Salt Yard Cookbook Launch – Cut Above Canapes in Covent Garden

Last night saw a launch party, to celebrate the arrival of the Salt Yard cookbook, upstairs in the Opera Tavern.  I was delighted to receive and invite and with foodie friend in tow, braved the winds to head up to Covent Garden.

Salt Yard Cookbook Launch – What We Ate

With a glass of prosecco in hand, we sampled some of the best canapés I’ve had in a long while – to be expected from one of London’s most renowned tapas restaurants.

I haven’t eaten at Salt Yard or Opera Tavern but I have had lunch at sister restaurant Dehesa and have never forgotten the wonderfulness of the ‘courgette flowers with Monte Enebro and honey' – WOW.

 Last night we sampled:

• Scallop ceviche with pomegranate and fennel

• Salt cod fritter with orange alioli

• Crispy pork belly with quince and marjoram

• Wild mushroom and truffle empanadilla - I challenge anyone not to like garlic, mushroom and truffle in deep fried pastry

• Mini Iberico pork and foie gras burger – the meat patty was pink in the middle yet chargrilled on the outside, the bun was sweet and tough and it came with a jalapeno on top – awesome!

The low-lit downstairs of the Opera Tavern looked sultry and great for a date and is now added to my long list of London restaurants to visit.

More information about the Salt Yardcookbook

*Foodie Mom in London was invited to the Salt Yard cookbook launch

Mishkin’s – ‘A Kind-of Jewish Deli’

I finally made it to Mishkin’s! Russell Norman’s ‘Kind-of Jewish deli’ opened over a year ago now, at the bottom of Covent Garden on Catherine Street.

Like all of his eateries (Polpo, Spuntino, etc.) attention to detail in the interiors really makes Mishkin’s special. Retro booth seating, 70’s chairs and tables, patterned wallpapers, and a trademark big bar at the entrance for cocktails (gin being the focus in this instance), all helped create a distinct vibe.

By far the coolest thing about this restaurant was the tiny private dining booth at the back enclosed by glass-panelled wooden doors with a radio ‘On Air’ sign over the entrance – book this for an intimate meal out as it only seats four.

Mishkin’s – Kind-of Jewish Food

 

They’ve covered their backs by claiming this to be a ‘kind-of’ Jewish deli as this place certainly ain’t Kosher. When the £6 Matzo ball soup turned up, my Jewish mother peered down at the lone Matzo ball and said ‘Only one Matzo ball?! My father would be turning in his grave if he saw the size of this'.

Other dishes were better though. My veal meatballs with mash and greens were totally tasty and made with fresh green peppercorns, which gave the balls some extra kick. We had a decent macaroni cheese and minty coleslaw, however our malted chocolate milkshake could have been more malty.

Although I wasn’t brave enough to try it, the special’s board corn dog with onion rings and mac & cheese looked like heart-attack heaven and the Reuben on rye cheese melt sarnies going to other tables looked like a stand out too.

Mishkin’s may not be Kosher but it’s a trendy little café/diner with charm and fun menu items in equal measure.

Mosey on down to Mishkin’s: http://mishkins.co.uk/