Review: Neo Bistro

2018 and I’m back with a bang!

2018 is the year of food and boy am I excited to go to loads of restaurants this year and eats tons of good food. Add A Little: the rebirth here I coooome!

Obviously I can’t help but start 2018 in any other way than a review of a delicious restaurant situated in Bond Street called Neo Bistro. I hadn’t previously heard of this place but was recommended by my friend. The restaurant describes themselves as modern British and rightly so, the food is delicate and full of flavour. No heavy steak and ale pies coming your way, but rather, sea bream ceviche or home cured charcuterie. You can see a European influence amongst the dishes and every one was 10/10.

I went for the tasting menu and every dish was new and innovative.

The first course upon arriving was homemade sourdough, house churned salted butter, fennel cured charcuterie, chorizo and truffle mousse with hazelnuts. Honestly nearly cried because it was so delicious and it always surprises me how a restaurant can make something so simple so incredible.

Next up was sea bream ceviche with creme fraiche, pine nuts, fennel and grapefruit slaw and lovage oil. A beautiful palate cleanser.

The Parmesan gnocchi’s were clouds of cheesiness and the raw oyster mushroom and pickled walnuts added a lovely contrasting texture whilst the pumpkin purée provided a lovely sweetness.

On the menu, I didn’t know what to expect from quail kebab but this was probably my favourite course. Confit leg of quail and grilled breast were cooked to perfection, accompanied by the fresh, lightly dressed leaves and the creamy, decadent chestnut purée.

This dish focused on duck with a few accompaniments. There was a homemade cranberry jam, roasted onion and a bacon wrapped date that was roasted until gooey and sweet.

A palate cleanser of whipped goats yoghurt with orange blossom honey and candied linseeds came next. A lovely light dish.

The dessert was a rich chocolate mousse with malt ice cream. The chocolate was dark and slightly bitter, a perfect way to end the meal.

But of course, they manage to bring out one last dish of a freshly baked pistachio financier. Couldn’t have ended the meal any other way!

I would highly recommend Neo Bistro to anyone. £50 for an incredible tasting menu is a great offer and they cater to allergies and have a vegetarian tasting menu if needed too.

Neo Bistro
11 Woodstock Road, London, W1C 2AE
020 7499 9427

L’as Du Fallafel

First day in Paris is done and dusted and ofcourse I’ve already managed to tick off basically the main reason why I came in the first place.

I came hesitatingly five years ago after my mum highly recommended I checked this place out. To say I had my doubts was an understatement. I didn’t even like falafel that much and I just didn’t understand how there could be so much hype over, essentially, a sandwich. So we decided to share one and what a mistake that was. Those preconceptions shot out the window after my first bite and I wished I had got one to myself!

The bread is soft and pillowy and almost mochi-esque which provides a great contrast to the falafel which is herby and crunchy. The salad provides an element of freshness and is comprised of thinly sliced cabbage, cucumber and tomato. The aubergine is silly and smooth and in bite sized pieces to make it easier to eat. And last, but certainly not least, the lashings of tahini dressing which is cool and slightly bitter.

So, onto the technical stuff. It costs €6,50 and is definitely big enough for a meal for one. It’s filled with falafel and salad and will keep you full for a matter of hours (until the compulsory afternoon pastry break)!

Wow, I can’t believe I’ve actually spent all morning raving about falafel when I could have been at a Parisian bakery but this is the best of the best. If you find yourself in Paris, you must stroll around the alleys of Marais and get yourself a falafel. You’ll never look back!

Demon Dayz Festival

Demon Dayz Festival took place in Margate on Saturday 10th June. It was an incredible once in a lifetime experience to immerse myself in everything Gorillaz and watch artists, which had collaborated with them on their newest album ‘Humanz’, all throughout the day.

It was interesting to compare this festival, which around 15,000 people attended, with their much more intimate O2 Brixton Academy gig on Thursday. Personally, I prefered the Brixton concert as I felt much closer to the band and it felt so special to be in a room filled with Gorillaz fans all singing and dancing to their songs. However, in saying that, the festival had a great atmosphere as the sun was shining, people were happy and was contstantly buzzing with people.