Guac Guac Guac

Wholly guacamole! 

Dos Caminos serious have the tastiest guac I have ever eaten. Perfectly fresh with delicious chunks of avocado served with warm, just-cooked tortilla chips. Ahh my tummy is rumbling just thinking of it.

Since being in New York I try to avoid chain restaurants as there are a million and one independent restaurants which I just need to try. But I do make the exception for Dos Caminos. Especially when it comes to brunch. 

Any brunch dish comes with tea/coffee AND a cocktail. By cocktail I mean the frozen prickly pear margarita which is just out. Just like a grown up slush puppy this drink tastes divine but is dangerously alcoholic so take caution if you're having more than one.

Cutie pies's thoroughly enjoying their first Dos brunch experience. 

Yeah I like to play with my food (sorry mummy).






Who needs food after all the guac (and extra chips). 
Yeah these three little piggies do!
C & I went for the Dos Caminos Ranchero whilst E had the mexican style eggs benedict. 

Think. You're typical benny with a dash of chipotle in an XXL portion size. Gosh I love Amuuuuurica!

Not the most photogenic of meals. But hey, the best of them aren't.

And when that ooey gooey yoke burst. Ahhh. Perfection.

And of course a portion of rice and refried beans to top off any Mexican meal.

Click here to find a Dos Caminos near you. 

Despite the mass food consumption and almost having to unbutton my jeans, I couldn't resist a little outfit post on the cobbles of the Meat Packing District. 

One thing that's so great at having friends the same size as you, is being able to share clothes. This gorgeous little peplum top is E's all the way from sunny Sydney. Worn with Topshop jeans, boots & sunnies, Urban Outfitters hat & Mulberry bag.

And now for your daily soundtrack to add that little something to your hump day vibe.

Umami Burger

"Umaammmmmmiiiii thats a good burger"

That is all I kept on saying last night at Greenwich Village location of California's infamous Umami Burger. Founded by Adam Fleischman back in 2009, his homage to the all American classic has grown to become that iconic and delicious U-stamped burger seen emblazoned across many an Instagram feed. So this New York branch is like no other, a celebration of 'East MEATS West' the Greenwich Village menu features treats including the Five Spiced Duck Burger and the Truffle Especiale to just name a mouth-watering few. 

Now, saying that it was tough to choose what to have would be putting it lightly. I seriously wanted every single burger on the menu, salivating more and more reading the delicious ingredients that were put into each dish. 

I am a bit of a truffle fiend, so naturally I was drawn straight to the 'Truffle Especiale' and a portion of the cheesy truffle fries.

Sugary sweet potatoes fries. 

Now just take a look at these bad boys.

This little number is the 'Green Bird'. A big ol' turkey patty with crushed avocado, green cheese, butter lettuce, cress and green goddess. Finger licking good. 

And now for the piece de la resistance. I seriously dreamt about this burger last night. And going back again tonight to have another one would not be too soon. 

 Yeah that's what I'm talking about!

Succulent beef patty, crispy parmesan frico, truffle butter, truffled rocket and that gooey oohy runny to perfection fried egg.  Ahhhhhh. 

So its safe to say that my first experience at Umami Burger was a great one and I cannot wait for a return visit. 

Click here to find a location near you and be sure to check out their Facebook page for the latest news on new store openings.

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?

Chotto Matte

Say a big hello to Nobu's new baby, staking claim in the middle of Soho, Chotto Matte is Kurt Zdesar newest venture offering a new type of fusion Nikkei - combining Peruvian and Japanese to create a rather extensive and impressive menu. With a kitchen run by Jordan Sclare (ex-head chef at Aqua Kyoto & Nobu) and Peter Gordon (presenter on New Zealand Masterchef) you know you're going to be in for a rather tantalising culinary experience.

Having only been open a few weeks, I wasn't too sure what to expect when walking into the huge open plan bar area, with the "new place to be seen in town" buzz spreading out onto Frith street with the retractable glass wall being pulled back. 

At the bar, rather dashing bar tenders shake up delicious concoctions using Japanese & Peruvian specialities including Pisco, Sochu and Sake - as well as all the old classics and a wine list almost as long as Santa's naughty & nice list. 

After several attempts to find our booking we were lead upstairs to be seated at our table, which after a further several attempts they eventually found. The upstairs dining floor was as busy and as buzzing as the floor bellow and decorated with an enormous 17m graffiti emblazoned wall designed by London based graffiti artist Tom Blackford depicting a sense of modern day Tokyo.

After studying the menu we were torn between the pages and pages of dishes to choose from. Sushi, small bites, skewers, soups, you name it - they got it. We opted for a little bit from all parts of the menu trying not to be my typical little belly big eyed self.

Pollo Nipón

Gambas Japonesas

Pescaditos

Yes the dishes do look rather beautiful and clearly have been well thought out... but at what cost? The pollo nipón, was just chicken yakitori, the gambas japonicas were just tempura prawns and the deep fried fish dish… you catch my drift. Not something to rave home about so far, but plenty more to come…

Corazón

Salmon Sake Katsu

Bacalao Negro Aji Miso

Next on the menu. Sushi seared at your table. Sorry what?! This I had to see. 

We opted for the salmon option topped with a tasty line of….urmm…green paste…. 

One slither of nigiri, is that all? 

Yeah all two bites were pretty tasty, but for £8.50. Are you serious?

Tuna Futomaki

Chuleta de Cordero Ahumada

The food was utterly delicious. The combination of flavours and presentation of each dish did really leave you wanting more and more.

Chotto Matte literally means "please wait a minute", however I am still left wondering what Nikkei cuisine is, and how - if at all - it is different from any other Japanese fusion restaurant. Yes the menu is pretty much all in Spanish - perhaps that is the only Peruvian aspect to the restaurant? 

Kurt Zdesar may have opened Chotto Matte to make Nobu accessible to the masses, offering a cool and hip vibe for the young professionals looking to spend less than £150 (expected pph of dinner at Nobu). But they are yet to find a balance between playing it cool and keeping the service at a respectable level. 

Chotto Matte has oh so much going for it - from the swanky interior designed by Andy Martin (famous for The Ivy) and wonderful chef's -, but at what expense? The service was just down right awful. I don't want to be too harsh, and it is understandable that new restaurants can rush for an opening deadline and still have a couple of "teething problems", but poor staffing should not be one of them. 

If you want to give Chotto Matte a try, find it in the heart of Soho at 11-13 Frith Street.