, dooooooo. 
Do, do, do, dee doooo dee doooooo. 

Ooh, they must have been cold. 

I was made for lovin you baby, you were made for lovin meeeeee.....

Now, I had only been born for 17 days when this album was released so I didn't get the disappointment of seeing Kiss go "Disco". 

In my opinion it was a brave, tongue in cheek move. 
Kiss proved that they can do "Disco" better than.... well... DISCO!

I also think that Metal bands come up with the best covers. But we shall leave that for another blog eh?????????? 
Oh, how exciting. 

(In fact, off tangent....... 
If you have managed to read the blog this far down and aren't bored yet, then send your "Best Metal cover" suggestions to my Facebook page and we can start up a wee playlist. Link to Facebook is at top of this blog, well the last time I checked it was). 

Here is the great band at work. 



You are probably wondering why i'm going on about Disco Kiss?

Well, if you go to a chippy or takeaway in Glasgow (and I think round most of the UK) you can buy a specialty called 
"Disco Fries".

I'm not sure if they call it this because you usually order it when you come out of a "disco" slightly worse for wear and in need of sustenance?

Basically it is chips with gravy and cheese, much like it's posher Canadian cousin the "Poutine", which has cheese curds instead of normal grated cheddar.

Baulk and also NOT my photo

So we have Disco fries in honor of Disco Kiss.
I've switched the recipe up a wee bit though for my sophisticated pallet.....

I'm using a blue cheese sauce instead of grated cheese as I love the tang you get from blue cheese. 

Yep, never snog me after disco fries........ 
Not that I'm insinuating that you all want to snog me. But the offer is there anyway. 

OK, so the Black Spiders bit is about another band who I think are brilliant. 

Saw them live in Wolverhampton when I went to see Danzig and they have a song called " Kiss Tried to Kill Me" which you should definitely check out below.

Righty 'O, so we should get on with the recipe eh?

DISCO FRIES WERE MADE FOR LOVING BLACK SPIDERS

feeds 2

This recipe is really easy and requires no effort at all. 
Most of the products you can buy ready made. 
I know this is a cooking blog but hey, sometimes you just want an easy life. 
And I wouldn't suggest cooking while drunk. Unless you want to burn your house down??????

Half bag Frozen oven or fryer chips. Or a whole bag if you are really hungry???
400g tub ready made rich gravy (you can make your own gravy from scratch if you like)
150g roast beef  shredded ( you can use left overs or buy a pack of roast beef from le shoppe)
200ml double cream
100g Roquefort cheese
Salt and pepper

Cook your chips in the oven or fryer as per package instructions.

Get two little pots.
Put the gravy and roast beef into one and the cream and blue cheese into another.

Heat both on medium low heat while the chips are cooking. 
Stir the cheese sauce every now and then so it doesn't burn and till the sauce is thick and creamy. About 15 minutes. 

Put the chips onto two plates, add a little salt and pepper.
Top with the Gravy then top with the Cheese sauce.

Get it doon ye!

Hot Diggity Dawg!

Hot Damn Diggity Dawg. 

 Today's blog is inspired by a wee place I went to in Bristol called Atomic Burger 

It's great burger, hotdog place with cool retro comic book inspired decor and "Hard Shakes". Mmmmmm, booze and ice cream. Always a good combination.

Just for the record. I really LOVE Bristol.
It's one of my favorite cities. Friendly locals and loads of good bars and restaurants to go to. 
Amazing graffiti artists and a great music scene.  
Aye!

ATOMIC BURGER

I had the Stray Dog. A German Frankfurter wrapped in bacon with aged Cheddar sauce, tumbleweed onions and the Danger Fries. Crispy fries topped with pulled chicken, Louisiana hot sauce, blue cheese dressing and spring onions.
All washed down with some tasty Margharitas.  

Atomic burger is definitely a must if you find yourself in the wonderful City of Bristol. Great atmosphere, good service, old 80's videos and comic book decor which, (for me at least) takes me right back to my childhood. 
Even with the "interestingly erotic" floor design.

 

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm!

Well then. 
Here's a wee video from a band called Red Fang. I think they are one of the best bands to come out in ages.
The song is called "Prehistoric Dog".... hot dog? See what I did there. God, I'm a genius. 
For anyone who knows anything about erm......role playing (not me of course, oh no) the video is pretty funny.



Also worthy of note in Bristol is The Gryphon bar. 
A proper Metal boozer with tons of live acts and cask ales on offer. 
Check it out. 
The owner looks like Oliver Reed (see below). 

The Gryphon

Told ya.


So here's my take on an ATOMIC DAWG. bringing the atomic from the green chilli. Ooft!

Now, I ran a competition on facebook to name the "dawg" and the best name got something special (illegal?) through the post. 

3 people replied. Woo hoooooo. Thanks Lynne, Ali and Henry. 

So Henry is the winner with "The Dirty Dawg". 

Wheeeeeeeeeeey.

The Dirty Dawg

Crispy bacon wrapped Bratwurst with squeezy cheese and green chilli relish.

Makes 4

4 BIG Bratwurst
4 nice brioche buns or good sub rolls or hotdog rolls
8 rashers of really good streaky bacon. It MUST be streaky.
A bottle of squeesy cheddar style cheese (yep, that's right, trust me it's worth it)
1 green pepper
1 green jalapeno
1 shallot
50ml white wine vinegar
25g sugar
1 tomato chopped
Sunflower oil or olive oil
Pinch corriander seeds crushed
Salt and pepper


First we need to make the chilli relish.
De seed your green pepper and cut into small dice. Then finely chop you chilli (seeds and all). 
Chop your shallot finely.
Heat a little oil in a pan on medium. 
Add the corriander seeds and shallots and cook for a few minutes until shallots are soft and opaque and corriander smells fragrant and amazing.
Add your chilli and cook for one minute then add your green pepper and cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
Add the vinegar, sugar and a pinch of salt and pepper and cook for about 8 to 10 minutes until liquid has absorbed and you have a slightly wet relish ( It will thicken as it cools). 
Leave to cool. 


So here's the tricky part. 
You need to get a skewer or a chop stick and stick it down the length of the bratwurst, making sure not to pop out the other end or break the sausage. 
You are basically making a little tunnel to squeeze in the cheese. 

So, then..... squeeze in your cheese and fill the cavity. Fnar, fnar. 
Get two rashers of streaky bacon and wrap them around the Bratwurst making sure that you cover the wee hole where you squeezed in your cheesy goodness. Mmmmmmmmmm.

Heat a frying pan on medium with a little oil then place in your bacon wrapped dogs and fry until bacon is nice and browned all over. This should take about 10 minutes. 
Take out of the pan and leave to rest while you split your buns and place cut side down in the pan you cooked your dawgs in to heat and toast gently.

Place your dawgs in the buns then top with the relish. You can also add some fresh chopped tomato, ketchup, mustard, ice cream, dandelions etc . 
If you want. 

Enjoy and feel free to admit that you quite like squeezy cheese.
you do. Admit it.

Cosmopolitan Blood Loss

WARNING: This blog contains blood and Vincent Gallo. If you dislike either then look away now.

Are you scared??????

OK, so when I say "blood" I mean black pudding. 
Now I love the stuff but understand that for some mild palliated pussies it's a wee bit too scary.

"Ooooooooh, I couldn't eat that. It's got blood in it. 
But you can eat meat? Yeah?" 

Black pudding is awesome. It's so rich, savoury and tasty, tasty delicious. Get over it!

So for the black pudding lovers out there, I salute you. 
And today's blog is for a great breakfast/ brunch recipe for black pudding and apple pancakes. 

Here's a wee video to get you in the blood loss mood. 
I will have to admit though..... Vincent Gallo does scare me. 
His gaze, his angry stare. I don't like it.
If I saw him in the street I would run away. Run as fast as my little short Glaswegian legs could carry me.
Hey, Even Glassjaw are scared of Vincent Gallo.







Haw Daryl. Pull yer pants up!

Black Pudding and Apple Pancakes

the best puddin in the world.

My picture isn't too good  but trust me. The pancakes are. And yes, I did eat all of this.

4 slices of really good quality black pudding. Stornoway black pudding is by far the best in my opinion. It's so good it has been given protected status. 
 1 apple, Granny smith is nice and tart
135g plain flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
Half teaspoon salt
130ml whole milk
1 large egg beaten
2 tablespoons melted butter
Extra butter or oil for frying

Maple syrup, fried egg, bacon etc for serving. 
I had egg and chips with it. That's me. 

Cook your black pudding slices under a medium grill for a few minutes each side until cooked through and slightly crispy. 
Leave to cool.

Sieve your flour, baking powder and salt into a bowl.
Add your egg and mix till combined. 

Add the milk and melted butter and whisk till smooth.

Crumble in your cooked black pudding the use a grater to grate in your apple. Don't worry about peeling it.
Mix till combined.

Heat a frying pan on medium high heat and add a little butter or oil. Spoon in  4 separate small mounds of pancake mix and cook each pancake for about 2 to 4 minutes each side until golden brown. 
Repeat with the rest of the batter until it's all used up.

You can keep the first pancakes warm in a low oven until you have finished the mix.

Serve with maple syrup, poached or fried egg, chips, bacon, avocado, toothpaste or generally anything you like having with your pancakes.

Mon the black puddin!

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Haw! Wit te dea wi yer haggis ciz ye bout too much, aye? Also, the perfect hangover cure.

Hello, hello, hello.
How's it go'in? 
So yes......
Happy Burns Day one and all.
Hope you celighed  the wee small hours away last night.
So, ye've still got a big wad o' haggis eh? 
And a stinkin hangover?

Aw, ma poor heid. Coffee and sunglasses and a wee can o' Bru. That'll sort me right oot. 

No worries. I have the the cure.

A hangover curer you say? Yippeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

But first...... Watch this video from Gloryhammer. "The Unicorn Invasion of Dundee".
It'll give you a proper chuckle and make you forget you have the hangover for a few minutes. 





Well, the powers that be say that something fried will help your hangover. And you know how us Scots love our fried food (but only in organic, fair trade canola oil, Ya!)

This recipe requires very little effort whatsoever. Is quick to cook, requires mostly leftovers and not much movement. 
So can can make it quick, get it doon ye, go back to the couch, sling your duvet over you, drink some cold Irn Bru and get back to watching Taggart.

bew bew bew ,beddle de bow ,bow bow.

Haggis and bean potato cakes

Och Aye. Ah'll jist hea a wee dance. 

Makes 6

Ingredients:

200g haggis broken up
200g mashed potato
200g mashed turnip (swede)
1 tin baked beans with most of the sauce drained off (keep this to pour over chips. That's what i do).
6 spring onions sliced
1 tablespoon brown sauce
50g breadcrumbs
Pinch salt and pepper
Flour for dusting
Vegetable oil for frying

Heat your oven to 200 degrees or equivalent. 

Mix everything except the flour and oil in a big bowl then shape into 6 big patties.

Pour a few table spoons of oil into a frying pan and heat on medium.
Dust the patties in a little flour and fry for two minutes each side until nice and golden.

Place on a baking sheet and cook in the oven for 10 minutes. 
Serve with extra brown sauce. 
Braw!

Here's another video to help you get out your inner Braveheart.

Skiltron "Bagpipes of War".