MR LAWRENCE

On Saturday Ben & I headed over to Brockley Market for a delicious shredded Suffolk chicken with sticky gooseberry wrap from Mike & Ollie. We were then accompanied by the fabulous Gisela Torres, cycling in convey down the road to cool off at Mr Lawrence's.

Mr Lawrence's has been going for over 20 years and until recently also had the wine merchant shop next door. You can sometimes find them at Forest Hill Food Fair selling French wines and London Craft beers, alternatively you can order online here.

They do have a small, but perfectly formed food menu if you fancied a nibble. We opted for a bowl of olives. Proper decent olives they were at that! 

We spent the rest of the afternoon listening, sharing stories & catching up over a few chilled glasses of champagne. I can't think of a better way to spend a Saturday.

PRIMAVERA // CARVOEIRO

Whilst on Holiday mum and I scouted out Carvoeiro for places to eat and found this lovely restaurant just on the outskirts of town. We were so impressed with Primavera, the food, the atmosphere and outstanding service that we ended up going twice!

On our arrival we were informed of the live music that evening was the Sax player, who was great. We were then brought over some freshly baked mini bread buns which were really light and fluffy, plus still warm!

After sampling the wine from the Duro region that was recommended by the waiter our starters arrived! Juicy melon with Palma ham and the Scallops with a balsamic & pesto reduction.

Carrying on the with the fish theme, mum went for the Piri Piri prawns with homemade tagliatelle and I went for the Sea Bream with summer vegetables and new potatoes.

After such delicious food and wine, we decided on treating ourselves to a pudding. I opted for the Panna-Cotta with wild berry compote and mum went for some of the local Algarve Chocolate and vanilla ice cream 

If you are planning on going to Carvoeiro I cannot recommend Primavera enough. It was absolutely superb. I just wish it was just round the corner from home.

PRIMAVERA - Rua das Flores 2 | 8400-510, Carvoeiro, Portugal

CHESINI BIKE ADVENTURE

With the Tour de France starting this weekend I thought I'd do a post bicycle related and what better than about my beloved Chesini!

Chesini, is a 1970's Italian made bicycle from Verona, that in it's day won an award in The Bicycles Oscars.

So far this so called summer I have managed to go on a few adventures which I highly recommend. 

Orginally a bit apprehensive of cycling in London, I have since found it addictive! 

Richmond Park and St Petersham Nurseries was a great day. I got there from New Cross via the London Overground. My cycle buddy for the day, Ruth, met me at Hoxton on route.

We even managed to get to the top for a well earned drink and a superb view of Richmond Park. Unfortunately due to lack of bike locks we didn't stay to sample the culinary delights of Petersham Nurseries but I will be definitely going back soon to amend this! www.petershamnurseries.com/

The next adventure was a little closer to home. The Horniman Museum, Forest Hill via the Forest Hill Food Fair for a bit to eat.

We decided on a Van Dough pizza at the food fair, which was freshly made infront of us. Then baked in a wood-fired oven in the back of their Citroen H Van. So good, so fresh! I highly recommend you search these guys out - www.vandough.co.uk/

After our lunch we continued our cycle up to the Horniman Museum. Again, there is rather a big hill to climb but well worth it!

This is how I'd imagined a museum to be when I was a child. Lots of diagrams and glass cases filled with stuffed animals with their Latin names below. It was like stepping back in time.

 The day rounded off with a '99. Can't get much better than that!

Hope to post more adventures soon.

ARLO & MOE'S Burger Night

This Wednesday, Ben, Chesini and I headed over for Burger Night at Arlo & Moe's in Borckley / Crofton Park. They opened back in September 2012 and have already found some loyal customers, that includes us ;)

It's a superb little place which we've been too for brekkie and lunch. It open's on the odd occasion in the evening too, which up until now I've been unable to go as I was bust doing something else.

Chesini Has been off the road for a bit due to brake failure!? But she's all sorted now and back on the tarmac! Wednesday she got me from Hither Green to Hoxton and then back down to Brockley for an A&M Burger!

I went for the Broad Bean Burger and Ben went for the Classic 100% Beef washed down with a couple bottles of Honey Dew and finished off with a Coke Float and ice cream sandwich with hundreds and thousands!!! 

Some things just can't be beat.

ARLO & MOE - 340 Brockley Road, London, SE4 2BT

JAMIE'S ITALIAN GATWICK AIRPORT

I have just got back from a fabulous holiday with my mum. A girls getaway to catch up, relax and get some well needed sunshine. Carvoeiro in the Algarve was our destination.

Flying from Gatwick, North Terminal we arrived at 5.40am. After a mooch about the duty free and buying a bottle of the obligatory perfume, we went for some brekkie at Jamie's Italian.

Is 6.30am to early for a champagne breakfast? Well we thought not.

A great way to start the day and an even better way to begin a summer holiday!

I went for the eggs bennedict with portobello mushrooms on a wholemeal muffin. 

Mum went for the classic version with smoked salmon. 

I have to say it was delicious! I usually find the hollandise sauce too rich however the sauce was perfect and not overpowering. Eggs beautifully poached balanced on a mushroom pâté with sliced mushrooms on the side. Highly recommend you go there if flying out!