Dining Out...In: An Evening at Charlie and Evelyn's Table

This weekend saw the return of Charlie and Evelyn's Table to the Edinburgh Supper Club Scene and I was lucky enough to snag a spot.  Run by the talented, and lovely, Chris and Rachel Rowley, this supper club is proud to be Edinburgh's first (they started welcoming guests in Jan 2010) and after a move, renovation and the arrival of a baby they are back in the kitchen with a summer's worth of menus.  

It seems like ages ago that I *finally* took the leap into the supper club scene, and since then I have been eager awaiting the return of Charlie and Evelyn's Table...and so, bevvies in hand fellow Cake Lady Michelle and I wandered over...not knowing what to expect.  We had both read (and heard) rave reviews from friends who had been before, so we knew that everything was going to be lovely...but there was still those flutters of anxiety and excitement.  Putting yourself, and your entire dining experience, into the hands of a chef and waiting staff is one thing...sitting down to a table of 12 strangers...is another. 

We were warmly welcomed and made to feel at home and began talking to those who had already arrived.  Promptly the remaining diners joined us and we were officially welcomed by Rachel.  There was a really nice mix of people, some who had been before, some who had read about it months ago in Sainsbury's Magazine, and others (like us) who knew people who had been before (and raved).  Chris came through to talk about the menu and then produced hot from the oven stilton gougeres and wonton soup spoons filled with seared tuna with a wasabi dressing.  We chatted and soon were invited into the dining room. 

When Charlie and Evelyn's Table started diners actually ate around a table that belonged to Chris' grandparents...Charlie and Evelyn.  That table is now Chris and Rachel's family dining table, it sits in their new kitchen and is part of a different side of their life.  Now guests sit around a considerably larger table...with Charlie and Evelyn watching from the mantle piece. 

Our menu was designed around the main course, Individual Beef Wellingtons, which were the special request of some return diners.  As an amuse bouche we enjoyed a tuscan tomato and bread soup, followed by a starter of salmon rillettes with toast, and then onto the main course of beef wellies.  Everything was lovely, and the attention to detail was perfect.  I enjoyed every bit of my meal, but...of course...it was the dessert that got the gold star from me. 

Lemon and Rosemary Tarts with creme fraiche.  This tart was the perfect end to the meal.  The pastry was wonderful and the lemon curd didn't score too high on the pucker scale.  The thing that won me over was the rosemary.  It makes sense when you think about it, lemon and rosemary go well together...with roast chicken and potatoes...but they also work surprisingly well in a savoury dish.

Another wonderful night out...in! A return visit is definitely on the cards. 

Tweet

It's my party and I'll cry if I want to...tears of foodie joy

If I cared I would apologise for the over posting of my birthday treats...but I don't...so I won't.  I have been spoiled and I want to brag about it.  Unbecoming...perhaps...but I know you guys will appreciate what follows.

I've raved and raved about the fantastic foodie scene here in Edinburgh and you would think that after a year of living here I would get used to the fact that the standard is pretty high...and that you can dine out for reasonable prices.  But I am constantly and consistently amazed.  

After our totally indulgent meal at the Honours back in March I set myself the challenge of searching out where David could take me for my birthday meal.  It wasn't tough, really...friends had been raving about this place for yonks...

Finally my birthday weekend rolled around and David and I wandered over to Restaurant Mark Greenaway  at No. 12 Picardy Place.  Mark Greenaway offers a fantastic Market Menu (like a pre-theatre menu) so we made our reservation to take advantage of the deal (3 courses for £20).  The menu, like most set menus, is limited to 3 choices per course, but there is a great selection which include vegetarian options.  The dining room was quiet when we arrived, but soon after a handful of other tables arrived.  I noticed (after eavesdropping and staring) that most of them were there to sample Mark's Great British Menu (he was a contestant in the Scottish heat...and totally robbed in my opinion), 4 courses for £50.  We stuck to the Market Menu and tactically discussed our choices to ensure that we weren't overlapping on the starter and main...and obviously to maximise tasting opportunities. 

You would think that David would be used to me snapping away by now, but he looked somewhat horrified when I took my camera out of my bag...so I did him the courtesy of only papping my plates.  Sheesh! 

The starter arrived in a huge black bowl, I might have pinged it a couple of times by accident sending reverberations around the restaurant...but oh well! Ham Hough Terrine with a scallop, apple meringues and warm apple jelly.  David's was presented in a gorgeous copper frying pan, fried duck egg with breaded duck rillettes and a hunk of fried bread.  Neither of us shared...a thing. 

I had been eying up the 11hour slow cooked pork belly for my main, but I really wanted the ham terrine and wasn't feeling the pork on pork so I had the pan fried cod.  It came with some pomme puree and a razor clam shell filled with a clam chowder (clams and veggies) topped with a vanilla foam...but the highlight for me was the fennel and dill puree (that green smear).  It might be my current scandi obsession and a love of everything dill...but, not to sound like a buffoon, it worked perfectly with the cod.  David had the pork belly and I managed to get a tiny taste...drool.  

We both plumped for the same dessert.  We knew that we would...and I knew that I wouldn't be wavering.  Peanut Caramel Cheesecake...I was really lucky to join some friends for "just pudding" a month or so ago and had tasted this heavenly treat then so I knew what I was getting.  It was delicious.  Salty peanut, bitter chocolate and sweet caramel...perfect.  

We passed on coffees and went up to the cocktail bar instead.  This weekend the guys over at The Raconteur cocktail bar (currently sans bar, waiting for new location to open) had a pop-up stint at No. 12 and I thought that it would be the perfect place to toast my cuz and his new bride who were getting hitched in Canada on Saturday.  A Charlie Chaplin and a Brazil Nut and Jelly to round off the evening. 

A very happy birthday weekend to me! 

Tweet

Paris in Leith...a Tealicious Afternoon

It is Jubilee Weekend here in the UK and I celebrated with a fabulous (if totally unpatriotic) afternoon tea hosted by the Tealicious ladies.  I must have some pretty stellar cakey-karma these days, because it is near impossible to score a ticket to Tealicious events...but I did.  

Early afternoon I wandered down to the gorgeous secret location in Leith, past red, white and blue bunting, and union jack decorations...and stepped into what I can only describe as Paris in Leith... le sigh, a Parisienne Tea. 

I've said it before, but I'll say it again...these gals know how to bake! On top of that... their attention to detail is excellent.  Everything looked and tasted like professional quality.  The savouries were dainty... cheesy gougeres, red onion and fig tartlettes, and herby palmiers.  While I think that the savouries are an important element for Afternoon Tea...I love that the Tealicious gals have made the decision to keep them small, helping their guests to avoid filling up so that we can focus on the real stars...the sweets.  

Scones, Friands, Madeleines, Paris-Brest and Macarons adorned the cake stands on each table, and 3 full sized cakes sat waiting...Fraisier, Cherry Charlotte Russe and a Creme Brulee Cheesecake. Nearing the end of the afternoon the petite fours were brought out...nougat and caramel chocolates. I am not just being kind when I say this...I've been to Paris and eaten enough pastries to be able to make  this  judgement... most of these pastries could rival those found in Parisienne shops.  

I greedily ate everything except for the friand, which I brought home in anticipation of needing a little sweet hit later in the evening.  I could have easily had seconds of everything, but my favourite had to be  the impressive looking, and divine tasting, rose and raspberry macaron.  On previous occasions the Tealicious gals have served small macarons with their petite fours, but yesterday these generous sized creations took centre stage.  

Another set of sticky thumbs up from me! 

Tweet

Cocktails and Canapes...an afternoon at Tealicious

Sunday I spent a cake filled afternoon at Sofi's Bar in Leith enjoying yet another fantastic spread put on by the lovely Tealicious Ladies.  I can't even begin to describe how scrummy everything tasted and how perfectly it was all presented.  

Savouries to start...shortbread with olives and pinenuts, brioche pizzas, and blinis with cream and onions. Devoured them all.

Whiskey Scones, Blue Hawaiian Cakes, Tiramisu Eclairs, Limoncello Meringue Tartlettes, White Russian Nanaimo Bars and Grasshopper Pielettes...

Red Wine Cake and Mojito Cheesecake...Also devoured. 

There are afternoon teas and then there is Tealicious.  A different theme every month and no fault in the quality or presentation.  It is clear that these ladies LOVE afternoon tea...and they truly know how to  create  an excellent, intimate experience.  

And...to make it extra special...

Mum was visiting me! 

Tweet

My first proper Supper Club experience

March has been one of those months where everything seems to happen at once.  It is almost like my social life went into hibernation over the winter and decided it was time to wake up now that the days are getting longer.  

Last night I attended my first proper supper club.  Supper clubs are as hot as pop-ups right now and judging by the popularity and flurry of frantic emails it takes to get tickets these new dining experiences are here to stay.  

I've been a bit nervous about going to a supper club.  I love the idea of really awesome and well thought out menus served up in someone's home...it's the not knowing people bit that's freaked me out a bit.  I mean you go to a restaurant not knowing anyone but your dining companion, and other than the staring at fellow diners' plates you don't need to/aren't expected to interact.  But at a Supper Club it is like being invited along to the friend of a friend of a friend's house for a dinner party.  Interaction is part and parcel of the whole experience.  Luckily, last night I was in good company...those infamous Edinburgh Cake Ladies.  

I joined 18 other ladies at Kitchen Porter last night, run by Mark and Mary Porter, in a secret location in Edinburgh.  I was in good company, I was in good spirits and I was ready to eat!

Jerusalem Artichoke Soup 

Red Mullet on Fennel Puree 

Duo of Scottish Border Lam with mash

And for dessert Mark served up a deconstructed carrot cake.  I don't have a picture of it.  I was too busy eating it...and the half my neighbour couldn't finish...and the other small piece brought out as extras...2.5 pieces and didn't manage of picture.  Just before Mark served up dessert I wandered through into the kitchen to get my dessert beer...a Chocolate Porter...where Mark confessed that he was nervous serving up cake to Cake Ladies...but he needn't have worried.  It was spicy and moist and the carrot sorbet and candied carrots were wonderful.  

A great first supper club in my books! 

Tweet

Burgher Burger 2...pop up burgers in the "Burgh"

Still stuffed to the max with the luscious cakes from my Afternoon Tea on Sunday, David and I trundled off  last night to another of Edinburgh's hot new pop-up events, Burgher Burger.  Picture this...well known chef meets the not-so-humble burger in a secret location...add in 40 or so greedy diners, ample amounts of Innis and Gunn beers (specially matched to each course) and you have the guerilla dining experience. 

We arrived a little haggard after our lightening paced walk up Leith Walk, to the totally fitting Punjab’n de Rasoi, and were met with the hustle and bustle of a party already in full swing...even though only about half the diners had arrived.  The atmosphere was fantastic, as was the service...and the menu? Well the menu was fierce!

Last night's chef was the charismatic Tony Singh (I have a little crush on him from last year's Great British Menu) and trust me...this menu summed up what I saw on tv.  It was fresh and inventive and man did it pack a punch! 

The Tamarind Broth was a really nice way to start the meal.  It was spicy and full of veggies, noodles and meat.  I thought it was a hearty dish for something billed as a broth, but oh so yummy.  I could have easily eaten a slightly larger bowl as my whole meal.  In fact, I'd love the recipe.  

The Bhangra Burger...I don't know what to say except that it was the biggest burger I have seen in my life.  Spiced potato, lamb and mint patty, slow cooked lamb, sauce, pickle AND a bun.  I need to have this again...need to! 

Finally, the black forest samosa...I am ashamed to admit that it was my downfall.  I could only eat half of it, and that was a struggle.  It was just as good as the other two courses, but I was fit to burst! 

We weren't able to get tickets to the first event last month, but our dining companions raved about it as well.  With a different chef (and style) at each event I can only assume Burgher Burger will turn into a competition of one-up-manship...a competition well worth attending, again and again and again.  

Tweet

Afternoon Tea (mostly an opportunity to stuff my face)

Yesterday I had my first proper pop-up dining experience...and it was awesome.  Pop-ups are really hot right now...and I don't think the fad will fade anytime soon.  They are fresh and fast and blink...and you'll miss it (if you even knew anything about it in the first place).  I've been pretty slow off the mark for a few events and have been left sniffling at my computer when tickets have sold out, or I've discovered event only AFTER it has happened. 

You can imagine my joy and excitement when some awesome gals I'd met though the Edinburgh Cake Ladies mentioned that they were starting a Pop-up Afternoon Tea event, aptly named Tealicious, in a secret (and totally fitting) location in Leith.  They kindly released tickets to the first event early to fellow Cake Ladies and I was over the moon to snag a spot.  

Each afternoon tea event is going to be themed and yesterday 10 of us greedy cake lovers were treated to an extremely generous selection of Floral creations.  Everything was perfectly presented, it was dainty without being fussy, and it was obvious that loads of time went into the planning and preparation of the whole afternoon.  As one of my fellow eaters remarked "there is love in these cakes".  

Each table was set out for two, but the intimacy of the room made the whole experience much more of a group event. The Tealicious ladies know their stuff and on top of the fabulous sweet offerings we were also treated to savouries to start.  

I am not ashamed to say that I am an afternoon tea junkie and I have to say I am in danger of becoming a Tealicious groupie.  I've already booked to take my mum next month when she is over visiting and will most likely find excuses (like I need any) to stuff my face on other occasions.  

This pop-up gets two big clotted cream covered thumbs up from me! 

Tweet