Jack's Wife Freda

Once upon a time there was a boy called Jack. 

Jack met a girl called Freda. 

Jack and Freda got married, ran away to New York and opened a restaurant in Soho. 

Together they lived happily ever after making yummy food for all of New York to enjoy.

Now wasn't that a nice little tale.
You know what's even nicer?
The food at Jack's Wife Freda. Thats what.

Last weekend I ate at the quaint little eatery.
Think jewish comfort food meets New York's healthy eating manta.
Yes I was in heaven.
Bring on the brunch!

This was the best damn bacon I've ever tasted.
Duck bacon. Don't ask my what, or how, just eat and enjoy.

Find Jack's Wife Freda at 224 Lafayette Street in Soho.

Hope you're all having a great weekend.

Buzzing for my first proper American Super Bowl experience tonight! Who are you rooting for?

Little Prince

This past week I was lucky enough have my lovely mummy visit from London. I'm not the type to get homesick, with FaceTime, Skype, e-Mail, it makes any long distance relationship just so easy and effortless. However, I do have to say that getting to hug my tinny 5ft nothing mummy was amazing. I don't think I realised how missed a good cuddle from my mummy. 

Anyway enough of that. 

With mummy in town what better to do than visit as many restaurants as possible, breakfast, brunch, coffee, lunch, dinner, drinks. 

It's safe to say that no eating opportunity was missed. 

First stop, Soho for a little shop and a quick bite at Little Prince. 

Now having had 'The Little Prince' read to me as a child (by my mummy no less) I thought this was the perfect place to go. 

And even better. They are famous for their french onion soup burger. 

Yes I know. How unreal does that sound. 

I'll have you know that it seriously lives up to its name also. 

Gosh I would kill for one right now.

Stepping into the cosy bistro, I was recognised instantly by the waiter who served me in my last visit and bought over a bottle of sparkling water and lemon slices completely unpromted. The English service industry has soooo much to learn. 

Only wanting a quick bite we opted for the Butternut Squash soup and of course their infamous burger.

Flavoursome and delicious. The perfect winter warmer for the cold cold winds of New York.

Next. This handsome little chap arrived to the envy of our neighbouring table. Who ordered their own burger almost instantly.

Just look at it.
Melted emmental and gooey caramelised onions on top of a perfectly cooked and succulent beef patty.

Despite it being a pretty substantial burger, I think I blinked and it was gone. Just so good. No talking, just eating.

Fingers licked and the bill was presented to us in none other thank a cute little book, adding to the ever so cute charm of the darling restaurant.
Already looking forward to a return visit, a big recommendation in my book.

New York Ephemera

What I'm Wearing: Zara Coat & Shirt, Topshop Sweater, Levi's Jeans & Office Shoes.

New York is ephemeral. 

The highs, the lows, all lasting for a matter of moments. I often feel like a mayfly in this city. One day dining in New York's finest restaurants rubbing shoulders with the likes of Leo DiCaprio in TAO Downtown and the next sitting in Starbucks for an entire day fully utilising the unlimited wifi and free refills. Sometimes it's hard to keep up. What seem like days pass by in a matter of hours and every mere morsel of time here is spent keeping busy. Perhaps that's why I love this city so much. The never ending list of things to do. With nothing but a moment wasted. 

'YOUR eyes that once were never weary of mine

Are bowed in sotrow under pendulous lids,

Because our love is waning.'

And then She:

'Although our love is waning, let us stand

By the lone border of the lake once more,

Together in that hour of gentleness

When the poor tired child, passion, falls asleep.

How far away the stars seem, and how far

Is our first kiss, and ah, how old my heart!'

Pensive they paced along the faded leaves,

While slowly he whose hand held hers replied:

'Passion has often worn our wandering hearts.'

The woods were round them, and the yellow leaves

Fell like faint meteors in the gloom, and once

A rabbit old and lame limped down the path;

Autumn was over him: and now they stood

On the lone border of the lake once more:

Turning, he saw that she had thrust dead leaves

Gathered in silence, dewy as her eyes,

In bosom and hair.

'Ah, do not mourn,' he said,

'That we are tired, for other loves await us;

Hate on and love through unrepining hours.

Before us lies eternity; our souls

Are love, and a continual farewell.' 

William Butler Yeats

La Bodega Negra

Back in the summer I was taken out for dinner by a friend in New York. We were wondering around East Village until we came to a wing shop. 

Now, I am open to eating in all sorts of interesting places, but a wing shop? Are you for real? I reluctantly followed him in, until he suddenly disappeared though the back of phone booth. I was beyond bemused, but intrigue took me over. Stepping into the phone booth myself, I picked up the receiver, said my name and the wall which seemed oh so permanent suddenly wasn't there as I was instantly transported into a buzzing bar serving the most delicious cocktails in town. 

Aptly named PDT (please don't tell) in East Village is no. 1 on my list when I head back over the pond but for now, we ventured into sex shop turned dungeon last night in London's Soho, La Bodega Negra.  

I'd been wanting to try out London's surprise dining restaurant for a while now, especially with my new found love for Mexican food, and we finally got a table for last night and the girls and I strapped on our highest heels and sparkliest tops - after being informed that we must dress to go 'out' rather than for traditional dining. 

Unfortunately we arrived slightly late but Jesse held the fort down with some frozen margaritas whilst the rest of us struggled to find parking in Soho yes I know, bad idea to drive. 

Finally we arrive to what can only be described as a sex shop. Glowing neon lights, naked girls and a big pink sign above the door saying 'come'. Flamboyant transvestites greeted us at the door and asked if we had a reservation, probably to see if we were actually there to eat rather than just visiting a sex shop massively awkward for those token perverts. Once it was established, they took our coats and we were led to our table by a rather beautiful waiter, come to thing of it the entire place was full of eye candy.

Heading down the dark and mysterious stairs, it soon opened up into a dimly lit cavern-esque room full of the hustle and bustle of friends chit chatting and the gorgeous scent of delicious food. 

Let me just apologise now for the poor quality photo's, my SLR had to stay in my bag all evening as photo's were not allowed. But of course the iPhone was whipped out for the occasional secret snap or two.

It had been way too long since my frozen margarita so we order the specials of the day, cranberry & eleflour and watermelon & cassis. Delicious!

Every table starts with their spicy guacamole with sesame tostadas which are fantastic. So fresh and crispy with perfectly ripe avocado's and just the right amount of chilli without blowing your head off.

I am not the biggest fan of ceviche but the girls couldn't get enough of this little scallop, mango and jalapeño number.

Next stop planks and planks of soft shell taco's.

Soft shell crab with chipotle crem

Seared steak taco with salsa picante

Pork belly carnidas with salsa verde

Lamb with salsa verde

Onto the Mexican interpretation of paella. This is the mixed seafood and rice cazuela which is, well, a paella. With a tad more sauce and less rice. I wanted to pick up the bowl and pour it into my mouth as fast as I could. The sauce was out of this world. So creamy and rich, just the perfect combination for all the fresh seafood.

Well I know it looked like we had quite a lot of food, but trust me. Each portion was about the size of my little finger, so we couldn't resist another row of soft shell crab taco's. 

Just look at that little sucker.

We ate drank and giggled all night long, well until our two hour slot came to an end and we were presented with the bill. The music was magnificent, atmosphere amazing and food fantastic but we all left feeling rather dissatisfied. We did have a great time but unless you were there flashing your platinum amex 2 hours were all you got. 

Would I go back...? In a heartbeat. Despite not being there for very long, I enjoyed every moment and would have loved to have stayed all night in the bar drinking frozen margareta's, but we all fancied a change of scenery for some delicious desert.

If you fancy trying it out for yourself, head over to:

9 Old Compton Street, 

W1D 5JF

And to make a reservation: 

0207 758 4100
(be sure to ask for the restaurant not the cafe).

In the mood for something sweet we headed off to Hampstead for an infamous crepe from the Hampstead Creperie.

Growing up in Hampstead I must have had about 1000 of the crepes and they are simply amazing every single time. Luckily there was only a teenie queue, but I have waited up to an hour before for one of these little beauties. 

Roni went for a nutella and banana crepe whilst Jesse and Nicky went for chocolate. I chose the compote de pommes which has been my no. 1 choice since a little girl. 

A perfect end to a wonderful evening with my favourite girlies.