It was my birthday this week; and I mean week because like all good birthdays - it has lasted a good few days! Now you probably all know by now that I have a love of food - so birthday times will always involve eating!
The first of my birthday treats was a night at the Hammersmith Apollo to watch Bill Bailey - who was utterly hilarious! It was a surprise from Ian and he knew we wouldn't have much time after work to eat so he booked the best 'fast-food' restaurant ever: Kerbisher & Malt fish and chips!
Now Kerbisher & Malt have had their fair share of great reviews - and this one is going to be no different! I absolutely love the way they've so subtly upgraded a classic fish & chip shop to make it one classy establishment, but while maintaining the traditional elements you would expect in a good chippy (see: tiled walls). Tourists note: this is not a usual British chip shop! They're really not ever this nice!
The menu has all the chip-shop classics, cooked to order, as well as a few extras. Ian plumped for cod & I had haddock, both battered (the fish, not us) with chips and a side of mushy peas.
The portions were huge and the batter so so perfect it was unreal: not too greasy, just the right amount of crunch - and delicious! The fish was soft, fresh and flaked in the mouth. Our HUGE portions were washed down with a bottle of London Lager and off we went, full and happier than you would ever expect from simple fish & chips to laugh it all off....
We went to the one on Shepherd's Bush road (just around the corner from the Apollo), but they are also open in Ealing now too.
Two days later and it was time for another birthday treat in the form of dinner with friends at Abbey Tavern in Kentish Town. I had been recommended this place; famed for it's steaks, so decided to grab a few friends and check it out! I was pleasantly surprised from the moment I walked in: the place is light airy and welcoming. It was a really muggy day so we decided to go and sit in their garden (they also have a roof-terrace) to eat, but we could have also eaten in the bar, or in the restaurant.
I had been told by a number of sources that Abbey Tavern 'serves the best steaks in London, and for only £15' so I was really geared up for a good juicy piece of meat (oo-err). Unfortunately, because the menu is short, simple and changes daily, it just so happened that when we went on Thursday, steak wasn't on the menu!
But we were only disappointed for a second, as the menu was offering two amazing burgers: lamb and spicy tomato pork meatballs, and a pulled pork wrap! We all trumped for one of these three and were blown away.
The lamb burger came with mint sauce: just look at that oozing out of there. Heaven.
The meatballs were smothered with melted cheese...
And the pork was soft and tender, accompanied by spinach and red onion...
This resulted in three very happy boys (and girls!) as we ate and drank into the evening; what's more, the food is really reasonable priced (Burger & chips = £10) so perfect for a relaxed evening out!
My actual birthday was yesterday; the girls and I got glammed up and hit Royal Ascot for a day of racing, Pimms and ill-advised bets! I didn't take my camera, but will find a few photos from the girls and put up a post soon! Happy Birthday to me!