London: Tea Time in Wonderland » Brick lane

A week-end in London: Oct 07-09, 2011

Chocoralie — Thu, 06 Oct 2011 07:23:42 +0000

I feel like colouring the sky with the highlighters I keep at work, don’t you? Meanwhile, we can always paint the town red…

* Every Thursday in October, taste beer in a micro-brewery.

* (Re)discover Brixton village, who has its own currency.

* There will be dancing on the squares.

* Art shine in neon colours.

* Get your bike out - there is a cake tour on!

* Step into a magical world.

* Learn a little something about a legend of Brick Lane.

* Get a slice of Boris.

* Harrods adds a Swedish touch to Xmas treats.

* Even if you are not planning to marry, go and admire those sublime vintage dresses.

* Calling all the honeys…

* You can love knitting AND be a bit of a rebel.

* Oh, that should really get you dancing if you are a Tina Turner fan.

Pssst: Lazarides is lauching their second artistic edition in the Old Vic Tunnels. The theme will be the Minotaur and this should also be quite a gastonomic experience too. Have you got your ticket yet?

Kai and Sun – Flower show at the Stolenspace Gallery

Chocoralie — Thu, 23 Jun 2011 22:58:06 +0000

Those two designers, who have seduced the likes of Apple, Adobe, Alexander Mc Queen, are particularly skilled at hypnotising their public.
You first look from a distance. Curiousity makes you take a step further – that’s it: you are now lost in the contemplation of the minute geometrical work. the angles, the static movement.
Sadly it proves impossible to show in the pics the glittering fibers, adding a little dew on the blooms.
A myriad of thin lines weave these dynamic creations -so much movement they look like they are coming closer to you. Just fascinating.

The show finishes on Sunday - make a quick detour to Brick Lane to discover it!

Stolenspace Gallery
The Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London EC1 6QL
Until June 26, 2011 – free

Ideas for a week-end in London: May 06-08, 2011

Chocoralie — Wed, 04 May 2011 23:01:46 +0000

I’m French. That alone defines my love for good food, my curiousity to try new tastes, to discuss a wine for hours.
The Real Food Festival opens its doors this week-end so you can imagine how impatient I am. 400 deli stalls and so many treats to discover! I’m licking my lips in anticipation.
My friends from Café On and their macarons, The Sweet Tooth Factory and their rainbow of cheesecakes, Supercherry and their Italian sweet wines (more about this next week!) will be there too.

What about you? Gourmet or adventurous week-end?

* How gothic – there will be a projection of Frankenstein in the Anatomy Museum on Thursday.

* Your credit card will be smoking – 20% off evening at Seven Dials.

* Tune to another kind of music and listen to a ukuleles concert.

* It’s drive-ins season again, my friend!

* What? you haven’t invaded rooftops yet?

* A chewing gum exhibition? Yes, daaarling, that’s art.

* Tea or coffee, that is the question at this festival on Southbank. The Sweet Tooth Factory will be there too with a whole range of spongecakes, including a rooibos and a chocolate-rose one.

* A new craft café is opening up - you can learn to sew or embroider before enjoying a piece of homemade cake.

* Love that theme? Go and see the craft event at the Saatchi Gallery.

* Visit artist studios.

* Happy birthday to Coca-Cola – get a free drink at Selfridges on Sunday.

* Enjoy a view on the canal in Hackney.

* Brixton’s windmill reopens - lovely outing.

* Be on your way to Brick Lane’s festival. Spices all around! We particularly love Sheba there.

Sheba – colours, spices & yummy sauces on Brick Lane

Chocoralie — Fri, 25 Feb 2011 00:06:30 +0000

Brick Lane. You are at the center of Indiantown, whole collection of restaurants in view, waiters taunting you every couple meters. You are thoroughly tempted but where to start, how to differenciate one place from another? Clearly, you will not have the chance to get a quiet look at the menus. Easier to give up, avoid eye contact, even make a detour.

Result? 7 years in London and I still haven’t had lunch in that iconic street. Shameful, I tel you! So where I was given the opportunity to try Sheba, know as the best address around, I never hesitated a second. 35 years of experience: let’s start at the top….

As in all curry houses, decoration is relatively simple – white table cloth, red sofas. At the back of the room, a big screen plays exotic Bollywood videoclips, so cheerful and full of colours.

A quick look at the menu – so much choice! To be frank, I tend to keep to Tikka Masalas, Kormas and Biryanis. But this is a day to be more adventurous and while snacking on our crunchy poppadums, we decide to order an assortement.

Arrive first samosas (£3.10) filled with lamb or vegetables… Onion Bahjis (£3.10) flavoured with fresh herbs…. a Chicken Chat Puree (£3.95) which wakes up taste buds with its lovely spices… Garlic King Prawns (£4.95)… Great and savoury introduction. I personally have a preference for the Kebab Ke Karishma (£8.95, to be shared by 2), a wonderful assortment of kebabs : chicken, lamb, Kofte, lamb chops… Guys will not resist this!

This, my friends, is the mere beginning of the festivities. Little by little, the table gets covered with dishes in warm colours and inviting aromas. So much choice! Get your weapon: naan in hand, ready to be dipped in the nearest sauce…

Am, stram, gram… Fight your way to the Lamb Lucknow (£12.50), their signature dish. No need for a knif, the meat is so tender and well cooked a spoon would do! And what a creative flavour: cardamom, pine flower, saffron… A real poem.

Do try the King Prawns Malabar (£12.50), which presents juicy prawns in an aromatic sauce. Coriander, chilli, curry leave, coconut cream and, more surprising, mustard seeds, an amazing touch. Softer in spices, the Tandoori Korai King Prawn (£12.95) allies prawns, onions, peppers, coriander and can almost be eaten by spoonfuls…

The menu lists a wide selection of fish recipes such as the Kofte Jhinga Bhuna (£12.95), a Bengali specialty. A cheerful mix of tomatoes, herbs, spring onions, melting on the mouth and very addictive.

If you are a Korma-forever type, though, go for this great alternative: the Modhucash Murgh (£10.50), a creamy honey and cashew nuts chicken is sure to win your heart. I ate most of my naan just digging into the sauce…

A good address fr veggies too. Dahl (£3.10) with a yummy garlic note, delicious Saag Aloo (potatoes and spinach, £3.10) which I will discreetly finish the plate, roasted aubergines (Begun Bahji £3.25) to die for… There is something for everyone!

Amidst the fun of tasting here and there, we quickly forgot which dish was what. Up to you to mix, pile up, rearrange and create you own curry combination… or steal the last prawn or lamb piece from your neighbour’s plate if they are not looking…

Verdict : with this delicious address in my books, why would I even bother to try any other restaurant on Brick Lane?

Sheba
136 Brick Lane
Shoredicth
London E1 6RU

Never Judge a book by its cover @ the Stolenspace Gallery

Chocoralie — Mon, 13 Dec 2010 18:33:54 +0000

As a child, I was lucky enough to travel around the world. The journeys were long and I would pass the time by reading book after book. most of the stories have now faded away in my mind, but I can recall their covers quite clearly. Those are are the first step towards the dream: the picture, the typo, the colours, the texture even allows you to create tyour own story, your own atmosphere even before opening it. You will glance at it again and again, imagine a new dreamscape, caress it, drum on it with your fingertips, feel sorry one corner got damaged in your bag while loving the book even more for it: each little scar makes it even more yours, make it unique, adds to the sense of an adventure together, Some books I have kept not because they were that good but because each chapter symbolised a part of a journey abroad…

One rarely thinks of the artists behind the front artwork. I remember Harry Potter’s had brought a new dimension. Meant to be a kids book, the editor realised that adults (and not only parents!) had fallen for the adventures too but felt embarrassed to read them in public – too childish an illustration, you see. More serious looking versions were published,

Just as a present is even better nicely wrapped and ribonned, a book seduces better with a lovely or surprising cover. Penguin soon understood it and theirs became iconic in time. With ipads and Kindles gaining in popularity, the brand decided to fight back and celebrate the paper versions instead by asking a selection of artists to reinvent the covers of books they had loved ad a child or just felt inspired by. (A huge thanks to L’Ogresse for letting us know about this!)

A fun exhibition, with a number of artworks created by famous streetartists, a magical touch to it, and the need to rush to the nearest bookstore and spend the rest of the afternoon there…

D*Face
The king of air, The doomsday Book, The cosmic engineers

Mysterious Al
Tales of mystery and imagination

Eelus
War of the worlds

Jonathan Darby
Shock Doctrine

Roa
Ugly Duckling

Shepard Fairey
Animal Farm

The London Police
On the Road

An underpressure art production
2000 leagues under the sea

Never Judge…
Stolenspace Gallery
The Old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London EC1 6QL
Until December 19, 2010 – free

Pssst: continue the dream with these sets – 100 Penguin postcards and 100 Puffin postcards…

Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious art

Chocoralie — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 23:58:27 +0000

A piece inspired by Poster Boy ( a NY artist whose sole tool is a razor. Have a look here to see how he used his blade to create amazing collages)… It hides on Corbet place, on the side of the Root-master. Be patient as it is often half behind boxes and bins. Look on the back wall!

Old Truman Brewery car park
Off Dray Walk,
London, E1 6QL

A new pop-up idea: the laundrette party

Chocoralie — Mon, 11 Oct 2010 00:16:58 +0000

The pop-up trend did not, in the end, proved ephemeral… In the last two years, the movement really has taken off. I have stopped counting the number of bars/cafes/restaurants appearing and disappearing in the blink of an eye. There even has been a hotel open for a few nights and an event to make our own lemonade.

It is indesit’s turn to amaze us, surfing on an underground movement form the US: the laundrette party. Rather than yawn while waiting for their laundry to be finished, someone clever thought it would be so much nicer with some good music, dancing and beers… Hop, off you go till the end of the night.

The brand has chosen the buzzing neighborhood of Brick Lane to party. Rather than chosing a small grey lavomatic, they are creating an ultra-modern atmosphere. Look at the washing machines/bar and the waitresses on wheels! A great balance between laundrette, disco and American diner. The concept is respected and yes you can come and wash your clothes… How could you resist such an offer - we work, you play?

So trendy that the famous Gabriella Cilmi will launch the VIP evening on Thursday the 14th - there will be a fab DJ and lots of fun. Why not go to their Facebook page, there is a chance to win places for the private evening on Friday the 15th! Good news, the place will be open for all during the week-end with tea and cakes (midi-18.00)…

Go and have a look! Just out of curiousity but also because the idea will take off… Be one of the first to try!

Honey, I have shrunk the street art

Chocoralie — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 15:26:52 +0000

Seen yesterday in and around Brick Lane… There doesn’t seem to be any info anywhere on the web about those - who has any tips on whose artist’s they might be?

Edit: geraldine found the key! This is from the artist Isaac Cordal. His website is better that a treasure chest. Do have a look at his flickr page too!

Cmnt eclps

Grandmother

Wild fantasies – Don’t panic @ Stolen Space

Chocoralie — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 12:47:34 +0000

Don’t panic? What is this? Well, you already have picked up on of their free pack in bars, music shops, galleries or any other trendy place: a big enveloppe filled with leaflets about DJ evenings, electro music, street art events, modern shows… and always a poster by a more or less known artist.

Can you belive it has been ten years already since they started? A small celebration is in order and they are presenting @ the stolen gallery a collection of their best posters. On the list are illustrations by Banksy, Shepard Fairey (aka Obey), Pure Evil, C215 and so many more…

Hurry, it’s on till tomorrow! And do get the latest pack, there’s a poster by D*Face – definitely a collector…

Wild fantasies: a de cade of don’t panic posters
Stolenspace gallery
The old Truman Brewery
91 Brick Lane
London E1 6QL
Free
Until October 03, 2010

Pssst: you can also order older ones on this website.

Ceci n’est pas une pizza (it’s so much better) @ Story Deli

Chocoralie — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 16:35:19 +0000

I do remember a time when pizzas all seemed the same to me. Dough, sauce, ingredients et voila, right? A student then, my wallet only left me with limited options: frozen, Domino/Pizza Hut, tasteless take-aways on the way home. I wanted the food to be comforting, cheap, quick and easy to eat. Gourmet never even crossed my mind.

Since then, my tastebuds ahve tasted so much better. I have given up on Pizza Express (although that was definitely an improvement on my youth!). I still love small prices (who wouldn’t?) - Ecco‘s just perfect for this, no decoration but a fab sauce and fresh ingredients. Since then, I also travel around the world with Fire and Stone.

While walking through Brick Lane with a friend, Julie suddenly pointed a terrasse half hidden by bushes. This is, she said, a great organic pizzeria. Finger licking good.

You know me. I do not need any other incentive. I immediately feel hungry.

The inside is between design and green-trended: natural colours, wooden notes, tools made of recycled cardboard, mismatched cutlery… You feel relaxed immediately. But no photos, pleeeeeaaaaase. God knows why. It always amazes me. With phones taking pictures and videos these days, why fear a proper camera? I can copy the atmosphere without a picture but surely sharing a few photos on a social media such as a blog or Facebook is free publicity and so at their advantage?

The menu flirts witth delicatessen and originality. If Fire & Stone definitely played on being different with Indian, Chinese, Morroccon touches, here refinement prevails. I will not resist trying the Fico: parma ham, goats cheese, black olive and fig tapenade, capers, thyme, parmesan. Yummy time!

Sounds like a strange mix, sweet and salted, strong tastes? Surprisingly, the balance is just perfect, yes, yes even the black olives and the fig. Who would have thought you could marry them this way? This is like a culinary poem. South of France tastes - makes you feel on holiday somehow. But the dough really marks the difference, not really a pizza one, so very thin, like a poppadum, you just crunch through it like a biscuit. It is not a support for ingredients at all - it is a treat in itself. I can’t help but wonder what the chorizo and pumpkin must be like…?

The menu also proposes an organic cola, which I haven’t tried. I let myself be seduced by the rum-raisins cheesecake (£3), the best i have ever tried. Not flouruy at all, very creamy, the ideal dose, an interesting texture with the raisins, lovely touch of rum. I would definitely stop just for this (in the afternoon you can order a slice of cake and a coffee if you wish)

The negative side is, of course, the price. What, £13 for a pizza? That’s a bit high! See it from a different angle. I would go to Ecco or Fire & Stone on a regular basis, for pleasure or with friends. I would keep Story Deli for a more festive occasion, someone to amaze, even a first romantic date… Curiosity and greediness will take you back here!

Story Deli
Truman Brewey
3 Dray Walk
Spitalfields
London E1 6QL