#INSTALUNCH The Hoxton Hotel, Holborn

During a wonderful stay in this hip and happening hotel, my phone and I obviously had to try out a couple of the resident restaurants at The Hoxton, Holborn.

So here is my #INSTALUNCH review of Hubbard & Bell and the Chicken Shop... where I had brunch and dinner respectively. I'm stuffed. 

CHICKEN SHOP

What I ate...
...Chicken, obviously. Well, they don't do anything else here except some excellent sides. Me and my dining partner (hey sis) ordered 1/2 a chicken, crinkly chips and the avocado salad. Then swiftly ordered another 1/4 chicken because it's just the best chicken ever. It's so unbelievably good, so juicy, I would eat here every day if I could. I drank a beer and she had a wine.

What it costs…
It was just under £40 for the two of us including service charge and we went away absolutely stuffed.

What’s the verdict?
You just can't beat the Chicken Shop, the menu is spartan but it's perfectly curated and every dish is absolute perfection. It's worth mentioning the apple pie, which I didn't have this visit, it's other-worldly good and you can eat as much as you want!

5/5
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HUBBARD & BELL

What I ate...
The full English breakfast which came with delicious black pudding (too often omitted from brekkies these days), two very tasty sausages and some kind of bacon which was about a centimetre thick, really salty and just divine. My friend Soph had the mashed avocado on toast with a poached egg which I obviously tried and lo it was good. They also do cold pressed juices and a range of teas.

What it costs…

About £15 per person for breakfast with a drink. The portions were really generous too.

What’s the verdict?

The dining area of Hubbard & Bell is so well designed, it reminds me of a New York deli, with a big, wide open kitchen, lots of tiles and very friendly and courteous staff. There's lots of natural light and light-coloured decor including booths with jolly yellow seats. I felt so chilled-out here, the acoustics are great because they minimise noise so it's a lovely, laid-back dining experience.

5/5

The Hoxton Holborn, 199-206 High Holborn, London WC1V 7BD

You can read my review of The Hotel and rooms right HERE. With thanks to The Hoxton Hotel.

#INSTALUNCH DF Mexico, Shoreditch

Armed with only a phone, lots of flowers from the nearby Columbia Road Flower Market and a craving for some Mexican grub - I review the uber cool DF Mexico...

What I ate…

I had the chicken burrito which comes as is - no choosing what goes in it here, you get what you're given. Good news is it's tasty and very filling with a very generous bit of guac. The tacos are also very yummy and although they're messy as hell they do come on special holders which makes keeping hold of the filling that bit easier. For dessert I had the raspberry ice cream with popping candy but it must have been Mexican popping candy because it nearly took my face off. Lots of fun.

What I drank…

The bottomless cold drinks; red hibiscus juice, lime and chia seed juice which was the most refreshing drink you could possibly wish for and Horchata, a kind of chilled rice milk with cinnamon which was weird at first but now I'm searching for other places to drink it. It reminded me of eggnog and I liked it.

What I wore…

What it costs…

For a main, ice cream and drink about £12 which is amazing! You also pay at a self service touchscreen which was very slick and high-tech.

What’s the verdict?

This is very fast food but it's tasty and the environment is that of an upmarket East London eatery - I sat in the window which proved to be an excellent people-watching spot, I even saw Tom Daley. I especially loved the industrial-style typography used everywhere from signage to menus and the natural wood used liberally in the restaurant was the perfect partner to the abundance of greenery and foliage that adorns this very good looking haunt.

I would compare it to Nando's in that it's cheap, quick and tasty - some might see that as a diss but I really loved it. The menu is very simple and the concept just works. It's by the same people behind Mexican restaurant Wahaca but it's definitely cooler and a concept I can see being rolled out nationwide. Fast food can be chic too!

4.5/5

 DF Mexico, Old Truman Brewery, Hanbury Street, London E1 6QR

#INSTALUNCH Shear's Yard Leeds

I hold my hands up, I'm addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. Rather than seek help, I'm  fanning the flames and taking it to the next level… #INSTALUNCH. 

I eat, I snap, I tell you all about it… 

This month I'm in Leeds at the wonderful Shears Yard where beautifully presented modern British food, local produce and savoury, yes savoury, cocktails are the order of the day.

What I ate…

To start I had a ham hock terrine with pickled spring vegetables and piccalilli sauce, followed by a seriously delicious Hake on a bed of casseroled beef with tomatoes from the chef’s mate. Dessert blew my mind – an almond frangipane cake with rum-soaked black cherries and blackberry liquorice sorbet. The menu changes frequently to use the best seasonal and local ingredients.

What I drank…

Blueberry Brambles, a refreshing carrot juice based cocktail and savoury cocktails with marmite (try them, they’re good) and homemade liquors. My favourite was their new rhubarb cocktail. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

About £30 per person for a starter, main, dessert and cocktail but there’s a fixed price menu for £17.50 and bottles of wine from £10. 

What’s the verdict?

The interior of exposed brick, filament light bulbs and poured concrete floors is uber cool, there’s a lovely terrace for summer cocktails and the food is super tasty. Throw in accommodating, knowledgeable staff and purse-friendly prices and you’re on to a winner.

4.5/5

Shears Yard, 11-15 Wharf Street, The Calls, Leeds, LS2 7EH.

#INSTABRUNCH at Jago Shoreditch

I review Jago, a Middle Eastern restaurant in Shoreditch, east London armed with only a phone, a slight hangover and an insatiable appetite for brunch 

I hold my hands up, I’m addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. The beautiful Jago is an orange dream just waiting to be snapped - so I did, enjoy the review and the photos. 

What I ate…

Well it was brunch and I was in the heart of London's Jewish community so it seemed only right that I had a Salt Beef and Chrain (beetroot and horseradish paste) Beigel... not bagel, I'm a connoisseur. It was honestly one of the best bagels/beigels I've had, although the bright pink chrain did stain my top, but then I'm a messy eater. I also tries the Orange Cake with Orange Curd which was very, very Orangey. It knocked my socks off - even if you smoke 40 cigarettes a day your taste buds will have no problems with these bold flavours. 

What I drank…

A fresh cold-pressed green juice which was very refreshing, I also tried a red one which was very nice - the juices come served with ice which makes them taste a little better I think. Anyway, the health conscious are well-catered for, juice-wise, here. I also had an English Breakfast tea but Jago also do a great cafe latte. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

Around £15 per person for a breakfast dish, dessert and a couple of beverages. I was shocked that I'd spent 2 hours eating wonderful food for so little cash.

What’s the verdict?

This place is stunning, it's like a The Conran Store 3015 but with way more orange. It's just a delight to sit in the surroundings. The staff are also very laid back, allowing you to take your time and they cracked a few, genuinely hilar, jokes. I like. I would like to come back and sample their dinner menu.

5/5

Jago, 68-80 Hanbury Street, London E1 5JL

#INSTADINNER Tredwell's Soho

I review Marcus Wareing’s Tredwell’s Restaurant in London’s Covent Garden armed with only a phone and a large appetite. 

I hold my hands up, I’m addicted to posting pictures of our food on Instagram #sorry. Luckily all three floors of Tredwell’s are extremely Instagram-worthy. Here’s the lowdown. 

What I ate…

To start I had the warm Heritage Carrot Salad which was very, well, carroty with a rainbow of carrots on a creamy carrot puree – divine. I also had to try the Chorizo Jam with dipping bread which is like a mini chilli con carne only tastier. 

Mains were the succulent Confit Duck with cabbage and the Short Stack Rib which literally (I saw it happen) fell off the bone. Dessert was a cornflake dish that tasted like the mix you make with your mum for those chocolate cornflake buns and that is, of course, a good thing. I salon tried the sin-free chocolate brownie which tastes better than it should being gluten and sugar free.

What I drank…

Gunpowder gimlet cocktail which is a limey, cardamom drink in a martini glass and utterly refreshing plus a Sparkling Cyanide which was made with Green Chartreuse and Sherry and had a delicious Maraschino cherry at the bottom. 

What I wore…

What it costs…

About £50 per person for a starter, main, dessert and cocktail. You can also pop in just for one of Tredwell’s excellent cocktails at the bar alongside some sharing plates. 

What’s the verdict?

The friendly staff really make this place, I’ve been three times and the welcome is always warmer than warm. The knowledgeable bar staff will even create you a bespoke (and delicious) cocktail if you ask nicely. Laid back dining at its best – this place is great for mates or a dinner date.

5/5

Tredwell's, 4a Upper St Martin's Lane, London WC2H 9NY

Ben and I in Tredwell's

Dinner at Chai Wu Harrods

Chai Wu is the newest eatery to open in London’s glamourous Harrod’s department store. Serving Asian-Fusion food, it’s probably not going to become a destination restaurant but it’ll keep Harrod’s shoppers happy. The décor is quite masculine, with a lot of dark wood, but being brand new it’s all very clean and welcoming.

To start I shared the dim sum platter with my friend Amy which had a selection of dim sum; Sea bass with gold leaf, lobster dumpling topped with caviar , truffled prawn, scallop and vegetarian dumplings. I have to say this was delicious – especially the scallop ones and the gold leaf was a lovely, if extravagant, touch. The caviar (which we had on the side) was really good stuff too. I’d definitely recommend getting the platter to get to try all the different dumplings.

For main I had the Wagyu beef skewers, Scottish lobster with truffle, Gai lan with oyster sauce, Tempura soft shell crab and the salt & pepper squid with chilli and Szechuan peppercorns. Everything was perfectly done, the beef melted in my mouth like butter – it was crazy. The lobster was also really good quality and tender. We had a good red wine to accompany the meal and the service was excellent.

Overall, I would say if money’s no object and you’re not interested in trendy restaurants, then go to Chai Wu. You won’t be disappointed with the food but the atmosphere and clientele might be a bit lacking if you’re a real foodie or fashionista.

Ave. cost per head: £120

Best for: A Happn date with a City boy

Chai Wu Harrods 87–135 Brompton Road, Knightsbridge London, 

The 4 Biggest Wellness Trends Right Now

*Article reproduced from Warehouse's Tales of The City 

Fitness and wellness are the new currency with Style.com devoting a whole week to the phenomenon, Missguided, Boohoo and Stellasport all launching new activewear ranges within days of each other and the Skinny Bitch Collective taking over our Instagram feeds. 

Being #fit and healthy can only be a good thing so here are the four wellness trends you need to know about!

THE URBAN TRIATHALON

If the word ‘triathalon’ terrifies you, then you’re probably of sane mind, they’re incredibly hard – but there’s a slightly more fun and less arduous version of the hardcore sport gaining popularity. The Urban-Tri, there’s no set formula for what this could be but typically it involves a hot yoga class, 5k run and a spin class, but can include circuits or other classes. Check your local gym for one, or get some friends together and create your own.

Urban-Tri at Frame Shoreditch 

GET SOME BONE BROTH DOWN YA

Last year’s juicing trend is well and truly over, to be replaced by the much more palatable and nutritious souping. Health aficionados from Hemsley + Hemsley to Natasha Corrett are championing this ancient food (the earliest recipes date back centuries). It’s easy to make at home simply boil down meat bones in a soup pot and when boiled long enough, they’ll start to disintegrate and release nutrients and proteins (including collagen) which lead to great skin, shiny hair and general healthiness. Say hello to your next superfood.

HULA HOOPING DIVAS

Who wants abs? All of us then. Well, the best way to achieve abdominals like Britney circa 2001 is with a hula hoop. There are classes springing up all over the UK and, as well as toning your tum and burning up to 600 calories an hour, it’s also a lot of fun. Buy yourself a hoop from any good sports shop (a tip to get the correct size for you is to make sure the hoop reaches just above your hip when stood on its side) and get practising! Once you have your hula hoop it’s free and you can do it anywhere you have space.

Hoop with The Majorettes

THE FERMENTED FOOD TREND

Another food fad that has actually been around for thousands of years; fermenting food. Fermented foods are the product of ‘lacto fermentation’ where natural bacteria feed on sugar in the food, preserving it and creating beneficial omega-3 fatty acids, enzymes and vitamins plus a shedload of probiotics. This makes fermented eats great for gut health and aiding digestion. Restaurants such as the Rawduck in East London serves a menu full of these foods already or try some Kimchi from your local Korean restaurant – it’s the original fermented meal.

The Raw Duck Hackney

SHOP ACTIVEWEAR

Spice Market London

A few weeks ago myself and my housemate Amy went to restaurant Spice Market in London's cool W Hotel for a well-deserved treat. Having never been to this eatery, sister to Spice Market New York, I thought I'd share and review my experience.

The decor is pretty cool, it's kind of what it says on the tin, evoking a sense you are in a spice market, albeit an upmarket one - there are spices and sauces available to buy and plenty of lanterns and Asian-inspired details everywhere. 

The food is probably best descried as pan-Asian, it's not a particular style, some dishes were recognisably Indian, others Thai or Chinese-influenced. 

I almost tried everything on the menu, oops, but my highlights were the salmon tartare, which was refreshing and light, and the Spicy Thai Slaw was honestly delicious, I couldn't put the bowl down - and for someone who doesn't like coleslaw, that was weird. It was more of a crunchy salad though, delicious. 

The chicken samosas were spicy and tasty with a thin pastry crust and rich filling, I highly recommend them, and their cod is also a treat. The good thing about their menu is, because of the spices and way things are seasoned with lime or mint, the food doesn't sit heavy on the stomach.

I washed everything down with prosecco and sweet lychee bellinis. 

Ave. cost per head: £45

Best for: Early dinner with the girls

Spice Market at W Hotel, Leicester Square, 10 Wardour Street, London W1D 6QF

Black Bean Brownies Recipe

These 'BB Brownies' are taken from the Hemsley + Hemsley cookbook, they're a super-healthy alternative to brownies, being made mostly of the protein-rich black beans.

 I found them really easy to make but they're not very sweet so I've tweaked the recipe to include more maple syrup but maybe it would benefit from a dash of agave or even some organic chocolate chunks. 

They're filling, guilt-fee and hit the spot, though, so well worth a try. 

ingredients

2 x 400g tins cooked black beans, drained 

4 medium eggs 

230g unsalted butter 

85g unsweetened cocoa powder 

175ml maple syrup 

2 tbsp vanilla extract 

130g chopped walnuts, soaked and dried

Preheat the oven to 170°C. Makes nine to 16

method

First soak your walnuts for 10 mins, drain and then put in preheated oven for about 5 mins to dry out. Then rinse and drain your beans.

In a blender mix together the eggs, beans, cocoa, maple syrup and vanilla. Then melt your butter, leave to cool and mix into the bean mixture very slowly. Add the walnuts, leaving some to sprinkle on top.

Bake for 40-45mins until the surface cracks.

Serve with a nice cuppa.

Super Green Smoothie Recipe by Hemsley + Hemsley

I first tried this amazing smoothie recipe at a talk by the gorgeous Hemsley + Hemsley sisters and have since found it’s a go-to for a quick, filling nutrient boost.  So I thought I’d share it with you, I've tweaked theirs slightly to make it a bit simpler to make.

The benefits of this recipe are its alkalising, hydrating, cleansing, antioxidant-rich and easy to digest – the raw foods contains loads of vitamins, minerals and enzymes, undamaged by heat. Plus the leafy greens in it are among the most nutrient-dense foods in the world.

Also a tip I got from the Hemsley girls is to chew it well, yes, even chew smoothies, it aids digestion and makes you feel fuller.

Ingredients
1 apple
2 sticks of celery
Half a cucumber
70g spinach or kale
Half an avocado
1 inch ginger root
Handful Parsley
Squeeze of lemon
Water – add for desired consistency
1 teaspoon of super green powder (chlorella, spirulina etc)

You'll need a strong blender 

Recipe: Healthy Sugar-Free Chia Seed Cake

I love to bake… well, I love to eat cake, so they’re part and parcel of the same interest. However I’m a bit of a sugar addict and I’m actively trying to eliminate as much of the bad stuff from my diet as I can. So, I experimented in the kitchen and came up with this cake; it’s yummy if I do say so myself.

I’ve replaced the sugar with agave syrup which has a Glycaemic Index that is 5 times lower than sugar, meaning you don’t get blood sugar spikes. I also added healthy chia seeds that not only add a delicious crunch to the cake but are packed full of Omega 3s.

Ingredients.
4 Organic eggs
200g Natural Agave Syrup
225g Self-raising flour
2 tsp Baking powder
1 tbs Vanilla essence
10g Chia Seeds
225g Butter or Margarine

For filling.
Sugar-free raspberry jam, or make a coulis by reducing the a punnet of raspberries in a pan and adding agave to taste
Mascarpone or cream – add some powdered artificial sweetener to sweeten, or icing sugar if you feel naughty.

Method. 
1. Pre-heat oven to about 170c
2. Grease 2 baking tins
3. Blend all ingredients together (doesn’t matter about the order, just bung them in)
4. Bake for about 20-25mins or until a golden brown. *The agave will result in a darker colour than normal sugar, so don't worry if it looks overdone
5. Leave cakes to cool on a wire rack
6. Spread jam and cream filling on cakes and sand which together
7. Finish with a dusting of icing sugar or vanilla powder
8. Enjoy!!


I’d encourage you to mess around with this recipe, substituting what you like, trying to make it healthier… or more sinful. The basic recipe is a good base though, but mainly it tastes delicious!

RECIPE: 2 Ingredient, Gluten-Free Banana Pancakes

 I LOVE pancakes… in fact that's a understatement. On a weekend I will happily cook up a tasty batch but when you think about the ingredients (white processed flour, processed sugar, milk and butter) the allure dulls. Their nutritional value is practically nothing!

So when I heard you could use magical bananas and eggs and nothing else to make pancakes I was all for it!

INGREDIENTS

1 Large Banana per person

2 Organic Eggs

Pinch Baking Powder

Pinch Cinnamon (or vanilla)

METHOD

Mash the bananas really well then mix all ingredients together.

Fry in a frying pan on a low heat with a tiny bit of coconut oil.

Serve with natural Maple Syrup.

ENJOY!

BENEFITS

These pancakes don't contain sugar, gluten or lactose. Plus the eggs mean that they're high in protein.

Now, they're not quite as good as traditional pancakes because that's not the way the world works but they certainly do satisfy a sweet tooth and they're mega easy to make too.

Radiance Cleanse at Avenue St james

Avid readers will know I'm a major fan of juicing, I can't say that I live my life totally virtuously all the time (or ever) but I try to take care of my body and juices are the best way to inject those extra vitamins into your diet. The only thing is, unless you get them delivered or happen to live near a Whole Foods they're not easy to come by (the proper, vegetable-based cold pressed juices, I mean.).

Restaurant Avenue St. James has come to the rescue with it's new breakfast menu where alongside breakfast classics like Eggs Benedict and French Toast you'll find a range of custom-blended juices including an exclusive 'Rise & Shine' juice created especially for Avenue.

There are two green juices, which contain alkalising veggies and are a great juice to start your day with, a delicious red juice with beetroot and fennel and the yellow 'Rise & Shine' which contains Tumeric root, Orange and Pineapple and tastes a bit like sunshine (seriously). 

What I like about this juicy breakfast menu is that it's not scary. Sometimes juice cleanses are a little bit overwhelming and just impractical; this way you can have a tasty breakfast with an added vitamin boost. What's not to love?

Radiance Cleanse Juices are available at Avenue St. James

7-9 St James's St, London SW1A 1EE

 CHLOROPHYLL JUICE!!

My Breakfast 

JUICE RECIPE: HOT AS A CUCUMBER

(SERVES 2)

½ CUCUMBER

1 APPLE

2 LIMES (WITH RIND)

KNOB OF GINGER

1 PINT WATER

PREPARATION & METHOD

Wash all ingredients. Put all ingredients into a juicer (doesn’t matter what order), I use THIS ONE. I leave the rind on the lime as it really adds a nice sharpness; be sure to scrub the rind really well before juicing. Add water. Drink. NB: This tastes amazing chilled in the fridge.

THE HEALTH BIT

Cucumber is great for alleviating digestive problems like heartburn, acidity, gastritis or even ulcers. It contains an enzyme called Erepsin which aids the digestion of protein. Plus they’re super, super low in calories.

Apples have lots of Vitamin C which aids collagen production. You need collagen to aid wound-healing and to keep your skin healthy and glowing.

Lime has an irresistible scent which causes your mouth to water, aiding primary digestion. The fragrant oils in lime stimulate the digestive system and increase secretion of digestive juices, bile and acids.

Ginger is an excellent carminative (a substance which promotes the elimination of intestinal gas) and intestinal spasmolytic (a substance which relaxes and soothes the intestinal tract). It also has antioxidant effects, an ability to inhibit the formation of inflammatory compounds, and direct anti-inflammatory effects.

THIS JUICE IS GREAT FOR A SLUGGISH DIGESTIVE SYSTEM AND/OR BLOATING. IT’S ALSO GREAT FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO GIVE THEIR TASTEBUDS A KICK-START.

THE TASTE BIT

Cucumber in juices can be a bit overpowering (although I love it) but not in this one! The cucumber adds freshness, while the apple adds a sweet hint and the lime juice, lime rind and ginger give it a seriously spicy, zesty kick. It would probably taste good with tequila in it!