Author: Sarah Kemp

Dining in with Deliveroo

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Imagine you are sat at your desk, stomach murmering, your inbox filling up rapidly. You don’t have time to nip out and the work canteen food is certainly not appealing. What to do? Well, you could work straight through lunch and risk treating your poor colleagues to a snappy temper tantrum, or you could order one of your favourite restuarant meals to your desk. That’s what I did a couple of weeks ago and spent one desk time lunch tucking into a Brindisa feast. Deliveroo has partnered with a range of leading independent chain restaurants across London and is currently revolutionising the London dining scene. With restaurants such as Busaba Eathai, Carluccio’s, Cay Tre, Princi and Tommi’s Burgers (to name a few) on the books, hungry foodies can order their favourite dishes to their door in as little as 30 minutes. Orders of restaurant-quality food for home delivery can be placed at Deliveroo.

Climbing Helvellyn – The Lake District

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I would say this as I am a Brit, but I truly believe that we have some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. One of the most stunningly beautiful places I have ever visited, Durdle Door and Lulworth Cove, is only a few hours away from London by car. The lush green grassy banks on the top of the cliff overlook a long thin stretch of white sandy beach, which is framed by the most incredible rocky terrain in the shape of a door (hence the name). We are also lucky to have access to the Scottish Highlands, the Cotswolds and the Lake District. A few months ago a group of us decided that the mark the end of the summer it would be a lovely idea to bundle into two cars and drive up to the lakes for a weekend at the beginning of September. The aim of the trip was to do as many outdoor activities as possible. A climb up Helvellyn, the third highest point in England, was definitely on …

BIRD, Shoreditch

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Where BIRD, Shoreditch What Fried chicken inspired by all of the places that restaurant owners Paul and Cara have visited – Logan Square in Chicago, Sansom Street in Philadelphia, a couple of great places in Brooklyn and not forgetting Asia. The ‘Free Range & Fried’ describes the food and how it’s prepared, but it also describes the restaurant’s attitude to what they do – naughty but nice. The experience Fried chicken is having a moment in London. Everywhere I turn I see a new opening here, a new opening there. Not that it is a problem, of course, because I love the stuff. I recently visited one of the ‘talk of the town’ burger establishments and I was smug munching on my buttermilk fried chicken burger, while my friend chowed down on an unappetising looking cheese burger. So when I visited BIRD for lunch a few weeks ago, anticipation was high. I visited during my lunch hour as I work on Old Street and it was the perfect working day treat. I was there to …

Chicken, Steak and Art at Hixter Bankside

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Where Hixter, Bankside What The newest restaurant from Mark Hix. The concept is simple – chicken or steak to share. Mighty-marbled Himalayan salt dry-aged steak from hand-selected cows and barn-reared chicken from Swainson House Farm in Lancashire. Starters and puddings change with the seasons. Mark’s Bar, the latest outpost of Mark Hix’s award-winning cocktail bar is located in the basement, serving cocktails that champion British drinks’ producers. The experience A few years ago I worked on the PR team for Hix, so I know the concept of the restaurants well. Since I was on the scene, Mark’s portfolio has increased to include Tramshed, HIX Mayfair, Hixter City and now Hixter Bankside. The food concept is pared back and simple dishes, cooked well with excellent quality ingredients. What sets Marks restaurants out from other steak and chicken restaurants is the stylish surroundings. It’s no secret that Mark is friends with the art crowd, and as a result, beautiful and let’s just say interesting artwork adorns the walls. My favourite was in the loos. As I was leaving …

A New Adventure – Bye Bye London

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I have an announcement. After 9 years in what I believe to be one of the most incredibly inspiring and exciting cities in the world, I am packing up my life and heading on a new adventure. The last year or so has been a whirlwind for me. My grandmother who I was very close to passed away and I split up from my boyfriend of 6 years last summer. I will never forget the bittersweet moment and the words of my grandma who held my hand tightly from her hospital bed and muttered the words ‘you’ll do well’ over and over whilst looking into my eyes. In one month I went from owning a flat with a guy that had been my best friend for years, to singleton with nothing but my job and blog remaining a constant. I ran away from everything – a close group of friends, a boyfriend and a hell of a lot of security. Those close to me will know the reasons for the split and the fact that nothing for the …