Oh my honey, honey! Manuka Kitchen : LOCAL LOVES

After spotting a little AAGill review Mumma Morrow and I decided to give Manuka Kitchen on the Fulham Road a try. Boy am I glad we did!

I've gone past it a million times and thought nothing of it. It's very low key and unassuming, nestling in amongst the tea shops and salons. But as mum was in town, and she'd read the amazing review, a visit was put in the diary. 

Breakfast is served from 10am and although we didn't book I'd recommend doing so - I think word is going to spread like wildfire. We sat at a sweet little table in the middle of the restaurant, surrounded by families, couples and groups of friends. The atmosphere is lovely.  We ordered tea and coffee and soaked in the morning sun that was streaming through the windows. 

 

 

Tummies grumbling with anticipation we ordered blueberry pancakes and French toast that was served with bacon, banana and spiced honey. Sipping our tea and chatting about my sister's recent engagement to her lovely boyfriend we were happy as two larry's as the chefs prepared the breakfast masterpieces that soon arrived at our table.

The French toast was divine - cooked to perfection and beautifully presented with a brûléed banana still in it's skin on the top. It was utterly dreamy and a lady on the neighbouring table promptly ordered some after spotting mine.

A five minute walk from Fulham Broadway tube this is a definite breakfast hot spot and I'm planning to go for dinner soon - has anyone been? Would love an order recommendation!

xXx

Luncheon, The Harwood Arms : LOCAL LOVES

I am full to the brim. 

I am absolutely full to the brim from a lunch I had YESTERDAY. 

My lovely best friend Arabella's dad celebrated the big Six-Oh yesterday. He very kindly invited me along to the party and when I found out that it was going to be at The Harwood Arms I was over the flippin' moon!

Tucked away in a residential area of leafy Fulham The Harwood Arms has only been around for a couple of years but has already earned itself a cracking rep - it is the first and only London pub to be awarded a Michelin star. Yep, pretty special.

They describe themselves as a' rural haven' so for those country folk amongst you this is the ideal place for a special meal. Famed for their game and wild food the venison is actually shot by the owners of the pub. The menu is meticulously sourced and selected so you really are getting the best of the best....hence the price tag. But don't worry, if meat isn't necessarily your thing, the vegetarian menu is equally delicious and I can personally vouch for that. There were 14 of us at the lunch so I got a sneaky peek at pretty much the entire menu...

Treacle cured smoked salmon with smoked cod roe, whisky jelly and watercress

Roast Berkshire partridge with salmi, creamed livers and game tea

The atmosphere is so relaxed and fun, they've managed to keep the 'pubby' vibe whilst serving top notch grub and this is just my cup of tea. I love a luxurious meal but hate stuffy quiet restaurants - I need a bit of noise and silliness. There was quite a gap between the courses and I really liked that, it meant we all had a chance to swap seats and get the gossip from the other end of the table.

The birthday boy heading up the table

Then the main courses descended and all conversations ceased....blimey, they were good. Arabella is still harping on about the veal she had - it's a two person dish so she recruited her brother and got stuck in.

Now, it's not just full on five hour lunches that The Harwood Arms specializes in (yes, we were there for FIVE hours) - you can just pop in for a drink, plonk yourself down in front of the fire and enjoy a swift scotch egg if you like. They always maintain that they are a pub and not a restaurant so keep things nice and relaxed - dogs are welcome and there's a rowdy quiz night on a Tuesday.

But let's not digress - there's pudding to talk about! Yum. Just yum. That's all I can say really.

Pear cooked in Earl Grey with almonds, sherry and burnt butter ice cream

Brie. What a babe.

The birthday boy was very jolly after our mammoth meal. The staff really looked after us and made the day so, so brill - thank you if you're reading! 

So this lucky lunching Londoner thinks that you should...

- Get yourself over to The Harwood Arms - it's got it just so fantastically right, luxury nosh and a chilled vibe. Book me a table for life.

N.B. Nearest tubes are Fulham Broadway and West Brompton.