Saturday, November 19, 2011

Any suggestions for casual central London pub open late on a Friday?

Going out tonight and want to go to a non-smart, fairly laid-back pub or bar in central London, pref around the Covent garden / Leicester square / Soho / Piccadilly Circus kind of areas.





Suggestions much appreciated!

Any suggestions for casual central London pub open late on a Friday?
Pubs in Piccadilly -


http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/res...





Pubs in Covent Garden -


http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/res...





Pubs in Leicester Square


http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/res...





Pubs in Soho


http://www.beerintheevening.com/pubs/res...





Details can be found by clicking on each pub, check it out and see what suits you best.





Enjoy your night out. =)


What can you do in London when you only have two days to visit?

First visit and only 2 days to see the sights. Suggestions are: London Eye, Covent Garden and British Museum. Agree??





What's a must see in West End?





Suggestions for Pubs??

What can you do in London when you only have two days to visit?
Westminster Abbey, Tower of London, Boat ride down the Thames (from the former to the latter). If you have time, the London Museum and Tate Gallery are must-sees, too. Pubs along the water in Hammersmith are fun, but Covent Garden ones are always hopping,too. Enjoy!
Reply:I just got back from whirlwind trip- I went on a Contiki...it is a student vacation company, and like you we only had 2 days in London...I would highly recommend taking a double decker bus tour-that is what I did, and I got to see almost everything I wanted to see in one day. I would also suggest going to Piccadilly Circus at night- there are tons of bars there. Hope this helps. You can check out my blog if you want, I have London covered and you might pick up some tips there as well.


http:katlyn22@blogspot.com
Reply:I SE THAT YOU'RE GOING TO THE PUBS IFYOU DO JUST PLAN ON GETTING LAID AND THAT WEILL FILL UP THE TWO DAYS
Reply:the three you mentioned are very cool, I would add as my favorite St Paul's Cathedral, apart from being a stunning building you can walk up to the dome of the cathedral and they have a massive balcony which has spectacular views of London and if you are feeling a bit braver there are stairs inside the dome that take you to the top of the dome where there is a tiny balcony fits about 6 people.





www.beerintheevening.com is a great site with reviews for pubs, just stay out of leicester square area for pubs as they are all cr+p. Angel has some nice pubs or you can shoot down to clapham common area for some cool pubs.





There are so many, one of my favorite places is just behind Waterloo/ Southark station there is a cool restaurant called TAS and a bar called Jacks bar next to it se1 8da ( isabella street) is the adress if you put it into streetmap.co.uk it is under the railway arches.





cool have fun i am sure you will





Mark

Nanny Source

Does anyone have a recipe for spinach and chick pea soup?

Many years ago the Covent Garden Soup company used to sell a 'morocan chick pea and spinach' soup. Have been waiting for them to do it again but no joy yet. Does anyone know how to make it?

Does anyone have a recipe for spinach and chick pea soup?
Moroccan Spiced Chickpea Soup





Chickpeas seem to call out for Moroccan spices, so that's what they get here. I make this soup really chunky and hearty.





1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for garnish


1 large onion, medium diced


6 to 8 cloves garlic, pressed


1 teaspoon ground cinnamon


1 teaspoon ground cumin


1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper


1 heaping teaspoon sweet paprika


1 (14.5-ounce) can chopped tomatoes


3 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed well


1 quart vegetable broth or reduced-sodium chicken broth


1 teaspoon sugar


Kosher salt


Freshly ground black pepper


1 (5-ounce) package pre-washed baby spinach





Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until the onions begin to turn translucent; lower heat if browning starts to occur. Add spices and saute a minute or so. Add tomatoes, chickpeas, broth, and sugar. Season with a couple pinches of salt and 10 grinds fresh pepper. Stir well. Chickpeas should be just covered with liquid. If level is shy, add some water so the chickpeas are just covered.


Bring to a simmer, then lower heat to low and gently simmer for 45 minutes.





Remove soup from heat. Use a potato masher to mash up some of the chickpeas right in the pot. Stir in the spinach and let heat through until wilted, just a couple minutes.


Season again, to taste, with salt and pepper.





Serve soup, drizzled lightly with extra-virgin olive oil, if desired.
Reply:moroccan chick pea and spinach soup





2 tsp. olive oil


1 medium onion, chopped (about 1 cup)


1 clove garlic, minced (about 1 tsp.)


1/4 cup smooth natural peanut butter


2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth, divided


1 tsp. paprika


1 tsp. ground coriander


1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper


1 15-oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained


1 14-oz. can diced tomatoes


2 oz. spinach, chopped (about 2 cups)








Heat oil in large pot over medium heat. Add onion, and sauté 5 minutes, or until soft and golden. Add garlic, and cook 2 to 3 minutes more, or until garlic is lightly browned.


Blend peanut butter and 1/2 cup broth in food processor to make smooth paste. Blend remaining broth into mixture.


Add paprika, coriander and cayenne to onion mixture, and sauté 1 minute, or until fragrant. Stir in peanut butter mixture, chickpeas and tomatoes. Simmer 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and stir in spinach just before serving.
Reply:garlic, spinach and chickpea soup





INGREDIENTS


30 ml olive oil


4 cloves garlic, peeled and crushed


1 medium onion, coarsely chopped


4 g ground cumin


4 g ground coriander


1260 ml vegetable stock


639 g potatoes, peeled and chopped


1 (15 ounce) can garbanzo beans, drained


235 ml heavy cream


30 g tahini


15 g corn meal


225 g spinach, rinsed and chopped


ground cayenne pepper to taste


salt to taste











DIRECTIONS


Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat, and stir in garlic and onion. Cook until tender. Season with cumin and coriander.


Mix vegetable stock and potatoes into the pot, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer about 10 minutes. Stir in the garbanzo beans, and continue to cook until potatoes are tender.


In a small bowl, blend the heavy cream, tahini, and corn meal. Mix into the soup.


Stir spinach into the soup. Season with cayenne pepper and salt. Continue to cook until spinach is heated through.
Reply:Chick Pea and Spinach Soup*





Serves: 6


Serving Size: 1 cup





Serve this robust soup with one of the plain whole-wheat breads from the BREAD Section of this book and finish the meal with a hearty cheesecake from the DESSERT section.





I hope Chick Pea and Spinach Soup* is what you were looking for.





1 large onion, chopped


2 cloves garlic, minced


2 tablespoons olive oil


1 pound can chick peas (garbanzo beans)


1 pound fresh spinach, washed, tough stems removed, cut into 2-inch strips


2 tablespoons parsley, chopped


1 tablespoon paprika


1/4 teaspoon pepper


1 bay leaf


6 cups fat-free vegetable or chicken broth


1 egg or 1/4 cup egg substitute


1/4 cup lemon juice (Juice of 1 lemon)








1. Saute the onion and garlic in oil.





2. Add undrained chick peas, spinach, parsley, paprika, pepper, bay leaf and broth. Combine well and simmer covered, over low heat for 10 minutes. Bring to boil.





3. Combine egg substitute, lemon juice, and 1/4 cup of soup broth.





4. Stir into boiling soup and remove from heat.





* Not recommended for low-sodium diets.





EXCHANGES


Starch/Bread 1 1/2


Medium-Fat Meat 1





NUTRITION FACTS


Calories 203


Carbohydrate 25 grams


Protein 10 grams


Fat 7 gram


Saturated fat 1 gram


Cholesterol 0 milligrams(with egg 36 milligrams)


Fiber 7 Grams


Sodium 414 milligrams
Reply:They still do it. Check their website below.





Q2. Where can I buy your products?


You'll find our fresh soups and sauces in the chiller cabinets of most major supermarkets, Sainsburys, Tesco, Morrisons, Somerfield, Asda, Budgens, Co-op, Safeway, Waitrose etc.





Ranges are:





* Asparagus





This is where luxury and simplicity come together - in the seductive aroma and creamy green of pureed asparagus and in the easy finish of onion and potato.


* Beef %26amp; Vegetable





Big, beefy and aromatic - this glossy herb-scented soup is packed with tender beef, onions, potatoes, celery and leeks, and stuffed with the delicate flavour of thyme.


* Broccoli %26amp; Stilton





Pale, creamy and endlessly comforting - here's the tasty green of softened broccoli florets, the lively tang of mature stilton and lingering warmth of black pepper.


* Carrot %26amp; Coriander





Our original and most popular fresh soup. We were the first to spice the sweetness of carrot with nutmeg and the peppery zing of coriander leaves. Where we lead, others follow...


* Cauliflower %26amp; Mature Cheddar





Cauliflower has apparently become so unfashionable, there's a risk of it disappearing from our grocery shelves. Here's a tribute to a classic recipe. Forget your school dinner memories - this is what cauliflower cheese should taste like.


* Chicken Mulligatawny





The classic soup of Anglo-Indian cookery is as vibrant as ever - chicken, coconut, rice and lentils in a mildly spiced base of ginger, coriander, cumin and cayenne pepper.


* Chicken Soup





Rich, velvety and inviting - our full flavoured chicken soup comes with the sparkle of white wine and the satisfaction of double cream, pureed garlic and soft onion.


* Chilli Bean





A veritable bean feast! Aromatic, earthy and packed with wholesome goodies. A subtle warmth develops to excite your taste-buds, as we say in our kitchen 'Eat fresh soup, for goodness sake'!


* Creamy Parsnip





In honour of this often forgotten veggie hero, we've kept our recipe simple. Fragrant, slightly sweet parsnips married with warming roasted garlic and cream. Delightful.





* Leek %26amp; Potato





Soup that's as heart-warming as we can make it - generous slivers of leek softened in a melt-in-the-mouth blend of potatoes, onions, milk and cream.


* Lentil %26amp; Smoked Bacon





Thick, generous and reviving - we've packed this smokey, aromatic soup with lentils, bacon and oak-smoked garlic, then finished with a swirl of English mustard.





* Moroccan Chickpea





Heating up this soup will fill your kitchen with the pungent aromas of exotic spices, native to the souks (open air markets) of Morocco. We've combined authentic warm and earthy flavours with the subtle sweetness of apricots.


* Minestrone





An exuberant mix of colours, flavours and textures - chunks of garlic and a scattering of fragrant Mediterranean herbs.


* Pea %26amp; Ham





Thick, smokey and reviving, this is the soup for dull days - with whole peas and small chunks of prime-cut ham, it's a generous bowlful of pea-green cheer.


* Plum Tomato %26amp; Basil





Light, fragrant and easy - this refreshing swirl of chopped tomato and herbs packs all the flavour of juicy ripe tomatoes with an aromatic handful of basil, oregano and rosemary.


* Plum Tomato %26amp; Mascarpone





There's a real flavour intensity to our delicious plum tomatoes. To balance their sweetness, we've stirred in a dollop of silky mascarpone cheese for a smooth Italian style treat.


* Smoked Haddock Chowder





Warming and substantial - we packed this big-hearted chowder with flaked smoked haddock, chunks of potato and carrot, and a lively finish of cayenne pepper.





* Soup of the Month (NEW!)


* Salmon %26amp; Watercress





We're proud of this flavourful bowl of luxury. Meaty flakes of salmon and bulging handfuls of vivid, dark green watercress stirred into rich creamy potato. A real treat to be had.


* Spicy Butternut Squash %26amp; Sweet Potato





Our smooth blend of squash, sweet potato and mascarpone cheese, with flecks of red chilli. The warmth from garam masala and cumin lend their Indian influences to this warming soup.


* Spinach %26amp; Nutmeg





To bring out the smooth and velvety green luxury of spinach leaves and softened onions, we added single cream, zesty lemon juice and a generous pinch of nutmeg.


* Sweet Potato %26amp; Corn Chowder





This hearty chowder combines the vibrant, cheeful colours of orangy sweet potato, golden sweetcorn and ruby red peppers. Swirled into creamy potato, it's a robust bowl of nourishment.


* Thai Chicken





Hot, Asian and inescapably moreish - this blend of creamy coconut, zesty lime and chunky chicken pieces comes with a rush of jalapeno peppers and pureed ginger.


* Three Bean %26amp; Red Lenti





Thick, smoky and satisfying - a glorious feast of cannellini beans, red kidney beans and black-eyed beans with red split lentils, oak-smoked garlic and sun-dried tomatoes.


* Tomato %26amp; Chunky Veg





A hearty soup if ever we've made one. Crammed full of sweet juicy tomatoes, and bulging with an endless list of vegetables - 8 of them... go on count them.


* Toulouse Sausage %26amp; Puy Lentil





A thick, cheerful and chunky Gallic soup of herb, garlic and spice-filled Toulouse pork sausages with delicate Puy lentils, juicy tomatoes and flageolet beans.


* Wild Mushroom





The heady aroma of wild mushrooms and crisp white wine draws you into this creamy soup suffused with the warmth of garlic, parsley and black pepper.


* Winter Vegetable
Reply:http://www.liketocook.com/50226711/whb_1...


How far does it take to get to St George Drive from Oxford Street by bus?

We will be visiting London during May29 - June 7. In our last trip our hitel was in Tottenham Court Road and the location was very convenient with good access to Oxford Street, Covent Garden, Picaddily Circus,... In this trip we have found a hotel in St George Drive . They say the nearest tube stations are Pimlico and Victoria.


I thought the place is a little bit remote? Am I mistaken?

How far does it take to get to St George Drive from Oxford Street by bus?
57 minutes with bus 24 then bus 73 (changing at Goodge Street).


32 minutes if you use the tube as well..


What are the best areas to live in Central London on a max900pw budget?

I'll be moving to London and wondering what are the best areas to look for a flat (or house).


Would like to be at reasonable distance from Hide Park / Belgravia (work), should be a lively area with plenty of restaurants, cafes, bars, etc, yet not completely run over by tourists (a quiet side street from main tourist areas is OK).


Some friends recommended me areas such as South Kensington, Picadilly, Covent Garden, Soho. Areas like Islington, Camden and Notting Hill seem cool but a bit out of the way (hate commuting), while Mayfair I've been told is too posh and 'boring' (true? don't want posh and boring). And what about Chelsea?


No need to tell me that all these areas are expensive and way over priced, I know. My budget is up to 900pound a week (unfurnished).


I guess I am asking for too much, but all suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

What are the best areas to live in Central London on a max900pw budget?
Hiya,


Yeah agree with Chelsea - but also consider the areas directly surrounding Regents Park. I live in St Johns wood and I believe its got everything you're looking for. NW8 is an upmarket area of London just enough out of the way not to be inhabited with tourists. - anywhere near the park is good so Park Road - Prince Albert Rd - even Primrose Hill (where many celebs like to move to. The housing is great - many spacious Georgian houses with high ceilings.


Its pretty cool up here - I will never leave anyway - my brother lives in Kensington and it has its plus points but i wouldnt swap for the world. Anyway - just thought i;d give you another option - as if its not confusing enough already! I ended up here by accident I was originally looking in Maida Vale - very happy too... seriously, consider it.
Reply:Hi





Chelsea is a good place to live, convenients, safe, lots of pubs/bars/cafes %26amp; restaurants, shops. You can get a bus from chelsea to hyde park corner in 15 minutes. The bus routes are 24 hour as well. A few draw backs are theres a lack of a 'community' feel, lots of foreigners, its very noisy as well as its a lively area with lots of police siren's going all the time, plus its really busy on a match day
Reply:St. John's Wood is a very nice area with restaurants and bars, and only about 15 minutes on the tube (Jubilee Line) from the centre of town. Yes London is expensive but 900PW is a large budget and you'll have no trouble finding somewhere for that amount.


What is the easiest and least expensive way to get internet connectivity in my flat?

I live in Covent Garden, London. Unfortunately (and suprisingly) I can not "borrow" anyone's wireless connection.

What is the easiest and least expensive way to get internet connectivity in my flat?
dial-up or broadband

running shoes

What are the best parts of London to live for young families?

I am close to relocating my family to london. I have a 5 yr old boy and 2yr old girl. My work is in Covent Garden area. What are the best places to live for a few years in 3 bedroom flat? I've heard Notting Hill and Kensington. Is that right?

What are the best parts of London to live for young families?
Well yes, if you can afford to live in Kensington then it would be great but very very expensive. You'll need at least a million for a semi-decent home there. You don't want a flat with a 2 year old as they will still be in a pushchair won't they? You don't want your poor wife dragging a pushchair down 3 flights of stairs every day! Notting Hill is also very affluent. What you want is good schools, walking distance to commons and parks, good public transport links and a friendly area. I live in West Norwood in South East London and it's mainly families here. My street is old victorian houses (still expensive for a 5 bed around £400,000), but you're near Streatham Common and local shops and great school. You need to do your research. Try www.upmystreet.com to get an idea of the schools in the areas you're looking in and www.findaproperty.com to check out prices in those areas. You need to time your commute to Covent Garden once you've chosen your area. Try an area with good rail links rather than on the tube as it is more likely to be child friendly the further outside of London that you get. Bromley is beautiful and has so much for kids there. The trains are great from South London and go very regularly into London Bridge and Victoria. From Victoria you could then just get the Circle / District line round to Embankment which is a few minutes walk to Covent Garden.
Reply:Try Finchley. It has a large choice of parks and is close to Hampstead Heath, good shops, schools and libraries and plenty of interesting family activities within easy reach, including a threatre with children's productions and workshops. It is on the Northern Line and is cheaper than some of the areas you have been looking at. It is also outside the London Congestion zone. http://www.tfl.gov.uk/roadusers/congesti...
Reply:Well, they are central and VERY expensive... but a nice area is Maida Wale or St Johns Wood. It is still easy to get to your work, but its a bit more family orientated.
Reply:anywhere outside london I'd advise!!!
Reply:Windsor its not in london bit 15 minites away its a very nice town
Reply:stoke newington


crouch end
Reply:in bargain booze doorway