Vogue fell in love with them, judging they definitely are people set to define the next generation - no less. Time Out clapped them aloud. Good looking with a sombre heart – shazam, their fan club compares them to the irresistible Dorian Gray, and the idea is adopted. Contronted to adversity, Emeka and Luke took their weapon out: their sense of humour. They juggle, they tickle, they hypnotize you with their good words. A strange match: one has a lawyer degree, writes poetry and knows how to subtilise a sewing machine (don’t ask). The other is an hyponchondriac yet smokes Malboro Lights, and tried to hide his public school accent with Jamie Oliver’s. Those two are bound to suprise you.

And because the whole world can be a stage and that this two artists have a thousand passions, they will soon jump in a new adventure: a supperclub for two nights only June 02 and 03. Dinner will be served with a salad of smiles, spiced with laughter,promising a trifle of good times… It’s an amazing occasion to meet those rising stars. Underground lovers, get hold of your tickets quick, there will only be 50 available per evening.

A Dorians dinner
By The Marvelous Dorians
June 02 and 03 at 19.00
£25 for the comedy show and a 3 course meal. Get your tickets here!
Want to know more about the whole event? Contact Frances Cottrell: Frances@Cottrellandklar.co.uk

The Supperclub scene offers a wide range of choices. Some will focus on a unique menu, others on the artistic side of the evening. I have tried quite a few in the last couple of years but this one remained my favourite. The themes always amaze me – up to a farmers’ market!

On my first visit, we re-experienced our senses. I remember particularly eating Indian food with my fingers (I never found such an excellent dahl afterwards), the aromas of the stinking bishop cheese and the durian, the desert discovered blindfolded, which was folded by multiple spoon kicks on the table (and my neighbour’s hand) and was followed by a cascade of laughs.

This time, cacao was the guest of honour, from starter to desert. Yes! You can have a all-chocolate balanced diet! Of course, this is well known for Mexican dishes although I never had the occasion to taste this. The chipotle, spiced with chilli, was quite something, the cacao linking the ingredients together. Chocoholics could even grate some more on their dish. My favourite alliance definitely was the one with cheese, very refreshing. Why not try it at home? We had parmesan-pecorino-dark choc chips, little balls of goat’s cheese rolled in cacao… Makes you feel like experimenting even further!

The famous Trish Deseine, Irish by birth but adopted with delicious admiration by the French, also brought her ray of sunshine to the evening by preparing three deserts. Her excellent chocolate fondant cake – her signature dish -, delicate yuzu and caramel truffles… and a marvellous, exotic soup of white chocolate, coconut milk, lemongrass and a spoonful of passionfruit. The thai touch brings a taste for holidays and tropical sunshine. How sad to reach the bottom of your plate!

Dinner always ends with a relaxed chat with the host. Most of us cannot resist getting a look at the kitchen – laboratory of the marvellous concoctions of the day. The AGA fascinates the guest, many caress it in admiration. I particularly loved the “Mauvaise Maman” jars, and cannot wait to get one of those from this brand new range!

Soft lightning, French details here and there, the house has such a warm, welcoming feeling to it. It is, literally a “home” restaurant and not a business pop-up.

It takes one meeting to love the woman behind it all. Cheeks pink with pleasure, irresistible smile, elegant yet amusing fashion details, this super-heroine just exchanges her super-cape for a super-apron.

Her talent and culinary experiences naturally led to a book. Literally – a paper version of Mrs Marmite. One opens it just to have a quick look… and finds oneself completely absorbed by it. It all comes from her writing style – her frank, clear choice of words, her sense of humour, it is all there, as if you were listening to her, sitting in her kitchen chair. You jump right into her world, you can picture her walking through the house putting the plates on the table.

Yet, it isn’t just another collection of recipes. Underground restaurants are very much the trend, it looks so easy to manage yet, where to start? Page after page, you will discover her own adventure, the challenges, the perfect timing, the legal details ( a supperclub cannot legally sell alcohol but guests can bring their own bottle of wine, for example). Here and there, retro illustrations, as well as fabulous and very appetizing pictures (don’t miss the Flower ice bowl page 290): a very cheerful book that leaves you hungry or a pice of the action.

Yes, of course, recipes, cooking, seasoning tips are shared too. We love the little twists to classics such as flavoured butter. I often add hebs but never thought of eatable flower. What a beautiful visual effect! Drinks are in there too, including Butterbeer, a Harry Potter & the gang’s favourite. The last chapters propose themed dinners -  flowers, gothic, Elvis… What’s to expect? Your notebook will explode, your number of friends double, just go for it!

Mrs Marmite Lover:
The underground restaurant
The book: Supper Club

Trish Deseine

- Travel through time via pictures of London at the London Museum or at the National Portrait Gallery… You can even buy some here!
- Even though your mother told you not to, telling stories is just the thing to do these days…
- No budget to upgrade your clothes collection? Try swishing @ the V&A!
- Dr Who fan? This way for the interactive exhibition…
- Live vintage style…
- A really royal tour of London… And mouthwatering ones!
- Find inspiration for your future birthday cakes…
- Book all your 2011 week-ends with the help of the Happiness Project…

Pssst, keep your eyes open for those:
- An underground restaurant that makes you feel like dancing…
- Vegetable cupcakes @ Selfridge’s…
- A curious but fun café near Paddington…

Nothing is more important to a Froggie than a gourmet moment. A visual pleasure, a charming aroma. Close one’s eyes, let  the taste dance on the taste buds… then savour the pleasure a little longer by putting it into words, making adjectives sing, revive memories, share appreciation. A delicate but tasty time.

I had been following Luiz’ foodie blog for some time. Starving in front of his way too appetising pics and descriptions, filling pages of notes on his best addressed. When I read about his London Cooking Club, it took me seconds to jump on my keyboard and email him.

The concept is pretty simple – the dinner will have a theme, usually a style of cooking or a famous recipe book. Each guest will contribute of one dish and a bottle of wine. As for restaurant underground, plenty of mystery on board – where will it be? Who will you meet?

This time, confort foods are to be honoured. Mine is a roast chicken, stuffed with shallots, garlic, lemon thyme, lime with cloves. Just add a drizzle of olive oil and Lillet (an apéritif from the Bordeaux region, which you can also find here), serve with cumin cooked carrots. Simple but nice.

And what a party this was! I still can’t believe the amount of gorgeous food on the table. Arriving in advance, I sudenly felt intimidated but was so warmly welcomed the anguish disappeared instantly. I was even kissed hello, as I would have been in France, on both cheeks. guests arrived little by little, conversations flowed as freely as the wine and cava, served in vintage Babycham glasses… Janine brought back entire plates of her elegant canapés: fresh figs with a dollo[ of soured cream mixed with soft blue cheese and topped with pancetta. Fresh and full of flavour. Needless to say, they disappeared in no time!

Time to sit down at the table. Gill brings the final touches to her soup -  so fragrant it made out mouth water: sweet potator and ginger, with crunchy croutons and a pinenut and coriander pesto. ideal winter warmer, velvety and what a wonderful play on textures!

Follows a Japanese spicy pork and seafood nabe. We all watch Luiz with curiousity as he sets a portable stove on the table, then lays a clay pot on it. In it simmers a stock made with tuna flakes as well as transparent potato pasta. On top, he has minitiously arranged  tofu, Asian mushrooms, pork, green beans, clams, bamboo shots… It takes little more than 10mn to be ready, and 10 seconds for everyone to be armed with their chopsticks. A dish to die for, everything melts in the mouth. And so interactive as the guests fish treasures with the chopstick and happily share their finds. A second serving? Oh yes, please! Luiz served it with a delicate prune wine with almond taste -  very easy to drink, very dangerous! Would love to see how this one matches with a lychee desert.

It is Razy’s turn to amaze us. A chef’s my trade, watching her dress the plates bring ballet to the mind. A gracious waltz of movements. She carved the chicken for me and was she quick, I still understand how she succeeded so fast. Her dish was a pure dose of exoticism, lamb meatballs with pistachio and apricot, served with Labhne, a yogurt sauce. And a jewel touch with some pomegranate – direct ticket to sunny paradise.

Dr Gerald also has a surprise in stock for us. Inspired by a Jamie Oliver’s recipe, he prepares layers of gorgeous prawns, cod, avocado, basil, cream and cheddar – 20mn in the oven and out comes a lovely alliance of flavour. My only regret, being French, is not having some bread: I would not have left a dollop of the sauce (with crusty cheese on top, mmmh) in my plate!

It sounds easier to follow up with a buffet version of the other main dishes -  so much more to come! Filled up? When there are still so many delicious things in front of us?

Tracey shares her South-African roots with a lamb bobotie -  made with meat, egg custard, spices and laurel, it is incredibly vibrant. I may have lived in Mauritania and Tahiti, I never encountered anything like this. Wonderful texture, both tender and melting, sweet and spiced. Feels like traveling around the world in a mouthful.

Rosanna spent 10 hours cooking her beef tajine. Shame on me, I have forgotten the long list of ingredient although I remember pausing, recognising here chickpeas, there cinnamon, oh, and coriander, and apricots… I’ll steal her idea of sprinkling it with sesame and toasted almonds.. absolutely perfect with Gerald and Luiz’ green couscous, flavoured with coriander and green onions.

Add to this Hugh’s baked beans with smoked chilly -  nothing to do with your Englsih Breakfast beans. Transports you straight away to the Far West, fire, pot cooking, starry sky…

Kavey and Pete brought a lovely twist to one of my favourite accompaniments: cauliflower cheese gratin. But instead of putting just cheddar, they added blue cheese. Much more interesting and easy to use for a modern turn on your family dinner. Loved and to-be-copied-soon. The recipe is this way. Kavey advises romanesco for the beauty of the vegetable.

( Please don’t hate me, Tracey – I love this one as it sums up the evening so well!)

It is now passed midnight and time to start on desert… Elisabeth prepared a pear and almond frangipane tart – so very French! – the ideal refreshing touch after such a fragrant meal. Soothing. Made me feel like home. She also does a rhubarb version, which I have never encountered before. Intriguing, will need to try this.

Kavey adds the last touch with lemon possets, tangy firework. What’s her secret? How many hours to get that perfect acidulated note? Very easy, almost miraculous, she says: cream, sugar, lemon juice cooked together and chilled. With lovely candied peel on top. Have a look on her blog to learn about her strawberry vodka too!

We had all brought a cheese, contributing to a huge platter of 15… But very few of us still had space left for it. Next time, we’ll diet in advance!

I wish I could charm you with the wonderful collection of wines from around the world but I lost count. Although Elisabth and Hugh brought a hydromel-like Gaillac.

In a nutshell? Gill says it best: the evening started with strangers and finished among friends. Anecdotes, travel memories, alliances of tastes, cooking tips, best addresses in london, laughs, childhood flavours, culinary discoveries were shared around. Guest changed places around the table, moved to the kitchen to help prepare, carry, clean. Had Luiz allowed we would happily have washed the dishes too.

We left at 01.30 am, after a 6 hour orgy, cheeks pinked with pleasure, inspired, ready to roll back home and blessing Luiz and gerald for their generous and ever so friendly hospitality.

Unforgettable, can’t wait to go back!

London Foodie Blog
London Cooking Club – free
Do read Rosanna’s lovely write-up of the evening too!

Aujourd’hui, je  craque pour Housebites. Cette équipe gourmande, fan de restaurants undergrounds et de belles expériences gourmandes, souhaite mettre cette passion en avant. Vous aimez les diners avec atmosphere mais pas le cote guinde des restaurants? Vous aimez les surprises, discuter avec le chef, rencontrer des passionnes? Ou au contraire, vous avez toujours voulu tenir un restaurant et adorez cuisiner pour une joyeuse tablee?

Suivez-les, ils rassemblent tout ce petit monde! Vous pouvez grâce à eux découvrir des restaurants éphémères, des dîners privés… ou recevoir chez vous, pourquoi pas?

Ce week-end, une très belle occasion pour les découvrir: Le Savoy Truffle Supperclub propose un dîner au 29ème etage d’un bâtiment du West End.  Fête des papilles et vue sublime au programme! Le chef, Gavin Billness, ayant rencontré un franc succès au dernier Restaurant Festival, l’occasion, donc, de rencontrer une étoile qui monte… Tenez, voici une de ses créations pour finir de vous convaincre:

You can count on London to be bubbling with ideas.

My latest favourite is Housebites. This passionate team, fascinated with underground restaurants and amazing culinary experiences, wanted to share it with others, make them discover a brand new world. Love dinners but hate the too strict and noisy restaurant atmospheres? Love surprises, a talk with the chef, meet people as curious as you are? Or are you on the other side of the looking glass, an amazing cook and enjoy preparing a themed meal for a group of friends?

Well, better follow them -  they bring everyone together! You will discover pop-up restaurants, private dinners or why not receive complete strangers, just for the fun of it for a delicious evening?

This week-end starts with a wonderful occasion to try them – the Savoy Truffle Supperclub proposes a dinner on the 29th floor of Centerpoint, in central London. Can you imagine the view? The chef, Gavin Billness has been very successful at the last Restaurant festival so here is you chance to discover a rising star. Need even more convincing? Just look at this:

(Oui, moi aussi, je salive) (Yeah, I’m dribbling too)

Housebite
Savoy Truffle Supperclub @ Centrepoint
£55 le dîner, amenez votre bouteille de vin The dinner £55 is at £55/person, BYO
15 et 16 janvier 2011 à 19.00 – réservez sur le site Jan 15-16 2011 @ 19.00 – book on the website
Pour plus d’infos sur Housebite, contactez Frances Cottrell: For more information on Housebite, contact Frances Cottrell: f.cottrell@myjam.co.uk

Vous vous demandez à quoi ressemble une soirée gourmande underground? Jetez un coup d’oeil à The Hidden Tearoom et au Restaurant Underground. Et puis découvrez la tendance par làWonder what an underground culinary evening must look like? Well, have a look @ The Hidden Tearoom and The restaurant underground.

- On Thursday, don’t miss this aquatic exhibition…

- …or enjoy a free curry!

- This way for a free musical @ Sadler’s Wells…

- A few dance steps @ the Tate Modern… (By the way, time Out has a 2 for 1 offer for the Exposed exhibition)

-… or an alternative village fete, maybe?

- Always a favourite: Notting Hill carnival!

- Feel nostalgic with this exhibition on Jimy Hendrix…

- I never tire of this yearly press pictures exhibition…

- Discover a few secret places in the National Theatre…

- Treat yourself to an afternoon tea with an Asian touch…

- So you think you know London?

- By the way, do you know the story of the Crystal Palace?

- Yes, pubs and opera can be in harmony, who would have thought so!

- Try to get a ticket for this fab underground dinner!

- Fed up with pop-up shops? Why not give this pop-up cinema a go? It used to be a petrol station.

- Get the kids to learn more abour bats!

- Be zen in a Japanese garden… (give this one a try too!)

You’ll find me… strolling through Chelsea Physics gardens… Testing this edible exhibition… Checking out the Natural History Museum’s 8m long knitted squid… Enjoying some retro glamour at the V&A late night… Where will YOU be?

This trend is fascinating. Forget formal restaurants. People like you and me, passionate about cooking decide to take it a step further. A restaurant is a big risk, a huge responsability and they’d rather have the fun of it while still having a financial security. Do it wheneever they feel like it, whenever they’re inspired. But also share the experience with the fans rather than being locked in the kitchen all the time, slaving over dishes. They’re breaking away from the cold business side of it, injecting fun back into it.

Curiosity already took me to the Hidden tearoom for the most wonderful afternoon tea. I still can taste the cheddar biscuits… I spent three hours chatting happily with strangers.

I’m taking Celine along with me this time to test the most famous London one: the Underground restaurant. MsMarmite Lover loves to juggle with ideas and recipes so check dates and themes on the website. Be quick! She’s full in not time.

Tonight’s based on the Realm of Senses. I must admit I always feel a bit shy before ringing the bell. An evening with strangers could be boringly long. I have always been proved wrong: the only fact that you’re there proves we all have a sense of curiousity, adventure, a love for London and good food and that is enough for hours of conversation on end. You’ll find a great mix of people. around our table, we chatted over travels, blogs, books, cinema, cookin, we laughed and compared and commented and shared.

What was on the menu? Ceviche to start with with seashore background noises. I am used to the Tahition way of using raw fish – in a sweet coconut milk sauce. This is surprisingly refreshing, vary fragrant with yuzu and ginger. As for the music? I’m afraid we were chatting way too much in our enthusiasms to notice it…

Follows a selection of Indian dishes – coconut dahlt, indian salad with cucumbers and pomegranate (could have eaten bowls of this), creamy curry with aubergines and a delicious but intriguing vegetable that kept us wondering for a while (a tinda, an exotic kind of squash), fragrant rice… We are to eat with our fingers as you would in India. laughs explode – we’re obviously not that gifted… It is true that you savour the food more, think about it more, notice the colours. With a fork, it’s easy to separate easily abit of rice with that sauce or that one. Eating with your fingers forces you to mix more ingredients together, some you would not have mixed usually. It’s a success. we’re hooked. And the greatness of it all? You can have seconds!

Guests now hold their breath – here comes the smell experience. A huge slice of durian, which smell is almost pleasant and lemony but which will be faithful to its reputation. We all happily try, plunginh our fork in the white flesh and are unanimous: vade retro satanas! Interesting though as we all wanted to try, never would have bought the fruit (huge and expensive – £30 for one!) but really were curious about it. another thing to tick on “to do before I die list”. Also comes a huge Stinking Bishop. very mature, actually running and escaping on our table. The smell is strong but any cheese lover woul fall for it. The taste is cremy, a bit nutty and… well, it didn’t last long on our table. Nice touche to have served it with almonds too!

The desert is welcomed enthusiastically. We are blindfolded for this dish. Not easy to find your ramequin, oops, that was the table, the neignour’s hand, ah, here it is! Always easy to find a taste when you’ve seen it written down before. Here you have to think. Rich chocolate for sure… A different layer on top – I’m a creme fraiche addict, and recognise it immediately, creme fraiche ice-cream, elegant and fresh on the heavier chocolate cream. But the base? Ah, a complete mystery. It’s caramel like, and crunchy, and popping? A clever mix of peacn nuts and popping candy… Not knowing how much is left you really make the pleasure last…

This is more than just dinner, it’s an evening, an entertainment, a fun taste adventure. All thanks to the amazing MsMarmiteLover who reminds me of th fairies in Disney’s version of Sleeping Beauty: cheeks pink with pleasure, sparkling with happiness and joie de vivre, almost flying from one table to another, interested in everything and everyone, happy to sit down and chat and share with you. She’s so contagious! Add to this that she has lived 7 years in France and speaks perfect froggie. I can only take pride in that.

An occasion to be renewed as often as possible!

MsMarmiteLover’s blog: http://marmitelover.blogspot.com/
This way for tickets!